Quickwrite for the Mind!

 She brushed her fingers along the backs of the sapling’s leaves, their thigh-high bodies leaning into her with the ardor of an old cat. The sweet scent of the cherry laurel’s flowering boughs overhead heralded the coming of spring.

The land was a wild tangle of unshaven crowngrass and scrub. Sparsely sprinkled in the undergrowth were speckles of color, which came from a variety of small-bodied plants. Some would call them weeds. Those who knew better called them wildflowers. 

The tines of forked weedlings swayed in tandem as a breath of warm air tumbled through the glade.

There was a tranquility there that few came to know. Few looked for it in the years they lingered in that land, and so only caught glances of its majesty. Fewer still stayed long enough to recognize it at all. They rarely plumbed the depths of such a seemingly inhospitable place, and so never came to witness the starkness of its beauty. 

Perhaps that was why they abandoned their camps so quickly, leaving so many of their belongings behind. 

The bones of an unattended campsite lay at the fringe of the clearing, various pieces of pottery and clothing haphazardly discarded in the grass.

The cackling call of a hollow hound echoed in the dense thicket beyond the clearing. Namiri stilled, allowing herself to relax only after the howl was answered some mile away. She drew a breath, her fingers clutching clumsily around the haft of her staff.

A monsoon was coming, and the wilds celebrated in a chorus of sound. Birds chatted with each other in excited voices, quickly flitting from tree to tree. The unseen feet of tree-squirrels danced in branches high overhead. Namiri even saw a laksi turn its snout up to greet a passing breeze, no doubt tasting the air for the telling scent of stormrain.

People feared the beasts that roamed there, for there were many of them, unfettered and wonderful and strange. They knew the wilds better than any domid did, or perhaps could, and had adapted to live life in tandem with the rains. Scute or scale, fur or feather, hoof or claw; all found their means of survival in that delicate ecosystem. The rains often brought the promise of fish and frogs, the staple for all manner of creatures in those swamps.

It was no surprise, then, that a red-footed egret alighted on an oak bough nearby. Namiri watched its feathers fold expertly into place. It quickly made about preening itself, turning its long beak into its wing. Nerves tingled in her gut. When nature spoke, wise women listened. She had the energy and desire to carry on a while longer. There was a rich deposit left to scavenge. Yet all the animals advertised impending rain. Namiri had made the mistake of denying the signs before. She had paid the price then. She would not this time.

The storm must be close. I should start heading back. 

Time in a Bottle: Music in My Time

 Salutations, my darling one(s)! 

 

    You might not know me yet. If I am a fortunate man, then you and I have already met by the time you read this! But if not, then this is for you. This is your grandparent Isa! I know you’re probably a pretty cool kiddo (if I’ve wed your grandma and we raised our own little ones, then we love your parents as much as we love you!) There’s a lot I want to share with you if I can to help you in your life. One of the things that has helped me most through life is music. 

 

Funnily enough, I started writing this letter for a school project. Music theory is a fun class, and if you end up being musically inclined, I recommend trying it out! What started as a pretty basic project became a bit more invested the more I considered it. It got me thinking about the future. It got me thinking about you and the other family members I might chance to meet some day. 

 

    As you might imagine, there’s a lot of memories that make a lifetime. So much of that can be traced back to the sensations of being in that moment. There are few that strike you quite like the sound of music. While I cannot speak on all the musical memories that I’ve had (it would be a very long list!) I can share with you some of the most prominent ones that come to my mind at this moment. Right now, at the age of twenty-three, I am hopeful that I have time to experience much more. I hope that, if the world permits it, we can experience some of that music together! If we cannot, the least I can do is leave you with a bit of music to help aid you in this fantastical journey we’ve got. If you’ll indulge me, you can find some of this music listed below to listen to on your own. I’ve assembled a playlist for you, too! (If it’s still there by the time that you read this).

 

The journey began long before I could fully recall when it began, as I’m sure will be the case for you. Many nights I was happily tucked away under my blankets with my plush pig and my parents perched on the end of the bed. There was one CD that had a fixed place in the old boombox radio in our house. The album was called The Celtic Lullaby and remains one of my favorites to this day. From that album, there is always one song in particular that never fails to fill my heart. The song is “Night Night and Einini” and, while it was sung by Tommy Sands on the album, it will always be my daddy’s voice that I hear when I remember this song. When I was young and my eyes grew heavy, I often dreamt of small birds and warm arms holding me whenever I drifted off to this lullaby. If ever you grow feverish in the night, may this song quash every nightmare that dares to haunt you. If I have ever been so lucky to hold you, I hope I can hold you still through this song. I’ll do my best to squash every bedbug that I can.

 

 

For the days when you want your feet to wander to far off worlds and your hands long for walking sticks, I want you to know of this song: “Roads” performed by Glenn Yarbrough for the animated Rankin Bass version of The Hobbit was one of the most important songs in my childhood. From earliest memory, we would watch this film together as a family. Whether it was on the small screens in our old Expedition, Pearl, or if it was recited word for word by my father on a plane flying homeward bound through a storm, this rendition of the tale has always had a special place in the world I’ve known. And this song in particular was the first to elicit goosebumps from me. It sparked a love of adventure and a sort of reverence of life that can be felt in every note. And, of course, a love of Tolkien’s works. Watching those butterflies alight on the boughs of those beautifully painted pines and seeing Bilbo look on in similar wonder was a core memory if ever I’ve known one. I share this song, but one day I hope that you will experience this entire tale for yourselves. I hope that it moves you in the way it moved me once, or at the very least that some story comes along to give you that same sense of wonder and smallness. 

As older I grew, my taste in music began to expand with every new style and song I heard. The first time a song ever made me cry was the first time listening to “Puff the Magic Dragon” in my second grade music class. It was around Halloween and we had been learning some songs for our autumnal season. Among the spooky songs of skeletons in closets, the kindly old Mrs. Sheldon taught us Peter, Paul, & Mary’s saddest song. We all had the lyrics on sheets of paper in front of us. Things started off just fine! A song about a kid and his dragon friend? How rad is that?! And then… then we got to the end of the song. Before I knew it or even really knew why, I started tearing up and hiccuping. Bless Mrs. Sheldon because she saved me in that moment, taking a break to lead me off and get me some water to calm down. I recall being so embarrassed. I was determined to buck up and harden my heart the next time I came into class. I did not want to repeat that scene. So I read the lyrics over and over again. I could cry in the privacy of my own home and not have to worry about doing it in front of my class. Well, that did not pan out as expected. I eventually wound up being able to read through it without crying so long as I did not think about any of the words I was saying. But while I stopped trying to consider how Puff the Magic Dragon was feeling, my mind started wandering to other things. The second time I sang the song I tried to steel myself, but I ended up crying for a different reason entirely. I thought of my beloved dog, Delilah, and I wondered how lonely she must have felt when nobody was home. I wondered if she ever worried that we had forgotten about her. Like Puff without his Jackie. Needless to say there were a lot of belly scratches and table scraps for her that day. I had failed in my quest to avoid any tears, but man did I gain one strong memory! It was that day that I realized the power of storytelling in song and how it could convey love, loss, and imagination with only a few chords and words. 

“If God Made You.” It was on the long drive heading back home on I-4. I recall the way the black seatbelt yielded under my big old head, my cheek pressed up against the warm car window. It was the first time I had ever seen the sky in such a stupendous fashion.  

