The Sisters of Silence: Tactics & Structure (Warhammer 40k & Horus Heresy Lore)

[@unintentionallydramatic]

I'm currently cleaning someone's _extremely_ disgusting fridge. This is gonna help inspire me in banishing the Great Unclean One's taint from this home. Praise him upon holy Terra and his agents, the most blessed Oculus.

[@BluJean6692]

been there man...

[@unintentionallydramatic]

@@BluJean6692 It can be... A lot. 😅

[@catosicarius3262]

Fire works best

[@AdrianMartinez-ho6db]

These words are gold

[@unintentionallydramatic]

@@catosicarius3262 I wish I'd had a heavy flamer squad by my side. Lacking that, soaking the removable elements in _hot_ soapy saltwater and spraying down the pre-cleaned walls with diluted white vinegar (the true bottom shelf stuff, since it's pretty much just Acetic acid and water without any flavour) over the course of several hours helps. (Some people use Bleach but that's like using virus bombing where a purgation squad would've been the better option and bears a small but mathematically relevant chance of poisoning the food in a really bad way). The truly gruelling part comes when you need to dry the innards with paper towels after the initial spray-soak-spray part to get absolutely every last remaining odour out.

[@Self-replicating_whatnot]

You should have one of the Silent Sisterhood holding your hand next time you decide to make a record on the subject of Chaos.

[@averylazytechpriest2346]

Handholding is pretty slanneshi if you ask me.

[@Self-replicating_whatnot]

@@averylazytechpriest2346 It's fine as long as you use protection. In this case - power armor.

[@c-money9623]

i'm not sure that would make it any better

[@BluJean6692]

file this one under "blessings that sound like shitposts" (or vice versa)

[@Blazerwolf666]

Holding his hand or holding a bolter to his head?

[@Dreadnautilus]

The Silent Sisterhood are an underappreciated faction. I hope the 9th edition Talons of the Emperor codex gives them a few more units, at least a HQ.

[@alexvaraderey]

Yes, they need more models, in plastic. Particularly going up against Chaos Heretics in need of purging, i'd love to run a Sisters of Battle main army, with a Sisters Of Silence Combat Patrol.

[@voidimperatrix406]

there's something really soothing about the choral voices in the background

[@tomburna254]

God damn this man is class. The way he plays the part, and the way in which he portrays the information are perfect. I just started listening to his backlog and have some way to go, but I'm enjoying every minute of it.

[@blakelowrey9620]

I bet that was a pretty nice week of binge watching

[@54syqe]

Noble Oculus, once again you have attended to this record with a precision that is as true as the god emperors light, as the honourable sisters deserve. You are a credit to the logos historica verita. Mayhap this is why the lord regent spared you from the inquisitors pyre on that fateful day, mayhap in all his holy wisdom, he saw what us, your dedicated acolytes, see today. Knowledge is victory. Praise our lord regent, and of course, praise his father, our saviour, the master of mankind. Ave Imperetor.

[@Maskingunnar]

God fucking damn, this is the best 40k channel ever

[@OculusImperia]

Thanks so much!

[@WilliamAppel3]

Glad our based Sisters of Silence are finally getting a video! Better yet that they are tabletop-ready now!

[@andreasmuller4666]

Wait, ... wait a moment. Buttstuff kaiyu is gone? So that point in time marked as "anytime soon" has been crossed? Amazing.

[@matthewmcneany]

#BringBackTheButtStuff.

[@jeremycollins7442]

I’m shocked and disheartened, truly

[@xenored13]

I like that part of the outro. Always made me laugh.

[@unintentionallydramatic]

Been for a while. It's why I skip the outro now.

[@Stewkers]

Yeah it's very sad. Understand why he did but I'll miss that outro. :(

[@admiraltiberius1989]

While the very nature of the blessed Silent Sisters is....frustrating at the best of times. They are indeed some of the finest warriors in our holy Imperium. The Ordo Sinister is most complimentary to the Silent Sisters and it is a shame we could never walk the same battlefields.

[@clydemarshall8095]

Aren’t the princeps in the Ordo Sinister null psykers?

[@tech-adeptzeth1648]

Let us not forget the Legio Custodes as these transhuman demigods remain not only complementary with the Sisterhood upon the battlefield but also the only ones being able to personally fully appreciate the unique talents of Silent Sisters.

[@admiraltiberius1989]

@@clydemarshall8095 yes they are but heavily shield as the machine itself is powered by enslaved psykers.

[@KillerOrca]

Orse Code; because at some point, humanity forgot it had an M

[@Deridus]

Or "A's." Long live Merica!

