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The Gods Around Pent: The Lo Fak Gods - Lo Fa

Lo Fa, the Yak Mother, Herd Queen, Giver of Wise Milk

The Cult of Lo Fa (LIFE BEAST EARTH)

The Universe Dragon, Korgatsu, went unto the world and fathered all of the beasts. With the Sky, he fathered the birds. With the Dark, he fathered the insects. With the Water, he fathered the fish. And with the Earth, he fathered many things - and greatest of all were the herd mothers. The greatest of the herd mothers was Lo Fa, Mother of Yaks. She brought forth the greatest beasts, to whom wisdom was granted. These are the yaks, from which the Lo Fak arise, and so they honor her as the highest god.

Mythos and History

Daughter of the Universe Dragon and the Earth, Lo Fa is the queen of all yaks. Her sisters could not match her glory, for their children were not so strong, not so wise, and not so patient. While she did not need humans, humans needed her, and Lo Fa, in her infinite mercy, allowed her children to aid the humans.

However, after the Sun was entrapped and the Darkness entered the world, food was scarcer. Now, humans trapped her children and enslaved them. They killed and ate both those yaks who had chosen to aid them and those who lived free and wild. This could not be allowed.

Lo Fa gathered her children to her and tested their wisdom and their strength. All of them came, even those who had been friends to humans. The bulls who excelled at strength she sent to fetch their father, the Storm Bull, who had wandered away to find his enemy. The cows who excelled at wisdom approached her, and she sang to them a secret song. This song enlightened them, and they stood upon feet and raised up hands, and they wore the faces of humans. These were the first Lo Fak, and Lo Fa tasked them to raise up children, who would care and guide their kin.

The rest of the herd, who had not heard the secret song, asked Lo Fa what their gift would be, if the strongest bulls would gain the power of Storm Bull and the wisest cows would become the mothers of the Lo Fak. Lo Fa walked among them, touching each with her horns. They would hold the life of the world within them, and without them there would be neither strength or wisdom. They would hold the Herd Secret, which was not given to the Lo Fak directly.

The first threat to the Herd came when the Sweet Words Man came. He told Lo Fa that he needed her children. He sang her praises, and he offered silver and gold to Lo Fa if she would promise her children to him. She asked him why he wanted them, and he said that it did not matter, for he would give her all the wealth of the earth.

Lo Fa opened her third eye and looked upon him, and she saw his true face. "You are not Trader. Your name is Greed," she said. "You would chain my children and devour them, but it would not fill your belly. You would take our true wealth and have us eat gold."

Greed snarled, but as he went to strike, the Storm Bull returned with the Lo Fak men at his back. Greed fled before the Storm Bull's wrath. Lo Fa made the Calming Grunt, and Storm Bull did not give chase.

The second threat to the Herd came when the Trader came. He told Lo Fa that he needed her children, for the Man Herd was starving. They would die, if she would not allow her children to resume their friendship. He sang her praises as well, but when she asked him if he would kill her children, he nodded. He told her the truth: that milk alone would not be enough now, and that the Man Herd would need meat to live.

Lo Fa opened her third eye and looked upon Trader. She saw his true face. "You do not lie to me, Trader. But you honor the Man Herd above my children. What price could be worth our lives?" She did not wait for an answer. "I will allow my children who wish to be friends to go to you only if you swear to honor their lives that you take. You must value our lives above silver and above gold. You must honor the herds as you rise in the morning and as you sleep at night. You must pay a price for every life, for every mouthful of milk, for every thread of hair."

Trader had hoped to make something from nothing, as he so often did, but he saw that his fast words would not change Lo Fa's mind. "What must we pay?"

Lo Fa's children stepped forward. "You will pay me homage, and for each life taken, you must birth another. Care for them from the day they are born to the day they die, that they eat better than you do. And if you forsake this, you will be cursed, and I will withdraw my blessing."

