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Kalandor, priest of Kardak the Defender, stood silently in the small chamber, facing the oracle standing on it's pedestal. After gathering his thoughts, he placed his hands on that grey dodecahedron. It responded by emitting a eerie green glow.
The small chamber faded from Kalandor's sight. He now stood on a featureless plain, illuminated by many distant points of light. An imposing figure stood before him, wearing polished silver and black armour, and carrying a coal-black sword.
"Hast thou carried out my orders" spoke the figure, in a voice which seemed to penetrate to the very core of Kalandor's existence.
"Yes, my Lord. It is done", replied Kalandor.
"Thou hast done well, my servant", continued the voice "Thou shalt be well rewarded. But first, thou must carry out another task.."
The kandar worship the Guardians. A kandar will usually have one 'patron' guardian, but will usually revere all or most of the others. It is not at all unusual for a highly religious kandar to strongly dislike one or more of the guardians. The basic beliefs of kandar vary between followers of different guardians, although there are many things in common
The basic purpose of life is for the kandar people (some Guardians extend this to other races as well) to survive and prosper. The Guardians have their best interests at heart, and are much more wise and knowledgeable than mortals. The fate of the people as a whole is more important than the fate of individuals.
All disasters, both man-made and natural, are consequences of the kandar's disobedience of the Guardians. They are either the direct consequences of disobedient acts, or caused by the guardians to punish wrongdoing.
For most, there is no life after death. There are two exceptions. Firstly there are the "chosen", a select few whose service to the Guardians is exemplary. These people will be carried up to join and serve the guardians in their star after their mortal bodies die. Then there are those who die unjustly. They are reincarnated, to take revenge on those who caused their unjust death, or their descendants. The ambition of all religious kandar is to become one of The Chosen.
The natural world, although it existed before the guardians came, can be controlled by them. The Guardians have some influence over such things as weather and earthquakes, but their power is limited.
The holy book of the kandar is the Paranthur, a collection of eight books, one written by each guardian. All eight books are incomplete, and new chapters are added from time to time after priests have been enlightened via the oracles. Sometime sections are also removed, in which case the priests are instructed to destroy all existing copies of the books to be replaced by the new amended editions.
There are ten guardians in all, of who eight are still worshipped by the kandar.
Esala the Artist is typically portrayed as a kandar woman with waist-length hair, always holding something connected with an artistic endeavour in her right hand, be it a paintbrush, chisel, pen or musical instrument.
She is worshipped not only by artists, singers and musicians, but also craftsmen and builders, both kandar and human. Most of her priests are female, although male priests are not unknown. Compared to some of the guardians she has relatively few temples, which are to be found only in the of largest kandar cities. More common is a shrine to Esala in the city temple of Karlandra.
Esala praises beauty in all forms, her mission is to make the world a more aesthetically-pleasing place. She doesn't have much to say when it comes to moral teaching; that's left to other Guardians such as Karlandra, Lakenthar and Ulseth. Not that she's against the use of art for moral purposes, provided it's artistically-done. She dislikes ugly 'art' that's intended to shock; A Kalyran equivalent of Damiem Hirst will not expect any support from her or her followers.
Kardak the Defender is portrayed as a armoured figure with a sword; sometimes he's depicted with a shield, sometimes with a two-handed sword. His face is always hidden by his helm.
As the patron of martial values, he is especially worshipped by kandar knights and soldiers. His priests are exclusively male, and are not supposed to marry, so as not to leave lots of widows! Temples of Kardak resemble fortresses, and can be found in all larger kandar cities. There are also some Kardak fortresses in remote locations in the countryside, often in border areas.
Kardak and his followers are dedicated to the defence of the kandar people against any external threat, the greatest of which they believe to be humanity. This doesn't mean that they immediately plan to start a 'holy war' to wipe out humanity; other Guardians would not allow it. But it does make them considerable racial chauvinists, enthusiastic supporters of any pogrom they can get away with. They have for instance embarked on some particularly brutal campaigns against outlaw human settlements.
Karlandra, Mother of the Kandar is portrayed as a middle-aged kandar woman, typically surrounded by countless kandar children.