[@philips.5563]

I met one once. I must have been quite young, not yet fully grown. My world was in the midst of a great celebration, as the blessed tithe had come for us. I remember the festivals and masks shaped as eagles, gates, the prows of great ships, faces of saints, and the countless other objects of adoration. The crowds terrified me, as every soul that came near shuddered in revulsion, or cursed or stuck or spat on me. On the last day, at the grand alter, the crowds were free to offer themselves. Those who feared that they might harbor unnoticed psychic potential, or who sought sanctuary in the right of conscription, or were simply lost in the adulation of the moment could present themselves before the tallymen of the tithe. I made my way through the crowds, kicked or trodden upon as I crawled forward, my face to the ground I was unworthy to walk. I believed I was cursed, that I carried the mark of the psyker. I thought that all those around me, these good people of the Emperor, knew what I did not. I saw their hatred and knew it was that I was not meant to be among them. I knew what the lords of the spires called all who were so touched to come to the alter and be released from their bonds to home and work and go to the Emperor to be redeemed. I sought this. When I came to the foot of the alter and placed my hands on the first step. I knelt there for what felt like hours, waiting. I would earn either a place in the lines leading to the landers, or death. Through the roaring of the crowd I heard steps. They seemed far to quiet to belong to armored feet, and yet they did. I felt a hand close under my chin and lift my face upward. It was the longest touch of a human hand I could remember. I closed my eyes and waited for this representative of Him on Terra to judge me and end my life, having granted me that gift. My mask was a rag I had used to burnish pillars of the small chapel where I was permitted to sleep against an outside wall. Over time, it had become greened from the verdigris of the icon, and I had worked a few scraps of tin in the shape of a His skull for the celebration. The hand released my jaw and drew the mask away. I felt a touch on my forehead, and knew that I was to look upon the person who was to judge me. I saw eyes of a blended green and brown, like the spherical terrariums the blessed of my world would cherish. They were set like gems in a face that was still and untouched by that hatred that i had expected. To be looked at dispassionately was so strange to the waif I was. This towing warrior looked down at me for a moment, taped hey fingers together in a strange patterns, and then turned and walked away. Two armsmen came and told me to rise, and they escorted me to the ramp of a small cutter, and left me with orders to wait. After they had gone, the doors at the top of the ramp opened. I walked through, and began my existence.

[@AdrianMartinez-ho6db]

I absolutely love your work on these

[@OculusImperia]

Glad you like them!

[@Drazakhan_Dynasty]

Just started watching your stuff and I'm hooked by the style. I will be very upset when I've watched everything and have to wait for each episode *shudder*

[@OculusImperia]

Awesome, thank you!

[@NorthIrishMike]

Blessed be the God-Emperor and the talented Oculus, a new video before us!

[@rogerwhite5061]

Absolutely excellent work as always OI ! It is a great joy seeing a new video by you turn up in the suggestions and always gets clicked on as soon as it comes up as I find it too hard to wait to watch them. Thank you for your dedication to producing the highest quality as well as best researched content.

[@OculusImperia]

Thank you!

[@weswyleven9540]

Blessed be our silent sisters, and blessed be you, noble record keeper. May the Emperor watch over you and your deeds.

[@mmallory22]

My favorite 40k channel 😊 And you’ve got some stiff competition out there!

[@Rastek19]

Congratulations on reaching 50k subs

[@OculusImperia]

Thank you so much, and thanks for bring a part of the channel! :D

[@TealWolf26]

Lingua bellum. I like that. I need more High Gothic in my life.

[@bunkey3972]

My gf asked which faction should she choose. I said the SOS would be perfect for you! I'm now sleeping on the couch.

[@delphaneuxlacroix]

Yet another superb piece of work to add to your already prodigious catalogue. Your videos are a wonderful source of disruption to my life as everything comes to a screaming halt when a new video is released ^_^

[@OculusImperia]

Genuine thanks, delighted you love the work so much

[@ragingkrikkit9877]

Does anyone else never watch the acknowledgements because hearing him break character is so jarring?

[@ilyana1126]

I was so stoked when I saw that you had made this, and the video is amazing! I really appreciate all of the hard work that you put into making this.

[@Deathwing-Y2K]

"Nothing strengthens authority so much as silence." - The Polymath of Firenzi

[@Sorrowborn]

Just here from Baldamort...aaahhh Oculus might want to watch out....apparently there is a Word Bearer out there looking to....'TALK' to you about something known as the RED PATH...

