The Cult of Ikon
A literal cult of personality, the Cult of Ikon is a performance troupe based out of the 1st district. They have been around in one form or another since the formation of New Tyrh, now known as Doreymos, when a fledgling cult summoned a demon named Ikon. However, not only did their bindings fail, but so did their target; instead of summoning a powerful but tamable lesser demon, they managed to summon an archdemon. After going on a rampage for a month, wrecking the larger portion of the unprepared district and a large number of his cultists, Ikon suddenly stopped. Returning to the spot he was summoned, he began painstakingly repairing the crypt, leaving those who approached alone. Once he was done, he loudly proclaimed that he was honestly kind of bored of killing everyone and was going to instead educate them on how to properly entertain him. Over the hundreds of years, many have joined the cult, and just as many (if not more) have tried to return Ikon to the abyss. However, each attempt has been unsuccessful, and Ikon has merely languished in The 1st District enjoying the entertainment of the populace, occasionally spicing it up with the summoning of lesser demons and a bit of his own classic brand of chaos, but mostly content to watch his cult turn the district in to the ultimate party.
Structure
There is no organization within the Cult of Ikon. You either are Ikon himself, or one of his subordinates. Of course, different branches may organize within themselves, but there's no official hierarchy. However, there is a 'popularity' scale, where the more famous or powerful (or both) you are, the more clout you have within the organization.
Culture
Ikonic cultists treat life as the ultimate party, for better or for worse. They have no fear of death or repercussions, and believe no one else should, either, often going to great extremes to prove it to them - very often too great extremes. Those they diagnose as 'dullards' are their greatest enemy, who they will hunt and 'cure' with extreme prejudice. There is no line they would not cross in their pursuit of the ultimate entertainment.
Public Agenda
The Cult of Ikon aims to provide the ultimate in up-and-coming entertainment experiences, whatever they deem it to be at the current moment.
Pars vult
Type
Religious, Cult
Alternative Names
The Eternal Party, Tortuous Joy
Demonym
Ikonic
Leader
Location
Controlled Territories
Peace
The Cult of Ikon really likes the 'smash first, ask questions later' approach of the Wasteling Bones, but does wish they expressed a bit more finesse in their smashing. Bones, meanwhile, tend to appreciate the natural ability of the Cult to distract and destroy The 4th Embry during their revolutions, but is (rightfully) uneasy about being in the presence of a literal demon cult.
Gang Rivalry
As the up-and-coming new gang on the block, the Young Dead are struggling to make an impact on the city. The Cult of Ikon, meanwhile, likes to pick on them, hunting them for sport or kidnapping them to put on 'shows.' While highly entertaining for the Cult, the Young Dead aren't big fans of being made an example of so regularly.
Culture Clash
The Cult of Ikon often likes to prank or poach Scaleborn students who wander in to their territory. They treat it all as good fun, but the Scaleborn frequently warn their students to be careful near the Cult.
Strictly Professional
The Jhal feel that the Cult of Ikon is extremely wasteful of the food and creatures they purchase, but they still pay well, so their business relationship continues. The Cult, meanwhile, is always impressed with the quality of Jhal bioengineering.
Uneasy peace
The Clankbang Foundry strongly disagrees on the Cult of Ikon's stances on murder, wanton debauchery, and general destruction. They don't even do it for a good reason! The Cult of Ikon wonders why those goblins the next district are always sending them angry letters packaged with exploding toasters, and not just selling them the exploding toasters.
Tax Evasion
The Cult of Ikon doesn't pay taxes. The Cult of Ikon doesn't take out loans. They just do whatever they want, and the idea of a semi-political entity in the city who doesn't rely on money thoroughly irks the Bank of Doreymos, which in turn makes the Cult of Ikon happy that the Bank is irked.
Cold War
While the Cult of Ikon openly stands opposed to everything that the 4th Embry stands for, they're simultaneously not enough of a threat and too much for them to handle for anything to actually happen. There is an uneasy peace between the two, but the 4th Embry doesn't recognize the sovereignty of the Cult.
Open War
Funnily enough, it turns out that a literal demonic cult that has claimed dominance over a district in a megacity doesn't get along with the order of guards with a large Paladin population inside it. While they don't interact much, as the Ember Corps are largely not present in The 1st District, any time a large number of them are in one place, an arrest or battle shortly follows.
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In response to the prompt Describe a cult in your world. How did they form and what do they believe in?
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