The Three-Fold

The Three-Fold is a monotheistic order which centers around three promises.

The Beginning

Three-Foldism was founded in the settlement of Monks_Town on the continent of Sparwood in Eastern Rathnir by player Ian_Newton80 who was living as a hermit at the time.

There in Monks_Town, the first Three-Fold shrines were created; one on the mountain, one on flat ground and one beneath the earth.

In each the sacred caves floor made of black deepslate cobblestone with a white triangle made of polished diorite.

Later on, the sacred text called "The Three Fold" was written and a copy was placed in each sacred cave.

The Three Fold mentions the three promises as having to do with loyalty, non-idolatry and distribution of the book (thus the name.)

Any person (male or female) who makes the promises and "proceeds to carry them out is to be regarded as a Three-Fold monk."[1]

The Vows

Core to the religion are three commitments which have to be made in order to be a member, the words used in the Three-Fold text are:

1.) "I shall be loyal to my nation, and shall not rebel against it."[2]

2.) "I shall not create an idol of any 'god' or 'goddess' of this world, nor offer anything to such no-gods, nor praise them, nor to participate in any of their rituals or to type any prayers to them."[3]

3.) "I shall go on a journey and deliever the Sacred Text into another land."[4]

But one does not have to use these exact words to join: "Any person, male or female who rightly makes these commitments and procedes to carry them out is to be regarded as a Three-Fold monk."[5] So long as we can interpret "rightly makes" as not meaning the person has to use every word, but dedicates themselves to keeping the commitment.

Beliefs

Three Foldism is monotheistic: There is One Creator "He is above and transcends the male and female spirits"[6]

These male and female spirits control the bodies of the characters in Rithmir.

No image or statue can be made to Him, an altar cannot be made, prayers cannot be typed to Him "for He is altogether above Rathnir and all other realms."[7]

All the gods and goddesses of Rathnir are called "no-gods", which are to be rejected "no matter their lure."[8]

No-gods are deemed unworthy of having statues, images, offerings or prayers said to them.

The Thirteen Evils

There is in the text a list of thirteen evils which are referred to as filth and are denounced, they are:

1.) The no-gods

2.) Sexual immorality

3.) Theft

4.) Murder

5.) Adultery

6.) Greed

7.) Malice

8.) Deceit

9.) Lewdness

10.) Envy

11.) Slander

12.) Arrogance

13.) Folly

The Seven Goods

Seven Goods are also mentioned:

Let all these be known and held as honourable among all

1.) To allow oneself to experience guilt and regret.

2.) To be meek.

3.) To have a strong desire to do what is right.

4.) To be merciful.

5.) To have pure desires.

6.) To be makers of peace.

7.) And to be charitable.

History

On August 17th, 2022 the Northern nation of Najer became the first nation outside of Monks_Town to have a Sacred Cave; three were built in accordance with the standard laid out in the Three-Fold; the sacred book of Three Foldism.

On August 23rd, 2022 the shrines West of the tower of Yukkon were deconstructed with a dug-out site as one of the left-overs; there had been an issue with two or all of them being within player Ikkarus's land-claim. The high shrine West of Kigea'jad, the largest of the Three-Fold had been mostly constructed by this point with the floors and placement of the Three-Fold book not finished.

Triple Sacred Caves Sites

References

1: The Three-Fold, Page 10

2: The Three-Fold, Page 7

3: The Three-Fold, Page 8

4: The Three-Fold, Page 9

5: The Three-Fold, Page 10

6: The Three-Fold, Page 11

7: The Three-Fold, Page 12

8: The Three-Fold, Page 13