[@samleake2528]

11:44 You come the closest you ever have to pronouncing it as SWARDSmanship. One day. One day you will say swards in your totally serious official tone and I will smile.

[@BriarLeaf00]

You're so awesome. I really love your work. I'm very much looking forward to your exploration of the new 9th edition. Here's hoping there's lots of new lore for you to put your own unique voice to. I for one can't wait to see what's in store for 9th and your channel going forward. If you decide to go forward with your work, I think it'll be something special indeed.

[@c-money9623]

Noble Oculis, your dedication to the illumination of our Imperiums almost insanely diverse factions and departments is appreciated but I feel like you have neglected the retainers of the priest of the Red Planet. In the future will you write discourse on the workings of the Tech-Guard of the Skitarri or the Data-Smiths of the ill understood Legio Cybernetica?

[@Pfasma5]

Awesome video…love the background music and it puts me in an Imperial mood!!

[@SCP-49668]

Oh boy!! More Silence!

[@elonwhatever]

I genuinely miss the buttstuffkaiju twitter

[@Tortle-Man]

I keep coming back to this video. This is my favorite faction on table top, and it’s barely even a faction. God the things I would do to have these girls be more playable on Table top

[@ryanedgerton9664]

Out of curiosity, have you and Boldermort ever considered doing a collaboration? You both have a very vital and insightful way of presenting the lore of 40k -- to see such excellent storytellers, such honed voices produce a piece in tandem would, Emperor willing, be a true wonder to behold!

[@Werrf1]

Watch Baldy's video on the Death Korps of Krieg...

[@piotrd.4850]

I dream about one subject, narrated by Baldermort as participant ( e.g. his story about two Inquisitors encountering strange servitor skull), Oculus doing chronicle on it and then Lutein analyzing it in his own style :D

[@Tucker0603]

The null-maidens remain one of my favorite factions alongside the Adepta Sororitas.

[@richardcollins1679]

Oculus, watch out! There's a Word Bearer coming your way!

[@horkosofdonso7624]

I've yet to read a 40k novel where a black ship is boarded by chaos space marines.

[@Deridus]

... Damn. You're right.

[@nickm501]

Very nice video ,thank you.

[@georgesulea]

Well Chronicled...Chronicler!

[@Kurtus87]

Legit just clicked on salamanders again and this shows up love ur work

[@TKUltra971]

@19:00 Butt stuffed Kaiju gone forever?!

[@tunguskalumberjack9987]

Can anyone tell me where the black and white sketches of the Sisters are from? They were quite cool. And thanks for the video!

[@phreakazoith2237]

yesterday on the Rock. Supreme Grand Master Azrael speaks to the gathered Astartes. "My brothers, I'm back from a lecture by famous Oculus about the Sisters of Silence and he inspired me to imply a new strategy to safeguard our chapter's secrets." Later. "Wait, battlebrother, why is your chapter leaving the battlefield amidst an ongoing fight?" "..." "Yo bro, what is this Fallen stuff?" "..." "Are you loyal?" "..." "Where is your primarch?" "..."

[@joeclerkin2653]

I had thought that the Emperor made them take the vow of silence so they couldn’t tell others what they see when they look at him. AHis powers and glammors won’t work on them.

[@rogerwhite5061]

One of the most legit theories I've heard for their vow of silence deals with Big E wanting to deny any and all power to the Co-ass gods , one way of granting them such power is through Logos, literally "the word" and due to the sisters having to study them so in depth they would as anyone who does study and then discuss them, granting them a measure of power . At their level of knowledge , even though they are Nulls , they'd be granting them a far greater amount of power through each sister than 6 warp dabbleing untrained psychers could , so by denying them those words Big E got a way to seriously deny them the power that they'd inevitabley get. No wonder the Inquisition fears Radical Inquisitors so much .

[@piotrd.4850]

Here's though: how do Silent Sisterhood interact / feel / bahave near noctolith/Black Stone? Shouldn't they feel....tranquil? Empowered? Also: seems like Sisters and Alpha Legion are surprsingly good match.... Alpha Legion providing intel and preparation, sisters doing sister thing and when necessary, Alpha Legion could wield more than enough firepower....

[@markrtoffeeman]

I for one as an Ultramarine, feel uncomfortable in the presence of the Sisters. However when prosecuting the Heretic and the Traitor. I would be highly pleased to have them in my echelon. Indeed I take it as a sign that The Emperor fights with us. Once again.

[@Feenix102]

The silent sisters rock! :o)

[@nosignal7156]

13:24 woah... so paper is the toughest armor of them all. Heh.

[@UGNAvalon]

How ironic that the Sisters of *Silence* are able to communicate in so many different “languages”.