The universe seemed to expand the bigger I got. More and more was revealed with each passing day. The world was no longer confined to the circle of my closest relations- the revelation that so many stories had been passed down, that so many lives were being actively lived, that so much time had already transpired without my knowledge- and it all began to coalesce in a greater understanding of the human condition. The most inspirational force that I have ever known and that I will ever know is love. It was the first lesson I had ever been taught, and I am lucky to have learned it. When I entered adolescence, I learned that not everyone was open to that love. The reality was crushing. While there was love, there was also pain, and there was fear and hatred. But the songs of love I learned always outshone the anthems of vitriol. I was ten years old when I first heard Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Going On?” It was that year that I first learned about the Civil Rights movement as well as the ideas of nonviolent protest. My teacher back then was Ms. Monet. She was a fervent believer in love conquering hate. When she was not playing classical music for our class during reading time, she was sharing these messages of inspiration and kindness through various artists who believed in the goodness of the world and shunned the use of hate. She passed away some time ago, but I will always be grateful to her for those most important lessons. She opened my eyes to protest songs and to the strength of the people who sang them. One day you will learn about these figures in your life, and ones that I may never know who come in your time. You yourself may become one. Keep the love of others in your soul and kindness in your heart. When you act without fear or hatred, you will know a peace like no other.

It wasn’t long after fifth grade that the story of this next song begins. It was also my introduction to the world of anime and the knowledge that, yes, the mystical power of friendship is indeed real. Your great-uncle Elijah has always been my best friend. That much is designed by divinity itself. But it was not until our mother, your great-grandmother, first started going back to work long shifts (sometimes fourteen hour days) that he and I began to really get along. We used to combat each other wherever we could. I remember chucking a wooden block at him and lodging it in his forehead! I also remember him pulling my hair a lot, so I figure it was just desserts. But I digress. When things took a turn for the worse in our lives and our familial situation got dire, we were forced to rely on one another. And you know what? Despite it all- the pains and the regrets and the fears back in that time- I am, in a way, glad that we went through it. In our terrible mid-youth crisis, we found true companionship with each other for the first time. The song I wish to gift to you is “Brothers” from the manga/anime Fullmetal Alchemist. Your great-uncle and I consider ourselves to be as the Elric brothers are to one another. We look after each other, no matter the cost or the situation, and we will always love each other. You, too, will find such a bond in your time. You may seek it out, or it may seek you out first. If you don’t think that you’ve found it, don’t fret. As certain as the world will change, you will find that love.

As I grew, so too did my interests. The older I became, funnily, the older the music I was interested in got. Discovering the Andrews Sisters when playing Bioshock as a youngster was just the tip of the iceberg. That music is old, sure, but my tastes started reaching further and further back in time. I was just entering college when I started learning about the fascinating world of anthropology. Just listening to words once recited by ancient tongues was such a thrilling experience. When I discovered Peter Pringle (whose primary expertise and interest is playing ancient and medieval music with mostly period appropriate instruments) it was truly awesome. The first song I heard that he had sung was an excerpt from the Epic of Gilgamesh. I remember sharing it with Elijah, the both of us fascinated as we watched Peter pluck at his gishgudi. The revelation that music from times that the ancients considered antiquity was truly inspiring. Sometimes we forget that we as humans are and have always been the same animal. No amount of time can separate us from our nature. In that nature, we find joys in the act of creation- of art and dance and song.  

Not all music is happy. There are some pieces that elicit complicated feelings. The last song that comes into my mind is a fine example of this. The song, “Wild Mountain Thyme,” has a place in my heart for all the time I have left. It brings a sting that can only be felt when you have loved well and truly. It is this song that summons the sweet days spent with my golden retriever Delilah. She was a good dog- the best, if you ask me- and I’m sure she would have loved you. This is the song I used to sing to her throughout time- from her puppy dog days chasing that old torn up football in the shade of the cherry laurel out front to the times spent sitting on the porch together, her graying muzzle turned to the wind as we ate clementines and listened to the squirrels playing in the trees. To this day, Delilah will always be one of my best friends and by far the best dog anyone could ever have asked for. I hope to meet her again one day if I can. And, if God wills it, I hope that one day you can meet her too. Life can pass by faster than you expect, sweetheart, but every moment is so very precious. When I was younger, I thought that she was immortal. I thought that when she passed, I would simply pass on too. But life goes on, and in it there is so much to live for. I miss her still- I think I always will- and I love her still. In that way she lives on. And every time I hear this song, I think of her. When loved ones pass away in your life, as they undoubtedly will, know that it’s okay to mourn. That pain is part of the love that you feel. Open your heart to it, but do not let your grief overshadow that light that made the love you’ve known shine. Remember that the reason you grieve is because that light- that love- was so strong. As long as you live, my love, you will find love as long as you let yourself. That much is certain. So chin up! If you ever feel lonely, know that I love you too. And remember that we’ll meet again! 

There are songs that linger like the scent of the old SUV or the fingerprints left by an old friend on the window. Like the worn wooden floor where Delilah used to lay, or the way the rain falls sideways on a summer night in Florida. You’re going to have experiences of your own that stain you in all their colors. Music can make grooves in your soul with its sound. So many small ridges that carve their way through your heart and flow with warmth right into the core of you. Embrace it all if you can. The memories that spark fondness, the ones that throb and sting, the ones that are some strange intersection of bitter and sweet- every one of them is important. Don’t be afraid to let yourself feel everyone of them.

    

Know that I love you, forever and always. When I meet you, I will be so glad that you are part of those memories that I have the pleasure of carrying with me. I hope to hear the music of your laughter. I hope to see the joy of your play. And kiddo(s), all I can say is that when the music starts, I hope you dance. Stay cool, stay positive, and remember to love yourself and others.

Until we meet again! 

With love, 

Isa Babel

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLijQfo6QTWkfKz6GAM95bzFVrmDIOldva

Ghost Stories

 

Unfinished, but eh, what're you going to do? Still remember having a dream about an old man and a friendly ghost. I wrote down what I remembered and felt, and here it is! It's brief, but I think it captured most of the feeling well enough. I hope you enjoy!

I had bought the kit just that morning. The instructions were clearly printed, though incredibly too cryptic for my eleven year old brain to process too well. I blame it on the writing. 

“Are you there?” I whispered in a trembling voice. It was the scariest thing that I had done in my young and uneventful suburban life. Scarier than shots at the doctor’s office, or running late for school, or hearing mom’s car pull up in the driveway before my chores were done. It was scarier than all of that combined.

I waited for a moment. The radio roared in a symphony of static. That in of itself gave me gooseflesh. 

“Here.”

It was so clear amidst the chaos of the crackling waves. I jumped with a silent yelp, biting my tongue and rattling my teeth. I swore under my breath, just a little curse of “damnation” before I crawled back closer to the radio. Its blue light stared back at me, black numbers morphing into signals anew with each frantic second that passed.

But it seemed as though the ghost was patient. At the very least, it didn’t garble out anything else meaningful. I eyed the room. Nothing seemed out of place. No books had been knocked from shelves, there was no message swirling in the froth of my coco, and the action figures on my shelf were in their proper poses. All my lights were still on, and if I had my way they would stay that way. I glanced at my door. It was still open, just a hair, and I could hear my dad’s snoring pouring through the hallway. Safe, for now. 

I 

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

It was time. Every bone had settled in for a final sleep. I did not have the strength to move so much as a finger, and every tip of my toes felt like they had been given an ice bath. I was dying and very close to death. I had come to terms with that fact. I did not fight to cling onto life to see another October pass me by in the autumnal solemnity that seemed to cast a spell on this place. I did not mind missing out on another Christmas, although I thought it a shame not seeing Jackers after his first winter concert. I didn’t even need a week.

