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A Penitent Engine is a large two-legged walker used by the Ecclesiarchy to punish heretics who have repented of their sins against the Emperor. The Orders Militant use them as heavy shock troops. To be bound into one, a person must have committed a crime so terrible that imprisonment, exile, arco-flagellation or even execution is considered too lenient.
Unlike a Space Marine Dreadnought, the pilot is not protected inside the machine. The penitent is wired to the front of the engine with neural connectors, and chemical injectors are implanted to keep them conscious and in agony. The pilot's pain and guilt drive the engine forward in a frenzy, seeking absolution in the death of the Emperor's enemies.
Penitent Engines are reserved for criminals whose crimes are too heinous for prison, exile, arco-flagellation or even execution. Many of them were once members of the Ecclesiarchy: fallen priests or even former Sisters. The penitent is wired to the front of a bipedal walker with fibre-optic neural links, and injectors pump drugs into the brain. They keep the pilot alive through terrible wounds and make them feel every bit of pain. Through this torment the pilot hopes to win the Emperor's forgiveness.
The heretic is wired into the front of the machine, and unlike a Space Marine Dreadnought, the pilot is fully exposed. Only the Emperor's judgement keeps them alive or ends their life. The pilot is filled with stimulants that keep them alive through terrible injuries while still feeling all the pain. The Sisters consider it a sacred duty to watch Penitent Engines in battle as their pilots atone for their sins.
Appearance & wargear
A Penitent Engine is a tall, gangly walker with its condemned pilot strapped visibly to the front. Each arm ends in a huge flail or buzz-saw, and two heavy flamers flank them. Scrolls, censers and parchment are attached across the frame.
It is a tall, spindly, stilt-legged walker with the pilot crucified on the front, surrounded by Ecclesiarchy iconography. Each arm carries a dreadnought-class buzz saw or flail with a flamer or heavy flamer built in.
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Battlefield role & tactics
Penitent Engines charge across the battlefield to rip into enemy lines at close quarters. Their frenzy makes them hard to stop but also hard to control.
The pilot is too frantic to aim, so Penitent Engines carry only close-range weapons. They sprint ahead of the line, burn and chop through infantry and hurt light vehicles and monsters. They are fearless and tough, but uncontrollable and vulnerable to dedicated anti-tank fire. The Sisters consider it their duty to watch these machines in battle so the penitents' suffering is witnessed.
Penitent Engines carry only melee weapons, such as huge power saws, chainfists or power blades, because the pilot is too frantic to aim at range. They charge straight at the enemy, seeking forgiveness through a heroic death. They are used to break enemy lines and tie up elite units, but they cannot be controlled.
Notable battles & users
- Many Ecclesiarchy wars: Penitent Engines lead the charge ahead of the Orders Militant.
Related
No profiled character is closely tied to this unit type yet.
