Zoriah, the Red God (Kang)
Basic Philosophy
Worship of Zoriah, the Red God of War, is the state religion of the war-like Kang, who pray to Him for courage, strength, and victory. All battles are said to be the domain of Zoriah, who is depicted as a giant male Kang of fearsome aspect, clad in ornate crimson battle armor, with a floor-length queue of black hair adorned with spiked silver rings, twin daggers at his belt, wielding a savage falchion. Zoriah is believed to care nothing for praise or supplication, valuing only Khir and conflict. The Kang state that they sprang up where Zoriah's blood struck the ground when He was wounded waging a war among the gods that is said to continue still. Those who fight with skill and courage in Zoriah's name will fight alongside Him in the afterlife, earning great glory. Cowards are destined to spend the afterlife as the mindless steeds of the glorious warriors.

Doctrine
Zoriah's faith requires that followers strive to act with honor and Khir. Warrior-priests - Zoriah's only clergy - must never let a challenge to their martial skills pass unanswered, nor must they ever show fear in the face of superior opposition. Cowardice - a term that also encompasses magic use, stealth tactics, as well as flight from combat - is regarded as the most heinous of sins, redeemable only by ritual suicide or a suicidal battle against seemingly impossible odds. Those who draw a weapon in Zoriah's name are forbidden to resheath it if the weapon has not tasted blood first, even if it must be the warrior's own. Warrior-priests learn "The Nine Ways" (Kanquan, Dagger, Falchion, both on foot and mounted, Tactics, Strength of Will, and the Word of Zoriah), using and expanding on this basic foundation when they walk "The Paths of Blood" (the spiritual path wherein the warrior-priest seeks battle in the outside world). These brothers of Zoriah - a misnomer because Zoriah cares not if his warrior-priests are also female; all that matters is their devotion to conflict - have no clan allegiance, and bow to no one, not even the Red God Himself. However, they are expected to remain chaste and let nothing detract from their pursuit of martial perfection. In addition the warrior-priests refuse to use any non-thrown missile weapons, stating that weapons should rely on the strength of the warrior, favoring melee above all other conflict.

Saints and Luminaries
None. Although those Kang who died with high Khir are highly regarded.

Symbology and Trappings
Warrior-priests of Zoriah receive kanjiko in the form of a spiked circle (Zoriah's symbol) displayed prominently on the forehead. This represents the spiked silver rings that Zoriah wears on his queue, and that warrior-priests also wear themselves (the only individuals in Kang society permitted to do so). Warrior-priests also carry the twin-dragon pommel daggers used by all Kang, but theirs have the clan markings burned away, signifying their lack of allegiance. Zoriah's color is red, reflected in the color of the warrior-priests garb, as well as the red iron battle armor they wear, paid for by the Temple.

Temples
The temple of Zoriah in Hadran is a stout, brutal fortress, clad in red iron, surrounding a central vaulted hall bearing a giant red iron statue of the Red God. It serves as both a monastery and training ground for the members of Zoriah's clergy, but all recognize the field of battle as Zoriah's holiest shrine.

Holy Days
Warrior-priests of Zoriah have but one holy day, celebrating "The Feast of the Red God" on 1st Jhang. All Kang celebrate the glory of conflict in Zoriah's name, and the day is marked by large-scale bouts of ritual combat and other martial contests.

Rank
None. All warrior-priests regard each other as brethren, although the more experienced members serve to train the others.

Magic
None. Zoriah expects his followers to pursue the path of the true warrior, relying solely on their own skill-at-arms and courage. They are expected to stand on their own two feet and earn Zoriah's respect.

Resources
All Kang donate 10% of their pay to the Temple of Zoriah. In return, the warrior-priests perform the ritual "Baptism of Fire" - passing the newborn briefly through a flaming censer - for all Kang, and funerary services for the greatest war heroes. The Empire's greatest kanquan masters reside in the Temple, and those seeking their harsh tuition must be prepared to make a sacrifice of their master-to-be's choosing - monetary or otherwise.