[@Thedagda801]

Thank you!

[@christianfranco6912]

Can you do one on imperial combat psykers? Not librarians

[@cormacbyrne2210]

I hear the Silent Sisterhood is also great at declogging drains. I could certainly use some help with the Nurgle-spawn in my toilet. The Custodes can stay home though. I don't need any oil on my floor, thank you! Just mopped the damn thing...

[@Turkoktonos1]

What will be the next Astartes Legion? I would vote for the VI. Legion Space Wolves. Whould be fantastic. And when can we expect it to be seen here? Thanks a lot for your astounding work.

[@r0whalet]

So correct me if im wrong :) These gal's all have the "screw you psyker gene". So how did the emprah fight right next to em and dint go "noes ima puke my guts out nao"? Or how do they fight along side the grey knights without said greys going *blaaargh" and puking all over the place?

[@piotrd.4850]

Well, they might have been mixed with Custodes on the same planet and he's Emperor. "Weapon of Dark Age of Technology" using technical means of accessing the warp, not affected by biologica gifts of sisters. Same could be seconded to Gray Knights or they are simply numbed, but training doesn't allow it to show it.

[@hughgedney3393]

A very extremely awesome video as always Oculus Imperia.

[@Demongordon]

I'm not sure what I'm more surprised, the lack of butt stuff Kaiju (that now looking back it already gone for some time) or that Oculus got permission from his sources to archive his knowledge in the Vellum or his cogitators data wafers and not decided to straight go for the thin line between heresy and duty. But I appreciate your work that I even wrote a small "in character" message for Oculus. "Oculus, I bring words of trouble in this desperate times, I hope by the God Emperors Will this messenger will safely arrive at your hands before the dangers that it hopes to prevent come to pass, but as you yourself know the transmission of information is severely lacking in the current imperium, even more now in face of the terrible destruction caused by the trice dammable spawn of the Arch Traitor Horus, Abaddon had brought the galaxy. However, I hope my own desperate hope that you may find this information is not part of a convoluted plan of The Enemy like had happened on that tragic day with the now traitor Magnus the Red. So you that have some knowledge of the power of the Chaos and their trickery will have to judge by yourself, or if this message had been intercepted by the inquisition that it may act before any damage is done but sensible enough to not fall for obivous traps in destroying important imperial asset in uncovering true knowledge of our past,(or at least come the closes possible to it) not dissimilar to how the priest of mars recover the STCs, of the age-long gone. Forgive-me my digress, for you right now is in danger. You who have touched some of most heretical data that the Imperium has to offer, know the dangers of your work, and how it was also the pursuit of knowledge that doomed many others to the plans of the lord of change in special. You even now in your sanctum may have attracted more than just the "overzealous" eyes of the Inquisition and put yourself, for the priests and champion of knowledge seen to put you in their warp tainted eyes. He has called you by name Oculus and desires to tie loose ends before some momentous event taken place, so you may prepare. So I will relay all info gathered in hopes that this scant few words may help you or whoever intercepts this message. His identity is still a mystery, but is without a doubt a chaos Astartes of either The Lord of change or the Chaos Undivided, he was last seen in a watching a subjugation of a traitors water world by the Carcharodons new primaries complement with at least 20 of the new vehicles given to the primaris. Is belive that he had a hand in the leading the rebellion even if ultimately fails and had to run with his legs between his legs, from the full might of the Emperor Warriors. You may doubt my words, for you, his very existence was unknown to you until this moment and the clues I gather meanless but remember in your seen your presence in the warp the last time you looked into the horrors of the warp and probably the cause of all the... pain... that it brought, he desires your heart and soul like the creatures of emotions that he is enslaved himself with, don't let him. Lastly don't believe in what all that I have written, for the words are the easiest to be twisted, redacted and corrupted. Don't believe in the phrases heard by others for the heart of man is easily bent if their fervor isn't enough. Don't believe in the words of officials and Inquisitors for they have their own agenda to comply and when coming the day you delve into the deep into their own dificulties while protecting the Imperium, for I believe that each of them desires to protect the Imperium. Believe and Believe with ALL YOUR HEART that GOD EMPEROR IS WITH YOU! Believe in his grace and your Faith will protect you from their venenous words, you are one of the few that have contact with his still alive sons, you that was tasked and made a oath in His Name and The Imperium. Like the gray knight, the black templars and sister of battle haven proven before Zeal and Faith in the God Emperor of Mankind is made manifest, is both the strongest shield and sharpest blade against The Enemy. Believe Oculus, for if is the lack of faith that drive you, know that I believe your work, despite the dangers it bring for you and maybe even to the Imperium. For is not only by the bolder and the red-las shine that we fought. Ave Imperator, Gloria in excelsior Terra."

