Religions of Karameikos 1

Religions of Karameikos
 Religions of Karameikos
Religions of Karameikos
by Giampaolo Agosta
This chapter expands the description of the religions and
cults present in Karameikos. While the Church of
Karameikos (20%) and the Church of Traladara (70%)
together attract circa 95% of the human population of
Karameikos, there remains a 5% of the population that
either follow foreign cults (e.g., churches from Thyatis,
Darokin or the Minrothad Guilds) or even darker,
entropic cults.
The Church of Traladara
Circa 70% of the human population of Karameikos
belongs to the Church of Traladara, the major native
religion. While its belief date back to the Traldar Age
of Heroes, the church itself has been around for circa six
centuries. It has suffered several major setbacks with
the Silver Purge, the holy wars, and finally the
Marilenev rebellion, which all but destroyed a
generation of church leaders.
The Church of Traladara concerns itself primarily with
the behaviour and morality of its followers. Church
doctrine, therefore, forbids that followers should cause
harm to others or their property. Such unlawful
behaviour is considered to contradict the examples of
proper comport as given in the Church's holy text, The
Song of King Halav. Therefore, the Church supports
punishment for said immoral acts (as these are
blasphemy), in proportion to the crime - up to and
including the death penalty, for heinous crimes such as
murder. "As the Beast-King did slay Halav, so Halav
slew him in kind," goes a common sermon on such
solemn occasion.
Other Church dogmas are supported by the Song, such
as the proper behaviour of women (strong defender of
the home, and supporter of men), the role of magic in
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Traladaran life (accepted, as was Zirchev accepted by
Halav), and the responsibility of every Traladaran to
fight evil in its myriad forms (including both passive
and militarised resistance against invaders). The Church
also serves the community by providing guidance,
performing ceremonies, and supporting traditional
cultural expressions, such as the Shearing.
Followers of the Church of Traladara attend a formal
ceremony, which involves an elaborate ritual granting
forgiveness for repented misdeeds, prayers for the ill
and the dead, and readings from the Song. Such
ceremonies are held once daily in Mirros, and once
weekly in smaller parishes throughout the countryside.
Churches are always open, however, as it is common to
find a handful of faithful there, praying, at all hours.
Larger churches also typically contain three or more
small shrines in niches off of the main sanctuary. These
shrines are each dedicated to a particular aspect of one
of the three Traladaran patron Immortals. Halav, Petra,
and Zirchev each have countless aspects, as every
village worships one particular to their local area. Sages
believe these aspects reflect guises in which the
Immortals have given aid or comfort to Their chosen
over the centuries, as well as remnants of ancient
Traldar Immortals. The most common aspects are given
below:
Pantheon
The Church of Traladara worships primarily the three
Great Heroes, Halav, Petra and Zirchev.
None of the three is given precedence over the other, as
the church stresses the importance of cooperation and
strength found in unity.
Halav: Beast-Slayer; Lawgiver; the Eternal Champion;
the Celestial King; the Unconquerable Warrior; the
Just; the Wise; Divine Judge
Petra: Defender of the People; the Divine Mother;
Weaver of Fate; Hearth-Maiden; Sacred Healer; the
Fair Warrior; the Gentle Queen
Zirchev: Mageborn; the All-Knowing; the Sly;
Nightwalker; the Blazing-Arrow; Elf-Friend; the Wild
Huntsman; the Changeling; Unerring Councilor.
 Religions of Karameikos
Several other Immortals are acknowledged as powerful,
but remote, forces. These are mostly the Immortals
worshipped by the ancient Traldar -- Ixion, Khoronus,
Djaea, Tyche, Asterius, and so on.
However, these Immortals are not generally worshipped
and only theology specialists are aware of their
existence, names, and rituals.
Most clerics just know that the Tarsian Twelve are
powerful Immortals that were once the patron of the
Traldar people, but left that role to Halav, Petra and
Zirchev.
Modern Traladaran cleric associate the Tarsian Twelve
with natural phenomena that are beyond the control of
humans -- such as the sun, earth, and weather.
Finally, several lesser heroes are also acknowledged,
and local cultural activities are held to honour them.
These may be Immortals, such as Chardastes, or simply
long-gone mortal heroes or kings, such as Tarhek the
Radiant or Prince Ithron.
The church activities and rituals focus on the historical
events of the Song of Halav, with festivals where the
battles against the Beastmen are re-enacted, and, on a
smaller scale, on the spiritual needs of the worshippers.
Traladaran priests are generally down to earth, and so
are their teachings -- generally, they are oriented toward
tolerance, goodwill, respect of fellow humans and
similar virtues.
The concept of sin is not clearly distinguished from that
of crime -- in general, the Traladaran priests did act as
judges in the pre-Thyatian clan system, and the modern
theology closely reflects that approach, even though
modern priests do not have judiciary powers.
History
The Church of Traladara was formed around 400 AC in
the town of Marilenev, as a result of the closer
interactions between the local Traladaran population and
clerics from Thyatis, Harbortown and New Alphatia.
The original Traladaran cult had been much more
informal, with clerics generally trained in a master-
apprentice system within each major clan.
Since the Traladaran culture was orally transmitted, the
priests served primarily as bards, advisers and healers to
the Traladaran nobles, in many ways like the
modern godi in the Northern Reaches.
Halav was the most popular patron, though Petra was
also well liked by the townsfolk, and Zirchev had some
following in the more remote communities.
3
When the Thyatian missionaries started collecting the
Song of Halav, and taught the Traladaran how to write,
they set the basis for the unification of the religious
thought across all of Traladara.
Three main ways of thought emerged, based in the
towns of Svoga (near Halag), Marilenev and Selenica.
The Selenican church was heavily influenced by its ties
with the Darokin monarchy, and, while named Church
of Halav, did actually retain much of the older Traldar
pantheon, including Ixion, Khoronus and especially
Asterius.
It quickly spread across the mountains to the northern
Traladaran clans in Lugsid (modern Threshold) and
Vaion (near the site of modern Penhaligon, but on the
northern bank of the Shutturga).
Its coat of arms displayed per pale: azure, the moon; or,
Halav proper.
The Marilenev church was more similar to the modern
Church of Traladara, and was the first to bear that
name.
It was more influenced by Thyatian missionaries, and it
was the first to adopt the brown robe as a formal clerical
vestment.
Its coat of arms displayed natural, a priest argent.
The Svogan church had more influences from the
neighbouring Five Shires, as well as from Harbortown --
the real power behind the throne in western Traladara at
that time.
This church focused its worship on Halav alone, leaving
only a lesser role to Petra and Zirchev.
It was also more militant, and in the decades between
400 and 450 AC, it raised a military order, the Knights
of Halav.
Its coat of arms displayed natural, a sword or armed
argent.
The three churches had slightly different beliefs and
philosophies, and controlled territories allied with
different powers.
Thus, they did not last long -- a cruel civil war erupted,
and the Svogan Church of Halav was all but destroyed,
while the Selenican church survived beyond the
mountains under the Alasiyan emirs.
The modern Church of Halav in the Gulf of Hule and
the Church of Olgar in Hule are direct descendants of
the original Svogan Church of Halav, brought to the
Savage Coast by exiled priests from the Halag region.
 Religions of Karameikos 4

