The Diouist Faith

Diouism
The diouist faith (Diouism) has two gods. DioKru, and DioTilgi. DioKru, the creator made the universe, the world, and the home of the Dioui (The gods). With few restricting rules, and much room for advancement, the faith became very popular in it's region around the holy land. The Holy land lays in Falkreath, a viking like kingdom in the Erinnian Empire.

The Purpose of Diouist Scripture
Diouist scripture has many written parts, and evolves as revelations are made. The purpose of this holy scripture is to educate the reader on the origin of the domain in which we live, and how this knowledge can be applied to our every day lives.

Diouist definitions:
Diou- A god (singular)

Dioui- Gods (plural)

Proclaiment- One ordained by the Diouit who teaches the faith to the people of his/her/their community

Scout of the Chiefdom- One who teaches and spreads the faith to people around the world, outside his/her/their own community.

Diouist slang words (So far):
Dio- A god (singular)

Dios- Gods (plural)

A "Dicer" (derrived from "Dioer")- Someone who acts godly. (i.e egotistically, selfishly, or narcissistically).

A "Three-header"- One who worships a false idol, shows poor civility, or short temper. (Much more severe insult, considered derogatory to those who have knowledge of the phrase)

A "Stag Prayer"- A prayer made to DioKru

An "Armor prayer"- A prayer made to DioKru

A "Domain prayer"- a prayer made to both the Dioui

"Prologue and Cerimonial reading": (As read in the Diouist scripture)
"And the Diou said unto thee, 'leap into these waters as I bestow mortality unto thee, and thy will drown in pain if your leep is ill-willed'. So, DioTilgi jumped into the waters, and waves crashed without a current, storms thundered, and DioKru, Diou and creator, knew the loyalty of DioTilgi, and the storm settled. DioKru proclaimed unto the first-born, all who wish to show loyalty of my word, will make this great leap, and so shall be called, the leap of the first-born."

"The Creation": (As read in the Diouist scripture)
"DioKru struck, with hammer and sword, carving into creation his chiefdom. For three days and one second, DioKru struck with hammer and sword, carving into creation, his dark domain in which he spoke of silence, and fought for peace. And for five days, and two seconds, DioKru, with hammer and sword, carved into creation the stars, and light. As with the first star bestowed upon his Chiefdom, a figure holding chisel and shield burst out of this light, and said unto DioKru, 'I am DioTilgi, made of your creation'. For seven days and one second, with hammer and sword, DioKru made a chiefdom of gold and stone, for those who are ones of glory, for a plan yet to come. In the fourth second, the creator made fire, so he could melt and mold the gold in his image. As the creator struck the stone, however, the rock and cobble did not bend nor melt. A crash rang throughout the chiefdom, as the first defiance was beset in his domain. And so, First-Born DioTilgi set unto the stone his chisel, and parried with his shield the sword. And following the command of his creator, with chisel and shield, his, the creator's domain was carved. This domain of the creator's word was the home of these Dioui, these gods. And for nine days, and three seconds, with hammer and sword, and now with chisel and shield, Tremons his domain was carved."

