Jamba (Dracartan)
Basic Philosophy
Jamba is an enigmatic deity, far beyond the understanding of mere mortals, but faith does not require understanding, merely trust and belief. Jamba has spoken but once to His people, when he led them into the Red Desert, and directed them to the fabled seventeen Ruby Tablets, and the lost secrets of thaumaturgy they contained. Armed with this ancient lore, the Dracartans were able to forge a new life of prosperity for themselves, leaving their nomadic existence behind. He has not made His presence known since that time, nor has He spoken, but such should not be expected of a deity so unfathomable, for in giving the lore of thaumaturgy to His people, He has done more than any but the ungrateful could ask for.
Doctrine
Jamba has laid down no law for His people, and in His stead they have adopted those laws which aid and benefit their society. As Jamba once aided His people, so to do the priests strive to serve their fellow countrymen, upholding the laws of their nation, inspiring faith in their fellows, performing blessings and ceremonies in Jamba's name, healing the sick, and providing aid and comfort to the needy. His priests watch the heavens, ever vigilant for a sign or omen from Jamba. Either gender may serve in the priesthood, and all are expected to remain chaste, devoted solely to Jamba and His people. Noise is forbidden in Jamba's temples, lest the mysterious god speak and go unheard, so members of His priesthood learn the silent language of Sign, enabling them to communicate without breaking the holy taboo.
Saints and Luminaries
None.
Symbology and Trappings
Although Jamba's form is beyond the comprehension of Man, He is represented by a triangle of scarlet, point upwards, representative of both the Ruby Tablets, Red Desert sands, and symbol of thaumaturgy. Priests wear simple unadorned robes and capes of red linen, with a conical red cap, and red iron triangle symbol. They bear short red iron rods topped with a red pyramid icon during ceremonies praising Jamba. The current High Priest is distinguishable only by the more ornate pyramidal rod he carries during ceremonies.
Temples
Jamba's temples are always shaped like three-sided pyramids, formed from blocks of thaumaturgically solidified red sand. Archways and simple decorations are crafted from solid red iron, and inscribed with a recurring triangular motif. Each temple contains a polished red iron pyramid that stands in the center of the main hall, and serves as the focal point of every ceremony.
Holy Days
"The Festival of Jamba" is held on 28th Talisandre, commemorating the revival of the lost art of thaumaturgy when Jamba led the Dracartans to the Ruby Tablets. A great feast is held in Dracarta, paid for by the King or Queen of Carantheum. Duneship races are held outside the city walls, and there are numerous displays of thaumaturgic skills, various sporting events, and masses held at dawn and dusk. Another notable date is "The Dawn of Triumph" on 7th Jhang when the Dracartans thank Jamba for their decisive victory over invading Rajans in 500 N.A., celebrating with a festival around the red iron-plated form of the captured Khadun at the center of Dracarta's city square.
Rank
Jamba's clergy have no set ranks, with the exception of their High Priest, who is always the most senior and experienced member of their number. The high priest is responsible for allocating tasks to the other priests, based on need, and relevant experience. The High Priest also acts as the main spokesperson for the faith in Carantheum.
Magic
Jamba's priests do not possess magical skills, save for those they might take it upon themselves to learn (especially thaumaturgy), because Jamba does not provide them with such powers, or any other sign of His existence.
Resources
The priesthood of Jamba exists on the generous donations it receives from the Dracartan populace. It does not charge for any of its services, or for the good works it performs in the local community, the Dracartans are faithful people, and gladly offer what they can to the priesthood, as a mark of faith, respect, and gratitude.

The Heptogenitor (Yassan)
Basic Philosophy
The Yassan revere The Creator as "The Heptogenitor", a cosmic craftsman who forges all things from up to seven primal components: Logic, Emotion, Spirituality, Ego, Talent, Experience, and Substance. They give praise and thanks to a being they see as the ultimate engineer, and express gratitude for their existence.
Doctrine
Although the Yassan religion is not an organized one, and does not possess any clergy or holy writ, the Yassan believe they should use the gifts they have been given to work to the best of their abilities, never shying from toil. To do otherwise would be to squander a component The Heptogenitor saw fit to invest in you.
Saints and Luminaries/Resources/Rank/Magic
None.
Symbology and Trappings
The Yassan represent The Heptogenitor with the symbol of a seven-pointed star, symbolic of the seven primal components. They believe it has no form that can be easily understood by mortal beings. They do not carry its symbol with them, nor do they ever wear any sort of ceremonial garb.
Temples
There are no temples to The Heptogenitor, but each Yassan home houses a small shrine containing a beautifully crafted seven-pointed star sigil.
Holy Days
Each Yassan household gathers at their shrine every High Day to give brief thanks and praise to The Heprogenitor.

