Faith of Vaskull
Apart from priests of Calculix below ground, Vaskull is one of the largest faiths on Torthe. He is able to have a faith that is respectable just enough to be welcomed in some realms such as the Magas, parts of Suden, Estol and the Drown – nations that pray to him as a king god, a warrior god who can win dangerous battles and aggressive wars, unlike Ephras and Gardaran who insist on just actions.
As such, many priests and others worship Vaskull across Torthe. Some of them are law-abiding, even having their own paladin order where criminals are hunted – whether some of these paladins are then seen years later on a battlefield fighting for Estol is beside the point, for many. In truth, whilst the paladins do believe in common criminals being hunted (for Vaskull hates the thieves of Dieterra with an unbridled passion, and the lack of discipline involved), they also use this as a training period, to grapple with powers and then use them against weaker nations.
The worship of Vaskull is particularly strong within Estol, where many of his paladins and clerics act as justicars. Also, in the distant realm of Itiliak, where vast armies of lizardfolk subjugated by Vaskull in his aspect of Tyrant Terror, march under the banner of his Dreadlords.
Vaskull’s faith knows who to bribe, and when – who to avoid, and when. They are consummate politicians, but always with the ready threat of death and terror to those who oppose them.
Tenets of Faith
- Build a reputation for terror, so that your name precedes you, and my work is known.
- Be clever, be ruthless, always seek power that will last, and not small victories.
- The flower that smells pleasant attracts the softest flesh to prey upon.
- Use fear to dominate lesser minds and powers, and use them without remorse.
- Do not be afraid to ally with others, because together your might is multiplied.
- The gods must know fear, and this great equaliser will make me King of Heaven.
- Root out the servants of Dreams, mercilessly, and leave no hint they ever existed.
Priesthood
Ranks within the faith:
- In Estol, the faith is heavily organised, with the High Justicar overseeing a complex network of titles and interlocking ranks, designed to promote competition and collaboration. The exact details are not known, because they change all the time, creating an impenetrable thicket of laws and rules.
- The paladins of Vaskull are known as Vengers.
- In general priests of Vaskull are known as Spooks, behind their backs, or to their faces, the Shades.
- The white snowflake; the lidless black eyes on a white skull; a human face with hands over eyes, ears and mouth; robes with shoulder guards with embossed, screaming mouths; foul-smelling incense; skulls of twisted monsters.
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