Order of the Ebon Chalice

"We are beset by many terrible foes in these dark times, but we walk in the light of the Emperor, and we shall not let a single foe stay us from our duty. We are the Sisters of the great Ecclesiarchy, and we will fight to the bitter end."

- Canoness Palmiro, Order of the Ebon Chalice

The Order of the Ebon Chalice is the oldest of the Orders Militant, founded at birth of the Adepta Sororitas or the Sisters of Battle, by Saint Alicia Dominica by the Ecclesiarch Alexis XXII (the long-lived successor of the great reformer, Sebastian Thor) in the 38th Millennium when the Convent Sanctorum was split between the Convents on Ophelia VII and Terra. Both of these Convents are massive fortresses housing tens of thousands of Sisters. In time, the Orders Militant grew into larger and more powerful organisations and Sebastian Thor's successor, Ecclesiarch Alexis XXII, decreed that the two Convents each be divided into two Orders Militant. The Convent Prioris was split to become the Order of the Ebon Chalice, whose founder was Dominica, and the Order of the Argent Shroud, led by Silvana. The Convent Sanctorum was divided into the Order of the Fiery Heart, led by Katherine, and the Order of the Valorous Heart, led by Lucia. Though all these Orders could trace their origins back to the original teachings of the Daughters of the Emperor, a small degree of variance in terms of organisation and combat doctrine began to manifest as the outlook and persona of the founding leaders asserted itself.

By late M36, the Adepta Sororitas had become synonymous with the power of the Ecclesiarchy, implementing its dogma and prosecuting its wars across the galaxy. The Orders Militant spread, establishing subsidiary convents on key worlds across the Imperium. Dominica, Katherine, Silvana and Lucia, all of whom had been declared Living Saints in their own lifetimes, performed legendary acts and led their Orders in countless, bloody victories. But such legends seldom end happily, and first Dominica, then Silvana and Lucia were martyred at the hands of Chaos worshippers and barbaric aliens.

Notable Campaigns

 * Magdellan Prime Civil War (143-151.M41) - When the followers of the Cult of Balthalmus plunge Magdellan Prime into anarchy and bloodshed, the Battle Sisters of the Order of the Ebon Chalice bear the brunt of the fighting. The order's Preceptory Reclusium is repeatedly targeted by the maddened hordes, but holds out against seemingly possible odds until relief eventually arrives. By the time a relief force consisting of Space Marines of the Fire Angels, Sons of the Kraken and Red Seraphs arrives, the Battle Sisters have begun a determined counter-attack and victory is ultimately won.
 * The Promethean War (980.M41) - The Order of the Ebon Chalice reinforced the Space Marines of the Salamanders Chapter who were engaged in a brutal urban war against the dread Chaos Space Marines of the Black Legion on the world of Heletine in 980.M41. The enemy was put to the torch as dozens of Immolators and Land Raider Redeemers burned a path through that world's war-torn cities. Despite the strength of their forces, the advance was halted when Lord Gralastyx - the Daemon Prince leading the Forces of Chaos -- unleashed a legion of Possessed Chaos Space Marines. As the frenzied Chaotic horde ripped through the ranks of the Imperial forces, the Battle-Sisters and Space Marines fought back-to-back, their Bolters and Flamers blazing away as every warrior endeavoured to sell their life dearly in the Emperor's cause. However, the allied forces were saved when Saint Celestine appeared, falling upon the Chaotic forces like an avenging angel. The Living Saint carved a path through the horde towards Lord Gralastyx, before plunging her blade through his black heart. With the death of Gralastyx, the Forces of Chaos on the world were destroyed, but of Celestine there was no sign, for she vanished as mysteriously as she had appeared.

Notable Sisters of the Ebon Chalice

 * Saint Alicia Dominica - The Patron Saint of the Sisterhood, Bearer of the Grail of Ages, and Founder of the Order of the Ebon Chalice, Alicia Dominica is revered throughout the Imperium as both the founder and patron saint of the Adepta Sororitas. In the 36th Millennium, she ended High Lord Goge Vandire's Age of Apostasy after condemning him for his crimes against the Emperor and beheading him with her Power Sword. Shortly after, under the instruction of the newly appointed reforming Ecclisiarch Sebastian Thor, Dominica established the Sisterhood -- the Orders Militant of the Adepta Sororitas, with the Sisters later divided between the Convents on Terra and Ophelia VII. She herself became the first Canoness of the Order of the Ebon Chalice. In 650.M36, Alicia Dominica fell at the Battle of Frideswide's World, surviving hundreds of blows but falling to a single Traitor's lasgun blast to her heart. She was declared an Imperial Saint by the Ecclesiarchy soon after.
 * Palatine Rhiannon - Palatine Rhiannon was the Sister Superior put in charge of a small task force or Mission composed of fifty Battle-Sisters of the Ebon Chalice sent from the Convent Prioris on Terra to the far-off Calixis Sector of the Segmentum Obscurus. The Mission's destination was the lawless world of Iocanthos. The Mission's reason for its deployment to Iocanthos remains mysterious and was initially considered a slight on the Canoness General of the Ebon Chalice already within the Sector, bringing with it many unanswered questions. Only the influence of the Ordo Hereticus has managed to smooth things over between the two factions of the Ebon Chalice now present.

Order Colours
The uniforms of Dominica's Order are based on the original garments worn by the Daughters of the Emperor and their combat doctrines -– based on equal parts religious devotion and training -– have remained largely unchanged for four thousand years. This uniform is comprised of black coloured Power Armour with white vestments. The vestments have red piping and are also lined in red. The weapons of the Battle-Sisters of the Ebon Chalice are a deep red in colour.

Order Badge
This Order's symbol is a flaming, skull-filled chalice, a representation of the terrible knowledge imparted to Dominica when she was brought before the Golden Throne.

Gallery
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