Slí an Anma
Slí an Anma translated to the Way of the soul in the common tongue and this describes the religion of Skanwatre very well. Nothing is more important to a Watre then to keep their soul intact. The journey a soul takes is an individual one and must be tread with honour and without regret. There are many ways to achieve the goal of the journey of one's soul but the most important aspect is harmony. This harmony can only be achieved if you are attuned with nature itself, so they believe.
Role of Spirits
This is much like the Tjarn's belief in the spirits of nature. Even the relationship to spirits shows similarities to the Tjarn. Like the messengers that appear as omens of faith and harmony to the believers. While the spirits possess a great amount of power some are more powerful than others. Greater spirits are able to summon mighty storms, earthquakes and other catastrophes if angered. They are also responsible for the good things in life. Like the rain after a dry period that left the land barren, so crops can grow again. Lesser spirits are often an important sign for good health and harmony. They take care of the minor things like the health of a tree or the cool relaxing summer breeze for the workers in the field. The absence of these spirits are the first omen of bad times to come. Most spirits have a kind and playful nature. They only turn to anger and destruction when nature itself is threatened. In its defence they act in ways sometimes perceived as evil or cruel. That is nothing compared to their much darker kin who are truly vile and wicked. These beings corrupt the work of lesser spirits and sow the seeds of disharmony. In their lesser forms they are tricksters manipulating the victim to lash out against their loved ones or the final touch to spoil a carefully cooked dinner. The greater ones manipulate animals and humans to perform unspeakable acts like thievery, abuse or even murder. They feed on the negative emotions and doubts of the possessed and turn them into evil spirits themselves. Disharmony of body or mind allows an evil spirit entrance to the soul.
If a deceased can't be properly returned to their family it will cause unrest in the soul of the deceased and the mourners. That is why rival clans will always return the bodies of the fallen to each other. Not only as a sign of respect but also because it is too great of a risk of attracting a demon of immense power. While the Shizen Munkr in Skadraggen foremost care about that the Watren balance their modern life with nature; another mission of theirs is to seek the bodies that have been lost. They also seek to banish or at least appease evil spirits and demons as best as they can. Stories of lonesome monks solving mysteries about long lost souls or evil spirits with nothing but their wisdom and words are not uncommon. Not everyone is able to see these spirits but usually all of the children can until they lose the abilities after they reach a certain age. Those who keep the skill to see spirits often desire to become Monks or Shamans who try to read and interpret the spirit world.
Tenets
Every Watre is a warrior to a certain degree because everyone has a fight of their own. Some are actual warriors who seek fame and glory in combat while others just want to be protectors of their clan. Traders want to secure their clan's survival in their own manner; forging deals that ensure the safety and prosperity of their families. Farmers put in a lot of effort to get the best yield so the clan can sustain themselves another year to come. Healers who are combating every malady that has befallen their clan. Artists compose the masterpieces to lift the spirits of their family. All of them fight different battles but each is as important as the other. They might be able to exist without each other, but there is not much sense for a protector who defends empty fields. Every craft is important and worth giving your life for it. There is no honour in running away from your battle, as this will only cause disharmony in your soul. The warriors however take this to new heights. Even when they are outnumbered and face certain defeat they will not flee from battle. If they die on the battlefield facing the enemy they can die without regret. Not recovering their body and weapon is a foul feat and will turn misfortune on the clan who denies that.
Sins, Redemption and Rites
The clan members are free to choose their paths in life as long as they do not dishonour the clan and therefore themselves. A child born to a warrior can pursue the path of an innkeeper and the children of farmers can choose to pick up a weapon. Sometimes venerable veterans quit their life as a warrior and become the clan's healer. The clan expects nothing but excellence from its people. A trader who signs a bad deal and puts the clan in debt with their choice, will lose their face and might even face banishment. A farmer can be made responsible for a bad yield and a dull blade will cause the blacksmith to lose their reputation. As the Watren see it a clan member has nothing but their reputation and their honour. Losing this is losing yourself and this means dissension of the soul. Dissension will lead to fighting and this will lead to undesirable outcomes.
Outcasts are called Nirion, the clanless who serve no master nor clan. They live lives of shame and disharmony. They are avoided by most of society. Talking to them is shunned as the clans fear this brings bad luck. The Shizen Munkr sometimes hire the Nirions if they have to travel to desolate and dangerous places. Other times they are hired by clans to do their dirty work; things that shouldn't fall back on the people who have honour. Most Nirions are trying to restore their lost honour, which is possible if a clan leader decides to use their service for 13 times and they showed great skill. Other ways are joining the Shizen Munkr, where they are trained to live in harmony again and will serve as guards for the monks and their monasteries. They are not allowed to indulge into worldly things such as alcohol or even entertaining music. They leave their humanity behind and become a figurative part of the spirit world.