"The Second Defiance": (As read in the Diouist scripture)
"And after a millennium pass, DioTilgi hath grown lonely and tired. Carving the creator's domain in his image. Craving for contact of others than his own, he carved in his own image, man. Made out of what DioTilgi perceived  as his own beauty, he hath disturbed the peace his creator had set. All was quiet, until man made his first word. At first an incoherent mumble, was then heard and understood to be by DioKru, his second defiance. In Anger and fury, DioKru set Tremons ablaze with his blade, and bestowed mortality unto man, so he would burn. And the Diou said unto thee, 'leap into these waters as I bestow mortality unto thee, and thy will drown in pain if your leep is ill willed'. So, DioTilgi jumped into the waters, and waves crashed without a current, storms thundered, and DioKru, Diou and creator, knew the loyalty of DioTilgi, and the storm settled. DioKru proclaimed unto the first-born, all who wish to show loyalty of my word, will make this great leap, and so shall be called, the leap of the first-born. As his loyalty was known, DioTilgi asked for forgiveness from he the creator, and so it was bestowed upon him by DioKru as DioKru proclaimed unto thee, 'All man hath be made in your image, DioTilgi, and so he is born of your past ego. And so they shall worship my name, and my mercy shown unto you, and if properly repented, they shall be welcomed into my domain of gold and stone like us the Dioui. And if man will fight for my domain and spreadeth my word, he shall prosper. For in order to prevent his world from being turned to ash from my sword, he shall spread my word, and defend my domain'. DioKru set unto Tremons greenery, trees, and life. Amongst this life, however, he beset monsters, and beasts of past man to act as a reminder of the two defiances in which he profits. But with this greenery, challenges were made for man, so they may remain humble to his lord. DioKru made mountains for man to climb, metals for which man may use to create, and volcanoes, in which the original blaze of the second defiance is held. And with all of this, DioKru said unto first men, 'These waters in which your Diou showed repentance shall be known as the holy waters in which to find loyalty, and the wisdom of us, the Dioui. And so climb my mountains, claim my ore, all in furtherance of my domain, and my word”."

"First of Man": (As read on Diouist scripture)
"As made in the image of DioTilgi, the first of man was tall and muscular, and large in stature. First man was made by his creator to entertain his lord, and so was made to be intelligent, in order to converse with DioTilgi. Throughout thousands of years, DioTilgi set unto mankind the knowledge of the Dioui origin. DioTilgi, Diou of repentance, conversed with mankind often but grew tired of besetting the same knowledge again and again. So, for each new invention, creation, or revelation, DioTilgi made one last man in present time in his image for whom to tell of these events. And so for every revelation made, DioTilgi set unto his creator’s domain, a prophet who was to be named Anaphase_Andy. And so knowledge set unto DioTilgi would be Knowledge set unto his prophet and mankind thereafter."

"The Prophet of the Waters": (As read on Diouist scripture)
"For one-hundred days and one-hundred nights, a man lay in the waters. The refraction of the light hitting his eyes in conjunction with debris aiming for his sight as if a bow on a battlefield. Though not soil nor stone covered these waters, the man dared not to rise. Until the hundred and first night, in which he arose, one eye struck white from stone and debris barraging his sight. Throughout these hundred days and nights, a deity spoke to the man, and with each word came a breath for which he may use to live another night. For the wisdom of the deity’s word gave life to the man in the waters. And so the word of the Dioui was taught to the prophet day and night, for not a breath was taken by the prophet’s divine teacher. And after the prophet arose, a figure in armor of a gold helm, diamond chest, and iron legs and feet formed from what seemed to be the trees and said unto thee, “for I am your god, your Diou. I am DioTilgi, divine chief of your repentance, forgiveness, and your life. And with the knowledge you bear, you shall know my word unto thee, mankind, spread my word and heed what I proclaim”. The lord DioTigli arose once more, now defying the very laws of nature he hath made as he burdened the prophet with his commands. “For my maker is yours as well, no other maker exists and no other maker shall be said to exist as mercy has been shown by DioKru and shall be returned in favor. For I am your crafter, and my maker yours, mankind shall not enact acts of poor will unto the name of the Dioui. My word is bound by sword and chisel, and so it shall not be amended by false actors of whom I do not give this authority that I bear unto you, prophet. Furthermore, prophet, no false actor of whom I do not bear this authority may misconstrue my great word, nor interpret it from an unsainted mind. And of this authority I speak unto thee, I bear it unto you, Andy, and so you shall spread the word of us Dioui. For I, DioTilgi, bear unto you the authority to change the names of the living under my creation, to expel any who oppose or contradict my absolute word, to lead your fellow man into faithful knowledge and prosperity, and to teach others to aid in your efforts of divine education. And for your devotion under these holy waters, I grant thee not only this authority as Diouit prophet, but the honor of sainthood for you have heard my word first hand, and have devoted yourself to my demands. For all must see that all who follow my divine word, will see its fruits”."

