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Chapter 291: The Four Elements Gods: Lord of Flame 'Kashus'

The four elemental lords, the fire elemental lord.

Fire element plane, powerful divine power, absolutely neutral
Kashus speaks like the whispering sound of flames and is the patron saint of all fire elementals and those who see flame as a force for cleansing and renewal.

He is usually depicted as a huge burning pillar of fire. He represents the process of burning out the old to make way for the new, recognizing that the way change is harsh and measured. He is the flame in the hearth, seemingly warm but threatening to strike its owner and set the house on fire.

He is the mystery of fire, the unknowable secret that inspires blacksmiths, and the god of death who slays madmen who set objects and others on fire for fun.

Like all elemental lords, Kashus appears to have no feelings for his followers on Aber-Toril. If Kashus's reactions are strange and logical, he seems to have thought carefully about the end result; he is moving towards a specific goal, but he does not share it with anyone in Faerun.

However, he seems driven to gather far more followers in the Realms than any other Elemental Lord to do his bidding - perhaps because he burns them so quickly. The strange, unfamiliar, and uncaring attitude of Kashus and the other Elemental Lords leaves the impression in the Realms that they are lesser powers and their followers are just eccentric cultists. During the Time of Troubles, Kashus was not found in the Realms.

Kasus gladly accepts burnt offerings in his name, though he is said to prefer garnets, topaz, citrine, finely wrought objects of iron or precious metals, nuts, fine oils, aromatic resins, and meats. His gift to his followers is the ability to use fire to its full potential and the ability to withstand heat and fire.

Kashus appears to be the only Elemental Lord who rewards kindness for kindness; he rewards those who are most loyal to him, or who have made greater sacrifices, more than new converts to his faith or those who have only offered symbolic sacrifices.

Kashus has made more appearances on the surface of Aber-Toril than any other Elemental Lord, for he is the only one who responds to the ritual of summoning, but even he has made fewer than a dozen appearances.

Kashus has been summoned to the Material Plane in response to two invocations: a massive bonfire built in his name and a complex summons by the head of his church. Kashus is an awe-inspiring spectacle, a fiery red-hot column over 60 feet tall and 20 feet in diameter. His voice is a hissing whisper accompanied by an unsettling crackle and pop that can be heard for hundreds of yards in any direction. He can cast spells from the following spheres or schools: Sphere: Elemental Fire, Healing; School: Elemental Fire.

Special Attack/Defense:
In any crystal system where fire can exist naturally, Kashus is considered a native of the Material Plane. This makes him immune to the adverse effects of spells such as antimagic field, protection from evil/good, and divine word on creatures from another plane. He is also completely immune to any spell that deals damage with fire (fireball, flaming arrows, flaming strike, etc.).

Each flaming tendril of Kashus's avatar can penetrate any magical or natural fire resistance, including fire shields. In addition to attacking with his flaming fists, Kashus can radiate a wave of fiery flames that deals 120d10 points of damage to all creatures within 4 feet; a successful saving throw vs. breath weapon halves this damage.

Those who gaze directly upon Kashus must make a saving throw vs. spell each round while looking directly upon him or succumb to the effects of the charm fire spell.

Kashus cannot pass through bodies of water or nonflammable liquids wider than he is (that is, 20 feet). Kashus can leave the battlefield or the Material Plane at any time by spending 2 rounds merging with a large area of ​​fire.

Other Appearances
Kashus appears occasionally in the Realms, but more frequently than any other Elemental Lord. His followers see every fire as a manifestation of the Lord of Fire. Followers of the Fire Tyrant report seeing their god in every burning building. Needless to say, this does not sit well with the homeowners who suffer from the fire. (Many times, if any of Kashus' followers are near a burning building, the cause of the fire is obvious.)
Sometimes Kashus sends servant creatures from the Elemental Plane of Fire (such as fire elementals, salamanders, fire serpents, fire djinns, fire bats, smoke and lava elementals, and fire dwarves) to do his bidding or aid his followers. Successfully lighting a flame is always considered a sign of Kashus' favor, as is successfully forging a piece of forge.

(I.e.
All specialty priests of Kashus, cathars, monks, and shamans receive religion (Faernian) as a bonus nonweapon proficiency.

In addition to the required proficiencies, priests of the Cult of Kashus are strongly encouraged to learn blacksmithing, blind-fighting, and brewing. In addition to their normal magical domains, all shamans of Kashus gain the elemental domain of fire as one of their primary domains.

Before the Time of Troubles, all elemental cults had priests in their ranks. Currently, only specialty priests remain. It is unclear why Kashus has devoted so many years to converting his priests into specialty priests, but Kashusian church teachings say that the change was made so that specialty priests could focus on their master's elements and not other tasks.

Since the Godswar, the Kashusian church has added several orders of warrior monks and an order of skitarii to fill the gaps in the priesthood once filled by the more common priests.

