Etherealism

Etherealism is a religion that originates from the Vale. Etherealism was brought to Eldham and Rathnir when the Etherealist, Berengarius Graves, journeyed through the Maw into Eldham. The main deity of the religion is the ruler of the Vale, Xygaroth. The Eternal Pain is the end goal of every Etherealist. If you walk the Path of Pain, you will find eternal life in the Holy Vale. Stray too far from the path, and those with ill intent shall manipulate your conscience and your spot in the Holy Vale shall be destroyed. There are three main paths of Etherealism; The Exalted Path, the Ethereal Path, and the Culthitic Path. The Ethereal Path is the most popular and biggest. The Exalted Path is based on old values from when the religion was just getting started, and is considered primal compared to the current religion. The Ethereal Path is the face of Etherealism and  follows the Path of Pain. The Culthitic Path focuses on the exotic creatures present in the other realms. Culthites are very reserved and the path is more like a cult, as they worship the creators of the creatures, the banished gods, and tend to not associate with the other gods.

Gods
There are 6 main gods worshiped by Etherealists: Xygaroth, Primerus, Bolag, Kyg’jahaal, Valthum, and Kilthan. Primerus, Bolag, Kyh’jahaal, Valthum, and Kilthan are the Gods of Torment, each representing a unique aspect of the Eternal Pain. There are also 3 banished gods and 3 lesser gods. Zyng’xenta, Per’jahaal, and Pyun’ixgtan are banished gods that rule the Oblivion, the Abyss, and the Onyx realms respectively. Yen’xenta, Yen’jahaal, and Yen’ixgtan are the veinmasters of the Oblivion, the Abyss, and the Onyx realms respectively.

Xygaroth
Xygaroth is the creator and current ruler of the Vale. He has ultimate control over the entire realm, and all that inhabit it. He is often associated with what is good in the world, such as bountiful harvests and times of peace. He is the most well known of the gods and has spurred many offshoot religions based solely on him. He is said to be infinitesimally large, yet unseeable by those who are not worthy. His physical form is usually described as a human-like being draped in dark blue robes with two giant, hollow eyes. Most ceremonies dedicated to the god involve some kind of pure blood sacrifice. 'XI: They who walk the path, shall revere the soul in which it is located.'

Primerus
Primerus is the God of Disaster. Originally, Primerus was not a part of Etherealism, and was instead a god of the religion named Arcanism, another major religion in the Vale. Eventually, a depiction of the trickster god made its way into Etherealism and it stuck. However, due to its recent addition to the pantheon, no physical description has ever been published. Primerus is a god from the realm of Oblivion. He is, of course, the cause of all the disasters of the world. Because of his nature, many call upon him for his strength and power. Primerus draws his power from the suffering of mankind. Those who do not regularly fulfill his wishes are said to become corrupted individuals and often develop horrific diseases in which no medicine can cure. 'V: For the disaster itself shone through, as impurity set.'

Bolag
Bolag is the God of War. He represents the hatred man has for each other. He is said to live in the deepest vault of the ocean, in complete solitude. He finds his power in the death of man, yet his power partially resides in the hearts of all warriors. Although against his nature of war, he is said to be a very benevolent god. He is known to save people from most causes of death. The soul that dies to nature is worthless to the soul that dies in battle. Many rituals dedicated to the god include powerful weapons. He is often depicted only as a head sticking from the water. The head is lined with small tentacles all across it, often in distorted positions. 'VII: As the blood filled the waves, scent was regained. And the docile exchanged with the hostile.'

Kyg'jahaal
Kyg’jahaal is the God of the Apocalypse. It is the oldest and most powerful of the gods. It resides in the clouds. It has become an omen over time. It draws power from fear. Those who have claimed to have seen it have all gone mad and died over time. It is often depicted in many different shapes. The main characteristics are that it is always within the largest cloud in the sky and that it always has some form of appendage jutting from said cloud, usually tentacles. Kyg’jahaal is the only god known to interact physically with humans. It often manifests itself as a human and walks the Vale, only to seek out the souls of its victims. None have tried to sacrifice in the name of Kyg’jahaal, as those that try have always gone missing. 'I: The madness of man shall not deter the vengeance of the gods.'

