Paxism

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Paxism is a monotheistic religion that originates from Yasteria. Its deity, Noi, is believed to have made the Urth, which was corrupted by Borg and saved by the Pax who will defeat Borg once and for all at an unknown time in the future. It is unknown when it began but one of its earliest and most influential writings was the Ichtmar by Prophet Besmali of Akas Akil in 2000 BCE. Later writings emerged such as the Vagumar by Suleiman of Yehudah which spawned and is used by the Yehudite sect in 1100 BCE, the Haagemar by Obed III of Bingol in 670 CE practiced by the Obedite sect, the Mahimavan Agranirupana originally by the Prophet Ipsit in around 700 CE to create the Ipsitite Sect, the Bas Magdamar by Melkezedek of Bakil in 980 CE followed by the Melkezedekite sect. It has a following of over 1 billion adherents making it one of the largest religions in the world.

History

It is a primordial religion, meaning that it was not formally established by anyone. Instead it arose from the folklore and beliefs of the prehistoric tribes of Yasteria. Over time, through the advent of agricultural societies and writing, stories that were passed down orally became written down, consolidated and unified and various sects emerged. The first written recording of the story of Noi was by Prophet Besmali of Akas Akil know as the Ichtmar. He was persecuted for his beliefs by his contemporaries but over time they propagated and became the foundation of later writings and sects of Paxism.

Various religious and political leaders have tried to canonise and unify Paxism. In 1100 CE, King Suleiman of Yehudah ordered Jerome of Damaclion to consolidate the most relevant writings from the most prominent scholars and prophets into the religious text known as Vagumar which was approved by a Council of like-minded religious leaders in the city of Adrien thus establishing the Yehudite sect. In 670 CE, King Obed III of Bingol added additional writings to the Vagumar called the Haagemar formally establishing the Obedite sect. He was swiftly defeated by King Iktan of Bakil who outlawed the Haagemar. Nevertheless, the Obedite sect continues to use it as their religious text.

In around 740 CE, the Prophet Ipsit, a traveller who crossed from modern day Suvania to Central Yasteria in order to better understand the world, returned to his homeland speaking of "The Prophet of the Water". This is believed to be a misinterpreted form of the Pax, with Pax having been the word used for "Water". Ipsit taught his followers of his interpretations of Pax as a mortal prophet of Noi, and thus was declared by them to be the second coming of the Prophet, with the Ayalist Alvans being descendants of the torturers. The followers of Ipsit wrote what was to become the Mahimavan Agranirupana, compiling the interpretations of Paxism made by Ipsit in a prophetic text referring to their theorized cycle of Urth. This belief spread across the nomadic hordes of Western Yasteria, competing with Ayalism in the region.

As the Iktanite dynasty spread over Yasteria and met other races, their beliefs and traditions influenced Paxism. This contamination led to Iktanite King Melkezedek calling for a council of scholars and religious leaders known as the Council of Bingol to establish the most authoritative writing of Paxism known as the Bas Magdamar (which built on the Vagumar) whereupon he established the Magisterium. The Yehudite sect was divided by those who followed the original Vagumar and those who followed the new Bas Magdamar, leading to the formation of the Melkezedekite sect.

Following the formation of the Alvan Empire, the Ipsitites declined in influence in their region at the benefit of Ayalism, the sect being almost entirely isolated within modern day Suvania, experiencing further decline under the repression of a string of rulers intolerant to their religion.

Beliefs

Noi created the Urth and everything in it. She created the Esma to help her and be her companions. One of her most beloved Esma was Borg. Borg became envious of her and corrupted her creation. Noi was aggrieved by the evil in the world and turned away from the Urth. Borg was left to spread darkness and rule over the Urth. When people died, he trapped them in the Goo where they suffered in eternal torment. There was only one mortal in the entire Urth who still loved Noi and that was the Pax. The Pax was captured by people who wanted him to perform evil deeds, when he refused they tortured him. He cried out to Noi. She rescued him. Seeing the goodness in his heart, she gave him the power to defeat Borg. He fought against Borg and defeated him. He trapped Borg behind the Jovian Gate where he remains for all eternity. The souls of the people trapped in the Goo were set free. Those who repented and loved Noi joined the Hive. Those who love evil and worshiped Borg remained in The Goo. Yet the shadow of Borg still lingers and causes evil in the world. Paxists believe that when people die they either go to the Goo or the Hive. They believe that one day the Borg will escape from the Jovian Gate. The Pax will destroy the Borg once and for all and all souls will join the Hive and there will be peace on Urth forever more. Paxist spend their lives preparing for the Coming Day and striving to join the Hive.