The Church of Traladara managed to survive through a Church of Karameikos in Threshold still render this
number of other crises, including the Vampire Wars and project infeasible.
the Marilenev Rebellion.
The rebellion brought the death of many church officials
who had sided with the Marilenev against young Duke The current status of each Patriarchate is reported in
Stefan, leaving the church with few experienced Table 1.
leaders.
Only now is the church recovering, under the leadership
of Patriarch Aleksyev Nikelnevich. Patriarchates of the Church of Traladara
Patriarchate Holder Current see
Organization
The church is led by the Patriarch of Marilenev, Marilenev Aleksyev Nikelnevich Specularum
Aleksyev Nikelnevitch (C11), a capable, middle-aged Krakatos Vacant since 995 AC Specularum
warrior priest. Vidrin Tamara Iliescu Vorloi
Unfortunately, there are few other experienced clerics, Dmitrov Zoltan Shtolin Dmitrov
as the old generation priests are getting too old, and the Halavos Vassily Balahov Kelvin
best members of the generation of the 940 died in the (regent)
conquest and rebellion. Vaion Vladimir Marushka Penhaligon
Moreover, Sergyev's schism of 995 brought away more Lugsid (not assigned since Threshold
priests -- Sergyev himself was the second highest 900 AC)
ranking church official, the Patriarch of Krakatos.
Lumm (not assigned since N/A
721 AC)
A crop of younger priests is being named to important
Halag Vacant since 1000 AC Luln
positions, such as the freshly-named Bishop of Kelvin,
Balahov, and the Patriarchs of Vaion (Penhaligon) and Ourosco Jozsef Kazmarek Vandevicsny
Vidrin (Vorloi). Koriszegy (not assigned since N/A
However, the Patriarch of Luln (actually, of Halag in 743 AC)
exile), Arkadi, has recently died of old age, and the Svoga (merged with Halag) Luln
Patriarch is looking for a suitable replacement.
Below the Patriarchs, the traditional organisation only
Historically, the Church was organised into twelve had Priests and Novices.
Patriarchates (Marilenev, Vidrin, Dmitrov, Krakatos, In modern times, Bishops have been introduced,
Halavos, Vaion, Lugsid, Lumm, Halag, Ourosco, modelled on the Church of Thyatis, to take
Koriszegy, and Svoga), four from each of the three responsibility for populated regions that are not part of
original branches of the church. one of the historical Patriarchates, such as Rugalov.
In time, the see of the Patriarchs of Krakatos moved to Bishops also replace Patriarchs in some recently re-
Lazkow, the Patriarchates of Halag and Svoga were established sees, such as Kelvin and, until a few years
merged into a single see, and the Patriarchate of Halavos ago, Penhaligon, or help the Patriarchs of sees that have
moved first to Volaga and in modern times to Kelvin. grown beyond the managing of a single person, such as
During the Vampire Wars, the Patriarchates of Vaion, in Specularum.
Lumm, Koriszegy, and Lugsid were all but destroyed,
and have since remained vacant, or assigned as honorary Holy / Feast Days
titles to high-ranking priests in Specularum.
Only the Patriarchate of Vaion was re-established about Church holy days often change locally, according to an
twenty years ago, in Penhaligon. important regional feast-day, or a day holy to a local
Immortal aspect. However, the High Patriarch of Mirros
- head of the entire Church - sets common holy days,
There have been talks of re-establishing the Patriarchate which all faithful observe. The most important of these
of Lugsid in Threshold, but the loss of the Shield of major feast days fall close together, making summer the
Halav, the famed relic traditionally protected by the holiest season for the Church. Holy days include:
Patriarch of Lugsid, as well as the strong presence of the
 Religions of Karameikos 5

