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Frankenberry wrote:I'm sure something like 'dance night' doesn't exist for the AS. However, given what I've read concerning phyiscal intimacy in 40k, no one seems to care.

Unless it's some sort of Xenos.

It's a fun topic to consider given that AS are some of the more attractive pieces of the 40k universe (let's face it, everything is either scar-covered, cybernetic, or otherwise). Men will always find the one thing attractive about any subject and concentrate on it, I know I do.

As long as is doesn't deviate from social norms (deviancy) and it doesn't get in the way of your duty, I doubt the Imperium would care what you do with your personal life.

Of course the Imperium cares. If you have a personal life you obviously are not doing enough to support the Emperor. A personal life gives one undue time to contemplate un-sanctioned subjects which may lead to treason or heresy! Burn the heretic! PURGE IT WITH FIRE!!!

BlaxicanX wrote:I don't understand why this topic is so taboo. "oh noes so immature". It's a known fact that women with guns = hot. We all know the only reason anyone watches Underworld is to see Kate Beckinsale in tight leather shooting pistols. Why is joking around about SoB suddenly off-limits? Weird.

I agree, Sororitas = hot. But the problem is that in fluff they are devoted to the Emperor and Crusades while guys wanted for them to be devoted to sex and parties.


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Tadashi wrote: I doubt the Imperium would care what you do with your personal life.

What if I am praying to Slaanesh before laying down to sleep?

Regarding the Rule of the Sororitas:

Should any Sister, in her deeds or thoughts, sin, she should willingly and immediately make her fault known to her Superior, and amend with a pure heart. If she does not usually fail in this manner, let her be given but a week's penance, but if her sin is great, let her go apart from the company of her Sisters, so that she may not sit at table with them, nor kneel in prayer at their side. Let her go alone, submitting herself to the will of the almighty God-Emperor of Mankind. Let her don the hood of the penitent and take up the ceremonial eviscerator, and seek her redemption upon the field of battle.

Trust me, no one is going to have a fling or a crazy girls' night out on the town when the results are having to become a Repentia. As a Repentia, absolution is earned only upon death. There is no surviving this penance, no "ex-Repentias" who are not also corpses.

Of the non-Militant orders:

Ours is to honor the martyr, tend the fallen, defend the innocent, and walk always in the light."

... from the Book of Hours of the Ordo Hospitaller.

And, again, from the Rule of Sororitas:

It is not enough to serve the Emperor, or even to love Him. You must give to Him all that you had, all you have, and all you shall ever have. You must give yourself over utterly and entirely to His divine will and become a vessel of that will. Only then is your sacrifice fitting.

This last bit, especially, indicates that being a member of the Sisterhood requires 110% devotion to the God-Emperor and the Creed. There is no time or room for emotional attachments or relationships with other people. There is no time for the amassing of personal fortunes and wealth. There is no time or room for pursuing interests, hobbies, goals or desires outside that of the Sisterhood and faith in the God-Emperor.

As far as celibacy goes?

Cleave only unto the God-Emperor.

Yep.

Jefffar wrote:Of course the Imperium cares. If you have a personal life you obviously are not doing enough to support the Emperor. A personal life gives one undue time to contemplate un-sanctioned subjects which may lead to treason or heresy! Burn the heretic! PURGE IT WITH FIRE!!!

Don't be foolish. The Imperium doesn't care, it has more important concerns.

Brother Coa wrote:
What if I am praying to Slaanesh before laying down to sleep?

If you're part of the Imperium population, you wouldn't know about Slaanesh. And I'm sorry but praying to Slaanesh achives nothing. Slaanesh requires tremoundously deprave acts before you get 'its' attention which will require a cult and when you do, you'll also attract the attention of the Inquisition and thus begins the purge.

Corporal_Reznov wrote:If you're part of the Imperium population, you wouldn't know about Slaanesh. And I'm sorry but praying to Slaanesh achives nothing. Slaanesh requires tremoundously deprave acts before you get 'its' attention which will require a cult and when you do, you'll also attract the attention of the Inquisition and thus begins the purge.

