RELIGION

There are many varied and unique religions in the Great Underground Empire. Some of these are ancient and obscure, while others are simply strange and confusing. The following is a description of the known systems of faith, followed by various rituals of unknown origin. For the identifiable religions, the reader is directed to their respective entries: world in The One Eru, Belegur, the Sacred Scrolls of Fizbin, the Scrolls of Kar'nai, Brogmoidism, Temple of Zork, Four Flies of Famathria, Oracle of Bargth, The First Inquisition, the Second Inquisition, Zorkastrianism (Gods of Emotion, Yoruk), Bel Naire Temple, Shrine of the Six Muses, Demons, Pseudo-Gods, Supernatural and Fantastic Wayfarers Association, Alchemy, and perhaps even Magic could be added to that list.

In the tenth century certain temples were used for prayer and certain other religious ceremonies. All that is known about these temples and the beliefs of the worshippers within is that those who intruded in a sacriligious violation of the ceremonies would be killed by priests bearing dangerous sacred ornaments.

The followers of the evil Krill who assumed control of Largoneth castle held religious ceremonies in a huge primitive temple in 956 GUE. Krill was known to use the altar in the temple as a site for human sacrifice to a hideous statue that represents some unknown demon.

A loyal cult has built up surrounding the ancient legends telling of the creation of the world by these Implementors, who supposedly created this world and others like it as a test for others of their kind. The Implementors, known to reside on the Ethereal Plane of Atrii, do not discourage these rumors that the world was created by them as a plaything, but they do not seem to the overly creative types. On the contrary, these minor deities spend all of their ample free time on costly luncheons where gossip and sweet nectars flow freely. (For more information, please see the entry on the Implementors.)

If we look at several seemingly unrelated sites around the world, it seems that the last few centuries of the Age of Magic might have seen the development of a monotheistic belief system. The first indication of the existence of this religion is a fresco found in the Fenshire summer castle of the Flatheads. This fresco depicts the death of Duncanthrax in an optimistic light: the first king of the Flathead Dynasty is shown rising to heaven accompanied by a host of angels. This theme is repeated in engravings that mark the tomb of the Twelve Flatheads.

Another aspect of this specific religion is that particularly holy men were elevated to the status of Saint. Known examples are Saints Balhu, Foobus, Honko, Quakko, Bovus, and Wiskus, all patron saints of various aspects of daily life (see individual entries). Some of these saints were greatly admired by the populace. Saint Foobus for instance had a beautiful shrine in his honor built deep underground. Complete with a stone statue of the saint, this shrine was probably more than Foobus deserved.

Shrines like this were not the only site of worship for the believers of this faith. At least two churches existed in the last century of the Age of Magic. However, the church in Festeron, Antharia, did not have as faithful a congregation as the church in Thriff. For example, when Thriff was threatened by Christmas Tree Monsters in 966 GUE, the church was filled day and night by believers engaged in silent prayer to their god. Services at this church were performed at an altar and led by Cardinal Toolbox. The nature of the rank Cardinal suggests that this religion was governed by an extensive hierarchy, with Cardinal being at or close to the top of a pyramid of people dedicated to serving their god. It should be noted that the nature of this god is still not understood.

The ruins of an age-old castle in the Eastlands are home to one of the strangest discoveries of our time. Deep inside this castle lies a ruined temple to a forgotten god. Black basalt pillars line the way to a tall basalt idol in the form of a huge rodent. This idol, about twenty feet tall, has sharp fangs and one staring opalescent eye. Chroniclers of magic have noted that this crudely carved idol was the hiding place for one of the Cubes of Foundation. This idol might have also been the object of animal sacrifices fed to a temple snake. An interesting facet of this religion is that the temple snake was too well fed. Its pride grew, and in declaring itself the greatest of snakes, it was forced to swallow its own tail in mimicry of the true master of serpents.

There are many random relics and assorted historical notes that hint at the existence of complete religions that remain unknown to us. What follows is a list of these fragments:

1. The 883 GUE edition of this Encyclopedia, in the entry on the Four Fantastic Flies of Famathria, mentions a flyswatter as a ceremonial object from circa 671 GUE.
2. Fublio Valley, home to dozens of enchanters, is the site of a cairn, or rock pile, of mysterious magical or religious significance.
3. Lord Nimbus is the unsympathetic Pseudo-God of Rain described in the platypus Legend of Wishbringer. Legends of many of these so-called gods are found all over history.
   

Idolism: The Miznia Jungle in the Westlands is the location of a stone idol, carved in the likeness of a giant crocodile. This monstrous idol is approximately the size and shape of a subway train, not counting the limbs and tail. The maw hangs wide open, its lower jaw touching the ground to form an inclined walkway lined with rows of stone teeth. Attempting to traverse this walkway will cause the mouth to close, leaving the victim inside the idol, without an exit. There are two possible explanations for the existence of the idol. It could have been a sacrificial tool to an ancient god, or, according to an old legend, it could have been built by the evil Y'Syska as a trap to guard the Crocodile's Tear, which rested on the idol until 966 GUE.

Flatheadia: None of the Flatheads were particularly religious, but that did not stop Dimwit from building the largest chapel in all of Quendor. Our researchers have not yet been able to discover exactly what the faithful at this chapel were supposed to be worshipping.