Zemourism

Monotheistic
Lead Deity: Zemour, the Being of sand and obsidian
State Religion of: Zahretian Caliphate, Izat, Altizahian Beylik, Barninan Beylik, Buwaiq, Aganas Emirate, Aksut, Maidjian Beylik, Taman Emirate  

Beliefs

Zemour is the protector of good (the Podrusan peoples) and evil (the Cursed Coast). It is through his light and control of the elements that the Cursed Coast may one day be cleansed, along with the heathens which oppose Zemour. His blessed shall be the ones destined to conquer as they see fit, and there is unlimited power in that.   Zemour is depicted as a being made of salt and obsidian, the hideous elements that comprise the Cursed Coast. He is both a warning and a guide, a beacon to everyone and an example of what may happen if they let the mysteries of The Coast proliferate. Zemour is believed to channel lightning in both a physical aspect and in the figurative sense - when you act you must make it decisive and fast. Apart from that, Zemour is believed to be ultimately benevolent and forgiving, and his ultimate goal seems to be in getting everyone to believe in him. He stands for unity, and the struggles therein.   Stories of Zemour's chosen prophet Alt as well as twists upon legendary stories from old Podrusan mythology is prevalent amongst most Zemourist teachings and parables. Love thy neighbor, but if they do not love, then there can be no hope.  

History

Founding

The prophet, simply named Alt, resided in the Podrusan Empire capital of Fidas. There he is said to have witnessed a less than okay treatment of people in general - things that made life largely inconvenient for the residents of Fidas and the Podrusan Empire. It is worth mentioning that the Podrusan Empire suffered greatly from inflation, bad harvests, and rebellions at the time - it was typical every few decades or so, but in Alt's time it was especially harsh.

From Fidas, Alt left to serve in the court of Mohksa of the city of Zahret. On his travel to Zahret, he is said to have been struck by a vision of an unnamed god, who denounced the Podrusan Pantheon and wished Alt to be brave in the coming years. There would be several more visits, with the more recent ones requesting Alt to be his prophet and speak out about the existence of this seemingly new god.

Alt first confided in Mohksa, Lord of Zahret, who was by that time a good friend. Soon thereafter, Mohksa converted to Zemourism, forsaking the Podrusan Pantheon. He made this announcement public, and is considerably lucky that the people loved him, for many others converted with him. When word reached Fidas, King Jerem sent his armies to demand the reconversion of Mohksa.

Mohksa, with Alt at his side, refused and went to war against the Podrusan Empire. For the ailing Podrusan Empire, this was the final nail in the coffin. The new Kingdom of Zahret emerged and Mohksa styled himself a "Caliph", the warrior in the name of the Prophet. Alt would die from disease during this war, turning fervor more in the Zemourist's favor.    

The Caliphate

The new Kingdom of Zahret emerged and overtook half of Podrusan land in the first war alone in 250 AR. Fidas was left alone out of respect, and in the lifespan of the Zahretian Caliphate was never directly invaded.

After the Podrusan Empire was finished off, Zahret was left to contend with the Silldoms of Montodyn, Fasjades, and the Free Cities of Linsan - all former break-aways from the Podrusan Empire. It would be two centuries of constant warfare with these Silldoms before the Zahretian Caliphate finished its conquests by 600 AR with the annexation of Isgodon.

Wherever Zemourism went, it was either met with celebration or rebellion. In time, many of the Podrusan cities and towns converted fully to Zemourism under the Zahretian Caliphate. When the Zahretian Caliphate fell by 700 AR, many of the successor states still kept and upheld the religion of Zemourism.

Enforcement

The Zahretian Caliphate and its vassals reserved the rights to imprison and excessively tax non-believers as they saw fit. While this kind of action would derive feelings of tyranny from any other subject, the followers of Zemour often did not bat an eye. Zemourism's presence was particularly strong for rulers of even a meager stretch of land, and when the lords and barons are won over, so too are the people in time.