Priesthood
The Sacred Priesthood of the Formless Maker is the official religion of the Empire, and also the official ruling body. They claim to have existed and operated continuously for as long as the world itself has. They mandate worship of and faith in the Formless Maker foremost, and believe that the Aspects be worshipped secondarily. Because Ailistiff does not intervene in the affairs of the world, there is no way to verify the claim that they have stayed true to their master, but they have so far not overtly abused their power. For the same reason, the Priests do not have any ability to use magic, for they have not gained the blessings of the Aspects.
The Aspect-Cults: For the most part, each aspect is aware of the actions of humanity (and other races) and may choose to grant a blessing on those that are deemed worthy. When an aspect does, (or to gain ones attention,) cults spring up to worship and thank that aspect. The Priesthood officially holds the cultists in low regard, because they do not worship Ailistiff first, but they are close enough (and necessary to the Empire) that the Priesthood never takes action against them. There is a list of the cults and the blessings below. (--Revise--)
The Cult of Gold: Seers are granted the ability to see what is not before them.
The Cult of Iron: Primarily composed of crafters and artisans, the blessings of the Worldforge are practical and profitable above all else.
The Cult of Silver: Composed mostly of soldiers, who find the blessings of Rasalar to be very useful in battle. The Silver Aspect grants fortitude and solidity, the power of will over the world.
The Cult of Glass: The Governor's blessing is the ability to intuit the metaphysical laws that govern the world, enabling incredible feats, but technically, this is not magical.
Geomancy: The Grey Aspect scorns mortal life, and grants ko Ail blessing only to creatures made of stone. The Grey Aspect created the golems from ko Ail very body, creatures of stone imbued with consciousness. Nevertheless, some mortals aspire to receive ko Ail blessing, and a cult of mortals does exist, though it is very weak.
The Cult of Water: The Blue Aspect yields ko Ail knowledge to sprites, though if you can convince one to teach you, you will find it to be surprisingly easy. Where the Cult of Water is strong, the weather is fair and the trade winds reliable.
The Cult of Fire: The Red Aspect does not limit ko sur power to sentient beings, but extends the potential to any living creature. The Blessing of Fire allows the blessed to regenerate their form and even change it at will. Also granted is the ability to perfectly simulate death, like the Phoenix.
The Cult of the Void: Mediums are blessed by Ranatar with the ability to hear the last whispers of the dead as they depart this world. In order to gain this blessing, (though some would call it a curse, for it is not always an asset) one must come close to death, but not cross the threshold.
Mages: The Mages are blessed by the Purple Aspect, and they have abilities of healing and direct magic. A mage can heal the sick and destroy a wall, and you can never be sure which sur favors.
Alchemists: The Green Aspect favors those who deny the world as it is, and ko Ail blessing is the ability to reshape reality as one desires. Many seek this blessing, but (luckily) the Green aspect rarely grants it. Only to those who would be able to cause great change even without ko Ail blessing are eligible. (Alchemy)
Listeners to the Word: Oracles are gifted with knowledge they have no right to have, but which the White Aspect has determined must be disseminated. The White Aspect favors humanity, for it is the race which is most curious about the world about it.
The Sect of the Maker's Shadow: Unique among the cults, the Sect still worships Ailistiff first, but in ko Ail "impure" form, as the Spirit Aspect. Unlike the Formless Maker Ailja, the Maker's Shadow is inclined to grant power. The Maker's Shadow's existence in Corasur is tenuous, and therefore the Spirit Aspect reflects reality rather than imposing Ailja upon it. The blessing of the Spirit Aspect allows one to do the same, perfectly opposing any force that stands in ones way. Top
Other Major Religions
House of Na'Seel: Not technically an entire religion, the House is the remnants of an ancient and great trade empire. Though the original House has been bred to extinction, the eminence of the name lives on and all modern merchants proudly (though perhaps not accurately) trace their ancestry back to the great family. The House of Na'Seel worships a very large pantheon of very small gods, mostly sainted ancestors. Each family has its own collection, and there are few, if any, constants. Worship consists of leaving small offerings and prayers to a simple shrine, and very little is required in the way of faith. The Priesthood considers the House to be harmless and profitable, and allows sailors and merchants to worship as long as they accept Ailistiff and the Aspects as the primary divinities in Corasur. (Na'seel means "without treachery", and is a compliment. (The Old Tongue usually forms good traits by negating negative traits) In fact, it is dubious whether there ever was a family with such a name, for it is considered bad luck to name a child after a trait they may not even possess. However, people never to voice this thought too loudly, because a merchant might take offence to you disrespecting their family, and non-members of the House don't usually care.)
Followers of the Enlightened Prophet: The Followers are an underground cult, following a mysterious figure that claims to have been granted great wisdom by the White Aspect, Rafitar. The Priesthood considers them to be heretical, and spares no expense in hunting them down and forcing repentance. The structure and beliefs of the Followers appear to be very similar to the Priesthood's, but the Priesthood refuses to hear anything about it. They are so decisive about their condemnation, coupled with the fact that they have not given any formal statement of the heresies, that some wonder if the Followers perhaps know a secret the Priesthood wishes to maintain.
Walkers of the Path: The Walkers are heathens, who teach that Ailistiff and the Aspects is a metaphor, and a constricting one at that. They seek personal enlightenment, rather than to lead a virtuous life by the laws of the Priesthood. However, the Priesthood generally leaves them alone as long as they stay isolated in their remote communities, which they are happy to do.
Defilers: Sometimes, an Aspect's blessing (or lack thereof) causes strife, and the fact that the offending party is an immortal being that lives on a scale entirely outside ko sur entire life does absolutely nothing to keep people from holding grudges. Defilers are so named because many of them do, in fact, destroy temples, a crime punishable by death, in some cases.
Unbelievers: Even with the Empire's great reach, there are those who have never learned the theology of the Priesthood. The Priesthood considers this a terrible waste of lives, and sends out missionaries to convert the heathens for their own good.
