Skaalka

Skaalka (also called Sculkicism in the Traveler's Tongue) is a religion that encompasses a variety of traditions, beliefs, and practices centered around Sculk and the god Jan-Shul, a deity associated with the Sculk fungus. Adherents (a.k.a. Sculkites) practice ritual sacrifice, Warden summoning, bodily modification, and various practices of the arcane.
Skaalka has no centralized institution. It is instead split into numerous cults that, while they may have different beliefs, all share the same core doctrine. However, the First Lodge, Skaalka's founding cult, is considered to be the primary interpreter of such doctrines. More information on the cults of Skaalka can be found here.
== Core Beliefs ==
=== Experience ===
Souls contain a form of power called Soul Energy (EXP), which has deep and vital connections to magic, primarily the practice of enchanting. Soul Energy can be transferred between living beings, and Sculk is capable of containing souls within itself and feeding off Soul Energy to fuel its growth. One acquires this energy through experiences, such as mining, fishing, or fighting. Sculkites are incentivized to seek out experiences above all other things in order to increase the amount of Soul Energy they possess within themselves. After a Sculk colony has gathered enough Soul Energy, and by using a specialized ritual, an individual may ascend beyond the mortal plane and achieve a godlike state of existence. Once enough people have ascended, the gods can be overthrown and the world will be transformed into a paradise.
=== Will ===
The will to power is the primary driving force of man. The individual desires mastery over all things within their domain. This is done by exerting one's will over the world, while others do the same, often in opposition. Alone, one's will may be weak or strong, but when a collective all exert their will in tandem, such power is exponentially increased. A Skaalkan cult must have the willpower needed to exert control over the flesh of Jan-Shul, lest the Sculk consume them.
=== Defiance ===
Skaalka believes that human nature is inherently evil, and that the natural state of the world is chaos, violence, greed, oppression, fear, and suffering. To commit an act of goodness or to exercise virtue, therefore, is an act of defiance against human nature through willpower.
=== Sacrifice ===
Sculk grows whenever it consumes a soul. A Skaalkan cult’s responsibility is to make sure a Sculk colony grows as large as possible, thus sacrifices of both humans and animals are made during rituals. Treasure is often offered as well in order to placate Jan-Shul and the Voultaan, especially if it’s enchanted items.
=== Cultivation ===
Cultivation refers to the alteration of one's physical form. The araan of Skaalka have their original bodies replaced with perfect copies made entirely of Sculk, which they can make alterations to by means of rituals. With enough practice, Sculkites can augment and alter their bodies well beyond their original capabilities.
== Pantheon ==
Jan-Shul and the Voultaan make up the first pantheon in Skaalka, known as the Janshulan.
=== Jan-Shul ===
Jan-Shul, a.k.a. the Devourer, is the primary god of Skaalka and is regarded as the principle power in the universe. He is portrayed as the progenitor of all life and its inevitable end, a devourer of all things living who then creates new life, only for it to be devoured again in a never-ending cycle. Scriptures describe this creation of life as accidental, a byproduct of Jan-Shul’s mere existence, unguided by intelligence. Because of this, and his intrinsic connection to Sculk, Jan-Shul is described as “blind” and driven by pure instinct. The Varadan (Wardens) are believed to be his avatars, representing his pure destructive power and the potential for new life to rise from that destruction. Jan-Shul is perceived as a threat to all existence, but only in the same regard as a wolf is dangerous to a sheep. If he cannot be killed, Skaalka seeks to subdue him, like caging a beast, so that the cycle of destruction may be broken.
=== The Voultaan ===
The Voultaan, or Archons in the Traveler's Tongue, are described as "faceless entities with a thousand names each." They accompany Jan-Shul and shape the universe into a sacrifice to him so that he may gorge himself. Their true names are not recorded or known, but they will take up the names of gods from other religions. The Voultaan possess a level of indifference towards mortals at best and malice at worst, and they will present themselves as benevolent or well-intentioned to hide their true motives, unless their wrath has been incurred. Thus, the Voultaan are feared and hated rather than venerated, and seen as the true enemy of all existence.
There are six Archons:
==== The Archon of The Sun ====
The Archon of The Sun created and perpetuates the lie that there is a heavenly realm beyond death, that the key to this dimension is through devotion to them, and that the Archons are kind and benevolent gods. This lie is often called the False Light.
==== The Archon of The Moon ====
The Archon of The Moon creates the numerous false identities that the Archons adopt. Sculkites must carefully scrutinize every religion they come into contact with to determine if their deities are real or a facade created by the Archons.
==== The Archon of The World ====
The Archon of The World entices human beings to fully embrace their evil human nature. It whispers sweet nothings into one's ear, promising that every desire shall be fulfilled if you simply give in and follow your impulses. It is a hollow temptation that leaves a person with less than what they began with.
