11-02-2023, 10:54 PM
(This post was last modified: 11-05-2023, 07:38 PM by Astronomical.)
The Illuminated is a religion widely known throughout Eternia as philosophers and analysts with a system for education constructed by the design of fate. The three founders of the faith who wrote the scriptures, Jiuweihu’s first blessed Kitsune - known as Feiyan Guo, Buwei Fa, and Yuan Lu - concluded that destiny is a navigating force within the realm of Eternia that does not have a resolute pathway. However, their credence of forging an individual relationship with the Sun is fundamental for a healthy and productive lifestyle, as the purest of the light’s energy influences those aspects.
In their endeavors, the three founders of the religion developed intricate methods of predicting future events and weather patterns. One known creation was the Jiu-Calender, containing a motionless constellation that shifts when an Illuminated infuses their mana with it. In the construction of this instrument, a form of astrology was drafted in the continent of Sheng to study the behavior of stars.
In Meranthe, the Illuminated is a scarce religion compared to the ways of the Pantheon and Constants.
Jiuweihu is the deity of the Illuminated religion. In the beginning of Eternia, the dimension’s manifestation fractured the soul of the Archangel, Kraus, into ten segments, allowing ten divine spirits to be born from those remnants, including the nine-tailed fox goddess of the Sun. She is the creator of the beastkin race known as the Kitsune.
The Kitsune are the blessed people of Jiuweihu. Originating from Sheng, they are a race of people with animalistic features that resemble a fox. Their primary elemental affinity is fire magic. The first of the Kitsune, who traded their brawn, inherited Jiuweihu’s wit at the pinnacle of the second Divine War in 155AC, taking on a rather sly and witty persona.
Very rare is a Kitsune with nine-tails born per generation - believed to be symbols of grand fortune.
The First Nine-Tails known on Eternia, Kun Lam, was born in the year of 160 AC, five years after Jiuweihu was freed from Kunlun Mountain and blessed the first of her Kitsune. Kun Lam was raised as a priestess of the Illuminated. Due to her unique heritage and status, higher houses in Sheng bolstered interest in the faith. After a long and fulfilling life, she passed away in 241 AC to natural causes. Her body was interred with Jiuweihu’s saviors at the base of Kunlun Mountain in a Shrine honoring those who sacrificed themselves to save the Divine Spirit.
Twenty-Nine Nights, One Dawn
Amidst the peak of the Divine War in 155AC, the Fallen Angel Baraqiel initiated warfare on the Divine Spirit, Jiuweihu. Outnumbered by the Acolytes of the Fallen, who bore the symbols and trademarks of Azrael, a struggle ensued as the adversaries of the Divine Spirit attempted to subdue her.
Baraqiel conjured chains from his wrists that seized each of Jiuweihu’s nine tails, constraining her against the summit of Kunlun Mountain. Before his formidable runes were manufactured in full, it was said that Baraqiel took a blast of pyres directly to his face, melting his flesh - in his strain thereafter, his ambition succeeded.
Divine runes irradiated on the mountainside, and Jiuweihu was sealed. The Sun of Eternia immediately faded, clouding the world in darkness. For twenty extensive nights, the forces of the Fallen gained significant advantage, conquering the defenders throughout various battles.
In the country of Jianghu, Feudal Lords of the Blue Isles were bribed with the sentiment of mercy to remain neutral against the forces of Azrael, even going as far as to offer the city of Yurhira on victory. Despite this, Jianghu’s forces never ceased in their grapple against their opposing contenders throughout the second Divine War between 140 AC and 168 AC.
Many of Izhura’s noble samurai joined the infantry of Jianghu. During the first seven nights of travel, twenty-seven days since Jiuweihu’s ensnarement, a man known as the Emperor traversed to the Blue Isles with a small band of warriors to exterminate the Feudal Lords that took the bribes of mercy. Any of their militia that refused to support the pay off consolidated with the strength of the Emperor’s crusaders.
Together, three armies fought against Baraqiel’s to free Jiuweihu, defeating their adversaries and restraining the Fallen Angel in the process. Regardless of their accomplishments, the divine runes that held Jiuweihu bound were arduous, prompting the notion that it could take longer than anticipated before she could be freed.
