ALALU – The Sun God, Lord of the Sky, Deity of a Hundred Epithets

Status:  Younger God

Level:  9000

Avatar:  Barint

Alalu is a deity of a very ancient origin who is known to his followers as the Sun God, the Lord of the skies, King of the Eastern Lands.

The religion of Alalu has recently been growing under Moorish rulers and is now at its peak, Alalu now being the supreme God of the “hot lands”, eclipsing all others.

The iconography of Alalu is very distinctive. It began as a winged sun disc with outstretched arms, but now, under the rulership of Akhram the first, it has become refined into a sun disc embellished with a Wadjet (a fire breathing cobra) and subtended by thin arms, like rays of the sun, each of which ends in a human hand.

Alalu’s story of ascension into Goddom is a strange one. It begins when the world was still shrouded in darkness, at a time when there was no moon or sun; a beginning which was dark and cold. The lands at that time were ruled by the elves of the freezing desert wastelands. Men lived in misery as slaves, eating raw meat and huddling against each other for warmth. It is told that one particularly dark and cold night, two children, brother and sister of the first born of men (Alalu and Antea) were playing a game, rubbing two sticks together. Suddenly the sticks burst into flame and warmth fell upon the pair. Both of them realised that this warmth could never be lost so Alalu, who held the larger brand, ran into the sky pursued some time later by his sister who held the smaller brand.

When Alalu reached the heavens one hundred elder Gods and avatars greeted him. Each God and Avatar gave unto him a separate name; hence he became known as the deity of a hundred names or epithets. The last being to speak unto Alalu was an Avatar of Tanarsa who went by the name of Nabat. He took Alalu into Bifrost and showed him around this new world. Nabat and Alalu become great friends, and for many years travelled and adventured together.

It is these one hundred names given to Alalu on his arrival to Bifrost that are listed in the cults religious scrolls ‘The Amaterasu’, ninety-nine of which are known to all the Gods and Mankind and which are accounted for on his priests Rosary Beads. Alalu’s hundredth and final name given to him by Nabat remains a mystery to all but Alalu and his sister Antea. It is said that if any mortal was to speak Alalu’s secret name backward creation would reverse and floods and earthquakes would destroy the world!

The cult of Alalu came under threat when Feng Po charged Hachimoto to convert the lands of Ered to the teachings of Feng Po and reduce the religions of Alalu and Antea. When Hachimoto arrived in the Hot Lands he saw that apart from the Aiell it was a land inhabited by changeling ogres and strange humped beasts.  Hachimoto spoke unto his most faithful servant Tako and sent him to meditate in the great temple of Alalu.

Whilst he was praying, an ogress transformed herself into a beautiful woman calling herself Bargees and warned that if Tako did not take her as his consort, she would command all the brethren to devour all of the Aiell. Tako sent the offspring of this union to live in the Jungle of Kallad.

When Tako returned to Kallad Jungle a year later, he found that his offspring had multiplied a hundred-fold, and they were starving.  He gave them some food, and was now able to convert these peoples to the faith of Hachimoto and establish the Sakya Munj (Common – The inner circle of Desert Healers.) Which became the established healing cult in the Hot Lands. Though it never managed to eclipse the cults of Antea and Alalu.

SYMBOL

Alalu’s symbol is either a winged sun disc or more recently, it is adorned with a Wadjet (see text). However, his symbol is not worn on clothing, his priests wear rosary beads with a bead for each of his ninety-nine known names.

WORSHIP

Ceremonies to Alalu take place at both dawn and sunset and involve bowing to Alalu (Elvish - Se, Common - the sun) ninety-nine times in honour. Usually the high priest will announce each of Alalu’s names before each bow or in Mecca, Capital city and home of Akhram the first, a bell will toll ninety-nine times to signify the same.

TEMPLES

The main temple to Alalu is situated in the cult centre, The Capital city of Mecca, situated on the East bank of the Ankh River. The temple is open to the sky (a design in all his temples) so the rays of Alalu may work freely amongst his faithful. Smaller temples may be found across the entire Hot Lands, but all keep the open roof design.

HOLY DAYS

Every sunrise is holy to Alalu, although the first day of the Moorish year is held with reverence, as this is the day that Alalu was said to have taken to the skies. (The first day of the year falls on 23rd Day of Janmonath).

FRIENDS AND ENEMIES

The cult of Alalu is on good terms with its sister cult, the cult of Antea (although neither may enter the others temples). The Alalu cult views all other cults with animosity, believing that there should be only one all powerful God, Alalu.

The cult may treat most cults with animosity but their true hatred goes to the cults who preach darkness and the masking of the sun, the cults such as Fenrir and Nakasatra are examples of these. They also treat Hachimoto priests as a threat.

CULT REQUIREMENTS

• Only circumcised adult men, above the age of thirteen, may join the cult.
• All women are forbidden to join this guild.

STRICTURES

The cult has very stringent strictures that, if broken, not only incur the wrath of Alalu, but physical retribution from other cult members.

• Never allow a woman onto Alalu’s holy grounds (in extreme circumstances they are permitted but they must be veiled).
• Never eat the meat of the pig.
• Never befuddle your mind with alcohol.
• Never tolerate the belittling of Alalu. Any person slurring the name of Alalu must be punished twice-fold.
• Never speak to a woman in public who has not totally covered herself. Any exposed flesh should be treated as the vilest pornography.