Ket is a Baklunish nation, so it is inevitable that the majority of Ket's citizens and residents worship the pantheon of Baklunish deities.

The True Faith of Al'Akbar
The deity Al'Akbar is largely unknown outside the Baklunish West, so it may come as a surprise to a visitor from the Eastern Flanaess that worship of the True Faith of Al'Akbar is almost universal across Ket. It is this more than anything else that sets Ket apart from every other region of Oerth, and even every other Baklunish country. Al'Akbar is considered a very minor hero-deity even in Baklunish countries, and in every other land where he is worshipped, his small church is dominated by the more liberal Exalted Faith. The ascetic and conservative True Faith is but a tiny splinter of this very minor religion, so it is extraordinary--and a testament to faith--that one nation could be so dominated by this sect.
       How the schism between the two wings of this obscure religion happened, and how the True Faith subsequently gained such a pre-eminent position in Ket is a matter of history, but the True Faith has taken every advantage of this, zealously guarding its power within the bureaucracy and judiciary of Ket for several centuries.
       There is a temple of Al'Akbar in most towns and villages. A mullah is either assigned to the temple, or might be given a riding circuit to cover several smaller hamlets. The major cities all boast several huge temples and many smaller ones. Ambitious mullahs strive to quickly work their way up from a rural posting to an appointment to the staff of one of the large city temples.
      

Other Baklunish deities
The other deities of the Baklunish pantheon are all worshipped in Ket.
       Chief among these would be the Church of Istus. Our Lady of Fate has many believers within Ket, and her temples are large and numerous within the four cities. Outside the cities, temples with her webbed motif are seen in larger towns, and smaller towns and villages often have a shrine in her honour.
       In a country dependent on caravans, Mouqol, the god of trade, has a wide and devoted following, especially in the large cities and forts along the major trade routes. He is most popular among caravaneers, merchants, and middle-class families who have earned their wealth through trade, but he also has a place amongst common folk, who thank him for the country's current prosperity.
       Geshtai, goddess of streams and lakes, is widely worshipped in the rural countryside, and her priests are respected for their role in ensuring that water flowing through fields and pastures and into towns and cities is clean and safe.
       Azor'Alq, the Banisher of Darkness, has a few devoted followers, especially among those in Ket tending towards Lawful Good.
       Those who treasure stealth and secrecy lift their prayer to Xan Yae, and a few monasteries dedicated to Zuoken are scattered across the country, usually in remote locations.

Non-Baklunish Deities
Many shrines can be found dedicated to Fharlanghn, the Dweller on the Horizon, patron of travellers across the Flanaess, who has many worshippers among Ket's caravans and road patrols. Walkers--the footloose priests of Fharlaghn--can be seen on every highway and by-way, and retired Walkers--those priests that are too old to travel--are the hosts of many inns and taverns along the trade routes. Walkers always seem to be aware of recent events, road conditions, unusual weather, banditry and anything else throughout the Flanaess that could affect travel. The source of their information is a mystery.
       Worship of Bleredd, the Iron Mule, god of mines and smiths, is most prominent in Molvar, centre of Ket's mining industry in the nearby Yatil Mountains.
       Boccob, the Lord of All Magic, is worshipped by some wizards and sorcerers.
       Zilchus, the Money Counter, although widely worshipped in the Eastern Flanaess, has only a small following among the merchants of Ket compared to Mouqol.

Other Faiths of Note
Due to the small number of dwarves in Ket, the worship of the entire Dwarven Pantheon is combined into one "church", as opposed to multiple small churches dedicated to this god and that god. The main sanctuary of a typical Dwarven Pantheon church is devoted to Moradin, while chapels dedicated to other dwarven gods line the walls around the main sanctuary. Priests of the Dwarven Pantheon on staff at the church, while personally dedicated to a particular god, would help to lead services to any or all of the gods who are represented at the church, and would serve all who attend services at the church.
       Similarly, the communities of halflings scattered across Ket worship the Halfling Pantheon as one church, with special dedication to Yondalla. However, large temples are rare--small and informal shrines are more commonplace in halfling villages.
       The large contingent of miners in Molvar and Polvar often worhip Fortubo, god of Metals and Stone, Jascar, god of Hills and Mountains, and Ulaa, the Stonewife, goddess of Gemstones.
       Worship of Hextor, Scourge of Battle, was actually allowed in Ket until CY594, despite the fact that his worshippers were evil.

Rare Faiths
Caravaneers, foreign merchants, adventurers and travellers bring strange religions with them but these gods are often only rumours to most Ketites: Beory, the Oerth Mother; Bralm, the Toiling Lady, goddess of industriousness; Daoud, the Unraveller of Deceptions; Ehlonna, the Hunter; Joramy, the god of fire and volcanoes; Lirr, the Lorekeeper, god of poetry and art; and Obad-Hai, the Shalm, god of woodlands.
      

Banned Faiths
Most Chaotic Evil religions banned in other regions are likewise banned in Ket--Nerull and Erythnul, for instance. However, Chaotic Good and Chaotic Neutral deities are also frowned upon, and the worship of some, such as Olidamarra, is deemed illegal.
       Worship of the Exalted Faith of Al'Akbar is a complex issue--while it is not in the strictest sense illegal, followers are wise enough not to worship openly.

        Back to Ket Gazetteer page