Redemptionist

"There are none above redemption at the end of a Chainsword. Should I fall, it is because it is my sublime reward to have been chosen for absolution by the God-Emperor."

- Redeemer Cosler

A Redemptionist is a Ministorum priest who follow an extreme and unforgiving doctrine of faith in which they believe that redemption is only found in death. Many seek their own redemption on the battlefield for the sins they have committed against the God-Emperor. They also seek to bring redemption to others, finding one sin particularly offensive and seeking any opportunity to bring the Emperor's final judgement to xenos, Heretics or those who traffic with daemons.

History
The Imperial Creed is not a forgivinig doctrine of faith. Those who observe it in the strictest possible way known that redemption is only found in death. Redemptionists will often congregate in cults whose focus of hatred is similar. These doctrines are highly xenophobic and violent, its members sworn to expunge all sin with fire and blade. For some cults their focus of hatred is very limited: mutants, witches or aliens. But for the Redemptionists, they see sin in every creature, which must be purged through bloodshed. A few Cardinals within the Ecclesiarchy see these cults as breeding grounds for assassins of the faith. They will provide the cults with resources as well as targets. Confessors or other clergy will often accompany them to document and bear witness to the faithful cleansing. Those Redemptionists who prove themselves competent or especially devoted are often recruited into the service of a Cardinal or into an Acolyte Cell.

Although ostensibly pro-Imperial, such militant factions can often pose more of a threat than the heretics they seek to destroy. Their mob mentality and ability to rouse a populace into a frenzied witch hunt, blinded by its all-consuming need for the guilty and blasphemous to be cleansed, can cause serious problems to any planetary government, upsetting the precarious balance of power which allows a world to continue to exist in a galaxy that contains a thousand and one threats. The task at hand is never truly done in their eyes, if all of the Xenos are purge then all those who aided them must be purged, then all those who might fail in the future and so on until everyone is prosecuted for the failure to prevent such heretical acts. Planetary governments must often act quickly before the frenzied need to put the blasphemous to the pyre spreads. But such organisations as the Redemptionists can also be callously and cynically manipulated by individuals for their own agendas, and often act as a front for even more nefarious activities. Clever leaders will find new targets or crusades for their Redemptionist cults. More drastic means may also be utilised including condemning the cult as heretics themselves.

Inquisitors, especially those who are very zealous, put such reactionary cults to productive purposes in Acolyte cells that lack either focus, faith or simply a large Chainsword capable of rendering an Ork or a Heretic in half. The Redemptionist is, however, only a man and is susceptible to many of the same depravities, confusions and wounds as any other man. Determination and faith do not make one invincible and many die willingly for their cause. Flame weapons are a weapon of choice for such militant fanatics, as the Emperor is often symbolised as the cleansing fire in these religions. Other than these, spike maces, whirling Chain-Axes and Chainswords and other weapons which render and tear flesh in a scourging manner are also extremely popular.

Becoming a Redemptionist
A strict adherence to the vengeful spirit of the Imperial Creed is the first step down the road of the Redemptionist. Faithful communities from all across the Imperium of Man produce Redemptionists and their cults. It is possible for these men and women to be a member of one of these cults (perhaps coming from a Redemptionist monastic community). It is equally likely that a Cardinal or Inquisitor had a Redeember prepared from birth to serve in a specific capacity.

Notable Redemptionists

 * Klovis the Redeemer - Klovis the Redeemer is a noble of House Cawdor and a particularly fanatical and homicidal Redptionist priest from the Hive World of Necromunda. Based in Hive Primus, the capital of Necromunda, House Cawdor is the stronghold of the Cult of the Redemption whose prophets foretell of universal destruction. Although the cult has its adherents throughout the hive, in House Cawdor it has attained the status of an official religion. For this reason the House is also known as the House of Redemption. Klovis is a legend in his own lifetime and a force to be reckoned with. His crusades are notorious for the slaughter they bring. After the Arch Zealot himself. Klovis the Redeemer is perhaps the most notorious Redemptor Priest in the Underhive. He battles tirelessly against the infidels, scourging heretics and purging mutants. His righteous acts of merciful execution are chronicled by the hand of his faithful scribe, Deacon Malakev.
 * Devotee Malicant - Malicant's ancestors were from the home of the Redemptionist movement, the Hive World of Necromunda. Centuries ago they left their world on a Redemptionist crusade, finally founding a Temple of the Redemption on Ghastri IV. Brought up from birth to believe in the strict observances of the Redemption, raised by the fiery priests and zealots of the order in the Temple. Malicant is a ferociously devout individual. It is no surprise then that he caught the eye of Witch Hunter Tyrus when Malicant's crusade joined forces with the Inquisitor during the Treachery of Hanuchek. Since then, he has accompanied Tyrus across the galaxy, always spurred on by the Inquisitor's rousing speeches.