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So obviously it happens.
Sisters are still human, and the lure of another pious warrior can sometimes prove to be too much. Whether it be simply to sate urges, or if it actually results in Kinship, the reasoning is the same.
My questions are:
1. How is this typically viewed within an order? Is it heresy or simply looked down upon.
2. How often does this happen?

Oh yes. Let's see where this goes.

Because the sex-lives of pewter miniatures is so important.

Christ can we be mature?
It's a completely rational question because it's specifically stated sisters aren't forced into a vow of chastity.

You're the one who started this path, you don't really get to pull the 'we need to be mature' card because, let's just be honest with each other, you know you aren't.

 curran12 wrote:
You're the one who started this path, you don't really get to pull the 'we need to be mature' card because, let's just be honest with each other, you know you aren't.

Yes I do due to the phrasing of my question. It's not exactly "lol naughty nuns".
And hopefully you know there's more to a non platonic relationship than sex.
Just saying.....

Then why not call it what it is? You also brought up the whole chastity thing.

Just saying....

 curran12 wrote:
Then why not call it what it is? You also brought up the whole chastity thing.

Just saying....

Because to me that has a deeper meaning in that they're allowed to form actual relationships.
Reading between the lines isn't hard...


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Christ this is a hilariously self fulfilling prophecy we have going on.
"This is going to be a gak fest, so let's just start whipping it at each other"

Sisters of Battle are described as nuns. This means they are forced into celibacy by definition. Their monastic lifestyle doesn't allow for the creation of family units, even not homosexual ones. Despite this, it's true that they might be authorised to have carnal relationship since one can have sex without being married.

Unfortunately, after reading their novels and fluff, Sisters of Battle are clearly a martial and penitent monastic sect. This means their entire life is based on fighting (or training to) and depriving themselves of everything else down to self estime. In such an environment, sexual intercourse or love would be considered a dangerous distraction or sign of pride and vanity, two things anathema to their philosophy. Penence would be mandatory if such a thing was to happen and if it might not lead to them being forced to become Repentia, they would certainly suffer tremedously to atone for such a «weakness».

Furthermore, in an environment so punishing for the body and mind, sexual desire is kept extremely low. Since Sisters devote so much of their energy to the veneration of the God-Emperor through combat, during the very little time they have to themselves they are probably far to exhausted to do anything else then rest of keep on praying, playing some benign strategy game or meditating softly. Its not like they know about much other form of distraction.

Finaly, Sisters of Battle were almost recruited at birth by first passing through the Schola Progenium than through the Covent Prioris at teenagerhood. Because of this, a Sister knows pretty much nothing but warfare and her monastic lifestyle. One can even doubt that they know what it feels to love or be loved. They probably know all human muscle groups and that of several major xenos species to better kill them, hurt them or provide first aid, but they might be completly ignorant of how to make children since this is useless knowledge to them. Thus, sex and relationship are just as alien as machine repair. They don't even have model of relationship since their memory of their parents were erased.

Sisters of Battle are mighty soldiers, surpassed only by Space Marine and even then not by that much. To the rest of the Imperium they are legendary saintly heroines and ruthless and fearsome executioners, but beneith all this they are truly sad being. They are some of the worst victims of an inhuman indoctrination machine who made them barely more human than a Skitarii.

Does that help you a bit?

epronovost wrote:
Sisters of Battle are described as nuns. This means they are forced into celibacy by definition. Their monastic lifestyle doesn't allow for the creation of family units, even not homosexual ones. Despite this, it's true that they might be authorised to have carnal relationship since one can have sex without being married.

Unfortunately, after reading their novels and fluff, Sisters of Battle are clearly a martial and penitent monastic sect. This means their entire life is based on fighting (or training to) and depriving themselves of everything else down to self estime. In such an environment, sexual intercourse or love would be considered a dangerous distraction or sign of pride and vanity, two things anathema to their philosophy.

Furthermore, in an environment so punishing for the body and mind, sexual desire is kept extremely low. Since Sisters devote so much of their energy to the veneration of the God-Emperor through combat, during the very little time they have to themselves they are probably far to exhausted to do anything else then rest of keep on praying or meditating softly.

Finaly, Sisters of Battle were almost recruited at birth by first passing through the Schola Progenium than through the Covent Prioris at teenagerhood. Because of this, a Sister knows pretty much nothing but warfare and her monastic lifestyle. One can even doubt that they know what it feels to love or be loved. They probably know all human muscle groups and that of several major xenos species to better kill them, hurt them or provide first aid, but they might be completly ignorant of how to make children since this is useless knowledge to them.

