Esplandia’s Religion Creation Questionnaire

Esplandia

Factbook Addict
-
TNP Nation
Esplandia
Discord
esplandia
RELIGION NAME:

-BASICS-
TYPE: (ie monotheism, polytheism, ditheism, etc)
PATRIARCHAL or MATRIARCHAL: (from moderate to extreme)
DIRECTION: (inwards or outwards)
FOCUS: (what are the ‘goals’ of an adherent)

DIETY: (name of chief god)
OTHER DIVINE BEINGS: (gods, demigods, spirits, etc)
TITLES: (titles of god(s) if there are any)

DIVINE INTERACTION: (how rare, and with whom)

-WORSHIP-
WORSHIP: (practices)
AFTERLIFE: (what the religion says comes after death)
SUPERNATURAL: (ghosts, monsters, demons, etc)

HOLIDAYS: (frequency and importance)
CELEBRATES: (what things are celebrated on holidays)
MAJOR HOLIDAYS: (what sets them apart from regular holidays)

CLERGY: (males and/or females)
FUNCTION: (what are clergy responsible for)
LIFESTYLE: (how do clergy live)
FAMILY: (are clergy allowed to marry)
CHOSEN: (who chooses and how are they chosen)
PRACTICES: (what do clergy do)
DISTINGUISHED BY: (how are clergy set apart from a lay person)

-ICONOGRAPHY-
SYMBOLS: (what symbols are associated with the religion)
HOLY COLORS: (the colors that represent the religion)

HOLY TEXTS: (books and writings)
PASSED DOWN: (how do New adherents recieve the religion)
CREATION MYTH: (how the world was formed)
MORTAL ORIGINS: (where did mankind come from)
MAJOR MYTHS: (stories and parables which define the religion)

-CULTURAL ASPECTS-
DEADLY SINS: (what vices are considered the worst)
HIGH VIRTUES: (what behaviors are considered the most righteous)
MAJOR TABOOS: (what things are prohibited by social custom)

ASSOCIATED ART FORMS: (what kind of art is considered most holy (ie dance, poetry, music, etc))

COMING OF AGE: (the age at which a child becomes an adult)
COMING OF AGE RITE: (traditions associated with reaching maturity)

MARRIAGE: (how is a marriage decided and who’s allowed to marry)
MARRIAGE RITES: (marriage ceremony and traditions)

DEATH RITES: (how are the dead remembered/honored and what happens to the remains)

PREVELANCE: (how common is the practice of the religion)
OUTSIDERS: (how do adherents view non-adherents)
 
Last edited:
EeWIeUf.png

RELIGION NAME: Rakanism

-BASICS-

TYPE: Monotheism
PATRIARCHAL or MATRIARCHAL: Moderate Patriarchal
DIRECTION: Inwards
FOCUS: Broadly speaking: to do one's duty in the world, to pursue prosperity and happiness, and to achieve maximal mental and spiritual awareness, which is perceived as closeness to Prajapati.

DIETY: (name of chief god) Prajapati (though Prajapati is not really a god in the traditional sense but moreso a term referring to the Absolute; the fabric of reality, similar to Brahman in Hinduism)
OTHER DIVINE BEINGS: (gods, demigods, spirits, etc) Now none; formerly more traditional gods such as Rudra, Jua, Raktabija, Aditi, Aranyani, Chitra

DIVINE INTERACTION: (how rare, and with whom) Usually distant except in the case of Avatars; mortal incarnations of deific entities sent to Eras to fulfill a purpose or facilitate the fulfillment of one by someone else.

-WORSHIP-

WORSHIP: (practices) No set days
AFTERLIFE: (what the religion says comes after death) All living beings return to oneness with Prajapati, wherein they experience indescribable eternal bliss.
SUPERNATURAL: (ghosts, monsters, demons, etc) Numerous entities. (WIP)

HOLIDAYS: (frequency and importance) Hundreds, some more popular than others
MAJOR HOLIDAYS: (what sets them apart from regular holidays) Kampani, the Festival of Life; it celebrates life, love in all its forms, and the Universe and is similar to IRL Diwali

CLERGY: (males and/or females) Women cannot be priests, but can work in any other position in temples, including that of a deputy. There are three levels of priests: 1) pandits, normal priests; 2) gurus, respected spiritual teachers, and 3) sages, or rishis, the most respected gurus who are usually but not always conferred the honor of sagehood posthumously by the consensus of the masses.
FUNCTION: (what are clergy responsible for) Dispensing spiritual teaching, often but not always through leading temple services; as well as encouraging spiritual and philosophical discussion.
LIFESTYLE: (how do clergy live) There is no restriction on how wealthy they can be, but they should live purely and not in a debauched manner; wealth should be used for charitable or spiritual purposes.
FAMILY: (are clergy allowed to marry) All clergy may marry and have children.
CHOSEN: (who chooses and how are they chosen) Anyone can become a pandit; usually by learning from current members of the priesthood or in a religious educational institute.
PRACTICES: (what do clergy do) Lead rituals, recite mantras (long prayers), dispense spiritual teaching
DISTINGUISHED BY: (how are clergy set apart from a lay person) They typically shave their heads and will often wear traditional orange robes.

-ICONOGRAPHY-

SYMBOLS: (what symbols are associated with the religion) None 'official' or universal, but by far the most popular is the Bhaleka, the Hand of Fate, which is shown at the top of this post.
HOLY COLORS: (the colors that represent the religion) Orange and green.

HOLY TEXTS: (books and writings) Numerous commentaries (tipanis) and books of spiritual teaching by gurus (shikshans), but mainly the Gitas; two holy books codified during the early Imperial era. The Prajayad Gita contains more stories (Elaborated on below) whilst the Kanuna Gita contains moral and social guidelines.
PASSED DOWN: (how do New adherents receive the religion) Usually by being introduced to temple services, the Gitas, or the writings of spiritual teachers.
CREATION MYTH: (how the world was formed) There is no unified canon. Some believe in a more empirical approach where evolution is a part of Prajapati's design, while others believe in more traditional approaches.
MORTAL ORIGINS: (where did mankind come from) Again, there is no unified canon. Some believe in a more empirical approach where evolution is a part of Prajapati's design, while others believe in more traditional approaches.
MAJOR MYTHS: (stories and parables which define the religion) The Prajayad Gita contains a wealth of myths and proverbs such as the Mahabhaglia, the story of a great war between the kingdoms of the Home Islands centuries before the dawn of the Empire.

-CULTURAL ASPECTS-

DEADLY SINS: (what vices are considered the worst) Desire, anger, greed, pride, obsession, and jealousy
HIGH VIRTUES: (what behaviors are considered the most righteous) Awareness, truth, kindness, filial piety, austerity, purity, forbearance, compassion, and devotion to the will and way of Prajapati
MAJOR TABOOS: (what things are prohibited by social custom) Disrespecting filial piety, premarital sex, and menstruation are some of the more major taboos.

ASSOCIATED ART FORMS: (what kind of art is considered most holy (ie dance, poetry, music, etc)) Numerous; no one art form is considered the most 'holy' and Rakanism is notoriously expressive when it comes to religious art.

COMING OF AGE: (the age at which a child becomes an adult) Fluid throughout history; the most common one in the modern day is 13.
COMING OF AGE RITE: (traditions associated with reaching maturity) The Yagnopavitra ceremony, where the child has a sacred thread tied around his waist, signifying his fortitude of body and soul.

