Azerdan

The Azerdan faith is a monotheistic faith that originates from the deserts of Vaurutir in a desert known as the Desert of the Echos, and is the primary faith of multiple people groups of said region, but primarily the Shivara Naga ethnic group.

Known information about the Azerdan's extent is unknown at this time, but the currently known information, is that it was persecuted in the Naga homeland, as Valuda, a native pagan faith was the majority faith in the region. The faith would make it's way over to the isle of Kada during the reign of Sujatasa III, as the Shivara were accepted as refugees, and were allowed to stay within the borders of Neruvusari, allowing themselves to be settled in Javahaya, a modern day district in Peiklaten.

Azerdan is the largest minority religion in the Mejakepai, and is growing quickly among the lower classes.

History
According to the foundation of the faith to the Shivara, a figure known as simply "The Prophet" wandered the endless desert, attempting to find truth in her own spiritualist path. The Prophet was said to have been a rich noble princess who apparently reigned over 500 years before the arrival of the Shivara on Kada in a principality which is known as the Principality of Shivara. She would abandon drinking the dirty drinks that were in her palace that promoted debauchery and decadence, and discarded meat for greed and avarice, and took off from her jungle home to the vast deserts beyond west of Southern Vaurutir.

She would then see a shine among the moon, and descended a figure that was almost like her mother. Floating above, the spirit would say, "You are truly the faithful. You shall become my messenger, and spread the word through my book. You shall go back to your people, teach them proper civility, and shall spread your peaceful word and practice through the minds of the good nobles and benevolent princes, while punishing the infidel nobles, and greedy princes." When she returned, and spread the word of the Moon Goddess, the Shivara became one of the stronger states, and bought the Shivara peace.

The faith would start to spread, even after the departure of the Shivara forcefully. The current status of the faith in Southern and Southwestern Vaurutir is unknown, and it is not known if it had spread to the northern part of the continent.

Belief and Philosophy
Azerdan follows the book that "The Prophet" herself passed down from her own hands to be preached to those who are faithful to the Moon Goddess, Ain, who is viewed as a benevolent goddess, and is the all-loving mother goddess of the world. The book itself is known as the "Crescent Scripture", The original book that was given to "The Prophet" is said to be made of an indestructible velvet-like substance as a cover, with the pages feeling soft as silk without jagged edges. It is allowed to re-print the book, but the book shares a magical property that if copied, all copies of said book are made of regular cows' leather, and the pages made from hemp, linen or straw. It is considered against the Will of the Prophet to re-write the book under any measures, and must always be written in a language known as simply, "Azerdanic".

One must sing when they are preaching to their followers, as all passages are said to be melodic, teaching in the way of song, which supposedly soothes the soul, and increases focus, mentality and reduces social anxiety, and stress. Some choose not to sing, and prefer to quiet preach, but one must move their finger against the words, dragging along and making sound from the page, as the sound gives away a rather soothing sound. Often, this may actually cause a person to fall asleep accidentally, which is why it is often practiced while doing seclusive prayer or meditation.

Azerdan forbids the eating of all meat such as pork, beef, mutton and other sorts of meats from mammals. But the consumption of fish and non-mammal products that equate to mammal meat is allowed, as it is not considered meat. Many vegetarian dishes substitute the need for meat, and are usually grown in temple gardens and are served in temple mess halls for all practitioners after a prayer session.

Azerdan forbids drinking beverages that are considered "dirty" such as heavy beers, stouts, or anything that may appear to be extremely "dirty" and would cover ones mouth all over. Certain drinks such as juices, clear wines, light beers, and other beverages that would appear "clean" to an Azerdan worshipper is allowed. Usually, Azerdan temples and bars who get Azerdan worshippers often, will have a list specifically for them to help take away the dirty drinks from their menus out of respect.

Azerdan shuns wars that are deemed unnecessary if it is for greed, power or for personal gain, rather than it being for survival, for the people, or if it is in need. Things such as "empire building", and "massive nations" are considered to be against the Goddess and "The Prophet". It usually explains why most Azerdan states do not attempt to become massive empires, and instead, focus on internal affairs, and enforcing laws and balance to ensure a healthy, happy state. It is believed that according to Azerdan, the larger an empire is, the less happy the people get, but the smaller the empire is, the happier the people are.

