The World Of Khoras - Religion - Gods of the Ogres

Kael

Description

Kael is the patron deity of all those who make war. Most soldiers pray to him for victory in battle. Leaders ask for his aid before important battles. Kael is the supreme Lord of the Gods in ogrish religion. As such, all other ogre deities serve beneath him. Grundel, Uthakra and Vaullarias are Kael's lieutenants.

History

Kael was an ogrish soldier who lived during the turbulent years of the Age of Sorrow. Despite an obscure background, he became known for legendary feats of strength and ruthless combat tactics. For many years, he served as military commander under a powerful and evil sorceress in the south. This continued until he grew to be so powerful that the sorceress began to fear him. Fearing a direct confrontation, she ordered him and his most loyal warriors to wage a distant battle and planed an ambush against him. It was to be a battle in which Kael stood against so many that he could not possibly win. Kael fought like a mad man throughout the battle. He was struck by half a dozen arrows and wounded many times. Eventually, overwhelmed by sheer numbers, he was wrestled to the ground and beaten with hammers. Thinking him dead, the mercenaries cheered.

With a great roar, Kael with a crushed skull, rose and fought on. Kael, was mortally wounded but such was his fury that he refused to die. His spirit animated his broken body and continued the battle. All around him, his own troops, loyal to him even in death, rose as walking corpses to fight with him. They formed a circle about the mercenaries and prevented them from escaping. Kael and his troops killed every last mercenary. Except one. A young warrior whom he spared to inform the world of Kael’s rebirth and the terrible battle that had been fought.

That day, the slain mercenaries rose from the dead and swore allegiance to Kael. With his army of unkillable soldiers, he marched to the castle of the sorceress and slew her. After reducing the castle to rumble, the army marched away and was not seen again. Worshipers claim that Kael and his immortal troops continue to wage war on another plane of existence. A place where the war is eternal.

The Church of Kael

Overview of the Church
Kael is one of the more popular gods. Every day, thousands of warriors all over the world sing battle chants to him and drink to his name. His name is often uttered as a curse and often included in oaths. Many pray to him before and after a battle.

Priests of Kael, skilled warriors themselves, wear black robes with red runes declaring their battles, slain opponents, weapons mastered and more. They usually have very decorative armor and weapons.

Geographic Placement
Kael's followers are concentrated in areas of Ithria that see much - the east and south: the Coalition, the War Vale, the Rift Vale, Ormek and Duthelm.

Temples, Churches and Holy Sites
The greatest temple to Kael is known as the Hall of War and is located in the city of Tyrrenkor in the heart of the Coalition. The second largest temple is in Duthelm and is called the Temple of Imradani. The temple of Prol is a smaller Kaelish temple that lies on the border between the War Vale and the Coalition. Smaller shrines are scattered about southern and eastern Ithria, anywhere where soldiers, mercenaries and ogres may be found.

Ceremonies
Initiation - A mock battle that is fought to introduce a new member of the faithful to the Church. Usually involves one on one non-lethal combat.

Holy Days
Every night that sees a full moon is a holy night. Because all three moons are holy in the Church of Kael, the greatest holy nights occur when more than one moon is full in the same night. A night with two full moons occurs only every 3 years. When all three moons are full, it is known as God's Night. This happens only once every 11 years. On God's Night, the churches of Kael, Grundel, Uthakra and Vaullarias unite for a night of celebration and debauchery.

Philosophy
Battle is the supreme authority. War is the final arbiter. Only through conflict are the weak cleansed. Only in battle are all men equal to strive and overcome. Battle decides all. Law does not. Laws can be broken. Walls do not. Walls can be scaled or toppled. Wealth does not. Wealth can be stolen. Only battle decides.

Scriptures and Prayer
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Symbols
The three moons are the holy symbols of Kael. These are often incorporated into Kaelish artwork as three disks - red, blue and green. Often arranged in a triangle or with a golden circle connecting them all. The double bladed battle axe is also an important symbol in this church.

Artifacts
The Seven Hammers of Sorrow. According to Kaelish legend, these are the seven hammers used to beat Kael to death on the day he died and subsequently arose. These hammers are said to be cursed by Kael. They are said to be unbreakable. They are weapons of great power, but those who possess them always come to a horrible end. The Church of Kael is has been searching for these seven hammers for many centuries. Three have been found by the Church in the last 1000 years. The search for the remaining four continues to this day.

Tithes
The Church of Kael demands a tithe of one half of all treasure taken from the bodies of those vanquished in battle.

Allied and Opposed Faiths
The Church of Kael is allied with all the ogre deities. It is on good terms with the Church of Zothok. It is opposed to Imarus, Mareth and Sorrath. 

The Priests of Kael

Rank Structure
All members of the church, whether they are priest, acolyte or worshiper, form a pecking order based on combat skill. Rank is established through non-lethal combat. New comers to the church are initially the lowest rank, but may rise up through the ranks quickly with superior skill. Such ranking battles are held at least once each month.

Abilities and Spells
Priests of Kael train constantly and are fantastic warriors. Besides their martial skills, priests wield potent battle magic. They can move quicker than their enemies, heal wounds rapidly, fight without tiring, blind their enemies and summon monsters to do battle. They are formidable warriors with steel only, but with both steel and spell, a single Kael priest is a force to be reckoned with.

Dress and Equipment
Kael priests wear a mixture of plate armor and robes. They are skilled in a broad range of weapons and types of armor. Most priests of Kael choose heavy armor and wield large impressive weapons such as war hammers, battle axes and great swords. Some also wield spiked chains, whips and other more "colorful" weaponry.

Rules of Conduct

1. A true warrior never sheds tears or shows any other weakness.

2. A warrior must claim a trophy from the body of slain opponent.

3. One half of any treasure taken from the vanquished must be given to the Church.

4. An insult must always be avenged with battle.

5. Once a weapon is drawn, it must taste blood.

6. A warrior's weapon must be inscribed with Kaelish runes of luck and power.

To gain the blessing and assistance of Kael, it is traditional for the worshiper to sacrifice the heart of an enemy. This ritual requires the heart be recently taken and it must be taken from a significant enemy. To sacrifice the heart of a lesser foe is to insult Kael and invite disfavor. Also, the worshiper must recite kills on the battlefield and other proof of worthiness. This ritual is usual performed before a major battle or some other great feat in which the worshiper wishes to insure success. A great sacrifice in the eyes of Kael will bring great favor.

This page last updated Monday, October 08, 2007. Copyright 1990-2008 David M. Roomes.

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