"Money, power, and influence -- these are my gods. And Handrich represents all that is money, power, and influence."
- —Bianka Grutzner, heiress to the Grutzner Dry Goods Consortium, Altdorf
Handrich represented as he was before his ascension to godhood, according to the legends of Marienburg and the Cult of Handrich.
Handrich, also known as Haendryk or Hændryk[4a] in Marienburg, Mercopio in Tilea, O Prospero in Estalia, and in Bretonnia as Affairiche, is a minor deity of the Old World Pantheon who is considered the god of commerce, trade and merchants.[1a][3a]
Most people, both inside and outside the cults, tend to think that these are all different names for the same God. If one branch prospers and starts trying to impose its will on the others, this can change.[1d]
He is popular with traders, merchants, burghers, bankers, craftsmen and others involved in making a profit through business dealings. Although most peasants consider all business folk to be swindlers, cultists of Handrich are more concerned with prosperity for all through commerce -- they believe that what benefits the merchant often benefits those around them as well.[1a][3a]
Kalita is the Kislevite approximation of Handrich. However, since gold is the metal of Dazh, the god of fire and the sun, and silver of Tor, the god of thunder, Kalita is associated less with money and more with trade goods and materials.[2a]
Outside of the city-state of Marienburg, where the Cult of Handrich is based at the High Temple known as the "Counting House" under the leadership of High Priest Simon Goudenkruin and is at its strongest, many people confuse Handrich with an aspect of Ranald, the god of luck, known as "The Dealer." For those in the know, however, the distinction is clear -- Handrich is the god of legitimate business, while thieves, smugglers, and conmen worship Ranald, though there are many examples on both sides of this divide of this not necessarily being true.[1a][1b]
The two cults have created a healthy sense of competition between them, and, so far, it has not erupted into violence, though theft, backroom dealings, and other dirty tricks are considered fair game between the two.[1a][1b]
Temperament[]
A shrine dedicated to Handrich, the god of commerce.
Handrich is depicted as a contented and jovial figure who delights in both the acquisition of wealth and the spending of it. He is the consummate seller -- charismatic, smooth, and likable, and seems to view his cultists not so much as mere worshippers, but as business partners.[1c]
Handrich is shrewd in his dealings and expects his cultists to be smarter and faster than the people they deal with. Handrichans believe Handrich watches every transaction and business dealing. Building charitable works is also highly encouraged, though often with some secondary purpose, such as servng as a tax shelter or a means of avoiding inspection (and thus taxation) of goods.[1c]
On the negative side, Handrich is both greedy and manipulative, exhorting the belief that the ends justify the means. In Handrich's eyes, if you make a profit from someone else's stupidity or ignorance, then that's coin better spent on better ventures. Cultists are encouraged to put up this double standard of presenting a respectable face to the public, while fleecing them with fixed prices and false shortages.[1c]
Sources[]
- 1: Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay 2nd Edition: Tome of Salvation (RPG)
- 2: Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay 2nd Edition: Realm of the Ice Queen (RPG)
- 2a: pg. 42
- 3: Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay 4th Edition: Archives of The Empire III (RPG)
- 3a: pg. 40
- 4: Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay 4th Edition: Altdorf - Crown of the Empire (RPG)
- 4a: pg. 190