Devoted of Sigmar
A Flagellant. | |
Grand alliance | Order |
Associated factions | Cities of Sigmar |
Major characters | Doralia ven Denst Galen ven Denst |
Races | Human |
Mounts | Warhorse |
Vehicles | War Altar of Sigmar |
Archetypes | Excelsior Warpriest |
The Devoted of Sigmar, what many of the most devout followers of Sigmar call themselves, are fanatical devotees of Sigmar that dedicate themselves to spreading his teachings either through inspiring others, preaching his word, or bringing war upon his foes.[1][5a]
Contents
Overview
Sigmar often inspires fanaticism in his followers and the previously secluded peoples of Azyrheim are no exception and they are further inspired and encouraged by the many places of worship within that realm. The wayshrines are found throughout the Realm of Azyr bring him to the people as do the vast shinning Hallowhammer Cathedrals.[1]
The Devoted now flood across the Mortal Realms, bringing the word of Sigmar to the peoples of those land. Many are flagellants caring little for possessions or even their own health. Warrior Priests stride forth to smite the enemies of their master, singing his praises as they do so whilst Witch Hunters stalk the shadows looking for the hidden enemy - the cultist of the dark gods of Chaos.[1]
Society
There are many sects and cults spread across the Mortal Realms that follow different stricture and dogma than that of the Azyrite Church, the largest organization of the Devoted. Though many of Sigmar's faithful desire to preach and convert through peaceful means, there are just as many or more who choose to convert people at the edge of a blade.[5b]
The Azyrite Church is deeply and intrinsically intertwined with the culture of Azyr. The extensive, bureaucratic organization is led by the Arch War-Priestess, who rules from the city of Azyrheim. Though much of the day-to-day maintenance and running of the church is given over to lesser clergy.[5b]
The Order of Azyr, another off-shoot of the Devoted of Sigmar, is said to act directly under the authority of the God-King, placing them firmly outside the authority of the Azyrite Church or the Grand Conclaves of the Free Cities.[5b]
The Devoted are found all throughout the Free Cities of Sigmar's civilization, playing a vital role in the purification of the lands they are built on, inspiring others through word or example, or leading crusades against his foes.[2b][5a][5b][13][21]
There are sects of Sigmar's faithful that survived the Age of Chaos and seek to rejoin the fold, though it is not unheard of for conflict to arise between these disparate pockets of the faithful and the Azyrite Church.[2b][5b]
The membership of the devoted is as diverse and myriad as the number of denominations and cults found within Sigmarite religion. Their ranks are full of everything from elite, professional warriors and bombastic orators to the zealous fanatics of the flagellants and those masterful manipulators who revel in any such organization.[5b]
Culture
The crafters of Sigmar's faithful are known to honour their martial god through the creation of weapons. While warhammers remain the most common choice, barbed flagellant whips and blessed swords are popular alternatives. As are charms that lend strength and stamina.[7a]
Sainthood
Many of the greatest heroes and martyrs of the Devoted of Sigmar are canonized as Celestial Saints, their deeds and names remembered by the God-King himself. Those individuals canonized as saints are fondly remembered and often venerated by the Devoted.[9a][10a]
Scripture
The following is a list of known scripture of the Sigmarite faiths:
- Intimations of the Comet: A core holy book comprised of holy texts and scriptures of the Sigmarite faith.[15a]
- Book of Azyrite Litanies: A prayer book containing scriptures of the Sigmarite faith.[22a]
- Book of Lightning: One of the many holy books of the Cults of Sigmar.[23a]
- Canticles of Faith: The holy scripture that serves of the guiding tenets of the Hallowed Knights.[27a]
- Canticles of Thunder: One of many Sigmarite holy books.[20a]
- Canticles of War: A book of holy scripture that is favored by some Warrior Priests of Sigmar.[4a]
- Liber Azyr: One of the many holy books dedicated to Sigmar, a favourite of those Witch Hunters operating in Droost.[23a]
- Liber Sigmar: One of the many holy books of the Cults of Sigmar.[26a]
- Lay of the Hammerhand: Holy scripture dedicated to Vandus Hammerhand.[24a]
