The worshipping of Sigmar

[Evander]

Hail to all those who are about to read my thread.

I'd like to start off saying that I have been working very hard to get all the Warhammer IP right so that when WAR is released I will not venture into this vast world without some decent preknowlidge about the Warhammer Fantasy.

To the Empire, Sigmar the warrior god is their patron deity. Thus most of the Empire worship him as a god. Two classes perform the worshipping of Sigmar as their career. The Warrior Priest and the Witchhunter.
They worship Sigmar, as a god. And so does most of the Empire's citizens.
But the question came to my mind, what exactly IS the worshipping of Sigmar. In fact, several questions came to mind. And I was hoping I could find some answers. I am also very convinced that these answers will help other future-Empire players.

The questions are as following:
1. What are the rules of the religion. What are the codes a holy man must conduct to remain faithfull. Does the code have a title?
The church of Sigmar is where the worshipping takes place, but what are the events that take place in this church? Other than mere prayer. Are there any rituals involved with the worshipping? What are they called?
2. Is there a holy book that contains the rules of the religion (yes there is I've seen Artwork with Warrior Priests carieing tomes) But what does the tome contain apart from those rules, the life story of Sigmar? The history of the Empire? Are there several different tomes? And what is it that divides them separate? What is(/are) the name(s) of the tome(s)
3. Are there any festivals linked to the worshipping of Sigmar, and what do those festivals involve (I do not particularity mean festivals of the Empire, just those that are linked to the worshipping of Sigmar, I remember having seen a list of festival traditions celebrated in the Empire, I'd appreciate it if someone could find it back for me though)
4.Who is the head of the religious cult? I know there are important figures to each organisation (The Warrior Priests, the Witchhunters and the Knights of Sigmar) but is there a grand figure that stands at the head of all of them? (like the holy Pope does to all forms of Christian'ism)
5. Who are the most important figures in the history and present day to Sigmarites? Like Luthor Huss there must have been others before him that have made a great impression to the Empire.


Yes I am aware that these are many questions, but those are the questions that have troubled me for some time now and I cannot find a decent article about the worshipping of Sigmar. I don't necessarily need a direct answer, if some people know links to websites that can answer me several questions, or books I should read that involve many of the noted questions.
All direct answers are most welcome as well of course! Just as much as other valuable information about the worshipping of Sigmar that I have not mustered a question of (like songs for/of Sigmar, names of several (important) churches etc.)

[Deathron]

Hail to all those who are about to read my thread.

I'd like to start off saying that I have been working very hard to get all the Warhammer IP right so that when WAR is released I will not venture into this vast world without some decent preknowlidge about the Warhammer Fantasy.

To the Empire, Sigmar the warrior god is their patron deity. Thus most of the Empire worship him as a god. Two classes perform the worshipping of Sigmar as their career. The Warrior Priest and the Witchhunter.
They worship Sigmar, as a god. And so does most of the Empire's citizens.
But the question came to my mind, what exactly IS the worshipping of Sigmar. In fact, several questions came to mind. And I was hoping I could find some answers. I am also very convinced that these answers will help other future-Empire players.

The questions are as following:
1. What are the rules of the religion. What are the codes a holy man must conduct to remain faithfull. Does the code have a title?
The church of Sigmar is where the worshipping takes place, but what are the events that take place in this church? Other than mere prayer. Are there any rituals involved with the worshipping? What are they called?
2. Is there a holy book that contains the rules of the religion (yes there is I've seen Artwork with Warrior Priests carieing tomes) But what does the tome contain apart from those rules, the life story of Sigmar? The history of the Empire? Are there several different tomes? And what is it that divides them separate? What is(/are) the name(s) of the tome(s)
3. Are there any festivals linked to the worshipping of Sigmar, and what do those festivals involve (I do not particularity mean festivals of the Empire, just those that are linked to the worshipping of Sigmar, I remember having seen a list of festival traditions celebrated in the Empire, I'd appreciate it if someone could find it back for me though)
4.Who is the head of the religious cult? I know there are important figures to each organisation (The Warrior Priests, the Witchhunters and the Knights of Sigmar) but is there a grand figure that stands at the head of all of them? (like the holy Pope does to all forms of Christian'ism)
5. Who are the most important figures in the history and present day to Sigmarites? Like Luthor Huss there must have been others before him that have made a great impression to the Empire.


