Servo-skull
Servo-skulls are drone-like devices fashioned from human skulls - often those of pious Imperial servants, low-ranking tech-adepts, or loyal adepts of the Adeptus Terra - and then given a rudimentary Machine spirit, support systems, and anti-gravity engine to allow them to hover and drift bodiless through the air.[1] Presumably this chance to continue their work even after death is a great honour in the Imperium.
Contents
- 1 Overview
- 2 Servo-skull patterns
- 3 Images
- 4 Notable Servo-skulls
- 5 See Also
- 6 Sources
Overview
Servo-skulls are most strongly associated with the Adeptus Mechanicus, but are used throughout the organizations of the Imperium to perform specific tasks for which they are installed with the basic equipment required, usually a pair of simple manipulator pincers, a weapon, a Pict Recorder, a projector, surgical implants, stab-light, loudhailer, or various other devices for the many roles that exist. Though they typically take the form of skulls with various mechanical appendages, other designs have also been utilised. The lords of House Draconis for example, utilised set of five servo-skulls crafted to resemble various mythical creatures, the Pegassus, the Chimaer, the Minot, the Wyvornne and the Dracon in reference to heraldic icons of each Knight House of Adrastapol.[1][5]
The roles they fulfill include Librarium functionaries, medical assistants, lumen-bearers, proclaimers or scroll-carriers. Some are designed for military roles, and among these some are built with enhanced optical sensors to allow them to fulfill a scouting role.[1]
They are also often used by Inquisitors as Familiars. In this case they are often mentally linked to the Inquisitor, allowing him to control them and see and hear through their senses. In general, Servo-skulls are useful for their ability to enter otherwise inaccessible or hazardous areas because of their small size and great maneuverability.[1]
Servo-skull patterns
Aggression Enhancer Servo-skull
Aggression Enhancer Servo-skulls are used by the Adeptus Mechanicus and are equipped with binharic speakers. They constantly blurt out the Omnissiah's benedictions to smite the unworthy, and use Beta-wave generators, that stimulate the aggression centres of biological and cybernetic minds alike.[4]
Data Skull
Data Skulls contain a data screen set into their backs. This makes them the perfect item for relaying important targeting data, recording the findings of Inquisitorial investigations and many other uses.[8]
Gheistskull
Gheistskulls are made from the skulls of deceased Imperial Navy Breachers and carry compact explosives. They accompany Breacher teams, during boarding attacks.[11]
Guardian-Skull
The Guardian-Skull serves as an uncommon but effective personal bodyguard. It has a somewhat reinforced structure and mounts a single weapon system guided by a targeting selection program. Guardian-Skulls are further subdivided into two different types, depending on weapons configuration.[18a]
Combat- or Dissector-Skull
The Combat- or Dissector-Skull mounts several articulated limbs fitted with mono-edged blades or, rarer, with electro-flails or chain knives. It is activated by voice command.[18a]
Gun-Skull
The Gun-Skull can mount a single firearm from a selection of pistols or other compact weapons, but usually wields an autocarbine or lascarbine. It also carries a red-dot laser sight.[18a]
Infoslave Skulls
Mono-task Infoslave Skulls make ideal lookouts for the Adeptus Mechanicus, to watch against the sudden deployment of enemy troops.[6a]
Monitor Skulls
Monitor Skulls are used by Alecto's Varangantuan Enforcers and patrol with the Security Forces' squads[13a]. Their red ocular sensors[13b] are equipped with facial recognition systems, so the Servo-skulls can scan the Hive World's citizens for wanted fugitives[13a] and their spinal columns end in a viciously curved barb the Monitors can use as a weapon. They also patrol the Enforcers' Bastion headquarters and give vocal alarms of "Unauthorised weapon detected." to summon the Enforcers, should their scanners discover a civilian has entered the buildings with weapons.[13b]
Monotask-Skull
The Monotask-Skull is the most common form of servo-skull. It specialises in a single task and is fitted with the required equipment. Most Monotask-Skulls also mount a basic set of extendable manipulator pincers, onboard navigation and a pict-relay to record or to transmit visuals back to its owner or to a linked cogitator.[18b]
Auger-Skull
The Auger-Skull mounts an auspex and a vox-data system to transmit information.[18b]
Courier-Skull
The Courier-Skull functions as a messenger and mounts a specialised identity scanner. The message it relays can be a scroll, a data-slate or a holo-recording. It is also preprogrammed with extensive maps of the local area.[18b]
