Cults of the Dragon-Kings

Cults of the dragon-kings, also called cults of the great wyrm or simply draconic cults, are religious sects dedicated to the veneration of dragons. They are typically secretive and are not commonplace, but do exist in scattered locales all over Orithea. Such cults are remnants of ancient days when terrible dragons ruled over huge territories and were worshiped as immortal over-kings or even gods. A given cult may be oriented towards a particular dragon, perhaps a semi-mythical wyrm of ancient legend or perhaps one that appeared in recent memory, or they may worship several different dragons, or the draconic race in general.

These cults usually have temples, often in remote or hidden locations, where the devotees congregate to make offerings to the Dragon-Kings or the Great Wyrms; these offerings sometimes include human sacrifice. Often these sacrifices are given in the hopes of placating the dragon(s), inducing them to stay far away or to spare the region (or just the cult’s own devotees) from their depredations. However, some dragon-cults take a more adoring attitude towards the objects of the worship, and may seek to bring about their appearance or serve them in some way.

The priesthoods of Utara-Vaati strive to suppress dragon-cults, but with limited success. Since dragons themselves are still around (though less numerous than they used to be), and remain as dreadful and awe-inspiring as ever, it is very difficult to fully eradicate these cults. Their rites may be banned and their temples may be torn down, but even after a dragon-cult has been (seemingly) stamped out for several generations, it has a tendency to re-emerge as if from nowhere when an actual dragon appears on the horizon. Even the rumor of a dragon’s sighting in neighboring lands may be enough to cause the reappearance of these cults.

When a truly large and powerful dragon makes his presence known, these cults may become widespread and difficult to control (all the moreso given the general chaos that often engulfs a region being menaced by such a great wyrm). Human sacrifices may become commonplace as the votaries of the cult work themselves into a fanatic state and their activities reach a fever pitch.

Dragon-cults of various sorts are to be found in Kelimaria, Ojaum, the Medrenesse, Khadoa, Rhydain, and to a lesser degree, in Phyridian lands, western Urem, Enyrion, and Tirnavon. They are particularly likely in regions near to the desolate country where dragons tend to breed and make lairs (e.g. parts of the Kesh Karkhan) or in areas which experienced draconic rule or depredations in either ancient or recent times. However, they can also spread to lands that fit neither description. The most recent major outbreak of dragon-cults was in Ojaum, beginning in the mid-700s CV with the appearance of the dragon Shekondar in that region and lasting up until the present day. It of course declined noticeably following the beast's death at the hands of the Tefranite templar XXXXX in 1168, but still has yet to be stamped out.

Dragon-worship is also practiced by some of the Suagirs and Daare Karsha as part of the complex of overlapping cults that make up their respective religious traditions, but it takes a form quite different than that of the dragon-cults seen in “civilized” lands, and cannot really be compared to them.

Some enterprising dragons may seize on the cultic activity stirred up by their presence to deliberately establish themselves as gods with dedicated worshipers; they certainly don't mind showing up in a given region and finding its people already frantically sacrificing to the Dragon-King in order to be spared his wrath. This turn of events is particularly infuriating to the priesthoods of Utara-Vaati, but of course they can do little about it except try to find some champion to slay the beast. Other dragons are apt to be no more than amused by the cultic practices of the scurrying ant-like mortals, or to ignore them entirely.