Board Thread:Custom Lore Development/@comment-26210095-20160130022213

(This is part of a new series I shall make to revamp Umbar)

It is said that Umbar is a city with a thousand gods. Well, this may be an exaggeration, but there is certainly a large amount of diversity when it comes to religions. The main religion of Umbar is Al-Shakala, or in the Common Tounge, "Submission to the Lord". It has heavy Islamic influence. There is a muezezzin twice a day, at the break of dawn and when night has just fallen, and dusk is decending. All of the faithful, or the Shakalin, as they are known, choose to then pray. Praying is a private affair on most occasions, with many houses in Umbar having a "Shakalatsur", or a Prayer Room. Those who are not part of the religious order pray twice a day, while those that are pray four times, at the height of morning, dawn, dusk and in the middle of the night. The Priests are known as Nurakshatur, or the Servants of the Lord. There are the first level priests, serving the common crowds, and second level priests, who serve a secluded life in a convent, third level priests, who lead prayers in large cities, and the High Prophet, the head of the religion, who resides in the Holy City, on the Island of Shakala.

The Gods of Clan Kor have a small foothold there as well.

The second most populous religion of the Cult of the Sea, which involves worship of Ulnien and Osse, and them as a channel to Eruai (more commonly known as Eru), as it is said that the Music of the Powers is most clearly reflected in the sounds of the Ocean. Many pray to Ulnien before they embark upon a sea voyage, and to Osse to stay his wrath. Many Corsairs pray to him before embarking upon raids of Conquest. Blood sacrifices are sometimes given to Osse, most oftenly Gondorian war criminals, or Umbaran criminals.

The Great Lion is venerated by a minority, as are the Gods of the Cerinrim and Limwaith. The thousand handed god, Saijal, god of many of the Rhunings, is also honored. Almost all gods are honored, but many by a very small minority.

The most curious of the faiths in Umbar are the Melkor-Worshipers, as the Northmen refer to them as, but they refer to themselves as the Melkaarym, or those who Arise in Might. They have one of the most elaborate temples, as it was built by the Black Numenoreans themselves. It is a small fortress, and one of the most defensible locations in Umbar. They sacrifice humans in the dark fires in the bowel of their temple, and practice dark magic, calling upon the Mighty One to come down and rain wrath and ruin upon the heretics. They are derided by the majority in Umbar, though not publicly, as although much of their "magic" is just smoke and sleight-of-hand, there are some who indeed confer with the dead and call upon the spirit of Melkor incarnate in the world. For it is stated that Melkor spread his power throughout the world, and bound himself to it, and although weakened his corporeal body, strengthened his servant's will. When Melkor was thrown into chains by the Valar, the spirit remained on earth, and whisprered into the ears of men who were willing to listen. Although those who truly weild the power of Melkor are few, perhaps only five at one time existed, they were mighty warriors and sorcerers.

Any questions or comments? 