Evasanktaranism

The sole 3 gods of the Euluska diaspora were Maiöna [mɑ̯i.ˈə̯ʊ.nʌ], Malini [mə.ˈliː.niː], and Makë [ˈmɑː.kei̯]. Together, they were known as the Evasanktara (from 'euäsanktara' - the peoples' divines). There were various belief systems beneath them, including widespread denominations, specific sects, and even cults. Worship of these three gods was one constant amongst the Euluska people. Anyone who worshipped one or all of these three gods was broadly known as an evasanktaran, and the religion as evasanktaranism. 
== Brief History & Overview ==
Evasanktaranism grew from a folk religion in the early fourth millennium pre-zero. It had its origins in the religion Cadénzeisim, which nowadays is very small. Cadénzeism was a religion based on spiritual revelations and visions to prepare for repeating apocalypses - mass extinction events, meteor strikes, ice ages, coronal mass ejections, et cetera. Evasanktaran belief of a three-god cycle probably came as an offshoot from the Cadénzean idea of a constant cycle, but then it diverged from there. It was the main, broad religion kept by almost all of the Euluska people throughout all of history from then on, and it developed various denominations, especially in different places when it was spread through Euluskan colonialism. Each god represented quite a distinct aspect, which corresponded with others - this was something relatively consistent across denominations with minor changes. Sun worship was the most common motif. See the picture across for their domains, which were known as the Thrivakithin. Bear in mind though, that this was the classical interpretation. 
Between them, Maiöna, Malini, and Makë covered most domains one could think of. Generally speaking their domains are as follows below. The key takeaway is that Maiöna is power, Malini is change, and Makë is equilibrium. They need each other. 
* Maiöna - sun, fire, light, life, health, humans, the hearth, home, power, youth, femininity, air, sky, daytime
* Malini - change, transition, dusk, dawn, the sea, the moon, birth, growth, animals, plants
* Makë - ending, death, depths, earth, darkness, old age, night, balance, stability, stars, equilibrium, inevitability
=== Saints ===
Almost all denominations of evasanktaranism revered a large number of canonised saints. These were mortals who did extraordinary things, and were immortalised after their death. Saints had specific domains they were patrons of, traditions, and holy days. Across denominations, beliefs varied as to whether these saints were revered mortals, or those ascended to a godly station, or something in between. For example, there were many small towns who had a patron saint and worshipped them as if they were their god. For a list of saints and their domains, see the link above. All saints' remains and relics were kept in the Holy City of Imvola.
== The Holy Books ==
The canon of evasanktaranism was a holy anthology called the Seven Affections. Its volumes consisted of parables, tales, epistles, and the recorded writings of ancient prophets called Augurs (Classical Euluska: yhecin /ʏxɛt͡sɪn/) passed down through oral tradition. These seven books were just as much about religion as they were about instructing future generations on things like farming, medicine, navigation, and the like! They were organised into seven books (Kåvasi) with Old Euluska titles:
# Kåva Evluzka - The Book of the Euluska - It told of the peoples' history, origins, traditions, aspirations, families, stories, etc, and Book 4 of Lasikaä.
# Kåva Maizua - The Book of Love - It told of romantic, obsessive, platonic, sacrificial, universal, sexual, playful, and familial love
# Kåva Eva - The Book of Duty - It told of honour, of families, heroes, of deeds and desires, helping, medicine, protecting, camaraderie, worship, etc
# Kåva Txalzeko - The Book of Sorrow - It told of failure, loss, grief, sadness, longing, loneliness, depression, and doubt
# Kåva Zattu - The Book of Fear - It told of tragedies, anxieties, the apocalypse, and the like
# Kåva Luzinë - The Book of War - It told of enemies, foes, wars, victors, conquests, heroes, tragedies, sagas etc
# Kåva Indratera - The Book of the World - It told of animals, plants, peoples, far off lands, exploration, sailing, farming...
