Eguinísmo

Eguinísmo is a non-organized and decentralized religion. There are neither universally accepted leaders of the faith nor an agreed-upon set of holy works. Practitioners of the faith who demonstrate clear abilities to heal and protect are recognized as important people and sometimes lead other Eguinístas. The only forms of organizational governance are the agreed-upon meetings of one or more people of note on conventulos (councils) and the rites/degrees of initiation of the faith. Interpretations of all other aspects of the faith are led by those with demonstrated abilities and levels of initiation into the faith.   The believers are initiated into an increasingly complex system of initiations, rituals and rights which allow believers to channel a wider variety of benefits from any spirits around them. Eguinistas are split over the issue of access to the rituals of the initiated, especially the initiations into the highest rituals of power. For the most part, Eguinsitas perform their rites away from those not initiated in their ways but do not punish curious non-believers from viewing their ways.  

The Levels/Degrees

  The all creatures in Kurra are organized by the Twelve Degrees of Eguinísmo. The Degrees start at twelve and move in descending order to one (which is the highest Degree.)   Scholars and scribes typically use Imperial Numerals to represent the degrees of the faith. They can be written as The Twelfth Degree, XII Degree or simply XII (meaning twelfth as opposed to writing the Common numeral 12.) The word Degree is always capitalized to signify a reference to the degree system. Scholars typically spell out Twelve/Twelfth Degree or write XII Degree the first time it is used then use XII in subsequent references as it is understood that XII means ‘twelfth’ therefore the Twelfth Degree of Eguinísmo.  

XII Degree - Unbelievers

The Twelfth Degree is made up of unbelievers and outright antagonists of Eguinísmo. They are considered to have little to no connection with the waking spirits. They are considered brothers/sisters/members of the Eguinísmo faith. Widespread (but not universal) teaching is to extend ritual hospitality to even the XII Degree as one does not have to believe in Eguinísmo to possess a spirit or to benefit from the magics that Eguinísmo can bestow. This is by far the largest group of the population as few have even heard of Eguinísmo let alone considered its teachings.  

XI Degree - The Believers

The Eleventh Degree are creatures that believe in Eguinísmo to some degree but have not sought out the knowledge of the spirits. This would the ‘lay people’ of other faiths, those who identify with but are not typically considered part of another faith’s priesthood. However, in Eguinísmo, these people are considered to be priests of the faith just not those who have been trained to interact with the dead. They are encouraged to make sacrifices, leave offerings, be mindful of the spirits and practice other elements of the faith.  

X Degree - The Protected

Members of the Tenth Degree are believers who have taken the first steps into the higher practices of Eguinísmo. They have reached out to at least a V Degree member, learned about the most foundational aspects of the faith and received an Abolida (an amulet of special protection blessed by their guide into the faith.) They are said to be resistant (but not completely protected) from basic harms bestowed by malicious spirits and spell-casters. It is considered a minor protection or at least good luck to have one or more X Degree members in a house or village to ward off passing spirits who may wish to play tricks on the living.  

IX Degree - Los Collares

Members of the Ninth Degree have further studied the faith, have learned more about malefic spirits, spells and how to ward against them. When they reach a level of sensitivity or premonition of malefic spells they are considered to be significantly connected to the spirits to continue their journey. They receive a necklace of seashells used as a higher form of protection and a sign of premonition as seashells are said to be powerful in the ability to divine future events.   It is common for IX Degrees to stop their spiritual discovery at this point. They are considered able to tell fortunes, ward off basic magic and cast minor spells (cantrips) at this stage. Many make a healthy living as fortune tellers by reading shells, coconuts or divining cards (Tarot.)  

VIII Degree - The Godchildren

Creatures of the VIII Degree have chosen to proceed with the exploration of the spirit world. At this point, they will be asked to take on a ‘godparent’ who is at least a V Degree member and typically an elder in the faith. The ‘godparent’ is a solemn agreement between mentor and mentee that will last their entire lives and beyond. The ‘godparent’ is required to watch over, guide, protect and enrich the journey of their ‘godchild.’ The ‘godchild’ is supposed to be open, welcoming and respectful to their ‘godparent.’ As such the ‘godparent’ and ‘godchild’ become part of each other’s extended family and are to be welcomed at any family gathering.   The ‘godparent’ instructs the ‘godchild’ on how to contact their spiritual counterpart and their forbearers. The ‘godchild’ then asks their spiritual counterpart and forbearers for their blessings. Once they have received this it is considered a sign that they are ready and able to progress further in the faith.   If they do not receive the blessings, it is a sign that something in their life is holding them back and they must make that right. Sometimes this is from wrongdoings against others. Sometimes it is a malicious spirit that is holding onto them. Other times it is seen as a lack of sincerity, maturity or pureness of desire to progress in the faith. The ‘godparent’ will read the fortune of their ‘godchild’ to determine what is holding them back and prescribe the most effective way to rid themselves of that impediment.  

VII Degree - The Recipients of Haguhn

Members of the Seventh Degree have further studied the spiritual world and are ready to explore the more dangerous and specific areas of the faith. Once their ‘godparent’ feels they are significantly prepared, they bestow their ‘godchild’ with the incantation of Haguhn which is designed to protect against the harmful magics and spirits they may encounter at this level of their studies.   At this level, members of the XII Degree typically explore the spirits that cause fatal illness, horrible blights, pain and suffering. They seek to understand what caused these spirits to undertake these actions and how to rectify their path away from afflicting the living and toward peace. At this level, XII Degrees begin to channel ‘light/good’ spirits into their bodies to produce slightly more advanced (1st level) spells.  

