Mitra



MITRA The Judge of Souls Mitra is the most common god worshipped in Hyboria, and the chief deity in the Hyborian kingdoms.

Pantheon

 * Alone, or with the Mitran Pantheon of Zingara

''“The ceiling was lofty, but it was not domed, and was of plain white marble, as were the walls and floor, the former with a narrow gold frieze running about them. Behind an altar of clear green jade, unstained with sacrifice, stood the pedestal whereon sat the material manifestation of the deity. Yasmela looked in awe at the sweep of the magnificent shoulders, the clear-cut features — the wide straight eyes, the patriarchal beard, the thick curls of the hair, confined by a simple band about the temples. This, though she did not know it, was art in its highest form—the free, uncramped artistic expression of a highly esthetic race, unhampered by conventional symbolism.

This is but the emblem of the god. None pretends to know what Mitra looks like. This represents him in idealized human form, as near perfection as the human mind can conceive. He does not inhabit this cold stone, as your priests tell you Ishtar does. He is everywhere—above us, and about us, and he dreams betimes in the high places among the stars. But here his being focuses. Therefore call upon him.”'' -The Black Colossus

Regions of Worship

 * Primarily Aquilonia
 * Argos
 * Corinthia
 * Nemedia
 * Ophir
 * Zingara (See Zingaran Pantheon, as the worship is very different there.)

Mitra’s first worshippers were the soldiers of the Hyborian nation of Aquilonia. The religion spread to the warriors and soldiers of Poitain, Nemedia and Hyborian lands. For many centuries the Mitran religion remained a religion of soldiery until it spread throughout the entire Hyborian culture.

Mitra is regarded as the one true god to those that worship him in Hyborian lands, standing in the universe without pantheon and consort — except for Zingara; the Zingarans have given Mitra a mate and lesser deities. However, the Hyborians acknowledge a host of Mitran saints.

Divine Relationships

 * Asura (enemy)
 * Set (enemy)
 * Bori (enemy)
 * Amalias Pluvius (enemy)
 * King Bull (disliked - thought of as demonic)
 * Any demonic or bestial religion is probably frowned upon by Mitrans

Asura, who (according to Mitrans) planted the seeds of evil among men, is Mitra’s enemy, as well as Set and his demonic forces. In Messantia and coastal cities, Mitra’s followers are usually apt to tolerate other cults, although the worship of Set is still viewed with extreme suspicion and anger. Rural Hyborian lands are intolerant toward other religions.

Representation
Mitra, the primary god of the Hyborians, is believed to be all-pervasive and without form, although he is often pictured as a tall man with wide-set, piercing eyes, curly hair and a patriarchal beard. Mitra oftens sends visions and revelations through dreams. In his battles with Set, Mitra prefers working through mortals, so that those who are called to be his champions can both defeat Set and act as living proof of the validity of his cult’s tenets.

Symbolism

 * Phoenix
 * Honey
 * Twins
 * Bull

Honey is a manifestation of divine harmony in nature and represents insight and wisdom. The twin boys represent the guiding lights to the heavenly realm and the brotherhood of warriors. The bull represents the wrath of Mitra against the wickedness of the world.

Spheres of Power

 * Truth
 * Loyalty
 * Air
 * Light
 * Prosperity
 * Protection
 * Vegetation

Mitra, the Judge of Souls, is known as the redeemer of the dead. One of Mitra’s most potent aspects is the Defender, protecting Hyborians from evil sorcery, most specifically from his ancient enemy, the serpent-god Set.

Rituals & Beliefs
Sacrifice to Mitra are bloodless. Blood represents physical life, which is a lie propagated by Asura, and contains magic that can be used for evil. The temple takes extensive tithes in money and services. According to Mitraic belief, each person is called to a virtuous life. It is the obligation of each individual to follow the tenets of the faith of Mitra, which include truthfulness, honor and trustworthiness. In Mitra’s tenets, telling a lie or betraying a friend are mortal sins.

Women are believed to be related to sin: they cause lust and passion in men and so contact with women should be kept to a reproductive-base minimum. Chastity is expected for at least three days before engaging in important religious rituals. Anyone who had sexual intercourse the night before may not approach a Mitran altar or enter into a Mitraeum. Anyone who cooks or handles bee hives must be chaste before doing it.

Slaves have a right of sanctuary in Mitraeum, but are not allowed to enter the area where worship is to take place unless they have been slapped in the face by one of the faithful, which transfers some of the faithful’s freedom to the slave.

A faithful Mitran in Aquilonia or Nemedia will not wear leather or hide clothing or armour because it amounts to wearing the skin of an animal, which could turn the wearer into a lycanthrope. This taboo does not hold in Zingara, Brythinia, Gunderland, Tauran or the Westermarck.

