Additional Sword Cults
Beyond the various ones of red, blue, and green, others are listed here. They too follow the rules in Part I (link). And while there might still be some confusion over what their cult color is due to warriors sometimes wearing another hue, all illusions can be dispelled once the sword cultist begins smiting his foes.
- Black Sword Causes
Corruption: Degradation, filth, and moral decay should be championed (followed by maniacal laughter). The world is already fallen, so why not make it fall further? Every vice should be encouraged, unholiness for its own sake. While opposed by all decent types, they run directly counter to white sword purifiers.
Dark Avengement: Honorable, though secretive, they remain somber in their cause to right a wrong done against their group. Remaining in the shadows becomes necessary; that is, until decisive action with one's sword is warranted, often using obscure ways to enact such vengeance. Those first on the list for violence are those who have brought the original shame on the cult, whether other dark avengers who have apparently betrayed them, or not.
Execution: Purging the invader is necessary for the survival and thriving of one's own folk. Black sword executioners (also known as exterminators) often select a type of xenos to smite first, such as orcs or goblinoids: a vile, alien horde to put to the sword. Those depraved ones who would decidedly support such monsters roaming one's lands, preying upon one's people, taking away one's land (i.e. xenocracy- a yellow sword cult), even if not xenos themselves, are traitors and thereby need to be 'assisted with leaving this world permanently' too, for they are even worse. The holiness of the executioner must then commence.
- White Sword Causes
Peacemaking: Putting an end to war often ironically requires violence, just don't get carried away! Make peace where you can, fight if necessary, hopefully to stop more fighting. Stratocracy (a red sword cult) is a natural foe of this approach, so see that they do get carried away (by pallbearers).
Purity: Cleanliness and honesty are the right paths. Proper hygiene, both physical and moral, is essential, as well as assisting the sick (unless they are beyond saving). Those who would corrupt (a black sword cult) or defile (a green sword cult) must be put a stop to especially, even if a ruthless cleansing via extermination (another black sword cult) would make good allies.
- Gray Sword Causes
Neutrality: A sword is a sword, and not some statement of statecraft or supernatural thing. Like cold iron, its devotees remain unaligned, keeping matters practical and necessarily simple, mastering swordsmanship solely for its own sake and appreciation of the weapon. Some wouldn't even call them a cult, Magocrats (a purple sword cult), utopians (a gold sword cult), and others can be notably dangerous, so being a rival cult might just be what's needed to stop them.
Vengeance: A specific individual must die, such as one who killed one's father, stole one's mother (though perhaps not so much), and thereby took one's kingdom. The sword becomes the tool for this reckoning. All who stand in the way are fair game. And since vengeance is a personal matter (unlike with dark avengement- a black sword cult), rather than being able to Rally, they can instead prevent others from unsheathing their cult warrior sword, making it quite useful when wishing to bash less-worthy foes to death, or to prevent the hungry blade from being drawn and used against themselves. Whatever happens, relentless rage, plotting, and distempered chanting are the norm until it's done.
- Yellow Sword Causes
Guardianship: A person and/or a place must be protected at all costs. This duty requires both resolute fortification and vigilance, and of course, complete devotion and a willingness to die instead of their charge. Like a bright warning they stand, these guardians are often challenged by certain upstarts (see below), though any who would attempt to eliminate the one they watch over, such as equalitarians (a red sword cult) against a wealthy client, or demokratiasts (a blue sword cult) vs. a strong leader, can be chosen as well. It is a sentry's duty to defend against any and all threats.
Upstarts: The tyrants of the realm must be overthrown! Liberty is our right, we will die for it (even if too much of it will be the end of us too)! Who's really behind the drive to take away our freedom anyway? The most obvious ones who be those who support nobility (a purple sword cult), though it could be anyone... All causes can rebel, but it is the upstarts who are defined by doing so.
Xenocracy: The men (and women) of the West don't deserve homelands! Make the foreign, the other, now in charge, undoing the locals forever! And while those they support might not all be evil, their very presence supports those who are and make the place no longer Western. Xenocrats find it especially pleasing to see the looks on the faces of traditionals (a brown sword cult) and nationalists (a blue sword cult) as their land is taken from them, their womenfolk defiled, even if the xenos then change everything beyond recognition and bring it all to ruin. Hopefully, the righteous will respond effectively against such arrogant lunatics, whether as vigilantes or by seizing the power of the throne and putting them all to death (executioners- a black sword cult).
- Brown Sword Causes
Bestialism: Like a wolf, the sword strikes. As an extension of himself, the warrior wields it. Other beasts of fang, claw, and horn do so as well, and must be emulated via savage ways, battles fought here, ripping the life from their throats. Those who claim to be enlightened (a silver sword cult) or perfect (a gold sword cult) should usually have their blood spilled first.
Poverty: The downtrodden need support. Often scoffed at, such poor warriors may surprise their foes, not just from being underestimated, but from their actual hunger, most likely missing their last meal and thereby fighting better. Too bad they usually can't afford swords to do so.
Traditionalism: Who will defend the common folk from all who would harm, corrupt, or replace them? It comes down to practical, country provincials to make it happen, straws being chewed, pitchforks ready, ending those who would alter the age-old way of things. Xenocrats (a yellow sword cult) and utopians (a gold sword cult) should especially beware- there's bonfires with their names on them. - Purple Sword Causes
Magocracy: Workers of magic are above all other mortals, and thereby destined to rule. Such simpletons who are not should not be allowed anywhere near the actual levers of power. They should be shown their place, and let power flow through the magical. Though other causes have magic-users that can (and do) help them, those who would place them solely in charge have their sharpened quills (tactical writing swords) ready to confront any that might challenge them, though different cults of magocrats more often fight each other for control of reality than any other.
