Manusisim

Deities

Gods

Jazmu The Golden Lady: The goddess of life and joy.

Venator The Dark Reaper: The god of death and despair.

The gods teachings

The Golden Lady teaches of balance, she teaches one should be kind and put in good into the world otherwise negativity will be all they put into the world and it will come back to bite them. She has also given mortals magic and those that follow their magic follow her teachings.

The Dark reaper teaches that without the dark and without pain mortals would never grow. He teaches along with the Golden Lady of the balance. Venator gave necromancy to the world, those that follow his magic follow him.

The gods description

Jazmu The Golden Lady is the sun while Venator The Dark Reaper is the moon. Both of them can take mortal form, The Golden Lady radiates peace and sunlight and has golden skin and a bright flowing golden dress, with an ornate golden sun on her back. The Dark Reaper wears a black hooded robe and has the appearance of a skeleton. blue necrotic energy glows brightly from under his hood.

Rituals

Ceremony of Balance

This ritual is performed upon a student of a monastery who is ready to become a monk. This ritual is always preformed just when the sun leaves the sky, when neither the sun or the moon is in sight. Incense is placed around a circle, within the circle is the student and a master monk, during the ceremony the master monk will shave the students head bald, and tattoo the beginning of his or her monkhood upon their shoulder. Once the ritual is complete the new monk will begin their training in the ways of a monk and climb the monk ranks to become a master monk. The master monk that performs this ceremony claims responsibility over the new monk and will be the new monks master and teacher.

Monk Teachers train up to 20 students at a time.

Ritual of renewal and rest

Every morning people will kneel in meditation within their spiritual circle, this circle will be lit with scented candles and incense. They will make a tea called Jazuka, and drink it. Then they will place a bowl filled with a liquid called Zyki'lu upon their lap. After drinking tea and placing the bowl they will meditate for a time. Once sunlight reaches the liquid it will turn into a golden color. Once this happens they will finish the ritual. This represents renewal, it is believed this will renew their spirits each day, through the power of the morning sunlight and creating a proper spiritual setting for Jazmu's influence. The ritual of rest is almost exactly the same. It takes place at sundown in the same circle, with the same bowl of liquid. They will brew a tea called Valni, drink it and then meditate with the bowl upon their lap. Once the sunlight is completely gone the pool of liquid will turn silver. Then the ritual will be finished. This symbolizes spiritual rest, while the body heals from the days effort the spirit will also rest in preparation for the growth of the next day.

These meditation circles are made next to a window so as the light can reach the bowls. Those with the wealth commonly build rooms dedicated to these circles and even make stained glass windows for that room, some will have fountains, gardens on so on witihn these chambers.

Ritual of gratitude

At the start of each year houndreds of people enter into the one of the great Sun towers. There they will meditate and feel the touch of the goddess, recive answers and blessings. Normaly they stay in the tower for 2 to three hours. Once finished they are invigerated and renewed. This ritual is extreamly important. It's seen as the only time they actually commune with thier god. They beilve the sun is at it's brightest once a year and allows thier goddess a stronger touch on the world. Once a year a similer ritual is performed. at midnight people will enter into one of the moon towers. And do esentially the same thing.

Important notes of the ritual within the towers. Passing through the lights of the windows symbolizes renewal, tea and insences is served for praying and meditation. There are many chambers where speaking and gathering for speach is allowed.

lorki ceromeny

Once a month the poeple gather at thier local Makai, or church. Here they listen to Zulhar Monks. They listen to the teachings of the gods, and pray in worship. On this day they fast and by the end of the day the monks throw a feast for the people honoring everyones sacrafice for the gods and for keeping and honoring the balance.

Tuzz'hek Pilgramage

This pilgramage is highly sacred and anyone who does it will recive the title Raku. Many political leaders, monks, religous workers, scholars and more need to take this pilgramage in order to be lagitamized, trusted, honored and more. Normal Civilians who do this are greatly honored and gain more job opertunities.

