Scanism

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TEMPLE OF SCAN

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The Hand of Scan; the holy ensign of Scanism and the older Vedulism

Scanism is a henotheistic religion with multiple High Sacreds (gods or saints); each with three or four lesser Sacreds, who are all aspects of that High Sacred. All Sacreds are appointed posthumously by the God Emperor or by the Council of High Priests. The religion mostly revolves around spirituality, worship, tradition, sacred texts, and appeasing the Sacreds, gods, nature deities, ancestors, and spirits. Teachings are passed down through the Book of Scan, a collection of oral traditions that have been written down by the Clergy or by Divine individuals, and other texts, which have been written by historical people.

Scanist worship mostly consists of prayer, offerings, music and art making, and also vocal or written recitation. Divine interaction is very commonplace in Scanism, as it is the basis of the religion itself. Depending on the individual Shrine and Deity, one must act in an according manner to appease their Divine Patron. Generally, one must be honest, respectful, devoted, while others may have a controlled level of pride, but not actively dishonest, complete selfishness, nor commit acts of treason. Those who do not practice Scanism are often seen as misguided or lacking in the fullness of divination.

Scanist art forms include storytelling, poetry, art, chanting, and recitation. Liturgical colors depend on the patron deity. Holy celebrations include rituals through the Temples, music, writings, days of rest, veneration of Ancestors and Leaders.

Coming-of-age rites include, choosing a Patron and publicly declaring beliefs.

Marriage is allowed and is done by a Priest or higher, but both partners, a male and a women, must be evaluated by the clergy for proper adherence to the Faith. Including the keeping of Sacred Traditions and the staying away from Degenerate behavior and actions.

Annulments are also allowed in Scanism. Those individuals must bring about their reasons for this to a High Priest and he will deny or permit this action.

Death Rites (CTEing) may last up to three days. These three days are the Days of Judgement, where Shadar decides the dead individual's place in the spiritual world depending on their devotion to the Patron, Scan, and to Yahel. So he whether they ascend to Letzruhe or descend into the abyss of Erebune.

The functions of the Scanist clergy are to teach, bless, maintain the lexicon of the Vedulic language, and act as ambassadors to the divine.

Clerics are encouraged to mark themselves with the symbols of the Faith (On Flags) to help show their spiritual devotion and societal status.

- P A N T H E O N -

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H O C H
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D E S C R I P T I O N

Hoch, Chief Sacred of War and Fire, is a popular god originating from the Montealban people, serving as the engine of an Army's eternal war of conquest to unite the world under one banner. He serves as the patron of soldiers in battle. His very presence on one side of the battle guarantees victory. His children follow him into battle, wherever it may be. Assassid, Sacred of Fear, walks behind the enemy, creeping into their minds and spreading the seeds of despair and cowardice in their ranks. Everlo, Sacred of Revenge, avenges the soldiers who fail in their battles against their enemies, guaranteeing their future defeats at the hands of the Army. Roms, Sacred of Rage, serves as the adrenaline and zeal behind every soldier, sending them into a powered fury to fight any enemy. And when there is no war to be fought, Vaal, Sacred of Hostility, sews the seeds of violence in the hearts of the Heathens and hidden enemies, giving an Army and Hoch the right to battle with them. As a Chief Sacred, Hoch has a palace in Letzruhe, located on one of the lower branches of the Tree, known as the Hall of Blades. There, the heroes who have fallen (CTE) on the battlefield are brought to feast with the Chief Sacred and his companions themselves, and join them in divine battles against the unholy beasts that spring from the depths of Chaos.

T R A D I T I O N S

- Families or individual faithful are required to perform acts of battle or competition in order to appease this set of Sacreds.

- Punishments for betrayal, disobedience, sloth, and treason are far more severe than any other crime.

- On the 22th hour of every Saturday is when his worship is the most important, due to the frequency of battle.

- The only sacrifices that Hoch demands constant battles from Wars and Crusades. This battles and especially victories tempers his rage and allows him to lead his armies with a cooler head, and sways his success in the War in Heaven.