[@jamescousins9216]

... I completely forgot the main way the Sisters of Silence talk with people was through *Morse Code*. Fucking hell. I have so many wierd and contradictory feelings about that. I always like the use and mention of modern or old cultural things in Warhammer, as each mention makes the setting truly have the weight and age of forty thousand years. That's why I feel overawed and pleased. But at times it can be extremely silly when the name "twists" get used, and show the author having a bit of a brain fart at worse. Because it's *Morse Fucking Code!* Was that really the best Big E could come up with? Twenty-plus thousand years and he remembered nothing better that came along? And the name for this? "Orsköde"? God I feel like I'm reading my 90s-era 2000AD comics again.

[@StarboyXL9]

Distortion of language. Always happens overtime. Modern English is a far cry from Olde English.

[@jamescousins9216]

@@StarboyXL9 Yes, that is true... but it's still Mortal Kombat.

[@spiritvdc5109]

Most likely a case of "not broken, in no need of fixing" as Oculus would say

[@codysing1223]

#Never forget ButtstuffKaiju

[@tonytony7756]

Holy WoW

[@joekrampus1154]

Something has changed...

[@Werrf1]

Wait...@OculusImperia?? So...we've passed beyond "any time soon"? Am...am I in the future???

[@StarboyXL9]

It's 2020.

[@josephmoffatt4696]

Here's a question: If the vow of silence is so that the sisters can have better control of their psychic blank powers and that they cannot divulge secrets, then why don't they just cut off their tongues?

[@FatGouf]

Its needed, for their uhhh..other "activities"..🤫

[@jackstrayfeald1007]

Oculus are you going to go back to talking about the leigons soon?

[@Gomjibar]

I love the idea of the Sisters of Silence, the fact that they use only one gender makes me scratch my head because there doesn't seem to be a semi-logical reason for it. I get what they are, they are the Fish-Speakers from Dune in 40k, but it doesn't make sense in universe why the emperor would limit them so, given the evidence we see in other material that the Pariah gene is not limited to one gender and that other organizations using them (culexus assassins, the inquisition) have both male and female operatives The only things I can think is that A) the males collected at the same time are used somewhere else that we don't know about, B) the sisters do utilize males, just in a back line support role or they have then 'become' sisters (could just wear the female shaped armor and culturally call themselves sisters, or undergo a full transition), or C) a combo of the two. Have you seen anything that would tell us what the real answer is?

[@jasoncrowell8863]

I don't know the answer, but my current headcanon is that the combatants are all identified as female, and some may have full medical transitions, males may be back-end support, trainees, or may be passed off to other organizations in need of Pariahs.

[@StarboyXL9]

They use 1 gender for the same reason all Space Marines are male.

[@StarboyXL9]

@@jasoncrowell8863 "may be passed off to other organizations in need of Pariahs" Pretty sure this is it. Perhaps its also that the pariah gene manifests more often and more strongly in females than males. Thus its more logical to create a "Sisterhood" rather than a mixed-gender order. There's also the male/female dynamic to consider. Ever notice that in monk temples there are no women? And in Nunneries there are no men? Well if the Space Marines are Warrior-Monks then the Silent Sisterhood are Warrior-Nuns. The separation is in and of itself a method by which to keep the adherents to each order focused on their primary task, and prevent distractions such as lust and the mating instinct, which both genders suffer from when in close proximity to each other.

[@rogerwhite5061]

Was glad to see someone else mention the Dune similarities, especially as 40k was heavily influenced by dune since Rogue Trader 1st debuted . And there were 3 factions in Dune that were seriously combat effective and all female , the Bene Gesserit , the Fish Speakers and the Honoured Matres . I wish GW would give us a 3rd all female faction...or at least some all female Guard regiments , heck even a plastic all female squad of Guard...guess I'm gonna have to settle for the Sisters and the Sisters.

[@randombencounter263]

R.I.P Buttstuffkaiju

[@Supreme-Emperor-Mittens]

BATTLE BITCHES RISE UP !!!

[@V.B.Squire]

Sounds a lot like ordo hereticus

[@lordofnothing255]

Why aren't they genetically modified?

[@1crlski]

Because the lore states that in actuality it's not gene related, they have not figured out what causes the psychic null...only that 1 in a trillion seem to be nulls

[@heatherordonez1490]

👥

[@alteredbeast7145]

Muh