Ypi Hohae (/ˈypi ˈhohae/)

Ypi Hohae, roughly translated as the True Path or the Honest Path, is a philosophical structure centered around achieving a pure state of being through various revelations or motes of enlightenment called howao (/ˈhoʋao/, singular) or howaosy (/ˈhoʋaosy/, plural).
Much of the Ypi Hohae is centered around the balance between discipline and compassion. In each action, we can choose a strict and harsh path or a gentle and giving path. Ypi Hohae believes that a balance between the two simultaneously is needed for a healthy and true life. Only with the heavy hand of severity and the gentle hand of love can an individual reach spiritual enlightenment and comprehend the ineffable truth of Aonainla Oni (/ˈaonainla ˈoni/, ambiguously translated as the light of truth).
In practice, practitioners of Ypi Hohae seek out small wonders and gentle acts of good in the world. Overtly public and theatrical manifestations of goodwill are often tainted by selfish intention, which neither the way of discipline or the way of compassion support. Intention is nearly as important as action for Ypi Hohae.

History

Ypi Hohae has existed in kenku theology for centuries; the specific date of founding is vague due to much of kenku written history being destroyed over the generations. However, there have been great sages or gurus called ysaohoe (/yˈsaohoe/, singular) or ysaohoesy (/'yˈsaohoesy/, plural), roughly translated as wise or enlightened person. Their teachings have a place in the kenku communal songs and are passed along orally.
Strangely, the ysaohoesy lessons have voices unheard of elsewhere in the communal song. There are folktales surrounding this phenomenon; the ysaohoesy might have found a way to speak a voice unique to them during the curse of the stolen voice in kenku history, or maybe the great sages of the past weren't actually kenku.
Ypi Hohae has been used as a source of spiritual and theological mysticism by the kenku for generations. Monastic orders have risen multiple times in history dedicated to the mysteries of Ypi Hohae, only to have been almost entirely eradicated by larger external forces, such as governments or rival mystic orders.

Execution

There are ten spiritual virtues, collectively called howaosy, that refract the light of truth (Aonainla Oni) in the world, each with its own significance and lessons.

• Sykenora (/ˈsykeˈnora/), the brown howao of the land and the world. This howao reflects the truth and beauty in the material world, including other living beings. In a humanoid, it corresponds to the feet.
• Maesay (/ˈmaesay/), the indigo howao of the bridge between the material and the spiritual. This howao reflects the abstraction of the spiritual realm as it intersects, influences, and is influenced by the material realm. It also acts as the conduit that allows spiritual energy to manifest in the material realm. In a humanoid, it corresponds to the gut.
• Payha (/ˈpayha/), the purple howao of balance between severity and mercy. This howao reflects the virtue of a balanced life between the harshness of discipline and the lax generosity of compassion. Throughout the later motes, Payha plays an essential role to ensure that no single mote outshines another. In a humanoid, it corresponds to the heart.

From Payha, the howaosy follow two paths (often called arms): one of severity and one of mercy.
The howaosy of the arm of severity are

• Maeraoly (/ˈmaeraoly/), the yellow howao of the wonder of the gods of the Prime Pantheon. Maeraoly is tied to divine piety, familial piety, and respect towards authority. In a humanoid, it corresponds to the right shoulder.
• Domih (/doˈmih/), the red howao of judmoteent and strength. Domih is tied to discipline, assertive action, and proactive planning. In a humanoid, it corresponds to the right elbow.
• Paehdao (/paeh'dao/), the black howao of comprehension, understanding, and wisdom. Paehdao is tied to intuition, instinct, and the wisdom of the light of truth as it reflects in the infinite facets of this mote. In a humanoid, it corresponds to the right hand, often a fist.

The howaosy of the arm of mercy are

• Kewyedao (/keˈʋyeˌdao/), the green howao of victory and patience. Kewyedao is tied to enduring trials until one emerges stronger and better than before. In a humanoid, it corresponds to the left shoulder.
• Loro (/ˈloro/), the blue howao of compassion and love. Loro is tied to charity, empathy, and generosity. In a humanoid, it corresponds to the left elbow.
• Idyi (/iˈdyi/), the white howao of knowledge. Idyi is tied to the wisdom of understanding similarities in others, the divine truth of life, and the unity of all souls. In a humanoid, it corresponds to the left hand, often an open palm facing skyward.

The furthest howao from the material world is the most enigmatic one, Aylau.

• Aylau /ˈaylau/, the rainbow or scintillating howao of spiritual truth and enlightenment. Aylau is tied to comprehending the scope, magnificence, and glory of the light of truth in its incomprehensible splendor. In a humanoid, it corresponds to the crown of the head or the forehead.

There are some cultural variations for how howaosy translates. The auran kenku, who are the dominant cultural influence for the codifying, translates a single howao as a mote of enlightenment, the ignan kenku translate it as an ember of enlightenment, the terran kenku translate it as a gem of enlightenment, and the aquan kenku translate it as a drop of enlightenment.

Related Organizations

• Mercy Lodge