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From Warhammer 40k - Lexicanum
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{{TyranidsPortal}}
[[Image:'stealer Patriarch.jpg|right|thumb|250px|'''Genestealer Patriarch''' and [[Genestealer Magus|Magus]] by Tony Hough]]
A '''Genestealer Patriarch''' is the founder and leader of a [[Genestealer Cult]]. It is always the oldest purestrain of the cult. As the first [[Genestealer]] of the group, all other members are psychically linked through it; this leads it to attain a level of intelligence much higher than that of other Genestealers. Over time, it can become a very powerful [[psyker]]; it grows in size and strength, gaining a bloated and immobile appearance. A Patriarch whose cult is on the verge of taking over a world becomes a psychic beacon, attracting [[Tyranids]] to the planet; as the Tyranids approach it will fall under the power of the Tyranid [[Hive Mind]], and begin leading the cult in attacks on vulnerable positions to facilitate the inevitable invasion.
Patriarchs are known to live for hundreds of years, and unless killed, are practically immortal. They are seen by the cult as a "father" figure, and should their destruction come to pass, the cult would be thrown into disarray. Eventually, however, the next oldest purestrain genestealer would assume the role of Patriarch.
The relationship between a Patriarch and a [[Broodlord]] (if there is any) is unknown.
==Images==
<center>
{|
|[[Image:StealerPatriarch.jpg|thumb|center|250px|Genestealer Patriarch model (early 1990s)]]
|[[Image:PatriarchThrone.jpg|thumb|center|220px|Genestealer Patriarch and Magus (1989)]]
|}
</center>
==Sources==
*[[Codex Imperialis]]
*[[Codex: Tyranids (2nd Edition)]]
*[[White Dwarf 118]]
*[[White Dwarf 119]]
[[Category:Genestealer Cults]]
[[de:Patriarch]]