The followers of Kashus of Aber-Toril appear to be schemers and conspirators intent on radically reorganizing the world according to their own vision of perfection - with sudden and violent measures if necessary.

Of all the elemental sects, Kashus's is probably the most dangerous and unpredictable, for each of Kashus' churches is led by a powerful leader and a strict hierarchy of priests beneath their feet, but there is no supreme authority to which they must report except Kashus - and as long as they still worship him, Kashus doesn't care much about what they do.

Priests and members of the Church of Kashus are quick to resort to violence and respond to the actions of others; Kashusian "justice" for violations or crimes is harsh, swift, and cruel.

The temple of Kashus is led by a man of great pride, deadly determination, and determination, all of whom believe that their path is the right one. In the church, absolute obedience is required - or more accurately, commanded.

Those who went against the wishes of the ruling priests often found themselves thrown into a nearby river or lake, effectively excommunicated from the church. (Throwing water at a follower of Kashus was considered an insult.)
The priests of Kashus are divided into two factions: the Tendrils of Flame and the Burning Braziers.

The Flame Tendrils are the ones who run the various temples across Faerun, provide food and services to the believers, and preach the words of Kashus to the people.

The Flame Tendrils perform most of the religious rituals and officiate at ceremonies and holy days. They wield much of the power in the faith and become involved in struggles between regional temples and in local politics, often making them famous or infamous in the areas surrounding their temples.

The Burning Braziers (also known as the Brazier Brigade by critics of the church) are the subordinate arm of the faith. These often bitter and disaffected priests are usually former members of the Tendrils of Flame who fell out badly during a political squabble at their previous temple.

They venture into lands that have not seen the "wisdom of Kashus," often leaving burning buildings in their wake. They preach the words of the Tyrant, mining new regions ready to accept Kashus's church. (To be fair, most would say they seek out regions that are "ripe" for the picking - places where leaders are weak or unprotected.)
Novices of the Cult of Kashus are called the Lightless. When they take the Oath of Firewalking, they become full priests and are called the Promised. In ascending order, the most common titles for the Promised are:

Torch of Faith, Flame of Righteousness, Flame of Sacrifice, Funeral Pyre of Zeal, Pillar of Flame, Furnace of Faith, Brothers of Flame/Sisters of Flame, Furnace of Inspiration, Flame of Transcendence, Heat of the Heat, and the Eternal Flame of Kashus.

Kashusi's exclusive priest is called Firewalker, and Kashusi's monk is called Flame of Faith.

The priests of Kashus are organized into temples. Each temple is led by a dedicated priest of the Eternal Flame. Under the Eternal Flame are three Heat Flames, and under each Heat Flame are two Transcendent Flames.

Below each Transcendent Flame is one member of each of the other clergy tiers, down to the Consecrated Flame. A temple may have as many Consecrated Flame tiers or lower priests, novices, and lay members as it can support, and the breakdown of the numbers of each priest tier is divided as evenly as possible among the Zealous Pyre.

Promotion to higher ranks is achieved through the accumulation of experience points, but this can only be achieved up to the level of Dedicated Flame, after which promotion can only be made through the recommendation of two higher-ranking priests when a vacancy opens. Promotion is always approved by the Eternal Flame of the temple, who can veto any promotion or promote anyone to any position at will without going through the normal channels (but within the number of people allowed in each rank of the temple).

In primitive or nomadic societies, Kashus are primarily served by shamans, who have no specific temples but command great respect in their communities (which often fear them). Shrines and temples to Kashus are always built of hard stone, ceramics, and metal, as these can withstand the most violent natural blasts and most magical noises. They are often quite solid and blocky, with a tall central element or column, generally giving the appearance of a huge bonfire burning from the ground.

Most of the surface of the sanctuary is usually covered with gemstones and precious metals, while other places are sparsely distributed, thus enhancing the luxurious effect of the sanctuary.

doctrine:

The teachings of Kashus on Toril are based on the assumption that the fit will succeed, and that Kashus faith is inherently superior to other faiths (especially those of the other elemental lords, especially the faith of Istishia).

Fire and purity are one; the smoke produced by fire is created by the jealous element of air, and through the flames, impurities present in metals are purged. The driving force of the Kashus Church is ambition, and the reward for success is power. Kashus doctrine also states that the transition to a higher state is inevitably accompanied by various difficulties and personal suffering. "No pain, no gain" is the most unmistakable Kashus view.

Novices in the Kashus faith are commanded as follows: "The eternal Kashus sends his pure fire to purify all things and refine our souls to a greater state of perfection. Expect to be tested, and strive to meet the challenge, no matter what hardship and pain it may bring. Follow the commitment of those above you, for they have proven their worth and achieved a higher state - a state that you can also find in the service of Kashus.