The Nomad of the Stars (Djaffir)
Basic Philosophy
Djaffir revere The Nomad of the Stars (usually referred to as "The Nomad"), who is their concept of The Creator. They believe The Nomad wanders the universe, leaving creation in His wake, and watches over his fellow travelers of the mortal variety. He is said to have given all men free will, allowing them to chose their own path in life, and for this reason, magical that can influence behavior is regarded as the most despicable magic there is in Djaffir culture. The Djaffir also believe that The Nomad is not always present, for His wanderings take Him far across the universe. Due to this fact, his priests (called "Wizards") believe they must act in His absence, creating the fetish masks that protect against "the magic that conquers the soul", healing their people, and interpreting the omens and signs that The Nomad leaves for other travelers. They view The Nomad as a desert nomad caked with the glittering dust from the stars, and believe that comets mark His passing through the heavens.
Doctrine
Central to the Djaffir philosophy of The Nomad, is the principle of freedom, and each individual's right to make their own way through the universe. Anything that impedes this is to be despised. Due to this love of freedom the wizards have no restrictions on gender or chastity.
Saints and Luminaries
None.
Symbology and Trappings
The comet is the symbol of The Nomad. Djaffir wizards attire themselves no differently than their fellow tribe-members, but many have stylistic representations of comets stitched on the forehead of their fetish mask, and bear a comet-shaped amulet.
Temples
There are no temples to The Nomad, for He is seldom there, and permanent structures go counter to His - and the Djaffir's - constant wanderings. Omens are discussed at fireside gatherings.
Holy Days
The Nomad's wizards hold but a single holy period called "Nomad's Return" every seven years, lasting from 46th Zar to 4th Ardan. During this week of every seventh year, a great silver comet blazes through Talislanta's firmament, believed to be the Nomad come to look over His children, and is a period of great celebration. It last appeared in 616 N.A.
Rank
There are no ranks among Djaffir wizards, although they will generally acquiesce to those of greater knowledge or experience.
Magic
Djaffir wizards practice the magical arts of Wizardry, for they would not burden The Nomad by beseeching Him for magical aid, and such would prove fruitless given the fact that The Nomad is rarely nearby. They specialize in enchantment and warding for the creation of fetish masks, and will never learn magic of the Influence mode.
Resources
Djaffir wizards are supported and provided for by their tribe in recognition of the services that they provide, especially the creation of fetish masks, and their healing talents, all of which are provided for free.

Avar, the Golden God (Farad)
Basic Philosophy
Avar is the deity of material riches and personal gain, who inspires the accumulation of wealth. His followers believe that trade is life, every decision bears its own profits and costs, and that financial success leads to enlightenment. Avar's "Creed of Greed" is contained in the "Tome of Transactions", a book that contains advisory pronouncements on trade practice, heavily weighted in favor of the seller's personal gain, and general doctrines that encourage the attainment of wealth. The Golden God is depicted as an obese smiling male Farad with gold skin - usually sitting cross-legged on a cushion - bedecked in luxuriant clothing and jewels.
Doctrine
Priests of Avar are not restricted by gender or chastity, and believe that wealth is to be attained by any means necessary, however dishonorable, with financial success being the only true success. Wealth makes an individual's life more comfortable, and therefore makes them happier. The more money you have, the more comfortable you can live. Excessive hoarding wealth is considered an unholy and despicable practice, because wealth is meant to be enjoyed and displayed in order that others realize how enlightened and fortunate you are. Two of the most popular quotes from the Tome of Transactions include "Gold is good." and "The road to enlightenment is paved with gold."
Saints and Luminaries
The greatest merchants of Faradun's history are given great esteem as luminaries of the faith, especially the fabled Hamshir of House Klamath who purportedly made his fortune by selling sand to the Rajans.
Symbology and Trappings
Merchant-priests of Avar wear clothing identical in style to that of most Farad merchants, with the exception that their garments must always be predominantly gold in color. Higher ranks in the priesthood are always marked by far more luxuriant and extravagant attire. Monopolist-priests (those that have attained the greatest wealth) also bear carved walking sticks topped with a pure gold icon of Avar with jeweled eyes.
Temples
Avar's temples resemble great halls of polished marble, capped with gold-plated domes, and decorated with extensive gilt. At the front of each hall is a large gold statue of Avar, clothed in robes of real silks, with real gemstones in his many rings, and two large gemstones for his eyes. Needless to say, the statues are always heavily guarded and warded with both magic and mundane traps. Those attending services must pay the customary 5 g.l. each upon entry.
Holy Days
"The Accounts of Ascension" are held on 49th Zar every year, and the week leading up to this date is dominated by the tallying of each merchant-priests final financial worth for the year. Those who have achieved the requisite fortune of 500,000 g.l. are then ordained as monopolist-priests.
Rank
Merchant-priests of Avar have but one measurement of rank: wealth. The wealthier you are, the more recognition you receive, and the holier you are deemed to be. They are always expected to accede to those who are better off than they are. Monopolist-priests are the leaders of the cult, and only accept individuals that have acquired at least 500,000 g.l. into their ranks. Anyone who loses a substantial amount of wealth is immediately excommunicated from the clergy.
Magic
Avar bestows magic upon his most devoted followers, though they must prove constantly prove their worth by making quantities of money commensurate with the power of the magic He will provide. Losing money is a sure way to lose His magical support. Merchant-priests practice Invocation, gaining a +2 bonus with the Influence and Conjure modes, but suffer a -2 penalty when using the Summon and Move modes.
