Navicism

Navicism was the primary religion of the Calamaran Empire, and is now the primary religion of the Calamaran Fragmented States. Those who follow this religion are called Navicites. A core theme of the religion is the cycle of life and death, it teaches that all things come from the sea, and to the sea all things shall return. The second core belief is humility, Navicism teaches that no matter how mighty you are, no matter how powerful your civilisation, it pales in comparison to the might of the ocean. Humanity are mere specks of dust, fighting their petty battles on the tiny tips of rock which peeks up out of the seas.
Though originally this religion centred around worship of Ulgard Greenblood, in recent years it has gone through reformations to leave that aspect behind.
There is currently no supreme head of the Navicist religion, since the collapse of the empire.
=== Priests of Navicism ===
Priests wielded supreme power in Calamar, both politically and magically. These priests are permitted to perform any kind of magic if it is in service of the church, and though most of them can wield water and weather magic, some delve into dark and forbidden arts, such as blood magic, demon summoning and necromancy. The order of ordained priests are known as the Court of the Anchored Throne.
In centuries past, priests of Navicism wielded incredible power; able to create terrifying storms, command legions of demons, and summon beasts of the deep. Since the death of their god, their power has been lessened, and they no longer have a direct link to the divine. In desperate attempts to regain their former glory, mostly due to pressure from the Emperor, the priesthood have delved into strange methods of attaining power, such as human sacrifice, consuming the flesh of monsters, or making deals with other demons. Such things, which would previously be considered unpleasant, are now essential for maintaining the power of the church.
Prominent priests are bestowed the title 'Mardeus'.
=== Holy Scriptures ===
The holy scriptures of Navicism, El Mito Profundo (the Myth of the Deep) are not generally publically available. The main scripture is carved into the stone upon the path which leads up to the Anchored Throne. Most large churches and cathedrals will have a paper copy kept safe, but non-priests are forbidden from reading it.
El Mito Profundo details the arrival of Ulgard Greenblood (The Sea King) on the shores of Calamar, and how he lead the people of the island to conquer the entire seas, gifted them with magic, and established the governance of the Empire. Despite being heavily exaggerated, and some aspects being dubiously true, it remains the most accurate record of the history of the Shattered Sea in existence. It has been slowly added to over time, with the tales of lives of saints, and stories of the times Greenblood returns to aid the Empire. Notably, the scripture does not detail the defeat of Greenblood at the Court of Demons, or the rise of the Lady of the Mist.
==== Creation Myth ====
According to the Navicistic creation myth, the world was once entirely covered with water, and it was ruled by the Sea King. The Sea King created great beasts to serve him. When some of these beasts died, they rose to the surface and became landmasses. On these landmasses, plants, animals, and humans developed, but they were not intentionally created. Many centuries later, when humans had built their nations and empires, and claimed to rule the world, the Sea King was angered. He arose in human form (taking the name Greenblood), and chose a settlement of humans who showed proper humility and deference towards him. He guided them to conquer many other nations, in his name, so that humanity would be appropriately humble.
==== View on other Religions ====
Navicism teaches that all other gods are either fake or decievers. It accepts that there are certainly other powerful beings in existence, but they are not true gods, are not as powerful as the Sea King, and anybody who follows those beings are blind fools who do not see the truth.
Navicism's general view on other religions can be summarised through using the tale of the war against the Tuquessi Empire, which is described early on in El Mito Profundo. The story described that the foolish Tuquessi people worshiped a giant crab called Krangaterra. According to the legend, when the Calamaran forces attacked Portuqa, the great Krangaterra arose to defend the city. When Greenblood showed up, the giant crab attempted to flee, but was promptly slain. Essentially, according to Navicism, all other 'gods' are monstrous beasts, and cowards, who cannot stand against the might of the Sea King.
=== Navicistic Saints ===
Navicism is a monotheistic religion, however prominent individuals who perform great deeds on behalf of Navicism, or the Calamaran Empire itself, are often assigned 'sainthood', and are added to the scriptures. Though most of these figures are long dead, the tenets of Navicism state that their body has merely returns to the sea, and their spirit lingers to continue to aid Calamar.
==== List of Saints ====
Saint Kazar - The Patron Saint of Portuqa, Kazar was a missionary who spread the word of Navicism far and wide. His most notable achievement was slaying a demon on Isla Oro to convert the people there.
Saint Gardavo - The Patron Saint of Nochegardia, Gardavo defended the Empire from an undead invasion, which came from the Dark Isles.
