Flaenors

There are those amongst the ranks of the Ceidwas who are exceptional; showing incredible aptitudes with the workings of the machines they work on, prowess in the field when gathering intelligence for the Silver Basilisks, or both. After several years these women are recommended into the pipeline to become Flaenors, or Elders in the Imperial language, and their charges are the most precious things the Primarch Artellion possesses: his fallen Dreadnought sons. The training is rigorous, grueling, and at times even fatal to those who choose to undergo the process. Their first step is another pilgrimage to Mars, where they recieve more comprehensive implants to increase their durability and strength, as well as tutelage in the knowledge of repairing and maintaining their Dreadnoughts. If they survive the cybernetic implantation process, they are then sent to get advanced combat training, learning to survive in the harshest elements their new augmentics will allow. These two steps alone take several years worth of training, and most applicants do not survive the process, but there is one step further still beyond these herculean tasks: they must be chosen by a brother entombed within a Dreadnought.

In a ritual known as Dewis y Meirw, or “The Dead’s Choosing”, potential Flaenors are assembled before a lone Dreadnought, usually in groups of 5 but no more than 7, and are given specific tasks by the Dreadnought to perform. These tasks can range in variety and scope, from questions of basic philosophy and psychology, to physical displays of prowess with their martial abilities, or demonstrating extensive knowledge of a Dreadnought machinery and mechanisms, including the new Sarffen-pattern Jump Dreadnoughts. The process can take days, even weeks, during which time the applicants are given no sustenance, and must fend for themselves if they require food or water. If the Dreadnought occupant deems no applicant worthy of serving with him, the potential Flaenors remain Ceidwas, and must go through the pipeline again if they wish to try another time. However, if the Dreadnought chooses an applicant to serve with him, they become part of the Flaenor sisterhood, arguably the most prestigious position any mortal could hope to obtain within the 15th Legion, or the Crown of Avalon at large.

With the ritual complete, these women craft their own Carapace Armor, much in the same way that the Astartes of the Silver Basilisks do upon their induction into the Legion. Upon one shoulder pauldron bears the symbol of the 15th Legion, making these women the only mortals to bear their insignia upon the battlefield. Upon the other pauldron, each Flaenor creates a sigil that identifies her on sight to others she may encounter. In addition to their armor, a Flaenor carries with her a Hellgun or Bolter depending on the enemies she may face, as well as all the equipment she requires to make emergency repairs to her Dreadnought on the field. An Imperial Dreadnought on its own inspires fear and awe in those that see it, but a Silver Basilisks Dreadnought does not fight alone on the battlefield as his Flaenor hellions constantly monitor the battlefield for any threats the Dreadnought may not anticipate, and they would gladly give their lives to see their charge safely home.

With the introduction of the new Sarffen-pattern Jump Dreadnoughts to the Silver Basilisk arsenal, the Flaenors needed a way to keep up with the stresses that even their augmented bodies could not keep up with. To that end, in conjunction with with the Tech Marines, they have developed a crude (by Astartes standards) but effective form of power armor. Thus protected, they fly into combat with the Dreadnought like the Valkyries of myth, and bring death to the enemies of Artellion and his Legion.

When a Flaenor falls in battle and her Dreadnought survives, he honors her sacrifice by having her sigil etched into his battle plating, keeping her spirit alive with him as he crusades across the galaxy.