 Beasts' Day (1 Felmont ) - The battle between years, radical Traladarans on this day have
Halav and the Beast-King, and the end of the taken to fomenting unrest with speeches of the
gnoll invasion, is observed. In Mirros, a large "necessary" removal of the Thyatian-controlled
parade of celebrants, government...by force, if necessary.
including charmed magical beasts, takes place  Days of Darkness (Klarmont 26-28 ) - Faithful
before a grand celebratory Church ceremony. observe Halav's ultimate sacrifice for the
This marks the beginning of the official Church Traldar people these three days. It is considered
calendar year. Beasts' Day is the only ill form (and very bad luck) for Traladarans to
Traladaran holy day recognised by the celebrate Halav's victory against the Beastmen
Karameikan and Thyatian governments (it's just on 1 Felmont without having gone to Church to
too big to ignore). "mourn" his necessary sacrifice first.
 Feast of the Three Stars (15 Felmont ) -
Traladarans celebrate the ascendance of Halav,
Petra, and Zirchev to Immortality. As legend
has it, three new stars appeared in the evening
sky, close together, in the weeks following the
defeat of the Beastmen, representing the new
Powers. On this night each year, children eat
star-shaped cakes and gaze up into the heavens
to see if the Immortals will "wink" at them for
good fortune.
 Feast of Tidings (15 Ambyrmont ) - The
faithful observe the meeting of Halav and
Zirchev, the magic-trained huntsman who
comes from the north with ill news of
Beastmen, massing for war. Traladarans honour
Zirchev's loyal service to Halav by honouring
magic (including hedge-magic and folk-magic)
and magic-users this day. Traladaran mages also
traditionally give a gift to the leader of their host
town or village.
 Queen's Day (28 Sviftmont ) - This holy day
marks the day Queen Petra of Krakatos allied
herself with the warrior Halav and his adviser,
Zirchev, in preparing for the coming war. On
this day, Petra is honoured in all her aspects,
from Maiden of the Hearth, to Mother of the
Traladarans, to Warrior Queen, to lover of
Halav, to Wise Matriarch. Festivities range from
solemn processions carrying images of Petra to
grand feasts. Women are honoured this day by
not having any domestic duties from dawn till
dusk.
 Day of the Dark Champion (15 Kaldmont ) -
This day observes the dark necessity of Halav in
slaying the King of Lavv, who disbelieved the
Trio's warnings of the invasion. No bells are
rung, and faithful gather in church for solemn
ritual. Church fathers preach on Halav's
desperate choice: the death of one man, his
King, or the deaths of all unprepared
Traladarans in the coming invasion. In recent
 Religions of Karameikos
The Church of Karameikos
The Church of Karameikos is
a modern religion with roots in
Thyatian theology and
philosophy.
It is the religion followed by
the vast majority of Thyatian-
blooded Karameikans, as well
as by many Karameikans of
mixed blood, and some
Traladarans.
It is mainly a Lawful religion, even though its pantheon
includes Immortals of all alignments.
It basically teaches that the fate of each soul in the
afterlife is based on its balance of sins.
The Church provides rituals through which worshippers
may free their souls from sins.
As such, the beliefs of the Church of Karameikos tend to
take the form of very detailed precepts of life, with the
associated penances for each violation.
In this sense, the Church is much more dogmatic than its
Thyatian ancestor -- which simply mediates between
Immortals and mortals, generally letting every
Immortals' priesthood set its own standard and preach its
own doctrine, within a general framework.
This policy was chosen by the founders to ensure a
greater cohesion of the new Church, and avoid the
periodic crises that affected the Church of Thyatis.
The Church of Karameikos is also bent on
proselytising. Missionary efforts have been mostly
directed towards the Traladaran natives, though recently
clerics are being sent to the Five Shires as well --
though, once more, with no success to report.
Organisation:
The Church of Karameikos is a fairly well ordered
hierarchy. Its head is the high patriarch, currently
Olliver Jowett, who serves for life once elected by the
patriarchs and matriarchs of the church.
Each patriarch oversees the church in a region of the
country radiating out from the city in which his temple
sits, appointing priests to all the temples within his
district. One patriarch serves as the head of the Order of
the Griffon, the Church's military arm. Every year, the
patriarchs assemble for two weeks (or longer) to
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deliberate matters facing the church in the Great Synod.
Most patriarchs also periodically invite their subordinate
priests to elect twelve delegates to meet with them
yearly as a synod for their district, although this is not
required.
The Patriarchs and Matriarchs of the Church
All Patriarchs and Matriarchs are at least ninth level.
High Patriarch: Olliver Jowett. He doubles as Patriarch
of Specularum, watching over the church in the southern
seaboard.
Patriarch of Threshold: Sherlane Halaran. Northern
Karameikos is his responsibility.
Commander of the Order of the Griffon: Alfric
Oderbry. He supervises the Order of the Griffon.
Patriarch of Kelvin: Baron Desmond Kelvin II (He is
also a member of the Order of the Griffon, but was
chosen for the Patriarchate on the death of his uncle, the
former Patriarch). Central Karameikos is under his
supervision.
Matriarch of Luln: Natasha Markova. All of Western
Karameikos is effectively under her supervision.
Matriarch of Rugalov (based out of Rugalov keep):
Anastasia Romanova . Eastern Karameikos is under her
supervision, though at the present she's largely stuck
playing chaplain to the Rugalov garrison and squabbling
with Oderbry over who has jurisdiction
over several Order of the Griffon
fortified monasteries in
the Dymrak.
The Order of
the Griffon
The Order is
the military
wing of the
Church, led by
Patriarch Alfric
Oderbry. They
provide
bodyguards for the
Patriarchs, guards for the major
temples, and provide the manpower which the Patriarchs
call on in times of war to fulfil their duties to the Duke
 Religions of Karameikos
as landholders. The Order is a mix of Paladins, Fighters,
Clerics, and Warriors. It has two branches: the Soldiers
of the Griffon, who are a mixture of low level Warriors
and Fighters who serve the church, providing temple
guards, garrisons for the fortified churches of the
wilderness, and military forces to meet the feudal
military duties of the Church. The Knights of the
Griffon are a mixture of Paladins and Clerics who
perform holy quests, bodyguard the Patriarchs, and
command the Soldiers of the Griffon in garrison duties
and peacetime. All are at least fifth level.
The order mans a dozen or so fortified
monasteries/manors built in wilderness zones, whose
revenues help to fund the order and whose dangers keep
it in fighting trim.
Pantheon
The major Immortal patrons recognized by the Church
of Karameikos are
Asterius
Pax Bellanica (Tarastia)
Vanya
Valerias
Ilsundal
Kagyar
Ilsundal and Kagyar were chosen by the founders to
appeal to the demi-human inhabitants of the Grand
Duchy, though with very limited success, as the demi-
humans have a very different view of religion, more
related to personal or family worship than to public,
ritualistic worship.
Vanya, Valerias and Tarastia were chosen as the
major Thyatian Immortals -- the presence of these
Immortals guarantees that the Thyatians who come to
Karameikos see the Church as simply a national variant
of the Church of Thyatis.
The philosophy of the church actually does not agree
much with the teachings of Valerias, but the Girder-On
of Weapons is so popular that the new Church could not
expect much following, had it not included her.
Asterius is the personal patron of Patriarch Olliver
Jowett, the leader and founder of the Church.
This Immortal is worshipped in his aspect as the patron
of trade and merchants.
History
The Church of Karameikos is a recent creation.
7
Up to thirty years ago, its founders were priests of the
Church of Thyatis.
They were called by Duke Stefan Karameikos to cater to
the spiritual needs of the Thyatian settlers who were
colonising Traladara.
Under the leadership of Patriarch Olliver Jowett, these
priests decided to leave the Church of Thyatis and found
a new church.
There were several reason for leaving the Church --
political ones, as Duke Stefan wanted the Church to
work towards the full independence of Karameikos from
Thyatis, but also philosophical and practical ones.
The Church of Thyatis was indeed prone to infighting,
due to the many different Immortals and philosophies
accepted, and to corruption, since position were awarded
by the Emperor, the Senate, or by election rather than by
the will of the Immortals.
The constant quarrels between radical followers of Ixion
and Vanya might be tolerable in cosmopolitan Thyatis,
but would be a fatal weakness in a frontier land like
Karameikos.
Thus, Patriarch Jowett and his followers selected a
smaller set of Immortals that would be looked up as
models for the new church, and used their own
philosophies as the one and only doctrine of the church.
Since many of Duke Stefan's followers were Kerendans
or Hattians, Vanya included in the pantheon, but Ixion
was left out.
The new church was very successful in converting the
Thyatian colonist, most of whom had been fairly poor, if
not ruined, in Thyatis, and wanted to build a new life in
Karameikos, much less in converting the Traladarans.
Thus, fanatical factions developed within the Church,
preaching the forced conversion of unbelievers.
Only the authority of Patriarch Jowett keeps these
factions from launching a crusade against the Church of
Traladara.
Unfortunately, Jowett is now old, and will not be able to
keep the leadership for long.
It is impossible to say whether the moderate wing, led
by Patriarch Sherlane Halaran, will be able to rebuff the
extremist wing of Patriarch Alfric Oderbry.
Organization
The Church of Karameikos has many more Patriarchs
and Bishops than the Church of Traladara, even though
it has a much smaller number of Priests.
Most priests of the Church of Karameikos live in
structures owned by the Church itself, and work
 Religions of Karameikos 8

