Qekámáden

In ancient days, before the Larčók were fled into the lake, they lived in great cities upon the grounds of the great mesas of the desert. In their mighty cities they lived peacefully with the gods. However, after many years of peace, their god of the Sky began to teach them warfare. He claimed to them there was a great evil in a land far away, a land where water was abundant and the world was green. He taught them that this place, named Wíšt, was under attack from the "Ablekín." The Larčók trusted that this place could be achieved through kindness, that violence was the way to destroy the world. The idea of war went against the ancient Larčók and they grew resentment and distrust against the sky god. One day it all erupted when the soldiers-in-training attempted to kill the sky god. They knew the others would not allow this, so they did it in secret. When they ambushed the sky god, he started to kill them all, slaughtering them all. He had not realized that most of them were against it. Suddenly in his rampage of fire against the people of the great cities, the goddess of the moon, his wife, came down and put an end to his rampage. The surviving Larčók fled to the dried lake where they live to this day under the protection of the moon, who granted them a river through the land to fill the lake across their new cities.       During their fleeing from the sky god's destruction, one Larčók in particular took up the mantle as leader into their new lands, the lands promised by the Sky Queen, the moon goddess. His name was Mahkíd, and he was a great man. He led them through the perilous desert, defending them all from the creatures that live there. He taught them how to walk as to avoid the beasts beneath the sand. He taught them how to defend from the beasts atop the sand. He taught them how to keep themselves safe from the beasts far above the sand. He grew up in the deserts, and felt great pleasure from living amongst the sands, so he knew many tricks to keep his fellow Larčók alive in this terrible place.   One morning, while they slept, a Šą'íþán came to Mahkíd and promised him many things, starting with power, he promised him the power to control the Larčók in the new world he was bringing them to. However Mahkíd rejected the creature, so it went to lovers. He promised him whomever he wished for their hand in marriage, however many Mahkíd would want, but again, the creature was rejected. It promised one last thing, saying that he could guarantee the happiness of the Larčók, but once more, Mahkíd recognized this creature and so he again rejected it. In a rage the Šą'íþán threatened to stab Mahkíd, but the Larčók already had his knife against the chest of the Šą'íþán.   Another story is that of Mahkíd's quest to find water, after they travelled for many moons, the Larčók had nothing more to drink. They were beginning to spread ideas of returning to the city, hoping that perhaps the sky god was finished with his rampage, however Mahkíd kept them in his group and promised them that he would find them water, and he would not rest until he did. So the Larčók rested while Mahkíd travelled across the desert to find anything he could that would be water. He travelled day and night. He had no water, no rest, he was forced to drink his own sweat, and travel on one leg to let the other rest. Finally, he found it, a beautiful oasis. The sight brought tears to the eyes of Mahkíd and he fell to the floor wailing and praying to the Moon for this good fortune. He drank and traveled back to the Larčók, leading them to the oasis to fill their containers and cool themselves in the water.   The story ends when Mahkíd and his troupe arrived at the edge of the dried lake. The sight of it filled them with tears as they watched the bottom glimmer bright colours as the light of the rising sun was bent through the coral. They travelled down the sandy edge into the rock floor beneath, they no longer had to worry about the beasts below, nor the beasts above. They travelled through the dried lake until they saw a sight that caused them to all prostrate and thank the heavenly goddess. They saw a great waterfall with a large river through to a length they could not see the end of. Here they settled, along the river and thus began the first city of Larčók, named The Glorious Village, or Mahšar, city of Mahkíd.

