Warhammer 40,000 Lore: The Revival of Sisters of Silence
In the grim darkness of the far future, the Sisters of Silence – the Imperium’s mute warrior-maidens – have seen a resurgence under the auspices of the Primarch, Roboute Guilliman. Their revival, much like the return of the Primarch himself, is steeped in intrigue, mystery, and the ever-present threat of heresy.
The Brotherhood, as they were once known, had their origins far in the past. Over time, the order had become fragmented, their knowledge lost or distorted into myths and legends. The sisters were venerated as Imperial Saints, with the Brotherhood’s members worshipping them with fervent faith. However, upon the new Sister Commander Asuma’s arrival at the Citadel, she ordered an immediate inspection of the Brotherhood for heresy. To her relief, she found no evidence of such misconduct and allowed their continued existence, recognising their unique knowledge of the Citadel’s functioning.
Despite the Brotherhood’s historical connection to the Sisters, Asuma cautioned her fellow Sisters that they were still to be treated as outsiders. This would remain the case for millennia, until a group of surviving Sisters of Silence reappeared in the solar system during the final stage of the Terran Crusade.
As the 13th Black Crusade loomed ominously, the Sisters were recalled from their strongholds scattered across the galaxy, back to Terra. This desperate order was issued by the High Lords themselves, but it was the Adeptus Custodes’ Captain-General, Trajann Valoris, who had secretly initiated their gathering. Foreseeing the impending catastrophe, Valoris understood that the Sisters of Silence, in unison with the Custodians, would play a critical role in defeating Magnus at the Battle of the Moon.
Upon arriving on Terra, Guilliman, recognising the significance his father had attached to the Null Maidens, decided to restore the order. With the Great Rift posing an existential threat to humanity, the Sisters of Silence were needed more than ever. Guilliman issued the Decree Dispens Anathema, which reinstated the Sisters of Silence in the Imperium’s hierarchy, making them subordinate to none but the Emperor.
This decree endowed the order with full support of the Imperium and allowed the free recruitment of new Pariahs and the establishment of new fortresses. Additionally, it provided the Anathema Psykana with immunity, creating a robust defence against opposition within the Imperial Sanatorium.
The Primarch also ordered the restoration of the Somna Citadel on the moon, an ancient fortress of the Sisters. Sister Asuma, from the convent on the planet II, was appointed as the Sister Commander of the entire Sisterhood. She swore to bolster the ranks of the order and resist any pressure from other Imperial structures.
However, even with Guilliman’s backing, the Sisters’ old enemies from the Ecclesiarchy remained a thorn in their side, voicing their concerns about the sudden revival of the Divisio Investigates. In response, the Primarch sent emissaries from the Sisters to all Segmentum, calling forth the hidden Sisters of Silence to Terra as the Indomitus Crusade took shape.
The Sisters of Silence, with their diverse tactics, characters, and traditions, rallied to the call, their unwavering sense of duty to the Emperor driving them. Ultimately, 3,000 Sisters of Silence gathered on Terra, and Guilliman declared them to be the Vigil Indomitus, the first of a network of vigils spread throughout the entire Imperium.
The Sisterhood was no longer confined to the vast Spire monasteries on Luna. Instead, they established their presence in every Segmentum, forming new orders and special units. Some Sisters were entrusted with special duties such as penetrating the hyperm webway tunnels, locating and rescuing Pariahs, or neutralising psychic attacks.
As for the number of Sisters of Silence currently in the service of the Emperor, it remains a mystery. But one thing is certain – with the Primarch’s support, the Sisters of Silence stand stronger than ever, and ready to face whatever threats the future holds.
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