Imperial Cult
The Imperial Cult. One of the prevailing religions in Laran, they hold immense sway over the populace and the government.
Structure
The Imperial Cult is far more centralized than many other religions in the Empire of Laran, ironic considering how detached their leader is from their cult or empire's affairs. The Imperator is the official head of the cult, however, in practice, things are run by Bishop-Cardinal who acts as the absolute authority on all things that go on in the Cult. They are elected by a council of Bishops, who are appointed to the rank by the council, to fill their 19 seats.
The Bishops have no real authority, the rank is purely ceremonial. However, excepting extreme cases, the Bishop-Cardinal will grant each Bishop a duty, and the Bishop and their powerbase carry this out, be it eliminating an enemy army, or seeing to the regular tribute the cult pays to the Imperial Government in Boqek. A Bishop does not have to be a Lati, so, while rare, there is usually at least one non-Lati Bishop per generation. This egalitarianism does not apply to the Bishop-Cardinal, who MUST be a Lati.
Each Bishop is appointed via majority vote by the other Bishops to fill the empty seat once one dies or resigns (read: forced to resign). The Bishop-Cardinal will act as a tie-breaking vote IF necessary. Each Bishop seat has control over an administrative region of Imperialis. One seat controls the churches along the Lavbi Osh, while another governs the Ever-Jungle churches from Varusmarsh to Alkahan. Bishops will pass control of certain districts or specific churches to each other in a never-ending game of chess, however, the fealty of those churches is always to that seat on the council, not the Bishop who controls it.
Controlling smaller regions are the Pastors. From there ranks will a Bishop be elevated. The Pastors, like the churches they control, swear fealty to the Bishop's seat, not the Bishop themself. Their churches, known as Cathedrals, act as centers for their area of control and are also where they conduct services from. The last segment in the Imperialis command chain is the Ra. They are the basic priests, who preside over one church. Anyone can become a Ra and found a new church, so long as they have approval from their local Pastor.
The Bishops have no real authority, the rank is purely ceremonial. However, excepting extreme cases, the Bishop-Cardinal will grant each Bishop a duty, and the Bishop and their powerbase carry this out, be it eliminating an enemy army, or seeing to the regular tribute the cult pays to the Imperial Government in Boqek. A Bishop does not have to be a Lati, so, while rare, there is usually at least one non-Lati Bishop per generation. This egalitarianism does not apply to the Bishop-Cardinal, who MUST be a Lati.
Each Bishop is appointed via majority vote by the other Bishops to fill the empty seat once one dies or resigns (read: forced to resign). The Bishop-Cardinal will act as a tie-breaking vote IF necessary. Each Bishop seat has control over an administrative region of Imperialis. One seat controls the churches along the Lavbi Osh, while another governs the Ever-Jungle churches from Varusmarsh to Alkahan. Bishops will pass control of certain districts or specific churches to each other in a never-ending game of chess, however, the fealty of those churches is always to that seat on the council, not the Bishop who controls it.
Controlling smaller regions are the Pastors. From there ranks will a Bishop be elevated. The Pastors, like the churches they control, swear fealty to the Bishop's seat, not the Bishop themself. Their churches, known as Cathedrals, act as centers for their area of control and are also where they conduct services from. The last segment in the Imperialis command chain is the Ra. They are the basic priests, who preside over one church. Anyone can become a Ra and found a new church, so long as they have approval from their local Pastor.
Culture
The Imperialis' reverence for living breathing people, many of whom have actual positions of authority, creates a culture that is very much authority focus. An Imperialis is far less likely to kill a superior than someone from the Siobkun, due to the ingrained belief in the divinity of authority and hierarchy.
Public Agenda
The Imperialis' goal is to spread the worship of the Imperator, both the person and the position, to all in Diyu and beyond.
Assets
The Imperialis has several thousand churches across the Empire of Laran, and several Holy Orders dedicated to fighting for it. about 30% of all Lati pay homage to the Cult, and swear allegiance.
