Alludian Cult
Centered on Yrdath, Alusia, there is a reclusive chthonic cult dedicated to the Old Ones, and Allud in particular. The cult covers their tracks well, usually keeping to themselves, and congregating in deep mountain caves. The Alludians practice human sacrifice, among other forbidden rites. Since the cult is secret, the cultists themselves (called karcists) live and move among the non-believers. There is thought to be an extended family element to this group.
Arlium Separatist Church
The King of Noelred is already the Lay Primate of Arlium. He is head of the Arlium Church, but he still is answerable to the Patriarch in Kaidlorr. Nationalist Arlium sentiment wishes to remove the Patriarch from the equation, and make the High King into the Patriarch of the regional church. The people of Arlium resent foreign clerics, and begrudge the money that regularly is shipped off to Kaidlorr.
Arpathianism
This is a gnostic breakaway sect, one that began as a variation of the Church but developed its own divergent beliefs. They are called Arpathians after the village Arpath, in Cainmuir, Eofwin, where their movement took root. Arpathianism is a gnostic faith, and it teaches that the physical world and base matter, including the human body, are evil, but that the spiritual world and the human soul are inherently good. Arpathians are comfortable with dying, because they believe death liberates them from this world-prison and lets them become perfect souls again.
Bitter Schism
Thalium, and Saint Rath’s City in particular, have nursed a grudge against the city and state of Kaidlorr for centuries. The Faith was born and developed in Saint Rath’s. For example, Torenth was from Thalium, not Kaidlorr. Yet, somehow Kaidlorr usurped the center of the Church, becoming the Faith’s de facto capital. If the right provocation arises, such as the election of a contested Patriarch, Saint Rath’s likely will excommunicate him, elect their own Patriarch, and draw the Aorlisian Church’s focus to Thalium. Such a schism might cause two warring Patriarchs, and a split in the previously monolithic Church apart. The Marcelle might well throw their political and financial weight behind such a move, because they would benefit from a Patriarch native to Thalium.
Caindosian Reform Church
Caindos Reformists secretly have desired independence from the Church for generations. They resent all the high ritual, wealth, foreign clerics (read: non-Caindosian), and overblown pomp. Instead, the Caindosians desire the simpler, more “pure” Faith of the past. (A simpler, more virtuous Church from old times is a fiction, of course, but a fiction the Caindosians hold dear.) The Caindosians plan to disenfranchise monasteries, allow priests to marry, and strip away all the wealth and grandeur in the remaining churches and cathedrals.
Infernalism
This is a diabolical anti-faith where all the sacraments are reversed, demons are honored instead of saints, and there are anti-bishops and an anti-patriarch. This “church” exists in reaction to the Faith, and it purposely perverts all the Church’s rites and doctrine. With few exceptions, the Infernal Church is made up on rebel clerics, secretly defaming their traditional religious roles. Strangely, many of the Church’s top officials are aware of the Infernal Church, but they have not taken action. Perhaps they fear that exposing the Infernal Church would bring about the collapse of the greater Church body. Or, maybe the church officials are sympathetic, or have been paid off, or have secret dual membership in the Infernal Church.
Underchurch
This is a secret sect of the Faithful who have adopted necromantic practices, operating out of Gwyfned City’s vast catacomb complex. Underchurchmen honor the dead as a sort of ancestor cult, but they also venerate proxy human remains to pray for their hopes and dreams. They take unknown remains, who could be almost anyone, and devote prayers and energy to that body as if they were everyone. The Underchurch has had the time and resources to build replica, subterranean churches beneath many of Gwyfned City’s existing churches, even a shadowy, underground version of Gwyfned Cathedral. About 30% of Aorlisians priests and canons are Underchurchmen, and the other 70% of the clerics are unaware of it or circumspect for their own protection.
Wiltanism
Named after the town of Wilton, in Karrwood, Blackvale, this is an underground movement in northwest Aorlis intent on restoring the pagan faith, and repudiating the Faith and Church. This paradigm teaches that the old, pagan ways were more natural, spiritually pure, and in harmony with Aarthus. Adherents are more active inland, not so much on Marcelle’s coast. They have staunch allies in Orlois, Blackvale, Baelric, and Allyn. The Wiltanians are the power behind the Sky Brotherhood. Wiltanius attend church to screen themselves from authorities, but covertly practice their own faith, congregating at groves, streams, lakes, and holy sites from deep history.
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