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==Overview==
The Adeptus Astra Telepathica is divided into a recruitment body (the [[League of BlackshipsBlack Ships]]) and a training body (the [[Scholastia Psykana]]). These two are united under the [[Master of the Adeptus Astra Telepathica]] and his advisory council of several hundred senior officials from the two divisions. They are responsible for the specially trained [[Astrotelepath]]s who use their mysterious powers to communicate with others of their kind across vast interstellar distances which separates the worlds of the Imperium.{{Fn|4}} The Astra Telepathica is also known to operate a special decryption and internal affairs branch known as the [[Cryptaesthesian]]s. During the [[Great Crusade]] the Astra Telepathica also operated a unit of [[Blank]] psyker-hunters who manned the Black Ships known as the ''Departmento Investigates'', otherwise known as the [[Sisters of Silence]]. The numbers of the Silent Sisterhood dwindled as a result of the [[Horus Heresy]] but active units have been observed at the end of the [[41st Millennium]].{{Fn|12}}
Their ranks consist of psychic servants of the Imperium and these psykers have undergone the [[Soul Binding]] ritual with the [[Emperor]]. This process passes on some of the Emperor's strength of will into his servants, thus protecting them from evil, psychically attuned enemies. The ritual ultimately results in blindness though there are a rare few Astropaths who are judged strong enough to warrant them not taking part in the Soul Binding. These individuals are considered the lucky ones, as they do not have to partake in the agonising process as most Astropaths.{{Fn|5}}
The Adeptus Astra Telepathica was first formed by the [[Emperor]] in preparation for the [[Great Crusade]]. Constructing the massive [[Astronomican]], the Astra Telepathica was at this time mandated by the Emperor to maintain and run the massive machine (though this duty has since fallen to the [[Adeptus Astronomica]]). Thus the Astra Telepathica played a key role in the [[Great Crusade]], as without their psychic light humanity could have never been unified. In addition, the Astra Telepathica was instrumental in rounding up the rogue psykers and "Witch-Kings" which had plagued Terra since the [[Age of Strife]].{{Fn|8}}
At the time of the Great Crusade, the Adeptus Astra Telepathica had a militant arm - the [[Sisters of Silence]] - who manned the blackships Black Ships and searched for emerging psykers. An additional force known as the [[Black Sentinels]] provided security for Astropathic facilities in the [[Sol System]].{{Fn|10}} After the Horus Heresy the Sisters of Silence largely died out as an order save their role as guardians of the Black Ships, though a single fortress of Sisters of Silence was encountered by the Imperium during the [[War of the Beast]]. Since the beginning of the [[Indomitus Crusade]], the Sisters of Silence have been fully restored by order of [[Roboute Guilliman]].{{Fn|11}}{{Fn|16}}
During [[Goge Vandire]]'s [[Reign of Blood]], he quickly ascended to total control of the Imperium. However, he was unable to gain control of the Adeptus Astra Telepathica, since its [[Master of the Adeptus Astra Telepathica|Master]], Lord [[Phaedrus]], was a potent psyker and thus not swayed by Vandire's charisma. This allowed Phaedrus to see through Vandire's deceit and machinations. This was troublesome for Vandire, who was used to staying one step ahead of his opponents. Assassinating Phaedrus would not solve the problem, since Phaedrus's successor would likely be an equally powerful psyker. Instead, Vandire used a [[Culexus]] [[Assassin]] to rob the psyker of his abilities whilst using a life support system to keep him alive. Robbed of his power and prevented from killing himself, Lord Phaedrus agreed to follow Goge Vandire on the condition that the loss of his psychic abilities be kept secret. Thus was Vandire able to subvert the Adeptus Astra Telepathica.{{Fn|6}}
*[[Black Sentinels]]
*[[Sisters of Silence]]
*[[League of BlackshipsBlack Ships]]
*[[Scholastia Psykana]]
