Ardeism

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Ardeism is a religion centered around a monotheistic deity named Arde, as well as the wise spirtual leader of animals, the Sea Turtle Gelkle. Followers of Ardeism believe that all beings eventually reach Doxt, which is a sort of afterlife that is reached after enlightenment. During the time between Life and Doxt, a being is in a state of being called Tenpo, which is a sort of empty like state. Once a month, at the break of the fourth day, a festival is held in order to commemorate the end of a fabled "Pilgrimage" in where four titans warred against Arde's desciples. In this festival, the followers feast on meats that were not sourced from the trees and the seas, as it is believed that these animals were the gift of Arde to the disciples. There is also a large bonfire held, where followers burn their most valuable items to sacrifice to Arde. The most sacred sacrifice is a Sea Turtle, which can only be killed during the Festival and only in order to Return the animal to Doxt to be with Gelkle. Curiously, outside of the Festival, the consumption of animals from the trees and sea is permitted, however the killing of a Sea Turtle is a huge sin, and could be punished with many more years in Tenpo.

The Three Day Pilgrimage
It is said that in ancient times, a war between Titans and mortals broke out across Rathnir. Three Titans lead the war against the disciples, called Nether, End and Void. One of these Titans, Nether ( Deriving from the Coobard words Neth meaning Evil and Er as an emotion word ) Blew away the third holy being of Ardeism, the human ruler, who was set to lead all disciples towards Doxt. This third holy being ( After Gelkle and Arde ) was set to rise from his coma amongst the forests, dressed in Red Robes and a golden Crown, in order to save the disciples when he was needed most

The Grand Holy Feast
The Grand Holy Feast is a festival that all followers of Arde celebrate at the break of the fourth day of every 6 months. This is to celebrate and give thanks to Arde and his salvation of the people from the Titans during the Pilgrimage. They celebrate with grand meals of meat, but it is forbidden to eat any animals of the Trees or Seas, which Arde was said to have given the people on the first day of the Pilgrimage. This rule only goes for the duration of the festival, which ends at the break of the fifth day of the month. A large bonfire is often also erected, where Ardeists can sacrifice valuables, in order to thank the divine ruler Arde. The best gift one can give to Arde, is a Sea Turtle, which can only be killed during the times of Festival.

Arde
Arde, derived from the words Ard meaning superior and Er being an emotion word, is the First Holy Being that rose from the depths during the First Day of Pilgrimage, and the one who brought to the barren lands Trees and Seas and all life that accompanies them. He is the indisputable ruler of Ardeism and all Ardeists, and the land between the Depths and Doxt.

Gelkle
Gelkle was the second holy being to rise from the depths on the second day of the pilgrimage, after Arde. It is written that he rose, and perched on Arde's shoulder, overlooking Earth from their place in Doxt. It takes the spirit and form of a Sea Turtle, made out of pure spirit and air. It's name originated from the Coobard words Gelde meaning Unite and Akle meaning animal. The United Animal Gelkle is said to oversee all innocent animals of the Earth and Doxte. For an animal to be considered innocent, it cannot contain self awareness, meaning Humans, Elves and other similar creatures are meant to be overseen by the Third Holy Being, the unnamed and undeclared ruler of the disciples.

The Third Holy Being
The Third Holy Being was the third creature to rise from the depths, on the third and last day of the pilgrimage. It is said that as he was rising from the Depths to meet Arde and Gelkle in Doxt, he was swept away in a gust of flame by the Titan Nether, and knocked down to the newly created forests below. This was meant to be the being that oversees Humans and other sentient creatures, however when they were knocked down he fell unconscious eternally. It is prophesied that Arde will awaken the Third Being to lead the Ardeist disciples to Doxt, and help them reach enlightenment.

Coobard
Coobard is one of the official languages of Ardeism, and is a very important aspect in Ardeist culture. The language is extremely simple and not fully translated even today, as only a select few people are left of this ancient tribe. The word Coobard stems from the words, Coo meaning Different, and Bard meaning Word. Read the dictionary here: Coobard