The Cult of Steel

The cult of steel is an outlandish religion worshipped by warmongering barbarians and average soldiers alike. The Cult of Steel surrounds the worship of Ornholf, a god of war and plunder said to grant worshippers of his cause victories in battles and successful duels, because of this, many soldiers in any kingdoms army can be seen worshiping Ornholf before battles, by cutting themselves with a ceremonial steel dagger and gathering blood to throw into the soil as an offering to Ornholf. This ritual symbolizes the blood they will shed during upcoming battles, the bigger the offering, the more kills and glory they will get in the field of battle. Chapels and churches devoted to the cult of steel are not unheard of but are sometimes outright outlawed in kingdoms such as the Holy Empire of Visimar and other Paragon devoted kingdoms of Clamund. The places of worship usually house a single priest known as a Steelbonded, their lives are committed to the Cult of Steel, which they prove by spending most of their day's training and praying to Ornholf day and night. And unlike the Knights of Solitude that are raised during the time of need that the Order of Paragon has. The Cult of Steel doesn’t levy their Steelbonded priests for combat. Instead, they use devoted men and women who worship Steelbonded as a disciple take up arms to defend their religion. Their combat ability can range from a simple peasant to a fully armoured knight.