Sects

Sects are groups of adherents of Paxism who share similar beliefs. They vary widely in morality, practices and doctrines. This is largely due to the writing that they have chosen as their primary sacred scripture as well as the political, economic and social context in which that sect arose.

The Yehudite sect is the oldest sect. It was established by King Suleiman of Yehudah in 1100 CE. Its primary writing is drawn from the Vagumar. Although the creation and eschatology is based on the Ichtmar by Prophet Besmali of Akas Akil, it has its own morals and adds additional information. Yehudites believe that the Pax is a mortal who died and whose soul forms part of the Hive as any other noble soul and thus they do not believe that the Pax is worthy of any special devotion or worship. They direct their prayers to Noi directly and they do not believe in the authority of religious leaders.

The Obedite sect was established by King Obed III of Bingol in 670 CE. It's primary text is the Haagemar. Obedites believe that the Pax was transformed into a deity of equal rank to Noi whom she in turn married and had children with. These children, the Haagens, after whom the Haagemar is named, are said to be spiritual beings with suoernational powers and influence over the lives of the people on Urth. They believe that there is an Haagen for rain and water, a Haagen for fertility and family harmony and many more. Thus, they pray to the Haagens based on their needs and circumstances. Thus, people follow scholars and religious leaders who belong to the specific Haagen of their personal interest.

The Melkezedekite sect was established in 980 CE by King Melkezedek of Bakil. It is based on the Bas Magdamar which was approved by the Council of Bingol. Although they share the same views as the Yehudites on the fact that Pax was not elevated to the role of a deity coequal with Noi, they believe that the Pax is unique and special enough that he can intercede with Noi on their behalf. Thus, they direct their prayers to Pax instead of Noi. They believe that religious authority is important and necessary. Thus, they believe that the Magisterium is the lawful authority on religious matters.

• The Sohadekist school of Melkezedekitism believes that Pax will appoint a human to act as the Liberator of the Packilvanian realms. This belief speaks in terms of a moral and cultural figure who will develop and unite the beliefs of the Packilvanian people. This belief was used by Saidun the Conqueror and his Demirite descendents to justify their rule over the Feline majority of Packilvania. They in turn established the Saidunist school.
• The Saidunist school believes that Pax was human and thus humans have a special place in the world. Thus, they discouraged humans from breeding with other primines such as orcs and elves and from humans developing intimate relationships with Felines and other non-priming groups. Furthermore they saw the human whom Sohadek spoke of as a political ruler as opposed to moral and cultural figure.
• The Madvinist school emerged in the 1800s and taught that Saidunism and Sohadekist was evil. It was established by Madvin Bedon, the great great grandfather of Amhoud I. They taught that Saidunism was nothing more than human propaganda and that Felines had to rule over themselves. With the rise of Zerah Demir IV, they taught that women were inferior to men and thus encouraged the creation of a hypermasculine patriarchal society.

Flag of the Karkati Brigades, the last of the Ipsitite Military Orders, bearing the Crab which acts as a symbol of the Pax in the Sect.

The Ipsitite sect is a heavily deviating and minor sect of Paxism emerging in the mid 700s CE in Western Yasteria. The Ipsitites believe their leader, the Prophet Ipsit, was the second coming of the Pax. Ipsitite Doctrine, coming from the Mahimavan Agranirupana, describes the world in a cyclical manner as a battle between the evil and cruelty of the Urth which they call Borg, and the Creator who arrived from the Sky which they call Noi. Ipsitites believe there will be many Coming Days, and each shall see a victory of Noi (the Sky), alongside Pax (the Sea) against the evils of Borg (the Urth), believing that should the Sea be destroyed, Borg will encompass the entirety of the Urth and Avarice shall reign. Ipsitites use of a lot of naturalistic symbolism in expressing their faith, often depicting the Pax in the form of a Crab, with the crab being their most used religious symbol. This is believed to be due to the nature of crabs as having had their eggs laid in the ocean before coming on land, as if rising from the water to claim dominion over the Land. Many Paxists consider the Ipsitites to be a different religion as opposed to a sect, however their shared worship of Noi and belief in the battle between the Pax and Noi against the Borg intertwines them to a certain degree.

