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THE PRIESTHOOD OF MARS
CONTENTS
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ieutenant Shuna provisions of the 3,203rd Imperial adjusted to the floor, dripping with
Rhakis strode down the Guard Army's covenant with oily fluids. They contracted with puffs
air-transport's rear ramp, Mars. I carry a communique from of exhaust until the robed figure
’ gagging on the hot polluted the Lord-Colonel.' loomed only a foot over her.
air that hit her. She
steeled herself as she The door's two halves met in broad, ‘Magister-Emeritus Skand,' Rhakis
strode from the landing pad. Distant interlocking teeth and the skull began, crisply offering the sign of
detonations marked the battles and cog symbol of the Adeptus the aquila. ‘The Lord-Colonel sends
of the Lord-Colonel's vanguard Mechanicus spanned the doors. As his most-’
regiments against the world's xenos, she waited, Rhakis picked a flake
battling aliens while the rest of the of oily rust off her formerly pristine 'Unnecessary salutations,' the Tech-Priest
Imperial war machine was still being uniform. She sneered at the residue interrupted in an artificial voice.
organised. The drone of the carrier's it left, staining her bright staff jacket Within the shadows of Skand's cowl,
idling engines faded behind her as with a spot of reddish brown. Rhakis saw no mouth, only a mass of
she walked, swiftly overwhelmed by cables disappearing where mouth
an industrial din as she approached a Rhakis felt the grind of massive and nose might once have been,
command installation. It only vaguely machinery before she heard it. When topped by a cluster of lenses.
resembled the strategic control the huge doors finally opened, it was
bunkers of Rhakis' own regiment. with a waft of air that was even thicker ‘Consider them received,' Skand
Huge pipes emerged from its flanks and fouler than outside. A single continued. ‘Your presence ws anticipated,
to plunge into the ground. Cables, servitor waited in a dim corridor. but it is nonetheless a delay to my schedule.
vents and mechanisms she couldn't From an elaborate emitter bolted into You are granted fourteen millicycles for your
name encrusted its walls. its bare chest, a monotone rasped. audience, while 1commence Visual Inspection
Kaptis X-IV. Attend:
Lieutenant Rhakis had seen nothing 'Follow this unit. Do not deviate. Do not
on the Valkyrie's final approach due temporise.1 The figure turned, lurching Skand turned and swept down a
to a blanket of engulfing fumes. away at a brisk pace despite its corridor, his numerous metallic feet
A terse communication from the lopsided gait. Rhakis marched to clattering over the rust-coloured floor.
installation had informed the pilot keep up. Rhakis followed, passing yet more
that conditions at ground level servitors as well as Tech-Priests she
required no rebreather, yet the The noise, heat and smell increased. assumed were Skand's underlings.
orange-brown particles that fell Rhakis was led by the servitor into The former wore slack expressions
like foul snow made Rhakis doubt a huge vaulted space where ranks while they carried out their simple
that assessment. She glanced at ofclicking and whirring mechanisms tasks. The latter ignored her as they
the underside of the chemical rose above her. She could see more conducted arcane rituals at cogitator
cloud above her as she reached the beneath her through a gantry over banks, their voices buzzing like static.
installation’s formidable entrance. which she was led. Cybernetic thralls
were wired into machines, murmuring Rhakis caught up with Skand as he
'Lieutenant Rhakis,' she said into unintelligible words. mounted a pulpit-like contrivance.
a vox-receiver embedded into the The pulpit faced a bulkhead, but as
doorway, hearing the hoarseness in A clatter above her drew Rhakis' prehensile cables slithered from the
her voice from the torrid air. attention. Only her training stopped Magister’s robe and connected with
her from gasping out loud. A the pulpit's dataports, the bulkhead
'Equerry to Lord-Colonel Klaister. To seemingly mechanical creature, shuddered and lifted. Rhakis was
see-' Rhakis paused to remember far larger than the lieutenant and forced to board in an undignified
the esoteric title. The Lord-Colonel's with too many horribly long legs, scramble, barely making it before it
Adjutant Dignitium had explained to clambered down the sheer face of rose on anti-grav impellors and exited
the lieutenant that precise recitation mechanisms towards her. Rhakis took the opening into nothing.
was expected by her hosts. an involuntary step back. Only when
it came near did she register that a A fug of dun-coloured mist shrouded
'To see Magister-Emeritus Skand, cowled protuberance rearing up from everything beyond the pulpit. Rhakis
Gnosticarch of the Gymmeric Stacks. the nest of legs was the upper half of coughed violently. Skand's vocal
1request an audience under the a person. The thing's legs effortlessly emitter elicited a brief squall of noise
before he delivered another clipped drumbeat of eerily synchronous in one melding after the next stalked
command without facing her. footfalls. Huge trains of war engines or clattered at their masters’ whim.
in forms she had never seen before
‘The communique. Commence.' ground forward in the infantry’s Skand brought the pulpit to a halt
midst. The pulpit conveyance swept amid a regimented congregation of
Rhakis withdrew a dataslate from her lower. Rhakis saw tanks stomping servitors. Each was uniquely marred
jacket. She conducted the security on huge mechanical limbs like by the cybernetics forced upon them.
rites before starting to deliver the crabs, barge-like vessels carried on They were stained by the dust kicked
Lord-Colonel’s effusive message. shuddering waves of glowing exhaust up by the passage of Skand’s forces
Skand gave another irritated blurt. A and bipedal vehicles that reminded and the oily fallout drifting from
metallic tendril plucked the dataslate her of stalking ground raptors. above. As Rhakis stumbled from the
from her hands, jabbing a needle pulpit onto solid ground, she saw her
into its casing. Within seconds, the Skand drove his mount in a spiralling uniform was similarly stained.
Tech-Priest spoke again. descent and Rhakis clutched its
armoured edge. Aircraft shot past at From his mounted position, Skand
‘The Lord-Colonel expresses his fervent speeds she would have sworn such turned to her without ceremony.
wish that the Machine Cod’s warriors be clumsy-looking machines should not
mobilised.' Skand paused, his next have been capable of, and flocks of 'The audience is concluded. The
words far more clipped, as if they winged figures like chimeric horrors Lord-Colonel has my accedance to
were spat in anger. 'Every asset, to the darted at the edge of her vision. She his request.'
fullest extent and with greater urgency.' and Skand tore through clouds of
acrid incense that burned her eyes, Rhakis licked her lips before replying.
Rhakis remained silent. She had through energistic currents that made
known the thrust of the missive. The her teeth itch and her skin crawl. 'I will bear your words to the
mist parted before them and Skand She squinted backwards into the Lord-Colonel, Magister-Emeritus.'
at last turned to face her. She kept slipstream and saw pulsing glows and Two servitors trudged towards her.
her face impassive as he leaned in, sparks emitted by unknown weapons. ‘My thanks for the return escort.'
the scents of burnt resin, old oil and
chemicals wafting from his cowl. Skand slowed the conveyance 'YOM misapprehend,' Skand replied. '1
marginally and the roar of air was have transmitted my reply securely, assuring
'Witness the mere sliver of might the replaced with another noise. It the Lord-Colonel that I will mobilise my
Machine God has deemed necessary to became more deafening the lower assets with immediate effect. Al! my assets.'
eradicate these xenos.' their path took them. Meaningless
chants rose up into the air along with The two servitors took hold of Rhakis’
Rhakis felt the conveyance drop with shrieks as if from ruptured vox units arms with painful grips. She cried out
a lurch and suddenly they were out of and roars of static. They overlaid each indignantly, staring at them. Neither
the obscuring fug. And she witnessed. other like surf on a beach; the noise looked at her. The one that retained a
made her feel nauseated. biological eye stared vacantly. Rhakis
The Tech-Priests' command bunker saw a faded regimental tattoo on its
was sited on a cliff edge overlooking They skimmed lower. Reverberations exposed neck.
the Yashnal Depression, a dried delta passed through her boots and along
they had claimed for their mustering, her arms, making her jaw ache. Closer ‘The Lord-Colonel will hear of this!’
naturally shielded by the cliffs. Her to, she could make out squads and she blurted out, sickened by the fear
subconscious tried to latch onto these individuals. Baroque armour and in her own voice. 'The transport that
topographical features for sanity's filigreed weapons clutched in steel brought me, the pilot...'
sake, but the spectacle held her gaze. fingers flashed by just feet below.
Hooded cabals of Tech-Priests The Tech-Priest turned away, the
Seen from thousands of feet up, the led marching processions, lifting flick of a mechadendrite dismissing
delta plain seethed with movement synthetic voices in what she assumed the brief moment she had occupied
across the miles of its width. was the machine language of their his attention. Lieutenant Rhakis
Phalanxes of infantry marched in cult. Armoured giants stomped along suddenly knew with certainty that the
angled polygons - their numbers unnervingly precise lines. Packs of carrier had lifted off without her. She
so vast she could hear the staccato hideous Human-machine amalgams screamed as she was hauled away.
Disciples of the
Uachlite M TO THE ADEPTUS
MECHANICUS, DOUBT IS
AS A LIE N AS THE XENOS
HORRORS THAT A S S A IL
M ANKIND 'S REALM. WHEN
THE RULING CABALS OF
HOODED AND B IO N IC A LL Y
mHRS41 AUGMENTED TECH-PR IESTS
COMMIT THEIR VAST ARMIES
TO B A T TLE , THEY HAVE ALREADY ENUMERATED
EVERY PARAMETER. EACH VARIABLE HAS BEEN
MEASURED AND ASSIGNED A P R O B A B ILITY
M A TR IX . ALL THAT REMAINS IS TO EXECUTE
THE PROTOCOLS OF WAR, WHICH ARE HANDED
DOWN TO THE PRIESTHOOD'S SEMI-MECHAN IC A L
FOLLOWERS AS D IV IN E S IG N S , UNDENIABLE
PROOFS OF THE MACHINE GOD'S POWER.
TO FACE THE ADEPTUS MECHANICUS IS TO
OPPOSE THOSE WHO HAVE ALREADY CALCULATED
YOUR DEM ISE.
KEEPERS OF
‘We know every fleeting life form is a cog in the grand DIVINE LORE
mechanism. Cast off your weak flesh and accept the glory
of the Machine God. We know mortal frailty pales before
The ruling caste of the Adeptus Mechanicus
the secrets revealed to the faithful, and with the wisdom
are the Tech-Priests. They direct the
of creation at our fingertips there is no prize beyond
mammoth endeavours of fabrication
our acquisition.'
upon which the Imperium depends and
- Declaration of the Trimechirate of the Eternal Forge lead the followers of the Machine God in
unforgiving crusades of ruthless acquisition.
The Tech-Priests hoard Mankind’s legacy of
knowledge, seeking an ever-closer union with
their deity.
12
Spectocrats can be seen upon many worlds
and ships, accompanying Mankind’s armies
and tending to their engines of war. The The intricate web of shifting religious, political, technological
Tech-Priests’ ranks become more esoteric and philosophical leanings within the Adeptus Mechanicus
and inscrutable deeper inside the Adeptus is bewildering to those outside the priesthood. Yet even as
Mechanicus’ theocratic layers. Each forge subcults, movements and schisms are in constant flux, certain
world is led by a Fabricator General, the most Holy Orders are commonly recognised on the majority of forge
technically adept and knowledgeable among worlds. Tech-Priests who subscribe to their broad tenets, while
their kind. Under this august individual is the experts in sometimes wildly divergent matters of Cult doctrine,
world’s Fabricator Locum, the masters of the will strive to apply their knowledge in an established form.
forge temples, overseers of bionically augmented With the great power and autonomy that especially resourceful
thralls and a dizzying array of others that can Tech-Priests can accumulate, some even invent tyrannical
be called upon for their unique knowledge. honorifics for themselves.
The term Tech-Priest covers many thousands
of roles, specialities and titles that are bestowed
or adopted in a shifting matrix of power, some
unique to their forge world or espoused only
within a single subcult. Genetors probe the MAGI
mysteries of the biological, creating strange Prime Hermeticon
cybernetic creature-amalgams and slaughtering Lord Dogma
xenos beyond number to uncover their alien Mechae Moribundus
frailties. Artisans create wondrous devices of In v ic tu s A c q u is ito r
archaic beauty and deadly effect, their ornate G erontocrat
weapons and filigreed wargear highly coveted D ata-predator
throughout the Imperium. Magi of countless
kinds plumb the depths of increasingly narrow
ravines of arcane know-how, heedless of the
cost in their thrall-servants’ lives, while Logi dig
with acquisitive intensity through the physical GENETORS
and abstract strata of the universe, with pure Magos B io lo g is
information as their goal. Arch-chym ist
Grand P a ra site
While those Tech-Priests in service to senior Metasurgeon
magisters are bound to their master’s obsessions Corpus Illu m in a to r
and intrigues, more powerful adepts have few Genetor Extrem is
limitations on the avenues of holy knowledge
they pursue. Tech-Priests Manipulus shape
and wield the Motive Force - that aspect of the
Machine God that grants vitality to all things,
mechanical and biological. Others focus on the LOGI
disciplines of metallurgy, alchemical synthesis, Lexico Arcanus
psychic resonance, gravitic theodominance B ib lio p h ilia c
and countless more that all contribute to the H y p e r- r a tio n a lis t
grinding Imperial war machine. M onitor Malevolus
In fo -e x e c u tio n e r
Tech-Priests do not shy away from the horrors B io c o g ita tu s
of war. The demonstration of the Machine God’s
primacy in the universe and the application
of their destructive, theological devices are an
opportunity to be grasped with fervour. Many
replace more delicate mechanical appendages ARTISANS
with war forms, steel shod bionics fitted with Forge Lord
esoteric weaponry. The most senior adepts, Mechasapient
in charge of calculating grand strategies P raetor E le c tro id
and directing the zealous forces under their Cybersmith
command, will adopt the title of Dominus. They Technoarcheologist
will bend their considerable mental prowess and Necromechanic
all the computational and logistical resources at
their behest to the complete annihilation of the
foe. Though the title is commonly temporary,
some Tech-Priests choose to remain a Dominus,
addicted to the superiority and divine power
such a position grants.
SKITARII LEGIONS within the hierarchy of their forge world’s
military might.
On limbs of hardened alloy march the
cohorts of the Skitarii. They are soldiers While command at the higher levels is
Z 9 . 4 1 2 / R 4 X 0 A 0 -3 3 of the Machine God and form the armies orchestrated with mechanical precision
THE RUST FIELDS WAR that answer to the Tech-Priests of the Cult by individual Tech-Priests, Skitarii are not
In their greed to claim resources Mechanicus. They glory in their augmented mindless automatons. Experienced Skitarii
for their factotums, a coalition forms, granted the knowledge by their masters Marshals conduct independent operations
of forge worlds led by Mars and that each calculated kill and every grinding along parameters defined by their masters.
Grata sends mining fleets to victory is achieved under the unblinking gaze They utilise inloaded tactical schematics,
exploit the vast belt of asteroids of their deity. meticulous planning and intuitive leaps of logic
known as the Rust Fields. Its to respond to local divergences of kill ratios and
interior has never been explored, The Skitarii are warriors made. Many were geospatial positioning. Rapid reassessment of
but the fringes alone promise all once part of the numberless pools of forcibly enemy capabilities enable individual units to
manner of metals, minerals and indentured labourers, or else vat-grown in outwit those who believe they have the better
chemical deposits in a tumbling mass flesh farms. No matter their origin, of the Machine God’s faithful. The information
horizon of asteroids that spans those who serve their forge world as Skitarii acquired is broadcast back along the nodes of
three sectors. Soon after delving are zealously loyal and fanatically devoted to command, informing hundreds of decisions
operations are begun, however, the Cult Mechanicus. Their masters refashion per second, and is implemented to crush the
it is discovered that Ork tribes their bodies, replacing fallible ligaments enemy. When facing a lost cause, and even
infest the Rust Fields' interior. and flesh with titanium servo-motors and unto death, Skitarii continue to transmit stacks
The Martian and Graian macroclades bionic musculature. The Skitarii see the of data back to the Tech-Priests, harvested by
assume the Orks to have already Tech-Priests as prophets and intermediaries, multi-spectrum analysers, auto-filter optics,
dominated the region's heart and each binharic order issued from on high as a vox synthesisers and echolalic reverberators.
set to their extermination in a holy commandment calibrated to stimulate awe The adepts of the Machine God care not if
war of acquisition. In truth, the and reverence. a hundred, a thousand or a million of their
Orks have waged a territorial war fanatical warriors fall in battle. The Skitarii
with Kin of the Trans-Hyperian Units of Skitarii operate under the leadership are tools to be employed in the destruction
Alliance for generations. Kin of their primary warrior, typically an Alpha of Mankind’s enemies, a worthy sacrifice to
and Orks alike are stirred into or Princeps. Together these units comprise a absolute dominion. The data acquired by these
outward aggression, and untold maniple, an organisational unit within the forge fallen soldiers provides yet more knowledge
numbers of additional Imperial world’s military. Maniples are constituent parts of the foes’ weaknesses, and feeds the grim
forces pour into the region as of cohorts that in turn are part of macroclades. computation of Adeptus Mechanicus strategy.
the Adeptus Mechanicus fights to Maniples are assigned an identifying sigil drawn
retain its foothold. from the archaic and inscrutable symbology to As carefully crafted weapons, a forge world’s
which the Adeptus Mechanicus is heir. Through Skitarii fulfil as broad or as specialised a role as
an interlocking system of cohorts and the even the Tech-Priests require of them, bearing the
larger macroclades, each maniple, unit and arcane technologies of their religious orders
individual Skitarius understands their place to war. Rad-saturated Vanguard are front-line
troopers who weaponise the debilitating aura
that infuses them, advancing relentlessly
and rendering the battlefield as inimical to
life as the Grystpits on Mars with volleys of
irradiated carbine fire. Those promoted from
the infantry maniples may be allocated to
the Serberys corps, long range outriders or
aggressive line breakers mag-locked atop loping,
mechanical cybercanids.
15
THE ARCANE More radical Tech-Priests risk the wrath of the
Skorpius Duneriders machine spirit by using
AND THE ANCIENT the rugged vehicle for long-range transport.
More often, lines of Skorpius Duneriders
The Tech-Priests’ strange rites, biomechanical travel behind marching cohorts of Skitarii, the
servants and ability to work incomprehensible warriors’ optics eerily glowing through the
devices make them figures of awe and vehicles’ fumes as they advance in lockstep.
fear throughout most of the Imperium.