She is the patron Guardian of the kandar race, Guardian of the family. She is the most widely worshipped of all the Guardians, especially by nobles, but has no human worshippers. A temple of Karlandra can be found in every single kandar city. In some smaller cities, it may be the only temple in town. These temples often contain shrines to other Guardians, typically those that do not have their own temple in that particular city. Priests must be kandar, and are mostly female. Priests and priestesses of Karlandra may only ever marry other priests, who may be priests of other guardians.
Karlandra is characterised as a conservative; she's even more a racial chauvinist than Kardak. She's aware that the humans are outbreeding the kandar, and recognises that humanity will be in position to overthrow their kandar overlords within the space of the next few generations. At the moment she keeps her options open; and all-out racial war is only one option. Whatever happens, the long-term survival of the kandar race is her one and only concern.
Lakentyr the Lawmaker is portrayed as a stern man with grey hair and piercing eyes, usually holding the Rod of Law. No image ever shows him smiling.
Lakentyr is the patron guardian of many city guards, many soldiers, city administrators and of bigots in general. Almost all worshippers are kandar. His priests must be male, and like those of Kardak are not allowed to marry. A temple of Lakentyr can be found in most larger cities.
Lakentyr represents the 'Moral Minority' of Kalyr. Only by enforcing rigid rules covering every aspect of life can civilisation be maintained. The kandar caste system is the ultimate preserve of order, and all castes must know their duties and obligations. Those that step out of line must be punished. He's less of a kandar chauvinist that Karlandar, but not by much; humans must be kept in their place.
Rulana, Guardian of the Planet, is portrayed as a kandar woman of varying age (young, old and everything in between), dressed simply in green or brown.
She is worshipped by farmers, sailors and anyone else whose living depends on the elements. Her priests are mostly female. Despite her having a large number of worshippers, there are very few temples of Rulana. Instead, many small shrines are scattered about the countryside, at which worship of Rulana takes place in the open air.
Rulana is more concerned with the natural world than with the cities of kandar, zughru and humans. She's the only guardian to have made serious attempts to seek worshippers from amongst the growing human population outside kandar lands. One teaching of hers that is markedly different from that of other guardians that the ancient first empire was evil, and was destroyed for it's wickedness, and all artefacts dating from that time are still tainted with that evil.
Ulseth the Just is portrayed a marked similarity to Lathenthar, with one crucial difference; he is usually smiling.
His worshippers are largely drawn from the ranks of ordinary working people, many of them human. Priests may be either male or female, and some are even human. Temples of Ulseth exist in most larger cities.
His teaching is a complete mirror-image to that of Lakenthar. He deplores the rigid caste system and cruelty of kandar society, especially their enslavement of humans. He recognises that the present situation cannot last, but would like to see a 'soft landing' to leave a culture where humans and kandar live together as equals. A race war of the type sometimes advocated by more belligerent supporters of Kardak or Karlandra would be lost, his priests say, leaving the kandar survivors hunted outcasts no better than the vordral.
Valarna the Healer is portrayed as a ageless woman dressed in brown robes, just like her priests.
She is the patron guardian of physicians and healers, and is also popular amongst ordinary people. Her priests are exclusively female; some of the many different orders allow their priestesses to marry, others do not. Most larger kandar cities contain a temple of Valarna, which usually doubles up as the city's hospital. Her brown-clad healers are universally respected everywhere they go; anyone that harms one is in big, big trouble.
Valarna's mission is to heal the sick in mind and body. Her priests are strictly instructed to keep out of politics, lest it compromises her neutrality. They often perform the role of mediator between opposing forces, which is seen as a extension of healing, repairing damaged communities as well as minds and bodies.
Vandrak the Renegade is portrayed as handsome but sinister, as befits the fallen one.
He was originally the leader of the Guardians, but fell out with the others at the time of the doomwar than brought the ancient first empire down in flames and destruction. He is said to be responsible for the destruction of the city of Kavarnak, destroyed by fire from the skies. It is commonly believed that he now resides somewhere beneath the sea. A few twisted individuals still worship him, but his cult is totally illegal.
Zardor, Guardian of Knowledge, is typically portrayed surrounded by books, scrolls and strange artefacts who's nature is unclear.
