Sequn

West Affiliation began in the earliest days of Ptitheros, soon after the Cardinals gave rise to the first sapient and intelligent creatures of the world: dragons. The dragons and similar creatures that Cymer helped rise, teach, and empower became reliant on Him, and therefore worshiped Him. He is the entire reason they exist, why their culture and beliefs and magic lines exist, thus a religion based around him, just like the other Cardinals, began.
⇨ Lindosts are welcome within Sallenin/dreamscapes, so long as they cause no trouble.
⇨ Sequns do not refer to their Cardinal by His real name out of respect, instead they refer to Him as a phrase that represents His being and power as a whole: Cymarvas'tiyn

Structure

Vaests - The Vaests were the surrounding circle of the kingdom's Chieftain/Chieftess. They were made up of the oldest Mankians of the kingdom or those who were elected as the wisest within the smaller communities such as Seree'yaa and Selin'bu. Vaests were solely opinion-givers for the government and were purposefully designed as a group to be as diverse in view-points and differing kingdom-raised backgrounds, as to allow new laws and decisions of the Chief be as inclusive and effective as possible.

Mythology & Lore

Kosmos - Kosmos, often called Kos, are special spirits from Sallenin. Kosmos, unlike the usual souls that go to Sallenin after their death, are able to traverse all dreamscapes between all Sequns and can access the real world too. Kosmos keep watch of all dreamscapes, they ensure safety to those in Sallenin and those sleeping. Because of the pact between Cymer and the Lindost Arch, Kosmos have the capability to shoo lindosts away from dreamscapes in case the monsters aren't adhering to the pact rules on their own. When visible in the real world, Kos cannot interact with anything physical but can speak through willing patrons. They appear as shadowy, whisp-y creatures that resemble a once-living Sequn.

Tenets of Faith

Those affiliated with the West have a strong commitment towards the idea of happiness and family love, while also having a strong vice against anything to do with greed or possession. Their ideal world is one where money does not exist and bartering is what makes the world go 'round, where everyone respects one another's hobbies or what brings them happiness (so long as it follows the tenets), where the effort put into something shows its worth rather than the materials it is made from, and where there are no broken families or fake love in the world.

• Never dismiss creativity
• Be mindful of your curiosity and knowledge
• One's main idol shall be one's Cardinal
• One must never betray one's family
• Teach and stimulate a child's curiosity
• Seek love and family born from love
• Desire to hold onto happiness
• Never abandon one's partner or children
• Never succumb to greed

Worship

Minor gifts to major rituals, showing faithfulness to the West even when not living there is shown in a variety of ways that has passed through many generations.

• Wearing lots of turquoise jewelry
• Dipping a feather into water and then placing it on the nearest shiny and beautiful rock
• Lighting a small fire on a windy day, dipping a feather into it, and blowing the ashes to fly about forever in the gray sky
• owning a blessed dreamcatcher
• Never addressing the Cardinal by His name
• Participating in community rituals and events

Dreamcatchers - Sequns always have at least one dream catcher hanging in the room where they sleep. Properly made western dreamcatchers are the link between Sallenin and the real world for Kosmos to traverse both worlds and for Sequns to enter their dreamscape when they fall asleep.

Priesthood

Western Shaman - Shamans of Cymer's making are powerful, high-aura, Sequn-lineage creatures. Born at random into families, they are trained by Kosmos while they are children and were brought before Cymer Himself once they became an adult, where they were then told about their unique placement in the world and could make the decision to work directly beneath Cymer as a connection between the Cardinal and the government. After Cymer's disappearance, shamans still existed and were born but are only directly in contact with Kosmos now. After the fall of Sequ'Manko's central government, all shamans just live independent lives, finding jobs elsewhere despite it not being their true calling.

Granted Divine Powers

There is no form of higher power in the worship of the West Cardinal. The three occupations that are technically thought of as closer to the divine are Shamans, Chieftain/ess, and the Vaests, for they are the most well-respected and often wisest individuals in Sequ'Manko. After death a Seqún becomes a spirit that lives in Sallenin, but they can choose to wander the overworld if properly called down by those still alive in their bloodline. When they are called down they are now Kósmos, powerful spirits there to help. Spirits of Sallenin can also apply to be a permanent Kósmos, one who forever assists a specific Seqún when they sleep. This is believed to be the highest state of being, as it serves both states of life and death in positive ways.
True followers of the West have the ability to access the dreamworld (Sallenin) that was created by the West Cardinal to protect the minds of His kin and give them an afterworld to live peacefully in once they die. For those alive, they must sleep near a shaman blessed dreamcatcher, and they can only access a small, personal corner of Sallenin while they are asleep. Followers of the West are also immune to a lindost's detrimental effects due to a pact signed long, long ago between the Arch of Lindoss and the West Cardinal. They cannot avoid Lindosts, but the most the parasitic entities can do is hitch a ride without causing trouble.

Political Influence & Intrigue

The West Cardinal once had as much influence in the world as the others, but with population comes influence- and when the population of the largest western kingdom was near extermination, the religion was nearly wiped off the map too. Many related to the families who were once with the West changed Affiliation to reduce their risk of being killed during the time of great fear after the Fire. However, Sequn is on the rise of returning in the present day, as there is an increase of once-changed families switching back.

The happiness of many is worth more than the power or greed of a few.

Founding Date

0005 E.D.

Type

Religious, Organised Religion

Alternative Names

Western Followers, Cymer's Kin