Valthum
Valthum is the God of Death. He is similar to the grim reaper in other cultures. Those on the brink of death often see his form only moments before their end. Although many see him, none have ever tried to depict him. Those that do happen to be near someone while they meet their end often mention a numerous amount of eyes. He is said to travel extensively in the Maw. 'III: For death is swift, and the collection is taxing.'

Kilthan
Kilthan is the God of Disease. He is the main cause of famine and plague. If he does not receive an adequate sacrifice periodically, the wrath of the gods will be felt by all. Because of this, there is a dedicated group of people who sacrifice all kinds of things in his name. Kilthan is said to invade the minds of the weak who stray from the path and speak to them. After this communication, the person usually succumbs to his might and becomes afflicted. He also appears in many dreams as a porous monstrosity. 'XV: The greed of man, the shortcoming of life.'

Zyng'xenta
Zyng’xenta is the ruler of the Oblivion Realm. Not much is known about them. They are credited as the cause of the Affliction. They are also credited for the corruption of man, as their realm is too close to the Vale. Under Zyng’xenta, the veinmaster Yen’xenta serves for eternity. 'IV: From the depths came life, yet sought the souls of man.'

Per'jahaal
Per’jahaal is the ruler of the Abyssal Realm. Nothing is known about them, as the Abyssal Realm is the deepest any human has ever traveled and returned from. The Abyssal Realm is, however, known to hold powerful creatures and monsters. Due to this, many seek out the power of Per’jahaal. Under Per’jahaal, the veinmaster Yen’jahaal serves for eternity. 'XX: The last of the pure file through, and the age draws closed.'

Pyun'ixgtan
Pyun’ixgtan is the ruler of the Onyx Realm. The Onyx Realm is often visited by humans, specifically mages, as Onyxes are very valuable in the creation of magickal items and artifacts. Many people associate polemancers as the pure form of Pyun’ixgtan, because the rituals dedicated to him often attract polemancers. Under Pyun’ixgtan, the veinmaster Yen’ixgtan serves for eternity. 'IX: For which the Onyx walks, the Onyx takes.'

Rotan
Rotan is technically not a god, but they are the Warden of the Vale. As the Warden of the Vale, Rotan is responsible for making sure no external gods enter the Vale. He is often depicted simply as a human warrior.

Bakal
Bakal, similar to Rotan, is not a god. Instead, Bakal is the guardian of the Maw, and is responsible for making sure no god whatsoever sets foot in the Maw.

Origins
The origins of Etherealism date back to the ancient cults of the Meontani Tribes such as the Kraken Cult. The exact date the Pagithanimas was written is unknown but it is theorized to be roughly 268 years ago, coinciding with the construction of the first Time Keeping altar in the Vale. The Pagithanimas is the divine book of Etherealism, and it was written by a fanatic who was supposedly graced by god. The religion started out small but eventually grew into a dominant religion in the Vale. Although dominant, many nations and towns have outlawed the religion, as it is considered a false religion compared to the likes of Arcanism and New Age Blankism. The first Etherealist temple was constructed in the mountains outside of Thacoria. The religion is still very prominent in Thacoria and other cities of the Thacorian Kingdom although it has long been outlawed. Etherealists were one of the first to learn how to summon and harness pagan magick. Necromancy itself began in an Etherealist temple.

The Three Paths
There are three paths that are available for Etherealists. The Exalted Path, The Ethereal Path, and the Culthitic Path. The Exalted Path picks members from the Ethereal Path based on unknown things. The Ethereal Path is the main path and the biggest. You don’t have to do anything special to join it, aside from taking part in the purity ceremony. The Culthitic Path is also available to anyone. There are three different rank structures, one for each path. The Ethereal Path has two smaller rank structures.

