Arco-flagellant

Inquisition Portal Ordo Hereticus

Arco-Flagellants^[3]

An Arco-flagellant is a heretic deemed worthy of redemption by the Ecclesiarchy, sentenced to arco-flagellation, and turned into living weapons.

Arco-flagellation

Arco-flagellants in action.

Arco-flagellation is a method of penitence administered by the Adeptus Mechanicus but appointed by the Ecclesiarchy. It is used to punish any heresy not terrible enough to warrant immediate execution. The point of such extravagant punishments is to physically expunge the sin from a heretic's soul so that they may strengthen the Emperor when they die.^{[Needs Citation]}

In arco-flagellation, the heretic undergoes extensive physical surgery and mental reconditioning, turning them into frenzied berserkers. The guilty person can be implanted with a variety of weapons, such as cutting claws, pneu-mattocks and electro-flails. The Arco-flagellant is fitted with a sealed pacifier helm containing implants that connect into the cerebrum and spinal cord, which keeps them in a calm, barely conscious state. When in this mode the Arco-flagellant's mind is filled with sacred images and verses, such as symbols of the Ecclesiarchy, pictures of Saints and looped hymnals and prayers, which enter directly into the heretic's subconscious. The helm can be deactivated by means of a trigger word, releasing inhibitors and unleashing the full fury of the Arco-flagellant. Another trigger word activates the pacifier helm again, rendering the Arco-flagellant passive once more.^{[Needs Citation]}

Arco-flagellants are almost unstoppable once activated as their bodies become stimmed with combat drugs and pain killers, making them heedless of most injuries they sustain. Arco-flagellants are normally used by the Ecclesiarchy's fighting forces in suicide attack units. However, an Inquisitor can request (or demand if they are confident enough) that a Cardinal turn over an Arco-flagellant or two to their authority. An Arco-flagellant is not a subtle weapon, and they are much appreciated by the more bloody-minded Inquisitors, who are not afraid of some collateral damage and a few innocent casualties.^{[Needs Citation]}

They can be unleashed in packs, while fighting beside armies of the faithful, though, the Sister of Battle typically use them more sparingly. An exception is the Order of the Valorous Heart, however, who have drawn great inspiration from the redemptive suffering of their Arco-flagellant kill-throngs. While most Arco-flagellants live short and violent existences, some manage to survive multiple battles. Known as an Endurant, such a warrior is judged to have earned a measure of redemption from the God-Emperor, and fights with even greater ferocity than their kin. As a result, they are the first of their Arco-flagellant pack to spill blood, and often the last member left standing at the end of a battle.^[7]

Seraphs

A higher order of Arco-flagellant used by the Inquisition, these living weapons are created from those rare individuals possessing the Pariah Gene, to combat the warp. Seraphs serve as bodyguards and weapons for their masters and are clad in red robes woven with sacred names, infused with warding circuits crawling with symbols and words of dead tongues and equipped with both pacifier helms and null limiters to keep them docile and contain their dampening aura. Even Sorcerers as old and powerful as Ahzek Ahriman were forced to flee in their precence, lest they be rendered utterly helpless.^[8a][8b]

Notable Characters

• Damien 1427^[2]
• Simeon 38X^[2]
• Penitent 707^[4]
• Rasselas X-42^{[Needs Citation]}

Images

• 

  54mm Arco-Flagellant from Inquisitor^[3]

• 

  Arco-flagellants (2004)^[1]

• 

  Arco-Flagellants (2019)^[3]

See also

• Flagellant Weapon

Sources

• 1: Games-Workshop Arco-Flagellants (last accessed 18 March 2015)
• 2: The Inquisition (Background Book),^{[Needs Citation]}
• 3: Warhammer Community Battle Sister Bulletin – Part 18: Arco-flagellants: Posted 7 October 2019 (Last accessed 10/8/2019)
• 4: Warhammer Community: Blackstone Fortress - Building your Retinue (Posted on 3/12/2019) (Last accessed on 3 December 2019)
• 5: Warhammer Community: Reveals from the New Year Open Day 2020 (posted January 4 2020) (last accessed 1/4/2020)
• 6: Warhammer Community: Reveals from the New Year Open Day 2020 (posted January 4 2020) (last accessed 1/4/2020)
• 7: Codex: Adepta Sororitas (8th Edition), pg. 58 - Arco-flagellants
• 8: Ahriman: Exile
  • 8a: Chapter XIII - Clockwork
  • 8b: Chapter XIV - Taken

Uncited

This article purports to rely on sources which are not cited in the body of the text. For help on citation see the citation guidelines. You can help Lexicanum by fixing it.

• Codex: Witch Hunters. Published by Games Workshop UK in 2003. ISBN 1-84154-485-X ^{[Needs Citation]}
• Inquisitor Rulebook^{[Needs Citation]}