Trader swore to this bargain, and this is why humans may keep yaks - and why, if they mistreat them, the Lo Fak will punish them and the curse of Lo Fa will be laid against them. It is also why there are still wild yaks, for Trader could not acquire the entire herd, as he did with lesser cattle.

The third threat to the Herd came when Chaos was born. It was the enemy of Storm Bull, and he ran away to fight it. Lo Fa allowed him to go, for she knew he must fight Chaos. However, now her herd had fewer protectors. Wolves and leopards came, taking those who strayed.

Lo Fa taught her children a new song. It moved strength up from the earth, through their unity, through their bones, through their herd. When the wolves came, she had her children sing the new song. This was the Song of the Dragon's Bones, and it gave the herd new strength. When wolves trapped one of them, the rest moved to stop them. When a calf was in danger, the herd moved as one. And when one stood against many wolves, the herd gave her strength.

The wolves tried to take a calf, but the herd sang the Song of the Dragon's Bones, and they had the strength of many. The wolves fled, seeking easier prey.

The fourth threat to the Herd came when the Son of Dragons built a great city. He had been the son of Korgatsu, a brother to Lo Fa, but he rejected his kin, for he envied the sons of Man. He said to the Lo Fak: "You are both beasts and men. You are half of one thing and half of another, and this makes you weaker than both. You must choose: are you yaks? Or are you men?"

Lo Fa made the Sign of Korgatsu, but the Son of Dragons did not recognize it. He was blinded by his own strength, by the crown he had been given. She said: "You look at my children and you see two things?"

The Son of Dragons pointed at the Lo Fak. "I see men." And then he pointed at the others in the herd. "And I see yaks." He turned and pointed, and the Herd saw his palace rising in the distance. "This is a thing of men, who stand above the beasts. Will you keep your children from the gifts of men?"

Some of the Lo Fak were tempted, for they saw the power in the Son of Dragons. But Lo Fa knew: her children must not stand above each other. They would forget their mother and their sisters, if they did. They would consume their own kin, and bind them in chains.

Lo Fa stood tall and made the Sign of Korgatsu again, and she opened the eyes of her children. "You are a kinslayer, Son of Dragons. Your palace is built on a foundation of bone, and it is the bone of your mother." The Herd saw that this was true. "You are a slaver, Son of Dragons. Your palace was built by slaves, and the slaves are your cousins." The Herd saw that this was also true. "You would raise my sons to be princes and build their palaces with my bones. You would raise my daughters to chain their sisters, to eat their flesh and bind their souls."

She sang the Song of the Dragon's Bones, and the Herd gathered behind her. Her horns shone with the black glory of the mountain, and she pointed down at the Son of Dragons. "Go now. You ask us to choose, and so I do. We are yaks: we are the Herd, and all of us are the Herd. You are man, and no longer kin to us. Leave us forever. Once, you were my brother, and for that I will not hurl you into the grave you call a palace - once. Do not return." And the Son of Dragons left, cursing the Lo Fak. This is why those who followed him, who settled in the cities of the Dragon Emperor below, are no longer kin to the Lo Fak: they are men, and they are not yaks. They are the worst of men, for they chose to betray their mothers and their grandfather, the Universe Dragon. The Lo Fak have never forgiven the Kralori for this.

And at last, the final threat to the Herd came. He was the Devil, the face of Chaos, and the enemy of all life. He sought to destroy the world, not for any reason but for evil alone. All of the world stood against him, led by Lo Fa's own husband, the Storm Bull.

It was not enough. The Devil defeated them, though they fought bravely. One by one, gods were slain. One by one, men and beasts were destroyed. Storm Bull slew many of the Devil's servants, but even he was not strong enough. Lo Fa saw this, and she understood.