The Exalted Path
The Exalted Path is led by the Overlord. Once you become an Acolyte, you usually move to an Exalted Temple. There, you live a life completely led by the Pagithanimas and the ancient values of the Exalted Path. Your days will consist of letting your blood for the gods and sacrificing lesser beings. After completing the process to become a Minor Seer, you will be allowed a part of the ancient knowledge of Etherealism. Continued support will let you become a Major Seer, and you will gain more ancient knowledge, while also being taught important spells. If you become a Seermaster, you will learn the spells required to transport between realms with ease. Minor Lords are one step above Seermasters. They lead minor Exalted Temples and induct new members. Lords lead the main Exalted Temples and promote Seers. The Overlord leads the Path. The rank structure from highest to lowest: Overlord, Lord, Minor Lord, Seermaster, Major Seer, Minor Seer, Acolyte.

The Ethereal Path
The Ethereal Path is the definition of Etherealism. They follow the Pagithanimas and some new tenets introduced by the High Elder. The High Elder heads a small council of Elders to lead the Ethereal Path. There is the Divinity Subpath and the Visibility Subpath within the Ethereal Path. Each subpath focuses on a different aspect of Etherealism. The Divinity Subpath is about the gods and the Path of Pain. The Visibility Subpath is less about the gods and more about learning about the other realms. Both subpaths start you out as a Follower, then you will need to be promoted to Etherealist before choosing a subpath. The Divinity Subpath rank structure from highest to lowest is: Archpriest, Prophet, Shaman, Priest, Worshiper. The Visibility Subpath rank structure from lowest to highest is Overseer, Veinmaster, Seer, Veinwalker, Ranger. Above Overseer and Archpriest is Elder. After Elder, and leader of the entire Ethereal Path, is High Elder.

The Culthitic Path
The Culthitic Path was named after the long lost Culthite religion. The religion believed that the gods walked the Vale in the form of animals. The Culthitic Path is about worshiping the creatures of the deep realms. It is led by the Archdruid. The rank structure from highest to lowest is: Archdruid, Beastmaster, Druid, Culthite. The daily life of a Culthite consists of observing creatures as well sacrificing them to free the gods from inside.

The Pagithanimas
The Pagithanimas is the holy book of Etherealism. Contained within are over 100 pages of stories, tales, proverbs, laws, incantations, spells, and information, all in a forgotten language named Pathinam. Pathinam was spoken by a small tribe hundreds of years ago and has since been forgotten by most. However, with sufficient tributes to the gods, individuals have been known to learn this language. These people often try to decode the book in its entirety but can’t before they succumb to the madness of the language of the gods. So far, only 14 pages of the Pagithanimas have been decoded fully. Using this and a copy of the original, an additional 10 pages have been pieced together. The original book is housed in the High Elder’s chamber. Many have tried to steal this book for their own but often are driven mad by its purity. The laws of Etherealism come from the Pagithanimas, as does the Path of Pain, which all Etherealists walk.

The Path of Pain
The Path of Pain is a way of life for Etherealists walking the Ethereal path. The Path of Pain comes with many rules that individuals must follow to truly enter eternity in the Holy Vale and grace their eyes with the true form of Xygaroth. There are many interpretations of the Path of Pain. The nine tenets of the Path of Pain are as follows:
 * 1) Trek the path to the fullest, for straying will corrupt your soul.
 * 2) Purity is obtained through pain.
 * 3) To suffer is to live.
 * 4) Your time will come when your soul is pure.
 * 5) You must strive to become pure, do not wait for it to happen to you.
 * 6) The gods are the purest, learn from them.
 * 7) To satiate the gods is to satiate your soul.
 * 8) The path winds between the obstacles of greed and pride.
 * 9) Defy your path for another and you shall suffer the impurity of life

Rituals and Ceremonies
Many Etherealists perform daily rituals. Rituals can range anywhere from sacrificing an animal to the gods to cleansing your soul by letting your blood flow for Xygaroth. Rituals are usually area specific and individual specific as well. No two rituals are the same, although there are some similarities between all rituals. All rituals take place at an altar to either the gods or the Pagithanimas. The altar often has red and white candles, representing the purity and impurity of the world. Altars are mostly made from scorched stone which is made from burning rocks until they are pitch black. Rituals are best performed at night, as the sun is considered impure. Rituals can be used to please the gods, cleanse souls, or call on the power of the gods. Ceremonies are often performed to crowds of people in temples. Ceremonies are daily occurrences, often performed by Shamans or Priests. These ceremonies reveal the impure in people and also are a reminder to the gods that your soul is worthy of entering the Holy Vale. Bones, ash, brimstone, and anything else that represents pain are often used to enhance rituals and ceremonies, and to strengthen the bond between the altar and the gods.

