Cult of Poxmire

Within the murky depths of Hive World Cogger, where despair clings to every decaying structure, the Cult of Poxmire rises like a noxious tide. Led by the twisted Prophet Garathal, this cult of Nurgle thrives in the swampy shadows, spreading pestilence and chaos throughout the hive. Their Cathedral of Blight stands as a beacon of corruption, and their followers, a grotesque amalgamation of Astartes, Beastmen, and mortals, carry out the dark will of Grandfather Nurgle

## History

The Cult of Poxmire emerged from the shadows of Hive Cogger, born from the discontent and suffering of the downtrodden. Led by Prophet Garathal, the cult gained momentum as they spread Nurgle's gifts, seeking to turn Hive Cogger into a breeding ground for chaos and decay. The construction of the Cathedral of Blight solidified their presence, and they soon became a force to be reckoned with in the hive.

Facing Imperial retaliation at Dorn's Shield, the cult suffered setbacks but regrouped in the swamp, where they constructed a new stronghold. The Cult of Poxmire aimed to spread their dark influence further, turning the once-prosperous hive into a festering haven for Nurgle's blessings. During the Siege of Hive Cogger the Cult of Poxmire joined forces with the Flayed Legion Cult to defend Hive Cogger from the Imperial Response.

## Warband Organisation

Mutants, outcasts, and those desperate for salvation flocked to the Plague Cult's banner. These cultists, armed with a variety of scavenged weapons, formed the backbone of the cult's forces. Their sheer numbers and fanatical devotion to Garathal made them a force to be reckoned with. Led by Apostle Galrass, the Plague Marines are heavily armored and augmented warriors, their bodies corrupted by Nurgle's blessings. Armed with vile weaponry that spread disease and decay, they serve as the elite shock troops of the cult. Under the command of Shaman Baezael, the Pestigors, a group of Beastmen, their swarming attacks and ability to navigate the treacherous terrain of the hive made them a formidable asset. The twisted culmination of the Plague Cult's dark rituals, the risen dead were reanimated corpses imbued with Nurgle's foul energy. Created through a combination of dark sorcery and the spread of disease, these undead minions served as a relentless and horrifying force on the battlefield.

## Combat Doctrine

The cult utilizes a variety of pestilential weaponry and sorcery to spread diseases among their enemies. Plague Marines are armed with vile toxins and corrosive substances, while the shamans manipulate the swamp's natural diseases to their advantage. The Cult of Poxmire often employs reanimated corpses, the risen dead, to create a macabre and relentless force on the battlefield. These undead minions serve as a horrifying distraction, allowing the living cultists to close in for the kill.

## Notable Warband Members

* **Prophet Garathal**: The central figure and spiritual leader of the Plague Cult. Garathal, with his twisted features and a staff dripping with crude poisons, served as the conduit between the cult and the malevolent deity Nurgle.

* **Apostle Galrass**: Clad in corrupted power armor, Apostle Galrass served as Garathal's loyal bodyguard. Silent as the grave, he led the Plague Marines, the elite warriors of the cult, with ruthless efficiency.

* **Shaman Baezae**l: A Beastman shaman, Baezael was tasked with spreading Nurgle's gifts to the local fauna and wildlife. His connection to the natural world, combined with his fervent devotion to Nurgle, made him a potent force in the cult's mission to corrupt the environment.

* **Kremus**: Though not a high-ranking official, Kremus played a vital role in the cult. His role as a commander on the ground, barking orders and ensuring the implementation of Garathal's vision, made him a key figure in the cult's operations.

## Notable Locations

* **Cathedral of Blight**: The central and most sacred location of the Cult of Poxmire. Constructed in the heart of the swamp that became a Pestilent Grove, this decaying cathedral serves as the primary worship and ritual site. The noxious air and the putrid waters surrounding it create an atmosphere befitting the followers of Nurgle. The Pestilent Grove is a twisted garden of decay, where mutated plants and corrupted creatures thrive under the influence of the Plague Cult.

## Warband Appearance

Clad in rusted and decayed power armor, the Plague Marines of the Cult of Poxmire bear the grotesque marks of Nurgle's blessings. Their armor is quartered in pea green and steel gray, symbolizing the putrid corruption they carry. Maggots writhe within the crevices of their armor, and a sickly green aura emanates from their corrupted bodies. The Beastmen of the cult, led by Shaman Baezael, are adorned in tattered robes of pea green. Their fur is matted and disheveled, and they carry crude weapons adorned with symbols of Nurgle. Horns protrude from their mutated bodies, adding to their ferocious and bestial appearance. The mortal followers of the Cult of Poxmire often bear physical deformities and mutations, a testament to their devotion to Nurgle. They wear ragged and decayed clothing, their bodies covered in boils, sores, and other signs of the Plague God's favor.

### Warband Colours

Pea Green is the primary color of the warband, representing the sickly and putrid hue of decay. This color dominates the armor of Plague Marines, the tattered robes of mortal followers, and the fur of Beastmen. Complementing the pea green, steel gray is used for armor accents and details. Used sparingly, sickly yellow is reserved for trinkets, charms, and small details. Rust Brown corrodes over the Steel Grey.

### Warband Badge

Tangled vines and thorns surrounding a diseased ram's skull, its horns twisted and corrupted. Within the eye sockets of the skull, there is a small, flickering flame. The vines are adorned with small, rotten flowers and fungi. An intricate border, reminiscent of corroded metal, encircles the central symbol. This border is adorned with Nurgle's iconic symbols, such as seven-pointed stars and the tri-circle symbolizing the unholy trinity of decay, death, and rebirth.