Holidays
Every single year, there is a festival called "The Moon Festival", which is celebrated after the sun goes down, and the moon rises with a glowing full moon, where people come together, drink, celebrate and play traditional music that is known as "Kash'er". This type of music is played with simsimiyyas, goblet drums, mizmars, neys and arguhls. One of the more prominent stringed insturments, known as the "moon lyre", is a type of box harp, which plays similar to a guzheng except the string is made from cow leather, and the wood is always carved from ebony. Every end of a moon festival is played with this insturment, followed by a poem that is in line to the praising on Ain, and ends with a random verse from the Crescent Scripture before the sun rises.

During the middle of winter, a month is celebrated where prohibits any drink except for water to be consumed. This month is known the "Holy Month of AIn's Creations", which celebrates Ain's creation of all beings, namely ones self, as well as showing love and consideration for the image of ones self made by Ain, and that she cares for one's pure health and well-being, avoiding the toxins that may befell ones self. The prohibition on drinking other things than water, is to promote good health, hygiene and self-awareness to one's purity deep inside. Eating is also regulated, as one is not allowed to have "external cravings outside of their respective meal times", which means, one must only eat during whichever civilization's equivalent to breakfast, lunch and dinner or whatever eating schedule is. It is said if one violates this, it is considered heretical and is against Ain's way and code.

Prayer
Azerdani prayers are conducted every morning, though, attending a temple prayer is every mid week. Azerdani nations usually have no work in the middle of said week. Together, people pray, and read the chapters from the Crescent Scripture. Discussions surrounding said scripture, as well as other texts, as well as food and drink are distributed at temples as well. Prayer is viewed as a community gathering of Ain's beloved, and is seen as a way for others to meet eachother, speak to eachother, and form companionships. At evening, a verse from the Crescent Scripture is recited, and a welcome to Ain as the moon rises.

Religious staff are referred to as Menders, as they maintain the temple grounds, sweeping, and ensuring that rites and rituals are preformed properly, They also offer advice, guide those through bad times, and are seen as a person outside of the family that can be relied on. Menders are accompanied by Visors, who assist in cleaning and maintenance, They have similar functions to Menders, but report anything to their Menders.

Marriage
Marriages are often seen as a lavish occasion, and as such, they are conducted by a Mender, and it is the job of either the bride or groom to set up the wedding within their temples. Regardless on the funding of the temple that they attend, expenses are covered, and whichever reasonable requests that come their way, will usually be fulfilled due to their anti-greed morality. Food, drink and outfits are provided. Once prepared, the wedded couple meet eachother outside of the temple, and come in together, walking down, and are showered with flowers. The Mender will provide both of them with marriage pendants, one of the sun, and one of the moon, and proceed to give them the opposite attachment, which, the two will attack to eachother's respective pendent, symbolizing union. Once married, gifts are given to them, either by the temple and/or by their guests, and proceed on with food and drink.

Death
Burial and funeral proceedings are headed by a Warden, in which, they proceed to take the body into a special wooden casket, and set it on fire along a pyre in the middle of clear skies, praying that they will become one with Ain, welcoming them back to their mother's holding arms together with their family and friends. It is said that after death, one goes to Ain's realm, which is the Moon, and is embraced eternally by her, never having to worry of the burdens of life again. Those who are said to have committed wicked deeds, are to not see anything but an empty void. It is said however, Ain will give the soul another chance, but will wipe any memories that they may have in order to create a fresh slate for said individual.

Divine Figures
Azerdan believes in the only goddess known as Ain, who is viewed as the creator of life, and the mother of all sentient and non-sentient beings. She is worshipped as the All-Powerful, All-Knowing, and All-Forgiving, in which she views those who do not believe in her, as "lost souls" who are seeking their own path without a helping hand. Many of her portrayals in scriptures shows her as a serpentine being who takes many forms, namely the form of a naga which she views as her most comforting form. The scriptures do not show Ain punishing those who do not worship her with divine wrath and anger, but rather, sadness and pain, which often causes Azerdani followers to become angry at those who sadden her. In fact, anger does not seem to be inherently an emotion that Ain carries, as it is passed down through those of mortals instead, and it is seen that it is a mortal feeling, rather than a divine feeling. Regardless, some cultures even if they follow Azerdan, usually believe that she has a vengeful and wrathful side toward those who do not worship her properly, or follow the Crescent Scripture to it's tenants.

Another important figure is known as simply, The Prophet. She is portrayed as a beautiful naga who carries the Crescent Scripture. The original Crescent Scripture that was given to her is seen held by her in the main temple in Port Javahaya in Peiklaten in the Mejakepai Empire. The Prophet is not worshipped, but rather revered as a woman who is the first Azerdani believer, as she had spread the philosophy and word of Ain to her people, the Shivara. Her background is that she was at one point, a Princess who would go on a journey set out by Ain to find out the true meanings of life, and to test her faith.