1. Overview
The Cult of Excess is the most powerful and widespread cult in Staterum, a force of indulgence, corruption, and unchecked destruction. Unlike most cults, they make little effort to conceal themselves, often appearing in a sudden eruption of violence and chaos before vanishing just as abruptly. Their brazen nature makes them difficult to predict or contain, and were it not for their long-standing, mutually destructive rivalry with the Cult of Shadows, their influence might have already consumed much of the continent.
- Type: Cult
- Base of Operations: Unknown
- Core Purpose/Focus: The worship of the Eight Vices of Excess, spreading their influence and carrying out their will upon the mortal plane.
- Reputation: Feared across all of Siar’Morrin. Beyond the physical threat of their raids, their true danger lies in spiritual and psychological corruption—turning once-pure souls into living vessels of the Vices.
- Symbol: A black octagram.
2. History
The history of the Cult of Excess stretches back into antiquity, obscured by their own grandiose propaganda and the countless myths woven around their deeds. Scholars agree, however, that the cult’s origins are tied to the first Ex Vasa—mortal conduits chosen by the Vices themselves in the early ages of Staterum.
These Ex Vasa did not merely wield the raw gifts of their patrons; they carried the power to amplify those Vices within the hearts of others. Leaders once hailed as confident visionaries became bloated with arrogance and pride. Lovers consumed by passion were twisted into slaves of lust. Heroes filled with righteous anger fell into unrelenting rage. From this corruption of mortal souls, the cult spread like wildfire, its influence seeping into the cracks of society until it was no longer an isolated sect but a pervasive, destructive faith.
3. Structure & Organization
The cult is divided into eight branches, each devoted to one of the Vices of Excess: Pride, Arrogance, Lust, Rashness, Profligacy, Rage, Spite, and Anxiety.**
- Ex Vasa: The supreme leaders of each branch, chosen directly by their patron Vice upon the death of their predecessor. The Ex Vasa embody the essence of their Vice and act as its vessel on the mortal plane. Among them, the Ex Vasa of Pride is regarded as the closest thing to an overarching leader of the cult, though in practice the branches rarely cooperate except against their shared nemesis, the Cult of Shadows.
- Regional Leaders: Beneath the Ex Vasa are a host of commanders and prophets whose titles and roles vary between branches. They oversee the creation of cult cells, organise large-scale operations, and enforce their branch’s philosophy.
- Base Leaders: At the lowest tier of authority are the masters of local cult cells and warbands. These leaders establish shrines, recruit followers, and carry out rituals or raids in their patron’s name.
Though hierarchical within each branch, the cult as a whole is fractured and discordant, with rivalries and infighting common between the devotees of different Vices.
4. Culture & Practices
The Cult of Excess embodies the extremes of mortal vice, embracing the most destructive and unrestrained impulses of humanity. Confidence becomes arrogance, passion devolves into lust, caution collapses into recklessness, and pride festers into tyranny. Members actively seek to embody their patron Vice in all things, reshaping themselves into avatars of corruption.
Subtlety is rarely practiced; the cult thrives on excess, spectacle, and aggression. Rituals often take the form of orgiastic feasts, violent displays of dominance, or frenzied acts of destruction intended to glorify their patron. Yet beneath this chaos lies a deliberate aim: to spread the influence of the Vices among mortal societies. Every soul turned to arrogance, greed, or fury becomes another victory for the cult.
This philosophy of extremity inevitably leads to both internal conflict—as branches and individuals clash over whose Vice reigns supreme—and external conflict with all who oppose them. For the Cult of Excess, strife is not a weakness but proof of their vitality.
5. Key Figures
6. Geographic Influence
- Areas of Operation: The cult has no fixed base, instead establishing shifting strongholds and hidden cells across Siar’Morrin. They are most feared for their sudden eruptions of violence, striking at settlements, trade routes, and holy sites before fading back into obscurity.
- Allies & Enemies:
- Enemy: Cult of Shadows, engaged in an ongoing, destructive rivalry that has prevented either cult from achieving dominance.
- Enemy: The Church of Statera,
- Rival: Lone Wolf Pack Guild – seen as undisciplined and reckless, though not openly opposed.
7. Resources & Capabilities
- Military Strength: Large numbers of frenzied cultists, bolstered by powerful branch leaders and the terrifying Ex Vasa. No formal army, but is capable of mustering powerful forces rapidly.
- Economic Power: Virtually no lasting economy, but is able to leverage it’s power and looting to quickly build wealth. This never lasts however, and is usually burnt through rapidly.
- Special Assets: The Ex Vasa themselves, who act as living conduits of the Vices, amplifying corruption in those around them. Rituals and blasphemous rites allow cultists to channel unnatural power at the cost of sanity and humanity.