Kin of the Blessed Bloodlines

The Kin of the Blessed Bloodlines is a small, polytheistic religion that believes that all people are impure until they undergo a blessing to their own blood. The religion centers around the idea of togetherness and purity, with Lycanoir, God of Wolves and Nosferina, Goddess of Bats as the two gods of the religion. However, it is believed that there are more animalistic gods that have not been discovered yet. Members of the religion are generally accepting of others, and believe that non-believers are just unaware about the impurity within their blood.
The religion obsesses itself over animals and nature, leading many to believe it to be simple druidcraft. However, members of the religion contest this heavily, claiming that druids have no gods other than nature itself, while they have multiple gods that they believe manage the world. Despite this, the Kin are devout protectors of nature and will fight against the destruction of nature for causes they believe to be unjust. They believe that animals are sacred, but the different denominations value animals differently.
== Origins ==
The Kin of the Blessed Bloodlines is a young religion brought over to Rathnir by Mikhail Miroslavovich Cliamovsky. Developed in an unknown group of tribes in Eldham, Mikhail brought over the ideals of the Blessed Bloodlines when he left for Rathnir. Arriving in Modern Valrôn, just before Queen Alvara's death, the Kin of the Blessed Bloodlines had very little presence. Originally seeking to start a Lycan Kirche in Valron City, his plans changed when he took over Dragonsguard. There, he built the first Lycan Kirche within Rathnir. Eventually, the Kirche was demolished and replaced with a Hauptkirche. Wraith Yurei, a friend of Mikhail, adopted the religion, becoming the first Nosfer Count in Rathnir.
== Beliefs ==
The denominations of the religion all believe in a hierarchy of bloodlines, with tainted bloodlines being the worst of the worst. Beyond this, they both believe that each others gods are real. They find non-believers to be those who are unaware of their impure blood, and generally believe that fighting must have reason. Love is seen as bloodlines crossing, but an impure and pure bloodline shouldn't cross. If the impure bloodline isn't blessed in a short amount of time, then both bloodlines will become tainted.
=== Afterlife ===
It is believed that those who believe in the gods and are blessed will become one with the animal whose blessing they've received, and join the god who blessed them in a paradise. The paradise differs between denominations.
=== Lycans ===
Lycans are those whose blood has received Lycanoir's blessing of the Wolf. They believe in toughness and strength, in courage and bravery, and in camaraderie and friendship. Lycans rarely eat anything that isn't meat, viewing plants as inferior to meat. They will only eat plants in times of desperation, however raw meat is never eaten unless under very specific circumstances. Raw meat is reserved for major events and celebrations, and is not supposed to be eaten outside of it. Murder is an iffy thing for Lycans, as they view killing weaker beings as valid. However, the killing of an equal without having a reason of honor and dignity to do so is seen as cowardly. The killing of sheep is seen as a showcase of devotion to Lycanoir, while the killing of wolves is seen as monstrous and evil.
=== Nosfers ===
Nosfers are those whose blood has received Nosferina's blessing of the Bat. They believe in charisma and wordplay, in wits and intellect, and in dexterity and movement. Nosfers generally prefer to eat raw meat, as it contains blood that is thought to build a deep bond with Nosferina. However, they are also known to eat non-meats often. Blood is a drink for Nosfers, but they prefer to drink wine infused with blood at major events and celebrations. Tradition is a very important thing to Nosfers, and they rarely break their traditions for anyone. They often view life as fleeting, and seek to prolong it by any means necessary.
== Bloodlines ==
An infused bloodline is limited to those who become priests and priestesses. They are the only ones whose blood becomes that of the animal that their god represents. For example, a Lycan priest will have wolf's blood replace their own. This is considered a holy rite and those with infused bloodlines are the highest in the bloodline hierarchy.
A pure bloodline is the bloodline that any Kin has. It represents that the person has been blessed by their god, but they lack the blood of the animal they worship.
An impure bloodline is the bloodline that any non-Kin has. It represents that the person has not been blessed by a god, but they are not beyond purification.
Those with a tainted bloodline are despised and considered evil. Even a god would prefer to interact with an impure bloodline over spending a moment near one with a tainted bloodline. Tainted bloodlines must undergo intense repurification to repent for their sins, and others may still distrust those who have successfully repurified their blood.
