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Cult of Xiaya
(z-i-ya)
Harbingers of Xiaya—Xiayanites—Xiayan of the Mortal Plane
The Cult of Xiaya worship the God of Fire, who was once a wolf but rose to godhood with the help of his mother. Formerly closed off to outsiders, the mysterious cult has begun welcoming newcomers so long as they earn their keep and stay out of sacred territory. Under the watchful eyes of the All Mother, will you forge an alliance with the Blessed Ones or feed the rebellion?
Foreign Relations
Foreign Relations
Isolated from the outside world, Xiayanite's have never travelled beyond their borders, until now. For the first time in Xiayan's history, current All Mother, Melisandre of the Infernal Bloodline, has welcomed wolves from beyond the Horizon.
Claymere: Unaware/Unknown
Stelune: Unaware/Unknown
Voskarig: Unaware/Unknown
Outlander: Unaware/Unknown
Summary
Summary
Once a wolf like any other, Xiaya became a God when he split a mountain and brought fire into the world. With the help of his pack, which under the direction of his mother, became the Cult of Xiaya, his people thrived. That Volcano has stood the test of time, a sentinel looming over Xiayan territory even centuries later. Though leaders have come and gone, the All Mother has stood against rebellions, famine and civil war, all to bring peace and veneration to Xiaya.
A secretive people, Xiayanites aren’t familiar with the world outside their territory. They spend their days working for the pack, worshiping their God and enjoying the pleasures that life brings.
Only, vegetation hasn’t returned after a meteor strike, prey is getting scarce, and in an effort to remedy this, the All Mother has opened their borders and created the Plane’s Voyageurs to scour the Horizon and find packs worth trading with. But when fiery visions hit all those inside Xiaya territory, the peace they’d been guarding for so long begins to fracture.
Will your wolf join the growing rebellion or side with the forward thinking All Mother? Or might they just join the next Assembly and influence the Matriarch themselves?
Whether your wolf is an outsider curious about Xiaya’s ways or a grizzled Old Guard, there are more secrets hiding within Xiaya’s territory. The glory could be yours.
Origins
It is said that Xiaya was born of flames, rose in flames and joined the heavens as God of Fire, King of Infernos, and Bringer of the Apocalypse.
But Xiaya wasn’t born a god, he began as a wolf like any other. Birthed in the shadow of a great mountain, Xiaya craved distinction. He had the strength of a bear, speed that rivaled the elk, and cunning closer to a fox than a wolf. But it wasn’t only He that saw his greatness, but his Mother.
Seeing the potential in her only son, she pushed him to do better–be better–than anyone else, and soon he’d risen past the Old Guard. He grew so strong he defeated the Alpha, but never took command. Instead, he sought more. And while he yearned, his Mother wove. She created a tapestry of stars, weaving tales of a future fought and won, a dynasty long standing, of a pack that stood the tests of time and rose beyond the Mortal Plane.
Soon, she was named the All Mother, leader of the Cult of Xiaya. Together, they gained strength and one day, took over the pack. But the pack alone wasn’t enough and Xiaya wanted more. And so he decided in order to prove himself worthy of godhood, he would open the great mountain that had stood sentinel over their territory for eons. He would bring flame to the world and he would remake it in his image.
Xiayanites spent ten days and nights preparing a sacrificial feast in honor of Xiaya and the journey he would take. Before his departure, he claimed he would not return in this form and only true believers would see him in the next life.
He was gone not three nights before the Xiayanites woke amidst a terrible crack and shaking of the earth. Emerging from their dens, they found the sky in flames, and the world ablaze, as well as a new set of stars in the sky, like a large predator set to attack its prey.
Xiaya had been right all along.
He was more than Mortal. He was a God, and he would forever be remembered.
History
History
Though the Cult of Xiaya was left in the care of the All Mother, the cultists weren’t all ready to be led by a powerful female. It is unknown how the original All Mother was ousted, but it is believed she was killed by the Conclave who took over Xiaya in her absence.
With the Old Guard back in charge, calling themselves the Conclave, they denounced the All Mother, claiming she was nothing but a heretic, a liar telling tales of grandeur. Though they believed in Xiaya and the eruption that forever changed the world, they refused to believe the All Mother had any part in it.
During the time known as The War for Truth, two factions sprung up in Xiaya. The first, the Conclave and its followers, lovers of a patriarchal standard. The second, true worshippers of Xiaya and believers in the All Mother. Yet they were labeled rebels.
