Church of Stobe

"...who created whom - the skeletons or the ancient master race? So far we've not found any tech that would be capable of organic creation, but many of the ruins indicate a strong skeleton presence."

— Finch, Machinist Headmaster

History

The Church of Stobe has been around since the fall of the First Empire and was founded by Iyo, Senior Scholar of The Machinists. Iyo stood beside his friends Cat-Lon and Tinfist during the founding of The Second Empire and was instrumental in bridging the gaps between human and Skeleton.
Iyo teaches that Stobe, the last behemoth, sacrificed himself to save humanity from extinction in a selfless act known as The Mercy of Stobe. The Second Empire was founded on these teachings and Stobe's Account was the holy text and law of its people. The Church of Stobe is a philisophical religion based on Ancient knowledge, unity and self reflection. This unity was however fleeting and as Cat-Lon's mind slipped to paranoia and fear the trio's beliefs faltered.

Cat-Lon's Madness

When Cat-Lon was forced to abandon his Empire and retreat to the isolation of the Ashlands he was branded as "Mad" Cat-Lon the Exile, by the Holy Nation. While Cat-Lon is not the founder of The Church of Stobe he is it's most influencial member and as he turned to a hatred of humans, so did his remaining followers in the Ashlands. Iyo and his Machinists were banished to "The end of this World" by Cat-Lon and branded as traitors and soft skin lovers. Tinfist however left of his own accord and has since been branded a traitor of the Empire.

"What was the point of it all? Have you tried looking after humans? They're monsters! As they grow in number, so does their capacity for evil."

— "Mad" Cat-Lon

Tinfist's Betrayal

Tinfist was never fully invested in the "Fairytales" of Stobe and believes that neither Humans nor Skeletons were the master race of the Ancients. When Cat-Lon's paranoia caused him to remove the heads of his very own Hydraulic Knights turning them to mindless Thralls. Tinfist and the warriors loyal to him fled The Second Empire swearing to never mindlessly serve another, forming the Manumit faith based on this idea.

Demography and Population

The Church of Stobe has been split into differing beliefs with those in the South holding a disdain for most humans and claiming the Skeletons to be the Ancient master race of Kenshi. While followers of Iyo still listen to the original teachings, believing Skeletons the shepards of Kenshi and must show Mercy and guidance to the lesser races. The Church of Stobe is one of the smallest religions of Kenshi and only exists in concentration within The Second Empire and parts of the far North.

Type

Religious, Organised Religion

Permeated Organizations

• Second Empire