=== A Distaste of Magic and Inhumans ===
It is probably well known to you that the Euluskan Empire, and many Euluskans, were culturally quite prejudiced against 1) mages and 2) those who were further from human. These beliefs were capitalised on and strengthened by various groups and by the Empire of course as part of its way to maintain power and 'them and us' distinction - but, they originally stemmed from centuries-twisted evasanktaran doctrine. One of the main texts pointed to by the Empire to sow hatred of mages was in the Kåva Evluska's 4th book, which told of the tragedy of the casting-out of the hero Luska, and her journey around the world before returning. In the story, it is implied that those who cast her out for murder were themselves mages. Likewise, mages were (in some of the oldest books) regarded to be idolaters and infidels, praying to false idols to gain their powers. 
=== Interesting Excerpts ===
For each, the numbers notate which volume, and then the letter/passage. E.g. Kava Eva 31•6 means the third volume of the Book of Duty, and the sixth letter. You may note that when speaking of one of the three divines, an all-caps pronoun is used. You will also note that many of the Augurs' names are quite long. Long names bring greater power in early Old Euluska tradition.
Excerpts of the Seven Affections
 	
Kåva Txalzeko 31•6 	"Go down into Makë - in darkness or in earth - and SHE will swallow you whole, and with it, your wickedness" said Augur Oloëulenaskatha
Kåva Eva 23•4 	For the sun is HER, and SHE is the sun; without the sun, there is no life, there is no food, there are no beasts, there is no beauty, there are no Euluskan. When your conviction in your faith is shaken, wait for the coming of the dawn, and SHE will remind you of your place in the world.
Kåva Evluska 4•12 	For those with argent in their blood bear the mark of the traitors who cast Lasikaä, hero, mother of our people, out from her homeland
Kåva Zattu 7•1 	My betrayers, said Augur Kavryegrimaëla, seek to mislead and sow discontent, from where they are hid behind a fog of corrupt legerdemain and pagan theurgy.
Kåva Indratera 24•3	It is said, the Evasanktara bestowed Indratera unto us, but not to the creatures within. They are mindless and godless, and we are their keepers.
Kåva Luzinë 2•19 	And then, Augur Ljanavereäla spake, Know ye not that the those beyond our walls are the children of the trolls and troglodytes alone?
Kåva Eva 32•9 	Let not the wind of sorcery waver the flame of the devotion within your heart, said SHE, and hold a simple and plain truth instead.
Kåva Eva 14•40 	Bring light; and with it, illuminate.
Kåva Luzinë 10•11 	Then Augur Dateriüimzakaiä spoke. "O King. You suppose I have come to broker peace; I suppose I indeed bring quiet. For I bring my sword, and with its taste, you will finally quiet."
Kåva Luzinë 19•2 	Then the Augur Helkoäldeiparralada rose to her feet and cried "Fool! I have offered you kindness, which you thought weakness; now I shall show you strength, and you shall think it cruelty. You will drink of HER fire for a thousand and one lifetimes, to indemnify the torment your children's children will be spared by your end. Go now and pray for mercy!" 
 (Fun fact: Quoted by Empress Dateria II in her declaration of war!)
Kåva Zattu 1•4 	The godless will look up and see HER ardent wrath in the sky, and know their fallacy as it fills their eyes. They will turn to the waters to soothe their immolation, where SHE shall bring them lightning and great maws of terrible beasts. They will seek refuge within the earth at night, but SHE will smother them and swallow them whole.
Kåva Zattu 39•1 	"I ask you this: when SHE is with me, what fear is there that remains? I do not fear death, for SHE is it; I do not fear fire, for it is HERS; I do not fear you, for SHE is with me. I am HER Augur, and your slings and your sickles cannot draw my blood." Then Augur Euakatyrinimvëlakia passed through the valley, and though the wretched tried to harm her with their blades, they indeed could not draw her blood.
== Most Notable Denominations ==
The nost notable denominations.
Name 	Origins 	Prevalence 	Beliefs 	Key Tenets
Cadénzeism* 	At least 6th millennium before 0	Has been a small religion since the -3000s concentrated in the Fallo + Burning Hills 	*Not a form of Evasanktaranism, but its parent religion. Apocalyptic religion - believed in a cycle of 'restructurings' of the world every few aeons where everything would die and be reborn anew in a 'great song'. Believed that advancements in technology, magic, and theology wove a 'note' into the song until it would reach its end, an apocalypse would occur, and it would repeat. 	
