Sculkism

Sculkism is a monotheistic religion in Rathnir. Sculkism's deity is known as Zecarra. Her followers deem her as "The Saviour of The Sculkin." Sculkism is an ancient religion, which dates back to the first civilizations on the lands of Rathnir. However, it has been largely forgotten by nearly all inhabitants of Rathnir.

History
Sculkism was founded in the ancient underground Kingdom of Sculdar. Sculdar used to have many large underground cities, all connected by an intricate tunnel system. All of the citizens of this nation were a part of a hivemind controlled by Zecarra. At the time it was believed that Sculk was infectious, and if you were to get infected by it, then you would become part of the hivemind. Humanity saw the potential of this ability and feared what it could do, that if Zecarra were to decide on taking over humanity she could do so with ease. So humanity struck first. They attacked the Kingdom of Sculdar, and Zecarra sensed the disturbance in the Sculk via the Hivemind and acted on it. Humans expected for the Sculkin to be surprised, however upon their arrival they were fully prepared: They were met with Wardens and other creatures with weapons ready, fighting to defend their homeland. However, humanity had more manpower, and in a war of attrition, they emerged victorious. A weakened Zecarra returned to beyond the bedrock, with hatred for humanity that despised her so much. She started gathering strength, and Zecarra would not be seen for thousands of years........

Not all Sculkin were exterminated. A select few survived and hid in the ruins of their once-thriving cities, praying every day for Zecarra to return. The only evidence they had that she would return is a scripture that read, "I shall return. The day I do mankind will suffer for their crimes. Until then, pray and don't lose sight of your goals." The future generations of the Sculkin held onto this promise, devoting their lives and preparing themselves for the return of Zecarra.

Thousands of years later, when Zecarra returned to the mortal realm, a loud tremor was heard from beneath the ground. The Sculkin were the only ones that knew what had happened, as one command entered their heads: "Awake, my children." As this command was released, the Wardens that were in a slumber since her disappearance awakened. The Sculkin, under her command, started rebuilding the cities that were lost to time, and Zecarra released the hostile Sculk Plague, which turns humans into Sculkin and puts them under the command of the Hivemind.

Beliefs
Sculkists believe that Rathnir and the universe existed before any being did, but the first to evolve into a sentient being was Zecarra. Others regard her as the Founder. Zecarra led her followers through technological leaps, her knowledge and strength far superior to any other creature due to her being the oldest being in the universe. Followers of Zecarra are praised and rewarded by her regularly with knowledge or strength. Those who pray to her dwell deeper within the Hivemind, which in turn gives them more strength and control over the other Sculkin, which are not as loyal. Those that devote their lives to Zecarra are said to become immortal through her power.

Sculkin that leave the faith are put to death by the Hivemind. In death, the Sculkin are reborn. This cycle repeats itself until the Sculkin reach enlightenment and immortality through Zecarra's strength.

There is no good or evil in Zecarra's eyes; those that oppose her deserve to be exterminated and those that follow her deserve to be rewarded.

Sacrificial Ritual

 * Human sacrifice - 1. Bring the human to the altar. 2. Chant, "In death, you find strength!" thrice. 3. Put the human to death.


 * Material sacrifice - 1. Bring goods to the altar. they must be clean and valuable. If you bring filth, you are slain. 2. Chant, "I offer thee my blood, sweat, and tears." Zecarra will be appeased more if your offering contains Sculk/human skulls/items used to slay humans. 3. Bow down.

Prayer

 * Prayer for Strength - "Goddess Zecarra, in my path to destroy humanity, I come across many hurdles. Strength drives me to move forward, however, my strength alone is not enough. Therefore I humbly request you bless me with the strength of a hundred Wardens, in my path to destroy humanity."
 * Prayer for Luck - " Goddess Zecarra, across the lands you've blessed with your presence, I find myself In misfortune. I humbly request for the luck of a 4-leaf clover."
 * Prayer for Wisdom - "Goddess Zecarra, in my path I seek to spread the blessing of the Sculk. Grant me the wisdom to do so in your name."
 * Prayer for Fortitude - "Goddess Zecarra, in fortitude we endured until your return. Please grant us the endurance to protect what is ours."

Sculkist Hierarchy
Sculkists live in a hivemind. The Hivemind has a hierarchy in which at the top stands Zecarra herself. Each layer commands every layer beneath Itself.


 * Zecarra - The one and only goddess of the Hivemind, she leads and commands every other Sculkin. However, that takes a lot of energy for her, so she leaves commanding the lower tiers of the hierarchy to the Ascended.
 * The Ascended - Sculkists that, through their devotion to Zecarra, have reached immortality. They have the power to command every Sculkist beneath them.
 * Sculkist Commanders - Sculkists that, through their devotion to Zecarra, have achieved unparalleled wisdom and strength, only bested by the Ascended and Zecarra herself.
 * Sculkist Priests - Sculkists that, through their devotion to Zecarra, have been appointed to lead mortals to ascension.
 * Sculkist Adept - Sculkists that have received a blessing from Zecarra herself.
 * Sculkist - Sculkists that have not yet proven their loyalty to Zecarra.

Sculkist Divisions
Each Sculkist division is lead by an Ascended. These divisions focus on their respective domain, and serve Zecarra in these.


 * Division of Strength - Sculkists that are part of this division desire above all else the strength to best their enemies in combat.
 * Division of Wisdom - Sculkists that are part of this division desire to spread the Sculk Plague to infect humans and convert them into Sculkin.
 * Division of Fortitude - Sculkists that are part of this division desire to guard their holy sites and cities with their lives, devoting every second to protecting the Sculkin.

The Sculkin Tenets
All those that follow Zecarra must abide by these tenets or be executed.


 * 1) You shall not oppose Zecarra.
 * 2) you shall obey the hierarchy of the Hivemind.
 * 3) Only those that devote their lives to Zecarra may ascend.
 * 4) Befriending humans is forbidden.
 * 5) Humanity deserves to be exterminated for their crimes.
 * 6) Strength lies with Zecarra.
 * 7) Set aside your ambitions for the greater goal.

The Prophecy
Long ago, it was prophesized by an ancient Sculkist that when Zecarra has regained all of her past strength, "The sun will turn blue, in its light the grass will turn to Sculk and the sky will turn black."

The prophet states that when this happens, the Sculkists will start their invasion upon humanity.