==== The Archon of Chaos ====
The Archon of Chaos sows discord among the world, keeping it in a constant state of conflict with itself.
==== The Archon of Life ====
The Archon of Life enforces the brutal hierarchy of nature so that only the strongest and fittest forms of life remain for Jan-Shul to devour.
==== The Archon of Death ====
The Archon of Death violently rips the souls of the weak from the world in the name of perfecting the shape of the universe. The Archons' idea of a perfect world is one where all that can be removed has been removed, leaving only what is most fitting to be consumed by the Devourer. 
It is believed that the Janshulan originated from the Void, the endless black abyss below the bedrock, where there is a complete absence of matter, energy, and even concept. Because their essence is tethered to the Void, they can only know hunger, and will devour anything in their path.
=== The Kulvataran ===
The second pantheon of Skaalka, the Kulvataran are prominent nojtan of Skaalka that have transcended into a godlike state. The Kulvataran are what all Sculkites aspire to become, as they command great power and authority over both the faith and the Sculk. 
==== Kulvatar Hajlin, God of Plenty ====
Hajlin is believed to be the first Kulvatar in history. Once an orchard keeper in prehistoric Talasi, he was among the humans who became the first Araan. In order to prevent his kindred from starving, he transformed his body into a tree, and the other Araan were able to avoid famine by eating his eyeballs, which grew from his body like fruit. Hajlin is worshiped as the God of Plenty, and his body can be found in Grand Castell today.
== Structure ==
Skaalka and its cults are organized into a strict hierarchy, with regular followers at the bottom and the High Kulcist at the top:
=== Aknojta ===
The High Kulcist, a position reserved solely for the religion’s founder.
=== Kulvataran ===
A position referring to a system of saints within Skaalka. The gods are feared and hated, not worshiped, and the Kulvataran fill the role of worship instead.
=== Nojtan ===
The spiritual/secular leaders of a Skaalkan cult. Also known as Kulcists. Nojtan are first and foremost priests of the cult, and leaders of the community second.
=== Akularaan ===
Advisors to a nojta. An akularaan may also play some other important role within the cult, at the nojta’s discretion.
=== Araan ===
Members of a Skaalkan cult who have been fully initiated. A nojta may have one or two araan as apprentices to be trained in order to succeed them in the event that the current nojta can no longer serve. Araan also refers to the race that was created from members who were initiated into a Skaalkan cult.
=== Alkaan ===
An entry-level rank, given to newcomers. Typically, alkaan are initiated into a Skaalkan cult by being sacrificed to a Sculk colony during a ritual, and are promoted to araan afterwards.
== Sculk ==
Sculk, also called the "god-flesh" by Sculkites, is believed to be the first form of life that Jan-Shul created in the world, from which all other life evolved from. It is a neutral organism, lacking the capacity for good or evil, only feeding off of death. Sculk has the unique ability to store the souls of creatures it consumes within itself, using any Soul Energy that soul had to fuel its growth. What Sculkites do in order to work against the Devourer is "tame" Sculk, or steal it for their own use. By stealing the flesh and making it their own, Sculkites acquire the power they need in order to advance their efforts. Skaalkan cults bear the responsibility of watching over the colony of Sculk they have tamed, commonly referred to as the Deep Dark biome by outsiders. They regularly feed it with sacrifices of souls in the form of animals and even people, and protect it against anyone or anything who would try to destroy it.
The numerous blocks that belong to the Sculk family are all interpreted as being like parts of a body: The ordinary Sculk block is the flesh, the Sculk Sensor is the eyes/ears, the Sculk Shrieker is the mouth, and the Sculk Catalyst is the heart.
Although the Sculk itself is a neutral being, Jan-Shul is capable of perceiving the world through it through Sculk Sensors and Shriekers. If he is sufficiently disturbed, he will summon a Varad (a Warden) to hunt down and slay whoever or whatever disturbed him. The only time a cult might intentionally summon a Varad is to hunt and kill it for its heart, a Sculk Catalyst. There are three methods Sculkites use to avoid the summoning of a Varad; one way is to move quietly and carefully when wandering through an untamed Sculk colony, which limits the vibrations one makes when moving and thus renders one largely undetectable. Another way is through the use of wool, which Sculk cannot detect vibrations through. Sculkites often make pathways out of wool. Sheep are considered sacred animals for their ability to produce wool, and shepherding is held as a valuable and noble profession.
