Alluvian_Est-Endrati
08-03-2007, 12:50 PM
The Cult of Pleasure: Secret Worshipers of Slaanesh
Anyone who has met one of the Elves of our world can certainly understand that they are quite different from other races in many respects. While the servants and cultists of Chaos exist in many other cultures and races, it was among the High Elves of Ulthuan that the worship of Slaanesh was tolerated. While in theory the existence of this cult within their own society was known of and on the surface prohibited, few efforts were made to eliminate its existence.
The most influential member of this cult was and is Queen Morathi. Long ago she was 'rescued' from a Slaaneshi warband and taken as wife by Aenarion. However she was never a true prisoner of the Slaaneshi and among the High Elves she found fertile soil to sow her seeds of corruption. Her son, Malekith, was the principle instigator of the rebellion which lead to the splintering of the High Elves and the Dark Elves. While it is certain that quite a large number of those loyal to Morathi left Ulthuan along with her, no-one can truly say how if any (or perhaps how many) members of the Cult of Pleasure still remain in Ulthuan.
Once established in their new home in Naggaroth, the Cult of Pleasure took root once again and began to grow in power. While officially Dark Elves are worshippers of Kaela Mensha Khaine, there are a large number of Dark Elves who are also secretly part of the Cult of Pleasure. The existence of the cult within their society is a poorly kept secret, one that is tolerated at best. The Temple of Khaine however takes little joy in the existence of the Cult of Pleasure and it is said that the Hag Queen would like nothing more than to eliminate the cult entirely.
Unlike those who fall to the worship of Chaos among other races, those Dark Elves (and presumably High Elves) who are part of the Cult of Pleasure do not show any visual signs of mutation or association with Chaos. Because of this there are few ways to aid those who wish to destroy them in easily identifying members of the cult. The exact reasons for their resilience to Chaos and Mutation is a topic best left for another time perhaps.
As one might expect those Dark Elves who are a part of the Cult of Pleasure must live double lives. However the very nature of Dark Elf society reinforces certain traits and cultural norms that makes being part of a secret society, especially one given to hedonism, much easier. By their very nature Dark Elves are a secretive lot, prone to scheming and plotting among themselves in bids for power and status. While there are those who are for the most part free from this 'bickering', such as the Handmaidens of Khaine, they are involved in their own schemes and plots.
Because Elves in general are a race given over to indulging in a great many sensations, especially the Dark Elves, hedonistic tendencies and behavior are a natural part of their society. Be it the joy received from torturing slaves or the pleasure of honing one's skill in magic or the arts of combat, theirs is a race that all too easily goes to the extremes of passion.
The full political goals of the Cult of Pleasure are unknown, but it is likely that given the opportunity they would attempt to assert their dominance over their society and culture as a whole. In this new Age of Reckoning, with the stir of Chaos once again and the coming great war, one must wonder if the Cult of Pleasure will lay idly by or if they will take this opportunity to cast off the veil of secrecy and stake their long desired claim to power.
Anyone who has met one of the Elves of our world can certainly understand that they are quite different from other races in many respects. While the servants and cultists of Chaos exist in many other cultures and races, it was among the High Elves of Ulthuan that the worship of Slaanesh was tolerated. While in theory the existence of this cult within their own society was known of and on the surface prohibited, few efforts were made to eliminate its existence.
The most influential member of this cult was and is Queen Morathi. Long ago she was 'rescued' from a Slaaneshi warband and taken as wife by Aenarion. However she was never a true prisoner of the Slaaneshi and among the High Elves she found fertile soil to sow her seeds of corruption. Her son, Malekith, was the principle instigator of the rebellion which lead to the splintering of the High Elves and the Dark Elves. While it is certain that quite a large number of those loyal to Morathi left Ulthuan along with her, no-one can truly say how if any (or perhaps how many) members of the Cult of Pleasure still remain in Ulthuan.
Once established in their new home in Naggaroth, the Cult of Pleasure took root once again and began to grow in power. While officially Dark Elves are worshippers of Kaela Mensha Khaine, there are a large number of Dark Elves who are also secretly part of the Cult of Pleasure. The existence of the cult within their society is a poorly kept secret, one that is tolerated at best. The Temple of Khaine however takes little joy in the existence of the Cult of Pleasure and it is said that the Hag Queen would like nothing more than to eliminate the cult entirely.
Unlike those who fall to the worship of Chaos among other races, those Dark Elves (and presumably High Elves) who are part of the Cult of Pleasure do not show any visual signs of mutation or association with Chaos. Because of this there are few ways to aid those who wish to destroy them in easily identifying members of the cult. The exact reasons for their resilience to Chaos and Mutation is a topic best left for another time perhaps.
As one might expect those Dark Elves who are a part of the Cult of Pleasure must live double lives. However the very nature of Dark Elf society reinforces certain traits and cultural norms that makes being part of a secret society, especially one given to hedonism, much easier. By their very nature Dark Elves are a secretive lot, prone to scheming and plotting among themselves in bids for power and status. While there are those who are for the most part free from this 'bickering', such as the Handmaidens of Khaine, they are involved in their own schemes and plots.
Because Elves in general are a race given over to indulging in a great many sensations, especially the Dark Elves, hedonistic tendencies and behavior are a natural part of their society. Be it the joy received from torturing slaves or the pleasure of honing one's skill in magic or the arts of combat, theirs is a race that all too easily goes to the extremes of passion.
The full political goals of the Cult of Pleasure are unknown, but it is likely that given the opportunity they would attempt to assert their dominance over their society and culture as a whole. In this new Age of Reckoning, with the stir of Chaos once again and the coming great war, one must wonder if the Cult of Pleasure will lay idly by or if they will take this opportunity to cast off the veil of secrecy and stake their long desired claim to power.