Well, in 5'th edition rulebook there is one guy that prayed to Chaos God ( don't remember whom ). And ( SURPRISE, SURPRISE ) Daemons starting jumping out from his cattle, in the end the world was exterminated by Grey Knights.

"achieves nothing" eh...?

Yeah, I've been playing sisters for a while. I never did like how so many people ask about them in that way.

It really puts wargamers in a bad light.

I do not mind that the Sisters have a bit of a fetish-nun vibe going looks-wise. I think it fits nicely the bizarro world of the 40K.

However, I do loathe how some people seem to think, that just because the Sisters are women, they should be relegated to the role of a power-armoured camp followers.

Even though from real world perspective their attire may be silly, in-world the Sisters very much take themselves seriously. They are warrior-nuns, servants of the Emperor. They are chaste. Their purpose is not amuse the men, their purpose is to slay the enemies of the God-Emperor.

I think the reason behind that boils down to two things (or one, if you want to lump them together):

a) The more forbidden or unattainable something is, the more you want it. The more pure and innocent something is, the more naughty it becomes to corrupt it.
b) Nunsploitation

Personally, I can perfectly understand the attractivity of the Sisters in that way. It's a human thing, and the fluff and images of the Sororitas do contain a certain sexual allure (if you want to look for it). On the other hand, it saddens me that this perception seems more popular and prevalent than their "true" martial aspect of grimdark dedication and crazy religious zeal.

Brother Coa wrote:


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Tadashi wrote: I doubt the Imperium would care what you do with your personal life.

What if I am praying to Slaanesh before laying down to sleep?

I meant that as long as you fulfill your duty and follow what Imperial society and law expects you to follow, the Imperium generally allows you to do as you please. Abhor the deviant after all...

But the expectations of Imperial society and law more or less preclude anything resembling free time. Every labour, every thought, every wish must be about protecting the Imperium and serving the Emperor. Even the slightest deviance from this si grounds for execution.

Brother Coa wrote:
Well, in 5'th edition rulebook there is one guy that prayed to Chaos God ( don't remember whom ). And ( SURPRISE, SURPRISE ) Daemons starting jumping out from his cattle, in the end the world was exterminated by Grey Knights.

"achieves nothing" eh...?

Okay I should have phrased my post better. Most of the time nothing happens but sometimes that stuff happens. Frankly if that happened every time someone prayed to the Chaos Gods, countless Imperial worlds should by now be overrun by daemons.

Lynata wrote: it saddens me that this perception seems more popular and prevalent than their "true" martial aspect of grimdark dedication and crazy religious zeal.

How is being dedicated 'grimdark'?



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Jefffar wrote:But the expectations of Imperial society and law more or less preclude anything resembling free time. Every labour, every thought, every wish must be about protecting the Imperium and serving the Emperor. Even the slightest deviance from this si grounds for execution.

What law or expectation? The Imperial religion has, as far as I know, ever shown a revulsion for sex, love etc. Who are going to execute the Sisters? Remember the Sister Repentia, that is something the Sister put themselves through as per this:

Should any Sister, in her deeds or thoughts, sin, she should willingly and immediately make her fault known to her Superior, and amend with a pure heart. If she does not usually fail in this manner, let her be given but a week's penance, but if her sin is great, let her go apart from the company of her Sisters, so that she may not sit at table with them, nor kneel in prayer at their side. Let her go alone, submitting herself to the will of the almighty God-Emperor of Mankind. Let her don the hood of the penitent and take up the ceremonial eviscerator, and seek her redemption upon the field of battle.

Corporal_Reznov wrote:How is being dedicated 'grimdark'?

