Origin
The term Cenobite is an archaic word meaning simply "a member of a communal religious order". Indeed, the original novel mentions the Cenobites as "Theologians of the Order of the Gash"; they are also referred to as Hierophants. They can reach Earth's reality only through a rupture in time and space (referred to as a "Schism") which is opened and closed using certain unearthly artifacts. The most common form for these artifacts is an innocuous-looking Chinese-style puzzle box called the Lament Configuration.
In the beginning they were enforcers for Leviathan, (Lord of the Labyrinth), Cenobites were charged with retrieving anyone who solved the Lament Configuration, one of which is know to be the Lemarchand Box a wood and brass puzzle box, which if solved opens a gateway between our world and Hell, highly sought after by the greatest of hedonists for its promise of unparalleled pleasures. The Cenobites were then directly responsible for the pleasure/pain torture of said individual.
Originally believed to have always been Cenobites since the creation of Hell, it was revealed that some Cenobites had once been human, the first four seen who had unlocked the Lament Configuration and others “recruited” by Pinhead. Some Cenobites were tragic villains (like the original four from the first two films) trapped to serve Leviathan, while some were truly (Channard Cenobite, etc.) or turned (Dreamer, Pistonhead, etc.) evil on the inside. Cenobites will also make certain people (or parts of them) into pets. The rest, such as Angelique, the daughter of Leviathan, were never human at the start.
Powers & Abilities
The physical composition of Cenobites gives them each a number of unique abilities, but there are a few traits common to all. When summoned, they seem to be able to decide exactly when, where, and by what means they will appear. Cenobites stalk their prey, and they able to track the souls who summoned them. Not to mention Cenobites having enhanced physical attributes (example will be that they can throw a human being like a rag doll). They all have low level telekinesis, able to control the hooked chains that are their trademark, as well as snatch small objects at a distance.Though not entirely confirmed, they seem to be able to summon forth their chains from any nearby shadows. They each seem to possess ability to shapeshift, enhanced durability ( Cenobites enjoy pain), creating illusions, and some degree of super-natural empathy. They also tend to be rather sharp, patient, logical, and discerning. Cenobites powers varies according to each Cenobite (For example,Pinhead has a low reality warping ability).
Other Media
- Hellraiser (1987)
- Hellbound: Hellraiser 2 (1988)
- Hellraiser III: Hell on Earth (1992)
- Hellraiser: Bloodline (1996)
- Hellraiser: Inferno (2000)
- Hellraiser: Hellseeker (2002)
- Hellraiser: Deader (2005)
- Hellraiser: Hellworld (2005)
- Hellraiser: Revelations (2011)
- Hellraiser: Judgment (2018)
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