Manann Cult__________________________

Description:  Lesser God; Young Gods pantheon; Son of Taal and Rhya; Foster Father of Handrich, Jeanne du Lac, and Sigmar Heldenhammer.  Manann is the god of the seas, oceans, and the great rivers (such as the Reik) that empty into them.  Manann controls the tides and currents, and is as unpredictable and changeable as the sea itself.  He is usually portrayed as a huge powerfully-built man, wearing a spiked crown of black iron and dressed in barbarian clothes in the same way as his father Taal.  Manann can also take the form of a whirlpool or waterspout, or of a huge sea monster (usually that of a Triton).

Where Worshipped:  Manann is worshipped in coastal areas throughout the Old World, as well as in the large river ports in which sea-going ships can put in.  He is worshipped chiefly by those who depend on the sea-- sailors, fishermen, and the like-- and it is customary for those about to make a sea voyage to make a small sacrifice to him in the hope of a good crossing.  Manann is also worshipped by the Pirates of Sartosa and other places, who see him as a ferocious and warlike deity, quick to attack those who trespass in his domain.  Along the northern coasts of the Old World, a lesser aspect of Manann is worshipped as Stromfels, god of reefs and currents, by some wreckers and pirates.  Along the large rivers (such as the lower Reik from Nuln), he is worshipped as Toranam, god of mighty rivers.  There are some Sea Elves who worship him as Mathlann, god of storms, but they do not interact with his Human cultists.

Alignments:  Neutral and Good are preferred.  Law is discouraged (the sea is ever-changing and, therefore, not static).  Evil and Chaos are prohibited.

Friends and Enemies:  Friendly with the cult of Taal, Rhya, and Ulric.  Cordial respect towards the cults of the other Young Gods and the Earth Mother as none of them come into conflict with Manann's cult.  Neutral towards the cults of the Elder Races.  Enemies of Dark Children and Chaos.

Cult Symbols and Dress:  Initiates, Priests, and Mariners identify themselves with following symbols: abstract wave design (which Manann shares with several lesser deities of water), five pointed crown, stylized albatross, leaping dolphins.  Priests wear robes of dark greenish-blue (mostly in the southern Old World) or bluish-grey (northern Old World), sometimes trimmed with a wave pattern in blue or white.  Token is a silver medallion of a stylized wave with a light blue crystal embedded in the center (3rd rank and higher have an aquamarine gemstone instead of the crystal).  Cult token may also be of one of the other symbols.  Mariners (Order of the Trident) wear a bluish-grey to a medium blue tunic under their mail shirt or leather jerkin and a deep blue-green sash.  Further, Mariners identify themselves with the symbol of a trident (the symbol of the war aspect of Manann).

Cult Careers Available:  Initiate, Priest, Mariners (Order of the Trident).

Distinguishing Principles and Doctrines:  Do not kill albatrosses nor dolphins as they are messengers of Manann and usually help those in need at sea.  Always help unfortunates at sea, such as those shipwrecked or marooned.  Never start a voyage on the thirteenth of each month or during Geheimnistag as to do so will bring misfortune to the ship or its crew.

Afterworld:  After death, the spirit goes to a large sailing vessel on a calm, sunny sea with a gentle cool breeze propelling the ship forward.  Gentle sea creatures, such as dolphins and merfolk, swim alongside.  Islands abound with lush greenery where a spirit may land for a moment before setting sail again.  Here, a spirit can also swim freely in the sea without fear of drowning, joining the other denizens of the deep.  Simply put, a tropical paradise for the spirit.

Temples and Shrines:  Nearly all of Manann's temples are situated in coastal towns, although a few are found in inland ports where seagoing vessels can put in-- such as Mousillon and Altdorf.  Manann's temples tend to be semi-autonomous, although all are tributary to the one in Marienburg, the seat of the cult.  The largest temple is located there and is a huge and well-appointed building, housing the immense wealth offered up by generations of merchants and seamen.  Temples to Manann vary widely in form and size.  Normally they are spacious halls, capable of holding large congregations for services and celebrations, contain a large statue of Manann.  Other details vary considerably, generally following the styles of architecture and decoration prevailing in the place in which they were built.  Shrines to Manann equally diverse, and can vary from elaborate small buildings to simple statues on street corners or between warehouses.

Saints and Heroes:   Saints and heroes of Manann are often great seamen whose skills at overcoming obstacles at sea with minimum loss of crew are legendary.  One such is the legendary Captain Erik Jorgenssen who led a supply convoy from Marienburg in the dead of winter across the stormy Sea of Claws to the besieged Norscan city of Üslø during the Chaos War of 2302 I.C.  Out of 20 ships, Captain Jorgenssen lost only one to the icy depths.  Another hero of Manann was the corsair Roger L'Audace, who defeated a large Estalian armada off the Bretonnian coast near L'Anguille in 2252 I.C.  L'Audace's ships numbered one-fourth of the Estalian ships, but his knowledge of the winds, shoals, and eddies of the Middle Sea proved the undoing of his opponents.  L'Audace outmaneuvered the Estalians and caused a number of their ships into positions where the tidal surge smashed them into the rocks.  Few of L'Audace's ships were lost, but the Estalians were routed.

