The Cult
Follower ranks, rituals, and the doctrine schism: Shelter or Zeal.
Follower cap is 40 in 1.0. The rain-parade follower bonus is either a bug or the developers' joke; a fix-or-feature statement is pending.
Follower ranks
Stoker
The rank and file. One feeder per row, one chair at a time. Upgrade to rows before hiring past six — coordination has diminishing returns.
Chanter
Unlocked at 10 followers. Chants add a global burn multiplier that stacks up to ×1.25; they stop chanting during rain unless sheltered.
Flamekeeper
Unlocked at 25 followers. Tends the fire overnight (yes, the game idles between sessions — 4h cap). The only truly "idle" mechanic.
Rituals
Morning Chant
Free, once per in-game day
+5% heat for the day. Boring, free, mandatory.
Pamphlet Parade
20 pamphlets
+8-14 followers depending on weather. Rain parades gain more — nobody knows if that's intended.
The Offering
Burn 3 followers
Instant burst: current flame +40%. The doctrine argument lives here — see Builds.
The doctrine schism (one-time choice)
Doctrine: Shelter
Followers work in rain at 70% speed. The comfort doctrine.
Doctrine: Zeal
Offerings give +60% instead of +40%. The speedrun doctrine.
"Shelter makes players comfortable, Zeal makes numbers pretty. That's just the history of religion."
— cult page editor note