Narvic Cults

Prior to Iberic colonisation in the 17th century A.D, the various Narvic Clans and Kingdoms were host to numerous cults. All were pantheistic, following the common Narvic Pantheon or Deiswein. Many of them were devoted towards a particular social role or occupation. In popular culture, war cults like the Kourowein are common literary and cinematic subjects but often anachronistically represented.

Kourowein

Woodcut image of two Kouron, one with a wolf aspect

Kourowein cults are social and religious groups that practice traditional Narvic male ceremonies and rites of passage. The word Kourowein is a compound noun, combining the old Narvic words Kouro or Kourei (Adolescent Boy/Young Man) and Weinia (family). They are known to practice lifestyles close to those of historical Narvic warrior vocations. Though the practice has Christianised to a degree and has become more transparent due to oversight by law enforcement, the Kourowein are still often depicted in Iberic media as controversial and part of a fringe culture of Narvics.

Historically, they were bands of male warriors, each belonging to a particular clan of Narvics. The practice of forming these bands is thought to originate from the Buranian-Geltic tradition of the Koryos. Joining the Kourowein band served as an important rite of passage for members of the warrior vocation, usually venerating the Narvic god of war in the aspect of chaos, Iskanda-hò-Seiva, son of Tsous-Ohdan- the chief god of the Tsouswein. The Kourowein were similar to, but ethical opposites of the Teir Fein, who were a band worshipping Iskanda-Teir, the noble and orderly aspect of Iskanda. The Kourowein were known visually by their use of raptor feathers, wolf skins, and wode. Oral accounts often place the Kourowein as the chief offensive arm of a clan, whereas the Teir Fein remained as stewards to safeguard the clan's homes and holy sites.

The practice of forming Kourowein was significantly diminished by the Christianisation of the Iberic Peninsula. Though many cults persist in contemporary times with strong followings in rural parts of Iverica, Vasqqa, Narva, and Galicia. In the modern day Kourowein practice their rites legally, hunting and training without harming other humans. Despite this, a number of small Kourowein cults in Narva were allegedly involved in a string of murders in 2019. The plaintiffs asserted that the killings were part of a cult vendetta.

In mainstream society, Kourowein maintain their role in society as educators, providing formation for the youth. Some cults remain distant from common society and live religious and secluded lifestyles away from their home towns and villages.

Teir Fein

Depiction of a 11th century Feion Warrior

The Teir Fein, are an ascetic society similar to a monastic brotherhood. Historically, the Teir Fein were warrior bands worshipping Iskanda-Teir, the noble and orderly aspect of Iskanda. The Teir Fein remained as stewards to safeguard the clan's homes and holy sites. Within Fein cults, retribution, raiding, and belligerency is frowned upon. Despite this, violence, though controlled, remains a common feature of both initiation and daily ritual. The Fein believe themselves to be reserved and measured, but not pacifistic. Honour-Killing is permitted, so long as the act is divined by Fein elders and serves a necessary utility. Historically, the Fein cults are celebrated in epics, songs, prose and film as protectors and stoic warbands.

Fein traditions and rituals remain largely unchanged except for the inclusion of Christian Sacraments and the replacement of Iskanda-Teir with the Christian God, whom the Fein see as a dialectic result of their original beliefs and the Tacolic canon of philosophy. Similar to the Kourowein, the Teir Fein require arduous initiation trials which test their members psychologically, intellectually, and physically. Unlike the Kourowein, no Teir Fein can be younger than 21 years. The Teir Fein believe that a boys and young men carry a level of spiritual instability, which they refer to as Voilætn or Wolf Aspect. Thus, the Fein believe that men who have not tempered their humour with age and experience, cannot muster the control necessary for their cult ethos. The Fein are expected to attain a level of spiritual balance referred to as Tsah-Soinno, (from Tsah, War and Soin, restrained).

Around 90% of Teir Fein are Christianised and have a Tacolic militant devotion to Saints like St Ignatius, St Christofer, St James the Greater, St Martin, and Saint George. The Teir Fein see saints as Christian equivalents of the Mâkh Fein or Greatest Fein, or dead Fein whose deeds have made them worthy of demi-apotheosis. A minority still worship Iskanda-Teir but have developed creolised beliefs reconciling the Tacolic Faith with the Iskandic Rites.