Oxintoism

Oxinto, formerly known as Oxintoism, is a polytheistic religion indigenous to Lausá. Today, it can be found across Serrona and even across regions like Valresh.
The religion originated in the polytheistic cults of the Lo'Oix people, but by the time of Rathnirian contact in Eldham, the religion had spread beyond simply the Lo'Oix population. Many Oxinto practitioners today tend to be members in smaller cults that follow certain Voto'oa gods. Historically, the largest population centers of Oxinto practitioners include the likes of Gehenazar, Vostroya, Kazkaya, Garxeto, and Laria.
== Beliefs ==
Oxintoist beliefs center around a triad of three deities which embody creation, destruction, and balance. There is also an array of minor deities that tend to service and aid in the assistance of one of the primary three deities, named the Voto'Oa. The trio of three major deities are named the Gonata.
==== The Gonata ====
Xéloré (pronounced /ɕe.lo.re/ in the IPA) is a deity that embodies wellbeing, creation, and many of the things seen as beneficial to the world and humanity. They are often represented by symbolism of the Earth/Eldham as a productive entity. They were created by the deity Tégo'O alongside the deity Ogano to bring both creation and destruction to the world, it is believed that Xéloré created humanity and the world as we functionally know it. This is sometimes manifested through mortal creatures, most commonly cows, but in a wide variety of other ways as well.
Ogano (pronounced /o.ga.no/ in the IPA) is a deity that embodies destruction. They are often represented by symbolism of the Sun as a flaming and destructive entity, yet one that is necessary for life. They were created by the deity Tégo'O alongside the deity Xéloré to bring both creation and destruction to the world, it is believed that Ogano is responsible for the process of death, decay, and the fact that all things created by Xéloré will eventually wither away. This is sometimes manifested through creatures like the "Undead" such as zombies and skeletons, and most notably the Wither.
Tégo'O (pronounced /te.go.ʔo/ in the IPA) is a deity that embodies balance and neutrality. They are often represented by symbolism of the Moon as an intermediary celestial body between the Sun and Earth which represent Xéloré and Ogano traditionally. They are believed to be the "lead" of the trio in a sense and ensure that the cycle of Tatan yo Xontogimé is successfully performed. They are capable of both creation and destruction, but created Xéloré and Ogano to take on their duty, the deity only ever stepping in when the cycle of creation and destruction is disrupted in some severe way.
Unlike other religions where there is an innate concept of good and evil, neither Xéloré or Ogano are seen as deities adopting either of these traits. There is instead a consensus of things must be created; and with that creation comes their eventual destruction, finishing the cycle of existence (or the Tatan yo Xontogimé) as dictated and moderated by Tégo'O. The deity Tégo'O is seen as the individual in charge of ensuring this cycle is completed. The Tatan yo Xontogimé is seen as an inherent law of the universe that cannot be changed.
==== The Vo'Ota ====
Note that this is not a comprehensive list of all Vo'Ota and there are most definitely more than this, as they are created by cultures often and on a regional basis and entities can be canonized as Vo'Ota.
Doxolas (pronounced /do.ɕo.las/), sometimes referred to as simply "Doug" by speakers of the Travelers Tongue is a deity created by Xéloré and believed to be killed by Ogano. It is often seen as the deity of alcohol, withdraw, and sobriety. It originates from a cow that was found on the site of modern day Garkogorod. It was reportedly milked hundreds, if not thousands of times by locals to cure their alcoholism and upon the death of the animal was canonized as a Vo'Ota after it was supposedly killed by the deity Ogano themselves. It is also the national "animal" of the USSE. The deity, as expected, is represented as a mystic cow and manifests in the appearance of cows.
Yatél (pronounced /jä.tel/) is a deity that is regarded as being a patron of knowledge, wisdom, science, and education. While many "humanoid" species existed across the world of Earth whether that be Humans, Elves, Dwarves, and more, they were no different than any other animal present in the world. They originally were created by Xéloré as an experiment of giving complete sentience and Gonata-like powers to a creature, and thus the first Vo'Ota. This gift of sentience and mortality however proved detrimental as they felt incredibly lonely and fell into depression as a result, and in their anger against Xéloré for giving them consciousness, gave their ability to learn and have sentience to many creatures across the Earth, making many animals across the world into the races we know today. Yatél's mortal body was killed by Ogano for their resistance against Xéloré. Statues or other forms of worship for Yatél are often made in places of education, learning, and science such as libraries, laboratories, or schools. Their story is also the main subject of a book titled the Yat yo Gonata. They are often depicted as an androgynous and human-like with dark blue skin and golden hair and eyes.
Fisoa (pronounced /fiz.oœ/) is a Vo'Ota and considered to be the patron of war, strategy, and violence. They are often seen as an integral opposite to Yatél in that they gave the races of the world the ability to learn and create and Fisoa gave them the ability to destroy. They, like their counterpart, were formed by Xéloré, supposedly from mud and rock. After Yatél's gift had been given and they had died being sent to the celestial plane, Fisoa who at this point had not much of a purpose to their existence began to be corrupted and tasked by Ogano to reinstate the Tatan yo Xontogimé after it had been disrupted by humanity's neverending surplus and production by starting a Jawtorro'oa Féxiko'o, or Giant Conflict. Fisoa decided that the best way to accomplish this would be to simply give humanity the right to end their production and surplus through destruction. This started a war in story that lasted over ten thousand years before being ended by an awoken Tégo'O once and for all and banishing Fisoa to a land known as the Dérgo, or the End. Fisoa is considered to be responsible for corrupting the humanoids in the End into the Endermen. Fisoa soon was killed by Ogano as they themselves had disrupted the Tatan yo Xontogimé with their soul being sent to the celestial plane alaongside Yatél where only from there could they intervene in the matters of the Earth. They are typically represented as a "golem" like figure made from mud and stones. While it is uncommon for Oxintoists to resort to violence, when they do, typically in self defense, gifts, prayers, and tribute to Fisoa is typically made to help them win their battles.
==== Festivals and Ceremonies ====
===== Seasonal Festivals =====
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===== Death Rituals =====
In the event of a death, the body of the individual and any valuables or gifts are placed in the tomb with them. Their tomb, traditionally surrounded by diorite or cobblestone, is than topped with a layer of hay or leaves. Only than is it covered with the topsoil. There tends to be a short festival after the event to celebrate the life of the deceased called the Femerro yo dé'i Lixalos, or the Festival of the Skeletons. There is often also sometimes a tribute to the deity Ogano at these festivals.
===== Marriage Rituals =====
In the event of a marriage, it is tradition for the two individuals who want to get married to each grow three plots of wheat. They must wait for all three to grow, and from this wheat each create a loaf of bread. The bread baked by one individual is than given to the other and vice versa. The two at their marriage ceremony than eat the slice of bread. There is also often tribute to the deity Xéloré at the marriage ceremony.
== History ==
TBA
Category:Religions
Category:Traveler's Era