Pavlovism

Pavlovism, also known as the Hand of Pavlovich is a monotheistic religion with lesser saints, that originates from the Kingdom of Kolossyisk. Pavlovism is a small religion, with its only remaining adherents being House Aurora, who rules Aurora, and certain Auroran nobles.

Pavlovism is most commonly seen through two symbols, the Hand of Pavlovich, on the banner to the right, or the “Ф” most commonly seen at the altar of Pavlovist temples. Of the two symbols, the Hand is by far the most common, as it is found on the uniform of the Order of the Aurora, one of the last remaining Pavlovist organizations on Rathnir.

Origin and History
Pavlovist tradition dictates that a foreign species described as a “superior” species of human were sent down by Pavlovich himself as punishment to the humans who inhabited Jagdas for its mistreatment of the animals that Pavlovitch had gifted them to help them survive, and thrive in the wilderness. Thus, the people of the Kingdom of Kolossyisk fled from Jagdas, the migrants forming a new state in the land of Rathnir. The once minor tribe of the “Narverechny” took power after a struggle between the various tribes in the process of the founding of a new country, establishing Naverechniya, a republic with an aristocracy. After the Navevechnyan Civil War, and its dissolution and subsequent absorption of its remnants by the Valdreach Imperial Republic, the only remaining Pavlovist adherents are within House Aurora, and select Auroran nobles.

Treatment of Animals
Adherents to Pavlovism are known for their respect for animals, pets, and more specifically dogs. While dogs hold a high status within Pavlovism, dogs are considered “First Among Equals” rather than being superior to other domesticated animals.All families are required to have a pet of some sort, pets are to be given the same respect that one would give a fellow human, and to be laid to rest with the same burial rites as those of a human. As humans typically live longer than their pets, it is common for humans to have multiple pets at the same time, or to get another pet after one has died, usually within a month of it’s passing as that is what is required in most sects. In its only extant incarnation within the Kingdom of Aurora burial rites typically take the form of being interred within crypts, which can best be seen in the crypt below the Temple of Pavlovich. The crypt is known for housing dead Auroran royals, as well as the dead Emperors of the First Emperors of Uldarash.

Dogs and other pets, are considered to be an integral part of the family, like one would consider a sibling or child, as a result, pets are included in family trees. The oldest or the pet of the highest ranking family member is considered the pack leader. This practice can be observed in the family tree of the Auroran family tree, with the Pack Leader of the pets of House Aurora, Baron von Rumknight, or in the extinct Nakhozov line.

Packs
A pack is somewhat like the Pavlovist equivalent to a religious congregation. Packs are typically formed out of a families and clans, led by their Pack leader, who is trained in priestly duties and leads the pack in both religious, familial, and political matters. In the modern form of Pavlovism, in its Auroran resurgence, there are only three priests ordained, the Emperor Canine14, leading the pack of the royal family, Large Lad providing spiritual guidance to the commoners, and the last being unknown.

Rituals
Rituals within Pavlovism, at least known publically are limited to about 2, the ritual of Bonding, and a ritual of Divination.

Bonding rituals
Bonding rituals consist of a Pavlovich adherent finding an animal to bond with, typically this will involve the Pavlovist adherent going into the wild, spending several weeks searching for an animal that finds the adherent agreeable, and vice versa. Once the animal is used to the adherent's presence, they are given a ritual item of bonding, usually taking the form of a bone, fruit, or fish depending on the animal being bonded with. The ritual bonding item is typically carved full of runes by a priest or even a saint. Once they are both bonded, the adherent and their companion will return to their pack, where both will be reintroduced to it, increasing both spiritual and physical strength of the pack. Bonded animals are given a level of intelligence. level physical strength, and longevity higher than that of what would be observed in their wild counterparts, and once bonded are no long considered a "wild animal", but a member of the pack.

An alternative form is when animal companions within the pack mate, and have puppies, kittens, foals, etc. These infant animals are by nature of their parents, already members of the pack, and but still need to be bonded to human partner, typically a human or elf child.

