40K Lore For Newcomers - What Are... Cherubs? - 40K Theories

In this edition of 40K Lore for Newcomers, we take a look at the small, angel-like servitors known as Cherubs, detailing their function within Imperial society, as well as their creation.
Featuring Stephanie Swan Quills as Saint Sabbat
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Intro theme by Stringstorm
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Additional audio editing by Officio Audiorum
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Additional artwork by Sam Manley, Fares Maese and Kingmong
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[@ZoranTheWizard]

I know what they sound like.

[@dunadan1995]

Is that the sound a person starts hearing after playing DoW for 20 hours straight?

[@RADINNS]

Ne seri Kizo, opet tripujes

[@angerousangel9371]

Yes we know you do... Please don't...

[@mandalorethemadman2182]

Do it, Zoran!

[@akumaking1]

Nice job voicing them

[@Connor.SG-1Ring]

Nothing symbolises innocence, holiness, and spiritual purity in the Imperium than a deformed cyborg cupid baby.

[@simonkrummel5407]

😂

[@KaraokeNig]

XD

[@kanehodder3459]

I like Magnus description of them winged baby meat

[@Hound851]

They looked like flying ogryns in that one picture.

[@Cloudz3468]

😂😂

[@Big_E_Soul_Fragment]

"Quick, how do we make a grimdark setting grimdarker?" "CYBORG ANGEL BABIES" "PERFECT"

[@Tacoguy1000]

You mean grimderp?

[@Bednara113]

@@Tacoguy1000 Grimdank future

[@Thornsaint5301]

My thoughts exactly.

[@davfree9732]

I’d have said tactical nuclear cyborg Angel babies... because who wouldn’t want an Angel who can administer instant judgement on the unfaithful?

[@koatam]

LOOK. Reloading takes a long time. It's only obvious that you kill a baby, give it cybernetic augmentations and force it to carry spare ammo.

[@aguspuig6615]

''eat your veggies or the inquisition will turn you into a servitor'' -some mom

[@darkandedgy1457]

Ummms okay mums but what are veggies.

[@menschman1464]

“You can keep forking through your vitamin and nutrient cube and pouting sweetie, I’m not cooking something else, you can either eat what I made for dinner or you can go to bed”

[@minipaintermatt]

Don't pour any rat sprinkles on your food or the arbites will break your legs

[@MakCurrel]

"Just eat your Corpse-Starch Timmy!"

[@phreakazoith2237]

"eat your veggies or the Mechanicum will NOT turn you into a cherub" - some pious mom.

[@SkullArrol]

"Oh hoh ho, fuck no!" ~Magnus the Red

[@philiproe1661]

ZAP!

[@abimanyuputra5185]

@@philiproe1661 This is my office, you know.

[@rheinbewachen1211]

A drone would do a much better job with the added bonus of being able to put whatever you want on it and it having the same autonomy as the cherubs. The imperium’s finest works, a flying servitor baby... brutal.

[@tomoyboy]

Which ep was this one?

[@Smeghead76]

@@tomoyboy Episode 27

[@AbadonXXX]

“What are cherubs?” Me: to quote magnus “mewling baby meat.”

[@jhm3346]

Ever since I saw those things in tts I was wondering what were they.

[@wumbumtm3138]

To quote Magnus: "Ohhhohoo Fuhck No"

[@robertnelson9599]

"bewinged baby meat"

[@singletona082]

@@wumbumtm3138 it says somethig when even a chaos deville thinks something is inherently creepy

[@adriannaranjo4397]

Its canon that even Guilliman is creeped out by them

[@abdullahnaji7224]

Cant say I blame the guy 😬

[@judgestrix5106]

I'm pretty sure in the Horus Heresy books it was the visions of cherubs in the future that sent Horus to side with Chaos.

[@RonaldoLuizPedroso]

I am sorry but the only true canon on 40k is autocanon hehehehe

[@SpacePirateK]

As Rogal would put it. "Yesssssssss."

[@supremepatriarchbalthasarg474]

Sauce?

[@Fourtytwo4242]

Guilliman when he walks into his office and sees a cherub for the first time Guilliman:"....." Cherub:"...." Guilliman"....." Cherub:"The Emperor pro" Guilliman *bolter sounds* "FUCK NO FUCK NO FUCK NO FUCK NO FUCK NO" *EVEN LOUDER BOLTER SOUNDS* "I WANT TO GO BACK TO SLEEP!!!!!!"