D E S C R I P T I O N

Coper, Chief Sacred of Leadership and Victory, is known by commanders and officers as the true driving force behind ever battle, empowering generals with the knowledge and skill to lead and win in battle, while Hoch guides the soldiers being commanded. Once a great General, he was bestowed the honor of becoming a Sacred by the Holy Emperor Scan for his actions. He is flanked by his companions, Kaisol, Rebor, Mortuum, and Codan. Kaisol walks on the front lines as Sacred of Courage. While often seen as a fool thing for any commander to do, Kaisol is patron of the bravest officers who are determined to lead their men by example in the heat of battle, and is the source of the bravest acts in war. Rebor, Sacred of Tactics and Strategy, leads from the command tents, guiding the flow of troops in cunning and surprising ways, and crushes enemies with his mind, rather than his hand. Mortuum, Sacred of Honor, acts as the mediator in war, and as a reminder to all commanders to fight with honor, but to never back down in the face of defeat. Codan, Sacred of Discipline, is less of a commander in battle than her brothers and father. Instead, she ensures that all soldiers follow their commanders without question, and punishes mutiny and betrayal mercilessly. At the same time, she is the temper to any madness or recklessness in the mind of an officer, and encourages soldiers to quell any weakness or insanity in the chain of command. As a matter of tactical advantage, Coper chose his palace, the Hall of Valor, in the middle of Letzruhe, where the greatest commanders and tacticians unite around him.

T R A D I T I O N S

- Commanders lead rituals to Coper and his brood before each battle, while also encouraging the use of their strategic skills in everyday life.

- Adherence also requires that one must join the Army or defense forces in order to excel and become a Commander. However, acts of betrayal, disobedience, sloth, and treason are all seen as great sins while bloodlust is seen as a sin by Commanders devoted to Coper.

- Any form of occupation is strictly organized and hierarchical in honor of the strength and will of Coper.

D E S C R I P T I O N

Shadar is the Chief Sacred who is feared most of all, more so even than the bloodthirsty Hoch. It is he who decides the fate of every man and woman who dies, whether to live in the Halls under the Life Tree Letzruhe, or to suffer in the pits of Erebune. Shadar was once a Prophet but fell into corruption and thus had to walk Metrim in atonement for his actions. However, the Holy Scan, blessed him and allowed for him to become the first High Sacred in the next life. He is served by three companions, who are the aspects of each nature of Shadar. Esk, the darkness of Shadar, is the aspect of death itself, and is responsible for every death that occurs in the world. Blut, the guiding hand of Shadar, leads souls on their journey to the Eternal Hall, where Shadar judges their worth and decides where they shall spend eternity. While most Chief Sacreds have a portion of Letzruhe for themselves, it is the final aspect of Shadar, the light-giving Slavat, who is responsible for the continued growth of the Life Tree, and who ensures that there is always room for more souls to live there. Being Chief Sacred of the Underworld, Shadar inevitably has the supreme claim to the Life Tree, and sole claim over Erebune. While he himself resides in the Eternal Hall, Shadar's power branches into both regions of the Underworld. In Erebune, his very essence functions as the engine behind the nightmares and physical punishments inflicted on its denizens. In Letzruhe, it ensures that the dead flow freely and smoothly between realms.

T R A D I T I O N S

- When an individual dies (CTE) there will be three days spent in vigil, waiting for the soul to be judged in the Eternal Hall. Those who are known to be evil in life are cast into the earth, where only their soul travels with them to the afterlife, naked and bare of any memory of their past.

- Traditionally, the family of a deceased person leaves an offering to Tor as payment for shepherding the soul of the deceased to the Eternal Hall. This may be in the form of rituals, sacred writings or chants, art, etc.

D E S C R I P T I O N

Nerusia is, in the eyes of the common warrior, the lesser of the Chief Sacreds. Rather than a patron of war and battle, Nerusia serves the scholar and common man. She is accompanied by Sama, Longi, and Malrood. Sama, Sacred of Growth and Development, is patron of intellectual and physical achievement in order for an individual to improve upon themselves. Longi, Sacred of Love, Charity, and Marriage, is patron of families, clans, and for those who desire love. She ensures that all find their true love if they so seek it, seals their love in eternal marriage, and guarantees the health and continuation of their legacies. Malrood, Sacred of Truth and Wisdom, is sponsor of those who seek knowledge, the art, and literature. Nerusia resides on one of the top branches of Letzruhe, where she and her followers constantly build the Silver City, a paradise of knowledge and peace, where any soul may come and reside in the afterlife if they seek true tranquility in the afterlife.

T R A D I T I O N S

- An individual must always be hospitable to their guests, while guests must always be humble in the house of another.

- Acts of kindness, reflection, artwork, and rituals are all ways to appease these Sacreds while anger, hate, sloth, selfishness are vices.

