UtuRhu (Uh•TOO•ruh)
Literally translated, UtuRhu means "Divine Drifter". This polytheistic religion has a pantheon of three, and a basic tenet that because they can, they must — whether that's to assist others by healing, teaching, or even euthanizing.
Drifters are humanitarians and healers, and live mostly nomadic lives. They believe in a system whereupon all life stems from and begins with the Darkest Drift — a great, cosmic flow that moves like a river all throughout the cosmos. It's thought of as the darkness of all because before life begins, there is rarely any memory of anything except said darkness. It's also believed this cosmic drift comes from the Mother (Delu), where she has torn away from the Father (Vestu). Vestu is the patron god of the Endless Drift where all souls return to drift after death.
Why do I want to heal, help, and serve as the Mother would have me? Because I want to, but that's not the answer you seek, is it?
Wherever the Drifts meet, it is known as a Confluence, a mingling of all. It's believed that if one's soul finds its way into a Confluence, it's reincarnated. Time is not a factor in the Drifts. One may find oneself reborn at any point in time, whether that's before, or after their last life cycle.
While they retain their core beliefs, over the last two millennia, much has changed within the confines of their religion. They have split into differing denominations, each one giving emphasis to a different aspect.
Denominations
The Emaru remain the staunchest, unchanged supporters of the religion, believing the ebb and flow of the cosmic Drifts and the Confluence to be the most important aspect of their religion.
The Deluvians believe in the same, but they put more effort and worship into their Goddess, Delu, as the bringer and giver of life. While the Vestuvians worship the Father, Vestu, who brings them back again and again.
There is a fourth faction, the Su'nundi, who believe in the Great Cosmic Drifts, but have deviated and now worship the sun and believe everything flows through and because of its light. Because of this, they also believe the phoenix is a representation of that power and consider the bird sacred. They also believe the Phoenix trees to be sacred, and can often be found trying to claim and defend the ash of the phoenix tree as holy and sacred, despite its very useful properties in both healing magic and alchemy.
Lifestyle
There are a total of 13 major UtuRhu caravans, with only two of them supporting residents from a combination of denominations. These two caravans have adopted a policy of tolerance and cooperation in order to live and work together, while the other caravans adhere more strictly to their belief. Because of this, they're often looked upon as the peace keepers and will often be at the heart of settling petty squabbles and grievances between the other caravans.
There are also much smaller caravans of believers throughout Orr, but they tend to be outliers and smaller family units, or even some "lone-wolf" practitioners.
Once, in every generation, a healer is born to both the Emaru and to the Deluvians whom is skilled enough to practice the art of regrowth, in which whole appendages or body parts can be restored. With the aid of the ash from the Phoenix tree, the Su'nundi have been known to successfully mimic this ritual. For this reason, they haven't been completely ostracized by the religion for turning their backs on the Great Cosmic Drift. Historically, these healers have also been found among the smaller groups as well as lone-wolf practitioners, though only in very rare instances.
There is only one known official Su'nundi caravan, though there are small encampments along its route that house these children of the Sun.
All UtuRhu believe that rifts — if they exist at all — are to be avoided, lest one's soul is lost forever.
Every year, they pay homage to the fallen at the Myleum. They celebrate the dead with gifts of music, poetry, performance, and food and believe on the second night of their three-night celebration, the souls of the deceased can see their lights from the Endless Drift. During the three-day event, the Drifters will not work for others. They will not attend the sick or wounded. They will not resurrect or heal, or trade. This is a sacred time between them and the dead, and they believe the Myleum is not only a holy site, but also the site of a Confluence. It is believed that women who conceive during this holiday will give birth to a reincarnated soul. They also believe that anyone who passes during the celebration, near the Myleum will enter the Endless Drift right at the Confluence and have a very high chance of returning to life as one of those conceived.
Comments