Cults of Glorantha
Yelm
Emperor of the Universe, True Sun
Yelm is the Sun God, the source of Light and Power. He is the Cosmic Emperor and all humans owe their existence to him. Even in lands where he is not worshipped, he is known and respected. In the Golden Age, Yelm created and sustained a Divine Order which ruled over much of central Genertela. The Rebel Gods, chief among them Orlanth, first troubled then shattered the Solar utopia. Eventually, Emperor Yelm was murdered by their chief god, Orlanth, who then tried to usurp his authority.
Once in the underworld, Yelm reigned over the Hell of Bright Dead and all those slain during the Gods War by the barbarian gods and Chaos came to his court. Even Orlanth, repenting of his former deeds, came to him seeking forgiveness. The two gods made peace, swearing oaths of truce and compromise. Through this act of forgiveness and justice; the murdered Sun was returned to the sky. Time began with this first Dawn.
Lukarius is the Power of Yelm for the Noble Warrior, It is the Divine Bow, MoonBreaker that slays the rebellious, It is the Light of Righteous Action. Antirius is the Power of Yelm for the Just Emperor, The Divine Cloak covers the Emperor with Yelm’s power, It is the Power from Above.
During the First Age, the most significant event was the Sunstop when the rituals of the Broken Council actually caused Yelm to halt in his path. This began Nysalor’s Bright Empire, much loved by Pelorians to this day as a destroyed golden age. During the Second Age, Dara Happa vies with many outside forces, particularly the EWF. In 878, the Sun Dragon and its followers conquered the Empire and it now coils about the Footstool of Heaven.
Yelm is the god of nobles and royalty throughout the Dara Happan Empire, which occupies much of the Pelorian basin. His worship is supported by a complex array of gods and goddesses who acknowledge his authority as Emperor of the Universe. Yelm’s worship is exclusive to male Dara Happans of noble blood but only the ruling nobility can attain worship of his higher aspects. Initiation into his worship is hereditary, and almost universal among those blessed with such a glorious lineage. Temples of all sizes are found throughout the Dara Happan Empire, ranging from small family shrines to the Great Temples found in largest cities. The greatest of these is the vast ziggurat known as the Footstool of Yelm at Yuthuppa, where the Emperor of Dara Happa, holds sway. Shrines to Yelm teach Cloud Clear.
Runes: Death, Fire, Light, Mastery.
Type: Sun, Ruler.
Pantheon: Solar.
Worshippers: Dara Happan nobles, royalty and emperors (and their kin).
Worshipper’s Duties: Rule with Divine Right, accept the worship and fealty of underlings, uphold traditions of Yelm
The Young God (Lay Membership)
Requirements: If the candidate’s father was an initiate of Yelm in good standing, the candidate may automatically join this cult and paying a fee of 10 silvers. Candidates must be able to claim one of their male ancestors within the past three generations as an initiate of Yelm.
Cult Skills: Bow, First Aid, Lore (Yelm Theology), Perception, Spear.
Cult Spells: Heal, Light, Protection.
Urengerum the Archer (Initiate) Membership
Requirements: Standard. Candidate must be a lay member in good standing for a year.
Special Notes: Members of this subcult are treated as normal initiates and must fulfil all normal requirements. This cult is also known as Yelm Saggitus.
Cult Skills: Bow, First Aid, Influence, Language, Lore (Military Tactics, World), Perception, Ride, Shield, Spear.
Cult Spells: Detect Enemy, Endurance, Firearrow, Mindspeech, Multimissile, Speedart.
Common Divine Magic: All.
Special Divine Magic: Command (Eagle), Command (Hawk), Command (Griffin), Command (Salamander), Cloud Clear.
Avivorus the Spearman (Initiate) Membership
Requirements: Standard. Candidate must be a lay member in good standing for a year.
Special Notes: Members of this subcult are treated as normal initiates and must fulfil all normal requirements. This cult is also known as Yelm Hastatus.
Cult Skills: First Aid, Influence, Language, Lore (Military Tactics, World), Perception, Ride, Spear, Shield, Throwing.
Cult Spells: Blade of Virtue, Bladesharp, Detect Enemies, Endurance, Fireblade, Mindspeech, Protection.
Common Divine Magic: All.
Special Divine Magic: Command (Eagle), Command (Hawk), Command (Griffin), Command (Salamander), Cloud Clear.
Arraz the Sun Servant (Acolyte) Membership
Requirements: Standard.
Special Notes: Sun Servants are otherwise worthy candidates who do not have noble enough birth to advance further in the cult. As such, there is a certain prejudice against acolytes in the Yelmic religion. Acolytes are often minor functionaries in temples or the holdings of nobler families.
Special Divine Magic: Fight Disease, Sunripen.
Lukarius the Sun Lord (Runelord) Membership
Requirements: The candidate must have been an initiate of the Archer or the Spearman subcult in good standing for five years or an acolyte for three. In either case, the candidate must be of legitimate noble birth. The candidate must have 90% or more in Bow or Spear Skill and 90% or more in Ride. He must have 90% or more in three of the following skills: Evaluate, First Aid, Influence, Lore (Military Tactics, World), Play Instrument, Ride, Language.
Special Notes: A Sun Lord only gives 10% of his time and 20% of his income to the cult. He is often involved with maintaining a post in the Imperial government (often hereditary), serving in the Dara Happan army or administering his family lands and holdings.
Special Divine Magic: Antirius Precepts, Fight Disease, Sunripen.
Antirius Imperator (Runepriest) Membership
Requirements: Standard plus the candidate must be a noble of Dara Happan blood and have been a Sun Lord in good standing for five years. The candidate must also be a hereditary noble in a position of authority.
Special Notes: When checking for Divine Intervention, a member of Yelm Imperator rolls 1D10 rather than 1D100. A worshipper of Antirius gives up 50% of his income and 10% of his income to the cult. They do not have to purchase the Runepriest Legendary Ability.
Special Divine Magic: Command Household.
Ordanestyu The Wise (Runepriest) Membership
Requirements: Any worshipper of Antirius can join this subcult automatically upon retirement. A Sun Lord or Sun Servant can join the subcult if there is a vacancy.
Special Notes: Members of this subcult are normal priests and must give up 90% of their time and income to the cult. Many are retired nobility. The cult has many names and distinctions throughout Dara Happa, but the most common is Yelm the Elder.
Special Divine Magic: Command Household.
Special Benefits
Initiates gain a +10% on Bow while riding and +10% bonus on Spear when fighting in formation. Acolytes have the ability to speak with horses and hawks as per Mindspeech. Sun Lords take half damage from the effects of magical and non-magical fire. Followers of Yelm the Elder gain a +20% bonus to all Dismiss Magic and Spirit Combat tests.
Associated Cults
Dendara: Provides Bless Home.
Erissa: Provides Remove Fear.
Lodril: Provides Earthwarm.
Lokarnos: Provides Hie Wagon.
Shargash: Provides Inspire Worshippers.
Yelmalio Tharkantus: Provides Sunbright.