Terra (Vajra)
Basic Philosophy
Similar to the Gnomekin worship of Terra (see pp. XX), faith in Terra is common to all Vajra. They state that Terra is a great elemental who dwells deep within Archaeus, and formed the Vajra from the molten rock of Her heart. Although regarded as a devoted, compassionate mother, the Vajra recognize that Terra can be wrathful, sundering the very earth of Her home with rage, sending Her molten blood forth to consume and destroy. Like the Gnomekin, the Vajra also abhor abuse of the earth, but they are far more likely to take direct action to combat such problems, at least when their young are not at risk.

Doctrine
Like Vajran society, Vajran religion is matriarchal, and all clergy of Terra are female, although they are not expected to remain chaste; bearing life is one of Terra's greatest gifts. Sadly, open worship of Terra has been outlawed by the Kang, and even invoking Her name results in immediate physical punishment if any Kang are present. Despite this, the Vajra continue to hold clandestine services deep underground, in caverns lit by magma. Offspring are valued as gifts from Terra, and most Vajra strive to bear as many younglings as possible. Unfortunately, it is these very younglings, developing in their cocoons, that the Kang use to hold the Vajra in bondage. Vajra work to embody the virtues of Terra, to be as placid, enduring, strong and resolute as stone, and as fruitful and nurturing as earth. However, they recognize that they were formed from magma, and although their outer bodies have cooled, they state that a heart of burning magma still resides deep within each of them. They call this "The Dark Fire", and strive to keep it in check, for when they give vent to their wrath, they enter a destructive fury, dying when they calm, all their heat expended. The Dark Fire provides them with warmth, but they know it can kill.

Symbology and Trappings
Terra's priestesses wear soft brown moss-felt robes under vestments of hammered iron and copper disks (PR: 4), and a necklace of polished stones, but only during ceremonies so as to avoid unwelcome attention by the Kang. They have no symbols, as all stones, and the very earth itself, are constant reminders of Terra. All non-clergy Vajra wear brown cloaks of moss-felt during services devoted to Terra (they never wear cloaks at any other time).

Temples
None. The Vajra hold numerous deep caverns with magma streams or falls as places of worship, but believe you can pray to Terra anywhere within the earth, although deeper locations are closer to her.

Holy Days
Vajran worship of Terra has never possessed any traditional holy days, although the priestesses do play a major part in the guidance of their people on "The Day the Earth Wept" - 36th Ardan - when they remember their subjugation by the Quan in 82 N.A., and pray for a future of freedom.

Rank
Priestesses of Terra always defer to those of greater experience.

Magic
Terra's priestesses practice Geomancy rather than Invocation, a field of magic they believe Terra created for and gifted to them. However, they treat the earth with respect, and cast all of their spells in Terra's name, although their usage of magic has been severely curtailed by the faith's outlaw status.

Resources
As the Vajran faith in Terra is illegal within the Kang Empire, the clergy maintain a low profile. They are aided in this by other Vajra who do what they can to aid their spiritual leaders.

Darkness (Chana)
Basic Philosophy
The Chana believe that this world is an illusion, a test of the soul that determines their worthiness to return to the "Real World", a place of eternal and comforting darkness where they will be reunited with their true selves, never to know pain or hunger again. The path back to the Real World is preordained, discovered by conversing with the spirits of the dead, who are said to dwell at the crossroads between the False and Real Worlds. If the individual Chana follows the preordained path correctly, he or she will enter the Real World when they die. Failure means that the Chana reincarnates back into the False World (as a Chana) and must begin anew. Those witchdoctors that converse with the spirits state that strife is the path to the Real World.

Doctrine
The dedicated pursuit of entry into the Real World is all that matters to the Chana. The Chana obey their witchdoctors as the voices of the spirits, and must ensure that they do not inhibit any Chana's path. It is for this reason that they continue to bear children, enabling Chana who have failed, to reincarnate and try again. The shrunken head fetishes ("fetches") used as spirit guides are always those of foreigners, who the Chana state cannot reach the Real World anyway. They believe that these foreigners are actually blessed, for they then exist at the crossroads, and can view the Real World they never would have witnessed otherwise. When creating a fetch, the Chana eat the foreigner's corpse in front of the head's dead eyes, ceremonially demonstrating that its ties to the False World are truly severed. For their part, the Chana always cremate their dead, ensuring that the body can not be used in enemy rituals.

Saints and Luminaries
None.