A day, though, was all. One more day that would see me back home.

I knew that if I died right there, I wouldn’t get to be with her. I would be with all the others who had left their last breath in these spacious white rooms, in the company of many who still wandered these linoleum halls. I would be surrounded by souls while she would be all alone.

“... go home.”

The air around me grew stiff. You could hear a pin drop in that silence.

“Dad?”

“What was that, Dad?”

To say that speaking was painful was not entirely true. It was more like the feeling of numbness you get after sitting on your leg too long- that prickling, ticklish feeling that skitters up and down your flesh. It was uncomfortable, but I could bear it. I had to.

“Home.” I managed in a quiet voice. I could almost see the shadows of their heads turning beneath the red of my eyelids.

It was a quick trip thereafter. A few of them argued- my daughter Bethany, bless her, thought that there was still time. Still a chance I could pull through. I drank that day, after all, and I had even talked. What would moving me accomplish? Matt talked her down nicely. Everyone else could see it. They wouldn’t have called for a chaplain if they couldn’t see it.

A hard pill to swallow, to be sure, but a necessary one. I thanked the Lord when I heard the squeaking wheels of the CNA’s gurney. It wasn’t very often that someone was able to make a final request on their deathbed. It was a miracle, a sign from God, Sara had told everyone, and in that moment I was infinitely grateful for the piety of my daughter-in-law.

I could not tell you where we went to before I got home, nor the car ride over. My children moved me from the back of the van with careful hands, much softer than my own. Oh God, I could hear them crying. I imagined Matthew’s red face and the sheen of his snot above his lip, an older reflection of that little boy crying at first grade baseball practice after dislocating his finger. I could hear Bethany’s deep-voiced sobs behind the shape of a napkin. My sweet little girl.

The old familiar creak of the front door, then the softer squeak of the screen that followed when it closed. That musty smell hit me like a freight train. I listened to the hum of the old wires whirring in the walls, felt the muted vivacity of the old homestead.

Then I heard the click of a light. I smiled, a sweet draft falling over my chest and cheeks. 

“Still haven’t fixed the wiring in this place?” Matthew spoke with some mixture of disdain and amusement. It was a very nostalgic tone of voice that I had not heard for quite some time, not since he was living here and I wasn’t swaddled in blankets for most hours of a day.

“You know that dad wouldn’t want us to.” I could almost hear Bethany’s eyeroll. A hand descended onto my shoulder and squeezed it lightly. “Isn’t that right, dad?”

The chill in the air stirred up a bit. Mary was laughing. I chuckled, too, though it came out as more of a cough.

The light dimmed for a moment. It was like catching my breath. So much all at once had left me feeling a bit light in the head. I blinked once. Twice. Three times. I could see again.

There was a shape I had never seen standing in front of me. I knew her instantly, as I had known her all my life. 

She was shorter than I had always imagined, dressed down in a plaid skirt and long, frilly blouse. Long dark hair and eyes to match. Her face was what could be described as gaunt, though that seems like such an ugly word for such a beautiful person. Especially when she smiled.

I walked forward. The air around her was not cold anymore. It was almost warm- almost alive, in a sense- and the light she gave off was nothing short of heavenly. 

“Welcome home, Bobby.” Her voice was her own, unfiltered by radio or television or doll, clear and crisp and soft as the droplets in the grass on an early fall morning. My heart swelled.

“It’s good to be home, Mary.”

 But weeds I admire more than any flower

Which, mentionably, I do not disdain

More than any other kind of plant.

I do happen to like them more than most things

But that is merely to say 

That I harbor an appreciation for weeds

They flower in the frigid winter

And no cold wind deters them

And even icy rain spurs them into growth

And they spring up in their summer sprigs

When the sun is scalding with its scathing gaze

Yet these weeds do not flinch

But stare right back with equal fervor

The roots of a weed find a home anywhere

Whether unpleasant or idyllic

Sand or dirt or mud or gravel or slush (probably)

Any hill is suitable

Any home is met with equal grace and earnest

And how could I detest something that could never be ungrateful?

We have a thing or two to learn from these weeds, I think

And even when the world cries “Ugly!”

“Useless!” “Waste of garden space!”

The weeds remain

And no hoe can hold them down

Or tear them out for good

For as sure as your bottom dollar

They will make their guest appearance

Year after year, month after month

Until their familiar families huddled in bright green masses

Come smiling back at you in the morning

And sigh as you might, a part of your heart admires the sight

There is beauty there and you know it to be true

So don’t hate the weeds!

But don’t feel too bad for plucking them

Because, well, you know-

They’ll be back again soon

 Holding your heart

Melted crayon fusing my flesh together

Hot and reeking

Putty that ties together each digit

Reluctant to slip off my fingers

And managing to cake beneath my nails.

Blunt as they are,

They are still sharp enough

To paint with thin red and clotted black and vibrant pink.

My handprints are never the same.

Every handle I grab

Turns pink with the now chalky remnants

That will forever more stay.

Like silly string on a hot summer fence

Tacky and indelible and stronger in resolve

Than the grizzled faces at laundromats.

They watch me even now.

It turns to slop as it sloughs off my palm

And plummets into the muddy bank

That has nestled around the new pinewood porch planks.

The mud splashes onto it

But nothing could have prepared it for the heart’s devious rejection

And all that touches it is spurned

And cast away.

This mass of tissue throbbing among sticks

And boatloads of acorns

And the bbs of airsoft guns that have not been fired since 

Days when we would run around until evenfall. 

It blends in rather nicely,

Camouflaged.

What to do with it now?

CotS: Shuni Format for Poetry

 Just as it says, this is basically just testing out a metrical format of 3 5 7 7 7 7. 

Here is one drafted by Gamir following Varsa into the northern reaches of Hima:

3 Frigid gale

5 Brings breath to many

7 Weary children at command,

7 Who chase your heavy footfalls

7 And the timbre of your voice,

7 Follow into yonder land

Here is a popular poem by a Leian traveler venturing into Naiba for the first time:

3 Ancient Shun

5 I love your daughter

7 My oasis in these sands

7 Skin as golden as the dune

7 A voice like flowing water

7 Heart as green as verdant lands

And here is a popular poem to introduce children to the metrical structure:

3 Creeping cat

5 Your wiles have failed you

7 Hounds have heard your feathered feet 

7 Gone now is the squeaking rat

7 And four tall walls surround you

7 Cornered in your own defeat

Here is an old poem sung by the tribes of ancient Shuni people shortly after their exodus from the Kingdom of Ka:

3 God on high

5 Have You heard our call?

7 Your loyal people crying

7 We waste away like dry fronds.

7 Do you hear, Almighty One?

7 Your little children dying.

CotS: Hehn

 Hehn Definition:

“And so the Goddess infused Her breath into the planet, and this became the Hehn: The force of creation and energy that gives Nassavra life.”

• Verse 10 of H’Ster’s Truths

            Also known as Humzii, Hefum, and Nómugu among other terms, Hehn can be described as the essence of creation and change that binds the whole of Nassavra together. 

   

Hehn, according to magisters, is the primary energy source that is responsible for aspects of elemental and natural creation. Like all energy, Hehn can be manipulated into different shapes, though the methods of doing so differ greatly than all other forms. 

