Twin Dragon

The Twin Dragon philosophy and belief, is a system of thought and behavior, as well as a religion that originates from the Aurlûnor Velande.

The core philosophical nature of the Twin Dragon mostly stems down to universal order, harmony and through certain senses of legalism. The ideal stems through that everything follows a certain natural order, and such natural order is to be obeyed, else, it will lead to catastrophic results, which usually reflects negativity among it's peers.

Belief
The Twin Dragon name would come from the idea that every single world is protected by a set of two guardian dragons, which would be described as god-like and indestructible. However, unlike most other deities, the Twin Dragons are said to be benevolent, and wise, not wanting to interfere in mortal affairs, but rather, watch the people of the world to evolve, prosper, learn and go further beyond their limits. It is due to their benevolence, that Rathnir was able to safely produce life, and become a key cornerstone. There are three primary realms that exist in the plane of existence: Lothranis, the Celestial Vale and Momaganon. Lothranis exists as the realm of light, where everything positive and peaceful resides, with a small center of darkness that exists as a form of balance that maintains the realm's balance. The Vale, is where the mortal realm resides. Momaganon is where everything negative and chaotic resides, with a small center of lightness that exists as a form of balance to maintain the realm's own balance as well.

The Celestial Vale is a plane that is believed to have existed since the beginning of time and space. No one knows of the origins of this mysterious realm, but according to the belief, the Vale is the main realm of which everything lives, prospers and thrives. For over millions of years, this Vale formed different planes of existence. Some lived, some died, but in a certain harmonious pattern. But it is said, that every death of a plane, brings birth of a new one. The Vale is a possible reference to Space and the Universe itself.

Philosophy
The Twin Dragon Philosophy namely centers around that the Empress is the divine authority and legislative mandate. Rather than the traditional social status philosophy many other cultures follow, by recruiting based on rank and wealth, the philosophy follows mediocracy, with the ones who show extraordinary talent, are usually seen as the ones who get themselves in higher positions and have more wealth. A mere peasant girl who begs on the streets, can see herself become a prominent scholar in the Imperial Court, or even become a ruler if her talent is seen as extraordinary, impressive and original by the eyes of their leaders. Feng Shui and Harmony are the most important aspects of the philosophy, and it explains why the cities in the Velandae attempts to try to make do to make their cities beautiful and clean. Even their peasant quarters are said to be in a certain look, as it is discouraged and frowned upon to see any city in disrepair. It is usually considered disrespectful to openly defy authority figures, and disrespect is largely frowned upon.

There is a lot of contradictory in which believes that the Twin Dragon Philosophy is sexist. Although the system does prefer women over men at certain times, the Twin Dragon core philosophy does not mention anything about gender, except only the mentions of their Divine Empress, and the second dragon being female. However, this is often ignored by higher up women, and is commonly seen as a Matriarchal Philosophy.

The Philosophy's Elements follows the Five Elements of Fire, Water, Earth, Metal and Wood in addition to three others: Starlight, Void, Soul, Light and Dark. Each representing a part of the body which works in an harmonious manner, while the other five elements surround the physical plane and the Vale.

In Astronomy, there are nine planes in the local vale: Naicador, Talandor, Celeia, Celmande, Nuldador, Riedor, Falmador, Hyarnador, and Tyelcador. Celeia is the primary plane of where this world lays. The Star is named Sen, while the Moon the orbits Rathnir is named Lyn.

The number "Three" is considered a sacred number in the Philosophy, as it usually symbolizes life, which explains why Rathnir is considered the third planet in the Solar System.

Sen and Lyn
Sen and Lyn are the main primary Gods of the religion. The two Dragons are said to be the ones who guard the sky. Sen being the aspect of day and the sun, and Lyn being the aspect of night and the moon. The twin Dragons are said to have different colored scales, with both of them being aspects of their respective cycles. Some usually mistaken them as being aspects of Good and Evil, when they are in fact, the ones who keep the world alive. It is said that every time they attempt to eat the sun and the moon, it moves, and thus, keeps them busy in making sure the cycles continue onward. The Celestial Dragons are not the only ones out there, as it is said that there are others like them, but they are primary gods of the other respective planes as well.

