Cauldron of Blood
The Cauldrons of Blood are very important magic items of the Witch Elves.
The cauldrons are made of brass and filled with the blood of victims, ritually sacrificed by the Witch Elves to Khaine, Lord of Murder. A cauldron will never spill over; the blood simply never rises above a certain level.
The cauldrons are filled with Dark Elf blood during Death Night, and the oldest Death Hags bathe in them. This ritual replenishes their youth and they will emerge young and beautiful.
The numbers and precise origins of the cauldrons are unclear. There seem to be a handful at least. A single cauldron may be deployed into battle on very important raids and invasions.
On these ocassions a Witch Elf warband will acompany the cauldron and will join a Dark Elf army. In exchange they demand a suitable tithe of prisoners of war which will be later sacrificed. The cauldron will be protected by two Witch Elf guardians at all times, under the command of a Hag Queen.
Morathi claims that the cauldrons are a gift of Khaine.
Notes & sources
- Warhammer Armies: Dark Elves (4th edition), p.16
- Warhammer Armies: Dark Elves (6th edition), p.10
- Warhammer Armies: Dark Elves (7th edition), p.51
