A Vigilator, usually a member of a Vigilator Cadre, is a Sister of Silence who serves in the most-senior tactical role granted only to the most experienced of Null Maidens. These sisters were members of the Execution Blade-equipped close combat elite of the Silent Sisterhood -- it was their task and the task of cadres like theirs to close rapidly in combat with enemy psykers and dispose of them with the bloody certainty of a power sword strike, preferably one inflicting a decapitating blow.
While they relied not only upon their power as psychic Nulls, but also their skill and speed as well as the protection of their advanced Vratine Armour to defend them from harm in such close assaults, to serve as a Vigilator was still to invite peril and death, but this was an honour that the Silent Sisterhood's ranks aspired to above all.
Role[]
As the most senior of the mainstay of the Silent Sisterhood's tactical formations, the Vigilator cadres are often deployed in battle in order to identify and excise the key components of an enemy force at close quarters. Whether their quarry is a single Rogue Psyker among a civilian hab-block or an Imperial resistance movement thousands strong, they serve to root out the command centres responsible and remove them, allowing the other units deployed in tangent to destroy the scattered resistance.
In larger detachments, the Vigilator cadres also provide a greater level of versatility to the frontline assault, and the effect of their sweeping blades on the ranks of a cult rabble or rebel militia is as much a psychological weapon as a direct tool of war. As their name implies, the Vigilators' charge outside of direct militant action is often to oversee the collection of the Great Tithe and the escorting, under threat of death, of individuals to the Black Ships.
Unit Composition[]
- 4-14 Vigilators
- 1 Vigilator Mistress
Wargear[]
- Hand Flamer (As replacement for Bolt Pistol)
- Needle Pistol (As replacement for Bolt Pistol)
- Plasma Pistol (As replacement for Vigilator Mistess' Bolt Pistol)
- Power Weapon (Any type) (As replacement for Vigilator Mistess' Execution Blade)
- Power Fist (As replacement for Vigilator Mistess' Execution Blade)
- Proteus Neuro-Lash (As replacement for Vigilator Mistess' Execution Blade)
- Kharon Pattern Acquisitor (Dedicated transport)
Notable Vigilators[]
- Sister Kaeria Casryn - Casryn was an Oblivion Knight of the Steel Fox Cadre of Vigilators during the Horus Heresy. In the War Within the Webway, Sister Kaeria was paired with the Custodian Diocletian Coros. During this conflict, the two formed a strong bond and grew to become close comrades. Coros had fought alongside the Silent Sisters for several solar decades and was able to understand Kaeria's meaning by simple facial expressions without having to sign to him in Thoughtmark. As a result, Sister Casryn eventually accompanied the Custodian outside the Imperial Webway as they attempted to recruit reinforcements for this clandestine war. Later on, Sister Casryn would help implement the Unspoken Sanction as decreed by the Emperor, as she oversaw the sacrifice of a thousand captured psykers in order to power the Golden Throne long enough for the Emperor to leave it for a single solar day, to help bring the War Within the Webway to a successful conclusion, closing off the Imperial Webway from the gateway into the Imperial Palace. During the Siege of Terra, Casryn was one of those chosen to come before Malcador the Sigillite before he ascended the Golden Throne and carry out the final tasks he gave to them before his death. At his command she gathered captive psykers to sacrifice to the Golden Throne to aid Malcador in his struggle to power the ancient device while the Emperor confronted Horus upon the Vengeful Spirit.
Sources[]
- Master of Mankind (Novel) by Aaron Dembski-Bowden, Dramatis Personae, Chs. 2, 3, 19
- The End and the Death: Volume 1 (Novel) by Dan Abnett, 3:ix
- The Horus Heresy Book Seven - Inferno (Forge World Series) by Alan Bligh, pg. 267
- Warhammer: The Horus Heresy Second Edition - Liber Imperium (Specialty Game), pg. 55
- Warhammer Community - Artwork of Prospero (Image)
Sisters of Silence Forces | |
---|---|
Command | Knight Abyssal • Knight Centura • Silent Judge • Knight Vestal |
Elites | Oblivion Knight • Raptor Guard • Eradicator • Silent Fury |
Troops | Vigilator • Pursuer • Pursuer Beast • Prosecutor • Witchseeker • Questora • Firebrand • Subjugator • Sanctioner • Expurgator |
Vehicles | Kharon Pattern Acquisitor • Erinyes Pattern Jetbike • Grav-Rhino • Rhino • Termite |
Aircraft | Talion • Thunderhawk |