The Final Choir of Vetevism

The Final Choir of Vetevism is a religion of action and transformation, not belief or even ritual. By combining their voices, the Choir seeks to merge their souls and energy to transform themselves into superior beings. The Choir is a glorious international project following the directions of the God-Creature known as the Chimanaros  (The Messenger), who supposedly revealed the true purpose of life was to find perfection through evangelism and the harmony between species. The prophet Mizubotay then revealed that true harmony could be found only in biological fusion and synthesis: the body of the Chorical. But Choricals are only the prototype of the ideal body; there are species yet un-synthesized, cultures still un-discovered.
"The world is the primeval egg and seed. It is warm, round, fleshy, full of life. Seeds and eggs are simply vehicles for true life and promises of abundant lives yet lived. And we all play a part, just as the yolk feeds the chick and the shell contains its world. But not all parts of the egg will ascend - the body of the chick, perhaps, and the yolk that becomes its growing flesh, but the shell? The shell will be broken and abandoned as useless waste. All parts of our world have the same ultimate destiny: to grow and ascend, or to left behind in broken rot. And you have the unique opportunity to choose." - Uzanshi, Evangelist of the Choir
The Final Choir's most prominent symbol is that of the radiant butterfly, for the butterfly is an example of personal transcendence. A very specific set of musical harmonies also represent the choir's principles in sound: Bardic musical spellcasting is seen as the ultimate demonstration of transcendent beings shaping the world through harmony.

Structure

The Final Choir is led by the Highest Chorus, a small council of 10 'Conduits'. The following is a list of ranks below this Chorus:

Rank	Role
Conduit	Supreme Leaders of the Choir
Choirmaster	Upper leadership, interprets and acts on Conduit orders
Director	Lead holy orders and special projects
Conductor	Lead regional operations
First Voice	Leads a group of Voices or Priests, often on a project
Voice	An agent of the Choir
Priest	Temple-keeping, community leadership, education

A group of Choir personnel or priests is known as a Chorus; a community of the faithful is known as a Unison

Culture

Gender, Sexuality, and Species

Vetevism has a very clear species prioritization: Choricals are the future. A virtuous society should prioritize maximizing the number of Choricals, and society should be built around the assumption that everyone is either a Chorical or striving to have their family become choricals. The Choir prefers chorical members for positions of authority, and prioritizes Chorical-based food and medical knowledge.
The Choricals of the Choir are seen as more than just a sum of their parts (Prisms, Dryads, and Humans ) - they are seen as in need of their own, superior culture and norms. To live truly free of the past, the Choir rejects all prior genders for their Choricals, and enforces their own new "cosmic gender" (or "Cosmi") instead. While not mandatory for non-Choricals, it is heavily socially incentivized (as all beings should seek to be Chorical in mind if not in body). This "cosmic gender" is androgynous in presentation by regional standards.
Sexuality is treated very strangely in Vetevism, as sex and reproduction are holy paths to both improving the world (via Choricals) and for deterioration (via Choricals having non-Chorical children). Reproduction is often done with the guidance or permission of a priest or Voice (choir agent) - the Sacred Blood must be kept pure. When a priest is not available or is unable to properly set up a match, Vetevic faithful will strategically accessorize to indicate their desire to reproduce and if they are looking for a partner of a certain sex or heritage in what is known as 'the Subtle Signs'. Those with wealth often turn to matchmakers, who work with families to create more-perfect couplings based on their family history (as well as "ideal marriages").
This language of accessories has been modified and expanded by many of the faithful to included relationship status and sexual/romantic preferences. For example, if someone is taken, if someone is taken romantically but still interested in dalliances, if someone is single and looking for a fling, or if someone is looking for a long-term relationship. These codes can get quite complicated and in-depth but are not officially Choir-sanctioned, and are therefore regionally variant. Hijinks ensuing from regional miscommunication is a well-worn cliche in Nafenan media.
Religious norms don't completely permeate society, especially among rural non-Choricals. Other gender expressions flourish in the periphery of the Choir (and actually are more numerous than in other places, as gender is more openly recognized as a construct here). In order to navigate the mire of gender and sexuality in mainstream society, those who identify as non-Cosmi but must present as Cosmi use the language of Subtle Signs to communicate gender, gender preference, and the like. How each community deals with deviant genders varies, but few actively embrace this scene.

