H is for Heresy

The understanding of heresy in the Old World varies across the population. Some may say that heresy is rare; others may say it is too common. And still others may argue that everyone is guilty of heresy, therefore the topic is moot and there can be no heretics. The latter belief is, of course, heresy, and to give voice to this insane understanding is to be a heretic.

Heresy takes many forms in Old World. The greatest is to worship the Ruinous Powers and give aid to the cults or participate in their foul rituals. The Ruinous Powers corrupt, physically and mentally, and often seek to kill, maim, poison, or bring plague upon Elves, Dwarves, Humans, and Halflings alike.

Physical mutation—which forms are too great to count—is a sure sign of heresy manifest and, while often hidden in public, mutation is, to the heretic, an honor. In all cults, such mutation is sign the heretic has been touched by their patron.

Mental corruption for some Ruinous Powers results in actions taken on behalf of a patron power. Murder is often the action of a worshiper of Khorne, the Blood god. These acts can be meaningless to the observer, but to the murderer, necessary to “build the skull throne." These actions often lead to insanity.

Together, for example, a Khorne cultist may be blessed with tentacles (for choking) or razor sharp teeth (for tearing flesh); the heretic then gleefully and without remorse smile as a victim begs for mercy with each weaker breath and fading heartbeat.

Heretics rarely receive a trial. And all heretics are burned at the stake.