The Celestial Matron
A Celestial Matron is effectively, the one that descends from the Vale to govern a Middle Kingdom of said Plane. It is not really known where they come from, but they are usually seen as divine in nature, and are seen as living, breathing Demi-gods. There can only be one Celestial Matron who can rule one Middle Kingdom at a time, though it is possible for the Celestial Matron to have a family, though, if their family rules outside of the empire, they may not be eligible. The eldest daughter succeeds the Celestial Matron, and assumes title as such. They are also the head of the faith when they are present on the world, and with blessings, she may call upon a Shengzhan against heretics that oppose the faith, and may grant blessings and accepts offerings. An example of a living Celestial Matron is Velereth Sareariel Lelya-Earcala.

Though the Celestial Matron is female in form, they are often paired with a phallus and scrotum, and this is usually depicted in arts surrounding nudity of a Celestial Matron. It is possible for one to have a vulva as well, but it is never seen nor recorded of a Celestial Matron not having a phallus. An unusual phenomena, surrounds the sperm of a Celestial Matron, which allows them to always bore a girl with a 100% chance on their first bout with their partner. This is usually believed to be some sort of divine intervention or some sort. If a Matron is no longer worthy of the Mandate of the Vale, it does not affect only her, but the entirety of the population as well. Records of the fate of the Matron is not usually observed, as a Matron at the end of her empire's lifespan are always recorded to be missing in action or their bodies mysteriously disappearing, never to be recorded again, even if they are reportedly found, they are often referred as doubles.

The Sages
The Vale is home to the Four Sages of the Universe, which are said to be the greatest minds in the universe. They were created from the very minds of the creators of the Vale, and had since devoted their life into serving regular people knowledge of the greater universe, and answer whatever questions that may corner them. The Sages play a vital part namely in Libraries or Academies, as they are said to possess the bodies of the hosts of Librarians, Scholars or Teachers to help teach people the ways and mandates of the Twin Dragon religion. They are not regularly worshiped, as they do not wish for any offerings, but rather, wish to teach valuable lessons to those who make mistakes. But even the Sages know that they make mistakes, and sometimes, their words are incorrect and inaccurate, and they will often refresh themselves as such. They are said to never get angry, and are often quite patient, even with the most ridiculous of questions. They are genderless, though many statues depict them as older female or male elves depending on what city.

Queen Lothra and King Momag
These two figures are the Queen of Lothranis and the King of Momaganon, and for their name sakes, is what the realms are named after. Queen Lothra is the aspect of Light, while King Momag is the aspect of Dark. During the early years of the Vale's existence, the two were lovers. But due to their aspects not being able to connect with once another, they could not be together. They would however, come to an agreement, that every hundred years, they would flip a coin, and if the coin was flipped to their favor, they were allowed to preform one aspect of their respective counterpart, which could be either catastrophe or a blessing. This does not only affect the world, but it affects people as well, for one can be born as a hero of the times, and make their country prosper, or a be born as a vicious tyrant, or incompetent ruler, and cause the collapse of their empire or nation. This is to help create balance, to ensure no one gains too much power.

The Elemental Spirits
On Celeia there exists five elemental spirits, each being a different animal, that constantly shifts every single year: The Falcon, the Turtle, the Serpent, the Fox, and the Pig. In addition, there are five additional elemental spirits that are exclusively of Vale Elements: the Phoenix, the Dragon, the Qivar, the Nalas and the Xasara. Each of these spirits exist around the temple to protect it from dangers and keep it in consistence of the environment. Every temple has one of these spirits they dedicate it to, with each city being of said element, with the exception of Lhûmar which is protected by all the spirits. These spirits do not require worship, nor do they require offerings, as the spirits themselves, are said to be the ones nurturing the world, and require no thanks, nor any sort of gratitude, as they are doing it from the grace of their heart due to their love for mortal kind, and it's interest in development. These spirits are never portrayed as malevolent, and are only aggressive if one provokes it through vandalization of a temple, or something under their protection.

Every person who is born in a certain year, is dedicated to a different spirit. Since 0 of the Calendar, the elements started at their default positions of Fire, Water, Earth, Metal, Wood, Starlight, Void, Soul, Light and Dark, but in the year 4, they would shift forward by one. The year 930, in which the server begun in the Twin Dragon calendar, was the year of Light, and is currently in the year 931, is the year of Soul.

Holidays
Every February 12th on the Gregorian Calendar, the New Year is celebrated. Twin Dragon utilizes their calendar to start at the year the Aurlûnor Velande begun. In this case, as of Feburary 12, 2021, it would be the year 931. Each year is celebrated with a wide variety of fireworks, two dragons begin bought down the streets, with the Celestial Matron herself in the center, the four sages following behind, and Queen Lothra and King Momag in joined hands with both light and dark sleeves of their robes being together, lighting up a dark and light spell, sparking the balance. The celebration would follow with delicious vale cakes, celestial tea, and alcoholic beverages. Lanterns would be lifted up into the sky for hopes for good fortune to come to them or someone else.

