Senpadida Siobkun
The Siobkun worships to many figures with many reincarnations, most importantly among them Mul-Zamain. Not every holy figure gets a reincarnation, and not every reincarnation has a sect or part of the Siok dedicated to them. These are some of the (currently known) holy figures and their current status.
- Mul-Zamain - No active reincarnation - several orders and subcults
- Bia - Reincarnated as a Human woman - Several orders and subcults
- Quetzalcoatl - No reincarnation ever found - several subcults, one militant order
- Mugulath - No active reincarnation - one militant order
- Besoe - Reincarnated as a Makassi - one subcuklt with an attached militant order
- Dur - Reincarnated, however currently a part of the Imperialis - no subcults or militant orders
- Dreth - Reincarnated as an aging Coatl - one militant order
- Kanarath - No reincarnations - several militant orders attached to one subcult
- Uto - No active reincarnation - several subcults
- Great Dragon - Reincarnated as a Coatl, currently fighting in the War for the Seven Isles of Karanor - One militant order
Structure
The Siok is a fairly centralized religion, based out of Otanli, with several ranks and hierarchy's all at play. It is often compared to the Imperial Cult in its structure, however, a major difference is the Siok's condoning of climbing the ranks.
The highest rank in the cult is the Saviour Reincarnated, a believed reincarnation of Mul-Zamain into this world. Many people claim to be the Saviour reincarnated, however, any who gain a following draw the attention of the de facto leader of the Siok. They will force the claimant to undergo a ritual, where they must meditate for the entire first month of the year, while seated in the Holy Fire of the Saviour's Chapel in Otanli. Should they die, be of starvation, thirst, or be burned alive, they are configured to not be the reincarnation of Zamain.
The de facto leader, called the Lore Besh, seeks out these challenges to their authority for several reasons. Partly, it is because their divine duty is to find the reincarnation of Zamain so they can lead the Siok to prosperity. The pragmatic reason is because near all who claim to be the reincarnation are lying, so either killing them or having them renounce their claim removes a rival to the Lore Besh's power.
The Lore Besh gains their position by simply claiming it, and fighting off (killing) any other contenders. The Cult will not interfere, so long as the contender is a Susha. Theoretically, every Susha is recorded in the records and libraries of the Saviour's Chapel, however, the Cult has grown so large that most region Chapels will maintain their own records, to be sent to Otanli is necessary.
After having been a member of the cult for five years, a Susha is eligible to become a Basha, if the local Shuqa allows it. Each Basha reports to a Shuqa, who governs about thirty Basha each. They have the power to dismiss or appoint as many as they see fit, so long as it doesn't supersede their administrative capacity of thirty to forty. A Shuqa has a similar relationship to their superiors, the Shupw. Each Shupw controls about fifty Shuqa, however, there is no maximum or minimum requirement. A Shupw can appoint or dismiss Shuqa at their leisure, so long as they have at least fulfilled the requirement for Basha. A Shupw in turn can be appointed or dismissed by the Lore Besh.
This system, combined with the Siok respect for power plays and climbing the ranks, creates a very corrupt internal government, that changes at the whims of whatever madman is at the top. While Lati have the easiest time claiming the position, it is not uncommon for non-Lati Larani to ascend as high as the Lore Besh, though they have to have some amount fo Lati backing. Of the seven incarnations of Zamain that have been discovered since their death, only one has been a Lati, suggesting non-mages are more likely to be reincarnations of notable figures. The same goes for every other reincarnation.
The Saviour Reincarnated is advised by a council of reincarnations, who, while having no legal political power, have immense influence and sway, simply due to their names and holy roles. Similar tests are given for them, with sacred fire-pits for the claimants to meditate in. These reincarnations have no special titles for each name, simply known as Lashwg.
The highest rank in the cult is the Saviour Reincarnated, a believed reincarnation of Mul-Zamain into this world. Many people claim to be the Saviour reincarnated, however, any who gain a following draw the attention of the de facto leader of the Siok. They will force the claimant to undergo a ritual, where they must meditate for the entire first month of the year, while seated in the Holy Fire of the Saviour's Chapel in Otanli. Should they die, be of starvation, thirst, or be burned alive, they are configured to not be the reincarnation of Zamain.
The de facto leader, called the Lore Besh, seeks out these challenges to their authority for several reasons. Partly, it is because their divine duty is to find the reincarnation of Zamain so they can lead the Siok to prosperity. The pragmatic reason is because near all who claim to be the reincarnation are lying, so either killing them or having them renounce their claim removes a rival to the Lore Besh's power.
The Lore Besh gains their position by simply claiming it, and fighting off (killing) any other contenders. The Cult will not interfere, so long as the contender is a Susha. Theoretically, every Susha is recorded in the records and libraries of the Saviour's Chapel, however, the Cult has grown so large that most region Chapels will maintain their own records, to be sent to Otanli is necessary.
