The Cycle

in: Gods & Religions

Worship of The Cycle is a religion rumored to have been founded by the ancient Nienne, but was not exclusive to them. Its followers embrace the concepts of reincarnation and the continuing flow of spirits in the natural cycle. Followers believe that the spirits present on the plane are contained in one of the Four Orders. Spirits released from the plane animate the Four Elements until they return to the plane in a never-ending cycle

## Four Orders of Spirits

### *First Order*

Inanimate objects that still contain a spirit. This would include rocks, stone, sand, dead wood, and plant matter that has been cut off from its roots for a time. Once a plant or wood is dried, it is part of the first order.

### *Second Order*

Plants animated with life in some way. It could be a mushroom in a cave or a flower growing in soil. It could also be a massive tree. All are part of the second order.

### *Third Order*

All beings with the breath of life, but short of written and verbal language. This would include animals, even those intelligent ones like primates. All fish and swimming creatures that cycle oxygen from water are also part of the third order.

### *Fourth Order*

All beings with the capability to speak and write. This is the highest order of mundane spirits. Humans, Nienne, Orcs, and such would all fall into this category. Beings of this order need not be able to speak and write if this ability is inherent to their race. Lack of physical ability or education does not remove a being from this order.

Spirits of the lower orders often are sacrificed for the higher orders. Water breaks down rocks of the first order to blend with the elements of plants that have been cut off from the second order (dead vegetation). All of this fertilizes the 'living' plants of the second order. Those second order plants in turn feed the third while both the second and the third feed the fourth. All three lower orders are used by the fourth order as nature's accepted way and right. But that does not mean that the lower orders are less important or lack respect.

## The Four Elements

The four elements -fire, water, air, and nature- are not worshiped directly. Instead, they are revered as forces of The Cycle . All spirits that are not in one of the Four Orders on the plane are the force that animates these elements. Followers of The Cycle often construct shrines to the elements. But this is to worship the spirits that animate the elements rather than worshiping the elements themselves.

## Deity

While no deity is held higher than The Cycle , the Beast King is considered a demi-god. He is held as the wrath of nature on the plane. And like all things, he is returned to the cycle and reborn from time to time.

## Religious Views Towards Others

Followers of The Cycle care little about "Good" or "Evil". There is only right and wrong, but in relation to their view on a race or individual’s orientation and interaction with the natural cycle. Anything that interrupts the cycle is viewed with distrust at best, despised hatred at worst.

## Holidays and Festivals

### *Spring Equinox*

Birth and renewal. Celebrations of song, dance, gifts, blessings, ritual seed planting, and lots of sex. Begins with the first light of dawn, and ends the following morning, at dawn. Calling to the spirits for renewal and growth.

### *Summer Solstice*

Celebrating the prime of life. Displays of strength, cunning, and beauty in various games and competitions. And more sex. Begins with first light of dawn and ends with last light of twilight. Calling to the spirits for continued guidance and strength.

### *Autumn Equinox*

Harvest feast. Time of remembrance. Gift exchange in preparation for winter and storytelling. Calling to the spirits for thanks.

### *Winter Solstice*

Time of reflection and rest, in representation of Death. Begins at last light of twilight and ends with the first light of dawn. Mournful singing and reflective silence under the winter moon. Calling to the spirits to accept the dead.

## Those with Afflictions

Followers have varied reactions to those with afflictions. Some may hold hope to cure an affliction so that a mortal coil can continue the cycle naturally. Others would see it as a duty to kill someone with an affliction to terminate the break of the natural cycle.

### *Vampires*

Viewed as close to cycle-breakers by their unnatural extension of life.

### *Lycan*

Viewed as beastkin and often accepted as part of the natural order.

### *Cambion*

Mixed reactions of acceptance, fear, hatred, and pity. At their core, they are part of the cycle, but they have been twisted by cycle-breakers.

## Cycle-Breakers

This is one of the worst things to a follower, as it is a complete break to the cycle. Spirits are restless if not permitted or unable to continue in the cycle to eventual rebirth. As such, a follower may feel driven to destroy undead in an effort to reestablish the cycle and allow the dead to rest. While not all races despised are true undead, they are viewed as such due to their existence being outside of the natural cycle of birth, death, and rebirth.

### *Destruction and Domination*

These creatures are viewed with only slightly more tolerance than cycle-breakers, as they are seen as part of the cycle, but must be guided or handled with caution lest they be permitted to destroy too much. These creatures will be viewed with distrust, and may be despised, but found to be necessary.

* Dark Elves
* Orcs
* Minotaurs
* Goblins (due to their greed)

## Religious Symbolism

Followers of The Cycle favor circular objects as well as the number four. Everything from architecture to jewelry is often built or crafted in circular patterns. Followers may trace a circle on the ground before kneeling and praying inside of that circle. Banners and flags will include circles. The number *four* is sacred. There are four seasons and four elements. The fourth child would be considered special; the fourth child of the fourth child would be expected to have a great impact on the world.

## Shamanistic Communication with the Spirits

Followers of The Cycle are known to use a yellow mixed purple lotus to induce hallucinations that they believe allow them to communicate with the spirits. These 'visions' are keyed off of important events in the followers' lives, and their emotions at the time. Location and circumstance also influence what they see. As a practical matter in RP, no meta can be gained through a hallucination. While the character may think they have seen something of import or the future, it is all just in their mind.

*Credit for Lore: Co-written by Akan and Demiwolfe*