Graver said:

There are two types of Black Ships: Inquisitorial and those of Adeptus Astra Telepathica.  Seeing as the Adeptus Astra Telepathica are an organization responsible for regulation and training of Imperial psykers, and are therefore likely all psykers themselves, I just didn't think the connection made as much sense seeing as the Sisters of Silence were all blanks.  Therefore I didn't mention them.

There is not a single reference to anything resembling the Sisters of Silence involved with the Adeptus Astrotelepathicus  or the psyker tithe.  Zero.  And frankly, there shouldn't be.  Untouchables make psykers look common.  They're too valuable to waste babysitting psykers that can be handled by more conventional means.  The Culluxes Shrine and the Inquisition, organizations that didn't come into their own until after the Heresy, both have far more urgent needs for Untouchables and even more clout than the Adepta Astrotelepathicus.

The entry on the Sisters of Silence in Lexicanum begins by stating:

"The Sisters of Silence, also known as the Silent Sisterhood, were the militant arm of the Adeptus Astra Telepathica during the Great Crusade, and were internally referred to as the organization's Departmento Investigates."

Although there is no current canonical information which establishes the status of this group in the 41st millennium, there is similarly no information confirming that they have ceased to exist, or have been absorbed into other organisations.

In the absence of clearer canonical information, I think it is up to individual gaming groups to determine if, and how, they apply the Sisters to their campaigns.  I agree that roleplaying a Sister of Silence would present some serious challenges on a session to session basis, but this kind of "disability" does present opportunities for the dedicated roleplayer (although their group may have other feelings...)

Here's the thing with the lack of information:  the burden of proof is on the side asserting that something exists.  My claims about invisible flying elephants existing slighty out of phase with our material universe do not exist on equal footing with the contrary argument that there are no such thing.  By saying such elephants exist I making a positive claim and must support it.  We do know: 

1) that Untouchables are very, very rare

2) The Inquisition and the Officio Assassinorum both use them and both organizations didn't exist in their current, Untouchable using forms during the Heresy era.

3) There are no post Heresy references to the Sisters.

Now a GM can do whatever the hell he wants.  You can run a 40K game where the Tau rule half the galaxy, there are female space marines, and the Emperor has walked off the Golden Throne if you want to.  There's nothing wrong with running a game where the Sisters of Silence still exist and serve the Astra Telepathicus or are a secret Inquisition order. 

I am very interested in these out-of-phase-flying-elephants of which you speak, and would like to subscribe to your newsletter.

An interesting thing this burden of proof. 

Rather than make assertions that the Sisters of Silence no longer exist because there is no information describing their role in the 41st millennium, we might consider the problem thus:

1) The Sisters of Silence pre-date the Horus Heresy, and were active during the Heresy as the militant arm of the Adeptus Astra Telepathica.

2) Development and innovation within the Imperium virtually ceased with the Emperor's ascension to the Golden Throne.

3) In the absence of information confirming the demise or reassignment of the Sisters of Silence, one may assume that their organisation retains its original function and purpose.

I agree that untouchables are rare, but so are powerful, stable psykers, and the Inquisition has it's fair share of these as well.  I also agree that both the Inquisition and the Officio Assassinorum have a desperate need for Untouchables (and Pariahs).  This would not be the first instance of Imperial organizations competing for limited resources.

One thing I cannot do, based on the information currently at hand, is categorically deny that the Sisters of Silence exist as an organisation in the 41st millennium, on the basis that the fluff has not focussed on them post Heresy, or that Untouchables make Psykers look common

I would like to believe that the fate of the Sisters will be revealed in canon at some later point, and that they may well have been dissolved, wiped out or something equally distressing and gratifying.  Until then it's anybody's guess.

Powerful, stable psykers are far more common than Untouchables.  The Officio Assassinorum and the proto-Inquisition are in their infancy during the Heresy, but they will become two of the Imperium's most powerful organizations and both will have demands on the tiny supply of Untouchables. 

The burden of proof is on those making an affirmative statement, that the Sisters of Silence exist in the 41st Millenium, just as the burden of proof is on someone making the statement that Tzeentch will emerge victorious over the Imperium of Man, the Necrons, the Tyranids, and the other Gods of Chaos.  Until there is supporting evidence of some kind, canon does not support their existence.

