Sumoxa

Sumoxa, ominously known as the Temple of the Dark Sun, is a religion of purposeful contradictions. Its hymns are often paradoxical and its festivals gleefully mix the profane and the sacred. Sumoxa redefines truth itself, rejecting a shared reality for all beings. It is the ultimate repudiation of Samvaran religion: rather than reject other religions as false, it seeks a universalism necessary to absorb all of them. The theology, ethics, and worldview of Sumoxa are built on the teachings of two great philosophers: the ancient Dhampire-monk Moxima Sutia and the much more recent Virtue Seraja, grandchild of Aysha. That said, the faith borrows generously from the religions of Areto, Ayshanism, Halikvar, Pratasam, and Elemeer. It also validates and incorporates local religion into its theology. There is not one Sumoxa, there are many. As an organization, Sumoxa is extremely regionally diverse. Gods and philosophies can vary from temple to temple, though the core tenets are usually the same. Theoretically there is a single unifying leader known as the Grand Shepherd, that is supposedly destined to unite all religions together under one banner. The Grand Shepherd has been a political puppet for several centuries though, leaving the local priests to guide themselves. Sumoxa's decentralization is actually very attractive for many political leaders that want the boons of a religious community without having to answer to anyone. Unlike Halikvar, Areto, or Pratasam, Sumoxan priests also don't need to be druids- though many do practice some kind of magic, as many Samvarans see magic use as a form of divine legitimacy. If one were to try and summarize Sumoxa's central message, it would be: the world is incredibly ambiguous and ever-shifting, with many gods and universes colliding and transforming. You cannot comprehend the world, so instead focus on mastering yourself- preventing pain by containing your expectations, mastering your self-control, and focusing on your present moment.

Structure

Sumoxa has three basic levels of authority:

The Upper Echelon, that directs the faith as an international network/organization
State Echelons, that manages state-wide Sumoxan faith
Lower Echelons, that manage local worship

The Upper Echelon is composed of a small cluster of different holy orders and positions, most importantly the Grand Shepherd and the Virtuous Council. The Grand Shepherd is the director of political, financial, and military concerns, while the Virtuous Council manages dogma and moral judgment. The Grand Shepherd supposedly rules their own empire in the Southwest (that of Sakesh), and empowers a council of Holy Generals to select the next Grand Shepherd after their death. The Virtuous Council, meanwhile, operates out of a Temple South of Shekota- the Temple of the Virtuous Sepulchre- where the prophet Virtue once lived and is now buried. They select their own new members or replacements. State Echelons manage state-level ritual and moral guidance, and also often play a role in selecting local priests. They are typically centered around powerful state-level priest-administrators known as Harbingers. The State Echelons are supposedly selected by joint decision of the Grand Shepherd, the local rulers, and elder priests from that region. Now, it is only up to the latter two. Every state is different: some states have their rulers select unilaterally, some rulers need to meet with elder priests to decide, some states have priestly conclaves decide, and some communities come together to select their Harbinger. The Lower Echelons do most of the actual religious community and manage local temples, ritual, and preaching. There are only two formal ranks of the lower echelons: Embodied Priests and Heralding Priests. Embodied Priests are spellcasters and perform community magic; heralding priests are non-casters. Both kinds require at least the theoretical acceptance of the Harbinger to be "true" priests. Regions often have local hierarchies among these priests- special oracular or honorary titles or degrees of eldership.

Culture

Species Preference: Local Custom Rules

As there is barely any kind of central institution in Sumoxa and the faith tends to adapt to local customs, species-preference is extremely localized. The only general trends that could be drawn are towards Prisms. Sumoxan individualism often clashes with traditional Prism communalism, and Akadism - a Prism-centric religion- is generally considered to be one of the few true enemies of the faith. This distaste for Prism culture can lead to de-prioritizing communal Prism mining operations, but there are no broad policies of discrimination.

Individualism as Fashion

An important theme in Sumoxa is individualism- the burden of morality is purely individual, as is the burden of deciphering truth in reality. As Samvaran religious affiliation is often displayed through costume, Sumoxan fashion emphasizes the individual and rejects religious aesthetic dogma. Ironically, the accepted outward displays of individualism are themselves cultural traditions with expectations of conformity: proud display of a multi-colored or black sun, and often a stylized embroidery of one's name somewhere on one's clothing (the idea being that every person will be wearing something slightly different, a direct repudiation of Pratasa and Aretan fashion. Stylized and exaggerated local traditional fashions are often mixed in. These local fashions are often traded between religious communities, fusing into general regional fashion trends.

