After Orlanth and Ernalda, the most prominent cults in New Pavis at this time are the war gods Humakt and Storm Bull, with over 300 devoted cultists each, with nearly 700 in total.
Most of these cultists came to New Pavis with Argrath White Bull. They are Animal Nomads, Pol-Joni, or from Dragon Pass and the Holy Country. Few have any loyalty to New Pavis – their sole loyalties are to their gods and to Argrath.
In many ways, these are the soldiers the new rulers. The Sword brothers are now the core of the Humakt cult, and are sworn to Argrath. The Storm Bull cultists belong to the Bullocks, who would follow the White Bull to Hell if asked.
As a result, Humakt and Storm Bull cultists are commonplace on the streets of New Pavis. Neither of these cults are popular with the common people – they are dangerous, arrogant, and their sense of honor is easily offended, although most agree that the Storm Bull cultists are worse – it is known that the Pavis priests detest the Storm Bull cult. These mercenaries are most dangerous when bored, as they are now.
But Argrath and his companions cherish them highly, for these cultists are invaluable in war. Their loyalty to him is unflinching and well-worth the cost and the headaches they cause.
Many of the Storm Bull cultists are camped outside the main gates, or even within the city. The Humakti have taken over the old Moon Barracks, although many have private residences within the city. For the city’s many taverns and inns, they are a financial boon, although many a crafter or laborerer quietly curses being accosted by drunk mercenaries.
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Now I love that Angus McBride picture because I imagine that is what the streets of New Pavis often look like. Drunk, brawling mercenaries, with fierce Humakti fighting duels, and the common folk trying to keep out of harm’s way.
In Argarth v. Sor-eel the Short, it’s more a case of meet the new boss, same as the old boss. I doubt the Lunar soldiers were any better. Maybe worse, because at least the Humakt and Storm Bull cultists can mostly speak with the locals.
That being said, for several cults, things are demonstrably better. First and foremost the Orlanth cult, which is the lynchpin of how New Pavis operates. Secondly. the Humakt and Storm Bull cults. Same with Eurmal and Waha. Start adding things up, and pretty clearly nearly half the population is significantly happier without the Lunars being around, and for the most of the rest it is largely the same.
Admittedly, for any Lunar cultists or their associates, it is MUCH worse now.
That being said, even those not overtly oppressed likely prefer the new regime to the secret murders, assassination, and disappearances that marked the Lunar regime from 1622 to the liberation. People might pine for Sor-eel but they definitely don’t miss Halcyon.
Yelorna’s temple is in the Big Rubble, but I expect that when the Storm Bull and Yelorna cultists mix, it gets tense.
Of course, Humakt and Storm Bull have a very important allied cult in New Pavis – Orlanth, whose cult welcomes the Storm God’s brothers.