MARRIAGE: (how is a marriage decided and who’s allowed to marry) The Gitas and general gurunic consensus has mandated since the earliest ages that all marriage must be based upon love. However, this has led, over the millennia, to parents facilitating arranged marriages and rulers facilitating political marriages to attempt to exploit loopholes in what is considered 'love'. Both of these 'loophole marriages' are no longer popular, though.
MARRIAGE RITES: (marriage ceremony and traditions) In the center of the mandap, a temporary structure constructed for the purpose of the marriage ceremony, a fire is kindled. A Rakani marriage is a sacrament, not a contract, and to signify the viability of the ceremony, fire is kept as a witness and offerings are made, usually by the bride's brother, who gives three fistfuls of puffed rice to the wife as a wish for her happy marriage. In turn, she throws it into the fire as an offering. Then, the next ceremony begins in which the husband and wife exchange floral garlands. This ceremony, known as Jai Mala, expresses the desire of the couple to marry each other. Then the bride's father does kanyadaan- giving the bride away; for in the Rakani tradition, no man can claim a woman as a bride until she is offered to the groom by her father. During the kanyadaan, the father places the bride's hands into the husband's as a gesture of giving her away. Then comes the final ceremony, with three steps. First, mangalsutra- the groom places a necklace of black and gold beads on his bride, to symbolize luck and happiness. Then rakshabandhan occurrs- the tying of cords to the wrists of both the bride and the groom, for marriage is considered to be an arduous stage in life, and the cords are meant as protection. The final step then comes; the most ancient marriage rite in Rakanism: the satkadam- the Seven Steps, taken around the holy fire, to symbolize friendship. As the bride and groom do so, they must state the ancient vows of matrimony to each other in Suchari: "As we take the Seven Steps, you become mine forever, and I have become yours. Hereafter, I cannot live without you. Do not live without me. Let us share the joys. We are word and meaning, united. You are thought and I am sound. May the night be honey-sweet for us. May the morning be honey-sweet for us. May the Eras be honey-sweet for us. May the heavens be honey-sweet for us. May the plants be honey-sweet for us. May the sun be all honey for us. As the heavens are stable, as the Eras is stable, as the mountains are stable, as the whole universe is stable, so may our union be permanently settled." They then face the assembled congregation and the presiding pandit decrees them to be married. In the case of male same-sex marriages, both act as a groom, so kanyadaan is entirely skipped, and in the case of female same-sex marriages, both act as a bride, so both brides' fathers give the brides away to each other. Mangalsutra occurs to both partners in all same-sex marriages.

DEATH RITES: (how are the dead remembered/honored and what happens to the remains) They are usually cremated and the ashes stored in urns and/or containers.

PREVELANCE: (how common is the practice of the religion) Extremely prevalent; it is one of the largest religions in the world and is most common in the Empire and Commonwealth countries.
OUTSIDERS: (how do adherents view non-adherents) Tolerance is a key tenet of Rakanism; since Prajapati is the Absolute, it is believed that all other gods, including the ancient Rakani gods, are merely the interpretations of various cultures and peoples of the nature of Prajapati.
 
Last edited:
RELIGION NAME: Karadism

-BASICS-
TYPE: Polytheism
PATRIARCHAL or MATRIARCHAL: Neither
DIRECTION: Although mostly inward as self-reflection and relations with the numerous Gods and Goddesses are the focus. That being said it is also outward with services being held regularly where the community comes together for worship.
FOCUS: For one to achieve their ultimate purpose in life they must live a life where they hone their skills and profession, not wasting their time and letting their skills disappear, they must humbly understand their place in the world and live good and honest lives through self-discipline, self-reflection and maintaining good morality within the rules of the Holy Texts as much as they can. This is so they may serve the Deities and help others do the same once they pass into the afterlife.
DIETY: The highest of all deities is Ninsett, Deity of Time, Ancestry and destiny
OTHER DIVINE BEINGS: Tegira (God of the sea and tide), Aedugcha (Goddess of fishing, rivers and mist), Aimor (God of the Sky, Storms, rain, wind, thunder and lightning), Achath (Goddess of earth and autumn), Beiras (Goddess of winter, snow, ice and the moon), Surnebel (God of summer and fire), Behelbhion (Goddess of the Underworld), Hecdalo (God of the Underworld), Neyt (God of war, battle and sovereignty), Cearferd (God of Justice, peace and order), Bjord (Goddess of death and destruction), Morrgda (God of mischief, deceit, cruelty, drink and chaos), Vamen (Goddess of love, marriage, childbirth and fertility), Buaninu (God of Victory and Defeat), Eiradu (Goddess of healing and good health), Ecnedermir (God of Wisdom and learning), Brig (Goddess of poetry, music and literature), Mogun (God of day and the Sun), Beaght (Goddess of night and darkness), Skiera (Goddess of Hunting and Archery), Sanuli (Goddess of Agriculture, animals, life and spring), Gimon (Goddess of poison, snakes and magic) and Etchkr (God of Skills, work and diligence).
TITLES: The Gods and Goddesses are referred to as Lord or Lady respectively. Ninsett is only referred to as “One” but that is not a common reference.
DIVINE INTERACTION: Believed everything around themselves is action of divine all the time. The deities are always acting in everyone’s life all the time with everything that happens. There are believed to also be larger divine interactions such as birth, love, death amongst other major life points that occur.

-WORSHIP-
WORSHIP: The most common form of Worship is through self-prayer and weekend services. However there is also the belief that everyday interactions with the world also are forms of worship indirectly, e.g. by reading a book you worship Ecnedermir and Brig.
AFTERLIFE: The Afterlife in Karadism focuses around the life of the person before they die, through the individual’s skills, trades and lifestyle. When a person dies they are selected to serve one of the gods in which they act as guides and assist those of the living, the individual upon their death is taken by the Goddess Bjord to stand before the God Hecdalo and Goddess Behelbhion. Behelbhion will sit to the left and Hecdalo to the right, they will look at the life of the deceased and then ask them questions. From this the path of the dead into the underworld is decided. The underworld is made of several realms, the realms of the gods and the realms of torment. The realms of the gods are where after death those deemed worthy after they have served under the gods and live their life in paradise, whereas the world of torment is where those not worthy are sent for eternal torment.
SUPERNATURAL: It is believed that Morrgda had once created monsters that walked Eras before the time of man before being slain by the Gods and Goddesses. The ideas of Spirits or Ghosts exists as that when someone dies unless they are to face eternal torment they become servants of the Deities and help guide and improve those of the living to become better people who can better serve the Deities when they too eventually pass from the world.
CLERGY: The clergy of the Karadism faith are made up of both men and women, some places of worship such as temples may have only one but both may be Clergy.
FUNCTION: The Clergy are responsible for spreading understanding of Karadism to the people, by assisting them in understanding holy texts and assisting them in how to worship inwardly through the services which although outward worship teach how one should worship.
LIFESTYLE: The vast majority of the Clergy live ordinary and simple lives as members of their communities, they live in homes which typically located next to the place of worship they are assigned. The Clergy hold regular services, study sessions and help the local community.
FAMILY: Yes, Clergy are allowed to marry.
PRACTICES: Clergy lead the services for local community members. Lead Prayer and study groups. Officialise marriages and do funerals. Active in encouraging charity in their local areas.
DISTINGUISHED BY: Clergy wear mostly ordinary clothing when about their daily lives however they always wear a dark blue neck cover with white stripes running around it. During services clergy dress in full dark grey or black robes with overlays and head dresses relating to the Deity in major Temples or in most cases to relation of religious holidays. They paint their faces with symbols and imagery.


