|
|
Post by plaustrumimperialist on Jul 15, 2016 18:23:41 GMT -5
It would not be quite accurate to say that the tribes of Lower Mliza have a religion; rather, they are looking for one. See, during the reign of the Republic of Kelazi, while all of Orctova was under the influence of the Dark Lord, one man in each of the seven tribes had a vision, during which only one sentence was repeated over and over, until all they could say were those words. Here, as tradition has passed down, are those truths:
Zjad: "Debt must be paid in blood."
Brun-so: "Those who mourn will be comforted."
Ugo-yt: "Two empires are at war."
Uzji-ko: "Gifts have been given."
Rykt: "Imperfection is sin."
Zjaum: "There is one who wants marriage with all mankind."
Gu-kum: "Death begets life."
Now, to each of the tribes, this was a spectacle. How did this happen? Was this some higher being that was giving us these messages? The puzzle became even more curious as the tribes communicated with each other, sharing their truth and receiving that of their neighbor. It was decided that these truths all came from the same source, and the puzzle became a riddle.
Now, while there it was clear that there was a solution, no one knew for sure what these truths mean. And so the hunt began to find the true meaning of these seven truths. Often a good conversation starter between strangers or acquaintances would be, "What is your interpretation of the seven truths?" Any solid answer would be considered acceptable. Even "It could just be all tosh" with a legitimate backing would suffice. The only answers that would declare you a heathen would be silence or a wish you-washy backing of multiple interpretations.
As you can see, there could be thousands of possible answers but only one correct one. So it was prophecied that the one who would bring true understanding would live his life in such a way as to emulate the seven truths. Further, he would have two further truths (commandments?) that would fulfill the seven truths. To disincentivize false teachings, people who claimed to fulfill the seven truths yet could not convince the scholars of the day would be given the death penalty.
|
|
Numberhawk's backup
Guest
|
Post by Numberhawk's backup on Jul 15, 2016 19:53:22 GMT -5
If this is the LOWER Milza, your religion is Orthodox Fallen One following the Dwarven Civil War of 2320. (Real rp from last game)
|
|
|
|
Post by Zips on Jul 15, 2016 21:03:42 GMT -5
I'm on mobile and cant access my account
8th truth : "Hold door"
|
|
|
|
Post by plaustrumimperialist on Jul 15, 2016 21:25:13 GMT -5
I didn't get the joke, but the point was that this is a new cult. The tribes of Lower Mliza functioned separately from the Republic. While they still are evil, the culture is almost completely different. We will still be aligned with the Dark Lord and such.
|
|
|
|
Post by plaustrumimperialist on Jul 16, 2016 14:54:33 GMT -5
Log: finalized culture entry. Awaiting approval from authorities to make this canon.
|
|
Numberhawk's backup
Guest
|
Post by Numberhawk's backup on Jul 16, 2016 15:15:30 GMT -5
This is good work, but existing canon is that your country follows the Fallen One. Make this fit and I'll be happy to give my blessing. It's great writing!  |
|
|
|
Post by plaustrumimperialist on Jul 17, 2016 2:13:01 GMT -5
Update: the History of the Seven Truths.
Before the fall of the Republic, this religion-hunt was kept to most of the tribes, for two reasons. First, they believed that, whoever sent them these truths, sent the truths exclusively to them. Perhaps later these truths would be revealed to all life, but for now the tribes were their caretakers. Lest they be distorted (especially at a time when there was no written language for Quuzj'mit), the tribes chose not to actively share them. Sure, they were open, but there were no missionaries of the Seven Truths.
Second, there was (for the moment) no demand for this new knowledge. The Orthodox followers of the Fallen One, when told of the mystery of the Seven Truths, replied, "Simple! It is the Fallen One! What a silly riddle." When pressed for an explanation or, heck, commandments if they were so sure, the Orthodox Brotherhood of the Fallen One didn't bother to create a canonical answer, especially considering that the tribes had neither the strength nor the desire to mount a crusade against the reigning establishment. However, nothing that the Seven Truth scholars said violated that of the Brotherhood's teachings, and so the tribes were allowed to pursue their "petty" little religion-hunt. The Harmonist minority reacted identically.
Everything changed, however, when the Republic fell.
