- 5 Hives - Factions and Patrons in Necromunda setting / Ecclesiarchy and Zealots

08 Dec, 2024

Ecclesiarchy and Zealots

The Ecclesiarchy and zealots in Necromunda are agents of the Imperial Creed, spreading devotion to the God-Emperor and enforcing religious dogma. Their presence is both a unifying force and a source of oppression, often sparking conflict in the hive.

Key Ecclesiarchy Factions and Zealot Groups

Preachers of the God-Emperor

• Description: Charismatic individuals, often wandering through the underhive to spread the Imperial Creed. Some are genuine in their faith, while others are opportunists or fanatics.
• Reputation: Loved by the faithful and feared by heretics, preachers inspire both devotion and rebellion.
• Narrative Hooks:
  • Sermon of Salvation
    • A preacher aims to unite warring factions through faith. The gang is hired to protect the event from those who profit from conflict.
  • Heretical Texts
    • Forbidden scriptures surface, sowing discord. The gang must retrieve and destroy them before they spread.

The Redemptionists

• Description: Radical zealots who view the underhive as a den of heresy and filth that must be purged by fire and blood. Redemptionists believe that only through death can sinners be redeemed.
• Reputation: Feared even by the faithful for their extreme views and violent methods.
• Narrative Hooks:
  • Flames of Purity
    • The gang is coerced into assisting a Redemptionist purge against a suspected cult, only to find the targets are innocents.
  • Redemption or Rebellion
    • A charismatic Redemptionist leader gathers followers for a crusade. The gang must decide to support or thwart this potentially catastrophic movement.

Ecclesiarchy Missionaries

• Description: Official agents of the Ecclesiarchy tasked with establishing shrines, organizing religious events, and maintaining faith in the Emperor.
• Reputation: Respected for their authority but often seen as meddlers in local politics.
• Narrative Hooks:
  • Pilgrim's Peril
    • A missionary journey through dangerous territories needs protection. The gang must ensure the pilgrims' safety against myriad threats.
  • Words of Heresy
    • A missionary is suspected of heretical teachings. The gang is hired to investigate and deal with any findings discreetly.

Frateris Militia

• Description: A loosely organized group of common hive citizens conscripted by the Ecclesiarchy to enforce faith and defend its interests.
• Reputation: Poorly trained but fanatical, they are willing to die for the Emperor’s cause.
• Narrative Hooks:
  • Armed and Faithful
    • The militia plans a preemptive strike against suspected heretics. The gang can assist in the assault or warn the targets.
  • Call to Arms
    • The gang is conscripted into the militia to defend against a massive underhive threat, testing their loyalty and resolve.

Cult of the Flame Eternal

• Description: A splinter faction of the Ecclesiarchy, the Cult of the Flame Eternal is obsessed with fire as a divine manifestation of the Emperor’s wrath.
• Reputation: Dangerous and unpredictable, they use flame-based weapons to “cleanse” perceived impurities.
• Narrative Hooks:
  • Inferno Rising
    • The cult plans to ignite a massive fire to "cleanse" a hive sector. The gang must prevent the catastrophe.
  • Embers of Rebellion
    • Disillusioned citizens flock to the cult. The gang is hired to stem the tide of recruitment before it grows out of control.

Cult of Saintly Martyrs

• Description: A fanatical group dedicated to venerating saints who sacrificed themselves for the Emperor. They often demand extreme acts of faith from their followers.
• Reputation: Revered by some as devout and feared by others as extremists.
• Narrative Hooks:
  • The Last Stand
    • The cult seeks a glorious battle to honor a saint. The gang is drawn into their plans, facing overwhelming odds.
  • Relic Retrieval
    • A martyr's remains are stolen. The gang must recover them before the cult unleashes retribution on the populace.

Confessors

• Description: High-ranking priests responsible for rooting out heresy and ensuring the faithfulness of the hive population. Their word is often law in the underhive.
• Reputation: Feared for their ability to declare anyone a heretic, leading to public executions or purges.
• Narrative Hooks:
  • Truth and Consequences
    • A confessor suspects high-level corruption. The gang is hired to gather evidence, risking the ire of powerful figures.
  • Purge the Unclean
    • The confessor initiates a witch hunt. The gang must navigate the ensuing chaos, possibly becoming targets themselves.

Zealot Fanatics

• Description: Independent individuals or small groups who act as self-appointed defenders of the faith. They often blur the line between devotion and madness.
• Reputation: Feared for their unpredictability and willingness to die for their beliefs.
• Narrative Hooks:
  • One-Man Crusade
    • A lone fanatic is inciting violence. The gang can stop him, join him, or use the chaos to their advantage.
  • Prophecy of Doom
    • The fanatic predicts a catastrophic event. The gang must decide whether to heed his warnings or dismiss them.