-ICONOGRAPHY-
SYMBOLS: Currently N/A
HOLY COLORS: Blues


HOLY TEXTS: currently N/A
PASSED DOWN: Most new members are typically raised in the faith and learn and believe in it through family and friends. However many people who move to Karadism areas or countries from non Karadism areas or countries are brought into the faith through attendance at Karadism services.
CREATION MYTH: Ninsett was the original being who created everything. They created light and darkness, earth and water, heat and cooling, life and death. It was all created at once. As Ninsett created the universe known to us the original beings were created in the realm of the gods and given responsibilities and powers over Ninsett’s creations.
MORTAL ORIGINS: Mankind is believed to originally been created from the blood of all the deities apart from Ninsett, each gave apart of themselves to the original of the human species. However it is believed that Morrgda came amongst early humans and spread into them immoral and cruel intentions and feelings.


-CULTURAL ASPECTS-
DEADLY SINS: Pride, Greed and Sloth
HIGH VIRTUES: Humble ambition, dedication, diligence, loyalty, charity, knowledge, faithfulness
ASSOCIATED ART FORMS: All art forms are considered holy but traditional music and artistic art forms are the most common practiced.


COMING OF AGE: At age of adulthood in the faith is 13 years old.
COMING OF AGE RITE: Traditions at the coming of age is the “Agvelnu” where those coming of age will cover themselves in blue paint of the symbols of the deities before submerging themselves in water. When they resurface from the water they are considered to have come of age.


MARRIAGE: Anyone can marry (as long as with in law), whether gay or straight, there is no opposition to it within the Karadism faith. You may marry who you want and only the Deities may object.
MARRIAGE RITES: currently N/A

DEATH RITES: The dead are left for several days in which respects and rituals are carried out over the body if possible before the dead are cremated, usually they are kept in things such as urns but some are buried or ashes are scattered.

PREVELANCE: Within the nation of Ulstome the religion is practiced everywhere however outside the nation the faith has very little.
OUTSIDERS: Views range from across the believers of Karadism with extremists holding views of conversion whereas most believers do not mind as long as non-believers aren’t actively trying to persuade or undermine Karadism believers to convert.
 
Elenathism

“Earth my Body, Water my Blood, Air my Breath and Fire my Spirit”​

-BASICS-
Name of the Religion
: Officially Elenathism; other names used are the Elenathi, the Elenathistic Faith, and the Faith of the Elenath.
Adherents: Officially those that follow Elenathism are known as Elenathians. Traditionally and much more common is the title of Witch for both males and females.
Type: Duotheistic
Patriarchal or Matriarchal: Egalitarian
Direction: Inward (Self) / Upward (Divine)
Energy Type: Earth/Water (Feminine Receptive), Air/Fire (Masculine Projective)
  • Feminine Receptive: receptive, soft, fluid, allowing, nurturing, sensual, empathetic, flexible, emotional. Expressed through the subtle realm.
  • Masculine Projective: focused, goal-oriented, stable, strong, structured, logical, driven. Expressed through the physical realm.
Focus: Adherents follow what is known as the Path of the Stars. It is comprised of eight guidelines:
  • Know yourself and your craft;
  • Learn and apply that knowledge with wisdom and foresight;
  • Achieve balance through meditation;
  • Keep your words and thoughts in good order;
  • Celebrate life and all that it brings;
  • Attune with the seasonal cycles of the earth;
  • Eat properly and exercise the body; and
  • Honor the Lady and the Lord.
Deities: the Lady (Goddess) and the Lord (God)
The Pantheon of the Elenathistic faith is unique in that it is not a traditional pantheon of separate gods and goddesses. Instead, the Elenathistic faith maintains a dualistic cosmology with divine power shared separately but equally between the Lady and the Lord with each deity being personified through eight guises. The Lady and the Lord, through their various guises, represent the feminine and masculine energies inherent throughout all of creation and as universal all-encompassing female and male energies, the Lady and the Lord are understood to contain all the individual aspects of their respective energies.​
Titles (Personifications of the Divine):
  • The Lady [Rána, Alariel, Loa, Soresta, Keura, Mela, Amya, Lútha]
    • The Lady is the essence of all divine femininity in the cosmos and is associated with both the Earth and the Moon. As the Earth Mother, personified in her guises as Alariel, Loa, Soresta, and Keura, the Lady represents the grounded, physical energy that allows all life to take root and flourish. Her energy is nurturing and tender, flexible and pliable as she makes possible the manifestation of all change. As the partner of the Lord, her cycles of planting, growth, and death keep the Wheel of the Year turning, clearing away the old and bringing forth the new in the timeless co-creation played out between the Lady and the Lord.
    • The Lady's association with the Moon, personified in her guises as Rána, Mela, Amya, and Lútha, sees her as the ruler of the night and of the ocean tides, as well as the reproductive cycles of women and the realm of the human psyche. In this watery element, the Lady is associated with emotion and intuition and the wisdom that comes from engaging with our inner self and our own consciousness. As the cycles of the Moon go, so too does the Lady carry an association with the cycles through her guise as Rána, the Triple Goddess where she is viewed as a three-fold deity with individual aspects representing the phases of the Moon. These are known as the Maiden, the Mother, and the Crone, and each aspect corresponds to a lunar phase - waxing, full, and waning - as well as a stage in the life of every woman.
  • The Lord [Anár, Celair, Farea, Vanya, Athan, Seron, Tavar, Thairin]
    • The Lord is the essence of all divine masculinity in the cosmos and is associated with both the animals of the forest and the Sun. As the Hunter, personified in his guises as Celair, Farea, Seron, and Tavar, he assists humankind in their need for sustenance in the form of wild game, but at the same time he protects the animals in the wild, ensuring the delicate balance of life on Earth.
    • The Lord's association with the Sun, personified in his guises as Anár, Vanya, Athan, and Thairin, sees him as the ruler of the day and of the life-giving energy from the Sun. The Lord, being the consort and partner of the Lady, ensures that the Wheel of the Year continues to turn through his long slumber each Autumn to his awakening each Spring, growing strong throughout the Summer only to sleep again, echoing the cycles of growth of plant life both in agriculture and in the wild.
Supernatural: the Faer (Elemental Mantles of the Lady and the Lord), Tuatha Dé Icení / Duatha Dé Icení, and the Elenath (the starry host of the cosmos and representations of divine beauty)
Divine Interaction: The Lady and the Lord are called upon and honored at every holiday, festival, and life event and the Tuatha Dé and Elenath are called upon as guardians during ritual work.