After having been a member of the cult for five years, a Susha is eligible to become a Basha, if the local Shuqa allows it. Each Basha reports to a Shuqa, who governs about thirty Basha each. They have the power to dismiss or appoint as many as they see fit, so long as it doesn't supersede their administrative capacity of thirty to forty. A Shuqa has a similar relationship to their superiors, the Shupw. Each Shupw controls about fifty Shuqa, however, there is no maximum or minimum requirement. A Shupw can appoint or dismiss Shuqa at their leisure, so long as they have at least fulfilled the requirement for Basha. A Shupw in turn can be appointed or dismissed by the Lore Besh.
This system, combined with the Siok respect for power plays and climbing the ranks, creates a very corrupt internal government, that changes at the whims of whatever madman is at the top. While Lati have the easiest time claiming the position, it is not uncommon for non-Lati Larani to ascend as high as the Lore Besh, though they have to have some amount fo Lati backing. Of the seven incarnations of Zamain that have been discovered since their death, only one has been a Lati, suggesting non-mages are more likely to be reincarnations of notable figures. The same goes for every other reincarnation.
The Saviour Reincarnated is advised by a council of reincarnations, who, while having no legal political power, have immense influence and sway, simply due to their names and holy roles. Similar tests are given for them, with sacred fire-pits for the claimants to meditate in. These reincarnations have no special titles for each name, simply known as Lashwg.
Public Agenda
The group's public agenda is to spread the worship of Zamain to all and to kill every one of the Star Gods, so their names fade to history.
Assets
The Siobkun can claim that about a third of the entire population of the Empire of Laran areLatihierarchy
History
The Cult was made of the remnants of Mul-Zamain's power base. After their and their army's deaths at the battle that created the world wound, the remains of their followers founded the cult, turning their worship of the Lati into the worship of the legendary version of them that they created in their minds. The cult originated in Otanli, in the Desert of the Saviour, and that region has remained the Siok's center of power.
The Cult was the most powerful religious organization in Laran until the reign of the current Imperator, where their Imperialis gained prominence. The two had a frigid relationship before, diue to the latter's split from the former, however it was the reign of the Imperator where full religious war was declared.
The Cult was the most powerful religious organization in Laran until the reign of the current Imperator, where their Imperialis gained prominence. The two had a frigid relationship before, diue to the latter's split from the former, however it was the reign of the Imperator where full religious war was declared.
Demography and Population
The Siok has gained far more traction in the Everlasting Jungle than the Imperialis, with many Coatl Blood Cultists pledging their loyalty. It very much helps that the SIok's penchant for adding foreign figures to their pantheon has allowed easy syncretization with the Coatl native religions. As a result, the cult has a fair amount of traction outside Larani territory in the Great Jungle, as well as in the Desert of the First Humans.
Mythology & Lore
The Siok's theology does not address the beginning of the world, nor how it came to be the way it was today. It is uniquely concerned with the Lati and Mul-Zamain.
Tenets of Faith
Pursuit of Power
The Siok is modeled after Mul-Zamain's beliefs. They were a Lati, one of the most conniving, ambitious, and evil type of people ever. Thus, the Siok respects cruelty, cunning, and most of all, Ambition. Those who go to any lengths to advance their goals and gain more power are respected and revered.Reincarnation
Every worthy person will earn reincarnation, so while you or I might fade back into the Sea of Souls that make up the sky, the holy and the great will reincarnate until the world dies. This takes the form of the Siok's reverence for those they believe are the reincarnations or physical manifestations of their famous figures. People like Mul-Zamain, Bia, Quetzalcoatl, be they gods of others or actual people who existed, the worthy are reincarnated into physical vessels.Human Sacrifice (Gruesome Celebrations)
Syncretism always results in some of the absorbed religion's traits being inherited by the absorber. In this case, when the Siok came to the Ever-Jungle, they inherited the Coatl's penchant for blood sacrifices, combined it with their own (see the native religion of the Makassi), and formed the tradition known today.Syncretism
The Siok is quite loose in their requirements for absorbing other religions. Their one demand is that the new practitioners honor Mul-Zamain as the greatest of their gods. This is usually accepted, albeit with some convincing (often forceful), and the Siok practice of absorbing every other religion continues. This si why other cults tend to ally more with the Siobkun that with the Imperialis, as the religion is far friendlier to different practices.Ethics
For the Siok, Ambition is the greatest virtue of all, a desire to achieve great things, to be reincarnated again. As such, Contentment becomes the greatest sin. Callousness is a virtue, while Compassion for the meek and undeserving of aid is a sin. Sadism is regarded fairly neutrally. Being Zealous is a virtue, while the Cynical and unenthusiastic are sinful.
