Contrary to its name, Helstrum’s Staff was never actually wielded by Johann Helstrum—the first Theogonist. Instead, it contains a fragment of his robes. It served as the symbol of office for almost a thousand years, but vanished during the upheavals following the Black Plague of 1111 IC. Once some semblance of stability was restored, the cult of Sigmar created a facsimile of the original to serve in its stead.[1a]