Cherub

Adeptus Mechanicus Portal

A Cherub^[12]

The Cherubim (sg. cherub, pl. cherubim or cherubs) are a unique form of servitor created by the Adeptus Mechanicus for the Imperium.^[1][15] In appearance they are small angelic children, with the intentional effect of symbolizing purity. Although cherubim are specially-built for many purposes, some psychic Inquisitors utilize them as familiars.^[1]

Vat-grown and enhanced with bionics and anti-grav technology, they often swoop and chatter about the sepulchers and cathedrals of the Ecclesiarchy and act as sycophants to priests, cardinals and Inquisitors across the Imperium, babbling fanatical rhetorics in their high-pitched, querulous voices.^[5] Cherubim are a common sight in the upper ranks of the Imperium’s Adepta.^[12]

History

The origins of these artificial constructs are unknown, though they first entered Imperial records 2,000 years after the Horus Heresy. Particularly, the first mention of their existence was during the commemoration pageant of the Emperor's ascendance to the Golden Throne. The Adeptus Mechanicus Technomagi created a cherub for every year the Emperor had been watching over Mankind from the Golden Throne. Since then, the Adeptus Mechanicus continues to maintain a host of Cherubim.^[6]

Over the centuries, they had served the Imperium on many great occasions. However, they also have a darker involvement in history as noted in the Age of Apostasy when Goge Vandire, the Master of the Administratum, took power. A master manipulator, though psychotically paranoid, Vandire used the awe generated by the appearance of the Cherubim to legitimize his regime as approved by the Emperor. He ensured that thralls of the constructs which symbolized innocence surrounded him during all public events and portrait sittings to further maintain control over the masses. While serving as a manipulation tool, a more subvert task was these Cherubim being equipped with spy-ware programs to watch over potential spies and dissidents among the Palace. Because of this, for centuries after his bloody reign they were sometimes known as "Eyes of Vandire".^[6]

Regardless, the true origins and creation of the Cherubim remain unknown.^[6]

Creation

A Cherub is a type of servitor shaped into small, baby-sized angelic beings with wings. They are noted as being more independent thinking and are created through flesh-vats where they are breathed life by the tech-priests. This is noted as being a difficult task as various components are required to create such a being, which includes making a viable skeletal structure, circulatory system, internal organs and more importantly that spark that makes them intelligent. Though the more complex task was the creation of a nervous system for the resultant creature.^[6]

These servitors have the most complex neural systems due to the complex mannerisms displayed by the Cherubim. The ranks of the Cherubim are not mass produced but tailor made for their masters, making each unique.^[6]

Sometimes cherubs are also grown in a vat from purely biological components. The technology used in this process is unknown.^[6]

Functions

Unlike normal servitors, the Cherubim contain the most advanced form of behavioural programming and independent thinking amongst the mechanical creations of the Mechanicus. Yet, like most Familiars, to remain functional they must be controlled through a Mind Impulse Unit in order to direct them. Without this link, they become frightened and helpless. But once attuned to its master, the Cherubim will undertake any task even if it results in its own certain destruction. Despite this, there exists a deep link between the Cherub and its master with information such as sights and feelings being exchanged between the two. As such, the destruction of the Cherub can be a painful feeling for its master. Furthermore, their masters often become quite attached to them and go to great lengths to prevent their deaths.^[6]

Purpose

These servitors are not purely functional in nature as their small chubby appearances are not suited for combat, maintenance, labour or any other such tasks. Their role was determined by the adept involved in their creation. Purposefully built as symbols of purity, they also serve as a form of decoration.^[6]

Though not suited for combat roles, there are other more subtle tasks that a Cherub can be suited for such as spying, bearing weapons or equipment, being sycophants to their master and singing devotional hymns. Others possess integrated power generators allowing them to protect their master with an energy shield or anti-psychic equipment of use against psykers.^[6]

Kinds of Cherubs

• Armorium Cherub^[3] — used mostly in the Blood Angels Chapter. Asissts to Devastators Squads, resupplying them with the ammo on the fields of battle.^[8]
• Messenger Cherub^[7]
• Warrior Cherub^[4]
• Heavenly Host

Cherubiox

A variant of Cherub used by Chaos Space Marines and Cultists such as the Word Bearers, presumably as an alternative to their loyalist counterpart. Described as skeletal, winged creatures with sharp fangs set within childlike mouths, they participate in ceremonies and rituals, carrying flaming iron braziers filled with odorous incense.^[9]

Images

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  A Cherub^[1]

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  Cherub Mannequin at Warhammer World^[13]

• 

  A Cherub^[14]

Miniatures

• 

  Armorium Cherub with a multi-melta fuel canister^[3]

• 

  Warrior Cherub on the shoulder of Space Marine Librarian^[4]

• 

  Cherub for Kill Team: Blood and Zeal^[10]

• 

  Cherub (3rd Edition)^[11]

• 

  Cherub (3rd Edition)^[11]

• 

  Cherub (3rd Edition)^[11]

• 

  Cherub (3rd Edition)^[11]

See also

• Caryatid
• Familiar
• Vat-Angel

Sources

• 1: Codex: Daemonhunters (3rd Edition), pg. 14
• 2: Codex: Witch Hunters (3rd Edition), pg. 16
• 3: White Dwarf 72 (2015) — Space Marines - Devastator Squad
• 4: http://www.games-workshop.com/en-US/Space-Marine-Librarian (last accessed 17 June 2015)
• 5: White Dwarf 91 (2015) — Codex Apocrypha: Extra, Cyber Cherub
• 6: Inquisitor: On Angel Wings (saved archive page from Fanatic Online #43) ^{Fanatic Press}
• 7: The Emperor Expects (Novel), Chapter 18
• 8: Black Crusade: Angel's Blade, pg. 117
• 9: Dark Apostle (Novel), Chapter 1
• 10: Warhammer Community: Wield the power of the gods in Kill Team: Blood and Zeal (posted 1/3/2025) saved page, original link: https://www.warhammer-community.com/en-gb/articles/ovfew1bv/wield-the-power-of-the-gods-in-kill-team-blood-and-zeal/ (posted 4/3/2025)]
• 11: Forces of the Imperial Inquisition Collectors' Guide' Guide pg 16
• 12: Imperium Maledictum: Inquisition Player's Guide, pg. 111
• 13: Games Workshop Official Warhammer World Facebook (Posted 29 August 2012) Last Accessed 5 December 2025. See Cherub/Sources in case of deadlink ^{Golden Demon}
• 14: Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2
• 15: Kill Team: Blood and Zeal, pg. 16

This article or article section is based on information from a Fanatic Press publication such as Fanatic Magazine or one of its predecessors (e.g. The Citadel Journal, Necromunda Magazine, etc.). These publications regularly featured articles submitted by hobbyists, and as such, their content may or may not be in contradiction to established background lore.

This article or article section is based on entries to the Golden Demon competition such as those featured on White Dwarf, or similar public events showcases (e.g. exhibits at Warhammer World and local GW stores, Armies on Parade, Warhammer Championships, etc.) published by Games Workshop. These showcases regularly feature miniatures and content submitted by hobbyists, and as such, their content may or may not be in contradiction to established background lore.