Cult of Ludovic
Structure
Ludovic's cult plays rather fast and loose with the typical divine cult structure, with little division between ordinary members of the cult, priests, and high priests. This is mainly due to their low population, and such having a high division of power is a disadvantage. All members of the cult are treated well by their patron god but with a high degree of aloofness from him, and so often, many members seek to gain his attention by giving much more powerful offerings, blurring the lines between who has his favor and who doesn't even further.
Demography and Population
Although not a numerous cult, with only a few hundred members, those dedicated to it are often much more dedicated and likely to call Ludovic their patron and give much more sought after offerings. Members of the cult are also likely to be members of Shia's Cult and the Cult of Life, bolstering all groups in number and strength.
The Laramidia sect has not fully been absorbed by the cult and often has extreme differences in culture to the rest of the cult, with different architecture to Ludovic's usual shrines and temples.
Territories
This cult is mainly centered around their patron god's home in Scotland where they are at their most powerful and with a large population around the British Isles and much of western Europe. Due to Ludovic taking over the duties of the fallen god of ferrets, they merged with the Cult of Ferrets as well, having a small but concentrated group in Laramidia as well.
Military
Although Ludovic is not a god well known for combat prowess, due to the cult being located in extremely harsh terrain and often with dangerous fauna, most members of the cult are trained in brutal self defense to ensure any conflict they enter they will win. Underhanded tactics such as ambushes and traps are common, as is encouraging members to think on their feet for any opportunity to break down their opponent's will to fight. The majority of the cult's priests are known for using fire mana and ice magics in tandem to take advantage of the natural environment.
Religion
Their religious duties are led by Ludovic's high priest, Rorschach, who has served the cult for nearly two centuries under the current god's predecessor.
Foreign Relations
Ludovic's cult does not have many conflicts, due to their god's nature as a much smaller and less powerful god. Typically, at most their negative interactions are restricted to low level harassment of other much more powerful gods that is easily brushed off. Their interactions with the gods and cults of gods who are viewed as prey to the polecats is positive, with a high respect for them and the necessity of a predator-prey relationship.
Mythology & Lore
Hymns and Prayers to Ludovic
Due to his small following and often personal relationship with many of his followers, he is well known to respond personally to hymns and prayers dedicated to himself. Though not often doing so in person, he is fond of personally writing to those who have given him offerings as a way of thanks, and these letters and notes are often returned to the temple during feasts or with high value offerings and used to decorate its shrines. O' Ludovic- God of Feasts,Cosmological Views
Ancient superstition is extremely prevalent within the cult and often encouraged by Ludovic's own superstitions as well.
Fae rings, rocks, and trees are a belief held among the cult that certain formations of mushrooms and rocks are dangerous and have the capability to steal or damage one's Essence directly, being sources of deeply powerful but not well understood magic. Fae rocks and trees are thought to be in a similar vein, though rather than wells of magic, they are the homes of 'spirits' from time immemorial, far before the gods, and that disturbing them will result in deadly curses.
Ludovic's cult also believes in the power of true names holding sway over a person and will rarely use their own true names with those they are not extraordinarily close to, using nicknames often derived from their appearance instead. Many couples within the cult are stated to not even know one another's true names. In addition to the nicknames Ludovic's followers and priests give themselves, they are often given nicknames by their patron himself, such as the high priest Rorschach's coming from his appearance in his true form. Nicknames given by Ludovic himself are treated as a high honor to receive, and often used in place of legal or true names in the cult's inner workings. It has also become customary of members of the cult that are especially dedicated to reveal their true name to Ludovic, granting him power over them as a sign of their extreme dedication.
Type
Religious, Cult
Capital
Alternative Names
Cult of Ferrets, The Polecat Cult
Leader
Currency
Like many cults surrounding the gods, Ludovic's cult will accept any currency but is particularly favorable to coins and notes depicting their god, Ludovic. Mostly these are in the form of coins with a polecat encircled around a small moon and are quite valuable to collectors due to being incredibly limited and only given out by Ludovic to those calling him his patron god.
Official State Religion
Parent Organization
Permeated Organizations
Divines
Location
Official Languages
Related Traditions
Controlled Territories
Notable Members
Allies
Like the Pack of Ferventi, Ludovic's cult has the majority of its members also being members of the cult of life and Shia's cult, without aggression between opposing members.
Allies
Like the Pack of Ferventi, Ludovic's cult has the majority of its members also being members of the cult of life and Shia's cult, without aggression between opposing members.
Friendly
The cults have a suprisingly decent relationship due to the fact that both their cultures emphasize keeping one's true name secret. Both cults also have a preference for underhanded tactics when fighting, as well as a sort of mental warfare meant to break the will of their opponents. Although, Umbra's followers usually do this through fear. Both cults also have a preference for the use of ice magic. It is not uncommon for members of Umbra Cult to team up with or trade with that of Ludovic's if they happen to be nearby, especially if it increases their chances of survival.
Uneasy
Although there have been no outright conflicts or wars between Ludovic and Ferventi, God of Wolves, both gods having such conflicting personalities and a large difference in values often leads to their own followers adopting the same mentality, with frequent harassment between the two parties.
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