Beliefs
Worship of the sun god Karna is the oldest active religion. Karnais most frequently depicted as a golden cyclopean giant who sends the harvest, and with an all-seeing eye he is accounted the purest judge of all matters. It is by his justice that the seasons are of equal length, "so that men do not squander themselves in an abundance of earthly delights". The faith has persisted for some 4,000 years in various forms. Cerentian roaylty once claimed direct lineage from Karna(until about 1,200 years ago). The golden blood is all spent now, and the glittering diamond eye of Karna's Colossus has been missing ever since.
Each year, the Isle of Nierenn hosts an incarnation in the flesh on the seventh Caos of Morning's Star (the first weekday at the beginning of summer) each year. At this visit, there is a great festival in celebration of life and light. Karnahimself bequeaths a gift to the temple at this festival. Once upon a time, Cerentiansseemed to be god's chosen. The Order of the Sunlight Knights were unstoppable, and Cerentuin was splendid and pure. Karna still visits in these dwindling times, but the splendor of his gifts are diminished.
Conduct
There is a focus on adherence foremost to ones word. Karnadoes not love oathbreakers. Most famously, Aygir was a titan who broke his oath to Karna, and was forever damned.
Emphasized as well are self-improvement, legal justice, cleanliness, and order among the high and the low-born. All are blessed, provided they are true, just, and work to improve their souls.
Devotees of the cult spend all their time outdoors, and do not shade their eyes from the sun. Instead, they coat themselves in a paste of powdered crystals to avoid sunburn.
One of the possible ways a devotee of Karnacan be sentenced for crimes is by being buried up to the neck and shaved bald. If you avoid sunburn after a day, you are judged innocent. This sentence has the added benefit that those found guilty can be left in place to carry out the sentence. Typically, accused are buried with a single tree seed. If they are found innocent, their tree will become a keepsake of the family, and its fruit is often used in ceremonial wines. The trees of the guilty can be used to make fittings for holy weapons.
Culturally among believers, there is an understanding that people are, in some true sense, stories. One's body is merely a part of the world, but ones deeds and words are part of the story written by the gods. One cannot know what the story has meant until its end,and so we reserve judgment of the living until their end is known, and we take care with our own words and deeds, and especially in the manner of our death.
Rites
Each morning before the sun rises, one cleans their bed and washes themselves to stand outside for the rising of the sun. It is customary to hail the sun as it rises.
If one wishes a blessing, they leave out a plate of water, tea, or alcohol spirits to be evaporated. Some attempt to read fortunes in the patterns left.
The prayer of consecration:
From dawn of time to end of days,
I invoke the of highest glory,
to consecrate with Solar rays,
illuminate these darkest horrors,
No demon shall enter this realm
and here no evil will endure,
Let light of cleansing overwhelm,
in sanctuary pure,
Let there be golden light born,
Armor to my brethren,
When fabric of creation torn,
Protect my kith and kin within.