Although these times of death, disease, famine and warfare are trying, Man still clings to his faith. Few are those of the Empire who do not bear witness to one of the gods, and most make their pleas to all as the situation warrants. The miracles afforded to the most faithful among the orders of the priesthoods of the Empire are testimony to the existence of the gods that none can deny.

Offerings to the gods are given on holy days as well as in veneration. Sacrifices are that which is given up when calling upon some favor from a god. Common offerings and sacrifices that are said to appeal to each of the gods are listed below.

Popular Cults Of the Empire

The cult of Sigmar Heldenhammer is one of the largest in the Empire, and he is worshipped as the protector of Man. A recent division within the ranks of the priesthood of Sigmar has occurred between those who believe the young man Valten to be the reincarnation of Sigmar himself and those who do not.

The cult of Ulric is strong within Middenheim and the northern Empire, yet its following has declined through the south. Known for their aggressive and fiery-tempered templars, the Knights of the White Wolf, the Ulricans hold to the saying “If you show your teeth, bite.”

Though the cult of Sigmar is the most wide-spread within the Empire, the priesthood of Shallya is the most well-loved. Their primary mission is to provide healing to the sick and injured.

Although in decline in more civilized regions, the cult of Taal and Rhya are still very strong within the hinterlands of the Empire. After all, without the Mother and the Father, there would be no world in which Man could live.

The cult of Ranald is a curious one. The god Ranald holds numerous aspects, as patron of gamblers, thieves, con artists and those who hold to the power of luck and wish to invoke good fortune. Yet the cult’s popularity among the people of the Empire extends much further than that, as Ranald is viewed as a protector of the common man and those who cannot defend themselves as well. Though few will admit to being whole-hearted devotees, the name of Ranald is invoked as frequently, if not more often, than any other god in these troublesome times.

Though hardly considered well-loved, the cult of Morr is perhaps the strongest in all of the Empire; after all, everyone dies. The protector of the dead, Morr is also the god of dreams and prophecy. The practice of having a priest of Morr attend the dead is considered to be very important among Old Worlders, as the souls of those not so attended are said to be snatched up by the Ruinous Powers.

The cult of Manann is everywhere where there is water, and even those who are crossing the most modest ferry will offer up a prayer to the god of the seas. To forget to do so is to invite doom upon one’s head, as Manann is a capricious and angry god who is appeased through prayer rather than adored.

Scholars and sages hold to the worship of Verena, although those are few and far between. The cult of the goddess of reason, learning and civilization are also staunch defenders of the Empire and Man. The cult of Verena is most populous among the larger cities of the Empire.

The cult of Myrmidia wields little influence within the Empire, and many Imperials deny Myrmidia’s godhood. Sworn to protect their temples, members of Myrmidian orders are rarely seen outside of them save in Tilea and Estalia, where the importance of Myrmidia is upheld over most gods.