Cult of Manann

"Manann be praised, for he is the breeze to take us out, Manann be praised, for he is the wave to bring us home, Manann be praised, for he is the food to feed us, Manann be praised, or his be the wrath that drowns us.''" —Manannite Prayer

Manann's cult focuses on practical matters relating to the sea and its members are sought after as navigators, pilots, and able-bodied sailors, for having a priest of Manann on your vessel is considered very good luck. "Manann would rather be cursed at with the most horrible of words rather than not be spoken of at all." —Gunter Sheidhaal, Stevedore of Marienburg Although by no means an affectionate, benevolent or merciful God, Manann nevertheless inspires fervent devotion in his followers. He can best be described as both angry and capricious, appeased by worshipers rather than praised or adored. This is reflected in the behaviour of the faithful, who possess the duel responsibilities of receiving appeasement on behalf of others, and of doing the appeasing themselves. The Cult of Manann plays a vital role in the shipping and trade of the world, and many rulers who have held ambitions across the seas have found their ambition curtailed because they did not pay the proper respects to the cult. Enemies of the cult would say the cult abuses its position as custodian of the seas, holding access to the sea to ransom and putting a stranglehold on trade, but everybody pays the tithes asked—to not do so would to invite Manann’s wrath.

Structure

The Cult of Manann has little in the way of a formal hierarchy, all of its temples acting in semi-autonomous groups largely left to their own devices.

Public Agenda

The Cult of Manann believes that to set foot in his domain is to place oneself at his mercy. His priests know Manann to be capricious and unpredictable, and so they must constantly placate him lest his mood turn to violence, with potentially fatal consequences.

Tenets of Faith

I’ve said all my prayers, offered sacrifices and paid my tithes. My ship is in Manann’s hands now." —Walter Hoik, Ship Captain Manann is a notoriously fickle God, and an action which may have placated him yesterday might anger him today. Below are some commonly held strictures, although every priest is likely to follow a subtly different selection of them at any given time.

Obey your captain.
It is forbidden to harm or kill an albatross.
Nails and hair must not be cut at sea—they are an offering unworthy of Manann.
Do not say the word “drowned” whilst at sea.
The first fish caught each day must be thrown back as an offering to Manann.
A cat onboard a ship brings good luck.
A cat onboard a ship brings bad luck.
A silver coin placed under the mast ensures good luck.
A silver coin thrown into the sea brings death.
A gold coin thrown into the sea pleases Manann.

Priesthood

Those interested in becoming a priest of Manann almost always begin as a sailor, fisherman, or other vocation closely tied to water in some way. In rare cases, a “landlubber” may feel the distant, but overpowering, call of Manann and travel far to serve him. Those interested in becoming a Priest must seek out one willing to act as a mentor, and typically strict taskmaster. In addition to learning the wisdom, edicts, and will of Manann, the initiate must also prove his skills as a sailor, stevedore, pilot, or other vocation tied closely with the sea or river. Manann is not an affectionate, benevolent or even merciful God. He demands sacrifices, and in exchange, he stays his hand and reigns in the tempestuous seas. His violent nature is reflected in his cultists, who must constantly abase themselves to appease their angry God and keep his legendary temper at bay. Manann’s priests act as intermediaries, appealing for calm waters, strong trade winds, and bountiful seas on behalf of worshippers.