Lore question regarding Neophytes

[BLUESH33P]

Hi all, haven't posted here in a couple of years but saw fit to return. Just wondering, if the patriarch, magus etc. of a cult are all eliminated, would the neophytes regain some modicum of individuality and humanity? I run a rogue trader force which is splintered but still "loyal" to the Imperium, but since the big ol' rift opened up they've lost contact with the broader Imperium and wish to recruit from a planet which recently suffered a genestealer cult infestation. The deathwatch have supposedly killed the higher ups and pure strain genestealers however out of desperation the rogue trader wants to hire from the ranks of surviving neophytes. Is this possible? Or would they still be loyal to the hive mind? Would they have enough individuality to serve whole heartedly as mercenaries for a human?

[Malios]

I suppose you could look at it from a few perspectives.

 

The prime drive of genestealers as the apex xenos vanguard is their uncanny ability to survive. They can:

 

* move lightning fast with strength far greater then humans

* Survive in the vaccuum of space (and likely warp space during transit on space hulks)

* have claws that can rip through terminator armour and hands with thumbs to manipulate objects

* tough skin that contains acid blood

* can lie dormant for very long periods of time (centuries and possibly millennia through the void)

* Can evolve with time to suit their conditions: scything talons. Tendrils instead of jaws. Yrmgrl genestealers for example. But most importantly,

* Can replicate with most species in the galaxy to produce more genestealers.

 

Their only weaknesses apparently is that they have a rampant metabolism and that they're (arguably) unaware of their true purpose: to infiltrate sources of DNA, attract the Hive Fleet and rinse and repeat.

 

Now, as GW and Black Library have elluded to in different ways, Genestealer Cults don't die away if their hierarchy is killed: So long as a single cult member survives, be they purestrain or hybrid containing genestealer DNA, the cult can begin anew again.

 

In your context, would they gain some degree of autonomy back? Maybe. Are they truly free? Probably not.

 

A neophyte hybrid or infected human brood brother survivor from a botched cult uprising may not be aware that his/her desire to lie low and live the good life may just be his altered genes instigating the genestealer prime directive of infiltrate, attract the hive fleets and rinse & repeat. He/she is conditioned at the gene level to love their offspring which will eventually give birth to a purestrain... then the cycle begins anew once more.

 

This is what makes the genestealer such a scary weapon of the Tyranid arsenal: unless the cancer is completely destroyed, it will come back. The terror knowing that the Tyranids are capable of this and more really does make them the borg-style villains of the 40k setting.

Edited October 25, 2017 by Malios

[BLUESH33P]

Thank you for such a well fleshed out response! That all makes a lot of sense, I might refrain from adding neophytes to my ranks after all. I would be tempted to include them and say that my regiment is unaware of their presence - but they almost always fight alongside deathwatch so... that seems unlikely. 

[Dr. Clock]

That said, the Neophyte BOX is a great one, and the only thing realistically stopping you from using it in your force is the heads. I'm 90% sure there are enough 'normal' type arms to use between the shotguns and autoguns (some of the arms do have claws etc.) I've seen great conversions using AdMech Vanguard heads, but there are any number of GW or third party heads that would also work great.

 

If you wait a few weeks, Necromunda is also likely to give your RT fleet a source of new recruits. I'll be using Goliaths to round out my AoS Bloodreaver-based Cultists... but they'd work just as well I figure for press-ganged penal miners ; )

 

Cheers,

 

The Good Doctor.

[Xenith]

Could they use Cultists in their army? Not knowingly.

 

Astra Militarum are full of gene cults, however when they are found, they are eradicated.

 

If your rogue trader knowingly conscripted hybrids...then next time they meet a space marine...purgatus. 

 

I believe that 6th gen hybrids birth purestrain genestealers or something like that? So they cycle begins anew.

 

Cultists aren't loyal to the hive mind. They are loyal to the patriarch. They have no idea what the hive mind is, in general. We don't even know if tyranids really know what the hive mind is, how much free will they have, but cultists would be individuals....just enslaved to the service of the patriarch. Seeing as they are fanatics, and would throw themselves in front of bullets for their superiors, I doubt that they would willingly work for the killers of their Emperor.