The third way to avoid Jan-Shul's wrath is through the use of amethyst, which plays a key role in a Skaalkan cult's ability to control Sculk. A Calibrated Sculk Sensor is created by jamming amethyst shards into a Sculk Sensor, which hinders its ability to detect vibrations, allowing one to control which ones it detects and which ones it will ignore. Skaalkan cults use this on a larger scale by constructing amethyst pillars in and around Sculk colonies. When vibrations are made, the amethyst pillars reflect them and emit a low chiming noise, which has a calming effect on Sculk. This allows individuals to move freely without fear of summoning a Varad. 
== Tenets ==
Skaalka bears several key laws that one should abide by to remain within the faith's good graces:
# Place not your faith in false gods and idols; the Voultaan seek to lead you astray with the False Light.
# You shall not speak the name of Jan-Shul lightly, for the Devourer comes when his name is called.
# Offer sacrifices, and keep holy one day a week to offer sacrifices. When your nojtan host ceremonies, attend if you are able.
# The god-flesh is a sacred being; tread upon it with reverence, and collect it with sanctified tools of silken touch, should it need to be moved.
# Honor and obey just authority. Defy authority that would abuse its power.
# Kill not without reason.
# Withhold not your mercy or your kindness without sufficient reason.
# Speak no lies, for you emulate the Voultaan with every lie that escapes your lips.
# Seek out experiences, and let nothing hinder your ability to do so.
Breaking one of the core tenets is seen as a grave sin, of which the penance is determined by a nojta.
== Cults ==
Skaalkan cults are the numerous religious groups that all practice the religion of Skaalka. While there may be a small difference of beliefs between each cult, they all share the same core beliefs and doctrines.
=== The First Lodge ===
The First Lodge is the founding institution of Skaalka. It holds no unique beliefs of its own, preferring instead to adhere solely to Skaalkan core doctrine. The First Lodge's leader is the Aknojta, the High Kulcist of Skaalka.
=== Shinrei ===
Shinrei is the state religion of the nation of Kaishu, and its core practice is a ritual known as Kaigan. Kaigan involves grafting Sculk onto the body of a recipient, causing a metamorphosis into a more monstrous form and bringing enlightenment to the recipient.
=== The Soulfire Legion ===
The Soulfire Legion is a cult of crusaders, believing that a unified world under the banner of Skaalka is the best means of overthrowing the Janshulan. Any who refuse to bend the knee are burned by soulfire.
== Cosmology ==
Skaalka holds that there are two primary worlds, which are simply known as the World of Light and the World of Dark. The two worlds are actually groupings of dimensions rather than individual realms.
=== World of Light ===
The World of Light is the three known and explored dimensions. It is the world of the material. The three realms of the World of Light are the Overworld, the Nether, and the End. But for all the wonder the World of Light has, it is ultimately a cage that offers the illusion of comfort and meaning under the False Light of the Voultaan. 
==== The Overworld ====
The Overworld is the primary realm in this world, where the struggles and conflicts between humans take place, where the Voultaan toy with mortals and work to shape the world as they see fit. 
==== The Nether ====
The Nether is a dark mirror of the Overworld; it is a hostile realm of fire, destruction, and swine. It is where souls typically go when they die, their faces trapped forever inside of the barren deserts of soul sand that stretch for miles. 
==== The End ====
The End is the final border between the World of Light and the World of Dark, where it is believed that agents of the Archon of Death judge what shall continue to exist and what will be consigned to the Void for eternity. 
=== World of Dark ===
The World of Dark is the vast expanse of immaterial existence. It is here that the Janshulan dwell, where they praise the Devourer and make their plans to shape the World of Light. There are few ways to enter the World of Dark, for there are barriers that separates the two worlds from each other, and only small breaches exist that are few and far apart. However, Sculk is another means by which to enter.
==== The Void ====
The Void is the black nothingness that lies beneath the World of Light. It is a vacuum that rapidly destroys any physical object or being that enters it, for whatever enters the Void becomes part of it, and shares in its nonexistence, save for gods and other beings of extreme power. It it common belief among Sculkites that this space between dimensions houses the Janshulan.
==== The Deepest Dark ====
The Deepest Dark, which the underground biome is named after, is the world that exists within the mycelial network, or mind, of a Sculk colony. It is a gateway between the two worlds, where it does not exist as a physical place yet is present within the World of Light. The souls that are consumed by Sculk are kept here, in a form of stasis that cannot be broken. Araan, however, are free to roam as they please here when they die, for the ritual that created them bound their souls to this not-quite-real world. Araan that have explored the Deepest Dark describe it as feeling like being underwater at the bottom of a sea, except there is no water, and yet one can swim. It is dimly lit by coral-like crystal structures that sprout from the floors and the walls, and to return to the Overworld, one need only "swim" upwards until they reach the surface, where they crawl out from the Sculk and embrace a new body.
Category:Religions
Category:Traveler's Era