Hilael

Hilael centers around its deity Deshret, the Luminous One, who guides and protects followers in times of darkness. Its adherents, Hilaeleans, migrated north to Mahka Nata 4 to 5 generations ago from their desert homeland. They currently make up around half of Mahka Nata’s population. Drawn to its lush forests and coasts, it’s written that Deshret brought the Hilealeans to their current home to worship him more freely. Life moves like the natural ebb and flow of the tides; enlightenment comes with patience and trust in Deshret’s fated cycle.
Anyone can become a worshiper of Hilael. There are five main reflections, or acts of duty, that one must follow without exception if they are devout: Fael Al’eem (profession of faith), Ilyamar (dusk and dawn prayers), Ankbashet (expansion), fasting during Fa’iima, and the Jai’a pilgrimage. Hilael teaches adherents to submit to Deshret, as piety will illuminate one’s life with clarity and safety.
Culture is centered around the arts and rituals meant to capture, even slightly, the beauty of moonlight on water. The teachings of Deshret promote balance and centeredness within oneself in order to properly see the world for what it is. When people are born into this world, it shall be under dim candlelight, in rooms decorated with art and warm incense so that Deshret can better guide the soul. When people pass on to the afterlife, Deshret similarly guides them back out into the ocean where they can rest while the sun is in the sky. These rituals are incredibly important in Hilael. The peak of daytime can sometimes be considered a time of mourning. Midday pauses in work to be with family or rest are common for those that worship.
Religious leadership is held by the Crescent Queen, who enacts Deshret’s will in the mortal world by birthright. Her wisdom and faith has earned her Deshret’s grace. She is rarely seen in the height of day and rules with her advisors, the Lunar Council. Scripture and teachings are declared by Deshret, passed onto her and the Crescent Queens of past generations.
In Hilael, everything circles back to Deshret and the enlightenment of its teachings. Under moonlight, the art of divination guides the Crescent Queen and Deshret’s adherents towards success in conquest, health, love, and fortune.

Core Beliefs

The Five Reflections

Fael Al’eem – Profess your intention under the moon with your blood. Anyone can believe in Hilael as long as they complete this initiation ritual with at least three adherents as witness. This involves marking your pulse points with the symbol of Deshret in blood and reciting scripture.
Ilyamar – Pray twice a day at dawn and dusk. Give your first goodbye and last greeting of the day to the moon.
Ankbashet – All must submit to Deshret, the Luminous One, no matter what.
Fa’iima – During the month of a Solar Eclipse, people fast during the day and eat at night, leading up to the celebration of Mu’ayada, night’s masquerade.
Jai’a – At least once in your life, make the journey to the Lunar Tower and climb towards its light.

Traditions

Traditions and rituals are an essential part of Hilaelean culture. Hilaelean people hold these celebrations in high regard, sometimes even holding large events to honor Deshret and the arts and technology that they are so proud of.

Mu'ayada

At the end of every eighteenth month, the month of the solar eclipse during which they must fast, Mu'ayada occurs. Mu'ayada is a celebration ritual in which all business and governance is put on hold while everyone partakes in a city wide masquerade to worship Deshret and his strength. Food and game stalls are set up across the city, welcoming all participants. Masks are worn by all, oftentimes depicting a holy symbol of Deshret or some type of moon-related decoration. All Hilaeleans are seen as equal for one night to ensure privacy, allowing all to enjoy their life without judgment of social class.

Jai'a

Other rituals are rooted in proving one's faith. One such tradition is actually a core belief of Hilael: Jai'a. It requires that at some point in your life, you must venture to the mountains in Tahwil to climb the Lunar Tower. The top of the tower is an open area with a direct view of the night sky. The Moon shines unimpeded on you, signifying that you are truly a follower of Hilael, and are willing to accept Deshret's guidance for the rest of your life. Most often, people will embark on this trip before they turn thirty, as that's when their body is in its best conditions for the long journey.

Other Traditions

Besides these large rituals, Hilaeleans practice household traditions. Hilael stresses the importance of personal practice as you are inviting Deshret into your home for further guidance. Allowing Deshret's guidance in all aspects of your life is seen as the purest form of worship.

Birth

Childbirth is often carried out in one's own home. With a knowledgeable understanding of the procedure, families can often give birth without the assistance of a priest or cleric. Many households will often have room specifically for birth: a room with a red interior and decoration, a bed in the center of the room, and a skylight to allow moonlight to shine directly on the child at its first breath. If a skylight is not possible, people will paint a moon to make up for it.

Marriage

Marriage is a very holy event. They are only held at night to let Deshret give his blessing via moonlight. All in attendance wear red, and those getting married adorn themselves with jewelry and henna of holy symbols to distiniguish themselves from the others. A priest oversees the ceremony to officiate it, and the guest list is normally kept to a minimum with just family and close friends. People will try and plan their wedding around the moon cycle, aiming for a fuller moon cycle to get married under. The most desirable wedding is held at midnight under a full moon, as it's said that that is when Deshret will be watching the closest to give his blessing.

Death

When people die, they are not buried. Instead, their bodies are dressed in reds and deep blues. Reds to symbolize the blood of Deshret, and deep blue to symbolize the oceanic path that they now walk. They are also adorned in jewelry with their hands across their chest as they are laid down in a rowboat. The bodies are brought to the coastline for a short ceremony, then pushed towards the sea to let Deshret guide them to the afterlife.