On the twenty-ninth day of night, Jiuweihu said, “I can’t complain; if you spent more time with a book rather than a sword, you wouldn’t have won here, but I am Jiuweihu, and I know a trick or two. Samurai and the warriors of the Blue Isles, will you trade your brawn for a fox’s wit? Then, you’ll be able to free me, and destiny will be eternally grateful to your descendants."
Three of those asked chose to be bestowed with her wit, and in the final twenty-four hours of night, the seal was severed, and after twenty-nine days of prolonged night, the first dawn rose, casting light back into the world on the thirtieth day.
The Ways of Old
In the ways of old teachings, societal norms of Shengese culture were woven in the notable principles of the Illuminated Faith, including familial values, morality clauses, and cultural affiliations.
Culture of the Old Ways
Good moral teachings of the Illuminated faith, beyond societal norms, are simply depicted by taking initiative for the enhancement of your fellow man while placing the well-being of another first and foremost. To be kind, respectful, and understanding is anticipated by those who are bathed in Jiuweihu’s light. This includes those of opposing or contradicting faiths.
The three virtues of the Illuminated are kindness, respect, and understanding. All Illuminated persons are expected to be engaged in these merits of Luminism.
The Ways of New - The Illuminated Faith of Meranthe (Modern Day Eternia)
In the teachings of the New Ways, contemporary society has adapted to current norms throughout time, abandoning part of the ways of old. Intersecting virtues against societal standards in recent years have a propensity to conflict with precepts. Therefore, modernizing segments of former traditions is imperative.
Culture of the New Ways
In the same vein as the Ways of Old, kindness, respect, and understanding are the three virtues of the Illuminated faith. Those weaving their destinies in the religion are expected to exercise these tenets daily. Friends and family with contrasting views, ambitions, or activities are not exempt from this.
Our objective to understand, be kind, and show respect and adhere to these principles is salient and should always be considered when interacting with others.
These are the merits of Luminism.
The Rituals of the Illuminated
In the religion of Jiuweihu, there are three rituals to be performed by Luminates, guided by the Illuminated Chancellor, in order to accept the light of the Sun within themselves.
In the ways of old - once a follower of the faith is ready to undergo pilgrimage to Kunlun Mountain (in the region of Jianghu) to perform the final ceremony, the Ritual of Rays, they’ll be cued to willingly open their essence to Jiuweihu and harmonize with the daylight to be protected by her. Luminates who have lived a morally sound life, who’ve performed each ritual with skill, will be accepted and blessed by the Divine Spirit. This allows them to become Illuminated by her subtle glow, always radiating around the newly anointed apostle.
In the ways of new - closely compared to the ways of old, a Luminate must perform all three rituals in skillful succession. The last ritual may be performed at the summit of their continent’s highest mountain.
Ritual of Light - The First
Any Illuminated are properly inducted members of the faith. In light of their blessing, they are expected to help others in the faith pass down her teachings in exchange for the Divine Spirit’s guidance.
Ritual of Vassalization - Inducing a foreigner into the Illuminated
In their endeavors, the three founders of the religion developed intricate methods of predicting future events and weather patterns. One known creation was the Jiu-Calender, containing a motionless constellation that shifts when an Illuminated infuses their mana with it. In the construction of this instrument, a form of astrology was drafted in the continent of Sheng to study the behavior of stars.
In Meranthe, the Illuminated is a scarce religion compared to the ways of the Pantheon and Constants.
Jiuweihu is the deity of the Illuminated religion. In the beginning of Eternia, the dimension’s manifestation fractured the soul of the Archangel, Kraus, into ten segments, allowing ten divine spirits to be born from those remnants, including the nine-tailed fox goddess of the Sun. She is the creator of the beastkin race known as the Kitsune.
The Kitsune are the blessed people of Jiuweihu. Originating from Sheng, they are a race of people with animalistic features that resemble a fox. Their primary elemental affinity is fire magic. The first of the Kitsune, who traded their brawn, inherited Jiuweihu’s wit at the pinnacle of the second Divine War in 155AC, taking on a rather sly and witty persona.
Very rare is a Kitsune with nine-tails born per generation - believed to be symbols of grand fortune.
The First Nine-Tails known on Eternia, Kun Lam, was born in the year of 160 AC, five years after Jiuweihu was freed from Kunlun Mountain and blessed the first of her Kitsune. Kun Lam was raised as a priestess of the Illuminated. Due to her unique heritage and status, higher houses in Sheng bolstered interest in the faith. After a long and fulfilling life, she passed away in 241 AC to natural causes. Her body was interred with Jiuweihu’s saviors at the base of Kunlun Mountain in a Shrine honoring those who sacrificed themselves to save the Divine Spirit.
