Kúrg Vizr

Kúrg Vizr (Meaning Wise Watcher) is the official religion following the deity Mónath. It is an organised version of the pagan faith found commonly around the Atsyllean Sea and is primarily practiced within Yimmu-Audal, and more specifically Urnu-Arrak.

History
Kúrg Vizr is a relatively new religion, but the history of Mónath and Mónathism is much older. The faith is said to have originated along the northern shore of the Atsyllean Sea as many shrines can be found atop mountains in the region. Not much is known about the pagan practices, but only a few years after the arrival of the Jagdasian Yimmu-Audal people, the prophet Ghastly Bespoke made their way to Urnu-Arrak, building a grand temple by hand and creating the first official organised Mónath faith. Here they wrote the Book Of Mónath. Though the book itself was lost during the Bardonian siege of Urnu-Arrak from what was written of the book we can ascertain a little about the beliefs of the pagan religion. Originally a Quasi Polytheistic faith, they believed Mónath to be split into multiple forms. It is unclear if they were separate entities or all one being, though, they embodied multiple positive and negative attributes. The primarily worshiped form was that of the Wise Mónath. After the formation of Theios-Essukdal, and the adoption of Theiosism as its state religion, Ghastly Bespoke converted away from Mónathism to Theiosism. Mónathism was then integrated into Theiosism, and Mónath was made an official angel. The Temple of Mónath became a Theiosist Sanctum and worship of Mónath as a separate religion mostly fell back to paganism. In the late years of Theios-Essukdal, Mónathism received a minor resurgence with citizens who had only converted to Theiosism because it was the state religion, converting to Mónathism as an act of defiance. With the return of Yimmu-Audal, and Theiosism no longer being state religion, a unnamed prophet emerged reorganizing the devout of Mónath into the faith of Kúrg Vizr.

Beliefs
The primary belief of Kúrg Vizr, and Mónathism as a whole, is that by their very nature as immortal beings, the gods worshiped by other religions could not possibly care about the world or their followers and thus should be slain. They believe dieties draw power from their worship and faith and the only way to slay gods is to kill their worship.

Mónath
According to holy texts, Mónath is not a god, but instead a mortal spirit, and it is strictly forbidden and heretical to worship him as or consider him a god. It is claimed that Mónath hails from another world that was destroyed when its gods grew bored and decided to start over. Previous iterations of the faith were Polytheistic, and claimed that the destruction of Mónath had shattered Mónath into multiple forms. However this idea has mostly been abandoned, and newer texts say the many forms of Mónath combined into just 2 forms. Mónath the Light - Angel of Theios Mónath the Wise - Worshiped by Kúrg Vizr as the true form of Mónath Mónath is said to slay gods using the power he draws from his followers, and communes directly with the current Arch Canon of the faith to give guidance. When he is not slaying gods, Mónath is said to watch over and protect his followers especially those who are travelling through dangerous lands.

Virtue and Vice
Mónath does not punish any mortal, follower or not, and thus there is no true consequence for immoral actions. There are many things, however, the faith views as Virtuous or Viceful. Acts of charity, care and love are seen as Virtuous, and followers who embody these traits are more likely to find themselves in clerical positions. In fact, love is seen as most important of all in the faith, and family is valued highly. As such, it is seen as Viceful to turn away those in need, or act out of hate. It also seen as a vice to worship any being as a God, especially worshiping Mónath as a god

Relation to Other Faiths
Kúrg Vizr believes that all other deities worshiped by other faiths are real, and that any and all deities who believe mortals to be irrelevant or insignificant are uncaring, and to be slain. It is the job of Mónath's devout to turn followers of Gods they consider evil away from their faith, thereby weakening the Deity so that Mónath may slay them.

Mónath's Hand
Mónath's Hand is said to be his chosen. They are always destined to be Arch Canon, and commune directly with Mónath. Mónath chooses someone who is most dedicated to him, and is best suited to pass on Mónath's instructions and command his followers. It is said that the Hands of Mónath never die of causes natural or unnatural, but will shed their physical form and become a spirit like him when their job is done, and Mónath seeks to reward them.

Death
Mónath cares for his followers, and anyone who is truly faithful to him upon death will be reborn to another follower of Mónath with the same spirit in a new body. If they should shed their physical form and ascend to being a spirit, through one method or another, all memories of their previous lives will return and they will join Mónath in his crusade and protection of his followers.