The world is innately dualistic, wrought between the two opposing forces of Xæš'hús and Ablúj. There are five realms, the realm of the Sky, pure and perfect, the home to the Xæš'hús. Then the Realm of the Earth, imperfect, the battleground of the Xæš'hús and Ablúj, the home to all mortal creatures. The Under realm, also called the underworld, beneath the Earth, once a land like the Earth, however the Ablúj conquered it, now nothing but creatures of evil can survive. The realm of Death, the place you go when you die, it is part of the realm of the Sky, yet separated by the god of Death. Finally, the realm of others, where spirits live. Similarly to the realm of Death, it is part of the realm of Earth, but separate. Similarly to the Afespí belief of the Otherworld. The realm of Spirits. None of these realms are innately evil and innately good, merely mostly of one thing or a perfect balance between. The Realm of the sky is completely good, yet can be corrupted if all others are corrupted. The Under realm is completely evil, yet can be returned to goodness when Good triumphs.   Mortals play an important role in the world, as they are the only beings which can align themselves with the good or with the evil. Immortals, which to the Larčók mean any being that does not die of age, are either born to be evil or to be good, they believe you cannot change without being forced to from another higher being. For example, an evil god can corrupt a lesser good being, and vice versa. Mortals however can choose their fate, and it is thought that you must choose the good, else you will be punished by the evil.     Your goal in life is twofold. Choose the side of good and defeat evil and attempt to become one with the holy.   Choosing the side of good is simple, don't do anything evil, however becoming one with the holy is far more complex, as a mortal cannot become holy. To become holy, to completely unify your being, is to connect yourself with the all things in the realms. This includes the evil realms. The holy permeates all creation, all existence emanates from, and will eventually return to, that single divine source, which are the gods, the holy beings. There are many different methods of becoming one with the holy, to live a life of simplicity, and learn from all decisions you make. To discover 'gnosis' is to discover and understand the holy. You attain this through personal experience and the sudden revelations from achieving gnosis.     The Oasis Dwellers have a niche belief, particularly strong amongst those at the caravanserais, that one day Mahkíd's hero will return and take them to paradise. This belief exists in the cities, but it is not as important to their faith. Oasis Dwellers call this messiah, "Étaxvíláréšend" or "Bringer of Water". They belief there the Larčók were the chosen people, and that there will come invaders from the Mækuzend (Lit. Waterless Sea), which they typically belief from within the sea, that will bring about great evil, and from the last surviving good of the land will come the Étaxvíláréšend. The Messiah will help them vanquish all evil forever, and they must follow.   This Messianic thought comes from the Oasis Prophet, Ú'ád. Who taught many ideas that differs from traditional Qekámáden, named Ú'áden. Although the general beliefs of Qekámáden and Ú'áden are the same, the slight differences have had many deem Oasis Dwellers to be followers of a separate faith.

They adhere to the simple rules that were given to them from their goddess, be good, do good deeds, never think evil of another, and speak with respect, even to the least respectable. These rules were the last things the moon goddess said to that first group of Larčók before they began their trek through the desert.   More rules were added later as the faith became more organized, but those rules above were the most important aspects that are the most important aspects of the faith. These first rules were the ones that helped form the basis of The Cult of Valthan.   Later, many holy people, such as Mahkíd and his first followers, set down the rules of prayer. That you must pray to the lights of the sky three times a day as to give thanks to the goddess for protecting them and allowing them to thrive. Mahkíd's successor, Majjún, set out the rules for writing and art. He taught that when writing or drawing, one must never disrespect the holy in any way, unless that being is evil, in which case it is acceptable. For example, if you are to draw, carve, etc. one of the gods, likely the moon goddess, you must be the most skilled in your craft, icons to the holy must be perfect, or as near to perfect as possible. When writing, whenever you speak of the holy, you must show them the utmost respect, and never allow your hand to wander on the paper, the hand-writing must be perfect when discussing the holy. He also taught that writing the stories is the most important thing to do, as they would never forget or morph the stories, that they would stay pure and perfect. Teaching these stories is also important, and allowing discussion for why the events of the story took place is integral to achieving the gnosis you strive to obtain.

Sins are viewed as any actions that disrupt the balance of cosmic order in the favour of the evil, and contribute to personal spiritual corruption. Lying, Cheating, Violence of any kind, Arrogance, Backbiting, and anything of this sort, is all considered sinful.   Virtues are viewed as any actions that promote the balance of cosmic order in the favour of the good, and contribute to achieving gnosis. Kindness, Truthfulness, Charity, Devotion/Obedience to the holy, and anything of this sort, is all considered virtuous.

