Adrakism
Culture
Adrakists are dragon worshippers. They do not worship any specific dragon, but rather dragons as a concept and their entire race as a whole. They believe that primordial dragons created the world and thus their descendants are the true gods of this world. Any and all things directly related to dragons are seen as sacred; and their destruction is seen as the highest form of blasphemy.
Many Adrakists seek to emulate dragons in how they live their lives. Those with the means even seek to become dragons themselves (or at least as much like them as they can be). Most practicers of Adrakism are kobolds, dulaagi, or half-dragons, seeking to eliminate the non-draconic portions of themselves, but there are Adrakists among all races.
Adrakists believe in gender equality, which stems from their reverence for dragons, who are inherently genderfluid and thus do not discriminate based on gender. As for their attitude towards other faiths, Adrakists believe that while other religions may be misguided, everyone has the right to their own beliefs.
Adrakists practice monogamous marriage as they believe that the most powerful and pure-blooded Adrakists should marry one another in order to produce stronger offspring. They approve of divorce, as they know not all arrangements are made to last. Marriage between close relatives is unrestricted as it is seen as a way to ensure the purity of the draconic bloodline. Adultery is shunned and they do not recognize children born out of wedlock due to concerns over impure bloodlines. Interracial relations are generally shunned, except when it comes to interbreeding with dragonkind. The killing of a member of one's own family or clan is accepted in Adrakist culture, as it is seen as a way to rid the clan of weakness or treachery.
Ethics
Adrakists place a high value on ambition, viewing it as a trait essential for achieving greatness and power. As dragons are beings of immense power and wisdom who pursue knowledge and power with great ambition, Adrakists believe that emulating this trait is necessary to achieve their own goals and rise to positions of power and influence.
Bravery is also highly valued by Adrakists due to the fearless and ferocious nature of dragons. Adrakists believe that exhibiting courage and bravery in the face of danger is necessary to achieve victory and honor, both of which are highly regarded by the cult.
Diligence is also highly valued, as dragons are known for their dedication and tireless work ethic. Adrakists believe that embodying this trait will help them achieve success and reach their goals.
Greed is considered a crucial trait, as Adrakists believe that the accumulation of wealth and power is necessary for the survival and growth of the cult. As dragons are known for their love of treasure and wealth, Adrakists believe that pursuing wealth and power is an essential part of their existence.
Furthermore, pride is highly valued by Adrakists due to their belief in the superiority of dragons over other beings. Adrakists hold that their own draconic blood makes them superior to non-draconic beings, and pride in their own abilities and accomplishments is necessary to assert their dominance and maintain their position of power.
On the other hand, contentment and sloth are viewed as unbecoming of dragons, as Adrakists believe that dragons should constantly strive to improve and achieve more. Adrakists consider a dragon who is content or lazy as inferior, not living up to their full potential.
Cravenness is seen as a sin because it is considered cowardly and weak. Adrakists believe that dragons should be brave and fearless, willing to face any challenge or danger that comes their way.
Finally, humility is also viewed as a sin as it contradicts the pride and ambition that Adrakists value. Adrakists believe that dragons should be confident in their abilities and strive for greatness, not downplay their achievements or talents.
Worship
Each time a member undergoes a transformation ritual, the entire sect comes together for a grand ceremony. The ceremony begins with a prayer of reverence to dragons, after which the subject of the ritual recites an oath to uphold the tenets and ideals that the cult ascribes to dragonkind. Following this, the transformation ritual is performed. If the subject survives this painful ordeal, a celebratory feast is held during which the subject showcases the result of their transformation. However, if the subject succumbs to the pain or if the transformation goes wrong, a memorial service is held instead.
Adrakists hold their dragon ancestors in high esteem, revering them for their power and wisdom. As such, they believe in honoring and respecting their ancestors, often striving to emulate their behaviors and traits. By doing so, they hope to achieve a similar level of greatness and become more like their dragon forebears.