This pilgramage starts in Tair'gala, the capital of the Tiragla empire and one of the most holy cities. Here a ritual is performed, people starting the pilgramage buy supplies and join caravan groups, often Zelti Monks will be in these to act as witnesses for each group. To begin one must pray to an ornate statue of the gods, fast for a day, and during that day of fast listen to the teachings of the Raki of that city. Upon complition the zelti who acts as your witness will vow for you and allow you to get the start of your holy tattoo that is placed upon the side of your neck. The tattoo is in gold, however outsiders may take the pilgramage as well and thier tattoos are in black. Outsiders are people not of the faith. From there the caravan will head to all the holy cities of the string of gold. These seven cities all have a Raki to learn from and the ritual that took place in the capital is repeated in all these cities until you reach the final city and the most holy of them all. Caz'raki. This city is the capital of the religion, home to the elder monks that lead the religion and this island city is its own country. Here you will learn of the first Raki, and complete the tattoo, as each city you visit your tattoo is built up. Once finished you will gain the Raku title and the tattoo upon your neck will prove your achivment, you holy and spiritual journy. Those who are not members of the faith have a black tattoo and are named Takash. THese people are treated with great respect as they have taken the time to learn and understand thier faith and thier people.

Charazu Hunt:

The Charazu is a mighty semi aquatic beast that lives within the coastline of the Alkeren desert. The beast has a colorfull striped hide, and its back has scale ridges and two fins. The beast has a swan like neck and long paddle like tail. It mainy hunts large fish, and shelled creatures hiding within the rocky shores. This beast is about the size of a hippo in terms of shoulder hight, and wheight. This animal has been declaried to only be huntable by criminals. Those who have commited hanice crimes can be fully forgiven if they have a Zelti and oversee a Charazu hunt. Once the hunt is completed the animal must be skinned, the scaley hide will then be painted with sun like patterns and the teeth with be born onto golden hoops and hooked into the edges of the hide. This will then be presented to the Zelti who will then be able to grant a full prardon for the criminal and be able to clense his soul as he or she has now restored a semplance of balance. The hide can either then be donated to a local Zulhar where it will be hung upon thier walls. Or the Zelki will hang it within the walls of his jugment room. Many Zelti's will hang these in thier judgment rooms, which will show how many criminals they have overseen and clenssed.

Ceramony of Yam'haka

Those who have been born of Haka monks, become a Haka monk in turn and take on the pilgramage, only then they are able to be blessed by the council to be able to govern a country. These individuals when being anointed must give a vow of the faith. Being anointed by the council grants legitamacy to claim and seat of a throne, and shows to the pople that the leader will ensure the holy rights and teachings of the nation they lead.

Often children of kings and leaders are to be trained by a master monk so as to become a Haka monk. Then once they reach adulthood they are sent on the pilgramage. Only once the current king or leader obticates or passes will the heir be anointed by the council as the next leader.

Often three members of the council will travel to the individual who needs to be anointed. Once there within the throne room as the whole room is kneeling upon the floor, the hier and only the heir is bowing rather than kneeling. The council members will anointe the heir by praying, hearing the heir give thier vow and then the council will bless the monarch with the rings of balance. An ornate sun ring, and a moon ring. Then they will crown them and the ceramony is finished.

Professions

Zelti

Haka Monks

Clrtical priests

Scholars

many of these are a certain level of monk but not a full monk.

Barati Monks

Monks are trained within great monasteries, within these sanctums they meditate, strive for balance and harmony, teach the ways of the monk or are taught it. Monks keep the balance, teach Manuisim, and act as protectors to their Bankie and their Bankie's people. most are integrated into the police force.

Before one can begin their training as a monk they start as a pupil and go through physical and mental training. Once they finish those they are eligible for the ceremony of balance which will grant them the first rank of monkhood. There are ten ranks of monkhood one must master in order to become a master monk, as they master each rank they will be given a different elaborate band around their upper arm marking their rank. Once they reach master rank they are able to leave the monastery and enlist into service for the balance.

The monks use a form of magic called spiritual energy. Although many scholars of the Elenor Empire have noted that their spiritual energy looks remarkably like the arcane but used very limitedly and in an unethical practice.

Upon reaching a rank of mankhood a master monk will use their energy to infuse a gemstone with spiritual energy of the balance.

then they will surgically implant it into the body of their student. These gemstones will contain magic specific to each rank and contain certain abilities, such as great strength, speed, producing electric shocks upon speaking a word and punching a target. Upon reaching a new rank and gaining their new ability the monk must master their new found ability and everything associated with their rank before moving onto the next rank. Upon reaching master rank they must be capable of summoning their spiritual guide, once they do they have completed their training.