exclusively for the Church. Domains: * Good, Healing, Law, Protection

Thus, there are fewer itinerant priests and even fewer
village priests than in the Church of Traladara. The Church of Karameikos was an effort to blend
On the other hand, each temple of the Church of Traladaran religion with Thyatian; the result is not
Karameikos is generally manned by more priests and always entirely self-consistent, especially as they
novices than the typical Traladaran shrine. desired to appeal to all the races of Karameikos. Each
immortal represents one of the twelve virtues. The
Geographically, the structure of the Church mirrors the twelve immortals of the Church of Karameikos are:
administrative organisation of the Grand Duchy of
Karameikos. * Cleverness--Korotiku the Trickster (Thought)
Each fief is considered a Diocese, which may be the see
of a Bishop or a Patriarch. * Compassion--Chardastes the Healer (Time)
The Patriarchal or Episcopal titles, however, are not
directly linked to the sees -- though there are enough * Courage--Halav Red-Hair (Thought)
Patriarchs that none of the baronial Dioceses is held by a
Bishop. * Craftsmanship--Kagyar the Artisan (Matter)
Indeed, Patriarchs like Alfric Oderbry and Aleena
Halaran are not attached to a specific see, having instead
* Defence of the Weak--Petra the Holy Defender (Time)
other positions in the church -- either as high officials
(Marshals) in the Order of the Griffon, or as Vicars
(overseers of a single city) or Legates (ambassadors to * Discipline--Djaea, Averter of Catastrophes (Matter)
other nations).
The same happens for Bishops not awarded their own * Justice--Tarastia the Just (Energy)
Diocese.
* Love--Valerias, Patron of Lovers and Girder-on of
Also, some Dioceses are not truly active, especially Weapons (Matter)
those in Traladaran fiefs like Marilenev, Sulescu,
Vandevicsny, Rugalov and Dmitrov. * Patience--Khoronus, Father of Time (Time)
The titles are still awarded to Bishops, but these priests
actually reside in Specularum, mostly involved in * Peacefulness--Koryis, Patron of Peace and Prosperity
political manoeuvres to obtain funds for missionary (Thought)
activities from the Duke.
* Respect for Nature--Zirchev (Energy)
In addition to the Dioceses, there are Chaplaincies,
which are associated with less civilised territories under * Scholaship--Ixion the Adventurous Scholar (Energy)
military jurisdiction.
Currently, the Order of the Griffon does not have any
hall or monastery outside Specularum.
It does, however, provide military chaplains to the five Cleverness--Korotiku the Trickster (Heaven of Winds)
keeps of Karameikos.
Any Priest-Knight of the Order of the Griffon can be Ruler of the Heaven of Winds, Korotiku is the trickster
assigned as Chaplain, though often this is a position whose pranks bring wisdom and laughter to all who
reserved to Bishop-Knights. meet him. He encourages his followers to puncture the
pretensions of those who have become lost in their own
* Symbol: A twelve-pointed star self-importance and to bring comfort to those in pain
through humour. Korotiku was one of the ancient
* Colours: Blue and Yellow Traladaran patrons, although the Thyatians also
worshipped him, especially the Pearl Islanders.
* Sacred Days:
Compassion--Chardastes the Healer (Heaven of
* The first day of each month; each month is sacred to a Waters)
particular Immortal.
 Religions of Karameikos
In the wake of the great war against the beast-men 2000
years ago, Chardastes travelled between the villages of
Traladara, healing all those who had suffered at their
hands. He even healed beast-men he encountered along
the way, which proved his downfall, for a band of them
tried to carry him off to keep as a healer. He offered no
resistance, but refused to offer obeisance to their foul
gods, so they slew him in a fit of rage. The Immortals
then took him up and made him one of their number.
Chardastes is the steward of the Heaven of Waters,
tending to the needs of its inhabitants with quiet cheer.
He encourages his followers to offer compassion and
forgiveness to all, especially to their enemies.
Courage--Halav Red-Hair (Heaven of Winds)
Halav was the leader of Traladara in the great war
against the beast-men, and it was he who slew their
hideous leader in battle, he who brought the arts of
metal forging to men. He now leads the griffon-riding
Hosts of the Heaven of Winds in their wars against the
Fiends of the Pit. He is husband to Petra the Defender.
He encourages his followers to be steadfast and brave.
Craftsmanship--Kagyar the Artisan (Heaven of
Stone)
Kagyar it was who forged the Dwarves from rock,
Kagyar it was who raised the mountains which shield
Karameikos from invasion, Kagyar it was who taught
Halav to forge metal, and Kagyar it is who watches over
the Dwarves and Gnomes of Traladara. His blessing
shines upon all those who build things which will stand
the test of time. Kagyar is the steward of the Heaven of
Stone, ensuring that it will endure through the ages. He
encourages his followers to be craftsmen in stone and
metal, to build things which will endure forever.
Defence of the Weak--Petra the Holy Defender
(Heaven of Waters)
Wife to Halav and Queen of Traladara in the time of the
beast-men, it was she who invented the arts of pottery
and weaving, she who insured that none would starve by
beginning the storage of food against the famine the
beast-men brought, she who called down the gods to do
battle against the demons who aided the beastmen, and
she who found Halav's fallen body and preserved it from
desecration. To her is given the guardianship of the
Heaven of Waters. She encourages her followers to
protect the weak and innocent from assault and injustice,
and to prudently prepare for hard times to come.
9
Discipline--Djaea, Averter of Catastrophes (Heaven of
Stone)
Djaea rules the Heaven of Stone, the world as it was
intended to be before the plotting of the Fiends of the Pit
marred the world. She it was who laid out the plans the
Immortals used to forge it, and she who was first to see
the plots of Entropy. Her struggle against them is patient
and endless. She it was who warned Halav and Petra and
Zirchev of the coming of the Beast Men, and she it was
who still cries for fallen Blackmoor, which failed to
heed her warnings. She and Khoronus were wed in the
dawn of the world. She encourages her followers to be
steadfast and true, to resist the temptations offered by
the Fiends, to never abandon a project from boredom or
exhaustion, but instead to persevere to the end.
Justice--Tarastia the Just (Heaven of Fire)
Her worship in Traladara is recent; Traladarans always
looked to Halav and Djaea for justice. The Thyatians
say she is one of their own, the legendary empress
Valentia the Justiciar, who united the Thyatian Empire
in its early years by fairly offering equal citizenship to
all its subjects, making one people of all the nations.
Duke Stefan has followed her example in his efforts to
make one people of Traladar and Thyatians. She leads
the hosts of the Heaven of Fire in their wars with the
Fiends of the Pit. She encourages her followers to treat
others fairly, and to be just in all their dealings.
Love--Valerias, Patron of Lovers and Girder-on of
Weapons (Heaven of Stone)
Valerias is another Thyatian goddess. She is the lover of
Ixion--their relationship is legendarily passionate and
tempestuous. Like him, she is ancient beyond reckoning.
She is the especial patron of star-crossed lovers who
must battle against the odds, and has been known to
bring weapons to those who must fight for their love.
She guards the Heaven of Stone with her Sacred Band.
Her followers are encouraged to love with all their
hearts and to open their hearts to others.
Patience--Khoronus, Father of Time (Heaven of
Waters)
Husband to Djaea, Khoronus rules the Heaven of
Waters, sailing his great ship down the rivers of time.
He brings patient, purposeful change, change brought
 Religions of Karameikos
about through careful planning and deep thought.
Unwilling to act until he thinks things all the way
through, he sometimes drives the other Immortals insane
by being a little too patient, but when he acts, he is as
decisive as anyone. He teaches his followers to both
patiently accept what changes are beyond their control,
and how to intelligently guide the course of history so
far as it is within their power.
Peacefulness--Koryis, Patron of Peace and Prosperity
(Heaven of Winds) Koryis is revered by the Ochaleans
of Thyatis, and with the integration of Traladara into
first Thyatis and now Karameikos, his worship has
spread west. Koryis advocates trade as a way of building
networks between people that channel their energies into
peaceful competition instead of war. He is the steward
of the Heaven of Winds, encouraging its mercurial
inhabitants to live in fruitful peace with one another. He
teaches his followers how to find the mutual interests
they share with others, and how to then cooperate with
them in order to benefit both.
Respect for Nature--Zirchev (Heaven of Fire)
Zirchev the Hunter aided Halav and Petra in the war
against the Beastmen, learning the arts of the hunt, of
scouting, and of ambush. His studies taught him the
secrets of nature, and he learned to use its power by
flowing with its rhythms, instead of against them. He is
the steward of the Heaven of Fire; under his care the
Fire Forests have flourished. He teaches his followers to
respect the wild places and the animals they hunt.
Scholarship--Ixion the Adventurous Scholar (Heaven
of Fire)
The King of the Heaven of Fire, Ixion is like fire: he
both warms and burns those who come close to him. He
advocates the life which balances action and
contemplation, doing and being, war and wisdom. He
strives ever to learn more, and to do things with his
knowledge. He encourages his followers to study the
world in order to change it.
10
The Fiends:
There are five great fiends who plot the destruction of
all the works of the Twelve Immortal Guardians. Each is
served by many lesser fiends. They are lead by
Thanatos, He who is Death, the End of All Things. He
seeks to destroy all four of the Four Heavens, while the
other four Great Fiends each target a single Heaven.
Death: Thanatos
At the End of All Things, the very bottom of the Pit, sits
Thanatos, as all things tumble down into his maw. He is
patient, for he believes that in the end, he will devour
everything in an apocalypse from which there will be no
rebirth. He is too foolish to understand that death is
merely the prelude to new beginnings. Death has no
especial foes, for he intends to devour everything in the
end.
Destruction: Orcus (The Enemy of the Heaven of
Stone) Favoured by orcs.
Orcus is destruction made flesh,
the active principle which
smashes big rocks into smaller
rocks and turns all to dust in the
end. It is by his plots that the
world was marred, and he hopes
to one day destroy the Heaven
of Stone, so that even the
memory of the world in its
first bloom of perfection
will be lost. His greatest
enemy is Djaea, Queen of
the Heaven of Stone.
Malice: Loki (Enemy of the Heaven of Winds)
Loki is malice, and jealousy, and spite and all the
emotions which inspire people to hurt others and pull
them down. He is the trickster whose pranks bring pain
and suffering to others, who bullies and mistreats the
weak and leads the proud to destruction. He is the
rubber of salt in wounds, the joker who kills, the fire
which burns all it touches. His greatest enemy is
Korotiku, King of the Heaven of Winds.
Despair: Hel (Enemy of the Heaven of Fire) Hel is
the greyness of despair, the one who whispers in your
ear that it is best to give up, to surrender, to accept that
there is nothing you can do about a bad situation. Why
 Religions of Karameikos
fight? Why struggle? Why not just give in and accept
you cannot change the world for good or ill and spare
yourself the pain of your inevitable failure? That is the
message she brings. Her greatest enemy is Ixion, King
of the Heaven of Fire.
Selfishness: Talitha (Enemy of the Heaven of Waters)