-WORSHIP-
Ritual Work
: Rituals are the main form of worship in the Elenathistic faith. Primarily rituals deal with holidays, festivals, and life events. However, solo practitioners and covens can convene and run a ritual for anything that they want. During rituals, the Lady and the Lord are honored, and the Guardians are called upon to protect the space and sanctify any magick raised. Magick consists of two types, ceremonial magick and natural magick, also called folk magick. The main purpose of performing magick is to bring the practitioner closer to the Lady, the Lord, the Tuatha Dé Icení, and the Elenath.
  • Ceremonial magick is the practice of magick through the invocation of the Lady, the Lord, the Tuatha Dé Icení, and the Elenath.
  • Natural magick is the practice of magick in accordance with the natural world. It is meant to address the common ills of the community: healing the sick, bringing love or luck, driving away evil forces, finding lost items, bringing good harvests, granting fertility, and so on. Rituals are generally relatively simple and often change over time. Materials used are commonly available: plants, coins, nails, wood, shells, twine, stones, feathers, etc.
Afterlife: Thala, the realm of tranquility and of the ancestors is the afterlife associated with the Elenathistic faith. Death is not viewed as the end but as a respite from the world before choosing to be reborn and to continue the cycle of life, learning, and acquiring knowledge. Those who do not choose reincarnation rest eternal in the embrace of the Faer, the elemental mantles of the Lady and the Lord.
Holidays / Festivals: Holidays, collectively called the Wheel of the Year, are intricate affairs in the Elenathistic faith with each being celebrated the day before as well as the day of the holiday itself. Traditional garments worn at each holiday are known as vasarya which are cloaks, of both the non-hooded and hooded variety. They are worn for both the holiday and the festival and represent the duality of the divine with the Lady representing femininity and feminine energy and the Lord representing masculinity and masculine energy. They further act as a reminder of the cyclical nature of life and serve as a reminder that all things in life are fleeting and to enjoy the present moment while still maintaining a respect for the past and reflecting on the future to come.
  • Equinoxes and Solstices
    • Ostara (Spring Equinox): 21 March: balance, renewal, action, beginnings, hope, new possibilities
    • Midsummer (Summer Solstice): 21 June: abundance, growth, masculine energy, love, magic
    • Mabon (Autumnal Equinox): 21 September: harvest, gratitude, abundance, balance, preparation, welcoming the dark
    • Midwinter (Winter Solstice): 21 December: rebirth, quiet introspection, new year, hope, setting intentions, celebration of light
  • Cross-Quarter Days
    • Imbolc: 01 February: quickening, hope, renewal, fertility, purification, hearth & home, return of the light
    • Beltane: 01 May: passion, mischief, sensuality, sexuality, beauty, romance, fertility, vitality, abundance
    • Lamas: 01 August: first fruits, harvest, gratitude, benevolent sacrifice, utilizing skills and talents
    • Samhain: 31 October: death, rebirth, divination, honoring ancestors, introspection, benign mischief, revelry

-SPIRITUAL LEADERS-
Male and/or Female
: Both
Function / Practices: Every practitioner of the Elenathistic faith acts as their own Priestess or Priest during solo ritual work. During communal ritual work as part of a coven, a Priestess and Priest lead the work of the Elenath House; a High Priestess and High Priest lead the work of the Elenath Temple; and the Grand High Priestess and Grand High Priest lead the work of the Grand Temple of the Elenath. At the House, Temple, and Grand Temple levels, the Priestess and Priest are responsible for overseeing and running holiday, festival, and life event services.
Chosen: The Faer Conclave is convened by the Grand Temple of the Elenath and consists of all current High Priestesses and High Priests. The Conclave is responsible for appointing new Priestesses and Priests to lead the various Elenath Houses and to vote in new High Priestesses, High Priests, the Grand High Priestess, and/or the Grand High Priest should there be a vacancy or death.
Lifestyle and Family: The Priestesses and Priests live normal lives outside their responsibilities to the Lady and the Lord with many being married and having children and grandchildren.
Distinguishing Factors: As each person is considered their own practitioner in the Elenathistic faith, the primary distinguishing factor between solo practitioners and covens (i.e. Houses and Temples that are overseen by a Priestess and a Priest or a High Priestess and a Priest) is the communal aspect of worship towards the Lady and the Lord.

-ICONOGRAPHY-
Symbols
: Pentagram, Witches Knot, The Triple Moon, The Horned God
Colors: Earth (Black, Brown, Green, Yellow), Water (Black, Blue, Indigo, Green, Turquoise), Air (Crimson, Silver, Yellow, White), Fire (Crimson, Gold, Orange, Red, White)
Elements: Earth (North), Water (West), Air (East), Fire (South), Aether (Centered / Grounded)
  • In the Elenathistic faith, the Elements - meaning the elements of Earth, Water, Air, and Fire, plus the Fifth Element of Aether - are the fundamental building blocks of the cosmos, found in everything throughout the world. The Elements are responsible for the eternal cycle of destruction and new creation that is at the heart of all existence.
  • As the Elements are the literal forces of Nature, they are incorporated into ritual work, into magick, and ultimately into the daily consciousness of those who live and work with the natural rhythms of life, death, rebirth, awakening, and slumber. Every aspect of material existence is bound up in Earth, Water, Air, and Fire, while Aether, is present in each of the Elements.
  • Aether, also called Spirit, is the prime universal element that is present in all things throughout the Cosmos. It exists between, within, and above all the other Elements and provides space, connection, and balance for the Elements to exist and carry out their cycle of destruction and creation. Unlike Earth, Water, Air, and Fire, Aether is immaterial and non-physical and is essential to our sense of connection with our inner self, our own well-being, and own consciousness. Aether ultimately represents a sense of joy and union.
  • The Element of Earth represents strength, abundance, stability, prosperity, wealth, and femininity. In rituals, Earth is represented through the burial of objects, herbalism, and making images out of wood or stone.
  • The Element of Water represents emotions, absorption, subconscious thought, purification, eternal movement, wisdom, the soul, and femininity. In rituals, Water is represented through brew making, healing spells, and tossing objects into water.
  • The Element of Air represents the mind and intelligence, communication, inspiration, imagination, ideas, knowledge, dreams, and wishes. In rituals, Air is represented through aromatherapy, songs, and tossing objects into the wind. Air is also the element of visualization and can aid in locating and finding lost objects and items.
  • The Element of Fire represents energy, inspiration, love, passion, and leadership. In rituals, Fire is represented through burning objects, baking, and lighting candles and fires. Fire is also the element of changes and represents magick itself and as such is the most physical and spiritual.
Tools: Earth (Risil; Bowl of Salt), Water (Súlo; Cauldron), Air (Revia; Incense), Fire (Athamé; Candles)
  • Risil: The risil is a disc inscribed with a sigil or magical symbol engraved upon it. The most common symbol is a pentagram within a circle, specifically a pentacle, although a triquetra may be used as well. The disc symbolizes the Element of Earth and represents that element during evocation/invocation and as a symbol to bless items and purify a circle upon clearing.
  • Súlo: The súlo is a goblet and is symbolic for the Element of Water and of femininity. They are generally used in combination with the Athamé which represents masculinity. Combining the two tools evokes the act of procreation, a symbol of universal creativity. During rituals and festivals, the chalice is traditionally used to hold mead.
  • Revia: The revia is a wand and is symbolic for the Element of Air and can be made from any material, be it wood, metal or rock with many being inset with gemstones or crystals. Whereas an athamé is used to command, a revia is traditionally viewed as being gentler and used to invite and encourage. Revia are used in rituals regarding healing and spell casting.
  • Athamé: Athamé are ceremonial, doubled-edged daggers used to channel and direct energy, generally conceived as etheric fire. The handles are typically inscribed with drawings or symbology that hold importance or significant meaning to the user, examples being astrological glyphs and runes. Many athamés are passed down as family heirlooms though it is common for adherents to own more than one. The ritual drawing of the boundary of a circle, also known as “casting the circle”, is traditionally done with an athamé though in Houses and Temples a ritual sword may be used. As athamés are associated with the Element of Fire, the circle is cast in etheric fire. This fire is traditionally envisioned as blue, indigo or violet; although it may equally well be envisioned as other colors. When the circle is purified after being cast, it is traditionally done with the remaining three elements of air (incense), water (water) and earth (salt). After a circle has been cast, the athamé is the tool used to invoke the Elemental Guardians of the Four Directions, called “calling the quarters”.
Texts: Elenathism is codified in the Lírae of the Divine which contains four books, the Teachings of the Elenath (Religious Scripture), the Lumenyáre (History), the Nyáre (Sagas), and the Lirit (Poems). The Teachings of the Elenath lays out the moral compass and guidelines of the faith while also containing information about the cosmology of the holidays and the ritual worship that is associated with each one. The Lumenyáre and Nyáre lay out the history of the Elenathistic faith, the origins and ancestry of humankind, and the creation of the world. The Lirit are written in praise of the Lady and the Lord and contain a collection of poems and songs written by various people over the centuries. The Teachings and the Nyáre are set in stone and are only updated when the Faer Conclave is called together to update the underlying scripture of the Elenathistic faith. The Grand Temple oversees the occasional update of the Lumenyáre and the Lirit to keep them up to date with the times.
Passed Down: Traditionally the Elenathistic faith is passed from the parents to their children and down through the generations. For those who are new to the faith and wish to induct themselves into the religion (i.e. they have no immediate family who is a part of the Elenathistic faith), they may do so through an initiation ritual with a House or Temple. This initiation ritual lasts for a year and a day during which the initiate learns about the Elenathistic faith while also having the opportunity to experience a full turn of the Wheel of the Year. After the year and a day has passed, the initiate either participates in a ritual in which they devote themselves to the Path of the Stars, the Lady, and the Lord or chooses to leave the Elenathistic faith and seek his or her own path in the world.
Creation Myth / Mortal Origins: The Saga of the Cosmos, part of the Nyáre, details the origins and ancestry of humankind as well as the creation of the world.
Major Myths: In addition to the Saga of the Cosmos, three of the most important major myths and stories include the Rede of the Elenath from The Teachings of the Elenath and the Lady’s Poem and the Lord’s Poem from the Lirit.