The Stories and legends of Diouism:
These are legends told by members of the faith to teach valuable life lessons to the listeners. Often, they also provide context to other stories within the church. These stories are believed to be true, of course, by diouists, and they are a major scource for church doctrine. The only difference between these stories and the holy scripture, is that diouists are tasked by the Dioui to spread scripture, which is the word of the Dioui directly, not these stories, which are stories told by mortals.

"The Great Chasm"
After the first men had begun to prosper, civilization soon rose with the guidance of DioTilgi during his lord’s many communications with mankind. Kingdoms around the world had risen to great heights, and grew stable after centuries of learned rulers and their endeavors. A kingdom had risen in the land in which DioTili had proven his loyalty to his creator. And this imperial territory was named “Fallunheim”. This kingdom had two kings, King Jhornhei, and King Svanheld. A kingdom of might, the diarchs ruled with matter over mind, and sword in hand. “God hath no place in my righteous land”, proclaimed Svanheld. God was believed to be a sign of weakness, and disloyalty to these diarchs.

People grew restless. There were no answers to how the world around them worked, and what the point of this “loyalty” the kings so desired was. And so, the diarchs convened and thought up a plot. They were to make their own gods. And so, they got their scribes to write what the men dictated to them. The kings decided that they were to make two gods. One, a monster with many heads, who would keep the people in line out of fear, and anger. The second, was to be of the likeness of a beloved sea creature, to get their people to love their gods out of awe, and joy. And the diarchs decided that they themselves would be more than kings, more than emperors, but gods. They were to be worshiped everyday by their subjects. All this, to more efficiently demand loyalty. The kings aimed to manipulate the people’s humanity, fear, anger, and minds for the kings’ benefit. It worked. For decades, temples were built, and people groveled at the feet of their rulers turned gods.

DioKru, in his golden domain, had let this go on for long enough. And so he descended. A glorious Stag with antlers of gold and hooves of iron. He hath held his flaming sword with his will, defying the laws of nature he and his son hath set. He said unto the kings with anger and fury, “You wish to be gods? You? You two mere men? Then I, your one true King, Jarl, and chief, king of kings, and Diou of Dioui shall see how you may defend the domain you hath claimed”. The kings’ creator charged forward with such grace and speed, that fire and smoke were left in his wake. The sword of flame and iron descended upon the kings as if from the Dioui’s domain, and struck the two kings until their death. The glorious and holy stag turned, and galloped out of any mortal sight, and appeared in the mortal world no longer.

Only three nights hath passed after the people heard of their kings’ passing. The men who they believed to be gods. But on the fourth night however, there was no grief. But, instead, there was joyous celebration. As these people had been liberated from their false idols. The kingdom of Fallunheim had descended into tyranny and dictatorship under the regime of the diarchs, but that was no longer. Chants of worship had been replaced with cheers of praise “Hail the liberator! Hail DioKru! Hail the Golden Stag!”. And with this, and with the work of the Saint and Diouit, the faith of Diouism was born in the holy land.

However, not all in the holy land rejoiced. Those who gave into the anger, fear, and totalitarianism moved eastward, and worshiped their three headed god in anger and disgust of the liberation. Whilst those who had been taken by awe and false loyalty, had migrated away and founded a cult to continue the worship of their dictator-born deity and not only continued their worship, but the tyranny that it had been invented from.

This foundational discord in belief is what caused the “Great chasm of wisdom” or simply “The great chasm” to occur. The people of the three headed idol were those who advocated things of anger, and hate. The people who worshiped their authoritarian dictator derived from the seas, were those of tyranny, and totalitarianism. Whilst those of the Diouist faith remained in the holy land. Hailed the liberator and future liberations against tyranny, and strived to be a learned peoples. They strived to aim for the prosperity of not just themselves, but even those who may not be in residence DioKru’s domain after passing. And so they strive to this day, to mend this great chasm.

