Zheenkeef

Madness

The Zhenkefans do not adhere to standard structures, symbolism, or even liturgy, and so there are no set prayers to the faith other than the Creed. Indeed, every Zhenkefan is expected to extemporaneously compose prayers for any given situation. There are some common themes in these prayers, however. They often begin with an invocation to Zheenkeef—usually, "Mother of Madness, heed my prayer!" Prayers are said while drinking wine, and nearly always take the form of poems or songs. The more complex the rhyme scheme, the better.

Zheenkeef accepts an infinite number of symbols, for those who worship her select a symbol for their faith on the day they dedicate themselves to her work. Common symbols include manacles worn on the wrists with the connection chain sundered, an eye tattoo on the forehead, or a creeping grape vine, dried and wrapped around the left arm, always. But these are just a few of many—truthfully, there is no one symbol of Zheenkeef. When those who are not adherents of the Zhenkefan faith (and the members of the Great Church) need to symbolize Zheenkeef, they use a cluster of grapes. This is usually simplified as an inverse pyramid of circles.

"We have no need for great men and their towering spires. We cast our lot with the outsider, the poet, and the fool. In the end times, we will all be remembered by the mad acts of the shunned and the outcast, not the rigid protection of the pillars of society."

— The Visions of the Prophet Glorik Hillock

  The Zhenkefan faith revolves around six sayings, called "The Vintner's Creed," or just "The Creed." The earliest oracles of Zheenkeef handed down these maxims at the founding of the vineyards. This was quite some time ago; vineyards have maintained their form of worship longer than nearly any other church. Perhaps this is because the traditions are captured in six simple sayings, and do not require a great deal of doctrine or dogma to be passed from generation to generation.   Whatever the case, all Zhenkefans contemplate and observe the Creed. It is supposed to be repeated daily, if the Zhenkafan remembers, but weekly observance suffices. The reason for the Creed is that the true worship of Zheenkeef is difficult to grasp for those who do not possess profound wisdom. As her greatest apostles, oracles, and joyous brothers understand, Zheenkeef's nature is highly mystical—for what does it mean to be the source of inspiration, to be the feelings below the surface that people rarely heed? The wise understand that the strength, the inner glow one feels when one has drunk too much wine, is Zheenkeef. There are those who can harness that deep assurance, that happy strength, without the aid of wine, but for most, accessing it requires drink in copious amounts. Just as those truly touched by the Mother of Madness can experience inspiration without the aid of wine, those who are wisest can contemplate her without the Creed. But for most, wine and these sayings are necessary.  

The fruit of the vine is sweet. Drink deep!

Always the first invocation of the Zhenkefan, this is a remembrance of Zheenkeef's gift of wine to the mortal races. It is also a rumination on the power of Zheenkeef—through her gift of wine, she makes life sweeter for the mortal races. A Zhenkefan seeks to savor the sweetness of life, finding the joy and vibrancy in all things, that most find only in wine. There is only one terrible sin among them: to refuse to drink from the cup of life. Life is filled with wonder and despair, and many try to avoid the despair by living quiet lives of caution, and miss the wonder as well. Wine should not be sipped moderately, and neither should life. One must live to the fullest, and savor life's wonder and sadness.  

There is no joy without suffering

This is the saying in which the Zhenkefan ponders savoring despair. Zheenkeef is a goddess with bright red hair, but is also embodied in the grapevine. In the summer, the grapevine yields the grapes that make wine, but in the winter, the vines must be pruned constantly, or they will not produce their bounty in the following year. In legend, Zheenkeef is often joyous and wild, like the vines in bloom, but at other times she is dark and sorrowful, like the vines in winter, undergoing the pain of a thousand cuts. She is the patron of tragedy, sometimes filled with delight, but at other times overtaken by dark madness. Many of the ingenious artists and inventors for whom she is Inspiration suffer from similar tragedy.  

