In the aftermath of the Rebellion, the worship of Tyan is banned throughout the Summer Empire and the secret cult of Lyral has been reborn as Lyral Sun Lady and Vampire Bane. Lyral has also now become the primary goddess of the Summer Empire, who is aided and served by her four elemental allies, the Burning Woman, the Mermaid, the Bird Boy, and the Earth Lord. Everyone is expected to honor Lyral, especially on the public holidays. However, mystery cults remain strong and are more popular than ever now that they are no longer forbidden. Also, many people worship only one (or more) of the four elemental deities and only honor Lyral in the public ceremonies, just as others revere Lyral and ignore the four elemental deities.
Ancestor worship is also possible, but it is usually a private family matter, with family altars similar to those used in Chinese folk-religion. Occasionally Vodoun are called into the assist with problems or to communicate with the deceased. Ghosts can also be summoned in cases of murder, but the testimony of a ghost is not considered sufficient grounds to convict someone, merely as strong evidence in that regard. Being a ghost is not considered a religiously desirable state by anyone but the members a few eccentric mystery cults. The orthodox view is that ghosts need to resolve the problems keeping them bound to the mortal world and move on to their next life (as promised by the priests of Lyral) or heavenly reward (as promised by many mystery cults).
Magicians in Society
Magic is in common use and Thaumaturgy is the same as in Second Sight, except that there are no penalties for disbelief – belief in magic is universal. However, the spiritual basis of many traditions is different – Taoism, and Vodoun do not exist are faiths. Instead, each magical tradition is aware of the others and they are all considered to per performing different sorts of magic.
Ceremonial Magician, Hedge Witch, Shaman, Alchemists and Vodoun are openly welcome within the Summer Empire. Apostle of the Dark One exist, but are officially forbidden. Ceremonial Magicians and Alchemists are both highly respected and relatively lucrative professions. Creating wardings is a vital urban service and Luck Magic is always in high demand. Shamans are equally important, but are eccentric enough to be considered useful outsiders and not pillars of the community. However, some of them attain high status by becoming the leaders of mystery cults. Because many people distrust the powers of Hedge Witches, they are viewed as somewhat disreputable. Being a Vodoun is considered a respectable profession, but not as high status as Ceremonial Magic or Alchemy. They make most of their money on exorcisms, but are also widely in demand by people who practice ancestor worship or to help officials solve important crimes.
The Wilds and the Uratha
The Summer Empire is surrounded to the North and West by vast stretches of sparsely inhabited wilderness known as The Wilds. Various tribal peoples live there, and the area is dominated by the packs of the Uratha. The Uratha also inhabit some of the larger forests and other wilderness areas inside the Summer Empire. The presence of both the Uratha packs and the fact that many of the tribal peoples have allegiances with potent totem spirits, and are occasionally are ruled by powerful spirit-ridden has largely halted expansion into The Wilds. Since the Wilds are also relatively harsh land that is less suitable for farming than the lands of the Summer Empire, there is little incentive for expansion.
Almost all of the citizens of the Summer Empire fear werewolves and wish to have nothing to do with them, the leaders of most of the nations of the Summer Empire understand that the Uratha help protect the world against predatory spirits, and everyone is vividly aware of the danger posed by these inhuman beings. As a result, the Summer Empire has an uneasy truce with the Uratha living in the wilderness areas in and around Empire land. Killing one of the Uratha, except when defending yourself or another is a crime. However, Uratha who kill a human who did not attempt to harm them first are punished by the Uratha.
The leaders of the Summer Empire are far from happy with this arrangement, but find it the least problematic option. The only time that Uratha and humans come into regular contact is when the Uratha arrive or are called to deal with a werewolf that has just undergone its First Change in civilized lands. Given that there is no shortage of traces of wolf-blood among the peasantry and even among some urbanites, occasionally one of the Uratha undergoes the first change in a village, town or city. At this point, a messenger is dispatched to the nearest Locus known to be claimed by a Uratha pack. Then, the pack sends a pair of envoys wearing special clothing to collect the new werewolf. Uratha envoys who kill or seriously harm humans who have not attacked them first are killed by escort of nervous guards that accompany them through human lands.
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