Divination
Divination rituals involve the gathering of the animals of the pack, leading them into a circular formation enclosed within a building, once their humanoid partners are out of the vicinity, the animals will enter a trance like state, losing their connection with their partner temporarily, communing with Pavlovich. During this process, the animals will change positions within the room unconciously, their positioning once revealed to the priest of the pack, are then interpreted based off of complex rules that have yet to be revealed.

Sins
The murder or killing of a dog within Pavlovism is considered as great of a crime as murder, and if Pavlovism was the primary religion of the country where the killing took place or the place of origin of the pet, it was considered tantamount to the murder of one of its citizens, making those who kill pets an enemies of the state, worthy of a declaration of war, and penalty of death. Killing of a pet with the purpose of insulting the state, or religion, triggers what is known as a “Sobachiya Vojna” (vojna is pronounced like voi-nah) or a dog war, as it was known in Naverechnyan. A dog war is a holy war, waged to punish those who have desecrated Pavlovich’s gift.

Pavlovism typically takes a very liberal view towards sexuality, and sexual acts, other than a general trend towards modesty, with the sole exception of beastiality, which is treated the same as the murder of an animal, and is punished with the death penalty.

Places of Worship
Pavlovist places of worship, called Temples, take the form of buildings with an altar at the end of the building located farthest from the entrance, and a crypt below. The altar consists of the symbol of Pavlovich which can be made out of any material but usually carved out of materials like wood, or in materials considered the most beautiful of Pavlovich’s creations, like gilded blackstone, with  a box in front of it, where offerings are to be given. These can include anything from Rotten Flesh, valued for their use in feeding dogs, to valuable materials like Diamonds.

Pavlovich
Its central deity Pavlovich is known as a god of nature, order, and companionship, who gifted the population with dogs and other pets, beings that contributed to the survival of humanity and accompanied them on their time on Rathnir. Pavlovich is believed to reside in a plane higher than on which Rathnir resides, known as the Nebesa, or the Immortal Plane, in contrast to the mortal plane, on which adherents believe that they, and others reside.

Creation Myth
Pavlovist traditions state that the legendary End, was Pavlovich’s first attempt at civilization, it was a failure, as it is evident in the form of the twisted creatures known as the Endermen. Myth states that a gargantuan dragon reigns over this realm, but it has never been confirmed to have been seen by any human on Rathnir or any other known continent in the world.

The Overworld and the Nether were the second and third attempt at civilization respectively. With the Overworld being the realm of Humans, and the Nether the realm of the Pigmen, considered brothers to the Humans, however for many years, Pigmen and other creatures all over the Nether had become more and more rare, with some Pavlovists, postulating that they were being whisked away by Pavlovich himself, or were the work of other dastardly humans who hated their presence.

Saints
Pavlovism also includes the veneration, but not worship of various saints, those who have acted in ways to attract Pavlovich’s attention, and then given blessings, and special capabilities, like supernatural healing, or speaking to wild animals. It must be added however, that saint’s are only those who have been blessed with ability by Pavlovich, not merely visited, or given things by him, as such events are relatively common, and verified to have truly happened in living memory.

There are in total, 11 saints within the religion, with two saints who are known, the other eight who haven't been granted power, or haven't revealed themselves yet. These 11 saints are split into 4 higher saints, and 7 lesser saints.

Brimstone, the Saint of Health
Brimstone is the Pavlovist Saint of health, a medicine man who became renowned in his hometown of Kolossyisk for assisting the wounded and sickly, such was his renown, that Pavlovich gifted him the ability to restore wounds, and the wisdom to cure any sickness.

Rapolas, the Saint of the Wild
Rapolas, the Pavlovist Saint of the Wild, and the wilderness, is one of the most revered saints in the Pavlovist religion, for his ability to commune with animals and other creatures of the wild. It is said that he died in his sleep while trying to nurse back to health a wolf that had been mortally wounded after being thrown into, and being trapped in a berry bush. This act of devotion, and his care for wild animals and his respect for, and knowledge of the wild was what had finally gained the attention of Pavlovich, and thus he was granted the ability to speak to any animal, and minor healing abilities. It is said that Rapolas still roams the wild lands of the world, tending to the cattle and livestock of the townspeople, blessing them with prosperity and good harvest.