-CULTURAL ASPECTS-
High Virtues
: The high virtues of the Elenathistic faith are derived from the Tuatha Dé Icení and are awareness of yourself and your craft; knowledge and wisdom; celebrating life and being present in the moment; achieving and maintaining balance; and honoring the Lady and the Lord.
Low Virtues: The low virtues of the Elenathistic faith are derived from the Duatha Dé Icení and are neglecting yourself and your craft; an inordinate longing for material gain (i.e. money, status, or power); putting one’s own desires, urges, wants, and whims before the welfare of others; and an absence of interest in maintaining balance.
Associated Art Forms: Dance, poetry, music, and song are the most important expressions of divine beauty and worship. However, all art forms are viewed as expressions of the Lady and the Lord.
Coming of Age: In the Elenathistic faith, boys and girls reach religious maturity at the age of fifteen and become a “son of the path” or a “daughter of the path”. The new man or woman is looked upon as an adult and is expected to uphold the Path of the Stars. Traditionally there is a ritual held for when someone comes of age where they are showered with candies, which act as “sweet blessings” and “good fortune” from the Lady and the Lord after which a party is held.
Marriage and Rites: The Elenathistic faith defines marriage as a commitment of love between two people. Traditionally adherents utilize a handfasting ceremony wherein the couple commit wholly to their significant other. These handfasting ceremonies are elaborate affairs and involve the couple’s parents, their families, and their friends.
Death and Rites: Samhain, observed on 31 October, is a time to honor ancestors and those who have come before and to give thanks for all that they brought into the world. When someone passes away, their body is buried and returned to the earth. Funerals are somber affairs with the ritual involving many stories about the deceased, who they were as a person, how they affected the people closest to them, and calling upon the Faer and Elenath to welcome them into Thala.
Prevalence: The Elenathistic faith has near universal recognition and support among the Merilian people. The religion and its moral code have permeated society on a fundamental level to the point that all aspects of society are in some way shaped or influence by Elenathism.
Outsiders: Tolerance is a key component of the Elenathistic faith, and many adherents are open to other religions. Traditionally, other gods and goddesses are viewed as unique cultural interpretations of the Lady and the Lord who sit at the heart of the cosmos and of all creation. So long as other religions do not attempt to undermine the authority of the Elenathistic authorities, they are welcome to be practiced.
 
So here is my own example using this questionnaire. My answers are pretty basic though yours might be more in depth. But I’m also providing a link to my factbook which will show you just how much you can start flesing your religion out from even just basic answers.

RELIGION NAME: Aelostianism

-BASICS-
TYPE: monotheism with moderate animism
PATRIARCHAL or MATRIARCHAL: moderately patriarchal
DIRECTION: inwards and outwards
FOCUS: self improvement, selflessness, nature veneration

DIETY: Aela
OTHER DIVINE BEINGS: Elendur, Argaetha, Erujakir
TITLES: Aldurath Evenul
DIVINE INTERACTION: Extremely Rare, but can happen with anyone

-WORSHIP-
WORSHIP: Prayer, weekly church going, study of scripture
AFTERLIFE: Aeor, the city of Aela. Can only be reached after death
SUPERNATURAL: nature spirits, divine messengers (Erujakir), spirits of fallen heroes

HOLIDAYS: moderately often and of varying importance
CELEBRATES: life, ancestors, mythical heroes, nature
MAJOR HOLIDAYS: celebrate important religious figures


CLERGY: men and women can serve
FUNCTION: teaching, historians, arbiters of holiness, protectors of holy sites
LIFESTYLE: spartan lifestyle spent in holy contemplation
FAMILY: lower orders can have families but higher orders require celibacy
CHOSEN: higher orders chose new clergy from among lower orders
PRACTICES: preach, administer healing and charity, teach
DISTINGUISHED BY: wear religious garments

-ICONOGRAPHY-
SYMBOLS: seven pointed star, the world-ship, the sail of stars
HOLY COLORS: white, green, and red

HOLY TEXTS: nine books collectively called the Edjaddas
PASSED DOWN: via holy books and church teachings
CREATION MYTH: sung and painted into existence by the Argaetha and Elendur
MORTAL ORIGINS: sprung forth from fire
MAJOR MYTHS: The Music of Creation, The Seven Voyages, The War of the Ancients

-CULTURAL ASPECTS-
DEADLY SINS: cowardice, indifference, avarice
HIGH VIRTUES: physical strength, charity, temperance, diligence
MAJOR TABOOS: bodily functions, poor hygiene, overt sexuality

ASSOCIATED ART FORMS: gardening, painting, epic poems

COMING OF AGE: 14
COMING OF AGE RITE: family gathering where gifts and wisdom are imparted by elders

MARRIAGE: a matter of love, involves two people
MARRIAGE RITES: performed by clergy

DEATH RITES: performed by clergy

PREVELANCE: believed by most
OUTSIDERS: are accepted and welcomed, are considered misguided


https://www.nationstates.net/page=dispatch/id=528086
 
RELIGION NAME: Kaidainism

-BASICS-
TYPE: Monotheistic
PATRIARCHAL or MATRIARCHAL: Neutral
DIRECTION: Both
FOCUS: To live an ordered life and to create the perfect society

DIETY: Kaidain
OTHER DIVINE BEINGS: Avatars of Virtue, The Ancestors
TITLES: Kin-Father
DIVINE INTERACTION: Visions and indirect communion with prophets and adherents

-WORSHIP-
WORSHIP: Regular sparring and training, Meditation, Worship at shrines during the day
AFTERLIFE: The worthy shall serve at Kaidain's side in the empire of the next life
SUPERNATURAL: The world is already divine, Men may commune with the dead but must engage with the world of the living, The evils to be avoided are the vices that cause adherents to stray from the path of discipline and virtue.