Organisation
Being a small religion, Kúrg Vizr has a very simple clerical organization. Arch Canon The Arch Canon is the head of the faith and Mónath's Hand. Grand Canon Grand Canons are advisors to the Arch Canon and assist in the organisation and running of the religion. Usually there is at least one. Canon The standard clerics of the order who are in charge of mantaining temples and preaching.

Temple Layout
The traditional layout for a temple is a circular area with an open roof. This is so that during the night the stars can be seen. Usually there is an area in the centre for the Canon to stand and preach with seats facing inwards. On either side is a set fof towers that meet in an archway. On top of each tower is a bonfire of Blue fire which is seen as sacred by the faith. The archway is a perch for the Canon to commune with Mónath.

Re Ath
Meaning "Holy Fire", Ath Re is one of the oldest and most widely practiced rituals. It invovles the construction of 2 ceremonial bonfires that are laced with speical oils to produce the sacred blue flames. After the bonfires have been lit, followers will lead their livestock between the 2 bonfires. The purpose of this ritual is to extend the protection of Mónath to the chosen animal or animals. This ritual is often performed on holidays particularly close to winter when the livstock is most threatened.

Bóvín Ath
Meaning "Holy cow", Ath Bóvín is a slight variation of Ath Re. The basic setup is identical, but it differs slightly. A Canon is required to be present, and will choose a single cow. The "Frerí" is applied to the forehead of the cow before it is walked through the bonfires, and the Canon will recite a prayer to Mónath asking him to bless the cow and its milk. Specific words are not set and vary be region. Generally, some item of material value will be sacraficed in return. Once the ritual has been complete the cow is said to be a holy animal and its milk is believed to have greater health benifits. Each temple will usually have its own cow, and this milk is often given out during holidays.

Re Cal
Meaning "Sacraficial Fire", Re Cal is a simple sacrafice of material wealth to Mónath. A small fire is lit with the sacred flames, and the items are burned in it. Most often performed on holidays, but not restricted to them. It is performed most often by individuals or small groups. When alone, followers often pray to Mónath in their head, but groups usually speak aloud.

Pathi Kustel
One of the most important rituals, the "Soul Passing", is performed after the death of a relative. In more organised communities, like in Urnu-Arrak, a chamber within the temple is provided, but for more rural areas it is performed in the home. The room is lit with lanterns of sacred flame, and the "Freri" is applied to the forehead of the deceased. Members of the family take turns praying by the body for 3 hours at a time. Should not enough family members be available, individuals in the community will volunteer. Unlike many of the rituals, the words are more defined and go as follows: "Holy Watcher, you protect us in this life, and we ask you protect us in the next. We followed your word, now we ask for reward. Guide [name of family member] back to our family in the next life." These words are repeated at intervals of roughly 30 minutes, with assorted undefined words of prayer or simply silence in between. After 24 hours, the body is taken to the top of the nearest temple (or should no temple be available a suitibly tall hill or mountain peak.) Set between the holy bonfires the local Canon will commune with Mónath and ask a similar prayer to guide the deceased in their reincarnation. At that point they are eiter buried or cremated depending on the family's wishes.

Kúrg nAthe
Meaning "Watcher's blessing" is performed by travellers before departing on long or perilous journeys, they apply the "Freri" to thier forehead and pray for a short period of 5 minutes surrounded by the holy flame, they ask for Mónath to watch over them as they travel and offer them his protection, it is the most commonly performed ritual.

Ath Cal
The Holy Flame is one of the most sacred symbols within the Religion, It is said to garner Mónath's attention so that he may watch over places where it has been lit. The Holy Flame can be found in Temple's Shrines and the homes of Followers, it is created by using a mixture of oils created from an assortment of minerals and plant extracts which turns the fire blue, this recipe is held closely by clergy but the oils are given out upon request.

Freri
The meaning of Freri's name is unknown, it is a paste like substance created from ground sea shells, and herbs, it gives off a strong herbal scent and is used in a similar fashion to the Holy Flame, it is believed that when it is applied to a person or animal Mónath will be with them.

Bells
Bells are an odd symbol within the faith, they are often hung in the homes of followers and there will be one atop temples, it is believed that when these bells ring it is Mónath's presence coming to watch over his followers. Travellers will sometimes hang small bells from their packs, saddles and clothes. The Bell's found in temples are slightely different in that when they are rung Mónath is summoned, these bells are carved in intrecate designs and blessed by Clerics.