Ikelan Religion

Ikela is not particularly religious of a country. That said, there are several notable organized religious groups in the area.

Congregation, United

The largest and most "socially approved" (especially among the First and Second Families) organization is the Church of the Congregation, United. Headed by Patriarch Samael Ikel (brother to King Mazayar Ikel), it serves all 16 of the Congregation equally, not favoring any particular one. Each major city has a branch, headed by an Exarch (usually a member of the ruling First Family or a close relative). Smaller towns and villages may have churches headed by a priest or priestess, but they're most concentrated in the larger settlements. The CCU preaches tolerance, respect, and the divinely-granted right to rule of the current noble families. Some accuse the church of being mostly a venue for bribes and a cover for the nobles to do whatever they want.

Founded soon after the restoration of Ikela in 100 AC.

Stormqueen's Wake

The other major group is called Stormqueen's Wake. Much newer, but growing fast, it was established in 218 AC. While it worships the Congregation, it is most devoted to Tatsuryuu, calling her the "Stormqueen". Its doctrine is one of liberation from "sin", resistance to oppression, and fairness to your fellows. Opponents call it "radical" and "insurrectionist", claiming that the "spiritual liberation" espoused by the overt side is a front for a more radical leveling of society and destruction of the current order desired by covert factions within the organization.

Unlike the CUU, SW has no official leadership. Each Servant (the title for those called to the ministry) acts independently, although they meet periodically for alignment.

SW is quite popular with the urban poor, with some reach beyond the urban areas. Its support is most concentrated near the coast; Calabar has the least support.

Listeners

The Listeners are a group of primal practitioners who advocate for and work to appease the kami and other spiritual entities. They are strongest in Surat and among the rural poor, but have groups in most areas. They oppose industrialization, colonization, and generally expansion of mortals' incursions on the natural world.

Other Groups

• Demon cults are extremely rare and are crushed as soon as they are discovered.
• Rumors of cults devoted to several of the Diabolical Families. This worship, unlike demon worship, is tolerated officially, but not welcomed in the public sphere.
• Several cults devoted to dragons (including, for some perverse reason, the Dragon Tyrant himself) exist, mostly in the north and in the very rural areas near Jaora.