North Concordian Shrine Federation
| Abbreviation | NCSF |
|---|---|
| Nickname | Gothir-Akuan Federation |
| Founder | Gustaf II |
| Founded at | Osfjord |
| Headquarters | Osfjord |
| Location | |
Region | North Concord |
Membership | 16 (Shrine Associations) |
Official language | Rav-Nys'tat'en |
| Website | www.NCSF.Org |
The North Concordian Shrine Federation, sometimes referred to as Gothir-Akuan Federation or Ulvriktru-Akuanism Group, is a semi-syncretic form of Akuanism and Ulvriktru located within northern Concord particularly within the Jotunheimen mountain range. The Federation itself is loosely organized around six different Akuan Shrine Associations, which widely vary in doctrine from association to association. As a Federation of associations, rather than a Shrine Associations itself it does not enforce specific shrine doctrine or form of Akuanism. It does enforce the use of Rav-Nys'tat'en, or informally known as mountain Nys'tat'en and the recognition of Fylkir position being held by the Norgsveltian Monarch. It was formed by Norgsveldet, by order of King Gustaf II during the Sauvageon Wars as opposition to the Lapérousian made organization Concordian League of Akuan Shrines. To first oppose the influence of First Counsel Sauvageon over the Akuan ethnic groups within North Concord, second to 'civilize' the Akuan population that wasn't selected for deportation and third was to secure influence over the Akuanists living in Ulvrikian regions in Concord.
After the Akuan Atrocities, the organization was allowed to separate from the Orthodox Ulvriktru temple by order of Gustaf III but not allowed to change its organization's charter to that impacted recognition of the Fylkir as the current Norgsveltian Monarch. Several other religious aspects, require approval from the Orthodox Ulvriktru temples but after the Gothic Revolution in the 1980s it has been standard practice by the Orthodox temple to allow changes be made freely by the North Concordian Shrine Federation. Today it is the most widespread form of Akuanism on Concord, though the term is used very loosely and most Concordian Akuanists prefer register more with their local Shrine Association rather than with the federation itself. The organization is led by the council of nine elder Brewmasters but maintains seat open for observers seats for High Gothirs of the Orthodox Ulvriktru clergy.
The NCSF assists with maintaining shrines, cultural and historical information for North Concordian Akuanists. In addition to enforcing the small aspects, such as the type of Nys'tat'en used and minor aspects of doctrine. It does not have the authority to change brewmasters or change doctrine outside of its preview to membership associations. The Federation doesn't maintain a policy for shrine associations to leave the Federation but does have a policy for associations to temporary leave the federation for no less than five years. The NCSF has a open policy of reforming itself into single shrine association but requires a unanimous vote in favor for. Which currently its 10 for and 6 against.
History
Throughout the history of Ulvriktru, numerous attempts to convert the native Concordian Akuan population has resulted in failures of different levels. Primary due to nature of Akuanism being so entwine with societal and cultural nature of the Akuan ethnic groups, making attempts to convert them to Ulvriktru by any means resulting in native group to only become a different form of Akuanism that held some Ulvriktru characteristics. The frustration of Gothir helped led to the mass deportations during the Ulvriktru Fylkir Wars, however the Sauvageon Wars forced the hand of the Norgsveltian realm to change its strategy towards Concordian Akuan ethnic groups. In particular to First Counsel Sauvageon approach to the Concordian Akuanists by forming the Concordian League of Akuan Shrines, forced the hand of Norgsveltian Clergy to instead of deporting Akuanists instead by some limited degree adapt to Akuan perspective of the world. To attempt to control the syncretic nature of Akuanism, by forming the organization and then issuing a open-ended top down order then having Akuanists themselves to 'figure it out' to find solution the command. Loyalists to Norgsveltian Fylkir, which was majority of Ulvriktru on Concord assisted in enforcing Akuan ethnic groups to the Federation.
The surviving native Akuan groups formed themselves into Shrine Associations under the NCSF, and while being under extreme guidance of the Ulvriktru clergy, reformed to some degree to incorporate more aspects of Ulvriktru in a degree seen as serviceable or at least acceptable. The sixteen shrine associations being made up of eighteen Akuan ethnic groups, and originally required six Gothirs and three elder brewmasters. After the Akuan Atrocities, the NCSF reformed to be fully led by brewmasters but with observers seats for the Ulvriktru clergy.
Universal Doctrine and Associations
The NCSF enforces use of Rav-Nys'tat'en across all membership associations. In addition to the language enforcement, the NCSF maintains the authority over the associations when it involves matter of Ulvriktru aspects, such as Fylkir position, sacred incenses and the architecture of a shrine's main office. As a result, shrine associations don't use special alcohols as outline in the NCSF's charter, as a replacement to communicate and be at one with the spirits the use of hallucinogenic mushrooms are used. The mushrooms are made into a tea, which is served at ceremonies and special events, such as coming into adulthood. The special tea, by most legal jurisdictions while consume of it is legal the process of creating it and possession of it is reserved for accredited brewmasters.
There are sixteen associations within the shrine federation, which covers across all eighteen surviving Akuan ethnic groups. Generally the associations widely varies in doctrine and traditions, but all the shrine associations make use of the mushroom tea, Rav-Nys'tat'en language and a Ny'Hikian scrolls. Ny'Hikian scrolls being a loose adaption of Nori's Saga, though with massive changes and only having a handful of shared stories that are common. Even then the shared stories between the two religious text are greatly different in interpretation. Adding on to the changes, while the shrines associations are somewhat similar in structure to orthodox Ulvriktru clergy. The hierarchical nature of different levels of brewmasters is purely ceremonial in practice, with brewmasters and elder brewmasters practically being the same rank. Only measurable change with the hierarchy within the associations being Shrinekeepers, a term borrowed from Akuan Democracy being head of the shrine associations but still being a voted into position.