"The Abandoned"
A gray, lifeless path lies ahead, forking off into two separate roads. By Geodry’s side, stands his two daughters, one five and the other seven, his wife, and his son, the age of twelve. The family waits, anxiously for someone to move. For anyone to take a step. Finally, Antony looks behind him, and looks back to his father. He says, with his voice shaking “I- I think we lost ‘em dad. I think we lost them dicers." Geodry finally  takes a breath, and starts forward, with his family just behind him. “Geo,” the wife says, “left or right? I think there is a village a little while down if we keep to the left.”  Geo asserts “No, we’ll go…” he pauses, and considers his options. He can continue to a town he knows is on the left, or take a chance of being stranded if he keeps to the right death may meet them on either road. He continues on, “Now, I don’t wanna be stuck in a three-header town. DioKru knows what they’ll do to missionaries.” His voice shakes as he looks down the dead paths of cobble. Suddenly, he remembers the pursuit his family was in just moments ago, and bullets to the left-most path, holding his two daughters, Sofia, and Julieta in either hand, whilst the son trails behind holding his mothers hand.

As they head down the cobbled road, trees and life thrive around them. Yet not a weed or a leaf touches this beaten path. Trees tower over the family, their shadows crushing them with a cold darkness. The two girls sing and laugh as they walk, not quite understanding the danger they find themselves in. As Geo turns around, he smiles. He remembered making them breakfast every morning before church, taking them on missionary trips around the world, and seeing the utter awe on their faces every time they saw a new beauty. He thinks back to when Julieta was born, and as Sofia saw her new sister, a tear ran down her cheek, like a river down its bank. He remembers when Antony would play with the girls, just months ago. Geo could hear his son’s laughter, even now. But today, all but hope was gone, as Geo prays he will be able to hear his son’s laughter, and see his daughters’ joy another day.

Geo snaps his head up as his wife, Violeta, exclaims, “Honey?” she asks as they come up to not a small village, but a behemoth of a fortress “does this strike you as a Three-header fortress?” Geo turns and sees a dark, undead stone meet his gaze. A bang rings through the forest behind them as a young girl’s scream is suddenly heard behind them. Sofia was being taken away from her father. Geo makes a blood curdling scream, as every ounce of matter tells him to charge the bastard taking his daughter from him, but he sees a sword on his angel’s throat. He stops. Sofia’s cries echo into the castle, so lowd and so desperate that it sounds as if her vocal chords were but moments from giving way to a desperate silence. Soldiers dressed in all gray and black plated armor, with what seemed to be a head on either shoulder, chant their praise to their lord and surround the family. Inching in, these arbiters of death close in on the hope of Geo and his family, but he must give way. “Don’t fight. Please don’t fight… please don’t fight… please don’t-”, he begs to his family, and to the armed men. His speech trails off as tears begin to trail behind one another down his war-torn face. A soldier speaks up, noticing Geodry’s spiritual dress, as he demands, “Repent! Denounce your gods and beg for the mercy of our mighty god-king!” He, again, thinks about the joy he felt with the children he so dearly loved, and remained silent as he looked at his kids, and looked down in defiance. Now, there was nobody, nor anything that would save them now. They were abandoned.

As they are taken into the castle in which they hoped for refuge, they see abhorrent temples, with blood and animal remains on the altars left over from previous sacrifices. Were they next? Geo thought to himself in a mindless panic, as he imagined himself being gutted alive on the altar.