History

Virtue's Revelations

Sumoxa may harken back to ancient philosophical roots, but it began as a religion with Virtue Saraja. The Sarajas are known as the Holy Family of Samvara, descended from the Immortals Aysha and Haru. Virtue was a grandchild of the immortals, the eldest child of their youngest child Pratama Saraja. Virtue was the first of the new generation of Sarajas, and received a great deal of attention from the upper echelons of the family. They reveled in this attention, even as they performatively rebelled against it- they studied obediently under Haru for years but took on a traditional solar descriptor-name instead of a Samvaran-style name like the rest of the family. This was always a safe intellectual rebellion, a way to feel personally powerful and different enough. In this aesthetic rebellion, Virtue dabbled constantly in unorthodox philosophy and writings and was particularly drawn to the mysticism of Ponder and the stoicism of Moxima Sutia. This intellectual rebellion may have been rather shallow, but it did introduce Virtue to new ideas and fantastical possibilities. For centuries, Virtue expressed and explored these ideas in art, from fantastical stories and novels to elaborate paintings of the unreal. While rebellious in art and costume, Virtue was something of a homebody. They loyally kept by their family, helping administer the empire and resolving family disputes. But in 1300, Virtue's world was rocked by massive family drama. Much of the family was drawn between the three parents. Virtue tentatively chose Haru and left the holy lands of Shirpatra. They traveled together for decades, before Haru finally sent Virtue back to Shirpatra as part of a family compromise. But things were never the same for Virtue, who resented all parties for ruining their home. They left their family altogether, wandering with their friends across Samvara from 1330 to 1400. They jumped from sect to sect, seeking a family and worldview that could make them whole- but none would. Only the monks of Moxima, spread across different sects, had consistent messages that made sense to Virtue. And so they began tracing the holy journeys of the ancient Dhampire. During that journey, in the deserts South of Shekota, Virtue meditated on the dunes and entered into a trance. They drew into isolation for several days before finally returning to their companions, enlightened. Virtue described their epiphany as the "Infinite Revelations"- not only because their scope was universal, but because they were an ongoing process that would never necessarily end. To continue this infinite path of wisdom, Virtue set to finish Moxima's path. Rather than walk the rest of the path as an inward-focused pilgrim, Virtue began actively trying to help those they encountered along their journey. They attracted followers and mystics as they went. They began using their powers to heal and to challenge corrupt authorities, and they began to train doctors and monks to eventually return and aid their communities. After a century of touring the South, Virtue was exiled by the Elemeer authorities of Sumaren- and so retired North, to the deserts of central Samvara. They were no longer welcome in most states, and so they joined the desert nomads- known as the Rinvala- that lived outside any of the religious structures. The Rinvala, really a number of diverse ethnic groups across the deserts and warm plains, found the fluid religion of Virtue's followers to be compatible with their way of life and existing worldview. One Rinvalan leader, the charismatic young warrior Barinaya Sibdaji, saw immense unifying potential in their teachings. They rallied the tribes around Virtue's temple, building a grand coalition. This became increasingly militarized: a holy host that would liberate those who called out for them. And it just so happened that central Samvara was exhausted, disillusioned, and in the middle of messy civil and religious conflict.

The Great Invasion

In 1550, Barinaya's coalition was finally given the invitation it needed: the nearby state of Bilgaza completely collapsed. The local Pratasam temple was in shambles, and Akaden were rapidly conquering East, harvesting populations as they went. Mere months later, the shaky peace in Shekota to the North collapsed as well. The mobilizing tribal army fell into debate: who to liberate? Different tribal groups that traded with different regions began to factionalize. Barinaya needed to mediate quickly: if the decision were handed to Virtue, both possible invasions might be called off entirely. And so, Barinaya gathered together ten of the most dedicated leaders of their movement and consecrated them as the Ten Apostles: just as the Architects raised up The Lunar Pantheon to spread their message in every direction, so should the faithful. These messengers were not invested in equally, but served as a way to divide resources strategically without engaging in tribal favoritism. The majority of the forces were given to Daprama the Scarlet Apostle, who led their forces South into Bilgaza; a smaller force was granted to Goresh the Bold to strike North into Shekota. Both the main invasions met great success. The main invasion Southward met with huge success and swept around the entire South sea. By 1580, a grand empire had been carved in central-South Samvara. Other apostles were sent out to distant lands, to spread the word in the East, North, and West. Most of these non-military apostles failed, some were martyred. A few were successful: in the Eastern realm of Sebikaad and in the Selkie march-states, Sumoxan religious communities flourished without independent military support.

