Flesh-eater Courts – Abhorrant Cardinal

On rare occasions, a newly sired abhorrant will display some mark of divine favour, such as glowing red eyes or the propensity to speak in tongues. To prevent these vampires seizing power through the acclamation of devout serfs, their sires give them to the Cardinal order. Cardinals provide spiritual guidance to the monarchy but ultimately owe loyalty only to Ushoran. To join them, an abhorrant must make pilgrimage to the Mortarch’s court and sup the Summerking’s ichor and spittle from his sacred chalice. Only those of unshakeable faith can endure the resulting convulsions; in doing so, they gain an unconscious ability to shape the delusions of ghouls around them. They deliver bloody offerings to Nagash and perform miraculous feats that pitch their flocks into even greater frenzies. This ability to manipulate delusions sees the Cardinals leading missionary efforts into Sigmarite nations. They enter enemy territory through hidden catacombs and densely packed meat-wagons, drawing mortals who have been infected by Ushoran’s curse into their embrace. In forgotten crypts, forest clearings and abandoned strongpoints, Cardinals now lead cults that give praise to the Summerking, and not even the feared witch-hunters of Sigmar’s Order of Azyr can fully determine their spread.