While the believers were forced to work in secret, the Conclave spent their days executing anyone who disagreed with The New Way.
Until the rebels had enough. A cunning young female with a pelt of stars and eyes like flames rose in rank quickly, taking over the Order of Paladins and forming a coup against the heretics seeking to divide Xiaya. Like assassins in the night, the rebels cut off their heads and delivered them to Xiaya’s Fame, the volcano, where they were burned as an apology to Xiaya for the mistakes of the Conclave.
Not long after, an eclipse followed and the people of Xiaya rejoiced in the acceptance of their God. The young female who’d led the rebellion was named the first All Mother since the original was lost decades past. Sharing the original's unique pale coloring, albino wolves born into the pack were seen as a symbol of hope and of Xiaya’s Truth.
A golden age persisted after, leading the people of Xiaya into harmony once more.
However, after the last All Mother passed, albino wolves were suddenly born more regularly inside Xiayan borders. Though they weren’t common, they were born several per generation, no matter the parentage. In the first generation, five puppies were born from three separate litters, none sharing a parent or lineage. The Sicarius, the spiritual leaders of Xiaya, deemed it a message from Xiaya himself. Albino wolves were special. Now referred to as ‘the Blessed Ones’, their curse began.
Though revered, the Blessed Ones had one special tradition that none could escape—the Assembly—a series of challenges and duels to the death in order to prove who the next All Mother would be.
Recent History
Things changed when the meteor hit.
Land was scorched. Trees uprooted. Vegetation withered. Xiaya’s territory was scorned by a rock thrown from the heavens, a clear message that Xiaya was displeased with something. While the cultists searched for answers, delivering more sacrifices to their God, more prayer, more worship, their questions went unanswered.
Only, after a couple generations had it become clear the message was far more dire than they’d once thought. The herbs in the area hadn’t regrown after seasons upon seasons, a deadness to the valley remaining even still.
With the lack of vegetation, the new All Mother had to make a choice. Continue with the Old Ways and have her people starve and die of disease, or… take a new path forward.
Careful not to repeat the mistakes of the past, the All Mother, Melisandre of the Infernal Bloodline, expanded their hunting grounds, opened up trade and pushed for a brighter future for all. She knew in order to save her people she couldn’t stay stuck in the past, fearful of their God’s retribution. Instead, she learned from the ingenuity of His stories and pushed for a better future. Though the remnants of the Conclave might remain, unsettled by her changes, the All Mother deemed it necessary.
Her changes have only just begun to yield results when the people of Xiaya are suddenly haunted with nightmarish visions of flames. Something is amiss, and the All Mother must figure out what.
Taking a journey like Xiaya had all those eons ago, the All Mother traveled to the top of the volcano where she communed with the gods and learned their fate.
She is the reincarnation of the All Mother, but unlike those before her, she will train the Last. The End nears, an Assembly will soon begin, and if they are to be the Harbingers of the Apocalypse, bound to protect their people once again, things must change.
If they can survive it, a golden age will descend upon the valley—if they can survive it.
For a detailed version of Xiaya's recent history, please see the Pack Leader's Bio.
Pack Life
Pack Life
Xiayanites live according to the All Mother’s Teachings and Xiaya’s Great Triumph. Even those who disagree with the All Mother’s Teachings are bound in service to Xiaya and do so without question. Giving thanks in the morning to Xiaya before going about their days.
Morning Rituals
Xiayanites mark their fur with red berries before exiting the Den, a silent dedication to Xiaya. They must gaze upon Xiaya’s Fame (the volcano) and while giving their thanks, ask for guidance if any mysteries* are to appear.
*“Mysteries” are what Xiayanites refer to as any unknown encounter or experience they cannot explain. They are encouraged to sit with these mysteries under the guidance of Xiaya to seek answers. If they cannot discern the answer, they must bring the information before the Sicarius. The members of the Sicarius will decide if it is worth ruminating on, and if so, they will commune with Xiaya to seek answers.
Only once the Morning Ritual is complete can a Xiayanite go about their day, completing their tasks and attending to any duties given to them by the Head of their Order.
Nightly Thanks
Xiayanites must gaze upon Xiaya’s Fame once again to thank the deity for their day and ask for good fortune in the coming days. It is common for Xiayanites to make their desires known to Xiaya before returning to the Den for the night. Before sleeping, Xiayanites must clean off all residual berries from the Morning Ritual as a cleansing before entering the Dream Realm, which is said to be closer to the God Realm than that of the living.
