"His is the grim, unending task of uprooting and shattering evil in all its forms."
- —The duties of the two Arch Lectors of the Cult of Sigmar[2]
Arch lectors are powerful warrior priests, who serve under the leadership of the high priests of their respective religious cults for the Old World Pantheon.
Role[]
Apart from high priests, such as the Ar-Ulric of the Cult of Ulric and the Grand Theogonist of the Cult of Sigmar, arch lectors represent the highest rank that can be achieved within the cults of the Old World Pantheon. Ostensibly, they must be the wisest, most devout, and most accomplished members of their faith: eminent personages even among the great and the good.[1a]
They must lead their cult through perilous times. The future of their god's followers in the mortal world is in their hands. Needless to say, such responsibility is a heavy burden.[1a]
Arch lectors are often already aged when they attain their position. However, this is not a position that a priest can achieve simply by serving their time and keeping out of trouble. Sometimes younger, energetic priests are recognised for their talents, and given the rank of lector or, in unusual cases, arch lector. Most cults cannot afford to squander what talent they have, and the Old World is not the sort of place in which complacency and seniority trumps skill, devotion, and talent.[1a]
In the Empire, arch lectors usually represent a territory or an important city. A territory can be as large as a Grand Province or even several provinces. They have the final say on religious matters for their cult that arise in their territory and are answerable to none save the high priest of their order and the emperor himself. Orders within a cult might be represented by either a lector or arch lector, and this gives a good indication of the status of that order in the cult's overall hierarchy.[1a]
Notable Arch Lectors[]
- Kaslain - Sigmarite arch lector under Grand Theogonist Volkmar the Grim.[4a]
- Kasmir XI - Sigmarite arch lector under Grand Theogonist Volkmar the Grim.
- Kurt Mannfeld - An arch lector of Nuln whose army battled the Chaos Marauders of Beorg Bearstruck.[3a]
- Thorgad IV - Sigmarite arch lector under Grand Theogonist Volkmar the Grim.[4a]
Sources[]
- 1: Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay 3rd Edition: Signs of Faith (RPG)
- 1a: pg. 21
- 2: Total War: Warhammer (PC Game)
- 3: Warhammer Armies: Dogs of War (5th Edition)
- 3a: pp. 50-51
- 4: Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay 2nd Edition: Tome of Salvation (RPG)
- 4a: pg. 57