The Cult of Great Arkat

by Nikk Effingham, with help, ideas and spells from Simon Phipps
Copyright (c) Nikk Effingham 1997

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I. Mythos And History

Great Arkat came as the ruler of the lands of Ralios, "His Might was His Right to rule, His Wisdom was His tool" as is written in the bible of Great Arkat. After his destruction of the evil Gbaji, he laid claim to the lands and united them together, ruling across troll, man and elf alike. None challenged his rule for it was a time of peace, and his wisdom was recognised by all. Thanks was given to the mighty Emperor for he had saved them all from a fate worse than death, and homage was paid in his temples. The years of the Dark Empire, the greatest Empire the world had seen, were the most harmonious that the people of Ralios could imagine. After he rose to Godhood and joined the Celestial Tribes and Divinities, he left behind his lineage to rule, Uzuz and humans, and later a race of half darkness men that ended with Emperor Paslac. The Empire was glorious, but without Arkat's guiding hand fell to the Western Invaders who came bringing great magics, they were the Middle Sea Empire. They destroyed, and plundered and pillaged, taking magics, secrets and then destroying the great cult of Arkat and it's high priests - the Emperors of the Dark Empire.

After the death of the Empire, a few dedicated Lords and Wizards gathered the ancient secrets and magics they knew, and brought forth the ancient ways, so that they might dedicate their time to preparing Ralios for the return of their leader. Be assured, all worshippers know that Arkat is ready to return, to reclaim his lost throne and begin once again the rulership of the great Dark Empire.

Great Arkat is connected to the Runes of Darkness and Mastery.

II. Cult Ecology

The Cult of Great Arkat exists to prepare the people of Ralios for the imminent coming return of Arkat (and they've been preparing for centuries). The Cult prepares you to accept the doctrine of the Dark Empire, and how best to serve Arkat. It also promises that all members of the cult will be saved in the Empire and granted the right to live among the rulers, as opposed to being it's servant. The cult has enjoyed continued existence not only for this reason, but also as it is a form of masonic order, the people of the cult greatly admire other cultists, and will gladly help each other when asked.

Other sects of Arkatism are quite tolerant of Great Arkat, and mulitple membership in this and other sects is generally well accepted - St. Arkat and Arkat Chaosbane are the most proliferate.Due to it's ties with religious heads, it has good connections with most of the leading cults of the area, such as Kyger Litor and Ehilm.Great Arkat has very few enemies, although it has a general disdain for chaos and destabilizing elements.

It's holy days are Godday in Harmony Week with a high holy day in Dark Season.

III. The Cult In The World

The cult is worshipped throughout the Safelster, and in the western regions bordering Otkorion. The cult is tolerated, and in some places membership is encouraged, throughout the Felster region. The cults political power, and religious ties to the leading gods of the pantheons, has given it a stable position within the area, and many powerful members of the Chruches and cities are members of the cult - often they owe their position to the cult and it's connections.

The cult is organised as the churchs are, in caste formation. As all the Malkioni churches are organised in caste fashion, the caste that the worshipper belongs to corresponds to the caste that they belong to in Great Arkat. If a person seeks to change caste in their church, they must also obtain the permission of their ranking Lord in Great Arkat. In some regions, Great Arkat is merely worshipped on his own, with no accompanying church, and claim that this helps regain the purity of the Dark Empire. The cult is lead by it's Lords.

The cult is mainly worshipped by humans, trolls have little or no time for the cult as anything but a tool to be manipulated.

IV. Membership

To become a member of Great Arkat, the prospective initiate must have mastered at least one skill appropiate to their caste to demonstrate their skill and worthiness to the cult and to the coming Dark Empire as a whole. The canidate must be forwarded by an existing initiate, and is usually accepted. They then sacrifice 1 POW to Arkat. All worshippers must attend holy days, lend aid as neccessary to other initiates and dedicate 30% of their income to the cult. They are expected by the Lords of Great Arkat to serve when asked in whatever capacity possible (the word "unreasonable" should not exist in such a situation). In return, the cultist will receive help from the other cultists as required. The cult grants sorcery to it's wizards, although the exact spells taught depend upon what sorcerors are employed in the temple. Wizards all get access to reusable rune magic, although the only magic they gain is from associated cults (see below), and everyone else can gain access to one-use rune magic.

V. Associated Cults

The only magic that the cult gains is that given from the other leading cults in the Ralios region that it ruled over in the years of the Dark Empire. Sometimes a Great Arkati is a member of an associated cult, but not always. Sometimes they even hold rune levels in that cult.

Aldrya
The elves say that in the time of the Dark Empire they were forced to join it's banner, and that the spells gained from their goddess were forced as tribute, rather than as homage. The Great Arkati however have a different view that Aldrya gave her spells willingly in return for his saving of the Northern Forests by slaying the Tanisor Vampire Kings and by enusring that his troll hordes inflicted no damage to the Ralian forests during his rule. She grants the spell Plant Spy.

Eneral
He grants Speak With Horses and Command Horse to great Arkat.

Ehilm
The god of the Aetheric Church, and the ruler of much of the Safelster region, grants Bless Worshippers and Command Salamander to worshippers of Great Arkat.

Green Lady
The Alangellia of the region was on of Arkat's wives according to the cult and so in return the Green Lady grants the spells Bless Crops and Command Gnome to the Great Arkati. Kyger Litor
The troll mother grants total allegiance to her favourite Hero. The spells she grants are Command Shade and Blinding.

Orlanth
The Storm God was a minor ruling god at the time of the Dark Empire, but has since become far more popular. He grants the spells Command Worshippers and Know Honour.