[@iansahleen1173]

Guilliman must be losing it right now

[@jake321sw9]

Guilliman:".........alright so back to ultra fuck off suicide badass style plan"

[@robertnelson9599]

There are a number of reasons why Guilliman nearly gave up on the Imperium before starting the Indomitus Crusade.

[@fiercemushroom4840]

@@robertnelson9599 Nearly everything he and his brother primarchs faught to prevent has come to pass. He's got every reason to be demoralized with the current state of the imperium.

[@Smeghead76]

@@fiercemushroom4840 "Better that we had all burned in the fires of Horus' ambition than lived to see this..."

[@CousinJesse1]

I’d hate for one to fly in through an open window like a stray bird sometimes would.

[@40KTheories]

Or it just slams into a closed window, leaving a greasy imprint...

[@arielnir2679]

I can Now see that image in my head..... I did not want to. Why did you have to say that?

[@awesomehpt8938]

The only thing about 40k that still creeps me out!

[@Philtopy]

What about daemonculabae?

[@dwreanchinotan]

@@Philtopy chaos is suppose to be disturbing

[@robertnelson9599]

Poxwalkers?

[@Philtopy]

@@dwreanchinotan ofc I dont criticize chaos, I just doubt Harry Tinsley is only creped out by Cherubs.

[@koatam]

When I started Warhammer 40k. My first army was Adepta Sororitas. When I ordered my first box of Retributors, I saw "the spooky little angle things" and thought they were cool. When I started building them, the truth dawned on me.

[@guardianaerdan8588]

Imperial: Vile xeno! Your very presence defiles this place! Eldar: You have literal flying zombie babies that would make Nurgle proud!

[@TheMalkavianmadman]

I want to know who looked at 40k and said "you know what this needs? Flying cyborg zombie babies!"

[@alexcunningham1647]

Cherubs are in christianity and the god emperor can make Angel's real so why not also have angel babies and since you craft them and not your ethereal man god you can cyberise it my overall point being that Christian themes are fairly heavy in the faith of the god emperor

[@cryamistellimek9184]

@@alexcunningham1647 Cherubs seem like a catholic thing and we had like 3 church separations to get away from them.

[@AsbestosMuffins]

"And the good guys make them, not the horrible evil choas guys"

[@TheEgoify]

How could you look at 40k and NOT think it needs flying cyborg zombie babies?

[@firockfinion3326]

Cherubs are like one of the few parts of 40k that seems overly grimdark for no good reason to me. Like they seem to serve the same functional service as servo skulls, but are way more morbid just for the sake of being more morbid.

[@MakCurrel]

But Servoskulls is also overtly unnecessary. 😊

[@ZeroNumerous]

The point of servoskulls is to quite literally embody the idea of "Even in death I still serve".

[@MakCurrel]

@@ZeroNumerous yeah but it's way more symbolic than practical. 😊

[@snakedog9694]

Probably doesn't seem overly dark to them. They've seen way worse things than dead children.

[@vothbetilia4862]

Imagine complaining about flying babies in a universe that's supposed to be full of dread. Also the Cherubs do have a purpose though creepy, they help alot.

[@epicmediocrity2603]

Now before we start our negotiations.....GET THAT THING OUT OF HERE.

[@Warrior-Of-Virtue]

The single greatest "What the f&*%?!" in all of 40k. And that is really saying something.

[@SilverHairedFreak25]

Daemonculaba says hi.

[@MetaL556]

@@SilverHairedFreak25 You at least EXPECT that kind of messed up shit from the forces of Chaos. As bad as the Imperium is, making robot babies of questionable origin feels like a step further than they would normally go.

[@annasstorybox7906]

@@MetaL556 considering that a lot of lore theories include military rations containing food made from corpse starch so basically "forced" cannibalism and the disregard for innocent lives during purges targeted at supposedly chaos currupted people and the fact that almost all recruitment for more than just basic soldiers is done amongst young teenagers that are still mostly children... In that environment using infants, propaply taken from disobedient parents, to create servitors is still grim but not an exclusive horror...

[@B.U.K.O.]

@@annasstorybox7906 yess... And something what is horor is daemonculaba :D

[@Cytotron]

My theory, is that all humans have a job. even the unborn.

[@Gormathius]

That actually makes a lot of sense...

[@nomore2226]

Even in unbirth I still serve.

[@alistermycroft7898]

If the Emperor comes back,he better get rid of these robot babies.