Modern Sumoxa

While theoretically this was an Empire ruled by Virtue, it was very much directly managed by Barinaya. She took on the title of "Grand Shepherd" rather than "Empress" as an act of humility. She kept the empire decentralized, more of a "flock" than a centralized state. Unsurprisingly, it began fragmenting very quickly after military expansion stopped. By 1650, the flock had become more of an alliance than an actual state. Grand Shepards continued to be chosen by a small clerical oligarchy, but their power sharply declined. The Holy Flock in Sakesh (the Southwestern part of the empire) was chosen as the personal residence of the Shepherds in 1630 and would continue to be directly controlled as a Sumoxan military theocracy until the Shepherds lost virtually all direct political power in the civil war of 1740. The Shepherds would continue to rule as figureheads there, but all of the actual policy would be decided by the local Grand Abbott. After the initial burst of Sumoxan militarism and enthusiasm of 1550 to 1740, Sumoxa would continue to have small regional bursts of zeal and influence. These are mostly in the Western Selkie March Kingdoms and the Eastern realm of Sebikaad. In the West, Sumoxa was associated with the nomads of the interior and opposition to the Khilaian state- but was reimagined into the "Great Unifier" in the revolution of 1908. Western Sumoxa is now famous for its syncretism and co-existence. In the East and far South, persecution of Sumoxans has had the oppposite effect of rallying and radicalizing the community. It is debatable whether Sumoxa there is protecting or assimilating indigenous religion, but either way it is the main voice of opposition to the institutional religions of Halikvar and Elemeer. As Sumoxa splinters and diffuses, some wonder if it will remain coherently connected at all. While the Sumoxan alliances still stand, it seems that the many opposing visions for what Sumoxa as an institution and religion is supposed to be are incompatible. Will they fall into armed conflict and chaos like their neighboring organized faiths, or will someone lead the flock down a different path?

Mythology & Lore

The Revelations of Moxima

Moxima Sutia was an ancient prince of the distant land of Sumaren, raised to be a cruel and terrible monarch. They were infected with Dhampirism and trained to be undefeatable. In their life of sheltered decadence, they were taught only violence and pleasure. The final test to be chosen above their siblings was to slay an innocent on command for their parents. The sacrifice was dragged forward, but they hesitated, and felt pity- and were punished severely. As they meditated on this pain and loss- a feeling new to them- they decided to escape the palace walls. They encountered a land of tyranny and fear and suffering. Wracked now by guilt, they met a warrior-turned-hermit named Ulara the Kind. Ulara had once fought for the crown as the finest warrior, but laid down their sword when they slew their own parents thinking they were rebels. Ulara and Moxima met everyday then for a year to speak and debate. Moxima learned to think, to question. They began to listen, truly listen. And they heard a call to them, a ghostly voice. They abandoned their life to venture North, visiting many cults and learning many secrets. Every cult was true, but each was mutually exclusive- and Moxima was puzzled. Three times they ventured and spoke with great and powerful spirits, and three times a different world was shown to them: a round world bound by threads of sunlight to a burning God, a flat world winding into itself under a great glass light, and a world that was both and carried atop a turtle in a sea of night. Disciples and magicians began following Moxima, hounding them. They taught what they could and became respected as a great person of power. Three times again Moxima was beset, this time by earthly priests that sought their power. The first demanded violence and strength, the second demanded power, and the third demanded truth- each more dangerous than the last. Moxima escaped them all - for none of these demands could be fulfilled. Moxima finally reached their destination: the spirit of Naram, the first Dhampire. Naram's spirit was pulled into the afterlife, and Moxima chased after them into the realm of death. They spoke to ancient shades there, overcoming challenges before finally attaining eternal youth in the form of the blood of a sun made of pure darkness Naram kept with him. This was the heart of Dhampirism, from which all answers flowed. When Moxima emerged, immortal, they sought to understand what they had seen. They found no answers of the world, only themselves- and this gift they gave to their disciples. Having done all they could, they returned to Sumaren. They found not the kingdom they had left, but a completely different one populated by strangers. They realized that the Sumaren they had grown up in had never existed in this world. Perceiving absolute truth, they now existed beyond one world or another. They meditated on how to return home, then- and realized it was not a matter of being in one place, but every place. And so they took a Leviathan and sacrificed it. Leviathans, as creatures of Warlockery, are creatures beyond any one world- and by sacrificing it, Moxima had engaged in a sacred act beyond the limitations of mortals. And so, Moxima's body faded into all places.