Worship
The most common way for a Susha to worship is by being ambitious in their daily life. Always having a plan, a goal, some way to reach for more power. In terms of official celebrations, the last day of each week sees a crowd gather at the local temple, to sacrifice someone to their gods. This will usually be a criminal, an aging devotee, or a prisoner. In larger communities, hundreds, if not thousands will be sacrificed before midnight, while in smaller communities, sacrifices might be once-a-year events, or even more.
The Faithful are inscribed with a tattoo upon their induction into the cult, whatever the inductee wants so long as it includes the fisted gauntlet of the Siobkun. Upon reaching the five-year induction mark, be they inducted after they reached maturity or at the age of five, the tattoo will be reinked, and a symbol of their favored god will be added. The tattoo is reinked every five years after that.
Babies born to Siok parents will generally be tattooed after they reach the age of three, for safety reasons. Many ignore the warnings and have their newborns tattood.
The Faithful are inscribed with a tattoo upon their induction into the cult, whatever the inductee wants so long as it includes the fisted gauntlet of the Siobkun. Upon reaching the five-year induction mark, be they inducted after they reached maturity or at the age of five, the tattoo will be reinked, and a symbol of their favored god will be added. The tattoo is reinked every five years after that.
Babies born to Siok parents will generally be tattooed after they reach the age of three, for safety reasons. Many ignore the warnings and have their newborns tattood.
Priesthood
Due to Zamain's role as a conquerer, exemplified in his aspect as Lore-Zamain, even the holy officials who do not pray to that aspect wear ritual armor as their religious uniform. The higher rank one is, the more ornate their armour. The only thing a base Susha must wear is a gauntlet in their left hand, and only during prayer services.
The Lashwg and Saviour Reincarnated, are dressed in elaborate costumes meant to mimic what their figure would have worn in life. This ranges from simple robes to battle armour.
A Basha
The Lore Besh
The Lashwg and Saviour Reincarnated, are dressed in elaborate costumes meant to mimic what their figure would have worn in life. This ranges from simple robes to battle armour.
A Basha
The Lore Besh
Granted Divine Powers
Mul-Zamain and their fellow great people cover a wide range of magic. There is everyone from necromancers to healers to elemental mages in their retinue. The only thing to note, is those who worship Mul-Zamain or Bia will generally wield purple shadow magic.
The reincarnations are a special type of Wych Cult, each with their own odd and strange abilities, making them powerful Mages. Each also has a voice in their head, similar to the Dynastic Ir In Zer.
The reincarnations are a special type of Wych Cult, each with their own odd and strange abilities, making them powerful Mages. Each also has a voice in their head, similar to the Dynastic Ir In Zer.
Political Influence & Intrigue
The Siobkun controls or influences a full third of the Empire of Laran, as well as many of the independent temple cities of the Everlasting Jungle. In Otanli, their word is law, as throughout much of the Desert of the Saviour.
Sects
While the Siobkun has no sects recognized as still valid parts of the religion, the cults dedicated to Zamain and some other notable figures can count as such. THe main difference is that these cults still acknowledge the divinity of most other holy figures, they just don't pray to them.
Saracens of the Saviour
The first and largest is a militant order dedicated to Mul-Zamain and Bia. They were responsible for fighting the Imperialis out of the Desert of the Saviour. They are infamous and renowned across Diyu, largely independent from either the Lore Besh or the Saviour Reincarnated, they act of their own volition, bringing war to heretics across the land. They replenish from temple cities built across the desert, or by kidnapping and inducting adolescents from razed villages.Quetzalcoatl's Siok
A majority Coatl sect of the Siok, they worship Quetzalcoatl and to a lesser extend Tezcatlipoca. While most Coatl hated the latter, the members of the Siok understand that they were just being ambitious and conniving, all good traits. This sect is popular in the Ver-Jungle, and occasionally spearheads its own crusades against the nature spirits that inhabit the land.Mu'gulaths Knights
An infamous sect of the Siok, especially in the Akroni Confederacy, these idiots somehow managed to make their way to the Easternmost fringe of the Confederacy during the last days of the Long War, and have been razing and pillaging as much as they can in the decade or so since it ended. They are not officially part of Laran's military, so the Confederacy could in theory destroy them with no repercussions, yet have been unable to since the end of the Long War.
Shaed Qe Supa {Glory to the Saviour}
Founding Date
3 YS
Type
Religious, Organised Religion
Capital
Alternative Names
Siobkun ; Cult of the Saviour ; Zamain's Cult ; Siok ;
Successor Organization
Demonym
Siok
Head of State
Head of Government
Parent Organization
Deities
Location
Official Languages
Related Ethnicities
Syncretic
The Siok are not particularly supportive of the theology of Ninazu being the essence of the universe, as it would mean Zamain defiled Ninazu and that would work against inter-religion cohesion. However, due to the prevalence of the blood cult, they tolerate the Nizans.
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.
Religious Rivalry
When the Saviour of the Siobkun tried to rid the world of the Arakeen, it does not produce a happy atmosphere.
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