Editing Skoptsi Redeemers (section)

== Background ==


The 'Skoptsi Redeemers' are a massive group of volunteer regiments from the planet Skoptsi Prime. Conquered by negotiation near the end of the Great Crusade, Skoptsi's ruling elites swore fealty to the Emperor and the Imperium-- then pondered on how they could pay the massive tithe that was being demanded of them. 

The Skoptsi Council of Princes quickly came up with a solution that would benefit both their homeworld and the Imperium of Man. For centuries, an underground religious sect known as the Redeemers had plagued the people of Skoptsi Prime, preaching the use of celibacy (through castration) and fanatical ecstatic religious practices to achieve 'the divine realm'. Though disruptive of social order, their missionaries were very adept at recruitment and appealing to the planet's massive underclasses, promising a future utopia. As a result, the cult claimed some 10% of the planetary population by the time of contact with the Crusade, despite persecution and government crackdowns. 

The Council offered the Redeemers a full pardon if they joined the Imperial Army, with 'no-expense spared' equipment and logistics provided by Skoptsi Prime. Fortunately, the Grand Prophet claimed to receive 'visions' while imprisoned, which foretold of great glory and eventual rest in the promised 'divine realm' if the Redeemers went with the Crusade fleets. With unquenchable zeal, the Redeemers signed up to join the Imperial Army almost to a man. The sect officially maintains the secrecy of their doctrines and practices, though the barely-subdued religious zeal is off-putting to other forces around them. The sheer number of volunteers from Skoptsi Prime means several new regiments are tithed yearly, as the planetary government is eager to move this troublemaking sect off-world. This results in the Redeemers being found in multiple war zones alongside the [[Black Augurs]] Adeptus Astartes. 

The 'Redeemer Grand Prophet' is far too infirm to be a soldier, so he was given the rank of 'Imperial Remembrancer' and tags along with the regiment, inspiring the ranks with his (clandestine) preaching.