Talitha teaches that one should always put one's self
above all others, that everyone else exists only to serve
you and your pleasures. Greed and self-indulgence are
the highest virtues in her sight. She struggles with
Khoronus, the King of the Heaven of Waters.
The Four Heavens and the Pit: There are four
Heavens, each home to three of the Immortals who
watch over it. Those who die purified of their sins
ascend to dwell with the immortal whose virtue they
best manifested in life.
The first is the Heaven of Stone, ruled by Djaea, the
world as it was before the Fiends of the Pit marred it in
the War of the Gods at the dawn of Time itself. The
roads are made of silver so that no fell werewolf may
walk them, and the sun never ceases to shine, driving
away the vampire and all his foul kin.
The second is the Heaven of Air, a great kingdom of
clouds and wind, ruled by Korotiku. It is an ever
changing land, constantly reshaped as the clouds drift
about at the direction of those who rule them and dwell
upon them. All the creatures of the sky find havens here,
and noble cloud and storm giants build their flying
citadels.
The third is the Heaven of Water, a great ocean dotted
with islands green with life. Fishermen dwell upon the
islands and gather their harvest from the sea, while
beneath its surface dwell a million glorious civilisations.
Khoronus rules there from his floating citadel where he
keeps the Great Book, in which all that ever happened is
written down.
The fourth is the Heaven of Fire, where all is made of
light and fire, a world we can hardly imagine. It is home
to Ixion the Sun King, who makes his dwelling place
upon the back of a gold dragon the size of a continent.
Here, all people become magicians of puissant power,
and fire burns without consuming.
11
Each of these Heavens cast a shadow, the so called
'Elemental Planes', where dwell many strange and
wondrous creatures, and they float in a great ocean
known as the Astral Plane, through which runs the
Silver Road that leads from the Mortal World to that of
the Immortals.
As their light shines upon our world, our world casts a
shadow across the Astral Plane, a shadow known as The
Pit, home to the Fiends, Immortals who have been
swallowed by their own darkness and strive to mar all
that the Immortal Guardians create. The Pit has five
great layers to it, four of which parody the Four
Heavens, and the fifth of which lies below the other
four, the End of All Things, home to Thanatos, He Who
Is Death.
The Hell of Rubble is ruled by Orcus the Destroyer, a
great void full of broken chunks of all that is solid,
constantly being broken into tinier bits. The Fiends of
Destruction, who live only to smash all else that is,
dwell here, gradually destroying their own home.
The Hell of Ash is ruled by Two-Faced Hel, the Lady
of Despair and Misery. It is a grey and dismal hall built
from the fingernails of the dead, which stands in a great
bleak plane of ash. There is no fire, no light, no hope
here, only dismal grey twilight and an eternity of
existence without purpose or meaning. The Fiends of
Despair dwell here, moaning and bewailing their fate.
The Hell of Sand is ruled by Talitha the Vain, who
dwells within a great palace made entirely from stolen
goods, surrounded by a bleak and lifeless desert of
endless sand under a constantly present hot summer sun.
Every wall is mirrored so that she and her Fiends of
Selfishness and Vanity can gaze upon themselves,
admire their own beauty, and count themselves lucky to
not be among the hapless evil souls condemned to toil
endlessly in the desert.
The Hell of Fire is a great charnel house ruled by Loki
the Jealous, who dwells in a great hall built of the
charred and forged souls of the damned. All those
consumed by their own jealousy, hatred, and envy of
others fall into the Hell of Fire where they are turned
into tools and money and food for the Fiends of Malice,
who fatten upon them. Sometimes Loki invites the
newly damned to compete with him for the right to join
his fiends. The games are rigged so that no one but him
can win; Loki greatly enjoys the joke. The losers
become dinner for the winner.
 Religions of Karameikos
The End of All Things is a great conical void whose
walls are made of solid nothingness, a funnel down
which all things slide into the waiting maw of Thanatos
himself, who sits at the bottom, letting all things come
to him as he believes they inevitably must.
Philosophy and Theology:
The Church of Karameikos' most fundamental practice
is that of taking responsibility for one's ill deeds and
doing penance for them. Anyone can be redeemed if
they are willing to accept their own guilt and pay for it.
The state of your soul at death is determined by how
many of your sins you have done penance for. The
problem with this is that some abuse it as a blank check
to do evil things and pay for it later.
The Church's ideal is the marriage of discipline and
creativity of thought and deed, but in practice, the
disciplinary aspect tends to predominate. This often
leads to clashes with the various Traladaran faiths and
with anyone else who deviates from the cultural norms
of the Thyatian elite who currently dominate the
Church. It also leads some to be willing to crusade
against other faiths or lands to spread the faith.
Marriage is very sacred to the Church because mortal
marriages are symbolic of the union of discipline (law)
and creativity (chaos) which forms part of its
philosophy. It is to be noted that many of its patron
immortals are either married or in extremely long-term
relationships. Divorce is highly frowned on, and
adultery and pre-marital sex are seen as grave sins.
The state of one's soul at death determines one's fate in
the everlasting life. Those who die without repenting
their ill deeds sink into one of the hells, as appropriate
for their greatest sin. Those who die with their soul
sufficiently cleansed by repentance and penance rise to
the heaven which most closely reflects their greatest
virtue. The most holy of those join the ranks of the
Champions who serve the Immortals.
The Church of Karameikos condemns the various
divination practices of the populace of Karameikos
because they believe such methods are subject to
manipulation by the Fiends, and are in fact a major tool
by which the Fiends tempt and destroy humanity. They
also believe that they don't work and are foolish
superstitions.
12
Holy Books:
Most of the holy texts of the Church of Karameikos are
either Thyatian or Karameikan in origin, and have been
gathered together by Patriarch Jowett into what is called
'The Book of Twelve Stars'. It consists of:
* The Vision of the First Dawn (An account of the
creation of the universe as seen by Patriarch Jowett in a
vision)
* The Marring of the World (An account written from a
vision by the seventh century AC Thyatian visionary
Epithelius of Retebius. It deals with the rise of Entropy
and the fall of the world from its first perfection.)
* Korotiku Steals the Secret of Death (Pearl Islander
story about how Korotiku stole the secret of death from
Thanatos, thus enabling himself to become immortal
and those held prison in Thanatos' cave to escape)
* The Works of Kagyar (This is a spiritual history of the
Dwarves and of the deeds of Kagyar over the centuries.
Some now forgotten dwarven mystic wrote this at least a
thousand years ago. It contains an extensive description
of the Heaven of Stone)
* The Path of Light (an ancient text of Tarastia
worshippers which lays out the twelve virtues and how
to follow them. As might be expected, it especially
exalts the virtue of Justice.)
* The Five Curses of the Fiends (This dark and gloomy
book was also written by Patriarch Jowett after a vision,
and describes the Five Hells and the Five Fiends in
disturbing detail and the curse which each of them has
put upon all the sentient races.)
* The Fall of Blackmoor (This is a lament by Djaea for
the fall of Blackmoor and for the destruction the Rain of
Colourless Fire brought upon the world. It is a
traditional Traladaran text.)
* The Song of Halav (Traditional Traladaran epic poem
about the Traladar-Beastman war of 1000 BC. Halav,
Petra, and Zirchev figure prominently)
* Zirchev's Testament (Traditional Traladaran text
which sets out Zirchev's warning to the Traladarans to
respect the powers that dwell within the forests of their
lands, said to have been dictated before he went forth to
 Religions of Karameikos
war on the Beastmen and passed on by his children.
Traladaran tradition holds that it was the failure to hold
to these commands which enabled the Five Fiends to
twist some of the forests dwellers into the lycanthropes
which plague Karameikos)
* The Life of Chardastes (This is an account of the life
and death of Chardastes written by one of his followers.
It is Traladaran in origin)
* Love Songs (This book has three chapters, each of
which is a love poem from one of the Immortals to
another. The first is 'The Song of Petra', which is a
traditional Traladaran love poem written by Petra to
Halav on the eve of the battle with the Beastmen. She
clearly fears she will never see him again, and pours out
her heart to him. The second is 'The Passion of Valerias',
written by Valerias to Ixion. It is a strange combination
of pornography and spiritual ecstasy. The third is 'The
Pledge of Khoronus', in which he pledges his love to
Djaea. It shows the love of an old and stable couple in
whom the flame of love burns lower but more steadily.)
* The Analects of Koryis (This is a strange and
enigmatic book which consists of 144 sayings, each of
which is a four line poem. The book is divided into
twelve sections of twelve sayings each, with each
section being a different kind of poetry and focusing on
a different topic. While of Thyatian origin, it has
circulated in Traladara for several centuries, being used
as a divination system. The Church of Karameikos
frowns on its use for divination, regarding it as a
depository of spiritual wisdom)
* The Prophecy of Hope (This was proclaimed by a
priest of Ixion in ancient Traladara after the destruction
of the Beastmen. It contains twelve prophecies of future
Traladaran triumphs, culminating in the utter overthrow
of evil and the restoration of the world to its original
beauty.)
Selected Quotes from the Book of Twelve Stars:
"Eyes cannot see, words cannot tell
the glory of the world in the first spring,
in the days when all was new,
in the days before the world was marred,
and yet, I must try."
--The Vision of the First Dawn
"Order protects and sustains
Chaos creates and changes
13
Entropy corrupts and destroys.
Once all were one,
But then the world was marred,
And strife entered in its wake.
Death seems everywhere triumphant.
For every soul he waits
At the End of All Things.
But he has forgotten the circle,
misreads the seasons,
ignores nature's every sign.
After fall comes winter,
but after winter is spring.
The world's springtime will come again."
--The Marring of the World
"Those who cannot take a joke are the ones who most
desperately need one to be given to them."
--Korotiku Steals the Secret of Death
"It is not easy to forgive, to love one's enemies. But
none of the good things in life come easily. Hate and
destruction are the road that leads into the Maw of
Thanatos. I will walk the harder road that leads into the
light."
--The Life and Death of Chardastes
"Halav shoved himself up the spear,
and hacked off the Beast King's head.
For 'tis better to die a hero's death
than to live a coward's life."
--The Song of Halav
"Fires consume their fuel and die,
songs fade and stories are forgotten,
wood burns and flesh rots away,
but stone and metal endure.
And so I command my children
to build their homes and tools
on a solid foundation
for stone and metal endure."
--The Works of Kagyar
"Fight not for your own glory, my love.
;Fight for those who cannot fight for themselves.":
--The Song of Petra
"Before you can bring order to the world,
you must bring order to yourself.
 Religions of Karameikos 14

