Karmicism
The Karmicists are a relgigous cult that centers around the worship of Skuld, the god of karma and fortune. Followers of this cult believe that by dedicating themselves to Skuld, they can achieve good fortune in their lives. However, they also have a deep-seated belief in the power of vengeance. Those who wrong them or their deity will be punished, either by Skuld or by the cult's own followers. This belief in retribution is a core tenet of Karmicism, and is often used to justify acts of violence or other forms of retaliation. Despite their focus on karma and fortune, the cult's emphasis on vengeance can often lead to a cycle of violence and negativity.
Culture
Karmicism is an egalitarian faith that values gender equality and is accepting of interracial relationships, as well as of those who practice magecraft. However, they shun those who practice witchcraft and consider close-kin kinslaying as criminal. The faith also believes in pluralism and does not consider other religions as inferior.
Karmicists approve of polygamous marriages and allow divorce, but do not legitimize children born out of wedlock. Consanguineous relationships are unrestricted, but all forms of adultery are considered criminal. Same-sex relationships are shunned by the faith, and those who engage in it are ostracized.
Divine Origins
Skuld ascended to godhood around the same time as Kybaleen and there was a strong rivalry between them to determine which deity would become the patron of the Fera. Despite this, Kybaleen's followers successfully convinced much of the population that Skuld was a demon disguised as a jackal, and as a result, many turned away from Skuld and began worshipping Kybaleen as the patron deity.
Despite this defeat, Skuld still managed to maintain enough of a following to retain his godhood. He vowed to become a spirit of vengeance and over time, vengeance turned into karma, and karma turned into luck. Although Skuld is seen as "the adversary" not only to Kybaleen's followers but to all followers of the Trinity, his name is still invoked as a curse against others. Open worship of Skuld is not criminalized, but it is widely shunned. Therefore, his followers tend to worship in private, secluded locations.
Tenets of Faith
Karmicism upholds four virtues as integral aspects of their belief system:
Contentment: Karmicists believe that true happiness can be found in accepting and appreciating what they have, rather than constantly desiring more.
Diligence: Karmicists believe that hard work and persistence are necessary to achieve their goals and earn good fortune.
Justice: Karmicists believe in the importance of fairness and balance in all things. They seek to ensure that actions have consequences and that justice is served to those who deserve it.
Vengeance: Karmicists believe that those who have wronged them or others must face the consequences of their actions. They see vengeance as a way to restore balance and bring justice to those who have been harmed.
Ethics
The following are considered to be the sins of Karimicism.
Arbitrary: Karmicists believe in the importance of cause and effect, and as such, they view arbitrary actions or decisions as disrupting the natural order of the universe. The sin of being arbitrary encompasses any action or decision made without consideration for its consequences or without a justifiable reason.
Callousness: The Karmicist faith emphasizes the interconnectedness of all beings and the importance of treating others with compassion and empathy. The sin of callousness encompasses any action or behavior that shows a lack of concern for the well-being of others or a disregard for their suffering.
Deceit: Karmicists believe that truthfulness is essential to maintaining karmic balance. The sin of deceit encompasses any act of lying, misleading, or concealing the truth, as it disrupts the natural flow of cause and effect.
Forgiveness: While forgiveness may be viewed as a virtue in many faiths, Karmicists see it as a potential sin if it is extended to someone who has not faced justice for their actions. The sin of forgiveness encompasses any act of pardoning someone who has not made amends or faced consequences for their transgressions.
Maliciousness: The Karmicist faith encourages the pursuit of justice, but it also warns against seeking revenge or harming others out of spite or malice. The sin of maliciousness encompasses any act of intentionally causing harm to others without just cause or outside the bounds of justice.
Sloth: Karmicists believe in the importance of diligence and hard work to achieve good fortune and maintain karmic balance. The sin of sloth encompasses any act of laziness, apathy, or neglect that leads to neglecting one's responsibilities or failing to fulfill one's potential.
Worship
The followers of Karmicism are adaptable and flexible in their religious practices. They believe in adapting to the circumstances and situations they find themselves in, in order to bring good fortune and karma into their lives. This adaptability is a core tenet of their faith, and they believe it allows them to better connect with Skuld, their deity.
Karmicism practices aniconism, which means they avoid the use of images and representations of their deity Skuld. Instead, they focus on the concept of karma and fortune, and how it can impact their lives. They believe that the use of images or symbols can limit their understanding and connection to their deity, and so prefer to focus on the abstract concepts of karma and fortune.
Karmicism also values the importance of folk traditions and customs in their religious practices. They believe that these traditions have been passed down from generation to generation, and are an important way of connecting with their ancestors and their cultural heritage. They incorporate these traditions into their religious practices, and believe that they are a way of maintaining a connection to their community and their history.
Charity and almsgiving are also important aspects of Karmicism, as they believe that by giving to those in need, they can accumulate good karma and fortune. They encourage their followers to be generous and to help others whenever they can, as they believe that this will ultimately benefit them in the long run.
Lastly, Karmicists place a great emphasis on personal responsibility and accountability for one's actions. They believe that every action has a consequence, and that individuals must take responsibility for their choices and behaviors. This responsibility includes making amends for past mistakes and working towards balancing any negative karma that may have been accumulated.
Priesthood
In Karmicism, the clergy is composed of lay people who are dedicated to the practice of the faith. They do not have a centralized head, as the focus is on individual devotion to Skuld. The main function of the clergy is to provide alms and pacification, offering support and guidance to those in need. The clergy does not discriminate based on gender and allows both men and women to take on religious roles, including marriage. However, the appointment to spiritual positions is revocable, and clergy members are expected to uphold the virtues and tenets of the faith at all times.
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