Strange creations lumber forward at their Skorpius Duneriders are calibrated for the swift
command, energies that primitives consider delivery of front-line assets into the heart of ONAGER
magical are summoned and technologies battle. In clouds of dust and tendrils of chemical DUNECRAWLERS
from ages best forgotten are unleashed in smoke, they sweep upon enemy defences or The Onager Dunecrawler is
destructive tempests. into designated fire points. Their armoured a walker-engine akin to a
ramp slams down and from within stride the multi-legged battle tank. It
The Adeptus Mechanicus draw upon millennia cybernetic and heavily augmented warriors of easily negotiates dangerous
of surviving Human technology and the the Machine God, while the Skorpius Dunerider battlefields as it brings its
mysteries of their own arcane religion to create pours heavy-calibre shot into the foe from its arsenal to bear, its hull bristling
not only slab-sided battle tanks, huge capacitors cognis heavy stubbers. with heavy weaponry of
and city-sized vessels, but far stranger and archaic design. Dunecrawlers
more sinister creations. Servo-skulls crafted AIRBORNE ASSETS can blast apart squadrons
from the craniums of loyal Imperial subjects One of many specialised castes of cyborg of aircraft, punch holes in
hover on anti-grav thrusters. Gene-cloned warriors available to the Adeptus Mechanicus, traitor battle engines or
familiars packed with advanced sensory suites the Pteraxii are optimised for instinctive atomise enemy commanders
perch in the shadows while entirely mechanical reaction and agility. Pteraxii’s reflexes are in beams of blue light. The
cyber-constructs growl through vox-grilles accentuated by paring back elements of engine owes its origins to the
at their side. In their creation, Tech-Priests cogitation that impede their primary function. Mars Universal Land Engine,
employ scarce metals, carboniferous fibroids, Implanted with additional limb-stumps - fashioned by the famed
bone, infraglass, seventh phase helionite and scapuli superior - on their back, a flight pack of technoarcheologist Arkhan
rarer substances in their efforts to duplicate thrusters and reactive life surfaces is connected Land. Intended as a workhorse
the construction formulae set down by their to them. The flight packs become part of the that could escort its masters
predecessors. Many creations are known only Pteraxii, who serve in several roles. across the inhospitable
within the closed orders of the Cult Mechanicus, wastes of Mars in relative
while some are granted as gifts to staunch allies. Sterylizors, for example, are honed for safety, the machine proved
aggression, and their legs end in vicious, so successful it was inevitably
SKORPIUS TANKS spur-like talons. They scour cavernous forge repurposed as a weapon of
The majority of forge worlds exist as toxic temples free of technosites and cyblight war - though only after many
wastelands - the result of millennia of infestations and Tech-Priests do not hesitate centuries of careful religious
industrial overproduction and abuse - and to turn the Sterylizors’ phosphor torches on discussion and rigorous
the Skorpius-pattern chassis was developed intelligent adversaries. Skystalkers, meanwhile, scriptural interpretation.
to traverse these planets’ acidic bogs. Beneath find optimal vantage points from which
a pressurised skirt of toughened nanofibre, to pick off their targets - whether isolated To its enmeshed crew and
alchemical gas is atomised by half-forgotten battlefield marks or feral psyber familiars Skitarii, the Dunecrawler
processes, creating forward impulse and and servo-cherubim - with flurries of is no mere weapon, but a
belching a backwash of fumes. razor-sharp flechettes. walking reliquary of sacred
technologies protected by
Bristling with heavy weapons, Skorpius Tlie Archaeopter is a workhorse not only of the hand of the Machine God.
Disintegrators are fast-moving battle tanks. the toxic Martian skies, but of distant worlds Overlapping Emanatus force
Whether individually supporting advances at the forefront of the Tech-Priests’ expansion shielding fields disperse
or thrusting forward in dozens-strong tides, for millennia. It is an agile, fixed-wing aircraft. hostile energies into the
Skorpius Disintegrators keep up a blistering rate Piloted by a member of the Pteraxii caste whose atmosphere, and incoming
of fire and deadly payloads. Salvoes of missiles legs and scapuli superior are hardwired into its projectiles are transmuted into
are launched in pre-programmed waves, and controls, the nano-carbon fibre-weave of the little more than flashes of light
the heavy clunk of reloading is heard even Archaeopter’s wings is capable of morphing - a and tangs of ozone.
before the first detonations. The tank’s primary property it shares with Pteraxii flight packs. This
armament varies. Some carry a belleros energy affords great manoeuvrability and enables it to
cannon, its arcing projectiles using the same operate within changing pressures.
hyp er-reactive gas as the hover drives, but
super-heated and reinjected; the projectile Tire Archaeopter’s ancient design was eventually
explodes on impact in a seething, spectroscopic deemed holy enough to accommodate subroles.
energy blast. Others bear a ferrumite cannon, Archaeopter Transvectors undertake explorator
whose thudding, solid-core shells become duties, as well as delivering teams of lethal
molten spears upon contact, flash-heating operatives behind enemy lines or into the
whatever they impale. heart of battle. From an ordnance selector,
19
incense as they mount deadly charges with their
pronged taser lances. Their ranks often comprise
the most zealous of a forge world’s Skitarii, and
are viewed by others of their cohort as chivalric
hunters, marking their quarry with radiating
shot so they can track them down no matter
where they run. The Ironstrider Ballistarii
are also constantly on the move, stalking the
fringes of their maniple to find ideal firing
positions and then moving again before the
enemy can retaliate. Their pilots are marksmen
beyond compare, often drawn from the ranks
of veteran Ranger units. Steadied by gyroscopic
stabilisers, Ironstrider Ballistarii form stable
firing platforms for their powerful cognis heavy
weapons with which they hunt enemy vehicles
and commanders.
ELECTRO-PRIESTS
Congregations of Electro-Priests embody many
of the arcane and fanatical aspects of the Cult
Mechanicus. All are devoted to the Motive
Force, the aspect of the Machine God that
adepts of the Adeptus Mechanicus preach is
the spark that drives all systems, biological and
mechanical. It is the fire that leaps from neuron
to neuron and the illumination that reignites
cold reactor cores. The Motive Force runs like
a current through the bodies of Electro-Priests,
channelled by electoos and amplified by their
fervour so that their bodies crackle with power.
Implanted under the skin of Electro-Priests,
electoos connect their entire nervous system,
sending bio-electric pulses potent enough to
incinerate incoming projectiles. An example of
the less obvious, but no less bizarre technologies
to emerge from the forge temples of the Adeptus
Mechanicus, electoos can be made to be nearly
invisible. Alternatively, they can be made to
radiate vibrantly through the flesh of those who
Archaeopter Fusilaves drop payloads of bear them, serving as proud brands bestowed
MECHANICUS PISTOLS ground-penetrating, tectomagnic bombs that by the Machine God. These subcutaneous
Powerful sidearms employing cause seismic shock waves, while Archaeopter circuitries range from small metallic wafers,
esoteric technologies are carried Stratoraptors saturate the foe with fire from to silvery streams of motile nano-servitors
by many followers of the Machine their fearsome array of armaments. and even full-body networks. Simple versions
God. The designs behind them are worn by every one of the Machine God’s
may be ancient, but these pistols IRONSTRIDER ENGINES worshippers and can be remotely accessed to
are churned out in huge numbers Servitors are also permanently integrated provide a wealth of identifying and hierarchical
every hour from the smoke-filled into many of the Adeptus Mechanicus’ more data. Few rival the extent and complexity of
bowels of forge worlds. Arc complex devices. The motive engines ridden those borne by the Electro-Priest brotherhoods.
pistols and radium pistols - or to war by the corps of Sydonian Dragoons
the longer and more elaborate and Ironstrider Ballistarii are fitted with a How this holy resource is employed is at the
radium serpentas - use the same mono-task servitor that serves as a steering heart of an antagonistic schism among the
lethal energies as radium carbines conduit. The Ironstrider engine they form a part Electro-Priests. Those of the Corpuscarii faction
and arc rifles. Phosphor blast of is a stilt-limbed combat walker perfected by believe in spreading the light of the Machine
pistols shoot spheres of blinding the Tech-Priest Aldebrac Vingh. The limbless God’s bounty. They advance while chanting
white fire while antique-looking and sightless servitor exists as an interface binharic litanies, building up the energy
archeo-revolvers fire solid shot. between the commands issued by the Skitarii within their bodies and discharging it in gouts
Stranger still are eradication warrior mounted on top and the near-perfect of power from their electrostatic gauntlets.
pistols that discorporate the perpetual motion dynamo at the engine’s core. These electrocuting bolts grant unbelievers
foe and gamma pistols that fire one ecstatic moment of enlightenment before
Sydonian Dragoons operate as swift-moving burning them from the inside out. Their rivals
shock troops, wreathed in clouds of ochre among the Fulgurite brotherhoods see such
Machine God’s finite favour. They consider it a the program even during the fury of intense
vile sin, and it is one they see also in their deity’s firefights. Should no one change the protocol a
enemies, whose very existence fritters away the Kastelan Robot is following, it will follow that
holy Motive Force. Rather than slaying from protocol ad infinitum until its power reserves
afar, Fulgurites smite their enemies face-to-face are exhausted - which might take weeks of
with long-hafted electroleech staves. These draw relentless fighting - or until it is destroyed. It
the energy from those they strike and store it in is not unheard of for a maniple of Kastelan
capacitor cells on the Electro-Priest’s back. In robots to stride into a lake of highly corrosive
the wake of the Fulgurites, enemy vehicles are industrial run-off or go about reducing a city to THE MIND IN
left cold and dead, while once-living creatures ruins even when the last foe has been purged THE MACHINE
he motionless, their nervous system and organs from it, all because it is following protocols no The Legio Cybernetica’s origins
stilled forever. longer applicable to the situation. lie with the tech-savants who first
experimented with artificial life
Some maniples of Kastelan Robots appear in the Dark Age of Technology.
LEGIO CYBERNETICA to have spent millennia following strange These highly curious individuals
directions and protocols programmed into built great hosts of automata
When the automatons of the Legio them by masters thousands of years dead. These and gave them the power of
Cybernetica go to war, the ground shakes with ancient machines call no forge world home, independent thought. This was a
the thunderous stamping of their robotic feet. and are instead itinerant. They often arrive in terrible mistake, one that led to
The air is filled with praise-blurts glorifying battle, unheeded, their appearance taken as a awful consequences for the whole
the Omnissiah emitted from rasping vox, and sign of the Machine God’s favour. Constructs of Humanity. From that point
psalm-programmes grind loud over the din such as 13-Tor, known as the Automongrel of on the use of the dreaded silica
of war. They are the Ever-Faithful, each an the Grainan Stellar Drawbridge, and Dostoyon animus was outlawed forever.
ancient servant of the Machine God. Vladimus 12, the Iron Ghost of Farewell Those who dared attempt to
Secundus, fight until battle is won, seemingly resurrect this technology were
KASTELAN ROBOTS receptive to directives from Tech-Priests. tortured until death, but this did
Kastelan Robots are possessed of immense Afterwards, they disappear again, not seen not stop others from attempting
physical might and rugged stamina, and perhaps for centuries. to utilise the technology to make
harbour no sense of doubt or weakness. thinking machines, believing
Each is an unliving giant, assigned a specific There are a number of battle protocols that a they could avoid the mistakes of
war-purpose by its Datasmith master. These maniple can be programmed to follow, such as Mankind’s past. Some attempted
mighty constructs have fought the Imperiums that of the Conqueror. When this is activated, to design constructs with the
foes since the founding of the Mechanicum, the Kastelan Robots advance towards the foe, minds of loyal beasts. Others went
and many forge worlds claim to have examples their stride turning to a loping run. They close a darker route, blending their
that have served them for millennia before upon the enemy with remarkable speed and machines with essences from
this. This is within the realms of possibility, for become battering rams. Their barrel-sized the empyrean. All these attempts
the technology used to produce such powerful fists swing like wrecking balls, pulverising led to disastrous consequences.
constructs predates the Imperium of Man. Yet flesh, crushing armour and punching through Fragmented accounts and rotting
the secrets of their creation are now all but ferrocrete with equal ease. When the Protector datastacks suggest that Warmaster
lost, and so the resanctified portions used to protocol is activated, the Kastelans become Horus cared not for the potential
maintain those that survive mean a great many bastions of firepower, turning their heavy damage these engines could cause,
bear elements that are surely well over ten weaponry upon the foe, re-routing blessed sponsoring their insane creators
thousand years old. subroutines from rapid locomotion to precision and winning them over to his
bombardment. These automata can also be side. These depraved individuals
The bulk of Kastelan Robots alone allows them equipped with phosphor blasters in place of became a part of the Dark
to weather enormous storms of heavy fire with powered fists, perfect for those Tech-Priests Mechanicum, an intentionally
impunity, but they are also equipped with who require enormous firepower. When armed indefinite moniker for those
devices that emit invisible, thrumming repulsor in this way, and once the applicable ballistics hereteks spoken of only by the
grids using technology from a bygone age. The subroutines have been triggered, the robots Priesthood of Mars, and even
surrounding cages of force cause most incoming pour a storm of incandescent, glowing shot then in whispered code. Yet the
fire to fizzle out against the unseen barrier, but into the enemy. The burning white spheres fear and dark legend of armies
should attacks strike the grid at the right angle, cling tenaciously to their targets, sizzling wildly of thinking-machines persists
they will deflect back at the firer as if cast back as they burrow through armour and melt throughout the Imperium.
by the vengeful hand of the Omnissiah himself. into flesh.
Kastelan Robots fight in maniples - In millennia past, the robots of the Legio
self-contained units that are sub-divisions of Cybernetica numbered enough to lay waste
the legion - composed of between two and to entire alien empires - but these days are
six automata. In battle they follow carefully thought to be no more. Many of the hallowed
programmed battle protocols, though they can machines have been lost to time, and the secrets
only follow one at any given time. Should the to replacing them have been all but forgotten.
protocol need to change, a specialist Tech-Priest Because of this, it takes a Tech-Priest of
21
surpassing rank to authorise their use in battle, the Emperor’s Tarot, these slivers of necromantic
and forge worlds will sanction extreme expense wetware are entrusted to those Cybernetica
to recover those Kastelans that have fallen Datasmiths that accompany the robot maniples
in battle - from sending in waves of Skitarii to war. These wafers are inserted into a dataslot
to cover the extraction of their fragments to hidden behind a robots chestplate, and the
P 0 0 9 -IV > 1 25 X {0 > 00-31 funding an Explorator Crusade to quest after wafers command protocol dictates every action
THE NULLIVAR PROOF rumours of an intact specimen. Yet these of its host’s behaviour. Should a Datasmith wish
The sudden appearance of an machines continue to fight on the front lines of to change the behaviour of their charges, they
ancient Cult Mechanicus signal the most crucial wars. To the Tech-Priests who must manually exchange the wafer currently
arouses concern and interest alike consider the flesh to be weak, commanding inserted into a robot’s dataslot for another. It
on the fringes of the Great Rift these constructs is like commanding the angels follows naturally that this poses a risk. If the
near the galactic core. Reports of the Omnissiah himself. Datasmith has been slain, or if a wafer or the
from the first Explorator fleets dataslot becomes damaged, the robot’s protocols
to reach the region describe the CYBERNETICA DATASMITHS may be irreversible. This limitation hampers
miraculous eruption into realspace Cybernetica Datasmiths are a specialist rank the flexibility of robot maniples who may not
of an entire world, a rogue planet of Tech-Priest that program the robots of the be able to adapt to fluid battle plans. Both of
whose energy signatures are those Legio Cybernetica at the maniple level, and are these the Cult Mechanicus accepts. Hardwiring
of a fully active forge world. No expected to do so even during the most furious independent thought into battle automata is
record of the planet is known, fighting. They are thus equipped with a wide strictly forbidden by the Crimson Accords of
and its signals are of the most array of weapons and arcana from their forge Mars, laws older than the Imperium itself.
ancient registers of binharic. worlds arsenals. Their gamma pistol fire beams
of ionizing radiation that can reduce a Human
Wild theorems abound that this to ash, burn holes through fortress walls or
SERVITORS
could be the fabled forge of reduce the armour of battle tanks into a ferrous
Nullivar, thought lost since ooze. Many Datasmiths also bear prehensile Servitors are meldings of living Humans with
before the Great Crusade. dataspikes, which can steal the secrets of enemy typically simple mechanical augmentations.
Desperate fleets from a dozen machines within heartbeats of being stabbed They are made by Tech-Priests to fulfil
forge worlds race to test the into the engines’ cortices. With this powerful mundane and basic tasks, not only in their
hypothesis and to lay claim to wargear, Cybernetica Datasmiths can defend creators’ own holdings, but throughout the
what treasures may survive from themselves and still continue their vital work of Imperium, in servile roles beyond count.
ages past. Shadowy xenos fleets overseeing their robotic charges. They are among the most ubiquitous tools
are converging on the region, too. wrought by the Adeptus Mechanicus and
But Nullivar's masters are not For ten thousand years, the robots of the Legio the most frequently seen examples of the
dead, and they have plans of their Cybernetica have obeyed their masters - save Tech-Priests’ more macabre skills by ordinary
own, crafted over ten millennia for those few units with irreversibly fixed Imperial citizens.
of exile. protocols. They are not controlled by the
bio-plastic cerebra and nerve-like tendril webs FITTING FORM TO FUNCTION
of Mechanicum constructs, but by sanctified Every servitor is made for a purpose. This could
doctrina wafers: fusions of biomatter and be to hew ore at mine faces or to haul heavy
electronics often in even shorter supply than the loads. Some pilot simple vehicles, effect basic
robots themselves. No bigger than the cards of repairs, fetch and carry more complex tools
for their masters, or operate much grander
mechanisms than themselves. There are classes
that are armed and given guardian or predatory
subroutines, and others employed as living
calculators. Repetitive or uncomplicated roles,
or those deemed beneath everyone else - or too
dangerous - are given to servitors. The Human
that forms their core is shorn of anything that
would hamper the fulfilment of that purpose.
Extraneous digits or limbs that may snag in holy
mechanisms; hair that could ignite, made dry
by malnutrition; free will and imagination that
might burden the unit with caution, and thereby
inconvenience its operation: all are removed.
RAW MATERIALS
The careful and reverent reclamation of a fallen
servitor’s mechanical components stands in
sharp contrast to the ready destruction of its
damaged flesh. Even where it is possible, the
repair of a servitor’s biological components is
rarely seen as efficient. The conditions in which
servitors are put to work ensures that their
flesh deteriorates quickly. Only in exceptional
circumstances would anything be done to
prevent this. Whether servitors are expected
to survive a day, a month, or longer, their
creators know that there is an endless supply of
replacement material to build another.