HOLIDAYS: Few and Important
CELEBRATES: The lives of Prophets, The holy virtues of Kaidain, the State of Astragon and the Exalt Emperor.
MAJOR HOLIDAYS: The Festival of the Sword, The Feast of the Exalt, The Birth of the Prophet Babasha

CLERGY: Male and Female
FUNCTION: Maintaining Moral Hygiene within the community, teaching the young and ministering to the sick and poor
LIFESTYLE: Ascetic lifestyles within the wider community
FAMILY: Yes clergy may marry and bear children
CHOSEN: Clergy may pick initiates from amongst the promising youth or citizens may volunteer
PRACTICES: Teach the Youth, Act as Community Leaders, Lead Worship, Minister to the less fortunate
DISTINGUISHED BY: Bronze Armour and Ceremonial blades

-ICONOGRAPHY-
SYMBOLS: The Sword and the
HOLY COLORS: Bronze and Gold

HOLY TEXTS: The Baishah Na Azrah (the book of the sword), The Codes of Edasha
PASSED DOWN: Passed down from one generation to the next, new members may join after standing vigil for a night at a Kaidainist shrine.
CREATION MYTH: Created by Kaidain so that man might mirror heaven
MORTAL ORIGINS: Children of the first men created by Kaidain
MAJOR MYTHS: The life of the Prophet Babasha and his journeys and quest to understand the nature of the divine and the right path to living a worthy life. The codices of the Prophet Edasha and her life during the time of the Old Empire.

-CULTURAL ASPECTS-
DEADLY SINS: Laxity, Betrayal, Cowardice
HIGH VIRTUES: Discipline, Loyalty, Courage
MAJOR TABOOS: Sedition against the state, theft, speaking ill of the emperor, deceit, drug addiction, gambling

ASSOCIATED ART FORMS: Martial Arts(Sword Fighting), Poetry

COMING OF AGE: At Age 16
COMING OF AGE RITE: The Child stands vigil at a shrine for an entire night before being granted the right to be called an adult and the responsibilities and privileges of a grown adult.

MARRIAGE: Any may marry provided they have served the state in some capacity, unemployed may not marry.
MARRIAGE RITES: The couple walk under a row of swords and swear an oath of loyalty to one another and the wider state beneath an image of Kaidain, The parents of both families will bring a blade to be given to child of the opposite family.
DEATH RITES: The body is cremated and the ashes are used in the forging of a blade that will be given to the next generation of the deceased's family.

PREVALENCE: Widespread in Astragon with over %50 of the countries 81 million worshipping Kaidain
OUTSIDERS: Everyone who acts justly and obeys the law is considered to be doing Kaidains will, outsiders are considered to be worshipping Kaidain in another form.
 
RELIGION NAME: Tretholisism

-BASICS-
TYPE: Atheism
PATRIARCHAL or MATRIARCHAL: Patriarchal(Hardly Noticeable)
DIRECTION: Inwards
FOCUS: kindness, Equality, food for all, accept the exile

DEITY: None
OTHER DIVINE BEINGS: The grand Spirit(The combined spirits of everything around them)
TITLES: None

DIVINE INTERACTION: None

-WORSHIP-
WORSHIP: No practices, except mercy killing during a hunt(Make a kill as painless as possible and as quick as possible)
AFTERLIFE: Reincarnation
SUPERNATURAL: None

HOLIDAYS: Harvest Day
CELEBRATES: The Final harvest of a year
MAJOR HOLIDAYS: The Grand Harvest Day

CLERGY: Males and Females
FUNCTION: In charge of food distribution
LIFESTYLE: As a regular citizen
FAMILY: They are allowed to marry
CHOSEN: Blond Hair Green Eyes
PRACTICES: Distribute food to the populace
DISTINGUISHED BY: They are distinguished by a green colored scarf

-ICONOGRAPHY-
SYMBOLS: Circle is the circle of life, symbols eternity as well, a triangle is seen as a sign of good luck
HOLY COLORS: Green and blond colors

HOLY TEXTS: The how to view the world and how it is meant to be seen
PASSED DOWN: The receive the religion through their first hunt. Both male and female must hunt.
CREATION MYTH: They believe that they live on a massive rock. This rock is slowly being broken down
MORTAL ORIGINS: They think they came from the same way as animals did
MAJOR MYTHS: That the world is slowly being turned into dirt, and once that happens the world will be at peace

-CULTURAL ASPECTS-
DEADLY SINS: Murder, Unnecessary pain onto a target
HIGH VIRTUES: Painless deaths, quick deaths, good hunter, good farmer, intelligent mind, or an exile of another nation. They don't mind if your dumb, you are just treated normally if you are not any of those things.
MAJOR TABOOS: No parent child romantic relations

ASSOCIATED ART FORMS: Dance, this is seen as very holy and it to be done at least every day. If your happy it is common for a follower to dance

COMING OF AGE: 16
COMING OF AGE RITE: They must bring in a kill from a hunt, whether it be a deer or a fish. Anything will do, except bugs, bugs don't count.

MARRIAGE: They have free choice of who they marry
MARRIAGE RITES: The couple spends 3 days in the wilderness, once finished they are officially considered married. They are not allowed social interaction with anyone but themselves for these three days.

DEATH RITES: The dead are cremated and the ashes are either spread out over a cliff into the sea, or buried in the ground, usually under a growing tree(Most popular)

PREVALENCE: This religion is followed faithfully in all of Teinland, even exiles that followed other religions are known to follow it
OUTSIDERS: They see them as neighbors, and see them with no hostility unless they committed a major sin. But this is scared due to foreign nations attacking Teinland in the past
 
Last edited:

Esplandia

Factbook Addict
-


-
Sep 27, 2019
RELIGION NAME: Phisoponia

-BASICS-
TYPE: Polytheism
PATRIARCHAL or MATRIARCHAL: Moderate
DIRECTION: Inwards
FOCUS: Equality,Good Will and Luck to All

DIETY: Pholis
OTHER DIVINE BEINGS: Frelisaious
the god that manages life and nature to support Pholis
TITLES: None

DIVINE INTERACTION: By hallucanatic ways of communication it interacts with good willed and sinful people to reward them and correct their sins.

-WORSHIP-
WORSHIP: Every day followers of the faith offer food or flowers to thank the two gods for protecting them.
AFTERLIFE: Every human after death stays in the world for 14 days to apologize to loved ones or find peace through non violent ways.
SUPERNATURAL: Yavan Spirits are souls that didn't find peace or beared a grudge.


HOLIDAYS: Every 3 months
CELEBRATES: Union Festival is celebrated every 3 months to respect each other and welcome each other more.
MAJOR HOLIDAYS: Holy Week
The holiday is celebrated from November 23-30.
During this major religious gatherings and parades take place too.

CLERGY: Female and Males become clergy's
FUNCTION: The responsibility of clergy's are to help the devastated and poor as well as correcting the sinful's sins by teaching the right thing.
LIFESTYLE: A clergy of this faith must live a healthy,non sinful and balanced life.
As well as the misuse of power and wealth is forbidden
FAMILY: They can marry whoever they want but musn't be a relative to avoid health problems for their children.
CHOSEN: The clergy's are chosen by spiritual knowledge level and goodwildness..
PRACTICES: They often wander in the forests and grasslands helping animals and people in need.
They also pray for 1 hour at sundays.
DISTINGUISHED BY: The clergy's wear a thin white cloth with a crown cross around their chest.
They also always carry the Holy book.

-ICONOGRAPHY-
SYMBOLS: A crown cross- Representing its recognition,Doves and Long leaves on the side-Represents the love for nature and peace.
HOLY COLORS: Yellow,White,Green and Brown.