Cult Requirements:  Requirements for Laymen Status:  Automatic for children of cultists and any whose livelihood depend upon the seas and mighty rivers.
Requirements for Initiate Status:  Granting of summon (water) elemental node is commonly acknowledged as a sign of a Calling.  Must be sponsored by a priest.
Requirements for Priest Status:  Approval by a priest of second rank.
Requirements for Mariner Status:  Selection and approval by a local council of priests (of at least second rank).

Trials:  Trials set by Manann normally involve making long and/or hazardous journeys, such as crossing the Sea of Claws in winter.  Trials may also be more martial in nature, including such activities as discovering coastal lairs of Chaos raiders and cultists and leading an expedition against them.  All such trials are set at sea or along the coast.

Blessings:  A one-time-use bonus or automatic success with navigation, orientation, sailing, and swim skills.

Penances:  Serving aboard ship as a seaman, performing menial tasks, laboring for a fisherman, piloting ships around shoals and into port.

Holy Days:  The major holy days of Manann's cult are the spring (Mitterfrühl) and fall (Mittherbst) equinoxes , marking the beginning and end, respectively, of the season for long voyages.  Other festivals are at the turn of the spring and neap tides.  In addition, a ship's captain may declare a day of observance for the crew before an exceptionally long voyage (to Cathay or Lustria, for example).

Gifts:
Rank 1:  Automatic success once per day with astronomy or orientation skills, granting of the Summon Elemental (Water) Node prayer once per day without MP cost.
Rank 2:  Granting of the Summon Least (Water) Elemental prayer twice per day without MP cost.
Rank 3:  Granting of the Summon Lesser (Water) Elemental prayer once per day without MP cost.
Rank 4:  Granting of the Summon Greater (Water) Elemental prayer once per day without MP cost.
Mariner:  May use dodge blow skill with a +20 modifier twice a day, automatic success with scale sheer surface skill once per day.

Cult Prayer Lists

Initiate
Required:  Bless Token, Blessed Sacraments, Heal Cultist, Know Follower, Light the Path, Seek Shrine, Summon (Water) Elemental Node
Honors:  Detect Magic, Gift of Tongues, Heal Petitioner, Vigilance
Rank 1
Required:  Bless Shrine, Cure Poison, Identify Divine Instrument, Learn God's Will, Rising Mist, Sacred Circle, Sacred Warding, Spread the Word, Summon Least (Water) Elemental, Valor
Honors:  Bless Weapon, Dispel Sorcery, Leap of Faith, Remove Minor Curse, Righteous Blow, Sanctuary, Scourge Enemy, Summon Divine Counselor, Voice of God
Rank 2
Required: Bless Thy Servant, Grant Greater Prayer, Great Warding, Hand of God, Make Thy Servant Whole, Sense Hidden Danger, Smite Thy Enemy
Honors:  Banish Lesser Numina, Faith Provides, Great Soullink, Know Enemy, Minor Curse, Nullify Prayer, Summon Guardian
Rank 3
Required:  Consecrate Lesser Instrument, Contact Soul of the Faithful, Heal Injury, Heal the Faithful, Light of Day/Darkness of Night, Nullify Lesser Instrument, Shelter Against Elementals, Summon Lesser (Water) Elemental, Ward and Seal
Honors:   Banish Divine Servant, Banish Ensorcelment, Self-Defense, Shelter Against Daemons, Shelter Against Undead, Smite the Abomination, Summon Divine Servant
Rank 4
Required:  Banish Elementals, Banish Profane Enchantment, Consecrate Greater Instrument, Divine Vision, Godsfire, Grant Sacrament of Prayer, Nullify Greater Instrument, Summon Greater (Water) Elemental
Honors:  Banish Daemons, Banish Divine Avatar, Banish Undead, Bless Hero, Remove Great Curse, Scourge the Abomination, Summon Divine Avatar

Numina Forms
Counselor:  Spirit of a departed sea captain or deceased priest.
Guardian:  Guardians may be summoned in the form of an albatross or dolphin.  Profiles follow those of normal animals, but with an Int of 20 and 10 MP.  Spirit Guardians may take the form of ghostly deceased sea captains or priests.
Servant:  Spirit of departed high priest.
Avatar:  Lesser aspect of Manann in the form of a Triton or Great Whale.

