Karakan

## Karakán

Kerék (Karakán)

*The Lord of War, Master of Heroes, and the Ultimate Warrior on the Final Day, courage and glory. Patron of the Hirilákte Arenas.*

Lord of Ever-Glorious War

Karakán serves Stability through active change, but change always towards a more stable social order, war for the expression of courage, war for the destruction of the Dark and the victory of Light. He aids those who are valorous.

#### Noble and Ignoble Behaviours of Karakán and Chegárra:

- Do be brave, loyal, obedient to authority, honest, industrious, temperate, and wise.

- Don’t be selfish, treacherous, deceitful, cowardly, willfully ignorant, or lazy.

- Do be courageous, skilled at war, judicious in rule, temperate in victory, and ambitious.

- Don’t be cowardly, insubordinate, careless with those in your charge, or lazy in self-betterment.

## Tenets of the Temple’s

Worshippers of Karakán see the world in terms of the struggle between Stability and Change, order and chaos, continuation of the cycles of life versus the onset of entropy and destruction.

As the Deity of Soldiers, His doctrines stress the power of the Imperial state, expansionism through war, personal bravery, and feats of arms. Lord Karakán represents force that maintains Stability, the development of organizations that guard and protect Society, its governing forces, and the State.

## Inside the Temple

#### Theology

Karakán stands for the glories of War, but War for the sake of establishing a social order, War for the expression of each being's instinctive courage, and War for the destruction of the Dark and victory of Light. Where Society has succumbed, however briefly, to Change, Lord Karakán restores Stability, undoing what was done, unChanging what was Changed.

#### Goals of the Temple

The stability and protection of the borders of the Empire.

#### Outer Doctrines

**Colour(s)**: Scarlet-red.

**Symbol**: A stylized lightning bolt sometimes depicted as a sword. His faithful often employ a zigzag lightning-bolt gesture as a benefaction or greeting.

**Astrology**: Scarlet Ríruchel, the red planet, represents Lord Karakán.

**Numerology**: The number 3, which is male.

**Aspects**: Karakán is shown as a youthful champion with a head rather like that of a hawk, winged, and armed with a shield and sword. He has 56 other aspects.

**Priestly Vestment**s: Priests and Aridáni warrior women wear red robes, or ceremonial armor of scarlet and gold, and tall golden helmets with fanciful scarlet crests. Other devotees wear scarlet garments, and bear Lord Karakán's emblem upon a breast amulet.

#### Rituals

Karakán's rituals are ponderous and military, and roar with trumpets and the thunder of the great Korángkorèn, the bronze war-drums that stand taller than a man. Most daily rituals are performed at home or work, with a few muttered words, a drop of water or wine, and Karakán’s zigzag lighting gesture made in the air.

Ri’ínünr: Silver knife in the shape of a lighting bolt used by ritual priests of Karakán & Chegárra.

#### Daily Rituals

Most daily rituals are performed at home or work, with a few muttered words, a drop of water or wine, and Karakán’s zigzag lighting gesture made in the air.

Dawn - “Adoration of Glory”

Noon prayer - “The Praise of Victory” before midday meal,

Evening - “The Sheathing of the Sword”

#### Death Rituals

The priests of Lord Belkhánu are charged with the interment of almost all followers of the Lords of Stability (although a priest of an individual's particular sect may also join in the rituals if desired by the family). Many worshippers of Karakán are cremated. Bodies are buried with the arms crossed over their breasts. High priests, generals, and other high officers are embalmed and entombed in the Necropolis.

#### The Afterlife

Karakán’s heaven is full of martial warriors, with the splendor of mighty deeds and brave causes. Each soul is seated according to the courage and deeds while alive. They participate in the endless battles against Change, wherein upon being defeated, the warrior springs up whole to fight again.

#### Sacrifices

Regular sacrifices to uphold the glory of Victorious War and to the maintenance of organized society. Sacrifices should be warriors (war-captives). Victims are dispatched with a single stab of the Ri’ínünr into the heart. Some sacrifices are fastened to lighting rods on the roofs of the temple during storms.

