Cult of Man

The Cult of Man is a religious order that was founded some time after the creation of the Churning World and the death of the Old World. It is composed primarily of humans, though the upper echelons of the cult is composed of Ironfolk due to their unparalleled memory of the Old World and its magics.
The cult’s primary belief is that the Old World was not dying, or if it was it was the result of the gods themselves. They believe that the gods were jealous of the power that humanity wielded and that the Churning World is not a safe haven but a prison meant to stop humanity from achieving their full potential. In place of the gods they worship the Human Spirit, an entity that they claim resides in the hearts of all human beings. It is the spark of creativity that allows humans to engineer great works and come up with new solutions to their own problems. It is believed that while other species have their own spark that allows for similar achievements only mankind’s burns so bright as to challenge the gods themselves.
Members of the cult tend to be potent sorcerers that wield the magic of the Old World. They can achieve great works through their alchemical concoctions like blasting powder or creating miracles of engineering that convert the power of rivers into lightning that can be harnessed for their own ends. While such magic is not nearly as potent as that of the gods it can be wielded by anyone who is willing to learn, which the cult insists is a sign of its superiority. The magic of Mankind does not discriminate based on bloodline. It needs only the Human Spirit to guide it.
Those who join the cult are branded as heretics by those who worship the gods, though the level of discrimination they face can vary a great deal from community to community depending on how active demigods tend to be in those areas. This is because the Cult of Man is the last bastion of knowledge of the Old World. Their knowledge of the Old World’s sorcery is unparallelled which in turn makes them effective healers and solvers of civic issues, which can buy them a place of acceptance in some smaller communities outside the view of the demigods.

Priesthood

Those who wish to join the cult must do so as neophytes. These are the lowest ranking members of the Cult of Man and typically are not taught the secrets of the sorcery of the Old World. Neophytes instead tend to the most mundane matters of the cult that higher ranked members cannot sully their hands with. Neophytes clean up around the temple (should there be a dedicated temple) and are taught basic repairs so they can maintain the priesthood’s machines and equipment.
Once a neophyte has proven themselves studious they may be selected by a higher ranking priest to become an acolyte. Acolytes are chosen from above the neophytes in groups and will personally serve the individual that selected them in whatever they may be asked of. In exchange the acolyte is tutored in the arcane mysteries of the cult and will finally begin learning the alchemical secrets of the order.
Acolytes who have shown sufficient aptitude in the arts will be given a chance to prove their ability. This test will vary depending on the sect and on who is giving the test, but if the acolyte passes they will officially be recognized with the rank of magus. A magus has it in their authority to choose neophytes to become their acolytes and will usually have three to twelve at any given time depending on their preference. Their duty is to work on the great projects of the cult as instructed by their sect’s patriarch or matriarch.
The leader of a given sect is referred to as a patriarch or matriarch depending on their sex. Their role is to lead their sect in whatever tasks they feel will benefit the cult as a whole. Though they have authority over their sect the rank of patriarch/matriarch is not technically above that of magus. Instead the position is an elective office held by whoever the other magi agree should hold it. Usually they are elected by popular vote.
Because of how spread out the cult is there tends to be very little communication between sects. As such a patriarch or matriarch is likely the highest ranking member of the Cult of Man anyone is likely to meet. The rank above this is Archmagus. A magus who has distinguished themselves above all others in their sect, to the point of becoming famous within the cult, may attract the attention of the Council of Archmagi. Once this happened they will be subjected to a secret series of trials to prove their mettle. Should they succeed they will be welcomed into the council themselves and now have a say on the goings on of the entire cult.
The Archmagus is a very powerful position. Unlike other magi they are not limited to a single sect and instead travel to wherever they desire. They hold absolute authority over any sect they visit and it is expected that the local patriarch/matriarch will accommodate the archmagus’ wants and needs as they see fit.
The only person within the cult that can challenge an archmagus’ orders is another archmagus. When this happens they’ll usually hold a formal debate and have the magi of the local sect vote on who’s argument was more convincing.

Type

Religious, Cult