Zentivar

Zentivar is a religion focused on pursuing the improvement of the soul over many lives, through adherence to a set of values codified by Athaz the Traveler. Zentivar lacks any element of worship or creationism, and while it recognizes the existence of many entities that are seen as gods in other faiths, it refuses to acknowledge them having complete mastery over the world or nature. A hierarchy of religious attendants known as the The Zentivaric Temple maintain the various rituals and traditions of the faith throughout Abexilas, and had previously done so in Rathnir and Eldham. Zentivar acknowledges certain holidays, which are tracked and celebrated according to the Zentivaric Calendar.

Zentivar was founded by Athaz the Traveler, who wrote the holy text of Kaysemithet which outlies the core values of the faith. The original holy city and birthplace of the religion was Athazolant: capital of the Theocracy of Viratayn in Rathnir during the Traveler's Era. The Viratine people have migrated to Abexilas with the arrival of Iristor's Comet, and have begun to reestablish the Temple.

Overview
Zentivar denies any need of a person to worship, and is unconcerned with earning the favor of higher beings. The doctrine of the faith is instead tied to a series of moral and philosophical concepts initially outlined by Athaz as a way of pursuing the development of the soul over the course of many lives, as Zentivaric belief holds that the souls persists after death to be reincarnated into a new life.

The primary objective of the followers of Zentivar is to pursue and revere growth. This can manifest in the form of improving at skills in the case of moderate practitioners, or in the form of spiritual growth and ascension among the more pious of the faith. The holy text Kaysemithet outlines a series of principles that one must adhered to in life to attain this spiritual growth.

Universal Nature and Willpower
Zentivar states that the universe has a nature that is oriented towards enabling growth, whereby it confronts the lives of souls with conflicts that provide an opportunity for growth. In any situation that a person faces, they do have a choice to make, and committing to the proper choice will result in the growth of the soul, if they possess the willpower required. Some observers believe that there is a level of intentionality to this nature, that the world possesses some incomprehensible focus towards strengthening souls by offering them many opportunities.

The ability to make active or difficult choices to pursue growth is based on the willpower of the individual. Because of this, willpower is seen as an essential value to focus on for practicing the faith.

Kaysemithet and the Three Pillars
Athaz originally outlined the values that allow for the development of the soul in the book Kaysemithet, an address to his followers outlining what they should strive for as his students, and declaring that worship was inappropriate. The values preached in Kaysemithet have gone on to be organized into three categories in order to help the growing number of students of the Zentivaric Temple better understand the values of the faith. These categories are known as the Three Pillars of Zentivar, which are Tranquility, Preservation, and Devotion

Tranquility
Also commonly known as simply "Peace", the values of Tranquility are focused on understanding and existing without violence and war. These things are believed to not only tarnish civilization, but damage the souls, pulling them away from growth and enlightenment.

Zentivar condemns most forms of violence, particularly ones that are unnecessary. While the faith does not necessarily mandate pacifism, it is believed that violence should never be done without first an attempt at a peaceful resolution. Choosing to use violence as a tool is not only seen as corrupting, but also as a near certain path towards invoking a harmful retribution, and the loss of potential allies. Additionally, those who are able to bring change or security with diplomacy alone are revered far more greatly than one who is able to do the same through violence. One who is able to gain without raising a weapon is seen as more skillful and masterful in the world, even if only for the reason that they did not expend any energy or material in order to see a yield. Conversely, showing aggression, hostility, or taking through force alone, is seen as the mark of an uneducated or primitive individual, who has yet to see growth in their life.

The Temple often condemns spectator combat, which has been described as initiating a 'bloodlust' in its participants. When one discovers their capability in combat, they may see it as a tool that they can utilize, which corrupts their ability to make wise decisions as violence becomes an option to choose, rather than a last resort for a good cause. Even observance of conflict may in some way corrupt one's decisions if experienced in extreme or frequent instances.

Similarly, Zentivar holds specific rules about the treatment of the dead and their bodies as a way of maintaining respect for the lives of the person. Any deceased are meant to be respectfully buried, or in the cases of especially violent or cruel individuals, destroyed with dignity such as through a ritual burning. The use of dismembered heads of slain opponents as trophies is strongly condemned, and display of them may be illegal in places where the religion has a strong presence.

Crucially, the faith does not preach helplessness, and the act of defending the self or others - while it may corrupt the soul- is not necessarily seen as immoral, and may also do significant good for others. It takes great willpower for one to spend much of their lives fighting to defend a noble cause, without falling to the corruptions of violence.

