Cult of the possessed normal people?

[anyflame]

Hey haven't really been able to play a lot just yet but was kind of curious. Looking at the description of the cult of the possessed it seems like they are just regular joe schmoes that lived in the city and now have become outcasts, and this is the only way for them to survive. That's how I like to think of them. After seeing that many people say they are underpowered compared to the other warbands, atleast in the beginning, it makes sense to me. Kind of like a gang in the slums and being the only way of life for people growing up there. This is the way I like to look at it. Was just curious if this is how they are canonically or not.

[Stardustfire]

Cultists in GW fantasy (and 40k too) are ppl who pray to the chaos gods. They are not the nice poor guys out of the slums, they are the guys who want to bring sayed gods to power and want to get power from this gods as well. Many Cults have much resources because aristocrates and/or high mages are leading them (not in the open of course) .

[anyflame]

Awwwww ok :(. I knew that's how Chaos was in other games but thought maybe by the game's description the members of this warband were a little different.

[Sigmar's Faithful]

The Cult of the Possessed is a organization that came into existence only after Mordheim was smashed in by a Warpstone Meteorite. The Mordheim Rulebook (which is available as PDF online) describes how "In the aftermath of the destruction of Mordheim all manner of mutants have appeared whilst many hitherto unblemished folk feel the stirring of strange powers, the first awakenings of magical gifts destined to bring them to a fiery death at the hands of the Witch Hunters."

Those who survived the initial destruction of Mordheim were facing constant danger from both within the ruins that was once their homes and without in the form of the Zealous Witch Hunters. It is only when a figure calling itself the Shadowlord appeared and begun taking over the city, did the Cult of the Possessed came into being. They are not formed from just the Mordheim survivors however, as "followers of the cults of Chaos gather from all over the Empire to pledge their souls to him (the Shadowlord). Though none know whether he is man or Daemon all proclaim him their saviour and eagerly seek to do his bidding."

So the Cult of the Possessed is really a amalgamation of cultists of Chaos -- some are desperate folks throwing their last hope behind a malign figure and others are power-seeking psychopath working their ways to Daemonhood, and anything in between. All swear alliance to the Shadowlord (I mean, a creature with such power isn't to be trifled with)

[Arrrtyom]

Heh, not really relevant but at first I thought the mercs were one of the 'bad' bands, and that they were here just to loot pillage and rape (maybe less of the last one) and nothing more. Apparently they're supposed to be part of the good guys.

[Reaver79]

Originally posted by Stardustfire:

Cultists in GW fantasy (and 40k too) are ppl who pray to the chaos gods. They are not the nice poor guys out of the slums, they are the guys who want to bring sayed gods to power and want to get power from this gods as well. Many Cults have much resources because aristocrates and/or high mages are leading them (not in the open of course) .

To some extent correct.. Many actually offer praise to Khorne without meening to do so, same goes for Slaanesh.. Some acts simply are acts of praise to them any soldier fighting for his life offers blood to Khorne and any perversity to Slaanesh ect.
So even folks who dont wish to do offer praise to the chaos gods.. But no the cult are defenitly folks who have chosen to follow the true gods..

[Reaver79]

Originally posted by Sigmar's Faithful:

The Cult of the Possessed is a organization that came into existence only after Mordheim was smashed in by a Warpstone Meteorite. The Mordheim Rulebook (which is available as PDF online) describes how "In the aftermath of the destruction of Mordheim all manner of mutants have appeared whilst many hitherto unblemished folk feel the stirring of strange powers, the first awakenings of magical gifts destined to bring them to a fiery death at the hands of the Witch Hunters."

Those who survived the initial destruction of Mordheim were facing constant danger from both within the ruins that was once their homes and without in the form of the Zealous Witch Hunters. It is only when a figure calling itself the Shadowlord appeared and begun taking over the city, did the Cult of the Possessed came into being. They are not formed from just the Mordheim survivors however, as "followers of the cults of Chaos gather from all over the Empire to pledge their souls to him (the Shadowlord). Though none know whether he is man or Daemon all proclaim him their saviour and eagerly seek to do his bidding."

So the Cult of the Possessed is really a amalgamation of cultists of Chaos -- some are desperate folks throwing their last hope behind a malign figure and others are power-seeking psychopath working their ways to Daemonhood, and anything in between. All swear alliance to the Shadowlord (I mean, a creature with such power isn't to be trifled with)

Uhmm the Shadowlord is the demon prince known as Be'Lakor the dark master.. First demon prince to walk the old world.. unable to manifest a material body outside of Mordheim due to Tzeentch's curse laid upon him when he was getting a little too bold.. In times past he has tried to assume the role of the everchosen even stole the body of one of the chosen lords of chaos.. Only to find himself unable to enter and collect the crown.. So yes we know very well who the shadowlord is the followers might just view him as a new entity.. Hard to say how far their knowledge stretches..

[Sigmar's Faithful]

Originally posted by Artyom:

Heh, not really relevant but at first I thought the mercs were one of the 'bad' bands, and that they were here just to loot pillage and rape (maybe less of the last one) and nothing more. Apparently they're supposed to be part of the good guys.

There are no "Good guys", just "less bad" bands. The mercs all work for one of the three self-proclaimed Emperors of that time, one way or the other, to loot wyrdstones so their patrons may make use of them. The Skavens are warpdust junkies that need the stones for pretty much everything they do, the Cult is the cult and the Witch Hunters are fanatics that want to kill everything they deemed heretics (also they are not working for any of the Emperors).