Xiayanites are mandated to attend all Religious Ceremonies and Events unless occupied by work tasks that cannot be put off such as Den Defense, Exploration or Trade Missions already in progress, Tending to the wounded, elderly or pups, etc. New parents with young litters are not expected to attend, and some Events are not meant for pups, so pupcare is generally arranged by the All Mother in advance.
Though mothers handle the education of their own puppies, as the pups grow, they often have classes with the Sicarius and the All Mother who teach them not only the history of the pack, but about the different Orders, stories, landmarks, territory, and more. As pups approach juvenile, they are often brought along with their parents to their respective Orders to give them experience in different tasks before they reach adulthood, within reason and always with supervision.
The Xiaya respect nature and the independence of the individual while maintaining order among the greater pack, which in turn brings peace.
The Xiaya respect hard work no matter the profession (generally), though there has been some dismissal of Voyageurs. Xiayanites spend their days furthering the prosperity of Xiaya as a whole with plenty of breaks for traditions and events. They're a secretive people, keeping away from the outside world and up until recently, didn’t have contact with the realm outside Xiaya. With the change in leadership, they’re gradually becoming more familiar with the territory beyond Xiaya, and have recently come into contact with their first traveling merchant, Vanity. Though many Xiayanites were wary of her at first, many have turned to the unfamiliar wolf for unique bobbles and foreign companions.
Though Xiaya saw His people as equal, not all wolves agreed. Even though the majority of the Cult remained respectful of each other as per the teachings of the All Mother, there are some that whisper of the Conclave and rebellion, not against the Council, but against the All Mother’s very station. Those that see themselves as better than others, more pure, more deserving of promotion and recognition for their bloodlines are long. Though they seem to be few in number, the whispers never fully fade.
The All Mother’s Teachings
The All Mother’s Teachings
Respect
Respect
All Gods are to be revered and respected, but Xiaya comes above All.
Treat everything with respect, be it the land, the gods, the stars, your packmates, creatures of the Mortal Plane, every life has meaning.
Strive for greatness humbly as even Xiaya took a spiritual journey and communed with the Gods in order to rise to godhood.
Justice
Justice
Xiaya is Fair. Xiaya is Justice.
Do unto others as you would have done unto you, or may Xiaya strike you down.
Claw for claw. Tooth for tooth. Blood for blood.
Rebirth
Rebirth
We are all of the Mortal Plane but will one day join our God among the stars and return to the Mortal Plane once we have been cleansed.
One day our god will return to bring the End, but it is said a golden age will follow.
Purity
Purity
Xiaya’s land was chosen by the God himself. It is holy land.
Leaving Xiaya’s Eye (their territory) for longer than 10 days makes the body and mind unclean, and so they must restate their faith and commitment.
Enlightenment
Enlightenment
Strive for knowledge and betterment of oneself and one’s pack. Bettering oneself leads to greatness for the pack as a whole.
Do not fear that which we do not understand, for it is in “Mysteries” that we find Truth.
*The “End” is seen as metaphorical by most, meaning the End of things as they are.
**A golden age in the past has seen excellent harvests, abundant hunts, no territory disputes, plenty of puppies in the den, etc.
Culture and Religion
Culture and Religion
Xiaya is our religion.
To not believe in Xiaya is to not believe in oneself or one’s pack.
Such wolves do not belong in Xiaya.
A New Era
The newest All Mother has opened part of Xiayan territory for trade, allowing outsiders into pack territory for the first time ever. However, no outsiders are allowed into the Main Den Site.
Xiayanites are steadfast in their pursuit of Truth and Knowledge while serving and devoting themselves to Xiaya. They are extremely devout and look down on those outside their culture, seeing them as missing or lacking due to their “lack” of faith. Though they would always maintain politeness, they would most likely come off as snobbish to outsiders who question their beliefs. They see Xiaya as the Ultimate Truth and not something to be questioned.
The most devout of practitioners worship daily, committing extra time in their Morning Ritual and Nightly Thanks. They frequently exceed expectations during Harvest Days and bring in the best Sacrifices. The most devout are often admired by those around them, though others find their “excessive devotion” zealotus in nature or consider it brown-nosing.