#### Food Taboos

As with the War-Temples of Vimúhla and Chiténg, devotees of  Karakán and Chegárra eat fish only when necessity demands.

#### Inner Doctrines

Language - Thu'úsa is employed for academic and doctrinal writings.

##### Inner Rituals

Soul - Karakán and Vimúhla seek the combination of Balétl (the Body) and the Pedhétl (courage, ambition, fear…). Through Balétl the followers of Karakán seek to achieve goals of a courageous society.

#### Temple Layout

Karakán’s temples are simple: high outer walls, an outer courtyard/gardens face a colonnaded portico (porch) leading into a vast cavernous hall with the walls (and pillars) having ancient banners, shields, and weapons lining them. Mighty pillars support a domed, painted, and gilded ceiling. Behind this north-south hall a short passage leads to the inner shrine, where the image of Karakán stands high upon a dais and a series of pedestals. Murals and bas-reliefs of Karakán’s heroic deeds upon Dórmoron Plain and other legends cover the walls.

Further rooms open off from each side of the main hall; these are used for various rituals. Smaller passages lead away from these to robing rooms, shrines for certain ceremonies, and "Halls of Memory," in which the relics of the legions, gifts presented by the Imperium and the nobles, etc., are displayed

Many large temples (Béy Sü, Jakálla, etc.) have long, corridor-like halls filled with ranked standards, suits of armor used by great soldiers of the past, racks of weapons, and golden Aílur (votive statues presented by successful commanders in memory of battles won, great deeds, and vows fulfilled).

A separate building, always located within the outer courtyard to the west of the main temple, houses the smaller shrines of Lord Karakán's 56 Greater Aspects. These Aspects are specific manifestations of the Deity and each has a name, a place in the legends, and a specific purpose in the doctrines.

##### Secular Activities

The Temple of Karakán is noted for the skill of its warriors. Upon special request the Temple has been known to train

young men and women who are of a Stability faith or Vimúhla.

Hirilákte Arenas - Karakán is the patron of the gladiatorial arenas. The priests of Lord Karakán often administer the facilities, and Small shrines to Karakán as well as certain Aspects will be found here and there about the Arena, for the use of the gladiators and the crowds. Priests of Lord Karakán will start the day's activities with a brief ceremony honoring the Emperor, the State, and the Gods.

The Temples do not sponsor everything that takes place in the arena, however. Duels are not sponsored, for example, and when two people desire to settle a dispute through a duel, their clans will approach the Arena administration and negotiate a time and fee for the event.

#### Power Centres

Like Hnálla, Karakán is worshipped throughout Tsolyánu, but has his strongest enclaves in the central lands along the Missúma River. Khirgár is home to one of the primary shrines of Karakán.

## Politics

The Temples of Karakán & Chegárra have great influence in the Military Party, some influence in the Royalist and

Imperial parties, but is lightly represented in the Priestly Party.

### Factions & Secret Societies

#### Clan of the Sword of Righteousness

An open group, members are proposed and elected by Karakán & Chegárra temple's "chapter’s," with preference being given to those who have done mighty deeds for the Empire (Martial glory, bravery, loyalty to the Empire). The exact rituals of initiation are not revealed, but it is certain that they are painful and take about six days. Membership and rank within this society are openly displayed in the form of amulets, ornaments upon one's armor, and special helmet-crests. The benefits of membership are considerable: recommendations for promotion, a voice in Temple politics, cooperation with members in different clans and legions, respect, and social prominence. Unlike many other societies, the Clan of the Sword of Righteousness has no specific political direction, but supports military expansionism, and is powerful in both the Royalist Party and the Military Party. They sometimes collaborates with the Incandescent Blaze Society of the Temple of Vimúhla towards this mutual goal.

#### Righteous Ones of the Arcing Shaft

Karakán & Chegárra. Open to all archers, crossbowmen, slingers, and artillerists. Ancient and traditional order devoted to archery and missile weapons. Serves Órkutai the City-Destroyer, the 14th Aspect of Lord Karakán.

