The Cult Of The Red Emperor

I. Mythos and History

In 0/27 (1247 ST) the Red Goddess danced the Dance of Memory and Promise and ascended to the Sky alongside her Moon. She left her son in her place, the Red Emperor. The Battle of Castle Blue was a climatic meeting upon the HeroPlane, in which various people brought to life their own thoughts, dreams and desires. In the midst of this battle various beings, who remain nameless to all except the most prized members of the Lunar cults, created a single conglomerate being. This being was not a hive entity, not a gesalt spirit, but an individual created from the desires and needs of the beings that would eventually become known as the Egi, who are the Council that make up the Emperor's magical and mystical consiousness. Singulary they are known as the Egus, and while most reside permanently on the Red Moon, others have palaces in the Lunar Empire and can be visited via mortal means. The Cult of the Red Emperor has HeroQuests to meet the Egi and talk with them.

He was created with a Creation Myth of unknown origin (many speak or Kralori myths) by the Egi, and ever afterwards was one of the most importantn individuals ever. He always stood at the side of the Goddess, and when she stepped aside, after reforming the Cosmos, she left the Red Empeor to stand in her place. He strode the combat ground of Castle Blue, fending foes off, destroying ancient deities as if they were merely children in the world of combat, and went from a Creation to a HeroQuester to a Godling. When the Goddess departed the Mundane World to take her place in the Mythical World, her replacement was the Red Emperor. He was known as Takenegi, which means "Ruler of the Egi", although this is not his name.

The Red Emperor was installed as the Head of virtually all Lunar relgions, the polipotenary of the Goddess herself, and the embodiment of the Lunar Way. The Dara Happan Emperor, Yelmgatha, was a personal friend of both the Red Emperor and the Red Goddess. As time progressed, Yelmgatha asked the Red Emperor to take the Ten Tests so that he could become the Ruler of the Dara Happan Empire as well as the Lunar Way. The Red Emperor refused, knowing that he had no relation to the Emperor, until it was relvealed that his mother was in fact the grand-daughter of the Red Goddess!! He afterwards suceeded in the Ten Tests and Yelmgatha ruled alongside him as joint rulers of the Empire. When Yelmgatha died, the Red Emperor ruled personally.

His acts included, the naming of the Four Quarters of the Empire, the birth of Yara Aranis, the ownership of the Empire, his steed is the Crimson Bat itself and many, many more. Other godlings are the responsibility of this promiscuous demigod, he has many concubines and has had many wives (and one or two husbands) and thusly has various legitimate and illegitimate children living throughout the Empire, often in Teelo Norri orphanages.

When the Red Emperor died, he returned (much to everyones suprise), and always has done so, thus proving his divinity. However, in 3/20 Sheng Seleris caused much carnage in the Empire, before travelling to the Moon, and killing many of the Egi. Ever since, the Egi have been subject to mortality as the original immortals are dead. The new Egi are selected from the Examiners of the Red Goddess' cult. He has changed both physical and spiritual form ever since that day. He later returned and slew Sheng Seleris, trapping him in Lunar Hell which resides outside the known Cosmos.

Many people speak that the Red Emperor is failing in his tasks as the Red Goddess' apostle, and that was why the Great Sister was sent to the Earth to speak for her. This is, of course, merely heretical rumour.

Members of the Red Emperor's cult are buried with full military and magical honours, paid for fully by the cult, in normaly Lunar custom. They are awarded the greatest positions of power on the Red Moon when they die.

His Runes are Lunar, Mastery and Magic.

II. Cult Ecology

The Cult of the Red Emperor is not like the cult of Moonson Imperator, although they have similar aspects. Whereas Moonson Imperator is a group seeking to empower the larger community, the cult of the Red Emperor is a small group seeking to empower the individual. The Cult of the Red Emperor is the Red Emperor's own Hero Cult.

The cult is dually military and ruler-orientated. He is worshipped for the Red Emperor is the ruler of the Lunar Empire and the Head of the Lunar Way. He is worshipped as the Head of the Military Branches and the High Priest above all others of Yanafal Tarnils, Polaris, Yelm, Jakaleel and all Phalanxes save one. Worshippers are expected to be strong leaders, either of the Satrapies or of the armies. Lay membership is very common.

The Red Emperor ritually dislikes Orlanth, but other struggles include those against Sheng Seleris, Yelm, chaos and others -- as required. Cult holy days are Wildday of Harmony Week with a High Holy Day in Fire Season, although the only formal celebrations are the immense banquets held in the City of Dreams in Glamour in honour of the Red Emperor.

III. The Cult In The World

As noted before, the cult is worshipped by Sultans and Generals, and many important individuals within the Empire seeking political power, or that the cult wishes to control. Shrines are maintained in the personal chambers of Lunar Rulers, and in Lunar Army HeadQuarters. Shrines are normally ordained by the personal presence of the Emperor himself.