Twenty-Nine Nights, One Dawn
Amidst the peak of the Divine War in 155AC, the Fallen Angel Baraqiel initiated warfare on the Divine Spirit, Jiuweihu. Outnumbered by the Acolytes of the Fallen, who bore the symbols and trademarks of Azrael, a struggle ensued as the adversaries of the Divine Spirit attempted to subdue her.
Baraqiel conjured chains from his wrists that seized each of Jiuweihu’s nine tails, constraining her against the summit of Kunlun Mountain. Before his formidable runes were manufactured in full, it was said that Baraqiel took a blast of pyres directly to his face, melting his flesh - in his strain thereafter, his ambition succeeded.
Divine runes irradiated on the mountainside, and Jiuweihu was sealed. The Sun of Eternia immediately faded, clouding the world in darkness. For twenty extensive nights, the forces of the Fallen gained significant advantage, conquering the defenders throughout various battles.
In the country of Jianghu, Feudal Lords of the Blue Isles were bribed with the sentiment of mercy to remain neutral against the forces of Azrael, even going as far as to offer the city of Yurhira on victory. Despite this, Jianghu’s forces never ceased in their grapple against their opposing contenders throughout the second Divine War between 140 AC and 168 AC.
Many of Izhura’s noble samurai joined the infantry of Jianghu. During the first seven nights of travel, twenty-seven days since Jiuweihu’s ensnarement, a man known as the Emperor traversed to the Blue Isles with a small band of warriors to exterminate the Feudal Lords that took the bribes of mercy. Any of their militia that refused to support the pay off consolidated with the strength of the Emperor’s crusaders.
Together, three armies fought against Baraqiel’s to free Jiuweihu, defeating their adversaries and restraining the Fallen Angel in the process. Regardless of their accomplishments, the divine runes that held Jiuweihu bound were arduous, prompting the notion that it could take longer than anticipated before she could be freed.
On the twenty-ninth day of night, Jiuweihu said, “I can’t complain; if you spent more time with a book rather than a sword, you wouldn’t have won here, but I am Jiuweihu, and I know a trick or two. Samurai and the warriors of the Blue Isles, will you trade your brawn for a fox’s wit? Then, you’ll be able to free me, and destiny will be eternally grateful to your descendants."
Three of those asked chose to be bestowed with her wit, and in the final twenty-four hours of night, the seal was severed, and after twenty-nine days of prolonged night, the first dawn rose, casting light back into the world on the thirtieth day.
The Ways of Old
In the ways of old teachings, societal norms of Shengese culture were woven in the notable principles of the Illuminated Faith, including familial values, morality clauses, and cultural affiliations.
Culture of the Old Ways
- Funeral Rites - Priests or Priestess of the Illuminated handle funeral rites for those who can afford it. In private, the corpse is gently washed in warm, sacred water, and wrapped firmly in three layers of perfumed silk. The deceased’s eyelids are painted gold and the body is set on a bed of rocks, presented outside at exactly sunrise. The Illuminated will sing a unique song of passing - soft, gentle, and pleasant - in their own design. In that aspiration, a cast of sentimental and spiritual magic will permeate as to commune with the spirit of the deceased. Whether the spirit appears or not before departing is rare, but the intention is to aid their journey through the Spirit world with ease.
- Weddings - A red string is tied around the newly wed’s wrists to connect them, signifying their fates being entwined for the rest of eternity. This strand will be worn throughout the feast to follow the ceremony, until the end - only then will the priest carefully remove their hands from it, but not breaking the knot. It’s considered bad luck if the thread is removed before the priest enacts the final incentive of its dismissal.
Good moral teachings of the Illuminated faith, beyond societal norms, are simply depicted by taking initiative for the enhancement of your fellow man while placing the well-being of another first and foremost. To be kind, respectful, and understanding is anticipated by those who are bathed in Jiuweihu’s light. This includes those of opposing or contradicting faiths.
The three virtues of the Illuminated are kindness, respect, and understanding. All Illuminated persons are expected to be engaged in these merits of Luminism.