Every clan has their own shrines where they praise the spirit of this world and remember the lost and the dead. Near these shrines are always some sleeping quarters for the unsuspecting pilgrim or cleric who comes to visit. Around the shrines are beautiful gardens and cherry trees so spirits feel right at home. Some offerings, often in the form of crops, are placed upon the steps of the shrine. The temples are rare and few but they often are built around nature's design. The locations they are built in have a natural finish. Trees on the location are not cut and rather are part of the building itself like a large tree house or the tree becomes the centre of the building. If there is a stream or a river in the way the flow will not be changed and pathways will either be connected by a small bridge or a small ferry. It is the solemn intent to not disrupt the animals in their lives. Nature needn't be disturbed.
Burial Costumes
Burial rituals are quite diverse and differ from clan to clan but in general it is a fire burial to set the soul free of its vessel and reunite it with the spiritual world. The followers of this religion believe that a soul is undying and will be reborn after an unspecified time, some sooner and some later. Not every Watre is a sword wielding warrior but all of them are in possession of a sword in order for self defense. The sword carries the legacy of a clan member on it and after death it is reforged into the ancestral blade to keep them in memory. The oldest clan families have swords so large and big that even giants wouldn't be able to wield them. The main ancestral blade of the leading family is often hung above the table in the feasting hall, while the blades of the minor families are hung on the walls. The significance of a family is measured by how close they are to the main family's ancestral blade.
The Spirit festival is held during the longest night of the year. It is the most important festival of Slí an Anma. During this festivity the clans remember the fallen and forgotten. The Watren use this night to bury hatchets, end rivalry, renew alliances and restore friendships. The day is spent in utter silence, while they prepare for the night and think about those who died. Stalls, food and drinks are prepared and beds are made for guests. No unnecessary words are spoken during the day until the signal is given for the great firework in the evening.
Mythology & Lore
Many myths are told by the Watren on how they came to settle their lands. Most commonly is the story of Shi’On; The Trickster Spirit. As a masked monklike figure she wanders, with her wooden staff, in tune with nature into the untouched lands of what is now Skanwatre. It is said she has roamed many places of this wondrous world. She especially enjoyed exploring this part of the world, for a very long time. Shi’On was wandering between dragons, leviathans and many other spirits of different kinds; Often conversing with them and listening to their needs. She walked among the mighty as an equal and had no quarrel with them. She rarely visited the ocean as she was not as fond of it as the mountains, the plains or the forests. Awfully deep and too widespread was the darkness of the oceans and ever treacherous it was for her liking. She knew to explore the land the best and roamed free on nature's secret pathways. While lakes and rivers enjoyed her arrival, dealings with the oceans made her feel uneasy. The spirits of the oceans always seemed to despise her, even looking down on her. This might be for many of the right reasons, but the ocean is an old thing. It was the first to exist and everything else seems to be tainting their existence. Land blocks its movement; Water is not allowed to move freely as it once did.
Shi’On cared for the creatures of this world, helped them, healed and settled disputes between them if needed.It is said she hailed from a lost realm in the far east beyond the forests and hills. If she just wandered from there or fled is not known. In this new land she felt home. It was only a blink of an eye for her when the first humans arrived from the eastern borders of this land. They have fled from a threat in the east. Tales of a safe and untouched land far in the west, gave them hope and made them leave their old home. The humans arrived exhausted with large families. Shi’On appeared to them as a masked humanlike creature, with a staff and clothing weaved from leaves, bark and grass.
Reluctantly but curious she took them in but only if they follow her teaching and try to live in harmony with nature. The families that arrived are said to be the ancestors of the current clans. For a life of peace and safety many clans agreed to live intune with nature and built small settlements, with guidance of the spirits of this land. Shi’On taught them how to live in her ways.
In order to seal the deal with the clans, Shi’On presented them with a special concoction she brewed. Once they drank from it they felt a special connection to their surroundings. They started to feel the rhythm of nature, which the Watren claim to still feel today.
The largest settlement the spirits allowed to be constructed; is the place where today's capital of Skanwatre stands; Skadraggn. It used to be a huge plain in these lands. They left enough room for grazing animals to live. The spirits provided them with the resources needed to build the city. Not one tree has been cut for the buildings of the city as they used materials that already have died. Made from bones and dead trees the city quickly arose.
Yet not every clan was content with this way of life, especially the ones who used to live in luxury where they came from tried to rebel against this natural order. They believed they would meet in secret but Shi’On was always watching them. Always knowing where they met and waiting for them to make a slip. If one leader was about to rally enough people, they would disappear without a trace. This went on for a while and it created distress in the clan politics.