The True Culture

All Vetevics say they embrace the One True Culture of Ascendance. But that 'culture' is more of a cultural-linguistic group, a vague packaging of acceptable rituals, dialects, and norms that is consistent only in its shared Choral approve. The dress (heavily associated with the Cosmi gender) of specifically folded robes (or a tunic with a cloth draped on top) is the most noticeable trait of the True Culture. The languages are also noticeable: specific sounds are considered more 'harmonic', and 'true' languages must emphasize and promote these syllables.
The strange thing about the True Culture is that its inconsistency is baked into it and openly accepted. "The True Culture changes" is a common turn of phrase and theological argument. For while the True Culture is critical to ascension and therefore mandatory, it is only a vehicle for transformation because it changes. Experimentation is encouraged, innovation is prized, and synthesis of old and new is seen as the pinnacle of cultural orthodoxy. Endless debate over what is better or worse for the True Culture fills theological texts, but this competition is seen as healthy and normal. This cultural flexibility has proved very useful for technological adoption and adaptation, though it also tends to encourage unusual local quirkiness.
The True Culture is perhaps most important not in its internal consistency, but its difference from surrounding peoples. The True Culture must mark the faithful as outsiders in foreign lands, it must be unique. After all, it is a celestial gift unlike any other custom - and being treated as unusual or different when abroad is proof of this. Without outsiders to mock (and be mocked by), the Choir would not be special. Without lesser peoples to be left behind as waste as you and your kin rise, is it even really ascension?

Self Alienation

One of the 'self evident proofs' of Vetevism is that both the world and you as a person are incomplete: The world is unsustainable and undesirable, your body is flawed and ill-fitting, your relationships and emotions are lacking. The only way to fix these things, of course, is to ascend. But the discomfort of existence is highlighted, and the more intense groups of the faithful often actively alienate themselves from their own bodies and identities. This message of estrangement tends to go around in waves every so often, but it has been known to mix into large scale manias during particularly stressful moments: accounts of transformations, lycanthropy, alter egos, and astral projection are all quite common in Vetevic communities.
Speaking of mania, there is a constant apocalyptic sense to Vetevism: the end of the world is coming, and you want to be on the right side when it arrives.

History

Origins of the Choir

Before Vetevism was a religion, it was a small cultural group in modern day Nomion- just one of many in the theological stew of early Nafena. Deities of Earth, Sky, and Sea were worshipped; wine was made, local spirits placated, and sacrifices were given like any other group. But the early Vetevics were unique in their cultural unity and isolation along the coast. When Prisms and Humans began brutally fighting and enslaving each other in the Divine Era, the Vetevics did not side with either group but rather enslaved and dominated Prism and human alike who did not come from their culture. 
The Chimera smiled upon their cross-species cultural imperialism. The Architect burst forth from the nearby volcano - Mount Janaro - as a massive Chimeric dragon composed of many beastly pieces and with eyes of flame. The chimera-avatar crawled before them and died dramatically before resurrecting when touched. The resurrected chimera praised their approach and demanded they enforce their ways of life wherever possible. After this, the chimera died once again and melted into the land. The avatar of the Chimera became known as Chiminaros the Messenger, and was worshipped as an aspect of a new Over-God. 
For centuries, Vetevism was a religion of cultural imperialism. Their new God demanded evangelism, conquest, possibly enslavement, and they conquered in its name. But in the 270s ME, a series of eruptions and earthquakes struck the region and sank the island-temple of the high priest. The faithful panicked, crying out for salvation. One bard-prophet had an answer: Mizubotay, a seasoned Half Prism that had journeyed the world before returning to their native land of Nomion. Mizubotay explained that the world was ending, as the Chiminaros intended. The mortals would be left behind to rot forever in a dead world as punishment, unless they returned to the True Message. The True Message, of course, was that cultural domination and synthesis was not enough: the Vetevics needed to biologically improve themselves, and the Half Prisms that had arrived from distant Calazen were the vehicle to do that. Peace and harmony would be brought through ascension. And so Mizubotay pleaded with the Chiminaros and the earthquakes ended. The world returned to life, just as Chiminaros had; but was doomed to die again (and soon). And so the Choir of the End formed to prepare for the Second End and assist people to ascending. Modern Vetevism was born. 