HOLY TEXTS: Pholis Book I,Pholis Book II and The Holy Book
PASSED DOWN: You become a follower by attending 7 masses and offering 3 times.
CREATION MYTH: According to Pholis Book I this is how the world was formed:
In the beggining there was nothing but darkness until something was created by the gods Pholis and Nilor.
Pholis wanted to create a world where harmony exists and peace thrives,however Nilor argued that was boring and not amusing.
Pholis responded by saying that you should not create for amusement and destruction.
Nilor dissapeared away,
Pholis made earth where humans amd animals coexisted for million of years but then suddenly Nilor came back and wrecked havoc creating the 5 Deadly Sins:
Glutonnious Greed
Slothful Laziness
Wrathful Hatred
Prideful Arrogance
Disrespect
After 256 years of battle and chaos Nilor was sealed in the paradise of demons.
However the coexistence and harmony was broken by sinful people.
MORTAL ORIGINS: According to Pholis book II this is how humans originated:
They say that we originated from natural and marine life.
MAJOR MYTHS: The mlst popular myth in this faith is Rainful Offering-
The myth reads like this:
When you offer something appealing to the second god good rain will come however that hasnt been approved by priests.

-CULTURAL ASPECTS-
DEADLY SINS:
Glutonnious Greed
Slothful Laziness
Wrathful Hatred
Prideful Arrogance
Disrespect

HIGH VIRTUES:
Honesty
Generousity
Kindness
Compassion
Calmness
MAJOR TABOOS: The discrimination of a follower or non-follower is not allowed.
Commiting a one of the deadly sins repeatedly.

ASSOCIATED ART FORMS: The singing of sweet melodies is very common but poetry is very common too.

COMING OF AGE: 16
COMING OF AGE RITE: They must have not commited a sin/deadly sin repeatedly.
They also must have been blessed.

MARRIAGE: A person can marry anyone except relatives.
MARRIAGE RITES: All marrying mjst socialize with each other before their marriage date.

DEATH RITES: They are buried in a respectful graveyard/cementary,the remains are preserved in the graveyard for 1 year before the coffin is sent to the cremation centers.
The ashes of the people are kept in boxes.

PREVELANCE: 82.3% of the population of Brelfest follows this faith goodwillingly.
They also do not force others to follow it
OUTSIDERS: Adherents see non-adherents equally and hospitabilly.
They see all outsiders good people.
 
-BASICS-
TYPE: Ditheism
PATRIARCHAL or MATRIARCHAL: Mostly Patriarchal
DIRECTION: Outwards
FOCUS: Obedience, acceptance.

DIETY: Eltis (God of life) and Amt (Goddess of death)
OTHER DIVINE BEINGS: Spirits.
TITLES: None

DIVINE INTERACTION: Extremly common via the Ansm (The ruler of the nation)

-WORSHIP-
WORSHIP: (practices)
AFTERLIFE: After death you will be judged by Amt, if you were good in life you will receive the good treatment, you will be able to go to her palace a place of wonder, fests, and where all your wishes will be granted (exept affecting the mortal world) you can also visit the mortal world as you please but you may not interact with it other than maybe wishpering into the ears of the mortals or blowing a small wind, if you recive the bad treatment Amt will devoir your soul and you will be forever trapped inside her sufferering constant pain and you may never see the mortal world again.
SUPERNATURAL: Spirits

HOLIDAYS: Day of the fallen, honoring your loved ones by buring gifts to them near their grave if they received the good treatment or leaving insults if they received the bad treatment.
CELEBRATES: The ones that are now gone
MAJOR HOLIDAYS: Day of the fallen.

CLERGY: Both genders
FUNCTION: Clergy give the notice to the family if the person received the good treatment or the bad treatment as well as directicting the prayers and
LIFESTYLE: (how do clergy live)
FAMILY: Clergy are allowed to marry but only people from other clergy families.
CHOSEN: The position is hereditary.
PRACTICES: (what do clergy do)
DISTINGUISHED BY: (how are clergy set apart from a lay person)

-ICONOGRAPHY-
SYMBOLS: (what symbols are associated with the religion)
HOLY COLORS: Gold, Black

HOLY TEXTS: The 3 codixes
PASSED DOWN: Hereditary
CREATION MYTH: At the beginning the world was a giant rectangular rock like the one used to create sculptures, then Eltis came along and shapped it into mountains, valleys and the parts that would later become rivers, lakes and oceons, then she cut her hand to make water which filled those holes, then he created the plants, herbivore animals, and the fertile land out of his hair, then Amt came and created the carnivores, the poisons and the diseases out of her hair.
MORTAL ORIGINS: Amt and Eltis had a romance and they had 3 pairs of twins whose names have been lost to time, the eldest pair created the ruling class, the middle ones created the 12 clergy families and the youngest ones created the peasants.
MAJOR MYTHS: (stories and parables which define the religion) WIP

-CULTURAL ASPECTS-
DEADLY SINS: (what vices are considered the worst)
HIGH VIRTUES: (what behaviors are considered the most righteous)
MAJOR TABOOS: (what things are prohibited by social custom)

ASSOCIATED ART FORMS: (what kind of art is considered most holy (ie dance, poetry, music, etc))

COMING OF AGE: 15
COMING OF AGE RITE: (traditions associated with reaching maturity)

MARRIAGE: (how is a marriage decided and who’s allowed to marry)
MARRIAGE RITES: (marriage ceremony and traditions)

DEATH RITES: (how are the dead remembered/honored and what happens to the remains)

PREVELANCE: In the past, it was very common but it's becoming less and less common, now about half of the citizens practice it.
OUTSIDERS: With Pity as they will not receive the good treatment.
 
RELIGION NAME: Ainshari

-BASICS-
TYPE: Transtheism
PATRIARCHAL or MATRIARCHAL: Patriarchal
DIRECTION: Inward
FOCUS: To remove T'marta (substance) from one's soul and realize Knuma (become one with the basic, spiritual reality)

DIETY: N/A
OTHER DIVINE BEINGS: N/A
TITLES: N/A

DIVINE INTERACTION: N/A

-WORSHIP-
WORSHIP: The Seven Razrizi -- One, meditation on the nature of reality, two, non-intervention in the natural order to avoid T'marta, three, peace and non-violence, four, charity and giving, five, the commission and maintenance of holy orders, six, chastity, and seven, respect for others.
AFTERLIFE: Reincarnation (but never into the same reality), with the eventual goal of Knuma
SUPERNATURAL: Based on Ainshari tradition, main doctrinal Ainshari creatures are the Daiva (evil spirits, play into material attachment and promote T'marta) and Ira (good spirits, seek to enlighten and liberate)

HOLIDAYS: Festivals occur once or so a month
CELEBRATES: The ascension of some saints, events from Ainshari myth and folklore, or important annual events (solstices, harvest times, etc.)
MAJOR HOLIDAYS: Sahrashara, December 6, an annual close perigee celebrated because of it's supposed importance when many souls achieve liberation from T'marta and realize Knuma. A deeply spiritual holiday, when Ainshari practitioners fast, meditate, attend services, and refuse to spend any money in service of non-attachment, and Mithashara, where the ashes collected at a given temple are scattered to the winds, with religious services celebrating the full release of the communal dead (tends to be festive and, in modern times, foster degrees of impiety and revelry)

CLERGY: Men, women are seen as unable to achieve liberation in this life and are associated with the worlds of attachment and desire
FUNCTION: Conducting religious services and performing rituals to maintain temple sanctity, as well as spiritual practice designed to liberate Ainshari from T'marta, clergy are considered to be nearing their final incarnation
LIFESTYLE: Ascetic lifestyle, with consumption of only that food which is donated by laity, and ritualistic starving done at certain times of the year and at the end of life
FAMILY: No, marriage is a manifestation of attachment
CHOSEN: A rigorous examination period conducted by Ainshari clergy to weed out the spiritually week, consists of religious testing, ritualistic starving (in some cases til death), mission work, and a year long period of complete isolation
PRACTICES: Conduct religious services, perform rituals, and work to achieve Knuma
DISTINGUISHED BY: Lifestyle, clothing, and appearance

-ICONOGRAPHY-
SYMBOLS: Kha, the Esdari figure for 1, surrounded by a circle, meant to represent the moon (which is given heavy spiritual importance)
HOLY COLORS: Purple (symbolizing balance) and blue (symbolizing spirituality). Fringe sects wear red (symbolizes negativity, the Daiva, and duality).

