"Speaker: At the appointed time we shall rise from our secret places.
Congregation: At the appointed time we shall rise from our secret places.
S: Chaos will cover the land, and we, the chosen servants of Chaos, shall be exalted in His eyes.
C: Chaos will cover the land, and we, the chosen servants of Chaos, shall be exalted in His eyes.
S: Hail to Tzeentch, Changer of the Ways.
C: Hail to Tzeentch, Changer of the Ways.
S: Njawrr'thakh 'Lzimbarr Tzeentch!
C: Njawrr'thakh 'Lzimbarr Tzeentch!"
- —Liturgy of the Purple Hand[1a]
The sign of the Purple Hand
The Purple Hand is a powerful Chaos Cult of Tzeentch, the Chaos God of change and intrigue, active across the Empire.
Of the active Chaos Cults in the Empire, arguably none are as powerful or as entrenched as the Purple Hand. This vast and well-connected organisation has agents scattered throughout the Empire, from the inner circles of the various knightly orders, to the Templars of Sigmar, to even the ranking priests in the Empire's various cults.[1a]
The Purple Hand controls merchants, nobles, artisans, and commoners alike. They create plans within plans, dealing in intrigues and corruption, spreading their taint to install individuals loyal to their mission in the highest places in the land. There is no accounting for the Purple Hand; they are everywhere.[1a]
History[]
The origin of the Purple Hand is unclear, shrouded in half-truths and lies. Some claim it emerged from Sartosan crime syndicates, evolving into its current form -- a vast web of conspiracy with the power of Tzeentch at the centre. Others theorise the cult has been active only in recent times, but the depth of their penetration into Imperial society seems to suggest otherwise.[1a]Still others claim that the Lord of Change Sheerargetru had a hand in its origins.
The most famous efforts of this cult centre on their attempt during the Turmoil of 2512 IC to murder Boris Todbringer and replace the emperor, Karl Franz, with a puppet ruler (though some claim the cult attempted to replace Karl Franz's son and only heir). The Cult of Sigmar, as well as Imperial Palace authorities, have remained decidedly silent about this plot, but most realise the Purple Hand was very close to achieving their nefarious goals.[1b]
More recently, the Purple Hand worked to locate Sigmar reborn, though ultimately their efforts were thwarted by Luthor Huss' fortuitous discovery of Valten, the Chosen of Sigmar. In short, the Purple Hand makes no small endeavours; no, they care nothing for the small victory, instead being wholly trained on the ultimate prize: controlling the Empire in the name of their dark master.[1b]
Word has it that the Purple Hand has recently uncovered a stash of warpstone beneath Middenheim in an abandoned Skaven warren. The agents of the cult hope to use the substance to contaminate the city's water supply, transforming hundreds of citizens into mutants.[1b]
Organisation[]
Cell Structure[]
"Like any other Tzeentchian cult, all the resources and endeavours of every branch of the Purple Hand are bent towards the subversion of whatever legitimate social organisation they are based within. Van Hadden tells me that agents of the Purple Hand are often found within, or even directing, the various crime syndicates that stretch across the Old World from the northernmost point of Kislev, to the southern isle of Sartosa - although van Hadden assured me that despite the fact that such criminal organisations are populated by the scum and dregs of society, very few of the pirates, thieves and crooks attached to such groups seem to know about the Purple Hand's connection to their organisation, or would sympathise with the Purple Hand's goals even if they did."
- —Liber Chaotica, The Servants of Change, information taken by Witch Finder Captain, Ramheldt van Hadden[7a]
The Purple Hand has small branches all across the Empire and extends into Tilea and Estalia, though not, at least for now, Bretonnia. Despite its size, the Purple Hand is disorganised and fragmented, because it is subdivided into small, isolated cells, making communication between them difficult, if not impossible. The Purple Hand relies on secret couriers to communicate the wishes of the Cult Magus to the Acolytes controlling each cell, but too often these messengers get lost or are killed en route. As a result, the cells tend to act independently, often at odds with one another.[1b]
The Purple Hand's cells comprise small groups of nine members -- the sacred number of Tzeentch -- in a particular city. Each city is home to three or more cells, all operating independently and ignorant of the other cells' orders and movements. A cell reports to a Cult Acolyte who passes on orders from the Cult Magus. To keep the flow of information moving, there are many Acolytes, usually one for each city. When they communicate with a cell, they always hide their identity on the off-chance that the cell is compromised. Should this occur, another cell is ordered to destroy all of the survivors to ensure there are no further leaks.[1b]
Ordos[]
Chaos Cultists of a Purple Hand cell's inner circle gather under the light of the Chaos Moon Morrslieb.
