The Imperial cyberbnetic bioconstructs known as Cherubim in a rare moment of rest
A Cherub (pl. Cherubim) is a cybernetic construct created by the Magi Biologis of the Adeptus Mechanicus for various Adepta of the Imperium of Man, including the Inquisition and the Adeptus Astartes. Cherubim are often used by Inquisitors with psychic abilities as Familiars who can act to augment their powers. Cherubs have been intentionally shaped by the Mechanicus to resemble the child-like angels of ancient Terran myth to symbolise their purity in the eyes of the Emperor. Cherubim are usually grown from pre-selected genetic templates in vats or clone tanks by the Magi Biologis who then outfit them with various cybernetic components depending upon the task for which they are intended. In many ways, Cherubim are simply Servitors who have been granted a unique appearance and a smaller size, as well as the ability to fly. Cherubim, like Servitors, are not considered sentient beings by the Imperium, and most could be considered to have the intelligence of an unusually bright dog or sub-sentient primate.
History
The bio-constructs known as Cherubim are of uncertain origin, but they are one of the few permitted examples of such bio-sculpted homunculi allowed within the Imperium. Taking a form most commonly resembling that of somewhat corpulent and unwholesome looking genderless children, they are also often implanted with augmetic feathery wings (and an anti-grav generator) allowing limited flight. Cherubim are not truly alive at all and their synthesised, bloodless and waxen flesh needs neither to eat nor sleep and is fed from their internal power-cell. They are controlled by an augmented cortex and nervous system usually harvested from or patterned upon some lesser creature of Terra such as a simian, bird, swine or felid, and implanted with a set of programmed commands that allows them to perform some simple task such as copying text, fetching and carrying small items or tirelessly singing the Emperor's praises with augmetic vocal cords. Outside the rarefied noble houses and Imperial Adepta hierarchy (most notably the Ecclesiarchy) where they are used, most Imperial citizens view Cherubim with a degree of distaste and superstitious fear. This is not entirely without cause as it is a matter of record that in rare instances Cherubim have been known to "devolve," allowing some corrupted and mangled version of their organic cortex to take over their behaviour with unpleasant consequences.
Armourium Cherub
Cherubim are diminutive flying cyborg bio-constructs created to assist the Emperor's servants, be they scribe or soldier. Among the Adeptus Astartes they are rarely seen outside of the Librarius, save for those few that relay targeting data and carry spare ammunition for Devastator Squads.
Sources
- Codex: Daemonhunters (3rd Edition), pg. 14
- Codex: Space Marines (7th Edition) (Digital Edition), "Armoury of the Space Marines - Special Issue Wargear - Armourium Cherub", pg. 440
- Codex: Witch Hunters (3rd Edition), pg. 16
- Dark Heresy: The Inquisitor's Handbook (RPG), pg. 192
- White Dwarf Weekly 71 (June 6, 2015) "Space Marines - Devastator Squad," pg. 7
- Games Workshop Online Store - Space Marine Librarian with Cherub
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