== Rituals ==
The Kinship Trials are a series of ritualistic trials to determine whose blessing a new Kin is deserving of. There are usually five trials, and ends on a full moon where the gods will judge you based on your trials. After judgement, you will receive your blessing and be told what blessing you have received by either a Lycan or Nosfer preacher.
=== Hunting ===
Usually the first of the five trials, the Trial of Hunting is vital in discovering one's potential for toughness and dexterity. Sheep and other animals are bred and then led out to a populated forest, where they are tied up with leads to poles. The new Kin then needs to hunt down and kill all 10 animals. The time it takes is recorded, and the gods judge the trial based on how long it takes.
=== Taming ===
The Trial of Taming is a trial where the new Kin tries to fetch animals into a pen with only food to lure the animals. The number of animals they are able to get inside within 30 seconds is recorded, and the gods judge the trial based on how many are lured inside.
=== Sparring ===
The Trial of Sparring is a trial where the new Kin fights a Lycan with only their fists. Whoever wins matters, but how long the new Kin lasts for matters significantly more. The length of time it takes for the new Kin to either win or lose is recorded, as well as the result. The gods judge the trial based on time, and seem to use the result as a tie breaker for blessings. 
=== Alchemy ===
The Trial of Alchemy is a trial where a new Kin is given 45 seconds to study five brewing recipes. After the 45 seconds are up, they must complete all brewing recipe. Any and all mess ups are recorded, and the time it takes for the last brew to finish is recorded. The gods judge the trial based on speed, accuracy, and error count. 
=== Reflection ===
The final trial, the Trial of Reflection, is a trial where the new Kin must relax and wait. They must mentally reflect on their journey until the next full moon, where the gods' judgement are told to a preacher, who alerts the new Kin of their blessing. This final trial has little to do in affecting the outcome of the gods' judgement, but is used as downtime for the new Kin to not have to worry about the trials for a little bit.
== Fest of the Winter's Moon ==
The Fest of the Winter's Moon is an annual celebration characterized by its gift-giving and remembrance. Said to be a day where the Gods watch the world and spread joyous feeling throughout the world, the Kin felt like this day needed to be celebrated yearly. It is also believed that the middle of December is when the paradises are closest to the world. Lycanoir is believed to shed his timber wolf fur in trade for an arctic wolf's fur during December, his fur being fully white on the 18th. Nosferina is believed to, for only the day of the Fest of the Winter's Moon, drink hard liquor and dance to celebrate. It is a significant event for the Kin of the Blessed Bloodlines, providing an opportunity to honor the Gods and engage in acts of benevolence and merriment. It occurs on the 18th of December.
=== Preparations ===
Preparations for the fest take place during the day. Food is prepared, drinks are made, and decorations are set up around in order to make the festivities to come as lively and welcoming as possible. Once night hits, celebrations begin. Dancing is prevalent throughout the event, as well as drinking. Often, Lycans let loose and spar with other Lycans and those with impure bloodlines. All bloodlines except for tainted bloodlines are welcome to the fest.
=== Gift giving ===
One of the most major activities to occur is the act of gift giving. These gifts are most commonly given to others at the celebration, but some gifts are sacrificed to the gods by Kin in order to show their love and faith to the gods. Gifts are often given to random people, and rarely are gift exchanges planned. It is strongly encouraged to bring a large variety of gifts to give to others. It is seen as rude to not bring gifts, as it is seen as being greedy.
=== Cultural significance ===
The Fest of the Winter's Moon is very important to the Kin of the Blessed Bloodlines. Culturally, it allows for the different denominations to spread their word and express their beliefs freely with the world. Spiritually, it allows for the Kin to be closer to their gods, as it is believed that the middle of December is when the paradises are closest to the world. Gratitude and reverence are profound during celebrations
=== Conclusion ===
As the night progresses and day comes closer, the celebrations slow down and usually conclude right before the break of dawn. During this slower part of the celebration, prayer to the gods and remembrance of the dead are most common. The dead are remembered and often honored by giving any ungifted presents to a flame that represents the dead. Kin often hold onto a few presents for their god specifically, placed within a holy chest all at once with the name of the god it belongs to set as its name. Until the gods have collected the gifts, at least one Lycan and one Nosfer protect the chest.
Category:Religions
Category:Traveler's Era