She went below the earth, into her own mother's womb, from which all life flows. She laid down her sons and daughters, those with four legs and those with two, and she led them in song. As they sang, they fell into a sleep like death, sending their life into Lo Fa. And the song was joined by their siblings, the herding beasts, who gave to it. And the song was joined by their cousins, the plants, who gave to it. And the song was joined by their uncles, the mountains, who gave to it. And the song was joined by their aunts, the hills, who gave to it. And Lo Fa's mother, the Earth, showed Lo Fa the final notes, and Lo Fa opened a secret way.

She sang, sending her life through the secret way, until she could sing no more. Her life and the lives of her kin - the mountains and the hills and the plants and the herding beasts and especially the sons and daughters of Lo Fa, the yaks - these flowed through the secret way and into Storm Bull. This restored him, for where he was power and rage and the killing of Chaos, Lo Fa is life and wisdom and understanding.

And the Storm Bull stood, guided by understanding. He raised his hands, shown truth by wisdom. And the Block fell and bounced and leapt into his hands, and with the strength that is life itself, he slew the Devil with it. And in that death, he let out a bellow.

And in that bellow was Lo Fa's song, and that song was Life, and with its power did the Universe Dragon awaken, showing Spider how to bind the Devil's soul in her web as the Block bound his body. Thus was the world remade, because of Lo Fa. Thus was the Herd kept safe, because of Lo Fa.

Nature of the Cult

The cult of Lo Fa is the central cult of the Lo Fak, and the most important within their entire society by far. The majority of Lo Fak are members of the cult, and its leaders are the leaders of the Lo Fak clans. It is not the only cult within Lo Fak society, but it is the largest and most powerful.

The chief domain of the Lo Fa cult is management of the Herd, which covers both the two-legged Lo Fak and their four-legged yaks. Maintaining the Herd's safety, fertility and health is the most important thing for the Lo Fak, and the cult of Lo Fa therefore controls when the clan moves between settlements, what their priorities should be, where to graze the yaks, and essentially anything else that could contribute to the prosperity and health of the clan and its yaks.

The Lo Fa cult raises and trains the clan's children, as well, and while most members of the cult are generally not warriors, the warrior subcult of Bos, Lo Fa's strongest son, are capable fighters, if less focused and powerful than the Storm Bull cult. Nearly every aspect of Lo Fak life is at least touched on by the Lo Fa cult's influence.

Depiction

Lo Fa is depicted by the Lo Fak as a golden-haired yak of immense size. Sometimes she possesses a human head, sometimes not. She always has ribbons and bells in her fur, and a stone sphere between her horns. Her udder is always heavy with milk, and she is frequently attended by both two-legged children and calves.

Lo Fa is only very rarely depicted in two-legged form. When she is, she has white hair woven with ribbons and bells, and she wears a golden robe which bears a brown Earth Rune. She, like all Lo Fak gods and heroes depicted in two-legged form, still possesses a pair of horns.

Runes

While Lo Fa's mother is the Earth, and she does retain some power over it, particularly the mountains, she lacks the broad power that her mother holds. Instead, her power is focused more through the Life Rune, from which she brings forth healing, fertility and food, and the Beast Rune, which manifests as the true power of the yak, which she rules above all others. :LIFE: Lo Fa is a goddess of motherhood, food and health, and her power over the Life Rune is commensurately broad. Initiates have been known to use the rune to, among other things, ease childbirth, bless calves or children, heal the wounds of yaks or humans, increase milk, cheese, or yogurt production, command yaks, transfer strength between willing people and yaks, induce lust, strengthen those who defend the herd, grant fertility blessings, or find edible plants. Those strong in the Life Rune tend to be maternal, protective, and conservative. :BEAST: Lo Fa's command of the Beast Rune is absolute when dealing with yaks, and no other creature. Initiates have been known to use the Beast Rune, among other things, to rear and train yaks, to ride yaks, to speak to yaks, to transform partially or completely into a yak, to heal yaks, to command yaks, to grant fertility to yaks, to make things from yak wool or milk, to help yaks survive with less food, to breed strong yaks, or to strengthen yaks. Those strong in the Beast Rune tend to be direct, distrustful of humans, and tough.