When the planet was created, it is said that H’Ster drew different elements together from the expanse of the cosmos to form everything. H’Ster found what she needed and pulled it together. Pure energy, then, is the closest correlation to Hehn in modern lexicon. 

   

Hehn is not one definable aspect of life energy. Rather, it encompasses all elements, the power of healing, and the ability to shape and rearrange cellular structure. Such ancient techniques as warding or true transmutation are lost on much of Mankind, who are more limited to powers of basic healing and elemental magic. More often than not, ‘Hehn’ is used to also refer to the use of magic. 

   

To tap into Hehn, a user must share the essence of their life force. This is why it is draining for wizards to use large and powerful spells. In order to receive the boons of Hehn, you must first be willing to give. This prevents extreme actions to be done on a whim. That is why Hehn is sometimes referred to as “the balanced energy.” The exchange counteracts reckless behaviour and helps to protect the planet from massive, spontaneous changes and forces them to take gradual ones. 

Hehn, as it is the life energy of the planet and all those who live on it, is in every being. The matter of using it, however, is limited to either those who study its effects and learn the ability to manipulate it (often called mages, wizards, witches, enlightened, or warlocks) and channel its energy using elixirs and extracts from powerful Hehn sources (such as the Heart Tree), and those who have innate connections that are stronger than an average person’s, more often than not related to Dragons in some capacity (often called sorcerers, anim, Oinin, or dragonblooded). This is why the Duhwin are some of the most renowned magic users, as they were given blood connections to the Oinos themselves, making then innately grand in potential, though not innately competent in skill.

People who are more closely related to dragons bear stronger connections to Hehn, but strong magical power can also be introduced artificially. One of the Emperor’s of Ager, Emperor Neri IV, had begun experimentation on the Horn of Degrahm to see whether or not it would prove to have any magical resonance. Sure enough, a piece of the horn was able to fuel a powerful energy in him. Unfortunately, he was killed in a siege on the old Empire at the hands of native Ghoffs. The research would later be picked up by Emperor Caxi some 300 years later.

Hehn History & Uses

    The first group of people that were able to use the Hehn, according to evidence found in a series of burial structures, were the Sunter. They had been the first to drink from the waters of Doru and eat the great fruits, as well as create great structures from the materials and resources around them. 

     The Oinos, seeing their ability and the potential for great powers and kingdoms to be built, later taught mortalkind how to use the Hehn. Sure enough, they were able to create greater objects, places of magic, and with the wells and fonts of Hehn that the dragons shared they built great kingdoms for their masters to live. Humans cannot control certain areas of magic as well as dragonblooded individuals can. Transmutation, for instance, is a skill that only sorcerers can possess. Likewise, drudic magic can be universal across all groups of people, but certain cultures have a greater aptitude for it due to the cultivated knowledge over the centuries.

 Around the time that Elves evolved from Sunter living in the forests of Doru, their magical capability was founded with Wesser and when they started coexisting with their ecosystems, drinking from the springs where the Great Trees grew. Their magic is called druidic Hehn, essentially being the energy derived from forging a symbiotic relationship with other living beings. This includes plants and animals. In the case of certain early Elvish tribes, they tethered their lifesource to those of the trees that they lived in, enabling them to send one another vibrations that could alert them to possible danger. This was a method that was beneficial to both parties. Using the powers of growth and healing can take away from the physical constitution of the caster, so these are often used sparingly, but when the burden is shared with another living being then the penalties and costs of using it are halved. This is one of the reasons why Elvenkind is particularly adept at magic use, as they have a greater deposit of energy at their fingertips. 

Dhemur that follow the ways of Ishu focus on living without abusing the powers of Hehn.  They focus instead on receiving the life energy of biotic beings and returning their energies back to the Hehn, allowing the cycle to continue. Hence, they have a very nature-oriented lifestyle. It is certainly not impossible for Dhemur to learn magic, but it is dissuaded by centuries of custom, and as a result has become very difficult to learn from local sources unwilling to lend their aid.

When the people of Nassavra freed themselves from draconic control, they also crippled themselves in the uses of magic. The knowledge was sometimes banned, forsaken, or reduced due to the implications of their origins and the dangers that were presented by wielding such power. Over time, the majority of magic was limited to simple elemental spells or basic healing

While the world would continue on without dragons and without the Heart Tree, as ecosystems are now more or less set in place, there are dangers to both disappearing. Certain civilizations have built their entirety on the use of Hehn, being able to habituate in impossible places due to using it

CotS: Religions and Ideologies

 There are a variety of gods in the world of Nassarva. Though most of them are founded in the same root, some cultures revere some above others, while others do not worship the same ones at all. Some view the Oinos and Duwos as gods. Others as angelic beings. Others as average mortal creatures that simply have different lifespans, like other animals. 

(Note: The dragons of this world may look like the dragons of the Dragonborn universe because they might be the same “types” of dragons in the same universe! They would be on different planets? Still haven’t figured that out quite yet.)

The main progenitor deities, the Oinos,  are:

• H’Ster, the Starmother: ( ) Though much of Mankind claims that her “true form” is alike to that of a human woman, the Oinos have held the ancient belief that H’Ster is, in fact, a dragon, whose glittering scales make up the cosmos. She is more or less recognized as the creator god in almost all human religions, though she goes by different names and appears in different forms. The story of H’Ster in Oinos mythos goes: H’Ster was one of the Great Beings who Lived Beyond, in a land whose name has never been written or spoken in the tongues of man. H’Ster lived with her twin, A’Ster, and both were beloved and held in highest regard by the other Dragons for their great beauty and radiance. The world they lived in was at peace then, but it was eternal and unchanging, and A’Ster wished to see more. He begged his sister to help him create change in the world that they lived in, and so sacrificed himself to help H’Ster make the first beings- (or she didn’t make them, but rather the process of change) the Oinos (think angels/dragons). The sacrifice caused H’Ster great grief, but she knew that A’Ster lived in their creation, and so took comfort in the new change that was brought- time. The other Great Beings were terrified by A’Ster’s disappearance. She was exiled for acts of Creation, bringing an end to A’Ster. This terrified the Great Beings, who had never lost one of their own, let alone one so splendid. H’Ster, wandering in lonely exile, remained the sole occupant of a galaxy for thousands of years until her children found her. The Twenty-One Children, or the original brood of H’Ster, followed their mother to this sad and forlorn space. Determined to see her happy, the others helped to create the world of Nassarva. Some believe that this was created when A’Ster died, his body helping to form the necessary parts to create the planet. Others believe that their daughter, Nassa, was the one to sacrifice herself, her bones creating the world. When The Sunter (the Child) was born, The Twenty-One helped build empires and civilizations, advancing their technologies and furthering their reaches across the planes of the planet. The Oinos went to have children, which were called the Duwos, or dragons in mortal tongues. For a time, they existed peacefully with one another. But some of these dragons became competitive, and the power of creation is corrupting, and soon the children found themselves drawn into the temptation of deification. They amassed civilizations of their own and split the planet into pieces, dividing them amongst themselves. Beauty was enrapturing, and while mortal life was short, their creations (which the dragons could not imagine nor make on their own) were everlasting. Those that would become the gods of this planet, who became known as the First Children of Nassavra, began to send their armies after one another. Mortals died in throngs for their gods. Wars raged on, and while the Oinos themselves were wounded, they always managed to make it out alright, licking their wounds but content to sacrifice some of their toys to end the fighting for but a few years. This hurt H’Ster’s heart, who only wished for all her children to get along, and so she fled back into the reaches of the cosmos to watch from afar. Nine of her Oinos joined her. The remaining dragons fought until they learned of their own mortality. To this day, only seven of the Original Twelve remain, and they exist in hiding. There are thought to be the children of dragons in the world now as well, though who they are and how they live are a mystery to most. H’Ster has the power of Ultimate Creation, meaning she had mastered Hehn to the point where she could use any of the abilities which her followers and children had chosen proficiency in. 