Blackmoor never learned this lesson;

do not walk their road."
--The Lamentations of Djaea
"Let not the judge forget that one day he too will be
judged."
--The Path of Light
"Forge me with your hammer. Mould my clay into
something beautiful and harden me with the fires of
love. You are copper; I am tin. Let us become bronze."
--The Passion of Valerias
"In the winters of our love, remember the past and know
that spring always comes again. Winter is but a rest that
makes the spring all the sweeter. Be like the willow
which bends in the wind and returns to stand upright
when the wind passes, for it always does."

--The Pledge of Khoronus

"Everyone is someone else's stranger.

When you look upon a man you know not
and tell yourself he is odd and dangerous,
you ensure he will come to think the same of you."
--The Analects of Koryis
"Did you make the forest? Did you set the plants to
grow and the animals to their grazing and hunting? Can
you make more land, set a sun in the sky and rain to
fall? If so, then you may say the forest is yours, but you
know that is not so."
--The Testament of Zirchev
"Without knowledge, action is aimless. Without action,
knowledge is pointless. Do not choose merely to know,
or merely to do. Use your wisdom, or you will lose it."
--The Book of Hope.
 Religions of Karameikos 15

The Cult of Halav

The Cult of Halav is a small, newer religion.

It was born in 995 AC, when Patriarch Sergyev received
a vision in dreams, which told him that the Immortals
had reincarnated King Halav in Stefan Karameikos.
Surprisingly enough, Sergyev was able to persuade a
number of clerics of the Church of Traladara, and
founded his own cult.

While the priests of the Cult are generally considered

madmen, they receive clerical powers, which means that
theirs is not a fake religion.
However, their powers do not mirror those of the priests
of Halav, though this is not apparent.

The Cult has no strict organisation.

Patriarch Sergyev is the unchallenged leader.
Under Sergyev there are cell leaders, who are in charge
of smaller or larger groups of cultists.