A particular clan, called Voydse’er who conversed a lot with spirits, came across the darker spirits and dealt with a great many of them. Their dealings lead them to the leviathans of the deep. Leviathans are ancient and foul spirits, considered to be one of the primordial spirits. They have always been full of hatred against what isn't theirs to claim. Mighty and treacherous they are and one of the few spirits who dislike Shi’On enough to openly oppose her. Unlike most primordials they do not believe in the balance of nature. Yet they are locked in their ocean not able to attack the landlocked realms or the heaven itself. In their wrath they send storms and huge waves towards the land causing destruction and death where they touch down. Sometimes they even swell up rivers and flood entire cities, so much is their rage and envy.
Seeing a chance to get back at Shi’On the leviathans revealed to Clan Voydse’er that the concoction their ancestors consumed brewed by the trickster spirit is the sole reason why she could find them all the time. They made a fateful deal pledging themselves to these old spirits in order to become hidden from Shi’On’s gaze. Finally they believed they got the edge they needed to plot the downfall of her tyranny. In exchange they promised the ancient leviathans to fight for them. One by one the clan started to corrupt the spirits and turned other clans against Shi’On. With a cunning ruse they lured Shi’On, who had been looking for Clan Voydse’er, far away from the lands of the Watren and deep into Tjarn territory. It is said they tried to ambush her deep in the faraway place today known by a handful as the Frostleave Forrest, but the spirits of this secluded place aided her and she disposed of her foes rather swiftly. Myths of the Tjarn are witness of such a battle taking place.
Clan Voydse’er expected as much and tried to fight her at the border on her way back. Yet their relief force was met with an unexpected predicament. As soon as they entered the forests of Skanwatre bodies emerged from the ground and trees, covered in plants, bark and mushrooms. Their movements are stiff and seemingly slow yet guided with an unstoppable purpose to vanquish the villains. As they tried to flee in terror, veins and roots started to spread around the legs of them rendering them immobile. In their terror, far too late the committee that had been sent to fight Shi’On, came to the shocking realization that those terrible monsters of their inevitable doom, were none other than the remains of clans who tried to rebel in the past. They were not simply killed nor did they flee, they had been disposed of their minds and souls. Shi’On corrupted them and made them an image of a combined force of nature and spirit world. They had become her mindless minions serving her and nature. Parts of the limbs had been replaced by branches, wounds been covered with bark or grown over by mushrooms, flowers and fern. They had been turned into an grotesque undead army of nature’s vengeance.
Shi’On timely arrival allowed her to witness the fruits of her work, which made her feel joyous. With no time to lose she turned her ever growing army- bolstered with fresh recruits of traitor bodies- against the remnants of Clan Voyd’se’er and the leviathans.
The ancient dark spirits had sent gigantic waves- waves larger than they ever conjured before - crashing down on the lands flooding settlements and fields in order to send out their spawn. Leaving carnage behind. However with each defeated spirit the army of Shi’On grew bigger and bigger. It was only a matter of time until the first leviathan fell, to become part of her force. After a few more of the foul spirits got integrated into the army; the leviathans surrendered fearing for their very existence. For their betrayal against the harmony of nature Shi’On banished them to live in the deepest depths of the oceans and to never see light again. Should they ever dare to return too close to the surface, Shi’On will end them one by one. Leviathans have been taught a lesson of fear by Shi’On.
However in the aftermath of this battle when the families learned the fate of the lost clans they grew anxious of Shi’On’s powers, yet with the effect that they wouldn't be insolent against nature's will. They voiced their concern to Shi’On and beseeched her to stay away from their settlements and families and in return they would continue to serve nature. An eerily cackle sounded from behind Shi’On’s mask but in the end accepted their request with no sign of hesitation. The Watren worry about this wrath even today. They have become as respectful as possible to nature anticipating that they might share the same fate as the traitors at any moment. With the leviathans gone, the Watren started to explore and conquer the sea.
To this day the Watren tell tales of a masked figure, with a staff in hand, either tending to nature and in that either helping or hinder clans in their doing.
Shi’On cared for the creatures of this world, helped them, healed and settled disputes between them if needed.It is said she hailed from a lost realm in the far east beyond the forests and hills. If she just wandered from there or fled is not known. In this new land she felt home. It was only a blink of an eye for her when the first humans arrived from the eastern borders of this land. They have fled from a threat in the east. Tales of a safe and untouched land far in the west, gave them hope and made them leave their old home. The humans arrived exhausted with large families. Shi’On appeared to them as a masked humanlike creature, with a staff and clothing weaved from leaves, bark and grass.
Reluctantly but curious she took them in but only if they follow her teaching and try to live in harmony with nature. The families that arrived are said to be the ancestors of the current clans. For a life of peace and safety many clans agreed to live intune with nature and built small settlements, with guidance of the spirits of this land. Shi’On taught them how to live in her ways.
In order to seal the deal with the clans, Shi’On presented them with a special concoction she brewed. Once they drank from it they felt a special connection to their surroundings. They started to feel the rhythm of nature, which the Watren claim to still feel today.
