The Old Deities of the Kuzaarik
The Kuzaarik are Gaal worshippers, choosing from the beginning to directly worship the aspects of the creator rather than derive some religion from them. This has much to do with their creation story and the way they have chosen to show devotion to the Ga'al in their daily lives.
The Kuzaarik refer to the the Ga'al as The Gosk, and have their own name for each:
Monolith - Gelzhyp
Hammer - Grymzul
Hearth - Gamoo
Ship - Glylz
Portal - Guzpyl
Lamp - Grhymp
Eyes - Guzhyn
Cage - Gornyl
Shroud - Gazhen
Kuzaarik worship the Hammer, Grymzul; the Hearth, Gamoo; and the Monolith, Gelzhyp as primary Gosk due to their collaboration in their creation. They see Gamoo as their civilizer and their savior when Gelzhyp abandoned them in his rebellion (See the Kuzaarik Creation story below). They are shaped by the Grymzul in work and war. Though rebellious and dangerous, they still worship Gelzhyp as their progenitor and most influential Gosk. It shapes their worldview, communities, and livelihoods.
The Kuzaarik have all but forsaken Gornyl and Gazhen, the Cage and the Shroud. Partly because the two Gosk were part of the rebellion but mostly because of what they stand for. Kuzaarik culture can not stand imprisonment or slavery, both of which Gornyl represents. They also take death very seriously. neither imprisonment or death are used as punishment amongst the Kuzaarik, who favor restorative payment and at worst exile to punish wrong doers or those who breech the terms of the Long Way.
Because of this the Kuzaarik have always gravitated toward the number seven as a holy number. Most Kuzaarik institutions make use of the number seven and even in this time when their culture tends to minimize religious influences a careful observation will find that their numerology still permeates the society. At the height of the Kuzaarik Confederation of City States there were seven city states. There are seven army groups the Kuzaarik employ in their military operations. There are also seven Industrial Unions that hold a seat on the Visk Sohvyt. This numerology is not a mistake-it is at the core of the Kuzaarik belief in the creation of Faelon and their race. They have always endeavored to incorporate it into society and most likely always will.
Though any Kuzaarik will be quick to tell you that they have the oldest continual civilization in Faelon, Kuzaarik believe that they are the second born of creation. In their creation myth, The Creator creates all of Faelon minus them and in an effort to be better understood by its creation, divides itself into the Gosk. All of Faelon is precious to the Gosk as firstborn, but Gelzhyp is unhappy with his role and influence in its creation. Most of the creation and their path the Creator set them upon seems diametrically opposed to Gelshyp's nature, and seem to defy him in their very existence.
Out of his petty jealousy Gelzhyp wants to create Children that bear his resemblance and nature, and so creates the Kuzaarik. Grymzul is a principle partner in this creation as the Gelzhyp had always wanted children that worked and shaped the earth. Grymzul seemed a likely partner in this endeavor. Seeking balanced Children, they both sought the guidance of Gamoo and were guided by her to help them civilize and domesticate, even in their wild nature. Having created the Kuzaarik race as hard as the earth, Gelzhyp gives birth to them in the Northern Mountains to pursue the course he has designed for them, being close to his own nature and pursuits: the earth itself.
Gelzhyp continues to spiral in his jealousy of the other Gosk, and he abandons his children while he carries out his rebellion against them. Gamoo steps in to take his place and settle the Kuzaarik, who are also rebellious, jealous, and petty in nature. Gamoo has a civilizing influence on the fledgling Kuzaarik, helping to tame the wildness and anger that Gelzhyp poured into their creation.
The intervention of Gamoo is seen as a turning point in Kuzaarik history, and as the beginning of a great period of growth, civilization, and advancement in Kuzaarik society. From this time the tales of great kings who served for the good of all Kuzaarl are born.
Divine Origins
Kuzaarik Creation Story
Though any Kuzaarik will be quick to tell you that they have the oldest continual civilization in Faelon, Kuzaarik believe that they are the second born of creation. In their creation myth, The Creator creates all of Faelon minus them and in an effort to be better understood by its creation, divides itself into the Gosk. All of Faelon is precious to the Gosk as firstborn, but Gelzhyp is unhappy with his role and influence in its creation. Most of the creation and their path the Creator set them upon seems diametrically opposed to Gelshyp's nature, and seem to defy him in their very existence.
Out of his petty jealousy Gelzhyp wants to create Children that bear his resemblance and nature, and so creates the Kuzaarik. Grymzul is a principle partner in this creation as the Gelzhyp had always wanted children that worked and shaped the earth. Grymzul seemed a likely partner in this endeavor. Seeking balanced Children, they both sought the guidance of Gamoo and were guided by her to help them civilize and domesticate, even in their wild nature. Having created the Kuzaarik race as hard as the earth, Gelzhyp gives birth to them in the Northern Mountains to pursue the course he has designed for them, being close to his own nature and pursuits: the earth itself.