Writings

The Ichtmar was written by Prophet Besmali in 2000 BCE. It contains the creation story that forms the basis of the religion. It draws on and synthesizes multiple oral and written sources. It contains an account of how the world was created, how the Esma were made, how Borg turned from righteousness and inflicted corruption on and assumed control of the world, and how Noi rejected and abandoned the planet. It contains an account of the Pax's journey of discovering Noi, rejecting Borg and being empowered with the ability to defeat him. The book ends with a description of a prophecy of how Borg would escape from the Jovian Gate and Pax would destroy him forever and set Urth free from evil.

The Vagumar was composed by Jerome of Damaclion on the order of King Suleiman of Yehudah. It quotes the Ichtamar's account of the creation myth verbatim, but adds details about how people are meant to live their lives and how the world is intended to be organized. It draws on Pax's mortality as an example of how common people can develop a relationship with Noi and have the ability to live a life that is morally upright on their own. Thus, it emphasises individual responsibility, autonomy and personal freedom. Thus, neo-liberal democrats draw heavily on the Vagumar text as evidence for individualism and self-sovereignty.

The Haagemar also draws on the creation myth account as provided by the Ichtmar but makes modifications with respect to the mortality of the Pax informed by the polytheistic teachings and beliefs of pagan kingdom that received Paxism. It contains a description of the apotheosis of the Pax and his marriage with Noi. It contains a detailed list and description of the Haagen, the children created by Pax and Noi through their marriage who were assigned control over areas of Urth's natural phenomena and the fates of humans. Although it does not explicitly call for the creation of religious leaders dedicated to each Haagen, these leaders and their communities developed organically.

The Bas Magdamar draws on a desire by scholars and religious leaders who were influenced by the Yehudite sect to return to the monotheism of the Vagumar. However, it bows to the centrality of the position of Pax in beliefs by describing him as a special spiritual intecessor for mortals. This book's title means True Great Writing which reflects its creator's desire to centralise and control religious teaching. Thus, it calls for the creation of a religious government with the authority to interpret and direct the worship of its people. Therefore, it creates room for the creation of authoritative religious writings.

Practices

The following practices are common but not universal among Paxists.

