Kryhal

Kryhal (also known as Kili'ism by foreigners and people not familiar with Kili'iska) is a religion first recorded on the coast and islands of the Arbonic Sea in Eldham. Its origins are unclear, but it seems to have originated from prehistoric Arbonic fishing peoples.
Its beginning canon was established by Saint Egr and Saint Failurus Lorensk in 244 TE. Other major canonical works include the by Saint William Penn.
Currently, the religion can be found across Abexilas, but a higher concentration of believers can be found in the continents of Rozak'kora, Halinn and Iristoya.
==Beliefs ==
=== Gods===
Kili'ism worships two gods: Kili, Goddess of Water, Peace, Life and the deep sea and caves. Her brother Ku'halis, God of Fire, War, The sky and Death. Kili takes the form of a large anomalocarsis, and rules the Watery Realm (known as Lorah in kili'iska). Ku'halis is an undead flaming pterosaur, and rules the Blazing Realm (known as Sharah in kili'iska). They are not opposites, but equal forces that have love for each other and their creations. Neither is evil, nor purely good, but they both care for their creations; albeit with different personalities. Both gods are sometimes collectively called the Dual Gods. It is also said that they prefer to keep out of mortal affairs and prefer to only intervene when absolutely necessary.
=== Other spiritual beings===
Ku'halis has a spirit helper, or a psychopomp, who guides the departed to the afterlife named Sa'urel. Sa'urel wields a soul-forge blade given to her by Ku'halis from his own forge. Kili also has a spirit helper named Quaerosha, who brings new life into the world there also known for botany and archery.
===Urasha===
Urasha (pronounced OO-rash-ah) are spirits that act upon the world in various minor or bigger ways depending on the Urasha. Urasha mostly come from the strong souls of dead individuals from the world but some have unknown origins. The Dual Gods choose these strong souls to become urasha so Kili and Ku'halis don't have to interfere as much in the affairs of the world. Urasha choose what they do as urasha themselves, and the Dual Gods do not dictate what they do directly. The list of currently canon Urasha includes:
1. Kushi, a trickster Urasha. They like to play pranks on the people for there own amusement, but they generally give some kind of prize to the people who put up to them for long enough. They take the form of a Sinosuaroptyrx but they do have the power of shape shifting.
2. Greg, also called graka in Kili'iska, is an Urasha of wealth and prosperity. They enjoy gathering and hording wealth they also bless shops and markets which have statues of them in it, and it is said it will only work if it is made of emerald. They take the form of a chicken.
3. Puffious, also called puffishalani in Kili'iska is an Urasha of guidance, perseverance and poison. They help guide peoples during tough and treacherous times when the gods cannot help. They take the form of a pufferfish.
===Arbonic Sea===
Kili'ists have a very close connection to the Arbonic Sea in Eldham. So much so that it acts as a holy site in its own right. The reason for this is explained in a book written by Saint Lorim entitled which explains this close connection. Summarized, the Arbonic was made of water directly from the Watery Realm, and as such is sacred.
== Organization ==
===Sects===
==== Kolshakaraq Kryhal ====
The only major sect of Kryhal practised in Abexilas apart from Orthodoxy and well-known in the Kryhal world for its. It originates in Cheesegorod around 13 VE from the Cult of Mother Deepslate. It was eventually integrated into Kryhal by its founder Sasha Suvorov. Kolshakaraq continues to be primarily practiced in Zarilyia and surrounding regions of Halinn, with its epicenter and primary temple in Cheesegorod under the care of Ushka Kilensei Suvorov.
In terms of practice and teachings, Kolshakaraq (meaning many-faced in kili'iskan) can be considered as a folksy variant of Kryhal, remaining in communion with Orthodox Kryhal and the Kalirin. It views the gods as having many different aspects which directly interact, the two most prominent being Kal'a Kili (Mother Deepslate) and Ceron Ku'halis (the Warrior), and often has a rather esoteric interpretation of their roles in the universe, with Kili being a weaver, bringer of order and mistress of caves and the deep while Ku'halis is the master of chaos, battle, wrath and action. In stark contrast to the orthodox portrayal of Kili and Ku'halis, their Kal'a and Ceron aspects are generally depicted in a human form in Kolshakaraq (although the anomalocaris and pterosaur remain the ultimate true form of the gods). Sa'ruel and Quaerosha are also worshipped as the direct servants of Kili and Ku'halis, while the Urasha are largely ignored or worshipped as a collective of one's ancestors.
