Pavlovism

Pavlovism, also known as the Hand of Pavlovich is a monotheistic religion with lesser saints, that originates from the Kingdom of Kolossyisk. Pavlovism is the world's 5th largest religion, being most praticed within the Kingdom of Aurora and the The Order of the Aurora, with a small population within the now gone Chevkri Republic.

Pavlovism is most commonly seen through two symbols, the Hand of Pavlovich, on the banner to the right, or the “Ф” most commonly seen at the altar of Pavlovist temples. Of the two symbols, the Hand is by far the most common, as it is found on the uniform of the Order of the Aurora, one of the last remaining Pavlovist organizations on Rathnir.

Origin
Pavlovist tradition dictates that a foreign species described as a “superior” species of human were sent down by Pavlovich himself as punishment to the humans who inhabited Jagdas for its mistreatment of the animals that Pavlovitch had gifted them to help them survive, and thrive in the wilderness. Thus, the people of the Kingdom of Kolossyisk fled from Jagdas, the migrants forming a new state in the land of Rathnir. The once minor tribe of the “Narverechny” took power after a struggle between the various tribes in the process of the founding of a new country, establishing Naverechniya, a republic with an aristocracy. After the Navevechnyan Civil War, and its dissolution and subsequent absorption of its remnants by the Valdreach Imperial Republic, Pavlovism is mostly practiced within the Kingdom of Aurora and the The Order of the Aurora, with a small population within Chevkri Republic.

Modern Pavlovism & Pavlovist Periods
Pavlovism is divided between "Ancient Pavlovism" referring to the Jagdasian era, "Old Pavlovism" referring to Naverechnyan practice, and "Modern Practice" referring to the practices of the Aurorans and others in the current period. Ancient and Old Pavlovism are particularly murky and lack information, and occasionally blend together as its continuous practice by the Naverechnyan people has little recorded or observed changes. Modern Pavlovism varies slightly from Old Pavlovism because of the lack of literature of from Ancient and Old Pavlovism, this is mostly because of the political instability of the Naverechnyans, and their sudden sharp decline in practice of the religion. This has forced modern practitioners of the religion to form new practices and rituals in line with what little is left from old literature and tradition, and occasionally divine revelation in the form of contact with Pavlovich himself, artifacts, prayers, or other means and rituals.

Rites
Modern Pavlovism is also split into a few varieties, most prominent are the practices as done by those within Aurora, known as the Timii (tim-eye) rite, and the Sabii (sab-eye) rite, a semi-official derivation of early Modern Pavlovist practices most commonly observed in Western Chevkri. These two forms of practice are so named by following old Escharian naming conventions, following in how Arretsch, an Escharian dialect is commonly spoken within Auroran nobility. The Timii and Sabii rites are also known as the "mainline" rites and beliefs.

Timii Rite
Timii rite is so named after the Auroran priest Timothy, the third highest figure (the two figures above him being Emperor Emeritus Aurelian and Empress Nikephoros, from lowest to highest.) within modern Pavlovism and often times the point of first contact for most believers in Aurora. As one of the most foremost and active figures within modern practice, he dictates how Pavlovism is practiced by most Pavlovists. Timii rite includes divine revelations as dictated to Timothy from Saint Nikephoros, some of these rituals and practices are concurrent with Ancient Pavlovist practices, and some are previously unknown and unused.

Sabii Rite
Sabii rite is so named after the Chevkrian priest and noble Sabizos Alagadda Rothbreed, who leads the Pavlovist community within Chevkri. While still considered compatible with Timii practices, the Sabii rite was derived from the Timii rite because of practices absorbed or adopted from Chevkrian tradition and culture.

Foreign Practice
"Foreign Practice" is not necessarily considered a rite, but is named so because it's practices can hugely vary depending on its lone practitioners who are seperated from the mainline community within Uldarash.