The Purple Hand has a regional structure. Each region is headed by a Magister Magestri, who is assisted by an inner circle of nine. Groups of cells within each region are organised into three "ordos." These are the Ordo Impedimentae, the Ordo Novitiae, and the Ordo Terribilis.[3a][5a] Rank-and-file cultists tend to have little idea what's going on in the other ordos.[5a]
The Ordo Impedimentae are tasked with securing funds and resources for the cult. Their members fulfil the roles of treasurer and quartermaster, and stand at the apex of a wider network involving burglary and racketeering. Whilst the Ordo Impedimentae operates like an organised criminal gang they must be exceedingly careful. Regular criminals benefit from a loose but mutually supportive code of conduct, but only the most depraved crime lord would consider extending such niceties to followers of Chaos. Criminals must be wary of alerting the town guard, but they don't normally have to worry about the more meticulous investigations ofwitch hunters.[3a]
The Ordo Novitiae are concerned with scouting for talent and recruiting new members. Whilst they do occasionally resort to blackmail or force, hard lessons have taught them to identify and recruit true believers, rather than attempt to coerce people into the worship of Tzeentch. The members of this ordo have to be particularly ruthless and hard-nosed, as it falls to them to silence any cult novice who turns out to be a security risk.[3a]
The Ordo Terribilis handles research and development for the cult. They instruct magically-adept members of the cult in the rituals and spells of Tzeentch, consort with Daemons, and study forbidden lore. Given the limited pool of expertise available to the cult, the Ordo Terribilis in each major city focuses on a particular field. In Nuln they carry out a sociological experiment encouraging mutants to build communities within the confines of the city. In Middenheim they experiment on fusing the dark arts of the daemonologist with those of the necromancer.[3a] In Altdorf they concentrate on weaponising information.[5a]
Each ordo is headed by three Magistri, who tend to be accomplished in another useful field (such as wizards, scholars, or assassins) or who have worked their way into a position of authority outside of the cult (such as guild chairpersons or members of the aristocracy). Together the Magistri from the three ordos form an Inner Circle of nine. Within the Inner Circle the individual heads of each of the ordos form a governing council known as the "Triumvirate." At the top of the hierarchy the Triumvirate elect one of their members to be the regional cult leader: the Magister Magistri.[3a]
The cult's inner circle are usually ignorant of each other's true identities. They meet only twice a year on Hexenstag and Geheimnisnacht, when Morrslieb waxes full. Donning cult robes and elaborate masks, they share their achievements and draw up plans for the next phase of their machinations. On ending their business, they undertake forbidden rites, sing praises to Tzeentch and always conclude with a Human sacrifice.[3a][5a]
Symbol[]
The Purple Hand uses a bloody handprint as their sign. They use it as a calling card, slicing their hand, clenching their fist, and slapping the bloody hand on a solid surface. In ceremonies, they wear dark purple robes as a sign of their wealth and power, with the Mark of Tzeentch hanging about their necks on a gold chain.[1b]
Motives and Goals[]
The Purple Hand's primary goal is to overthrow the Empire's government and replace the emperor with a puppet utterly loyal to their agenda. Once installed, the Purple Hand would be free to dismantle the Empire, one province at a time.[1b]
Manipulation is the hallmark of the Purple Hand. Through bribes, extortion, and murder, they manoeuvre themselves into positions of power, both secular and religious. (There is evidence that the Purple Hand has infiltrated both the Cult of Sigmar and the Cult of Ulric and that they work to keep these groups at each other's throats.) [1b]
Once installed, the cultists concentrate power into their hands, eliminating rivals and suspicious individuals. There's no telling the extent of the Purple Hand's influence, but it's known they were very active years ago in Middenheim, infiltrating the city's government up to the highest levels. In recent days, there's word that they have resurfaced there once more.[1b]
In order to fuel dissent in the Empire, the Purple Hand supports various heresies, such as the Sigmarian heresy that denies that Sigmar ascended to godhood.[2a]
Recruiting[]
The Purple Hand is very careful in the recruitment process, screening all candidates before allowing them into the inner circle. In addition, the Purple Hand controls unaffiliated agents through blackmail and extortion, setting up circumstances to benefit the cult and further its goals. Should the agent prove loyal and capable, the cell may invite the individual to join, but not always. In many cases, the individual is simply killed, lest the overzealous agent risk exposing his contacts.[1b]
Ceremonies[]
Once a month, a cell gathers in secret to invoke the power of Tzeentch. The Cult Acolyte leads the congregation in a series of sharp phrases, and when complete, they slice open their hand with a ceremonial knife. They drain the blood into a bowl while they instruct the members about the cell's newest plot, and the glory awaiting them when they overthrow the Empire.[1b]
At the end of the rite, each member comes forward to drink from the bowl while the rest chant the names of Tzeentch in the Dark Tongue of Daemons.[1b]
Notable Members[]
- Gustav Proll - Gustav Proll, a good-natured and philanthropic Ostlander, is the head of the Ordo Impedimentae in Altdorf.[5b]
- Yann Zuntermein - Yann Zuntermein, an accomplished spy in the Black Chamber, was also the Purple Hand's Magister Magestri in Altdorf.[5a]
- Kastor Lieberung - Kastor Lieberung, a long-standing member of the Purple Hand, was Magister Impedimentae of the cult in Nuln. He was responsible for the child kidnappings required to provide victims for their sacrificial rites. He was forced to flee to Middenheim when the authorities captured a member of the Purple Hand who confessed their operations under torture. Since the captured cultist did not know the Magister's name, the investigation into Lieberung was dropped after some half-hearted inquiries and the issue was left bounty hunters to resolve. It was rumored that Lieberung next joined the Purple Hand cell in Middenheim.[6]
Sources[]
- 1: Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay 2nd Edition: Tome of Corruption (RPG)
- 2: Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay 4th Edition: Enemy in Shadow (RPG)
- 2a: pg. 4
- 3: Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay 4th Edition: Enemy in Shadow Companion (RPG)
- 3a: pg. 80
- 4: Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay 4th Edition: Empire in Ruins - Part 5 of the Enemy Within Campaign (RPG)
- 5: Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay 4th Edition: Altdorf - Crown of the Empire (RPG)
- 6: Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay 1st Edition: The Enemy Within (RPG)
- 7: Liber Chaotica (Background Book)
- 7a: pg. 307