The Cult of Halav currently exists only in Specularum

and Kelvin, and has only a very limited number of
followers, less than 1\% of the Karameikan population.
 Religions of Karameikos
Demi-human Religions
The three demi-human nations of Karameikos have their
own cultures, laws, and religions.
The Kingdom of Highforge is, like most dwarven and
gnomish groups, very secretive about its religious
practices.
The dwarves worship Kagyar, and the Gnomes worship
Garal Glitterlode.
The followers of this two Immortals generally do not
interfere with each other, and keep their beliefs to
themselves.
The Callarii Elves follow Ilsundal and Mealiden, while
the Vyalia follow Ordana and Ilsundal.
Both clans have their own Tree of Life, though the
Vyalia tree resides in Thyatian territory.
Karameikan Hin are mostly clanless.
Most of them remember the legends and songs of the
High Heroes, but there is no organised cult.
Few demi-human have any interest in human religions.
Those who do are seen as eccentrics, but are generally
left to their own devices.
The Goblinoid Pantheon
Since Karameikan tribes are smaller than Broken Lands
tribes, they generally stick with one or two Immortals at
most.
As usual, worship of opposed deities often leads to
feuds and even open war between neighbouring tribes.
However, the Bugbear followers of Bartziluth and the
Gnoll followers of Ranivorus are divided by large
expanses of Elven and Human territory, so open wars
are uncommon.
Wogar is the most popular goblinoid Immortal, since
there are many more goblin than goblinoids of other
races.
Bartziluth, Karaash and Ranivorus follow, with
Jammudaru, Yagrai and Kurtulmak having the smallest
cults.
16
In addition to the traditional Goblinoid Immortals,
several Entropic powers are worshipped, especially
Orcus and Leptar.
The Dark Triad
Also known as the Temple of Evil Chaos in ancient
sources, or as the Cult of Demons, the Dark Triad is a
powerful force for evil in Karameikos.
Pantheon
This cult worships primarily Orcus, but also other
Immortal Fiends, especially Leptar and Demogorgon --
together, the three Entropic form the Triad that gives the
name to this cult.
In ancient times, Demogorgon was the primary focus of
the cult, but since the great lycanthropic plagues, the
Orcus faction has gained the upper hand.
The other Immortal Fiends are seldom worshipped, but
are still part of the cult's pantheon.
History
The origins of the Dark Triad are lost in the depths of
time.
The Temple of Evil Chaos already existed in the heroic
age of the Traldar.
At that time, Demogorgon was the unchallenged leader
of the pantheon, but was largely ineffectual in
undermining the Tarsian Twelve.
Thus, other Entropic Immortals took the initiative,
leading the Gnollish hordes to the lands of Traldar.
The cult barely survived the Beastman war, and was
reduced to individual witches and the occasional
isolated village of entropic cultists.
Then, Orcus came, set on becoming Halav's nemesis.
First, he sent his pawns, the Witches of Dymrak, to
recruit a great hobgoblin king, Leptar, securing many
goblinoid clans to the cause of Evil Chaos.
Leptar succeeded in his goals to a great extent, joining
the cult pantheon as an Immortal, and leading to the
modern Dark Triad.
Then, Orcus engineered the theft of the Black Opal Eye
and the corruption of the magician Trinkla, reducing the
power of the Seer of the Lake of Lost Dreams.
However, his plan was for a short time foiled by the
Alphatian-trained, Thyatian-born wizard Elyas, who
became the new Seer and recovered the Eye.
Orcus sent the three witches, Karelena, Solorena and
 Religions of Karameikos
Trilena, to kill Elyas.
They succeeded, but Elyas was able to bind the spirits of
the three witches, and the Black Opal Eye was lost.
The Dark Prince then brought the lycanthropes, who
desired revenge for the Silver Purge, into the cult,
making it easier for the cultists to survive in the
dangerous wildernesses of Traladara.
The influx of lycanthropes in the cult brought not only
the werewolf's hardiness, ferocity and survival skills,
but, perhaps more importantly, the devil swine's ability
to control and manipulate others.
As the dust of the Traladaran Wars settled down, the
cult was able to infiltrate the towns.
Vaion especially fell to the cult, leading to the
corruption of the Monastery on the Hill, and the rise of
Queen Elendorath during the Vampire Wars.
In the end, the Cult of Demons was defeated, Vaion was
destroyed and the Monastery on the Hill razed.
The cult itself, however, survived -- in the werewolf
lairs of the Wufwolde hills and the Cruth Lowlands, in
the goblinoid holdings in the Caves of Chaos, and in the
dread forest of Dymrak.
Organization
The Cult of Demons is a chaotic organisation -- almost a
contradiction in terms.
Personal power and pacts with the Immortal patrons
rather than hierarchy drive the cultists, making it
difficult to eradicate, as not even the most powerful
members have control over the whole structure.
On the other hand, the organisation suffers from
infighting, conflicting personal agenda, and lack of
communication.
The Cult of Demons is stronger in eastern Karameikos,
especially in the Altan Tepee mountains, the Wufwolde
hills and the Dymrak Forest.
The main strength of the Dark Triad is in their
numerous, powerful pawns, including the following:
 The green dragon Argos the Worrier. From his
lair under the Rugalov River, Argos controls
several goblin tribes and a number of lesser
dragons. In spite of his power, the dragon is
exceedingly careful, as if his secret allegiance to
Orcus was exposed, all other dragon kings
would team up against him.
17
 The Witches of Dymrak. These nine mysterious
witches have been around for almost two
millennia, plotting and scheming -- often
furthering Orcus' goals, other times their own.
The witches control several strong goblin clans,
but have a powerful enemy in the Seer of the
Lake of Lost Dreams.
 The Gambler. The devil swine known only as
The Gambler is a travelling agent of the Dark
Triad.
 Several werewolf clans in the Wufwolde Hills
and the Cruth Lowlands. The werewolf priest,
Kalkask, leads the Cult of Demons in the
Wufwolde hills.
 Ilyana Penhaligon. This warrior woman, the
half-sister of Lady Arteris and self-proclaimed
"Queen of Vaion", is dominated by the spirit of
Elendorath, the old Queen of Vaion, who was
herself a cultist of Orcus. The evil priest, Bernal,
acts as her adviser. Ilyana has recruited a
number of mercenaries, both human and
goblinoid.
 Elwyn the Ardent. A former priestess of the
Church of Karameikos, Elwyn is now devoted to
Leptar, and is the driving force behind the
resurrection of the Cult of Demons in the area
between Penhaligon and Threshold.
 Other goblinoid tribes. The ancient Temple of
Evil Chaos still survives in the Caves of Chaos,
near the Castellan's Keep, and attracts a
number of orcish and goblin tribes. Also, the
dungeons of the Monastery on the Hill are still
home to goblinoid cultists.
 Religions of Karameikos 18

