Orders Hospitaller

“Ours is to honor the martyr, tend the fallen, defend the innocent, and walk always in the light.”
–The Hospitaller’s Book of Hours
Novice sisters who show a gift for healing and
attending to the needs of others are often ushered
into the ranks of the Orders Hospitaller. Amongst
the most widely welcomed of the Adepta Sororitas, the
Hospitallers are sent to war zones or disaster stricken areas,
providing the people of the Imperium with medical care
and compassion when it is most needed. These
sisters display incredible healing skills and
compassion towards the wounded and fallen,
yet remain implacable foes to the heretics,
witches, and mutants around them.
Like their counterparts in the other
non-militant Orders, they serve primarily
in supporting roles. Where the other
Orders may advise nobles or transcribe
information in quiet rooms, these
Sororitas often see the atrocities of war
first-hand. They are often found in
battlefield hospitals on board ships
in orbit, tending to the soldiers
of the Imperial Guard. There are
rare occurrences, however, when
a platoon’s medic is wounded
and a Hospitaller will go
into battle with the
troops to provide
support in the field.
It is these battle-hardened
women that the Inquisition looks
for to join their retinues.
Traditionally, the Order Hospitaller dresses
in light armor and healer’s robes that allow
for easy movement. In the Calixis Sector,
all but one of the Orders Hospitaller have
some sort of crimson and bone coloring
on their robes to mark them as medical
staff. The Order of Quiet Sorrow on Sigurd IV alone wears a black and
bone color scheme in penitence for
a past failing.
==Hospitallers in the Calixis Sector==
In the Calixis Sector, the Hospitallers have an exceptionally
good relationship with the Imperial Guard. Their efforts have
saved millions of lives and no place more than on Tranch
with the sisters at the Sainted Encarmine Hospital. In that
never-ending civil war, the Sororitas have provided solace
for the wounded and dying and have even taken up arms
upon occasion to defend the hospital. When the Shroud Council attempted to make a statement by taking the hospital
by force, they were surprised to find battle-ready warriors
defending it, wielding their patients’ autoguns and lasguns.
Needless to say, the attack was repelled rather quickly.
Second in size to the Order Famulous, the Sisters
Hospitaller are very valuable to the Ecclesiarchy because of
the faith they inspire. Many a jaded soldier has embraced
the Imperial Creed more devoutly after a Sister Hospitaller
saved his life. As a result of this personal contact with units
of soldiers and officers, they can also provide the Imperial Guard with advance warning of emerging problems
with morale or heretical ideas among the troops. The
bedside execution of cult leader Silas Grimm by a
Hospitaller novitiate during the Mining Riots
on Pellucida IX is a staunch reminder that
heretics have no place in the leadership of
good men. His taint forced the Inquisition
to purge one-third of a division of troops
and burn down the barracks in which
they lived. The remaining troops then
served with distinction in quelling
the riots following the purge.
One of the other more discreet
tasks the Hospitallers perform
is that of sampling genetic
material from the nobility. Done
as a precautionary measure, these
Sororitas often work hand in
hand with the Order Famulous to
prevent inbreeding and to ensure
that mutations are not passed
on---a significant problem on worlds
with a high incidence of mutation such
as Feral Worlds, Pleasure Worlds, and
Malfi.
==The Order Vespila==
The sisters of the Order Vespila have earned the name ‘dark sisters’ because of their association with the death of beloved
Ecclesiarchal clergy. Cardinal Kregory Hestor petitioned the Order Hospitaller to populate this Order within the Calixis
Sector. Tasked with the internment of bodies, the Order Vespila’s grey shrouded ceremonial robes are synonymous with
the death of priests. It is unknown why Cardinal Hestor felt it so important to be certain that the bodies of the faithful
were properly buried, but rumors abound that he has secret knowledge of a prophecy regarding a long dead saint.
When an Inquisitor needs the Sister’s macabre skills he calls upon the Ecclesiarchy to provide him with the graveyard
guards of the Order Vespila.
A Sister of the Order Vespila is effectively a Sister Hospitaller for game play purposes. With GM permission the
character may exchange the Peer (Imperial Guard) Talent for the Dark Soul Talent.
==Alternate Career Rank==
The Sisters Hospitaller are reputed to be the ‘gentle’ arm
of the Adepta Sororitas, though in many ways this is far
from the truth. As healers, doctors, and spiritual counsellors,
they are peerless among the Orders. They are, however,
still willing and able defenders of the Imperial Creed ready
to crush the life from a heretic, mutant, or alien threat. A
Hospitaller’s convictions, like those of her fellow sisters, are
rooted in their desire to defeat the enemies of the Emperor
without hesitation. Those deserving of her assistance will
receive it without hesitation. Likewise, those undeserving will
either not receive any care or will be sped along to meet the
Emperor face-to-face for final judgment. It is for this reason
that Sisters Hospitaller cannot be utilized in the interrogation
cells at the Tricorn as confirmed heretics tend to die in their
care prior to divulging information.
All Starting Skills, Talents, Gear and Wealth listed here
totally replace the Adept Rank 1 starting Skills, Talents, Gear and Wealth.
Starting Skills: Common Lore (Ecclesiarchy), Common
Lore (Imperial Creed), Common Lore (Imperial Guard)
Literacy, Speak High Gothic, Speak Low Gothic, Performer
(singer), Medicae.
Starting Talents: Basic Weapon Training (SP), Melee
Weapon Training (Primitive), Pistol Training (SP), Peer
(Imperial Guard).
Starting Gear: Hospitaller Carapace, Hospitaller Medicae
Tools, Chaplet Ecclesiasticus, Ring of Suffrage, Rule of the
Sororitas, Stub Revolver (and two reloads).
Requirements: WP 30, FEL 30
Starting Wealth: 70+2d10 Thrones
Monthly Income: Supine Class
Restrictions: Characters with this alternate career rank
may not purchase Psy Rating advances or any advance that
allows use of psychic powers or sorcery.