Symbology and Trappings
Chana witchdoctors all wear several grisly fetches at their belts, but are otherwise indistinguishable form their fellow tribesmen. They have no fixed symbology, although the arcane symbols they sometimes use are thought to be derived from an ancient, forgotten language.

Temples
None.

Holy Days
Two dates in the Talislantan calendar - "Pandaemonium" on 6th Zar and "The Ghost Moon" on 49th Laeolis - are considered sacred, for on these dates it is believed the veil between the Real World and the False World are weakened, better enabling witchdoctors to communicate with spirits and perform their rituals. Conversely, "The Conjunction of the Twin Suns" on 49th Phandir is considered an unholy day for the Chana, for the twin suns, sources of light antithetical to the Chanan love of darkness, seem to merge their power making the veil between worlds impossible to pierce.

Rank
Each tribe's witchdoctors base their ranking on how much power they wield, both magical and influential.

Magic
Chana witchdoctors practice Shamanistic magic.

Resources
All Chanan witchdoctors serve their tribe by creating and conversing with the fetches used as spirit guides. In return, the witchmen provide for the witchdoctors, and obey those edicts that the witchdoctors state are the wishes of the spirits.

The Dragon Cult of Satha (Sauran)
Basic Philosophy
Satha is the great dragon-goddess who gave birth to all reptilian species from drac to winged viper, dragon to land lizard. Greatest of all Her children are the Saurans, for She gifted them with intellect and set them as warders of their animal brethren. The Saurans were birthed from Her fiery womb and even now demonstrate a tolerance for such heat. She tests Her chosen children, strengthening them with adversity, forcing them to continually prove their worthiness for the gifts she has granted them, including the ability to forge red iron, and invoke the powers of wrath, strength, and control over reptiles that are focused into icons. Satha is depicted as a vast winged dragon of fearsome aspect, crimson scaled with fire in her eyes and maw.

Doctrine
The devoted of the Dragon Cult must overcome all life's struggles, proving their courage, strength, and aggression, but must temper these forces with the intellect they alone were granted. As warders of their less unintelligent cousins, the Saurans must protect them from unnatural depredation whenever possible, especially the dragons, those of Satha's brood that most resemble Her divine countenance. The clergy of the cult is exclusively female, although they are permitted to marry and mate, thereby increasing the number of Satha's children.

Saints and Luminaries
None.

Symbology and Trappings
A stylized dragon's head is Satha's symbol, crimson is Her color, and red iron and fire Her elements. The Saurans believe that the twin suns are symbols of Satha, the greater sun representing Her womb, while the lesser sun represents Her heart. Her priestesses wear ritual vestments of dragon hide, bone, and red iron stamped with Her mien, carry red iron staves topped with red iron icons shaped like Satha's head, and bear ceremonial red iron daggers shaped like a dragon's claw. The enchanted icons the priestesses produce for their clan are always shaped like Satha's head, or stamped with Her likeness.

Temples
There are no temples erected in honor of Satha, but active volcanoes are considered the holiest of places, acting as the site of burials and large gatherings.

Holy Days
"Satha's Fire" is celebrated on the 49th of Phandir, as the conjunction of the twin suns in the noonday sky represents the unity of Satha's womb and heart that is said to have resulted in the birth of the Saurans.

Rank
Age determines rank among the Dragon Cult priestesses, although those individuals who do not display the courage, strength, aggression, and intelligence demanded by Satha will quickly be replaced.

Magic
The Dragon Cult practices Invocation magic, drawing power directly from Satha. However, the power they do have access to is strictly limited to the Alter, Influence, and Enchantment Modes, and may only be used in the creation of magical icons; Sauran priestesses are incapable of using their magical abilities to cast spells.

Resources
The Dragon Cult rules Sauran society, with each clan being led by a High Priestess, who in turn is served by lesser priestesses and a male battle chieftain. Sauran society as a whole supports the cult, offering devotion and support. In turn, Satha's priestesses perform many duties for their clan, ruling on legal matters, fashioning enchanted dragon icons, reading omens, offering advice, healing the sick and wounded, as well as performing rituals of birth and death.