They pray three times a day. Once when the sun rises, once during midday, and once during sunset. They can also have a fourth prayer session, when the moon is still in the sky during the day, however this is not always done. These are done in a specific way.   First, you must always pray towards the sun, or the moon if it's out as that takes higher priority, because it is believed that when you pray to a light source, you are praying directly into the Realm of the Sky, as the Realm of the Sky is what produces light, therefore, it is the only way to communicate with the Moon Goddess. There are different methods of prayer, which depends on personal preference, as well as how important the prayer is to you at the time.   The most casual method is to sit on your knees, allowing your legs to grow numb, and kissing the earth, then erecting your back, and brushing the air into your face. Then, there is the more important prayer, where you sit and prostrate yourself completely, with your left hand holding your right arm. Finally, the most important prayer, you sit and prostrate, hold your right arm with your left hand, and kissing the floor between breaths.   All of these consist of the recitation of the three different prayers. The morning prayer which gives thanks to the goddess for giving them another day. The midday one, in which they gives thanks to the goddess for granting them such a beloved land in the wastes of the desert. And the evening prayer, which gives thanks to the goddess for allowing them to be able to sleep peacefully during her beloved night.       There are also different styles of prayer you can do throughout the day that are more personal. These are identified by the use of hand gestures after the prayer, where they will kiss two fingers and place the kiss upon their forehead. These can be merely just asking for something to happen then performing the gesture, or hoping for something to occur and performing the gesture. These prayers are very basic, but you must make the hand gesture after the prayer, else it will not be a prayer.       There are many festivals and celebrations that are heavily ritualized, such as weddings, birthdays, new years, and many more.

1. Wedding
2. Birthday
3. New Years (Star Festival)
4. (The Day of Mahkid)
5. Full Moon Festivals
6. Day of the Sun
7. Fire Festival

Those who guide the faithful are the Mó'xvad, Daštín, and occasionally the 'Állem. These are all members of the wise-men class, with the exception of the 'Állem. The Mó'xvad are usually the ones to teach and lead the people in holy texts, whereas the Daštín often do the secular works. The 'Állem are not allowed to teach holy works as the Daštín had banned them from helping with that, however many Mó'xvad will attempt to bend the rules and allow the 'Állem to teach and discuss the holy texts.   They are born into the class of Wise-Men, with the exception of the 'Állem, and they are the highest class of people. The Daštín are those who go into the secular works of governance and other such things. The Mó'xvad are the ones who rejected that life, and choose to live a life of asceticism and learning/teaching. The 'Állem are those who were not born into the wise-men, but through their pious and scholarly life, began to become regarded as part of it. They are barred from doing certain things by the Daštín, however, the Mó'xvad usually will disregard these rules and allow the 'Állem to do as they will.

They believe the Mó'xvad were granted abilities to interpret the soul of the dragon in what is called the Dragon sands. They are called "Sand Speakers" and they travel to a part of the world where the soul of the dragon remains and achieve visions from it. Only the Mó'xvad are considered worthy of this task, and even then only certain ones of the Mó'xvad are given this honour. They travel up the side of the lake where the bones of the dragon are scattered and live there for a week.

There are three main groups of worshippers. The followers of the Mó'xvad, the followers of the Daštín, and the followers of the 'Állem. They have many great similarities, and most of their differences come from how the cities and temples are to be run, in other words, the sources of law are different. They are called the Majjúnen, the Mahken, and the 'Álen   Majjúnen: They believe that the leaders must be picked out by piety rather than by blood, they teach the sayings of all the past teachers, and regard writing those out to be important, they control the majority of The Glorious Village where they have a great hidden library. The majority of the people who are members of this school of thought are the Mó'xvad and their followers. They are the biggest sect all over.   Mahken: Tending to be the most conservative group of Larčók, the Mahken believe that leaders must be descended by blood. Currently they rule the The Greater Village, with the leader claiming to be the descendant of Mahkíd himself. They disregard the teachings of more obscure teachers, particularly those of the 'Állem.   'Álen: Tending to be the most liberal group of Larčók, the 'Álen disregard leaders as figures of religious authority, and all religious authority must be pious and taught rather than being blood descendants. They are a minority in all cities, but have the largest following in The Greater Village, and are the largest minority in The Lesser Village.