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Rastur (Numinous Lion great spirit)
Rastur – /The Beast Bringer; The Numinous entity of the Wylde Horde of natural world cycles, predator and prey, fertility, ecosystem and balance, cycles, and associated beast and animals as well as the symbols associated with them.
The modern age is heavily defined by the clash of faiths in the “Affray of Darkness and Light” in which the entity plays a tertiary part (mostly guided by Darupet).
Role: The Finders of the Way (Predator & Prey); Secondary foe of those who wish only to conquer and destroy and/or corrupt nature
This Great Numinous Spirit Spirit has NOT affirmed participation in The Godspeak Accord of the realms. It has been known to manifest to fight against those who would kill sacred beasts and threaten the the species under their protection without thought or bias to Light, Dark, Grey, or Green foundations. This narrow focus to which few enlist it for keep the ire of other powers n the realms from interceding. Where their allegiance to the greater Wyld Faith enjoins them, they adhere to Gaias’ and Darupets’ own perspectives on issues.
Truly, he is the lord of all that is feline. Rastur is primarily a deity in the south, where he is venerated as the family patriarch and for his courage and virility. However, because of the prevalence of cats across the realms, he is paid homage in many places – in both male and female forms. His many aspects include hunter, fearless warrior, family protector, dominance, group loyalty/oaths, and virility. His power is often invoked in pledges and unions of all kinds – not just familial. Typically such bonds represent servitude such as those of the banner-man, or an oath to protect those. Many of the most powerful followers of this principle have embraced its most powerful primal aspect and are of the ranks of the classic Lycanthropes.
Aspect(s) Known For/Sacred Associations
Rastur has a small variety of Cults, Sects, Orders, & Splinter Groups as well as incorporated into the Wyld Faith itself.
Symbolized Role(s) and Value(s):
Expectations & Obligations: To respect and observe the Basic Drive to Flourish of all the animal spirits. Respect for elders, tradition, and adherence to bonds that attempt secure this for continuing generations.
Emblem: Each animal spirit’s emblem is derivative of the Life Loop symbol common for the Wyld Faith.
Sacred Observances: There are few great spirits that have any strict observance of specific sacred acts – it is not critical to acknowledge them to stay in good standing. The Rites of Passage for Rastur are commonly conducted at the Pack Gatherings.
Within the largest sect – that of lion worship in the south, female followers keep their hair short, while male followers are obliged to keep their hair long, and must grow long sideburns at least (though few grow full beards in the heat, it is practiced in the northern climes). Followers must not put their hair in a ponytail regardless – it must be unfettered.
Sacred Events: There are few great spirits that have any strict observance of sacred days (though spring/birth is universal) or specific sacred acts – it is not critical to acknowledge them to stay in good standing.
> Annual Pack Gathering: Every local church or group may have an annual gathering of all its members. Here oaths of fealty and allegiance will be renewed, new ones made, and challenges for authority settles. This is usually done in spring.
Clothing & Item Decoration: Followers must adorn their equipment with the images of their deity and the creatures related to them.
Pilgrimages and Sacred Places/Places: Within the city of Dunstrand in the Duchy of the same name is Rasturs greatest temple of the north, the entrance proceeded by a pathway lined with golden gilt covered lions. Inside is said to be a statue of solid gold. To this den many make a pilgrimage from the north, even the elusive druids are said to seek it out.Sacred Dates:
Sacred Times:
Sacred Creatures:
Sacred Colors/Shapes:
- Armor:
- Weapons:
Followers of the Faith
Favored Followers: There are few favored peoples, races, places, etc. which gain better abilities or starting powers. Any corresponding tribe of Merovin would be deeply connected to the primordial power of The Wyld. For those friendly with the associated natural animal population, they may be favored or appreciated regardless of their tie to the faith itself. Those protecting of the related animals can receive Intervention through the Godspeak accord.
Promises/Afterlife
Rastur promises nothing but a continued, healthy existence in whatever world waits beyond.
A successful hunt, a life of ease where there is no hunger, disease, cold, or predation on his followers. Often times, this place is referred to as the Endless Vedlt – although truly, the cats of all sizes and climates roam here. The courage of the lion will always be with the follower. In addition, Rastur is part of the standard Wyld Faith afterlife promise.
For for information on Roleplaying a character of faith, see the Divine Follower guidelines.
Manifestation
Rite of Cleansing: The follower symbolically becomes one of the ‘pride’. This rite always takes place on higher ground, where the senior members preside over the pack, and the follower must be ‘born’ into the group – a gauntlet of followers pressing them and herding them until they are forced to their knees before the presiding followers and swear their belief in the pride, pack, and god.
Rite of Consecration: The followers are acknowledged as a raw power, untamed and wild. The follower must spend a month wearing nothing but minimal coverings, carrying to weapons or items other than their holy symbol, fighting with only their natural weapons and using only the powers
of the faith. Once complete, they must return to hold ground and spend a week in worship and
prayer – supplicating before Rastur for the wisdom to find the inner strength of a higher state of grace.
Rite of Dedication: The follower is symbollically ‘tamed’ and given reward for their service and loyalty. The initiate must go and track down a great cat, spending a prolonge period of time in territory the cat hunts in and return alive. Upon returning, they must return to hold ground and spend a week in worship and prayer – supplicating before Rastur for the wisdom to find the inner strength of a higher state of grace.
Rite of Devotion: The follower must do something particularly brave and bold, witnessed or spread by both followers and non followers. After completion, they must return to hold ground and spend a week in worship and prayer – supplicating before Rastur for the wisdom to find the inner strength of a higher state of grace.
Rite of Piety: The faithful must defeat a powerful creature that inspires fear, and return to hold ground with its skin. There they must shed all material items and drape themselves with the skin, spending a week in worship and prayer – supplicating before Rastur for the wisdom to find the inner strength of a higher state of grace.
Belief Made Manifest – Major Tenets
- Always show courage when protecting the faithful; never be the first to flee.
- Combat Exclusion: Followers will not fight (except for self preservation), or seek out for potential harm or entrapment creatures sacred to their deity. Where cruelty is being practiced on such creatures, the character will be honor bound to prevent it, move the creature from harms ways, and punish the perpetrators.
Offerings
Wylding Powers
Common Wyld Rites: This Great Spirit and their followers have access to all the common Wyld Rites practiced by followers of the wyld faith(s).