Njóþan Teraftism

Njóþan teraftism is one of the main branches of teraftism, centered on the veneration of saints or deified rulers associated with the fertility goddess Teraft, who like other dwarven deities is considered distant and not worshiped directly, but still honored through pious acts and words. It's derived from the teachings of Nannwin, a saint believed to have received visions from Teraft at Qann Monastery around six and a half centuries ago, but different interpretations of certain rules and stories has lead to the formation of several denominations within this tradition. As njóþic teraftism spread throughout what is now Ninnirt Zö and southern Kikra, it incorporated aspects of older religious traditions, such as theatrical performances reenacting scenes from mythology during festivals, and the use of certain instruments to announce the beginning and end of fasts.
This faith is the official religion of Ninnirt Zö in southern Ójom in eastern Jælondis and Tos Q'eillen the northern Southlands, and adhered to by many Kikrans (particularly those along the border with Ninnirt Zö), as well as smaller communities of Narúrtic Dwarves and Axaxans.
The main difference between kikran and njóþan teraftism is that unlike the former, the cycle of fasting and feasting throughout the year in honor of Teraft is not just observed by the aristocracy and clergy on behalf of commoners, but by the wider population as a whole, affecting the availability of certain food and ingredients at different times of year. In addition to the traditional three main festivals and fasting periods, njóþan teraftists observe a fourth one, as well, a tradition that dates back only a few centuries. Most njóþan teraftists observe the four major fasts of the year, namely White Fast, Blue Fast, Red Fast and Yellow Fast, though the extent of these dietary restrictions varies between denominations and countries, with q'eillans being overall the strictest, followed by monastics in southern Kikra. Smaller feasts and associated dietary restrictions exist as well, though these vary between different denominations.

Main Fasts

White Fast

Considered the oldest of the main teraftist fasting periods, during White Fast, it's forbidden to eat the meat of young animals such as crias, piglets or lambs, and most denominations discourage the consumption of eggs as well. One restriction which is unique to njóþan teraftism is that certain members (particularly in Tos Q'eillen) avoid eating sprouts and whole seeds as well, which limits their choice of bread.

Blue Fast

During Blue fast, the meat of land animals is forbidden, and thus njóþan teraftists turn to seafood and freshwater fish, crabs and shellfish instead. The most pious ones abstain even from eating terrestrial plants, substituting them for seaweed or other aquatic flora. While considered a boon for those who catch or sell fish and other seafood, this custom has begun to negatively affect the ecosystems off the coast of Ninnirt Zö as well as those in rivers and lakes in recent decades, to the point that the njóþans have to import certain fish during Blue Fast.

Red Fast

During Red Fast, only uncooked food is allowed, whether in raw, cured, smoked or fermented form. The festival held during the day prior to this period features a number of dishes meant to be stored and eaten during the first week or so of the fast, after which several traditional dishes are enjoyed by those who observe this custom. These include the njóþan equivalent of mettwurst, edible clay as a kind of sauce (particularly in the hinterlands of Ninnirt Zö), and small lumps of butter mixed with barley flour.

Yellow Fast

During Yellow Fast, the use of any flavoring aside from salt is discouraged, and sugar in particular is strictly forbidden. This fast is unique to njóþan teraftism, originally observed 250 years ago by the monastics at Pfu'uzó Monastery as a reaction against the introduction of sugar from Örkraz, and spread throughout Ninnirt Zö. Certain denominations allow some herbs and spices deemed mild enough or in limited amounts.

Funerary Rites

Burial is the norm among njóþan teraftists, with either the whole body being interred or just the heart, the latter custom being far more common. Various rituals are performed prior, during and after the burial by a monk or nun to ensure the person's soul will find its way to the afterlife, and in cases where only the heart is buried in the cemetery, the rest is offered to Teraft's sacred animals to feast on out in the wilderness.