The palace of the Emperor, the City of Dreams from where the Moon dominates the skym is the location of a major temple to the Red Emperor. Within it's bowels are huge hallowed grounds and dedicated pilgrims dedicate vast amounts of their time to the Red Emperor's personal needs.

Shrines teach Reverence.

IV. Lay Membership

Lay Membership is sought by many people of the Empire to advance their political needs, but this is not always the only reason. Any being who does the Empire a great service can be granted a position of Lay Membership within the cult, as does any being who is granted a boon from the Red Emperor, and any of the Emperor's personal servants, such as bodyguards, concubines, wives, husbands, sages etc... Sometimes Lay membership has a limited period of time, such as one season.

Anyone who is a lay member of his cult is given Imperial Protection. Any act against the individual is considered an act against the Emperor, in other words, High Treason which has a maximum penalty of imprisonment in Lunar Hell. No other benefits are gained. A Lay Member need only dedicate 1% of time and income to the cult.

V. Initiate

An initiate must either be a Sultan, an Examiner of the Red Goddess or a Rune Lord/Priest of the Seven Mothers or any Lunar military branch (such as Yara Aranis, the Granite Phalanx, Yelm etc... NOT Shargash or Polaris). They must suceed in tests in Orate, Speak New Pelorian, Human Lore and Any Weapon Attack. They must sacrifice 1 POW to the Red Emperor.

All initiates are expected to continue serving in whatever capacity they serve already. Any order given from the Red Emperor is expected to be carried out without fail, even if it conflicts with orders from other Priests, or beings such as the Great Sister (or, for that matter, a god). Initiates gain Imperial Protection. They are given priority in most official matters.

However, they gain no access to Divine Intervention, and there is no access to spirit magic, although they can gain one-use Rune Magic.

VI. Hands of the Emperor (Rune Priests)

The only requirement for this cult is that the canidate be at least an initiate of the Red Goddess. They must then pass a test that evaluates their spiritual state and loyalty to the Empire. This can be abstracted as INT+POW+Illumination skill. This interview is a rigorous interview with the Emperor himself.

Once accpeted a Priest must then dedicate 90% of time to the Red Emperor, and will be at his beck and call -- serving as a personal advisor, organiser, bodyguard, magician and more. In important battles the Red Emperor sends one of his Hands to act as general, normally annoying the general involved.

In return the Priest gains not only re-usuable Rune Magic but the luxuries of the Emperor's Palace wherein they reside. Women and men attend every need, every delicacy is catered for. Those Priests who show exceedingly good promise ascend to the Red Moon and act on the Emperor's Council. There is no opportunity for retirement.

There are only ever 7 Hands at one time. They are considered the extension of the Emperor's will, to refuse their commands is High Treason.

Common Rune Magic: Dismiss Magic, Mindlink, Worship Red Emperor.
Special Rune Magic: Bless Worshippers, Command Worshippers, Moonspear, Reverence, Ressurect, Shield.

VII. Red Emperor Rune Magic

Bless Worshippers
See Yelm cult description (GoG p. 79) Affects only members of Lunar Cults.

MoonSpear
Exactly the same as Sunspear, except it only works in direct moonlight. The effects of Moonspear due to the Lunar Cycle are shown as follows:

Phase	Moonspear Effects
Dark/Dying	Does not work
Crescent	Only inflicts 2d6 dmg
Half	Inflicts 4d6 dmg, as per normal rules
Full	Inflicts 10d6 dmg in a 3m diameter

Reverence
1 point
Self only, temporal, stackable, re-usable
This spell is cast upon the user whilst making a speech. For the duration of the spell the caster instills a powerful awe of wonder in any Lunar citizens. All Lunar citizens become submissive towards the caster, who gains a +15% on all Communication skills made when dealing with Lunars per point of spell.
Non-Lunars are non-affected.

VIII. Sub-cults

Spirit of Reprisal
There is no spirit of reprisal for this cult. However, any member of the cult is given a harsher verdict on any crimes they commit that might come to public attention -- often involving sending the offender to Lunar Hell. They are normally allowed flexibility when it comes to laws that might not come to the public's attention. Only the Red Emperor himself can excommunicate a member of the cult.

IX. Associated Cults

Red Goddess
All members are associated with the cult of the Red Goddess, while they liaison, there is no exchange of Rune Magic.

Seven Mothers
Grant Command Lune, Mindblast, Regrow Limb and Truesword.

Yara Aranis
His daughter grants Fear.

X. Notes

Becoming the Emperor
The members of the Red Emperor's cult are actually barred from becoming the Red Emperor upon his demise. Why? Because if a cult member aspired to assassinate the Emperor in an attempt to become him there would be carnage. Of course, this doesn't matter as the Red Emperor is always the same person.