Spirituality and Religion

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Spirituality is considered an important aspect of everyday life, with the most commonly held beliefs varying between races and nations. These practices are passed down through the generations, teaching history, morality, and giving meaning to the universe.


SAZANAMI

The Sazanami Religion is the most widespread religion in the world, spread by traveling monks. It is centered around the concepts of Karma and Reincarnation, and honors the teachings of the Eternal Emperor of Kodama. The Sazanami disciple does not believe in an alternate afterlife realm, instead proposing that the world of spirits exists all around them.

The Sazanami disciples believe that when a living creature dies, it's soul is immediately passed into a newly born body. This cycle is controlled by Karma, with each being born into an appropriate new form based on it's former personality and deeds. This idea of karma only controls the cycle of reincarnation, and is not believed to have any bearing on a person's luck. After all, many good people experience a lifetime hardship.

Part of a Sazanami Monk's duties is to ensure that the dead are properly cleansed and cremated, and the area of their death purified by ritual dance. This ensures that the reincarnation cycle is not interrupted, and that the spirit does not linger on as a ghostly entity.

The Sazanami believe that each soul determines certain traits in each new body, chief among these being magical ability. The Sazanami often try to identify these traits in themselves and others, to reveal and enlighten one of their past lives.

The Sazanami philosophy is based upon the teachings of the Eternal Emperor, that people should strive to be moral and pacifist, maintaining honor and peace. The faithful believe that should the Eternal Emperor's teachings be forgotten, Oroborus may wake once again and bring new chaos and devastation to the world.

Sazanami Monks can be easily identified by plain white jo-e robes, black tate-eboshi hats, and shaku batons. Sazanami Miko, or shrine maidens, are recognized by a plain white haori, red hakama, and nusa wands.


VANARA

Wild Vanara honor nature ancestor spirits with daily and nightly dancing and partying. This constant festivity is said to maintain the lifecycle and health of the natural world, as well as bringing happiness to the people.

The Vanara believe that it is important to live in balance with nature, and to never take more than you need. Should one break the balance, nature spirits will turn against them and bring famine and disease.

When a Vanara dies, his body is wrapped in white cloth and buried in the earth, with seeds planted above the body. In this way, the Vanara spirit returns to nature, rejoining the circle of life.

These practices survive primarily in the Wild Vanara cities, and amongst those who have a link to their culture. After many generations in foreign societies, many Vanara have forgotten the old ways and picked up upon foreign religions.


NEZUMI

The Nezumi believe that the world is made up of not just four, but five elements. This fifth element is energy, spirit, or Chi. These elements control life, and serve as the building blocks of everything. These elements cannot be consumed or destroyed, but can be passed from one form to another; as earth to wood or metal, as water to ice.

Those that control magic are viewed as blessed by the elements, but also placed at great spiritual and moral risk. Nezumi believe that these powers are intended to be used for the greater benefit of society, and must not be abused for gain. Unfortunately, those that hold great power are often corrupted by it.

When Nezumi die, they are believed to break down into their base elements, joining the elemental cycle. Therefore, Nezumi funerals are often performed in relevance to these elements. Cremation, Burial at Sea, Burial, and Sky Burial are practiced based on local custom and preference of the deceased.


TENGU-JI

Tengu are raised on an isolated mountain island, it's only structure is an ancient temple erected in honor of the sun and moon. The Tengu-ji Monks tend to the children and the island, seeking to live in harmony with the natural world. The Tengu see a spiritual world all around them, the sky, mountains, forests, and sea existing as kami, possessing spiritual power. It is not uncommon for Tengu-ji Monks to retreat into the wilderness to meditate for days on end. Tengu-ji Monks are easily identified by their red robes.

The Tengu believe that the cycle of existence is maintained by the balance of all things. The moon and sun exemplify this belief, with the two deities known as Yin and Yang being opposite yet reflections of each other. However, the balance of these two deities is believed to be the source of all life and spiritual energy.


ONI

The religion of the Oni is one of violence and mysticism. This ritualized religion is passed from Oni witchdoctors, the wise men of their race. These shamans are often nomads and hermits, sought out by powerful warlords for their magical abilities.

It is believed that blood and flesh is the source of all power, and that consuming and bathing in flesh and blood increases the strength of the Oni. This belief has lead to ritual sacrifices and cannibalism, adding to the horrible reputation of the Oni. This practice is steeped in tradition, and is continued to this day.


NAGA

The Naga no longer have a true religion, instead their culture has a spiritual history passed down in the form of song and story. The Naga are a race with a lifespan measured in decades and centuries, and their history is even more ancient. If they were said to have a god, it would be Oroborus, the Wyrm Father.

Naga believe themselves to be the first children of Oroborus, the great wyrm, creator of the world. They were created as servants and worshipers of Oroborus, crafted from his scales. The Serpent God was divine, with the power to heal or curse upon his whim. This god was worshiped in awe and fear, with the Naga seeking to maintain his good favor in fear of his awesome and dreadful power.

In time the Naga coaxed the tired god to rest within the depths of the Kodama tree, far beneath the wood and earth. This ancient god was then sealed away, the paths into the deep places of Kodama were closed to all.

The Naga inherited the lands of Kodama, but this would not last forever. The world grew and changed, with the Ningen taking every inch they could manage. The Naga Elders warned that battling with these Ningen would be foolish, and decided that the better option was to leave the land to them. Thus the Naga left their native land, entering the Sea of Mana for the first time.

Those that stayed behind would soon realize the error of their choice, as the conflict between the races awoke the sleeping dragon. Oroborus brought new destruction to the world, and many died. Those Naga that fled to the Sea of Mana were spared from the wrath of their former master.

To this day, the Naga pass down the ancient legends of Oroborus, and his name is spoken in awe and fear. Many Naga chose to return to the lands of their creation, often on a spiritual pilgrimage to reconnect with their legendary past.


AKUMA

The Akuma do not possess a unified religion, yet maintain a spiritual practice of ancestor worship. The Akuma do not believe in reincarnation, instead proposing that one's spirit is linked to the past in a long chain, back to the world's creation.

As a creature lives, it spends spiritual energy and life each day in everything that it does. In this way, spirit is passed on to others through his actions, the things he creates, and the children he bears.

This belief stresses the importance of history, action, and heritage. Akuma claim to be empowered by the greatness and deeds of their ancestors, taking on their strengths. A knowledge of one's forefathers history is a link to these powers, without this wisdom the Akuma is cut off from these powers.