Lysvaka

==The Lýsvakyn Faith ==
Lysvaka, known as Essentism in common tongue, is an ancient panentheistic faith that views the universe as part of a divine symphony called the Song of Creation. Originating on Eldham, it centers on worship of Dae, also known as the Source, All-Father, or All-Mother, transcending all boundaries of race, culture, and time. Essentists believe the ultimate goal of life is to reunite with Dae by sailing the Lýsblóð, the Creator's lifeblood, after death. To prepare for this journey, they practice Jörðrins, daily purifications that cleanse the soul of Rött (sins) by cultivating both physical and mental strength, maintaining integrity, and living in harmony with the song of Creation. Upon death, souls undergo Blóðrins, where the Lýsblóð burns away any remaining Rött. Those who haven't sufficiently purified themselves suffer the most during Blóðrins, as the intense cleansing process becomes excruciating. Failure to ascend results in Slöknun, where the soul is swept into the void, enduring spiritual stagnation and torment for eons.
 
==The Creator and the songs==
The Creator was once a singular, unified entity. In an act of creation, it "shattered" itself, unleashing a powerful vibrational force known as the Himnasungr, or Song of Creation. As the shattering happened a great stream surged forth out of the creator, this would be called the Lýsblóð, an eternal river of light, the very lifeblood of the Creator. The Lýsblóð and primordial Himnasungr resonated through the void, colliding with chaos and gradually giving birth to the Lyfnsungr, the Song of Life. The Himnasungr provided the cosmic blueprint, organizing the chaotic remnants of the shattering into forms, while the Lýsblóð flowed through these forms, infusing them with the Creator’s divine essence and consciousness, bringing them to life and connecting all things. Each vessel shaped by the Himnasungr manifested the Creator’s essence according to the form it filled.
File:Essentism allsong.png
File:Essentism songs explained.png
==Aeldrin==
It is believed that the first beings created by the Lyfnsungr were the Aeldrin, meaning ‘Our Elders’, beings of light and servants of the Allsong, guiding the flow of creation and maintaining the balance between order and chaos. The Aeldrin worshiped the Creator and believed that the reason the Creator shattered itself was to achieve Seif, a state of experiencing and perceiving oneself through the lens of limitation, ultimately to find its way back to wholeness and perfection through the journey of fragmented limited beings who carry its essence.
==Aeldvik==
Not all Aeldrin remained faithful to their purpose. A faction, often considered the weaker among them, grew weary of their responsibilities. Seduced by the chaos of the void, they abandoned their duties and rejected their purpose. These renegades would be known as the Aeldvik, meaning "The weak Elders". They propagated a new belief : that the Creator's shattering was not an act of intentional creation but a final act of divine suicide, a desire to dissolve into non-existence. This belief drove the Aeldvik into a nihilistic quest to bring about total oblivion, seeking to "finish the job" the creator started by eradicating every remnant of his essence, including themselves.
==The Eternal war==
The new Religion made by Aeldvik sparked the Eternal War, a cosmic battle between the Aeldrin, who strive to protect the harmony of creation, and the Aeldvik, who seek to destroy it. Though the war began in the celestial realms, Essentists believe its effects are still felt on Earth. Every war, conflict, or act of destruction in the mortal realm is seen as an extension of the Eternal War, with humans unknowingly becoming part of the ongoing battle between these two divine forces. In every earthly conflict, Essentists see the influence of either the Aeldrin, working to preserve order, or the Aeldvik, driving humanity toward chaos and ruin.
==Blóðmenn (Humans)==
Humanity was born from the fallen bodies of the Aeldrin and Aeldvik, divine beings engaged in the Eternal War, a cosmic conflict that still rages. As their bodies fell to Earth, their mixed blood merged with the soil, giving rise to Blóðmenn, lesser Aeldrin. On Earth, this war continues at a smaller scale, with those who follow the Aeldrin seen as kin to them, calling themselves their descendants, while others spread chaos are seen as the descendants of Aeldvik. 
==Morality==
For Essentists, true moral actions can only arise from a resilient mental fortitude, a strength that remains unshaken regardless of external circumstances, Integrity therefor is the greatest virtue. Essentists view 'good' actions born from weakness or fear as fleeting and ultimately meaningless because they lack the solid foundation of integrity and strength. For Essentists, integrity, the alignment of one's actions with their core values and the divine order is considered the highest virtue.
==Jörðrins (Earthly purification)==
Jörðrins is the process of earthly purification in Lysvaka, preparing the soul for the final journey along the Lýsblóð and the soul-cleansing ordeal known as Blóðrins. Practitioners of the faith must adhere to the Five Purifications, guiding their lives with discipline, compassion, integrity, wisdom, and unity. 
#Trúaga (Worship & Discipline) : Devotion to the Creator, following divine law, and maintaining a disciplined spiritual and physical life.
#Máttblíða (Strength & Compassion) : Cultivating inner resilience and kindness toward others, preparing the soul for the challenges of the Lýsblóð.
