Way of the Pearl Eye

The Way of the Pearl Eye is a somewhat unorthodox religion that actually originates from Latani's second, smaller continent. The religion was first introduced to the main continent thirty years ago after a group of Skol refugees who sailed across the sea to escape the red corruption disaster that destroyed their home. This group of Skol were holy warriors to the Way of the Pearl Eye and the god known as Iris, unlike their raider brethren. The group of around fifty called themselves the Watcher Knights and were given the insight of Iris to foresee the oncoming disaster that would befall the continent, so they set sail and left before they were caught in the blast. Once on the new land, they set out to try and spread their religion, traveling to as many towns and cities as they could, sometimes losing comrades in the process. After months of travel and preaching, they were given one final pained instruction from Iris, to guard the Halls of Vena, where they stay to this day.   The religion itself is one that focuses on insight, meditation and inner peace rather than the devotion and prayer to an all-encompassing god. Even though the religion has a god, Iris, followers of the Way of the Pearl Eye do not pray or devote themselves to them, they merely ask them for guidance and mental fortitude when needed, to them the god Iris sees their followers as equals and students, merely helping them become their best and most comforted selves as a friend than a superior. Insight into the world around you is the main focus and goal of the Way of the Pearl Eye, where followers grow their understanding and place with the elements and forces around them. There are no rules or defining restrictions in the Way of the Pearl Eye, followers are able to do whatever they please as long as it is not to the harm or cruelty of others, the religion emphasizes that to find yourself and attain inner peace and insight, you must find the path that works for you, without letting anyone else decide it for you. Individuality and expression is highly encouraged within the religion, which might be why it is the fastest growing new religion in Latani thanks to its acceptances and lack of repression.   The Way of the Pearl Eye has two main religious symbols, the Silver Eye and the Glimmering Pearl. The Silver Eye represents the gift of insight, knowledge and the inner self, whereas the Glimmering Pearl represents virtue and strength, and on that regard, followers believe that mental strength will always triumph over physical strength. Pearls are sought as highly valuable treasures to followers of the Way of the Pearl Eye, being seen as divine items. Followers often decorate themselves with pearls and tattoo themselves with eyes, usually on their forehead, representing true insight. The Way of the Pearl Eye also believes in an ascension of sorts, where your mental state rises to a greater plane of existence, described as a flat, motionless sea. This is normally said to occur after death, but a small few have claimed to have cleared their minds and meditated enough to reach this plane to gain more knowledge and insight.