Ascetics

History

The Ascetics are the oldest religion in Krimeon, predating even the later reign of Etrmur. The religion began as a small group of worshippers who followed Etrmur wherever he went, confessing their sins and begging for forgiveness. Over time, the group grew and developed a set of tenets and practices that would guide their faith.
The Ascetics believe that self-denial and strict adherence to their faith is the path to enlightenment and salvation in the afterlife. They practice self-flagellation and prayer as a form of penance for their sins. The Ascetics are also deeply superstitious and believe that eyes are the houses of the soul, leading to the practice of cannibalism by consuming the eyes of the dead.
The Ascetics rarely involve themselves in politics due to their focus on personal piety, but they have faced conflicts with other religions throughout history. The rise of the Soldiers of Justice, a religion that espoused the use of violence to enforce their version of justice, posed a significant threat to the Ascetics. The fundamentalist sect of the Ascetics viewed the Soldiers of Justice as heretics and actively opposed their violent methods. The more secular sect, while not in favor of the Soldiers of Justice, did not engage in direct conflict.
As the Soldiers of Justice declined in power and the Church of Divine Justice rose to prominence, the Ascetics faced a new challenge. The Church of Divine Justice also espoused a strict adherence to a set of rules and practices, but their focus was on the worship of the god of Justice rather than personal piety. The Ascetics saw the Church as a potential ally in their opposition to the Soldiers of Justice, but the Church's focus on Etrmur rather than personal piety left many Ascetics feeling conflicted.
Over time, the Ascetics have remained a small but influential group within Krimeon. The more secular sect has grown in popularity, but the fundamentalist sect continues to follow their strict codes of self-denial and devotion to prayer and self-flagellation. The Nabi, or revered leaders of the Ascetics, continue to be popular figures, with their writings and teachings guiding the faith of the Ascetics.

Mythology & Lore

As the people of Krimeon began to worship Etrmur, he taught them about the importance of justice and righteousness. He became their god of Justice, and they looked to him for guidance in their daily lives. Etrmur taught them that they should support one another, but that they should also hold each other accountable for their actions.
According to Ascetic mythology, Etrmur is said to reside in a celestial palace, high above the clouds. He is attended to by a host of divine servants, who assist him in meting out justice to the souls of the deceased. Etrmur is often depicted as a stern and unyielding figure, who demands obedience and discipline from his followers.
The Ascetics believe that Etrmur's judgment is swift and certain, and that he rewards the righteous and punishes the wicked. They believe that by following Etrmur's teachings and living a life of self-denial and devotion, they can earn a place in his celestial palace and be rewarded with eternal life.

Divine Origins

The first Ascetics originated as followers of Etrmur, the god of Justice, in Krimeon. These early worshippers followed Etrmur wherever he went, confessing their sins and begging for forgiveness. They believed that death by Etrmur's hand would be a blessing and an entry into the afterlife.
Over time, these early Ascetics began to develop their own beliefs and practices. They embraced strict self-denial, vows of poverty, and devotion to prayer and self-flagellation. Displays of emotion, gathering personal wealth, and violence against others were all prohibited. They believed that excess desires and emotions were a path to sin and must be eliminated.
As Etrmur continued to travel across Krimeon, more and more people were drawn to the teachings of the Ascetics. The Ascetics gradually became a distinct religion within Krimeon, with its own hierarchy of leaders and followers.
The Ascetics' teachings were spread through word of mouth, and later through written texts. The religion gained popularity among those seeking a path to spiritual enlightenment and a way to atone for their sins.
Over time, the Ascetics became more organized and developed their own rituals and practices. The Nabi, or prophets, became central figures in the religion, offering guidance and wisdom to the followers.
The Ascetics' strict adherence to self-denial and prayer allowed them to gain a reputation for piety and devotion. Many were drawn to their teachings, and the religion continued to grow in popularity.
Today, the Ascetics remain one of the oldest and most respected religions in Krimeon, with a deep history and tradition of spiritual discipline and self-denial.