The religion of Mitra has seven heavens and nine hells. It defines the Hyborian culture, teaching that only through Mitra and his rituals can a person be happy and free of sin. It also includes taboos on sex and any kind of behavior seen as boorish and barbaric.

Mitraea - The sanctuaries of Mitra, are usually in caves, which represent empty tombs and the promise of eternal life offered in the Mysteries of Mitra. A Mitraeum is usually rectangular with a vaulted ceiling. The walls, ceiling and floor are usually white marble. Behind an altar of clear green jade, unstained with sacrifice, stands the pedestal whereon sits the idol of Mitra.

Inner Mysteries - The secret truths of a Mitran temple are divided into seven Inner Mysteries. In most lands women are forbidden from learning them, except for Argos where women can learn the first two mysteries. No one who has not initiated may learn the mysteries.
 * First Mystery teaches the rituals that will appease the guardian of the first level of heaven. Those who learn it are known as ravens and wear raven masks during ceremonies.
 * Second Mystery teaches the rituals that will appease the guardian of the second level of heaven and explains how Mitra transformed into human form to become the savior of the Hyborians. Those who learn it are called Brides of Mitra. They wear veils during ceremonies and can are permitted to bathe in temple grottos in order to wash away both guilt and sin. Female Brides of Mitra in Argos dress in blue hooded robes and cloaks, and often wear concealable weapons beneath the robes. Many are trained as assassins by the temple, used against the followers of snake cults (Asura, Set) and those who consort with demons. Male Brides of Mitra often serve as guards for the cult.
 * Third Mystery teaches the rituals that will appease the guardian of the third level of heaven. Those who learn it are known as Soldiers of Mitra. Initiates are taught that each man belongs to the spiritual realm rather than physical and that he was once part of a Universal Soul.
 * Fourth Mystery teaches the rituals that will appease the guardian of the fourth level of heaven. Those who learn it are known as Lions of Mitra and wear lion masks during ceremonies. The initiation into this level is painful, proving to the temple that the initiate can withstand pain with detachment. Indeed, this Mystery teaches the Lions to remain detached from society as a whole, since society is built upon the lies of Asura and other demons, such as Set. The Lions of Mitra are the order’s mightiest of warriors.

Priesthood
“When the magic of the Mitran priests failed against the magic of Xaltotun’s acolyte…” -The Hour of the Dragon

The priesthood of Mitra is a third power in Hyborian lands, a power of literacy, medicine and education, granting legitimacy to the aristocratic order. Mitra holds his priests to strict behavior. Priests of Mitra must remain celibate and must abstain from all alcohol and mind-altering drugs. In addition to performing their service to the deity, priests of Mitra act as keepers of ancient lore and wisdom. Mitran priests can use some form of protective magic and cleansing spells, however, they condemn most forms of sorcery, considering it to be the work of demons (especially curses, hypnotism, nature magic, necromancy and summonings).

Priests of Mitra wear black robes with hoods or cowls, a belt and a pair of sandals; heavy woolen pants and heavy tunic are worn in the winter. Argossean priests carry the Litus, a crooked staff that is used to trace signs in the sky or on the ground to make ritual divisions.

Priests of Mitra must tithe 1/4th of their income to one of the god's temples. Mitran temples are known as Mitraeum. The greatest temples are found in Nemedia and Aquilonia. Some of the larger temples act like feudals, command their own lands and fiefs, including attendant villages.

Implementation IC & In-Game
There are at least 3 approaches to RP a Mitran lore-wise:

One is a staunch fanatic, probably Aquilonian, intolerant towards any other religions and “barbaric cultures”. Such character will strictly follow all the tenets, and can wear only Aquilonian armor, Shemite, Zamorian, Relic Hunter or Mitran outfits, or Coarse clothes because of the taboo on wearing animal skin (even if leather is used for crafting, it does not matter as long as no leather appears on the character). This is a hardcore RP way, but also an interesting one, especially for a priest character.

Second variant is a more tolerant and calm Mitran, following just general rules of his religion, who can be from any Hyborian kingdom. This is for someone who wants to RP a character close to classic Roman, but not a religious fanatic.

A third variant is a very liberal and flamboyant way of Zingaran feudal Mitraism, ignoring most of the taboos completely and representing a tame variant of Shemitish and Pictish pantheons. Great variant for an adventurer, a pirate or a sellsword.

Vanilla Mitra altars can be built and used in any case. Temples can be placed inside caves or under big rocks. Honey (vanilla item) can be used for rituals. Vanilla blue Mitran clothes from T2 altar correspond only to the outfit of initiates called Brides of Mitra.

More Information
RPGS:
 * Return to the Road of Kings
 * Faith and Fervor