Penitent
A Penitent is an individual who was once counted amongst the heretics, witches and daemon worshipers who was once hunted by the Inquisition.
Overview
Like any captured heretic, they will be subjected to long periods of purgation and shriving they will be forced to confess to his or her crimes and implicate their accomplices. Many die in the process and many more who survive are too irredeemable to be allowed to live and are granted peace in death.[2]
Some few, however, will undergo a revelation during the long periods of torment as their personalities are stripped bare by the Inquisitor, and these few beg for forgiveness and the chance to atone for their crimes. Occasionally this plea is answered and the penitent is granted a second life in fanatical service to the Inquisitor that redeemed them.[1][2]
These penitents can be of particular use to an Inquisitor as they will have obtained in their lifetime a wealth of forbidden knowledge that might be useful in rooting out further heretics. Furthermore, their tainted souls give them a measure of experience and control when faced against corrupting influences.[2]
When a penitent's crimes are so heinous that not even arco-flagellation is punishment enough, the repentant may be interred in one of the ancient and holy shriving machines known as a Penitent Engine.[6]
Bound Psykers
Also known as penitent witches, these rogue psykers have been captured and made to repent by an Inquisitor and been put to service by their deliverer. Unfortunately, it is rare to find a rogue psyker truly repentant for his crimes. However, to do so is a high aspiration and goal for many Inquisitors of the Ordo Hereticus.[1]
The psyker is often bound with wards and anointed with sacred oils, to ensure that it does not regress to its previous heretical ways. These penitents act as "psychic lightning rods", attracting and then dissipating psychic attacks. Because of this protection, they are often used by Inquisitors in the field as part of their retinue.[1]
Miniatures
A penitent in Witch Hunter Tyrus's retinue.[5]
Two penitents serving in the Imperial Guard.[4]
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Trivia
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- Apart from the (now out of production) Penitent Witch/Bound Psyker model[3] a suggested proxxy model for a Penitent included a "Pariah" (possibly a Necron Pariah ostensibly painted as a human penitent).[15] One penitent was made from a converted model of a slave from the Asdrubael Vect Box[5][7]
See Also
Sources
- 1: Codex: Witch Hunters (3rd Edition), pg. 15
- 1a: pg. 27
- 2: Dark Heresy: The Radical's Handbook, pg. 37
- 3: Games Workshop (Deadlink)
- 4: White Dwarf 109 (UK), pg. 71
- 5: White Dwarf 317 (UK), pg. 105
- 6: Forces of the Imperial Inquisition Collectors' Guide pg 17
- 7: Games Workshop Complete Catalog and Hobby Reference - 2005-2006 Edition pg.73
