Gods & Cults

Most faiths in this era are either the fearful propitiation of entities which the worshippers fear or calculated bargains where the worshipper makes offerings in the hope of obtaining divine luck or blessings in return. Even the worship of the few relatively benign deities like Mitra is typically self-serving, although some degree of reverence may accompany prayers and offerings which attempt to purchase the god’s favor.

The manner of worship is equally diverse. Demon-worshipping cults almost universally practice human sacrifice, as do many religions based on gods, but some faiths are less brutal, and instead sacrifice animals or other less terrible offerings. Regardless of the faith, offerings of wealth or fine food and drink are common, a fact that some cynical individuals attribute more to the earthly desires of the cult’s priests and acolytes rather than the wishes of its god.

Attitudes towards other faiths also vary widely. Most barbarians either care nothing about how others worship or only concern themselves with the religious affairs of their family or clan. Many demon-worshippers belong to small, well-hidden cults who have utter contempt for those who follow other faiths. 

Some regard all stories of benevolent deities with bitter cynicism. A few cults, such as Mitra’s, promise divine  blessings and rewards to followers. Clear evidence of these divine blessings is vanishingly rare, and these cynics, perhaps correctly, suspect that such cults are nothing more than pleasant lies that comfort the gullible and enrich priests. Worshippers of more benevolent entities must comfort themselves with promises that their lives will be blessed in some unclear fashion and their afterlife found comfortable.