The largest settlement the spirits allowed to be constructed; is the place where today's capital of Skanwatre stands; Skadraggn. It used to be a huge plain in these lands. They left enough room for grazing animals to live. The spirits provided them with the resources needed to build the city. Not one tree has been cut for the buildings of the city as they used materials that already have died. Made from bones and dead trees the city quickly arose.
Yet not every clan was content with this way of life, especially the ones who used to live in luxury where they came from tried to rebel against this natural order. They believed they would meet in secret but Shi’On was always watching them. Always knowing where they met and waiting for them to make a slip. If one leader was about to rally enough people, they would disappear without a trace. This went on for a while and it created distress in the clan politics.
A particular clan, called Voydse’er who conversed a lot with spirits, came across the darker spirits and dealt with a great many of them. Their dealings lead them to the leviathans of the deep. Leviathans are ancient and foul spirits, considered to be one of the primordial spirits. They have always been full of hatred against what isn't theirs to claim. Mighty and treacherous they are and one of the few spirits who dislike Shi’On enough to openly oppose her. Unlike most primordials they do not believe in the balance of nature. Yet they are locked in their ocean not able to attack the landlocked realms or the heaven itself. In their wrath they send storms and huge waves towards the land causing destruction and death where they touch down. Sometimes they even swell up rivers and flood entire cities, so much is their rage and envy.
Seeing a chance to get back at Shi’On the leviathans revealed to Clan Voydse’er that the concoction their ancestors consumed brewed by the trickster spirit is the sole reason why she could find them all the time. They made a fateful deal pledging themselves to these old spirits in order to become hidden from Shi’On’s gaze. Finally they believed they got the edge they needed to plot the downfall of her tyranny. In exchange they promised the ancient leviathans to fight for them. One by one the clan started to corrupt the spirits and turned other clans against Shi’On. With a cunning ruse they lured Shi’On, who had been looking for Clan Voydse’er, far away from the lands of the Watren and deep into Tjarn territory. It is said they tried to ambush her deep in the faraway place today known by a handful as the Frostleave Forrest, but the spirits of this secluded place aided her and she disposed of her foes rather swiftly. Myths of the Tjarn are witness of such a battle taking place.
Clan Voydse’er expected as much and tried to fight her at the border on her way back. Yet their relief force was met with an unexpected predicament. As soon as they entered the forests of Skanwatre bodies emerged from the ground and trees, covered in plants, bark and mushrooms. Their movements are stiff and seemingly slow yet guided with an unstoppable purpose to vanquish the villains. As they tried to flee in terror, veins and roots started to spread around the legs of them rendering them immobile. In their terror, far too late the committee that had been sent to fight Shi’On, came to the shocking realization that those terrible monsters of their inevitable doom, were none other than the remains of clans who tried to rebel in the past. They were not simply killed nor did they flee, they had been disposed of their minds and souls. Shi’On corrupted them and made them an image of a combined force of nature and spirit world. They had become her mindless minions serving her and nature. Parts of the limbs had been replaced by branches, wounds been covered with bark or grown over by mushrooms, flowers and fern. They had been turned into an grotesque undead army of nature’s vengeance.
Shi’On timely arrival allowed her to witness the fruits of her work, which made her feel joyous. With no time to lose she turned her ever growing army- bolstered with fresh recruits of traitor bodies- against the remnants of Clan Voyd’se’er and the leviathans.
The ancient dark spirits had sent gigantic waves- waves larger than they ever conjured before - crashing down on the lands flooding settlements and fields in order to send out their spawn. Leaving carnage behind. However with each defeated spirit the army of Shi’On grew bigger and bigger. It was only a matter of time until the first leviathan fell, to become part of her force. After a few more of the foul spirits got integrated into the army; the leviathans surrendered fearing for their very existence. For their betrayal against the harmony of nature Shi’On banished them to live in the deepest depths of the oceans and to never see light again. Should they ever dare to return too close to the surface, Shi’On will end them one by one. Leviathans have been taught a lesson of fear by Shi’On.
However in the aftermath of this battle when the families learned the fate of the lost clans they grew anxious of Shi’On’s powers, yet with the effect that they wouldn't be insolent against nature's will. They voiced their concern to Shi’On and beseeched her to stay away from their settlements and families and in return they would continue to serve nature. An eerily cackle sounded from behind Shi’On’s mask but in the end accepted their request with no sign of hesitation. The Watren worry about this wrath even today. They have become as respectful as possible to nature anticipating that they might share the same fate as the traitors at any moment. With the leviathans gone, the Watren started to explore and conquer the sea.
To this day the Watren tell tales of a masked figure, with a staff in hand, either tending to nature and in that either helping or hinder clans in their doing.
Type
Religious, Other
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