The holy books unique to Kolshakaraq are collectively known as the Deepslate Prophecies, and were written by Saint Sasha. They are not considered canonical by Orthodox Kryhal, although certain interpretations and stories (specifically, Ku'halis's being a warrior in a cyclic battle with the void) have seeped into mainstream Kryhal.
==== Colonial Kili'ism ====
An old henotheistic sect of Kryhal that formed in the Kilivarian Eldhamite colonies due to only having the first book of Kryhal, and the first organized version of Kryhal. It revered Kili as the ultimate benevolent god, Ku'halis as a demonic figure, and viewed Egr and Liam_SDC as sons and messangers of Kili. Kili'ism died when the colonists decided to convert to Bellatism and leave to form Astoria. Colonial Kili'ism is often looked apon with disdain and looked poorly apon by many modern Kryhal'ists as a heretical and blasphemous sect for saying that the 2 gods aren't equal among other things.
==== Lo and Sha sects ====
The Lo and Sha sects arose in the early days of Abexilas as a result of two different religions merging under Kryhal during the formation of Kilitran. Lo primarily worshipped Kili, viewing water and the overworld as holy, while viewing Ku'halis, fire and the nether in a negative light. Sha, on the other hand, primarily worshipped the Nether and fire as signs of holiness. Lo Kryhal was never really accepted by the people of wotan and quickly died with the dissolution of Kilitran. Sha Kryhal didnt fair much better with the Aentrani not caring much for Kryhal but werent as anti Kryhal as the wotani it schismed off after a few years to become the separate religion of Netheriin following the mass deportation of Kilivarians that formed Lin. Since the failed creation of these opposing sects, all major Kryhal sects have worshipped both gods as positive forces, at least to some extent. 
==Hierarchy==
===Kalirin ===
In the early days of Kryhal the religion was loosley headed by the Kilivarian Diarchs pre Abex but soon into Abex the religion started to reform and with the end of traditional Kilivaria a new head of faith was created. They are chosen by the saints and founders, there word can only be out classed by the saints and founders aswell. The current Kalirin is Indka Raktokaro.
====Ushka Kilensei====
Ushka kilensei are higher ranking kilensei and can only be chosen by the Kalirin. They dictate the canon to some degree, and operate bigger temples, as well as being mentors to newer kilensei. The only current Ushka Kilen is Sasha Suvorov of Zarilyia.
=== Kilensei===
Kilensei (singular kilen) are the priests of Kryhal. They are responsible for holding sermons in temples, observing religious festivals and feasts, and administering any sacraments. They may also give blessings on behalf of the gods.
Saints are dead Kili'ists who are canonized for their good works. There are currently five saints in Kryhal
* the Sea-King, the first king of Kilivaria in Eldham
* Saint Lorim the Fisher, a prophetess
* Saint William the Scribe, a former high ranking government official and prominent scribe for Kryhal
* Saint Failurus Lorensk, a founder of Kryhal in Eldham and first to hold the office of Kalirin
* Saint Sasha of the Waves, Ushka Kilen of Zarilyia, scribe and the founder of Kolshakaraq
File:Kili.jpg|thumb|261x261px|the main god of kili'ism, kili herself drawn by some_failure
File:Ku'halis 2.jpg|thumb|260x260px|the second god of kili'ism, ku'halis drawn by some_failure
File:Ember lumos.png|Sa'urel holding the soul forge blade drawn by iworkformojang
File:Screenshot 2023-12-06 at 8.51.13 PM (1).webp|Quærosha holding a bow drawn by failed boat
File:Kushi.jpg|kushi trickster urasha drawn by some_failure
Category:Religions
Category:Eldham
Category:Traveler's Era