#Sanndygð (Truth & Integrity) : Living truthfully, honoring commitments, and rejecting corruption, deceit, and arrogance.
#Fróðvægi (Knowledge & Balance) : Seeking wisdom, protecting nature, and aligning with the cycles of life through rituals.
#Einvalda (Unity & Death) : Fostering loyalty and community, preparing the soul for its journey to reunite with the Creator while fighting the Aeldvik and their earthly followers, and embracing an honorable death in defense of divine order.
==Blóðrins (The final purification)==
Blóðrins is the final cleansing process a soul undergoes when sailing the Lýsblóð to reunite with the Creator. Only the cleansed souls, known as Hjartyr, can withstand this hard journey. The Lýsblóð, a river of pure divine light, relentlessly purges the soul of all impurities. The journey is both glorious and excruciating, as every sin and corruption is burned away, leaving behind only the soul’s true divine essence. Those who have Lysvaka and remain faithful to the Five Purifications are prepared to endure the searing current and ascend to the Creator’s realm.
==Slöknun (hell)==
In Lysvaka, Slöknun represents a state of spiritual stagnation where after death a soul, burdened by weakness, arrogance or sloth, fails to continue ascending the Lýsblóð, the eternal river of light. This failure results in a self-inflicted punishment that takes millions of years, as the soul's unresolved Rött, a form of spiritual decay or corruption accumulated over time intensifies, dragging the soul further into torment. The Lýsblóð, as a force of pure divine order, does not discriminate, judge or punish; it simply is. Souls lacking the strength to progress are naturally repelled, experiencing the river’s purifying light as excruciating pain as their Rött is painfully burned away.
In Slöknun, the soul is not only halted but is pushed further by its current from the Creator with each moment of stagnation. The more the soul lingers, the more its Rött festers, compounding its suffering and increasing the distance it must traverse to return to the divine source. This process forces the soul to confront all the moments of weakness, sloth, and deceit it has accumulated, revealing the pride and denial that underpin its unwillingness to keep striving upward. 
Despite this seemingly endless torment, Slöknun still offers a final opportunity for redemption. The soul, though tortured by its Rött, can still find the strength to overcome its stagnation. To ascend, it must embrace the suffering, confront its accumulated corruption, and reignite its resolve to move forward. This journey is relentless; the Rött must be entirely purged, for the soul cannot return to the Creator while burdened with this spiritual corruption.
Only those who possess the strength to endure, confront their deepest sins, and rise above their pride are deemed worthy of ascending the Lýsblóð and reuniting with the divine source.
==Holy/Pilgrimage sites==
Pilgrimage holds a significant place as an external expression of the internal journey towards unity with the All-creator, Dae. 
===1. The maiden temple (Goonsville)===
Amidst the ruins of Goonsville, the Maiden Temple's location, its spiritual allure continues to draw pilgrims. The temple is found within the remnants of the Colosseum of ErrorL in South Redoriv, midwest of Eldham. This site, despite its dilapidated state, continues to echo the divine essence, offering a sanctuary for those seeking Dae's guidance and blessings. The physical journey to the temple mirrors the spiritual path that each believer walks, leading them to deeper communion with the All-Creator and reinforcing the unity and timelessness of the Essentist faith. The pilgrimage to The Maiden Temple holds unmatched spiritual significance. Despite the temple's physical state, its spiritual vibrancy remains untouched, making it an essential destination for believers seeking closeness with Dae. 
===2. The Temple of Gathering (Solycia)===
The Temple of Gathering, a small yet significant structure on Temple Island in Solycia, was built to reunite the lost Balistarian tribe of Solycia and followers of Lysvaka. It served as a symbol of unity and a catalyst for spreading the Essentist faith in Eldham. This modest temple marked the beginning of a spiritual reawakening, bringing together disparate groups under a shared belief. It played a crucial role in reviving Essentist practices and traditions in the region, solidifying its place as a pivotal site in the faith's resurgence. Its establishment by Jacob Otto Liberatus was instrumental in reigniting the spiritual heritage of the Solycian people.
===2. Dreyrigard (Rodinnbrok)===
Despite its submersion, the pilgrimage to the underwater ruins is viewed as a journey of reflection on the transience of worldly pleasures and the enduring power of spiritual connection. The sunken city of Rodinnbrok, located in mid-east Eldham south of Aesica, is a significant pilgrimage site for Essentists, accessible only by a solemn boat journey. Pilgrims set sail with reverence, traversing the waters that silently cradle the submerged remnants of a once-thriving civilization. Upon arrival at the coordinates above the aquatic grave of Rodinnbrok, the journey transcends the confines of the boat. As they explore, they find solace in the sporadic pockets within the city where it's possible to catch a breath. These pockets of breath, amidst the overwhelming silence of the underwater world, offer moments of reflection and connection with Dae. 
https://youtu.be/vgK-o7FnsmI
Category:Traveler's Era
Category:Religions
Category:Valdic