HOLY TEXTS: Ain Khuta, a series of texts written by holy men explaining the nature of reality and the core principles of the religion
PASSED DOWN: Through parents, through temples, and through religious texts
CREATION MYTH: The world was never "created" but this reality was made when the host of Ira, chasing the host of Daiva, filled the void left by the Daiva with light and created the hole which became the moon. The Daiva and Ira are engaged in an endless war, and they will eventually return to this reality through the sun, destroy it, and remake it before leaving through the moon.
MORTAL ORIGINS: Created after the battle between Daiva and Ira, using the disembodied souls slain by the Daiva
MAJOR MYTHS: Mostly focus around the Daiva and Ira

-CULTURAL ASPECTS-
DEADLY SINS: Various forms of attachment
HIGH VIRTUES: Various forms of detachment, saving and frugality
MAJOR TABOOS: Burial of the dead, memorialization of the dead, and sexual openness

ASSOCIATED ART FORMS: Poetry and ritual hymn singing

COMING OF AGE: 15, when men are gifted a copy of Ain Khuta as part of a day-long ritual fast
COMING OF AGE RITE: Ritual day-long fasting with meditation

MARRIAGE: Usually arranged to ensure the security and wellbeing of both families and partners
MARRIAGE RITES: Married in a temple, with a "honeymoon" phase prior to marriage (called Sarkhesh "intoxication"), and the marriage itself being followed by a three day fast where neither member of the couple makes any contact with the other

DEATH RITES: Their body is burned during a session of hymn singing and meditation, followed by ritualistic fasting and meditation for a three day period. During this time, clergymen gather the ashes, store them in the temple, and release them during an annual festival

PREVELANCE: Endemic to Shaiva with only minor diasporic communities
OUTSIDERS: Misguided, but harmless
 
Last edited:
RELIGION NAME: Lakhic Messianism (officially the Holy Apostolic Orthodox Church of Mar Mashiah

-BASICS-
TYPE: Trinitarian Monotheism
PATRIARCHAL or MATRIARCHAL: Patriarchal
DIRECTION: Mystic, both inwards and outwards (virtue and meditation), monastic
FOCUS: To achieve Mitalhanuta (deification), a state of being one with God

DIETY: Trinitarian God composed of Abbas (God the Father), Mar Mashiah (God the Son), and Ruhad Qudsah (God the Spirit)
OTHER DIVINE BEINGS: The angelic hierarchy of three orders, with the first order being closest to God, the second order being sovereign over nature, and the third order being tasked with guiding humanity; all of these beings are completely subordinate to the will of God (save for Samael the Seraphim, who revolted against God and was cast into oblivion along with those who joined his revolt)
TITLES: In the first order, Seraphim, Cherubim, and Ophanim, followed by Dominions, Virtues, and Powers in the second order, and Principalities, Archangels, and Angels in the third order.

DIVINE INTERACTION: God speaks to man through prophets, sends angels down to mankind, and sent his only begotten son (both Man and God, united in one, hypostatic nature) so that those who believe in him shall not perish, but have eternal life

-WORSHIP-
WORSHIP: Personal devotion and prayer, monastic living, fasting throughout the year, and Kuhana (Divine Liturgy)
AFTERLIFE: The particular judgement, where Mar Mashiah sits in judgement over your soul and determines your fate before the general judgement, where all of mankind will be judged. It is widely believed that, at the general judgement, all of mankind will either be condemned or saved
SUPERNATURAL: Angels, demons, and other figures play an important role in the mythology of the faith

HOLIDAYS: Oraham and Idagura, a 46 day fast ending on the traditional Shaddaist celebration of Pascha (when Mar Mashiah was crucified), Bitialda, the celebration of the nativity of Christ (on January 7), and a variety of other holidays
CELEBRATES: Important events in the life of Mar Mashiah, as well as the lives of saints of the church
MAJOR HOLIDAYS: Important events in the history of salvation

CLERGY: Only men, women can become monastics
FUNCTION: Celebration of the eucharist, leading the church, and serving as spiritual guides for parishioners
LIFESTYLE: Parish priests are required to be married, whereas hierarchs are recruited from the ranks of monastics and are expected to take vows of celibacy
FAMILY: Mandatory families for parish priests, mandatory celibacy for monastics and hierarchs
CHOSEN: Recruited from seminaries or monasteries, usually a profession sought out by the candidate
PRACTICES: Celebrate the eucharist, say daily prayers, perform non-eucharistic services, administer sacraments, and to attend to the tabernacle
DISTINGUISHED BY: Education, ordainment, and special robes that are worn during service

-ICONOGRAPHY-
SYMBOLS: The triumphant cross, holy icons, and the esdari calligraphy of holy names
HOLY COLORS: Purple (to symbolize the divinity and regality of Mar Mashiah), red (for the blood shed on the cross), and white (for the promise of divine purity through a life dedicated to Mar Mashiah)

HOLY TEXTS: Ktuiatha, the Esdari Translation and canon of the Holy Bible
PASSED DOWN: Through their parish, are churched and baptized after 40 days of life, and are educated in the life of the church by their priests
CREATION MYTH: Created by Abbas in 7 days
MORTAL ORIGINS: Created in paradise before falling from grace and being made mortal and imperfect
MAJOR MYTHS: The creation of the tribes of Iraelia, the Old Covenant with God, and the creation of the New Covenant with Mar Mashiah

-CULTURAL ASPECTS-
DEADLY SINS: Anger, sexual impiety, greed, selfishness, slavish devotion to the law as opposed to the spirit of the law
HIGH VIRTUES: Mystic and monastic devotion, being a good neighbor, charity, compassion, and love
MAJOR TABOOS: Murder, theft, sexual violence, saying the birth name of Mar Mashiah, depicting Abbas

ASSOCIATED ART FORMS: Hymn singing, iconography, and poetry

COMING OF AGE: 16, when a child affirms their Baptism by accepting the sacrament of Amulghia (comparable to Unction)
COMING OF AGE RITE: The sacrament of Amulghia

MARRIAGE: In theory for love, in practice varies
MARRIAGE RITES: Sacrament of marriage is administered, marriage celebrations typically last for three days (with the couple not seeing each other for the first day, being married on the second, and entertaining guests for the third)

DEATH RITES: Entombed in necropolises, with the belief that at the second coming all of the dead will be restored to perfection in their bodies and join Mar Mashiah at the judgement seat

PREVELANCE: Majority religion in Shaiva, large minority in virtually every Iterian country, with sizable diasporas existing throughout Eras
OUTSIDERS: Anything from heretical to heathen, but the mystic aspect of the faith combined with the teachings of Mar Mashiah compel parishioners to be friendly to all people and focus on their own salvation before anything else
 
Last edited:
Back
Top