He tends to draw worshippers from the professional classes, mostly but not exclusively kandar. Priests may be male or female of any race, although the majority are kandar. Temples of Zardor exist in most larger cities. A distinguishing feature of all temples is the "flame of knowledge", which must never be allowed to go out. Temples always contain a large library. Very often, a school is attached to the temple.
Zardor would love to see the golden ages of the past return, the lost knowledge of the recovered and the shining cities rebuilt. The kandar today are but barbarians eking out a miserable existence in the ruins of their past. Knowledge, and the wisdom not to misuse power, is the key to recovery.
Zughru is the patron guardian of the zughru race. His worshippers are only found amongst the zughru. Little is known about the beliefs and practices of his followers outside their underground realms.
The kandar calendar consists of three seasons, each of seven months, which in turn consist of 17 or 18 days. The three seasons are Sharventhu (Spring and early summer), Panark (Late summer and autumn), and Farithru (Winter).
The seven month names are repeated for each season, so each month occurs three times a year. The following table gives the number of days in each month.
| Sharventhu | Panark | Farithru | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sethar | 18 | 17 | 18 |
| Nathar | 17 | 17 | 17 |
| Thanar | 17 | 18 | 18 |
| Vaslar | 18 | 17 | 17 |
| Kasar | 17 | 18 | 17 |
| Voldar | 17 | 17 | 18 |
| Kavil | 18 | 17 | 17 |
There are ten days of the week, each named after one of the ten guardians. Every 9th or 11th day (it varies from city to city) is a public holiday, the equivalent of a weekend. The ten days of the week are each named after one of the Guardians, in the following order:
| Guardian | Day of week |
|---|---|
| Zardor | Zardorsu |
| Kardak | Kardaksu |
| Valarna | Valarsu |
| Rulana | Rulansu |
| Zughru | Zughrusu |
| Karlandra | Karlandsu |
| Lakentyr | Lakensu |
| Ulseth | Ulsethsu |
| Esala | Esalsu |
| Vandrak | Vandraksu |
1, Sethar Sharventhu
Marking the beginning of the new year, this is not really celebrated as a religion festival. In most cities, it's the day on which taxes must be paid, so it's a great day of wailing and gnashing of teeth.
7, Holy day of Valarna the Healer
This is the day when kandar remember the sick and dying, and also venerate the dead.
5 Nathar Sharventhu, Black day of Vandrak the Renegade
On this day, those twisted individuals who are said to worship this entity gather in remote locations. Everyone else is supposed to stay indoors after dark lest Vandrak destroys them, although this is no longer widely observed, and is generally dismissed as an ignorant superstition.
6 Thanar Sharventhu, Spring Equinox
Whatever the calendar says, this is the traditional start of the year, when people review the past three seasons, and look forward to the next year. (Quite how the official calendar got out of step with the heavens is a bit of a mystery)
11 Vaslar Sharventhu, Holy day of Rulana, Guardian of the Planet
Very much a celebration of spring, of nature, and of life. A popular day for Kandar weddings.
12 Voldar Sharventhu, Holy day of Zardor the Learned
Appropriately, this is celebration of leaning and knowledge, and also of find craftsmanship, hence it's also the traditional starting day for apprentices in the Guild of Makers.
10 Sethar Panark, Summer Solstice
1 Kasar Panark, Arrival day
Also known as the Festival of Birds, after the "great birds" on whose backs the kandar are said to have arrived. Children traditionally make paper birds, which are displayed everywhere.
3 Kasar Panark, Holy day of Kardak the Defender
A day of military parades, as one might expect for the patron of soldiers and knights. Promotions and presentation of military honours takes place on this day.
8 Kasar Panark Holy day of Esala the Artist
Celebrated, as one might expect, with a festival of arts and music, which sometimes lasts all week.
10 Voldar Panark Holy day of Lakenthar the Lawgiver
Traditionally the day for making oaths and treaties, since the breaking of any oath made on this day is an insult to the guardian, and puts the oath-breaker at serious risk of a blasphemy charge. It follows that any marriage on this date is indissoluble. Also the traditional date for the execution of those convicted of very severe crimes. The austere worshippers of Lakenthar don't go in for elaborate rituals, so there is little public celebration of the day.
