There are more religions across the world than there are stars in the sky. From those who recite prayers to the spirits of their ancestors, to those who revere the great trees of the primeval forests, it can seem like there are rarely two groups of people who practice the same faith. Among these ancient traditions and established churches, though, are those who believe in the bizarre, the strange and the unorthodox. These cults dedicate themselves to little-known gods, forgotten disciplines or ancient ruins, and though many of them have a veneer of normalcy, those who dig beneath the surface often find that something dark lurks beneath.



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The Crimson Chalice: There is life in faith, or so the bearers of the chalice proclaim. Followers of this strange philosophy wear medallions around their necks filled with phials of blood. They believe that pure blood is the key to strength, eating raw meat and drinking only water to maintain their bodies. There have been whispers of darker rites, too, and of members of this church who feed on the blood of great champions in order to fuel themselves, and allow them to extend their life and strength far beyond what a mortal should possess.

There is life in faith, or so the bearers of the chalice proclaim. Followers of this strange philosophy wear medallions around their necks filled with phials of blood. They believe that pure blood is the key to strength, eating raw meat and drinking only water to maintain their bodies. There have been whispers of darker rites, too, and of members of this church who feed on the blood of great champions in order to fuel themselves, and allow them to extend their life and strength far beyond what a mortal should possess. The Gilded Choir: Music is a way of turning life into sound. Though every faith has its own hymns and songs, music is this cult's faith. It's said that the music makers of the Choir know so many tunes that you could travel with them for months and never hear the same one twice if you didn't ask to. Those who listen to the members learn that it isn't just music the Choir seeks; they believe there is a song that will accomplish any task. That includes talking directly to the gods, and making their voices heard by the greater powers of the universe. Though none claim to have found this golden song, that hasn't stopped the others from continuing their search for it.

Music is a way of turning life into sound. Though every faith has its own hymns and songs, music is this cult's faith. It's said that the music makers of the Choir know so many tunes that you could travel with them for months and never hear the same one twice if you didn't ask to. Those who listen to the members learn that it isn't just music the Choir seeks; they believe there is a song that will accomplish any task. That includes talking directly to the gods, and making their voices heard by the greater powers of the universe. Though none claim to have found this golden song, that hasn't stopped the others from continuing their search for it. Vessels: An order of self-proclaimed mediums, the Vessels wear wraith-white robes and practice exacting forms of ritual washing before undertaking their rites. Those who have seen their rituals say they can call back the spirits of the dead, hosting them inside their own bodies so they may speak with the living. There are some who claim that Vessels can even pull demons into themselves, siphoning the infernal spirits from those who are unwillingly possessed. Tales circulate that say the chains Vessels wear have potent spirits bound within them, and that they can release those spirits should they need to draw upon their power.

An order of self-proclaimed mediums, the Vessels wear wraith-white robes and practice exacting forms of ritual washing before undertaking their rites. Those who have seen their rituals say they can call back the spirits of the dead, hosting them inside their own bodies so they may speak with the living. There are some who claim that Vessels can even pull demons into themselves, siphoning the infernal spirits from those who are unwillingly possessed. Tales circulate that say the chains Vessels wear have potent spirits bound within them, and that they can release those spirits should they need to draw upon their power. Reckoners: Many faiths teach their followers to practice forgiveness, saying that the universe will balance itself out in time. The Reckoners, however, believe they are the agents of cosmic balance. In some instances, Reckoners have given someone the shirt off their backs, repaying a kindness when someone needed it most. Other times they've beaten someone bloody for their cruelty, even if the incident happened months or years in the past. Reckoners are devoted, and there are few lengths they won't go to in order to balance the scales, but their acts will never reach outside the individual or individuals responsible for certain actions.

Many faiths teach their followers to practice forgiveness, saying that the universe will balance itself out in time. The Reckoners, however, believe they are the agents of cosmic balance. In some instances, Reckoners have given someone the shirt off their backs, repaying a kindness when someone needed it most. Other times they've beaten someone bloody for their cruelty, even if the incident happened months or years in the past. Reckoners are devoted, and there are few lengths they won't go to in order to balance the scales, but their acts will never reach outside the individual or individuals responsible for certain actions. Corvarids: In many legends the soul of a dead person will be shepherded to the realm of the dead by a crow, or a raven. In exchange for their services, the crows are allowed to eat the eyes, as it's believed that is where the soul lies. The Corvarids maintain forest rookeries of these black birds, caring for them and ensuring they can fulfill their duties. While they rarely come to nearby towns, when they do Corvarids pay for their goods with strange, old coins. Some say it's because they have a hoard of treasure out in the woods, but others whisper that the black birds pay them for their services in dead men's silver.



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