#### Brethren of Scarlet

Karakán & Chegárra. This is an exclusive faction, with its own private rituals and political network. While not powerful, members of this group do wield some quiet influence, and their word can resolve undecided issues of politics or career advancement. Warlike, powerful in the Military Party.

#### The Seekers of Foes

The Seekers are a small, devoted sect that pursues their own particular theological agenda. Their behavior is often inscrutable to outsiders.

#### The Soldiers of the Dawning Sun

These are young, hotheaded worshippers, who urge political activism and military action.

### Enemies and Allies

The Temples of Karakán and Chegárra often cooperate with the Temples of Vimúhla and Chiténg to encourage the expansion of the Empire. In addition, Karakán Temple’s will support the healers of Keténgku and Avánthe when they care for wounded soldiers during wartime.

## The Lament to the Wheel of Black

The Ultimate Warrior

The section on Karakán relates how, after the creation of Vimúhla, Hnálla realized that he would need help and thus created Karakán. The new god was formed from light in a burst of lightning and took lightning as his own weapon. Hnálla, learning from his earlier experience, treated with Karakán to make him his ally. Karakán rejected the blandishments of Hrü’ü and found a natural foe in Vimúhla, with whom he did battle.

The epic then describes Karakán’s glorious paradise (unnamed), wherein each soul is seated according to their deeds and courage, and where the blessed participate in endless battles until reborn to fight again in a later age. They are attended by Lord Karakán’s special Heroes of Glory, supernatural warriors clad in steel, and the Myusal, beauteous amazons who fought on Dormoron Plain.

## The Battle of Dormoron Plain

In poetry unequalled anywhere in literature, the narrator speaks of Karakán’s wondrous Sword of Lightning and his myriad amazon-like demigoddesses. Several stanzas are devoted to Chegarra’s shield bearer Danuo, his shield Chonkotuel, his armour and the sword Arosuel that Chegarra bestowed on him.

## Karakán has 56 Aspects

56 recognized aspects, even more regional aspects and demons.

3) Mikkáshu “The Shield of Scarlet”

14) Orkútai “The City-Destroyer” - Depicted as a great three-headed bird of prey. Artillery and sapper’s make offerings to Him.

18) Nagotái the Upholder - He is depicted as a squat, dwarf-like figure upon amulets worn for luck, and upon the lower panels of the Hall of the Petal Throne in Avanthár. He guides leaders, plans strategy, and protects worshippers against the powers of the Dark.

19) Jajkúru "The Victor of Ships" - Depicted as a wooden beam banded and studded with reinforcing iron, this Aspect oversees naval matters, the exploration of the oceans, and battles at sea. Defends the faithful from storms, lightning, and thunder.

26) Chayenggúr "The Blade-Bearer" - Depicted as a naked youth leaning upon a huge two handed sword. He is the patron of young men and women who are entering adulthood and who wish to engage in a military career.

28) Rayéshtu of the Many Swords - A six-limbed, scaled, serpentine creature

29) Faishán "The Pinnacle of Victory" - Represented as an armored warrior woman carrying a spear and a sheaf of lightning-bolts.

34) Mórsa "The Doom-Singer" - An abstract, squarish block of red sandstone. He sees to the entrance of Warriors into Lord Karakán's Glorious Paradise.

40) Niyónu of the Hand of Gold - Guides the families of soldiers and oversees the welfare of their children, particularly their education. He searches amongst the living and the dead for warriors missing in battle.

The Pillar of Iron - Depicted as a simple cylindrical pillar of iron, this Aspect is popular with teachers and military instructors in Karakán's Temple. This Aspect assists in developing rigid discipline and perfect obedience to commands.

The Mighty Legion of Armor - The patron of heavily armored units, His symbol, an armored fist, is emblazoned upon the breasts and shields of many such soldiers.

