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Local Gods and Powers: Difference between revisions
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→The Warrior, Agaslakku
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*Die well; in death be revered by your brothers. | *Die well; in death be revered by your brothers. | ||
*Record the glorious; their tales may be remembered for eternity. | *Record the glorious; their tales may be remembered for eternity. | ||
<br> | |||
‘’’Agaslakku in the Sultanate''' | |||
<blockquote>Agaslakku is a mighty pillar of the Sultanate. While to the civilized he is an abstraction or uncouth necessity, he is the recognized deliverer of any kind of courage or strategy. Though by no means disorganized, it is customary that his cult conducts their rites outside of the gaze of society. Agasians, while brazen in their acts, are quite disciplined about their secrets, kept unto death. The Warrior’s only truly public temple, The Marching, is found within the grounds of the Janissaries’ headquarters in Baz’eel, where sonorous and ghastly hymns to struggle, heard at dawn, cause nearby windows to shutter. When a legion returns to the gates of the Golden City, the Klaxon's Horn, made of shining copper, bellows at their welcome — heard from wall to wall — and twice to acknowledge a victory. | |||
Though some legions worship certain spokes as special patrons, such as the Wroth among the Fourth and B’aara among the Second, Agaslakku is the god of the Sultan’s armies — and, often, the god of their enemies. Such is the agony holy to the Warrior. | |||
'''His priests are expected to''' inspire resolve and ready, to mete out execution or mercy, to lead the formation or galvanize the commands of its appointed commander, to scrutinize and bless arms and equipment, to maintain loyalty and never divulge, to devise stratagems, to uncover ambuscades, to detect weaknesses and spread fractious rumor, to divide spoils judiciously, and to glorify the worthy in death — they will be remembered in song. | |||
Clerics of the Agasians are called, among other names, '''Warrior''' or '''Proud'''. Not much is known of the cult’s leadership; but it is seen when the Sultan’s Beys visit him in ceremony, the Kahraman emerges, bedecked in ancient armor, and stands between them holding a plate of smoldering embers. | |||
'''He is prayed to''' for victory in struggle, for fear and rumor to spread through the enemy camp, for the discipline or friendship of the one next to you, for faultless materials or alloys, for the courage to do the unthinkable, for a clean flame by which to cook or see or warm oneself, against rust or patina, when honing or polishing, for good preparedness against danger, and for strength in chronic malady, painful hardship, or harsh calumny. | |||
'''He is associated with''' the hegemony of the Sultanate, metallurgy, the blacksmith’s art, strategy, unwaveringly loyalty, legends and praise, insult, coups, command, horsemanship, bulls, hawks, hounds, the Janissaries, the Thousand Clans, courage in the face of suffering and fear, braggadocio, self-aggrandizement and boast, fortifications, the nafir and other horns, soldiers’ pay, salt, cured meats and fish, the roasting spit, hunting and sport, unsolvable problems, and the blood of centuries that, in the ground, becomes iron. | |||
By other names he may be known as The Broken Axe, Agasius-Arrowsnap, The Klaxon, The Shield-Shattered, Ossu-Unbelievable, al-Fa’is, The Unheeded Plea, The Advance, Brand-Bent Agaslakku, The Dent, or Clasp-of-Bronze.</blockquote> | |||
'''Among his holy days are:''' | |||
<blockquote>'''Vahd’s Triumph''' — A parade of the Legions in regalia, led by Warriors in red splendor. Spoils of war are put on display, and silver is thrown to the crowds by officers. Often, a mighty beast is sacrificed at nightfall and priests of Kula read its entrails for glory. Mock battles, usually with maniples led each by a Warrior in sacramental garb, are performed as displays of courage, sacred to the second spoke. The local Warrior most victorious in these games is gifted a Diadem of Triumph, to be worn until the next year’s contests.<br>'''Maribeh 2nd''' | |||
'''The Uncensured Coals''' — On these days, the Agasians light a great fire with as much fuel as can be mustered. Without adding more fuel, they must extend the life of the coals as they burn down with great perseverance and attention. The bravest will start the conflagration they will attend in the wilderness, and welcome whatever predator drawn to it, so they may defend their embers. Weapons forged on this holiday are blessed by Agaslakku. <br>'''Iyar 18th and Qdim 18th''' | |||
'''Galim’s Feastday''' — A day when the dead are given special reverence. The Agasians are known to appear with game on spits, and alamedas become rich with the smell of smoking meat. They recite and elaborate on the deeds of heroes and companions to the public during this holiday.<br>'''Illul 28st''' | |||
</blockquote> | |||
'''Among the faithful, they say:''' | |||
<blockquote>“What is broken…” — An affirmation of faith, if the second part of this phrase is said in response. | |||
“Ply the tin and copper.” — To make extraordinary the ordinary / To improve lesser circumstances. | |||
“Dislodge your axe.” — Let what is beneath one pass / To show mercy. | |||
“Go under the spears.” — Find a different strategy or approach. | |||
"Boots break the fang.” — To ready against some sudden misfortune. | |||
"Water Bel-Ishûn." — To do battle / To shed blood. </blockquote> | |||
<br> | |||
==The Magi, Izdu== | ==The Magi, Izdu== | ||