Kith Ancestory

The predominant religion of Kithkin of Kith is Ancestral Worship. Two factions have arisen among in kith: Claw and Blood and Hero Cults. Most of Kith worships according to Claw and Blood, with Hero Cults comprising less than five percent (5%) of the population.

The most dominant from of worship is that of direct ancestors - claws before your claws and blood of your blood. This typically involves a ritual celebration of the deification of ancestors for which a young kithkin is named. This ancestral name is very dear to both the named and the naming, it signifies the passage of the youth into the clan. The spirit of the ancestor watches over, guides, and protects them. The wisdom of those that have passed before educates the young that will follow.

Once named for an ancestor they kithkin will be given an object that once belonged to their named - or something that represented them in life. This will be carried by them for the rest of their life. A token reminder of those who came before them and what must be for those that follow. Each ancestor requires different forms of rituals or prayers; although high sun and the setting sun are more prevalent.

A small fraction of the kithkin have developed a distinct hero/heroine-based form of worship. Unlike the traditional ancestor worship practiced the worship of a hero is not clan-based. Instead the kithkin is worshiped for their deeds not lineage. These hero/heroine cults have spread among most of the clans of kith; although they are decried by the traditionalists who favor Claw and Blood.

The kithkin burn their dead along with prayer offerings. Those of the hero/heroine cults raise shrines, temples, and monuments to their heroes. These civilizations are seen as blasphemy by the traditionalists and blood has been shed at several of them. The hero/heroine cults gather at these shrines to pray to these ancestors. The worships have yet to develop clergy to tend to the shrines or intervene upon their adherents behalf as other cultures, but many shrines are cared for by a small number of kithkin.