History

Hilaelean history does not start in Mahka Nata, but in the land across the Southern sea. The first generation Hilaeleans were said to have been chosen by Deshret himself as messengers of Hilael. It is said that as they crossed the sea, a storm battered down upon them. All but the captain believed they would make, but they continued on nonetheless. Their travel lasted months with the storm fighting them the entire way. After what felt like an eternity of rough waters and whipping winds, they landed in Mahka Nata. Upon arrival, it's rumored that Deshret himself appeared before them to give his blessing and spread the Hilael culture throughout this new world. But that's just what's written, despite being what many believe to be true.

With new land to conquer and people to convert, Hilaeleans began to work. The first Crescent Queen was chosen, the Lunar Tower was erected, and kingdoms began to form. The native Astorians were pushed out by the newcomers, surprised by the force of Ankbashet. Astorians were pushed North towards the mountains, and the five kingdoms that stand today were reinforced. There were the Adairians, but as they were a minority and not a very organized governernmental society, Hilaeleans decided it better to save forces and let them have their small land.

Now, Hilael is the ruling culture of Mahka Nata. Generations have come and gone, and the current people are the fourth and fifth generation of Hilaeleans; the Crescent Queen herself is of the fourth generation. Hilael's history is rich with myths and stories of Deshret and his strength.

Hierarchy

Hilaelean society is guided by the Crescent Queen. She is the supreme law of the land and is in charge of spreading the luminous one's will. Hilaleans have a theocratic monarchy as their main governmental structure. The Crescent Queen usually handles big picture problems that face her people: things like internal and external policies and border societal decisions that would affect a broad amount of people. When the Crescent Queen needs council on more niche topics she may call on the aid of the Lunar Council.

Class mobility is rigid. For someone in the working class it'll be easiest to become a solider, or perhaps an artisan with a willing teacher, but pursuing higher education is rare if not impossible. Scribes and those from academic families rarely move. Merchant classes have more room to fall down the latter than move up it. The gap between rich and poor is too wide for most to cross. Hierarchy has everything to do with skill and money, while things like gender and sexuality are of little to no consequence.

Social Ranking

Crescent Queen: Resides in Khasut with the Lunar Council in the Royal Palace. Oversees all of the Hilaelean kingdoms and dictates laws. She is considered the envoy of Deshret and is rarely seen during the height of day without a veil or parasol.
Lunar Council: Stays in the Royal Palace with the Crescent Queen to advise her and oversee their respective areas of government. Capable magic users, and knowledgeable on events in all the other cities to maintain peace and order within the Hilaelean kingdoms.
Nobility: Ruling class. Lords and Ladies who are sent to the other Hilaelian kingdoms to keep order in the name of the Crescent Queen.
Scribes: Librarians and scholars, especially those from Seshat. Doctors and physicians.
Artisans / Merchants: Artisans and merchants mainly direct the flow of commerce. Traditionally speaking, art is viewed as the purest display of piety to Deshret and highly valued.
Soldiers: No prerequisites to being a soldier, you just need to demonstrate your abilities and prove that you can defend yourself without being a hindrance. If you can do that, you can be a soldier. Reports to a knight or commander.
Working Class: Farmers, fishermen, common laborers. Access to standard magic practices based on interest/resources. Generally accepting of magic because the majority of individuals participate in it.

Lowest Class: Struggle to live on their own.

Exceptions: Tradition is not always followed. In recent times, divisions over Ankbashet and Deshret’s will have shaken the social order. Some believe submission must be wrought through violence and others believe it can only be through pacifism. Much of the population is somewhere in the middle. The social rank of soldiers may be raised higher in military zones and areas in which the arts cannot defend any more than it can attack.

Social Principles

Social etiquette stems from the teachings of Deshret and emphasis on politeness and patience is stressed. It’s rude to deny gifts or food and drink upon entering someone’s home, just as much as it’s rude to not offer these things; hospitality is important and community within Hilael is centered around this idea of Deshret’s balanced cycle. To receive a gift, one must give a gift, for it is recurring thought that creates firm bonds.
There is little distinction between men and women when it comes to what someone can or can’t do. In myth, Deshret takes on many forms and is described as both masculine and feminine. Gender is similarly perceived as fluid. How one feels day to day can change like Deshret and the lunar phases. Attitudes surrounding sexuality are open and tolerant. Within the noble class, there is some pressure to continue the bloodline heritage, but for the majority of adherents this is of much less concern.

Symbols and Iconography

by Ava Guarino

Deshret

God of the Hilaeleans, Deshret is symbolized with overlapping crescent moons to show his power over everything lunar. Deshret is the only god of Hilael, but Hilaeleans recognize that other gods exist and will not denounce their existence, but see the gods as inferior to Deshret. All Hilaeleans worship Deshret, as there are no other gods in their religion.

by Ava Guarino

Fael Al’eem

Hands reaching around the moon to represent the initiation ritual of the Hilaeleans.

by Ava Guarino

Ankbashet

A symbol of fierce devotion and conversion to the Luminous One Deshret. Along with the symbol of Deshret, soldiers and military uniforms are adorned with this embelm.

by Ava Guarino

Hilael

The symbol on the Hilaelean flag, black and white crescents show the Hilaelean devotion to Deshret and his moon.

Illuminate that which is lost.

Type

Geopolitical, Empire

Alternative Names

The Red Crown

Demonym

Hilaelean