Common Beliefs and Practices
Many Zalanthans are completely agnostic, too focused on day-to-day survival to consider what (if anything) happens after they die. For these pragmatic minds, physical death means the cessation of conscious thought, and musings on the afterlife are little better than children's tales designed to terrify or pacify.
But for those who have the time, luxury, or inclination to ponder eternity, a few common trends in Zalanthan spiritual thought tend to surface. Among the spiritual, a vague conception of a "soul" or "spirit" exists, an immortal and permanent counterpart to the temporary shell that is one's body. One of the more common beliefs typically held by the poorer castes is that this soul passes into Drov upon death. For many, "sending someone to Drov" is just a figure of speech, but some take the idiom literally, picturing Drov as a place or another level of existence. Who or what Drov consists of, or what this life after death is like, is usually left purposefully vague (probably to avoid the unwanted attention of the templarate, who may consider too much contemplation on the afterlife tantamount to heresy). Those who venture to speculate on the nature of life after death usually assume that Drov is a dreary, unpleasant place, where shades and shadows spend eternity adrift in an endless sea of gloom. This seems only natural to most Zalanthans; having lived most of their lives in toil and agony, they can only imagine a similarly-unpleasant afterlife. Still, the idea of an afterlife is comforting to many common folk, attracted to the idea of revisiting deceased loved ones and enjoying a well-earned rest from the rigors of the living world.
Outside of these general beliefs, the most predominant faith in the Known World is most likely belief in one of the two god-kings, Tektolnes of Allanak or Muk Utep of Tuluk. Motivations for worshipping the god-kings differ from person to person. Some worship out of social convenience, or to gain some sense of societal acceptance. Many, especially in Allanak, worship their god-king out of a sense of fear and awe. They view their god-king as a terrible tyrant, but pay lip-service to avoid being struck down by Him or (more likely) His servants, the templars. A few pray to their king out a genuine sense of love or admiration. Followers of Muk Utep are somewhat more likely to view their ruler as benevolent, but many citizens of both city-states view their god-king is all that stands between them and the utter desolation of the wastes. Truly faithful individuals often join the militia of their respective city-state, seeking some way to serve and become closer to their god. Even amongst these fanatics, however, love for their king is tempered with a healthy dose of fear.
Allanaki Beliefs
The order of white-robed templars were created in the wake of the siege of Allanak. The white-robes promote the worship of Tektolnes as a god-like figure, referring to him as He Who Rescued Us. Citizens of Allanak are encouraged to worship Tektolnes, and the white-robes build temples and lead devotions in their god-king's honor. Allanakis are always careful to never let their religious fervor interfere with the essentials of day-to-day business, however; the white-robes teach that the best way to show devotion to He Who Rescued Us is to be a contributing member of His glorious city.
With an established clergy in the form of the white-robed templars and an almost evangelical approach to the world at large, the worship of Tektolnes might be the most advanced and powerful organized religion in the Known World. And while it is true that even templars and nobles utter prayers to He Who Rescued Us, those with earnestly spiritual minds might find themselves dissatisfied with the Highlord's answers to the great philosophical questions. Allanak's dogma is shallow and ill-defined, usually amounting to little more than state propaganda with quasi-religious trappings. While high-ranking white robe templars may ponder the deeper mysteries of the Known World, these elevated thoughts (if they exist at all) are relegated to back-room debates and private libraries. As a result, very little in the way of actual enlightenment trickles down to the masses. Sermons usually amount to little more than history lessons, rehashing and aggrandizing the exploits of He Who Rescued Us.
If one were to ask a white-robed templar about the purpose of life or the existence of an afterlife, one is unlikely to receive a direct answer. Despite this, the common folk of Allanak clutch to a few apocryphal beliefs, and the powers-that-be seem disinterested in discouraging these ideas. Many Allanakis believe that Tektolnes possesses a degree of omnipresence, and even nobles and high-ranking templars are likely to believe that the Highlord can hear their silent prayers. Some of Allanak's faithful attempt to justify the apparent cruelty of the Highlord's regime by claiming that the harshness of Vrun Driath requires a firm hand. While an individual imprisonment, beating, or public execution may seem cruel, the patriotic Allanaki understands that it is part of a grand scheme designed to protect them from the uncountable horrors of the wastes. Particularly zealous Allanakis pride themselves on bearing their hardships with relative good cheer. Finally, the concept of an afterlife is ill-defined in the canon of Allanak's state religion, and the white-robes seem content to allow their followers to speculate on this particular subject to their heart's content. Many believe, rightly or wrongly, that He Who Rescued Us possesses some degree of control over their ultimate fate, and might provide a pleasant afterlife for the particularly patriotic or devout. Considering the large amount of reality-warping magick power Tektolnes possesses, this might actually be possible.