D E S C R I P T I O N

Murdcor, Chief Sacred of travel, trade, and adventure is celebrated to ensures that no harm comes from these journeys or endeavors. An ancient companion of Lord Scan who created many ways of developing trade and bonds with other groups before his demise. He is accompanied by Fyord, Amer and Envotaesha. Fyord is the Sacred responsible for economic situations, and rids people of poverty. Amer is best known among ambassadors and diplomatic envoys as he watches over them on their trips and endeavors. And last but not least Envotaesha, Sacred and king of the skies and message boards, beloved by the people, as the king of the skies is the protector of the weak, and keeps a watchful eye over heathens, he is one of the Sacreds who roam Metrim's skies.

T R A D I T I O N S

- Travelers and traders hold rituals for these Sacreds for safe travels.

- Individuals and families utilize this expression: "Sehherunu, Yezhirashi" which means "With faith, you provide" as a way to bring the divine upon them.

D E S C R I P T I O N

Trie, Chief Sacred of Government and control, is not very known by the commoners, however he is the most important for the ruling class. Since he is the arbiter of a good and a bad government. The ones who please him will find their way in the great book of heritage. Those who do not will suffer as they will lose their right to rule. He was made a High Sacred after his years of faith and actions as both an Archduke and Chancellor in life. He is accompanied by Freiden, The Divine Messenger, who one brings the message of the Sacred in form of omen to his servants on earth. Trid, Sacred of Heritage, creates the memory of the old government. How they are going to be remembered lies in his hand. Imperex, Sacred of Rebellions is the one who finds contesters for overthrowing a corrupted government. Barbaedias, Sacred of Administration, ensures the smooth collaboration between the areas of government. The Palace of Trie is located near the strain of Letzruhe, where the most talented officers work to administrate the realm of the Sacreds, in order to ensure that everything is in placed when the last battle comes.

T R A D I T I O N S

- Each devotee pursues a place in government or administration while offering prayers for good fortunes with advancements in the temple.

- Every time a position is newly occupied the newbie has to swear unto Trie to follow the interest of the Sacreds.

- Reference for the ruler and those of the hierarchy are to be respected greatly.

D E S C R I P T I O N

Cres, Sacred of Justice is the Sacred of the those who have been wrongfully hurt, keeper of the civil order. He mostly praised by the judges, the victim and the accused for a rightful judgement. He controls the whole procedure of arresting, investigation and judgement. If the offender is not punished for his crimes or if the crime is so great that their is no punishment to make it right again, he will be refused the entry in Letzruhe. Thus, this Sacred was once a Regent and High Lord in the early days the Empire and was awarded for his service in death. He is accompanied by Bobov the Sacred of Conscience, he curses the offender for as long as he doesn't give himself in. Argen the Sacred of the Hunt, who aides the officer gather evidences and the offender. Fathel Sacred of Compensation, his job is to confirm that the criminals has paid his debt towards the society. Ostenes, Sacred of the Innocents he saves the innocents from being wrongful punishment. If an innocent is punished, he will give them a compensation being either in this or in the next life. Cres' place is on the top of the tree gaining the overview of the Overworld.

T R A D I T I O N S

- Court cases should have a statement of Cres before each session.

- After the punishment every convict has to ask forgiveness from the Sacreds.

- Every judge, lawyer, policeman, or convict should make a ritual for good fortune before every case or arrest.

- C L E R G Y -

HIGH PRIESTS/COUNCIL
Perform all acts of the Priests, but act as heads of the Faith who oversee additions, canonizations, deification, and reviewing of heresy. Able to elevate Priests into their rank and decide who will become other High Priests.

Scansinia Highest of the High Priests
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PRIESTS
Perform important rituals, blessings, marriages, penance, and funerals. They also perform the daily duties and traditions, such as writing passages for the Book of Scan to be reviewed by the High Priests. Priests also assist High Priests in maintaining the faith, evangelizing, interpreting the will of the divine. Must have spent time as an Acolyte in order to become a Priest, and must pass an exam then be blessed by a High Priest.

Risen Prussia

MONKS
Individuals who are devoted to a specific Sacred, a Divinity, etc. or all of them while living out a specific lifestyle related to their patron(s). Hermetic, Warriors in Faith, Missionaries, Religious art/song Creators, even ordinary normal jobs that aren't religious per say yet follow the tenets of their patron(s), etc. They require time as an Acolyte and after they feel they are full in faith they are allowed to become a Monk. Monks may go off and become priests later in life if they pass the requirements.

ACOLYTES
Those that desire to be within the Holy Clergy must start at this rank. They must take an oath as an initiate and learn about the workings of the faith in order to become a Priest. They also act as servants and assistants to both the Priests and High Priests.

THE BOOK OF SCAN & OTHER HOLY TEXTS

The Book of Scan
Old Scanist Texts
Scanist Calendar
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Erlu Desoladhi [Song of Shadar]