Aqus (Sunra/Sun-Ra-San)
Basic Philosophy
Aqus is depicted as a water elemental of vast proportions with the upper body and head of a Sunra, and a lower body and legs like the long sinuous tail of a moonfish. Worshipped by both the Sunra and their free brethren, the Sun-Ra-San, Aqus is the embodiment of both sea and ocean, displaying gentleness, calm reflection, and deep wisdom, but also possessed of the rage and power of a storm at sea. The undulating waves of Aqus' waters reflect the ups and downs of life. The Inland Sea is said to be the primordial wellspring from which all creatures started life, its tranquil nurturing waters incubating Aqus' seed, leading the Sunra and Sun-Ra-San to refer to it as the Mother of Life. Even the land dwellers are believed to have crawled from the waters of the Inland Sea at the dawn of time. The souls of the Sunra and Sun-Ra-San dead are destined to reincarnate as moonfish in the Inland Sea, causing both peoples to view death (The Deep Waters) with a mixture of reverence, for the return to the womb, and horror, for being reborn in captive waters.

Doctrine
Followers of Aqus are expected to cherish and nurture the waters that provide life, food, and shelter, especially the primeval womb, the Inland Sea. Reflection, and wisdom are to be pursued, leading to a love of learning. Priests may be of either gender, and are encouraged to use all the gifts Aqus has granted them. Songs are sung in praise to Aqus, the beauty of which can only be truly appreciated underwater, and paeans of thanks are offered to those creatures of the sea that give their lives that the Sunra and Sun-Ra-San may live.

Saints and Luminaries
Both the Sunra and Sun-Ra-San revere moonfish as the reborn avatars of their dead who bear wisdom and serenity from beyond The Deep Waters. However, the Sun-Ra-San cannot revere the moonfish in person due to their renegade status, nor can they visit the Inland Sea, facts that cause them much distress and anger. In addition, the Sun-Ra-San hold Sur-San the Fire-Giver as a luminary and hero, for he led them from bondage under the Quan.

Symbology and Trappings
Only the Sun-Ra-San are free to bear the traditional symbols and attire of Aqus' devoted, their priests wearing simple robes, boots, and headdress of rainbow kra hide, and wearing amulets of carved scrimshaw bearing the likeness of Aqus. The Sunra priests are forced to wear robes and headbands of Mandalan silkcloth, and are forbidden to display any icons of Aqus on pain of death. Turquoise is considered Aqus' color, and pearls and shells are sacred to Him.

Holy Days
The Septenarial Concordance (7th - 20th Zar), is known to the children of Aqus as "The Reaching Waters", and marks a holy period among both Sunra and Sun-Ra-San, for at that time, the tides around the continent are at their highest point. The high tides cause the entirety of the Coral City of Isalis to become submerged, clearing it of occupation for a brief period. This period is marked by many songs to Aqus, and much contemplation on slavery and freedom.

Temples
None. All services to Aqus are held within or under the water, but close to the nearest shore.

Rank
Rank among Aqus' priests is determined by majority vote, and is free of corruption.

Magic
Priests of Aqus learn the arcane arts of Aquamancy, but always treat their environment with respect.

Resources
Priests of Aqus serve their people by leading them in song, performing the Merging of Souls ceremonies, acting as seers, healers, and navigators, as well as lending aquamantic aid and teaching the word of Aqus. In return, their people support them as messengers of their god, and grant them great respect. Aqus' priests among the Sun-Ra-San also perform the necessary paeans over the body of every sea dragon that they slay, thanking Aqus and the dragon's spirit for giving of themselves. That the Sunra are prohibited from the hunting of sea dragons is a source of much shame.

Creator (Mandalan)
Basic Philosophy
The Mandalans are a spiritual and philosophical people, regarding religion as a purely personal affair. They believe in a celestial creative force that is the source of all things, but their belief is abstract at best, for they do not attribute this creative force with any recognizable values, such as intellect, gender, appearance, or even a name (use of the word "Creator" is considered broad enough). Because they believe that all things possess a spirit that is but a fragment of the vast energy that forms the Creator, they take pains to avoid killing at all costs, for all entities are part of the whole, and every action has a consequence that affects many others things, like a pebble causing ripples in a pond. Only those creatures that are not part of the natural order, such as the undead, may be freely dispatched without fear of causing creation harm. For these reasons, the Mandalans are loath to take any action without care and consideration, especially anything proactive. Thought and introspection are the cornerstones of their worldview, and they meditate to clear the mind and transcend the flesh, striving to reach a state of emptiness and ultimate calm where they experience complete unity with all creation.