Illuminator-Skull
The Illuminator-Skull is used for illumination and mounts a lamp-pack, aglow-globe or just a burning brazier of coals, especially if the skull is operated by the Ecclesiarchy.[18b]
Loud Hailer-Skull
The Loud Hailer-Skull mounts a powerful public address system to relay messages, sounds or even just the owner’s voice.[18b]
Medicae-Skull
The Medical-Skull features a built-in medi-kit and a medical scanner to administer first aid.[18b]
Utility-Skull
The Utility-Skull mounts a multi-tool to perform simple preprogrammed maintenance tasks. It can also be remotely-operated by its owner to perform functions in otherwise inaccessible areas.[18b]
Servo Commissar-skull
Servo Commissar-skulls are pre-programmed with litanies and admonishments, used by Commissars. They broadcast these sayings in order to properly motivate Guardsmen, as well as to remind them of their duty to the Imperium.[3]
Servo-Designators
Servo-Designators are used by the Astra Militarum. Released as swarms from modified Valkyries, these high altitude servo-skulls analyse targeting data from ongoing combat operations to provide updated firing solutions to the troops operating in the theatre.[19]
Skull Probe
The Skull Probe is a military device utilized by Space Marine Chapters for reconnaissance. It is capable of moving by stealth, and can fly faster than most units can move on foot. The Skull Probe is also capable of detecting other units concealed by stealth technology. Though unarmed, they can generate an electromagnetic pulse that temporarily neutralises an enemy structure, though the Skull Probe will be destroyed in the process.[2]
Shroud-Skulls
Shroud-Skulls are specialized Servo-skulls that are equipped with auspex dampers, vox-stummers and electroshrouding incense. Small flocks are used by Phobos Strike Teams to surround an encampment, before the Shroud-Skulls use their equipment to conceal it from inquisitive foes.[10]
Tome-Skull
Tome-Skulls are Servo-skulls that carry Imperial tomes.[12]
Vox Skull
Vox Skulls are Servo-skulls that are equipped with Voxs.
Watch-skull
Watch-skulls are Servo-skulls that help their owners search out foes in the dark.[16]
Images
Gheistskull[11]
Data Skull[9]
Watch-skulls of Haera Helmawr[16]
Vox Skull[17]
Notable Servo-skulls
- Exemplar's Eternity[6b]
- Eye of Xi-Lexum
- Memento-Mortispex
- Scryerskull Perspicatus
- Skull of Brantor
- Cranium Malevolus
- Tertian's Logister Cortex[7]
- Colonel Dannica's Skull[14]
- Septimo[15]
See Also
Sources
- 1: Rogue Trader Rulebook, pgs. 147, 375
- 2: Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War
- 3: Warhammer 40,000: Inquisitor - Martyr DLC (Last accessed on 16 May 2019)
- 4: War Zone Charadon - Act I: The Book of Rust, pg. 52 - Campaign Rules: Metalican Redoubt
- 5: Kingsblade (Novel), Chapter 2
- 6: Codex: Adeptus Mechanicus (9th Edition)
- 7: War Zone Charadon - Act II: The Book of Fire, pg. 116 - Crusade Relics
- 8: White Dwarf 30 (2014) - The Week In: Bit of the Week
- 9: Games Workshop Website: Devastator Squad (Last accessed on 27 April 2022)
- 10: Kill Team: Moroch Rules Manual, pg. 49 - Phobos Strike Team - Strategic Assets
- 11: Warhammer Community: Kill Team: Into the Dark – What’s in the Box? (Posted on 04/08/22) (Last accessed on 4 August 22)
- 12: Warhammer Community: Join the Inquisition To Hunt a Mutating Chaos Cult in a New Kill Team Campaign Expansion (Posted on 01/05/2023) (Last accessed on 01/05/2023)
- 13: The King of the Spoil (Novel)
- 14: Exterminatus Issue 6, pgs. 24-27
- 15: Warhammer Community: The Retinue – Burning Priorities (Posted on 27/06/2022) (Last accessed on 12 June 2024)
- 16: Warhammer Community: Lady Haera Helmawr Emerges from the Underhells In a Unique Spyrer Suit (Posted on 1 July 2024) (Saved archive page, dated 1 July 2024, last accessed 1 July 2024)
- 17: Warhammer Community: New Warhammer+ Miniatures – Subscribe to Choose from Two Incredible New Models (Saved archive page, dated 21 August 2024, last accessed 21 August 2024, original link: https://www.warhammer-community.com/2024/08/21/new-warhammer-miniatures-subscribe-to-choose-from-two-incredible-new-models/)
- 18: Dark Heresy: The Inquisitor's Handbook:
- 19: Warhammer Community: Grotmas Calendar Day 15 – All we want for Christmas is an orbital assault (Saved archive page, dated 6 Dec 2024, last accessed 6 Dec 2024, original link: https://www.warhammer-community.com/en-gb/articles/a1g4ckja/grotmas-calendar-day-15-all-we-want-for-christmas-is-an-orbital-assault/) — Bridgehead Strike PDF File, pg. 2
- 20: Magic: The Gathering's Universes Beyond Warhammer 40,000 - Skullclamp
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