Religious Sects
The Kassus Sect
The Kassus Sect is a religious order that follows the one true god of Oki. They are the extremists of their kind and easily identified with their red robes, often hooded to hide their faces. Under the robes, they have many scarification marks that describe their rank in the order as well as their personal sins. It is a common and required practice of the Kassus Sect to brand the body with any sin they commit as a way to purify the mind. They believe that the body is the reason for the sin and in order to free the soul and mind the body must suffer the consequences of its actions. Once the scarification or branding ritual is complete the order member is forgiven for whatever they have done and no one asks any more questions. Another practice that the order is known for are their sacrifices. Often times the smaller rituals use animals to perform this religious ceremony and it is believed to be the limit of their sacrifices. However, it is whispered and understood among the people (but not officially) that they use humanoid sacrifices as wells. Their sacrificial rituals are there to cleanse their souls, to further their placement in the eyes of Oki and appease the god by sending him gifts.
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Each sacrificial ceremony also has its rank in severity and strength. Animals are the weakest and are usually only done by a single member or a couple. It is equivalent to praying or asking forgiveness from Oki. Then there are human sacrifices that are performed in unison with the lunar cycle and generally consist of slaves, street people and others who are generally not missed. Next there are werewolves, these beasts are considered a mix between animal and human but are set above humans because they have magic in their bodies. These sacrifices are harder to come by due to their strength and pack structure but they are said to grant forgiveness for greater sins and to cleanse the soul before the Kassus’ member’s death. A lot of members who are dying or have nothing to lose often go after werewolves for this type of sacrifice. Magician sacrifices come next on the list and are associated with birth. Whenever a new member of the religious order is due to have birth, has recently brought a child into the world or is having fertility issues, they will sacrifice a magician. The last rank of the sacrificial ceremony are the vampires and elves as they were born with magic and represent the ancient races of the world. These are very rare to come by and are often performed in front of large groups and accompanied by week long celebrations.
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The Kassus Sect works regionally with no overarching leader, however each region has its own ranks. It is rare for multiple regional sects to get together but it is not unheard of, and is usually accompanied by a vampire or elven sacrifice to celebrate the occasion. The ranks within the order is as follows, but keep in mind there is no one true leader and each region would have their own ranking members.
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High Priest/Priestess: This is the leader of a particular region, duty bound to make sure their religious practices are followed, to increase members and maintain good relations with political and militaristic leaders to avoid conflict.
Caregivers: This rank can have multiple people and they are in charge of procuring the necessary ‘goods’ for religious sacrifice.
Academics: These people are in charge of the scripture from understanding what Oki intends through signs, literature and various forms of magic.
Puritans: This rank can be filled by multiple people as well and consists of the ‘enforcers’. They are charged with keeping order among members, seeking out of they have an infiltrator or disturber. They also have the task to ensure all sins are rectified through scarification as it is seen as a crime and punishment by ex-communication and personal injury if it is not.
Zealots: These are the members without formal rank, however, they can still be perceived as one over the other based on the purity of their bodies (ie. Less scarring = less sinning), their wealth they bring into the Sect and deeds they have performed for Oki and the Sect’s benefit.
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