Religion

Today, in 2489, Religion has a strong influence on Ikaanian society. Over 40% of Ikaanians belong to the official state religion, The Church of the Two Moons - the majority of whom claim to be genuinely devoted to the preachings of the moon priests. People living in Ikaanos have religious freedom, however, and most of the faiths that were presently on Earth during the period of Raana's colonisation are represented on Raana today, some thriving.

And in addition there are a host of secretive mystical cults which rose from the ashes of The Great Chaos, plus the "Raana worship" which was established by the first-wavers (referred to contemptuously as the "Cult of the Elder" by Ikaanians).

The MC starts as an Atheist, but can freely convert to five of the other religions, changing as often as he wants, with a choice of: Christianity, Islam, Asatru, the Church of the Two Moons, and the Cult Of The Elder. By increasing his Devotion through religious actions he'll gain benefits depending on which religion he belongs to.

The MC will have Manipulation and Charisma bonuses when dealing with NPCs of the same Religion, if his own Devotion is high enough (see below for details). He will also experience Manipulation and Charisma penalties when dealing with NPCs of certain other Religions, depending on his own (e.g. -25 if the MC is Aesir and the NPC is CTM); see below for details.

The MC can also attempt to convert NPCs under his influence to his own Religion; see Conversion for more details. There may be benefits to the MC for NPCs in his employ being of certain religions (e.g. the combat damage bonus for Aesir); many Religion penalties and bonuses apply to NPCs as well as to the MC.

Beliefs

Religions of Ikaanos

The religious beliefs of the almost 2 million inhabitants of the colony of Ikaanos (i.e. excluding the Mastersphere, the Prometheus Kingdoms, Kingsport, and Ivardin) break down roughly as follows:

• CTM: 41%
• Atheism: 25%
• Christianity: 10%
• Cult of The Elder: 8%
• Brotherhood of Ryzaan: 6%
• Hinduism: 4%
• Asatru: 3%
• Islam: 2%
• Other: 1%

Wife limits

While polygamy is legal in the state of Ikaanos, each religion has its own rules regarding the maximum allowed number of wives a man can take. Marrying more than is allowed by your religion adds a -100/day Influence loss per wife. There's also a small daily risk (5%) to lose one Standing point with that religion, down to a minimum of 50.

Atheism

Atheism is the belief in truth revealed through the scientific method. That there are no intelligent beings controlling the Universe, no heaven or hell, no souls or ghosts, no demons or angels, no magic or supernatural powers... everything derives from fundamental rules which are ultimately deducible through scientific enquiry and testable through experiment.

Wife limit: None.

Devotion effects (MC)

• Devotion 0-99: No effects
• Devotion 100+: There's a 10% chance to increase Willpower one point per day, up to a maximum of 100.

How to increase Devotion

• By lecturing at Whitehaven Academy (40% chance per held lesson).
• By maintaining a Science skill of 75+ (3% chance per day).

Other religion effects

• None

NPC effects

• None

Variables

For NPCs, npc.avNNN.traitrel = 0 , where NNN is the NPC's GirlID number, from 1 to 200. (And traitrel = 1 reverts to traitrel = 0)

For the MC, mcrel.faith = 0

Church of the Two Moons (CTM)

With their gleaming Cathedral towers in Emerald City's Crystal Hills almost 300 feet tall, it's not hard to realize that the Moon Priests wield absolute power over the religious world of Ikaanos. They are devout advocates for slavery and the Mayorship of Ikaanos, immensely aiding the ruling body of The Republic by holding the unruly masses far away from rebellious thoughts. The Moon Priests do this with fiery preachings that speak of the importance of a united front against the Davidian houses of New Eden, and the need to stand strong against forbidden cults roaming outside the city.

The CTM is rooted in the archaic Hebrew scriptures from Earth, with strong influences from the Vedas and the Mahabharata. They preach about how the thousand headed All-God sent humans to Raana with the mission to restart "the great race of the arch" (archs being planets). They say that the All-God destroyed Earth after humans tried to be gods themselves by extending their lives and acting in "unreligious ways". CTM was founded as an obscure cult in Pre-Severance Ikaanos (ca 2260).

The formal leader of CTM is The High Priest, a title currently held by Joseph Swanson.

Read more HERE.

Wife limit: One.