Choral History

From 300 ME to 600 ME, the Final Choir focused on bringing all of Vetevism underneath its vision. Many kingdoms resisted the centralized control of the Choir, but they fell in line one by one. And once Vetevism was united as a single force, no other Nafenan group could muster a coalition to oppose them. It wasn't until the 700's that the Lunar Goddess Hiku finally decided to organize large-scale resistance in her former homeland. Hiku mustered a grand coalition of cults dedicated to herself, which she formed into a rival faith: The Wise Masters of Orisha. Led by Juchi Hika, the greatest bard to ever live and supposed Avatar of Hiku, the Orishans drove back the Vetevic forces and created a new permanent opposition.
To Hiku's surprise, the Choir actually seemed to have its power heightened by strong opposition. Vetevism now had a Great Enemy to rally against. The two faiths smashed into one another, desperately evangelizing and feuding for centuries. Many sects, variants, and holy orders of each faith rose and fell - but the Choir continued. Regimes came and went, with the Choir destroyed and reformed by invaders from the mountains in 1310. But in 1380, the new Choir enshrined itself forever as the unquestionable True Choir of the End when it finally improved upon the Half-Prism prototype of the First Choir: it created the Chorical. 
The creation of Choricals ignited a flame under Vetevism. No longer was fighting Orishans the primary focus; the Divine Design was finally moving forward. Everywhere Choricals were bred, the faith entered a fever pitch of excitement. The Choir also began to receive backing from Hiku's Lunar Rivals, notably Orchid of Blue and Emesh. While extreme effort on the part of Hiku and her allies managed to largely contained Vetevism in Nafena, it still spilled into Maradia and Inahng (though in small groups only in Inahng). After seven hundred years of work, Choricals have become a fully self-sustaining species that can be found around the world. And so the Choir has turned to new horizons, in search of new hybrids to integrate. Their agents scour the world, silently searching for the next revelation.

Mythology & Lore

There are many Gods, origin myths, and legends that all compete within Vetevic thought. The past is considered less important than the future, and the heavens are seen as crowded with Gods and spirits but largely unimportant. The only important deity is the Spirit of Ascension, known by their messenger's name (Chimanaros) in public, and by their true name (Suvatera) during rituals in church. The most common origin myth is that Suvatera built the world out of the bodies of a thousand slain Gods, but what happens after the world is made is considered far more important:

The First Revelation

For aeons, mortals and lesser spirits lived in ignorance and confusion. The hints at the truth abounded, but few had the perspective and wisdom to properly piece them together. Greater spirits ruled over the land, extracting tribute from mortals greedily while withholding the truth. Only the greatest of the Gods, Suvatera, wished to share the secrets of ascension with lesser beings- but they found their efforts foiled at every turn. They gave the truth to the first Bard, Hiku of Metahn, but the other Great Gods bribed Hiku into betraying Suvatera and joining their pantheon. But the truth would not be silenced. Suvatera embedded within Hiku's songs a hidden message that would reveal itself to the truly blessed: a call to build a perfect city under the Holy Mount Janaro. Ten legendary mortals answered this call - a human, a dryad, a prism, a solar, and six others who were spirited away by the Traitor Gods - and together they built the Holy City of Vetenima. Vetenima was a utopian paradise of wisdom, magic, and virtue - but even the genius scholars of this perfect city were unable to decipher Suvatera's whole message. 
Suvatera could have simply left mortalkind to rot, but instead they sent down their child - Chimanaros. Chimanaros emerged from the fiery depths of Mount Janaro, but spared Vetenima the wrath of the volcanic ash. Chimanaros explained the Divine Design to the great scholars of Vetenima and wove a blessing over the Vetevic people to protect them from the jealous Traitor Gods. Chimanaros died and sacrificed their body as an offering to the Divine Design. And yet, the Vetevic people still did not fully comprehend the full wonder of the Design, and their efforts were imperfect.

The Second Revelation

For centuries, a Silver Age of imperfect virtue ruled. The people of Vetenima used the blessing of the self-sacrificed Chimanaros to drive back the Traitor Gods and claim all of Nafena for themselves. They broke every foe and seemed destined to rule the world. Their greed and lust for world conquest polluted their virtuous vision - they became infatuated with what is and what was, not with the world to be. They forgot the Nature of Ascension in their revelry of conquest. 
The Ancient Vetevics again ran out of time. The world began to end, and they had failed to ascend completely. But as a column of endless hellfire burst out of Mount Janaro and the holy city of Vetenima sank into the sea, the Self-Sacrificing Messenger, the Chimanaros, resurrected a second time to save the world from destruction. The end of the world was delayed, this time until the Divine Design was complete. The utopian city of Vetenima was permanently destroyed and the world was now cursed to be forever less good, but mortalkind had been offered a third chance.
Mizubotay, a powerful mage and paragon of wisdom, devoted themselves to Chimanaros and listened again to the teachings of Suvatera. They used this knowledge to save the commonfolk of Vetenima, who they resurrected on the shore to live a second life. Mizubotay revealed the truth of the Divine Design and brought together the Final Choir to enable everyone on this planet to one day ascend. Mizubotay then left to discover their own path to personal ascension - and did not die, but rose to become the God Onafarrai, the God of knowledge and the prophet on the Left of Suvatera. Many believe that Mizubotay was in fact the demigod Ghavi, making Nedira an imperfect heresy devoted to true Gods.

