Pagans

'Pagan' is a catch-all title used to describe anyone who doesn't follow the Builder's religion--in particular those who live in small tribes and villages surrounding 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. Of all the so-called factions, pagans have the least in common with each other.

Pagans worship a wide pantheon of gods, including the Horned God of fertility and the Moon Goddess of death and regeneration. They also have a close relationship with nature and magical forces. They worship animal 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 druidic leaders 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. They are frequently covered by tattoos, piercings, and wear the furs and bones of animals.

There are some pagans who have taken to living inside the walls of the city. They usually come from tribes close to the city to begin with, and sometimes members take jobs inside the walls. Some wind up moving there permanently. Others are city dwellers who have left the Builder's church and are looking for an alternative.

Urban pagans live in their own district in the city, for the most part. They are a little like gypsies in appearance, and they tend to cling to some old traditions involving magic and nature-worship. 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.