Communing with Xiaya
It is highly encouraged that all Xiayanites commune with Xiaya whether it be with sacrifice, prayer, meditation, vigil, or penance. If a wolf has a problem, it is recommended to commune with Xiaya for answers.
There are several ways to commune, each with their own benefits. The larger the sacrifice or action, the greater the reward. However, it is wise to remember that not all things will be given as not all things are Xiaya’s Will. If a wolf doesn’t receive something, it is typically assumed that it wasn’t meant to be.
Sacrifice
Viewed as the preferred token of gratitude by Xiaya, sacrifices are frequently made within the pack. However, it is not only animals that are sacrificed but unique herbs and rare flowers. The more unique the assortment, the more inspiring.
Sacrifices can be made in the Den site by throwing the items into the Den Flame that is maintained by the Sicarius. However, if one wishes to commune privately with Xiaya, wolves must enter the Inferno's Sanctuary where the Sicarius commune daily with Xiaya. It is seen as a holy temple, said to have been where Xiaya communed with the gods before his journey to the Summit. Though the cavern was once blocked off as a holy site only accessible by the Sicarius and All Mother, since the falling of the asteroid, the temple has become open to the rest of the pack to commune when they wish.
A special flame is maintained in the Inferno's Sanctuary where temple goers can light a small flame of their own and add whatever herbs they’d like to amplify their experience and commune solo or with company somewhere in the large space.
Ascension of Embers
Ascension of Embers
The Ascension of Embers is a sacred rite that every wolf must take at least once, however, many still take the journey at times of stress or when they seek guidance on a difficult issue. Finding peace in nature and solace in the blinding heat of Xiaya’s Eternal Flame, many find the answers they’re looking for.
From the Den site, the journey to the Summit takes three days, one and a half there and one and a half back. It can be rushed in two days, but many spend extra days on their Ascension, some even fasting to get the most out of the experience.
Events and Customs
Events and Customs
Spring Equinox
Festival for the revival of the valley, the Spring Equinox celebrates the return of birds and other prey after a dismal winter. Xiayanites bathe in the southern lake, cleansed by the waters for the coming year. Upon emerging they must be cleansed in the Smoke of Xiaya made from embers brought from the volcano’s summit, prepared by the Sicarius. Then they return to the Main Den Site for a feast prepared by the Reapers and the Apothecary. After the feast has begun to die out, Xiayanites gather for a special showing by the Sicarius who sacrifice a creature and use the blood collected in an animal skull to mark those present, submitting their sacrifice as one to Xiaya.
Summer Harvest
As the summer reaches its peak, Xiayanites celebrate the bounty given by Xiaya, working together to aid the Apothecary in collecting the correct herbs and plants for their yearly rituals. These are stored properly by the Apothecary. After the harvest, there is a sacrifice to thank Xiaya for their bounty. Typically, Reapers find the best catch possible to show their thanks, usually a large buck, though Reapers have impressed in the past with a mountain lion or wild pig. Once the sacrifice is complete, the Sicarius will take it to the Summit while the rest of the pack assembles to feast.
Autumn Sacrifice
Xiaya rose to godhood in autumn, making the Autumn Sacrifice the most important event of the year. In the ten days leading up to the event, the entire pack works together to gather sacrifices for Xiaya, from hunting to harvesting. In those ten days, the Sicarius travel to the Summit, a penance for the Conclave that once defied Xiaya’s own Mother.
Once there, they tear out the hearts of the sacrifices, drain the blood into large animal skulls or a deep piece of bark, mixing the blood amid ashes from the great volcano. The rest of the hearts are consumed by the Sicarius priests before the bodies are sacrificed to the flames. The fire in the skulls are carried back to replace those in the pack den site.
On the 10th day, the Sicarius return and a ceremony begins the celebration. A new fire is lit at the Den, signifying the rebirth of Xiaya.
Xiayanites adorn themselves in berry paints, feathers, animal bones and skulls for the ceremony. There are chants and sermons from the Sicarius, the original story of His Rising. Any newly adolescent pups ready to take their pledge to Xiaya come forward with their sacrifice. Each spills the blood of their sacrifice before tossing it into the bonfire as an offering. The adolescents are marked by berries and welcomed into the feast after speaking their devotion.
After the feast, adolescents take their first journey known as the Ascension of Embers to the Summit.
Full Moon
Every full moon, Xiayanites offer a sacrifice to Xiaya, asking for His favor in the coming cycle. Many Xiayanites ask for their mate matches to be true, for their litters to be plentiful, for the harvest to be good, the hunt to be grand, and the spoils of the next moon be beyond imagination.