History
The Imperial Cult was founded in 112 YS as an offshoot sect of the Senpadida Siobkun, which was then a more general "worship of notable Imperial Figures Cult" rather than one focussed near entirely on Zamain and Bia. The Imperial Cult revered the Imperator position and Zamain as the first Imperator. Over time they gained influence and started to clash with Siobkun leadership, who disagreed on the near-exclusive Emperor reverence of the Cult.
After a brief civil war, the Cult declared itself independent, and a group dedicated to solely the worship of the Imperator. The then Imperator was the longest-ruling one until the current, having held the position for two decades. She supported the cult, funding them and helping them gain national recognition. After she was usurped, the cult kept worshipping the Imperator, though it transitioned from the worship of a person to worship of the position.
This remained largely consistent until the current Imperator came about. Little is known about their rise, as a fringe extremist element of the Imperialis, the Devoted, did their best to erase all evidence of their prior existence. Many theorize that the Devoted was originally the IMperator's powerbase, folded into the cult when they solidified their hold on the throne. One of the 19 Bishop seats is dedicated specifically to running the Devoted as a practically independent sect. The appointment of this Bishop is out of the council's hands, as they're elected from within the sect. They also have a tendency to die within their first year in office, however, making it past that is an assurance of safety. Many theorize this is the Imperator striking down a candidate they disapprove of. It's also the safest seat because of the danger of having the Devoted target the assassination in revenge. Any Bishop who makes an enemy of the Devoted's Bishop is guaranteed to not last long.
The Imperialis and the Siobkun have had animosity since the split, however the ascendance of the Imperator and the Imperialis' shift back to person worship, specifically this person, angered Siobkun higher-ups. Religious war has been raging between the two ever since, and about a third of all Laran's cults claim allegiance to the Imperialis, with similar numbers for the Siobkun.
After a brief civil war, the Cult declared itself independent, and a group dedicated to solely the worship of the Imperator. The then Imperator was the longest-ruling one until the current, having held the position for two decades. She supported the cult, funding them and helping them gain national recognition. After she was usurped, the cult kept worshipping the Imperator, though it transitioned from the worship of a person to worship of the position.
This remained largely consistent until the current Imperator came about. Little is known about their rise, as a fringe extremist element of the Imperialis, the Devoted, did their best to erase all evidence of their prior existence. Many theorize that the Devoted was originally the IMperator's powerbase, folded into the cult when they solidified their hold on the throne. One of the 19 Bishop seats is dedicated specifically to running the Devoted as a practically independent sect. The appointment of this Bishop is out of the council's hands, as they're elected from within the sect. They also have a tendency to die within their first year in office, however, making it past that is an assurance of safety. Many theorize this is the Imperator striking down a candidate they disapprove of. It's also the safest seat because of the danger of having the Devoted target the assassination in revenge. Any Bishop who makes an enemy of the Devoted's Bishop is guaranteed to not last long.
The Imperialis and the Siobkun have had animosity since the split, however the ascendance of the Imperator and the Imperialis' shift back to person worship, specifically this person, angered Siobkun higher-ups. Religious war has been raging between the two ever since, and about a third of all Laran's cults claim allegiance to the Imperialis, with similar numbers for the Siobkun.
Demography and Population
About a third of all Laran's inhabitants claim to be adherents of the Imperialis. Species wise, their following is more diverse than the Senpadida Siobkun, with the few Drow and Dawasi within Laran being adherents of the Imperialis. These are ridiculously small numbers though, and only in the fringes.
Foreign Relations
The Imperial Cult has more of a following outside of Laran than the Senpadida Siobkun. Not large, but significantly more than their rivals.
