Can someone explain the symbolism on these two priests? I'm not sure I get it.

www.fantasyflightgames.com/edge_minisite.asp

First, the priest on the left. Spiked armor. Is she some kind of mutant?

The priest on the right: what's up with the giant key and the doves?

jh

I don't think there is any symbolism in the spiked armor. It's just spikes (otherwise known as WH artistic excess. More skulls!).

The doves and key are symbols of Shalya, IIRC.

Although, flull wise, the spiked armor can make for a good story: That particular priestess of Shallya, while one day wandering through the temple garden or local forest for herbs, came upon a herisson. Observing the tiny and slow creature, she wondered how it could still be alive when beasts roamed those parts. At that moment, almost as a sign, a shaggy looking dog ran and tried gulping the creature. The priestess aghast was then happily surprised when the dog cried out in pain as the herisson turned into a ball of sharp spikes. One may be a small defenseless creature (or priestess) but wearing lots of spike can be detrimental to those foes who would attack you. Thus, she got herself a VERY spiky armor!

The rather overly spiked Sigmarian Priestess may be a nod to Blanche, who probably would never pass up the chance to bedeck a priestess in nun-tastic bondage gear.

I know it's mean, but I blame the excess of spikes and skulls from GW on Blanche covering up anatomical and perspective errors with 'em. Though I am greatful for him holding a torch for Ian miller's aesthetic for all these years at GW.

Yup the dove of Shallya is sometimes shown carrying a key - what that means I'm not sure, I've seen sources indicate that it means Faith in Shallya is the Key to various things such as freedom from injury and disease.

Coincidentally, there's a female priest in spikey armour (different image but same text description applies) on the front of the earlier edition Tome of Salvation. Given the image is used for Sigmar POD she must be a Sigmarite of some variety. The spikes make sure the French politicians keep their distance (sorry, that story about the baying horde of French politicians not letting the female minister speak in peace freaked me out - font of civilization indeed).

1) The priestess with the spiked armor is the image on the POD pack for Sigmar, so it's a Sigmarite Priestess, which you could probably also tell from the the big 2-handed warhammer she's holding. I'm not sure what the spiked armor has to do with Sigmar, though.

2) I found an old discussion online regarding the Dove online: forum.rpg.net/showthread.php

The majority seemed to agree it represented the key to Morr's realm, symbolic of her ability to restrict death. That seems plausible to me.

Doc, the Weasel said:

FFG: Hey I want you to draw a warhammer fighting priest

Artist: *draws*

FFG: No thats a sister of battle! Draw one from other warhammer! You know that one we don't pay attention to that much. It's a fantasy I think

Artist: oh ok. *rubs out gun and draws hammer and colours blue*

FFG: No it's low fantasy

Artist: *colours brown*

FFG: More skulls!!

Artist: *draws more skulls*

FFG and artist: *high fives* Yeeeahh!! Let's get some takeout!

…………………………………………………………..

The above may or may not have happened…

LOL!

Yeah, when I first saw that image I thought she was a Chaos priest, because of all the spikes and skulls.

dvang said:

You think that sometimes the Empire and Chaos meet up, and they can't tell who is who?

I mean, the guys who nail scripture into their bodies and have rusty cages on their heads are (supposedly) the good guys. There has to be some confusion.

Or maybe it's like when two women wear the same dress to a party; it's just embarrassing for everyone. ("Your symbol is a skull with raven wings? MY symbol is a skull with eagle wings. Oy!")

I like the idea of fanaticism looking similar regardless of faith. Either way,my lowly peasant might not know which god, but clearly woman on left kicks butt in the name of faith, woman on right heals butt in the name of faith.