Religio Albana

The Religio Albana (Eng: The Alban Religion) is an off shoot of the Cult of Mars under Caesar, founded in 2282 by rebel slaves in New Mexico who would go on to found the Senatus Populusque Albusquercanus. It is a bastardised syncretic fusion of various old and new religious practices in New Mexico which have revived or come out of hiding in the aftermath of Caesar's death, from tribal religions to pueblo customs to Christian teachings.

## Teachings

The Religio Albana teaches that only Mars is worthy of the title of Caesar and that Son of Mars was corrupted by Taurus and fell into rebellion against Mars; They teach that it is the hubris of Edward Sallow, who was sent to free man but who betrayed Mars by falsely claiming the title of Caesar and instead building an empire of cruelty and tyranny, that has jilted the gods and brought the Cloud down upon mankind; Much like the nuclear hellfire Mars sent once before, the Red Cloud has been sent to wipe the world clean of the impure and the wicked, to topple the Failed Incarnate's empire and liberate mankind.

The Religio Albana believes that there are innumerable spirits associated with places, events and objects in the world, signifying the presence of life and divinity. All of these spirits are powerful beings who, if treated with respect and properly appealed to, will protect or profit the appellant. This emerges as an almost contractual obligation between the two parties, an exchange by which the followers of the faith appease the spirits in exchange for their aid. Such a spirit is called a Genius (Plural: Genii).

As a result of this, there are remarkable variation in the genii in question. Not only do individual settlements and places have their own Genii, but so too can households have their own household genius. Genii have relations and opinions much like humans do, with brothers and sisters squabbling and fighting each other (often resulting in some terrible storm or raucous wind), and more rarely can be outright malicious towards humans - most often, however, their wrath is only directed towards those who have wronged them in some way.

There is not necessarily a distinction between Gods and genii; Gods are simply the most potent and widespread Genii.

# Major Genii

There are, however, a handful of major genii who are associated with the Res Publica itself, the direct patrons and beneficiaries of the state, or its enemies:

Mars Optimus Maximus, Caesar of Man: The harsh and powerful War God, leader of the pantheon. The Father of all the spirits of the world, siring them through Diana. Like mankind, he is strong and proud - but also prone to fit's of righteous anger when roused, a flaw which can be manipulated by his enemies such as Taurus.

Diana Mater: The loving mother of all spirits, who soothes Mars righteous anger with sweet honey and constantly argues for clemency on Man's behalf. She is the goddess of nature and the rivers, as well as the patron of Healers. A remnant of the Twin Mothers, resurfacing in the bastardised fusion of the post-Legion East.

Lupus Tutator: The faithful hound of Mars and the mother of all the worlds canines, a powerful and loyal friend who represents loyalty and courage in the face of adversity, and serves as ta protector of children and citizens. Gives itself as one of the patron symbols of the Legionis Liberti. A remnant of the Hangdogs religion.

Aquila Liber: The Freed Bird, the spirit of freedom and liberty, mother of all the birds in the sky. Was charged by Diana with combatting Taurus and inspiring the spirit of rebellion. Aquila Liber names the sky as its own and is independent and free spirit, but as such can also be chaotic and unpredictable. Gives itself as one of the patron symbols of the Legionis Liberti. Indirectly adapted from the symbols of the former United States via tribal animism, with the followers believing that the Aquila Liber also assisted the ancient Americans against the British Loyalists of King George (Which has itself given rise of the widely accepted folk etymology in Res Publica which links British and Brutish together)

Taurus Territor: 'The Bull That Terrorises', a corrupting spirit that tramples over all others, inflicting terror and seeking only personal power. Taurus tainted the heart of Edward Sallow with false visions of glory and imperium, and caused him to betray the Gods. Taurus works his dark magic on the hearts of men, goading them into taking the easy and brutish solutions. Some say that he tricked Mars into blaming all of mankind for the crimes of Sallow, thus causing the Cloud to descend on the world. Taurus and Edward Sallow have both taken on some aspects of the Pop Christian "Devil" and "Lucifer" in the Religio based on the uncovering of strange art from the distant past, with Taurus sometimes being portrayed as capable of adopting an upright posture or being a bullheaded figure, and considered to be a fallen spirit in rebellion against the natural order of the heavens.

## Other Mythological Figures

Sallow/The False Caesar: The Son of Mars and the "Failed Incarnate". He was sent by Mars and the gods to unite mankind and uplift them from poverty and sickness. However, he was corrupted by his lust for power. He betrayed his Father, falsely taking the title of Caesar for himself and twisted Mars vision. The Gods cursed him for his hubris, and his health and mind gradually crumbled.

Adustus Ultor (Adustus the Avenger, or The Burnt Avenger): An avenging being that stalks the wastelands, although it's mortal form was once the Malpas Legate. The stories of the Burned Man vary, some say that he was repentant in his final hours and was reincarnated as a result, returning to right his wrongs and atone for his horrible crimes against gods and man. Others say that he was so monstrous that the Underworld itself spat him back out, reanimated by the suffering of his victims and cursed to wander restlessly for the rest of time. Whatever the case, the Burned Man disappeared into Utah and haunted the Grand Canyon ever since...

Washington Britannicus: George Washington. The title of Britannicus should be read as implying "Victor Over" or "Vanquisher of" the Britons, rather than relation to Britain. Considered a legendary figure who drove out the Caesar of his day and established the United States of America, a Res Publica similar in some ways to the Res Publica Albusquercana. Unfortunately, the United States and the rest of the old world fell into disarray and barbarity, and in a rage Mars turned away from man and allowed them to destroy themselves in nuclear hellfire.

## Religious Practices

Marriage: There is no concept of marriage within the Religio Albana, nor is such a concept recognised within the Alban legal system or law. It is alien to them. Relationships are formed and broken between individuals as those individuals agree.