- Kindness. A simplistic, though oftentimes difficult, gift to offer. To treat all men and women kindly. This extension is not necessary to hostile individuals threatening oneself or others. Pass kindness and compassion to a rude child, but an Illuminated or Luminates are not assumed to give this ethical friendliness to a rampaging enemy aiming to harm innocent beings.
- Respect. Often earned. To assume one deserves it is saintliness. The Illuminated is to foresee all with respect, even when it isn’t earned. Only those who harm or misguide others are exempt from this. While it’s okay to be wrong, one must be weary to those who preach falsehoods and guide individuals on enlightening paths.
- Understanding. To comprehend why another acts as they do, why the sun rises and sets, and numerous other inquiries. It is to ponder in the shoes of your fellow man and ask oneself about their ambitions in life. Even those in opposition to life have their reasons and can be saved. To perceive the beginning of their path is the first step to helping in guiding their path to enlightenment.
- Family is critical and should not be forsaken. Without it, there would be no path, as it would have never begun. For new pathways to open, intertwining fates between inhabitants of Eternia is essential in creating new destinies together.
- Marriage is between a man and a woman. Their families should be of equal standing to encourage dynamic reproduction. Both parties must triumphantly finish the Ritual of Rays to ensure Jiuweihu approves of the lovers to be. To engage in premarital sex or lustful characteristics is deliberate sinning and actively goes against the employment of the Luminated.
- It is a parent’s duty to pass on moral education to guarantee the achievements of their children surpass them and progress through the conducted teachings of the Kitsune philosophers.
- To forgo family is disapproved of.
The Ways of New - The Illuminated Faith of Meranthe (Modern Day Eternia)
In the teachings of the New Ways, contemporary society has adapted to current norms throughout time, abandoning part of the ways of old. Intersecting virtues against societal standards in recent years have a propensity to conflict with precepts. Therefore, modernizing segments of former traditions is imperative.
Culture of the New Ways
- Funeral Rites - Priests or Priestess of the Illuminated handle funeral rites for their friends and family. Like the old ways, the corpse is gently washed in warm, sacred water, wrapped firmly in three layers of perfumed silk, and their eyelids will be painted gold. At sunrise, the body will be set on a bed of rocks, and the Illuminated will perform a unique song of passing that’s soft, gentle, and pleasant. Emotional casting will ensure a final commune with the spirit of the deceased and aid in their journey into the Spirit Realm with ease.
- Weddings - Just like the ways of old, a red string is to be tied around the newly wed’s wrists to connect them, signifying their fates being woven together for eternity. This strand will be worn throughout the feast to follow the ceremony, only to be removed at the end by the Priest or Priestess without breaking the knot. Removing it beforehand by any party that is not the officiate will bring bad luck to the newlyweds.
In the same vein as the Ways of Old, kindness, respect, and understanding are the three virtues of the Illuminated faith. Those weaving their destinies in the religion are expected to exercise these tenets daily. Friends and family with contrasting views, ambitions, or activities are not exempt from this.
Our objective to understand, be kind, and show respect and adhere to these principles is salient and should always be considered when interacting with others.
These are the merits of Luminism.
- Kindness is a quality of friendliness, generosity, and consideration. Treat all men and women equally, with utmost kindness. This extension isn’t necessary to hostile individuals that aim to harm oneself or another. Give compassion to a struggling person, but not to a storming adversary indulging in acts of aggression for entertainment purposes.
- Respect is crafted by deep admiration for someone that’s elicited by their capabilities, qualities, or achievements. It’s to be made with due regard for the feelings, wishes, rights, and traditions of another. This is often earned, but an Illuminated may be expected to foresee that all in their path met are given this value. Even if an Illuminated or Luminate doesn't agree with the views of another, one must bestow another with equal regard. While it’s okay to be wrong, one must be wary of someone’s perceptions who preach falsities and guide them on an insightful avenue.
- Understanding is the ability to comprehend and communicate awareness of another’s feelings - to be tolerant of their stance. It is to cognize why another acts the way they do. Questions upon questions about why an action is made, or why a natural event occurs. Those in opposition to the beliefs of the Illuminated have their reasons, including a friend or foe. To identify the origination of their path is the commencement towards guiding their route towards a path of light.
- Family is essential and should never be forsaken. Do not forgo family. Without it, there would be no path forged from two intertwining fates between Eternian inhabitants. Two destinies coming together as one is crucial to continue in the cycle of life.