The Silver Blade - Depicted as a two-handed-swordsman

Ajjón of the Silver Helm -

The Striding Force

The Radiant Sword

The Illuminator of Lightnings

The Thunderbolt of Power

### Karakán Demons

**The Heroes of Glory** - These legendary minions of Lord Karakán are amicable and kindly towards man. They stand taller even than the N'lüss, some 2.5 meters or more, and resemble slender, humanoid warriors in gleaming, magical steel armor. They fight equally well with one-handed longswords or with longbows, but disdain magic and rarely will cast spells. They bargain for articles of excellent or enchanted steel, but may accept gold instead.

**The Warriors of the Scarlet** - Appearing as vague humanoids in glittering red plate armour and fight with two-handed swords with fluttering in banners of scarlet (some claim that they appear as flame), they can be summoned into battle only by priests of Karakán or His Cohort Chegárra. When they appear they utter their battle cry of "Osiggátle!" and charge directly into the enemy without pause or consultation. They vanish the instant that victory is achieved (or upon those rare occasions that they are dispelled or destroyed). They bargain for articles of excellent or enchanted steel, but may accept gold instead.

**Miyusál** - Female warrior-demons who fought for Karakán upon Dórmoron Plain, they attend Him and His heroes in Paradise, fighting and drinking alongside His chosen. They stand over two meters in height, but are stern, terse, and, in battle, merciless. They are striking in appearance, handsome rather than beautiful, muscular and well proportioned for their height. They shun armor as a weakness, but fight attired in scarlet kilts or nothing at all, employing immense two-handed swords and long, barbed knives. They occasionally claim the wounded males of the enemy as exchange for their assistance, and these are never seen again.

## Chegárra, Cohort of Karakán

*The Cohort of Karakán is Chegárra: the Hero-King, Swordsman of Glory and Victorious Lord. Old name: Chökhár.*

He is ‘Courage Applied’: the experienced warrior, the resourceful ruler, the sagacious statesman, and the patron of armies. He is shown as a bearded soldier of early middle years, fully armoured, and often striding forth over the bodies of slain demons. His emblem is a double-headed silver axe.

Cohort to Karakán

He is ‘Courage Applied’: the experienced warrior, the resourceful ruler, the sagacious statesman, and the patron of armies. He is shown as a bearded soldier of early middle years, fully armoured, and often striding forth over the bodies of slain demons.

## Inside the Temple

#### Goals of the Temple

The stability and protection of the Empire through statecraft and law.

#### Outer Doctrines

Colour(s): White and red.

Symbol: Chegárra’s emblem is a double-headed silver axe.

Aspect: Chegárra is shown as a bearded soldier of early middle years, fully armored, and often seen striding forth over the bodies of slain demons. He has 33 Aspects.

Priestly Vestments: Priests and Aridáni warrior women wear red and white-checkered robes over silver armor, and helmets of bronze or gold.

##### Inner Doctrines

The Temple of Chegárra does not enjoy secrecy, considering it ignoble in all but the most necessary circumstances. They concern the theological connections between the doctrines as set forth by the Priest Pavár and the laws employed by the State. The scholarly priests of this Temple are renowned for their knowledge of Pavár's writings and their ability to interpret these writings as regard issues of Imperial law.

##### Secular Activities

Clans faithful to Chegárra include many of the professional scribes, whose skill at illuminating manuscripts makes them valuable in producing Imperial documents and pronouncements. Including clans that make parchments of all types, inks and dyes (including dyes made of crushed gems used for some of the most important documents), as well as the agricultural clans necessary to every Temple.

The Temple operates academies of statecraft that have libraries of history, tomes of rulership, and vast collections analyzing historical decisions. The emphasis within these libraries is on governance, and not the  particulars of military strategy and command. The Inner Doctrines of governance are taught only to the highest clergy of Lords Chegárra and Karakán. Not even those of Lord Hnálla learn the Inner details of rulership, because Lord Chegárra emphasizes the Military State rather than the Imperial State. Thus His Inner teachings are unnecessary for a simple governor, or city headman.

