Essentism

Essentism is an ancient monotheistic faith centered around the belief in a singular, all-encompassing God (Dae in Angaelic). From this Divine Entity, all existence emanates and, ultimately, to this same source all existence returns. Dae, by some called The source, The one, All-Creator, All-father or All-mother,  is a singular, paramount, uncreated deity. The All-creator transcends race and culture, is unbounded by space, and remains untouched by time. He is not confined to any direction, and His essence remains unaltered. For Essentists the intimate dialogue is purely spiritual; a direct communion between the soul and God, free from any physical limitations.

Song of Creation
The foundational belief in Essentism is that Dae sang the universe into existence, infusing every aspect of nature with purpose and intention. The world is not an arbitrary creation but an "intentional symphony," a manifestation of the All-Creator's divine song. This belief is encapsulated in the holy scripture's excerpt: "By the All-Creator's ancient melody, the world vibrates with ordered harmony." God, in Essentism, is beyond human perception and understanding—"He is a thing, but he is not like other things; he is omniscient, all-powerful, but his omniscience and his all-mightiness cannot be compared to anything created." 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.

The other 'Gods'
Many of the beings revered as 'Gods' in Eldham's religions are, in the Essentist understanding, actually 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 these 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
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 'Gods'
While these deities can exert influence in the world, unlike God, 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 Ascendants and Apostles. 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.

Pilgrimage
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 Sharboel, 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, and Jormism.