Gelzhyp continues to spiral in his jealousy of the other Gosk, and he abandons his children while he carries out his rebellion against them. Gamoo steps in to take his place and settle the Kuzaarik, who are also rebellious, jealous, and petty in nature. Gamoo has a civilizing influence on the fledgling Kuzaarik, helping to tame the wildness and anger that Gelzhyp poured into their creation.
The intervention of Gamoo is seen as a turning point in Kuzaarik history, and is seen as the beginning of a great period of growth, civilization, and advancement in Kuzaarik society. From this time the tales of great kings who served for the good of all Kuzaarl are born.
Worship
Rather than organized worship the Kuzaarik see their daily lives as the place where their devotion and worship plays out the best. A Kuzaari that talks of his faith but does not show it in his or her daily work is looked down upon and shunned. They are seen to bring the wraith of the Gosk upon themselves. Work is the most common place to show devotion, and for many, their patron or their family's patron Gosk determines their line of work. Those that craft or shape the earth often claim Grymzul as their patron Gosk, while those that mine, cut timber, or smelt claim Gelzhyp as their patron Gosk. Those that grow, tend livestock, or create items for the home tend to follow Gamoo.A family's patron Gosk is often traditional, passed down from generation to generation. As a patron Gosk often determines a Kuzaari's life work, many families have been involved in the same line of work for generations, honoring their patron Gosk for centuries.
Though Kuzaarik daily life is devoid of organized worship, religious festivals are held every month and focus on a specific Gosk. These are times of great celebration and are celebrated universally by Kuzaarik no matter where in Faelon you find them:
Zehlkah - The Totality of The Gosk - a feast that celebrates all Gosk. Each family makes a tribute to their family's patron Gosk at the High Temple.
Zehldu - Vernal Equinox - Gelzhyp - Festival of life. The telling of the creation story. All children make something from the earth and leave it in the temple as an offering to their progenitor.
Zehldryhl - Glylz - Parade and Feast. Travellers return to Kuzaarl for a feast, and walk a parade route throughout the town, proclaiming the things they have seen on their travels.
Zehlyoon - Guzpyl - A costumed festival held in the Vorinmar.
Zehlmyl - Summer Solstice - Gamoo - Family and Clan celebrate the home in a feast. They celebrate the nurturing and guidance Gamoo provided in civilizing the Kuzaarik. This is also the feast where the story of their civilization is told from the steps of the Visk Zahryga by the Visk Goskyr Zahpgati.
Zehlrhyd - Guzhyn - Festival of torches. Torches set up at all houses. An all night feast is made and eaten together with one's clan.
Zehldap - Autumnal equinox - Grymzul - All Kuzaarik celebrate the shaping of the earth and it's elements. A festival is held, and a special honor given to those who shape the earth into usable forms. The Industrial Unions use this festival to hold friendly competitions between all of its members. The winning Industrial Union holds their title for a year and is afforded special honor in the marketplace until the next Autumnal Equinox.
Zehlvehk - Gornyl - Celebrations of Military Victories that keep the Kuzaarik a free peoples. This is a special feast and celebration that honors the Kuzaarl military, including large military parades and demonstrations.
Zehlbahyt - Gazhen - A celebration honoring those that have passed on before. A parade and feast. Stories of The generations of Kuzaarik in each family are told. The glories of the Kuzaarl empire are retold during this feast.
Zehlbahz - Winter Solstice - Grhymp - Mirrors are set up in every home to mirror the sun upward, as Grhymp is seen as the most vain of the Gosk. Also, although the Kuzaarik are appreciative of the sun, they are often mistrustful of it's brightness. Kuzaarik, especially in mining communities, prefer the times of evening and morning when the sun is at its least brightest. In agrarian communities further down the mountains and in the valleys where limited agriculture and animal husbandry is allowed, the Winter Solstice is celebrated as a time of renewal and anticipation for the growing season to come. A large festival is held communally in city centers. All kuzaarik are expected to share of their winter stores for the meal. It is said to bring good luck to the growing season.
Priesthood
A group of priests, The Goskyr Zahpgati, or "Intercessors with the Gosk," divine and announce the will of the Gosk in daily happenings. They also divine the will of the Gosk to political, cultural, and societal leaders. Many act as trusted guides, aides, and advisors. Many of them are magic users, as those who can wield magic are seen to be closer to the Gosk or even blessed by them. Every larger gathering of Kuzaarik, even in the most far flung of places, are shadowed by a Goskyr Zahpgati, guiding them and providing whatever spiritual assistance may be needed. Goskyr Zahpgati out in the world, except in large Kuzaarik populations, will also take another job, as it is seen as improper to make a living from intercession alone.
The Visk Goskyr Zahpgati, or High Intercessor, sits on the Visk Sovhyt, The Kuzaarl High Council. Below him or her are lesser ranks of Goskyr Zahpgati that serve with each of the industrial unions, the military (almost all of these are magic users), and throughout Faelon with Kuzaarik communities throughout the world. The place of study and gathering for the Goskyr Zahpgati is the Visk Zahrydga, or High Temple. It is the only temple found in Kuzaarl and serves as the center for any organized religious activities undertaken by the Kuzaarik.
Type
Religious, Pantheon
Parent Organization
Location
Related Ethnicities
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