Tech acolytum
Tech acolyta (sg. acolytum, pl. acolyta),[1d] also referred to as apprentices,[3] acolytes[1f] or tech-acolytes, are unranked members of the Cult Mechanicus that are still learning the lower mysteries of the Machine God.[1b] Tech acolyta can serve under one or more Tech-Priest master or mistress.[2a] An acolytum might, at some point, find an apprenticeship with an experienced Magos or other Tech-Priest.[1c]
Overview
Many acolyta are promising young children. Some Forge Worlds also train their acolyta in combat, sparring with other youths using electro staves while under the watchful guidance of a Warleader.[1d] An individual who has spent 20 years studying is considered old for a tech acolytum. An individual who has spent this many years studying under one or more masters either due to a lack of enthusiasm, incompetence, or out of guile. Individuals don't typically choose to postpone their promotion if it is available. A student might do so in order to learn more, plunder all the knowledge they can from one master and then move onto the next.[2a] During these apprenticeships the apprentice will likely learn many of the secrets of their master's unique studies.[1c]
They are treated as inferior to an ordained tech-adept. The Mechanicus sometimes treats acolytum little better than the common human masses, being lumped together with other unranked Mechanicus thralls, dregs and servitors.[1a] Acolytum don't have any ordained ranking and must prove themselves competent in several fields before being able to secure their first ranking.[1c] Once they are officially ordained they will be promoted to tech-adept, their graded ranking being the proportional to their mastery of mechanical mysteries.[2a]
Trivia
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Forgefathers, Tech-Marines, or other Space Marines who have studied the mysteries of the Machine Cult, might sometimes be referred to as tech-acolytes,[1e] or fellow acolyte of the Machine-God.[1g]
Acolytum are sometimes referred to as acolytes, much like how ordained members of the priesthood are referred to as Adepts.[1a]