Winter Solstice
With the coming of a new year, Xiayanites offer thanks for what they’ve been given and offer pledges for the new year. Red berries are gathered and used to decorate each other's pelts in red markings, supposed to simulate flames, as Xiayanites are Xiaya’s Flames in the Mortal Plane.
They gather in the Main Den Site which is decorated in painted skulls, bones and flower arrangements, thoughtfully arranged by the Apothecary. A feast is prepared by the Reapers. Paladins protect the pack even as they feast. Voyageurs tell stories and the Sicarius give sermons on the many things Xiaya has gifted us.
The entire event culminates in watching the rising of stars as night comes and the constellation to the north is visible, Xiaya returning to their night sky.
Ascension of Embers (Binding Ceremony)
Xiayanites don’t welcome just anyone into their ranks, but those who have proven themselves loyal to Xiaya will be welcomed fully after the Binding Ceremony. Though most adolescent wolves wait until the Autumn Sacrifice, it isn’t always possible, especially with newcomers. A binding ceremony was created as a way to ensure loyalty to Xiaya above all else. Those ready to commit fully to the teachings of the All Mother and the guiding hand of Xiaya must first demonstrate commitment to the pack by providing something, whether it be harvesting herbs, hunting, collecting berries, some sort of service must first be done for the wolves of Xiaya.
Once the All Mother has accepted the request for binding, the initiate must paint themselves in the colors of Xiaya (red) before journeying to the Summit. On the trek, one must prepare a sacrifice for Xiaya. Preparation cannot be done in advance. If one cannot catch their own sacrifice and deliver it, they are not worthy of Xiaya.
The All Mother will be waiting at the Summit where she and the Conclave will accept the sacrifice and send it into the flames. They must then sit sentinel for the rest of the night atop the Summit until daybreak when they are to return to the Den to be officially welcomed as a Xiayanite.
(Re)Commitment Ceremony
Whether Xiayanites are committing for the first time or the twentieth, they must show their devotion to Xiaya both the God, the land and the Pack.
Similar to the Binding Ceremony, Xiayanites undergoing a commitment or recommitment ceremony must do so with their whole heart. The wolf must provide something for the pack like in the Binding Ceremony, but they must also give back to the land by burying a sacrifice in order to strengthen the soil.
Then, the Xiayanite must take a ten day penance at the Temple of Xiaya within the Inferno’s Sanctuary. For ten days from dawn until dusk, the wolf must sit vigil before the Flame of Xiaya within the temple and commune with Xiaya. The Sicarius will provide different mixtures to aid in spiritual awakening during this time. Once the penance is complete, the wolf must surrender their paw to the Sicarius who will carefully prick the paw of the wolf, adding a drop of their blood to Xiaya’s Flame, thus completing their (Re)Commitment to Xiaya. After the ceremony, the wolf must see the Apothecary immediately for treatment
Flameseeing
A special kind of Vigil, Flameseeing is a unique custom that can be done at any time, where the Xiayanite will peer into flames to seek answers. While it may sound like a simple ritual, Flameseeing is typically done in the Inferno’s Sanctuary, accompanied by different herbs, some ingested, some burned and inhaled. The wolf will then spend however long they desire, staring into Xiaya’s Flame until they receive the answers they seek. Many are known to hallucinate, fall into dreams, or even a coma-like state where they receive visions or messages from Xiaya himself. Wolves are encouraged to share their visions with the Sicarius to properly discern.
The Assembly
A unique custom to choose the leader of the pack, the Assembly is a series of challenges, followed by duels to the death in order to choose the next All Mother. The members of the Assembly are solely albino wolves, referred to as “the Blessed Ones.”
Common Terms / Lexicon
Common Terms / Lexicon
Xiaya (z-i-ya)
God of Fire, King of Infernos and Bringer of the Apocalypse.
Xiaya is the God worshiped and venerated by the wolves of Xiaya.
Xiayan (z-i-yan)
To be of Xiaya, born of Xiaya, a wolf of Xiayan territory.
Xiayanite (z-i-ya-nite)
A wolf of Xiaya.
Mortal Plane
The earthly plane and the Starlit Horizon.
Xiaya’s Fame
The volcano that Xiaya broke free of a great mountain.
