Hidden in plain sight amongst the houses and shops of local neighbourhoods, cultists worship ancient beings and profane gods. Hidden cellars and secret rooms provide locales for their foul dens of worship and sacrifice.

Use these four lists, to add depth and flavour to a hidden fane.

What’s Going On?

The cultist scrapes a razor-sharp hooked blade down a screaming victim’s shin bones, peeling away the flesh.
Cultists flail in a frenzy at a bound victim. The leader chants profane verses from a bloodied scroll.
Cultist chants under their breath as they cast finger-bones into a wooden bowl.
A cultist sharpens a wide saw before dismembering a body.

Notable Fane Features

Twin braziers burn blocks of incense atop the glowing coals. (Their smoke may be narcotic and disorientating).
Trapdoors and pits line the corridors ready to separate and confine intruders.
Cages fill alcoves along the walls; most are empty but for blood and filth.
Hundreds of bones are arranged around the walls in bizarre patterns like a sinister ossuary.

Cultists’ Appearance

Wearing open robes and very little else the cultists seem fanatical and wild.
Wearing gaudy black robes covered in badly-made skull patches the cultists seem very confident in their garb.
The cultists writhe and dance together bare chested, their faces hidden behind oddly feathered masks.
Carrying torches, the cultists brandish them and yell alongside the leader’s ranting.

Treasure

A lyre made from a human skull with sinew strings and golden teeth. (A wailing woman’s voice accompanies it when played).
Fanged gloves of black leather adorned with bestial symbols held together by sewn sinew.
A golden hook-nosed mask portraying an ugly goblin-like face grants its wearer the ability to see in the dark.
A wickedly serrated dagger with a sharp gut hook, used to quarter sacrifices as part of the cult’s ceremonies.

Want More?

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