Master monks have an elaborate tattoo from their right shoulder running down to their hand, bald heads (unless their female), A master rank band around their upper arm, an outfit befitting their rank. These clothes change in color and style depending upon the region and country they hail from. Finally a master monk will posses an spiritually enhanced staff, their spiritual guide, and the ten gemstones within their bodies. The master gemstone is the only one that is visible. It appears upon the monks forehead.

Master monks often travel with a few items to help cleanse places or buildings of darkness and to bring peace to them and to people. They will often posses a flute, incense, a spiritual beaded necklace, and a spiritual lantern.

The Elder monks are the masters of the monasteries they help to advice the master monks and their local Bankie.

Bankie

The Bankie is the spiritual and governing ruler of his or her people. The Bankie originates from the original Bankie of their region who was ordained by their Adaya and elder monks to rule over the people. The Banki has to follow the the oath of Ginzihn. The oath is an ancient series of laws the Bankie must follow, breaking any of them will result in their disgrace and banishment of the throne. The Bankie will pass their mantle to one of their children who are worthy. But in order for their child to be worthy he or she must be raised by the oath, and raised with the values and traditions of the monks. They must be able to follow the balance and please the gods. Once they reach of age the elder monks and local Adaya will put the child through many tests and judge weather or not he or she is worthy of the mantle of Bankie. Should all children of the Bankie prove unworthy of the mantle, the Elder monks, local adaya, and current Bankie must find a new worthy successor to the mantle of Bankie.

Raki

An Adaya is a great hero, someone who has performed great deeds for the people. It is a highly sacred title reserved only for those with pure hearts who have accomplished great deeds. Those who achieve this title are given a sacred and extremally elaborate robe marking them of their station. Upon their death a statue will be built in their likeness within the monasteries and their lessons will be taught to generations of monks to come.

Architecture

Monasteries

The monasteries vary from region to country, but generally they are all grand and breath taking works of art, ingenuity, and architecture. They are all built in an ancient reverent style. Every monastery very large and built within sacred peaceful lands surrounded by wilderness, some are build upon small islands within lakes or the sea, some are built upon high mountain tops, or deep within the wilds of sand or jungle. One of the most famous monasteries is built within such a region. The great Suundhin monastery dwells upon a large island within the Bodhin'zar River, surrounded with a large lush garden and tropical trees by the edge of the rushing waters. Almost all monasteries have tranquil gardens within and without of their structures. All temples have statues, art, carvings, tapestries, and more depicting the gods, their agents, and sacred animals and symbols.

The great towers

These towers are to be entered into once a month, the leadership of the religion hires the servaces of dwarves to help them construct these temples. Further more they are both open for three days each month.

Sun tower

The sun tower is mosly red with sun and spiral patterns of white, every lip, window, and so on is lined in gold, and the domes roofs are all gold. Each roof has a large ornate sun statue with a gemstone witihn its center relfecting the sunlight. There are many towers that makup the tower as a whole. The center and largest tower, the four meduim towers, and eight smaller towers. All of them are jointly connected in a sun shape. The tower as a whole has many balcanies, and stained glass windows all over the tower.

Moon Tower

The moon tower is bult almost exactly like the sun tower, only it is in colors of white with purple spiral patterns, and all lined in silver, and wilth silver domes roofs. The glass windows are all lined with moon gems, moon gems dot the entire building making it look covered in stars andm aking the stained glass windows glow a soft blue color. Upon each domes roof is a large statue of a moon.

Mythology / History

The Golden Lady and The Dark Reaper have agents that help to push for light and dark. Jazmu's agents are the zouki while Venator's agents are the grimvani. long ago those were the only agents they had, the men of the west did not know how to properly interpret these agents and so fell to the depression of darkness or to the pride of light. Eventually the gods contacted the mortals through their agents and told them of their will. They asked for the services of mortal agents who could interpret their will and use both light and dark to create peace. The first of these agents was Ginzihn he acted for both of the gods and created the first monastery and became the first monk and adaya. He spread word of the gods and kept the balance. He stopped wars of the people who had been consumed by either the light or dark. He made it possible for many to have peace, to accept and grow form both light and dark, to have balance as it was meant to be. Eventually he created the oath and the position of Bankie along with the council of the other elder monks and adaya to maintain peace throughout the lands.

Traditions / Belief

Worshipers of this religion believe that when they die they are either reincarnated into a spiritual agent of light or dark, or are reincarnated into another mortal body.