Still other servitors were once people in
The Creation Rites of Manifest Indenture the wrong place at the wrong time, taken,
lay down screed-covenants for the making screaming, and remade to serve. Deserted
of servitors, but they vary greatly not only frontier towns and emptied hab-blocks are
from forge world to forge world, but from one frequent discoveries after one of a forge world’s
temple to another and from one idiosyncratic Explorator fleets pass through a system. Few
Tech-Priest to the next. A number of servitors of those the Adeptus Mechanicus harvest are
are built upon a base of vat-grown bodies missed, and its political power means those
of flesh and blood, typically Human but who are will rarely be avenged. Tales also
occasionally creatures of other lineages. These abound of individuals throwing themselves
fully grown men and women are produced before a procession of Tech-Priests, begging to
in large-scale batches on most forge worlds, be reforged into a servitor. Some are religious
23
AN INTRINSIC COMPONENT
For millennia, servitors have been a ubiquitous
element in the workings of the Imperium.
Wherever Humans live, work, fight, worship
or congregate in appreciable numbers, there
are also servitors. They can be found on the
decks of Imperial starships or in the corridors
of Administratum bureaux, cleaning pews in
Ecclesiarchal cathedrums, dispensing nutrient
rations in underhive sprawls or straining
macro-sewers for corpses.
24
trigger mass panic if spread. Wiser and saner
observers know lurid fears on such apocalyptic
scales to be baseless for countless reasons,
not least the Tech-Priests’ own fractured
politics. This does not stop individual Tech-
Priests and some clandestine institutions from
capitalising on servitors’ status as near-invisible
parts of everyday life. Lone units have been
programmed to operate parallel roles as
saboteurs, eavesdroppers or crude assassins, the
very fact of their mundane appearance making
them easy to infiltrate onto Human worlds.
SERVITORS AT WAR
A forge world’s servitors accompany
macroclades of Skitarii and their Tech-Priest
masters to war in large numbers, supporting
endeavours of eradication and acquisition just
as they do those of ferocious industry. They
erect battlefield redoubts, repair damaged
war engines, serve as walking heavy weapon
mounts or are wired in as auxiliary vehicle
interfaces, as well as forming retinues for the
Tech-Priests themselves.
25
Greatest amongst the forge worlds is Mars, the sub-sects conduct treasonous research or plot
Red Planet. Situated in the Sol System, it is the for power, hacking rival power wells, annexing
seat of the Cult Mechanicus’ highest power. territory or appropriating assets. Most forge
Mars is the fulcrum upon which the religious, worlds, though, solemnly respect the Red
political and military might o f the Tech- Planet’s historical primacy. Many include
Priests turns, its importance to the Imperium elements of its ruddy livery in their own attire
second only to its sister world, Holy Terra. as a tacit recognition of this power - whether
genuinely felt or not - and Mars is viewed as
Mars is the original forge world, a planet speaking with the authority of the Machine
given over in ages past to holy industry on an God. Thus, its Fabricator General is well
unprecedented scale. Ancient holo-reliquaries versed in complex and aggressive factionalised
paint a picture of an isolated and terrifying interests, making their position on the
era. Long before the Imperium, civil wars and council of High Lords relatively secure against
disasters left Mars an irradiated wasteland. A assassination, coercion and deception.
surviving culture underground relied heavily
upon their remaining technology, so much so AN ANCIENT ORDER
that its use and maintenance became ritualised. The Cult Mechanicus predates the unification of
Technology became synonymous with life, their Terra, though by how long remains a matter of
Machine God with Human survival. fierce debate. It is tentatively accepted that the
surviving of a technologically adept diaspora
Deserts of ferrous particulates blow along solidified their faith - and their hold over Mars
the fringes of vast accretions of chem-stained - as the darkness of the Age of Strife receded.
metropolises that encompass entire tectonic The horrors of that era, when so much data
plates. Crackling capacitor banks the size of was destroyed and so many technologies lost to
cities churn the thick and spoiled atmosphere, Mankind, haunt the Adeptus Mechanicus to this
creating localised storms so persistent they day. Oblique references to lost works in the most
are named as fixtures on ancient maps. ancient of Mars’ data-stacks hint at the despatch
Pollutants billow from stacks emblazoned with of missions to Terra and beyond. From the
technoglyphs and crenelated with emitters that cradle of Humanity, the Tech-Priests took what
blare binharic canticles in praise of the Machine they needed; shards of archeotech and slivers of
God. The ceaseless din of divine creation archived data from Mankind’s lost past, while
reverberates through the ground while plumes techno-barbarian tribes warred over its surface.
of cinders and sparks gush from huge, volcano
like vents. This is the perfection wrought by the By the time the Emperor quashed his rivals and
Adeptus Mechanicus, and Mars’ pre-eminence bound Terra under his leadership, Mars was
has seen its likeness remade in praiseworthy fully indoctrinated as a theocratic civilisation
imitation time and again across the galaxy. that worshipped the Machine God. The
Emperor’s first step to reclaim the galaxy with
Tech-Priests throughout the Imperium are his Great Crusade was to forge an alliance with
referred to collectively as the Priesthood of the Tech-Priests, and with it the Mechanicum
Mars. It is considered the holiest place of was born. In exchange for their unalloyed aid in
pilgrimage for adepts of the Cult Mechanicus, providing weapons and wargear for his armies,
who are moved to rapture by the solar collector and ships in which to carry them to the stars,
fields of Arcadia, the spiralled glory of Tantalus the Emperor promised the Mechanicum access
Hive and the rearing majesty of Olympus to the ancient data and esoteric machineries
Mons, wherein resides the Fabricator General discovered on the worlds he would conquer.
of Mars. As political and religious ruler of the
Red Planet, the Fabricator General is ex officio Fully integrated into the Imperium,
head of the Adeptus Mechanicus, and holds a the Mechanicum was not spared the
permanent position as a High Lord of Terra. galaxy-shattering civil war known as the Horus
Heresy. Tech-Priests serving aboard the traitors’
All forge worlds owe nominal fealty to Mars, warships, and whole forge worlds in thrall to
and its ruler is vested with a divine right over the power of Horus, supplied secret data and
all others, judging on matters of doctrine arms, pledging entire Titan Legions to the
and legitimising contentious articles of trade. Arch-Traitor’s cause. Mars itself was rocked by
Few, however, slavishly submit to the Red open warfare as Horus’ agents sought to suborn
Planets superiority. Discoveries of ancient the entire institution from within. Little of hard
techno-arcana are often hidden rather than fact survives from this time, but in the period
revealed to Martian eyes, schisms in theology of rebuilding after the Heresy, forged anew and
and competition for resources can mar rededicated as the Adeptus Mechanicus, the
relationships for centuries and on occasion Priesthood of Mars set to the expurgation and
small wars have even broken out. Neither is extermination of its traitor elements with a
Mars itself a homogenous, unitary domain; fanaticism born of the truly devout.
B IR T H P L A C E
MARS
OF TH E CULT M E C H A N IC U S
The Red Planet is the foundation stone of the Adeptus Mechanicus, and is vaunted as one of
the holiest of all celestial orbs by its adherents, second only to Terra itself. Mars’ arrogant
THE OMNISSIAH Tech-Priests see themselves as the most blessed of the Machine God’s followers, to which all
The religion of the Adeptus others must pay an exacting measure of respect, and to whom is due a commensurate ratio
Mechanicus is an aberration. of resources.
The Ecclesiarchy promulgate
that the Imperial Creed is The zealotry of Mars’ Tech-Priests is heralded Mars is strictly stratified in its social order.
Mankind's sole system of by the constant buzz of static psalms, their The lowest level consists of the citizens, mainly
belief, and that any deviancy obedient warriors incanting the holy rites to unaugmented Human populations who labour
from it is subject to a variety the Omnissiah as they march ever forward. en masse at simple tasks such as sorting
of inventive punishments. Mars maintains its pre-eminence among the isotope scrap, tending hydroponics, breaking
The worship of the Machine Adeptus Mechanicus by colonising worlds ore or stoking forges: tasks for which even
God, however, is allowed to rich in sought-after resources, launching conversion to servitorhood is not required.
continue and even spread Explorator fleets to the fringes of the Imperium As subjects of their forge world’s masters, they
without hindrance. This and raising monumental forge temples to the are indoctrinated into the most basic tenets
policy stems primarily from glory of the Machine God. Agents of Mars of the Cult Mechanicus, though without the
the fact that the Imperium are spread throughout the galaxy, throughout specialised neural interfaces of the initiated
could not exist without the Mankind’s armed forces, amongst a great they cannot experience or understand the holy
Adeptus Mechanicus, and number of the Imperial Navy warships and binharic psalms that continuously blare across
the prospective horrors of a are even found overseeing other forge worlds. their planet. Most citizens aspire to gain status
cataclysmic civil war mean the The Red Planet counts among its empire more and escape lives of grinding misery by joining
Ecclesiarchy has no stated subservient industrialised worlds, forge moons the Skitarii. Those that succeed receive what for
desire to force the Tech-Priests' and automated void stations than any of its many will be their first bionics and perhaps even
conversion. The Ecclesiarchy's peers, and great trails of a way of later entering the
rationalisation of the Cult machinery, ammunition and priesthood. Lesser citizens
Mechanicus is also eased technological wonders flow may sport tattoos and
through the Tech-Priests' between its holdings. piercings suggestive of such
praise of the Omnissiah - a bionics, but wear common
common aspect of the Machine The Martian Tech-Priests are work clothes. Regardless
God, with the terms sometimes the heralds of the Machine of station, Martians have
synonymous. The Omnissiah God; they suffer no affront a tendency to be burly,
is the Machine God made to the forge world’s majesty saturnine and shaven headed,
manifest, and the Priesthood and no suggestion that its usually with a temper to
of Mars believe the Emperor creations are not the greatest. match their dour aspect. All
to be this manifestation. The Their engines are blessed sport electoos - though their
Adeptus Mechanicus thus with the most holy unguents subcutaneous cyberware is a
revere him not only as the and their vast Skitarii far less sophisticated version
Master of Mankind, but as an cohorts exult in their role of that carried by Mars’ elite.
I avatar of omniscience. It was as the holy warriors of their Through these circuits can
to Mars that the Emperor came deity’s chosen realm. Though still considered the glory of the Omnissiah be channelled. In
when his historic alliance was mere tools by their Tech-Priest masters, the times of great strife, Mars’ Tech-Priests can use
m ade with the Tech-Priests, Martian Skitarii are inducted into selected these interfaces to militarise the Red Planet’s
I and though no records are lesser mysteries of the Cult Mechanicus, for if populace, turning ordinary hab-workers still
known to docum ent this, the Tech-Priests are the most blessed, then so blighted by their bodies of flesh and blood into
the Omnissiah's blessing is must their tools and creations be. Marshals are dauntless warriors of the Machine God.
something the Red Planet implanted with stringent superiority protocols,
frequently reminds other making them unrelenting in their mobilisation THE RING OF IRON
forge worlds of. Despite of Mars’ cohorts and fanatically driven to Surrounding Mars’ equator - and incorporating
I this, there are subcults and derive nothing less than perfection from those the moon of Phobos - is a circlet of interlinked
factions who whisper that the they direct. dockyards, orbital transfer hubs, atmospheric
Emperor is merely a prophet scrubbers and toxic refineries too dangerous
I of the Machine God and not In the mammoth logistical undertaking of the even to allow on the Red Planet’s abused
divine. Tensions quickly Indomitus Crusade, macroclades from the Red and irradiated surface. Comprising many
run high amid claims and Planet accompany a great many of Guilliman’s other installations including survey outposts,
I counter-claims of tech-heresy fleets. Fighting alongside contingents from formidable defence platforms and vast
and the ever-present shadow across the Imperium, their warriors know they construction facilities, this Ring of Iron is most
of potential schism. embody the martial honour of the Adeptus notable for the huge warships and other large
Mechanicus in the eyes of others, and will not starfaring constructs that are built along its
be found wanting. length in gigantic suspended docks.
BELISARIUS CAWL
Archmagos Dominus Belisarius Cawl was already old at the birth of the
Imperium. During that span of ages the Tech-Priest has served Mars and
the Machine God as a Forge Lord and a Lexico Arcanus, among other
positions both known and unknown to his contemporaries. But it is in
his role as Magos Biologis that Cawl’s greatest mastery lies. It is rightfully
said that the aged Archmagos Dominus has forgotten more knowledge -
particularly about genetics - than all but the most studious adepts could
ever hope to learn. Despite portions of his own memories having been
stolen, and despite having twice suffered mindwiping, Cawl remains a
tech-savant, a genius at the forefront of whatever field he trains his brilliant
mind upon. Even amongst the ranks of the Adeptus Mechanicus, where
artificial devices increase brain capacity and extend life beyond measure,
such an accumulation of knowledge in multiple disciplines is exceedingly
rare. The Priesthood of Mars ennoble such beings as Prime Conduits of
the Omnissiah, or as a Dominates Dominus - Master of Masters - and of
those few still living who bear these titles, Cawl is by far the most active.
Cawl’s holdings on Mars belie his independence from the political elite of
the Red Planet. There are Forge Lords whose temples are aligned to receive
the favour of the Fabricator General, and whose resources and power
should far outstrip Cawl’s. Yet his manufactorums are far more extensive
than most. As Cawl’s accelerated cogitation sprints from design to design,
so does he reconfigure his plasma forges, magnacoil weavers and crystalloy
aligners so that production keeps pace with his energetic deliberations.
Since reloading his stored memories, the ancient Tech-Priest has become
forgetful, prone to spending recuperative decades within his own stasis
crypts. Yet such prolonged periods inspire Cawl to once more hunt
for knowledge. It is during such times that Cawl dons the mantle of
Archmagos Dominus, gathering about him Skitarii Legions and the Legio
Cybernetica. Although Mars is his home world, other forge worlds place
troops beneath Cawl’s command, asking only that he shares his knowledge.
Once in its history has Lucius suffered More than this, Lucius-pattern Their Ironstriders, Serberys corps and
the perils of doctrinal dissent. Long ago, weapons and war engines have all Dunecrawlers surge towards the enemy
the planet’s forge-star was almost sent garnered a well-deserved reputation with ferocious speed, often overrunning
into critical overload during the infamous for excellence across vast swathes the enemy before they realise their peril.
Inculcata Schism. Lucius survived that of the Imperium. From the radium
near catastrophe, however, and has ever carbines and galvanic rifles of Lucius’ The genius and innovation of the
since been a blazing beacon of orthodoxy own Skitarii to half-mile-long void Tech-Priests of Lucius was displayed
and compliance with the dictates of Mars. ship lance arrays, heavily armoured anew when a splinter fleet of Hive
Its Tech-Priesthood are fierce of faith battle-tanks, mass-stamped lasguns and Fleet Leviathan invaded the planet.
and dynamic of action, devoted servants bizarre techno-esoterica, the mark of Dispatching their Legio Cybernetica and
of the Omnissiah all. Moreover, the this forge world is a byword for quality a host of battle servitors to the planet’s
incalculable energy yield of their artificial and efficiency. outer surface, the Tech-Priests Dominus
star ensures that the Lucian Magi stand largely fought their battles from below
at the forefront of martial production. Amongst the most amazing of the planet’s crust. By tracking the motions
Their world has the capacity to fashion Lucius’ technologies are the immense of their servant clades and controlling
many incredible technologies, not least of God-Engines of its Titan Legion. activities via data-tethers, they waged
which is the proprietary alloy luciun. This Known as the Legio Astorum, or more their war without risking direct harm.
remarkable substance is incorporated colloquially as the Warp Runners, Wherever the Tyranid swarms overcame
into ornate masterwork weapons and these machines glory in the unique their servitor armies, the Tech-Priests
bionics, which are granted only to the ability to teleport directly into battle. waited for the xenos predators to devour
most worthy Skitarii and the Marshals It goes without saying that the sudden the meagre biological components before
that lead them to battle. appearance of towering engines of sending servo-skull swarms to carry the
destruction upon the battlefield has most vital of the remaining machine parts
won more than one battle in spectacular below the crust of the planet. There they
fashion, with weaker-willed foes fleeing were installed into fresh recruits, and
in panic or dropping dead from terror the next wave sent forth. Though it took
before the Legio Astorum engines open months, the resultant war of attrition
fire. Yet the Warp Runners are far from ended in victory. Deprived of biomatter,
Lucius’ only proud martial asset. Always the Tyranid bio-ships were forced to feed
eager to strike out into the galaxy and upon each other to generate replacement
wrest from it the natural resources to feed broods, and the xenos could not keep
the blessed forges, Lucius’ macroclades pace with the recycled machinery parts
are amongst the swiftest and most and refurbished robots constantly
aggressive fielded by any forge world. marching against them.
30
AGRIPINAA
ORB OF A M IL L IO N SC A R S
Agripinaa is a world scarred by war, its legions forged in conflict’s crucible and tempered through the fires of countless hellish
battles. Long has this forge world resisted the hostile attentions of the Dark Gods’ minions, for it stands perilously close to the
warp maw known as the Eye of Terror.
