Penitent Engine

"'Only in death, theirs or the enemy's, can forgiveness finally be earned.' -- Ecclesiarchy Priest"

A Penitent Engine is a large, bi-pedal war-machine used by the Ecclesiarchy as a form of punishment for repenting heretics. Penitent Engines are also used by the Adepta Sororitas in the same way Space Marine Chapters use Dreadnoughts. Penitent Engines are willingly controlled by a repentant sinner or heretic who's crimes, which may be real, accused, or even imagined, are too terrible that any other form of punishment is considered too lenient. The repentant heretic is hard-wired onto the front of the machine, and unlike Space Marine Dreadnoughts, which are fully enclosed, they are fully exposed to enemy attack. Many of the souls that are punished in this way may have once been part of the Ecclesiarchy; priests that have fallen from grace, or even Battle Sisters that have failed in their faith or caused the death of others. The repentant is hard-wired to the front of the machine with a multitude of wires, and chemical injectors that are implanted into the pilot's brain and spine. The machine is driven by the pilot's frantic need for forgiveness, and will charge towards the enemy heedless of the danger, as only in death can forgiveness be earned. The pilot is filled with numerous stimulants and other chemicals, ensuring they are able to survive, and feel, everything they enemy throws at them, these chemicals keep the repentant alive long enough for them to aton for their sins by frantically killing many foes. Penitent Engines will often charge into battle alongside the ranks of the Orders Militant, as the Sisters of Battle see it as their sacred duty to witness these machines in the flames of battle, watching the actions of the fallen as they atone for their sins against humanity, and the God Emperor.

Armament
Penitent Engines are only armed with devastatingly effective close-combat weapons, as the pilot is in too frantic a state to use long-range weaponry effectively. All Penitent Engines are armed with Dreadnought type close-combat weapons, usually large circulating power saws, Chainfists, or other Power Blades, on each of the machines arms. The arms are also equipped with either Flamers or Heavy Flamers, which can be fired together or separately. The Penitent Engine can also use its legs to kick or stomp on enemy infantry.

Gallery
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