Mystery Cults of Ramsgate
by Dave

A brief collection of the Ramsgate cults as understood by this gentle wanderer, recorded by my hand, in the year 989.

Rabellain of Norcroft
Son of Albidar

Beneficent Immortals -- The Mystery Cults

Each of the seven cults listed here are worshipped singly or in collections as the worshipper finds his or her needs. For example, expectant mothers lay offerings to Vanisna's shrine and also to Manath in hopes of avoiding its attentions.

There are three male deities (Amoetas, Hauvasas, Oshasha), two female (Vanisna, Saosta), one androgyne (Amar'is) and one that is of no sex at all (Manath).

There is not a single one of these which seems to predominate, although different areas will seem attuned to one or another (or several). There isn't a tidy easily divisible area of influence for each of them, either. It is quite chaotic in some ways, as sometimes appeals will be made through other deities to change the mind or influence a deity that may have already refused a request! Quite odd, actually.

These gods are treated as if they are relatives, with loud harangues or passionate speeches being flung at them in their small shrines.

There isn't even a particular way of worshipping them, as it seems up to the penitent to decide how to do so. There is some method to holy days, although I have seen rival parades nearly come to blows over whom precedes who into an intersection. No hierarchy at all seems involved. The Father, Amoetas, can appear as a crudely carved oval face on a rude wooden plaque, or an almond-eyed statue with a staff and a dog at his feet. They do not cleave to a particular color for example, and sometimes those who have fallen on good fortune or suffered indignities must find out whom they need to offer or sacrifice to first.

Sometimes identifying these icons is toil in itself. The clergy seems to come and go at will, and will freely admit to not knowing much about the other deities beyond their own. Every village seems to have a story involving their favorite god. I have seen some statues punished for that god's misdeeds. The categories below are very sketchy at best. These people are simply unfocused.

Amoetas	Style	Name	Responsibilities	Sphere	Sex
	Father	Amoetas	Duty/Honor/Family	Air	Male
	Dancer	Amar'is	Luck/The Arts	Fire	Androgyne
	Mother	Vanisna	Nurture/Healing	Life	Female
	Farmer	Hauvasas	Plenty/Harvest	Earth	Male
	Stranger	Ohshasha	Magic/Travelers	Spirit	Male
	Warrior	Saosta	Battle/Protection	Water	Female (mostly)
	Shadow	Manath	Justice	Death	Masked

The mercenaries and warriors do tend to adhere to Saosta, but then also is Amar'is worshipped by them as well. There is a kind of cycle involved, in which all who die will be reborn many times again, as the great wheel moves them from life to life. I did not find any priests worthy as opponents in a combat of weapons or open-handed ring dancing (unarmed fighting). It is not a requisite of these folk.

Do not dice with any priests of Amar'is though.