Dragons in Guang Keshar Society

July 26, 2010 · Posted in Musings, World Background · Comment 

As the direct descendants of Huang Ti and being made in her image, dragons are honored throughout Guang Keshar. They could be considered demi-gods or something akin to patron saints: beings can act as emissaries between mortals and the Jade Wyrm. It’s common to find votive statues of the various dragons, past and present, on family altars, which the family honors and prays to, asking for help in various areas of their lives. For their own part, dragons generally consider themselves above the affairs of mortals, though the common people don’t realize this.

This doesn’t mean that they’re above politics. They have their own extremely complex machinations they play out amongst themselves. Being immortal, dragon politics are long-range and labyrinthian. Sometimes, even the Great Houses become entangled in them, but that’s more incidental than by design; even then the focus remains on the others of their own kind. Dragon politics can also be extremely deadly–they may be immortal, but they’re not unkillable.

Having a dragon visit your hearth is considered a great blessing, unless she becomes offended or angered (usually as the result of poor hospitality). In that case, they can leave behind a terrible curse, if they so choose. Dragons are the original sorcerers and those with magical ability usually have at least a drop or two of dragon blood in their veins. Being shapeshifters, dragons may (and often do) mate with whatever species strikes their fancy. Thus, it is possible to find dragon blood in all the known races of Guang Keshar.

Those known to have dragon blood are often treated as semi-divine, or at least having been “touched” by divinity.

[Photo Courtesy of Richard Fischer via Flickr Creative Commons]

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Religion of the common folk

May 24, 2010 · Posted in World Background · Comment 

Guang Keshar has a state religion – the worship of Huang Ti, the Jade Serpent. The Church of Jade, as the organization is known, is a pyramidal organization, with the top being the High Priest(ess), the head of House Thumun who hold the Seat of Faith. All residents of Guang Keshar, human or otherwise, are assumed to be members of the Church.

While attendance at religious functions (which are also state functions and visa versa) isn’t mandatory, per se, not attending would definitely be a matter for gossip, particularly in a city such as Lia Tsashu. So while attendance is (for all intents and purposes) require, belief isn’t. Like the Roman state church of our own world, as long as the rites are observed, the Empire will be safely guarded by the Jade Serpent and her offspring. Belief is a matter for the clergy.

In a town like Lia Tsashu, the highest resident member of the clergy would be a full priest. Priests are not required to be celibate—indeed, they are encouraged to marry. They do, however, take vows of poverty and they (and their families) are expected to live on church grounds, supported by tithes from the faithful. They may own no more than their family needs for it’s day-to-day sustenance.

Religion is woven into everyday life in Guang Keshar. Every household has their own guardian spirit who, along with the family’s ancestors, watches over and guides those who live there. A portion of every meal is set aside and placed on the family altar. Fresh flowers, seasonal fruits and nuts, and miniature replicas of the tools of the family’s trade are also placed there so that the family’s daily activities may be blessed and fruitful.

Before preparation for the next meal, a member of the family takes the food offerings from the last meal and sets them outside in a bowl for the fey spirits, the “little people” who are considered to be Huang Ti’s helpers. Not placing an offering is considered stingy and is likely to bring bad luck. Before big events in the family’s life, the family spirits are given a special offering and asked for guidance, which usually comes in the form of dreams or seemingly chance events. The family also shares a portion of its good fortune with the family spirits and also shares a small portion of their income (5%) with the local priest.

Public religious rites are far from dreary and quite unlike the “church services” of our Christian world. High holy days involve games and feasting.

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