Once, Agripinaa laboured day and night each battle and employing their learnings time the enemy reach the guns of the
to supply the fortress world of Cadia with dogmatic determination. Yet the stationary defenders, they are fractured,
with munitions for its endless vigil priests of the Omnissiah are not above bloodied and demoralised, their
over the Eye of Terror. So integral to emotion when pushed to it. The assaults cohesion ready to fall when Agripinaa’s
the forge world was that mission, that upon their world by unclean servants of precision volleys fall upon them. The
some Tech-Priests had interpreted the the Dark Mechanicum, by Obliterator forge world’s cogitator-shrines have also
hermetic symbol in Agripinaa’s heraldic Cults, acquisitive Warpsmiths and even long determined pre-emptive strikes as
iconography as representing the Cadian loathsome Traitor Titan Legions have integral to its defence. Its Tech-Priests
Gate standing supreme over the forces instilled in the Tech-Priests of Agripinaa have plunged the spear of their fleets
of Chaos. Cadias fall has forced these a cold and unbending hatred for the deep into the Eye of Terror many times,
and countless other assumptions to worshippers of the Dark Gods. The seeking to raze the nightmarish forges of
be rethought. priests have perfected countless methods the Dark Mechanicum.
of slaughtering their heretic foes, and
Even before Abaddons victory during will fight on against them even unto the As with many powerful and well-fortified
the Thirteenth Black Crusade, Agripinaa collapse of all logic and reason, such is worlds throughout the wider Cadian
was already a heavily fortified and their disgust. Gate, Agripinaa has become a focal point
war-scarred world. Heretic raiding not only for conflict, but also for refugees.
parties struck at the forge world often, While Agripinaa’s stoic defenders have It is natural that fleeing Imperial citizens
some seeking to plunder its technological refined their protocols of repudiation and soldiery alike would put aside their
secrets while others hoped to disrupt and dogged resistance, its Tech-Priests prejudices in such desperate times
the planet’s crucial supply lines to key have formulated complex strategies of and seek shelter behind the ironclad
worlds throughout the Cadian war aggressive counter-sieges as well. Huge bulwarks of the Adeptus Mechanicus.
zone. Since Cadias fall, the frequency wedges of Serberys Sulphurhounds Agripinaa welcomes all willing to serve
and severity of those attacks has are unleashed into advancing enemy the Omnissiah. Many have chosen
increased tenfold. Agripinaa exists in a formations in shockingly brutal and starvation over what the planet’s Magi
state of near-constant conflict, fighting seemingly reckless manoeuvres. Smaller see as a logical contribution to ultimate
wars of both attack and defence as its units of Skitarii Rangers and Serberys victory, but countless others have stepped
macroclades seek to drive back the Raiders harry the enemy while flights of willingly into the Omnissiah’s embrace.
endless tide of foes spilling from the Archaeopter Fusilaves and Stratoraptors This influx of raw organic materials has
Eye of Terror. Typically dispassionate, strike simultaneously, sometimes adding thus far allowed Agripinaa to replace
the planets Tech-Priests take every greatly to the forge world’s own casualties. losses amongst its labour clades and
opportunity to hone their armies and Any surviving Skitarii of the first charge Skitarii cohorts as swiftly as they are
defences, dissecting every data psalm and are pulled back into the second wave, inflicted. Whether this will continue to be
noospheric inquisition extracted from and then the procedure repeats. By the the case remains to be seen...
31
STYGIES VIII
THE E V E R -S T A R IN G C YCLO PS
The Magi of Stygies VIII are not well trusted by their peers from other forge worlds. Their Cohorts have a dark reputation
for dubious behaviours relating to the pursuit and acquisition of proscribed xenos technologies, a practise about which their
Tech-Priests remain secretive and singularly unrepentant.
The forge world of Stygies VIII lies Ever-acquisitive, the armies of Stygies
west of Terra. It is actually a moon, one VIII have come into conflict many times SEEKERS AFTER
of several orbiting a ringed gas giant with xenos species whose technologies THE STONE
in the binary star system of Vulcanis. they wish to appropriate but also, on The Xenarites have an active
Though the knowledge of the event is occasion, with Imperial forces who have interest in noctilith - known as
buried in the forge worlds deepest and either taken a dim view of the Xenarites’ blackstone throughout much
most ancient datastacks, this system was research, or else stood - knowingly or of the Imperium. Noctilith is
almost lost to heretic forces long ago, not - between the clandestine group found upon many quarry worlds,
during the dark days of the Horus Heresy. and their prized knowledge. The more scattered in strangely uniform
As malevolent as the touch of the traitor orthodox forces of the forge world are deposits. It can be either
might be, Stygies VIII was further tainted talented obfuscators as well and their use positively or negatively charged
in that it was saved from conquest not by of shrouding technologies, diversionary in relation to warp energies,
good, honest Imperial reinforcement, but activities and secretive binharic effectively attracting or repelling
by the pernicious activities of the Aeldari. sub-codes to conceal their labours has them. While the utility of the
None now live who know the truth given the Tech-Priests of Stygies VIII a substance appears obvious, the
of these events, for even Stygies VIII’s suspicious reputation indeed. priests of most forge worlds have
Fabricator General is unaware of the remained reticent to investigate
hidden truth buried in the forge worlds There are those amongst the Stygian so obviously alien a substance.
cogitational architecture. Yet though the priesthood who once took their obsession The Xenarites have no such
root cause of xenos intervention might be with xenos war-tech to another level compunction. Thus, they were
lost, the effect of this strange interdiction entirely. A pentarchy of Forge Lords amongst the first to make the
can be seen in the secretive society led Explorator Crusade Vernao 5O-X, connection that noctilith is in
known as the Xenarites who exist within breaching the ancient webway portals of fact a material employed by the
the forge worlds Tech-Priesthood. nearby Vulcanis III and taking entire war ancient xenos Necrons. As more
processions into the labyrinth dimension Necron tombs awaken upon the
The Xenarites study and seek to exploit of the Aeldari. They sought nothing less same worlds where noctilith is
all aspects of xenos technology. They than to find the Black Library, plunder its found, its acquisition is made
court accusations of heresy by delving boundless riches of knowledge and return ever more perilous. This has
into the secret workings of everything triumphant to Stygies VIII. What foes not dissuaded the legions of
from Drukhari shadow fields and and horrors they faced no one can say. Stygies VIII. Many of their recent
T’au gravitic propulsion technologies When the Great Rift opened, the webway campaigns have been waged
to Chimeriac shivertech, Kinebrach portals mysteriously sealed shut and the in an effort to wrest blackstone
spiteforging, Stryite barb-blades and entire host vanished from all records. away from their ancient owners.
countless other alien sciences besides.
32
GRAIA
THE CROWN OF MIRACLES
The armed forces of Graia are amongst the most indomitable, indefatigable and downright stubborn to fight in defence o f the
Imperium. They are a byword for martial discipline and obstinacy both, advancing into firestorms with inhuman fearlessness
that is as unsettling as it is inspirational.
Everything about the armies of Graia Ulgha Gulch Offensive and the Tsamuth so great an advantage is this immense
bespeaks ironclad control. So hardwired Massacre where prudent retreat or rapid battle-fortress that the logical value of its
is their logic it is said they can even tactical flexibility would have prevented use to Graia far outweighs the potential
shield themselves from the malign the wholesale annihilation of Graias risks of its loss to a hostile enemy force.
attentions of enemy psykers. Prior to advancing cohorts. Of course, such tragic
entering battle, the ruling Tech-Priests defeats carry little emotional weight with When the Graian Crown leaves,
of the Graian military draw up resilient the forge worlds Tech-Priests. Instead, its temples are stocked with
battle plans and doctrinal subroutines each such disaster is simply analysed, munitions and its holding
based on dispassionate logic. These dissected and broken down into strategic decks provisioned with
are then disseminated to their foot data which is fed into their predictive volunteers. Once a
soldiers with the weight of holy writ. models for future conflicts. suitable world has been
So commanded, every Graian warrior discovered, the Crown’s
knows their role in the wider shape of Graia itself is unusual in that the forge chorazine shunt
the battle, and strives to fulfil it with world is crested by a geometrically thrusters lock it into a
unswerving determination. perfect ring of space stations known stationary orbit like a
as the Graian Crown. It is within this tick. Fleets of industrial
Many are the eye-witness accounts from megastructure that the forge worlds harvesters descend,
other Imperial forces of Graian Skitarii armies reside, and from it they deploy leeching the world of its
acting more like battle-automata than to repel those who would seek to invade assets. Should an enemy be
living, thinking beings. Neither terrifying the world below. Moreover, the entire foolish enough to attempt
inhuman enemies nor thunderous vast structure can move under its own to board the Crown, its
incoming fire can halt the warriors power and even translate into warp production subroutines
of Graia while their orders remain space, allowing the armies of Graia to adapt. Hundreds of
unfulfilled; indeed, their macroclades forge out across the galaxy and exploit freshly built Skitarii
have been described as pressing forward the resources of distant worlds - and servitors pour
unto their own destruction with an though knowledge of this technology is off the production
almost mindless determination. This suppressed as much as possible. Travel line, and servo carts
tenacity has proven an asset upon many aboard the Graian Crown is an imperfect deliver ammunition
battlefields where Graian soldiery have process; the megastructure has repeatedly to the immoveable
crushed their foes under a relentless attracted the hostile attentions of both defenders. While
advance or waged attritional battles warp entities and the ancient Necrons, the foe are being
that eventually broke the enemy with and entire battles have been fought bled, the plunder
the horror of their cost. Yet it has also within its weirdly symmetrical depths to of their world below
proven detrimental in battles such as the prevent it being overrun or captured. Yet continues unabated.
33
METALICA
THE G L E A M IN G G IA N T OF U L T IM A SE G M E N T U M
Metalica is a world sheathed entirely in adamantine, iron and steel. Its surface is covered with immense, interconnected
industrial clusters and forge-shrines interspersed with landscapes o f industrial waste. It is an unsleeping crucible o f war
production, whose polluted skies ring to the endless clangour of manufacture.
Located deep within the Ultima waves. The racket booms along ironclad
Segmentum, Metalica is the piston-driven canyons like the bellow of the Machine THE IRON SKULLS
industrial heart of the Charadon God himself. To the Metalican faithful, The forge world of Metalica
Sector. In a region located close to this endless industrial din is inspiring to maintains its own Titan Legion.
the ever-expanding Ork Empire of the point of being transcendental, for it Formally known as the Legio
the Arch-Arsonist, and now also the is the sound of their world worshipping Metalica, and informally as the
raging fury of the Great Rift, the role of the Omnissiah through deed and output Iron Skulls, this august body was
this world could not be more pivotal. both. They even ensure that it is echoed ravaged during the fighting on
Metalica’s endless production quotas in the purposefully amplified blare of the Armageddon. Under the careful
see dozens of war fronts kept supplied weaponry and machines they employ; leadership of Princeps Wynsten
with arms and armour. Meanwhile, thus, every volley of fire or crushing VanKassen they have gradually
its renowned macroclades of Skitarii armoured advance is a prayer to the recovered their strength, yet in
and Cohorts Cybernetica deploy with Machine God writ large on the field the bloody era of the Great Rift it
machine-like efficiency to crush threats of war. seems all too likely that the Titan
both piratical and heretical throughout Legion has worse yet to endure.
the entire region. Metalica stands proudly apart from
Mars, both physically and doctrinally.
Such is the Metalican fervour for The Metalican priesthood have long
optimised industrial production, and resisted any Martian attempts to impose
their worship of mechanical sterility remote rule. Thus, their Skitarii display
over organic impurity, that the forge only the barest amount of crimson
world has been scoured of all native within their heraldry, a grudging nod to
flora and fauna. Yet to think the planet the Red Planet that is all but drowned
lifeless would be an error - from pole to out amidst the white of Metalica. This
pole, Metalica seethes with indentured colour is symbolic to the Metalicans
labour, dead-eyed servitors and conclaves as representative of the purity of the
of Tech-Priests avidly overseeing the machine, and of its inevitable victory over
production of yet more terrifying war weak organics. This striven-for purity
engines and deadly weapons ready has been tested as never before in recent
to fight in the Omnissiah’s name. The times as Metalica has been imperilled by
cacophony of thundering pistons, roaring a Chaos invasion led by the Death Guard
generatora, clattering assembly lines and Traitor Legion. The corruption spread
endless binharic plainsong roll across in the wars have been met with extreme
the artificial landscape like sonic tidal purgation crusades of ruthless ferocity.
34
RYZA
FURNACE OF SHACKLED STARS
The forge world of Ryza is famed as the cradle from which many plasma-based weapons technologies have sprung. It is the
originator of such wonders as the Stormblade and the Leman Russ Executioner. Yet for all its magnificence and tech-heritage,
Ryza is a world sorely embattled, caught amidst a storm of xenos foes.
From its thrumming forge-temples to its ground and gathering reams of combat Catachan Imperial Guardsmen battle
colossal ochre dust dunes, its smog-thick data from victory and defeat alike. their alien foes through the toxic
skies and acidic rivers to its dense clouds From macro-gatling lasers and plasma swamps of the Ryzan hinterlands.
of low-orbital industrial platforms, Ryza disintegration cannons to building-sized Through amassed martial might
stands besieged. The Orks of two vast transdimensional beamers, anti-gravitic and ever-developing weaponry, the
Ork migrations have converged upon minefields, electrovoltaic blunderbusses forge world continues to resist the
this forge world in their billions. Waaagh! and countless other martial esoterica, the overwhelming invasion. Though the
Grax and Waaagh! Rarguts - either of priests of Ryza unleash endless terrifying battle still shows no end in sight, Ryza’s
which by themselves possess the sheer weaponries against the Ork invaders. Of commitments to other war zones remain
strength and weight of numbers in course, this has transformed the planet’s barely diminished, and they seek ever
brutish warriors and war machines to surface into a hellish vision of total more diverse testing grounds for their
overwhelm entire Imperial systems - war. Yet neither the Ryzans themselves protocols and materiel.
pour down upon Ryza in endless waves. nor their foes appear perturbed by the
Savage Ork techno-barbarians blast nightmare they have created.
ancient and irreplaceable machineries
to scrap, then add insult to injury by Where once the rivers of materiel that HONED BLADES
scavenging the wreckage in order to surge along Ryza’s macro-productor The Orks are too belligerent
fashion ramshackle weapons of their arteries poured only outwards to supply a threat ever to keep at arm’s
own. Roaring with glee, hordes of dozens of war zones at once, now many length forever. Thus, Ryzan
Orks surge over the planet’s surface in lead to its defence. The forge world has Skitarii regularly find themselves
breakneck races and beat against the turned over portions of its immense facing their ferocious foes in
defences of each forge complex like the military and industrial output to this close-quarters combat. This
crashing waves of a bestial storm. seemingly endless battle. Ryza’s ancient experience swiftly winnows
warships are no exception. After the those warriors who can hold their
For all this, Ryza remains unbowed. Navis Imperialis cordon was punctured own in battle against hulking
If anything, the world’s Tech-Priests by the arrival of Waaagh! Rarguts, the alien berzerkers from those who
could be accused of taking unseemly forge world’s own voidcraft have hunted cannot. The forge world’s priests
delight in some aspects of their Ork vessels, unleashing esoteric cannons view such battles as a chance
world’s predicament. With the express from a darker age on the xenos. to sharpen the collective blade
permission of their world’s Fabricator of their Skitarii Cohorts, and
General, the priests of Ryza unleash Nor does Ryza fight alone. Colossal their soldiery have developed
the most potent weapons in their Titans wade through the wreckage a well-earned reputation for
arsenals upon the invaders, treating of blasted manufactora with guns brutality in their own right.
each new engagement as a testing thundering. Regiments of hard-bitten
35
ust hung in the airless All evidence trends to the fact - the pulse. Suddenly a slab of rock came
vault, the moonlet’s low nomad moonlet's retrograde galactic free with a burst of dust that obscured
B
mass too weak to cause it trajectory, the geodetic fractal her vision. Prest frantically swept at
to fall with any discernible underlying the position of the haloing it with her filtration web as words
speed. Pausing her sub-sites, the syncoptic anomalies rushed out of her.
monologue, Korchelonius of this primary site’s theta decay.
Each was a sign from the Omnissiah,
Prest passed a filtration web attached ‘An emission! A repeating spirit
blazing
to a spinal mechadendrite across her for those with the faith to see, whisper in frequencies of such
field of vision. With the filaments of a datum in the void that together ancient harmony! It is patterned on
the web, she swept aside mineral formed a path.' the mythic Hermeticon Ordinals!
particles and microscopic metal Attend, additional. Proto-hexamathic
shavings that had been disturbed by Had she still possessed the relevant notation, vibrolect transmission,
her drilling. With a thought directed facial tissue, Prest would have the Fivefold Sophostrine Sequence
through a neural interface, she grimaced. The moonlet's discovery of Yashan! Great Omnissiah, it is a
recommenced the precision digging by a chartist captain thrown off weave of the holiest psalms into one.’
of three metallic tendrils tipped with course had been nothing more than
esoteric petrosurgical tools. blind chance, as had his passing of Once the dust was cleared, in the
the location to her, a concept she cavity she had exposed, Prest beheld
Rock fragmented and disintegrated loathed. Still, an invocation of the a pitted metal panel. Its surface was
beneath her probing, revealing more Machine God amongst her testimony abraded and dull, ground away by
tantalising features beneath. Prest would, she anticipated, seed her time and whatever processes had
reactivated the recording engram exploits among the more dogmatic caused the rock to accrete around
implanted in her skull. Unearthing of prospective patrons. Deimos' it. There were faint sigils stamped
the relics of Mankind's past was a hierarchies were as conservative as in orderly rows and curling around
deed worthy of chronicling for the they were segregated. To advance nubs that might once have been
glorification of the Machine Cod. That among the forge moon’s ranks, to gain dials. Conduits sheathed in unfamiliar
such testimony would also strengthen greater access to jealously hoarded materials, arranged like the fingers of
her political ambitions amongst her knowledge each maintained, had a hand, fought for her attention with
Tech-Priest rivals on Deimos was no been an arduous process. cracked displays, severed levers and
less a motivating factor. corroded vents.
The Technoarcheologist felt a
Prest had hidden her conviction sharp crack beneath her sensitive Part of the Technoarcheologist's
from others that she was on the trail mechadendrites, the sound unable partitioned mind strove to analyse
of nothing less than an info-cache to carry in the near vacuum. A long what she saw. Background routines in
of Standard Template Constructs. and unnaturally straight fissure had her cortical implants reminded her to
It was prize for which the Adeptus opened. She checked the calibration reverently record every feature lest
Mechanicus had waged apocalyptic of her ocular implants, determined exposure caused more tragic damage.
wars to discover. If she was correct that any holy breakthrough would be Her attention, however, was hooked
about the object she believed she preserved at utmost quality. by a single data-port in the centre of
had traced - believed so fiercely the panel. Without consciously willing
she had staked everything on ‘The form underlying the regolith it, she slid a data spike from her
its acquisition - her rivals would emerges with greater clarity. The hand, raised her arm and plunged it
court her patronage. She would linear arrangements conform to the into the waiting port.
so obviously hold the Omnissiah’s Divine Ratio of Mechanisms. This is
grace, she would delve the deeper undoubtedly a machine crafted by Prest’s mouth yawned in a scream that
mysteries. Prest's lenses blinked in Human will.' issued as a burst of binharic static.
rapid stutters as she regained control, She went blind as transmission from
consciously slowing her circulatory With delicate manipulator digits on a number of implants overloaded.
system before daring to speak. one tendril, Prest pried at the fissure. Her mind was afire. Clashing surges of
She dismissed an interrogatory signal data assailed her and it was several
'Resume record. Archeodelve site from a servitor, determined to focus moments before her enhanced neural
archive 3488.XqVII. 1am close. The on this find. The Tech-Priest could architecture could make sense of
Omens of Revelation are aligning. sense something: a faint energistic what she was experiencing. Almost at
once, the incoherent surges passed route and she was sure she witnessed 'Welcome, seeker of truths, 1bid thee,' said
and with her mind she beheld an packets of dimensionless data pass the voice.
infoscape that staggered her with its between them. Individually, there
complexity and beauty. was no sentience to them; the very Prest felt seared by the transmission
idea was both risible and heretical. as it force-loaded itself into her
Multidimensional structures and But far out in the infoscape's dark mind. She sought sanctuary in
traceries spread and soared before she perceived growing clouds of hyper-rational recitations, seeking to
her. Avenues and webs, dense light - four, no, five of them - as formulate an explanation. Everything
stacks and delicate veils, shone and if mighty stars coalescing from she imagined was rejected by
glittered in hues unknown to the worthless specks. They appeared religious creed, disproved by ancient
physical world. On instinct, Prest to be divorced from the infoscape's dogma. Only the shadow of the
directed her data-self along a weft structure, hanging motionless Tech-Priests’ greatest fear refused to
of pure information, marvelling at and expectant. be banished from her thoughts, that
the pentachoral mesh in what she which Deimos and its sister forge
assumed was the outer info-realm of The infoscape’s outer realm was worlds selflessly shielded the rest
the machine. a distant memory in Prest’s racing of Humanity from: the heresy of an
mind as she plunged through layer Abominable Intelligence.
