The Various and Sundry Incarnations of Djacarta

or Religion in High Fantasy

The following is from page 121 of High Fantasy.  This section on religion is actually part of the solo-adventure Escape from Queztec'l.  As such, I suppose it is attributable to Craig Fisher rather than Jeffrey Dillow.

     The religion of Queztec'l is a form of ancestor worship.  Shrines are built up around gems containing the souls of departed nobility and clergy.  The faithful come daily to these gems, asking for knowledge, miracles, or just blessings.  The powers of the spirit in any gem varied considerably, but gem spirits have been known to cure, to kill, to prophesy, and to work other magics.  Eventually the lifeforce in these gems fades away and the gem becomes dark and empty.
     Presiding over this panopoly [sic] of captured souls is Djacarta, the god of 66 incarnations, the god of changes.  Djacarta is not directly worshipped by the populace:  it is only in private temples and shrines that the priests and acolytes of Djacarta conduct services for their god.  Rather, the Queztec'lans see Djacarta as the Prime Mover, the power behind the spirits of their ancestors.  In many of the 66 incarnations, Djacarta appears as a male, in others as a female.
     Queztec'l's descent from ancient Anarlion has left it with a heritage of strong magic, the almost innate ability to communicate with spirits, and a thorough knowledge of magical artifacts...such as gems...
     Gems, of course, come in many different colors and shades with different colors denoting different properties.
     The light purple (mauve) gems have the particular ability to hold the souls of dying men and to eventually allow these souls to focus their powers in many ways.  These are the Gems of Keeping mentioned above.
     Another type of gem...is the light gem.  When activated, this stone will give off a steady glow for considerable periods of time.  Both of these gems, among many others, are an integral part of Queztec'lan life.