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The military forces of the Skitarii are known as the '''Legiones Skitarii'''.{{Fn|12}}
==History==
*{{Main|Skitarii Conclaves}}
The original Skitarii were created on [[Mars]] during the [[Age of Strife]]. It is believed they were created long before the formation of the [[Cult Mechanicum]] itself, with the augmetics that would become the [[Corpus-Skitarii]] being used by ancient scavenger clans that roamed the surface of Mars. In these days, the Red Planet still teemed with ferocious [[Cy-Carnivora]] and other technological abominations, and thus the wanderers were forced to survive through uncovering technological remnants and adapting.{{Fn|56a}}
In later years, these scavenger-cyborgs would grow into a formidable fighting force that were wielded by the now-powerful [[Fabricator General]] of Mars to serve the needs of the new Martian Mechanicum. These new cybernetic warriors, dubbed, Skitarii, were organized into small self-sufficient armies dubbed [[Skitarii Conclave|conclaves]] which were capable of operating far from Mars for long periods of times with limited support. Each of these Conclaves was dedicated to one aspect of the technological spectrum that formed the [[Cult Mechanicus]], and these shaped their organization, tactics, and rituals. Some specialized in [[Atomantic Reactor|Atomantic]] technology, while others wielded powerful [[Plasma]] relics. Rumours exist that some Conclaves even dedicated themselves to the pursuit of forbidden technology and even [[Xenos]] relics, which were then sealed away any watched over by the Priests of Mars. The exact number of Conclaves varied over time as the [[Great Crusade]] unfolded, but at the outbreak of the [[Horus Heresy]] there were around 30.{{Fn|56a}}
During the subsequent [[Horus Heresy]], roughly 2/3rds{{Fn|56b}} of the Skitarii Conclaves remained loyal to the traitorous Fabricator-General [[Kelbor-Hal]] and his [[New Mechanicum]] and fought for [[Warmaster]] [[Horus]]. The remaining third stayed loyal to the [[Emperor]] and sided with the exiled [[Fabricator Locum]], [[Zagreus Kane]].{{Fn|56a}}
Following the Traitor's defeat at the [[Siege of Terra]], the Skitarii's command structure were seemingly reorganized by the [[Adeptus Mechanicus]]. Today, Skitarii are divided into '''Legions''' and are now sworn to individual [[Forge World]]s as opposed to being sworn directly to the Fabricator-General.{{Fn|9a}}
==Overview==
[[Image:SkitariiSoldier.jpg|thumb|right|Skitarii Soldier]]
"Skitarii" are armies of specially augmented cybernetic warriors sworn to a specific [[Forge World]] and serve alongside the [[Collegia Titanica]] and [[Taghmata Omnissiah]] as the military forces of the Mechanicum.{{Fn|11}} During the [[Great Crusade]] the Skitarii Legions were sworn directly to the [[Fabricator-General]] of [[Mars]]{{Fn|50}}, though since the [[Horus Heresy]] they have been broken up to be commanded by individual [[Forge Worlds]].{{Fn|9a}}
[[Image:SkitRangerArt.jpg|thumb|right|220px|[[Skitarii Ranger]]s{{Fn|9c}}]]
While their bodies are more machine than flesh, Skitarii are not true [[Servitors]] and still retain independent thought. Those with the highest level of augmentation are known as '''[[Skitarii Alpha]]s''', a high honour in Skitarii culture. Due to their extensive modification Skitarii can excel and survive in almost any atmosphere.{{Fn|9b}} Skitarii are also known for their near-emotionless nature, a result of both brain surgery and psychological condition.{{Fn|22b}} Because of their conditioning, Skitarii are unquestioningly loyal to their [[Tech-Priest]] masters. So much so that they will even blindly kill one another if ordered.{{Fn|19b}} The will of their [[magos]] is viewed as the will of the Machine-God and to disobey it is unthinkable. To question the Priesthood is not permitted.{{Fn|55}} Despite their training and augmentations, Skitarii prove less effective when cut off from the input of their leadership.{{Fn|54}}
Skitarii are fluent in [[binharic]] and other forms of [[Cant Mechanicus]].{{Fn|41}} They regularly communicate amongst themselves and other Mechanicus members using [[skit-code]], a dialect that is entirely unequipped to express anything more than tactical data. Skitarii of high rank or station are also permitted to join in [[Noosphere|Noospheric]] communion when it is practical to do so, such as when serving in high offices or as personal protectors to Tech Priests.{{Fn|36}}
Skitarii recruitment follows no universal role. Some Skitarii began as volunteers who were faithful to the [[Cult Mechanicus]]{{Fn|9b}} Others are recruited from the factory workers of [[Forge World]]s.{{Fn|22a}} Some denizens of Forge Worlds are destined to become Skitarii at birth, having been bred from eugenics programs that emphasize strength and aggression.{{Fn|19c}}
Skitarii are often created from menials or vat-born humans. They are sometimes inducted into the legions from other sources as needed, such as from refugee populations. Each skitarius taking the [[Vows of Integration]] whilst kneeling in supplication to their new master within the Cult Mechanicus. However, those coming from alternative origins might be viewed as inferior by their cyborg peers. The majority of a legion's troops often consist of elevated-menials and vat-born individuals.{{Fn|51}} Forge World menials who suffer significant injuries are sometimes turned into skitarii, either that or a [[servitor]]. Regardless, some menials who desire greatness, but are lack the skill or opportunity to become a [[tech-adept]], instead seek out becoming horrendously injured in the hopes of becoming a warrior of the Omnissiah.{{Fn|7}} Some skitarii have their memories prior to their induction into the legions purged.{{Fn|51}}
The process Skitarii creation , dubbed the [[Corpus-Skitarii]]{{Fn|56a}} is a closely kept secret of the Adeptus Mechanicus, but what is clear is that involves heavy cybernetic augmentation to those with a fanatical faith in the [[Omnissiah]].{{Fn|9b}} Their masters refashion their bodies, replacing fallible ligaments and flesh with titanium servo-motors and bionic musculature.{{Fn|39}} During the process of conversion into a Skitarii most of their organs and tissue are modified or replaced entirely with circuit, bio-plastic, and metal.{{Fn|26}} With few exceptions, Skitarii have pallid bodies of puckered flesh and sutured cybernetics. Ceramic valves and adamantium sockets stud their hard knots of sun-starved and translucent muscle. In imitation (so some tech priests believe) of the ancient cohorts that first ground their limbs into stumps upon the dunes of Mars, the Skitarii's lower legs are replaced with prostheses of inviolate alloy. Even the brains of these warriors are grotesque hybrids of grey matter and twisting neurocircuitry.{{Fn|39}}
One who looked for consistency in Skitarii augmentations would be sorely disappointed. A soldier of the Adeptus Mechanicus may have a punch card skull slot and leather bellows for lungs, whilst at the same time housing quantum bioware in his brain. It is often said that were one of these enhanced warriors to be rendered down, traces of nearly every element known to its masters could be found somewhere in the remains. The Tech-Priests know this to be no exaggeration, for dissection is but one of the dark fates a skitarius might undergo in order to satisfy their masters' predatory curiosity.{{Fn|39}}
*{{Endn|54}}: [[Soul Hunter (Novel)]], Chapter XVI
*{{Endn|55}}: [[Spiritus in Machina (Short Story)]] - [[Inferno! (2018) Vol.2]]
*{{Endn|56}}: [[Journal Tactica: Skitarii]]
**{{Endn|56a}}: pgs. 4-5
**{{Endn|56b}}: pgs. 8-9
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