Prest dove deeper, searching for after layer of twisting avenues. The
caches of definite wisdom. She saw surrounding structures faded into Yet while much of Prest’s mind reeled
hints now of the machine's essence, nothingness, darkening, isolating her. in abject terror, still another part
but the increasing complexity and There were formless presences out gazed at the core seal before her.
interweaving of its structure awed in the dark, systems whose structure She thought of the treasures that lay
her. Flickering presences on the she didn't recognise, surely wondrous behind it, of those behind the other
edge of her awareness became more creations of the Machine God's core seals.
frequent. Prest perceived sub-system earliest and greatest devotees, but
machine spirits wink in and out of no less frightening for that. They were 'Needless, are fears,' crooned the voice
existence or flash along nautiloid keeping pace with her. in a flurry of projected data points.
curves of data. Some were predatory ‘Redundant. Extrinsic to the foundations
gheists, obvious and brutish orcoiling When Prest’s data-self emerged into of true creation. Too long in this shell have
and subtle. With her experience a multiplanar nexus, it was with a truths been kept from the light.'
delving into recalcitrant cogitators, suddenness that startled her. Before
she manipulated and redirected her was a manifestation of a core Prest was assailed by slivers of
them where she could, evading them seal, the barrier to a vault in which information. She was granted glances
where she could not. data was said to be enfolded in holy beyond several of the core seals, in
compression. No, it was more. There self-deleting fragments that melted
A dull buzz impinged on Prest’s were echoes beyond the core seal of away as her mind tried to grasp at
mind. She vaguely registered yet more, vaults within vaults. Heavy them. Mechanisms that straddled
the second of her servitor clades with age, never opened. physical states and dimensions.
insistently requesting her attention. The secrets of energistic fields
The first had thankfully gone silent The glowing clouds - agglomerations unhypothesized by the greatest
and she brusquely dismissed this of machine spirits - hovered closer to Tech-Priest. Planet-sized engines
new irritant. The machine's guardian her. They pinned her data-self under that bent space to their master's will.
spirits - manifestations of its security the glare of their illumination. Then Subquantum strata of existences
protocols - demanded more and they - it, she realised - spoke. beyond comprehension.
more of her concentration to avoid
the deeper she delved and she had There were no words. Prest Prest was staggered by the aching
no time to solve the concerns of mere experienced flashes of hidden loss as she mentally grasped at the
tools. The dangerous gheists became data, imprints of variables and fading memories. She felt as if she
more aggressive. Prest became meta-formulae. Somehow her had been touched by the mind of the
disturbed by a growing interaction implants were recalibrated to Machine God itself.
she thought she saw between them. make sense of them, and meaning
Some followed her spoor through was birthed from the deluge in ’A covenant can there be,' said the voice.
the infoscape, others anticipated her discrete elements. 'A price paltry to the value of the key.'
Showcase
ILLUMINATUM MECHANICUS
IN BAROQUE ARMOUR, WITH BIONIC AUGMENTATIONS BENEATH BULKY
ROBES EDGED IN COG-TOOTHED DESIGNS AND SACRED SIGILS, THE
MANIPLES AND COHORTS OF THE MACHINE GOD MARCH TO WAR. THESE
WARRIORS AND WAR ENGINES BEAR THE COLOURS OF THEIR FORGE
WORLD ON THEIR HEAVY ROBES AND ARMOUR PLATING. MANY FORGE
WORLDS INCLUDE THE RED OF MARS AMONG THEIR LIVERY, AS A WAY OF
ACKNOWLEDGING THE PRIMACY OF THE RED PLANET. OTHERS MINIMISE
ITS INCLUSION OR REJECT IT IN DISPLAYS OF AUTONOMY.
The canticles and psalms of the Red
Planet’s greatest forges thrum in
esoteric frequencies and deafening
binharic hymnals. On Hygolax, the blaring
static hymnals of the Martian cohorts
rivalled even the bellowed chants of the
Orks. Waves of radium and galvanic shot
were unleashed in numerologically
significant volleys. Crackling arcs of
Motive Force haloed the faithful of the
Omnissiah and a choking fug of oily
incense billowed in their wake to war with
the toxic fumes of the Orks' ramshackle
settlement.
Squad Markings
Skitarii infantry bear the sigil of their
forge world and their individual squad
number upon their robes.
42 91 4I> 16
These squad markings hail from Mars,
the senior forge world employing the
skull and cog as its sigil.
Sigils
Arcane sigils identifying the unit’s
maniple may be borne by a unit's
Alpha or Princeps, their overseer status
denoted with a skull.
Maniple sigils
n
16“ 34 413
Unit leader markings
Not even the mechanical xenos
B horrors of the Necrons would drive
the warriors of the Machine God from a
world as rich in resources as Dahle
Quintus without a fanatical counter-attack.
At the foot of the towering Hexacytic
Magmaforge, a maniple of Skitarii surged
forward in defence of the Martian outpost
while Fastinus Phren, the commanding
Tech-Priest Manipulus, raised her
mechanical voice in prayer as she purged
Hypostack 14 of a tainting nano-virus.
Maniple
Vehicle Markings
Many forge worlds' war engines bear
alphanumeric sigils that identify them
or their position amongst larger cohorts.
At a Tech-Priest’s discretion, some are
supplemented with icons depicting the
maniple they are supporting in battle. Vehicle designation
On the forge moon of 054-?, the
Tech-Priest Enginseer of Voss Prime Corpuscarii Electro-Priest of Ryza Tech-Priest Enginseer of Triplex Phall
Maegra’s Halo was a belt of
&
5$
V
*—Stt
MANIPULUS SKAND (1 MODEL)
■ This model is equipped with: transonic
cannon; Omnissian staff.
This model makes an excellent Leader for the SKITARII VANGUARD (10 MODELS]
Skitarii Vanguard. As well as granting all of ■ The Skitarii Vanguard Alpha model is
their attacks [ LETHAL HITS], his Enhancements equipped with: Mechanicus pistol; Alpha
allow you to really tailor the unit’s role on the combat weapon.
battlefield. If you expect the unit to suffer a lot ■ 1 Skitarii Vanguard model is equipped with:
of enemy attention, you will likely want to retain arc rifle; close combat weapon.
the Aspergilla of Tarentum, which helps to offset ■ 1 Skitarii Vanguard model is equipped with:
the low Toughness of the Vanguard and keep plasma caliver; close combat weapon.
them alive for longer. However, if you are facing ■ 7 Skitarii Vanguard models are equipped
a less durable foe concerned with escaping your with: radium carbine; close combat weapon.
own firepower, the Overcharged Electropositors
Enhancement is a very effective choice, granting
the Vanguard’s firearms added range and the Coupled with their BATTLELINE keyword, the
[IG N O R ES COVER] ability. Skitarii Vanguard’s Rad-saturation ability makes
them a very aggressive objective-holding unit,
but they are quite vulnerable to enemy attacks.
Should the unit become locked in combat, it is
highly advisable to use the Optimised Efficiency
Stratagem to disengage them, before turning
their aggression back upon the enemy with
j i t ranged attacks.
■ 4;
<s£.
Ri
■i?- ’
PAINTING YOUR
COMBAT PATROL
On the following pages you will find a painting guide to help you to bring your Adeptus Mechanicus Combat Patrol to
life. By following the steps set out here you will be able to paint your models in the colours of the forge world of Mars
to a Battle Ready standard, and also learn useful techniques that you can apply to your collection as it grows.
Metals
You Will Need
To make the most of
this painting guide, we
recommend you use a
Citadel brush and the
Citadel Colour paints shown
here. We also recommend
using multiple thin coats
where needed to achieve
good coverage.
H Apply multiple thinned coats of Leadbelcher to the model. If you sprayed your models with
Leadbelcher Spray paint, overbrush with Leadbelcher Base paint to help washes settle correctly. B
Shade the model with Nuln Oil. You can add more coats fora darker effect.E l Using a dry brush and
Runefang Steel, gently and lightly drybrush the entire model to add subtle highlights.
C
1
T
A
P n Apply a base coat of Mephiston Red, using multiple thin coats to get even coverage. Q Carefully
E shade the recesses and folded creases with Nuln Oil. If you get Nuln Oil on a raised area, you can
L easily tidy up with by reapplying Mephiston Red. Q Apply a highlight of thinned Evil Sunz Scarlet to
the edges of the red areas and the raised areas of folded cloth.
S
T
A
R
T Wing Membranes and Inner Robes
E
R
B
R
U
S
H
□ Basecoat all brass areas with thinned Runelord Brass. Use the box photo to see which other parts Q Apply thinned Abaddon Black
you’d like to appear brass.B Shade these areas with Seraphim Sepia, focusing on crevices and where to areas such as dark cloth,
pieces join together. Q Carefully highlight the edges and raised points with Runefang Steel by removing pouches and cabling, using the
most of the paint from the brush with a paper towel and applying pressure with the edge of the brush. box photo as a guide.
□ Apply a basecoat of thinned Temple Guard Blue. Q Shade the U Apply Corax White to half of the skull and the opposite half of the
deepest areas with Nuln Oil. You can apply an extra layer for a darker cog behind it. Q Shade the Corax White areas with Nuln Oil. Q Apply
shade. Q Once the Nuln Oil is fully dry, with only a small amount of Abaddon Black to the side of the skull and cog not painted Corax
paint on the brush, highlight the raised edges with Corax White. White. You can easily use Corax White to tidy up any mistakes.
Basing
Transfers
You can use the box photos
and the Showcase section
of this book for inspiration
on where to place transfers
for your chosen forge world.
Tire ideal places are flat
areas like the edges of robes,
wing membranes and the
Q Paint Abaddon Black on the base. Q Apply a neat layer of Martian Ironcrust, being careful nearthe cybercanids’ upper legs, as
edges. We suggest using a Citadel Texture Spreader. As it dries, it will crack like parched ground. E l Once sculpted details can wrinkle
the layer of Martian Ironcrust is completely dry, apply a shade of Seraphim Sepia. Finally drybrush the the transfer.
base with Morghast Bone then apply multiple thin coats of Abaddon Black to the base edge to finish.
COMBAT PATROL
PURGE CORPS DELTIC-9
ABILITIES ENHANCEMENTS
The datasheets required to use Purge C orps Deltic-9 can be Your T E C H -P R IE S T MA N IP U LU S m odel is your WA R LO R D and
found on the following pages, and are designed exclusively has the Aspergilla of Tarentum E nhancem ent. You can
for Com bat Patrol games. A unit’s datasheet will list all replace this with Overcharged Electropositors.
the abilities it has. This m ay include a Faction ability -
D octrina Im peratives - w hich is described below.
DEFAULT ENHANCEMENT
DOCTRINA IMPERATIVES
A n Adeptus Mechanicus army marching to war is a sight ASPERGILLA OF TARENTUM
both terrifying and glorious, each holy warrior a disturbing These gilded vents upon the Tech-Priest’s hunched
fusion o f Hum an and machine. The ruling Tech-Priests upper carapace enable them to disperse a spray o f
and their fanatical followers raise modified voices in praise holy unguent over the faithful, diffused in a greasy
o f the Machine God, controlling their cyborg soldiery and mist. The sanctified substance coats thick robes and
mechanical creations through doctrina imperatives encoded exposed bionics alike in a viscous layer that bleeds
to augment and adapt the warriors’ abilities. potential energy from incoming attacks.
At the start o f the battle round, you can select one of the Each time an attack targets the bearer’s unit,
D octrina Imperatives below. Until the end of the battle subtract 1 from the W ound roll.
round, that D octrina Imperative is active for your army,
and all units from your arm y that have the D octrina
Imperatives ability gain the relevant abilities shown below.
PROTECTOR IMPERATIVE
■ Ranged weapons equipped by m odels in this unit have
the [HEAVY] ability.
■ Each tim e a ranged attack targets this unit, if this unit
is within your deploym ent zone, worsen the A rm our
Penetration characteristic of that attack by 1.
CONQUEROR IMPERATIVE
■ Ranged weapons equipped by m odels in this unit have
the [ASSAULT] ability.
■ Each tim e a m odel in this unit makes a ranged attack,
if the target of that attack is w ithin your opponent’s
deploym ent zone, improve the A rm our Penetration
characteristic of that attack by 1.
OVERCHARGED ELECTROPOSITORS
Drawing on reserves o f the holy Motive Force, the
Tech-Priest infuses their nest o f coiling electropositors
so that they thrum with overcharged power. With
this potential energy, they invigorate their servants’
weapons with the power and reach to cut down the
Machine God’s enemies wherever they hide.
You will use the Targeted Purge secondary objective. You You can use the following Stratagems:
can replace this with Prescribed Excoriation.
At the end of the battle, you score 12VP if that unit OPTIMISED EFFICIENCY_________
is destroyed.
PURGE CORPS DELTIC-9 - STRATEGIC PLOY STRATAGEM
which to funnel ever more troops. As the Omnissiah’s WHEN: Your Shooting phase.
legions gather to mount a full-scale counterattack, the TARGET: One ADEPTUS MECHANICUS unit from your army that
foe must first be delayed or driven back, no matter has not been selected to shoot this phase.
the cost to the Tech-Priest’s willing servants. EFFECT: Until the end of the phase, improve the Armour
Penetration characteristic of ranged weapons equipped
From the second battle round onwards, at the end by models in your unit by 1 and those weapons have the
of your turn, you score 3VP if there are no enemy [HAZARDOUS] ability.
units within your deployment zone (excluding
Battle-shocked units). If there are no enemy units
within 6" of your deployment zone (excluding
Battle-shocked units), you score 5VP instead.
FACTION KEYWORDS:
ADEPTUS MECHANICUS
FACTION KEYWORDS:
ADEPTUS MECHANICUS
Combat Patrol Datasheet
Sulphurhound cavalry squadrons are aggressive shock
troops and line-breakers. The loping, mechanical beasts
breathe gouts o f incinerating phosphor and disembowel the
foe with slashing claws, while the elite Skitarii riders unload
incandescent pistolfire as they smash through defence
lines, before circling back fo r survivors.
FACTION KEYWORDS:
KEYWORDS: MOUNTED, I MPERIUM, S KITARII, S ERBERYS S ULPHURHOUNDS
ADEPTUS MECHANICUS
FACTION KEYWORDS:
KEYWORDS: I NFANTRY, F LY, J UMP PACK , I MPERIUM, S KITARII , PTE R A XII , STERYLIZORS
ADEPTUS MECHANICUS
63
forces of
the Rdcptus
IRcchaiuctis
There can be but one protocol to follow when faced with
those who blaspheme against the Machine God. Begin
the Canticles and send forth the legions. The doom which
we deliver must be absolute. All must fall before the
Omnissiah’s might.'
- Aurgreus Osmium, Tech-Priest Dominus
INTRODUCTION
Welcome to the rules section of Codex: Adeptus Mechanicus. Whether forging your own tales of glory
and infamy with narrative play or pitting yourself against your opponents in nail-biting matched play
contests, the following pages present all the rules you will need to bring your Adeptus Mechanicus
collection to life on the tabletop.
These include Detachment rules that Adeptus Mechanicus armies can use, along with the Adeptus
Mechanicus army rule - Ooctrina Imperatives - which is common to many of your units. This section
also includes datasheets for Adeptus Mechanicus units; you can find out more about how to use
datasheets on pages 37-38 of the Core Rules.
On the following pages you will find several ADEPTUS MECHANICUS Detachments you can select from to use in
games of Warhammer 40,000, as described in the Core Rules (see the Select Detachment Rules step, page 56)
If you are playing a Crusade battle, see the equivalent step in the Mustering a Crusade Army section of the
main Crusade rules. Each Detachment is a themed fighting force that focuses on one particular combat style
employed by your chosen faction - the rules they include are as follows:
RULES | INTRODUCTION
ARMY RULE
DOCTRINA IMPERATIVES
An Adeptus Mechanicus army marching to war is a sight both
terrifying and glorious, each holy warrior a disturbingfusion
of Human and machine. The ruling Tech-Priests and their
fanatical followers raise modified voices in praise of the Machine
God, controlling their cyborg soldiery and mechanical creations
through doctrina imperatives encoded to augment and adapt the
warriors’ abilities.
At the start of the battle round, you can select one of the
Doctrina Imperatives below. Until the end of the battle round,
that Doctrina Imperative is active for your army, and all units
from your army that have the Doctrina Imperatives ability gain
the relevant abilities shown below.
PROTECTOR IMPERATIVE
■ Ranged weapons equipped by models in this unit have the
[HEAVY] ability.
■ Each time a ranged attack targets this unit, if this unit
is within your deployment zone, worsen the Armour
Penetration characteristic of that attack by 1.
CONQUEROR IMPERATIVE
■ Ranged weapons equipped by models in this unit have the
[ASSAULT] ability.
■ Each time a model in this unit makes a ranged attack, if the
target of that attack is within your opponent’s deployment
zone, improve the Armour Penetration characteristic of that
attack by 1.