Tenets of Faith
Bakush Elir
The tenet Bakush Elir establishes the precedent for any declaration by an Imperialis official of Pastor rank or higher to be law for the Imperialis who live under that Pastor. Pastors rarely make such declarations, however the Bishop-Cardinal does often. Their proclamation is usually to change how landowning Lati act, so to benefit the Imperialis' goals. This can be anything from an order to be more tolerant and syncretic to local cults, to executing any who posses fine Gui silks. They vary.Struggle & Submission
This tenet represents the Imperial Cult's penchant for Holy Wars. By Imperialis doctrine, they must convert as many as possible, usually by force. That is the theocratic interpretation. In practice, this tenet is largely used to justify attacking the Siobkun and other hostile cults within Laran.Divine Marriage
This tenet is especially popular amongst the Lati Imperialis, as it makes it far harder to reverse a royal marriage. Divine Marriage posits that any nobility blessed by the Imperator is holy, so any marriage between them is irreversible. Holy nobility tends to mean Lati, and despite being a restriction on personal freedoms, is very useful for climbing one's way up the political ladder.Communal Identity
While Divine Marriage is far more relevant for the nobility, Communal Identity plays a major part in the average Imperialis' life. Their local church will be a place to gather, celebrate, worship. It and its small surrounding land go from a simple center of worship to a communal hub. All the better for keeping the Imperialis united against its enemies.Ethics
The Imperialis considers those who are Just to be virtuous, due to the righteousness of carrying out the Imperator's proclamations. Thus, those who are Arbitrary are sinful. Those who are Content are virtuous, while those who are Ambitious are sinful, as no one should try to supplant the Imperator. Those who are Honest are virtuous, while the Deceitful are sinful, as no one should ever lie to their Ra and confessor. This one is treated with some nuance, as lying to a heretic to protect the faith is considered a virtuous act. Those who are Callous are considered virtuous while the Sadistic and Compassionate are, while not sinful, astray. Moderation in how one should act is best for the faith and the Imperator.
Worship
Most Imperialis don't engage in rituals or worship in their day-to-day. Once a week, on the fifth and last day, they and their community will gather at the church and engage in prayer led by the local Ra. The group worship includes sermons and chants for most. Every gathering, it is expected that one in the crowd will come up and prove their devotion through self-flagellation. In larger communities, there will be several at a time.
A tradition unique to the Imperialis communities in Everlasting Jungle and more remote areas of the Dead Ones Mesa is Sky Burials. A body will be cut, so that the blood attracts local carnivores. Then the people will retreat and allow the body to be eaten. In the Jungle, the skeleton is usually carried away by the larger birds, while in the Badlands, Windstorms will pull the bodies away, usually after smaller animals have had their fill.
A tradition unique to the Imperialis communities in Everlasting Jungle and more remote areas of the Dead Ones Mesa is Sky Burials. A body will be cut, so that the blood attracts local carnivores. Then the people will retreat and allow the body to be eaten. In the Jungle, the skeleton is usually carried away by the larger birds, while in the Badlands, Windstorms will pull the bodies away, usually after smaller animals have had their fill.
Priesthood
Every official in the Imperialis begins as a Ra. The only requirement to be one is having a church and the blessing of one's local Pastor. A Ra is marked by a sun made of blood, shaped in the same manner as the Imperialis Coat of Arms. This tattoo is enchanted on with a basic spell taught to every Pastor, so it can only be removed by excommunication. Pastors are required to dress slightly more formally, in a clean roe of any color, with a collar engraved with holy scripture. The outfits continue to get more formal, however the Pastor and Ra are the only ones with a codified dress code.
Granted Divine Powers
Clerics and Paladins of the Imperialis weild what the Arakan Panethon dismissively call "Black Magic", due to the shadowy nature it takes. Those healed by Imperial power, in the magical sense, also gain permanent scarring. The Bishop-Cardinal is known to be half possessed by divine power, as taking the seat will leave them looking decayed and decrepit, succumbing to Ascendance far faster than a Lati normally would. Otherwise, basic enchantments to honor the Imperator and strengthen their power are taught to all. Whether these have a tangible effect is disputed, but they certainly help increase the Fervor of the Imperialis.
