Blood Cult
A Blood Cult is a Chaos Cult that worships Khorne, the Blood God.[1]
In the Lands of Order
While the common image of a worshipper of Khorne is a frenzied marauder in a Bloodbound warhorde, many cults dedicated to the Lord of Skulls are more subtle, especially those in places where the authorities are ever-watchful for Chaos corruption. The soldier looking to earn glory in battle,[3b] the engineer working tirelessly to improve his city's defences,[3a] the revolutionary raging against the injustices of society,[2a] the abattoir worker whose work has inured her to killing[1] - all just need a little push, a nudge in the right direction, to fall under the influence of Khorne.[3a]
A cult can start as a secret society that seems a natural extension of its members' legitimate interests, but over time the rites and rituals become darker and more violent. Almost inevitably, the bloody killings eventually become too obvious to ignore, and open battle rages between the cult and the authorities.[3a][3b][3c]
It is entirely possible - even likely - for a cult to be unaware of its true patron. Some may worship a being that is actually an aspect of Khorne, while others might not recognize that their actions feed Chaos until it is too late.[1][3c]
In the Lands of Chaos
Even where the Blood God is worshipped openly, cults dedicated to some esoteric aspect of the Blood God are not unknown, and how Khorne is perceived and worshipped can vary significantly between Chaos-tainted tribes and nations.[4a]
Noteable
- Butcherfolk of Hammerhal who worship King Cleaver, a porcine aspect of Khorne.[1]
- Claws of Karanak is a cult consisting of Khorne Bloodbound who seek to earn their god's favour by emulating the daemonic Flesh Hounds and Karanak.[1][5]
- Red Ruin composed of forced pit fighters of Har Kuron due to their constant loses to the Khainite gladiatrices.[1]
Sources
- 1: Warhammer Community: So Just What Have Khorne and Slaanesh Been up to During the Era of the Beast?
- 2: Age of Sigmar: Core Book (3rd Edition)
- 2a: The Age of Chaos, pg. 16-17
- 3: Soulbound: Blackened Earth
- 4: Battletome: Slaves to Darkness (2019)
- 4a: Aspects of Carnage, pg.14
- 5: Warcry: Warband Tome - Predator & Prey
- 5a: Claws of Karanak, pg. 14-15