Noble Aristocracy: One must fight with honor and privilege, espousing the status of the royals and those of noble blood, the hereditary rulers of the land. They would reign above all others, adorned in the rarest purple, towering in majesty like the mountains of the same in the distance, all too happy to root out upstarts (a yellow sword cult) especially, wherever found. Those who are merely plutocrats (a gold sword cult) or despots (a copper sword cult) simply can't measure up, just like all other non-nobles.
- Gold Sword Causes
Perfection: Disciplined, graceful maneuvers, swings, and strikes, the sword is a conduit of the warrior's honed focus. All must strive for such perfection, achieving it through personal dedication. Remaining set in that purpose, such cultists cannot Rally, though they can instead make a Precise Strike, reflecting their perfect form, gaining a +4 bonus to hit. This ability can be used from their general daily pool along with Smite and Parry.
Plutocracy: The rich are wealthy because they worked hard or because they deserve it... or both. Their vast treasures trickle down in their opulence, helping to lift the less fortunate, struggling masses up, styling themselves 'aristocrats', 'the best of the best', as a result. Only equalitarians (a red sword cult) are always too foolish to see it. Many others can for the right price. If not, then they must be bought out... permanently.
Utopianism: The world should be made better, and with the right direction, it can be. Everyone can prosper by following the special path of progress laid out by their philosopher-king. Of course, foolish despotics (a bronze sword cult), as well as all others who won't go along with the plan will have to be removed so that things can move forward. Then the proper arrangement of society can take place, leading all (who are left alive) to paradise! - Silver Sword Causes
Enlightenment: Civilization brings harmony and helps the people, allowing them to ascend from savagery. Guided well, learnedness and heroism can bring forth a better human nature, auxiliaries to aid each other in spirit and in fact. Why the bestialists (a brown sword cult) in their primitivism refuse to see this, only with one's sword might one help them get the point.
Valkyries: Supernatural warrior-women, as well as additional otherworldly beings, can have their own ways of the sword. While some cleric-types might gain additional spells from valkyries (see Companion I), warriors can emulate them thus. When they Smite, the ones who can be affected must be those chosen to be slain. Since they may not be sure who that is, such sword cult warriors have only a 75% chance of that ability working as a result each time it's attempted, though they can attempt it on those of any cause. In return, valkyrie sword cult warriors can gain a +4 bonus to one of their saves as needed, spending an ability use as they intervene on their warriors' behalf, with a 100% chance.
Syndicalism: Rules are meant to be broken for one's own interests. And working with like-minded 'legitimate merchants' makes it all the more effective. One hand washes the other, putting more silver in the pockets of us all. And if fools can't realize they're being duped by our agreements, then who can blame us for taking advantage of them? The watchmen (a blue sword cult), that's who. - Bronze Sword Causes
Building: We work and wrought and make more. It shall never end, for we must build forever. Arms, armor, tools, structures, harnesses, plows, and all the rest are made- by us. Those lovers of the forest (a green sword cult) will be built over too, and their beloved trees will make excellent kindling for our forges.
Despotism: Nothing and no one will stand in the way of the strong! Who needs laws? Our enemies fall with our relentless assaults, at the command of our ruler, crushed without mercy. Demokratiasts (a blue sword cult) and utopians (a gold cult) are the most pathetic, but their falls can be satisfying all the same. Just like all the rest. Some might call it tyranny or even 'tin-pot', but they will be crushed too.
Swords Against Sorcery: Magic-users and other strange beings should be avoided, shunned, or even put an end to if possible. Such is the way of notable warriors, whether in actual sword & sorcery settings or not, and can be utilized alongside barbarian swordsmen (link, see bottom of page). These sword cult warriors instead derive their abilities more from a dedicated devotion to putting a stop to the unnatural rather than necessarily from savage, shirtless fortitude. Magocrats (a purple sword cult) and those who follow otherworldly beings should especially (super)naturally beware.
Sword Tests
The measure of one who bears the sword can be more than his hack and stab.
The measure of one who bears the sword can be more than his hack and stab.
1-5. The sword cultist is unable to use his sword abilities for 1d12 days. He must learn to rely solely on his usual skill in swordsmanship to support his cause during that time.
- For example, a green sword forester warrior might be incapable of smiting builders, rallying his allies, nor parrying for the next 5 days. He will have to just use his blade normally until then.
6-14. Any who would defy the sword cultist's cause (or who supports a cause that he can smite) must immediately be challenged! This requirement lasts for the next 1d12 days. And those who might engage in any personal affronts to the sword cultist then might face a duel. Even if quite unwise, the sword cultist will do his best to make his point, with his sword if he has to.
- A yellow sword guardian cultist would be obliged to call out any who might possibly threaten his charge (as well as those who might threaten his own honor), even if obviously not the best course of action at the time, for the next 8 days. Such gratuitous or dangerous (or hopeless) battles put the guardian at risk of not being able to afford protection to his charge when most needed.
15+ Espousing the cause to the greatest extent must never end now! Treat as #6-14 above, except that the duration is indefinite, and violence is not merely suggested, but certain. Never mind that challenging too many will likely lead to one's early downfall (and thereby make one powerless to champion what one once fought for), such affronts- and to one's personal honor- must be defeated wherever and whenever they're found, no matter how slight!
- A white sword peacemaker may likely be put in the difficult position of having to fight anyone who would defy peace. One cannot last long on such a path, no matter their cause, and the so-called champion of pacifism might be especially confused by the time he meets his end.
Next week: sword cult warrior-priests, even more causes, divinities, and scenarios
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