VI Degree - The Asientos

Creatures who have reached the Sixth Degree are said to have ascended to the spirit world. They receive a blessing from their ‘godparent’ which protects them from most of the troubles they may encounter as a practitioner of Eguinísmo. At the VI Degree, Eguinístas can cast routine/lay magic (cantrips), early-level magic (1st level) and a few more potent spells (2nd level.) They have learned enough about the ways and practices of Eguinísmo to strike out on their own and aid the world to the best of their abilities. They often remain very close socially and geographically to their ‘godparent’ who they frequently use as a guide and mentor. Asientos are expected to not only benefit the community but to also better themselves and their higher understanding of the spirit world through guided study (with their ‘godparent) and their own explorations.  

V Degree - The Pinaldos

Those who have reached the Fifth Degree have experienced the world and have received the majority of the guidance that their ‘godparent’ can offer. At this point, the Eguinístas can channel more powerful spirits into their bodies which allows them to cast even more advanced spells (3rd and 4th level) on their own. They have also connected deeply with the spirit world, experienced a range of beneficial and malefic spirits. They are therefore considered experienced and educated enough to instruct the next level of those who seek the knowledge of Eguinísmo.   V Degree members are expected to remain close to their ‘godparent,’ even if they attain a higher degree than them. At times, a ‘godparent’ will instruct their ‘godchild’ to seek out another ‘godparent’ that can further help their exploration of Eguinísmo beyond what they can offer. In that case, the first ‘godparent’ remains in that position and has a slightly more honorific place than the second ‘godparent.’ The second ‘godparent’ is considered to be co-equal to that of the first ‘godparent’ but it is expected that the ‘godchild’ will defer to their first ‘godparent.’ The ‘godchild’ will spend more time with their second ‘godparent’ to advance their studies but will honor and respect the first ‘godparent’ as well.  

IV Degree - Babawalos

Creatures who have attained the Fourth Degree are known as Babawalos and are considered elders in the faith. They are typically older members, very experienced and knowledgeable about either a wide variety of spirits or very detailed knowledge about one specific aspect (such as spirits who cause lower body pain and diseases.) Babawalos simply matriculate to this position through the recognition of their V Degree peers. They can call and manipulate strong spirits and as such are strong magical users (capable of casting 5th and 6th level spells.)   Babawalos are typically chosen to be the first ‘godparent’ of ambitious or promising VIII Degrees. As such, a Babawalo may examine their potential ‘godchild’ to determine their eligibility. If their spirit does not show as much promise or is being held back, they will simply refer the prospective ‘godchild’ to an experienced V Degree member that they trust.   Another duty of the Babawalos is as spiritual guides and mentors to V Degrees. When V Degree’s ‘godparent’ is busy, incapable or not as knowledgable as a Babawalo, IV Degrees will often instruct and mentor V Degrees on the specifics required to attain the outcome they desire.  

III Degree - Oulwos

The Third Degree is made of creatures who have received the incantation of the Oulwos from the members of the I and II Degrees. This incantation is one of the most powerful defenses that can be bestowed in the faith and requires multiple components from multiple people.   Once received, Oulwos set out to be masters in a particular area of Eguinísmo. They typically delve into the most severe cases of disease, possession, harm and malefic spells. These studies are considered to be too risky to investigate by other ranks. Oulwos are considered to be the spiritual leaders of entire regions and as such the regions may be associated with the magic that the Oulwos wield. For example, if an Oulwos’ field is the prevention of blights against crops, the region quickly gains a reputation as being good for farmers.   Members of the IV and V Degrees often bring matters of great importance to the Oulwos as they are more accessible than the higher levels of the faith. If a problem is particularly widespread or troubling Oulwos can call a Conventilo (a council meeting) of requisite degrees to find a solution.  

II Degree - Cunaldos

Members of the Second Degree are considered to be the high priests of Eguinísmo. There are a limited number of Cunaldos with each presiding over a geographic area. Cunaldos are only promoted from the III Degree when there is a vacancy caused by the death of a Cunaldo. They must be accepted by the members of the I and II Degrees, the spirit of the deceased Cunaldo and important deceased members of the I and II Degrees. If they receive the blessings, they must undergo a long period of purification and meditation to separate themselves from any past negative energy. Once they have done this the spirits of the deceased I and II Degrees are consulted. If they approve of the ascension, the Cunaldo is bestowed with a unique sacrificial knife.   Cunaldos are the leaders of ritual ceremonies of great power (8th-level spells and 9th-level rituals.) They typically perform the most powerful rituals and incantations to benefit the whole of the Eguinísmo faith. They are consulted in times of great turmoil and stress. Their guidance on matters of the faith is binding to all members and they are held in the highest esteem by the faithful.  

I Degree - Olofi

The First Degree are known as the Olofi. They are the most senior, most powerful and most experienced members of Eguinísmo. It is said that if the gods return they will be the ones that the gods consult first. Eguinístas believe that in the days before the gods left they were their closest servants, entrusted with protecting the creatures of the Prime Material and interceding on their behalf if things went wrong.   The Olofi are entrusted with the entire knowledge of Eguinísmo. They are said to be masters in every aspect but they are also reminded that they are merely mortal and not gods themselves through ritual ceremonies of service to the people.   The Olofi are said to be the only ones who could channel elder spirits (who were around in the days of the gods) or even the spirits of the departed gods themselves. As such they are the most powerful magic wielders known to Kurra and can cast world-altering spells (9th-level.)   There are few Olofi in existence. The vast majority of the Cunaldos will never have the spiritual potential and capability to channel the spirits that the Olofi can. Members of the Cunaldos have to demonstrate this ability not only to the living Olofi but to prove to the spirits of the deceased Olofi and to be accepted by them.

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