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The Biggest Cults in New Pavis

Posted on June 22, 2024

By far, the biggest two cults in New Pavis are Orlanth and Ernalda. Let’s start with Orlanth. Since the city’s liberation, the Air Temple has been restored and is at the center of the city’s religious ceremonies. Argrath White Bull rules as Orlanth Rex, accepted by the Pavis cult but only a lay member. The Orlanth cult emphasizes its leadership of the Lightbringers and Air Gods.

The cult’s numbers have been greatly bolstered by returned exiles and outlaws, and by adventurers and mercenaries from Dragon Pass and the Holy Country.

The cult is emphatically pro-Sartar, anti-Chaos and anti-Lunar (although surrendered Lunars are under the cult’s protection), and temple leaders encourage cult members to explore the Big Rubble, seek out dangers and defeat them. Rune lords train initiates for the coming war, and the cult works closely with the Humakt and Storm Bull temples. The Adventurous aspect is emphasized and praised.

The Ernalda cult is tied with Orlanth for popularity in New Pavis and the surrounding farmlands. The Earth Goddess is the source of life in the area, and is celebrated alongside Eiritha and the Grain Goddesses. Orlanth and Yelmalio especially compete for her support, and these contests are popular spectacles.

The Ernalda cult leaders are far more ambivalent about the Lunar Empire or the wars in Dragon Pass than their counterparts in the Orlanth cult. They care more about the harvest, healthy livestock, and childbirth than they do for demands of honor, adventure, and war. This tension is inherent in Orlanthi society, and has become more apparent since the city’s liberation from the Lunar Empire. The Earth Priestesses often butt heads against leaders of the Storm Bull and Humakt cults, insisting that Life has a voice as important as Death’s.

If you look at Temple Court in New Pavis, you can clearly see how the religious space is organized. The Orlanth Temple is that big building between the Trade Temple and the Ernalda Temple. Across is the Lhankor Mhy Temple (the Irippi Ontor Annex is now simply part of the Knowledge Temple).

The Seven Mothers Temple was sacked during the liberation and is now the Eurmal Temple. I’ve heard stories that the Tricksters perform the rites to the Seven Mothers, but dressed as clowns, and making up gobbledygook that superficially resembles New Pelorian (since few are proficient in it).

Authentic video of recent “Seven Mothers ceremony” at the Eurmal Temple in New Pavis:

Visually you can see that all of the Lightbringers plus Ernalda are all closely arranged in space – you can visually see the pantheon from the center of Temple Court. The interesting thing is how the Argan Argar Temple rates such coveted sacred real estate. Clearly maintaining friendly relations with the trolls was very important to Dorasar!!!

Humakt and Storm Bull, both close to the Orlanth cult, are much further removed and are basically alone. Storm Bull’s placement is interesting – right near the People’s Gate, perhaps to guard against any Chaos from within the Big Rubble?

Ernalda and her daughter Eiritha are incredibly beloved by the common people of New Pavis and its environs. Grain, livestock, and childbirth – these make life possible, even out on the far edges of Prax.

Orlanth really is the glue that holds New Pavis together. Almost three-fourths of the adults in New Pavis are members of the cult, its associates, or loyal allies. Even Ernalda can only manage a little over half.

Jeff Richard

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