The Exorcist - Sisters Of Battle, Order of Sacred Blood

The Exorcist is the primary long-range support vehicle of the Adepta Sororitas, also known as the Sisters of Battle. Besides the Rhino, the Exorcist is the oldest type of vehicle in service to the Sisterhood, the history of the Exorcist goes back as far as the Age of Apostasy. Some Exorcist tanks in service today originate from that time period, and are heavily venerated and considered sacred by their users. These tanks, of which some are very similar in appearance to the Space Marine Whirlwind missile tank, use ancient technologies that are barely understood by the Adeptus Mechanicus today. Many of these ancient machines have a reputation as being temperamental and difficult, their Machine Spirits requiring constant work and prayer in order to keep them battle-ready.

The Exorcist exists today in two different patterns, the original Prioris Pattern, which originates from the forges of Mars, and the Sanctorum Pattern, which is constructed on Ophelia VII. Due to Mars being the closest Forge World to Terra, and the Emperor Himself, any Prioris Pattern Exorcist originating from there is heavily venerated and each vehicle is regarded as a work of art, as much a symbol of the Emperor as a provider of long-range fire support. While the Sanctorum Pattern is the most common pattern of the Exorcist, it is not held in as high esteem as the original vehicles, which are blessed from the closer divine presence of the Emperor when they were constructed.

During their Wars of Faith, the Sisters of Battle of the Adepta Sororitas are often confronted by Renegades and apostates with access to heavy armour, and even infernal war machinery to aid them in resisting the Sisters' divinely-ordained judgement. In such battles, the Sororitas rely largely on their arcane Exorcist tanks to deal with such resilient targets, often combining them on the battlefield in a "chorus of faith" whose massed firepower can obliterate even a Titan in a hail of Melta-missiles. Exorcist tanks themselves are little understood weapons whose origins are shrouded in the dark days of the Age of Apostasy. They can be found in a number of different designs, some resembling ornate works of ecclesiastical art more closely than war machines, and many are further bedecked in reliquaries and icons, inspirational music blasting forth from their Laud Hailers to spur the faithful into battle. Exorcist tanks in a "chorus of faith" formation can combine their fire in an exultation of judgement, which is capable of bringing a devastating barrage of missiles atop the target.

This one was a lot of fun and a lot of irritation to paint but I was very happy with the overall product. Lots of flame, marble, and even wood practice.

I know the back is broken, I got it second hand but I took it as an opportunity as my order worships and laments the fallen Sanguinius I thought this could be symbolic of his broken wings at the end of the Siege of Terra.

I am still trying to decide on the scroll work in terms of transfers I don't have the talent to hand paint script and iconography that small with any quality.

Overall I got the effect I wanted out of the many intricate pieces though I have to say it feels a but goofy even for 40k to wear stained glass as a helmet. Though it is certainly not the strangest war gear choice I have encountered.

Close up on the cockpit.

Tanks leading the way! Half of the Mechanization project for my Sister's army is complete.

Ave Imperator, Gloria In Excelcis Sanguinius