Conclave
Former Council of Xiaya led by the Head of each Order. The Conclave was the leading force that ousted the original All Mother from power, in complete opposition to Xiaya’s wishes.
All Mother
Leader of Pack Xiaya, reincarnation of the Mother of Xiaya. Spiritual successor chosen by the Assembly and gifted with the memories of the All Mother.
Ranks
Ranks
No matter the rank, the Xiaya are always expected to participate in and attend all Religious Ceremonies and Customs. If as an adult they are found skipping without sufficient cause, they must undergo a Recommitment Ceremony or be exiled.
RANK 1: All Mother
The leader of Xiaya, the All Mother is the spiritual connection between the god Xiaya and the Mortal Plane where Xiayanites reside. Though there is not always a blood connection from leader to leader, the All Mother is chosen through the Assembly before their spiritual connection to the Other Side is solidified. Once that connection is established, the All Mother receives visions or dreams of their past self while also undergoing advisement from the Viceroy and Auxiliary whose bloodline has been long established and is always chosen from the Protectors of the pack.
RANK 2: Auxiliary (Deputy) & Viceroy (Council) (non-purchasable, must be assigned by the pack leader)
The Auxiliary’s bloodline has been established since before the asteroid hit. They have long born strong, loyal wolves, dedicated to leading the Paladins and protecting the Realm. The Auxiliary is the most trusted of the Viceroy, the All Mother’s right hand and leader of Xiaya in the absence of an All Mother. There were times when a previous All Mother had been killed, or died unexpectedly and the Auxiliary always rose to lead Xiaya. They are trusted among the Viceroy and the All Mother both, often making them the voice of reason between factions.
RANK 3: Cultist
The absolute top rank of the Cult, these members are typically teachers or may eventually ascend to the Viceroy. They are professionals in their Order and well-respected by their peers.
RANK 4: Maestro
Master of their craft, they often lead in times of crisis and organize those of their order. Though they are still beneath the Cultists, they can go on solo patrols and missions, lead hunts/harvests and often make decisions that impact the rest of their order.
RANK 5: Oracle
Experts in their field, they no longer require supervision and are typically given extra responsibilities. Oracles are often assigned by Maestros or Cultists to supervise Pupils or Neophytes.
RANK 6: Neophyte
Fully committed to a path, Neophytes take on regular duties and occasionally assist with Pupils. While they are seen as full fledged members of the Cult, they still have much to prove and cannot go off on their own. Neophytes must be supervised by an Oracle or higher, and are often asked to assist with Pupils deciding on their Order.
RANK 7: Pupil
Officially welcomed into the Cult, Pupils are expected to try various jobs and decide on a path suited for them. They are welcomed by every Order to ask questions of their peers, be taken on patrols, harvests, or other menial work in an effort to choose a path. Pupils cannot leave Xiayan territory, and must not leave the Den site without supervision.
RANK 8: Fledgling
Whether a wolf is brand new to the Cult, or an adolescent ready to choose an Order, they must complete their Ascension of Embers to achieve true adulthood and join the majority. Fledglings are not permitted outside the Main Den Site if they are born of Xiaya unless they have supervision. Any wolves that are new to Xiaya may explore with supervision, otherwise they must stay near the Pup Den and out of the Main Den Site, upon risk of exile or death.
The Order - Jobs
The Order - Jobs
PALADINS
Protection and Defense
Paladins protect Xiaya above all else. Organized into patrols, Paladins frequent Xiayan territory. The ideal Paladin is strong, quick footed, dedicated and intelligent. Though brawn is needed most of the time, it is imperative that a Paladin can sniff out trouble, literally. Keeping an eye on local predators is part of a Paladin's job, as is protecting Apothecary on harvesting missions, maintaining borders while Reapers hunt, accompanying the Sicarius on their journeys, and more. The Paladin are the Defenders of Xiaya and a deeply respected position amongst the entire pack.
APOTHECARY
Harvesters and Medicine
The Apothecary are a deeply important sect of the Cult, composed of Harvesters who maintain stores of herbs and medicine, as well as Healers who maintain the pack’s health. The ideal Apothecary is intelligent, a quick learner and devoted to the craft. It takes a lot of memorization to remember each plant species and which will harm or maim. The information passed down from generation to generation is still aplenty, as is the knowledge on how to maintain and store these herbs over time. Through the devotion of the Apothecary, the Cult has been able to thrive, becoming a truly respected and often revered position among their peers.
