Novitiate Squad

Every Sister's origin story. From regular bitch to bolter bitch.

A Novitiate is for all intents and purposes, a term used to describe a Sister-in-Training. Ergo, they are the Bolter Bitches' equivalent of a Whiteshield Conscript; they are female Progena of the Schola Progeniums. These aspirants are then given a Ring of Suffrage to wear and take the Oaths of Adherence, in order to become Novitiates.

Overview

Their training is overseen by a veteran Sororitas, who ensure the Novitiates master the Adepta's fundamentals and this may last quite a number of years or even decades. Even if a Novitiate has already been chosen to serve within a particular Order during that time, their trainers will demand that the Novitiates know the basic skills of all of the Adepta's Orders. So yes, they do more than just burning shit up and dry humping the Emprah's statue. They actually have a life outside of the cathedrals you know and, like any other educational facilities, they can choose and embark on different careers in the Ecclesiarchy.

Even while training, though, a Novitiate may join the Adepta Sororitas on missions to gain further experience and know-how; where their training will be on the field of battle. There, the Novitiate's skills and devotion will be tested against the Imperium's enemies. Novitiates are also often selected to join the retinues of Ordo Hereticus Inquisitors, who a Sororitas is asked to join their service. These are likely to be the Novitiates who have proven themselves to be among the most capable and self-sufficient of their class. Those chosen have also been deemed strong enough to endure the rigours and perils of serving with an Inquisitor. The Novitiates who survive such duties, often return to the Sororitas even firmer in their convictions and further honed in their skills. Sororitas that survive long-term duties with the Inquisition, are a very valuable asset for the Adepta in their war against all things extra heretical. As a result of this, they are often destined to join the high ranks of their Orders.

Because they are still rookies, Novitiates are grouped into small teams led by a Sister Superior. These Superiors are known as Novitiate Superiors and they are charged with steering the faith of their Novitiates and serve as an inspirational example of how a warrior of the Adepta Sororitas acts at all times.

Armoury

Okay, how the hell did a Weeaboo manage to make a Novitiate a hostage!? Jesus fuck that is embarrassing, which is one hell of a feat given the Sisters of Battle's abysmal track record...

All Novitiates wear Flak Armour, albeit ones that are specially made to look like nuns into battle. As such, they don't really last too long especially when considering the Bolter Bitches' love for CQC combat, of which Flak Armour provides as much protection as wet toilet paper. All Novitiates are armed with a standard-issue Autogun and Autopistol for ranged combat and either a basic (And we mean basic) close combat weapon like a Flail, Warhammer or a Sword, albeit ones that are master crafted. On special occasions, some of them are known to wield a Purgatus or Stake Crossbow or even a Flamer.

Types of Novitiates

• Novitiate Exactor - Whip me harder step-sister! Some zealous Novitiates are given Neural Whips to use on their foes. Occasionally they will use them on fellow Novitiates (kinky) whom the Exactors feel are lapsing in bravery and faith.
• Novitiate Penitent - The diet version of the Sisters Repentias. These are Novitiates whose faith is found wanting. They wield Penitent Eviscerators and are whipped into battle by Novitiate Exactors.

Tabletop

Introduced in the Kill Team: Chalnath set, Sisters Novitates are aspiring Battle Sisters who haven't yet earned the right to wear power armour or wield bolt weapons. Coming in a squad of 9 Novitates equipped with autoguns and a single Novitate Superior who's a full-fledged Sister with power armour and boltgun, these girls provide a low cost-per-body supplement to your basic Sisters, as they're essentially veteran guardsmen statlines with a 4+ sv. Novitates have CORE, <ORDER>, Shield of Faith, and Sacred Rites just like full-fledged sisters, so they benefit from your special rules and buffs as normal. They also have normal 40k rules comeing with the release of there box and you can almost count the seconds till people start using the crunch of the Novitates as a proxy for Frateris Militia units.