"Does our most holy father reward those who take the easy road? Does he traffic in temptation? Of course not! Sigmar rewards hard work, resolve in the face of temptation, and, above all, courage when confronting mortal danger. My friends, the easy path leads to corruption... to damnation... to perdition. Only through suffering can you ever see the glory that is the truth, that is the founder of our glorious Empire, that is our divine father; Sigmar! "
- —Rolf von Steulden, Flagellant[2a]
An Imperial Flagellant fighting against the darkness with fervour and insanity.
Flagellants are those Men of the Empire that have lost all hope for a dying mortal world and have given in to their religious zealotry, wandering the lands in marauding hordes, preaching the end is nigh and fighting the coming darkness with a fervour that borders unto insanity.
Role[]
An Imperial Flagellant of the Cult of Sigmar
The Empire is a dangerous and cruel place. Wars, plagues and the predation of terrible monsters can destroy whole towns and force their inhabitants to become beggars, vagabonds and brigands. Most who endure such hardships are hardened by their losses, but some are driven over the edge by their suffering. Many of these dishevelled wretches see their plight as a morbid sign that the Empire is about to collapse, an irrefutable portent that these are the last, desperate days of a dying world. These men revel in their despair, yet they see that the only true way of salvation now, is to fight and die in the defence of their gods.[1a]
Such unfortunates flock like moths to a flame, to hear the despairing speeches of lunatic doomsayers, and in their desperation, they join these penniless zealots in their rants about lost hope and the end of the mortal world.[1a] Led by a "Prophet of Doom,"[3a] these deluded bands of Flagellants roam the Empire at will, spreading their gospel of desolation before them. It is a common sight to see groups of fanatical madmen whipping and beating themselves as they travel from village to village, begging for scraps of food as they preach their nightmarish vision of ruin.[1a] However, the occasional flagellant prefers to travel alone.[3a]
When word reaches the Flagellants that a battle is brewing, they gather together in anticipation for the end, believing it to be the final hopeful battle between good and evil. Thus, as armies clash, the Flagellants throw themselves into the fray in desperate gesture of self sacrifice and repentance. Although they are mad, Flagellants are not cowards. They firmly believe that the end of the world is about to come, and their conviction gives them a courage that borders upon insanity. Indeed, for many are completely fearless; having long since confronted their own vision of the world's ending, nothing holds terror for them any longer. Their madness gives them the ability to fight anything that stands before them.[1a]
In Tilea[]
Flagellants are not likely to come from, or go to, Tilea. Monks, Nuns or priests dedicated to Myrmidia, Morr, Verena, Shallya or Ranald are more likely to be seen in their place.[4a]
Notable Regiments[]
- Army of Sigmar - This unit of flagellants were especially devout Sigmarites and joined the Grand Theogonist Volkmar the Grim's campaign into Sylvania.
- Sons of the Comet - A unit of flagellants that defended the Shallyan temple in Altdorf during the End Times.
Game History[]
Flagellants first appeared in the 3rd Edition Warhammer Armies book for the Empire, where they were known as "Fleglers."
Miniatures[]
Sources[]
- 1: Warhammer Armies: The Empire (8th Edition)
- 1a: pg. 41
- 2: Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay 2nd Edition:Tome of Corruption (RPG)
- 2a: pg. 23
- 3: Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay 4th Edition: Core Rulebook (RPG)
- 3a: pg. 88
- 4: Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay 4th Edition: Up in Arms (RPG)
- 4a: pg. 56
Gallery[]
