Chimerites

*“The strengths of both, the weaknesses of neither!”- Magos Saren Arcturus*

The Chimerite faction is relatively recent compared to the other factions but has seen a meteoric rise in its ranks in recent years thanks to being appealing to both mainstream magi and the genetors of the Biologis as well as differing from most factions in its view of tech thralls and other humans under the Mechanicus’ rule.

### Beliefs

The Chimerites see value in both the Mechanicus’ dogma of the power technology holds and the Biotica’s belief that biological mechanisms are the most effective machines there is and seek to blend both of these dogmas combining technological wonders with biological engineering.

Chimerites are the foremost experts of techno-organic materials and life forms, in addition to being pioneers in cybernetics research as befitting their creed of mixing flesh and metal. Adherents retain a great deal of their organic parts (which are modified to peak or beyond human capacity) in addition to having several artificial redundant organs but also have a healthy amount of cybernetic enhancements and backups where applicable.

Many chimerites see nanotechnology as the holy grail that would allow them to finally fulfill their vision of bringing forth a human equal part machine and organic. Though their research on the matter has been rather limited they remain one of the few in the galaxy who even grasp how the extremely small machines work.

However perhaps what sets the Chimerites apart from other Mechanicus sects is their humanistic beliefs that comprise a core part of their ideology : they believe that the quest for knowledge is an impossible undertaking without all of humanity working together to achieve it. They are also supporters of sharing technology outside the Mechanicus

As a result Forge Worlds with chimerite ethos invest heavily in population wide cybernetic and genetic modification programs in addition to infrastructure projects such as hospitals,schools and other comforts not available to the vast majority of Forgeworlds as they are firm believers that a healthy well-educated populace is more productive and loyal ( a belief that has often made them a laughing stock among the majority of the Mechanicus before they were actively persecuted).

One area where there is division among sect members is in regards to xenotechnology : Some believe that the use of it is permitted so long as extensive precautions are taking while others are adamant that it should never be used , firmly resolute in their belief in human technological superiority. In particular wraithbone fascinates many a chimerite believing it to be the fabled perfect biomechanical organism.

Given the vast similarities in doctrine, it is widely believed that the Chimerites are either an evolution or an offshoot of the Transcendii cults.

### Status in the dominion

The Chimerites have found a haven in Atlantis where their ethos of human development were almost identical to those of Atlantean Mechanicum. It is they who overseed many of Atlantis’ planet wide gene engineering initiatives and who helped develop its advanced healthcare systems, not to mention their key role in the Astartes research.

Overall the Chimerites have mostly assimilated into the Atlantean Mechanicum

### Status outside the dominion

The Chimerites were once tolerated if widely ridiculed and mocked by the Adeptus Mechanicus , mostly since their doctrines technically did not violate any of the laws set by Mars. Most saw them as naive fools and derided them for wasting resources on bettering the lives of expendable meat bags.

However as Mars became more and more dogmatic , openly chimeritie magi began to suffer more persecution, harsh punishments and exiles into hardship postings. After the treachery of Callamus was discovered (though most of the planets’ magi weren’t actually chimerites, they put many of the sect’s vision into action) the chimerites along with any sect that wasn’t the old guard were outlawed and hunted down.

A few forgeworlds on the fringes of imperial territory survive however.

### Bonuses when faction is the majority

* Nanotechnology related research action times decreased by 75%
* Large scale gene engineering or cybernetic augmentation campaign times and costs reduced by 50%
* +20% boost to population growth
* +50 points to uplifting dominion worlds.