Lahmian Sisterhood
The Lahmian Sisterhood is a cabal of vampires under the rule of Neferata, former queen of Lahmia.Needs Citation
Contents
History
After the death of her brother and husband king Lamashizzar in -1597 IC, Neferata had orphan girls raised as priestesses in a new temple to Asaph in ancient Lahmia, trained to serve Neferata as the living avatar of the goddess. They wore golden masks of the goddess, modelled on the queens face and robes of samite. Each initiate surrendered a small portion of blood every night which Neferata ritually drank three times a day, the priestess presenting it with the words: For you, holy one. An offer of love, and life eternal. [10a]
A great temple had been converted from the women's palace and [10a] they used a version of the Elixir of Life which they called the Asaph's Kiss. [11b] The Temple of Blood became a fortress within the palace, guarded day and night by members of the Queen's lifguard but there were many ways to enter or leave unseen. [11b] The priestesses had little or no self-determination or will but were absolutely loyal to Neferata. [11c]
In the years following the fall of Lahmia, Neferata surrounded herself with a group of vampiric servants who, despite being vicious and savage warriors and competent necromancers, showed their true strengths in the areas of seduction, infiltration, intelligence gathering and manipulation. Their time in Mourkain allowed them to hone these skills to supernatural levels and by the time the vampire queen took the mountain fortress of the Silver Pinnacle from the Dwarfs and made it her own, these vampires and becomes true masters of their arts.Needs Citation
Having long ago decided that directly ruling the lands of the living was impossible for the dead, Neferata instead decided that ruling from the shadows and being the power behind the throne was even better. She took the most beautiful, seductive, intelligent and manipulative of her servants and sent this sisterhood out across the lands of men, inserting them into every facet of society. From Imperial generals to Bretonnian Grail Knights, from Kislevite Boyars to Arabyan Caliphs, behind almost every man of power stood a pale and beautiful wife, courtesan, mistress or other significant figure. [9a]
Neferata had learnt that one did not have to be a ruler to rule. Instead her web gave her influence unparalleled and for centuries she became the secret queen of an unseen empire.[9a]
Members
- Neferata; the first vampire, queen of lost Lahmia, Queen of Mysteries, ruler of the Silver Pinnacle.
- Naaima; former Cathayan concubine, first and most loyal of Neferata's sisterhood.[1][5a]
- Alfina Aldrich: Married to a guildmaster in Nuln. [7b]
- Anmar bin Muntasir; Arabyan princess, sister to Kahled al Muntasir.[1]
- Bellatash of Tilea, member of the Red Coven. [5a]
- Madame Dagmar: Runs the Silver Lily brothel in Nuln.[7b]
- Evegena Boradin, Boyarina and elder vampire of the Sisterhood in Praag for two hundred years. [8a]
- Duchess of Malstonia
- Gabriella von Nachthafen: Elder vampire who was tasked with watching Sylvania after siring Adolphus Krieger who later turned Ulrika Magdova. [7a]
- Giselle of Marienburg, member of the Red Coven. [5a]
- Baroness Helena von Culper: Master of the Komission of the Imperial Archives. [9a]
- Heterneb of Lahmia, member of the Red Coven. [5a]
- Hermione von Auerbach. [7a]
- Imentet, High Mistress of Neferata's Handmaidens. [5a]
- Iona, Slave girl from Sartosa [1]
- Lady Khemalla of Lahmia [2]
- Mariato: A favourite of Khemella who in threatening Giovanni Gottio during his work, lost her favour and his life.[2]
- Baroness Theodora Margrave: A 300 year old vampire, a native of Nuln. [6a]
- Khaled al Muntasir, Prince of Bel Aliad.[1]
- Liliet van Mariense
- White Ladies: A trio of vampires who manipulate the social elite of Marienburg, led by Liliet.[14]
- Layla: Strigori serving girl. [1]
- Lupa Stregga; Tilean slave gifted by the Dark Elf corsair Megara, lover of Vorag Bloodytooth.[1]
- Lycindia the Cruel. [5a]
- Karlotta Herzog: Abbess of a Shallyan hospice in Nuln. [7a]
- Mistress Mathilda: Runs a tavern in the slums of Nuln. [7b]
- Lady Melissa d'Acques
- Nitocris: The Serpent Queen of the Southlands jungles who Neferata sent against Queen Khalida to retake Lahmia. [3]
- The Pallid Sisters of Kislev[5a]
- Petra Hirkeit: Witch Hunter who considered Salzenmund to be her domain. [12a]
- Rasha bin Wasim; daughter of the chieftain of a nomadic Arabyan desert tribe.[1]
- Rosamund von Andress: Mistress to a general in Nuln. [7a]
- Serutat: Arabyan vampire, she owned the Noctu jewel until it was stolen by Marianna Chevaux, who Serutat later transformed into a vampire as well.[4][9a]
- Lady Isabette: A vampire childe of Serutat who was slain in Mordheim by Marianna Chevaux[4]