• In Dehmer culture, she is known as Mahra Mera, or Mother Death. She helped to create death, ending the cycle of nothingness and bringing life and change  to all beings.

• The reason that the ancestors of all living beings are dinosaurs is because they were supposedly created in her image, being reflected in her Oinos, and thus being reflected in her mortal creations. Because of her sacrifice of death to make life anew, this allowed for life to freely form and change. When upright beings first began to evolve, so too did the Oinos learn to take on the forms of upright beings. They shifted and changed to reflect the societies that they fell into.

• Gwenh, the Mother: Said to be the mother of Mankind, often depicted as an expert mage and genius scholar. (Jain in Shun, Cwen in Hegros, Gwen in Ager, Gwena in Sneigh)

• Gheim & Wesser: The Winter and Spring bringers respectively. They are essentially the duality of life and death and are important figures to the harvest. (Varsa & Vasan in Shun, Kheima & Wesra in Wedor, Gom & Weara in Hegros, Gam & Errach in Sneigh.) They are both Water Dragons, though one is master of the Cold, and the other is master of the Warmth. As they are offered celebrated together, the common saying for agricultural blessings or wishes of great boons to loved ones is “Twins bless you,” or “Twins be with you.”

• Dhegram: The Moulder of Earth. They are the pinnacle of strength, often represented by motifs of the mountain, and occasionally the ogder tree (similar to a baobab in shape, similar to a buloke in toughness) or big horned sheep. It is believed that Dhegram helped to form The Teeth when his body was broken up across the land. He is an Earth Dragon. Dhegram is the patron of many Dehmer people, who believe themselves children of the planet. Dhegram’s is where the word “Ram” comes from.

• Phures: The master of fire and destruction. Phures is one of the main entities who sparked (ahaha) the creation of several civilizations- particularly the Ageran Empire (which was known in the draconic tongue as the Ka’garan Empire) and the wars that followed them. She is interpreted by her followers as a neutral or good being, though her works are feared by many. Her followers depict her as the lightning before a fire in some mythologies. She is celebrated as a temperamental guardian of Nassavrans, granting them either safety and warmth or utter destruction. She is prayed to to help prevent disaster.

• Woid: The patron of time and knowledge. Woid is “to know” and is often referred to more as the passive god of the passage of time. In stories, he often is depicted as a mentor and incidental guide, though he always assumes a neutral role, never serving good or evil. (Vedi in Shun, Oidas in Wedor, Witan in Hegros and Sneigh). Woid is a deity of time and knowledge, or one who manipulates the interpretation and the way time is woven. It is said that he serves as a guardian of knowledge, sleeping at the roots of the Heart Tree below the earth. The most well-known followers of Woid are the protectors of the World Tree- the Tree Priests of Doru. It is there that they have given up semblance of self, germinated seeds of the Heart Tree within themselves, and adopted the pronouns “they”, as they have become part of a larger self- the roots, branches, and leaves on the Tree of Life. They interpret the signs of Woid from the state of the World Tree, through its sap, fruit, seeds, and health. It is through Woid that the power of the Hehn is shared. When/If Woid dies, so too does the potency of magic, severely reducing the ability to learn magic from non-draconic bloodlines. 

• Hwen: Oinos of the wind. Hwen is both highly revered and feared for the force of his wings, which cut through the air to create the wind. Each and every gust, it was once believed, was made by him, and it is thought that natural disasters (such as hurricanes, monsoons, and tornados) are a result of his bitterness towards Mankind for slaying his people. An Air Dragon.

• Kal

• Siusuasa, the Dreamer: The Great Dreamer, in Shepnos, is an unseen and undescribable being who dreams of the world. In this mythos, all of the world is just one alterable dream. Death is considered “the sweetest dream”, as those who experience it and have been revived describe the most pleasant and comforting light and warmth that they ever recall feeling. Every life in the world is considered one small part of the dream, and it can be as dreaded or as wondrous as anything. Though a person can never change what the Dreamer dreams a of, they can alter their own path by finding lucidity. 

The secondary deities, or the Duwos, are:

• Toirin, the Dual-Faced God: Supposedly a trickster, Toirin is known as the child of the Spring matron, and his frivolity and love of life is evidence of this fact. Toirin is hailed as the master of trade, knowing instantly the value of a person’s soul and the content of their character by one look alone. He embodies the fairness of trade and is often prayed to by merchants seeking protection and wealth on the roads. Toirin also represents duality, as every coin has two sides, and he is known to be the father of drakobeasts (werebeings). Secret cults are devoted to this particular aspect of worship, especially in the coastal caves surrounding Tempestas.

• Hakima, Lady Night, the Night Herald: Renowned as a divine assassin, Hakima is the matron of the Occultatum- a branch of the Empire specializing in subterfuge. The people living in the Dark Marshes of western Hegros worship Hakima as their patron, as they believe that her teachings preserved them in the freshwater swamps of their homeland. Her followers value secrecy, cunning, and hiding one’s strength. They also appreciate silence, as it allows them to keep an ear out for the dangers of their environment. In this religion, Lady Hakima challenges Scorthos the Sun Deity, who threatens to brand the world with the harsh flames of his light. Only in shadow can Hakima protect her people, and she is in an eternal struggle to keep the sun from overwhelming Nassavra. 

• Copar, the Masked God of Medicine: The divine that most pray to when concerning good health and preventing pestilence. Copar is the one who is responsible for not only medicine, but also disease. It is believed that a prayer to Copar will prevent great plague from spreading.

• Ór, the Scales of Justice and Balance: The divine sword of justice and law, Ór is known as a ruler who metered out judgement justly and fairly in the Órion dynasty of Aré and Ager. Ór’s Code is considered the main body of how modern Ager conducts its business now. 

Heroes of Old Mythos

• H’Ner, the Hero, the Human: Said to be the first of Mankind, often depicted as a hale warrior. H’Ner is born of human folklore, though this Sunter was one of the first of their kind to be chosen by the Oinos as an outstanding member of their species. Not recognized in Ulfur cultures, but is often referred to the Ulfur counterpart, the fabled hunter and patron of the Ulfur people Jaegren. 

• Andros: A Wedorian hero, now known as Andros, was the founder of the modern worship in H’Ner. He is hailed as a prophet and sometimes the second coming of H’Ner himself, embodying everything that represented non-draconic culture was and establishing essential cultural landmarks/theological claims that have been adopted by the people of Wedor and the Ageran Empire for hundreds of years. He was the first to defy the Oinos openly on Nassavra and died in order to save Mankind from its fate beneath draconic rule. Andros called for the unition of all people, though his words are often twisted by some sects of the modern church who took the phrase of “us” to refer to Mankind as opposed to all inhabitants of Nassavra. Andros is seen as a martyr, enduring great pain and suffering when the dragons punished him for his defiance, dragging him through the streets to be flaunted in front of their kingdoms and supporters. His disciples carried out the task of the first killing of the Oinos despite Andros’ peaceful promise.

