I'm at work at the moment, but I can try to give some short answers to some of these questions for now. First off, these links might prove handy as they go over most of the lore we can infer from:
- Ishgardian Heresy and Heretical Cults
- Dragon Blood Lore
- Dragon and Dragoon Lore
1) As mentioned in my first link, this really depends on which faction of heretic your character belongs to, if any. The Faces of Mercy, for example, only know two other members of their cell and remain isolated embedded in their posts. The Bloodbearers faction appears smaller and may be closer knit, sticking mostly to the Dravanian Forelands.
2) Of the Dravanian heretics we've seen, most all have been militant. Assuming they're defecting specifically to join the dragons, they are more than likely going to Nidhogg's brood - thereby committing to Nidhogg's war of attrition against the Holy See. That said, Nidhogg goes into long periods of slumber in between periods of attacking Ishgard. The start of Heavensward marked the 9th Awakening of Nidhogg. The 8th Awakening occurring 20ish years ago. Alternatively, not all heretics worship dragons. Some are just criminals, blasphemers, or deserters and it's entirely possible some of these "heretics" would like nothing more than to just live out their lives in peace somewhere far from Ishgard.
3) Shiva worship, as we see it in Heavensward, is a newer development. Though Saint Shiva has been the matron saint of many Ishgardian heretics for some time, it wasn't until Lady Iceheart glimpsed the true nature of Shiva via the Echo that her faction of heretics really began to grow into one of the largest and most organized.
4) From Lady Heustienne, one of the Knights Dragoon, we learn that after she is forced to drink dragon blood she begins craving it, and Alberic notes that the substance will eventually claim her mind. As for turning into an aevis, at first the process is not permanent. Depending on the quality of the blood and the amount of Ratatoskr's essence in the drinkers own blood, it may take several more tries.
So the mind-altering effects of dragon blood may be real. But we can't really be sure if meeting a dragon's eyes, hearing a dragon speak, or touching a living dragon's scales can put you under a dragon's spell or not.
5) This falls into unknown territory as it's also largely dependant on which cult. Some heretics don't have dealings with dragon's at all. The Bloodbearers take their blood straight from the dragon Graoully.
Hope this helps! Sorry there's not a lot to go on since we mostly view heretics from an Ishgardian perspective.
- Ishgardian Heresy and Heretical Cults
- Dragon Blood Lore
- Dragon and Dragoon Lore
1) As mentioned in my first link, this really depends on which faction of heretic your character belongs to, if any. The Faces of Mercy, for example, only know two other members of their cell and remain isolated embedded in their posts. The Bloodbearers faction appears smaller and may be closer knit, sticking mostly to the Dravanian Forelands.
2) Of the Dravanian heretics we've seen, most all have been militant. Assuming they're defecting specifically to join the dragons, they are more than likely going to Nidhogg's brood - thereby committing to Nidhogg's war of attrition against the Holy See. That said, Nidhogg goes into long periods of slumber in between periods of attacking Ishgard. The start of Heavensward marked the 9th Awakening of Nidhogg. The 8th Awakening occurring 20ish years ago. Alternatively, not all heretics worship dragons. Some are just criminals, blasphemers, or deserters and it's entirely possible some of these "heretics" would like nothing more than to just live out their lives in peace somewhere far from Ishgard.
3) Shiva worship, as we see it in Heavensward, is a newer development. Though Saint Shiva has been the matron saint of many Ishgardian heretics for some time, it wasn't until Lady Iceheart glimpsed the true nature of Shiva via the Echo that her faction of heretics really began to grow into one of the largest and most organized.
4) From Lady Heustienne, one of the Knights Dragoon, we learn that after she is forced to drink dragon blood she begins craving it, and Alberic notes that the substance will eventually claim her mind. As for turning into an aevis, at first the process is not permanent. Depending on the quality of the blood and the amount of Ratatoskr's essence in the drinkers own blood, it may take several more tries.
So the mind-altering effects of dragon blood may be real. But we can't really be sure if meeting a dragon's eyes, hearing a dragon speak, or touching a living dragon's scales can put you under a dragon's spell or not.
5) This falls into unknown territory as it's also largely dependant on which cult. Some heretics don't have dealings with dragon's at all. The Bloodbearers take their blood straight from the dragon Graoully.
Hope this helps! Sorry there's not a lot to go on since we mostly view heretics from an Ishgardian perspective.
