3 flame-based cults for your 5e games
Cults are always an interesting option to include in your games, from the simple cultists that want to destroy the world to the more insidious ones that want first to conquer it and then destroy it. Today, we are exploring five cults with a central theme of flames and divinity. In the following articles, you’ll meet their NPCs and their items.
Cult of the Maddening Flame
Symbol: A yellow circle made of flames
Motivation: Create ever greater works of art that channel the passion of the maddening flame
People: They look for include artists, nobles, bards, and merchants
The cult of the maddening flame looks innocent at first glance. Focusing on the creation of art in all its forms—whether it be paintings, music, dance, or poetry. They aim to promote the arts and support both emerging and established artists, celebrating creativity as a sacred calling. The cult believes that true power lies in creating art that channels the boundless energy of the Maddening Flame, a force that fuels both passion and madness.
At first, an artist may notice subtle flame motifs appearing in their works or experience sudden bursts of inspiration that compel them to create more. These moments of fervor become more frequent, and the artist finds themselves consumed by an insatiable need to outdo themselves with every piece they create. As they pour their soul into their work, those around them begin to feel the pull of the flame as well. Viewers of their art are compelled to join the cult, and soon, entire cities are transformed into vibrant centers of creativity, with festivals and performances happening at all hours.
The true power of the cult lies in the eventual unveiling of its ultimate goal: to use art as a conduit for an otherworldly entity, the Maddening Flame. The cult believes that through their creations, they can open a gateway for the starfell to enter the world, bringing chaos and transformation.
Cult of the Blackened Bone
Symbol: A blackened skull
Motivation: Ensure all the creatures are laid to rest, even the gods.
People: They look for those that destroy undead, warriors, clerics, or arcanists that seek to undue the curse of life.
The Cult of the Blackened Bone is founded on a singular belief: life itself is an abomination, an affront to the natural order of existence. The cult sees suffering and death as the only true escape from the burden of life, and their ultimate aim is to eradicate all living creatures from the world, so that the flames of death can consume everything, leaving behind only eternal rest.
Operating in secrecy, the cult takes years to induct new members, guiding them through a gradual process of indoctrination. They know that their goals are far greater than any single individual, and so they work in the shadows. The cultists encourage wars, instigate famines, poison the land, and burn entire regions to make them uninhabitable. Every action they take is designed to reduce life, and every death brings them one step closer to their ultimate vision of an empty world.
Though their primary goal is the annihilation of all living beings, the cult also holds a deep hatred of the undead. As such, they seek to destroy all undead and eliminate the knowledge of how to become one. To further this aim, the cult has created powerful weapons known as the Dark Flame Daggers—artifacts infused with the essence of death itself. Only those chosen by the cult’s leaders can wield these deadly daggers, which have the power to kill anyone they touch, regardless of their strength or power. With these weapons, the cult aims to bring their vision of an empty, lifeless world to fruition, even if it means slaying the gods themselves.
Cult of the Crystal Flame
Symbol: A crystal engulfed in flames
Motivation: To prevent the world from changing
People: They seek politicians, wizards
The Cult of the Crystal Flame is an organization dedicated to halting the progression of time and the change that comes with it. Their ultimate goal is to freeze the world in a moment of eternal perfection, encasing everything in a crystalline prison that preserves the past and halts any forward movement. To them, change is chaos, and chaos is an enemy that must be extinguished.
The cult believes that the world’s natural flow—be it the seasons, technological progress, or societal evolution—brings only instability and suffering. They seek to prevent this by creating a state of perfect stasis, where nothing changes and everything remains unaltered by the passage of time. To do so, they have access to rare and powerful crystals that can enhance magical abilities and influence the flow of time and reality itself. These crystals are used to empower their members, enabling them to manipulate and trap energy, sealing it within the crystal.
Cultists infiltrate wizard academies, using their mastery of arcane magic to subtly manipulate magical research and thwart the creation of new spells or knowledge that could lead to progress. They turn wizards and scholars into agents of stasis, using their influence to halt any attempts at innovation. Politicians are similarly drawn into their web, as they manipulate power structures to enforce laws and policies that resist any form of change. In a city or nation where the Cult of the Crystal Flame holds sway, innovation is stifled, and time itself seems to slow down.
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Game designer and writer. Nebula finalist. Ennie winner. Short stories, videogames, and tabletop games. Alastor has credits accross a long list of mediums but Axostories is its happy place. DnD Radiant Citadel • Ixalan • Pathfinder • MtG • Kult Divinity Lost Enby Bi They/Them