RULES|ARMY RULE
• J ;
RAD-ZONE CORPS’
DETACHMENT RULE ENHANCEMENTS
■ Unit Standing Firm: On a 3+, that ADEPTUS MECHANICUS model only. While the bearer
unit suffers D3 mortal wounds. is leading a unit, models in that unit have the
Unit Taking Cover: Until the end Stealth ability.
of the battle round, that unit is
Battle-shocked and, on a 5+, that unit PEERLESS ERADICATOR
suffers D3 mortal wounds. This perfectionist zealot directs their minions in the
rapid and single-minded termination of all enemies of
the Omnissiah.
Battle Round 2 Onwards
RULES I DETACHMENTS
Rad-Zone Corps are adaptable forces of utter eradication. Every warrior, war engine and weapon
has their place in the battle plan, each an interlinking cog that grinds towards the enemy's
inevitable destruction. The first of these steps is the saturation of enemy lines by the Tech-Priests’
arcane technologies: long range artillery strikes, bombardments by flights of Archaeopters or the
activation of an esoteric artefact. The foe are scarred and debilitated from radiation, hyper-acids,
alchymical fire or some other scourging payload and the Rad-Zone Corps begins its advance as
the enemy are still reeling. Ranks of Skitarii soldiery, their minds linked to noospheric networks,
march into firing positions and unleash volleys of charged shot. Cavalry squadrons and clades of
winged warriors storm the flanks. War engines thrum on chemical fugs or stomp on mechanical
limbs, firing devastating ordnance in support. Wielded by their masters in pre-programmed purges
and assaults or in calibrated defences, the Rad-Zone Corps dismantles the enemy piece by piece.
By briefly unshielding the most corrosive or Employing targeting data collated by a swarm of
irradiated components o f their being, the warriors of servo-skulls released over the enemy's battle lines,
a Rad-Zone Corps can exhale on isotopic fog, sapping the Machine God’s fa ith fu l purge the fo e stumbling
the strength o f those not inured to its effects. amidst rad-scourged positions.
WHEN: Fight phase, just after an enemy unit has WHEN: Your Shooting phase.
selected its targets.
TARGET: One A DEPTUS MECHANICUS unit from your
TARGET: One ADEPTUS MECHANICUS unit from your army that has not been selected to shoot this phase.
army (excluding VEHICLE units) that was selected If that unit is BATTLELINE , you can also target one
as the target of one or more of the attacking unit’s friendly SKITARII unit (excluding BATTLELINE units)
attacks. If that unit is BATTLELINE , you can also target within 6" of it.
one friendly SKITARII unit (excluding BATTLELINE
EFFECT: Until the end of the phase, each time a
units) within 6" of it.
model in one of those units makes a ranged attack,
EFFECT: Until the end of the phase, each time an if the target of that attack is within your opponent’s
attack targets one of those units from your army, deployment zone, you can re-roll the Hit roll.
subtract 1 from the Wound roll.
LETHAL DOSAGE
EXTINCTION ORDER
RAD-ZONECORPS- WARGEARSTRATAGEM
RAD-ZONE CORPS- STRATEGICPLOYSTRATAGEM
Tri-fold sanctified power cells, fu e l canisters and
As Tech-Priests order the purge o f an area o f the solid slugs have spent a decade in the most
battlefield, hazardous bombardments are redoubled irradiated forge temple to certify their lethality.
in the hopes o f turning it into a wasteland.
WHEN: Your Shooting phase.
WHEN: Your Command phase. TARGET: One ADEPTUS MECHANICUS unit from your
TARGET: One TECH-PRIEST model from your army and army that has not been selected to shoot this phase.
one objective marker within 24" of that model. EFFECT: Until the end of the phase, ranged
EFFECT: Roll one 06 for each enemy unit within range weapons equipped by models in your unit have the
of that objective marker. On a 4+, that unit suffers 1 [LETHAL HITS] ability.
mortal wound and must take a Battle-shock test.
BULWARK IMPERATIVE
AGGRESSOR IMPERATIVE
RAD-ZONE CORPS- BATTLETACTICSTRATAGEM
RAD-ZONECORPS- BATTLETACTICSTRATAGEM
With a pulse o f force-loaded wisdom, microactuators
The Skitariifeel the press o f an invisible hand lock into bracing positions, reserve power cells are
upon their minds as the Machine God drives them brought online and the Omnissiah's holy crusaders are
forward. Servos are pushed to their structural limits, bestowed with a sensation o f sacred invulnerability.
propelling the fa ith fu l on an unstoppable crusade.
WHEN: Your opponent’s Shooting phase, just after an
WHEN: Your Movement phase. enemy unit has selected its targets.
TARGET: One SKITARII unit from your army that has TARGET: One SKITARII unit from your army that was
not been selected to move this phase. If that unit is selected as the target of one or more of the attacking
BATTLELINE , you can also target one friendly SKITARII unit’s attacks. If that unit is BATTLELINE , you can
unit (excluding BATTLELINE units) within 6" of it. also target one friendly SKITARII unit (excluding
EFFECT: Until the end of the phase, each time one of BATTLELINE units) within 6" of it.
those units Advances, do not make an Advance roll EFFECT: Until the end of the phase, models in those
for it. Instead, until the end of the phase, add 6" to units from your army have a 4+ invulnerable save.
the Move characteristic of models in that unit.
RULES|DETACHMENTS
DETACHMENT RULE ENHANCEMENTS
VEILED HUNTER
In silent supplication, a concentrated burst of
noospheric negation manifests as a heavy band of
shadow. Under this shroud, this commanders warriors
obfuscate the foe’s sensors and confuse their strategy.
BATTLE-SPHERE UPLINK
Tapping into infostacks of data emanating from across
the wider battle-sphere, this experienced Skitarius
synchronises with the flow o f wisdom, drawing upon
data that enables near-prophetic reactions.
RULES | DETACHMENTS
When a forge world’s armies need to locate and eliminate specific threats, its Tech-Priests ordain
the deployment of a Skitarii Hunter Cohort. Commonly commanded by experienced Skitarii
Marshals, a Hunter Cohort includes their masters’ most highly trained and cunningly augmented
Skitarii. They are deployed as swift and self-contained responses, their commanders granted
the strategic autonomy to employ a raft of specialised tactics in pursuit of their quarry. With
their target acquired, the Hunter Cohort’s cyborg soldiers move in for the kill. Ancient obscuring
technologies shroud the hunters’ advance, while Sicarian Infiltrators befoul sentinels’ senses with
unsettling static. Squads of Vanguard and Rangers fan out alongside veteran-crewed war engines
to seal avenues of escape, as Serberys Raiders prowl the flanks to intercept reinforcements. With
the quarry’s allies isolated, assassin constructs pounce on the target in a gory deletion sequence
before a precision withdrawal is effected and the hunters move on to other prey.
Between their multi-layered bionics and their The swiftest hunters seek to engage foes with the
fanatical fa ith in the indomitability o f these equations o f war in their favour, isolating their quarry
machine-blessings, the most augmented o f Skitarii and dispatching it with ruthless efficiency.
are nigh-impossible to lay low.
WHEN: Your Shooting phase.
WHEN: Your opponent’s Shooting phase orthe TARGET: One SICARIAN, PTERAXII, SYDONIAN,
Fight phase, just after an enemy unit has selected IR O N S T R ID E R B A L L IS T A R II O r S K IT A R II M O U N T E D U n it
its targets. from your army that has not been selected to shoot
TARGET: One SICARIAN, PTERAXII or SYDONIAN unit this phase.
from your army that was selected as the target of EFFECT: Until the end of the phase, each time a
one or more of the attacking unit’s attacks. model in your unit makes an attack, if there are no
EFFECT: Until the end of the phase, models in your other enemy units within 6" of the unit targeted by
unit have the Feel No Pain 5+ ability. that attack, add 1 to the Wound roll.
Employing directed binharic entanglement to When Skitarii Hunter Cohorts march to war, they do
coordinate their motions, paired squads o f Skitarii so beneath a shrouding squall o f cyber-static and
attack with eerie and lethal synchronicity. filament-heavy banks o f sacred incense.
WHEN: The start of your Shooting phase orthe start WHEN: Your opponent’s Shooting phase, just after an
of the Fight phase. enemy unit has selected its targets.
TARGET: Two SKITARII units from your army that have TARGET: One SKITARII I NFANTRY unit from your army
not been selected to shoot or fight this phase, and that was selected as the target of one or more of the
one enemy unit. attacking unit’s attacks.
EFFECT: Until the end of the phase, improve the EFFECT: Until the end of the phase, your unit can
Armour Penetration characteristic of weapons only be selected as the target of a ranged attack if
equipped by models in both of yourunits by 1. the attacking model is within 12".
TARGET: One SKITARII unit from your army. EFFECT: Remove those units from the battlefield and
place them into Strategic Reserves.
EFFECT: Until the end of the phase, your unit is
eligible to declare a charge in a turn in which RESTRICTIONS: Each unit targeted with this
it Advanced. Stratagem must be more than 3" away from all
enemy units.
RULES | DETACHMENTS
DETACHMENT RULE ENHANCEMENTS
TEMPORCOPIA
The Temporcopia is a relic from the Dark Age o f
Technology that releases a swarm o f nano-engineered
machines. These invisible devices seek out nearby prey,
briefly draining electro-chemical potential before their
power expires. Enemy warriors slow and stumble, at the
mercy o f the Tech-Priest’s bodyguard.
RULES | DETACHMENTS
Data-Psalm Conclaves enter battle in processions that venerate the Machine God through
arcane symbolism, binharic hymnals and blaring cyber-static canticles. These congregations
are forged around a core of the Cult Mechanicus’ most zealous techno-clerics and those of their
servants blessed with induction into the cult’s lesser mysteries. Senior Tech-Priests orchestrate
the enemy’s destruction as a form of worship to the Omnissiah, their orders delivered as divine
directives and instilling a conviction of righteous invulnerability in the faithful. Thunderheads
of the Motive Force gather in haloes over frenzied groups of Electro-Priests. The conclave’s
Corpuscarii send crackling columns of lightning into the enemy, frying them from the inside
out; the Fulgurites, close behind, charge in to bludgeon every spark from the spasming victims.
Awed ranks of Skitarii - in thrall to a holy susurrus flooding their minds - attack with unthinking
obedience, while lumbering battle servitors pour firepower into the unbelievers before them.
Raising their voices in binharic praise, the Machine A cacophonous chorale pours from the emitters
God's disciples bolster their spirits - as well as those and augmented throats o f the Cult Mechanicus’
that inhabit their augmentations - with iron surety. faithful, venerating the Omnissiah in deafening and
disconcerting frequencies o f praise.
WHEN: Any phase, just after you allocate a mortal
wound to a CULT MECHANICUS model from your army. WHEN: Start of your Movement phase.
TARGET: That CULT MECHANICUS model’s unit. TARGET: One CULT MECHANICUS unit from your army
EFFECT: Until the end of the phase, CULT and one enemy unit within 18" of it.
MECHANICUS models in your unit have the Feel No EFFECT: That enemy unit must take a Battle-shock
Pain 4+ ability against mortal wounds. test. If that test is failed, until the start of your next
Command phase, each time a model in that enemy
unit makes an attack, subtract 1 from the Hit roll.
CHANT OF THE REMORSELESS FIST
RULES|DETACHMENTS
DETACHMENT RULE ENHANCEMENTS
At the start of your Command phase, TECH-PRIEST model only. At the end of your
select one objective marker. Until the Command phase, if the bearer is within range of your
start of your next Command phase, that Acquisition objective marker, roll one D6: on a 4+,
objective marker is your Acquisition you gain 1CP.
objective marker. Each time an ADEPTUS
MECHANICUS model from your army GENETOR
makes an attack, if that model’s unit Cyborg interfaces, genetic manipulation and alchemical
is within range of your Acquisition behavioural modification are all avenues o f interest to
objective marker, or if the target of that Genetors, and their enhanced creations are formidable
attack is within range of your Acquisition in protecting their master’s divine work.
objective marker, re-roll a Wound roll
of 1. TECH-PRIEST model only. While the bearer is leading
a unit that is within range of your Acquisition
objective marker, models in that unit have a 4+
invulnerable save.
LOGIS
Data-vores and biocogitators, logi amass huge stores
o f information. They analyse data from thousands of
sources, rationalising every weak point the foe has. It is
a fool indeed that stands before a logi and their prize.
ARTISAN
Artisans create wondrous artefacts o f war. They install
circuits o f such beauty, and capacitor-nodes o f such
fine calibration, that their machine spirits respond with
divine gratitude.
RULES | DETACHMENTS
The Quest for Knowledge lies at the heart of the Adeptus Mechanicus’ creed. Forge worlds wage
an eternal crusade to recover fragments of Humanity’s technological past. Many are the xenos,
heretics and mutants that must be swept aside in this reclamation and Explorator Maniples are
the tool most suited to the task. Led by Tech-Priests steeped in all manner of arcane expertise, the
acquisition of STC fragments, biological specimens, rarefied resources or the merest rumours of
ancient lore is pursued with the determination of the truly fanatical. Archaeopter Transvectors and
Skorpius Duneriders power towards the Maniple’s prize. The transported Skitarii, galvanised by
their goal’s holy significance, disembark at speed with artificer-crafted weapons blazing to scour
the site of the unworthy. Stalking Ironstrider engines and murderous Sicarian Ruststalkers chase
down sacrilegious looters, as Kataphron battle servitors give devastating covering fire to reverent
extractions of their master's spoils amidst shrouding veils of purifying incense.
Death is irrelevant compared to the hallowed With a surge o f targeting data from the war engine as
duty o f securing the Omnissiah's knowledge fo r its hatches slam open, the warriors inside pour out
future retrieval. with weapons already trained unerringly on the foe.
RULES|DETACHMENTS
DETACHMENT RULE E N H A N C E M E N T S (T T ;
EMOTIONLESS CLARITY
With a mind unsullied by the passions common to the
flesh, a Tech-Priest can entreat the machine spirit o f a
dying war engine to enact one final triumph.
ARCH-NEGATOR
Feeding magneto-voltaic arcs and deadly frequencies
into their weapons, the Tech-Priest is death incarnate to
blasphemies against the Machine God.
RULES | DETACHMENTS
In a holy codification of strategy, a Cohort Cybernetica's battle plans are pre-cogitated. Flexibility
is exchanged for power and focus, with reams of code in hexamathic notation prescribing the
combat’s parameters. When battle commences, the ground itself shakes. Ranks of towering
robots stamp forward in thunderous unison, their psalm-programmes grinding loud above the din
of battle. Sacred war machines - embodiments of the Machine God’s gifts of knowledge - attack
alongside the hulking ancients, striking down the foe's own vehicles as proof of the Omnissiah’s
superiority. What minor adjustments must be made to the divine imperatives in battle are woven
into the canticle hymns that are sung as Cybernetica Datasmiths adapt the routines of their giant
wards with each new doctrina wafer. As protectors, the walking relics unleash volleys of white-hot
phosphor and thrice blessed promethium ignited by a flame of the Perpetual Forge. As conquerors,
the robots close in, huge fists ripping the foe's flesh as they offer up a sacrifice to the Omnissiah.
Intensifying the locomotive protocols o f a war engine Let the unenlightened be cast down! Let allfeel the
- while not dishonouring its machine spirit - is a fire o f the Motive Force, and may the sacred engines
millennia-proven method to hasten the fo e ’s demise. crunch over their weak bones without impediment!
AUTO-DIVINATORY TARGETING
COHORT CYBERNETICA - BATTLE TACTIC STRATAGEM TRANSCENDENT COGITATION
Encoded with the schemata o f the enemy'sfortified COHORT CYBERNETICA - STRATEGIC PLOY STRATAGEM
RULES|DETACHMENTS
r
EXAMPLE ARMIES
There are many ways to collect an Adeptus Mechanicus army, whether you use an existing paint scheme and forge
world background, or invent your own. Here you will find examples to inspire your collecting journey.
Invocation of Machine Vengeance (Aura): While a friendly ADEPTUS MECHANICUS unit is within 6" of this
UNIT COMPOSITION
model, each time a model in that unit makes an attack, re-roll a Hit roll of 1.
■ 1 Belisarius C a w l- EPIC HERO
Mantra of Discipline (Aura): While a friendly ADEPTUS MECHANICUS unit is within 6" of this model, each
time you take a Battle-shock or Leadership test forthat unit, add 1 to that test. This model is equipped with: solar atomiser; arc scourge;
Cawl’s Omnissian axe; mechadendrite hive.
Shroudpsalm (Aura): While a friendly ADEPTUS MECHANICUS unit is within 6" of this model, each time a
ranged attack targets that unit, that unit has the Benefit of Cover against that attack.
SUPREME COMMANDER
KEYWORDS: MONSTER, CHARACTER , EPIC HERO, I MPERIUM , TECH -P RIEST , CULT FACTION KEYWORDS:
MECHANICUS , BELISARIUS CAWL ADEPTUS MECHANICUS
Dataspike: At the start of the Fight phase, you can select one
MELEE WEAPONS RANGE A WS s AP D enemy VEHICLE unit within Engagement Range of this model’s
unit and roll one 06: on a 4+, that enemy unit suffers 06
Omnissian axe Melee 4 3+ 6 -2 2
mortal wounds and, until the end of the phase, the Weapon
Skill characteristic of melee weapons equipped by that
WARGEAR OPTIONS enemy unit is worsened by 1.
■ 1 Tech-Priest Dominus
LEADER
This model is equipped with: macrostubber; volkite blaster;
This model can be attached to the following units: CORPUSCARII ELECTRO-PRIESTS, FULGURITE ELECTRO Omnissian axe.
PRIESTS, KATAPHRON BREACHERS, KATAPHRON DESTROYERS, SKITARII RANGERS, SKITARII VANGUARD
Before selecting targetsfo r this weapon, select one o f its profiles to make attacks with.
KEYWORDS: I NFANTRY, CHARACTER , I MPERIUM , CULT MECHANICUS , TECH -P RIEST, FACTION KEYWORDS:
DOMINUS ADEPTUS MECHANICUS
82
The most widespread o f a forge world's priesthood,
Enginseers maintain many o f the Imperium's
mechanisms, such as reactors, battle tanks and even
starships. They have an intuitive connection with holy
apparatuses, and can awaken the most recalcitrant of
engine spirits with whispered machine cant.
MELEE WEAPONS RANGE A ws s AP D Enginseer: While this model is within 3" of one or more
friendly ADEPTUS MECHANICUS VEHICLE units, unless it is
Omnissian axe Melee 3 4+ 6 -2 2 leading a unit, this model has the Lone Operative ability.