Tenets of Faith

• Personal responsibility: Ascetics believe that it is every individual's responsibility to be strict with themselves and eliminate excess wants and emotions that may lead to sin.
• Self-denial: Ascetics follow a strict code of self-denial, which includes vows of poverty, devotion to prayer, and self-flagellation.
• Penance: Ascetics believe in confessing their sins and doing penance as a means of achieving forgiveness from Etrmur.
• Afterlife: Ascetics believe that if they live righteously and without worldly desires, they will be rewarded by Etrmur in the afterlife.

Ethics

• Self-Denial: Ascetics believe that self-denial and abstaining from worldly desires is a way to purify the soul and to achieve enlightenment. They practice asceticism by fasting, abstaining from alcohol and other pleasures, and living a simple life.
• Confession and Penitence: Ascetics believe that confession and penitence are necessary for spiritual growth. They confess their sins to their spiritual leaders and perform penitent acts to atone for their wrongdoings.
• Prayer and Meditation: Ascetics believe that prayer and meditation are necessary to connect with the divine. They spend significant time in prayer and meditation, often reciting mantras or prayers repeatedly.
• Service to Others: Ascetics believe that service to others is an important aspect of their faith. They often work in hospitals, schools, and other institutions where they can serve others in need.
• Non-Violence: Ascetics believe in the principle of non-violence and strive to live a peaceful and non-aggressive life. They avoid conflicts and try to resolve disputes peacefully.

Sins: Excessive materialism, greed, lust, anger, envy, pride, selfishness, lying, stealing, and violence. Pious Acts: Acts of charity, service to others, prayer and meditation, acts of penitence, acts of kindness, and following the tenets of the faith. Ascetics also believe that the eyes are the windows to the soul and therefore, they consider it a sin to look at someone with lust or anger. They practice cannibalism by consuming the eyes of the dead, as they believe that it will protect them from the sins of the dead person's eyes. However, this practice is controversial and not universally accepted within the Ascetic faith.

Worship

The everyday practices, rituals, and traditions of the Ascetics are centered around self-denial, self-flagellation, and prayer.
Ascetics typically wake up early in the morning before dawn to begin their day with prayer and meditation. They then go through their daily routine, which typically includes work, study, and caring for their families. Throughout the day, Ascetics make it a point to deny themselves the pleasures of life and to focus on their faith. They may fast or limit their food intake, avoid excess material possessions, and practice strict celibacy.
Another important practice for the Ascetics is self-flagellation, which involves the use of whips or other implements to cause physical pain and remind the body of its sinful nature. This practice is typically done in private or within the community, and is seen as a way to purify the soul.
Prayer is also a central part of the Ascetic faith, and they believe that by praying and confessing their sins, they can earn forgiveness and improve their spiritual standing. They pray several times a day, and often gather in communal prayer sessions.
The Ascetics also have several important festivals and rituals throughout the year, which are based around the lunar calendar. These festivals typically involve fasting, prayer, and communal celebrations.
Overall, the Ascetics strive to live a life of self-denial and spiritual purity, with the ultimate goal of earning favor in the eyes of Etrmur and achieving salvation in the afterlife.

Priesthood

Nabi are popular figures within the Ascetic faith, who often are not revered until decades after their deaths. The first Nabi was part of the earlier worshippers who followed Etrmur around the country. Her name was Zarie and her writings became the foundation of the Ascetic faith.
Zarie was said to have received divine inspiration and guidance from Etrmur himself, which she recorded in her teachings. Her writings emphasized the importance of self-denial, prayer, and confession, and stressed the idea that excess desires and emotions were the root of all sin.
The Nabi who followed Zarie continued her teachings and added their own insights and interpretations to the Ascetic faith. They were often respected members of the community who were chosen for their wisdom, piety, and devotion to Etrmur.
The Ascetics believe that the Nabi serve as conduits for Etrmur's will, and their teachings are considered to be divinely inspired. The Nabi are revered for their spiritual insights and often become figures of worship and devotion within the Ascetic community.

Suffering Begets Salvation

Founding Date

-572

Type

Religious, Cult

Demonym

an Ascetic

Founders

• Nabi Zarie

Deities

• Etrmur, God of Justice

Notable Members

• Nabi Zarie

Related Species

• Human

Related Ethnicities

• Krimeonite