Yes I am aware that these are many questions, but those are the questions that have troubled me for some time now and I cannot find a decent article about the worshipping of Sigmar. I don't necessarily need a direct answer, if some people know links to websites that can answer me several questions, or books I should read that involve many of the noted questions.
All direct answers are most welcome as well of course! Just as much as other valuable information about the worshipping of Sigmar that I have not mustered a question of (like songs for/of Sigmar, names of several (important) churches etc.)

The Grand Theologist is the head of the church (btw the pope is the heads of the Catholic church, not of all catholicism) . Him, Huss, and the emperor are the only ones i can think of. The rest i remain clueless about.

[Flegler]

Hail to you too, Brother Evander! Your enthusiasm does you credit. An inquisitive mind may be a powerful tool in the service of Sigmar, if it does not inquire too deeply and thus court heresy and ruin.

I think I can can answer your questions with information from the Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay core rulebook. If anyone has a copy of Sigmar's Heirs to hand there may be some relevant details in there too. I remember reading a great in-depth article on the Church of Sigmar as a political body in a WFRP fanzine a while back, but it's out of print now. I'll see if I can find that magazine again, as I'm curious myself now. In the meantime here's some bare bones answers.

1. Priests of Sigmar (and especially devout worshippers) are bound by the following strictures:
- Obey the orders of your superiors, they have been placed above you by Sigmar's will
- Treat the Dwarf-folk with respect and accord them all possible aid, in accordance with the pact of friendship between Sigmar Heldenhammer and Kurgan Ironbeard.
- Uphold the unity of the Empire, for the Empire is greater than any man or woman, and let none spread dissent or discontent.
- Bear true allegiance to His Imperial Majesty the Emperor Karl-Franz, for he is the true image of Sigmar and His appointed representative to us.
- Uncover and destroy the minions of Chaos, the wielders of corrupt and unlawful magics, the foul greenskins and other monstrous beings, the mutant, the heretic and all such aberrations. Be tireless in bringing Sigmar's justice to the servants of evil.

2. The Cult of Sigmar has many holy scriptures, no one book would be regarded as definitive in the same way the Bible or the Koran are for their respective religions. Still, the most important text seems to be something called the 'Sigmarite Gospel', an account of Sigmar's life and supposed teachings. The same story is retold for the masses in the popular bestseller 'The Life of Sigmar' (available from the Black Library). Other texts I've seen referenced include the Deus Sigmar, commonly memorised and chanted by flagellants and other zealots, and the Book of the Hammer, a sort of manual for warrior priests.

3. The holiest of days to a worshipper of Sigmar is the first day of Summer, which custom dictates to fall on the 18th of Sigmarzeit, a month so holy it bears the god's very name. This day marks the date when Sigmar was crowned Emperor, and thus the very founding of the Empire. It also commemorates the day when Sigmar laid aside his crown and was lost to the sight of men, allegedly entering into the realm of the gods. The occasion is celebrated with feasts and revelry across the Empire.

4. The Cult of Sigmar is rigidly hierarchical. The highest ranking priest is the Grand Theogonist in Altdorf, whose authority is second only to the Emperor. The Grand Theogonist traditionally takes a name in the Dwarven language when he assumes the office, to represent his absolute dedication to the precepts of the cult. Next in the chain of command are the Arch Lectors of Nuln and Talabheim. The Theogonist and Arch Lectors are noteworthy for having the right to cast a vote when a new Emperor must be elected, a privilege only accorded to fifteen individuals. Next in rank are the eighteen Lectors who administer the various territories of the Empire. The chain of command is less clear after this, as there are numerous different orders and factions within the cult.

5. Hmm. Notable figures. Well, mention has been made of the existence of various Sigmarite saints, but I can't think of any specific examples. I'd imagine the average citizen wouldn't bother with revering the saints anyway, since there are numerous other gods he can turn to for requests it wouldn't be appropriate to bother Sigmar with. I think Magnus the Pious may be a saint, a devout young fellow who united the Empire in a time of civil war just in time to drive off a Chaos incursion. He was later elected Emperor (despite not being strictly qualified) and was responsible for the foundation of the Colleges of Magic. Seems like saint material.
There have been a few remarkable Grand Theogonists too, though I'm damned if I can remember their names. The first GT wrote a lot of the sacred scriptures, I think, so he's quite highly regarded. There was also that one who killed the original vampire count Vlad von Carstein. The Theogonist wrestled Vlad off the walls of Altdorf so that they landed on a spike that killed them both and thus destroyed Vlad's army. Another martyr for Sigmar. So there's a few heroes for you.

