Myrmidia
Show me the eyes of the eagle that I may see my enemies,
Show me the strength of the eagle that I may persevere,
Show me the wings of the eagle that I may strike in good time,
Show me the heart of the eagle that I may not fear.
Myrmidia is the goddess of war and protector of soldiers. She is the daughter of Verena and Morr. Myrmidia stands for bravery and cunning, courage, honour, and martial virtue. She is the natural protector deity who gaurds the weak against the cruel and capricious.
While growing in popularity in the Empire, Myrmidia boasts a large number of followers in the southern lands of Tilea and Estalia, where worship of the warrior goddess is said to originate. Her foreign origins are not forgotten, but her faith has been accepted by the Empire as one of its own.
Worship of Myrmidia came to the Empire from the Knights of the Blazing Sun, who encountered Myrmidia in the Crusades against Araby. Since its establishment, the order has spread throughout the Empire to become one of the most prominent knightly orders.<br
In the Empire, of course, Sigmar and Ulric are the masters of war, and they roar for death and glory. Most soldiers mock Myrmidia as an "officer's god," with ideals too lofty for the common fighting man, and most generals prefer to shift their bias to Sigmar and Ulric. Myrmidia is also a foreign goddess and considered strange by many Empire folk. Thus her cult is small and relatively powerless. It survives in the Empire because of the distinction and courage with which her devotees fight. The saying gos that Sigmar takes you to war, but Myrmidia brings you back; her followers are reknowned for their tactical acumen which have won the Empire many victories.
In the Empire, every worshipper of Myrmidia is a warrior. To be a priest of Myrmidia is to be knowledgeable and schooled in the arts of war. Indeed, the Knights of the Blazing Sun train Myrmidia's priests, while the Order of the Eagle contains the cult's lectors who govern and manage the strictures and articles of its faith.
Eagles are sacred to the Myrmidia and a common symbol of her cult. Initiates and priests of Myrmidia greet each other with crossed hands in the shape of an eagle. The goddess's other symbol consists of a spear and shield, Myrmidia's favoured armament.
Myrmidian colours are white or yellow; in the Empire, this is often combined with blue hoods with red edging. Expertise in a weapon is mandatory for Myrmidia's followers, and many carry their weapons at all times. Some also always wear armour. No Myrmidian meets the day without being ready for war, in however small a fashion.
Myrmidian temples reflect the cult's southern origins, borrowing architectural designs that in turn came from eleven styles, whose ancient ruins dot the Tilean landscape. Marble columns illuminate circular rooms with domed roofs and spired towers; most have weapon halls and training rooms as well as pulpits.
Many temples are also chapter houses which serve as temporary bases for the Knights of the Blazing Sun and training grounds for the order of the Eagle. Arms and armour are in full supply, as are men and women skilled in their use. The clang of steel on steel sounds throughout the day, and when not testing their skill with the blade, Myrmidians may be found studying strategy, tactics and historical battles in their temple's libraries.
Myrmidians may be few, but they are well known because their priests often wander the world as trainers and advisors to the Empire's military forces. They seek out worthy battles to fight or honourable causes to uphold. The Myrmidian concept of honour is sometimes perceived as naivete or cowardice, with critics asserting her followers would prefer to read about combat than to fight.
Myrmidians rarely rise to such provocations, for such mockery is beneath them. Their goddess teaches her warriors to be as proud as the falcon, and grants them the wisdom of the owl and the vision of the eagle. Her favour also provides her followers with the courage, strength, and speed they need to fight any enemy.