Preservation
The preservation of culture and civilization is also greatly valued in Zentivar. It is the culture of a society that is the first to tell a person that it is wrong to steal, kill, or act in ways that are barbarous. Culture and civilization are thus seen as a baseline to the morals of the people beholden to it- the foundation on which all growth occurs, and the threshold that one cannot sink below. Contributing to culture is a way of contributing to every soul that participates in that culture, inspiring them to grow as well, and raising the foundation that they work from.

Preservation of culture is also something that is done out of respect, or with scholarly intention. Zentivar generally encourages showing respect to others, and this often extends to their cultural practices, be them not contradictory to the values of the faith. Studying culture is also seen as an intelligent and scholarly action, which is itself valued in the faith.

Devotion
There are various values and traditions centered around the concept of Devotion, but all of them fundamentally based on the idea that others should be treated with appropriate respect. Values of devotion include respecting the sacred bond of marriage, staying loyal to one's spouse and not marrying on frivolous terms. It also includes devotion to friends and allies in the form of loyalty. Breaking the trust of a friend or outright betraying an ally or associate is regarded as being highly immoral, as well as being bad practice for one's own security. In a culture that values diplomacy and civil conduct, acting in a way that is treacherous is a sign that one cannot be trusted by others, which reduces their opportunity to make allies, or engage with society. This consequently reduces both their security, and their influence, and leaves them with fewer options to confront difficulties.

Another form of practicing devotion is respecting and honoring those who have done good deeds for the community. It is fair that those who do good deeds be recognized for them, and it is seen as good for a society to respect the efforts of others. In one ritual known as the Varnil, the Ordinata declares a day of celebration and triumph in honor of the recent exceptional deeds of a person, bestowing them a badge, and commissioning a statue of them.

Word of Reece
The origins of what would become Zentivar are in early Rathnir paganism. The Word of Reece was one pagan mythology which consisted of various local patron deities. It is believed that a man known as Reece contributed to the exchange of mythologies between various cultures, into a system where each one recognized all gods, but prioritized their own.

It’s believed that Reece’s origins were in the subcontinent of Aldovir, as observance of the pantheon was most dense in that region, dominating the southern half of the subcontinent for some time. These people consisted of the worshippers of the god of metalworking in Cobblework Mines, the god of madness and disorder in Voiceless Peak, and the god of travelers in Heprofony.

The peoples of Heprofony had been awaiting the sign of their deity to indicate the site of their homeland after their exodus from Sparwood, which they believed to be on the island of Hraam. As the site was owned by Tálor at the time, the travelers were forced to settle west where they disputed with the Talorans.

Athaz the Traveler would eventually arrive in Aldovir to study the nations of the subcontinent for his books. Having acquired immortality during an epiphany at Karnak, paired with his unusual appearance, his presence was remarkable among the natives. Poppy Knight of Cobblework Mines (who had become friends with Athaz) led him to Heprofony, as she believed that he may be the sign that they were looking for. Soon after meeting, Athaz resolved the dispute with Tálor by demonstrating how their current settlement fit the description of their promised land, which Heprofony took as their sign. As a result, Athaz would be recognized as an avatar of the travel god within the Reece Pantheon, who arrived just as foretold. Poppy Knight recognized this as well, and sent word to the other Reecian Cults of this discovery.

The center of Heprofony would go on to become Athazolant, the holy city of the travel god. The name of this original god worshiped in Heprofony would become lost to time, as a tradition of record keeping wasn’t well established until after the arrival of Athaz, who at that point was seen as synonymous with the deity.

Athaz himself would be unresolved on the matter for some time. Being uncertain of his own origin, he did not know what to make of his arrival being seen as a divine signal. He frequently pondered the accuracy of the belief. He would mostly act with respect towards the beliefs of his followers, and he ultimately chose to conclude his travels before resolving the matter- spurred on by increasing urgency with the First Coalition War brewing.

Cult of Athaz
Most cities of the Reece Pantheon would eventually see decline in population, or influence from other religions or cultures, resulting in near extinction. Athazolant however, was not affected by either, and would survive as the pantheon’s final remnant.

This decline resulted in much of the lore becoming unknown, especially compared to stories of Athaz, who at the time was still journeying across Rathnir and making a name for himself. For most peoples abroad, the only part of the pantheon that they knew of was the part concerning Athaz.

As Athazolant lost contact with any other followers of the Reece Pantheon that continued to dwindle, their focus was turned even more inward. As the “Word of Reece” became an increasingly antiquated term, the religion of the city came to be known as the Cult of Athaz, with its inhabitants eventually ignoring all other deities of the former pantheon entirely.

