Yueliang and The Luminescent

[LadyRegent]

Many a religion looks to the cosmos, whether it be the stars, sun or the worship of Amier themselves. Fewer though look upon the the silvered light that makes small the stars. Instead it is believed to be an omen of what's to come. A reminder that one day, the malevolence sealed within will no longer care to sit idle. That darkness will fall upon the land. A dragon that whispers the end of all things.
 

Upon the Moon they say there roams a fox of silver fur, only seen in dreams and visions and more often when the ground it hunts upon is out in full. This fox is what protects the realms, the warden of the evils locked away in the celestial body. And as long as they continue to serve its whispers, that malevolent force will forever be sealed.
 

 

The Primordial's Creation, Yi Rishi ( The First Solar Eclipse )

 
After Ixchel first carved the moon, and Jiuweihu first assumed her role as the avatar of the sun, it is said that Eternia flowed with nearly infinite energy as divine spirits set out to create life and Primordials came to be.
 

On the night of Sheng’s first solar eclipse, then given the name 'Yi Rishi', it is said that Ixchel’s carved creation blocked the entire world out for only nine minutes; and the moon, reflecting and absorbing the latent cosmic energy that he had trapped chaos within, had life bequeathed unto it too; a primordial created by Jiuweihu’s unending light as it shone directly onto the Ixchel’s carved moon.

 

Her name was Yueliang, known to be the guardian, avatar and warden of the moon in Shengese culture. Though she has reportedly never been seen in person, she has been known to appear in the dreams of lost souls and luminates who are at risk in their path. She is a fox with silver hair, glimmering with natural moonlight. Her claws are unnaturally sharp, said to be due to being born of the hunter Ixchel.

 

Some sects of the Illuminated and other pieces of folklore think that Yueliang is a foul soul taking Jiuweihu’s image; a dark reflection of her light and purity.  People claim that she appears in their dreams and entices them to give into temptation. Some simply revere her in the same light as they do Jiuweihu, referring to this sect of the Illuminated as the 'Path of Twilight'. They claim that Yueliang is simply a guardian of the moon meant to keep Chaos trapped within, and that she appears within the dreams of Kitsune and others to guide them on her path to aid in ensuring the dangers trapped within the moon stay sealed.
 

The Luminescent and their Beliefs

Those who worship and follow Yueliang call themselves 'Luminescent'. With the Illuminated they share in worship of the sun and Jiuweihu, joining them in many of their practices. But uniquely the Luminescent also worship the moon and its primordial. While many that walk the Path of Twilight look upon the Illuminated as close allies and even believe they share in their practice, it isn't always seen that way from the other side. Within the Illuminated of Sheng many believe that the existence of Yueliang is something stolen from Jiuweihu, Yi Rishi is seen as a tragic event where their goddess was put at her weakest. It is known the creation of the primordial did leave Jiuweihu in a vulnerable state following it, though it is not known if there were ever any lasting effects. This debate has poorly placed the Luminescent in the eyes of most Illuminated. The worship on Yueliang in most sects is seen as taboo and most of the primordial's worshippers instead form their own temples and groups.
  
[*]Both the Illuminated and the Luminescent share in the belief of fate, though the Luminescent take a certain pride those that dare take their own fate into their hands. They see it as a path that can be deviated from if an individual proves themselves capable enough.
 
[*]The Ritual of Night is the Luminescent's take on the 'Ritual of Light' where individuals are guided to meditate under a solar eclipse, succumbing to the sheer cosmic presence of Yueliang. There, they are visited in a dream if proven faithful enough. The Primordial instructing them on the next path to take. The Ritual of Temptation, in which one subjects themselves to their vices beneath the full moon, a test of their will to keep themselves together for the following ritual. In the Ritual of Twilight the individual takes a similar path to the Ritual of Rays from the Illuminated, they climb to the highest peak on the continent where the barrier between the spirit realm and the physical world becomes the most thin. It is always walked at night, to be completed before the moon falls and sun returns. Within Sheng this is known to be very deadly and dangerous, oni and yokai regularly emerging from the shadows. Even nethradin are said to haunt the paths, having the one being tested confront their inner demons.
 
[*]Yueliang is said to take the role as the warden of malevolence locked away in the moon. Followers believe this is why is waxes and wanes, there is a constant tug of war between her and the evils within. When the moon is full she is at her strongest. They also believe this is why she is never seen and only appears in dreams and visions, the primordial always at war with darkness.
 
[*]The Luminescent are extraordinary hunters of oni and yokai, each carrying a Tsukumogami or 'divine tool'. Within these weapons is housed a banished fel-spirit and each follower's is unique to their own hunt. The tools carry the fel-spirits power and are used in continued hunts. Followers also believe that the only thing keeping Yueliang from being corrupted by the darkness upon the moon is the war they wage against evil spirits, hunting and vanquishing evil in her worship protecting her.
 
[*]Many within the Luminescent sect show appreciation towards Gala and rarely other members of Meranthe's Pantheon, though their worship is more linked to the things stated before. Gala's veil is something that is cherished, to be protected. As are the stars that share the night with Yueliang.
 
[*]The Luminescent are encouraged to embrace their worst aspects or sins, controlling them in order to use them as a source of empowerment. In contrast, followers of Jiuweiho, who reject these negative traits entirely.
 

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( credits to Trenton, Bluebird and my fellow luminescent for helping with the lore )