Servo-arm [ EXTRAATTACKS] Melee 1 4+ 6 ■2 2
Omnissiah’s Blessing: In your Command phase, select one
friendly ADEPTUS MECHANICUS model within 3" of this model.
LEADER That model regains up to 03 lost wounds and, if it is a VEHICLE
model, until the start of your next Command phase, that
This model can be attached to the following units: CORPUSCARII ELECTRO-PRIESTS , FULGURITE ELECTRO
model has the Feel No Pain 5+ ability. Each model can only be
PRIESTS, KATAPHRON BREACHERS , KATAPHRON DESTROYERS, SKITARII RANGERS , SKITARII VANGUARD
selected forthis ability once per Command phase.
UNIT COMPOSITION
LEADER
■ 1 Tech-Priest Manipulus
This model can be attached to the following units: CORPUSCARII ELECTRO-PRIESTS, FULGURITE ELECTRO
PRIESTS, KATAPHRON BREACHERS , KATAPHRON DESTROYERS, SKITARII RANGERS , SKITARII VANGUARD This model is equipped with: magnarail lance;
Omnissian staff.
KEYWORDS: I NFANTRY, CHARACTER , I MPERIUM , CULT MECHANICUS , TECH -P RIEST, FACTION KEYWORDS:
MANIPULUS ADEPTUS MECHANICUS
83
Technoarcheologists are seekers o f divine arcana,
driven to uncover that which is hidden and to analyse its
capabilities. Hardened to life on the Imperium's dangerous
frontiers, these priests employ cogitative instincts to
detect approaching foes and awaken their servitor
guardians to effective modes of attack.
5? MELEE WEAPONS RANGE A ws s AP D Seekers of Divine Arcana: While this model is leading a unit,
add 1 to the Objective Control characteristic of models in
Servo-arc claw [ANTI-VEHICLE 4+, DEVASTATINGWOUNDS] Melee 3 4+ 8 -2 2 that unit.
■ 1 Technoarcheologist
KEYWORDS: INFANTRY, CHARACTER , IMPERIUM , CULT MECHANICUS , TECH -PRIEST , FACTION KEYWORDS:
TECHNOARCHEOLOGIST ADEPTUS MECHANICUS
fjM
EB MD m
EB D m
Bl OB/’®
-
M T SV W LD OC . J
protocol-driven precision and an advanced scanner
known as the achillan eye, they lock on to theirfoes’ weak
points and unleash pinpoint fire that sows panic and
INVULNERABLE SAVE Y- agony, the better to erode enemy morale.
-
Mechanicus pistol [DEVASTATING WOUNDS, PISTOL] 12" 1 3 + 6 - 1 1 CORE: Lone Operative, Stealth
Radium jezzail [ANTI-INFANTRY3+,HEAVY, PRECISION] 36" 1 3 + 5 - 2 3
FACTION: Doctrina Imperatives
Skatros transuranic arquebus _r „ . _ _ _
36 1 3 + 2 -2 D3
[ANTI-MONSTER 4 + , ANTI-VEHICLE 4+ , HEAVY, PRECISION]
Dread Snipers: In your Shooting phase, after this model
has shot, select one enemy unit hit by one or more of those
5* MELEE WEAPONS RANGE A WS S AP D attacks. That unit must take a Battle-shock test.
Sydonian feet Melee 3 4+ 3 0 1 Achillan Eye: Each time this model makes an attack with a
radium jezzail that targets an I NFANTRY unit, you can re-roll
WARGEAR OPTIONS the Wound roll. Each time this model makes an attack with
a Skatros transuranic arquebus that targets a MONSTER or
■ This model’s radium jezzail can be replaced with 1 Skatros transuranic arquebus. VEHICLE unit, you can re-roll the Wound roll.
SYDONIAN SENTINEL
UNIT COMPOSITION
This model cannot be your WARLORD .
■ 1 Sydonian Skatros
FACTION KEYWORDS:
KEYWORDS: INFANTRY, CHARACTER, IMPERIUM, SKITARII, SYDONIAN, SKATROS
ADEPTUS MECHANICUS
84
SKITARII MARSHAL Marshals lead the maniples and cohorts o/Skitarii
soldiery. They are veteran warriors o f countless crusades,
privileged to bear enhanced augmentations. Marshals
stand as intermediaries between Skitarii formations and
their priestly masters, employing sacred uplinks to refine
their warriors' doctrines closer to holy perfection.
Control stave Melee 4 3 + 6 - 1 1 Control Edict: While this model is leading a unit, each time a
model in that unit makes an attack, you can re-roll the Hit roll.
LEADER
Servo-skull Uplink: Once perturn, you can targetthis model’s
This model can be attached to the following units: SKITARII RANGERS , SKITARII VANGUARD unit with a Stratagem even if that Stratagem has already been
used on another unit from your army this phase.
UNIT COMPOSITION
■ 1 Skitarii Marshal
FACTION KEYWORDS:
KEYWORDS: INFANTRY, CHARACTER, IMPERIUM, SKITARII, MARSHAL
ADEPTUS MECHANICUS
85
SKITARII RANGERS Rangers relentlessly pursue their quarry over months or
even years, tracking elusive prey unto death. They bear
antique, long-barrelled galvanic rifles, whose energised
ammunition transfers a coruscating charge when it hits,
leaving the prey a smoking husk while the Rangers are
already lining up their next target.
INVULNERABLE SAVE
■>- Before selecting targetsfo r this weapon, select one o f its profiles to make attacks with.
FACTION KEYWORDS:
KEYWORDS: I NFANTRY, BATTLELINE , I MPERIUM , SK ITA R II , RANGERS
ADEPTUS MECHANICUS
The hyper-irradiated shot unleashed by Skitarii Vanguard
sickens and slays even those barely grazed by its
impacts. Vanguard are infused with this radiation,
emitting a debilitating aura they themselves are inured to.
This hardens them to fig h t in the most toxic war zones to
defend the Tech-Priests' interests.
■ The Skitarii Vanguard Alpha can be equipped with 1 Alpha combat weapon. ■ 1 Skitarii Vanguard Alpha
■ The Skitarii Vanguard Alpha’s radium carbine can be replaced with 1 Mechanicus pistol. ■ 9 Skitarii Vanguard
■ 1 Skitarii Vanguard’s radium carbine can be replaced with 1 arc rifle. Every model is equipped with: radium carbine; close
■ 1 Skitarii Vanguard’s radium carbine can be replaced with 1 plasma caliver. combat weapon.
■ 1 Skitarii Vanguard’s radium carbine can be replaced with 1 transuranic arquebus.
■ 1 Skitarii Vanguard equipped with a radium carbine can be equipped with one of the following:
° 1 enhanced data-tether*
° 1 omnispex*
* That model's radium carbine cannot be replaced.
Before selecting targets fo r this weapon, select one o f its profiles to moke attacks with.
Vanguard with radium Skitarii Vanguard Skitarii Vanguard Alpha with Mechanicus Skitarii Vanguard Skitarii Vanguard
and omnispex with plasma caliver pistol and alpha combat weapon with arc rifle with radium carbine
8?
KATAPHRON BREACHERS Kataphron Breachers are large battle servitors that grind
forward on heavy tracks. They are ideal tools fo r smashing
open enemy battle lines and bastions with blastsfrom
heavy weapons and blows from combat attachments,
0 while any enemy firepower is deflected by thick armour
and absorbed by layered bionics.
INVULNERABLE SAVE
Close combat weapon Melee 2 4+ 5 0 1 Every model is equipped with: heavy grav-cannon; phosphor
blaster; close combat weapon.
WARGEAR OPTIONS
■ Any number of models can each have their heavy grav-cannon replaced with 1 Kataphron
plasma culverin.
■ Any number of models can each have their phosphor blaster replaced with 1 cognis flamer.
Before selecting targetsfo r this weapon, select one o f its profiles to make attacks with.
FACTION KEYWORDS:
KEYWORDS: INFANTRY, IMPERIUM, CULT MECHANICUS, KATAPHRON, DESTROYERS
ADEPTUS MECHANICUS
88
Electro-Priests o f the Corpuscariif action build up huge
electrical potential as they zealously chant their canticles
o f battle. They conduct the Motive Force through their
bodies, eager to share its illumination, releasing it from
their gauntlets in coruscating arcs o f electrical power that
leap from target to target.
5? MELEE WEAPONS RANGE A WS S AP D Electro-shock: In your Shooting phase, afterthis unit has
shot, select one enemy unit (excluding MONSTERS and
Electrostatic gauntlets [SUSTAINED HITS 2] Melee 3 4+ 5 0 1 VEHICLES ) hit by one or more of those attacks. Until the end of
your opponent’s next turn, that enemy unit is shocked. While
a unit is shocked, subtract 2" from its Move characteristic and
subtract 2 from Advance and Charge rolls made for it.
UNIT COMPOSITION
89
Sicarian Infiltrators broadcast disruptive frequencies that
scramble augurs and painfully disturb enemy senses.
Thus obscured, the Inf iltrators perform reconnaissance
and outflanking missions, intensifying their sensory
barrage tofry enemy comms and attack unseen through
the resultant anarchy.
UNIT COMPOSITION
FACTION KEYWORDS:
KEYWORDS: INFANTRY, IMPERIUM , S KITARII , S ICARIAN , INFILTRATORS
ADEPTUS MECHANICUS
90
PTERAXII SKYSTALKERS Pteraxii Skystalkers have their consciousness pared
back until little but their optimised reactions remain.
They are manoeuvrable and preternatural airborne
hunters, who track their prey from choice vantage
points before swooping in to unleash withering hails
of razor-sharp flechettes.
INVULNERABLE SAVE
MELEE WEAPONS RANGE A ws s AP D Ride the Thermals: In your Shooting phase, after this unit
Close combat weapon Melee 2 4+ 3 0 1 has shot, if it is not within Engagement Range of one or more
enemy units, it can do one of the following:
Taser goad [ SUSTAINED HITS Z] Melee 3 4+ 6 0 1
■ Make a Normal move of upto 6".
Every Pteraxii Skystalker model is equipped with: flechette carbine; close combat weapon.
KEYWORDS: I NFANTRY, FLY, J UMP PACK , GRENADES , I MPERIUM , SK ITA R II , FACTION KEYWORDS:
PTE R A X II , SKYSTALKERS ADEPTUS MECHANICUS
UNIT COMPOSITION
FACTION KEYWORDS:
KEYWORDS: I NFANTRY, FLY, J UMP PACK , I MPERIUM , SK ITA RII, PTE R A X II , STERYLIZORS
ADEPTUS MECHANICUS
91
Long-range scouts and outriders, Raiders o f the Serberys
Corps employ the advanced sensor suites o f their
cybercanid mounts to identify enemy interlopers. They
maintain punishing rates o f carbine fire while moving at
high speed, and when their prey can run no more, Raiders
draw their sabres and charge into the fray.
MELEE WEAPONS RANGE A WS S AP 0 Tactica Obliqua: Once per turn, when an enemy unit ends a
Cavalry sabre and clawed limbs Melee 4 4 + 4 - 1 1 Normal, Advance or Fall Back move within 9" of this unit, ifthis
unit is not within Engagement Range of one or more enemy
units, it can do one of the following:
WARGEAR OPTIONS
■ Make a Normal move of upto 06".
■ 1 Serberys Raider can be equipped with 1 enhanced data-tether.
■ Make a Normal move of up to 6", provided every model in
this unit ends that move wholly within 6" of one or more
friendly ADEPTUS MECHANICUS BATTLELINE units.
WARGEAR ABILITIES
UNIT COMPOSITION
FACTION KEYWORDS:
KEYWORDS: MOUNTED, IMPERIUM, SKITARII, SERBERYS RAIDERS
ADEPTUS MECHANICUS
Sulphurhound cavalry squadrons are aggressive shock
troops and line breakers. The loping, mechanical beasts
breathe gouts o f incinerating phosphor and disembowel
the foe with slashing claws, while the elite Skitarii riders
unload incandescent pistol fire as they smash through
defence lines, before circling backfo r survivors.
FACTION KEYWORDS:
KEYWORDS: MOUNTED, IMPERIUM, SKITARII, SERBERYS SULPHURHOUNDS
ADEPTUS MECHANICUS
CYBERNETICA DATASMITH Datasmiths optimise the programming o f their robotic
M T SV W LD OC
charges. These Tech-Priests employ rituals and binharic
hymns to bless the doctrine wafers through which they
alter the robots' protocols, all the while laying waste to the
enemies of the Omnissiah with blasts of ionising radiation
from their esoteric pistols.
INVULNERABLE SAVE
MELEE WEAPONS RANGE A ws s AP D Battle Protocols: At the start of the battle, if this model is
leading a KASTELAN ROBOTS unit, that unit enters Aegis
Power fist Melee 2 3+ 8 -2 Protocols (see below). In your Command phase, if this model
is leading a KASTELAN ROBOTS unit, you can select one
LEADER protocol from those listed below for that unit to enter. Once a
unit enters a protocol, it remains in that protocol until it enters
This model must be attached to the following unit: KASTELAN ROBOTS a different one.
You must attach this model to a KASTELAN ROBOTS unit, even if one or more other CYBERNETICA ■ Protector Protocol: Add 2 to the Attacks characteristic of
DATASMITH models have already been attached to it. In such cases, if that Bodyguard unit is destroyed, ranged weapons equipped by KASTELAN ROBOT models in
the Leader units attached to it become separate units with their original Starting Strengths. If you cannot that unit.
attach this model to a KASTELAN ROBOTS unit, this model cannot be deployed and counts as having been
destroyed during the first battle round. While attached to a KASTELAN ROBOTS unit, this model loses the ■ Conqueror Protocol: Add 2 to the Attacks characteristic of
INFANTRY keyword. melee weapons equipped by KASTELAN ROBOT models in
that unit.
KEYWORDS: I NFANTRY, CHARACTER , I MPERIUM , LEGIO CYBERNETICA ,T ECH -PRIEST , FACTION KEYWORDS:
CYBERNETICA DATASMITH ADEPTUS MECHANICUS
Kastelan Robots are giant automata from Mankind's
dark past, shielded with thick armour and advanced
force fields. Heeding preprogrammed doctrines without
fail, Kastelans are bastions in defence and almost
unstoppable on the attack, unleashing heavy firepower or
else bludgeoning swipes with their giant fists.
■ Any number of models can each have their incendine combustor replaced with 1 heavy
phosphor blaster.
Kastelan Robot with twin Kastelan phosphor blaster Kastelan Robot with twin Kastelan fists
Cybernetica Datasmith
and ipcendine combustor and incendine combustor
95
Ironstrider Ballistarii are swift combat walkers piloted
by veteran marksmen. They smoothly pick their way
across the battlefield before invoking the fu lly awakened
machine spirits o f their weapons to acquire rapidly
cogitated firing solutions. Their destructive firepower
unleashed, they redeploy to hunt fo r fresh targets.
■ Any number of models can each have theirtwin cognis autocannon replaced with 1 twin UNIT COMPOSITION
cognis lascannon.
■ 1-3 Ironstrider Ballistarii
96
I V
~ Striding through a mist o f their own sacred incense,
SYDONIAN DRAGOONS WITH TASER LANCES Sydonian Dragoons mark their quarry with shots of
glowing phosphor. This allows them to detect their prey
through the cloying mist and home in on them in a
Taser lance [ANTI-WALKER Z+, LANCE, SUSTAINED HITS 2] Melee 4 4+ ? -2 2 Dynamic Efficiency: This unit is eligible to declare a charge
in a turn in which it Advanced or Fell Back, and you can re-roll
Desperate Escape tests taken for models in this unit.
UNIT COMPOSITION
|
o RANGED WEAPONS RANGE A BS s AP D
ABILITIES
Phosphor serpenta [ IGNORESCOVER, PISTOL] 18" 1 4+ 5 -1 2 CORE: Deadly Demise 1, Stealth
Radium jezzail [ANTI-INFANTRY a*. HEAVY, PRECISION] 36" 1 4+ 5 -2 3
FACTION: Doctrina Imperatives
UNIT COMPOSITION
9?
Hovering over the ruins o f war on a bed o f atomised
SKORPIUS DISINTEGRATOR
gases, Skorpius Disintegrators are archaic, front line
-A
battle tanks. They surge forward in unstoppable armoured
waves and support infantry advances, maintaining
blistering salvoes of fire to cripple enemy war engines and
sweep aside hordes o f lesserfoes.
MELEE WEAPONS RANGE A ws s AP 0 Blistering Salvoes: Each time this model makes an attack
with a belleros energy cannon that targets an I NFANTRY unit,
Armoured hull Melee 3 4+ 6 0
add 1 to the Hit roll. Each time this model makes an attack
with a ferrumite cannon that targets a MONSTER or VEHICLE
WARGEAR OPTIONS
unit, add I t o the Hit roll.
■ This model’s belleros energy cannon can be replaced with 1 ferrumite cannon.
UNIT COMPOSITION
$ DAMAGED: 1 -4 WOUNDS REMAINING ■ 1 Skorpius Disintegrator
While this model has 1-4 wounds remaining, each time this model makes an attack, subtract 1 from the This model is equipped with: belleros energy cannon;
Hit roll. 3 cognis heavy stubbers; disruptor missile launcher;
armoured hull.
FACTION KEYWORDS:
\ KEYWORDS:VEHICLE , IMPERIUM, SKITARII, S MOKE, SKORPIUS DISINTEGRATOR ADEPTUS MECHANICUS
98
ONAGER DUNECRAWLER The Onager Dunecrawler’s flexible armaments can blast
apart squadrons o f aircraft or atomise elite infantry
with beams of blinding energy. They are versatile heavy
weapons platforms, well-shielded and easily able to
advance alongside Skitarii as their multiple limbs propel
them over treacherous obstacles.
INVULNERABLE SAVE <•-'
UNIT COMPOSITION
WARGEAR OPTIONS
■ 1 Onager Dunecrawler
■ This model’s eradication beamer can be replaced with one of the following:
This model is equipped with: eradication beamer;
° 1 Daedalus missile launcher and 1 Icarus array
Dunecrawler legs.
0 1 neutron laser and 1 cognis heavy stubber
0 1 twin Onager heavy phosphor blaster
While this model has 1-4 wounds remaining, each time this model makes an attack, subtract 1 from the
Hit roll.
Before selecting targetsfo r this weapon, select one o f its profiles to make attacks with.