[@captainvalourous6668]

Just give him a Text to Speech Device 🤣

[@Kai-tn4yx]

They were only created 2000 years after his internment on the Golden Throne, so he was not involved with them.

[@Baldermort]

What are cherubs? Horrific. Just totally horrific. Great vid GM. :)

[@Malphazar]

"Imperials are so disgusting" - Magnus the Red

[@onelividguardsman5681]

oh hell no man, im not dying on the battlefield for this.

[@Jarangel87]

"Imperials are so disgusting..."

[@MikeP5830]

Wouldnt be grimdark without cyborg-like babies

[@JRWins]

The only thing that would make me consider joining the Tau: cherubs!

[@013wolfwarrior]

"If the road is easy the destination is worthless." -But.. I like the convinience store on the next blokk, it not far I can always go there for a quick -you are worthless.. -ok

[@FireTalon24]

"Be-winged baby meat"

[@CommanderBohn]

Robbie G. when he saw a Cherub: WHAT IN THE WARP!!!?

[@BlizzardofKnives]

In 40k, if there are multiple explanations, the most grim-dark is most likely true.

[@AsbestosMuffins]

the eclesiarchy is just fucking weird in general. There was a description of an eclesiarchy ground car in warlord being a half servator integrated into the front of a baroque ground carriage with a big pope-mobile style glass box covered in speakers for the eclesiarch to ride in and bellow sermons as it drives to the nearest starbucks

[@Joe-mz6ez]

That brother Santodes must be your greatest fan! I can hardly go without hearing about him

[@jbshiva865]

If Konrad Curze was alive in the 41st Millennium he would find the Cherubs ADORABLE! That is canon as far as I'm concerned.

[@bgcvetan]

Bewinged Baby Meat. - Magnus The Red

[@dabba_dabba]

Funny this video came out. My GF just bought her first 40k kit to play Killteam. She chose Sisters of Battle and was wondering how they got the "dead babies with wings". I think only then she truly realized how grimdark 40k is

[@Lichnaya_pravda]

I can justify many of imperium practices. But this is just an abomination, have nothing to do with holyness.

[@jamescorrall6535]

Well, that was...appropriately horrifying. Just in case anyone was still under the impression the Imperium were the "goog guys"

[@FurryEskimo]

So, they’re mostly just creepy babies that we’re *told* people find to be angelic? They’re used for decoration and singing songs? Seems like a lot of effort to go through for a music box that will poop on your from the rafters of your space cathedral.

[@akumaking1]

Even Magnus the Red is afraid of cherubs

[@wiibrockster]

Why do I imagine Cherub's being the "Pigeons" of The Imperium?

[@nomore2226]

Same

[@RangerTheCEOofsx]

My friend has pretty thick skin to weird or dark stuff but the first time he saw a Cherub he said “Oh what the fuck is that thing!”

[@adelahogarth2761]

Guilliman: *Sees a Cherub* "God damnit, Lorgar." Guilliman: *Turns his gaze* "Hey, so you guys see why this is messed up don't you, Knights of Rogal Dorn?" Black Templars: *Wheezes* "You're right ... not enough Cherubim." Guilliman: "What the hell, guys!?" Black Templars: "Oh I'm sorry ... who persecuted who over their bullshit Codex?" Guilliman: "God damnit, me."

[@seal7144]

Thanks, Santodes. We all totally needed this.

[@judgestrix5106]

The stuff of nightmares. That's what cherubs are.

[@BroughtToBear]

This is what gets me through every total war legendary campaign. Keep up the great work inquisitor

[@MakCurrel]

This might have started with an artist making in a picture for epicness. And others then thinking about the meaning of the concept afterwards. 😅

[@risa123456789]

I've been way into 40k lore for years now, never looked too closely into cherubs, basically going in my head "please be vat-grown, please just let them be vat-grown"

[@bagrym]

i get how they thought that the angelic symbolism was a great addition. but the gothic horror level they added up on this cybernetic nightmare... i hope whoever had this idea got a raise and a boltshell to the back of the skull... *shudders*

[@XSilver_WaterX]

History isn't repeating, its REVERSING. 40k is the equivalent to post-Sumerian and soon pre-Sumerian in 50k!