Devotion effects (MC)

CTM is primarily a city-state religion that gives social and economic benefits.

• Devotion 0-24: No effects
• Devotion 25-49: +2 Influence/day.
• Devotion 50-99: +5 Influence/day, -$5 tax.
• Devotion 100+: +15 Influence/day, No house tax.

How to increase Devotion

• By praying at the cathedral.
• By giving donations at the cathedral.
• By building a home temple.
• By praying at a home temple.

Other religion effects

• -25 chance penalty when charming/manipulating slaves and NPCs that belong to The Cult of The Elder.
• -25 chance penalty when charming/manipulating slaves and NPCs that belong to Christianity.
• -25 chance penalty when charming/manipulating slaves and NPCs that are Muslims.

NPC effects

• None

Variables

For NPCs, npc.avNNN.traitrel = 2 , where NNN is the NPC's GirlID number, from 1 to 200. (And traitrel = 3 reverts to traitrel = 2)

For the MC, mcrel.faith = 2

Asatru (Æsir)

Ásatrú is faith in the old Norse (Germanic, Scandinavian, Icelandic) gods who are collectively known as the Æsir - a polytheistic paganism also referred to as "Heathenry". Most Aesir worshipers congregate in small shrines in backwater hamlets outside Ikaanos. The Grand Temple of Odin in Myrdalen is an exception, gathering roughly 500 devout Scandi warriors that make more than enough noise to let the people of Ikaanos know that The Old Gods are still very much alive.

For more informaigton on Asatru beliefs, see HERE.

Wife limit: Five.

Devotion effects (MC)

The Aesir religion follows "the old ways": devotion to the Gods will bring happiness to your family, and fighting for the glory of Odin and Thor provides a warrior with a place next to the gods should he be vanquished in combat.

• Devotion 0-24: No effects
• Devotion 25-49: +5 combat damage. -2 Influence/day. +5 Persuasion/Charisma bonus with other followers.
• Devotion 50-99: +8 combat damage. -5 Influence per day. +10 Persuasion/Charisma bonus with other followers.
• Devotion 100+: +11 combat damage. -15 Influence per day. +25 Persuasion/Charisma bonus with other followers.

How to increase Devotion

• By praying at the grand temple of Odin (Warrior's Hall).
• By giving donations to the grand temple of Odin (Warrior's Hall).
• By investing in the Fälth brother's business.
• By praying at a home shrine.
• By giving captured slaves to the high priests of Odin (Warrior's Hall).

Other religion effects

• -15 chance penalty when charming/manipulating slaves and NPCs that belong to the Christian faith.
• -15 chance penalty when charming/manipulating slaves and NPCs that are Muslims.

NPC effects

• Gladiatrix Bonus: +5 chance in the Arena if Willpower 30+ (Females).
• Devotion 60+: +3 combat damage.

Variables

For NPCs, npc.avNNN.traitrel = 4 , where NNN is the NPC's GirlID number, from 1 to 200.

For the MC, mcrel.faith = 4

Christianity

Christianity, dominated by the Catholic church, spread to Raana during the final two decades before The Severance. Today's Christians have kept their religion relatively intact, praying for centuries in cellar shrines and faraway churches in the countryside. Catholicism is still the most abundant of the Christian sects on Raana, so their magnificent cathedral, The Church of the Holy Virgin in Ikaanos' Westside Heights, acts as the HQ of the Republic's Christian faction.

Christianity battled The Church of The Two Moons during the mid-24th century - leading to the Holy Saint's massacre of 2355. While the two religions try to officially co-exist today, raging hostility remains underneath the surface.

In the year 2489, around 30,000 Ikaanians (counting both IC and the Prometheus region) consider themselves Catholic Christians.

Wife limit: One.

Devotion effects (MC)

Christians are known for keeping themselves mentally and physically fit. They are also a very tightly knit community.

• Devotion 0-24: No effects
• Devotion 25-49: +3 Stamina points per day. +15 Persuasion/Charisma bonus with other followers.
• Devotion 50-99: +5 Stamina points per day. +25 Persuasion/Charisma bonus with other followers.
• Devotion 100+: +8 Stamina points per day. +40 Persuasion/Charisma bonus with other followers.

How to increase Devotion

• By praying at a home shrine.
• By giving donations to orphanages (082).
• By building a home shrine.

