Pagans

Overview

The term "pagan" is a catch-all term used to describe anyone who doesn't follow the Builders' religion--in particular those who live in the wilds outside the city. There are many different pagan tribes, each with their own traditions and appearance. They don't refer to themselves as "pagans", nor do they necessarily cooperate with each other. They should not be thought of as a single "faction". The only thing they all have in common is a connection to the natural world and devotion to the old gods.

Info

Pagans generally live in small tribes and villages outside the city. Some pagan tribes are fairly pleasant, trading peacefully with nearby villages, while others (generally further from the city) are highly aggressive, warring with neighbouring tribes and raiding villages. Some tribes living deep in the wilds are said to be truly savage, wearing the skulls of animals and eating the flesh of men.

Pagans generally have a close relationship with nature and magical forces. They worship animal and nature spirits to varying degrees. Some simply venerate them; other tribes have members that can actually take on animal form. Most tribes have one or more shamans or druids who are wise in the ways of natural magic--able to conduct powerful rituals to keep their tribes safe or bring ruin on their enemies.

The culture and customs of pagan tribes can be thought of as a mixture of "tribal" societies from our own history, including native americans, celtic, gallic and basque tribes. They are frequently covered by bizzarre tattoos, piercings, and wearing the furs and bones of animals.

Pagans Within the City

There are some pagans who have taken to living inside the walls of The City. They originally came from tribes close to the city to begin with, and wound up taking jobs inside the walls. Although they are forbidden to own land, some still move to the city looking for work or other opportunities.

Urban pagans live in their own district in the city, for the most part, renting from sympathetic or opportunistic landlords. Some pagans avoid the blatant prejudice by integrating into society--cutting their hair, going to mass, etc. There are many that do cling to the old traditions, however. Pagan beliefs generally involve magic and nature-worship, practices which make them feared and mistrusted by the rest of society. They live in fear of the Builders, who can usually arrest them for heresy without comment. When fires, disease or other problems arise in the city they are often the first to be blamed.