Nius

Ni'us is a monotheistic religion worshipping its sole god, Ni'us, also known as the Shattered One. Ni'us is an entity, worshipped by the Children of Ni'us in both Rathnir and Eldham.
==History==
According to the creation myth believed by the Children of Ni'us, before all other gods, faith or religion, there was a cosmic entity that devoured all light present during the creation of the universe. This being kept all that was alive inside itself, creating a self-proclaimed harmony of life.
With no beings to consume, it travelled the nothingness alone. Bored, Ni'us created segments of itself that are known as Sunken Deities. These bodies of darkness formed around the cosmic, and during millions of years sought extensive knowledge while travelling the nothingness. One by one they tore off from the main body creating their own animations and realms that later became their own religions.
The remnants of Ni'us could not withstand and contain the light it had kept for all eternity alone. It had let go of the radiance of life and helped it form what is now known as the Sun, the Moon and Prime Material Plane (Where Rathnir, Jagdas and Eldham are). He did not do this for good or for the sake of being awful, but to rest. Ni'us broke into shattered artifacts, that would ratify a cycle of rebirth for itself and those who follow it, in hopes that one day somebody would find and reassemble the deity and create a harmony of all life once again.
==Symbols==
The symbol of the Shattered One is a green-purplish triskelion, sometimes depicted with broken tentacles. Worshippers, followers and the Children of Ni'us often wear or carry medallions and display small shrines of Ni'us triskelions.
==Known Artifacts==
These artifacts vary from ancient temples, sites and buildings to objects or even living beings. While Ni'us doesn't have an active consciousness or personality, worshipping it is a system of pure faith backed by metaphysical truths and findings. The Artifacts that have been found have changed thoughts, looks, alignments and generally expanded the lifespan of those who came into contact with them.
=== Flower of Celmandor ===
Found at the Palagean Sea deep underwater inside rotten catacombs around the north-western area of Plagos, a blackened rose standing on top of an altar with Deep Speech symbolism and writing carved around it. Claimed by the Children of Ni'us, it gives the current bearer a charismatic, leading personality.
=== The Crimson Evergreen ===
Found in an underground cave at an unknown location in Nieden is a crimson red Tree with densely overgrown environment blooming with weeping vines, blazing particles and dark red fog. Found by an excavation, it is said that several prophets and pilgrims are sent here to gain insight on and the consciousness of the Shattered One.
=== Broken Orchestrion ===
First appeared by Herb Dashwell, it is an ordinary looking jukebox but instead of playing discs, it plays classical and modern-sounding tunes. Found first in the corrupted sunken lands of Jagdas, it was seen again around the Apollo Radio at southern Alteniquia until it disappeared once more. It gives the bearer an inviting, friendly sensation and aura of positivity.
=== Golden Greed Shafts ===
Located deep in the Ummarnu Mesa are hidden mineshafts with fake gold. These resources are cursed with greed that ask those who find them to mine and gather for more. Those who posses these resources are bearers of the Golden Greed. The more they find, the hungrier they get for power, conquest and war. It is said that the Great Golden War happened mainly because of these "fake" gold mineshafts.
=== Shattered Pyramid ===
The ruins of a once risen temple dedicated to the Shattered One. It is said that it influenced many tribes and current nations towards the worship of chaos, thievery and banditry making its vicinity feral. Currently, its exact location is lost.
=== Corruptions & Texts of Ni'us ===
Through the works and openings of many undocumented artifacts, sites has been reported by many around Cymru, Syltör, Nieden and Haven where either greenish-purplish overgrown nature or small altars appeared. Many children of nearby settlements were born sick or deformed, causing these lands to become abandoned. Those who ventured deep either never returned or many times became corrupted (or one with salvation) forming worshipping societies like the Children of Ni'us.
== Beliefs and Practices ==
Beliefs, practices and theorized ways of worship were given through corrupted texts of Ni'us.
* One must worship the Shattered One and no other beings or entities. They are allowed to do so only to remain hidden between Doomed Ones. Ni'us, the Overgod of all Sunken Deities stands above all else. Their spirit and mind is with the Prophet and they alike shall be honoured.
* To steal or lie shall not be forgiven, only if it means remaining hidden beside others, or to retrieve Artifacts of the Shattered One.
* Do not drink at sites of worship or near artifacts as you may not be granted a place in the final harmony.
* Pray weekly to the Shattered One so he may grant you divine health and well-being.
* Become one with Ni'us and visit his Palace of Salvation.
==Children of Ni'us==
Children of Ni'us is often seen as a doomsday cult by outsiders, while it acts as a church for the worshippers of the Shattered One.
The main beliefs come from the possessions of artifacts and corrupted texts that are teaching daily worship of Ni'us and are encouraging both a nomad lifestyle and the forging of nations in order to rearrange the cosmic entity. The society works silently and often hides between regular people, which they would call a "doomed one". Larger groups usually promote order to search for the scattered remains of their god and declare those who are the enemies of their deity as "renegades".
They don't tend to be aggressive in nature. They see themselves as pastors of lost souls that lead them towards salvation.
They do not see Ni'us as an entity of death and hunger, but a being that could allow them to feel the harmony of light that once existed inside it. True peacefulness and happiness can only be achieved through gathering all the artifacts.
The Children of Ni'us is a semi-hierarchical group where the Prophets are seen as eyes, ears and mouths of the Shattered One. The Pastors are usually religious society leaders while the Orators are seen as public figures. Older members tend to carry some kind of corruption or even artifacts with themselves.
Category:Religions
Category:Cultures
Category:Lore
Category:Simulami
Category:Traveler's Era