15 Voldar Panark Autumn Equinox
12 Kavil Panark, Holy day of Karlandra, Mother of the Kandar
The day when all kandar children born in the preceding year are officially named, first in a great ceremony at the Temple, followed by private family ceremonies in people homes.
14 Kavil Panark, Holy day of Zughru, Father of the Zughru
Kandar do not celebrate or mark this day in any way, although for the zughru it's said to be the major event of the year.
2 Kasar Farithru, Winter Solstice
11 Voldar Farithru, Holy day of Ulseth the Just
Kandar remember the poor and disadvantaged, and wealthy and not-so-wealthy kandar distribute gifts to the needy, sometimes with great show. It's also a traditional day for the release of prisoners who's convictions are doubtful. In recent years humans in some cities have taken to marking the day with demonstrations reminding kandar of the way they're treated. These demonstrations have been known to end in violence.
12 Kavil Farithru, Founding Day
Celebrates the founding of Filgeth, the oldest kandar city. The laying of the first stone of the city is ritually re-enacted, with the participants dressed in white, representing the "silver men" who are said to built the first city. Founding day is also the traditional starting day for apprenticeships in the Guild of Construction.
There are many theories amongst humans and non-religious kandar as to the true nature of the Guardians. One theory, popular amongst wizards, is that the Guardians are powerful wizards who have extended their lives far beyond normal life-spans in order to serve a noble cause, or though sheer force of will. Other wizards believe that they represent the collective latent psionic power of their worshippers. Some members of the many human cults believe that they are a mixture of angels, serving the One True God, and devils hell- bent on destruction of humanity. Yet another theory suggests that they are they are powerful immortal alien beings. The theory is that they do not exist at all find few supported when the Guardians can demonstrate their existance by throwing lightning bolts from the sky.
Some humans also worship the guardians. There is also a weird and wonderful array of human cults, some of them apocalyptic sects preaching wars of liberation against the kandar. These sects are often heavily suppressed by the kandar authorities, for obvious reasons, so are forced underground, at least in kandar-controlled areas. Few have any formal priesthood or theology, and many are short-lived. The majority are vaguely monotheistic. Here are a few of the longer established ones:
A variety of cults know as Purgatorists believe that humanity is being punished by God for past sins by being enslaved by the kandar, after having their memories of any past life erased. When humanity is considered to have suffered enough, a figure called The Liberator will be sent, who will destroy the kandar utterly, and free mankind. Those humans who are not worthy will be destroyed along with the kandar. Until the Liberator appears, humanity must continue to serve the kandar. These cults are fairly widespread in kandar cities, and tend to spawn breakaway sects with great frequency. Mosts purgatorists regard the Guardians as devils.
The Warriors of Freedom started as a breakaway from a purgatorist sect. They believe that humanity must destroy the kandar on their own, rather than wait for a liberator to appear. They are particularly heavily suppressed by the kandar, for obvious reasons, but are popular in free human areas. Some consider them to be more of a guerrilla movement with mystical overtones than a religion, while others maintain that they are both.
Doorists are another breakaway sect from the Purgatorists. They maintain that the Liberator, whom they refer to as "Door", has already appeared, but his biding his time, and prepares and instructs his people for the coming war.
Relivers are yet another breakaway sects from the Purgatorists, who believe the Kandar are the chosen instruments of God's will, to whose rule must humans must willingly submitted. They believe that humans are reincarnated as kandar if they are "good" or as vordral if they are not. This is one cult which is generally tolerated by the kandar, and is occasionally even actively encouraged. The Guardians are both feared and revered as gods.
The followers of "Zelkalor" are typical of the human cults which appear out of nowhere and usually disappear again with the same rapidity. Zelkalor promises universal peace and between the races, which will happen when he gains enough followers of all races to achieve "cosmic harmony". This cult spread rapidly in the north-west, but now seems to be waning. For reasons know only to themselves, the Karazthan violently opposes this cult. Their operatives consistently refuse to elaborate as to quite why. (Quite possibly they don't know themselves, and are only following orders from that organisation's enigmatic leadership).