Adajnn
Name pronunciation: ah-dahn
Structure
There are two denominations, each led by a halabem. Each halabem is guided by a council of holy and secular scholars. With two-way influence are the officers, who, depending on their rank, judge criminal trials of various levels, lead temple meetings (must also be an appointed holy scholar), or generally police the streets enforcing the law. The latter also listen to the civilians, who can volunteer to come in for a hearing to comment on the current affairs or effectiveness of the government. Generally, the larger the testimony group, the farther the testimony goes.
Selection of the halabem is determined by descendency in both denomonations; scholars are chosen by the halabem or by yearly renewals from the city academies (one secular, one holy local officers are voted upon.
Public Agenda
To seek enlightenment
History
Founded in 1446 Morrow Epoch when the anonymous first confidant (Adajnn version of a prophet) created and spread the knowledge of a writing system through the Book of the [Good] Confidant, Vesekrept Arskrind, detailing their experience in which Ajnn revealed their true form to the confidant.
In 1430 ME, there were still only a few people who believed the word of the confidant, but after months of heavy debate, the group schismed based on their belief of how leadership should be passed down and the extent of Ajnn's power in the concrete world. By 1400, each had established substantial followings that formed over centuries to be massive political and religious powers.
After the Deepening, much of the understandings have remained the same, though the traditions are looser than ever to account for the scattered, decimated population.
Mythology & Lore
Ajnn will not be fully free to transcend the universe in total omnipotence until Emamam is caught and defeated. Ajnn scours the earth for their enemy, and at times, they meet and fight. When Ajnn defeats Emamam, the whole world will be transformed into an immortal realm.
Ajnn very much interferes with the mortal world. They are a trickster, using clever means to thwart sorrow and suffering, which Emamam brings bluntly and without thought. Emamam is rage and stubbornness and ignorance, refusing to change but unsustainable, which is why they will never win against Ajnn; it’s only a matter of time.
Divine Origins
The first confidant Ajnn as a beggar in the streets. For a small, filthy coin, Ajnn told the confidant their true identity and how they’d been bound in physical forms by Emamam. The confidant, who was missing a foot and was often restricted in movement, felt deep sympathy, which was spiritual enough to free Ajnn. In return, Ajnn expanded human spirit, giving humans the ability to be far wiser and more spiritually (mentally, emotionally) aware than they had before. Ajnn didn’t heal the confidant’s leg (as the confidant politely declined; Ajnn felt enlightened by this) but gave them a new skill, reading and writing, to give them the ability to have their thoughts transcend space and time beyond speech.
Tenets of Faith
Seek enlightenment.
Ethics
Seek to understand before you judge or choose. Seek to understand command your mind and heart; do not be commanded by them; do not ignore them. Seek enlightenment and higher thinking, and help others achieve this as well; do not look down on those who cannot achieve higher thinking; pity those who will not. In all things, seek to know which changes to make, which to accept, and which to resist. Seek not to make, accept, or resist change for its own sake. In all things, seek the good.
Worship
Meetings with reading, interpretation, and discussion of the Book of the Confidant are held regularly in temples. They tend to be casual and open.
Written prayers are hidden away in secret sacred pots or in the outdoors, hopefully for Ajnn to find and answer before Emamam can reach the words and destroy their meaning. Humans are Ajnn’s helpers: by striving for enlightenment and positive changes in the world, they pay homage to Ajnn and fight the force of Emamam.
Priesthood
Each halabem is chosen based on whom they descended from.
Granted Divine Powers
It is said that a halabem can decipher mirages. They also tend to be skilled alchemists.
Political Influence & Intrigue
The political and religious bodies of the United Haladn are one.
Sects
There was a schism in the faith in 1430 ME regarding leadership issues: one group believed that Ajnn left lasting results on the planet, that they could “bless” confidants or wonderers (people who believe they have met Ajnn in physical form but they didn’t reveal themselves) with children, and that Akim was Ajnn’s daughter and ought to rule the land devoted to Ajnn. The other group argued that would be a desecration of Ajnn’s transience and that the son of the first confidant ought to rule the land.
Ultimately, after much lively debate and discussion (which seemed treacherous at first and threatened to tear the small community apart, but then became a source of fellowship, higher reasoning, shared resources, and respect), the Adajnnind decided to split between two denominations: Sihn oblja Ardivi (roughly “Faith of the Blessed”) and Sihn oblja Armodon (roughly “Faith of the Wandering”). These people are generally described as Ardivi(n)d and Armodond. The Ardivi founded the Umi Halad in the southwest; the Ardivi founded the Wase Halad in the northeast.
Remove these ads. Join the Worldbuilders Guild
Comments