Kada

Kada is a widespread, individualistic, polytheistic religion focused on the worship of six primary deities.

Doctrines

Kada worships six main gods who are each characterized by a dual nature. While each of the six Kaddite kingdoms tend to predominantly follow one of the main gods, they are all equal from one another. Certain cities or households may adhere to local sub-attributes of each god, referred to as children of the main pantheon. However, these minor deities are not officially recognized by the high priesthood.
The main six gods are as follows:

God of Power/Weakness - Corotha, the Bull

Corotha is prayed to by soldiers, mercenaries, and athletes for good results in their endeavors. Corotha is typically associated with physical strength, but is also believed to cause natural disasters when angered.

God of Bounty/Famine - Perone, the D'Aturan Shepherd

Perone is prayed to by farmers, fishers, and merchants in hopes of a bountiful harvest and good overall quality of life. Perone is believed to ward off pests and disease. If a crop fails, it is often blamed on something or someone angering the god.

God of Life/Death - Toron, the Iberian Lynx

Toron holds dominion over funerary rites and guiding departed souls. Toron is also believed to watch over newborns and their parents. The god of life/death is highly respected and feared, but also appreciated. Often characterized as a dignified, solitary, ominous, but still well-meaning presence. Devoted followers tend to be medics and scholars.

God of Love/Hate - Aimar, the Eagle

Aimar is believed to watch over those in close or growing relationships. These include, but are not limited to, domestic affairs, and puppy crushes. Aimar also watches over negative relations such as people who hope to take down their enemies or end a long-term or serious relationship.

God of Hope/Despair - Cion, the Heron

Cion is prayed to by travelers for safety and good luck on the road. This god may act upon broader requests and concerns which are not specific enough for another god.

God of Knowledge/Ignorance - Miento, the Tortoise

Miento is prayed to by academics and scholars. This god is believed to grant patience and knowledge to people who are deserving of it. Miento is also believed to help those pursuing any type of new skill, and success in that skill is typically attributed to Miento’s wisdom.

Sacred Texts and Objects

Kada has a loose canon detailing the gods, their dominion, and various other myths. However, personal interpretation and connection to the gods is often regarded as more important than that. People often look to local priests and religious experts for information and advice when scripture is not enough. As a result, beliefs and practices vary from region to region.
Most Kaddite homes have a small altar dedicated to their favored god. Having the animal representation of the god in some form is considered a requirement for a proper shrine, but the form and material that this representation takes varies and is often dependent on the household’s resources and economic status. Small animal figurines are one of the most popular forms chosen. Figurines and statues created by experienced and skilled artisans are made to cast elaborate shadows that represent the dual element of each god, with the shadow representing the god’s inverted aspect. There are other standard accepted items for altars including specific herbs, artisan crafts, and ceremonial food and drink.
Followers of each god may value material goods or sacred objects more than others. Followers of Perone value the necessary tools, followers Corotha value weapons/armor, followers of Cion hoard precious items, followers of Miento keep books and tools but little to no decorative items, and followers of Aimar keep very few items believing that personal connections are what matters most in life.
Each god is also associated with a precious stone. Colors and patterns that are reminiscent of these stones are an important aspect of home shrines and can be seen on jewelry and other decorative items (i.e. candles, bowls). Weapons and tools adorned with sacred stones are also common. Clothing items reflecting the colors and patterns of the stones are often worn by the wealthy or devout. Flowers and plants with colorings similar to the stone will also be placed on altars.

God of Power/Weakness - Corotha, the Bull
Precious stone: Bloodstone
Color(s): Gray and red

God of Bounty/Famine - Perone, the D'Aturan Shepherd
Precious stone: Rainforest jasper
Color(s): Brown and green

God of Life/Death - Toron, the Iberian Lynx
Precious stone: Sugilite
Color(s): Purple

God of Love/Hate - Aimar, the Eagle
Precious stone: Lapis lazuli
Color(s): Royal blue and gold

God of Hope/Despair - Cion, the Heron
Precious stone: Opal
Color(s): Iridescent

God of Knowledge/Ignorance - Miento, the Tortoise
Precious stone: Spessartite garnet
Color(s): Orange

Acts of Worship

Kada worship practices center around the idea of individual choices and tradition, to the point individualism and self-betterment takes priority above all else. The core idea is that ensuring your own wellbeing and personal growth improves the broader world as well, since it helps you make a more positive impact on your community.
Each god is associated with a day of the week, with the final seventh day being focused on all gods in unity. This is intended as a day of rest and worship. Meditation is utilized as a form of prayer and self discovery; this involves thinking upon the gods, but mostly mastery over oneself so that result-based prayer is clearer for the gods. Kada places importance on results-based worship. Prayers are often for tangible success and bounty. Prayer should be done frequently, and not completed in an “abnormal” or disrespectful manner. One should not pray for the failures of others without reason, and speaking the gods’ names in vain is considered evil.
Personal shrines are built in homes and incorporate small symbols and sacred objects focused on a particular god or gods. Larger communal temples exist to serve the entire community as well, unless it is a smaller village with less resources to go around. Most prominent cities with high Kaddite populations have one public temple. Elaborate temples in larger cities centers are often characterized by large spires or towers, which make them easier for travelers and the local townspeople to find. Stained glass is utilized in high-end architecture. The colors used in temples reflect the stones of the gods. They are also decorated during festivals since that’s when communal temples tend to see the most use. Public temples are associated with the primary god for each region, unless specifically chosen by a smaller community. Public shrines must be respected, regardless if it is focused on one’s favored god.
Outsiders are tolerated, but primarily for their trade and resources. High priests create laws within the religion and determine religious canon, but this is mostly enforced via peer-pressure.