FACTION KEYWORDS:
KEYWORDS: VEH IC LE , WA LK ER , IMPERIUM , S KITARII , S MOKE, ONAGER DUNECRAWLER ADEPTUS MECHANICUS
99
* The Archaeopter Fusilave’s changeable payload of
ARCHAEOPTER FUSILAVE deep-bore, high explosives defines its position as a
devastating bomber and ground clearance aircraft.
| Tech-Priests employ whole squadrons to level enemy
I defences and root out sheltering heretics, as well as to
clear prospective sites fo r further investigation in the
Quest fo r Knowledge.
X MELEE WEAPONS RANGE Bomb Rack: Each time this model ends a Normal move, you
can select one enemy unit it moved across during that move
Armoured hull Melee
and roll six 06: for each 4+, that unit suffers 1 mortal wound.
WARGEAR OPTIONS
WARGEAR ABILITIES
■ This model’s command uplink can be replaced with 1 chaff launcher.
Chaff Launcher: The bearer has the SMOKE keyword.
Command Uplink: Each time you target the bearer’s unit with
a Stratagem, roll one 06: on a 5+, you gain ICR
UNIT COMPOSITION
■ 1 Archaeopter Fusilave
FACTION KEYWORDS:
KEYWORDS: VEH ICLE , AIRCRAFT , FLY, I MPERIUM, S KITARII , ARCHAEOPTER FUSILAVE
ADEPTUS MECHANICUS
- ■
UNIT COMPOSITION
■ 1 Archaeopter Stratoraptor
MELEEWEAPONS RANGE A WS S AP D Aerial Deployment: If this model starts the game in Hover
mode and in Strategic Reserves, it can be set up in the
Armoured hull Melee 3 4+ 6 0 1
Reinforcements step of your first, second or third Movement
phase, regardless of any mission rules.
WARGEAR OPTIONS
■ This model’s command uplink can be replaced with 1 chaff launcher. WARGEAR ABILITIES
■ lArchaeopter Transvector
101
CrusadeRules
‘Thou shalt not suffer to live those who practise
auto-idolatry or false worship of illogical deities in the
sight of the Omnissiah. Cleanse forever the galactic
noosphere of their datacorrosive taint, and thus know
his blessing.'
- Catachesium Primus-Analyticum Infinitus,
Verse 126 to the 4th Power
INTRODUCTION
In this section you'll find additional rules for playing Crusade battles that are bespoke to ADEPTUS
MECHANICUS units. You can find out more about Crusade armies in the main Crusade rules.
RULES | CRUSAI
THE SEARCH FOR
ARCHEOTECH
If your Crusade force includes any ADEPTUS MECHANICUS units, it can embark upon the search for rare
technological fragments, then assemble these into artefacts of formidable power.
Each battle offers the Adeptus Mechanicus a chance ASSEMBLING ARCHEOTECH TREASURES
to track down elusive archeotech - either from Once you have acquired an Archeotech Part and
their enemies, or from the battlefield itself. These a Power Source, you can assemble them into an
rare technological fragments can be used to craft Archeotech Treasure using the Assemble Archeotech
powerful new upgrades for units from your army. Requisition (pg 111). To do so, you will need one
Power Source and one of the following:
ARCHEOTECH PARTS
Each time you win a battle, roll one D6: on a 5+, 1 Weapon Part
your Crusade force acquires one Archeotech Part.
You can either choose for that part to be a Power 1 Force Field Part i-
Source or determine its type by rolling one D6 and
consulting the table below. 1 Techno-arcana Part
can replicate.
■ 1 archeotech weapon
■ 1 archeotech force field
TECHNO-ARCANA PART ■ 1 archeotech techno-arcana
These bizarre relics, once empowered,
interact with the Machine God’s
faithful in unusual ways, their spirits
BB
responding to certain, holy cant.
RULES|CRUSADE
ARCHEOTECH ARCHEOTECH
WEAPON FORCEFIELD
The bearer is equipped with one of the following ranged The bearer has one of the following abilities.
weapons. Archeotech weapons cannot be upgraded by
Weapon Enhancements.
WEAPON D6 FORCEFIELD D6
ELECTRO-FIRE IMPLANTS VOID SHELL
[ASSAULT, ANTI-INFANTRY 4 + , TORRENT]
Once per battle, at the sta rt o f any phase,
th is model can use th is ab ility. If it does,
RANGE A BS S AP D until the end o f the phase, th is model has a
12" D6+3 3+ 4 0 1 2+ invulnerable save.
ARC IMPLANTS
NEURAL JAMMER Once per battle, in your opponent’s Charge
[DEVASTATING WOUNDS, PISTOL, PRECISION]
phase, ju s t a fte rth is model's un it has been
RANGE A BS S AP D selected as a target of an enemy u n it’s
charge, th is model can use th is ability. If it
18" 4 3 + 4 - 2 1
does, until the end of the phase, sub tract 2
from Charge rolls made fo rth a t enemy unit.
NANOSHARD PROJECTOR
[LETHAL HITS, PISTOL] TIME SINK
A tthe s ta rt o f the Fight phase, select one
RANGE A BS S AP D
enemy u n itw ith in Engagement Range of
12” 3 3 + 5 - 1 2 this model and roll one DS: on a 4+, until
the end o f the turn, reduce the Weapon Skill
characteristic o f melee weapons equipped
ARC ANNULUS
by th a t enemy un it by 1.
[ANTI-VEHICLE 3 + , PISTOL]
TECHNODERMIS
DIGITAL CANNON Improve the Save and Wounds
characteristics o f this model by 1.
| RANGE
A BS S AP
TECHNO-ARCANA D6 TECHNO-ARCANA D6
HAGIOSCOPE OBSCUROPTIKON
At the start of the battle, select one enemy At the start of the battle, select up to two
unit. Each time an ADEPTUS MECHANICUS ADEPTUS MECHANICUS INFANTRY units
unit from your Crusade army makes a from your Crusade army. Each time an
ranged attack that targets that enemy unit, enemy unit makes a ranged attack that
you can ignore any or all modifiers to the targets one of those units, until the end
Hit roll, the Wound roll and the Ballistic Skill of the phase, models in the targeted unit
characteristic of that attack. have a 5+ invulnerable save against
ranged attacks.
EXO-GAUNTLET
At the start of the battle, select one enemy TRI-DIMENSIONAL COVENANT
unit. Each time an ADEPTUS MECHANICUS At the start of the battle, select up to two
unit from your Crusade army makes a ADEPTUS MECHANICUS INFANTRY units from
melee attackthattargets that enemy unit, your Crusade army. Until the end of the
re-roll a Hit roll of 1. battle, add 1 to Advance and Charge rolls
made forthose units.
FERROSANCTIC ORRERY
At the start of the battle, select up to two HYPERCIRCUIT
ADEPTUS MECHANICUS units from your At the start of the battle, select up to two
Crusade army, then select one objective ADEPTUS MECHANICUS units [excluding
markerthat is not in your deployment zone. VEHICLES ) from your Crusade army. Once
While a unit you selected forthis ability per battle per selected unit, you can target
is within range of that objective marker, that unit with the Heroic Intervention
improve the Leadership and Objective Stratagem for OCP, and can do so even if
Control characteristics of models in that you have already targeted a different unit
unit by 1. with that Stratagem this phase.
RULES|CRUSADE
LEGENDARY ARCHEOTECH
In addition to the Archeotech Treasures your TECH -PRIESTS can be equipped with, your Crusade force can
also seek out pieces of Legendary Archeotech - unique artefacts that can turn the tide in particularly
critical battles.
| CLAIM LEGENDARYARCHEOTECH
RULES I CRUSADE
THE D E M IU R G Y OF XYTOS
The founding of Explorator Fleet
Delta-87 Vectis was the culmination
of decades of intensive industry upon
the forge world of Urgatik-Beta, as
numerous forge temples had competed
to resource the fleet's amalgamation
and influence the parameters of its
LEGENDARY ARCHEOTECH D6 mission. Dozens of warships and forge
barges, macro-tenders and troop
transports were finally dispatched to
THE DOOM OFTHORANTUS
the broadcast of binharic fanfares.
This device is an incorporeal vortex o f encoded data that
Delta-87 Vectis left the ochre-veiled
has haunted many repositories. The swirl o f ancient
world behind and forged on into
logic is said to be a manifestation o f the Machine God's
the dark void towards the nebula of
spite, fo r myths portray its attendant machine spirits as
Spectre's Reach, whose systems were
viciously cursing the rival spirits o f enemy engines.
rumoured to be heavy with the promise
Once per battle, at the end of your Movement phase, of forgotten technology.
select one enemy VEHICLE unit within 18" of and visible
to the bearer. Until the start of your next Movement Pathelsheptia Xytos had leveraged
phase, subtract 2 from the Attacks characteristic of political and technological capital
ranged weapons equipped by models in that unit, and to secure command of the Explorator
each time that unit ends a Normal, Advance, Fall Back or fleet. Upon reaching the fringe
Charge move, it suffers 06 mortal wounds. systems of Spectre's Reach, frontier
worlds were scoured of resources to
SYNTAXIK CHARGER feed the fleet's progress. Nests of
According to the ravings o f Magos Revka this terrifying
weapon from the Dark Age o f Technology unleashes
nothing less than an echo o f the Machine God's own
9 xenos and pirate lairs were purged and
demolished by Xytos' Skitarii cohorts,
RULES| CRUSADE
AGENDAS
If your Crusade army includes any ADEPTUS MECHANICUS units, you can select Agendas from those
presented here.
RULES|CRUSADE
REQUISITIONS
If your Crusade army includes any ADEPTUS MECHANICUS units, you can spend Requisition points (RP)
on any of the following Requisitions.
After isolated periods o f prayer to the Machine God, Tech-Priests are loath to risk the most precious and
some Tech-Priests have declared themselves struck storied artefacts o f Humanity's past in the fires of
by new knowledge, reverently dismantling and then war without intensive and ostentatious rituals of
recombining ancient technology into new forms. preservation. The benediction o f the Omnissiah is
invoked in incense-fogged rites that ring to choruses of
Purchase this Requisition at any time, if your binharic praise, as his guardianship is sought.
Crusade force has two or more Archeotech
Treasures. You can select two Archeotech Treasures Purchase this Requisition before a battle. Select
and remove them from your Crusade force, then one TECH-PRIEST model (excluding EPIC HEROES)
select a type of Archeotech Treasure and roll to from your Crusade army, then select one piece
assemble that Archeotech Treasure immediately, as of Legendary Archeotech your Crusade force has
described in the Assembling Archeotech Treasures claimed (pg 109). Until the end of the battle, that
section (pg 105). TECH-PRIEST model is equipped with that piece of
Legendary Archeotech. You cannot select the same
piece of Legendary Archeotech two battles in a row.
ASSEMBLE ARCHEOTECH 1RP
HOLYACQUISITOR
The most talented Tech-Priests have honed their
acquisitive skills through extreme self-augmentation.
Atthe end of a battle you won, ifth is unit was in your
Crusade army, roll one 06: on a 6, your Crusade force
s
gains 1 Archeotech Part.
CONTROL CORTEX
This Tech-Priest maintains a sub-cranial node via
which they suppress self-determinative instincts in
their servants.
While this model is leading a unit, you can re-roll
Battle-shock tests taken forthat unit.
HEXAMATHIC CHORALE
With a mechanical voice raised in exaltation, this zealot
rouses loyal machine spirits to unleash a multi-spectral
fanfare o f sensor-clouding static.
Once per battle round, one ADEPTUS MECHANICUS
SMOKE unit from your army that is within 12" of this unit
can be targeted with the Smokescreen Stratagem for
OCP, even if a different unit from your Crusade army has
already been targeted with that Stratagem this phase.
TELEPORTATION NODE
With an empyrically shielded device, this Tech-Priest
can whisk their servants away in a teleportation flare.
Atthe end of your Movement phase, ifth is unit is not
within Engagement Range of one or more enemy units,
you can remove it from the battlefield and place it into
Strategic Reserves. If you do, until the end of your next
turn, this unit has the Deep Strike ability.
RULES|CRUSADE
Excluding CHARACTER units
INTEGRATED REFRACTION EMITTERS
Cyborgised soldiery that repeatedly prove their great
ENHANCED BIONICS
worth to their masters may be gifted with an embedded
These Skitarii are veteran soldiers of the Machine God,
suite o f refractor fie ld nodes to prolong their service.
and granted a number of enhanced augmentations.
This model has a 4+ invulnerable save.
This unit has a 4+ invulnerable save. If this unit is a
BATTLELINE or KATAPHRON unit, it has a 5+ invulnerable
BATTLEFIELD PROCESSING CORTEX save instead.
The most experienced Skitarii Marshals can perform
incredible feats o f tactical and strategic excellence, a
s KILLCODE GEAR SWITCHES
trait reinforced by their masters with further augmetics.
Each time you target this model’s unit with a Stratagem,
a With a single broadcast signal, the masters o f these
Skitarii activate reinforced servos, additional fibre a
roll one D6, adding 1 to the result if that unit is equipped
with an enhanced data-tether: on a 5+, you gain 1CP.
VEHICLE UNITS D6
SANCTIFIED ENGINE
Reverently cleansed before every activation by a cabal
o f Enginseers dedicated solely to its well-being, this
machine's engine thrums with sacred efficiency.
Each time this unit Advances, do not make an Advance
roll. Instead, until the end of the phase, add 6" to the
Move characteristic of models in this unit.
RULES|CRUSADE
CRUSADE RELICS
When an ADEPTUS M ECHANICUS CHARACTER model gains a Crusade Relic, you can select one of the
Crusade Relics presented here.
Archeotech Questors
Your devoted maniples of augmented soldiery and sacred
war machines have proven worthy crusaders in the Quest for
Knowledge. With each victory in the name of the Machine God,
stratum o f time and mystery have been peeled back, laid bare
beneath the glare of the Omnissiah's gaze. Yourforce's ruling
Tech-Priests have unearthed incredible artefacts from Humanity1
past, ensuring they take their rightful place in their possession.
But with every discovery are tantalising clues to greater prizes.
Knowledge knows no limits.
Archeotech Disciples
In your holy quest, you have expanded the influence o f your forge
world in an exponential cascade o f fervour. You have wrested
lost technologiesfrom selfish armies o f heretics, sundered enemy
bastions occupying sites o f ancient lore and purged xenos forces
from glittering seams o f resources destined to fuel your crusade.
Every achievement won through cold logic and fanatical faith,
and every treasured mechanism salvaged from the dead hands of
ignorant foes, exposes new veins o f opportunity to exploit.
Archeotech Masters
The weak flesh o f the enemy greases the cogs of war that grind
inexorably onwards. Your cohorts and macroclades of cyborg
warriors, augmented assassins and hulking war engines are an
industrial war machine, capable o f pulverising all opposition at
your binharic directive. You are a savant o f the Machine God's
mysteries, a vessel for the Omnissiah's benevolence and a living
lightning rod o f the Motive Force's animus!
DETACHMENT ENHANCEMENTS
Rad-zone Corps Explorator Maniple
Autoclavic Denunciation .15 pts Artisan.. 15 pts
Malphonic Susurrus...... .20 pts Genetor 25 pts
Peerless Eradicator........ .20 pts Logis... 20 pts
Radial Suffusion............................... ........................ 25 pts Magos... 15 pts
Data-psalm Conclave
Data-blessed Autosermon. .20 pts
Mantle of the Gnosticarch.. .15 pts
Mechanicus Locum.......... .10 pts
Temporcopia..................... .25 pts
NMBHH
ADEPTUS MECHANICUS
NAME GENERATOR
If you wish to create a name for one of your Adeptus Mechanicus zealots, you can use the tables below,
picking your preferred components or rolling a D66 to determine a name. To roll a D66, roll two D6, one
after the other - the first represents tens and the second represents digits, giving you a result between
11 and 66.
Sy-gex 11 -XXVII 11
Lho 12 Mojaro 12
Tyr 13 Tov 13
Teppa-Nyxos 14 -6e20F 14
Dak 15 Vladimus 15
Kor 16 Knoch 16
Ar 21 Thannek 21
Dox 22 Malavont 22
Kappic-Schoelendt 23 -089 23
Sek 24 /3 2 3M kl2 24
Tyba 25 -998/56c 25
Protos-Reductus 26 Virellan 26
Dorox 31 -1111 31
09 32 Drax 32
Alb 33 Xixos 33
Bartolomus 34 Gedd-38f 34
Garba 35 Dol 35
Mu 36 Osmium 36
8 41 -511 41
Rhy 42 -888.88 42
Thusdorius 43 -66.75/Mk98 43
Dos 44 QS-Decarote 44
Augreus 45 -666/2 45
Exitor-Dho 46 -802 46
Delpha 51 -29.09/5 51
Fei 52 Ondos 52
Chu 53 -1010 53
Actus 54 -18.1 54
Vettius 55 Kroll 55
Xor 56 Yaekobus-A 56
Neng-Pho 61 Eng 61
Decima 62 Rhombor 62
Bheta 63 -1/5 63
Vitruvius 64 Telok 64
Zhu 65 ■0.44/K 65
Gregorius 66 Veriliad 66
The Adeptus Mechanicus are the fanatical worshippers of the Machine INSIDE YOU WILL FIND:
God of Mars. For thousands of years the robed priests of the Cult
Mechanicus have presided over the fabrication, maintenance and ■ The ancient origins of the Adeptus Mechanicus, along with details
preservation of Humanity’s surviving technological wonders with of the acquisitive wars they wage in order to recover and exploit
reverence and ritual. Led by Tech-Priests whose weak organic flesh the blessed gifts bestowed upon Humanity by the Machine God.
has been replaced with metallic augmentations, their armies fight
■ All the rules you will need to assemble your collection o f Adeptus
to defend forge worlds or strike out across the galaxy in search of
Mechanicus Citadel miniatures into a cybernetic cohort ready
ancient archeotech. Amongst their ranks are cohorts of obedient
to engage in Combat Patrol, Crusade or Matched Play games of
cybernetic soldiers, lumbering warrior robots and battle servitors.
Warhammer 40,000.
They bear an array of esoteric weapons capable of annihilating foes
in volleys of irradiated ammunition or incinerating them with torrents ■ A striking showcase of expertly painted Citadel miniatures that
of searing energy. Those who seek to sabotage the divine works of displays the Adeptus Mechanicus army in all its technological
the Omnissiah must face the might of this merciless mechanical war majesty, as well as a step-by-step painting guide to get your own
machine, devoid as it is of both pity and remorse. collection Battle Ready and into action on the tabletop battlefield.
Manufactured by:
Games Workshop Lnmrted.
W illow Road Nottingham.
NG7 2WS, UK
European address:
Games W orkshop Limited - Insh Branch
Unit 3. Lower Liffey Street
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