Sisters of Battle are mighty soldiers, surpassed only by Space Marine and even then not by that much. To the rest of the Imperium they are legendary saintly heroines and ruthless and fearsome executioners, but beneith all this they are truly sad being. They are some of the worst victims of an inhuman indoctrination machine who made them barely more human than a Skitarii.

Does that help you a bit?

I think I've read a 40k novel where one of the sisters was involved with someone in a relationship (one of the Ciahphas Cain novels I think). So it's entirely possible, just unlikely

@War Kitten

Ciaphas Cain novels are written with a tongue in cheek style. They are a semi-parody of the 40K universe or its actual reality if you take other sources as propaganda (your choice). Modern Sisters of Battle are a sad lot on the personnal level.

epronovost wrote:
Sisters of Battle are described as nuns. This means they are forced into celibacy by definition. Their monastic lifestyle doesn't allow for the creation of family units, even not homosexual ones. Despite this, it's true that they might be authorised to have carnal relationship since one can have sex without being married.

Unfortunately, after reading their novels and fluff, Sisters of Battle are clearly a martial and penitent monastic sect. This means their entire life is based on fighting (or training to) and depriving themselves of everything else down to self estime. In such an environment, sexual intercourse or love would be considered a dangerous distraction or sign of pride and vanity, two things anathema to their philosophy.

Furthermore, in an environment so punishing for the body and mind, sexual desire is kept extremely low. Since Sisters devote so much of their energy to the veneration of the God-Emperor through combat, during the very little time they have to themselves they are probably far to exhausted to do anything else then rest of keep on praying or meditating softly.

Finaly, Sisters of Battle were almost recruited at birth by first passing through the Schola Progenium than through the Covent Prioris at teenagerhood. Because of this, a Sister knows pretty much nothing but warfare and her monastic lifestyle. One can even doubt that they know what it feels to love or be loved. They probably know all human muscle groups and that of several major xenos species to better kill them, hurt them or provide first aid, but they might be completly ignorant of how to make children since this is useless knowledge to them.

Sisters of Battle are mighty soldiers, surpassed only by Space Marine and even then not by that much. To the rest of the Imperium they are legendary saintly heroines and ruthless and fearsome executioners, but beneith all this they are truly sad being. They are some of the worst victims of an inhuman indoctrination machine who made them barely more human than a Skitarii.

Does that help you a bit?

I appreciate the serious reply, but the whole reason I made this thread was because I thought the same thing, until I heard that Battle Sisters weren't actually required to take a vow of celibacy.
Well that and Sisters simply aren't Astartes.
The training regime an astartes undertake is meant to destroy the Soul as well as the Body, and rebuild them into nigh immortal inhumans. They are castrated mentally if not physically.
I mean christ Thaddeus is like 90 and he's just now a battle brother. And he's very young for one too. Of course they're uninterested.
But Sisters? Sisters are regular people by comparison. They're not slabs of meat and steel with guns. They need love like all people.

@ThePrimordial

If you read Sister codexes, their two novels, their audio drama and Daemonifuge and add the new information of the Militarum Tempestus codex about the Schola Progenium, you will realise that your average Space Marine might actually have a easier training and life (not by much, but if I had to pick one, I would take the Astartes one). The training of Sister destroy the soul and mind and forge their body to the peak of human condition. Before being Scout, a Space Marine recruit was a «normal» teenager considering the world he was living on. Before being a Novice, a Sister of Battle recruit was a brainwashed expertly trained, mindwiped killer from a Scholam.

Sisters have demonstrated stronger resistence to the lure of Chaos and its debilitating effect because of this. Only the Grey Knight can surpass them on that point and even then not by much. A Sister of Battle is a inhuman brainwashed monster trained to kill by sadists and elite soldiers since the age of 6. Their memory are wiped. Sisters don't take vows of chasity because they don't chose to become Sisters they are selected. Much like Space Marine don't make vows of celibacy or vows of alligence to their Chapter. Its expected from them due to structural reasons. A Sister only need faith and nothing more. In fact a «healthy» Sister ONLY want faith in the God Emperor and nothing more.

What ^ said.

Also this should be in background, not general.

I've written a short story where by the end of story a sister is "smitten" with a Space Wolf marine due to the way he treats her as an equal in combat instead of below himself. She doesn't understand these feelings as she doesn't understand the natural attraction of men and women. Not to worry as the sister superior figures a few days of renewal indoctrination will resolve the matter.

But yeah. Sisters are literally warrior nuns with guns and that is all they are. They are not women, mothers, daughters, aunts, homemakers, caregivers, or any of the other "soft" accolades that we usually attribute to females. However, as they are not biologically altered they still have those internal hormonal urges that while mentally and psychologically surpressed, they still could pop up given the right stimulus.