The Revelations of Seraja

The Goddess Aysha is the divine essence of the sun, given form. The God Haru is mortal given divine essence. The Consort is power of change and knowledge, formless and yet eternal in form. Their union produced the Three Sarajas, one for each holy principle- divinity, power, form; life, death, rebirth. This lineage produced Virtue Seraja, who was raised as a discipline of their godly grandparents. And for a time Virtue was content with this, and became an Ayshan priest. But one day, the Gods fought over the nature of the world- and Virtue was called upon to pick which of the three elements of the world was most important. They felt uncertainty and left to meditate. They truly listened for the first time and heard the urgings of Moxima, drawing them away- not to choose a God, but to transcend entirely. And so Virtue fled. Like Moxima, Virtue wandered. Their journeys were similar in many ways, but Virtue had the advantage of Moxima's wisdom. In the desert South of the holy House of Naram and the Mouth of the Underworld, Virtue meditated for three days and nights. They fell through the sand, into the land of the dead and walked in paradise, purgatory, and beyond. They saw it illuminated by the source of Dhampirism- the Dark Sun- and saw worlds illuminated by this impossible sun. Virtue recognized the Dark Sun as shadow of Aysha- the opposite of her well-intentioned truth. Where Aysha illuminated agency, this sun illuminated destiny. And when Virtue emerged, the Dark Sun was there in the sky as well, as it had always been- the invisible truth. Dhampires have no choice in their condition, no training, it is simply embodied unknown influence. With the twin suns illuminating the world, Virtue saw all the cosmos stretching out that dawn- impossible, infinite, every shifting. While enlightening, it also revealed that the process of understanding was unending. And so began Virtue's Infinite Revelations of Sumoxa, the work that Moxima (or perhaps Naram) began.

Cosmological Views

In Sumoxa, all Gods are True, all heavens exist, and in some time or place every superstition is correct. Not everything is true for everyone all the time, of course. But generally speaking if people believe it, it is probably out there someone. While this may strike people in our world as ridiculous, Sumoxa exists in a world with many strange localized effects, immortals, and magicians. Rather than attempt to somehow order the vast strangeness of the world, Sumoxa simple accepts it all. This worldview is extremely at odds with the other Samvaran religions, which consider accurate cosmology to be a matter of spiritual life or death. It is this firm opposition and dogmatic boundary-making by surrounding states that allows Sumoxa to remain coherent and unified despite its fluid worldview.

Tenets of Faith

Have Control of Your Mind: It is easy for the unconditioned mind to get lost in the chaos of reality. This will only cause you pain. Give up on truth. Leave behind your entitled demands that the world make sense or that it come to order. You cannot impose your limited views on the world. Instead, leave behind those emotions which create this pain: your pride, revenge, greed, envy, hate, and desire. By mastering mental and emotional control, you can transcend pain and see the world as you were meant to see it.
Have Control of Your Body: Your body affects your mind. It is the conduit between the divine chaos and your sheltered soul. You must master it, or you may lose your mental discipline. Overcome pain, hunger, and petty needs.
Make Peace With The World: The world only seems bad because you define it that way. Once you let go of your petty pride, you can make peace with the world and greet it as a friend.
Love Unconditionally: You cannot truly know the people you love. Family, lovers, friends, Gods, strangers all are worthy of love but you will never understand them. Practice love without purpose, conditions, or ego.
Judge Not: Judgment is a sign of infantile pride. All people are strangers, so all strange and alien things are not different from your friends. All beliefs are true, all customs are valid, all creatures can be good.
Justice is For Gods: Earthly justice is an illusion that will never satisfy your limited mind. Punishments exist to restrain future harm, not to pay some invisible debt.
There is no Truth, Only Love: The world is fundamentally good, made of the pure love of the Godsource. Treat the world with love and you will be closer to the Godsource. Even if it seems non-sentient, treat it gently.

Ethics

Morality in Sumoxa is extremely individualistic and based around consent and intent. As the world is fundamentally unpredictable and uncontrollable, all forms of utilitarianism and consequence-based morality are shunned by Sumoxan writings. Instead, a very strict morality of personal intent is encouraged: one must choose to be as deliberate as possible and with that deliberate self-control choose what is immediately dutiful and just. Goodness seeks no gain but goodness itself.

Sects

The Eternal Apostles: A holy order of Solars, often disillusioned Ayshans, that act as the personal guard and messengers of the Grand Shepherd and Virtuous Council. Experimental, ascetic, elite warriors, willing to adopt new technology and magic, loyal only to Shepherd. "New technology" for solars includes ranged weapons, chemical weapons, and horse-riding. The Eternal Apostles are really the last major political instrument of the Upper Echelon for enforcement and mediation.