Realms
There are 5 main realms that exist in Etherealism. The Vale, the Holy Vale, the Maw, the Onyx Realm, the Oblivion realm, and the Abyssal Realm. These places exist outside of the world of Eldham or Rathnir, and both are separate from the realms of the Vale.

The Vale
The Vale is the realm in which all races live. It is a lush land with oceans, mountains, and forests spanning a wide area. There are multiple biomes in the Vale, but the most prominent ones are deserts, grasslands, forests, and mountains. There are 3 main intelligent races in the Vale. Humans, Elves, and Dwarves. There are numerous human kingdoms and tribes. Magick is present in the air of the Vale, and individuals can learn to harness this magick which lets them perform spells with just willpower alone. Many creatures exist in this realm such as dragons, ents, and faeries. There are also a multitude of monsters that have escaped the other realms and seeped into the Vale.

The Holy Vale
The Holy Vale is the afterlife that all pure Etherealists will go to when they pass. It is the domain of Xygaroth and only accessible to the most pure of individuals. If you follow the Path of Pain to the fullest, your soul will be reserved a spot in the Holy Vale.

The Maw
The Maw is the barrier realm between the vale and the deeper realms. It connects the Vale and the Onyx Realm. It is identical to the geography of the Vale, except in eternal night. It is also full of monsters that hide in the shadows and prey on travelers. The only way to pass to the Maw is either by being extremely well versed in Magick and transporting yourself there, or by entering a Gate into it. Gates are made of special material that can keep a portal to other realms open indefinitely. The creatures of the Maw can sense open portals. There is a low amount of Magick present in the Maw, making it hard for mages to travel back to the Vale without a Gate. There are numerous outposts located in the Maw, which are able to peacefully extract the resources of the realm back to the Vale due to the lack of light. Due to it being so dark, any kind of fire or light scares any creature or monster away. The maw also has a few Gates that lead into the Onyx Realm. These Gates are usually well protected by merchants and militaries due to the valuable resources in the Onyx and the numerous powerful monsters in the Onyx Realm.

Onyx Realm
The Onyx Realm can be accessed by the Maw or by the Oblivion Realm. Like the Maw, it is pitch black and full of terrifying creatures. Only the pure can set foot in the Onyx Realm and return with their sanity. Along with the creatures, there are also extremely valuable resources in the Onyx Realm, such as Onyxes. Unlike the Maw, the geography is different entirely from the Vale. It is mostly mountainous regions with seas and lakes of a substance called Gian. Gian is a black ooze that can rapidly deteriorate most living things. Onyxes can also be found in caverns in this realm. Onyxes are useful in staves and other magical items as well as in altars. They are rare and sought after by any Etherealist. The Onyx Realm has areas of abundant magick but also areas devoid of magick. If you are a powerful enough mage, you can use these abundant areas to transfer yourself into the Oblivion Realm.

Oblivion Realm
The Oblivion Realm is the deepest any mortal can travel. It is a realm full of molten rock and seas of lava. There are a few archipelagos of charred stone but the majority of the realm is lava. In this realm, many demons and lesser gods live in eternal struggle. However, some can escape the realm directly into the Vale, although no one knows how. Only a few humans have set foot in Oblivion, and even fewer have made it back alive. Although dangerous, the realm is full of extremely sought after things, such as Abyss Stones and Amber Brimstone. The scorched lands are devoid of any magic so those who travel to this realm must bring pure magick or a means of getting back safely, as no gate may be opened for long back to the vale. Strangely, the realm seems to be closer to the Vale than the Onyx Realm, although deeper. Due to this, mages can teleport directly back to the Vale.

Abyss Realm
The Abyss Realm is unreachable by humans. It has been proven to exist, however. It is predicted to be full of nothing except for the few islands that seem to be floating above the void. The impure are said to fall for eternity in the unusually hot realm. The Abyss Realm is mentioned in the Pagithanimas and possibly encompasses multiple dimensions.