EQUANI RELIGION

by Trotsky

Akala Strong Heart

Patron God of the Northwest Jarin

Guide of the Forebears, Wenrahi-of-Wenrahis, Voice of Terror, Son of Night

Demigod [1]

The Equani describe Kemlar as a man with jet black skin and yellow fangs, but otherwise of Jarin appearance, scarred with the Aka Hajar and wearing the clothes of a Shevrach warrior. He carries a heavy spear six feet or so in length, decorated with crude carvings of human and animal skulls. [2]

Akala Strong Heart is believed to be a semi-divine warrior who appeared among the ancestors of the Equani nearly two thousand years ago, and lead them to their present lands from the forests of the east. During his time on Kethira, he was undefeated in personal combat, struck fear into the hearts of his enemies by his mere presence and possessed magical and prophetic powers. Eventually, he left the mortal world behind, crossed over to Yashain, and became the chieftain of the land of the dead.

Source: Equani 1-2, Kubora 3-4, Harnplayer pp60-61

What the Shaman Says

Where did the world come from?

The First Gods separated the world from the empty void, creating the land, the sea, the sun and moon, and the winds. At first there was nothing living anywhere on the face of the world, which was used as an arena for the gods to contest with each other to test their strength and prowess. But then, some among the gods began to create animals, and each vied to create the most fearsome, and matched them against each other. Those which won these contests today eat those which lost. Plants were also created, to provide wood for weapons, or to make healing salves so that warriors could re-enter the fray more quickly, or to make poisons with which to hurt each other.

Where did I come from?

Later still, the gods made humans to fight on their behalf. Humans could use weapons, and make traps and employ cunning against their foes. With this the First Gods saw that the world was complete, and so they travelled to Yashain, the place beyond the spirit world, where they continue to contest with each other in a new arena.

After so many seasons that nobody could count them, one among the First Gods bore a son and sent him back to the world of Kethira, to reward those who had shown the greatest promise as warriors. This son of the gods was Akala Strong Heart, and he lead our ancestors to Equeth so that the men beneath the mountains could teach them wisdom and make them yet greater warriors than they had been up until then.

Why am I here?

You are here to fight, to prove yourself worthy of a place in Yashain. Akala gave us a land which is not only fertile enough to give us food, but, more importantly, gives us enemies to fight. He foresaw the coming of the Gargun, who provide us with our greatest sport and bade us to fight all others, that we might test our strength in adversity.

Facing adversity is the way in which a true man shows his character. We brand our faces with the Aka hajar to drive fear into our foes, but also so that we can show our stamina and prowess, so that all know we fear nothing. Each branding is an honour, showing yet another triumph over the bloodthirsty world which was created for us.

Yet another way in which we test ourselves is by the way in which the Shevrach must act. This shows people that we show contempt for the world itself, and are able to break rules of behaviour without reprisal. Such a life is difficult, but making your life difficult is a demonstration of character, and to be embraced not feared. That is why other peoples will always be inferior to us, and fit for nothing but slaughter and rape.

What happens after we die?

When you die, your spirit will travel to Yashain to continue its life there. Yashain is a good place, with many animals to hunt and wild plants to eat. Although our enemies will rarely end up there, for they lack our courage, there are constant combats and challenges there for sport, for noone ever dies. Those who have committed wrongs or proven to be cowards or other unworthy people, will not be able to travel to Yashain, and will instead remain trapped in the spirit world, becoming malicious ghosts who try to harm the living out of spite. Such evil ghosts often venture there, and can be hunted and fought by our warriors.

It is important that our souls are well prepared before making the journey. Thus, when we die, we are buried with our possessions, which we will be able to use on the other side. When people are not buried in this way, they will find things very difficult on Yashain, even though it is a more hospitable place than this world. The greatest shevrach are buried with the best goods, to ensure that those in the otherworld know their importance and status.

The greatest of shevrach will become leaders and honoured elders among the dead, answering only to Akala himself. Such people are able to reach back from Yashain to grant aid to those who keep their glorious deeds from being forgotten.

What can you tell me about magic?

The world is full of spirits, all of whom fight with each other just as animals and people do. A few people are marked out by strange signs of behaviour or appearance which show them to have particular power over the spirits. These people can see into the spirit world, which allows them to fight with many spirits directly, and force them to produce magical effects. Thus, while shamans are never shevrach, it is not true to say that they are not warriors, and so unworthy of respect, for they do indeed fight, but their struggles are often invisible to us until they do magic. And, like all men, shamans have proven themselves through the aka hajar and bear those proud scars on their faces.

What of the other gods? What can you tell me about... [3]

Ilvir

A cowardly member of the First Gods, Ilvir decided to remain here on Kethira rather than leaving for Yashain with the others, in the hope that this way he could avoid further fighting. Insane in his fear, he creates new creatures to protect himself. and sends them across the land to spy for him.

Sarajin

This powerful warrior comes from the north, and his people are good foes, well worth the fighting. They travel across the sea, for their god gives them power over wind and wave, but once they reach the land, we are always able to defeat them, although great and glorious are the struggles to do so.

Kemlar

Kemlar is the name that the peoples of the late sun call Akala, and whom they claim to follow as we do. In reality, Akala sent them away to inferior lands, because they could not match us in bravery and skill. While their warriors show some prowess, they are inferior to us, as we show whenever we steal their food, kill their men and rape their women for our sport.

[1] Akala is, of course, the same person/deity known to the Urdu and Kubora as 'Kemlar'. Despite his importance, he was once a mortal, and hence cannot be a Lesser God.

[2] We do not know his description from the source material, although he clearly is not Jarin. I've decided to make him look not entirely human, to distinguish him from the view of Kemlar espoused by the Kubora or Urdu. He is also viewed as far more violent than the other races believe, in accordance with the ideals of Equani society.

[3] The Equani live in an area of Harn remote from civilisation, and know almost nothing of civilised deities.