Now in captivity, days pass by. With no food or drink, survival is no longer guaranteed. Finally, after four brutal days of starvation, they are brought to the same temples they saw as they came in. The same crimson blood crusted onto the altar from those who suffered the same fate. How many children? Geo puzzled,  how many innocent kids have been sacrificed for these damned three-headers? They are told to form a line, and so they did. A small hope still remains in Geodry’s heart that these animals will find sympathy for a good family.This hope, however, was mistaken. First, Violeta was forced forward with eager excitement for what's to come from the crowd of spectators in the gallery of the temple. As they tie her hands, a foreign preacher  gives his speech in a tongue foreign to Geodry. They tie and gag Violeta, shortly before forcing her to kneel, slamming her crown onto the altar, leaving her unconscious. Her cold, lifeless body, with no way to fight, lies there. Limp. And with a wave from the preacher, an Axe of iron and blood descends upon the neck of the woman Geodry so loved, started a life with, and started a family with. Swiftly and surely, The wife’s head lands in a woven basket just below her sacred body.

Now, Antony is forced forward. Having witnessed his mothers death, screaming for her loss, Antony, his father, and Julieta tackle through the preacher and run. Blind to what's around him, he simply feels his childrens’ flesh gripping his. They sprint. Dust in Geodry’s eyes, he sprints to the gate of the castle, arrows flashing behind him, he feels as though he is outrunning them. Almost into the green life of the forest, he feels a warm dampness on his hand where Antony stood. He runs and runs and runs until his damp hand finds itself empty of any flesh. He looks behind him, still running, and sees his son. Laying on the cobble. Lifeless, like the cobble on which they run. With no hope for his son, his family, or his old life now, he picks up Julieta and, with every fiber of his being he has left, he escapes into the trees of the forest. With his wife, and son dead, and his eldest daughter taken, Geodry had nothing but his youngest daughter, and his faith. And so, he goes on and preaches to congregations around the world, hoping to convert these animals in the hopes that children need not worry about meeting the fate of Antony, and Violeta. And to ensure that whether all men, and all nature is absent from mercy, it shall be known that mercy, and love will be found in the Dioui, for we, like Geodry, are never again abandoned.

The Structure of the Church:
The Diouist Church is structured in a way that best aid the Diouit (Pope) in educating and spreading the word of DioKru and DioTilgi.

The Diouit, Head of church, ordained by the gods:
The Diouit is head of the Diouist church, and is specifically chosen by the Dioui to lead and command the church the followers thereof. The Diouit of the church is the only person who may declare acts or beliefs that contradict the holy word and it’s teachings, and is the only person who may excommunicate one who violates the word of the church. The Diouit is also the only person who may appoint or impeach any high member of the church. The first Diouit appointed by the gods is a man by the name of Anaphase_Andy, who lives in the holy land..

The Proclaiment:
A proclaiment, as priest to the Dioui’s word, must teach, enforce, and endorse the word and teachings of the Dioui and their church. These proclaiments must also make all efforts to convert those in which they conversate if they are not of proper faith.

Scout of the Chiefdom:
As scouts of the chiefdom, these high members of the church must go to the far stretches of the Dioui’s domain and spread the word of the Dioui and the church to those who have not yet heard it. These scouts must also make all efforts to convert those in which they conversate if they are not of proper faith.

Saints:
A saint is someone who has either heard the word of the Dioui firsthand, or has shown total, unwavering, and absolute devotion (often to the point of selflessness) to the Church and the Dioui. Sainthood may only be assigned by the Dioit.

Mortal Defiances:
Mortal Defiances are acts that are demanded or forbidden for mankind.

The first: A follower of Diouism may not worship any false idols.
"“For my maker is yours as well, no other maker exists and no other maker shall be said to exist as mercy has been shown by DioKru and shall be returned in favor'."

The second: Do not commit acts of poor ethics or morals in the Dioui's name.
"'mankind shall not enact acts of poor will unto the name of the Dioui'."

The Third: Anyone not chosen by the Dioui may not ammend or change holy scripture or doctrine
"'My word is bound by sword and chisel, and so it shall not be amended by false actors of whom I do not give this authority that I bear unto you, prophet'."

The Fourth: If you are not chosen by the Dioui, and are not a saint, then you may not levee contradicting interpretations of the scripture.
"'Furthermore, prophet, no false actor of whom I do not bear this authority may misconstrue my great word, nor interpret it from an unsainted mind'."