:EARTH: Lo Fa has only limited command over the powers of the Earth, focusing around their connection to life and the mountains in which she makes her home. Initiates are known to use the rune to, among other things, bless or curse yaks and cows, draw strength from the earth, shield against physical or magical attacks, transfer their strength to others, bless or curse grazing areas, move safely through mountain regions, or hide in mountain caves. Those strong in the Earth Rune tend to be calm, careful, and indirect.

Opposed Runes

Lo Fa opposes the Man, Death, and Chaos Runes.

Particular Likes and Dislikes

Lo Fa's closest ally is the Storm Bull, her husband. He obeys her in all things, save for the destruction of Chaos, where his passions can overwhelm even his obedient love. She is close with the Earth Mother, who birthed her and taught her children the secrets of the Earth Witch. One of her sons went to the lands of the Praxians and joined them, giving up his beast nature to aid his human friends. His name is Waha, and he is the most trusted human god for Lo Fa, for her promised not to teach his followers how to kill and eat yaks. (Or, at least, so say the Lo Fak, who point to the Praxians not riding or raising yaks as proof.)

Lo Fa's greatest enemies are the Dragon Emperors of Kralorela, the inheritors of the treacherous Son of Dragons. He betrayed his kin and his followers now often lead attacks on the beast peoples of the mountains. They cannot be trusted.

Other human gods are viewed with distrust, though the Pentan gods are given more respect than most, as they negotiated a peace with Lo Fa and treat her children with respect.

The last great enemy of Lo Fa is Chaos, and all Chaos gods are to be distrusted, avoided, and if necessary, fought. While the killing of Chaos is the domain of Storm Bull, he is supported by Lo Fa in this.

Cult Organization

Each Lo Fak clan maintains a separate and independent cult of Lo Fa. These cults maintain their own traditions, which vary based on the clan's own history and the specific breed of yak that they are part of. Some things, however, are universal to these cults. They are always the leading cult of the clan, with the clan's high priest effectively being the clan's main leader, though she is always advised by a council of elders, priests and other important figures in the clan. The cult is always heavily matriarchal, though men are not forbidden from joining. They are, however, generally unable to achieve leadership positions outside of the martial or mystic subcults, in keeping with the Lo Fak views of masculinity and femininity. Worshippers from other Lo Fak clans are able to worship at the temples and shrines of any clan's cult, regardless of differences in local tradition.

Priests

The Lo Fak priests are known as the Herd Tenders or the Wise Mothers, even if male. Rank usually correlates to age, and all priests above the lowest rank must be parents - the childless are not permitted to advance beyond the lowest position, though adoption of a child counts. Each clan maintains its own restrictions and requirements beyond this, though most Lo Fa cults do not maintain extensive official ranks. In theory, most priests are equals, although in practice, prestige and respect create an informal hierarchy. In most cults, there are only three official ranks: the Low Priests, consisting of the childless and those still in training, the Priests, and the High Priest that leads the cult.

Center of Power and Holy Places

In theory, the most sacred place of Lo Fa is the place where she went into the earth and laid herself down - the Paps, in the wastelands of Prax, west of the Shan Shan range. However, most Lo Fak never make the pilgrimage to that distant place, where Lo Fa is known by the human name Eiritha. It is generally held that while it is the sacred body of the goddess, she meant for her children to remain in their original home, to care for the mountains in her absence, while she aided the rest of the world.

The Shan Shan mountains are home to many sacred places, however. The mountains are kin to Lo Fa, born from the Universe Dragon, and many of the peaks are home to her divine children. These mountains bear their names and are often said to be the divine bodies of the gods, including Bos, Ganang, Mai Wa, Jeelong, Dzo, and other names well known in the Lo Fa cult as patrons.

Several grasslands, particularly in the north, are considered sacred to Lo Fa. These mark the places where she and her daughters performed great deeds, and are always highly fertile with good grazing.