Now is there room for them to be retroactively added to the 41st Millenium in one of GW's infamous retcons?  Of course there is.  Might GW do so?  Only the Flying Spaghetti Monster knows.  Can a GM include them in his campaign?  Sure.  Nothing wrong with that. 

Practically speaking, they really don't serve a roll anymore.  We've seen Black Ship collections in the fiction and background material and there's no sign of the Sisters.  The Imperium can handle their psykers without them.  The increased use of psykers allows the Imperium to fight fire with fire, further diminishing the necessity.  And when you absolutely need an Untouchable and ass kicking?  Well the Inquisition and the Assassins fill that slot better than the Sisters ever could.

Cynical Cat said:

The function of a thing is much less important than its coolness factor when it comes to 40k.  And the Sisters of Silence definitely have a fair bit of coolness factor going on.

theboyidiot said:

Actually, its been stated in several pieces of cannon that Untouchables are much, much rarer than Psykers.

As for the whole idea of the SoS, I'm of the opinion that they are more than likely around, but much like the Custodes, don't take an overly active role in the actual running of the Imperium.   And my reasoning is this:  Certain groups had far more knowledge than others of the Emperors ideas for the Imperium (the Custodes being the most prominent), and after he put Horus down and was put on the Golden Throne, they didn't really oppose the High Lords, but they didn't support them either (look at poor Vandire.)  Its not to much of a stretch to imagine the SoS doing the same.  But, thats just me.

Could the Sisters be introduced based on their (highly debatable) coolness and the desire for GW to sell minatures?  Sure.  When that happens, 41st Millenium Sisters will be canon.  Can a GM have them in his game anyway?  Yep.  I personally don't understand their appeal (40K has legions of cooler badass warrior chicks) but there are perverts out there who like Tau so whatever makes you happy. 

Cynical Cat said:

You think Sisters of Battle are cooler than Untouchable Sisters of Battle?  Okay...

MILLANDSON said:

No offense taken, my house rules is such that I (as GM) don't like the idea and nip any such ideas as "I'll just squeeze these together to get what I want" from my groups, but then again I know the guys people I'm playing with.  I really did not intend for that to be interpreted as "I don't think any guy ever should play a female."

If it's any consolation I play an all SOB army (for Witch Hunters) for 40k.

And sorry for RE-straying of topic.

Dodskrigaren said:

I agree completely. 

I meant to imply that although Untouchables are less common than Pyskers, this is not enough of a reason to believe that the Sisters of Silence no longer exist in the 41st Millennium.

Atheosis said:

I think Sisters of Silence are lame.  The idea of a warrior-sisterhood that won't use verbal communication is several steps beyond silly in an age of warfare where coordination via vox and other means is standard.  Considering they're specialist anti-psyker troops, correct battlefield deployment is essential and they take a vow that hinders communication.  Compared to the Assassins they are unskilled, compared to the Sororitas they are underequiped, compared to the Imperial Guard they are unprofessional, compared to the Eldar they are slow and clumsy, and taking a vow of silence means can't shout cool things like "Hold in the name of the Inquisition!". 

Cynical Cat said:

Can you please point to some cannon that says they deploy badly?  Or that they are underequipped compared to the Soritas?  Or that they are unprofessional?  The cannon I've read on them states pretty much the opposite of almost everything you said.  

The only areas I might see you having a point in is a Temple Assassin, but then a DW Marine should, statistcally, die to a Temple Assassin, and the Eldar are, outside of demons, some of the fastest and most graceful beings, I fail to see why you bring them up.

theboyidiot said:

theboyidiot said:

By itself?  Of course not.  It's merely one piece of evidence against the Sisters of Silence continuing to exist.  However, that's not the point.  Stating that the Sisters of Silence canonically exist is making an affirmitive argument, which must be supported with evidence just as the argument that the Flying Spaghetti Monster is the Fifth, secret Great God of Chaos must be supported by evidence. 

As I've said, a GM shouldn't feel bound by that. If a GM wants Squat Armies or Sisters of Silence in his game, he or she should feel free to do so.