Cults of G.. - Index of - Free

Divine Cults
42
Odayla – Hunting God
Provider and Supporter
Odayla is the son of Orlanth and Velhara, the Lady of the
Wild. Odayla was born to hunt and stalked every creature
in the wild. Only the Great Bear evaded him. When he
gave up the hunt, the Great Bear stalked him. When the
fight was done, none knew whether Odayla wore the
Great Bear’s skin – or it wore his. He returned to his
father’s people and taught them the ways of the hunt but
always remained a stranger. During the Great Darkness,
he taught his followers how to hide from monsters, how
to tell the living from the dead, and finally how to evade
Death by going to sleep.
His worship is most popular in Sylila but is found in
Ralios, Maniria and southern Peloria – wherever the
Orlanthi are found. His cult was widespread at the Dawn
but has declined in importance as the lands grew more
populated and forests gave way to pasture and field. The
hunt and all its aspects are an act of worship and hunters
leave a portion of their catch for their god. He is depicted
as a god, a bear or both. His wide spread worshippers
maintain small shrines and sites but they gather at places
of famous hunts. Shrines to Odayla teach Sureshot.
Runes: Death, Harmony.
Type: Hunter.
Pantheon: Orlanth.
Worshippers: Grizzled hunters, mountain men and
isolated trappers.
Worshipper’s Duties: Respect the hunt and the prey,
ensure others treat hunting as sacred.
Hunter (Initiate) Membership
Requirements: Standard plus the candidate must
participate in a Great Hunt and return with prey deemed
acceptable by the clan Elders.
Special Notes: Initiates must always use Peaceful Cut on
any animal killed for food. They must also hunt and kill
one of the cult’s prey animals and donate it to their band,
clan or tribe.
Cult Skills: Athletics, Bow, Craft (Butcher), Lore
(Odayla Theology), Mechanisms, Perception, Stealth,
Survival, Spear.
Cult Spells: Clear Path, Hand of Death, Mobility,
Peaceful Cut, Slow, Speedart.
Common Divine Magic: Consecrate, Excommunication,
Heal Wound, Soul Sight.
Special Divine Magic: Command (Deer), Command
(Rabbits), Command (Wild Cattle), Command (Wild
Goats), Command (Wild Pigs), Command (Wild Sheep),
Draw Beast, Sleep To Life.
The Great Hunt
Each year there is a Great Hunt in which normally
only Hunters, Master Hunters and those aspiring
to those roles take part. Participants may not
wear armour and must hunt alone. Many hunting
gods share this ritual and often celebrate their
skills together in a joint hunt. Hunts may last for
days or weeks.
If there is a vacancy for a new Master Hunter
initiates who qualify are permitted to take part
if they wish. The participant must then slay or
capture the most impressive game animal alone
and unarmoured. Captured animals are more
impressive than dead ones. The tribal elders
judge the quality of the kills or captures – and
sacrifice the champion’s catch to Odayla while
all other prey becomes part of a celebration
feast.
If an initiate manages to bring in the most
impressive game animal, he is ordained as
Master Hunter. Only one new Master Hunter can
be created at each Great Hunt. If two or more
hunters tie for first place, no new Master Hunter
is chosen.