In the universe of Warhammer 40K, humanity isn’t solely defined by its brutal, militarized regime. Sure, there are the iconic Space Marines and cybernetic Martians, but there’s also a formidable theocracy that reveres the Emperor of Mankind as a divine being. This duality is brilliantly captured in the Blood and Zeal box, where about half of the miniatures are fervent zealots, utterly consumed by their misguided devotion to a false deity. These figures embody the weighty responsibility of safeguarding vast civilian populations in the 41st millennium. Meanwhile, their counterparts are aligned with Chaos, adding to the intriguing lineup.
Known as the Ecclesiarchy, this religious faction within the Empire stands as one of the most cunning elements of 40K’s world. Ironically, it’s a faith built around a man who explicitly rejected worship. However, the lore reveals how some individuals seized the opportunity to mold the Emperor’s legacy into a power-hungry cult. This Cult of the Emperor has become a potent means of control, capable of subduing the populace by force. While the Ecclesiarchy isn’t the root of humanity’s darkest instincts—such as xenophobia, vigilante justice, and mob behavior—it certainly doesn’t oppose them. In the Imperium, fear and violence are not flaws but core components. With these new miniatures, we can finally put a face to these chilling truths.
In this grim universe, the followers of the Ecclesiarchy are depicted as the most subservient and mentally enslaved zealots imaginable. It’s fitting they come packaged alongside the forces of Chaos. The stories included in the box underline this grim reality; there are, in fact, more members of the Ecclesiarchy than Space Marines. This fanaticism runs so deep that their numbers might even surpass those of the Imperial Guard. And quite frankly, they are portrayed as deeply flawed.
Yet, they are also painted as the very fabric holding the Imperium of Mankind together. Without their fanaticism and blind devotion, humanity might easily succumb to threats like Chaos, the Tyranids, the Orks, or countless other factions bent on annihilating human existence across the galaxy. In this light, it’s crucial we can now attach faces to these names and stories.
Blood and Zeal doesn’t just enrich the narrative of the 40K universe and expand Kill Team’s roster. It fills an important gap in the broader hobby scene. These figures are valuable across the Warhammer spectrum, from Kill Team to Necromunda, from full-scale Warhammer 40,000 battles to tabletop RPGs like Imperium Maledictum.
While I harbor a strong dislike for them, I’m genuinely pleased they exist as tangible figures. There’s a strange satisfaction in being able to stare into their tiny, fanatic eyes. If you’re a collector or a player, they’re definitely worth having in your collection, if only to finally confront them face-to-face.