Most sacred sites are traditionally held by specific clans in their semi-nomadic cycles, but sometimes clans conflict over control of them, especially when grazing has been poor and the clans must modify their traditional patterns.

Initiates

Initiates of Lo Fa must possess one of the Earth, Beast or Life Runes at 1W or higher. They swear to defend and guide the clan and herd, to obey their elders, and to honor their four-legged kin as equals. Most Lo Fak are initiates of the cult, and dedicate much of their time to caring for the clan and herd, both the two-legged and four-legged yaks.

Holy Days

The holiest day of Lo Fa is the Life Giving Day, on the Clay Day of Earth Season's Fertility Week. This is the day on which Lo Fa gave her life to Storm Bull so that he could defeat the Devil, and the day on which the world itself was renewed. It is a day of great celebration for the Lo Fak, featuring huge feasts and many competitions, including yak races, cheese and yogurt competitions, and singing contests, as well as important festivals to renew the grazing lands and restore life to the mountains.

Every Clayday is a sacred day for the honoring of the herd, and much of it is spent going through the yak herds to check their health and wellbeing individually, as well as performing rituals to honor Lo Fa and the clan's ancestors. The Clayday of each Fertility Week is especially sacred (besides the Life Giving Day in Earth Season, which is noted above), and always features major sacrifices and rites to honor Lo Fa and uphold the responsibilities of the Lo Fak to the mountains.

Sacrifices

Lo Fa particularly loves clarified butter, and the best butter a clan produces is always reserved for the goddess. Wool goods are also common as sacrifices, as are clay goods and ceramics. Goods made from horn and bone of particularly honored yaks may be offered as well. The Lo Fak never sacrifice yaks to any god, for they are considered full kin, and animal sacrifices are rare in general and never offered to Lo Fa.

Subcults

There are a vast number of subcults to Lo Fa, most of which are dedicated to the ancestral heroes who founded the clans and were parents to specific yak breeds, or to great heroes in the history of those clans. These tend to be highly localized to specific clans However, a number of the direct children of Lo Fa are also honored in most cults across all clans, forming the basis for much of Lo Fak society.

Bos, the Strong Son (BEAST DISORDER) Bos is the forefather of the Grunter yak breeds, and the warrior son of Lo Fa. He is calmer than his father, the Storm Bull, but he exemplifies what the Lo Fak consider to be proper masculine traits: he is obedient, strong, and competitive. He is the herd guardian, defending his wives, sisters and daughters with violence. In youth, he was adventurous and aggressive, and as he grew older, he settled down, though he retains the belligerent power of youth when needed. His followers may use the Beast Rune to fight in defense of the herds, to excel in marriage competitions, to obey the orders of wives or mothers, to steal domestic yaks, or to fight in yak form. They may use the Disorder Rune, among other things, to fight with axes or spears, to assert dominance over males, to smash barriers, or to perform feats of physical strength. Bos grants access to the Emperor Breaker Feat.

Ganang, the Wise Daughter (BEAST TRUTH) Ganang is the mother of the Small Horn yak breeds, and while she is the largest of her sisters, she has the smallest horns, for she traded her ivory for knowledge. Bit by bit, she gave up power for secrets, which were a power all their own. Thus, she brought to the herd the knowledge that humans sought to keep for themselves. She taught them to weave, taught them the secrets of dung's fiery heart, taught them how to reveal lies and deceptions. And the greatest secrets she taught to her children, the paths that sought out the Universe Dragon's own secrets, concealed by the cosmos. She is the sage, the wise mystic, and she traveled far from the herd to learn many things. Her followers may use the Beast Rune to speak with any kind of animal, to weave, to make fuel from dung more effectively, or to find traces of dragon secrets. They may use the Truth Rune, among other things, to detect lies, to reveal hidden truths, to remember history, or to ask riddles.