- Saga Vandus: A religious saga dedicated to the exploits of the Stormcast Eternals during the Realmgate Wars, focused mostly on the titular Vandus Hammerhand.[16a]
- The Anvil and the Hammer: One of the many holy books of the Cults of Sigmar.[23a]
Wargear and Relics
- Absolution Censers: These heavy censers are wielded by the Most Devoted when they patrol the streets of Cities of Sigmar during Sigmarsday festivities.[7a]
- Armour of Mallus: A collective term for armour made of fragments of Mallus by devoted Sigmarite smiths.[7a]
Organizations
- Church Unberogen: The Devoted of Sigmar are divided into many sects, but the largest is the Church Unberogren also known as the Cult Unberogen, Church of Azyr, and Azyrite Church.[6a][11][12a]
- Cult of the Comet: A religious sect and missionary order that has travelled far and wide across the Mortal Realms, but have been largely unsuccessful in converting those they preach to.[8a]
- Neosian Pine-prophets: A warband of Flagellants that fought beside the Tempest Lords, notably Dontrian Cyrocco, on numerous occasions.[18a]
- Order of Azyr: The Order of Azyr is an off-shoot of the Devoted based in Azyr, though they are said to answer to none but the God-King himself.[5b]
- Order of the Dove: Mendicant brotherhood, and branch of the Church of Azyr, who attach themselves as healers to the armies of Azyr in exchange for permission to build hospitals in regions those armies conquer.[6a]
- Vurmite Order: An order of scholarly Warrior Priests dedicated to defending the Libraria Vurmis of Shu'gohl, the Crawling City.[2b]
Titles and Ranks
The following is a list of titles and ranks used by the many sects of the Devoted:
- Arch War-Priestess: The nominal leader of the Church of Azyr.[5b]
- Arch-Chirurgeon: A title held by a high-ranking chirurgeon within a sect.[19a]
- Devoted Brother: A rank held by some priests.[14]
- Friar: A type of monk.[2a]
- Grand Theogonist: A title held by numerous high-ranking officials within the Church Unberogen.[17b]
- Grand Patris: A title held by a prominent leader in of the Church in Fort Denst.[16a]
- High Priest of the Lightning: The title held by the leader of the Temple of the Lightning, an isolated temple located within the Bone Desert.[19a]
- High Theogonist: Title held by a prominent leader of the Church in Excelsis.[15b]
- Lector: Lectors serve a variety of purposes but are most often seen as the leaders of congregations and spreading the faith through missionary work. The title is used by many sects and denominations. When new temples of the faithful are established in Crusades they are often assigned Lectors from Azyrheim.[6b][20b]
- Most Devoted: High-ranking members of the Devoted of Sigmar that often oversee festivals.[7a][14]
- Warrior Priest: A warrior priest devoted to Sigmar.[2b]
- Warrior-Pontiff: A title of high-rank held by some warrior priests associated with the Church Unberogen.[17a]
Sources
- 1: Grand Alliance of Order
- 1a: Devoted of Sigmar, pg. 126
- 2: Eight Lamentations: Spear of Shadows
- 3: Legends of the Age of Sigmar: City of Secrets]
- 4: Hammerhal & Other Stories
- 4a: Hammerhal
- 5: Soulbound Core Rulebook
- 6: Hallowed Knights: Black Pyramid (novel)
- 7: Soulbound: Steam and Steel
- 7a: Chapter Three: Cogs of Industry
- 8: Cursed City: Quest Book
- 8a: Agents of Defiance, Pg. 14-17
- 9: Myths & Revenants
- 9a: The Sands of Grief
- 10: White Dwarf October 2019
- 10a: Forty Strange Things, Pg. 8-11
- 11: White Dwarf November 2021
- 12: Battletome: Stormcast Eternals (2021)
- 12a: Champions of High Azyr, Pg. 54-55
- 13: White Dwarf July 2019
- 14: Soulbound: Fateful Night
- 15: Hallowed Ground (novel)
- 16: Age of Sigmar: Core Book (3rd Edition)
- 16a: The Realmgate Wars, Pg. 50-51
- 17: Kragnos: Avatar of Destruction
- 18: Battletome: Stormcast Eternals (2018)
- 18a: Tempest Lords, Pg. 54
- 19: The Bone Desert (short story)
- 19a: Chapter Twelve
- 20: Dark Harvest (novel)
- 21: Soulbound: Cities of Flame
- 22: Warcry: Tome of Champions 2019
- 22a: Spoils of Victory, Pg. 44-47
- 23: Anathemas (Anthology)
- 23a: Voices in the Glass (Short Story)
- 24: Warcry: Sentinels of Order (2020)
- 24a: Stormcast Eternals, Pg. 62-67
- 25: The Tainted Heart (novel)
- 25a: Chapter Three
- 26: Lady of Sorrows (novel)
- 26a: Chapter Four
- 27: Hallowed Knights: Plague Garden
- 27a: Chapter One
Devoted of Sigmar | |
Units | Excelsior Warpriest - Flagellant - War Altar of Sigmar - Warhorse - Warrior Priest - Witch Hunter |
Characters | Masudro Yaleh - Pontifex Zenestra |
Artwork - Miniatures |