THE PURPLE HAND

The Purple Hand is the largest Chaos cult in The Empire and is dedicated to the Chaos God Tzeentch. They have 'cells' all over The Empire; cells are operational units whose sole purpose is to undermine the administration where they are based. This idea was taken from the highly organised crime syndicates of Sartosa by Purple Hand cultists who were most impressed by some of the crime lords' methods on that island. Middenheim has the largest concentration of Purple Hand operatives and it is there that the most important members of the Cult reside.

Even though the Purple Hand contains many intelligent members it is largely poorly organised and communication between the prospective cells of The Empire is very patchy due to the vast distances between the cities. It has not been unknown for a messenger to be killed by the very people the message was intended for, because they thought that he was a witch-hunter's agent. But even so, the Purple Hand is one of the best organised Chaos cults in The Empire and has substantial funds and many prominent members within its ranks.

Communication between the heads of the Ordos (see below) are made with the use of carrier pigeons. The heads only meet twice a year and the nine do not know of each other's real identities. The twice-yearly meetings take place deep within the Drak Wald forest on the nights of Hexenstag and Geheimnistag (the two nights of the year when the moons are full). In a magically hidden clearing, the masked Magistri of the three Ordos re-dedicate themselves to the service of Tzeentch, sing hymns to the Chaos God, and watch in frenzied delight as the members of the Inner Circle conclude the ceremony with a human sacrifice.

Chaos God: Tzeentch.

Power Base: Middenheim and Nuln (usually the latter). The Purple Hand also has many cells all over The Empire and has massive resources. The Windhund Haulage Company in Middenheim is a front for the Purple Hand (see Middenheim - City of Chaos).

Aims: The Purple Hand is dedicated to the overthrow of central government in The Empire. The Emperor is to be replaced by a 'puppet' and all the administrative arms of The Empire will be controlled by the Purple Hand. From this position the servants of Tzeentch will be able to wreak havoc and disruption throughout the Old World.

Methods: Covert manipulation is the key. The Purple Hand worm their way into positions of power throughout The Empire to further the cause of Tzeentch. They also infiltrate positions in the cults of Sigmar and Ulric so that they can make relations between the two cults, which are patchy to say the least anyway, insufferable; though not to the extent of the Sigmarian Heresy yet. They do not make much use of the barbaric warbands of Tzeentch within the dark forests of The Empire; they know that the cause of Tzeentch can only be made with secrecy and cunning rather than brute force and they do not trust beastmen.

Antipathies: The Purple Hand is against anyone that seeks to thwart their plans for domination of The Empire. Incredibly this also includes the other major cult dedicated to Tzeentch, the Red Crown (see below). They are as determined to destroy them as they are The Empire as they feel that their methods could damage their own influence in the country.

Organisation: Three organisations make up the Purple Hand: Ordo Novitiae (in charge of recruitment and indoctrination), Ordo Impedimentae (in charge of fund-raising), and Ordo Terribilis (in charge of research and development).

Command Structure: The head of the Purple Hand is none other than one of the Law Lords of Middenheim, Karl-Heinz Wasmeier (TEW 3 Power Behind The Throne). He is the Cult's Magister Magistri and Head of the Inner Circle. Each Ordo is headed by three high ranking cultists called 'Magistri'. The supreme Magistri of the Ordo Terribilis is Salladh-bar the Great, an Arabian Necromancer. The Magistri are either wizards, assassins, academics, or long-standing members of power and influence (important members of the City Guilds, Counsellors on one or other of the Komissions).