Dear Diary,

Today, Johnny Astartes looked at me while Saint Cel and I were cooking a tuna noodle casserole in Home Ec. class. I just giggled and hid my eyes behind my bangs. Saint Cel said that if the Cannoness catches me passing notes or holding hands with a boy, I'll be in detention with the rest of the Repentia, but I just can't help myself. Johnny Astartes is so dreamy!

Sisters do have familly, though. In one of the novels, a Sister from one of the medica orders is allowed attend the service of her blood relative sister, who was a Battle Sister that fell in the line of duty. There are other examples in the fiction on how Sisters are just as human as anyone else in 40k, although a bit more focused and dedicated than most.

SJ

 the_Armyman wrote:
Dear Diary,

Today, Johnny Astartes looked at me while Saint Cel and I were cooking a tuna noodle casserole in Home Ec. class. I just giggled and hid my eyes behind my bangs. Saint Cel said that if the Cannoness catches me passing notes or holding hands with a boy, I'll be in detention with the rest of the Repentia, but I just can't help myself. Johnny Astartes is so dreamy!

More like:

Dear Diary,
Today, Johnny Astartes looked like he might have done something heretical. So I burnt that motherfrakker to a crisp with my flamer in the name of the almighty God-Emperor.

 jeffersonian000 wrote:
Sisters do have familly, though. In one of the novels, a Sister from one of the medica orders is allowed attend the service of her blood relative sister, who was a Battle Sister that fell in the line of duty. There are other examples in the fiction on how Sisters are just as human as anyone else in 40k, although a bit more focused and dedicated than most.

SJ

That's kinda different than what the OP is going for though. From what I understand, Nuns and Priests are allowed to keep a very limited amount of Contact with their Blood family, because their Community becomes their new family. From what I looked up, sometimes Nuns and priests are allowed like 4 days a year to visit with family after being with the order for a period of time and are allowed somewhat regular letters.

BUT Sisters of Battle are supposed to be the Super awesome, only second to the Warrior Monks of the Astartes, warriors of the Imperium. So much like everything else in 40k, that's probably ramped up to 11 and they are probably barred from seeing family, maybe allowed the odd letter every few years, and maybe if they're lucky when they die in glorious battle with the Enemies of Man, family is allowed to go to the service, assuming they are determined to be free of the taint of Heresy.

But I highly doubt Sisters actually have romantic relationships. Even though they might not take the same Vows as Nuns IRL, it's pretty obvious that's what GW was going for. An Elite force of Nuns armed to the teeth for the sole purpose of Purging Heretics with Holy Promethium

 the_Armyman wrote:
Dear Diary,

Today, Johnny Astartes looked at me while Saint Cel and I were cooking a tuna noodle casserole in Home Ec. class. I just giggled and hid my eyes behind my bangs. Saint Cel said that if the Cannoness catches me passing notes or holding hands with a boy, I'll be in detention with the rest of the Repentia, but I just can't help myself. Johnny Astartes is so dreamy!

Dear Sister,
Believe me every teenager goes through what you are. It is just your hormones playing up. It is okay to have these feelings even though you know you are attracted to boys they will soon disappear when you are older or you may realize that you are bisexual. Either way it is perfectly normal and nothing to worry about. Its all part of becoming a woman.
Just listen to your body and wait until you are fully developed both physically and emotionally before rushing into anything.
All the best, Auntie Agony.

One thing to note is that the Adepta Sororitas are made up of more then just battle nuns. For the militant orders it is like as said above, heavy indoctrination and constant fighting keep any real relationships from forming, but for the others including: Orders Hospitaller - basically doctors
Orders Famulous - teachers to the nobility
Orders Dialogous - translators
For these it seems more likely that they could have relationships if they did not take a vow of chastity or if their orders don't forbid it.

I would quite like a source - other than Cain, which itself states to be an unreliable source based entirely on the ramblings of an old man thinking back to his youth as a perverted boy - on Sisters not having to take Oaths of Chastity.

Quite apart from that, epronovost's writing is entirely supported by the rest of the fluff. The blood sisters in Faith and Fire know that they are blood sisters, but haven't actually communicated since they were split into separate Orders.

Garland - the non-militant orders live just as controlled lives as the militant orders, and their roles are a little more involved than that.

The Hospitallers are expert medics, but they're also charity workers and interrogators, and are more than competent at the arts of war themselves.

The Famulous not only teach the children of the nobility, they keep their records, make sure they marry the correct people, check for genetic degradation and heresy, and act as the voice behind the thrones. In no book featuring a Sister Famulous has a noble fallen to Chaos, because the Famulous actively prevent it from happening.

The Dialogous aren't just translators - they're experts on daemonology, alien lore, heretical knowledge and so on. They are the guardians of the libraries as well, and work intimately with the Inquisition.