Adrakists believe that those who are born with the blood of dragons have a special destiny and purpose in life. They view this as an auspicious birthright, a sign of favor from the dragon gods. Such individuals are seen as being destined for greatness, and are expected to uphold the values and traits of their draconic ancestors.
Adrakists believe in the importance of strong, pure-blooded Adrakists. They believe that the most powerful and pure-blooded Adrakists should marry one another in order to produce stronger offspring. This practice is known as divine marriage and is seen as a way to ensure the continued strength and purity of the Adrakist bloodline.
Adrakists believe in the importance of self-improvement and self-discovery in order to better emulate the traits of dragons. This inner journey is seen as a necessary step on the path to becoming more like their dragon ancestors. Adrakists strive to develop the traits of dragons, such as wisdom, power, and ferocity, through rigorous self-examination and self-improvement.
Adrakists believe that power is a valuable and desirable trait, both for individuals and for their sect as a whole. They see the pursuit of power as a means of achieving greatness and fulfilling their destiny as dragon-blooded individuals. This pursuit of power is seen as a necessary step in becoming more like their dragon ancestors and fulfilling their role as protectors of the dragon race.
Adrakists believe in the cyclical nature of life and death, and that the souls of those who do not become dragons in this life will be reborn into a draconic form after they die. This belief in reincarnation is seen as a way of ensuring the continued existence and growth of the dragon race.
Adrakists have an unwavering and unyielding faith in dragonkind and their pursuit of draconic traits. They believe that their faith should remain unrelenting even in the face of opposition or doubt. This steadfast faith is seen as a necessary component of their identity as dragon-blooded individuals and members of the Adrakist sect.
Priesthood
The hierarchy within the Adrakist community is informal and largely based on mutual respect and deference towards those who are more experienced in their draconic transformation, especially those who are older. Adrakists value the wisdom and experience that comes with age, and this respect for elders is mirrored in the way that dragons also respect their own elders. Adrakists also hold those who are further along in their transformation in high regard, but even those who have not yet undergone the transformation are considered superior to non-Adrakists.
There are no official levels or designated responsibilities within the Adrakist hierarchy. Instead, the younger members of the community defer to the more experienced and older members. These elders actively seek to pass on their knowledge and experience to their younger counterparts.
Political Influence & Intrigue
Adrakists maintain an attitude of acceptance towards the views and religions of others, even if they personally regard these beliefs as foolish or inferior. One common expression of this belief is the phrase, "Everyone has the right to be wrong." Adrakists hold this perspective because they believe that, if they wanted to, dragons could subjugate the entire mortal world. However, they choose to allow mortals to live their lives as they wish, recognizing their right to freedom and self-determination. Adrakists only take action against non-Adrakists who they perceive as a threat to dragon-kind, dragon descendants, or other draconic creations. They view themselves as protectors of the dragon race and their descendants, and believe that their actions are justified by their belief in their superiority. However, Adrakists also acknowledge the right of other beings to hold their own beliefs and ways of life, as long as they do not pose a threat to dragons or their allies.
Sects
The Adrakist cult comprises several sects that hold different views on various subjects, including emulation vs transformation, bloodline purity, and non-Adrakists of draconic origins.
The less extreme sects seek to emulate the traits of dragons and regard any attempts to physically transform into them as a sign of disrespect towards the beings they revere. They consider all creatures of draconic origins, including mortals descended from dragons, as sacred beings not to be harmed.
On the other hand, other sects believe that obtaining the form and power of a dragon is the ultimate goal. They have devised expensive and painful rituals that can grant their followers fragments of their draconic form. However, these rituals require the subject to have a draconic bloodline, leading the more extreme sects to resort to extracting it from non-Adrakists, causing their death by exsanguination in the process. These sects then transfer the extracted bloodline to Adrakists who did not inherit it through their ancestry. However, the less extreme sects often view these recipients as "blood imposters" compared to those who are true descendants of dragons.
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