It's the level the Sisters take it to. Like everything in Wh40k, the studio took something and dialed it up to eleven - in this case religiously-motivated determination. The Sororitas live (and die) solely for duty and the task they are committed to depending on their Order, at least if you go by that rulebook quote. Here is the full citation, by the way. Quite telling ... and indeed pretty grimdark, if you ask me:

Wh40k 3E Rulebook wrote:The Mother Superior took up a pen and carefully began to take notes. To my astonishment the silver pen appeared to be studded with short pins or nails which vexed the flesh of her fingers as she wrote. He fingers were quite raw where the skin had been worn away by the sharp points, yet she made no outward signs of discomfort as if this were the most natural thing in the world. Doubtlessly seeing my expression of horror, she stopped writing and carefully put the pen on the tabletop.
'Our belief,' she said slowly, 'is that there are two reasons only for a thing to be made. The first is that its manufacture inflicts suffering upon its maker which is reason enough to make it. The second is that the thing, once made, causes suffering to those who use it. It is our creed that the purpose of life is to suffer, for in this way we become one with the Emperor's eternal suffering. Have you not heard that those who suffer are blessed?'
'I have heard this and other things too,' I mumbled, embarrassed by what must have appeared a morbid fascination.
'Of course. Hair-shirts! Naked vigils on cold stone floors! The scourge of prayer and endless mortifications of the flesh!' She smiled as if amused by my timidity. I had heard of these things of course but could not answer her. 'This pen,' she said matter of factly, 'was made by Sister Chastity to remind us that words have their price, for there is no value in suffering for its own sake, is there!'

Meh, I can't be mad at people for only being interested in the SoB because they're women. 'cause like... let's be honest here. SoB are basically weaker space marines. You want insane, religiously zealous super soldiers? There's the Black Templars, among a whole host of other mentally ill speyce muhreens. You can't throw a rock in the 40K universe without hitting a zealous ultra-religious IoM character in the face. So what makes the SoB stand out as characters in a universe that is oversatured with characters?

Their vag. =| I don't think the SoB would be as popular as they are if they were the Brothers of Battle.

BlaxicanX wrote:So what makes the SoB stand out as characters in a universe that is oversatured with characters?

That in the end, they are still only human.



And yes, I actually think they would be more popular as "Brothers of Battle", simply because Space Marines are more popular in general, being all awesome and masculine and powerful and invulnerable etc.

[edit] Here's another bit about their "spare time", from the 3E Codex:

"When not actively prosecuting the Ecclesiarchy's wars, the Sisters of the Orders Militant divide their time between prayer and training. Indeed, to the Adepta Sororitas, the two disciplines are nigh inseparable. A Sister may devote many long hours knelt before the high altar of her convent, fasting and meditating upon the meaning of a single passage in the Litanies of Faith, before gaining profound insight by the conclusion of her vigil. To the Adepta Sororitas, penitence and self-mortification are a vital part of life as a devout servant of the Emperor, for only through extreme self-denial can one truly gain an inkling of the sacrifice that the Master of Mankind Himself has made for His faithful servants."

If they were brothers of battle they'd just be an army of scout marines.

This is an...interesting thread, to say the least. I remember reading in one of the Ciaphas Cain books about the titular hero's memories of spending too much time in the scrum-ball courts, and frequently being hospitalized by Adeptas Sororitas, so they must have some fun now and again.
An interesting Black Library novel could follow the life of a Battle Sister, who perhaps starts ann illicit romance, possibly even with another sister...

Or is that a little bit too...C.S. Goto?

Squigsquasher wrote:An interesting Black Library novel could follow the life of a Battle Sister, who perhaps starts ann illicit romance

Possibly. I toyed with the idea of writing about a Sister who had joined with an Inquisitor's retinue for various reasons and ended up having a relationship with one of his servents (namely a male Praetorian Marine*). Be an interesting conflict of emotions in that she's free of the strict bonds of her Order but her former life keeps her in a vice-like grip.


*No, not a Space Marine. More like a c19 Royal Marine.