Ok, this is a big crossroads. I'm not certain whether I'm allowed to flat-out overthrow the Orthodox branch of the Brotherhood, or make the Orthodox Brotherhood on equal power footing with the Seven Truths, have the Seven Truths be a shadow to the Brotherhood, make a hybrid, et cetera, et cetera. Ergo, I've created two paths: one where the Brotherhood is extinguished and one where the Brotherhood and the Seven Truths exist in a sort of balance.
Death of the Brotherhood scenario:
When the Republic of Kelazi fell, all the established religious institutions were smothered in its wake. Churches burned, priests were slain, and religious texts were lost. The followers of the Brotherhood of the Fallen One were, both metaphorically and literally, in the cold. The resulting clash with the Seven Truth hunters? Well, it would best be described in this recorded text between King Netzae the Bold and the final High Priest of the Brotherhood:
"O, high priest, I have summoned you here to ask you this question: what is your interpretation of the Seven Truths, which we find most holy?"
"High king, the answer is as simple as the mind that truly asks it. The Fallen One fulfills these truths."
"How so?"
"I beg your pardon? That answer has been acceptable for generations."
"That answer was never acceptable. We have been biding our time until we can force an interpretation from the likes of you. So, high priest, what is your interpretation of the Seven Truths?"
"I need no justification for the Fallen One! This is the highest heresy, and I will not abide it!"
"What a shame. We have struggled to bring logic to our discussion, yet the Brotherhood resorts to hostility when asked to think. Very well, if you cannot abide me, the feeling is mutual. Do not fear; our axes are the sharpest in the land, and our executioner is sure to make a clean cut."
"Our Brotherhood is eternal! You will not stop it by executing me!"
"No, obviously not. When your propaganda and structure comes crashing down, however, I trust that the people of this realm will choose the religion that makes more sense."
And so the Brotherhood, too stubborn for justification, died a bitter death. To the more fortunate clergy, means were given to travel back to Vondexa to rejoin with their brothers in unity. The Brotherhood was still united, but only half its size.
Maintenance of the Brotherhood scenario:
The death of the Republic of Kelazi meant the balance of power was changing. To this end, the Orthodox Brotherhood gathered at Duranlar to discuss the future of their religion. The Duranlar Accords of 2424, as the results came to be called, were as follows:
In all future scenarios, the Brotherhood of the Fallen One would not stray from any of its prior beliefs. This is not to say that they would not emphasize different beliefs depending on the circumstances.
Immediately following the writing of the Accords, the Brotherhood would begin a massive campaign of evangelism and physical construction of churches. If their religion was growing, it couldn't be dying.
In the event that a Harmonist faction rose to power, the Brotherhood would emphasize peace and unity to convince Harmonism that the Brotherhood is only the natural conclusion to Harmonism. What the Harmonists believed came to fruition in the utopia the Brotherhood created long ago.
In the event that a Seven Truths faction rose to power, the Brotherhood made a canonical justification of why the Fallen One is the answer to the Seven Truths. It was fallacious and stretched the limits of one's imagination, but ultimately it was a proof that would hold enough water for the Brotherhood to remain protected by the Seven Truths hunters themselves.
In the event that a Dark Lord faction rose to power, the Brotherhood would proclaim that the Fallen One saved the people from the Dark Lord and could do so again. Whether or not the Fallen One would do so, the Brotherhood would begin a crusade, purging the Dark Lord from Lower Mliza or die trying.
In the event that the Brotherhood actually rose to power and became a monastic order, the Brotherhood wrote a constitution that would ensure that something this catastrophic would never happen again, or so they believed.
The Seven Truth faction rose to power, and the Brotherhood was well prepared. The Zjau-yl didaskalarchy interrogated the brothers and received nearly unanimous answers. The arguments needed work but were a more-than-reasonable head start for a people so new to this religion. The Brotherhood could peacefully co-exist with the Seven Truths, at least for now. As time grew on, Brotherhood scholars tried to warp their arguments to make more sense, some occasionally succeeding.
The Harmonists were not so lucky. They were logically unprepared, and as they protested the injustice of the Sovereignty over the Republic, the Zjau-yl was quick to point out the Ugo-yt Alternative, and even quicker to expel or extinguish the flames of Harmonism. Much to the surprise of the Harmonists, Harmony never came to their rescue, but Seven Truths scholars often theorize what a woman of such immense power could do, if such a woman ever existed to begin with.
|
|
