Shender Encan

The Cult of the Encan is a Hesperdian cult that has recently made its way to the west of Rathnir. The Shender Encan ("Shining Path"), as the cult is known to its followers, centers around the life and teachings of Txakao Ba'rrut, a Krrævan man born blind and mute who was said to be blessed with a miraculous ability to communicate through the mind.

The cult of the Encan alleges that all, everything that is real or imaginary, is the emanation of the Encan ("that which shines"), a divinity that cannot be fully described or comprehended. Its followers, also known as the Encan, seek to lose themselves in the Encan and become one with all, with the movement prioritizing meditation and introspective rituals over a grander organized rite (although there are some cases of larger-scale rituals).

Though vastly different in practice and teachings, the Cult of the Encan bears some similarities to Huitcan Cardinalism, perhaps due to the shared roots of the Huitca and the Krrævan.

Etymology
The etymology of the word "Encan" is highly disputed. It has been proposed by Ærashmo Podrion that it comes from Intka, the sun god of the ancient heathfolk of the Heperdin northeast. This is further attested by Atxas's Codex Hesperdianis, which, despite predating the Shender Encan by several centuries, makes mention of a god "Ynt'kah" that was worshipped by the native Hesperdians in the Krrævan conquest.

The usage of the term has generated confusion from non-initiates, as it is applied to the divinity (which described as nameless) and the followers alike. The reason for this is that "Encan" is merely a participle roughly equivalent to the English "shining," and since the followers believe the Encan in its ineffable nature encompasses everything, the term is therefore not reserved to any one being or group.

Founding Texts
Given the mystical communicative powers of Txakao Ba'rrut, the Encan had no initial need to codify or record the religion on paper, since the Teacher himself communicated directly to the hearts and minds of followers without words. As the religion spread in the years after the Teacher became lost, however, the Encan began spreading his teachings through songs, chants, and recitations. The written word was still avoided, though, out of respect to the concept of the ineffable central to the cult.

With the turmoil in the Hesperdin in recent years, more and more Encan have begun recording the traditions of the Shender in text, concerned that the diaspora will hinder the spread of the cult and its followers will die without passing on the teachings. In Rathnir, Mayus of the Dawn is currently involved in translating traditional chants to Huitcan and the Common and recording them, so that the peoples of Rathnir may enjoy and understand the nature of the Shender Encan.

The Encan and its Manifestations
The Encan as a concept proved difficult for many followers to understand, given that the divinity is ineffable, or impossible to fully describe with words. Because of this, Txakao the Teacher and others after him have presented the Encan as a corporeal allegory, each part of which representing a different side to its nature. The manifestations of the Encan are as follows:


 * Txawadxepan (cha-wa-JE-pahn), Left Arm of the Encan: The Left Arm is calm and gentle. This arm embodies reflection and clarity, as a left arm holds and moves the surface on which the right arm writes. The Left Arm represents flowing and gradual growth, and guides the Encan on the path to their divinity.
 * Mækrawan (maeh-KRA-wahn), Right Arm of the Encan: The Right Arm is active and direct. It embodies decision and agency, as the right hand looses the arrow that flies. The Right Arm represents the moment of enlightenment, and opens the floodgates that withhold the divinity.
 * Wareshen (wa-REH-shen), Legs of the Encan: The Legs represent willpower. They embody determination and perseverance, as the legs of travelers keep them on their path. The Legs represent the endurance required of the Encan on the path to their divinity.
 * Wargatxan (wahr-GAH-chan), Head of the Encan: The Head represents understanding. It embodies the incomprehensible miracle of the Encan, as it is blind and mute, yet it sees and sings with a beauty incomparable. The Head represents the transformed nature of the Encan upon losing themselves in the divinity.
 * The Heart of the Encan: The nameless Heart represents all. It embodies the presence of the Encan in all creation, and is warm and loving and waiting for us to approach. The Heart is the sign of the Encan in everything.

Similarities with Cardinalism
Though their rites and teachings are distinct, the Shender Encan and Cardinalism share some commonalities, perhaps stemming from a distant parent religion. Both share the motifs of balance and divisions of the world in four parts, each governed by a divine being. In fact, it is likely that the names of these beings and manifestations share a common ancestor, seen below: The presentation of these as pairs of opposites and their etymological similarities serve as evidence to the common roots of both religions. Similarly, the element of balance between the four corners and the treatment of the manifestations as a unity lead to both religions focusing on an element of plurality and unity without one god reigning supreme.