Kuvo

Kuvo is an religion native to Silua in Tyran, that has been practiced in that region since ancient times. It is a multi-faceted faith centered on a dualistic and bitheistic cosmology wherein its two goddesses are complimentary, not opposed. It also possesses elements of polytheism and animism. There is no founder ascribed to Kuvo, as it is believed that the faith developed from numerous local belief systems in Silua and other parts of Northern Eracura. Kuvo exalts two goddesses: Sual, goddess of the sun and Eilistraee, goddess of the moon.

The various local Northern Eracuran faiths that coalesced to form Kuvo were practiced at least as early as the Northern Eracuran Chalcolithic that lasted roughly from 3300 to 1650 BC. By around 250 BC, many features of modern Kuvo had developed and most local practices were essentially variants of a larger Kuvo complex of shared beliefs that had spread across many areas of Northen Eracura. After the creation of the Siluan Queendom in 946 AD, the various local variations of Kuvo were rapidly unified into a single and cohesive set of beliefs and doctrines. Most modern practioners of Kuvo reside within Silua with other small populations scattered across Norhtern Eracura.

There is no single important text or set of scriptures associated with Kuvo. This in large part due to many aspects of the faith being passed down orally for thousands of years. Only after the establishment of the Siluan Queendom, and then only in 1289, were the beliefs and doctrines of Kuvo collected, standardized, and written down in the Siluan language. Within the recorded beliefs there are made places for various spirits of nature and other divine and semi-divine entities. The various divine and semi-divine entities are thought to have derived from various Pre-Kuvo deities. The two goddesses of Kuvo are worshipped together, but are treated as two seperate and distinct beings. The many other spirits, divine, and semi-divine entities are also given veneration.

Dualism is a very important aspect of Kuvo. The world is split between the sun and the moon, woman and man, good and evil, law and chaos, and numerous dichotomous relationships. The idea of a "grey" area between two parts of these dichotomous relationships is entirely anethema to orthodox Kuvo beliefs. Another aspect of the dualistic nature of Kuvo is the belief that there is no single all-present evil being or force. The idea of good and evil in Kuvo is highly personalized in that individuals possess both a good and evil force within themselves.

Terminology

The origin of the name Kuvo is unknown to scholars, and there are many theories concerning its origin. Theories include a Pre-Nord-Silau origin for the name, borrowing from Erac-Celto mariners, and even a Southern Sidurian origin. All evidence to support these various theories though, has been called a "reach at best" and "pure fantasy" by many archaeologists, linguists, and historans. The most accepted theory concerning the origin of the name Kuvo is that it originated from a long dead and yet unkown language native to the Siluan region. A final theory of note, is that Kuvo has a shared linguistic heritage with the Saldian language. This has been exremely difficult to prove however as legal barriers and the highly secretive nature of the Saldian language have prevented any attempts at research.

The Great Oak, an important symbol in Kuvo.

Overview

Theology

Adherents to Kuvo believe that there are two universal and uncreated creator deities. The goddesses Sual and Eilistraee are said to preside over the vastness of the universe and are omniscient and, to a great degree, omnipotent. The goddesses are said to work through lesser divine beings. Sual uses a wide variety of these lesser beings and Eilistraee is served soley by a class of beings named seldari.

A shrine dedicated to Zem.

Dualism is a major component of Kuvo with the terms bitheism, polytheism, and animism applied to the religion. The concept of dualism in Kuvo is derived from the very different, yet complimentary natures of its two goddesses. Sual and Eilistraee are believed to each control exactly one half of existance. The two godesses also infuse everything in creation with thier "breath", or a spark of thier essence. The nature of dualism within Kuvo is a strictly binary one that gives no allowance for an intermdediate state between the two halves of any dualistic relationship in Kuvo. An examples of this strict binary dualism is that of a gender identity wherein there is only male or female. Those that identify as transsexual for instance are only recognized if they have completely embraced the lifestyle, mannerisms, and physical appearance associated with a particular gender. There is no transitional state or simplying identifying as one gender over another within the framework of Kuvo beliefs.

The terms polythiesm and animism are given to Kuvo by many scholars. Across the regions in which Kuvo is dominant, the veneration of local aspects of nature and what are thought to be Pre-Kuvo deities persist under the description of servants of Sual and Eilistraee. This is evidenced by the numerous shrines dedicated to Zem scattered throughout Silua. Many scholars believe Zem to be a Pre-Kuvo, chthonic goddess with a portfolio that includes fertility and the earth. The seldari servants of Eilistraee are less well attested in the archaeological record, and the practice of paying homage to certain prominent members of this group of beings is still widespread. Whether the seldari are ancient deities or proto-deities is a topic widely discussed among those who study the history of Kuvo.

