Spiritism
The Six Spirits is a global religion that has found its place in many regions, with sub-religions being found to have its root in its original conception. The basis of Six Spirits relates to beliefs of the afterlife and in its history adapted to have various natural phenomena associated with the spirits.
Mythology & Lore
It was originally that the six spirits were more categories than any specific deity. Over the years, the mythology has had them form shapes as deities that exist outside the mortal realm, and further that they form a family and hierarchy over lower beings.
Afterlife
In ancient beliefs, souls that passed away were coalesced into the realms of the spirits, joining with other souls that shared similar traits but mostly shared the means of their death. As these beliefs developed, the spirits became wardens for these souls, or guides into the afterlife. Carrec encapsulated the souls of those departed in the line of duty, or departing with purpose. A life of accomplishment also sent a soul to Carrec to be applauded and celebrated. Many heroes of old are said to have passed into Carrec. Abren received those claimed by nature's predators, animals and plants alike. A beast killing a person indicated that Abren had chosen that person to join their coalescence. In early times, huntsmen were common to fall to Abren, but this slowly also encompassed animal and plantlife as well, giving Abren a nature-encompassing aspect. Dowydden collected the souls that perished in anger or betrayal. 'Sending a soul to Dowydden' is a phrase used to mean murder and is considered a curse. Cysgud bore the souls of those that died at sea, or went missing. Grief and sorrow are associated with these souls, as well as fear and shock. Eltan was reserved for those souls that died in war originally, collecting the warriors and soldiers. Over time, Eltan also has been considered the aspect of passion, joy, and vice, leading to souls that died in the throngs of passion or overindulgence also being accepted by Eltan. Unos is the final aspect that encompasses the only form of death left; old age. Disease is also sometimes associated to Unos, but also to Dowydden. Unos therefore collected the souls holding the most experience and the longest lives.Further Aspects
As time passed, the realms of the spirits began to develop personalities and qualities associated with the aspects of a souls passing. This fueled forms of anthropomorphism, including physical representations being orated in storytelling, and some people claiming they saw the spirits in their glory before their death. Carrec is often depicted as a middle-aged man, with a furrowed brow, and dressed as a smith with a hammer in hand and beside an anvil. Their concepts of duty and purpose gave Carrec aspects associated to craftsmen and tradesmen. Stoic, steadfast, sullen, and determined are some of the main qualities given to him. Abren is depicted as a young man, amongst the animals of the forest beside a river. The concepts of nature and its beasts associated to its souls' deaths given Abren a stern, strict, and suspicious attitude. Abren is considered the least accepting of the spirits, a hidden anger sitting beneath their face. Dowydden is depicted also a young man with glasses, in robes and holding scripture, standing amongst the sand of the desert. Deceit, distrust, temptation, are some of their aspects, along with intelligence, scholarly activities, cunning, and planning. Whilst the spirit was considered a representative of both thoughts, they did not come hand in hand; that is to say intelligence wasn't necessarily associated with deceit, and vice versa. Cysgud is depicted as a middle-aged woman, dressed in black and crying whilst looking into the ocean. The fates are commonly associated with Cysgud, feeling of grief, sadness, fear and other negative emotions also are their domain. Again, although associated with these aspects, they weren't considered the cause of grief in the world, simply a guide for them. Eltan is depicted as a young woman, with red hair, and laughing amongst fire. Their bloodlust took a backseat to depictions involving them involved in acts of passion, procreation, love, happiness, joy, and indulging in vices such as drinking, smoking, gambling, and so on. Unos is depicted as an old woman, covered in cloaks and entrenched in the night sky. They portrayed as being pensive, or considerate, calm and slow. Their associated with old age extends to concepts of time involving the year, the months, the day cycle, as well as experience, wisdom, memory, and thoughts.Familial Relationships
As the anthropomorphic representations developed, tales that the spirits were siblings rose in popularity. The implication was that they were equals. Questions of their origins as beings became a theological question, some profiting it may be the figure of Hom. Its debated but not a highly sought for question; most accept the spirits have always been and the sibling relations is simply a way to describe them in terms that can be understood by mortals. With the sibling relationships also developed the concept of rivalries. Dowydden is considered the least liked of the family, feelings of anger and distrust opposing those of Carrec whose dutiful personality purports a trusting figure. Unos and Carrec are seen as the oldest siblings and most powerful.Creation
There is no defined creation myth for the six spirits; the belief is held the world has existed since the beginning of time, and through the accumulation of history and life the six spirits emerged as conglomerates of souls that have passed. Because of this, they also are not considered controllers of the world and its machinations and instead guides through their various aspects, being able to impart wisdom and advice, or provide them suitable conditions to achieve what is wished. They are the final patrons to souls as they embark to the afterlife, so worship in life is seen as simply ensuring they are welcomed to the afterlife warmly, rather than punished for forgoing the spirits' advices.Worship
Each of the six spirits demands different forms of worship to themselves, often regarded to be following the path of their teachings. For example, Carrec the spirit of duty, considers accomplishing one's occupation as a reputable form of worship, and offering one's work is regarded as common practice in some areas.
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