• Prayer: Paxists are required to pray at least once a day and at least twice on a Friday. Paxists generally pray by facing the Memorial of Jovian Gate and going on their knees and lying prostrate. Ipsitites have traditionally made allowances for those without knowledge of the location of the Gate, and many Ipsitites pray four times in each Cardinal direction instead. Prayer is not strictly regulated in structure and duration but it is encouraged to include verses from holy scripture and to end the prayer with "Mag adem" (a Packilvanian phrase meaning "May (it) be". It is required that you wash with water (or sand in most sects, if you have no water) before praying. The infirm and pregnant are exempt from daily prayer.
• Recitation: Paxists are expected to read the Holy Scriptures at least once a day. Furthermore, during gatherings, the Priest recites verses from the Holy Scriptures. It is regarded as highly encouraged to read the Holy Scriptures in full at least once in one's lifetime. Obviously not all writings are included in the holy scriptures by all sects.
• Gathering: Every week on a Friday, Paxists are expected to gather at a Temple for prayer and recitation. Depending on the society and sect people may be separated by gender, age or status. In Madvinism, and Sohadekism a complex system of separation exists between men and women, the old, middle aged and children, as well as different species. In Yehudism and Ipsitism, no divisions exists and people simply enter the temple as they see fit, though in the latter it is generally encouraged families enter together, led by the Head of the family.
• Fasting: Once a year on the week of the Start of the New Age (i.e., the New Year), people are expected to fast i.e., not to eat or drink from dawn until dusk. In some countries like Packilvania this is mandatory for all citizens except the sick, pregnant women and young children.
• Offering and charity: Paxists are expected to give offerings in money, kind or their labor to temples and to the poor. Almsgiving in particular is strongly encouraged by the Holy Scriptures. As a result of this philosophy, Packilvania has the highest rate of non-state foreign aid in the world. Ipsitites follow what is known as "Charity by the Blade", a practice in which labor may be offered in the form of taking up the duty to defend an Ipsitite Temple or community. This is most notably seen in the Third Suvani War, in which the Karkati Brigades are comprised mostly of Volunteers giving such charity in order to protect Ipsitite Communities from incursion by Ayalist or Secularist Forces.
• Diet: In Paxism certain foods are forbidden because they are seen as dirty and unholy. The meat of reptiles, all insects except grasshoppers and consumption of blood or dead animals (i.e., animals that died due to disease or other strange causes not intended or known by the person consuming the animal) are forbidden. Animals must be slaughtered with a sharp knife, cleanly and swiftly and with a blessing before they can be regarded as holy and suitable for consumption. Ipsitites are notably exempt from some of these restrictions, allowing for animals to be slaughtered in any which way so long as a prayer of thanks is given after eating, and the animal's bones are picked clean, with Ipsitite doctrine heavily discouraging the wastage of food.
• Marriage: Marriage is a highly contentious issue within Paxism and the sects do not agree. According to Madvinism practiced in Packilvania, marriage is restricted to men and women and men may have more than one wife. According to Yehudism and Ipsitism, marriage is monogamous and same-sex marriage is permissible. According to both Madvinism and Sohadekism, marriage and sexual relations between species are forbidden. According to Obedism, polyamorous marriages are permissible. Obedism and Ipsitism believes that premarital sex is allowed. Yehudism, Madvinism and Sohadekism believe that pre-marital sex is not allowed. Madvinism and Sohadekism believe that men may have sex with concubines if their wives cannot bear children. Obedism believes that extramarital sex is allowed with the consent of the partners.
• Clerical authority: Most Paxists believe that there exists clerical authority. Yehudism believes that any recognised priest may train priests under them and both Ipsitism and Yehudism believes that women, queer and non-felines may serve as clerics. Melkezedists (Madvinists, Sohadekists etc.) believe that religious authority emanates from the Magisterium. Thus, Magisters are regarded as having the sole authority to determine religious interpretation and appoint priests and recognize prophets and scholars.
• Sacrifice: Most Paxists believe that sacrificing food is required when a toning for ones sins. The general formula is to set up a specially designated altar and to burn the sacrifice thereupon while asking Pax and Noi for forgiveness. Some sects and even individuals believe that one should sacrifice crops while others believe that one should sacrifice animals. Others believe that a priest or Magister may sacrifice on behalf of the community or nation respectively. They also believe that sacrifices are necessary when making a Covenant (an unbreakable vow) which includes marriage to seal the bow in heaven and Urth. Ipsitism purely endorses the latter, and does not accept the possibility of attoning for sins without strife, with it only being possible through being felled while in service to the Faith or performing a pilgrimage, with the only other option being through the sacrifice of your own life to Pax via suicide by drowning, though such a practice is increasing uncommon.
• Divination and supernatural interventions: Paxists believe that there are people who have been imparted with a special anointing to conduct supernatural healing, to reveal hidden and unknown truths, to cast out evil spirits and to impart messages from Noi to the nation. These people are called Prophets. Mosts Paxists believe that someone is a Prophet if their prophecies or miracles actually come true. However, Madvinists and Sohadekists believe that the Magisterium must verify miraculous acts for a Prophet to be recognised as such.
• Pilgrimage: Paxists are encouraged to make pilgrimage to at least one of the three holiest sites of the Paxist religion if they are able to: the Temple of the Remembrance (i.e., Memorial of the Jovian Gate) in Akas Akil, Temple of the Restoration in Adrien and the Temple of the Authority in Bingol. Pilgrimage involves prayer, fasting, cleansing, sacrifice etc. The cities of Adrien and Akas Akil are off-limits to non-Paxists and the Temple Mount in Bingol on which the Temple of the Authority is located is forbidden to non-Paxists. While historically there have been less Ipsitite Pilgrimages on account that Ipsitism demands pilgrims cross the land only by foot and the sea only by boat, Ipsite pilgrims tend to be highly respected within their communities for undertaking such a task.
• Cleansing: Paxists believe that evil spirits as well as the spirits of the dead can haunt places or people and cause destruction, sickness or misfortune. Thus, they believe that through sacrifice, baptism and prayer, those places or people can be exorcised of the spirits contained there.
• Death and mourning: Paxists believe that the body must be washed, covered and buried. Madvinists and Sohadekists believe that cremation is an appropriate punishment for those who commit high crimes as recognised by the Holy Scriptures. They also believe that a cleansing ceremony as described above must be conducted after a period of mourning (which varies by sect but the Madvinists believe that women must mourn for a month and men for a week). Non-Paxists traditions have arisen such as wearing black.
• Birth: When a child is born, their umbilical chord must be sacrificed to Noi to bless them. When they are born, a child is blessed by their parents and/or a priest. In Ipsitism, it is mandated such includes a baptism.
• Religious sites: Temples are buildings specifically constructed as a place of worship for Paxists and thus under most circumstances, non-Paxists are not allowed to enter these venues. Their construction varies widely, but Paxists art is highly variable according to time and location. The most important component is to contain a large space for prayer as well as an altar for sacrifices.