Objectives
The Sisterhoods goal is to fulfill the desire of Neferata to return home in glory, dwelling in Lahmia with a population of devoted and willing mortal slaves. The Sisterhood also seek to foil the schemes of other vampires, in particular the Von Carsteins who seek their own dominion over mankind. [9a]
The Lahmians also assist and strengthen humanity against the threat of Chaos. [9a]
Sisterhood Army
These often resemble those of the Queens homeland of Nehekhara with large regiments of Skeleton Warriors but also feature living heroes from many lands striving to prove their worth to their beloved undying ladies. [13a]
- Lords: Vampire Lady, Vampire Countess. [13a]
- Heroes: Necromancer, Swain, Vampire Thrall, Wight Lord, Wraith. [13a]
- Core: Bat Swarm, Dire Wolves, Skeletons. [13a]
- Special: Banshees, Black Knights, Grave Guard, Spirit Host[13a]
- Rare: Black Coach, Dogs of War. [13a]
Notable
- Green Skulls: Living followers of Duke Lavaillier who were tortured and marred by witch-fire. [5a]
- Guard of the Hight Mistress: Wights bound to service. [5a]
- Lahmian Guard: Tomb Guard of Neferata's ancient home. [5a]
- Legion of No Name: Lesser warriors that guard the lower halls. [5a]
- Wretches: Packs of Crypt Ghouls that live in the lowest levels. [5a]
Society
Most Lahmians dwell in alongside humans with a network that threads through their society with Neferata at the pinnacle, receiving reports through intermediaries, messengers and magical means. [9a]
Those in favour are granted the title Nuncio, acting as diplomats and envoys as they seek to shape history to suit their mistress. Humans and vampires alike form a loyal household around each with the former helping to convey normality to the mortals they interact with. Moving in high society is easier than many believe as the ruling class of the Empire and other human nations interact and entertain in the evening through to the early hours. [9a]
Members of the Sisterhood are taught how to avoid mirrors or for those with an aversion to them, how to avoid flinching in the presence of a Holy symbol. [9a]
For the most part, the vampires of the sisterhood feed on willing victims - either those believing they are engaging in a torrid affair with the Lahmian or devoted servants who often hope to join them in undeath. [9a]
Deathless Court
The handmaidens who dwell at Silver Pinnacle, practising their skills and vieing for the attention and favour of their queen. [9a]
Gallery
Imentet
The Vampire Thrall Sofia
White Ladies on their Coven Throne
A powerful Lahmian lady riding a Coven Throne attended by two pallid handmaidens
Lahmian Master Infiltrator
Handmaidens
Miniatures
Classic models
Classic model
Notes
- Very few of Neferata's descendants turn males into vampires though it does happen from time to time, such as Neferata's traitorous childe Khaled al Muntasir or Genevieve's own sire Chandagnac.
- In previous versions of the game the 'Lahmians' were a bloodline, which is to say rather than just being a group ruled by Neferata the Lahmians were all and every descendant of hers. In the modern version it is possible to include vampires who are descendants of Neferata who are not directly part of the Sisterhood (such as Genevieve Dieudonné) and even on very rare occasions for vampire not directly of Neferata's blood to at least work closely to the Sisterhood (such as Ulrika Magdova).
Quotes
| We are tools, Neferata. You call us sisters, but we are but pieces on your game-board. You collect us and hoard us, and sometimes you spend us. Sometimes you spend us for ambition. Other times, it is for spite.
And we love you for it, because we cannot help but to do so. You unmake us as easily as Nagash's crown threatened to unmake you, and remake us in your image. ~ Naaima to Neferata on the Sisterhood.[1] |
Sources
- 1: Neferata (Novel) by Josh Reynolds
- 2: Inferno Magazine Issue 21: Portrait of my Undying Lady by Gordon Rennie
- 3: The Serpent Queen (novel) by Josh Reynolds
- 4: Town Cryer Issue 22, Revenge is Eternal by Nick Kyme
- 5: Warhammer: Nagash, Book I
- 5a: Chapter III, pg. 136-137
- 6: The Thousand Thrones
- 6a: Chapter Four: Written in Blood, pg. 104-106
- 7: Ulrika the Vampire (anthology): Bloodborn (novel)
- 8: Ulrika the Vampire (anthology): Bloodforged (novel)
- 8a: Chapter Fourteen: The Ancient Regime, pg. 347-349
- 9: Night's Dark Masters
- 9a: Chapter V: The Bloodlines, pg. 52-
- 10: Rise of Nagash (anthology) by Mike Lee: Nagash the Unbroken
- 10a: Chapter Seventeen: The Deathless Court, pg. 585-586
- 11: Rise of Nagash (anthology) by Mike Lee: Nagash Immortal
- 12: Salzenmund (book)
- 12a: Salzenmund: A Vistors Guide, pg. 69
- 13: Warhammer Armies: Vampire Counts (6th Edition)
- 13a: Legions of the Dead, pg. 79
- 14: Warhammer: Glottkin: Book I: Chapter I, The Hidden Dead, pg. 21
