Warhammer 40k Wiki
Register
Advertisement
Warhammer 40k Wiki
Rosarius Astartes

A Rosarius used by a Space Marine Chaplain.

A Rosarius is a sacred symbol of office for the clerical members of the Adeptus Ministorum and is also a symbol of office for the Chaplains of the Space Marines alongside the Crozius. It is worn around the neck or waist on a sash, a cord, or a string of prayer beads.

A Rosarius normally takes the form of a gorget, amulet, or signet ring of adamantium usually shaped into the form of the Imperial Aquila or a Gothic Cross with a jewel in the centre.

It houses a powerful protective Conversion Field emitter, protecting the Ministorum Priest or the Space Marine Chaplain from attacks both physical and psychic that might otherwise break through the protection of even the mighty Space Marine power armour or the indomitable strength of his own will.

The field's effect is to convert the kinetic energy of an impact into harmless photons of the visible light spectrum. When the field stops a shot, a blinding flash of light is produced as the energetic conversion occurs. The field is capable of rendering even Plasma Gun shots harmless.

A Rosarius does not give off the same glow as a Refraction Field. However, they do convert some of the energy they observe into visible light, causing them to flash and spark when they are hit. Space Marine Chaplains are always granted a Rosarius upon attaining that rank within their Chapter.

ChaplainRosarius

The fearsome Chaplain Charmosian of the Emperor's Children Legion during the Great Crusade, outfitted with a Rosarius in the shape of an Imperial Aquila.

The most noted bearers of Rosarii are Space Marine Chaplains who receive them from the Ecclesiarchy as a symbol of the link they share in devotion to the Emperor of Mankind. Ecclesiarchy Confessors and Missionaries also wear a Rosarius.

Inquisitors sometimes carry Rosarius as well, although this is probably out of practical concerns to show their faith in the Emperor and to other Imperial Cult believers rather than as a show of allegiance to the Ecclesiarchy.

Also, a large number of the Sisters of Battle carry a Rosarius due to the strong affiliation between the Adepta Sororitas' Orders Militant and the Adeptus Ministorum.

The Wolf Priests of the Space Wolves Chapter, who combine the roles of Chaplain and Apothecary in that non-standard Chapter's organisation, are equipped with Wolf Amulets, which confer many of the same benefits as the Rosarius.

The Rosarius is often referred to in the Ecclesiarchy's sacred texts as the "Soul's Armour." Many of the Ecclesiarchy's Missionaries and the Space Marines' Chaplains have been saved from death or corruption by the Rosarius' Conversion Field.

Notable Rosarius Variants

A Maccabian Rosarius

A Maccabien Rosarius

  • Maccabien Rosarius - More than simply a field projector, a Rosarius is an icon of the Imperial Creed, and is often only entrusted to the highest officials in the Ecclesiarchy. A Rosarius appears to be a square, stylised cross of adamantium or some other dense and durable metal, with a jewel or Ecclesiarchy symbol in the centre. It is worn around the neck or waist on prayer beads or a sash. However, within each is a powerful field mechanism. A Maccabien Rosarius is named because each includes a small chip of stone cut from the bedrock of the sacred world of Maccabeus Quintus. A Rosarius does not give off the same glow as a Refractor Field. However, they do convert some of the energy they observe into visible light, causing them to flash and spark when they are hit. They are also a holy icon, meaning they do not suffer the touch of the foul Warp-born enemies of Mankind.

See Also

Sources

  • Codex: Space Marines (6th Edition), pp. 123, 125
  • Codex: Space Marines (5th Edition), pg. 58
  • Codex: Space Marines (4th Edition), pg. 24
  • Codex: Space Marines (3rd Edition), pg. 35
  • Codex: Space Wolves (5th Edition), pg. 35
  • Dark Heresy: Ascension (RPG), pg. 145
  • Dark Heresy: Blood of Martyrs (RPG), pp. 11, 14
  • Deathwatch: Core Rulebook (RPG), pg. 75
  • Deathwatch: First Founding (RPG), pg. 64
  • Deathwatch: Rites of Battle (RPG), pg. 143
  • Index Astartes II, "For the Emperor - Space Marine Chaplains"
  • Warhammer 40,000: Compendium (2nd Edition), "Chaplains & Commissars," pg. 22

Gallery

Raven Rock Videos
Warhammer 40,000 Overview Grim Dark Lore Teaser TrailerPart 1: ExodusPart 2: The Golden AgePart 3: Old NightPart 4: Rise of the EmperorPart 5: UnityPart 6: Lords of MarsPart 7: The Machine GodPart 8: ImperiumPart 9: The Fall of the AeldariPart 10: Gods and DaemonsPart 11: Great Crusade BeginsPart 12: The Son of StrifePart 13: Lost and FoundPart 14: A Thousand SonsPart 15: Bearer of the WordPart 16: The Perfect CityPart 17: Triumph at UllanorPart 18: Return to TerraPart 19: Council of NikaeaPart 20: Serpent in the GardenPart 21: Horus FallingPart 22: TraitorsPart 23: Folly of MagnusPart 24: Dark GambitsPart 25: HeresyPart 26: Flight of the EisensteinPart 27: MassacrePart 28: Requiem for a DreamPart 29: The SiegePart 30: Imperium InvictusPart 31: The Age of RebirthPart 32: The Rise of AbaddonPart 33: Saints and BeastsPart 34: InterregnumPart 35: Age of ApostasyPart 36: The Great DevourerPart 37: The Time of EndingPart 38: The 13th Black CrusadePart 39: ResurrectionPart 40: Indomitus
Advertisement