Other religion effects

• -15 chance penalty when charming/manipulating slaves and NPCs that belong to The Church of The Two Moons.

NPC effects

• NPCs increase their Devotion (daily 20% chance of +1 point) if Ikaanos Corruption is 75+ and their personal Corruption is below 30 and their WILLPOWER is 20+.
• Christian NPCs have a 10% chance to decrease Corruption one point per day, unless they have the Nymphomaniac or Perverted trait.
• You receive a Christian NPC's Devotion as a chance penalty during bondage sessions, IF it's above 39.

Variables

For NPCs, npc.avNNN.traitrel = 5 , where NNN is the NPC's GirlID number, from 1 to 200.

For the MC, mcrel.faith = 5

The Cult of The Elder

"The Cult of The Elder" or "The Cult of the Old Ones" are contemptuous labels given by Ikaanians to the religious beliefs of the first-wavers of the Kingdom of David. The Davidians call their faith "Raana worship" or "The faith of the All-Seeing Eye". Possibly founded at Sentinel Hill in Ikaanos City, the center of the faith has moved to New Eden.

Those belonging to the Cult of The Elder believe Raana is a sentient and highly intelligent being that evolved after a large meteorite containing the seeds of life crashed into the arid planet of Raana billions of years ago. Aboard that meteorite was the being called "The Eye", whose main body now dwells in the inner core of Raana, with tendrils connecting to every living thing on the surface.

Wife limit: Two.

Devotion effects (MC)

Elder cultists are known for their relaxed attitude toward Raana's unforgiving nature.

• Devotion 0-24: No Stamina drain (storms/heatwaves).
• Devotion 25-49: No Stamina drain (storms/heatwaves). +5 to all Survival rolls (Hunting, Fishing, Scavenging).
• Devotion 50-99: No Stamina drain (storms/heatwaves). +15 to all Survival rolls. +10 Persuasion/Charisma bonus with other followers.
• Devotion 100+: No Stamina drain (storms/heatwaves). +1 Stamina point while walking through an outskirts district. +25 or 30 to Survival rolls. +25 Persuasion/Charisma bonus with other followers.

How to increase Devotion

• By praying at a home shrine.
• By building a home shrine.
• By praying in the wilds (special action in "Investigate Area" section).
• By praying at Sentinel Hill in Raven Woods (+5, once per day, takes an hour, also gives +5 Stamina).
• By praying at Tancred's Stone near Preacher's Pond (+5, once per day, takes half an hour).

Other religion effects

• -25 chance penalty when charming/manipulating slaves and NPCs that belong to The Church of The Two Moons.

NPC effects

• Devotion 60+: +1-3 Merchandise yield when assigned as Scavengers.

Variables

For NPCs, npc.avNNN.traitrel = 6 , where NNN is the NPC's GirlID number, from 1 to 200.

For the MC, mcrel.faith = 6

Islam

The muslim faith on Raana came mostly through the quantum gates during the mid 23rd century after The Caliphate declared a universe-spanning Dawah. The mission on Raana was relatively successful but only a couple of thousands muslims remain in Ikaanos today, as most of their kind settled on Gandaria, a continent that lost all communications with Irendoria several centuries ago. Those in the Ikaanos City are lucky enough to have on their doorstep the Caliphate's Raana HQ, the beautiful Great Mosque of Ikaanos, in the Procoms district.

Wife limit: Four.

Devotion effects (MC)

The Muslims in Ikaanos are known for their tightly knit community and resourcefulness. They have a very traditional view on male-female relationships and it's considered a sacred gesture to devote oneself to the head of a household. Hassan Al-dāhiya, a powerful merchant from the dark ages, established a muslim-only trade network that still operates today.

• Devotion 0-24: No effects
• Devotion 25-49: +5/25 Persuasion/Charisma bonus with other followers (male/female).
• Devotion 50-99: +5-7% revenue from most Investments. +10/50 Persuasion/Charisma bonus with other followers (male/female).
• Devotion 100+: +8-12% revenue from most Investments. +25/100 Persuasion/Charisma bonus with other followers (male/female) if the follower's WILLPOWER is below 20.

How to increase Devotion

• By praying at a home masjid.
• By building a masjid.
• By praying at the great mosque in Procoms district.

Restrictions

Muslim faithful must take time out to pray five times each day if they are to attain the highest levels of devotion, though one can maintain moderate faith without much effort.

