Kuranoúago
Kuranoúago, also known as Kuranoúagism, is the main religion practiced in the homeland of the Anemoi and by some of the Anemoi diaspora. Kuranoúago is a religion which is highly entertwined with nature, spirituality, and shamanism, and is thus highly decentralized, with details often being debated among scholars. However, as time passes, there has been incresing pressure to centralize the religion, which is under metaphoric assault from more proselytizing faiths.
Kuranoúagists are united in their belief of the Sky Father, or Kuranoú. In fact, he is so tightly woven into their mythology and culture that his name, over time, has come to be synonomous with the word for the sky itself*. According to Kuranoúago teachings, Kuranoú is the father of all beings, all life, and all that was once alive, which is why it all needs air to live. At the dawn of time, they say that Kuranoú was born alongside other beings (the Tïhokés), and that they quarreled. After some sort of argument, the gods went to war, with Kuranoú emerging victorious. It is unclear in Kuranoúago mythology whether Kuranoú is of the same race of 'god' as these other entities, or whether they may be a different or foreign race of gods (some claim invaders from another realm). Wherever these gods came from, they were not united, and fought amongst one another, which is why alone Kuranoú was victrious. Once the other gods were defeated, Kuranoú either subjugated them to his will or killed them, as they could not be trusted. However, some of the slain gods were risen using Aímatoas magic (evil blood magic) and they became Shadows, who could not be slain by Kuranoú. Thus, Kuranoú was besieged again.
Sources again differ at this point, but is is considered canon that Kuranoú at this time found a wife, Egeanoú. Whether or not she was a former foe, born from his will, or yet another new race of god is unclear in sources. However, with her blessing, the two concieved twins. Known as the Iroatïká twins, the two feature prominently in later mythology. In this era, however, they are mainly notable for their role in defeating the Shadows. This is because their mother was later slain by the shadows, and Kuranoú imprisoned. It was only via luck that the twins escaped. The twins cried their tears upon their mother's face, which magically transformed her into the world itself and created the rains (though the world had no life at this point). This transformation happened over many years, and with the twins fighting the shadow and Kuranoú's wherabouts unknown nobody noticed.
Eventually, after an unknown number of years, Kuranoú was freed and the cycle swung back in favor of him and his progeny. He was once again able to take up custodianship of the universe while the twins continued the neverending fight. Visiting his fallen wife, he noticed the transformation, and resolved to make a beautiful garden in her honor. Thus, he created the atmosphere and all plant life in the world. However, this life began to overgrow and choke off its own air supply, so he had to create herbivores. This cycle continued until Kuranoú finally resolved to create an intelligent species to manage the world for him. He called upon his subjugated gods to do this task, who created a number of races, but they were not close enough to Kuranoú's own heart. Leaving their creations alone, he made his own: the Anemoi.
Kuranoúago holds that each race, after death will have their soul lifted by wings. Leading a virtuous and honorable life (honor being especially important since it is via betrayal that the Shadows were born). By already having wings, the Anemoi are closer to Kuranoú in life, but this does not necessarily hold true in death. They believe that if one's soul is weighed down by misdeeds then their wings cannot life them to the heavens of Kuranoú, but instead they will be consumed by the Shadows. Kuranoúagists believe that is these fallen souls which enable the Shadows to keep fighting back against the Iroatïká twins. Therefore, it is important to reflect and ensure one is leading a virtuous life, which is often performed at the highest point available. It is said that personal reflection, alone on the greatest of peaks, may even lead to the person recieving a message or vision from Kuranoú.
*certain ancient documents use the word Oaeotar to represent the sky (literal translation of "All air").
