Sororitas Aesthetic Deviations

[Evil Eye]

Something occurred to me recently- basically every faction in the Imperium EXCEPT the Sororitas have a large degree of variations with regards to their equipment and general aesthetic. The Space Marines have a high level of personal customization and diversity between Chapters, as do Imperial Guard regiments. The Sisters, meanwhile, essentially have one "look" with different colour schemes.

 

Now to be fair, this is likely because the army is almost entirely comprised of metal models, which are difficult to convert. I'm sure if the Sisters were to get a new plastic "reboot" (which I'm still holding out hope for, and will continue to do so until it's officially confirmed by GW as not happening) we'd see a lot more variation in Sisters aesthetics, but seeing as that hasn't happened yet, for now we're stuck with the established look assuming we don't go full kitbash.

 

So anyway, the purpose of this thread is twofold.

 

Firstly, is there any precedent for non-standard Sister equipment/heraldry in the fluff? And conversely, is there a bit in the background that says "Sisters never ever have any form of variation in equipment, aesthetics or traditions beyond colours, ever ever ever"?

 

Secondly, assuming that they do have some degree of flexibility ala the other armies of the Imperium, what would be some good looks/excuses for said looks?

 

In terms of stock "excuses" for justifying non-standard Sororitas...

Utility: The Sisters wear a different style of armour for purely practical purposes (so for example, less ornate/"blingy" armour with camouflage and the like for operating in the jungles of their shrine world).

 

Guinea Pigs: The Sisters are armed with a different model of bolter and sheathed with a new mark of power armour for field-testing purposes, possibly due to close ties to the Adeptus Mechanicus (an excuse for slightly more "high-tech" but no less blingy armour).

 

Cultural Relic: The Order in question is descended from a slightly backwards, but ultimately pure, civilization, and whilst they are as dedicated to the Imperium as any other Order, their religious practices maintain elements of their original beliefs, which manifests in their wargear (An excuse for more unusual looks- the Space Marines get away with it so why can't the Sisters? Also it is basically canon as far as I know that many worlds of the Imperium practice "divergences" of the Imperial Creed that are tolerated due to sharing the important bits. Obviously the Sororitas would be more closely monitored, but in the age of the Cicatrix Maledictum and the divided Imperium, the Ecclesiarchy will take what they can get).

 

Necessity is the Mother of Invention: In this new, dark chapter in the Imperium's history, some Sisterhoods (especially those trapped in the Dark Imperium) will be cut off from resupplies from Ecclesiarchy-Approved forge worlds, and will take whatever they can get with regards to wargear, be it from a forge world that does not specialize in Sororitas gear, or developing their own "homebrew" weapons and armour with whatever they can scrape together (pretty much an excuse for making Sisters that look cool but don't exactly resemble the official models).

 

As far as a few ideas for alternative looks go (note: all names are placeholders)...

The Order of the Radiant Sun: Pretty much feudal Japanese themed Sisters, ala the Emperor's Shadows. Still properly power armoured of course, but perhaps replacing the tabards with "hakama" worn over their armour. A blend of samurai and miko (shrine maidens) would be appropriate for the armour designs, with melee weapons taking the form of stuff like katanas, naginatas and the like.

 

The Order of the Vengeful Snake: If the Catachans are "Army made of Rambo" then these girls would be "Army made of Vasquez". Armour and weapons would be more functional and plain, though still with signs of devotion to the Emperor. Plenty of 'nam style slogans daubed onto wargear, because of course. Also, bandannas, because they're cool.

 

The Order of the Silver Chalice: Sisters that have gone to the Overwatch school of design (and dropped out for setting too many things on fire). With access to more modern technology for whatever reason, these girls are clad in more high-tech, streamlined, advanced-looking armour. Again, they're still properly armoured, so no Sisters running about in skin-tight suits from the waist down, but their armour would be far more smooth and sleek than the average Sororitas. They'd still be covered in holy bling, but it'd be accompanied by Tron lines, vents and the like.

 

The Order of the Fiery Rose: Lotte of Arabia! All-encompassing robes, sand-visors and veils! Generally classical Middle-Eastern stylings! Possibly blend in a little Indian influence for variety (Power Katars anyone?).

 

Anyway, discuss, argue, rant etc.

Edited August 28, 2017 by Squigsquasher

[Neoslate]

I've always liked the idea of PoC/Culturally different Sisters. Like, imagine if Princess Jasmine had power armour and a melta... She'd 100% had blasted away that heretic Jafar like years before he gained the sorcerous powers of that cursed Daemon lamp!

 

Damn... now I'm imagining Disney Princesses in power armor... or...

 

But seriously I try to make my own Sisters different skin and hair colours usually. Gives them good variance and makes them stand out more tbh

 

 

Basically, I just wanna see Michelle Rodriguez in Ecclesiarchal-approved vestment  

[dracpanzer]

I can't think of any faction in 40k less likely to allow personal aesthetic deviations than the Sisters. A penitent Order like the Sisters doesn't generally tend to exalt the individual. They save all their exalting for the Big E. I prefer the disciplined uniform approach of the current figs.

 

I think the artwork suits this not because the Sisters don't have new figs but because the Sisters are the guardians of religious obedience, tradition and dogma in 40k.

 

That being said, build your figures however you like, paint them as you will. Always happy to see other Sisters models on game tables.

Edited August 28, 2017 by dracpanzer

[Servant of Dante]

I don't have the source at hand but thee was a painting guide that said that the Orders all use the same basic pallet of black white and red. As for different equipment, eh, they're all supposed to have the same stuff as far as I'm concerned.

[foxlight713]

In the sense of aesthetic deviations sisters are in a similar spot to some other factions where they don't have that much divination if at all from their overall design. IRC Eldar, Tau, Dark Eldar, necrons don't change much in terms of aesthetics.  In comparison to factions like SM, IG, CSM that can have a very wide verity in aesthetic themes (obvious example all the flavors of SM GW sells SW, BA, DA, BT.) Well at least that's as far as 40K lore is considered

 

Sisters are the guardians of religious obedience, tradition and dogma in 40k.

 

However its your army and you can do what you want to it for any reason.  If you want to convert and mod your SoB around a theme, its all up to you (The Order of the Radiant Sun, however sounded like a pretty cool idea).  Personally I have my sisters painted up with Grey armor, Green robes, with white shoulders and helmet trim because its my army and I can paint it how ever I please.

In the sense of asth