[@euansmith3699]

"... cherubs appear to be primarily designed to symbolize innocence, holiness, and spiritual purity and as such are a total failure; the weird little cybernetic freaks, with their rashes, and blubbery little bodies, seeming more like something from the Garden of Nurgle than the Throne of Mankind..." Disappointed of Terra, Servitor Advisor, 3/10; would not purchase again. "Cherubs; don't leave the Spire without them... in fact, just don't leave the Spire." Lord Gerontius Helmawr of Necromunda, Servitor Advisor 10/10; always trust the guy with a Cherub.

[@davidthomas2870]

So that's where ol Caul found some antigrav tech

[@hughgedney3393]

A very extremely great short second video 40k Theories.

[@zachf.7854]

And i thought the Drukari had weird shit...

[@jacthing1]

Eh...I'd still say the BDSM space elves have worse things...and who's to say they don't have something like this? I could definitely see a dark elf doing that to someone, but without even lobotomizing them

[@D2017_]

I wonder if anyone has ever put together a homebrew chapter army made up of primaris cherubs.

[@ekscalybur]

If you're feeling uncomfortable at any point during this vid it means The Warp hasn't corrupted you. Yet.

[@TheAtomicSpoon]

Dunno man, Honsue made the daemonculaba and still didn't make flying servitor babies.

[@boartank]

I've seen what the Japanese are producing these past decade. Daemonculaba didn't even register in my radar. Gantz, Berzerk, Junji Ito, doujinshis, and more.

[@DaimoHope]

I don't think Tzeentch or Khorne would want anything to do with these...things

[@jacthing1]

@@DaimoHope slannesh would........

[@SpacePirateK]

The TL;DR "Nobody really knows but they're creepy as hell"

[@hodgknob3545]

Are we not gonna talk about how Brother Santodes...our golden locked man machine of mankind...wanted this to be an episode.

[@Sorrybutno]

When Horus first sees a Cherub he does not recognize it, so my money is post Heresy

[@Cricketivangus]

One of the creepiest things in Warhammer 40k and that’s saying something.

[@MattBrain9336]

Question! Are there any noteworthy Cherub in the lore? Like a Cherub that was able to do something (by it's own will maybe?) that changed the outcome of a battle/decision? Or a Cherub that received praise (because of a one time thing it did or a daily duty it does) from a named character?

[@Robustacap]

Can servitors be corrupted by Chaos? Or is it even remotely possible that a servitor would by some glitch regain some of its former memories etc?

[@jacthing1]

Well I think it's possible for the lobotomy to not cause the person to slip into a coma and instead turn then into a prisoner in their own body. Unable to move speak and show that the lights are still on as their body is mutilated and made into a servitor.... feeling every bit of pain

[@Robustacap]

@@jacthing1 Thanks and um Good! I have an idea for a dunno, small game or story or smthng.. As that would mean it is possible for a lets say strong or warped mind of a servitor to break its paralyzis..

[@jacthing1]

@@Robustacap I don't know if it's true or not just to be clear but considering it's Warhammer 40k it would not be at all surprising. I have heard of chaos corrupted servitors before I believe. Definitely not a far fetched idea

[@Robustacap]

@@jacthing1 And one beauty of 40k is that you can, in my opinion play free. Now that I have the vision of some sort of Chaos Cherubs and a servitor Skull story I'm definitely going to run w it!

[@Robustacap]

free to some logical extent I mean, which sounds kinda weird but you have to respect the logic of the world..

[@lukephilpott3224]

Juuuust the 40k nightmare fuel I need before bed, outstanding:D

[@krypto7653]

I never skip the intro, may you continue to enlighten us lord inquisitor

[@K1LL4Cam]

I feel conflicted watching this, it had 40k views...I better not have tipped those scales.

[@TheAtomicSpoon]

Cherubs are stylized after the most revolting horrible thing humans have the capacity to create...children.

[@archades115]

...That's enough internet for one night...

[@mugglepower]

imagine joining the rebels because your local grox supplier sucks and next thing you know a flying baby with a crazy eye just stabbed you in the face.

[@bloodangel19]

That's as grimdark as it gets, sometimes this thing gets stupid edgy

[@snakedog9694]

That's probably like a 7 out of 10 on their "messed up" scale. Gotta try to look at it from their perspective and not your own.

[@nix-cipher]

Cool video!

[@eltonjohntubola3212]

Bewinged Baby-meat. I mean why?

