The Faith of Atesh

Overview
The followers of the faith of Atesh worship fire in all its forms, and burn their bodies upon reaching adulthood. Small wonder, then, that the tusked men that practice it have become red themselves. Upon the death of one of the faithful, their body will be burned to join their souls back with their god. Their prophet, known now only as Red Fire- in their tongue,  Atesh Kirmizi - led his flock far to the southeast, past all other  Naziki  invasions, and cut a bloody path down to the bleeding mountain, which he had seen in a vision to be the living heart of the world. Their god, the all-powerful  Atesh Bey , lets forth dragons from his heart to do his will across the land, and guides his people with a firm and unforgiving hand.

His followers are zealous in their devotion, and perhaps that is justified; for from their lands and their people have poured forth nine-tenths of all the dragonriders to ever have existed. Each of these heroes has been immortalized in song and legend, and it is said that at the end of days, they will be reborn to join Atesh Bey when he frees the universe from cold and death. Their prophecies are made in smoke and fire, and their laws and words are as merciful as their god. A single misstep, a single doubt, and Atesh Bey’s grand designs, that had once favored a hero, will crash down upon them with his full might.

Ceremonial Practices
Their high holy days are few in number, and solemn; festivals of remembrance for Atesh Kirmizi, as well as all the dragonriders, when the practitioners of the faith dance over flaming coals and brand themselves with another mark- for followers of the faith do not count the years since their birth, but the number of holy days they have seen. This score is marked into their skin, and the eldest of them are covered with so many brands that their hides are as tough as leather. Also important is the solar equinox, when the sun reaches its zenith and would-be conquerors test the omens to see if this year will be the year they strike out with their warhosts.