Prayers to the Highlord Tektolnes are traditionally spoken aloud. An Allanaki citizen is more likely to pray for the strength to endure hardship than to ask for blessings. Charity is nearly a foreign concept to Allanakis, so the virtues of hard work and humility are especially valued. Occasionally, Tektolnes surprises his followers with an act of real or perceived benevolence. Examples include the font of water spilling forth from the Temple of the Dragon, as well as the Highlord single-handedly breaking the siege of Allanak in the Nineteenth Age. These boons come few and far between, and are cause for great celebration. Another common practice in Allanak is coloring secular laws in a religious light. For example, the more zealous factions of Allanak's citizenry genuinely fear spice, believing its use might make them "spiritually impure" in the eyes of their king. Finally, some in Allanak have taken to using the phrase "Walk in His Shadow" as a blessing or word of parting. The phrase evokes the cooling shade and shelter that is the city of Allanak, a forbidding but protective point of respite in the blasted landscape of Vrun Driath. For others it is also a reminder that the entire city and its populace exists very literally in the shadow of their almighty king, He Who Rescued Us, the Highlord Tektolnes.
Tuluki Beliefs
The public sermons and grand temples of Allanak run contrary to Tuluki aesthetics. Any worship of the Sun King is usually subtle, restrained and private, but is still encouraged, considered a sign of patriotism and good character. Tuluk's templarate are referred to as the Faithful, granting them and anything they do an air of religiosity. The Faithful are rumored to have complex and highly developed philosophies that justify the rule of the Sun King Muk Utep and describe Tuluk's purpose in the world. These philosophies, if they actually exist, are generally considered state secrets.
One of the few ideas to spread to the masses is a strong sense of fate or destiny. As in Allanak, many common Tulukis believe that their god-king possesses at least some degree of omnipotence. Rather than squander his power with brazen displays like Tektolnes' draconic form at the siege of Allanak, Muk Utep prefers to subtly manipulate the events around his followers, constructing destinies. Certain individuals such as the Faithful, certain nobles, and a lucky few commoners might be marked for greatness and guided by Muk Utep's divine hand. Heroic tales and legends in Tuluk sometimes feature the conquering hero experiencing a string of remarkable good luck. Sometimes the villain is even slain by bad luck and obvious plot devices, buried under a rockslide or ripped apart by natural storms without the hero so much as lifting a finger. While these anticlimactic endings might seem strange or even comical to outsiders, Tulukis understand that these events are part of the hero's destiny and a reward for his devotion to the Sun King.
Tuluk's cultural predisposition for subtlety discourages calling Muk Utep by his name, at least publicly. Although not seen as heretical or even vulgar, it's still slightly uncouth, and Tulukis instead prefer to refer to Utep as the Sun King, or to make vague references to "His Light." In Tuluk, it's considered gauche to make obvious displays of deference to one's superiors. Instead, Tulukis are encouraged to find other ways of making their fear, love or loyalty known, and it is no different with their Sun King. Rather than build temples or preach in the streets, northerners try to find unique methods for honoring and communing with their god-king. One might show particular respect to the Faithful, while another might create artworks in the Sun King's honor, while another might choose to spend several nights awake in vigil and fasting, hoping for some particular blessing from His Gloriousness, Muk Utep.
Due to Tuluk's tribal roots and the lack of a proselytizing caste such as Allanak's white-robes, Tulukis also tend to be somewhat more tolerant of tribal beliefs, animism, or private cults. Of course, those who prove too ambitious and evangelical or otherwise let outside beliefs weaken their devotion to the Sun King might disappear, removed by Muk Utep's truly Faithful.
Other Beliefs
The tribal peoples of the Known World, free from the oppressive theocracies of the city-states, are free to worship and believe whatever they like. Many have incredibly complex and detailed spiritual beliefs, developed and refined over hundreds of years. Others are earthbound pragmatists with little to no faith to speak of, and individual beliefs vary greatly from tribe to tribe. Of the more spiritual tribes, common trends include animism, ancestor-worship and reverence for elemental forces.
Luir's Outpost, located at the physical center of the Known World, acts as a natural melting pot for various religious beliefs. Worshippers of He Who Rescued Us and faithful Tulukis mingle with wandering tribal shamans and prophets. Still, Luir's residents tend to care more about matters of commerce than matters of faith.
The people of Red Storm are a pragmatic and hard-bitten lot. As a result, atheism and agnosticism are especially common here. Those with spiritual inklings trend toward animism, due to their proximity to the Sea of Silt. An incredible, mysterious force of nature with the power to give life and take it away; if the Sea of Silt isn't a god, it's at least pretty close.
Those with knowledge of magick sometimes apply religious language and ideas to their spells. The various elements such as Ruk, Krath and Whira are often personified, and sometimes thought of as gods. Others construct philosophies around other magick symbols or concepts. These stray concepts rarely form into true religions. When they do, they are often considered dangerous and heretical by the templarate of both city-states.
Cults of personality are common throughout the Known World. The most famous example may be mystique surrounding Thrain Ironsword, leader of the forces that laid siege to Allanak in the Nineteeth Age, providing the impetus for the foundation of Allanak's white-robed templars. Many people, dwarves in particular, consider Ironsword a paragon to live up to, though few would consider him a god or anything similar. Allanaki citizens would do well to hide their reverence for Ironsword, as patriotic Allanakis largely consider him one of history's greatest monsters for his brazen attack on the Highlord's rule.
