Jump to content

Leaderboard

Popular Content

Showing content with the highest reputation on 01/28/23 in all areas

  1. Mythology & Religion Overview Starism is a polytheistic religion that originated in Sekiya and is primarily practiced within the nation. While the religion has little following outside of the country, it holds great significance to almost all Sekiyans, with around a quarter whom view it as a fundamental part of their cultural identity. Starism features numerous deities, each with their own unique role and purpose within the religion. The name and image of Starism come from the Great Central Star, seen at certain points of the year in the Southern Hemisphere. The star, on a clear night, will shine with 4 points. It is said this Star is the location of Nor, the 'heaven' for Starists. Starism symbol Great Central Star The central tenet of Starism is the belief that it is essential to maintain the favor of all the gods. To achieve this, followers of the religion are encouraged to follow a set of principles that promote kindness and respect towards all. Specifically, these principles involve showing love and compassion towards friends and foes alike, as well as demonstrating reverence for the natural world that the gods created. Additionally, followers of Starism are encouraged to display honour and respect towards every individual, regardless of their status or station in life. Finally, Starism teaches that individuals should always strive to achieve the highest level of greatness in all that they do, as this honors both themselves and the gods they worship. According to Starism, those who fully commit to and successfully live by these principles throughout their lives will be rewarded with a place in Nor, an astral world located millions of light years away. Nor is believed to be a place where negative emotions, actions, and experiences cannot reach, offering a sort of eternal bliss to those who achieve it. However, those who fail to live up to these ideals will not attain a place in Nor. Instead, they will be reborn into Esferos, the physical world in which Sekiya is located. This cycle of rebirth is thought to continue until an individual is able to live in accordance with the principles of Starism and earn a place in Nor. Modern Trends In the modern Era, many Sekiyans do not identify as Starist, however Starism still plays a large part in Sekiyan's lives through national holidays, events and media. Holy Sites Starism has 4 main holy sites, all within Sekiya. Monastery of Beck - The Monastery of Beck is a historic landmark located at the heart of the ancient city of Beck. With its roots dating back to the founding of the city, the monastery has borne witness to centuries of change and upheaval, yet remains a symbol of stability and faith in the community. Eifel Stone Circle - The Eifel Stone Circle is one of the oldest and most mysterious holy sites of Starism. It is a collection of large standing stones arranged in a circular formation, located in the county of Eifel, within Karlsbierg. The stones are believed to have been placed by Erda and Ei to teach Starists about astronomical ideas, and the site is now considered sacred by Starism followers who visit the circle to connect with the natural world and honor the gods who built it. Mount Arla - Mount Arla is a majestic peak located in the east of Sekiya, and it is considered the holiest site of Starism. It is said that the mountain is the dwelling place of the gods, and Starism followers believe that climbing to the summit of Mount Arla is a spiritual pilgrimage that can bring great blessings and enlightenment. The ascent to the peak is a challenging and dangerous journey, but it is a revered undertaking for those who seek to deepen their connection to the divine. Vinningen Monastery - The Vinningen Monastery is a secluded and serene spiritual retreat located on an island just 1 kilometer off the coast of the coastal city of Vinningen. Accessible only by boat, the monastery is a true sanctuary for Starists that wish to seek solitude within their faith. With its stunning views of the sea and the surrounding landscape, the monastery offers visitors a chance to connect with nature and find inner peace. The monks and nuns who reside at the monastery are renowned for their wisdom and kindness, and provide guidance and support to those who seek it. Deities At the head of Starism are Erda, the god of time and fate, and Ei, the goddess of the land and fertility. The Astral Daughters were the first children of Erda and Ei, and they represent concepts that go beyond physical matter. Liefrau is the goddess of love and associated with marriage, fertility, and romance. Lula is the god of Nor, and is said to judge those worthy of entering the land of Nor after death. Heli is the goddess of light, with control over the sun and the stars. She uses her power to keep Esferos from freezing over, making her one of the most powerful gods in Sekiya. The Earthly Brothers are the youngest children of Erda and Ei, and they represent a young spirit. Degô is the god of war, rewarding those who fight for the greater good in battle, with the promise of being sent to Nor if they die. Jagô is the god of hunting, ensuring that hunters are able to provide for their families and protecting Sekiyans on land. Blagô is the god of the sea, protecting those who fish or travel by sea. The Lesser Gods are humans who were uplifted by the gods to serve Sekiyans. Vulkan is the god of fire, once a legendary forge who was murdered by a competitor. He accepted the position of God of Fire and brought the formula for Sekiyan Steel to the land. Amor is the goddess of wine and festival, who was once a vinyard owner. Her wine was so good that even the gods had a taste for it, and she was offered the position of goddess to share her festival with all. Merkur is the god of luck, known for being the luckiest man alive. When visited by Degô, he proved his luck and was offered the position of God of Luck to bring good fortune to all Sekiyans. Random Trivia When the invention of the light bulb made it's way to Sekiya, there was fierce opposition from certain Starist groups, as they believed that it was an insult to the power of Heli. Eifel County's rolling hills are rumored to have been where Ei once tilled the land to create a garden for her children. The flag of Sekiya can be traced back several hundreds of years to the 4-pointed star, which slowly adapted into a cross.
    1 point
  2. Aftokratoria

    TWPChooses #10

    Dance for sure, since for me, just tapping my foot counts as dancing lol.
    1 point
  3. Nox

    TWPChooses #10

    Oh God, is kill me an option? I can't dance, so probably a no-brainer choice.
    1 point
×
×
  • Create New...