Celestians

CEASE AND FUCKING DESIST, HERETIC.

"Many aspire. Few attain."

– Celestian in Dawn of War: Soulstorm

Celestians are the best of the best within an order of the Adeptus Sororitas. To earn the rank of Celestian a sister must have proved herself on dozens of battlefields and must be skilled with every weapon in the Ecclesiarchy's armory. These ladies are some of the hardest SOB's (DOB's? or are they just B's? *BLAM* HERESY! THEY ARE DAUGHTERS OF THE EMPEROR!) you'll meet save for the space marines Imperial Guard. Off the battlefield they have many of the duties of a sister superior in addition to serving as go-betweens for the Canoness and the other sisters of her order. They also serve as bodyguards and advisers to important members of the Ecclesiarchy.

Types of Celestians

There are a few variations of the normal Celestian Squads. These include....

Celestian Sacresant

From Bolter Bitches to Shield Bitches.

Traditionally the bodyguards of their Order's leaders, Sacresants are equipped with Sacresant Shields, Bolt Pistols, Hallowed Maces and Anointed Halberds to Rip and Tear in melee and are charged with securing sacred sites on the battlefield.

They are also tasked with the holy duty of purging the impure and driving them from sites of sacred significance on the battlefield.

Protected in both body and spirit, Celestian Sacresants are the wall against which waves of Heretics will break and they are able to overcome many times their own number in battle through sheer perserverance.

Celestian Superior

The senior Celestians in an Order, Celestians Superior aid the Canoness with the day-to-day running of the Order. They specifically act as administrative liaisons between the Sisters Superior and the Canoness, and may even lead Battle Sisters into combat when the Canoness is otherwise engaged.

Imagifer

A single Celestian in a Celestian Squad may be nominated as a Imagifer or Imagifier AKA Banner Bearers. These often carry a Simulacrum Imperialis, one of the Orders' ancient banners, into combat unarmed, to inspire their fellow sisters to fight harder against all odds. They are only found in Celestian, Battle Sister, Dominion and Retributor squads as they are always Sisters units. Within Seraphim squads the Veteran Sister Superior carries the Simulacrum Imperialis, effectively becoming an Imagifer.

Celestian Bodyguard

Occasionally, Celestians may be formed up into bodyguard groups for senior members of the Order, such as Celestians Superior or even a Canoness. To be selected for such a role the Celestian must have previously distinguished herself in battle. The most noble warriors of the Order, Celestians approved for bodyguard duties may also be given additional responsibilities, such as becoming a banner-bearer, an Imagifier or a being assigned a particular duty in the Convent-Shrine.

Ophelian Celestian Squad

Ophelian Celestian Squads are formed from the best Celestians of the Orders Militants, hailing from the convents on Ophelia VII. If the need arises the entire squad can be requisitioned into serving in a Canoness' personal retinue.

Tabletop

With the new 8th edition codex, Celestians make a lot more sense. Better melee stats, higher Ld, and the ability to intercept wounds for characters make them a solid bodyguard choice, as in the fluff.