Animism in Kuvo can be seen in the deep reverence held for certain bodies of water, plants, animals, and other features of the land. Througout the regions were Kuvo is predominate, certain trees or groves of trees are given a great deal of respect. In central Silua, prominent hills and mountains recieve special prayers and offerings. In western Silua, the extinct volcano Mount Kaste is said to be home to a very powerful spirit of earth and fire. Among the animals found in the regions were Kuvo is practiced, none are more widely revered than the short-faced bear. These animals are believed to possess divine powers granted to them by both Sual and Eilistraee. The short-faced bear is the mortal being closest to the goddesses in the Kuvo religion.

The concept of good and evil exists within Kuvo beliefs. Unlike many other faiths though, there are no entities such as gods, demons, or otherwise that embody or promote promote good or evil within humanity. Instead, humans are born with both an evil and a good spirit or dvas inhabiting their bodies. Each individual in Kuvo can freely choose whether to access their "good" or "evil" dvas at any time. The ultimate good is to sincerely and devoutly worship the goddesses and the ultimate evil is considered to be the blaspheming the goddesses names or proclaiming false devotion to them. In addition to these two major ideas of virtues and sins, there is a large hierarchy of lesser virtues and sins described within the Kuvo religion.

The idea of the soul and the afterlife exist within the Kuvo religion. In addition to the two dvas possesed by each person, there exists a persons animating force and spiritual loci, the sielia. The sielia of Kuvo is equated with the idea of the soul in other faiths and is said to possess the essence of both goddesses within it. Throughout a person's life, they may choose to give greater veneration to either Sual or Eilistraee and therefore "grow" that portion of their siela. Upon an individual's death, the beliefs of Kuvo stipulate that if the weight of a persons virtues outweighs their sins, they may then travel from the earth to enter the realm of the goddess they most venerated in life. Individuals that primarily worshipped Sual and pass from the earth are brought to Sual's realm by her daughter Gabija, demi-goddess of fire and blood. Those who focused their devotions on Eilistraee are escorted to her realm by her lover, the demi-goddess Aransalee.

Practices

The religion calls upon its practitioners to actively and sincerely participate in the worship of the godesses in whichever way they choose. Active worship is considered taking to heart the persona of each goddess and

An aukuras in a Ravumo park.

then acting in accordance with the aspects of each goddess' persona. This active participation is a central element in Kuvo's concept of free will and choice. Kuvo, because of this, rejects extreme form of asceticism and monasticism but historically has allowed moderate expressions of these concepts depending on the area and locale.

In Kuvo tradition, life is seen as a temporary state and a mortal is expected to actively particate in all that life offers. Idleness in life is seen as unhealthy, and not taking advantage of the joys the goddesses provide is viewed as both wasteful and disrespectful to the goddesses. Over indulgence and hedonism that negatively impacts an individual or society as a whole are considered harmful and are considered to go against thoughts of the goddesses.

The natural world plays an important role in the Kuvo religion. Many shrines and temples are located in wilderness areas where it is thought that the goddesses are more easily heard. Even within urban areas temples and shrines are typically found within groves of trees or parks. Every aspect of nature is expected to be treated with great respect as they are believed to be extensions of the goddesses on earth. Among the most revered natural objects in the Kuvo religion are the Siluan Black oak and the short-faced bear.

Religious ceremonies are typically held at outdoor shrines or in open air temples dedicated to the goddesses. An exception to this practice are the shrines and temples dedicated to Eilistraee found within caves and other subterranean loctations. Both Sual and Eilistraee have monthly relgious ceremonies. Ceremonies performed by priestesses of Sual take place on the day of the new moon while ceremonies performed by priestess of Eilistraee are performed on the night of the full moon. On years where there is a thirteenth full moon, the final full moon of the year is celebrated with a large festival known as a alure harl quar'valsharess which is thought to translate to "dance under the goddess".

Religious ceremonies dedicated to Sual are centered around a aukuras or "fire altar". Relgious ceremonies dedicated to Eilistraee are centered around a drathir sirn which is thought to translate to "moon mirror". Regardless of the goddess a ceremony is dedicated to, participants in religious ceremonies wash their hands and faces before approaching either the aukuras or drathir sirn. After washing, participants approach the ceremonial centers and sing dainos or ritual hymns as the ceremonial centers are prepared. The most important ceremonial day for Sual is the summer solstice which occurs on June 22 and the most important ceremonial day for Eilistraee is the winter solstice which occurs on December 22.

A Kuvo priestess known as vaidilutė presides over ceremonies dedicated to Sual and a priestess known as a yatharil presides over ceremonies dedicated to Eilistraee. As recognised figures of authority in their communities, the priestesses must have the proper skills and knowledge she needs to conduct religous ceremonies to honour the goddesses. Priestesses dedicated to both Sual and Eilistraee recieve education in religious schools headed by senior Kuvo priestesses.

