Faedin

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The Faedin is an animist religion with much of its belief in the forces of nature, believing that all living things are tied to the Spirit World through spirit, which inhabits every living thing in Elyria.

Tenets

Like the other religions of Elyria, the Faedin of different tribes share the same basic tenets however there can be variance for each tribe.

Variations of Tenets

Kypiq: All living things are filled with spirit and should be protected.

Brudvir: Animals (and Mann) are the only living things that have spirit, while trees, insects and other living things serve only as part of the food chain for the more advanced species. The Brudvir revere animals at a higher level, that all souls start their journey as animals and that only through multiple lifetimes and experiences can a soul ascend to inhabit Mann. Lasltly, the Brudvir believe that the soul chooses what form it will take depending on the knowledge it has gained in its past lifetimes. For example, particularly if the soul of a wolf has learned all of its lessons in its current state, it reincarnates as a Mann - specifically as a Brudvir.

Janoa: All living things are filled with spirit. The Janoa differ from other Faedin in their belief that the spirits of living things are a source of power and enlightenment. Janoa believe that the spirits of those creatures they kill and consume become part of them, increasing their inner strength and demonstrating their outer strength.

Religious Purpose

Faedin followers strive for enlightenment. They believe that their bodies are just vehicles for the soul, which can take them on a path to greater things. It is believed by the Faedin that multiple planes exist, and that we are only able to transcend to a higher plane through manifestation on each of the lower planes in a form suitable for that plane.

Variations of Enlightenment

Kypiq: View enlightenment as co-existing with nature.

Brudvir: Believe it's through reincarnation through different animal cycles.

Janoa: Believe it's through consuming the spirit of other animals.

See also: Religion

Rituals

The Faedin religion keeps up rituals of various nature. The most relevant known today is the Festival of Passage.

Festival of Passage

To the Faedin, nothing is more sacred than the Cycle of Souls, shifting through forms as they evolve and grow wiser and stronger across each turn of the Cycle’s intricate spirals. Once a lifetime, every 52 years in the grand spiral, the Cycle of Souls itself is celebrated by the Faedin in the time of the Passage.

The Faedin faiths each see the Passage through the lens of their unique beliefs, leading to three different observances. Despite this, the Passage is celebrated at the same time, in accordance with an astral cycle carefully tracked and followed by Janoa, Brudvir, and Kypiq alike. All Faedin faiths see the Cycle as the course of the soul between its creation and the moment of its perfection, many lifetimes in the future. With each pass through the Cycle’s motions, the soul grows, and when it manifests on Elyria once more, it emerges in a new form, transformed by its past experiences, a step closer to its perfect form. It is the shape of the Cycle – its form – that the faiths see differently.

The Kypiq celebrate this time by hosting The Masque of Passage - A masquerade lasting a full month similar to Mardi Gras where people dress up in costumes to honor the different animals of Elyria.

The Pursuit of Passage is a hunt lasting a full month, where Brudvir dress up as wolves and attempt to join the wolf packs, and then proceed to hunt with them. They hunt and kill in order to usher in the end of an animal's life to prepare for Queen's Gaze and the chance for reincarnation.

The Janoa honor this time with the Contest of Passage - a month-long tournament where people fight within a circle against other people, or against a selection of animals, to demonstrate their prowess.

Others who share a close relationship with a Faedin tribe may join in the celebrations and use them for their own means.

Notably, the Neran may use this as a time to join in with the merry-making of the Kypiq, and the Hrothi may use this as a time to foster and encourage relations with the Brudvir, offering to sell them thematic weapons, etc. The To'resk may use the contests of the Janoan as a series of events in which to gamble upon.

As this time in Elyria is celebrated, you can be certain there will be stories passed down through the ages about grandiose Masque of Passage costumes, and unfathomable skills demonstrated by young Janoans during their contest.