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 prevented 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 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 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.

Principal Beliefs

The Goddesses

A depiction of Sual exemplifying her warrior aspect.

A depiction of Eilistraee clearly showing her unusual appearance.