Saint Sehrazad - The Patron Saint of Porta Pyrus, Sehrazad delved into the cursed lands of Duvar and came back alive, bringing great wealth with him upon his return.
Saint Relozian - A priest who delved into the study of the natural and physical world, and vastly improved the technological level of the Calamaran Empire. He had an academy in Calaveirus named after him.
Saint Maretta - Saint Maretta was a shipwright famous for making great advancements in sailing technology, after apparently receiving a vision from the Sea King. Because of this she became the first female Sacerdeus in the empire, and had the city of Porta Maretta named after her.
Saint Vanessa - A controversial choice, the recent Reformation of Navicism has canonised Vanessa Fang, the legendary pirate queen and killer of Ulgard Greenblood, as a saint in the eyes of the church, though traditionalists strongly disagree with this.
Saint Sebastien - A High Admiral who lead the empire during a time of great instability, Sebastien Canarro defended Calamar from Tyrranean invasions, and also managed to discover the mysterious Shrouded Continent.
Saint Suleiman - The last saint, Suleiman established much order in the Navicistic church, destroyed many of the fragmentary schisms, and, most impressively, discovered a way to extend the life of Emperor Ramazan far beyond its natural limit. However, he was also a vicious tyrant and necromancer. He was killed during the final battle of the Calamaran-Cobrian war.
=== Holy Cities ===
Three cities stand out as prominent Holy Cities of Navicism.
The first is Calavierus, the settlement at which Greenblood first washed up, and capital of the Calamaran Empire since its founding. Calavierus is home to the Sunken Temple, a grand cathedral which is half underwater.
The second is Porta Pyrus, one of Greenblood's greatest conquests. Legends states that it is here that Greenblood revealed the true nature of the world, and El Mito Profundo was written. Porta Pyrus' greatest landmark is an enormous statue of the Sea King.
The third is Sudalanka, home to the Cathedral of Saints. As capital of the Nochegardia region, Sudalanka stands strong against threats from the Dark Isles.
=== Holy Days ===
Navicism does not possess many festivals. However it does possess the notable "Cleansing Night", a festival which takes place in the middle of the Winter. In reverence of humanity's insignificance in comparison to the vast and unknowable ocean, on this day a lot of restrictions are lifted, social taboos are ignored, and Navicists are free to engage in revelry and overindulgence. However when evening falls, they must go to the beach and immerse themselves in seawater. This ceremony is usually watched over by a Mardeus.
=== Navicistic Artefacts ===
==== The Anchored Throne ====
The Anchored Throne, the seat of the Emperors of Calamar, is one of the most sacred artefacts of Navicism. The throne was constructed from the wood of the broken ships of Calamar's enemies during the first wars, and yet it never rots or withers.
==== The Bones of Greenblood ====
The Bones of Greenblood are simultaneously holy and heretical. They are not the remains of Greenblood's ascended form, but rather the remains of the man he once was. Their very existence reveals the lies in the scriptures, and proves that Greenblood was once a man, not a great and powerful sea god born at the dawn of time. The bones are sought after ruthlessly by priests, both for the power they provide, and so that they cannot be used to disprove the dogma of Navicism.
=== Schism ===
Since the collapse of the Empire, Navicism has gone through a major schism, between traditionalist and reformation. The Reformers believe in leaving aspects of the religion connected to Greenblood behind, and fully canonising the Lady of the Mist.
The Reformation is fully supported by Calavierus, Pyrria, and the Frontera League.
However, the Traditionalists are still supported by Turkhana, Nochegardia, and Portuqa.
=== Branches ===
Navicism has several branches and splinter groups, some of which are tolerated by the central authority, and some of which are not.
==== Followers of Canarro ====
The Followers of Canarro are a schism generated by Saint Sebastien. These followers see the modern version of the Navicistic church as a corruption of what it should be, and see Sebastien Canarro as the true voice of Navicism. Canarro's ideal for Navicism is much more socially progressive, and puts a lot less power in the hands of the priests.
==== Maracaygan Navicism ====
Maracaygan Navicism is a branch developed by the people of the Maracaygo Republic. The Maracaygan variant of the religion denies that the Emperor of Calamar is the head of faith, and disagrees with the official holy scriptures, but otherwise follows very similar beliefs.
==== Knights of Saint Gardavo ====
The Knights of Saint Gardavo are are holy militant order, who are approved by the main Navicistic church and share the same beliefs. The difference is that the knights are particularly devoted to Saint Gardavo, and as such, consider it their duty to protect the empire from profane threats.