Religions & Sects

Nassavra is home to many religions that vary from place to place. The biggest figure, one who is pinnacle and present in almost every religion, is H’Ster. Her name is widely recognized and even kept in its purest form. This is because this is the teachings that the dragons first taught civilizations across Nassavra. There was a period in time in which some dragons tried to erase this history from the world, perhaps bitter by Her absence and favoring instead to call themselves gods, but some humans dug up these histories and revived her worship.

• Church of H’Ster: Followers of the Cosmic Being, H’Ster, who is said to have created all things in ages past. She is one of many great and powerful beings called the Deyans. She is responsible for all life on the planet of Nassavra, though her children the Oinos claim responsibility for some of the changes in their formation.

Beliefs: 

• Service: The Child is giving, aiding those where it can. The Child does what it can to help its Family.

• Passificm: The Child does not raise a hand against those who it calls Family. The Child has a duty to look after its Family, and swears by a code of peace.

• Obedience: The Child is obedient, knowing that it must relent to the higher truths of the world. The Child listens to its Family though it possesses its own will. 

• Truth: The Child strives to grow and learn the Truths of the world. The Child creates to expand its knowledge and share it with the other members of the Family. The Child is always aiming to learn more and does not censor knowledge. The Child follows the teachings of the Hehn, passing it on through practice and heritage.

• Creation: The Child is born of imagination. So too must it imagine. It is the Mother’s will to watch her Child dream. In the act of its existence, the Child will learn and pass on the knowledge of creation.

• Church of A’Ster: Followers of the Cosmic Being, A’Ster, who is said to have died to allow for the creation of the Universe itself. A’Ster is often praised as the patron of sacrifice for a better cause, a champion of kindness, and is hailed as an exemplary father.

Beliefs: 

• Sacrifice: The Child knows that to produce true change, one must be willing to sacrifice a part of themself to forge it.

• Passificm: The Child does not raise a hand against those who it calls Family. The Child has a duty to look after its Family, and swears by a code of peace.

• Obedience: The Child is obedient, knowing that it must relent to the higher truths of the world. The Child listens to its Family though it possesses its own will. 

• Truth: The Child strives to grow and learn the Truths of the world. The Child creates to expand its knowledge and share it with the other members of the Family. The Child is always aiming to learn more and does not censor knowledge. The Child follows the teachings of the Hehn, passing it on through practice and heritage.

• Creation: The Child is born of imagination. So too must it imagine. It is the Mother’s will to watch her Child dream. In the act of its existence, the Child will learn and pass on the knowledge of creation

• Oinos Worship, Ancient: In ancient times, the people of the world were led under the leadership of dragons. These great and powerful beings commanded respect from their followers and garnered their love through great acts of natural creation. With the help of the imagination of The Sunter (Man in human mythos, Dehmer in Dehmer mythos, so on and so on), the Oinos created kingdoms for their followers to live in (provided that they continued to worship and respect them). These kingdoms make up the backbone of what constitutes many civilizations today. 

Beliefs:

• Safety: The Oinos do as they do to give their Kin a better life. They will always find a place of love and safety with their oldest siblings and masters, and should always realize that they have a place amongst their people.

• Subservience: As H’Ster proclaimed, there are forces greater than the life that one lives in existence. The Kin must realize that their forebearers are beings who protect and provide for them. As such, the Kin are small in comparison and are expected to aid their masters where they can. The Oinos defer to the will of the divine. The Kin defers to the will of the Oinos, as it is the will of all people, and by doing so they aid the life of all creatures of Nassavra.

• Creation: It is the Kin’s duty to make what the Oinos wish. The Oinos wish to see the Kin achieve great things, and so push them to do what they must in order to become better than themselves in the present. If it is the Kin’s duty to create, then they must create.

  
  

  
  

• The Auld Faith: The Auld Faith of Tír Duine recounts the tales of the divine folk who walked the world. Some interpret them as Duwos or even Oinos, but it is unclear as to whether they are the same deities or beings specific to Duinian belief.

• Breghi: As lovely as she is vain, Breghi is known as a goddess who greets her followers warmly… unless provoked. Any who spurn her live in fear for the remainder of their likely-to-be-short lives. Breghi is so beautiful that foliage bloom around her, and she paints each plant that she encounters. 

• Dorieasan: Jealous of his sister’s affection and beauty, Dorieasan brings harsh cold to ruin her creations. Where he walks, the world wilts. The two are viewed as being constantly at odds with one another. 

• Toirin: The god of transaction and duality, Toirin knows the value of a person’s soul by simply looking at them. He is considered the patron of lycanthropy and it is believed that Toirin’s curse is what ails the afflicted. Toirneachans are followers of his who have developed a culture of mercantilism. These people are responsible for first introducing currency to the land of Tír Duine. Currently, Toirneachans are considered some of the best financial managers in all of Kerdia. The town that they have made is responsible for a the imports and exports of most goods, especially those coming and going in and out from Anteros. 

• Church of H’Ner: This group believes that the creatures born of Nassavra (including the Duhwin) are the ones whose place comes first and most favored in the eyes of the Goddess. The Oinos were the first of her creations in a place far from here, but Mankind and all of the people that grew from the Heart Tree are the breath of life that the planet truly needs. The Oinos, in that sense, are alien.

Beliefs:

• Principality: The people of Nassavra are the first children of the planet and of H’Ster’s divine will. They inherit the world in place of their Mother. Their siblings, the Oinos and the Duwos, are not of this world. Therefore, they have no right to rule over it.

• Equality: The beings of Nassavra were made from the same blood and the same roots. They must acknowledge that they have a right which surpasses the dragon kind and not each other.

• Heritage: The first ones who came to call this planet home are the rightful denizens, to whom all power and ownership are due. They are chosen to be greater than their Oinos cousins, who cannot think outside of themselves. Mankind and its brethren were at the beginning of life in Nassavra. So too shall they be at its end.

• Children of Andros, Orthodox Sect: This group follows the exact teachings of Andros, looking on his words from the view of a scholar. The Orthodox sect believes that Andros is the second formation of H’Ner and the representative voice of Mankind. They reject the concept of divine perfection and acknowledge the fallibility of man. They believe that the interpretation of all of H’Ster’s children needing to cooperate peacefully will bring back their Mother. This is taught in the true way of Andros.

Beliefs:

• Pacifism: Andros once stated that [we] must learn to get along in order to restore H’Ster’s place in the firmament. The Mother of the world will not return unless Her Children cooperate. In this sense, all children of H’Ster must agree to work together.

• Resilience: Mankind and its siblings have become stronger than the Oinos in a sense. It is the responsibility of the Children of the Gods to rise up against foreign tyranny when it can.

• Fallibility: There is no one true or perfect voice, heart, or mind. Those who claim themselves to be above any other are doing so for their personal gain- be they man or Oinos.

• Children of Andros Zephicts, Zephas’ Sect: As per the following of Zephas’ interpretations, this group believes that the creatures born of Nassavra (excluding the Duhwin) are the ones whose place comes first and most favored in the eyes of the Goddess. The Oinos were the first of her creations, but Mankind and all of the people that grew from the Heart Tree are the breath of life that the planet truly needs. The people of Nassavra, in this view, are her favored creations. The Oinos, in that sense, are alien. The difference between this sect and the traditional church of H’Ner is that the Zephicts believe that Andros was a prophet who was created in the will of the Hehn to speak with the voice of H’Ster and that some people are blessed with the divine truth, letting them become unshakable truth-sayers in the community.

