Esma

Esma (singular and plural) refers to a supernatural non-physical being or spirit in the mythology and theology of Paxism. There is archaeological evidence of similar beings existing in the beliefs of Central Yasterian peoples that span over 12,000 years. Although the Ichtmar provides a description of their nature, further teachings by Prophet Suldayeen and High Magisters Warnadeen and Qandar have proposed hierarchies and ranking systems for the Esma. Esma who are not part of the Hive of Noi are referred to as Fallen or Dark Esma, of which Borg is the most powerful and is believed to be sealed behind the Memorial of the Jovian Gate until he escapes and is defeated by Pax forever more.

Origins

The first recorded mentioned of the Esma is in the first manuscripts of the Ichtmar, the first of the Writings of Paxism. Written by or under the influence of Prophet Besmali, the section of the scripture entitled luBidham aluJanah (the Creation of the Universe) describes the creation, features and characteristics of the Esma. Although the Ichtmar is the first literary evidence of the Esma, creatures matching the description in the text have been discovered in ancient temples and cave paintings.

The oldest depiction of a creature meaningfully and strongly resembling the Esma described in the Ichtmar is a cave painting in northern Ashura province in Packilvania in the Darhanan Caves. The painting is believed to be 10,000 years old. Other depictions of the Esma include the Sculpture of Urmanion which dated to 9,100 years ago. Another is the Pottery of Turkheem, which dates to 7,800 years ago. The Amulet of Queen Yumhadia of Xarmood is dated to 5,600 and features a depiction which most closely resembles the descriptions by Prophet Besmali up to that point.

Creation

The Esma are believed to have been made by Noi. It is believed that they were created to help her and be her companions. They dwelt in the Hive of Noi. She formed them from pieces of the light she emitted. And shaped them from the shards of her rays. She is said to have imbibed them with the characteristics that they had. It is unclear from the Scriptures whether She knew that Borg would rebel and why She did not stop him if she knew.

Features

Esma are believed to be made of light, which the people of Central Yasteria believed was a non-physical part of creation. As such, they are believed to be non-physical supernatural spirits. They possess a consciousness and intelligence and individual identity and personality. They are capable of affecting the supernatural world and play a role in managing the regular functioning of the Universe at the instruction of Noi. They lack gender and are immortal.

The only time that Esma were known to rebel from Noi was when their minds and thoughts were turned by Borg. Ordinarily, Esma are unfailingly loyal, obedient to and reverent of Noi and exist to worship and serve her. The Esma are so tightly bound to the will of Noi that scholars have debated whether or not they are actually independent of Her. Prophet Suldayeen (born circa 1560) believed that Esma could not rebel from Noi except by the inducement of an Esma of exceedingly great power and such he believed that only those Esma like Borg who had great power and responsibility were capable of rebellion.

Fallen Esma

A Fallen Esma refers to an Esma which was cast out of the Hive following the rebellion of the Esma named Borg (Barkh). They lost their light and exist only as Shadows. Sometimes they are referred to as Whispers or Shadows because they lost much of their power and Majesty. They attempt to subtly influence the moral decisions of sentient beings through manipulation, illusion, deceit and temptation with a view to turning as many sentient beings away from Noi.

In Paxist spirituality and occultic practices, which were largely not prescribed by scripture, there was a belief that Dark Esma caused diseases and induced misfortune and could even possess a person and lead them to do evil things. Such beliefs led to practices such as divination, exorcisms, incantations, the use of potions and charms, and other practices that offended the religious sensibilities of the Iktanite dynasty such that it led to Iktan the Devout invading and conquering Bingol and Melkezedek the Great convened the Council of Bingol to close the Writings of Paxism and establish the Magisterium of Paxism to combat these practices because of their resemblance to paganism, animism and shamanism.

Hierarchy

Prophet Suldayeen, who was an eminent scholar of Paxism, taught that Esma had ranks. He attributed this to the fact that although Esma do not ordinarily rebel, Borg was able to rebel and induce others to do the same. He concluded that Borg must have had power that exceeded the other Esma. Possessing such power that was distinct from other Esma and his ability to think and seem himself independently of Noi, indicates that he was more self-aware and autonomous from Noi.

As such, Suldayeen concluded that there different levels of power, responsibility, self-awareness, agency and willpower and taught that these increased the higher that the Esma was placed. Suldayeen concluded that there were at least 2 levels: Esma beneath Borg and other Esma equal to Borg. He also taught that since the Fallen Esma (including Borg) were no longer part of the Hive, they were no longer part of the Esmarian Hierarchy. Some believe that the visual manifestation of the Esma to a sentient being or the extent of its power can be used to rank Esma.

An Opinion published circa 1620 by High Magister Rubeed a-Khimad Warnadeen and High Magister Fulkhidor a-Shtapeen Qandar entitled "A Postulation on the Order and Rank of the Holy and Luminous Esma" puts the Esma into the following ranks:

• The Agents (meYamalikht): These are free thinkers like Borg with the power to influence other Esma to rebellion. This is based on the teachings of Prophet Suldayeen and his interpretation of the scriptures more broadly.
• The Phenomena (meHadathbidham): These are Esma who control or influence natural events like the weather etc. This is based on a description of a vision of Prophet Elisar in Surah 235 which states "the Prophet [Elisar] saw among the clouds a being as wide as the firmament of the sky casting bolts of lightning from its flanks".
• The Occulators (meNazrakumeen): These are Esma who simply watch and report on and document the deeds of sentient beings. This is based on Surah 560 which states that there are Esma who watch and transcribe the passing of time and the deeds of all.
• The Nurturers (meYanumiya): These are Esma who bring encouragement and hope to the disillusioned and disheartened. This is based on Surah 45 which states that an Esma kept Pax company and brought him comfort during his trials.
• The Visions (meMurwadifiya): These are Esma who bring visions and messages to sentient beings. This is based on Surah 39 which states that an Esma brought Pax a vision and message from Noi.

These ranks have not been approved by the Magisterium formally because Great Magister Jumhad a-Tarmouk Ajhmahan issued a Decision in 1628 that the claims in the Opinion could not be verified because (a) the Phenomena could have simply been a vision with metaphorical meaning and (b) the rest of the functions performed by the Esma may not the restricted to a single Esma at a time. Nevertheless, he said that the opinion had value because it gave a framework for rhr analysis of Esma. The Opinion remains highly popular and often has persuasive effect to the extent that some Priests teach it, much to the dismay and irritation of the Magisterium.

Known Esma

There are extremely few Esma with names or who are known with certainty. The ones who are known are as follows:

1. Borg: Rebelled from Noi and encouraged others to do the same. Plans to conquered the world and escape from the Jovian Gate and in the meantime influences the world through the Fallen Esma.
2. Esma who nurtured and brought visions to Pax: It is believed that one or more Esma brought visions to Pax to help him understand the will of Noi for his life, and they encouraged him as he defied the evildoers who were acting under Borg's influence.
3. Esma who encountered Prophet Besmali: On his travels around Yasteria, Prophet Besmali is believed to have encountered an Esma.
4. Esma who liberated the Yehudan people: Esma helped liberate the people of Yehudah from the Shulamid dynasty in Shakar. This story is contained in the Vagumar, which was written at least partially by or under the influence of Suleiman of Yehudah.