- Marriage is between two people that love one another and promise themselves to each other. Man and woman, woman and woman, or man and man. As long as their vigorous admiration for one another is found in equal standing, Jiuweihu will validate the lovers to be. To engage in premarital sex or lustful characteristics is deliberate sinning and actively goes against the employment of the Illuminated or Luminated. It should be saved for marriage, or two persons that have permanently tied their fates together in warmth and devotion.
- It is a parent’s duty to pass on the moral education of the Illuminated faith to guarantee that the achievements of their children will surpass them and progress.
The Rituals of the Illuminated
In the religion of Jiuweihu, there are three rituals to be performed by Luminates, guided by the Illuminated Chancellor, in order to accept the light of the Sun within themselves.
In the ways of old - once a follower of the faith is ready to undergo pilgrimage to Kunlun Mountain (in the region of Jianghu) to perform the final ceremony, the Ritual of Rays, they’ll be cued to willingly open their essence to Jiuweihu and harmonize with the daylight to be protected by her. Luminates who have lived a morally sound life, who’ve performed each ritual with skill, will be accepted and blessed by the Divine Spirit. This allows them to become Illuminated by her subtle glow, always radiating around the newly anointed apostle.
In the ways of new - closely compared to the ways of old, a Luminate must perform all three rituals in skillful succession. The last ritual may be performed at the summit of their continent’s highest mountain.
Ritual of Light - The First
- Followers are expected to meditate in the center of a small pond. The liturgy process is to be performed from dawn until dusk with exposed skin (wear only what you must) to the radiance of the Sun and grow familiar with its warmth. Wearing clothes defeats the purpose otherwise, as it shields away your skin from the divining light.
- Short breaks for rehydration are allowed.
- By drowning out all distractions but the light of Jiuweihu, one can conveniently assimilate themselves with the process of becoming one with it - the goal of the final ritual they must perform (the Ritual of Rays).
- Luminates are to learn how to steel oneself against temptations.
- The crux of this custom is to fast for at least one day prior. During the process, the follower will be bestowed with objects, or food, that vary depending on their unique tastes of the Luminate. The Illuminated overseeing the ritual is responsible for obtaining this information beforehand.
- The Luminate must meditate as if the appealing object or meal does not exist before them. They are not to eat the meal or indulge in their impulse for it.
- The difficulty of the ritual depends on the Illuminated in question, but it’s suggested to spare no tender mercies given the ritual’s profound purpose.
- Of course, there are unorthodox methods to the custom that have been performed at the expense of detrimental inflictions, if only to exhibit utmost enthusiasm and commitment, though they are not necessary and make no difference in the efforts of the Luminates to complete the ritual.
- This is the final ritual that the Luminates have all practiced for in order to engage in attuning with Jiuweihu’s light successfully.
- On the continent where the Luminate resides, they must make a pilgrimage near the summit of a mountain, closest to the Sun, in order to present themselves before Jiuweihu. This is where the future Illuminated will be made to reveal their essence to her and be silently judged throughout harmonization with the light of the Sun. The Divine Spirit glimpses into their deeds thus far in life, and any sins of their past are revealed.
- Luminates vacant of impiety will be granted freely of her light, having proven themselves morally worthy of her protection.
- Followers who are not depleted of taint, or who have not actively rectified the sins of their past, will have nothing happen to them. For those who cannot attune with the light in the final ritual will be sent back in order to perform the Ritual of Light again, and progress in their harmonization of the light of the Sun.
Any Illuminated are properly inducted members of the faith. In light of their blessing, they are expected to help others in the faith pass down her teachings in exchange for the Divine Spirit’s guidance.
Ritual of Vassalization - Inducing a foreigner into the Illuminated
- Foreigners undergoing the Ritual of Vassalization will fall to both knees and bow their head. The future Luminate will raise their hands up to the sun, then in front of their person.
- Throughout, the newcomer will recite prayers to Jiuweihu so that she may hear them, “Your body, mind, and spirit are cleansed under her light. In spite of the sins of yesterday, today and forward are new beginnings; a fresh dawn. From this point on, you’re a treasured child of Jiuweihu. Rise, and swear the following -” An outlined list of terms will be enumerated. These could include following laws, being a protector, and upholding the tenets of the faith.
- It is not uncommon for a foreigner to feel submerged by the intensity of the Sun as it’s focused down on them.