[@PrimarisBlackTemplaDraven]

I was wondering what are Heretical things they creep me out by just looking at them

[@Arkaeus04]

To quote the red cyclops himself, “Flying baby meat”

[@Abyssal86]

"Imperials are so f*cking nasty, I swear to the Gods." -King of Nipples

[@amorphoussolid8512]

They're so cute!! I want ones with little baby scalpel hands and needle toes :)

[@shodan2002]

Do they still need to feed them ?

[@warhawk4494]

Love your channel and work. Since you work with Arch alot....i hate to ask but have you heard anything about him getting his channel unhacked? I feel like a real jerk for asking but im curious.

[@solobaggie]

Hi, i'm enjoying the channel, i only just found it. I've a question about the Space Marine Chapters of unknown lineage. Seeing as genetic manipulation is still a known science in M42, why don't the inquisition use agents to simply source a sample of biological material from a Chapter in question? Or am i thinking too much into the story? Many thanks

[@pedrokdc]

I've been waiting for this vídeo since M1....

[@bennetttan8535]

They are to torment the manperor by entering his throne room singing hymms

[@michaelkelley2727]

they sound more badass than the ones we got (the normal baby cherubs, not the cherubim with the multiple monster heads)

[@badaboom1o187]

I am disturbed by those baby with wings

[@svagglaorde4387]

How to fetus deletus...the 40k way.

[@ArinorMephisto]

Thank You Brother Santodes.

[@RedFlameGamer]

I like cherubs in theory, they add to the grimdark of the setting. I do my best to avoid Cherub on any model I build, I do not like having to look at them. Which poses some trouble, as I'm currently building a Sororitas army.

[@Samael2513]

Shouldn't you be investigating whatever task I gave you? - The ManEmperor of Mankind

[@garrettmcmurry1436]

Can you do a episode about Endred Haar a black shield from the Horus heresy who was a world eater but was hinted at being a Thunder Warrior and Astarties hybrid?

[@40KTheories]

Funnily enough I'm editing that particular episode as we speak xD

[@garrettmcmurry1436]

@@40KTheories he is my favorite character from the Horus Heresy so far. I’m glad I’ll get to see your theory on how he came to be.😉

[@UGNAvalon]

Something that I’ve always wondered about: What are machine spirits, and how are they different from both basic computer programming and the more-advanced artificial/abominable intelligence? Because it seems like, semantics aside, they actually _Are_ different from AI (even the rudimentary ones running computers today).

[@rawwset]

Yeah that wasn't disturbing at all.... Please sir can I have another?

[@fistimusmaximus6576]

Remember reading they were gifted from mars after the emperor signed the peace treaty with them

[@40KTheories]

As I said in the video, there is a _lot_ of contradicting information regard as to when they came into existence.

[@alextar_h_lobo5188]

talk about taking holy paintings literally!!!! yeeeeessshhh

[@100thMkey]

We Humans spent so much time wondering if we could, That we forgot to ask if we should...

[@saszetix]

Give us lecture about dreadnoughnts. Eg what type is brother santodes

[@supremepatriarchbalthasarg474]

When story become so grimdark that it becomes grimderp

[@Alex-re3qm]

PLEASE do a who are the iron hands

[@40KTheories]

If someone nominates the topic on Patreon, then I will do so in time :)

[@PrimarisBlackTemplaDraven]

Even the Emperor would consider this as abominations

[@WhitecollarZombie]

Emperor would consider just about everything about Imperium abomination. He hated, really hated religions and was very specific that he should not ever be worshipped. Actually Imperial religion is penned by Lorgar Aurelian, yes, that Lorgar... Word Bearer primarch Lorgar.

[@seanturner1197]

"BEWINGED BABY MEAT" -Magnus the red

[@xtremebanana1998]

What is the name of the first background music after intro? I cannot find it anywhere

[@christianhellicar3104]

I thought that Cherubs were even more grim dark than that, possibly being a sacrifice from devout families to show their faith in the Emperor by giving their babies to be turned into Holy Cherubs

[@zaganim3813]

could happen on some world ofc :) probably does!

[@vothbetilia4862]

@@zaganim3813 fool, GW doesn't go that far. Otherwise they would've stated it long time ago, but they only said they're vat grown ONLY.

[@JackTheSlayer-ok5eq]

Hello there

[@supremetarantulasorcerer165]

*General Kanobi.*

[@KageRyuu6]

Nightmare fuel.

[@ParanoidPacific]

"angelic" 1:22

[@MillerTheDragon1995]

the cyborg babies they remind of the baby doll head from toy story 2 that sid made sid is a techpriest that is evil