## Politics

The Temple of Chegárra eschews formal alliances with other Temples, choosing to maintain "good relations with all parties." In practice, this Temple has an easier time maintaining these good relations with the other WarTemples and Stability Temples.

Chegárra has tremendous support in the Military Party. Most high generals adhere to His doctrines of absolute, unflinching bravery. The Imperial and Royalist Parties respect the Temple of Chegárra's devotion to leadership and statecraft.

## The Lament to the Wheel of Black

The Battle of Dormoron Plain

During the Battle of Dórmoron Plain, Danúo, His legendary Shield-Bearer, served Lord Chegárra. Danúo was said to be an ordinary human, neither Aspect nor Demon servitor, yet he stood with Lord Chegárra even during the Siege of Black, when all other mortals fled in terror. It is said that Danúo dwells in Lord Chegárra's Final Paradise and at times will lend to His Lord's faithful his golden armor, his shield Chonkótuel, and sword Arosuél.

## Aspects of Chegárra

Chegárra has 33 Aspects.

Hmára - She is portrayed as a queenly, powerful woman with crown and Káing symbols. She oversees the legal functions of the State, and stands for Imperial Justice and the Imperial Legal system. Her emblem embosses the lintels above the doors of the halls of private and Imperial jurists.

Qorushái -  He deals with military law and legal matters involving the legions. Generals pray to Him before Imperial Military trials, or when dividing loot after a battle. He governs the Qadárni, the individual combats-of-honor which are conducted prior to great battles. Portrayed as a warrior, usually with a long, narrow, diamond-shaped shield in one hand, and a sword in the other.

Mi'irésh - Governs internal affairs, the operation of roads and traffic, and commerce between Imperial citizens. He oversees the enforcement of the basic laws of commerce, including market laws. His image of a stern-faced warrior bearing a rod and a red gemstone (signifying rule and trade) is embossed above the offices of the guard in most Tsolyáni marketplaces.

Hórgoma -

This Aspect deals with bravery in the face of destruction, and heroism as sacrifice for the Imperium. The Imperial  award "Chegárra Hórgoma" is granted on behalf of the Imperium to civilians who display exceptional valor and service to the Emperor.

Ajnélqa the Besieger -  Ajnélqa oversees artillery and the machines of war, the trebuchet, ballistai, etc. Portrayed as a man with golden-red skin and bright red-gold armor, whose helmet covers His face. In His hands He bears the tool which artillerists use to set their engines.

Ngísurra - This mythological Aspect marshaled the Legions of Karakán and Stability on Dórmoron Plain. He said to have been a real, human warrior "wearing the Aspect" of Lord Chegárra, and is depicted attired in Bednálljan armor.

### Chegárra Demons

The Warriors of the Scarlet (see Karakán demon entry)

###

## Chegárra & Karakán

### Noble and Ignoble Behaviours

* Do be brave, loyal, obedient to authority, honest, industrious, temperate, and wise.
* Do be courageous, skilled at war, judicious in rule, temperate in victory, and ambitious.
* Don’t be selfish, treacherous, deceitful, cowardly, willfully ignorant, or lazy.
* Don’t be cowardly, insubordinate, careless with those in your charge, or lazy in self-betterment.

A person who worships of one of the war gods does himself some personal good by falling in battle. Getting off the cycle of rebirth is important and being recruited by a god is the best way to do it. Everyone has to die sometime; for a Karakán worshipper, a glorious death is a career opportunity.

### Rituals and other Notes

Music: Call to the Martyrs of Valor

Standardbearer of the Golden Legion: Ritual post of Chegárra.

Ceremonies:

Fete of the Might of Heroes

Litany of Noble Deeds: held on the 25th of Didóm where legions are consecrated, and ancient heroes are remembered with parades, incense, and chanting.

The losers of the Kólumejálim are taken to the Great.

Might of Heroes: Celebrated on the 18th of Trantór with drums and massed choruses of singers. It is at this time that young men and women are inducted into the warrior societies with blood-letting, deeds of courage, and abstinence.