Athame Doctrine

The **Athame Doctrine** is an asari religion founded on the worship of the goddess Athame. The religion emerged approximately 50,000 BCE., originating nearby the modern city of Serrice. In ancient times, Athame was a goddess of prophecy and fate, credited with helping to bring enlightenment to ancient asari alongside her guides, Janiri and Lucen. The Goddess is said to be representative of all asari, taking on maiden, matron and Matriarch stages to oversee all stages and roles in asari society.

Worship of Athame changed over time, eventually becoming the basis for a monotheistic religion that absorbed many other religions in the area. Athame has a great historical significance, once being the dominant religion amongst asari - when an asari says “by the goddess”, they are referring to Athame. Over time, worship of Athame fell out of favour as asari turned to the siari religion.

## Mythology

The Athame Codex, an ancient document located in the Temple of Athame, describes how Athame and her guides, Lucen and Janiri, are said to have walked amongst the asari, bestowing knowledge. Athame is said to have taught mathematics and medicine, Janiri gave the asari seeds and taught them agriculture, while Lucen taught them astronomy. The Codex also describes how Athame protected Thessia, wielding her sword against the other jealous gods and using her shield when the heavens grew angry. These three figures give their names to planets located within the asari home system - Athame, in particular, gave Her name to a “mysterious star” whose appearance was linked with fortune.

Besides teaching astronomy, Lucen is also credited with bestowing the gift of biotics upon the asari as a reward for worshipping Athame and teaching them pottery and forging. The Codex describes Lucen beseeching these gifts from Athame then sailing the seas and skies, teaching these gifts to the asari. Eventually, Lucen begged Athame for the gift of prophecy so she would see whether the asari would prosper in the future. When Athame refused, believing prophecy to be Hers alone, Lucen attempted to steal it from Athame’s silver jars, causing Athame to strike her down. Lucen also gives her name to the Order of Lucen, a philosophical order dedicated to teachings of self-improvement and giving unto others.

The asari holiday of Janiris is considered the holy day of Janiri. Janiris is a springtime fertility ritual marking the New Year and is celebrated by the making and wearing of flower wreaths, then exchanging them with friends and lovers. In ancient times, the celebration of Janiris was associated with a good harvest and was particularly significant within agricultural communities. However, with the advent of the siari religion, Janiris became largely secular, but is still celebrated amongst the asari and within Citadel space.

There are several other notable figures within the Athame doctrine. Alune is the name of an asari who was said to have been taught medicine by Athame herself - the rings she wore, supposedly inscribed with Athame’s knowledge and blessed with her touch, have been missing for many millennia.

Agneyia, a goddess of fire and vigilance in a religion predating the Athame Doctrine that was eventually absorbed, is mentioned in the Codex as a cautionary tale. Agneyia is described as a huntress that was granted the ability to create fire due to her passionate worship of the Goddess. The fire was meant to be used to keep watch in the dark and cook, however, Agneyia abused this power, using it to burn her enemies. This ultimately caused Athame to strip her of flame and cast punishment on her, sending her to the deep depths of the darkest caves.

## Institutions

Temples were built across Thessia as places of worship for followers of Athame. While some of these have been lost to time, the majority still stand today. Many of these are now seen as tourist destinations due to the dwindling followers of the religion, although religious practices do still occur within the temples and are respected by visitors.

The most significant temple is the Temple of Athame, located in Serrice on Thessia. Unlike the rest of Athame’s temples, access is restricted, being declared too significant for the public to enter. Only a select few Matriarchs, governors and High Priestesses are permitted entry. To prevent opportunists from entering the temple without permission, the temple is surrounded by military-grade barriers at all times.

The Temple of Athame houses many artefacts of great importance to the Athame Doctrine. This includes murals, busts of Janiri and Lucen, Athame’s sword and shield and fragments of the original Athame Codex, displayed alongside three statues of the Goddess and her guides.

## Organization

Athame’s clergy take on the title of Priestess and temple leaders take on the title of High Priestess. Ordination is not a formal process but a judgement on an asari’s mindset and knowledge of the Codex before she can be granted the title of Priestess. This judgement occurs through melding with a member of the clergy the asari wishes to be ordained into, usually with a High Priestess. While the criterion for ordination varies between temples, most will require many years of study and mindset training before an asari will be accepted.

As a consequence of the melding process during judgement, Ardat-Yakshi are forbidden to join the clergy.

Any Priestess can choose to become a High Priestess once she believes she is ready. However, as High Priestesses are expected to fully devote themselves to spiritual work and give up many freedoms, few end up taking this commitment. Consequently, their numbers are dwindling and many temples are left bereft of a High Priestess. Priestesses are involved in the upkeep of the temple and bestowing wisdom upon its visitors, while High Priestesses are required to lead prayers, give teachings and oversee local Priestesses. Typically, the roles of High Priestesses are fulfilled by Matriarchs, although asari in any stage of life are permitted to be a High Priestess.