Shamayan (Sha-my-yan)

Shamayan is a faith practiced by the elves of the Shamay Isles. Shamayan beliefs centers upon the Meliant, a large spire at the center of the Shamay Isles considered to be the center-point of creation and upon which are the ever-shifting words of instruction by which Shamayan practitioners live their lives. Shamayan is an ethnic religion, practiced only by the Shamay elves. While it is one of the smallest faiths in the world, it is one of the oldest religions in existence and has been highly influential.   Shamay elves believe that there are two sources of magic, Goratagelt (Entropy), which enters the world through the Seams, and Nestragil (Creation), which only enters the world through the Meliant. Usage of Entropy is absolutely forbidden, while Creation is only accessible through deep study. Releasing Creation into the world is considered the role of the Shamay elves. Thus, the practice of magic is considered a holy act among the Shamay.  

Theology

Goratagelt and Nestragil

Shamayan believes that all of existence is present on several layers. The highest layer, Arivel, is a plane filled with magic, in which Goratagel (Entropy) and Nestragil (Creation) swirl among each other, repelling each other. Entropy, however, is a larger force, its pressure forcing Creation out, pushing it into lower levels. As Creation is pushed lower, it fills the lower levels. However, Entropy continuously seeps in replacing Creation. The final layer, the lowest layer, is the universe. This final layer is the only one in which Creationl is the dominant force, funneling itself through the Meliant and the Shamay elves.   There is nothing that exists that is not made of Creation. There is no sentient power that controls either Entropy or Creation. Neither are considered sentient in of themselves, but the nature of Creation allows and forces it to create sentient manifestations. Entropy cannot manifest, but acts through corruption.   It is taught among the Shamay that one of the two forces will one day utterly fill all layers. When this occurs, the barriers between the layers will dissolve. If it is Entropy that achieves this goal, all of existence, including Entropy itself, will be destroyed. If Creation achieves this goal, all death and destruction would disappear, and all of existence will become truly united as one.   Shamay elves believe that they are tasked by the Meliant to reinforce Creation within this universe, while also seek to strengthen it and send it upwards towards the other layers of the universe.  

The Meliant and Creation

While the heaviness of Entropy only allows it to flow downward through the layers, Creation gave birth to the Meliant, or Pillar of Creation, to protect itself and allow its energy to flow through the various layers. The Meliant is a protective shell, piercing through all the layers, in which the majority of Creation sits. When the Meliant pierced the final layer, a layer lacking in Entropy, it released much of Creation's energy and created the world.   The Meliant itself takes on a physical form in Kriadar, a large spire in the middle of the Shamay Isles. The top of the spire itself cannot be seen or ever reached for it reaches beyond the stars. It can be seen from any land that is considered to be one of the original Corridors of Kriadar. The Shamay believe that it can be seen anywhere, but it may take on different forms.   The Meliant in Kriadar is completely covered in inscriptions. These inscriptions, which appear on their own and change from time to time, are considered holy instructions to the Shamay. The inscriptions vary greatly. Some are clearly instructions for spells, from simple to archaic, while others contain legends or esoteric explorations on existence.   One of the tallest buildings in Kriadar, and yet still dwarfed by the Meliant, encircles the base of the spire. This structure, known as the Melianaer (The Shrine of Creation), houses a library containing all recorded inscriptions from the Meliant, the study halls of the greatest Shamay wizards, a temple for communal worship, and the homes of the Aershamay.  

Other Planes, Seams and Sheids

According to Shamay belief, Creation erects barriers throughout each layer in order to slow down the crawl of Entropy. These barriers separate the layer into different planes. The lowest layer, that of the universe, contains the most planes of all, however there are different planes on each layer. The Shamay believe that Seams are a sign of growing Entropy, cracks in Creation breaking down the barriers that slow Entropy down. A Shamay will never enter a Seam willingly.   Sheids are judged by the same metrics as other people. All living beings are beings of Creation corrupted by Entropy. The further one is from the Meliant when they are born, the more Entropy is considered part of their nature.   This means that sheids that are of this layer, most sheids, are in fact highly corrupted, for they were not even born on the same plane as Kriadar. Sheids that enter Kriadar are particularly looked upon as evil, for they have intentionally exposed themselves to the Seams in order to cross over to this plane. Sheids from other layers, often the deities of other religions, are considered even more corrupted, for the power of Entropy is stronger at higher layers.  

Elves and the Aershamay

The Shamay believe that elves were the first sentient beings to be created in Kriadar, born at the foot of the Meliant. The elves were created before Entropy had entered the layer upon which Kriadar exists, and therefore elves are born of pure Creation, untouched by Entropy. It is for this reason that elves are considered to be so long-lived, for the forces of Entropy are not as strong within them.   However, it is the power of the Meliant that protects them, and any elves born outside of the Shamay Isles, while born pure, is considered to be immediately touched by Entropy, corrupted to be like all the other species. Even among the Shamay, however, Entropy enters, and it is only through deep practice and studies of the esoteric that one may fend off Entropy.   Among the Shamay, are the holy wizards known as the Aershamay. Among the most powerful wizards to ever exist, these archmages are believed to have become completely purified of Entropy, and rule the Shamay as a council. They are chosen by the Meliant itself, for each Aershamay is called to the Spire, where they, and only they, find their own entrance within it and undergo a process of further purification. Upon leaving the Meliant, they are considered holy and may only live within the Shrine of Creation.   The Aershamay, lacking Entropy, are immortal and cannot die of old age. However, they are not immune from the forces of Entropy, and can be harmed from outside sources of Entropy.  

History

Practices