Resources
The temple of Avar is extremely wealthy, and generates a great deal of capital both from generous donations by Farad traders who hope Avar will bless them and bring them good fortune, but primarily from their own mercantile enterprises. The temple creates innumerable holy gold icons, which it sells to the populace for a substantial profit, and also performs rites and blessings, given an appropriate fee. The merchant-priests are also paid to handle funerary arrangements, and hold the monopoly on the gold-chased coffins that wealthy Farad favor for their burials. Avar's clergy also generate profit by performing several freelance advisory roles, including the provision of financial advice, or information on how best to safeguard a tomb from thieves. A further avenue of resources is the initiation and training period that all clergy of Avar must undergo, and which must be paid for by the prospective priest (at a cost of 1,000 g.l.). Beyond the funds generated by the church itself, nearly every merchant-priest makes their own additional fortune by trading, as do other merchants.

Death (Rajan)
Basic Philosophy
The Rajans regard Death as a stern and inevitable entity, and believe that death results in ascension to a better life, where the faithful attain power, wealth, revenge, and the means to satiate all their desires. They believe that their harsh existence on Talislanta is punishment for the sins of their ancestors, and that death is the only release. The Nihilist Cult - Rajanistan's organized religion of Death - is ruled by a necromancer-priest bearing the title of Khadun, who is worshipped as an earthly manifestation of Death.
Doctrine
The Nihilist Cult indoctrinates all members of Rajan society, influencing them to openly accept and embrace their own demise, ready to lay down their lives for their leaders with the knowledge that they will be rewarded in the afterlife. All infidels who do not praise Death are enemies of the cult, and must be forcibly "converted" by murder and execution. Men are closer to Death than women, for Death is male, and does not create life. As such, women are inferior to men, must bow to their husbands' wishes, and are forbidden to enter the ranks of the Nihilist Cult. In turn, necromancer-priests and Rajin are bound by strict vows of chastity, avoiding the creation of life at all costs. Death in all its forms is a matter for rejoicing, especially the death of non-believers.
Saints and Luminaries
None.
Symbology and Trappings
The skull is the symbol of the Nihilist Cult, and features prominently throughout Rajanistan. The only colors permitted by the cult are black, red, dark gray, and gold. The number 13 is regarded as holy (which is why the Khadun's High Council is composed of 13 necromancer-priests, why there are 13 Shadinn executioners in the Temple of Death, and why Rajanistan's military is organized along multiples of 13). Necromancer-priests wear cloaks, robes, hoods, gloves, and boots of dark gray, cover their faces with black iron death masks, and carry iron staffs topped with death's heads.
Temples
The Temple of Death in Irdan is the base of the Nihilist Cult, and is a huge ominous edifice of dark stone, carved all over with skulls. The interior is decorated with the skulls and bones of the dead that have been bound together with gold to form sacrificial altars, holders for the ever-burning braziers, archways, and pillar decoration. Great firepits are also located in the main hall into which the bodies of infidels are thrown, dead or alive.
Holy Days
"The Day of Rage" on 7th Jhang is held in remembrance of the massacre of the Rajan invasion force by the Dracartans in 500 N.A. As with all Rajan holy rituals, the main focus is elaborate sacrifice. However, on this date only Dracartan captives are sacrificed, gathered over the year leading up to this date, them released in the center of Irdan amid the gathered populace who then set upon the Dracartans in a frenzied vengeful mass and tear them limb from limb with their bare hands. "The Opening of The Third Eye" celebration starts on 6th Zar and ends on 13th Zar. This week-long event celebrates the formation of the Nihilist Cult, with sacrificial masses being held hourly every day and night. The last hour on the night of 13th Zar culminates with "The Dance of Death" when dancers in iron death masks plunge blindly amid drug-addled worshippers, slaying indiscriminately with ceremonial axes, swords, and daggers.
Rank
The Khadun heads the cult, and is served by a High Council of 13 necromancer-priests who ensure his decrees are carried out. 13 lower-ranking necromancer-priests serve each member of the High Council. Rank in the clergy is increased or decreased according to personal ability, the favor (or otherwise) of the individual's immediate superior, and infrequent assassinations.
Magic
Necromancer-priests and Rajin (assassin-mages) of the cult are the only individuals in Rajanistan permitted to practice the arcane arts. They both use Necromancy, with its intimate connection to death, and the necromancer-priests are also permitted to use Invocation, drawing dire magics from their faith in Death. When using Invocation, they have a +2 bonus to all uses of the Attack and Summon Modes, but suffer a -2 penalty when using the Heal and Illusion Modes.
Resources
The Nihilist Cult is the ruling body of Rajanistan, and as such it receives extensive taxes, revenues from trade with Faradun, monies from the sale of cult paraphernalia, and extensive donations from fanatical worshippers. Necromancer-priests are the clergy of the cult, and form the ruling body of Rajanistan. In return the Cult performs numerous ceremonies of burial and worship - such as the Dance of Death - maintains a strict control and enforcement of the nation's harsh laws, constantly extols the virtues of Death, and keeps Rajanistan's substantial military operative.