REAPER
Hunters
The Reapers of Xiaya feed the pack and maintain the game in the area. Though in recent years it has become a more difficult job as elk have been few and much of the small game have moved to greener pastures. Having to travel further in order to hunt has caused Reapers to become a more and more valuable resource as the strength, speed, cunning and teamwork required of the position, isn’t a skill all can manage well. Though Reapers haven’t always been the most important position among Xiayanites, every fresh kill has become a blessing, leaving Reapers to be treated especially affectionately by their packmates.
SICARIUS
Priesthood and Keepers of Knowledge
The Sicarius are the most committed of Xiaya, those devoted to maintaining the generational knowledge of the pack, as well as organizing all Religious and Cultural Events among the Cult. They are often zealots, those so eager to serve Xiaya they would scale a volcano multiple times a year, as that is their exact duty. The Sicarius are Keepers of Knowledge, not only technical knowledge and histories, but stories as well. They maintain the Cults heart and soul, leading daily Religious Ceremonies while also ensuring stock of the various herbs and berries they use on a daily basis. More experienced Sicarius eventually develop the title of Priest/ess, and eventually High Priest/ess. These are typically more forward roles in ceremonies while newer members often ensure flames are lit, paints are prepared, etc. The respect of the Sicarius runs deep with a twinge of fear to it at times, as it was from within the Sicarius that originally endorsed the patriarchal standards of the Conclave.
PLANE'S VOYAGER
Explorers and Traveling Sales
The Plane’s Voyageurs are the newest Order brought about by the current All Mother. Seeing a need for outside trade and exploration, She has created an Order based on exploring the Horizon and beyond, finding other packs or loners to trade with. Resources in Xiaya have dwindled, so it is with the Plane’s Voyageurs She has entrusted the future of Xiaya. The ideal Voyageur is energetic with excellent endurance, a desire to learn and explore, an open mind and enough charisma to barter with anyone they meet. Though it isn’t imperative they be amiable, it is preferred. While exploration is ideal, solidifying trade is the ultimate goal. Voyageurs should be merchant-minded, diplomatic traders at heart and eager to see Xiaya flourish. Though Voyageurs are well appreciated by the All Mother, the rest of the Cult remains unsure, unless they are of the few deeply aware of the problems at hand. The Cult at large are at times dismissive of Voyageurs and their profession, seeing it as a waste of their potential and talents when they could be protecting the pack or feeding it.
Creating Your Xiayanite
Creating Your Xiayanite
Xiaya is not for the weak of heart,
nor is it for those uncommitted to their God.
Backstory Options
Born Xiayanite:
Xiaya is home to several major bloodlines, some that have persisted since before Xiaya’s hand struck the earth, creating a crater, and only a very select few from before that.
Referred to as “The Old Guard”, such bloodlines are often looked up to and seen as higher class even though Xiaya does not recognize class difference. While many modern Xiayanites believe these families to be snobbish, older families still look kindly on The Old Guard and their alleged experience passed down for generations.
Those born of Xiayan blood are either of The Old Guard or The New Order.
Those of the Old Guard are proud of their bloodlines and seek status of the highest order, often seen as working more diligently than their packmates to more swiftly achieve greatness.
The New Order believe in equality and don’t view any wolf as better than another. Younger wolves are embracing the words of Xiaya more fully, taking His teachings to heart and spending more time in His Temple while also enjoying their off time and working hard during the day.
Your born Xiayanite need not be married to either Order, but somewhere in between.
Newcomer:
Newcomers are being welcomed into Xiaya for the first time, ever.
The new All Mother has opened Xiaya’s borders to welcome trade, loners willing to earn their keep, and devotees ready to commit to Xiaya.
Though outsiders will not be welcomed beyond the Pup Den, if an outsider proves their desire to join the ranks of Xiaya and commit themselves to Him, then they will be trained and undergo the Binding Ceremony like any other Xiayanite.
Interesting Xiaya Facts:
Many born of Xiaya have sight problems.
Whether it be from their albinism gene or staring at the flames too long–it is seen as a boon to lose one’s sight. Those who are blind are thought to be closer to Xiaya and are praised for having so committed to their god that they would lose their sight for Him.
The Sicarius assign lower level members to guide blind wolves.
Should they need extra help, it is always nearby. They will often assist their charge throughout the entire day, from Morning Ritual, to Nightly Thanks.
All albino creatures are revered by Xiayanites.
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