The Gens Celaenes His own shady past gave him the right contacts, and he
was able to persuade a high ranking Shadow Hand
guildsman, Lamacus, who had made several powerful
This fractious cult is based in Fort Doom, and finds enemies within the guild, to move in Fort Doom with
most of its adepts among the members of the Iron Ring his followers, where they would enjoy the Baron's
(Slavers Confederation). protection in return for taking care of the local thieves.
It is a Thyatianized version of the cult of Kala, which
the Iron Ring clerics have taken up in Jaibul.
Within three years, the newly formed group, not yet
known as the Iron Ring, got rid of the local opposition
Table 2: The Iron Ring Pantheon with the help of Pamphilion and his apprentices.
Meaning However, there was little left for them to do -- they
Standard Thyatian could not steal from the rich, since the Baron had
Sindhi name of Sindhi
name name reduced the Traladarans to poverty, nor they could take
name
"The over the protection racket from their Traladaran
Kala Hel Celaene predecessors, since the Baron was already squeezing the
Black"
local merchants dry.
"Great
Mahavasha Masauwu Magnanimus
Spirit"
Then, one of Pamphilion's apprentices had a brilliant
"Killer in
Jammudaru Jammudaru Antiphon idea -- the Black Eagle's rule was raising more and more
revenge" discontent among the local population.
"The Aphantos, While the Baron seized as many political opponents as
Bhajyagwan Loki Veiled Farbautides he could, his dungeons were getting full of them.
One" (rarely) So the wizard proposed to Von Hendricks to let the
"He who unemployed thieves dispose of the prisoners.
prospers
Bhrsharadha Brissard Hybristes
through This led to the formation of the modern Iron Ring, as
violence" former Ierendi pirates joined in to provide the means to
transport the prisoners to Jaibul, the prime market for
Pantheon slaves. Thyatis was originally avoided due to the enmity
The Iron Ring imported from its primary trading partner, between the Shadow Hand and Lamacus.
Jaibul, a number of dark gods, including Hel, Masauwu, Some of the most regular customers of the Iron Ring
Jammudaru, Loki and Brissard. were the priests of Kala, Bhrsharadha and Mahavasha.
The Iron Ring cultists rarely use the Sindhi names for As the slave traffic became the most important source of
the various Immortals, using instead the Thyatian names revenue for the Iron Ring, some members started
listed in Table 2. converting to the cult of these Immortals, especially
Bhrsharadha.
The cultists refer to themself as the Gens Celaenes, that
is the "House of Black Goddess". By 980 AC, the influx of political prisoner was down to
levels insufficient to support the market request for
History slaves.
The Iron Ring was formed when a branch of the Shadow So, the Iron Ring leadership, which, after the death of
Hand, the largest Thyatian Thieves' Guild, moved in to Lamacus, was composed of former apprentices of both
Halag in 973 AC. Lamacus and Pamphilion, had to expand their business
outside the Black Eagle Barony.
At that time, the Black Eagle was facing the opposition The Iron Ring was now structured in two layers: the
of a local Thieves' Guild, an organisation similar to Masters, leaders of the organisation, and the Reavers,
Specularum's Veiled Society. some of whom served under the Masters in Fort Doom,
He turned therefore to his court wizard for help in while others, more experienced, served as contacts in
dealing with these stealthy enemies, who had already the various Karameikan towns or as travelling agents.
tried thrice to assassinate him. Reavers were in charge of procuring new slaves by
The wizard, one Lucius Pamphilion, decided it was best kidnapping travellers, foreigners, or other people who
to use thieves to catch thieves.
 Religions of Karameikos 19

would not raise much trouble on their sudden Masters appear to support the Jaibul priests, the issue of
disappearance. double loyalties has not yet arisen.

Contacts were established with goblinoid tribes such as
the Vileraider Bugbears to provide further slaves and
manage the secret transfers of slaves across the country.
Meanwhile, the Reavers started working in the business
of assassination as well as kidnapping rich people in
order to exact a ransom.
Priests of this Sindhi cult often serve as support staff for
the Iron Ring Masters or as liaisons with several
goblinoid tribes allied to the Iron Ring.
Many lesser priests are also employed to "program"
animated corpses used as guards or to select and mind
wash prospective Hounds.

The last major change to the Iron Ring structure came This cult is gaining some following among the most evil
when Bargle the Infamous slew old Lucius Pamphilion goblinoids that serve the Black Eagle Baron or work
and took his place as court wizard of the Black Eagle. with the Iron Ring.
Instead of killing the Iron Ring wizards, he helped them
in disposing of the non-magic using Masters, and in
establishing a further division between lesser and greater
Masters.
The newly established leaders of the Iron Ring, working
on Bargle's recommendation, started investigating into
magical occurrences, old artifacts and treasures all over
the nation.
To this end, clerical help was now needed, and so were
bodyguards.
The Iron Ring itself had many fighters, but they were all
needed to keep the flow of slaves, and to keep track of
their goblinoid allies, lest they started pocketing slaves
from the caravans.

So, the Masters turned to the Jaibul priesthoods.

They offered favourable trading conditions in exchange
for the training of priests, chosen among the Reavers of
the Iron Ring, as well as knowledge of the hypnotic
techniques developed by the priests of Bhajyagwan and
Mahavasha.
Armed with this knowledge, the Masters went on to
create their perfect tools -- the mind washed warriors
known as the Hounds of the Iron Rings.

Nowadays, low-level priests of the five primary

Jaibulite Immortals are quite common in the ranks of the
Iron Ring Reavers.
While these priests serve the Iron Ring, they also
advance the agenda of the Jaibul priests -- and therefore
of their allies from the Hulean Temple of Chaos.

Organization
In Karameikos, the Gens Celaenes is part of the Iron
Ring organisation, and shares its hierarchy and
leadership.
However, the priests also answer to the high priests of
Kala in Jaibul.
Since these leaders are so distant, and the Iron Ring
 Religions of Karameikos 20

Other Powers and Religions Foreign Religions

A few other powers are worshipped in Karameikos,
thought these cults are generally followed only by a few
individuals.
Nyx
Nyx is worshipped by a few humanoids (the Dark Web
tribe under the Zargash mountains), as well as by a few
Nosferatu, "grey" necromancers, witches and other odd
individuals.
However, several major underground temples of Nyx
are hidden in various locations under Karameikos.
These are actually ruins of the Taymor civilisation, and
several contain sleeping undead servants of this Entropic
power.
Several shrines to foreign Immortals and cults are found
in the Foreign Quarter of Specularum.
These include the Eternal Truth, Minrothism, Augrism,
the Church of Thyatis and the Church of Darokin.
These shrines mostly serve the foreign communities, or
act as embassies for the churches to the Karameikan
government.
References
A. Allston, GAZ1: The Grand Duchy of Karameikos
G. Gygax, B2 Keep on the Borderlands
D. Niles, B5 Horror on the Hills

Thanatos J. Bambra, G. Morris and P. Gallagher, B10 Night's

Like Nyx, Thanatos was the focus of much worship Dark Terror
during the Taymoran Age.
Often, ancient temples to Thanatos are easy to confuse C. Sargent, B12 The Queen's Harvest
with those to Nyx, since few people are familiar with the
esoteric Taymor symbology, and the underground D. Brown, Church of Traladara Hierarchy
temples have been abandoned for centuries.
F. Defferrari, Dhrom Dhum Speaks
One such error led the Count of Koriszegy to his tragic
end -- what he thought an altar of Nyx had actually been Håvard, The Witches of Dymrak
the focus of bloody rituals of Thanatos, and his attempts
to contact the first Immortal attracted the attention of the Håvard, Mighty Argos
Grim Reaper, who cursed Koriszegy and destroyed his
county. Håvard, The Seer of the Lake of Lost Dreams

Alphaks S. Wilson, Karameikan Timeline

Followers of Alphaks are fairly rare in this part of the
world.
Alphaks is worshipped by the Temple of Evil Chaos, but
is not part of the Dark Triad.
His major foray in Traladara happened two centuries
ago, when he gained the allegiance of Morphail
Gorevich-Woszlany, a wizard and noble in the Moor in
north-eastern Traladara.
Morphail, however, was defeated and forced into exile
by his enemies, and was never especially useful in
establishing a strong cult of Alphaks.

Nowadays, some followers of Alphaks of Thyatian

origin are found in Fort Doom and in Specularum, and a
tribe of Hobgoblins has been converted to the worship
of the Roaring Fiend.