Cult of Kúlsus
The people of Ahaþrys have long been associated with wolves, the veneration of which was once widespread throughout Nemirkía and beyond, but has since been mostly supplanted or syncretized into other faiths1.
In Ahaþrys, these ancient rituals form the basis for a local mystery religion known as the Cult of Kúlsus, focused on the eponymous god of hunting and warfare, and patron deity of the city. He's usually depicted as a wolf or a wolf-headed man, though more recently as a man clad in wolf pelt.
Originally restricted to the warrior elite, today the mysteries have been merged with the midsummer festival, a spectacle where commoners perform ancient dances accompanied by wild music, singing and howling in front of the temple of Kúlsus, followed by much revelry. The actual rituals are performed in secret by the high priest and initiates -all members of the local aristocracy- wearing wolf hides, which consists mostly of archaic hymns, libations and animal sacrifices and, most importantly, the consumption of wolf meat.
Before the city became part of the Paþarían Empire of old, monarch of Ahaþrys observed a similar ritual as a part of their investiture.
In Ahaþrys, these ancient rituals form the basis for a local mystery religion known as the Cult of Kúlsus, focused on the eponymous god of hunting and warfare, and patron deity of the city. He's usually depicted as a wolf or a wolf-headed man, though more recently as a man clad in wolf pelt.
Originally restricted to the warrior elite, today the mysteries have been merged with the midsummer festival, a spectacle where commoners perform ancient dances accompanied by wild music, singing and howling in front of the temple of Kúlsus, followed by much revelry. The actual rituals are performed in secret by the high priest and initiates -all members of the local aristocracy- wearing wolf hides, which consists mostly of archaic hymns, libations and animal sacrifices and, most importantly, the consumption of wolf meat.
Before the city became part of the Paþarían Empire of old, monarch of Ahaþrys observed a similar ritual as a part of their investiture.
1Outside Nemirkía, ritual consumption of wolves and wolf worship in general is still observed by the Amrans and Rómúkans in southwestern Gysikan. The Grey Woodsman featured in folklore of the Núrakic Elves also shares certain features with the god Kúlsus.
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