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{{ChaosPortal}}'''Salvia''' is a [[Chaos Cult]] heretical cult that was active on [[Alecto (Hive World)|Alecto]], thousands of years before the world was claimed by the [[Imperium]].{{Fn|1a}}

Its Cultists == Overview ==The members of Salvia believe that they originally worshiped worshipped shadowed serpents cast by flames, but this changed when the first [[Imperial]] settlers arrived on [[Alecto (Hive World)|Alecto]]. From them, the Cult learned of the [[Emperor]] and they began to worship Him in the form of a serpent. The Cult of Salvia would go on to help cultists claim that they helped the first Imperial settlers on Alecto to survive on their world, but this proved to be their downfall. After Alecto was later firmly claimed by the Imperium{{Fn|1a}}, the Cult was forced to practice in secret for fear of being hunted by the [[Ministorum]]. Salvia is still practiced to this day, though, and its Cultists firmly believe that they are not practicing [[Heresy]], but merely worshiping the Emperor as a serpent. They still fear the wrath of the Ministorum, however, and are careful of inducting members into the Cult. This is done by one Cultist slowly introducing the teachings of Salvia to potential members. If interest is shown, these potential members are then brought to the Cult's ceremonies. These are now done in arranged meetings, with a small number of Cultists, in darkened rooms that contain an iron bowl filled with flames. These flames go on only to cast thick black shadows which resemble a hundred snakes bound together, that slither around the perimeter of the room. During this time, the Cultists where robes and blank, empty-faced masks, to hide their identities from outsiders and each other as well. They then form a circle around the iron bowl, which causes its flames to rise higher and afterwards the Cultists join hands and bow their heads. As they do so, the Cultists repeatedly chant "The serpent rises" and "Praise be, for the serpent rises". Those who take part in the ceremonies, report that they become invigorated as the flames warm their souls, while they worship the Emperor{{Fn|1b}}. Recently, though, the Cult has learned that a stern faced religious man has begun asking around about forbidden religion once the existence of Salvia. Whether this person is a real threat to the Cult, via being a member Imperium took firm control of the [[Ministorum]] or [[Inquisition]], is not known yetplanet.{{Fn|1c1a}}

By [[M42]], the Cult practiced in secret for fear of being hunted by the [[Ministorum]], firmly believing that they are not practicing [[Heresy]], but merely worshiping the Emperor as a serpent. They still fear the wrath of the Ministorum, however, and are careful of inducting members into the Cult. This is done by one Cultist slowly introducing the teachings of Salvia to potential members.{{Fn|1b}} If interest is shown, these potential members are then brought to the Cult's ceremonies. These are now done in arranged meetings, with a small number of Cultists, in darkened rooms that contain an iron bowl filled with flames. These flames go on to cast thick black shadows which resemble a hundred snakes bound together, that slither around the perimeter of the room. During this time, the Cultists where robes and blank, empty-faced masks, to hide their identities from outsiders and each other as well. They then form a circle around the iron bowl, which causes its flames to rise higher and afterwards the Cultists join hands and bow their heads. As they do so, the Cultists repeatedly chant "The serpent rises" and "Praise be, for the serpent rises". Those who take part in the ceremonies, report that they become invigorated as the flames warm their souls, while they worship the Emperor.{{Fn|1b}} Recently, though, the Cult has learned that a stern faced religious man has begun asking around about the existence of Salvia. Whether this person is a real threat to the Cult, via being a member of the [[Ministorum]] or [[Inquisition]], is not known yet.{{Fn|1c}}  ==See AlsoKnown members ==*[[List Agusto Zidarov]]{{Fn|1b}}* [[Lena Vasteva]]{{Fn|1b}} ==Trivia=={{Trivia}}The exact nature of Salvia is unknown. Its members believe to be loyal worshippers of the Emperor, and they abhor mutants as well as disorder.{{Fn|1b}} Indeed, it is not unknown for some cultures to worship the Emperor in strange forms, yet to be still loyal. However, Salvia's rituals and the cult's name could suggest that it is a [[Chaos CultsCult]], like the [[Serpent Cult]] of [[Molech]].{{Fn|2}} In addition, it could be a [[Genestealer Cult]]: There exist rumours that Alecto has been infiltrated by [[Genestealer]]s.{{Fn|1e}} Notably, one Salvia member, [[Agusto Zidarov]], has a large scar whose origin he cannot remember,{{Fn|1c}} possibly due to a [[Genestealer's Kiss] ]. In this case, the cult's alleged backstory of it being thousands of years old would be a lie.

**{{Endn|1d}}: Chapter 12*{{Endn|2}}: [[Category:Chaos Cults and MutantsVengeful Spirit (Novel)]], Chapter 6