Sparks_Havelock wrote:

Squigsquasher wrote:An interesting Black Library novel could follow the life of a Battle Sister, who perhaps starts ann illicit romance

Possibly. I toyed with the idea of writing about a Sister who had joined with an Inquisitor's retinue for various reasons and ended up having a relationship with one of his servents (namely a male Praetorian Marine*). Be an interesting conflict of emotions in that she's free of the strict bonds of her Order but her former life keeps her in a vice-like grip.


*No, not a Space Marine. More like a c19 Royal Marine.

I imagine it would go something liek this:

Preatorian Guard: "Honey, you and I..." holds her hand , she look at this with cold sight "..we have a connection." Sister is silent "Maybe it is the destiny, or it is me, but I think that we share the same felling. What do you say that we as k the Inquisitor and Cardinal for their blessings?"
Sister just rise her head and look at him with her ever cold eyes and say:"No." Then she put her arm away, the Preatorian is confused:"But why?" She answered:"Because there is only the Emperor and he is ourt shield and protector. To think about anything else is heresy." Saying that she turned away and leave the sight, living Preatorian with broken heart.

Emperor get all the ladies

Emperor damn you sir! You just gave away the entire plot!

Brother Coa, you big meanie! Look what you've done!

Ah well, I suppose it still leaves me with the oppertunity to write a novel with an illicit lesbian SOB affair...



Yes, I did just write that. I may have to be asking the Ordo Repentia if they will accept a male.

Squigsquasher wrote:Brother Coa, you big meanie! Look what you've done!

Ah well, I suppose it still leaves me with the oppertunity to write a novel with an illicit lesbian SOB affair...



Yes, I did just write that. I may have to be asking the Ordo Repentia if they will accept a male.

They may, but you don't want to know what they will accept him for

IMO:

Almost every Sister of Battle will have very little "free time" in exactly the same way as most Astartes don’t have, need or even want such time. However just as some Marines undertake crafts or other activities - such as the Salamanders and the Blood Angels then there may be ways in which certain Sororitas use Emperor given gifts in a similar way - creating art that reflects their own and their sisters devotion. They may also take time away from other duties to act as inspirations to Imperial Citizens especially for those in Schola Progenium who may well join their ranks.

It is sad that the Astartes and Sororitas have so much in common but are so often in conflict and do not apparently have the best opinions of each other.

The other Orders beyond the Orders Militant are likely to be much more integrated within the “normal” Imperial world/s by necessity. Sisters Hospitaliter may well spend “spare time” working in areas where they feel there are needed and those who are deserving of their mercy. Those who spend time with the Imperial Guard units on the front line may undertake some social interactions with their charges but their devotion to duty is likely to make this unlikely. Normally they held in extremely high regard by the Guard, mixed with intense curiosity of a similar nature to us gamers…..

Conversely Sisters Famulous may well have to attend parties and similar social events as part of their work – in order to understand and manipulate (for the greater good of the Imperium and in His name) their charges. Sisters Dialogous are perhaps the most likely to be as secluded as the members of the Orders Militant, except perhaps when assisting Imperial organisations such as the Inquisition or Imperial Intelligence agencies, or helping to interrogate Xenos.

Sex and Sororitas: I is not stated that the Sororitas (especially the Orders Militant) are celibate and the only GW (Black Library) publication that specifically addresses this topic states that they are not technically but also goes on to say: that few find time to the time….

It may be that the Sororitas never enshrined it in their (likely very very many) doctrines and orders. However again I would feel that there would be at the very least an aversion to such activities given how they were abused under the reign of Vandire, who had renamed them the Brides of the Emperor.

Cain and Sororitas: As noted by others, Cain is not always a reliable in universe source – although again perhaps the most controversial piece of information comes from an Inquisitor. Again though there is nothing to say she is not misinformed, especially as she is Ordo Xenos rather than Hereticus who have the stronger links.