Find your true vision, your ultimate purpose in life, and pursue it with total devotion. Commit yourself to this cause, and it will reward you with eternal rewards. Guide the masses to the pure light of Kashus, so that He can reshape all life into its elemental form, and complete order and harmony will follow."

Daily Activities:

One of the jobs of the Lightless is to tend the church's fires and ensure they never go out. Other members of the Church of Kashus plan ceremonies (weddings, funerals, fire-walking), instruct novices, look after the day-to-day growth, health and wealth of the temple and its clergy, and seek advancement, advancement, and advancement.

Being the leader of a temple means that the priest can ultimately do whatever he wants, regardless of what his superiors say. Most priests become obsessed with their lust for power, and this atmosphere breeds and nurtures some petty tyrants with a burning desire for power, who often act recklessly and overstep their boundaries.

While this may not be the path Kashus has prepared for his faithful followers, he has not objected. Led by the power-hungry Eternal Flame, most temples seek conquest, territorial acquisition, wealth, and dominance, forming alliances with those who are most conducive to achieving their goals, but within their ranks, they follow a strict and unique code.

Holy Days/Important Ceremonies:
The oath of firewalking is an initiation that all priests of the faith must undergo in order to be granted first-level spells. As the priest advances in level, his faith is continually tested by these firewalkings.

Believers must pray to Kashus at sunrise and at sundown each day, before eating, to thank him for the hidden fire of life that burns within all living things. In addition to this daily ritual, the church also holds two personal ceremonies and an annual celebration at each temple.

The Fire-Walking Vow is a solemn vow taken by a novice upon becoming a priest. The strength of this pledge is tested the first time and each time thereafter the Kashus priest advances in rank by walking on burning coals.

With each Fire Walk, the coals become hotter and the distance required to walk on them increases. How Kashus or his senior clergy know the hearts and minds of those conducting the test is unknown, but Kashus who are doubtful or plotting—for example, against their temple—are often severely burned or killed by the Fire Walk, while those priests who are single-minded in their purpose and loyalty come through unscathed.

The Unity of Fire is a ceremony that priests of the Cult of Kashus who have reached a certain level of skill undergo, allowing them to call upon fire elementals from the Elemental Plane of Fire.

Before the ceremony begins, there is a day of chanting and prayer, after which the fire element will be called. When the element responds, it will be given food gifts prepared in advance by the priest who presides over the ceremony, as well as a safe made of copper or other precious metals, filled with coins, gems and jewelry, and then return to Kashus with them and the good wishes of the faithful believers.

The birthday of the Eternal Flame of each temple is a festival for each temple. The Eternal Flame will invite the high and senior priests of Kashus from other temples, local and foreign dignitaries, and others whom the temple believes can benefit from currying favor with them.

These individuals will be fed lavishly, given special gifts, and flattered into becoming future allies of the Eternal Flame and the Temple.

Main worship centers:

The Kashusian church frequently builds its holy shrines near large sources of fire (such as volcanoes) or in hot, arid areas (such as deserts), but they most often build their large-scale temples in cities and sizable villages (to better use the temple and subsequently control the area).

The village of Lundeth in the Anauroch is a popular destination for the faithful of Kashus. Of course, the largest temple of Kashus in Faerun is the blazing brazier of Bezantur in Thay, home of the Red Wizards, who worship the Fire Tyrant.

Affiliated organizations:

The monk orders of the Cult of Kashus are called the Disciples of the Phoenix (good), the Brothers and Sisters of the Pure Flame (neutral), and the Disciples of the Salamander (evil).

They are very insular orders that maintain monasteries that house only monks of the same order and have very strict academic and martial traditions. Each order has specific taboos that bind its members from the moment it was founded.

The military order of the Skitarii of Kashus is the Knights of the Fire Drake. Members of this order protect the faith's holy sites, lead many of the faith's holy wars, and provide personal protection for the Eternal Flame.

The church of Kashus also has many Red Wizard affiliates in Cyre, as many Red Wizards are Kashusians. Some chief zulkirs also collaborate with the church in Cyre's endless power games and in preparations for conquests beyond Cyre's borders.

Priest's vestments:
Those who follow the Fire Tyrant wear bright robes of red, crimson, and orange. Except for those of the Order of the Fire Drake, no priest is allowed to wear armor when participating in shrine or temple ceremonies.

The flame of Kashus is worn as a holy symbol, usually made of a ruddy gemstone (usually flamedance) enchanted to glow with inner fire placed within the jewelry. Embroidery depicting flames of various colors is a popular decoration for ceremonial robes, becoming more elaborate and expensive as one rises among Kashus priests.

Adventure Outfit:

The Promisers prefer red and crimson, but they will wear clothing appropriate to the region. In the wild, priests are allowed to prepare chain mail and shields, but magical protection is more important. Most Kashus believers are very fond of magical items that make loud noises, flash and glitter, and can cause sudden and cruel damage, and will show them off in an offensive posture when they have the chance. (End of this chapter)

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