Disciples of Athaz
As Athaz progressed in his journey, married, and defeated Entropy, he was at last in a position to turn his full attention towards leading his people. Having grown wiser since first setting foot in Heprofony many years before, and seasoned by his adventures, Athaz decided for himself what his place in the world was. He concluded that before anything else, he was Athaz, and that if he were indeed a divine avatar of some sort, that he would have received a clear indication during his journeys.

Athaz would issue a declaration in his city which clarified his status: that he was not born a deity, but as a mortal who became ascendant and immortal under the guidance of his epiphany. He declared that worship towards him was incorrect, fruitless, and ought to cease, and that the faithful instead should follow as his student to learn the ways of his ascension. In the 7th year of the Zentivaric Calendar, Athaz compiled a list of things that he desired of his followers to adhere to in the book Kaysemithet. In general he clarified that he did not desire any sort of worship, but instead the same fair respect that every person deserves for their own deeds, before listing a series of values and principles that guided him towards his ascension. With this all organized, Athaz’s former worshippers had become his disciples, and Kaysemithet was their holy text at the center of the faith.

Transformation into Zentivar
The creation of Zentivar from the Disciples of Athaz occurred during a cultural shift in Athazolant known as the Third Age Revolution. Being a city-state since its foundation thirty-nine years before the death of Entropy, the nation would reorganize from the Sovereign City of Athazolant into the Theocracy of Viratayn in the year 37, as part of an effort to be seen not simply as the city and domain of a single person, but as a nation made up of various people with their own great ideas.

Similarly, the religion came to be reformed for around its beliefs, rather than its legacy. While Athaz's presence remained the demonstration of the faith's legitimacy, he and Carpicious wanted the Viratine people to know that they could engage with their faith in more ways than simply being a student. Zentivar would be adopted as the official name in the year 38, meaning “The Way of Immortal Ascension”, which described the act of following Athaz's example.

Zentivar became increasingly organized from there, developing a more complex hierarchy, theological canon, and detailed rituals, unlike what had ever been seen in its previous iterations. Athaz and Carpicious became leaders of the faith, known as the Ordinator and Ordinatrix respectively. Additional ranks of the temple, along with conversion ritual practices, religious uniforms, festivals, and sacred drinks were all created in the following years, as piety flourished in Athazolant.

Kaysemithet
Kaysemithet, meaning "My Wills", is the foundational text of all of Zentivar. It is the oldest and most significant of all holy books, and was the first codification of all the core tenets of the religion. It was written by Athaz in the year 7 as a way of outlining his philosophical beliefs that were also to be held by his followers, and was widely distributed as the holy text of his disciples. When Zentivar was founded, it became the de facto holy text of the religion.

The book is divided into three sections: the first focused on declaring the divinity of Athaz, while also stating that he is not a figure of worship, the second focused on preservation of life and culture against violence and destruction, and the third focused on the correct way to treat and value others.

Divinity
Divinity is a book written by Carpicious describing her experience with Athaz the Traveler, from meeting him, to the point of their marriage. It describes why Carpicious first recognized Athaz to be divine, through observing the ways he had acted in his dealings related to herself, as well as the demon Entropy.

The 15 Wills
The 15 Wills is an abbreviation of the main points outlined in the book Kaysemithet by Whispitt in the year 28. It was written with the purpose of being easily reproduced by followers, and understandable to readers, as a way to introduce the religion to people without requiring that they read the entirety of Kaysemithet: simplifying the book into 15 principles. The text is relatively unknown as Whispitt, who had created the text in order to proselytize, would end up not making an attempt to spread the book or the faith.

Zentivarlun Caeronerent
Zentivarlun Caeronerent, meaning “Zentivaric Creation”, is the official manual on the construction procedures and guidelines of Zentivaric holy sites, written by Athaz in the year 57. It defines types of holy sites as Shrines (a place where homage is paid to Zentivar) and Temples (a place dedicated to the observance of and/or conversions to Zentivar). The similarities between Caeronate of Carn and the book title are purely coincidental.

Trohmyehd
Tohmyehd, meaning “Bloodshed”, is a book written by Carpicious in the year 63. It is a personal description of her relationship with the elements and values of Zentivar prior to her conversion, and eventual ascension to the highest ranks of the religion. It contrasts the misguided actions of her earlier days in Rathnir with values of the faith which she would learn to accept over her formerly chaotic ways.

The 36 Fundamental Ordinations of Zentivar
Often called "Fundamental Ordinations", or even "Ordinations", this text is a compilation of the individual beliefs that make up Zentivaric theology in order to better organize the developing ideas of the faith, as well as create a system to clarify and add to recognized belief and Temple practices. It was created in the year 73.