• A Muslim MC NOT praying five times per day will lose one point of Devotion for each prayer missed, down to a minimum of 70.

Other religion effects

• -25 chance penalty when charming/manipulating slaves and NPCs that belong to The Church of The Two Moons.
• -15 chance penalty when charming/manipulating slaves and NPCs that are Atheists.
• -15 chance penalty when charming/manipulating slaves and NPCs that are Aesir worshipers.
• -20 chance penalty when charming/manipulating slaves and NPCs belonging to The Cult of The Elder.

NPC effects

• Muslim slaves have a 10% chance to decrease Corruption one point per day unless they have the Nymphomaniac or Perverted trait.
• Devotion 60+: +10 Accountant skill.

Variables

For NPCs, npc.avNNN.traitrel = 8 , where NNN is the NPC's GirlID number, from 1 to 200.

For the MC, mcrel.faith = 8

Other cults and religions

Religions present in Ikaanos but which are not available for the MC to join - though you may find NPCs who are members of some of these - are as follows (the numbers given being for active adult membership):

Name	Summary Description	Based	Members	Troops	PV	Variable
Brotherhood of Ryzaan	Militants who believe Earth is a conspiracy and humans are native to Raana. Recruit via preaching, free theatre, and providing public services such as baths and food. Novices can be recognised by the "Vanaar's thread" they carry.	Ikaanos	75,000+		-	none
Hinduism	A continuation of the ancient Earth religion.		50,000		-	traitrel = 10
The order of the Red Tide	An aggressive religious cult drawing on Japanese traditions.	The Borderlands	2,000	1,265	447	traitrel = 9
Buddhism	A continuation of the ancient Earth religion.		2,000		-	traitrel = 7
Judaism	A continuation of the ancient Earth religion.		1,000		-	none
The Yellow Queen	Primarily female worshippers of "the Yellow Queen" - a divine feminine archetype tied to Raana’s cosmic forces. Rituals channel virgin sexual energies to supposedly gain psychic abilities. Emphasize purity, and communion with wilderness. Mortal enemies of the Dagosa Cult.	Lesano Chasm	800		-	none
The Rod of Adem	An outlawed sex-based "Adem" cult. Secretive and female-led, its "Siren" adherents are rumored to lure men into perverse rituals, after which they vanish. Led by a "Crimson Matron" hundreds of years old.		?		-	traitrel = 55
The Blue Star	Female-dominated sect in the Hakusan Empire, waging a covert war against a malevolent entity said to threaten humanity. Led by a Mother Superior, ninja-like "Sisters" employ seduction, marriage, espionage and assassination to influence powerful men. Pursuing human perfection through eugenic breeding, to create a savior. Rivals of the Red Tide.	Lake City	?		-	none
Hellenism	A revival of the ancient Greek religions, recreated on Earth in the 21st century; value physical perfection.		300		-	none
Neoplatonism	Reclusive theurgists who arose in Ikaanos following the Severance; rivals of Hermes Mysteris.		300		-	none
The Golden Dawn	A fire-worshipping "Adem" cult, hostile to the other Adem sects. Mostly Z-marked "mutants", suspected to be behind arson attacks.		250		-	none
Hermes Mysteris	Alchemical academic cult that originated on Earth within the Historical Society.		250		-	none
Children of Kali	A mysterious Hindu sect, whose influence has grown noticeably in recent years.	Ikaanos	a few hundred		-	none
The Children of Ser-huggah	Aggressive militaristic cult in occasional armed conflict with the Republic.		a few hundred		-	none
The Dagosa Cult	A death-obsessed first-waver "Adem" cult, worshipping tar snakes. Mortal enemies of the Yellow Queen cult. Once powerful, but now outlawed and scattered.		a few hundred		-	none
The Group of Hope	New militant cult worshipping a lizard-like deity; exhort slaves to rise against their owners and join them.	The Borderlands	a few hundred		-	none
The Karlshamn Raiders	Aggressive militaristic cult in occasional armed conflict with the Republic.		a few hundred		-	none
Neognosticism	Gnostic mystic survivors of a lost expedition, rumored to scavenge in Ikaanos' Catacombs, stealing implants and alien artifacts to enhance themselves and resist taint degradation. Their existence is officially denied.	Ikaanos city	200		-	none