The Sisters are maybe the most innocent of them all - they were first persecuted by the Witch Hunters on the charge of witchcraft (that's where all that healing magic come from) and they retreated back to their stronghold next to Mordheim, and after surviving the fall they are still being hunted by everyone, including the Witch Hunters who caused their downfall to begin with. And even then they still faithfully serve Sigmar by picking up as many warpstones as they can and bury them beneath the temple of their stronghold.

But they are using magics (in the form of prayers), in a way, so technically the Witch Hunters are right. But the Witch Hunters also ignore the fact that the Warrior Priest of Sigmar use the same magic. So there.

Originally posted by Reaver79:

Uhmm the Shadowlord is the demon prince known as Be'Lakor the dark master.. First demon prince to walk the old world.. unable to manifest a material body outside of Mordheim due to Tzeentch's curse laid upon him when he was getting a little too bold.. In times past he has tried to assume the role of the everchosen even stole the body of one of the chosen lords of chaos.. Only to find himself unable to enter and collect the crown.. So yes we know very well who the shadowlord is the followers might just view him as a new entity.. Hard to say how far their knowledge stretches..

Interesting, is this in an army book or novels? I do not recall reading this.

[anyflame]

Wow thanks for all the information. I've played a few warhammer games, mainly only the 40k games, but this is the first one where I'm a bit more interested in the lore. Probably due to my schedule not really allowing me to play it a lot yet.

Also off topic but was wondering if anyone knows if the new total war game is like dark omen at all?

[Reaver79]

Its at the very least in the Armies of chaos 5'th edition about the coronation of Archaon..

[A Big Hairy Monster]

Originally posted by anyflame:

After seeing that many people say they are underpowered compared to the other warbands, atleast in the beginning,

Im kind of curious where you've been seeing this. Im playing them right now, and theyre pretty powerful so far. Theyre probably more slow build-up in terms of if you want to run a mutant team, but their basic henchman Darksoul hits like a truck w/ a two hander. In addition, I was under the impression that mutant teams were one of the stronger ways to go in general.

[Blood Angel]

Chaos is a powerful WB you just need to learn how to use them, there is a couple of good builds but sometimes the heroes mutation can really screw you over.

On the lore part, most warband in Mordheirm is bad guys if you think of it. Merc is empire people who seek riches and at the timeline Empire is in total chaos due to civil war so eveyone in the Empire at that time is kinda bad in a way. Witch hunters are those who believe they are the good guys but they are just a bunch of maniac who burn everyone that is not them hahaha. Cult is basically those people who are crazy enough to worship the dark gods some dont even know which god they worship but they just wish to seek the ultimate gift of demonhood. Skavens just need the stones as they are junkies and their machine need the stones to power up (still wondering when can we get some crazy weapons from them, jezzails, warp lighting cannon, warpfire thrower etc) and lastly the sisters, they think everyone who comes to Mordheirm is baddies and will not ask any question rather than bash you on the skulls and claim 'For Sigmar'.

Warhammer fantasy lore have no good guys actually just a bunch of different thinking groups which think they are doing something wonderful in their own ways.

[Prince Kaine]

Originally posted by A Big Hairy Monster:

Originally posted by anyflame:

After seeing that many people say they are underpowered compared to the other warbands, atleast in the beginning,

Im kind of curious where you've been seeing this. Im playing them right now, and theyre pretty powerful so far. Theyre probably more slow build-up in terms of if you want to run a mutant team, but their basic henchman Darksoul hits like a truck w/ a two hander. In addition, I was under the impression that mutant teams were one of the stronger ways to go in general.

I tell it, others do too.

Here are my reasons:
very very few repositioning options available. Only 3 units can disengage and go and assist there buddies. In a game where you try to enforce as much 2v1 as possible it is kinda problematic. OC it's balanced by the fact that you will never flee with your unit and allways stand your ground to fight, but the edge it brings is better mid game.
Mutations forces you to be either extra cautious while choosing your build, or take bets... that might end up loosing ones.
They start with the leader as a caster, and with a starting spell sooooooo good (honestly WoD is one of the most OP spell of the game) that you will use it....... and 9999 you to death 2 or 3 times at least before learning restraint. SoS do too, you will tell me, but the spell is an aoe you will cast once a turn, WoD can be cast twice. Temptation temptation come to slaanesh lil hummie
Finally there 1st mission stats are really hard if you have a close look. Mutant has 3 WS at start, there's no clear defensive path for them, thus making them tricky to understand at first.

[Something completely different]

I´d say the sisters are the only good warband as they collect the Wyrdstone and don't sell it for profit.
The mercenaries are a bunch of greedy bastards but they atleast admit it.
The Witch hunters are overzealous hypocritical (Only we can use wyrdstone properly!!) fanatics and thus a step worse then mercenaries.
Chaos and Skaven are even worse then that imho.

[GreyHuntr]

If you are playing Sisters you have the option of selling wyrdstone to other factions for profit. So while the main headquarters has the noble goal of hoarding it for safety, all of its members are not so saintly.

[Wendek]

Originally posted by GreyHuntr:

If you are playing Sisters you have the option of selling wyrdstone to other factions for profit. So while the main headquarters has the noble goal of hoarding it for safety, all of its members are not so saintly.

Could just be pragmatism though. Gonna need money to buy things like food, maybe the services of a smith, etc. Which also explains the presence of a Smuggler in their roster, even if in "normal times" the Sisters would frown upon that profession.


Also +1 Kaine for the Cult being kinda weaker. They have the most violent impressive but the Darksouls can't do normal hench work and have poor fighting stats (huge physical but barely more WS than a Novice) and the Heroes aren't that good. In fact as time goes on my Cult warband starts using more and more rats instead.... (first Warpguards, now a Globadier... soon gonna be just the Magister, the Spawn and the Mutant)