Treatment of Animals
Adherents to Pavlovism are known for their respect for animals, pets, and more specifically dogs. While dogs hold a high status within Pavlovism, dogs are considered “First Among Equals” rather than being superior to other domesticated animals. All families are required to have a pet of some sort, pets are to be given the same respect that one would give a fellow human. As humans typically live longer than their pets, it is common for humans to have multiple pets at the same time, or to get another pet after one has died, usually within a month of it’s passing as that is what is required in most sects.

Dogs and other pets, are considered to be an integral part of the family, like one would consider a sibling or child, as a result, pets are included in family trees. The oldest or the pet of the highest ranking family member is considered the pack leader. This practice can be observed in the family tree of the Auroran family tree, with the Pack Leader of the pets of House Aurora, Baron von Rumknight, or in the extinct Nakhozov line.

Packs
A pack is somewhat like the Pavlovist equivalent to a religious congregation. Packs are typically formed out of a families and clans, led by their Pack leader, who is trained in priestly duties and leads the pack in both religious, familial, and political matters. In the modern form of Pavlovism, in its Auroran resurgence, there are only three priests ordained, the Emperor Canine14, leading the pack of the royal family, Large Lad providing spiritual guidance to the commoners, and the last being unknown.

Rituals
Rituals within Pavlovism, at least known publically are limited to about 2, the ritual of Bonding, and a ritual of Divination.

Bonding rituals
Bonding rituals consist of a Pavlovich adherent finding an animal to bond with, typically this will involve the Pavlovist adherent going into the wild, spending several weeks searching for an animal that finds the adherent agreeable, and vice versa. Once the animal is used to the adherent's presence, they are given a ritual item of bonding, usually taking the form of a bone, fruit, or fish depending on the animal being bonded with. The ritual bonding item is typically carved full of runes by a priest or even a saint. Once they are both bonded, the adherent and their companion will return to their pack, where both will be reintroduced to it, increasing both spiritual and physical strength of the pack. Bonded animals are given a level of intelligence. level physical strength, and longevity higher than that of what would be observed in their wild counterparts, and once bonded are no long considered a "wild animal", but a member of the pack.

An alternative form is when animal companions within the pack mate, and have puppies, kittens, foals, etc. These infant animals are by nature of their parents, already members of the pack, and but still need to be bonded to human partner, typically a human or elf child.

Divination
Divination rituals involve the gathering of the animals of the pack, leading them into a circular formation enclosed within a building, once their humanoid partners are out of the vicinity, the animals will enter a trance like state, losing their connection with their partner temporarily, communing with Pavlovich. During this process, the animals will change positions within the room unconciously, their positioning once revealed to the priest of the pack, are then interpreted based off of complex rules that have yet to be revealed.

Sins
The murder or killing of a dog within Pavlovism is considered as great of a crime as murder, and if Pavlovism was the primary religion of the country where the killing took place or the place of origin of the pet, it was considered tantamount to the murder of one of its citizens, making those who kill pets an enemies of the state, worthy of a declaration of war, and penalty of death. Killing of a pet with the purpose of insulting the state, or religion, triggers what is known as a “Sobachiya Vojna” (vojna is pronounced like voi-nah) or a dog war, as it was known in Naverechnyan. A dog war is a holy war, waged to punish those who have desecrated Pavlovich’s gift.

Pavlovism typically takes a very liberal view towards sexuality, and sexual acts, other than a general trend towards modesty, with the sole exception of beastiality, which is treated the same as the murder of an animal, and is punished with the death penalty.

Rites
The death of humanoids, (humans, elves, dwarves, etc) within Pavlovism is treated the same as the deaths of those of animal companions like as mentioned as above, but these burial rites vary by time period. Modern Auroran practices call for the burial of humanoids and animal companions in grave sites, monuments, and most commonly, the Fornost Crypt, a crypt below the Cathedral of Pavlovism within Fornost. In Old and Ancient Pavlovism, it was common practice for animal companions and occasionally humanoids to, when at death's door, walk into a "grave-wood". A grave-wood is a section of forest reserved for people to spend their last moments and die within the woods. Their body is then left within the forest to decompose and be scavenged by the forest life. This method of handling the dead is still done, although extremely rarely, often by the poor, or by those who were not in a condition where normal burial is possible.

