Editing Forces of Malal (section)

==Maidens of Malal==
[[File:Maiden of Malal_02.jpg|380px|right|thumb|A Maiden of Malal in her natural glory.]]
When a female entity growing from a Guardian of Contradictions matures, she may sever their connection and become a truly independent creature. These powerful beings are known as the '''''Maidens of Malal''''' and act as matriarchs and the Heralds of the Renegade God. Whereas the Guardians are the strategists and fearsome warriors of the battlefields, the Maidens are the priestesses of Malal. They lend their talents to areas where leadership requires a more minute and careful hand, and often intercede and interact with lessor followers long before they would see a true Greater Demon. Their motherly and maternal aspect occasionally brings out a bizarre relationship to her 'children' and they become dangerously overprotective if one of their precious followers is harmed in front of one of their number. Maidens in this respect form the polar opposition of the paternal fatherly figure of [[Nurgle]], putting them at odds with the Plague Father.

While the Inquisition is not sure why a Herald would be so empathetic to her followers, the most likely theory is to ensure loyalty to Malal. The lack of any maternal experience has been known to drive the Sons of Malice in a quagmire of mixed emotions. Maidens of Malal are unlike the seductive and corruptive influence of [[Slaanesh]] [[Daemonettes]]. Whereas Slaaneshi followers represent the dark, twisted side of feminine lust, the Maidens of Malal represents the dark, manipulative nature of maternal trust. Indeed it is common to see a Maiden fully dressed in formal attire, never ever being seen without her clothes save during battle. She will prefer to scheme and manipulate her followers to accomplishing her goals, rather than leading them at the front.

Nevertheless, when forced into combat, Maidens of Malal quickly become one of the most powerful servants of the Rogue God. They resemble something overall human with their limbs being insectoid in appearance. While normally conservatively dressed, Maidens prefer to enter battle in the nude, armed only with a Spear of Disorder. These weapons are capable of rending the laws holding their enemies's bodies together apart, quickly disintegrating any poor foe who face their wrath. Maidens are also lightning quick and beyond graceful and acrobatic, leaping into the warzone with splits, somersaults and agility, like some sort of twisted act of ballet. Their aura of un-Chaos is so potent that it dispels the powerful spells of even a [[Lord of Change]]. In one incident, a Maiden was seen bisecting a Keeper of Secrets with a single swing of her spear.

The most potent of these Maidens are the Matrons of Malal, who are far more powerful then the average Maiden. These Maidens have become powerful and greatly respected due to their many triumphs in Malal's name, though some may simply be the Maidens born of the greatest of Guardians, inheriting their respect from their progenitor.

Maidens are often found within the Eternal Mansion of Malal acting as teachers, scholars and practitioners of the dark arts towards aspiring mortals.