Doctrine
To kill is a terrible deed, for it damages creation. Because of this, pacifism is the true way, and conflict, if unavoidable, should always be a reaction, using the attacker's own aggression to defeat them. All actions should be considered, and harmony of thought and action should be fostered, for even if the body is inhibited, the spirit and mind are always free and indomitable.

Saints/Holy Days/Symbology/Rank/Resources
None.

Temples
None, although many carefully sculpted groves aid in the use of meditation, Mysticism, and Natural Magic.

Magic
While the Mandalan religion is not organized, and does not possess a priesthood, Mandalans themselves will only utilize harmonious magics, such as Mysticism and Natural Magic.

Ancestor Worship (Quan)
Basic Philosophy
Although the Quan once believed themselves entities without peer, many have desperately turned to the spirits of their ancestors in the aftermath of the Silent Insurrection, feverishly hoping for a return to their status as rulers. Such budding spiritualism is seldom organized, and has no tradition to speak of, being created out of whole cloth by a defeated, previously godless, people. They dream of the days when they lived lives of luxury and privilege, holding particularly wealthy or renowned ancestors as symbolic of what they once were, and what they should be once again. Many have even begun to look further back into the past of their people, drawing small inspiration from the days of yore when the Quan tribes were themselves, fierce, golden-skinned warriors. For all this, their hope and spirit is still crushed, their worship forlorn, and almost pointless, even to themselves.

Doctrine/Symbology/Temples/Rank/Magic/Resources
None.

Saints and Luminaries
Of those families that revere their ancestors, each holds one or more in high stead as the focus of their inspiration.

Holy Days
The birthdays and death dates of the revered ancestors are held as holy days of commemoration, marked by more prayers and tales than normal.

The Spirit World (Nagra)
Basic Philosophy
The Spirit World permeates the Real World, though few save the Nagra can perceive the beings that exist in the periphery. Born with the curse of astral vision, the Nagra can see the insubstantial entities that surround them, witnessing the spirits of the dead, and the living, both malignant, primal, and benign. They place great faith in the spirit jars they wear, for these Ward off the mystic predators that feed on spirits, and that can fill the Nagra's very heart with the chill of terror. Nagra shamans can contact the spirits, gaining their advice and wisdom, though there is always a risk that the spirit is deceitful, evil, or twisted. Those spirits most eagerly sought for their wisdom and aid are the primal totem spirits of beasts, for they will provide aid to a shaman in exchange for loyalty.

Doctrine
Silence is a high virtue, for it permits the Nagra to more easily withdraw into themselves, stealing their hearts against the horrors that stalk the periphery, as well as granting them the concentration needed to better filter the views of the Spirit World from those of the Real World. To steal or destroy a spirit jar is the greatest taboo, for it removes the individual Nagra's protection. Leaving them vulnerable. Doing so is punishable by a swift and brutal death. When a Nagra dies, their spirit jar is opened, allowing the spirits imprisoned within it to fly free once again, their obligation now over.

Saints and Luminaries
The Nagra recognize the many animal totems that offer wisdom or aid, especially revering those most closely linked to their tribal shaman.

Symbology and Trappings
All Nagra shamans bear carved wands of ivory or bone called "nagus", and often enchant these to Ward against malign spirits. In addition, all shamans bear several fetishes indicative of their allied totem, such as a necklace of feathers for one devoted to an avir totem.

Holy Days
The Septenarial Concordance (7th - 20th Zar), is feared as "The Harrowing", for the Spirit World is far more active during this two week period. During this time, no sane shaman will contact the Spirit World, and the Nagra become even more withdrawn and uncommunicative.

Temples
None.

Rank
None. Nagra tribes possess but a single shaman, plus one or two apprentices.

Magic
Drawing their power from totems and spirits, all Nagra shamans practice the arcane art of Shamanism, and always learn the Enchantment, Ward, and Reveal Modes, the better to interact with and protect against spirits, as well as to create spirit jars.

Resources
Each shaman is supported and provided for by their tribe, for they craft the spirit jars that all Nagra wear, council the young on how best to steal themselves against the "things" they see, act as an intermediary between the Spirit World and their tribesfolk, and use their powers and skills to help and heal.