Mai Wa, the Kind Daughter (LIFE) Mai Wa is the mother of the Thick Belly yaks, and she was the fattest of her sisters, producing the thickest and best milk. She gave of herself often, traveling among the herds and healing the sick and injured. She taught the Lo Fak how to raise two-legged children, who needed more care than four-legged ones, and how to preserve food. She taught them the best yogurts and cheeses, which plants would heal injury, and how to keep the herds warm and fed in the harsh winters. Her followers may use the Life Rune to heal diseases, to tend edible plants and fungi, to preserve and prepare food, or to help the weak or injured survive harsh conditions. Mai Wa grants access to the Milk of Love Feat.

Jeelong, the Enduring Daughter (EARTH) Jeelong is the mother of the Long Neck yak breeds, and she has some of the widest horns of all her sisters, as well as the straightest back. She traveled through the Shan Shan mountains, guiding the Lo Fak to the places it was best to live, and she withstood great dangers throughout. No wolf could harm her, and no other could outpace her in the mountains. She knew the secrets of stone and clay, teaching the Lo Fak how to make pottery and other tools they needed, and how to build villages and monasteries. Her followers may use the Earth Rune to make things from clay or stone, to survive or travel in the mountains safely, to endure privation and harsh weather, or to command beasts of the mountains. Jeelong grants access to the Enduring Fangs Feat.

Dzo Mo, the Clever Daughter (LIFE COMMUNICATION) Dzo Mo is the mother of the Man Friend yak breeds, which are also called dzo or khainag. These descend from her pairing with the simpler cattle that had been fully tamed by humans, for she was fascinated by these creatures and sought to understand them. She traded some of her secrets to humans in return for their own, making alliance with Trader and working with him to mother the Man Friends. In this way she learned the secrets of trading, of making things from nothing, and of the wealth that men crave. Her followers may use the Life Rune to prevent violence, to bless livestock, or to display the strength and power within livestock or goods made from them. They may use the Communication Rune to speak with foreigners, to trade with outsiders, to tell how valuable goods are to someone, or convince others to deal peacefully.

Devotees

Devotees must have 11W in one of the Earth, Life or Beast Runes, and as normal, must completely give up all powers not derived from Lo Fa, with all normal restrictions. They may belong to only one subcult.

Common Lo Fa Feats

Emperor Breaker (BEAST) Many times, the Son of Dragons sought to punish the Lo Fak for their defiance. When he came to destroy Korgatsu's Fang to display his power, Bos stood against him. The warriors of Kralorela were terrible, armed with the stolen strength of the dragons, and they shouted, but Bos bellowed back, and the warriors behind him were fearless. Bos raised his horns to the sky and charged, and the dust raised by his hooves blinded the Son of Dragons. He tossed Kralori about like dolls, and none were spared his wrath. The Son of Dragons brought his dead soldiers back, their bones tearing out of their bodies, and they struck back at Bos. He did not falter, though his flesh was torn to the bone. He smashed them to dust, for then they could not stand again. The Son of Dragons himself was wounded, so he spoke a terrible curse, which he placed in a delicious flower and left for Bos, retreating to hide. Bos saw the trap, and knew that someone weaker would eat it if he did not. He took the curse into himself, crunching it with his mighty teeth, that it might not curse the herd. It was terrible and twisted his insides, but no one else was hurt, and at last he shat out the curse. Bos suffered terribly, but he burned the curse-dung and it shone with brilliant light. No other suffered its power.

