Rubric Marines, also known as Rubricae, are disembodied spirits of the Thousand Sons Marines trapped in their power armour.
Together with the Aspiring Sorcerers of Tzeentch, who lead them, they form the basic squads of the Thousand Sons. The Sorcerers and Lords of the Thousand Sons use these "Rubicae" as bodyguards and enforcers.
Rubric Marines were formed shortly after the Thousand Sons Legion fled to the Eye of Terror. After decades of engaging in magical practices and energies, and now under the influence of Chaos, mutation raged within the Legion. To put an end to this twisting process, a powerful spell called the Rubric of Ahriman was cast upon them. However, the unleashed forces reduced all Marines without psychic abilities to ashes, sealing every clasp and joint of their armour and trapping their souls within.
These living suits are still able to fight and receive orders from their masters, and without fear or will of their own, they make perfect bodyguards and guards. Without an Aspiring Sorcerer to guide them, Rubric Marines tend to become inert, but in combat their hunger for battle returns and they tend to move more like their former living selves.
A single wizard is capable of controlling an entire squad and will use his powers to enchant their bolters and turn their ammunition into explosive inferno bolts. These magical blasts are capable of ignoring mundane armour and burning the souls of sentient beings.
When a Rubric Marine dies, the dried remains of its material form flow from the cracks in its armour and are scattered to the winds of the battle zone. Afterwards, only the most powerful sorcerers could gather this dust again, reseal the armour and, through the complicated ritual, revive the Rubric Marine to a new "life". The sorcery required for this act is very dangerous and just one misspelled syllable could drive the sorcerer mad or kill him instantly.
The Ynnari have demonstrated the ability to restore the rubicae, using them as a trick to ward off Ahriman during his battles with them. This process fully restores the soul of Thousand Sons with their personalities and full memory - continuing as if "Rubric of Ahriman" never began.
This multi-part plastic kit contains all the parts needed to build 10 Rubric Marines armed with either Inferno Bolters or Warpflamers. One model can be armed with a Soulreaper Cannon, one can carry an Icon of Flame and one can be assembled as an Aspiring Sorcerer armed with a Staff of Power and either an Inferno Bolt Gun or a Warpflamer Gun. Supplied with 10 Citadel round bases (32 mm).
- Faction: Thousand Sons
- Sorting: Infantry
