The Cult of Ashakal
The Cult of Ashakal is a very small religious group primarily associated with the village of Lakemont, Mount Ashakalder, and the surrounding area. It is one of several small elemental cults, which worship one or more of the Elder Elementals or more localized elemental spirits.
The Cult of Ashakal is one of the latter, worshipping the earth elemental Ashakal, the spirit of Mount Ashakalder. Unlike many other elemental cults, the Cult of Ashakal does not believe that any other elementals are true gods - beings such as Behemoth and Saumen Kar are merely different manifestations of the one true god, Ashakal. This religious dogma is fairly clearly reflected in the name of Ashakal - in Hasdwarvish, "ashakal" means "the god."
Structure
The Cult of Ashakal is led by a single high priest or priestess, who performs rituals and offerings for Ashakal and interprets his word, passing it on to the heads of clans. In turn head of the clan passes on these interpretations to the head of the family, who passes it on to the other members of their family.
The current High Priestess is a dwarvish woman named Grishplikkst Chanku.
Worship
The Cult of Ashakal has several daily rituals and yearly rituals that are conducted within the homes of members of the cult.
Each family which belongs to the cult has a cellar beneath their house, at least a portion of which is dedicated as an altar to Ashakal. The cellar is arranged such that when facing the altar - usually a small table or empty shelf - the worshipper is facing the direction of Mount Ashakalder.
The most devout practitioners of this religion traditionally celebrate the rituals known as the Twelve Mysteries of the Hours, once every two hours throughout the day and night. Less devout individuals usually worship only the three most important mysteries - the Mystery of the Dawn, the Mystery of the Dusk, and the Mystery of the Stars.
In the center of Lakemont there is a bell tower, in which the High Priestess of Ashakal resides. Every two hours throughout the day and night, the High Priestess or a family member helping her, will ring the bell to announce the Mysteries of the Hours.
The Mystery of the Dawn, also known as the First Mystery occurs at dawn, or around 6am. An Ashakaldian family will take food for their morning meal and journey down to the cellar, where fire is lit and a small portion of the meal is burned in cauldron or shallow dish as an offering to Ashakal. Then the breakfast meal is consumed in contemplation of the mystery of birth and beginnings - the family may discuss the births of family members, starting a new project, or anything to do with beginnings.
The Mystery of Dusk occurs just before an Ashakaldian family goes to sleep. After all important evening habits have been completed, the head of the family, who has received the word of Ashakal from the High Priestess earlier in the day or week, gathers the family and leads them to the altar in the cellar, where a fire is lit in honor of Ashakal. The head of the family then explains the interpretations of the High Priestess to their family, and all sit in silent contemplation of this truth until they feel it is understood. Then each person is to go to their bed in silence, at their own time. Exceptions to this principle of silence are often made for infants, very young children, and their parents.
The Mystery of the Stars occurs at midnight. Practitioners awaken at the ringing of the midnight bell, which is rung one hundred times with great vigor, and will join in the noise, screaming, shouting, stamping their feet, or wailing. The Mystery of the Stars is also known as the Mystery of Death and Ashakaldians wail to mourn those they love who have died, as well as to stave off their own deaths. When the ringing stops, silence returns to the village, and practitioners may spend time awake in the middle of the night, contemplating death and endings, or may also return to sleep.
Priesthood
The High Priest or Priestess of Ashakal is the only formal position within the cult, and it is a position of immense power, as the High Priest is the only one who can commune directly with the spirit of Ashakal in the heart of the mountain. A high priest is generally chosen for life, and upon their death bed they select the next high priest, guided by the spirit of Ashakal himself to pick this person. For the past several generations, the High Priestess of Ashekal has been a dwarvish woman from the clan of Grishplikkst, usually the daughter or niece of the previous High Priestess.
Type
Religious, Cult
Alternative Names
The Mystery Religion of Ashakal
Demonym
Ashakaldian
Location
Related Ethnicities
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