Afterlife
Pavlovism dictates that in death, everyone is cast into the void, the realm of all dead things. The void contains everything that has ever died and is a realm of demons, the dead, and the decaying. After being cast into the void, those that have properly followed Pavlovich's teachings will be brought into Nebesa.

Places of Worship
Pavlovist places of worship, called Temples, take the form of buildings with an altar at the end of the building located farthest from the entrance, and a crypt below. The altar consists of the symbol of Pavlovich which can be made out of any material but usually carved out of materials like wood, or in materials considered the most beautiful of Pavlovich’s creations, like gilded blackstone, with a box in front of it, where offerings are to be given. These can include anything from Rotten Flesh, valued for their use in feeding dogs, to valuable materials like Diamonds.

Treatment of Lycans
Lycans, short for Lycanthropes, or werewolves, is a broad category within Pavlovism that refers to a number of creatures that are "humanoid" shaped, usually furry, and sometimes scaled creatures. Humanoids with animal like features like horns, animal ears, or tails are also included in this category. Historically, werewolves wreaked havoc upon Rathnir, and Old Pavlovist tradition dictated that such creatures were considered abominations, twisted versions of Pavlovich's creations and gifts to the intelligent races of Rathnir and Jagdas. As such, they are often hunted and killed because of the threat they posed to the various Pavlovist civilizations and cultures. These Old Pavlovist traditions have since then translated to Modern Pavlovist Practice, becoming policy within the The Order of the Aurora.

Treatment of Other Religions
Pavlovism does not invalidate any other religions, and as a result will often co-exist with them. Pavlovists hold that Pavlovich is the highest, and most important god of all, and that the beliefs of non-Pavlovists are potentially valid or truthful in their own way depending on whether or not they conflict with the with Pavlovich doctrine. This is a position commonly held in "mainline" doctrines, but not always held by believers, and it was observed by some small extinct post Navarechnyan communities.

Pavlovich
Its central deity Pavlovich is known as a god of nature, order, and companionship, who gifted the population with dogs and other pets, beings that contributed to the survival of humanity and accompanied them on their time on Rathnir. Pavlovich is believed to reside in a plane higher than on which Rathnir resides, known as the Nebesa, or the Immortal Plane, in contrast to the mortal plane, on which adherents believe that they, and others reside.

Creation Myth
Pavlovist traditions state that the legendary End, was Pavlovich’s first attempt at civilization, it was a failure, as it is evident in the form of the twisted creatures known as the Endermen. Myth states that a gargantuan dragon reigns over this realm, but it has never been confirmed to have been seen by any human on Rathnir or any other known continent in the world. These beliefs are now treated as apocryphal, as they were mostly myths from Naverechnyan splinter communities and not written in any doctrinal religious texts. Attitudes towards Endermen and creatures with Ender-ancestry have since changed, due to those of Ender ancestry having a good reputation as part of the mainline Pavlovist community.

The Overworld and the Nether we re the second and third attempt at civilization respectively. With the Overworld being the realm of Humans, and the Nether the realm of the Pigmen, considered brothers to the Humans, however for many years, Pigmen and other creatures all over the Nether had become more and more rare, with some Pavlovists, postulating that they were being whisked away by Pavlovich himself, or were the work of other dastardly humans who hated their presence.

Saints
Pavlovism also includes the veneration, but not worship of various saints, those who have acted in ways to attract Pavlovich’s attention, and then given blessings, and special capabilities, like supernatural healing, or speaking to wild animals. It must be added however, that saint’s are only those who have been blessed with ability by Pavlovich, not merely visited, or given things by him, as such events are relatively common, and verified to have truly happened in living memory.