Beliefs: 

• Bravery: There are frightening things in the world that the Children are meant to endure. They must find the courage to face these things without a moment’s hesitation. 

• Justice: When there is wrong done unto another, it is the role of a Zephict to enact justice and right that wrong. The way that this is discerned is through wisdom and reflection. As the children of H’Ster, it is only right that every person born of Her blood is given the same treatment.

• Loyalty: A man is to be the best friend of his brothers, defending them unto any cause. The loyalty of that person must be unshakable.

• Children of Andros The Saurisi, Sauris’ Sect: The Oinos were the first of her creations in a place far from here, but Mankind is the first child of Nassavra, and therefore are believed by members of this sect to be the superior form. Though Andros himself preached more in the beliefs of the Church of H’Ner- wherein it states that “us” the “people of the world” need to coexist peacefully with one another when freed from imbalance, some followers took it to mean that “Mankind” specifically would inherit Nassavra once all those who stood to obstruct them disappeared. This has led to a dangerous way of thinking for many of the Androsi followers around the world. The Androsi prioritize the supremacy of the children of the Heralds and successors of apostles like Zephas and Saurisis, believing that they have been chosen as the progeny of these great figures as Vericts- “truth-sayers”. They also believe in Andros’ assumption in to heaven.

Beliefs:

• Superiority: Mankind was the first child seen fit to walk the planes of Nassavra. It is the favored child of H’Ster. All other beings who stem from their bloodlines are rivals of Mankind meant to test their ability. Therefore, they are obstacles that may need to be dealt with for Man to succeed. It is paramount above all things that Mankind is taken care of.

• Endurance: Just as Andros endured the many sufferings that the Oinos inflicted upon him, so too must the Saurisian practice strength of will and character. Bravery is the pinnacle in the face of great danger. A Saurisian does not flee his fate, just as Andros had done.

Organization:

• Verator: The highest ordained position, the Verators are considered those who can trace their lineage back to any of the eight followers of Andros- Zephas, Sauris, Okobos, Kongas, Yungus, Zhous, Taxitus, and Ukrhas. In the Saurisian church, prioritizes the word of these individuals, though some disputes have arisen over the importance of each of these individuals’ doctrines.

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• The Triasa, Naiban: In Naiban society, the people believe in all of the gods, depicted as beautiful humanoids who are able to change shape to embody those of an animal. The most beautiful of these children were the water gods- the Twins, Varsa and Vasan, who often took the form of a pair of stark green and blue ibises or two desert koi. These gods, claiming to come under order from their mother, swore to grant the people who dwelt in this place a safe haven. They transformed the land in the middle of the arid dunes of Shun into an arable, water rich place. They made a river run through the center of the desert for them. All the gods asked for is a place to call their home in the city. They would return every five years to check on their subjects, bringing more rainfall to them and recounting amazing tales of their travels.

There have been times in history when the Twins have been greatly displeased, such as the defiance of Shahar Tmeuki and his dream of making a nation independent of the gods. As punishment, the Twins flooded the state. They felt great grief after harming their creations and quickly attempted to make amends, commemorating this event with the Day of Forgiveness. 

Beliefs:

• Inherent Beauty: The world is inherently beautiful, and ugliness is often wrought by our own hands. It is important to look for the beauty in even the most abhorrent places.

• Creation: The most sacred thing that a living being can do is to create.

• Positivity: The experience of life is a brief thing. This is what gives it its true beauty, for knowing that one day it will end makes every experience that much more important. It helps to keep a positive mindset to ensure that life continues.

• Freedom: Passion and creation are both born from freedom. Do not fear what another may think of you. Be who you are and you cannot fail.

• Order of Sohl, Sohlian: Andros was not necessarily chosen by H’Ster, but rather chose through his own will to share Her beliefs. In that sense, all beings have the power and capability of making great change that can lead to peace. Therefore, it is the responsibility of all people. The name of the ideology, Sohlian, comes from the prophet Sohl. Sohl was a worshipper of Vasan for a time before he came to a Temple of H’Ster and began observing the works of individuals. So many died waiting for their destinies to save them. When he observed and caught word of Andros’ deeds, Sohl saw a mortal being whose choices had turned the minds of Mankind towards peace for once in many moons. He saw then the works of other hermits and local heroes, whose names died with them.

 It occurred to Sohl that the act of creation that H’Ster spoke of rang true with every being in the world, not just those which Andros spoke of. Sohl resolved to share this message and promote the individual cause of love beyond the establishment, of choice beyond duty, of electing to learn rather than wait for knowledge to come to oneself.

Beliefs

• Will: All living beings have the choice to change their world and influence the world of others. They are responsible for only themselves, and the Goddess or the Hehn will not come to aid them if some great ails should befall them. It is up to the living beings of Nassavra to help each other through strife.

• Individuality: One person can cause a great deal of change. It can matter more than a kingdom’s worth of influence if one voice carries on a strong wind.

• Community: While each is entitled to their choice and lots in life, working with others to make big choices can greatly impact how successful a community is.

• Mahra Mera/Followers of Ishu, Dehmer: The most archaic form of H’Ster’s worship that is believed to have been the teachings of the Sunter. In this religion, there was once one whole that divided itself into two parts- Hespir, the femine aspect, and Udeyu, the masculine aspect. Udeyu lent to Hespir His strength, and the two became whole once again. The tethering of their selves made Hespir change in shape, combining Her beauty with Udeyu’s strength (this is how Dhemur explain the concept of relative sexual monomorphism in their people). By killing Udeyu, Hespir became Mahra Mera- “Mother Death”- and She became pregnant with the life that Udeyu had given to Her. The combined essence of Udeyu’s self and Hespir’s self led to the Oinos- or the “First Children”.  Hespir’s first child She called Nassa, the daughter of the universe, who would be the grandest of all Her children. The second She bore was called Dhegram (He Who Moves the Earth), the third called Mûna (She Who Lights the Night), the fourth called Fûra (She Who Makes Fire), the fifth and sixth twins called Wusar and Gamash (She and He Who Make Rain and Snow), the seventh called Weyna (She Who Makes the Wind), and the eighth called Kanek (The Child Who Knows). She had a second litter later on, they who came to live in the firmament (Bagital, Nela, Massur, Algûr, Gheka, Talkresh). 

When the Oinos longed for change, Nassa sacrificed herself to make the planet. Mûna, grieving the loss of her sister and best friend, transformed herself into a similar image and became the lunar counterpart to Nassa.. This interpretation of the world most closely aligns with what the Oinos themselves believed and recorded.

The worship of “Mera” is one of life through death. The aspect of life being derivative of death is actually probably the closest approximation to the truth of Creation, as A’Ster did indeed have to make a sacrifice in order for mortality to exist, to create union between life and death. In this religion, the experience of life is of the individual. Only in death is there ever true union and loss of the concept of the “self”. It is the responsibility of a living being to experience the individuality- pain, grief, hope, and drive- in the limited existence that they have. Therefore, there is no rush to death, but neither is there any aversion to it. 

The belief in the progenitor Goddess and Her children is believed to have roots in ancient Sunter faith that was passed down to the Khaamuk people. It is the Khaamuk, after all, that had continued to uphold these beliefs while their kinsmen pursued other practices. The worship of Mahra Mera became the dominant religion when the Dhemish hero Ishu supposedly heard Her voice, telling Ishu that the ways that her people were living would lead to their demise. Encouraged by the Oinos Dhegram, Ishu surrendered her kingdom and became a nomad with the neighboring Khaamuk people, who had done their best to avoid the conflicts between the Kerdian kingdoms of Dhemur. Ishu learned of their lifestyler and saw how they coexisted with nature, resolving most of their conflicts peacefully and avoiding bloodshed. Without personal possessions, limited resources, or a sense of greed, the Khaamuk subsisted as pacifists. Ishu admired this and believed that this was what she was called to do. 