Hope that helps!

[Evander]

Thank you very much Flegler, you answered about everything I've been wondering about.
I am sure to take all this information with me in my final stage of Character creation.
Allthough all other information about worshipping Sigmar is welcome on this thread as well, hats off to Flegler for having answered most of 'em already.

And you are right Deathron, my apolagies for misplacing the role of the Holy Pope.

[Instant_Karma]

Brother Fleger gave you quite an accurate description of our cult, priest. There are many ways to worship Sigmar, but heres a few more things to consider.

1) The current Grand Theogonist is Volkmar the Grim. He has returned to us after the upstart Archaeon was defeated at Middenhiem. Volkmar originally traveled north to confront the upstart, but Archaeon proved too powerful and he slew the Theogonist and left him for dead, along with many brave soliders of the Empire. However, in the wake of the battle, a foul daemon prince, the first of his kind, known as Bel'akor used his evil powers to bring the Theogonist back from the dead, in an attempt to corrupt his spirit, and chained our most holy leader to his blasted standard and carried him South, to join in the siege of Middenhiem. It was during the battle that holy Volkmar freed his soul and body from the spiritual and physical bonds placed upon him by the daemon, and smote many of his captors in his rage and returned to us.
2) Luthor Huss is a holy priest of Sigmar, and it was he who found Valten and brought him before the Emperor Karl Fraz, Valten, Sigmar Reborn! Huss has been a firebrand, decrying the corrupt lectors who stain the holy offices of Sigmar's Church, and he has lead many battles against the foul worshipers of the Chaos gods. He is a priest of great fortitude and he looks for the return of Sigmar again, after the dissapearence of Valten.
3) One organization, that has become another arm of the Church of Sigmar, are the Witchhunters or, the Templars of Sigmar as their more offical title. I and my brethern hunt the heretical and the witch and see that the righteous judgement of Sigmar is brought down upon them by whatever means necessary. You need not concern yourself too much with our organization priest; stick to your part of the battlefield and smite your foes with righteousness, and we shall do our part as well.

[desertfox]

Another saint that was briefly mentioned by others is Valten the Exalted of Sigmar

Valten was believed to be the reborn of the man god Sigmar during the last Storm of Chaos. Though his true identity is still being debated, but he was given the title of the spirtual leader of the Empire by Emperor Karl Franz, and was presented with the Ghal Maraz, the Hammer of Sigmar.

It is believed that before Luther Huss, found Valten, the young man single handedly slayed an entire warband of beastmen, and killed their war chief even after he was badly wounded. Something no man could achieve besides the man god himself.

A civil war almost broke out when the mob of pilgrims, religious zealots, and monks who followed Valten and Huss came to Altdorf. By law when Sigmar returns he must be the Emperor of the Empire. But the majority of the politicians and nobles of the Empire did not want this to happen because this meant that almost all of them would lose their power and influence within the Empire.

There was a three day stand off, until a frightened Reiksguard captain, who was afraid of angering Valten if he was indeed Sigmar, opened the gate of Altdorf, thus allowing Valten to enter. Facing the screaming masses of religious pilgrims, Emperor Karl Franz gracefully avoided what could have been a dangerous civil war, which could be devastating to the Empire with Archaon's horde so close to the Empire. He presented Valten with the Hammer of Sigmar, and proclaimed that he would fight besides Valten, the spiritual leader of the Empire.

The armies of Karl Franz and Valten finally confronted the horde of Archaon under the cities of Middenhelm, where Valten fought Arhcaon, the Lord of Endtime, the Everchosen, the Chaos Incarnate, in hand to hand combat. But sadly Valten was defeated by Archaon, but not before badly wounded the Everchosen. But before Valten could be killed by Archaon, Archaon was distracted by Grimgor Ironhide, the great orc chieftan, which allowed Huss to carry the unconscious Valten back.

But sadly soon after, the still unconscious Valten was murdered by the assassin of the skaven ratman. Though his body was never found.

[Flegler]

Convenient things, skaven.

[Seraphim]

Interesting :o