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Unam-Animism

Mythology & Lore

Unam-Animism is a reformed shamanistic religion originating from ancient Animism. Rather than promote the worship of one or more deity figures, it encourages reverence of the world and the spirits, which constitute the two main aspects of the faith.   According to Unam-Animism, the whole world around humans is imprinted with spiritual presence. Forces of nature represent the greatest Spirits, as even with the most advanced of technology and knowledge, these forces remain untamed, powerful, and often dangerous. Spirits of the Seas, Skies, Mountain, Forest, they are everywhere. When they are angry, they are forces to be reckoned with; when they are magnanimous, they bring good fortune, guidance or prosperity. To the Unam, living in tune with these Spirits is the everyday goal, as to live in tune with the Spirits is to be in harmony with oneself and the very world around them. The advent of large-scale industrialization has been the greatest threat Animist beliefs that seem irreconcilable with modernity, but this is where the Unam come in. Where trees are cut down, it is ensured that the ecosystem is not torn down and that new saplings are replanted. Where farming is intensive, it is ensured the soil and the livestock depending on it remain healthy for generations to come. Where huge quantities of ore are stripped out, the land is given back to the Mountain or Earth.   Asides of the Spirits that embody nature, those of ancestors and great protectors are also revered and sought after for guidance and advice. To the Unam, when one's mortal life is over, their Spirits drift towards the force of Nature with which they were most in tune, such as sailors towards the Sea and pioneers to the Forest. It is partially the collective of those Spirits that give Nature its prodigal, unmatchable strength, and it is also their anger that often rouse said forces to destructiveness. In times of calamity, it is said that the Great Spirits are dominated by the Lost; those without peace, such as a ceaseless storm at sea being catalyzed by the anguish and resentment of the Lost.

Divine Origins

Unam-Animism is a reformation of ancient shamanistic and animist beliefs present across the lands of the old Seilurid Empire from the steppes to the seas. These beliefs have existed for thousands of millennia in one form or another, often with local divergences and idiosyncrasies, but overall sharing the same general message. The reformation effort entailed unified these diverse sub-cultures under a greater umbrella and protecting said beliefs from being swept away by the great societal and technological chances of the past few centuries.

Tenets of Faith

Unlike most major religions, there are no messianic texts and no great commandments, nor is there any central authority with the power to issue any. The only over-arching demand is that individuals seek to live their lives in harmony with the Spirits and thus the world. What this exactly entails is up to the individual and their communes, but it is generally accepter that needless destruction - be it of nature or taking the life of other - is frowned upon as discordant. Destruction with justification may be forgiven, but it is still discordant and requires spiritual re-alignment.

Priesthood

As there is no central authority, there is also no grand leader of the faith and not even regional leader. Most villages will have at least one Unam Shaman, with large cities having many. These Shamans are not nominated or appointed, but are very often elevated by their peers. Strictly speaking, an Unam Shaman is an individual who has a stronger connection to the Spirits than average, and this kind of things are seen and felt. Some Shamans will sense this themselves or receive a calling via vision or personal journey, while others will have their connection brought to their attention repeatedly by others around them who will naturally come to them for spiritual advice.   Shamans have historically been not only spiritual guides, but also very real ones, as well as healers. Traditional Shamans were very knowledgeable of herbal medicine as well as navigation and astronomy, being able to safely guide travelers on land or sea. While these knowledges have lessened somewhat in the modern era, there is a strong effort to keep them alive and to put down to written record what had once been strictly oral tradition. In modern days, Unam Shaman often remain healers in small towns with no hospitals, or simply for common ills that do not require modern medicine. They are also highly sought after as explorers or prospectors on the frontier and tend to naturally end up in moderate leadership positions due to the inherent trust placed in them by others.   Unam Shamans are the interprets of dreams and visions, just as they are the exorcists of the Lost, or evil spirits of those who died while in disharmony with nature and the world around them. It is not uncommon for young adults to receive special herbal concoctions from Shamans and undergo travels in the nearby wilderness as a coming of age ritual. Unbeknownst to the Youths, it is customary for the Shaman to keep an eye on them from a distance to ensure their safety in this spiritual experience.

Political Influence & Intrigue

Though not officially a state religion, Unam-Animism is the dominant faith of the Seilurid Empire and is followed by many among its elite, which in turn influences state policies and decisions. Shamans are often consulted for important matters and are routinely asked to bless harvests or to give back thanks to the earth for the bounties already collected. Unam Shamans often serve as chaplains within the Imperial military, where they ease the souls of soldiers whose very duty to protect their homeland bring in Discordance with the world.   Unam-Animism also greatly influence the world of arts, and it is extremely common for artists to seek visions and dreams for inspiration in their creations. Unfortunately, as artists are not often patient enough to wait for these to come naturally and as the means to artificially induce such things pass by a variety of intoxicants, hallucinogens' and in extreme case poisons, they are often seen as decadent individuals who sometimes endanger themselves and their health with alarming frequency. This has trickled down to a lesser extent, with alcohol and other intoxicants being used recreationally or as escapism more often than in other nations.
Type
Religious, Other
Permeated Organizations

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