Tenets of Snalesh

The Tenets of Snalesh is the native religion of the Snaleshi Swamps.

Structure

The Tenets of Snalesh lacks a figure head or formal structure. The highest mundane authority on the religion are instead the clan chiefs; this family head is charged with teaching their compatriots the Tenets and installing the virtues of Snalesh. Without a codified system to spread the faith, it's teachings are instead spread by it's followers through their actions and deeds. Indeed, the disorganization is seen by many Snaleshites as a positive feature.

Culture

Snaleshite culture is intertwined with the culture of the Swamps due to Tenets of Snalesh being the native religion to the area. One cannot travel far in the region without experiencing some aspect of life brought about by followers of the religion.

Public Agenda

The goal of the religion is less to worship The Spirit of Snalesh and more to follow a lifestyle outlined by the spirit. Each Snaleshite is to memorize and try to live by the Tenets of Snalesh.

Assets

As the religion is decentralized, there is no church or organization to maintain stockpiles of supplies or important physical assets. The most valuable asset the religion has is the Tree of Snalesh. This tree is the beating heart of the Snaleshi Swamps, the focal point of which a unique Sliver of Divinity manifests.

History

The religion was founded during the second era, when an expedition from the Perisian Empire would attempt to claim the land for the expanding empire. The Lizardfolk rallied around a local fay known as Snalesh who lent them it's strength and taught them the central tenets. These early century's in which Snalesh slithered amongst it's followers were a much more centralized and militaristic version of the religion. Eventually Snalesh and it's followers would liberate the Swamps, destroying Coeur Des Tropiques during the waning years of the second era; one of the first regions to throw off the yoke of imperial oppression.
The killing of Snalesh during a climactic battle against The Destroyer would bring about a less centralized version of the Tenets of Snalesh. This event would also bring about the Tree of Snalesh.

Demography and Population

The religion is often referred to on Potestatem as, "the Lizardfolk religion." This is because the swamps are home to the overwhelming majority of Lizardfolk on the planet, which are in turn overwhelmingly adherents to the Tenets of Snalesh

Mythology & Lore

According to scholars, Snalesh is dead. Mind splintered into a thousand pieces by the destroyers breath.
Yet many Snaleshites would tell you a different story. Snalesh is ascendant. No longer just a spirit of the Swamps. Snalesh has become the swamp. From one came many and the many became one. From these many came power; Drastrix Fruit. This is the common mythological idea as to why Drastrix Fruit exists and what happened to the Snalesh after being killed by the Breath of the Destroyer.

Cosmological Views

The cosmology of the Tenets of Snalesh state that Snalesh is one of the great spirits of The Temple. The religion is fairly orthodox in its beliefs about the wider cosmology of the world, through this is rarely a focus for a practicing Snaleshite.

Tenets of Faith

The Tenets of Snalesh are based around the the teachings of Snalesh during the turbulent second era. Followers of the religion are tasked with upholding them.
"Freedom over tyranny, vigor over lethargy, endowment over thievery."

• The first line has been interpreted as followers of Snaleshi should fight against tyrannical governments or leaders. As such all Snaleshi are believers in individual liberty and democracy. This is reflected in the government of Snalesh, which is a representative democracy.
• The second line is interpreted as that all true followers of Snalesh should be active in society and always strive to improve themselves. Lethargy is seen as a grave sin in Snaleshi culture, so self improvement and learning through mistakes is widely encouraged.
• The third line is interpreted in that charity is a virtue and that thievery is a sin. Thievery is so taboo that even taxation is considered theft by the Snaleshi. This has greatly hampered any attempts at establishing a more cohesive government in the Swamps, as any attempt to do so would naturally need money.

A long history of self reliance in the harsh environment of the Swamps has led to a fourth "unofficial" tenet. "Sufficiency over Multiplicity." This tenet is the belief that self sufficiency in life is to be applauded and that living in large groups should be shunned and weakens ones ability to uphold the other tenets. This tenet is not universally practiced by Snaleshites; mostly held by the many small freeholding clans and families which populate the Swamp.

Ethics

Virtues: Self reliance, democracy, vigor, charity.
Sins: Dependence, tyranny, lethargy, thievery.

Worship

To worship Snalesh and be a Snaleshite, one must do their best to live by the Tenets of Snalesh. So long as one is doing so, one is a Snaleshite.

Sects

Two main sects of the religion exist. The group which follows only the three original tenets of the faith (known as the Old Snaleshites) and the group which follows the original three and the new tenet. (known as the New Snaleshites) Although these groups are mostly cordial, these religious disagreements do cause some tension in the Swamps.

"Freedom over tyranny, vigor over lethargy, endowment over thievery."

Founding Date

First Era

Type

Religious, Cult

Capital

City of Snalesh

Alternative Names

Cult of the Snake God, Snakeism, The Lizardfolk Religion

Demonym

Snaleshite

Leader

Spirit of Snalesh

Leader Title

Great Serpent

Economic System

Barter system

Deities

• Spirit of Snalesh

Divines

• Spirit of Snalesh

Location

Snaleshi Swamps

Related Ranks & Titles

• Great Serpent

Controlled Territories

• Tree of Snalesh

Neighboring Nations

• Dawn Empire

Notable Members

• Spirit of Snalesh