Political Influence & Intrigue
The Imperialis makes its headquarters in Boqek, the seat of Imperial Power, so has a significant hand and effect in the governing of the Empire of Laran. However, this si counterbalanced by Siobkun control of Otanli, where many a Lati are inducted into Zamain's Cult. About a third of all Lati pay fealty to the Imperial Cult, roughly similar numbers of the overall population as well. This gives them a strong base of support throughout the entire Empire.
The Imperialis controls near the entirety of the Dead Ones Mesa, with any independent cults that operate there either being under the Imperialis' thumb or hiding away from their sight. Most of the nobles in the region will shape any laws of their lands around the Tenet of Bakush Elir, to the word of the Bishop-Cardinal.
The Imperialis controls near the entirety of the Dead Ones Mesa, with any independent cults that operate there either being under the Imperialis' thumb or hiding away from their sight. Most of the nobles in the region will shape any laws of their lands around the Tenet of Bakush Elir, to the word of the Bishop-Cardinal.
Sects
The Imperialis groups in the Ever-Jungle, namely those with a Coatl majority, also practice Human Sacrifice. While the Coatl native religion has largely died out, especially inside Laran, their practices have not. The sacrifice victims are generally the devout who are nearing death, criminals facing execution, or war prisoners. Sacrifices are generally done via forced Sky Burial, where the subject is tied down, cut several times, and eaten alive by large birds of prey.
The Devoted are a known, but mysterious sect of the Imperialis. They operate independently from the rest of the cult and have no churches to claim as their own. Instead, they are all based out of Boqek's Third Cathedral, where no devout are ever called for services. The Devoted work to erase any records of the Imperator and keep them in power. They rarely get involved with the wars of religion, instead, allegedly, killing and intimidating Lati to stop actions they believe would depower the Imperator. They have been responsible for several changes in the Okosovai.
The Asha Gea are the most famous of the Imperialis' militant orders. They have slaughtered thousands, perhaps millions, in the name of the Imperator, and are responsible for completely driving the Siobkun out of the Dead Ones Mesa. Mostly, they make their home in Ce Cae Ots, ready to be called on for war. Even the threat of their summons is enough to convince most to abide by Imperialis rules.
The Devoted are a known, but mysterious sect of the Imperialis. They operate independently from the rest of the cult and have no churches to claim as their own. Instead, they are all based out of Boqek's Third Cathedral, where no devout are ever called for services. The Devoted work to erase any records of the Imperator and keep them in power. They rarely get involved with the wars of religion, instead, allegedly, killing and intimidating Lati to stop actions they believe would depower the Imperator. They have been responsible for several changes in the Okosovai.
The Asha Gea are the most famous of the Imperialis' militant orders. They have slaughtered thousands, perhaps millions, in the name of the Imperator, and are responsible for completely driving the Siobkun out of the Dead Ones Mesa. Mostly, they make their home in Ce Cae Ots, ready to be called on for war. Even the threat of their summons is enough to convince most to abide by Imperialis rules.
For The Imperator
Founding Date
112 YS
Type
Religious, Organised Religion
Alternative Names
Pena Shuk ; Imperialis
Predecessor Organization
Demonym
(They're ) Imperial ; (They're an) Imperialis
Leader
Parent Organization
Permeated Organizations
Deities
Location
Official Languages
Related Ethnicities
Syncretic
There are very few theological inconsistencies between the two major religions.
Internal Religion
The Imperial Cult is a religion that holds influence over a large portion of Laran's population and is dedicated to Laran's leader. It is an unofficial state religion.
Religious Rivalry
While the Imperialis is not the mortal enemy of the Arakeen in the same way the Siobkun are, they still don't exactly get along, as most Imperialis are quite disdainful of any heretic religion, as are the Arakeen of the pagans.
Religious Rivalry
While both agree that Mul-Zamain was great, they fundamentally oppose each other theologically. They have been at war for the last three centuries and change, and that has no possibility of changing any time soon.
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