Ardeism

Ardeism is a religion centered around a monotheistic deity named Arde, as well as the wise spirtual leader of animals, the Sea Turtle Gelkle. Followers of Ardeism believe that all beings eventually reach Doxt, which is a sort of afterlife that is reached after enlightenment. During the time between Life and Doxt, a being is in a state of being called Tenpo, which is a sort of empty like state. Once a month, at the break of the fourth day, a festival is held in order to commemorate the end of a fabled "Pilgrimage" in where four titans warred against Arde's desciples. In this festival, the followers feast on meats that were not sourced from the trees and the seas, as it is believed that these animals were the gift of Arde to the disciples. There is also a large bonfire held, where followers burn their most valuable items to sacrifice to Arde. The most sacred sacrifice is a Sea Turtle, which can only be killed during the Festival and only in order to Return the animal to Doxt to be with Gelkle. Curiously, outside of the Festival, the consumption of animals from the trees and sea is permitted, however the killing of a Sea Turtle is a huge sin, and could be punished with many more years in Tenpo.