The Imperial cybernetic bioconstructs known as Cherubim in a rare moment of rest.
A Cherub (pl. Cherubim or Cherubs) is a cybernetic construct created by the Magi Biologis of the Adeptus Mechanicus for various adepta of the Imperium of Man, including the Adeptus Ministorum, the Inquisition, the Adepta Sororitas and the Adeptus Astartes. Cherubim are often used by Inquisitors with psychic abilities as familiars who can act to augment their powers.
The use of cherubim is especially widespread among the orders of the Ecclesiarchy, and they're a common sight fluttering above the aisles of Ministorum cathedra and the convents of the Adepta Sororitas. The Orders Militant of the Adepta Sororitas are often accompanied to battle by cherubim, where they fulfil a number of duties. Through the use of loaded doctrines, cherubim can assist the battle-sisters with front-line weapon maintenance, purification rituals, the bearing of relics and any number of other roles.
A cherub's flesh can even be integrated with different mechanical appendages and daubed with unique unguents, allowing it to better perform its purpose.
Cherubim have been intentionally biologically 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 a variant of 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 self-aware beings by the Imperium, and most could be considered to have the intelligence of an unusually bright dog or sub-sentient primate.
Quick Answers
What is the purpose of a Cherub in the Adeptus Mechanicus?
How do Cherubim augment the powers of Inquisitors with psychic abilities?
Why are Cherubim commonly seen in the orders of the Ecclesiarchy?
What is the role of a Cherub in the Imperium of Man?
How are Cherubs created by the Magi Biologis?
History[]
Cherubim in service to the Adepta Sororitas.
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-gravitic generator allowing limited flight, since their wings are wholly aesthetic and not capable of bearing their weight.
A pair of Cherubims carrying out their master's orders.
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 a cybernetically-augmented biological cortex and nervous system usually harvested from or genetically patterned upon some lesser, non-sentient creature of Terra such as a simian, bird, swine or felid.
They are implanted with a set of programmed commands that allows them to perform some simple task such as copying text, fetching and carrying small items, lighting candles 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[]
Armourium Cherubim are diminutive, flying cybernetic 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 are assigned to a Chapter's Armoury and 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
- Warhammer Community - Battle Sister Bulletin – Part 19: Cherubs!
Gallery[]