Special Careers

Mariner:  Order of the Trident 
   Mariners are the maritime equivalent to the Templars of other cults.  They are expert seamen, as well as fighters, and can be found in most large seaports of the Old World.  Similar to Templars, Mariners root out Chaos and Evil (such as those pirate bands intend solely on killing) on the high seas.  They are among the first to engage the extremely dangerous Chaos, Dark Elf, and Skaven fleets that roam the open seas, especially near the coasts of the Old World.
   Prerequisite Career:  Those who join the Order of the Trident usually come from a maritime (or similar) career.  All must be members of the cult of Manann and are selected by a council of second rank or above priests.  They must serve at least one year on various ships performing numerous tasks.  At that time will the individual join a company of Mariners.
Advance Scheme
M  WS  BS  S  T  W   I  A  Dex  Ld  Int  Cl  WP  Fel
- +30 +30 +1 +2 +8 +30 +2  +20 +20  +20 +20 +20 +20
      
   Prerequisite Career: Boatman, Marine, Navigator, Pilot, Seaman
   Career Exits: Explorer, Initiate (Manann), Sea Captain
   Skills: Astronomy, Cartography, Disarm, Dodge Blow, Navigation, Orientation, Read/Write, Row, Sailing, Scale Sheer Surface, Sea Lore, Secret Language- Maritime Battle Tongue, Secret Signs- Templar, Speak Additional Languages, Specialist Weapon- Pistol, Street Fighting, Strike Mighty Blow, Strike to Stun
   Trappings: Mail Shirt, Shield, Bow or Crossbow with Ammunition, Pistol with Ammunition and Powder, Grappling Hook with 10 Yards of Rope, 25% chance of Navigator's Instruments.

Favored Cult Skills
Layman:  Fish, River Lore, Row*, Sea Lore
Initiate:  Orientation*, Sailing*, Swim*
Rank 1:  Astronomy*, Navigation*, Street Fighting
Rank 2:  Bind Wound, Boat Building*, Scale Sheer Surface
Rank 3:  Cartography*, Specialist Weapon- Net
Rank 4:  Speak Additional Language, Strike to Stun

Sub-Cults and Honorary Orders:  The wrecker cult of Stromfels has fallen more and more in disrepute with the mainstream Manann cult.  One reason for this schism has to do with the main prey of the Stromfels cult, namely the merchants and seamen who either are laymen of the Manann cult, or at least have made offerings to Manann for a safe voyage.  This schism is such that the cultists of Manann and Stromfels violently clash with one another whenever they come into contact.
   The wrecker cult of Stromfels does not have any sort of hierarchical structure to it, as far as priests are concerned.  In fact, it is rare that a priest of Manann enters the wrecker cult of Stromfels.  Many of the cultists come from the ranks of Manann cultists who have been dispossessed by more powerful members of the Manann cult (e.g., a small shipping merchant who was run out of business and ruined by the large shipping magnates of Marienburg).

Cult Skills

Navigation  Characters with this skill have the ability to guide a ship around dangerous obstacles such as hidden sandbars or shoals.  They also have the ability to recognize tidal influences in coastal waters and using them to their advantage when guiding the ship through.

Sea Lore  An understanding of sea lore allows characters to be familiar with the hazards of travel on the open sea.  They will recognize signs of dangerous eddies and shoals, increase danger of an imminent squall or storm at sea, and whether the risk of dying winds and a becalmed sea has increased.  They can also tell whether anything is out of place or unusual.

Cult Prayers

Summon (Water) Elemental Node
Prayer Rank:  Petty
Magic Points: 3+1 per additional turn
Range: sacred ground with 10 yards
Duration: 1 turn + 1 turn per additional MP
Area of Effect: one elemental node
Resistance: none
The cleric is granted the power to summon and command a single elemental node.  The invoking cleric may choose the form in which it is to appear, although the form is restricted to approximately one cubic foot in volume and is crudely formed.  The elemental node is bound to the cleric's service for the duration, and may be commanded to perform tasks at the cleric's request.  Elemental nodes can only performed very limited tasks (considerably less than least elementals).  The response of the elemental node to each command is determined by the Service tests against the node's Faithful and Vengeful scores.  See Divine Terms and Rules, "Service Traits and Service Tests," page ??, and Divine Summonings, "Elementals," page ?? for detailed discussions of elemental summonings and Service tests.  See Realms of Sorcery, Elemental Beings, "Elemental Nodes," page ?? for details concerning the abilities of elemental nodes.

Summon Greater (Water) Elemental
Prayer Rank:  Fourth
Magic Points: 16 + 1 per additional turn
Range: sacred ground with 10 yards
Duration: 1 turn + 1 turn per additional MP
Area of Effect: one greater elemental
Resistance: none
The cleric is granted the power to summon and command a single greater elemental.  Greater elementals choose the form in which it will appear, although the form is restricted to approximately six cubic yards in volume.  Unlike other elementals, the greater elemental is not bound to the cleric's service for the duration, rather they are available for that time to hear the cleric's request and consider it.  While greater elementals may agree to certain tasks, they will not perform any task that places them at risk (i.e. they will not enter combat on the cleric's behalf).  The response of the greater elemental to each request is determined by the manner in which the cleric appeals for their aid.  See Realms of Sorcery, Elemental Beings, "Greater Elementals," page ?? for details concerning the abilities, attitude, and temperament of greater elementals.