As a great hero and queen, Ishu had much influence on the rest of the Kerdian Dhemur. She convinced a handful of clans to join her in a minimalist lifestyle. There were those that thought her mission to be foolish and remained in their castles. In future wars, massive upheaval would see their keeps crumble to dust and many of their lineages slaughtered. The Followers of Ishu, however, thrived for a long time. It was not until the kingdoms of men rose up and the cycle began anew that there was any true conflict for the people. It is now, in the advent of war and discrimination, that traditions are being strained to the point of breaking.

Ishu organized how these newly formed civilizations ought to be structured, creating laws and suggestions for roles in society, kinship, and marriage that were largely based off of the Khaamuk people’s formation. The division of roles blended practices of food procurement, which changed from society to society and environmentally, and

Ishu’s Creed was translated in several languages of various Dhemish cultures, leading it to become massively popular over time. Although some peoples took more time to alter their way of life, there eventually came a strong sense of unity from this religion that a handful of Dhemish tribes across Kerdia would go on to form a Nation of Followers. This existing connection would then go on to establish the framework for the Urgadag, who despite adhering to aspects of the structure have also begun to turn towards building up kingdoms again. The Yalzmag, a fundamentalist people who adhere to a pacifistic creed, have been in opposition to them. This has created conflict between the groups, as the Yalzmag purposefully try to undermine the Urgadag by preventing them from having access to resources that would see their resistance from being built.

Beliefs

• Progenitor: Mahra Malga made the world. From the bones of Nassavra to the sands which hide them. They have given the gift of mortality so that we may arise better with each passing time. Likewise, all others were born of us. 

• Resolution (Traditional): Understanding the cycle of life and the final union, I will not fight against death, but I will accept when it is my time. I will actively seek to appreciate this life and help others enjoy theirs. With my voice, I pray for peace. With my music, I will bring everlasting harmony. 

• Respect: A thousand of my ancestors have knitted my flesh from theirs. I am the heart of the spotted cragcat. I am the lungs of the fleet-footed khurkut. I am the voice of the swooping medallion hawk. I am the blood of my brave forebearers. With the death of these beings, my life could begin. With the death of these things, I am made stronger.

• Passion: My passion is the flame by which my time burns. I will not be afraid to blaze brightly, even if it means my death. I will remember those who came before and I will strive to be remembered as I am in life, for when the final union comes, I will have no need for my name.

• Merciless (Urgadag): I am the growl that warns the foe. I am the shield that guards the heart. I am the flame that staunches the blood. I will protect my people. I will be the face of death. My neutrality shall bring us victory. My lack of surrender shall see us become free again.

• Negotiative (Yalzmag): I am the hum that soothes the sleeper. I am the eyes that watch the world. I am the water that reveals the reflection. I will protect my people. I will bring the survival of our people through reflection and peace. Death is the ultimate peace, but it cannot be rushed, and it cannot be forced to occur before its time. My voice shall bring us freedom. My peace shall see us safe again.

• Mátha Chrainn & The Crannoí, Elven: The elven name for H’Ster and the Heart Tree, both of whom the elves attribute their existence.

Beliefs

• Nature: The Seedling’s form is innately that of the natural world, shaped into existence by the grace of the Crannoí- the Heart Tree. 

• Guardianship: The Seedling protects both their 

• . Symbiosis: The Seedling shares the life essences of those around it. It cannot survive on its own, nor without the company of its brethren, who are born of the uncorrupted. The Seedling must be wise to this fact and never stray too far from the green of home. A Seedling will never forget or neglect their ancestral vow, for to do so would mean their death.

• Yunya: The belief that is most widespread throughout Himayeshi, Yunya supports the idea that all life is tied together by a supernatural force of fate and energy. It purports that all living beings are just expressions of the Breath and that the ability to manipulate the world around comes from a complete understanding that the world is fluid and able to change. Just like how water can change shape depending on its vessel, the temperature, and what is mixed with it, so too can people change depending on many factors that are presented to them. Those seeking peace or a greater acceptance- perhaps redemption- often meditate to try and understand the concepts of the Breath and Yunya. 

Beliefs:

• Union: All beings are connected. The separations and distinctions that are made are based solely off of values given to that individual. Every living being is made up of the same kind of viri, or energy. 

• Change: No person is ever subjected to a rigid life. They can always choose to change themselves or the path that they walk, though they must accept that they can never force change upon anyone else. 

• Harmony: In understanding that you can never change anyone else without their willingness, you accept those around you and allow them to find their own paths, offering a gentle and guiding hand if desired but never becoming forceful. This is an important step in finding peace. Being able to let go- to focus on what shape you can take as an individual to better yourself and the world around you- is key to being able to find peace.

• Tulah/Seyvya: The concept of balance under the existence that H’Ster has granted, Tula Ardha/Seyvyata is the belief that all beings are instilled with sides of themselves that require balance. Just as wind that is too strong can uproot the tree, but a wind that is too soft will carry no seeds, balance is required for life to grow. The word “seyvya” means “to sew” and refers to the connection between the parts of the self.

Beliefs:

• Balance: As with the cosmos, the sky is both clear and cloudy. All beings are tempered with darkness and light within them. Light comes from the illumination, darkness comes from the aspect of mortal existence. In living as a mortal being, it is important to find balance between the two concepts. One escapes the mortal plane when they discover higher truths, sacrificing the mortal part of themselves to become an Other. One casts aside their spiritual self when they indulge only in the mortal desires and allures and abandon thoughts of the world beyond their natural side, and they become the Other. It is important to recognize that, while the stages of the Other contrast greatly, they are still the same thing; a being who has sacrificed or forgotten what it is to be a balanced creature. Almost all living beings are the One and carry both sides to them.

• Duality & Sameness: The line that separates the soul is the same that tethers it. The distinction in how every deed is done by the same hand is important. There is a culpability to one’s actions that one makes the decision for on their own. Societally, expectations are different, though one is absolved of guilt and shame that is put upon them and is instead encouraged to reflect like the sky in the aftermath of a storm.

• Shamelessness: There is not a form of divine punishment for bad deeds, nor any direct rewards for good ones, other than those that the living beings of the world decide to make. Therefore, the choice to do such deeds all depend on what that individual values.

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• Natural Sacrifice: In a select grouping of cultures, there is the practice of sacrifice. This once was applicable to certain draconic beings as well, though it cannot be said for sure whether or not this is still in practice for such followers. It is true, however, for groups such as the Ulfur or the Dehmer.

• Ulfur Sacrifice: The Ulfur sacrifice to give back to the land that feeds them. Just like how their existence came from the life of the dragon flowing into them, the Ulfur give back to the other living beings in turn. They perform rituals of drowning, hunting, and hanging/blooding. 

Ishuite Sacrifice: The Followers of Ishu revere the cycle of life from death. Animal sacrifices are commonly held to continue the zoophagous nature of existence. They also honor great warriors by shrinking their heads and wearing them on their person (they are typically given to the next of kin). Hunting sacrifices, bone pits, consumption of flesh, and the creation of Spirit Gardens are all common practices among the Ishuite people.