The Beast King

in: Gods & Religions

The Beast King is known as a fearsome God and one of the more common gods found throughout the world. Over the past centuries worship of the Beast King has spread to where it is not hard to find proof of worshipers to the Beast King wherever you are. Not only can his worshipers be found in almost every culture, but hints of him seem to be found in every religion. It may be that the view of him was tweaked and changed to better fit those who were being taught the worship of the Beast King. His image changes all the time so there are many interpretations of the Beast King throughout the world. These range from a common animal, to a man with animalistic features.

### Patron of Shifters

Without question, he is credited with helping the creation of the Shifters during the fae experiments. To some he was a simple man who had managed to survive the gruesome experiments and lead the others to salvation. Eventually being worshiped as a god amongst the shifters and gaining godhood through their devotion to him. Certain texts talk about the God of Beasts centuries before the creation of the Shifters. Many believe that he had seen the experiments of the Fae turning humans into beasts. They claim he took pity on the poor souls who were tortured and instead he took on the disguise of a human in order to bless the captured humans with the ability to turn into the shape of their souls. Using the disguise and his prowess to help create his own race of people. Scholars of the Beast King praise his ingenuity to use the Fae as a cover to create people who were neither human nor beast, so that no other god could claim he stole their creations.

### King of Animals

The Beast King is credited with ruling over all animals and creatures of the world, and is often depicted as giving animals to the other gods. He has been depicted as having two lovers, Bast and Naruli. Some people claim he gave Bast the felines of the world, making them in her image to show his love for the feline goddess. Others speak about how he made the animals to live in Naruli’s world, and to feed her nature with their bodies when they die and decay. Some say the fish in the oceans and the lake were given to Nostrum to watch over his slumber and be his eyes throughout the waters of the world. The Beast King is said to have taught Solarium how to create the wings of his celestials, so his creations can soar through the sky and watch over all the sun.

### Conflict with Other Gods

However, he is not always depicted as getting along with the other gods of the world. Specifically, he is depicted as Sopeth and Malakath’s brother in an often contentious relationship. The Great Parsha and the Beast King may seem similar to each other; however, they are often depicted as fighting amongst one another. It is thought that the Beast King, who rules over all animals, denied the Great Parsha’s half beast/half human creations of the Minotarus and Avians in opposition to the Great Parsha claim that his creations will be the true rulers of the world. One of the most famous paintings of the Beast King shows him as a man in the shape of a tiger with its throat around a depiction of the Great Parsha, pinning him to the ground.

### Order of the Hidden Beast

The Order of the Hidden Beasts is the name given to the religious practice for the Beast King. Unlike other religions where there are structures and people in power the Order of the Hidden Beast tends to be more equal in power amongst its followers, with the exception that Shifters are seen as the Beast Kings chosen children and others are adopted into his order. You can find many who follow the Beast King practicing out in the open. The various orders have assimilated into many cities and cultures spread throughout the world. It is with the help of the Order of the Beast King that shifters are able to hide amongst human civilizations. The non-shifters working to protect the King’s chosen children during their private rituals, as well as to protect them from poachers and others who would harm or kill the shifters.

### Shamans

Even with the perceived chosen child status of shifters it is still expected that all treat each other as equals, though some are considered shamans and are given a bit more authority in leading others in the ways of the Order or performing rituals. In rare times even the ritual to unlock shifters magic within their blood is given to a non-human elder who will take their place as the next shaman for the Order, with the full understanding making sure that if someone does not have the blood in them they will die taking the order. Some say the shamans will willingly give the ritual to non-shifters who threaten the order, knowing what fate would befall them.

### Twin Forms

Shifters are seen as the chosen children of the Beast King with their ability to have two forms: their bestial form (soul form) and a human form. They are seen to walk in the realm between the two worlds and thus are often made the shamans and leaders of the group they are in. Just as shifters believe their animal form is their soul form, the Order of the Hidden beasts believes that all animals are souls that have returned to the world with another life. Thus those who follow the beast King believe that all animals should be treated with respect. While some animals can be used for work or to help with one's livelihood (hunting dogs, horses, etc.) they should be treated with the same amount of respect as they are the children of the beast king.

### Diet

Some people mistakenly believe that those who worship beasts would not eat meat, but that is not true. Just as one animal eats another, eating meat is simply a way of life. In fact, many prefer to eat meat as a way to give final respect to those who have died, and allow the creature to once again be useful to the world. What is not eaten is often buried or turned into ash and scattered out. There is even a tradition to honor and respect the nature goddess Naruli by turning their bodies into something the plants can consume and thrive off of.

Credit for Lore: TigerHellfigh