Holy Rituals:
Holy rituals in the Diouist faith often serve the purpose of solidifying faith.

The leap of the first-born:
The leap of the first-born is a replication of the leap that DioTilgi took into holy waters to prove his loyalty to Diokru, after he was given mortality for the duration of the jump. For important events, this is done in the holy land in Falkreath, as that is where the holy waters are. However, a proclaiment may, if he/she so wishes, designate a natural or man made body of water (I.e a lake) "Holy water", making it viable for this ritual."'all who wish to show loyalty of my word, will make this great leap, and so shall be called, the leap of the first-born'."

The reading of scripture:
The reading of scripture is often done for the initiation of proclaiments and scouts of the chiefdom, to ensure their knowledge, and to show their devotion to its contents."'And if man will fight for my domain and spreadeth my word, he shall prosper. For in order to prevent his world from being turned to ash from my sword, he shall spread my word, and defend my domain'."

Holy Mass:
Holy mass is a public reading, discussion, and our teaching of the scripture, what it means, and how it can be applied to our lives. Holy Mass aims to educate all who attend in the teachings of the faith, whether the attendees follow Diouism or not.

Pilgrimage:
A pilgrimage is when some who believe in the faith or not travels to holy sites, or the holy land in order to strengthen faith, worship the Dioui, or learn more about the faith.

1: Do no harm to Diouists' physicall health
-Do not attack any Diouists

-Do not Kill any Diouists

-Do not intentionally and negatively impact a Diouist's physical health

2: Do no harm to Diouists' state of thought and mind
-Do not harass Diouists

-Do not mentally/emotionally manipulate a Diouist in a manner against his/her/their own interest.

-Do not intentionally and negatively impact a Diouist's mental/emotional health.

-Do not unjustly prosecute, or aid in the unjust prosecution of Diouists.

3: Maintain the sanctity of Diouist rituals
- Headwear that can be taken off, must be taken off during Diouist rituals

-Hands are to remain empty when possible during Diouist Rituals

-One may not move around the location of the ritual freely whilst the ritual is occurring

-Talking/comments must be kept to a minimum throughout the ritual except for those who are conducting the ritual, and/or those who are invited to speak by those who are conducting the ritual

4: Maintain the sanctity of the holy land
-One may not swim in the holy waters unless during the proper ritualistic practices of the Diouist church

-One may not build in, on, or around the holy land without permission from the Diouit

5: Maintain the sanctity of the church
-Act with civility and respect with high members and clergy of the church

-Refer to High members of the church with proper titles. This may consist of either their role, or "Holy father", "Holy Mother", or for longer titles, things like "Holy scout" (For the scout of the chiefdom)

-Respect, and heed to decisions and judgements made by the church.

-Do not slander of defame the church, or any of it's followers

-No Diouist may coerce non-Diouists into Diouism through violent means or methods

-Do not go against the teachings of the church or advocate for others to do this

-Malicious compliance would be viewed as a violation of these edicts

6: Aim to educate
-Aim to educate those unaware of the Diouist faith when the opportunity rises

-Do not force conversion

-Do not impede one's search for knowledge or wisdom

Diouism beliefs in summary
In the Diouism faith, it is believed that DioKru made the universe, the stars, and our world (Tremons). In the faith, it is believed that a second god, born out of the first ever star, made humanity, and our characteristics. DioTilgi is the God of forgiveness, repentance, and is the crafter of humanity. DioKru is the God of war, glory, mercy, and creation, and is the creator of the conditions in which we live. It is believed that those who spread the word of these two gods, and/or follow their word, will enter the home of the gods upon death for their efforts, and may even become a high member of the church and prosper in life. Members of the Diouist faith teach the scripture not necessarily to spread the religion, but to ensure prosperity for his fellow man, as it is believed that this is necessary for mankind to prosper, lest DioKru punish mankind for any misdeads.