There is one thing that keeps bothering me. If techpriests are the small, closed and mostly secretive society (that they are) then where are they getting new recruits for amassing an army large enough for waging a war on their own?
They already waged a war on their own before, its just that it hasn't been lightened up yet on how and what they did it with, GW has a LOT to cover up...
the book Mechanicum gives a bit of insight into that. i think the Machine Cult basically seeks out and abduc- uh, "recruits" individuals who show proficiency with technology; if you live on an Agri-World and make a modification to a harvesting machine to make it run more efficiently, and a word gets out, you can expect the robot dudes in red to come knocking and either BLAM you on the spot for tekno-heresy or take you in to train you in the ways of the Omnissiah, wether you like it or not.
the Imperium has a million worlds with billions upon billions of citizens, so Mars gets a steady number of recruits. plus of course the planet has a population of its own, i can imagine the son of a veteran factory worker being seen as worthy of further enlightenment
You are right on the closed and secretive part but definitely not small. The Mechanicus has facilities throughout Imperial territory, most notably forge worlds, and outposts on the edges and even outside of Imperial space.
There is one thing that keeps bothering me. If techpriests are the small, closed and mostly secretive society (that they are) then where are they getting new recruits for amassing an army large enough for waging a war on their own?
They already waged a war on their own before, its just that it hasn't been lightened up yet on how and what they did it with, GW has a LOT to cover up...
the book Mechanicum gives a bit of insight into that. i think the Machine Cult basically seeks out and abduc- uh, "recruits" individuals who show proficiency with technology; if you live on an Agri-World and make a modification to a harvesting machine to make it run more efficiently, and a word gets out, you can expect the robot dudes in red to come knocking and either BLAM you on the spot for tekno-heresy or take you in to train you in the ways of the Omnissiah, wether you like it or not.
the Imperium has a million worlds with billions upon billions of citizens, so Mars gets a steady number of recruits. plus of course the planet has a population of its own, i can imagine the son of a veteran factory worker being seen as worthy of further enlightenment
"Mechanicum", huh? Who is the author, I need to read it.
Graham McNeill wrote it, and it's an excellent read
You are right on the closed and secretive part but definitely not small. The Mechanicus has facilities throughout Imperial territory, most notably forge worlds, and outposts on the edges and even outside of Imperial space.
Also they had worlds to reconnect to as well. The crusade was very good for them as well as the emperor.
Well, I wouldn't say the crusades worked out for the emperor in the end...