When one needs the aid of a saint, particularly the use of their powers, specific rituals use to summon them from Nebesa, or wherever they happened to be roaming on Rathnir. When summoned, Saints will temporarily take posession of a designated target, usually a priest or some other individual who has a deep connection to Pavlovism, and when summoned, the possesed must be able to offer a clear sign of consent to being possesed. During this short period of time, the Saint can use their powers to aid the summoner or any Pavlovist believer in the vicinity, before returning to their body or returning to Nebesa.

There are in total, 11 saints within the religion, with four saints who are known, the other seven who haven't been granted power, or haven't revealed themselves yet. These 11 saints are split into 4 higher saints, and 7 lesser saints.

Xalian, the Judge of the Afterlife
Saint Xalian was an Enderman who was fully faithful to Pavlovich from birth. Legend states that when Pavlovich abandoned the End, Xalian took a band of faithful Endermen along with the assistance of Pavlovich into the Overworld. After they reached the Overworld, Xalian assisted Pavlovich in sealing the End and everything in it away from the grasps of the peoples of the Overworld. He was said to be the first to develop a positive relationship with a wolf.

Xalian’s name is one of the very few created by the first peoples of Pavlovich. He is known as  “The Guide”. His whereabouts were unknown after these events however, it is stated that he is the one who judges the souls that return to the void and dictates who goes to Nebesa as Palvovich's reward for being the first Saint.

Bozhidar, the Saint of Health
Bozhidar is the Pavlovist Saint of Health, a medicine man who became renowned in his hometown of Kolossyisk for assisting the wounded and sickly, such was his renown, that Pavlovich gifted him the ability to restore wounds, and the wisdom to cure any sickness. He is the least prominent of the three known saints because his lack activity, the reason for this is suspected to be because of the loss of aspects to the ritual of his summoning as a saint.

Bozhidar's name means "god's gift", his return to the land of the living and his appearance to other Pavlovist believers was quite a shock, and his new powers upon his return lead early Pavlovists to believe he was a gift from Pavlovich.

Rapolas, the Saint of the Wild
Rapolas, the Pavlovist Saint of the Wild, and the wilderness, is one of the most revered saints in the Pavlovist religion, for his ability to commune with animals and other creatures of the wild. Rapolas is often explained as "being the most revered" because of his range of abilities and the utility of prayer to him as being able to help care for animals and helping with agriculture. It is said that Rapolas still roams the wild lands of the world, tending to the cattle and livestock of the townspeople, blessing them with prosperity and good harvest. It is said that he died in his sleep while trying to nurse back to health a wolf that had been mortally wounded after being thrown into, and being trapped in a berry bush. This act of devotion, and his care for wild animals and his respect for, and knowledge of the wild was what had finally gained the attention of Pavlovich, and thus he was granted the ability to speak to any animal, and minor healing abilities.

Rapolas' name, which means "god's healer" was a title granted to him by worshippers who had their wounded or sick animal companions healed by him after visiting the woods (this is due to the Ancient and Old Pavlovist tradition of dying within a "grave-wood"), or a forested area and returned healed and healthy.

Nikephoros, the Saint of Smithing and Victory
Nikephoros, is primarily the Pavlovist Saint of Smithing, and is occasionally known as the Saint of Victory. One of the newest Saints to the religion and most prominent, mostly owing to her activity and relative fame due to her political position. It is known that Nikephoros and her sister Jūratė died while fishing, and Nikephoros had been sent down from Nebesa after spending a number of years there by Pavlovich. She brought with her a few important artifacts, and new knowledge of the Pavlovist faith. Nikephoros is currently spending her time as Empress of Uldarash, occasionally communing with Pavlovich and forging weapons that humans would not normally be capable of producing. Nikephoros is unique within the known saints as being one who exists upon Rathnir as a saint that was not summoned, probably owing to the special condition of her presence in the world.

Nikephoros' name is slightly unique within that of the Saints, as her name is still that of her given name instead of a title given to her after her death and return as a Saint. Nikephoros' name, was given to her by Emperor Aurelian, meaning "bringer of victory", this naming is also partially why she is known as the "Saint of Victory".