Kuvo

Kuvo is an religion native to Silua in Tyran, that has been practiced in that region since ancient times. It is a mult--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 unknown to scholars, andthere are many theories concerning its origin. Theories include a Pre-Nord-Balto 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 prevent any attempts at research.

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 beliefed 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 halfs of any dualistic relationship in Kuvo. Prime examples of this strict binary dualism include those of 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 granteed them by both Sual and Eilistraee and are believed mortal beings closest to the goddesses.

Principal Beliefs

The Goddesses

A depiction of the Sual exemplifying her warrior aspect.

A depiction of Eilistraee clearly showing her unusual appearance.