Neopagans

Faction Profile

Founded: Estimated 1342

Governance: Matriarchy

Spokesman/Public Information Officer/Figurehead: No centralized leadership. Independent cells are led by the head of their pagan faiths.

Primary Function/Purpose: New-Age Pagan Religious Cult

Estimated Numbers: Between 100 and 1,000

Republic Influence: Non-Existent

Republic Disposition: Openly Antagonistic

Citizenry Reputation: Hated

Military Strength: Inconsequential

Seat of Operations: Quarantine Zone of the First Province

Post-Torment State: Surviving

Presence in First Province: Centralized cells scattered within the Quarantine Zone of the First Province.

History

The term Neopagan is a loose title attributed to any and all persons who have abandoned the Decusian faith and have opted to follow one of the many hundreds of indigenous religions that propagated Vitaveus prior to Decusian Imperialism. Having become increasingly popular within Quarantine Zones as well as the Western Territories, neopaganism survives despite a concentrated effort by almost every official Republic Faction to wipe it from the face of Eden. While instances of organized neopaganism can be tracked back generations, modern Neopaganism as it relates to the First Province is a relatively new concept that has only recently found popularity due to the territory being deemed a Quarantine Zone in 1342.

Modern Times

Reports of Neopagan cults raising themselves out of the First Province are increasingly more prevalent in recent months, with many reports of would-be adventurers and fortune seekers finding themselves accosted by hostile groups. Reports indicate that these wayward souls often ordain themselves in the trappings of dead animals and whatever shoddy pieces of armor and clothing they may be able to scavenge from the dead and dying of the First Province. While often found to be poorly equipped, to underestimate those affiliated with the Neopagan movement is oftentimes a fatal mistake, for a large contingent of spell-casters who orient themselves towards ritualistic, paganistic, and diabolist incantations have been rumored to have established themselves within this movement.

These cults are as opposed to one another as they are against Republic Factions. Each one vies against the other for dominance. Currently, four prestigious cults hold firm grounds within the Quarantine Zone of the First Province:

Withering Bloom

Cultists of the Withering Bloom promote unending growth of nature at the expense of technological and environmentally-destructive progress. Their shamans and warriors pray to the Withering Bloom, a staggering mass of plant life representing the aspect of nature’s wrath. These pagans commit the dead, be it their own or hapless refugees, to fertilize the grounds of their ritual site within the Withering Maw. The most devout among them replace their hearts with a unique thistle, which explodes into aggressive tangling vines upon their death. The Withering Bloom hold strong opposition against the Daeblood, for they fear their hunger would one day ravish all.

Daeblood

These cannibals believe their power derives from consuming human flesh anointed by their dae patron, the Hungering One. Cultists who fully resign to their ravenous hunger become host to dae entities as their humanoid forms twist to foul corruption. During the darkest hours, warbands leave their cave to hunt refugees who stray too far from the boundaries of the Rumbling Pass camp and Fort Praesidium. The Daeblood’s lust for entropy and consumption draws the ire of their neighboring cult, the Withering Bloom.

Cult of Anslem

Deep within the desecrated halls of Aiwella dwells Karl Anslem, the fallen archbishop. Cultists flock to the Anslem for his power over death itself and to one day combat darker forces that lay unseen beyond Eden. As a powerful lich, undead are inexplicably drawn to Anslem. It is said he is a necessary evil, for without him the undead would have no keeper and surge forth from the crypts to devour the Quarantine Zone and beyond. His latest attempt to achieve godhood was thwarted, but he again may be a threat for future generations to come.

Cult of the Eyeless

This reclusive cult dwells deep beneath the twisted woods of the Spectral Camp. Little is known of this mysterious cult, for they rarely extend themselves beyond the cavern depths. Many among them blind themselves, but the reason for such is unknown. It speculated they seek to see hidden truths or perhaps shield themselves from mad visions. Further rumors speculate there is some relationship between them and the eyeless monsters which prowl among the subterranean mushroom forest.