There is also a day known as "Dragon Day" on June 10th, in which a dance of Sen and Lyn would be displayed as well as various other performances. They would also serve food, even meat in this festival, as it showing the benevolence of the Velereth and her court, even distributing items from the treasury, at least, a good 1/3rd of it to peasants.

Marriage
A Twin Dragon Marriage is usually celebrated depending on ranks of society. The lower classes are usually cheaply celebrated with a few instruments, claps, and throwing of flowers, as wall as some dances, the middle class sometimes depends, with some of them being more grander than others, and are usually celebrated at a shrine of one of the gods that they are dedicating the wedding to, or an auspicious spot. Upper classes are usually more private, with their celebrations having much better access to entertainers and instruments, while the Imperial family shows it all off on the streets, going to the Temple of the Divines, and then out toward an auspicious location, which would be converted into a beautiful marriage platform, and a statue dedicated to the Gods of their choosing as their witness.

The wedding consists of vows between the two partners, in which they place a flower of a different color in eachothers heads, and exchange a jade ring (depending on how rich the person is). Sometimes it's a bit more with flower crowns and such. The two must then bow to their respective God, and when the Priest or Priestess officially unionizes them, they may kiss, or whatever equivalent.

Opposition of a wedding is only allowed if there is a good enough reason. It is usually considered extremely disrespectful if their reason is not valid enough, and have lack of evidence to back up their claim, and can usually lead to expulsion of the guest from the wedding, but it is not against the law. An Imperial Wedding opposition is not allowed by anyone except by the heiress of the dynasty, and it is considered a capital offence to oppose the Velereth's wedding, with punishment up to execution should the opposition be deemed extremely disrespectful toward the Velereth and her partner.

Polygamy is allowed in the Twin Dragon religion, and it is often practiced by upper classes. In the Imperial family, the Imperial Harem is known as the Dragon Harem, and all future husbands or wives are called Dragon Husbands or Dragon Wives. The type of male or female that is married into this harem are of a varying range, some being lowly peasants the Velereth found attractive, or upper nobles that are usually married into the harem for stronger relations. Often, the treatment of the harem depends on how the Velereth wants to treat them, with some not allowed to leave the palace grounds without an armed escort or permission from the Velereth to having much freedoms, being allowed to head back to their home or anything they wish, as long as they visit the Velereth often. Should the partner be of a foreign family, or have ranks of nobility in that country, an arrangement is made, and is agreed upon.

It is required that every noble household have a person of the opposite sex as their first spouse, who would be treated as the primary consort of their family. These first marriages are not considered apart of the harem, and are the ones who sit next to them, and have more of a voice and say of what to do in the life of the family. As for the Velereth, she does not have to abide by this law, however, it is seen as going with the Will of the Vale, which is to have a male partner as a primary.

Celeia
Celeia or the "Blue Marble Plane" is the primary realm of which all mortals of Rathnir and Jadgas reside. As it is the one of the few realms that are the most populated, Celeia is regarded as a "home plane" to many of the Celestialkin, despite their origins claiming they are not from this realm.

Twin Dragon sources usually describe Celeia as a plane of where the divines are the most active on, with much of their presence residing in the various idols that are in the land. Even though they are considered heretical, an practitioner who are not binded by theocratic law will usually regard them as "Demi-Divines", or children of the divines that are not necessarily as powerful as the Divines themselves, but have an active presence. Celeia is also described as a "plane of many warring factions of different peoples", but regarded this warring as "balanced" with the climate.

Celeia is guarded by Sen and Lyn, who act as protectors against calamities, usually fighting them.

The Celestial Vale
Also known as the Heavens, the Vale is the primary plane beyond the others, in which spirits go to when they die or simply had not yet found a world to be born in yet. When one is in this realm, the laws of nature or physics do not behave normally, causing things such as a light-year length dragon or an extremely small creature to exist. Strange plants, vibrant colors, some of which do not exist in the realm of mortals would see, and other sorts, exist. It is often described as a peaceful place, and is considered the most balanced plane in existence. No one knows where the Vale comes from, and usually, Twin Dragon sources state it was always existing.