Kuranoúagists worship a number of varied deities, but some of the more prominent are as follows:
Kuranoúagists are united in their belief of the Sky Father, or Kuranoú. In fact, he is so tightly woven into their mythology and culture that his name, over time, has come to be synonomous with the word for the sky itself*. According to Kuranoúago teachings, Kuranoú is the father of all beings, all life, and all that was once alive, which is why it all needs air to live. At the dawn of time, they say that Kuranoú was born alongside other beings (the Tïhokés), and that they quarreled. After some sort of argument, the gods went to war, with Kuranoú emerging victorious. It is unclear in Kuranoúago mythology whether Kuranoú is of the same race of 'god' as these other entities, or whether they may be a different or foreign race of gods (some claim invaders from another realm). Wherever these gods came from, they were not united, and fought amongst one another, which is why alone Kuranoú was victrious. Once the other gods were defeated, Kuranoú either subjugated them to his will or killed them, as they could not be trusted. However, some of the slain gods were risen using Aímatoas magic (evil blood magic) and they became Shadows, who could not be slain by Kuranoú. Thus, Kuranoú was besieged again.
Sources again differ at this point, but is is considered canon that Kuranoú at this time found a wife, Egeanoú. Whether or not she was a former foe, born from his will, or yet another new race of god is unclear in sources. However, with her blessing, the two concieved twins. Known as the Iroatïká twins, the two feature prominently in later mythology. In this era, however, they are mainly notable for their role in defeating the Shadows. This is because their mother was later slain by the shadows, and Kuranoú imprisoned. It was only via luck that the twins escaped. The twins cried their tears upon their mother's face, which magically transformed her into the world itself and created the rains (though the world had no life at this point). This transformation happened over many years, and with the twins fighting the shadow and Kuranoú's wherabouts unknown nobody noticed.
Eventually, after an unknown number of years, Kuranoú was freed and the cycle swung back in favor of him and his progeny. He was once again able to take up custodianship of the universe while the twins continued the neverending fight. Visiting his fallen wife, he noticed the transformation, and resolved to make a beautiful garden in her honor. Thus, he created the atmosphere and all plant life in the world. However, this life began to overgrow and choke off its own air supply, so he had to create herbivores. This cycle continued until Kuranoú finally resolved to create an intelligent species to manage the world for him. He called upon his subjugated gods to do this task, who created a number of races, but they were not close enough to Kuranoú's own heart. Leaving their creations alone, he made his own: the Anemoi.
Kuranoúago holds that each race, after death will have their soul lifted by wings. Leading a virtuous and honorable life (honor being especially important since it is via betrayal that the Shadows were born). By already having wings, the Anemoi are closer to Kuranoú in life, but this does not necessarily hold true in death. They believe that if one's soul is weighed down by misdeeds then their wings cannot life them to the heavens of Kuranoú, but instead they will be consumed by the Shadows. Kuranoúagists believe that is these fallen souls which enable the Shadows to keep fighting back against the Iroatïká twins. Therefore, it is important to reflect and ensure one is leading a virtuous life, which is often performed at the highest point available. It is said that personal reflection, alone on the greatest of peaks, may even lead to the person recieving a message or vision from Kuranoú.
*certain ancient documents use the word Oaeotar to represent the sky (literal translation of "All air").
Kuranoúagists worship a number of varied deities, but some of the more prominent are as follows:
- Kuranoú, the sky father and god of the air, atmosphere, and space
- Íliyomos (Iroatïká Twin): god of the sun, war, dawn, and aggression
- Feyáiymos (Iroatïká Twin): god of the moon, peace, dusk, the arts, and defense
- Egeanoú (Deceased): goddess of the earth, death, life, and fertility
- Heliánas: god of fire, heat
- Theánas: goddess of water, the seas, lakes, rivers
- Vraánas: goddess of rock, stone, caves, mountains
- Epochánas: god of summer, fall, and spring (winter being the domain of the Shadows)
- Astakaúr: god of lightning, thunder, and spirits
- Though not worshipped, Ventus (storm spirits) are variably considered messengers of Kuranoú, children of Astakaúr and Theánas, or omens. They feature prominently in Kuranoúago heraldry.
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