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.