Cult of Asabeth

The Cult of Asabeth is a female warrior cult first formed in Estwed several centuries ago. It has since been outlawed in several Shires, including Estwed, and is practically extinct.

The Cult teaches that anger and hate should be used to focus a person's actions. Its warriors are violent and bloodthirsty, and practise human sacrifice.

Temples of the Cult normally consist of 6 to 12 priestesses, all of whom train in swordcraft. The most senior is referred to as Mother, and all decisions are hers, to be carried out with immediate obedience.

The goal of the Cult is the protection of children and women from the cruelties of others. This is often done by sudden, swift strikes against those that seen as a threat to the temple's lands.

Priestesses are unmarried, and take vows of chastity before joining, though the cult prefers priestesses not to be virgins. The cult does not accept members who are younger than 21, and generally prefers older women, especially those who have lost a child.

Priestesses are denoted by two scars on their left cheek.

There is currently only one temple of the cult remaining, in northern Scarondy.

History

The Cult first appeared some years before the Betrayal, and rose to prominence with the aid of the Cult of Haltan when together they tuned on the priests of Rorn and burned down the White City.

It has been at the centre of several all-women warrior cults over the centuries, but was almost totally wiped out after the night of the Blood Moon when the head of the order, Cunith Battlecrow stages a coup against the Queen of Weidany. For a while, the cult was hunted down and its temples burnt and women killed. Though it was never officially outlawed, by the time the killing had stopped very few Cultists remained and their numbers have fallen over the last thirty years.

Membership

Cultists are taught the following skills and techniques. Many of the techniques are shared with the Shields of Neya.

Characters

Priestesses of Asabeth are always female.

Rituals

The rituals of Asabeth reflect her position as goddess of War and Blood. They are generally seen as barbaric, and not all cultists have the stomach for her more powerful rituals.

It is believed by the priestesses that these rituals invoke the protection and aid of their Goddess. It may also be calling on the natural magics of the world, and making use of the changed mental state of the priestess.

Armour of Blood (Cost 4): Religion (Rorn).
Prerequisites: Blessing of Blood.

In her aspect of dread war goddess, Asabeth can be fearsome to behold. When her followers also take on that aspect, then they give up some of their humanity, giving in to their animal side of fury and rage.

When going into battle clad in blood, you gain a bonus to your soak equal to your blood bonus. The first time an enemy strikes you, if they do no damage then they must make a valour check against a target of 20 or be shaken.

Berserker (Cost 6): Religion (Rorn).
Prerequisites: Rage of the Goddess.

Priestesses of the cult are feared for their ability to berserk - fly into a rage so great that they are, it is said, able to ignore death itself.

You may add your Ferocity and Valour traits to your blood bonus. Your blood bonus also adds to damage and attack rolls whilst berserk.

Whilst berserking, you may not retreat from combat and must fight aggressive. After the battle is finished, if there are allies within range who are not also priestesses of Asabeth, then you must make a Will check at a target of 10 to not attack them (your Will is modified down by your Ferocity).

Blessing of Blood (Cost 2): Religion (Rorn).
Prerequisites: Ceremonies of Asabeth.

As a priestess of Asabeth, you gain power from blood. By painting your exposed skin with blood you gain a bonus to initiative, Health and morale checks. This bonus applies automatically whilst you are so decorated, and it equal to your Religion score.

The ritual takes an hour to perform, and involves prayers to the Goddess, self mutilation in the form of cuts and bleeding, and possibly the sacrifice of an enemy. The culmination of the ritual involves painting your naked body with blood. If the blood of a sacrificed enemy is available, then the bonus is increased by 50%.

Any ritual which has Blessing of Blood as a (direct, or indirect) prerequisite also requires the painting of blood.

Ceremonies of Asabeth (Cost 2): Religion (Rorn).

You have been indoctrinated in the ceremonies and rituals of the Cult of Asabeth. This provides the knowledge required to learn the other techniques of the Cult.

Rage of the Goddess (Cost 4): Religion (Rorn).
Prerequisites: Blessing of Blood.

When you are in battle and adorned with blood, the strength of your goddess fills you with bloodthirsty glee. All penalties due to wounds, stuns and fatigue are reduced by double your blood bonus when in battle. Automatic.

Sisters in Arms (Cost 6): Religion (Rorn).
Prerequisites: Blessing of Blood.

When two or more priestesses who know this ritual are fighting side by side, then any of them can give a bonus equal to their weapon skill to one other. Who the bonus is given to is decided at the beginning of the round, but usage is otherwise automatic. The bonus adds to attack and defence.