Great Plague

Oira'khai, the Great Plague, destroyed the Father, and thus created life. We all owe our existence to it, we are all worms, feasting on a corpse. The Great Plague is life, death and rebirth - never-ending cycle of pain and perseverance.
The fundamental truth of the Great Plague is that "an action is a change and a result". Acting or not acting creates thousands of impossible to track consequences, and every action must be drawn from the previous actions. This continuity is always preserved. The first known action was the birth of the Father and the Mother from candlelight. The candle must have been lit before, but it's impossible to dig any deeper.

The Undying

The Undying consider themselves blessed by the Great Plague. The Pure think they are cursed. Either way, the Undying can never die - their bodies may age, decay and crumble, but they still live. Some don't age, some regenerate. Most of them experience various syptoms of a terrible illness, ranging from mild pain and scars to new humans growing out of separated limbs. These are explained in more detail in the article on the Undying themselves.

Woship

The Great Plague isn't worshipped in the common sense: it isn't a sentient entity, it is a law of reality. Theoretically, one can "make a deal" with it: manipulate the law to one's desire, but for a price. Any kind of worship (prayer, ritual, sacrifice) usually has some kind of return effect, that may be hard to predict.

Sects

The Great Plague is worshipped in a thousand of ways. Many sects are limited to a region or even a single village. Not all of them are Undying - but some will be blessed. The specifics of the blessing vary wildly and influence the ways of worship.
For example, in the Holeihn forest the blessed turn into trees or tree-like humanoids. It is no wonder that the most prominent sects there are Roots and Oil.
The most popular sects are those of Worms, Flies, Roots and Kai'rhana ("pure decay").

Kai'rhana

The sect of Pure Decay claims that the continuity can and should be controlled by the blessed ones, that the consequences of an action can be predicted and changed to equivalent ones. Kai'rhana isn't popular among the common folk, but many high-ranking Undying consider themselves devout followers.
Some of them turn to strategy, planning and organisation, and become praised specialists in their fields. Some become healers, known to treat fatal injuries and terrible diseases. Others choose to perfect some other art of craft with the understanding of its impact.

Worms

by Lord Sovorn

The sect of Worms ("Khaita'laki") encourages harvesting the results of the endless cycle and putting them back again, this time, with intention. After all, it's impossible to care only about yourself - you will always care about what remains after you're gone. This sect focuses on induviduals and the impact they leave. To be of use, take care of yourself, and with the newfound strength, bring something better into the cycle.

Flies

The sect of Flies ("Orei") is a stark contrast to the Worms. Through suffering we bring comfort to the others. Through sacrifice we ensure the well-being of those, who come after us. The only purpose of our existence - to help others, whose purpose is the same. A sacrifice of one feeds many. And thus the cycle continues undisrupted, and gradually becomes ever more benevolent.

Roots

by Lord Sovorn

Roots ("Khle'vara"). The cycle brings us closer and then separates us again. But the flow remains unbroken. Remember who you were, and who you will be. After all, we are all family.

Hunt

by Lord Sovorn

The sect of the Hunt ("Roshta") or the Beast ("Laikr") worships one of the children of the Sun and Moon Beasts - Laikr, the predator, the hunter, obsessed with protecting its offspring. The flow diverges, and then merges back. The weaker feed the stronger, so that they survive. And thus, they all return to one, and break apart again. The Hunt is a test, a competion, where those, who lose, support the victors. This sect is highly enigmatic, so little can be said about their views and practices.

Oil

The sect of Oil ("Yrann") comes from the Watchman's Woods, where trees producing black oil grow. Their oil is higly flammable and valuable. This sect mostly replicates the approach of the Roots, but with the addition of a sacrifice for the good of others - the way a tree gives oil to humans at the cost of its life. It also encourages being just and careful - any mistake can have horrible consequences, and injustice throws the cycle off balance, which isn't good for anybody.

Religions

• Kherala, the Court
• The Undying

Church/Cult

The Undying