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'''Death cults''' are extreme [[Imperial Cult|cultcults]]s characterized by their worship through bloodshed, and can be found on many [[Imperial]] worlds.{{Fn|1a}}

[[fileFile:DeathCultAssassin.jpg|thumb|right|250px|A Death Cult Assassin{{Fn|20}}]]While many of these cults serve [[Khorne]] the Blood God, others are extreme sects of the [[Imperial Cult]] and fanatically loyal to the [[Emperor of Mankind]]. As the Emperor sacrifices himself for mankind's continued survival, these cults in return slay the enemies of the Emperor, offering them as sacrifices. Death cult assassins are often utilised by the [[Inquisition]], the assassins' skill in the arts of killing making them excellent executioners and infiltrators. They employ exotic ritual weapons for their work: stilettos and blades backed by [[digi-weapon]]s and needlers[[needler]]s.{{Fn|1a}}{{Fn|2b}}

They specialize specialise in ritual murder and assassination, with the art of the blade being paramount to the Cult. Different forms of incisions, lacerations, punctures, the type of the weapon used, the part of the body that has been struck all have special significance to dedicating the soul to the Emperor. Many of the ritual weapons used and lovingly maintained by the Cult are highly specializedspecialised. They range from knife-rings to whip-scythes with more fanciful and symbolic weapons including cross shaped throwing knives or knives made from the bones of the faithful or heretical[[heretic]]al.{{Fn|2b}}

Death cultists are quite frequently cannibals - haemophages haematophages - in that they drink the blood of their victims. Death cultists believe they become purified by consuming the blood and flesh of a slain enemy, and that by doing so they have taken their enemy's prowess and soul. Often blood is siphoned off from the dead as offerings to the Emperor and it is quite common for Death Cultists to make pilgrimages to a great cathedral of the [[Ecclesiarchy]] in order to present their gift to the Master of Mankind.{{Fn|2b}}

The [[Feudal World]] [[Fervious]] in the [[Calixis Sector]] is known for its many death cults,{{Fn|5c}} and by some accounts is largely governed by them.{{Fn|7b}}

*{{Endn|1}}: [[Codex: Witch Hunters (3rd Edition)]]:

*{{Endn|23}}: [https://web.archive.org/web/20250304122638/https://www.warhammer-community.com/en-gb/articles/ovfew1bv/wield-the-power-of-the-gods-in-kill-team-blood-and-zeal/ Warhammer Community: Wield the power of the gods in Kill Team: Blood and Zeal (posted 101/303/2025)] saved page, original link: ''(archived from [https://www.warhammer-community.com/en-gb/articles/ovfew1bv/wield-the-power-of-the-gods-in-kill-team-blood-and-zeal/ (the original], posted 404/303/2025)]''