WARHAMMER ARMIES -
CHAOS CULTS

CULTISTS

Cultist are traitors of mortal society who dwell within it to spread corruption. A cult is made up of a body of cultists centered around a coven. The coven itself is lead by either a Magus or a Cabal. Some cultists may not realize that they actually belong to a chaos cult as many cults are disguised as innocent gatherings. The coven worship chaos undived, they may not even know of the greater powers. The coven will in due time initiate the cultist into their true worship, but they only single out those who are already corrupted. Many cultist work within the cities administration or will seek employment there after their initiation.

Ultimately the goal of the coven is to summon a mighty daemon to aid them. They sometimes succeed, especially when a horde is advancing toward them and the chaos patrons have their eyes on the city. A few cities have been lost due to an unexpected attack of daemons from within. Although the Magus seek the power of the daemon for his own doing he is often surprised to find that the greater daemon will use him as his host, warping his body to suit him. A Cabal is far better off as only a single member is possessed.Lesser daemons require two blood human sacrifices to be summoned, one to open the gate and one for it to possess. The ritual to summon a greater daemon is very complex and difficult and it may take the Cabal or Magus decades to research it.

Prior to an attack by the hordes of chaos a coven will reveal itself and sabotage the cities defenses. They will then join the horde in the battle. If the horde take the city they will accompany it to further battles. If the horde is defeated the coven members will flee or be persecuted. The coven will then wander the land disguised as flagellants searching for a Champion to latch onto. A few covens make their homes in the mountains or forests and continue trying to summon a mighty Daemon. A few covens are rumored to have made it all the way to the Chaos Wastes, no doubt these were under the protective gaze of a Greater Daemon. But for what noone knows.

A precious few cultist or magi are singled out to be champions of chaos. They are given visions of power and start their journey to the chaos wastes. Many take their coven with them and a select few rise as champions of the chaos powers.

A coven may be included in a Chaos Warrior warband as retinue. A coven may be included in a Daemon warband, but may not include a Magus (he is probably the host of the daemon warlord).