#crypteks

[minweber]

Necrons' whole "we are an extremely advanced spacefaring civilization but also Bronze Age Egypt" thing is funny in a lot of ways, but my favorite one just has to be the crypteks' whole deal.

Because they are, like, scientists. In the way that would probably be (save for those of T'au) closest to the way we understand the term. They have specializations. In fact, with how advanced necrontyr technology was, and how short their lifespans were, they would probably be incredibly hyperspecialized to the point that two plasmancers from slightly different sub-fields of study would barely be able to understand each other.

But in the necron society they play the role of the Wise Men, the Priests, the Scribes - old and wise keepers of all manner of knowledge at the king's side, always ready to talk at length about the mysteries of the universe...

Like, Trazyn's long-suffering buddy Sannet is a dimensionalist. Probably spent his entire mortal life to become one. But he works as a museum curator... because he is a cryptek. And it's crypteks who handle all the nerd shit like "writing things down", right? And yeah, I guess he needs the expertise to handle all of Trazyn's stasis toys (he is probably the one who makes them for him, come to think of it) - but it doesn't change the fact that my man is as far from his homefield as he could be.

Essentially, what I am saying is that Necrons treat PhDs in the same way that Hollywood movies tend to - as a mark of belonging to an order of mystics, not as a professional specialization. And I think it would be hilarious if it was ever acknowledged:

'Come, Zuldarekh, your phaeron calls. Tell me of this stellar anomaly and how I could use it for the glory of the dynasty!'

'I... uh.. fuck, man, I don't know. I am a floramancer. Do you want to know about the effect that cross-pollination strategies have on mutation rates in plants in a particular region of that planet over there?'

[cursed-40k-thoughts]

is there anything that makes necron lords as much of a threat as a crypteks should be other than just being the ones in charge usually?

In reality, no. Granted they could physically threaten one, but they don’t tend to have a whole lot over them otherwise.

The simple fact is that Crypteks are usually occupied with their own stuff to the point that they prefer being left to their own devices. Plus, they’re valuable enough to nobles that they can usually just ask for resources in exchange for some of their services. If your mind is utterly bent towards a mind-boggling exploration of science, and you can have all the material and respect you want if you do odd jobs for some rich people, why wouldn’t you do that, y’know?

Sure, some Crypteks will desire more active control and the like, but most of them are content to just do cryptek things and politick amongst themselves in between helping out the dynasty they’re attached to. Some of them are quite fond of their dynasties, even.

They’re turbo nerds. Unparalleled savants. They’re happiest doing their own thing in the corner 90% of the time. Even Szeras, egomaniac that he is, prefers to help out Szarekh and work on his experiments than pick fights.

Being that frighteningly intelligent is a blessing for everyone else, really, because they’re often preoccupied with their own brains.

[wh40kartwork]

Crimes Are More Fun When They're Co-op

by Gij Arentz

[magistralucis]

dance cryptek dance

THEY NEVER HAD A CHANCE

[omniscientpapaya]

"new throne room fucks severely feeling so sigma rn"

artistic rendition of this baller dream my subconscious cooked up a few days ago

[terraco-07]

The amount of sexual tension every time two necrons interact in a 40k novel. The authors know what they were doing

[sunnydaze-art]

Cryptek OC, Kkarabah. She's a Technomancer with a soft spot for canopteks, and works as a sort of spymaster for her Overlord.

[neonhellscape]

sannet longest suffering necrontyr ever [has to put up with trazyn and orikan]

[cultural-marsism1]

Cryptek at her computer

Commission for @vgeclair

[beastalchemistva]

Here are the full lore cards for the Necron Hierarchy! Thank you to my partner @rowscara for the beautiful artwork that I feel gives these characters personality!

Also, if you want a more in depth experience with the cards, check out my full lore video here:

[blazingcakes]

A necron for a day #2

[aethira]

Reference sheet design commission for @tarakharro ✨

[purplebutwarhammer]

Did Orikan get catfished by The Deceiver? Because that’s kinda what I got from all that

[wh40kartwork]

Debate

by Márton Kapoli

[magistralucis]

mhelob's best quality: his wiggles

[alex-leweird]

Uncomfortable encounter.