Sect Of The Guardian Spirits
Mythology & Lore
The world was created in the conflagration of a war between demons - powerful beings who wielded terrible magic that transformed the world. For hundreds of years humans lived in terror of these beings, and the demons enjoyed feeding their fears. They took on grotesque visages and caused suffering to mankind much like a child with an anthill. As the powers of the demons dwindled, their cruelty became more petty and the humans thrived.
However, not all demons sought harm to humanity. A few took pleasure in human worship and took it upon themselves to protect and guide individuals whom they saw as particularly worthy. These were the demons whose names became engrained in the very first languages: Zuzária of the Sweet Waters; Alkymbre of the Warming Light; Dubasye of the Fertile Earth; Volkrath of the Grazing Beasts; and Balfen of Leaf and Grain.
From these Guardian Spirits came the names to be truly feared and venerated, the Creators: Mirenarel, Rage of the Ocean; Bezentaram, Builder of Mountains; Xaiteng, Lord of Beasts; Kizendara, Fire of War; and Zetzwarian, Bringer of the Cold Death. These were the gods whom the Guardian Spirits worshipped but who would not acknowledge a human, not even enough to target them for harm.
Bezentaram moved the earth to build his mountains and Kizendara raised fountains of flames. Mirenarel fought the fires and swallowed the earth while Zetzwarian's sigh covered all in frost and death. These acts were merciless in their destruction but none were passed as judgement. Everything died. Everything fell. Everything burned. Only Xaiteng seemed intent on creation. He made wonderful beasts and fantastical flowers, both beautiful and terrible in their own right. He made the werewolves that hunted the weak and the hensbane that poisoned the blood, but he made them and set them free of his will. They thrived and fell without intervention. Xaiteng only created.
For hundreds of years did this continue. The oceans flooded the forests. The earth split open to swallow it and fires spewed forth to banish all water. Animals fought desperately for survival. Humans wandered in droves in search of sustenance and shelter. Then came the ice. It swallowed everything. Kizendara's fires died. Bezentaram's mountains were moved and ground to gravel. Mirenarel was trapped, powerless and harmless. Death touched even the hardiest of Xaiteng's creatures.
Whatever advancements humans had made before were forgotten. Histories were lost. But a few were saved by the grace of the Guardian Spirits in exchange for the humans' servitude.
“Always carry a flame,” said Alkymbre. “Never let it go out and I shall warm you.”
“Always rest the grain,” said Balfen. “Tear nothing up by its roots that shall not be planted again and I will feed you.”
“Always fill the whole you made,” said Dubasye. “Ever leave a place as you found it and I will shelter you.”
“Spare my beasts,” said Volkrath. “Protect them and leave none to waste and my flock shall live with you.”
Only Zuzária said nothing but she provided the sweet waters that seeped forth from the rock, and it fed the beasts and the fields. Thus humans survived by the grace of the Guardian Spirits but to thrive they must continue to live by the commandments of the Spirits.
Tenets of Faith
To honour of the Guardian Spirits, their people must always keep a flame burning; tear nothing up by its roots that is not planted again; endeavour to leave a place as it was found and do not alter the shape of the earth; restore what is taken and do not destroy without creating something new. Water is the most sacred of substances, for it gives without seeking anything in return.
Priesthood
Shamen are an order of healers and spiritual guides. They are intermediaries between the humans, the Spirits and the demons. They hear the voices of the Spirits and can speak to them in their dreams. They are educated in demonic rituals to negotiate with demons for protection and to appease them when they are upset. They can say when a tree lies within a demon's territory and what animals may be hunted and when so that no demon will come to take vengeance upon an ignorant community.
Shamen are the ones who track the cycles of the moon and sun.
They lead their congregation in worship of the Guardian Spirits.
They hear the name of an unborn as the Spirits call it from the womb.
They announce marital unions to the Spirits so that the couple and their home may be blessed.
They appoint the place of funeral pyres and pray for the Spirits to guide the souls of the dead to the city of their ancestors.
They heal and cleanse both spiritually and physically.
Females of this order are called Shamanka and males are called Shaman. It is not customary to call a shaman or shamanka by their true names, and it is unlikely that any will ever hear it after their ordination.
To join the order one apprentices under an established shaman or shamanka. Once the study is begun there is no oath to continue it. Many begin to learn healing at a young age only to end their studies when they marry, have children or find another calling. Few established shamen marry though celibacy is not one of their oaths. A Shaman's training is complete when the Guardian Spirits speak to them or appears to them in a dream.
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