Cults
Cults are groups of religious devotees that worship a god and practice a religion. Compared to other religious factions cults tend to be smaller in size and their beliefs less widely accepted. Fictional cults are often depicted as shadowy organizations, lurking in the dark places of the world or behind closed doors. They may be concerned with ancient gods, evil prophecies, and human sacrifice. Cults are a near ubiquitous fictional element, and can be found in a wide variety of genres and settings.
| Synonyms: religious sects |
| Example Mythonyms: the Brotherhood of the Eternal Moon |
| Factions |
Designing Fictional Cults
Archetypes
Overview
Fictional cults are often secretive organizations, bonded together in a shared belief. They are often depicted as a force striving to bring about drastic change to the world by working in clandestine methods. They may worship ancient horrors or evil gods and may do so from places like hidden cult lairs, sacrificial altars and ancient temples. Fictional cults often dabble in prophecy, and may be attempting to manifest that vision of the future.
Faction Identity
Fictional cults are most often adorned with robes. These robes typically are a single color, with black, white, red, and purple being common. This garb may feature occult symbols. Fictional cults may also use masks to conceal their identity or when performing evil rituals. Elements such as the color of the robes and types of masks may be used to designate different individual members or be used to differentiate different levels of the religious organization (for instance fictional high priests wearing a different color robe than an acolyte or initiate).
Organization & Hierarchy
Fictional cults are often highly regimented, with a single, often charismatic leader and a clearly defined organizational hierarchy. Potential members of fictional cult factions include:
Leadership:
- Prophet/Founder: The charismatic leader who established the cult and is often considered a divine figure or mouthpiece for a higher power or fictional god.
- High Priest/Priestess: Religious leader responsible for rituals, teachings, and interpretations of scripture.
- Council of Elders: A group of senior members who advise the leader and maintain the core traditions.
Members:
- Zealots/Fanatics: Extremely devoted members who readily carry out violent acts or dangerous tasks for the cult.
- Missionaries/Spreaders: Members who actively recruit new followers and spread the cult’s message.
- Acolytes: Dedicated followers who serve the leadership and undergo training for higher positions.
- Initiates: New members undergoing indoctrination and learning the basic tenets of the cult.
- Seekers: Individuals exploring the cult’s teachings and considering joining.
Support Roles:
- Scholars/Record Keepers: Responsible for documenting the cult’s history, rituals, and scriptures.
- Protectors/Guards: Maintain security and defend the cult from outsiders.
- Servants: Perform basic tasks like cleaning, cooking, and tending to the needs of the leadership.
Additional Roles (depending on the cult):
- Assassins/Enforcers: Eliminate dissenters and carry out punishments.
- Temptresses/Seducers: Use their charm to manipulate outsiders or gather information.
- Messengers: Carry messages and maintain communication within the cult.
- Children of the Cult: Raised within the cult and indoctrinated from a young age.
Note: This is not an exhaustive list, and the specific roles will vary depending on the nature and goals of the fictional cult.
The fictional cults of magical worlds may also include roles like magic user, oracle, or necromancer.
Beliefs & Rituals
At the heart of many cults lies devotion to a powerful being – a god, demon, ancient horror, or mythical creature. This entity often exists outside the traditional pantheon, wielding immense power or promising forbidden knowledge. Many cults subscribe to apocalyptic visions, believing the world as they know it is doomed or requires systemic revolutionary change. Their devotion becomes the key to survival or ushering in a new world order. Duality and sacrifice become central themes. The world is viewed through a warped lens of good versus evil, justifying extreme acts. Sacrifices, sometimes even human, are seen as necessary to appease their deity or achieve their goals.
Repetitive chants, prayers, or invocations become a staple, designed to summon their deity, induce a trance-like state, or focus their collective will. Symbolic actions also play a crucial role. These might involve specific movements, enacting prophecies, or pilgrimages to dangerous locations, solidifying the cult’s identity and reinforcing their beliefs.
Cult Places