Festivals

Each god has an annual, day-long holiday held in capital cities and surrounding towns of Kaddite kingdoms. Celebrations are held regardless of a region's preferred god or denomination. These festivals aim to unite worshippers and assure that all the gods are equal.

Festival of Endurance - Corotha (Power/Weakness)

A day of friendly competition and games that focus on endurance and strength such as foot races and archery. Most participants in the game are children while the older population enjoys other festivities including music, food and drink, and socializing. This festival takes place in early spring.

Festival of Remembrance - Toron (Life/Death)

A day to focus on those who have passed on, as well as those who were recently born. This day serves as a reminder to keep in mind the people who they have lost, while also cherishing what lays ahead for the younger generations. This festival takes place in early fall.

Festival of Confessions - Aimar (Love/Hate)

A day of attempts at love and fights, while most fights to the death are forbidden, most fights are settled with fists, and any arguments that have been festering throughout the year must be forgotten afterwards. It's also a day for those who hold love in their hearts to confess to the objects of their desire whether that becomes a love that soars above or not is up to the gods. This festival takes place in early spring.

Festival of Penitence - Cion (Hope/Despair)

Held around the peak of the winter season, this festival is typically a week of fasting and penance in preparation for the arrival of spring and the planting of crops in the spring. On each night, people are asked to stand together in vigil outside in the cold. This is supposed to be a reminder of nature’s cruelties, but also of the solidarity amongst each other. Observers should expect to see masses (the common folk, at least) huddled together holding candles. On the final night, they release swarms of special floating lanterns up into air to represent a sendoff to their suffering.

Harvest Festival - Perone (Bounty/Famine)

Taking place in late fall, celebrations happen after the final autumn harvests are completed and any winter crops have successfully been planted. This festival brings a focus on celebrating the changing seasons and the beauty and benefits of every time of year. This festival is most prominent in regions with strong agricultural areas, but it is still celebrated all over the Kaddite kingdoms

Festival of Wisdom - Miento (Knowledge/Ignorance)

A day to celebrate learning new crafts and skills. Vendors and markets line the streets to sell hand-made crafts, and teach visitors and consumers how those crafts were created. Overall this is a smaller holiday, but it builds a sense of community within towns and cities and offers a much needed day of relaxation and fun. This festival takes place in mid-summer.

Scipmylo - All Gods Week

A week-long event where each Kaddite nation sends athletically and magically inclined individuals to compete in a series of challenges/sports. Each day is dedicated to a certain god, with the events on each day corresponding with that god in one way or another. The opening ceremony is held on the day associated with Cion, while the awards ceremony and final celebrations are held on the final day associated with every god. Some challenges are purely physical or magic based, while others involve a combination of both aspects. The idea of the competition is to bring the nations together to come together and honor the gods in a relatively peaceful way, while still competing to settle scores. The event is usually solely Kaddite, as Kuliyan nations are not allowed to participate. However, people of the Al Kuliyan faith are sometimes brought on to participate for Kaddite countries. This has led to controversy in the past.

Denominations

Denominations are distinguished based on the specific chosen god a person or family has decided to worship (listed in Doctrines). Each denomination focuses on a god of a particular value. Most denominations are consistently found within their coinciding regions. For example, Malagra primarily worships Aimar the god of love/hate.
Denominations per kingdom:
Ahumm: Corotha
Briareos: Perone
Pastoralis: Toron
Malagra: Aimar
Egrecia: Cion
Domína: Miento

Hierarchy

At the top of Kaddite society is the priesthood which is in charge of religious dealings, especially regarding scripture and interpretation of it, as well as diplomacy and international affairs. Each Kaddite kingdom has a member representing their denomination at the council, meaning there are six high priests total. The six council members meet annually in Domína for a collective conference to discuss recent happenings in Tel Rialis and attempt to resolve any conflict.
Each high priest also has ministers working beneath them who are in charge of affairs more specific to their respective kingdom and denomination. Towns also tend to have local priests who handle smaller questions and problems within their respective communities.
Kaddite worshippers tend to be reluctantly tolerant of those other religions. Trade and economy are very important to Kaddite culture, and other religions tend to bring in special and rare items Kaddite kingdoms may not otherwise have access to. In spite of this, those from other religions may face discrimination and are less likely to receive aid in Kaddite kingdoms. Taxes on non-Kaddites also tend to be higher in predominantly Kaddite kingdoms.

Criticisms

One of the main criticisms raised against Kada is the imbalance between government and state. While the nation is secular, government officials can become biased amidst particular sects of the religion, causing political tension. Though all six gods are officially said to be equal by the scripture, individual states and believers can become very divisive on which god is truly superior. Particular beliefs and practices that wish to become dominant eventually override the religion’s intentions of self-betterment and improvement, leading to internal conflicts and civil wars. Over time, this eventually results in other cultures and nations taking advantage of the temporary weakness and conquering the exposed territories. Some have argued that this conflict, if not addressed, will lead to the downfall of the Kaddite kingdoms.

Type

Religious, Organised Religion

Notable Members

• Avi Caerule
• Lola Ovejero
• Lucas Valria
• Nazarat Ferrero
• Queen Melita