Enduring Fangs (EARTH) When the Darkness grew deep and terrible, the herds had to move often, seeking new grazing. Always, they were harried by wolves and leopards and hunters, for all creatures starved. Jeelong was unafraid, though her sisters trembled in fear, and her daughters begged for safety. Jeelong sang a calming song, and she went forth into the wilderness. Where she stepped, the grass bowed to make a path for her. Wolves tore at her flesh and leopards snapped at her tail, but she did not falter. Their fangs blunted against her, and she ignored the pain. Where she walked, the herds were not attacked, for the wolves and leopards had their fangs blunted. The hunters laid traps for Jeelong and peppered her with arrows. The mountains whispered to her, and she knew where to step, that no trap caught her. The arrows struck her, but she sang a soothing song, and her daughters could not see her pain. The herds followed after her, and none were taken by hunters, for they stepped where Jeelong stepped, and the hunters ran out of arrows. At last, Jeelong brought the herds to a new valley, where there was safety. She laid down there, and she sang a new song. Her blood flowed into the earth, and it made the grass grow thick and tall, made the moss grow strong and the lichen hearty. It was a long time before she could stand again, and her daughters had to care for her and feed her, but the herds were safe.

Milk of Love (LIFE) Mai Wa was sought after by many suitors, for she was fat and thick - a good mother and a good wife, who would lead well. This meant many fought, and many were wounded among the herd guardians, though, and this pained Mai Wa. Surrounded by the wounded, she wept for love of the herd. Her tears were milk, rich and thick, and her milk was blood, strong and hearty. Mai Wa walked among the injured and fed them her milk and anointed them with her blood. Those who drank felt no pain, and those she marked had their bones mended and their flesh sewn together. At last, she reached the strongest warrior, who had fought hardest for her. She embraced him and placed around his neck a bell and upon his horns a ribbon. She wept for him most of all, and kissed him. Her tears healed him completely, and her blood shone upon his forehead. He stood again, stronger than before. They were wed, and Mai Wa's lover could not be harmed while she stood by him. He never again started fights, for she would weep when he fought, but he never again lost one while she did.

Queen of the Herds (BEAST) None can gainsay Lo Fa among her children, and even her husband cannot stand against her, despite his rages. When the herd needed to come together, they would look to Lo Fa above all. When Trader came to ask for her children, she looked into his heart and saw what he truly wanted. She made this plain to her children, and only the children who truly trusted him left with him. When Son of Dragons tried to separate the herd into men and beasts, Lo Fa stood against him. She pierced through all his lies and saw his true meaning. When she denied him, her children stood with her. When the Devil stood against Storm Bull, Lo Fa asked all her children to give their life to her, that he might be defeated, and not even one denied her. The Queen of the Herds cannot be disobeyed in times of need, and needs give no orders in times of plenty.

Song of the Dragon's Bones (LIFE EARTH) This feat can be learned through either the Life or Earth Rune. When danger came to the herd, Lo Fa knew that her children were not always the strongest warriors - alone. She would sing the Song of the Dragon's Bones, and all the herd would gather. The more there were gathered, the greater the song, as all would sing with her. Their strength would flow through their feet into the earth, and through the earth it would enter the champions of the herd, the warriors who stood at the fore. Their horns shone and gleamed black in the light, their muscles were like mighty oaks, and their teeth were thick as stone. The strength of each was magnified, and the more of the herd that sang with Lo Fa, the greater it became. When the herd came together as one this way, no enemy could stand against them.

Divine Retribution

Any Lo Fak who eats the flesh of a yak is cursed by Lo Fa, for they deny their kinship. They are struck with a terrible wasting disease, and spirits of bad luck follow them wherever they go, lashing out at them and anyone they meet. The only way to atone for this grave sin is to undertake a great quest assigned by the clan's high priest and to offer up a great sacrifice to Lo Fa, begging her forgiveness for kinslaying and cannibalism.

Those who break oaths to their clan or otherwise betray their fellows in lesser ways are instead struck by the Milk Worms. These evil spirits crawl out of the earth and into the guts of their victims. Whenever the victim drinks milk or eats yogurt, cheese or other dairy products, they are struck with terrible gut pain and diarrhea. The Milk Worms can be driven away by a shaman's spiritual aid or by the blessing of a high priest of Lo Fa, though both generally require a show of good faith and some kind of atonement.

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