Essentism

""Hear O Eldham. Know that each peak, stream, oak, and wisp of grass has been sung into being with purpose by the All-creator. Our realm is an intentional symphony, reflecting the All-creator's song of creation. By the All-Creator's ancient melody, the world vibrates with ordered harmony.""

- Song of Creation

Essentism is an ancient monotheistic faith that originated on Eldham. It is characterized by the belief that every element of nature is an integral part of a grand, divine symphony. Central to this belief is the existence of a singular, all-encompassing deity known as Dae. This deity or entity, referred to in various terms such as the Source, the One, All-Creator, All-Father, or All-Mother, embodies the essence of an uncreated, paramount divine presence. Dae transcends the bounds of race, culture, nations, space, and time, existing beyond mortal perception and understanding.

For Essentists the intimate dialogue with Dae is purely spiritual; a direct communion between the soul and God, free from any physical limitations.

Core Beliefs and Practices
The foundational doctrine of Essentism is the Song of Creation. It posits that Dae brought the universe into existence through a divine melody, infusing every aspect of nature with intentional purpose. This world, therefore, is product of a "intentional symphony," a manifestation of the All-Creator's will. The Essentist scripture encapsulates this belief, stating, '''"By the All-Creator's ancient melody, the world vibrates with ordered harmony." Every aspect of the natural world is a reflection of the song of creation, and understanding or being in harmony with this song is seen as being in close communion with the All-Creator.'''

In Essentism, the relationship with Dae is a deeply spiritual one, characterized by a direct communion between the soul and the divine, unencumbered by physical limitations.

The other Gods
Many of the beings revered as Gods in Eldham's religions are, in the Essentist understanding Angels sent by Dae. These celestial emissaries, known as "Cael" in Angaelic, descended to guide humanity, not to be worshiped. Their purpose was to echo the song of creation, pointing souls towards the true light of the All-Creator, Dae. However, over time, Eldham's cultures mistook many Angels for independent deities, veering away from their original intent to illuminate the path to Dae. The Essentist doctrine emphasizes recognizing these Angels not as gods to be worshiped, but as guiding lights reflecting Dae's divine will.

Demons in Essentism
The scripture also warns against "false melodies" or beliefs that deviate from the original tune sung by Dae, causing discord and decline: "When we close our ears to the All-Creator's hymn, we drift into uncharted waters, allowing false melodies to take root... The world, out of tune with the All-Creator's design, spirals into decline." According to Essentists, Idols, or false gods (Gae in Angaelic), are often man made representations of Gods manifold attributes or the absence of them, in the form of upper and lower Demons, These demons or "false melodies" find their way into various pantheons across cultures.

The Power or influence of other entities
While these deities can exert influence in the world, unlike the all-creator, their power is derived solely from their worshipers. Inevitably, they can cause the sack of cities but ultimately cannot endure against the overwhelming force emanating from the All-creator. In the grand cycle of existence, as all elements return to the One, they undergo a process of purification, be it in this world or the next, be it by Gods own or via his worshipers who are one with him in purpose. Impurities and negativities are sieved out, ensuring that only the pristine essence reintegrates with the ultimate Divine.

The 9 Commandments of Essentism
Ultimately, Essentism calls for a reawakening to the "true song," a return to harmony with the All-Creator's intentions, and it is through this attunement that followers find purpose and salvation: "For in this song lies our purpose, our essence, and our salvation." The song of the All-Creator, thus, is not just an act of creation but a continuous, resonant call to unity, understanding, and the fundamental order of existence. The essence of the religion extends into guiding the daily lives of its adherents through sacred commandments, believed to have been revealed to help followers remain in harmony with the cosmic melody initiated by the All-Creator, Dae. These commandments serve as a spiritual and moral compass, ensuring that every Essentist — a follower of this faith — walks the path of righteousness, aligning their actions and thoughts with the fundamental order and melody of the universe.

Is Essentism the only true religion?
Essentism stands as its own distinct religion with its own unique recognized Angels, Ascendants and Teachers. There are numerous cultures and societies that echo the core tenets of Essentism, even if under different names and narratives. These varied faiths are believed to be embraced by the all-creator. This is based on the understanding that the key figures of those religions, though from other religious traditions, may have received divine revelations, leading them to be acknowledged as Ascendants within the Essentist doctrine. Many believe in a singular divine entity, perhaps known by different appellations, but whose essence remains the same. These faiths, while diverse in practice and theology, share an belief in the One. Crucially, followers of these Essentist religions do not arrogate any of the divine attributes to themselves based on race, nation, or individual personhood. Instead, they see their beliefs as a universal truth, transcending human-made divisions and distinctions. In essence, any religion that acknowledges the sovereignty of the singular divine and its uncontaminated essence can be recognized under the broad umbrella of Essentist Religions.

Holy/Pilgrimage sites
Pilgrimage holds a significant place as an external expression of the internal journey towards unity with the All-creator, Dae.

1. The first Temple
Amidst the ruins of Goonsville, the Maiden Temple's location, its spiritual allure continues to draw pilgrims. The temple is found within the remnants of the Colosseum of ErrorL in South Redoriv, midwest of Eldham. This site, despite its dilapidated state, continues to echo the divine essence, offering a sanctuary for those seeking Dae's guidance and blessings. The physical journey to the temple mirrors the spiritual path that each believer walks, leading them to deeper communion with the All-Creator and reinforcing the unity and timelessness of the Essentist faith. The pilgrimage to The Maiden Temple holds unmatched spiritual significance. Despite the temple's physical state, its spiritual vibrancy remains untouched, making it an essential destination for believers seeking closeness with Dae.

2. Rodinnbrok
Despite its submersion, the pilgrimage to the underwater ruins is viewed as a journey of reflection on the transience of worldly pleasures and the enduring power of spiritual connection. The sunken city of Rodinnbrok, located in mid-east Eldham south of Aesica, is a significant pilgrimage site for Essentists, accessible only by a solemn boat journey. Pilgrims set sail with reverence, traversing the waters that silently cradle the submerged remnants of a once-thriving civilization. Upon arrival at the coordinates above the aquatic grave of Rodinnbrok, the journey transcends the confines of the boat. As they explore, they find solace in the sporadic pockets within the city where it's possible to catch a breath. These pockets of breath, amidst the overwhelming silence of the underwater world, offer moments of reflection and connection with Dae.

The Corruptions
The corruptions or "Da Selthoron" (in Angaelic) marks a pivotal moment that led to the perversion of many sacred religions. The Codex Infernach narrates the corruptions of Grizagel, infamously known as Jormund. By surreptitiously eavesdropping on a celestial dialogue between an angel Yahoel conveying some Verilirion verses to Atlas, a War Angel, Grizagael acquired intimate knowledge not just of the Angaelic language but also of classified martial strategies detailed within the Verelirion.

Seizing these verses, Grizagael manipulated them for personal gain, leading empires to ephemeral glory, only to orchestrate their eventual ruin. This distortion of the sacred spawned a myriad of misguided doctrines, giving rise to religions such as the Church of the Three Pleasures