All that there is will be undone

Everything changes, and everything will change, regardless of the hopes and endeavors of the mortal races. For this reason, it is folly to become attached to societies, structures, or any other mortal work. They will all be washed away in the end. The Zhenkefans, therefore, do not become attached to their inventions or ideas. They happily turn them over to others who wish to waste their time building upon those works, just as Zheenkeef gave music to her daughter to look after. For this reason, Zhenkefans are more interested in the works of those on the fringes of society, unfettered by convention, than they are in the lives and times of the powerful and noteworthy.  

Only that which you have not done is worthy

Since nothing lasts, repetition of labor or ideas is an utter waste of one's life. Each person should broaden their experiences—visit new places and cultures, learn new things, and partake in new activities. It is particularly good when a Zhenkefan manages something mortals have never done before. Thus, invention and creativity are truly holy pursuits.  

Inspiration's voice is felt, not heard

Zheenkeef is the goddess of intuition, the gut feeling, the well of emotions deep below the surface, and harder to interpret than the love, loyalty, and courage other gods represent. Zhenkefans heed their intuition and act on it, for it is the voice of Zheenkeef. It is in intuition that inspiration and invention can be found. Giving oneself over to one's intuition is likened, by most, to madness.  

Those who crave control are slaves

People who would impose law and structure on others are deluded. They are slaves to their beliefs, as much in need of liberation as those who seek to control. The Zhenkefans actively undermine lawful beliefs, usually through mockery or humor, sometimes through debate and argument, and in some rare cases, through violent overthrow. They know those who impose laws are wrong, and that the only sensible laws are those all people agree to abide by. Some Zhenkefans are so individualistic that they believe all laws are wrong, but most are more democratic. So long as people agree to laws, they are valid. These beliefs make vocal Zhenkefans unpopular with authoritarian governments. It is rare for vineyards to take an active hand in politics, however (what could be more boring and repetitive?), so most authorities ignore them.

As with their prayers, the Zhenkefans do not standardize their holy days. In fact, vineyards often decide to have a 'holy day' with no notice. They announce to the community that the next day, or even that very day, just happens to be a sacred celebration. Other times, they spend months planning elaborate festivals.   One time is always kept sacred for the Zhenkefans, though: the first pressing of the new harvest of grapes. A great festival is held for the pressing, and celebrants mix some of the juice from the new harvest with the dregs of last year's wine to drink in celebration. Large congregations keep the party lasting long enough to bring new wine to full fermentation, and drink it to conclude their revels.

Zheenkeef seeks surprise and entertainment. She is a god of impulse and whimsy, caprice and insanity. To ascribe long-term motivations to her is absurd, as she rarely concentrates on anything long enough to call it a plan. Her motives can be seen in trends rather than in histories, and repeated circumstances, not continuing traditions.   Zheenkeef wants the mortal races to be interesting, to do things differently from one generation to the next. She likes to see them give in to their passions, and has little or no respect for those who hold themselves in check. If a man wants to drink, he should drink. If he want to sing, he should sing. If he wants to destroy the world, he should try to destroy the world. People who refuse to live out their desires for fear of change are among those she loathes the most. When she influences the world personally or through her agents, Zheenkeef does whatever might make the world more interesting. Sometimes this means promoting grave evil, sometimes great good—neither interests her much. Rather, she works to ensure nothing stays the same for long.   Her favor falls upon some for a matter of years, others for minutes, but it rarely lasts a lifetime. Some of her most faithful servants have never even been noticed by the Mother of Madness, and are instead seen to by her celestial attendants. One does not revere Zheenkeef for her warmth.   Her mercurial attentions and moods are not always merry. She is considered the patron of tragedy for a reason, as legends tell of a feverish sorrow that consumes her from time to time. Her boredom with life and the world sometimes coalesces into stultifying misery, thick and terrible, and in those times, she is wont to lash out at friends and foes alike or, worse for those who follow her, withdraw entirely.