The Pronatus and Sabine show similar dedication, although if any Sister were to indulge in sex, it would be a Sabine - but if a Sabine did the nasty, it would be as part of a Honey Trap operation to gain control of a local population as is their remit as part of the Missionaria.

 Furyou Miko wrote:
I would quite like a source - other than Cain, which itself states to be an unreliable source based entirely on the ramblings of an old man thinking back to his youth as a perverted boy - on Sisters not having to take Oaths of Chastity.

Quite apart from that, epronovost's writing is entirely supported by the rest of the fluff. The blood sisters in Faith and Fire know that they are blood sisters, but haven't actually communicated since they were split into separate Orders.

Garland - the non-militant orders live just as controlled lives as the militant orders, and their roles are a little more involved than that.

The Hospitallers are expert medics, but they're also charity workers and interrogators, and are more than competent at the arts of war themselves.

The Famulous not only teach the children of the nobility, they keep their records, make sure they marry the correct people, check for genetic degradation and heresy, and act as the voice behind the thrones. In no book featuring a Sister Famulous has a noble fallen to Chaos, because the Famulous actively prevent it from happening.

The Dialogous aren't just translators - they're experts on daemonology, alien lore, heretical knowledge and so on. They are the guardians of the libraries as well, and work intimately with the Inquisition.

The Pronatus and Sabine show similar dedication, although if any Sister were to indulge in sex, it would be a Sabine - but if a Sabine did the nasty, it would be as part of a Honey Trap operation to gain control of a local population as is their remit as part of the Missionaria.

Actually its Inquisitor Amberley Vail, not Cain who states that

"contary to popular belief, the Adepta Sororitas doesn't actually require its members to remain celibate, although few find the time to take advantage of the fact"

I go with that the vast majority of Sisters would in fact not even consider such a thing, but its not imposible to happen...............just very very unusual. There might be some speculation about the Sisters but tbh GW have very rarely showed this with the Sororitas often having a much better reputation and sense of awe about them than some Astartes.

Even Cain - who really does not like them - often cites the impact their presence has on other Imperials - they are often just in awe, from civlians to hard bitten veterans. Just read (IMO) the excellent first Yarick novel and again the Sisterhood are seen as a manifestations of the Emperors will and not really human. Consequently I think the speculation that always took place about catholic and other nuns is much less likely as the Sororitas is far more powerful in its own right than any of those historic organisations.

Nuns and convents in history often had rich and pwoerful women retiring to them and still enjoying the finer things in life, drink, sex, luxuries etc - again that's not going to happen here as Imperial noblewomen don't have this option due to the recruitment policy of the Sororitas, It might be that a really devout woman might be allowed to enter a Sororitas convent but liekly only as a support - although I seem to remmber that one of the Shira Calpurnia novels touches on this?

Sadly, I've only read Blind. Enforcer vanished into storage shortly after I bought it and I haven't seen it since. ><

 Furyou Miko wrote:
Sadly, I've only read Blind. Enforcer vanished into storage shortly after I bought it and I haven't seen it since. ><

I'll have a look - I know the Sororitas are very heavily involved in Crossfire.

epronovost wrote:
Sisters of Battle are clearly a martial and penitent monastic sect. This means their entire life is based on fighting (or training to) and depriving themselves of everything else down to self esteem.

This.

And to be honest I have always taken that they have the same celibacy rules as your typical religious order (discounting the dubious Captain Flashman want to be source).

On the plus side for those with a bent towards the thought of sexy warrior nuns getting it on, its a big galaxy and they are only human so I am sure that some unorthodox goings on occur although I am sure they are viewed in the same way that they are viewed in any current day religious sect.

@TheWanderer

Some Brides of the Emperor (the former name of the Sisters of Battle) did serviced Vandire sexualy, but this is more in line with downright sexual abuse and rape than a non-platonic relationship.

epronovost wrote:
@TheWanderer

Some Brides of the Emperor (the former name of the Sisters of Battle) did serviced Vandire sexualy, but this is more in line with downright sexual abuse and rape than a non-platonic relationship.

Really? I haven't come across any fluff suggesting anything sexual with Vandire. Where'd you get that from?

The second edition codex stated that they served him as entertainers, although it listed dancing and singing explicitly - however, he named them the "Brides of the Emperor" and he himself was playing the role of "The Emperor's Voice in the Material".. which would from a religious point of view make them his Brides too.

That's where the inference comes from, anyway. It's down to interpretation ultimately.

I do favour him as taking advantage sexually personally, because I can't help but read Alicia's denunciation with a "finally got you, you bastard" smugness.

I see. I guess the fluff in later sources could also interpreted that way but I just didn't come across anything outright suggesting that. But yea, it does make a lot of sense.