Principal Beliefs

Cosmology

Within the cosmology of the Kuvo religion, there are three distint realms. There is the realm of the sun known as Sual Rūmai or "Sual's palace". Within Kuvo religion, Sual Rūmai is said to be a vast forest of the tallest trees where the sun always shines and that the goddess Sual rules over it from atop the didysis ąžuolas or "great oak"" which burns with holy fire and shines with the light of the sun. The realm of Eilistraee is known as salkin har'ollen which is thought to translate as the "dancing caves". Salkin har'ollen is described as a series of connected subterranean caverns whose ceilings twinkle with the stars. Eilistraee is said to dance with her sword throughout her realm and keeps the moon at the center of salkin har'ollen over a large underground lake of the purest water. The realm of mortals in Kuvo relgion is called plati žemė or the "wide earth". Plati žemė was said to have been created by the goddesses following the creation of Sual Rūmai by Sual and salkin har'ollen by Eilistraee. Kuvo tradtion states that plati žemė was created when the goddesses took pieces of themselves and stirred them into an electrum basin filled with cool water and burning with orange flame. Sual gave her blood and a lock of her golden hair to the basin while Eilistraee coaxed milk from her breasts and plucked several strands of pure white hair from her head. In the Kuvo religion there is no belief in an underworld or heavenly realm. A person is either spirited away to the realm of one of the goddesses or their soul is doomed to linger on plati žemė and never again hear the goddesses.

The Goddesses

Sual

Sual, aside from her solar aspect, is also known primarily as a goddess or war. There are numerous stories concerning Sual doing battle with with armies of monsters, rebellious servants, and mortals seeking to take her power. Up until the 18th century AD, temples of Sual were frequently used as training grounds for military officers. This was in large part because the priestesses of Sual trained heavily in all varieties of martial arts and also extensively studied military history and tactics.

In most Kuvo sources, Sual is described as tall and beautiful with blonde hair that "shines like the sun", green eyes cut from the most perfect of emeralds, and the strong body of a warrior. She is almost always depicted wearing armor of some type and wielding her maul Kraujo Ugnis or "Blood Fire". Sual is also frequently shown sporting intricate tattoos on her face and arms, a practice that many of her priestesses emulate.

Physical fitness, spiritual fortitude, and bravery in the face of adversity are qualities that Sual expects mortals to embrace in the Kuvo faith. These particular tenets of Sual worship have had a visible impact on the secular aspects of whatever cultures have adopted Kuvo religous practices. Examples of these impacts are the proliferation of gymnasiums in cities and towns of all sizes and the government funding of mental health facilities, and also large grants given to further mental health research.

A depiction of Sual exemplifying her warrior aspect.

Eilistraee

A depiction of Eilistraee clearly showing her unusual appearance.

While Eilistraee is known widely as a diety of the moon, she posseses many other aspects. She also said to be the goddess of beauty, song, dance, freedom, moonlight, swordwork, hunting, and sexual desire. There are thousands of stories describing Eilistraee's daliances with mortal women, her skill with a sword, and the beauty of her song and dance. Eilistraee's priestesses practice swordwork and often teach it to lay members of the members of the faith and her ceromonies are aften accompanied by dance as well as song. In the spring and summer months, priestesses of Eilistraee typically forgo clothing of any type in order to appear as much like their goddess as they can.

Kuvo sources describe Eilistraee as a being of glowing beauty. She is tall and lithe, with graceful, strong limbs and a glossy, obsidian-dark skin. She usually appears unclad, cloaked only by her ankle-length hair that shines with a bright silvery hue, and by motes of moonlight that are ever-dancing about her body. Her face possesses delicately sculpted features and shape, but her eyes are large, with irises that hold the shifting hint of blue of a moonstone, and expressive of her mood or emotions. Her ears are also said to taper to a fine point, like that of a moon beam refecting on water. When Eilistraee speaks, her voice always carries a soft musicality that makes mortals instinctively drawn to it. Such attraction does not cloud their minds, nor is it of magical origin, it is simple as the sound of a beautiful song.

According to Kuvo belief, Eilistraee acts as a motherly figure who asks her worshippers to free themselves from things that tether them too strongly to worldly laws and traditions. She also ask that her worshippers freely follow their amorous desires with those they prefer, to revel in the art of dance and music, and to hunt only for what is necessary to survive. These beliefs manifest in different ways through temples of Eilistraee and also secular organizations. For instance, Eilistraeean temples frequently work together with local communities to provide medical and financial support for sex workers and also to provide education aimed at sexual health. Another way in which in which Eilistraeean beliefs extend into the secular world is through Eilistraeean patronization of the arts.