Razimites
Followers of Razim, God of War
“One must have strength in order to judge the weakness of others.” “Chaos, hostility and murder. This is not the way of Razim.” “The two most powerful warriors are patience and time.” “In battle, you can only be killed once.”
The Razimites are a major political faction in Kalderesh. They administer two districts, one in Barban and another in Toreen.
The First Province of Razim in Barban is administered from Staven by Earl Aedyn Slaughter. The Second Province of Razim is strategically placed astride the border between Toreen and Kirvan. The Provincial Administrator, in Cordell, is Lady Kimbera Frey.
The Prelate, Aendrus Mills, is resident in Camfor, with Grand High Priests resident in major cities in Kalderesh: Staven, Cerosfor, Dromfor, Barforos, Torbeck and Forbeck. Lord James Barret (son of the Duke of Krethes) and Viscount Logaen Bayes are two prominent clerics of Razim. Prominent followers include several Myrmidons, Victors and Champions.
Razimite ceremonies are probably the most pompous and resplendent of all religious rites in Kalderesh. Almost all ceremonies include a military procession of some kind, along with a display of martial skills. The Day of Victory is celebrated on June 17, which in harbour cities includes the procession of a festive armada from one port to another: followers from one city visit a second city, and vice-versa. Private rites of fasting, communion, confirmation of birth and meditation are performed.
Atonement is a public matter, with the transgressor making a public confession followed by an announcement of the act of contrition. The eventual outcome of the atonement is also a matter of public record. Similarly, the outcome of any purification rituals are made known in public.
Confirmation of adulthood is conducted in public, in groups, when all youths born in the same year are confirmed on one specific day (usually within the first week of each season, depending on local circumstances).
Funerals of the faithful are attended by other followers of Razim, regardless of whether they knew the deceased personally or not. As such, funeral processions are typically large affairs, followed by a modest feast characterized by story-telling and camaraderie. These feasts are usually attended only by adult males.
The Mysteries of Razim are another cause for pomp and circumstance. The purification and oath-taking are conducted within the High Temple, and only in the presence of the faithful. The procession, however, is conducted in the public eye, following a circuitous route through the town or city returning to the High Temple, where the remainder of the Mystery is carried out in private.