Cosmological Views

The cosmos are incomprehensible, wild, and timeless. They are not made to be understood by minds as small as ours. All knowable Planes are part of the same contained reality that the planet is - and is therefore inherently limited and temporary. Paradise and Purgatory are unfair, temporary, and distractions from the ultimate goal of ascension. Which afterlife one goes to will ultimately be irrelevant when the world ends, and all souls who assisted the Ascended Children will be absorbed or ascended, while all who did nothing will be left behind in an endless hell. 
There are many spirits that roam and rule these limited planes of ours, and they can generally be grouped into three categories: True Gods, Traitor Gods, and Pointless Gods. Dutiful Gods assist in the Ascension process, Traitor Gods actively distract and hinder, and Pointless Gods do neither and are therefore ultimately irrelevant. 
The True Gods are small in number and incredibly important. They are:

• Suvatera, the Supreme Deity and Ultimate Good; cannot speak directly with people without destroying them
• Chimanaros, the Messenger, God of Strength, Magic, Forgiveness, and Protection
• Onafarrai, God of Knowledge, Travel, Peace, and Healing

There are also a number of Pointless Gods who are essentially honorary True Gods because they are useful for one's earthly existence:

• Kayshikari, the storm kraken, fickle master of the Aquatic Peoples and Ally of Onafarrai
• Etaze, the wind four-headed serpent that protects sailors, wards away storms, and brings rain
• Gekrya, the Lion of a Thousand Faces, master of the Risen Host and God of Hunters and Warriors
•  Mishiagi, The Goat of the Endless Brood, God of the Moons, Fertility, Agriculture, and the Hearth
• Vaitori, Queen of Night and Day, eternally dying and reborn, maiden of change
• Toriteh, God of Creation and Largely Inactive Beyond That

A couple of Archetypal Traitor Gods include:

• Pativ, Queen Judge of the False Underworld
• Dainshen, God of Sky, Rain, and Sea, the King of Kings, Warrior, salt-taker
• Tainez, God of the Sun, Generous Giver of Fire, Joyous Hedonist 
• Teyuva, Smith Goddess of War and Domination that is quite capricious and dangerous

Tenets of Faith

• Contribute to the Divine Design: The world must end, and we must aid in its destruction so that something better may be born. Aid the Choir, create more Choricals, evangelize the True Culture, and search for more knowledge to be brought to the Choir. 
• Prepare Yourself For Ascension: Material aid is essential, but you must ready your body and mind for the next stage of existence. Divorce yourself from material attachments and identity. This world is not for you
• Join in the Harmony: You are a member of the Choir! You are in harmony with your neighbors, your friends and family. Support them unconditionally, for you are them
• Seek Perfection: Improve your mental and physical discipline, and help those fellow faithful who seek to improve themselves
• Consequence over Intent: Intent matters not, theory matters little. The goodness of one's consequences determines the goodness of their being (biologically influencing it, in fact!). So be careful

Worship

Personal worship and community worship are incredibly different things in Vetevic thought: community worship is all about merging your self with the greater whole, while individual worship is focused on bodily and mental discipline and detachment from this world. Community worship is often done through song and music - the Choral element of the Final Choir is quite literal in day-to-day worship. Priests act as teachers and conductors, just as they act as community leaders and teachers.

Priesthood

The common priests of the Choir strive for simplicity and asceticism in their dress and habits. They wear short hair, simple robes, and adorn only their faces with decoration. During rituals, they are known to wear 'unison masks' akin to those worn by The Masked One. These Unison Masks were originally theatrical masks used to represent the narrative itself, but have been stylistically shaped by the Masked One's divine example.
Voices and other agents of the Choir, meanwhile, tend to be gaudy in their piety. Silver masks, jewelry, silk robes, fine ornaments depicting butterflies and chimeras. Oftentimes ornate 'trials' are worn: instruments that hinder one's sight, hearing, tremorsense, agility, or strength as a way to train one's bodily (and possibly 'unlock' hidden abilities).
Ceremonial masks and ornamentation rise in gaudiness the higher in rank you go. The masks also get less and less mortal-like. The masks are not intended to channel or scare spirits, but are intended to evoke the transformation of the wearer's body. They often invoke the uncanny and the psuedo-human, resonating with one's ambient discomfort with the imperfect world.
There is tension between the priests and the agents of the Choir. The priests see their job as leading everyone in the community to ascend, while the agents are encouraged to focus on the organization's power and their own personal ascensions. The asceticism and evangelism of the priests clashes regularly with the opulent elitism of the agents. It can be a difficult and intrigue-filled hierarchy to navigate.

"The End is Upon Us"

Founding Date

280

Type

Religious, Organised Religion

Alternative Names

The Final Choir, the Choir of the End

Demonym

Vetevic

Permeated Organizations

• Kingdom of Sokuwa
• Sacred Kingdom of Nomion

Deities

• The Chimera

Location

Nafena