* With every step of humanity's hubris, a note is woven in the song of Indratera that brings it closer to its refrain and its apocalyptic restructuring
* Do not be materialistic; be simple, humble, and pious
Thrivakian 	-4000s, oldest form 	The Horn, very small sects 	The three gods are powerful equals who control the fate of the world and give mortals portents of the future in times of need. 	
* The three Gods know our future; and it is their whim to reveal it to us to guide us
Maiönan 	 	Though very small until the first century before zero, grew rapidly as the state religion of the Euluskan Empire, and nowadays makes up the majority of evasanktaranist thought.	Maiöna is the all-powerful goddess, and Malini and Makë her two greatest god-angels. Maiöna rules light, warmth, humanity, fire, and innovation; Malini the sea, dusk, and moon, and Makë the depths, earth, night, and death. 	
* Spread Her word to all who will lend their ear
* Honour the coming of Her light, for it is life
* Respect the wild and the sea, for they are Malini and Makë
* Let the fire of innovation raise you above all others
Benevolan 	 	Still closely followed by many places in the Fallo. It is the official belief system of the nations of Cahay, Trevizo and Morna-La (including Abavale) 	Benevolans were relatively chill, because they believed nonbelievers to be clouded or misguided, not to be evil. They did not believe any creatures to be inherently evil, in fact, and that many just acted on their own natures.
They revered lorekeepers and historians - to keep records and writings was to keep the memory of great heroes and events alive. They created complex systems of laws and justice.
They cultivated crops and bonded with animals, believing all to be the bounty of the three gods. Generally, they worshipped Malini primarily, Maiöna second, and Makë third, but all in their own ways.	
* All deserve forgiveness
* Nature rules all
* Honour the past, keep it alive.
* A sharp body sharpens the mind
* Faith is your sword, with it, you shall not need mortal protection
Midarik 	 	Still closely followed by many places in the Fallo. It is the official belief system of the nations of Cahay, Trevizo and Morna-La (including Abavale) 	Same as the Benevolans, but the Midariks also believed that weaponry should not be used in war, armour should not be worn, and jewellery or wealth were immoral. They trained in unarmed warfare and wore solely plain robes. The Monks of Cahay were a great example, as was Saint Talion. 	
* All deserve forgiveness
* Nature rules all
* Honour the past, keep it alive.
* A sharp body sharpens the mind
* Faith is your sword, with it, you shall not need mortal protection
Malinist 	 	The largest religion in the Xantic Isles, and scattered here and there elsewhere including the SW Danderillon. 	Believe that Malini, the Sea Mother, is the superlative of the three gods. She teaches abstinence, peace, thankfulness, mindfulness, power, love, wilderness, and conviction. Her followers did not eat meat, were pacifists, and were very charitable. 	
* She will keep peace if we do so too
* Do not harm the life of another, nor eat a creature's flesh
* Help the old, the sick, and the poor
Makëan 	 	Much less common, found in numerous small sects worldwide 	Believe that Makë is the superlative of the trio. The cycle of life and death rules all things supreme. Silver and feathers were used for worship. 	
* Death is inevitable, but to go to it is an honour
* Life and death need one another to continue and coexist
* Piety and goodness bring rewards in the next life
Nåran 	 	Very small scale - some worshippers in the Horn, and a few in Gildegra 	Centred on the early myth of Nårë, a kingdom of Maiöna-worshippers far off in the unknown north. Worshippers see themselves as the descendants of the great kingdom, and one day they will find and reclaim it, and all believers will go and live in the utopia. The kingdom was once on a verdant but cold plain, but after an Augur called down a great storm to wash away barbarians at the walls, the kingdom became an island surrounded by deep sea.	
* We are the children of kings and queens, and one day will reclaim our birthright kingdom
* When the seas rise, we will be all that remain, and must prepare a utopia until then
Blackfeldian	 	Small villages in the Burning Hills, including the Blackfeld Abbey diocese. 	Believe that numerous Euluskan canonised saints, such as Avacyn, Blackfeld, and Shola, were prophets from the three gods to show humanity that power is the true form of life. 	
* Power can only be gained through killing and rending your foes
* Magic is a dark art, but not a forbidden one to those who dare push its boundaries
* To be weak is to fail; to succeed is to consume
 
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