I am a BIG fan of the Cain Archive and whilst I understand that it may not fit some views of the 40K universe, I think that the oft cited examples of its deviation are not that bad.

There is a single (perhaps aberrant) example of a retired Sister in the novels indulging discretely in what are likely prohibited activities. I agree that perhaps most Sisters would seek rightful penance for even considering such things – but again I feel the other Sisters described in the Cain novels wuld be equally outraged by her. Every other Sister described in the novels are righteous (sometimes annoying so to Cain), single-minded in their devotion. It is also notable how high the esteem for the Sisterhood is felt by pretty much every other character in the novels………..

A small number of Sisters fall victim to a immensely powerful Chaos Psyker – who It seems can overcome any ones mind – Indeed Cain is shocked by the fact that he was able to overcome: “Even the Emperors most dedicated warriors.” As soon as they are freed from his malign (and plot drive  influence and their minds are their own they kill themselves in shame. Again IMO, the Grey Knights would have fared no better – probably why they did not turn up!

Cain himself is not keen on the Sororitas, mainly because he sees them as reckless and careless of their own lives but even he is forced to concede their devotion and skill at arms on several occasions – especially when they sacrifice their lives so he and his Inquisitor lover can escape!

Mr Morden wrote:... As soon as they are freed from his malign (and plot drive  influence and their minds are their own they kill themselves in shame. Again IMO, the Grey Knights would have fared no better – probably why they did not turn up!

I don't think so. If a Grey Knight can withstand daemonic possession, then a second-rate psyker would probably be nothing. And Space Marines have superhuman physical AND mental endurance. I'm sure they can hold their own against someone like that.

Tadashi wrote:

Mr Morden wrote:... As soon as they are freed from his malign (and plot drive  influence and their minds are their own they kill themselves in shame. Again IMO, the Grey Knights would have fared no better – probably why they did not turn up!

I don't think so. If a Grey Knight can withstand daemonic possession, then a second-rate psyker would probably be nothing. And Space Marines have superhuman physical AND mental endurance. I'm sure they can hold their own against someone like that.

Grey Knights would first kill Sisters then then use them as armor paint. After that they WILL be able to withstand Chaos taint and kill that Sorcerer.

Tadashi wrote:

Mr Morden wrote:... As soon as they are freed from his malign (and plot drive  influence and their minds are their own they kill themselves in shame. Again IMO, the Grey Knights would have fared no better – probably why they did not turn up!

I don't think so. If a Grey Knight can withstand daemonic possession, then a second-rate psyker would probably be nothing. And Space Marines have superhuman physical AND mental endurance. I'm sure they can hold their own against someone like that.

Well we will never know - they did not turn upo.

Never mentioned him being 2nd rate he had the plot on his side - Grey Knights would have to have bathed in the blood of a lot more more pure Sisters to have survived intact - and even then the plot was still against them - therefore they loose.....

http://1d4chan.org/wiki/Sisters_of_Cleaning

LOL. LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL.

Well, like in real life monasteries, they don't start a naked pilow fight or a drinking party during their couple of hours of free time. They either read books (not neccessarily religious ones) or have some other hobby inside the monastery.

In the novel Helsreach, one sister used to grow roses in the garden of the temple she was stationed at. They can also do social service, like tending to the sick, translating or copying ancient texts or just pray.

People usually like to see them as grimdark nuns who are overly sexual or feminine. But in reality, they are not the Brides of the Emperor anymore, but his daughters, just like Space Marines are his sons, not his husbands.

Basically this means that they devote their entire life to the Emperor to the last second. However, this can also mean other things than just killing heretics or purging the unclean. This can also include taking care of the Emperor's people, like I have already said. In some novels, there are members who haven't picked up a bolter in years, since they have been working with the people.

And of course, there are also those members who cannot resist the call of "manflesh". Just like in real life.

Aren't there groups that do not do that kind of combat?

In the Mercy Run short story, some Sister Hospitalar(?) are just wearing robes.