Zhuhism (Zoo-ism)

Structure

Esh'zhere (pronounced 'Edg-jare')- One in the entire order, similar to the Pope. This person oversees the entire organization
U'fira (pronounced 'Oo- feera') or U'she (pronounced 'Oo- sha')- oversee the priests of a region. Typically spend their time travelling but do report to the Esh'zhere. They specialize in worship with one of the two gods, but can advise on matters of both.
Zhu'seft- similar to preachers, they are the front line priests in temples, and help the Zhuhist population practice their religion

Mythology & Lore

In the beginning, there was only Fira'zhu and She'zhu, brother and sister. One day while wandering the heavens, a bored Fira'zhu made a wager with She'zhu. Whoever could make the largest mountain would be rewarded with forbidden knowledge of the other. Fira'zhu knew that She'zhu could not conjur fire and stone, and he wanted to know what lay beyond her eternal waters. She'zhu agreed, and they set about their tasks.
With his hot fire, Fira'zhu grew a mountain so large it surpassed the heavens. When he was done, She'zhu had only build a small mound of sand. Unwilling to let her brother win, She'zhu unleased a massive wave of water which pounded the great mountain to pebbles. The mountain crumbled and the tallest structure became her mound of sand. When Fira'zhu arrived at her location, he was furious, and in his anger he sliced She'zhu in half before leaving her side forever.
The crumbled mountain was strewn about in the water, creating land in the eternal ocean. Fira'zhu continues to travel the path his sister and he took in the beginning, guarding it from his treacherous sister. He became the sun that warms the land. She'zhu's two halves travel the heavens as well, trying to fit herself back together. She became the two moons. Once a year they find each other, but Fira'zhu finds them before she can put herself back together, and the two halves run away.

Divine Origins

This religion came from beyond the Whispering Mountains, and was brought to Argeddon when the Whispermen traversed the mountains.

Tenets of Faith

It is important for Zhuhists to achieve balance in their lives. Like the flower needs both cool water and warm sun, humans need both the Gods gifts to live happy and healthy. The community preaches a balance of community and self, work and play, peace and war, and of faith and action.

Ethics

Zhuhist are not discouraged from fighting and war, and many Zhu'sefts join the war with their 'flock'. The two top tiers of priesthood are not permitted to fight, and instead help in other ways for War, and would be left to train new Zhu'sefts as needed.
A Zhuhist welcomes balance into their lives, and strive to maintain it.
Unethical actions include selfishness, and excessiveness. While no one is punished for such things by the organization, they must repent or else be shunned from the community and fall from favour. Self punishment may even go as far as self inflicted wounding and suicide. To have pleasure, there must always be pain.

Worship

Zhuhists must wake for every sunrise to thank She'zhu and welcome Fira'zhu, asking to be blessed with warm sun and fair judgement. At sunset, they thank Fira'zhu and welcome She'zhu, asking to be blessed with cool rains and acceptance. These worships are conducted in the home, usually before breakfast and work. The Priests reguarily host community events at the Temple, and many visit when an U'fira or U'she visit their town/city/village. Sermons are also held, but the day and amount vary between regions.

Priesthood

The Esh'zhere appoints all U'fira and U'she, who in turn appoint the Zhu'seft. Zhu'seft are recruited and trained by other Zhu'seft in the community. All wear pure white robes which are decorated in line with their achievements, rank, and time in the priesthood. The Esh'zhere almost always has the most colourful and embroidered robes.

Political Influence & Intrigue

Priests and the religion heavily influence the politics of the Nations it exists under. Priests are usually consulted for every major decision, including war.

Type

Religious, Organised Religion

Demonym

Zhuhists

Deities

• Fira'zhu
• She'zhu

Related Ethnicities

• Whispermen