Merkavi Spirits

## **Overview**

The Merkavi Spirits, also known as Merkavism, is a loose, but highly popular belief held among many katians in the modern day. Merkavism is less of an organized religion and more so a set of moral guidelines for living as well as an explanation for life, death, and their meaning. The Merkavi Spirits doesn't revolve around any gods or other higher entities aside from the Spirits, the believer themselves, and the world around them. It states that every sentient creature has a soul or spirit. When the creature dies, its spirit passes on into the afterlife. This afterlife acts as a form of "rest" for the spirit, a place where it doesn't have to worry about mortal troubles and can reunite with the spirits of those it was close too in life such as friends, family, lovers, and even pets. These spirits can also observe what happens in the mortal existence, particularly around those they were close to or knew. It is thought they can influence or aid these people in subtle ways. This aid can range from a small stroke of luck such as someone finding money on the ground, to life changing or saving events where the person is in the right place at the right time. This is not the spirits controlling the person but more rewarding or protecting them. Eventually, these spirits are reincarnated from the afterlife into a new person. At its core, the Merkavi Spirits encourages an individual to grow and seek companionship while giving their life a greater sense of purpose and providing a form of existential comfort.

The morals and values of Merkavism are things like wisdom, bonds, patience, and benevolence. Those who follow it, sometimes called Merkites, are encouraged to expand their knowledge of the world and form connections with others. Through these actions a spirit learns lessons and becomes “stronger” or “greater”. The more an individual follows these guidelines, the better their fortune or favor from the spirits may be. An individual who finds themselves going through a dangerous situation may attribute their survival to the Spirits watching over them. It should be noted that not all strokes of luck or fortune is seen as the Spirits’ doing. Even to some of the most devout followers, they know the blessing or curse of raw chance is still a part of life as even the kindest and wisest individual can find themselves in the worst positions. Someone learning a hidden talent they never knew they had or becoming more charismatic also may be seen as the Spirits favoring an individual. Following the morals of Merkavism has its benefits in the afterlife and reincarnation as well. A person who forms many friends will have more spirits to look forward to reuniting with in the afterlife. Someone who goes to great lengths to learn about and aid others may be reincarnated into an easier and more successful life than the previous one they lived. Contrary to this, a person who fogoes all morals and remains willingly ignorant may be reborn into a harsher life. This process of birth, life, death, and rebirth is a continuous cycle where a soul continues to grow and learn with each life.

## **History**

Merkavism traces its origins back to the region of Merkavir on Katia. Its actual time of creation is largely a mystery though it's generally accepted among Trade Guild scholars its ideas were forged when the first Katian societies were taking shape. The Merkavi Spirits would piggyback off of the many religions and mythologies that formed during Katia’s earliest civilizations. While these all tried to explain great mysteries like how powerful gods influenced nature or how the Katians themselves were created, Merkavism focused on the mortal aspect of life and the individuals who were living it. Its appealing and easy to follow guidelines along with its ability to coexist with most other beliefs let it spread all over the planet. As the structured religions and mythologies faded in relevance due to the advancement in science and society, the Merkavi Spirits still remained strong as no lab or scholar could truly answer the questions it did. Even as Katian society and culture spread to the stars, Merkavism continued to remain widely followed.

## **Interpretation**

Merkavism is by its nature applicable to almost any person regardless of gender, age, status, or species and can be interpreted in any number of ways. For example, one could form connections with others by making friends or falling in love. Others may find it through adopting some pets or joining a team such as the armed forces. A person could expand their knowledge by listening to an old relative tell them a tale from their life experience or they could also gain it through seeking greater education. Its followers may read its teachings more casually and say prayer to the Spirits on occasion or when they’re in the most dire of circumstances. Others may be more dedicated, routinely praying and attentively adhering to its teachings. The universal appeal of Merkavism has led countless non-katians, particularly in the Commonwealth, to become invested in the beliefs.

## **Offshoots**

Splinter variants of the Merkavis Spirits have been known to exist as well. The two largest of these splinters are Pinnicalism and the Ascendent Spirits. Pinnicalism believes there is a point of strength a soul can achieve where there are no more lessons to learn or wisdom to gain. At this point a soul reaches its pinnacle, hence the name. Many of Pinnicalism’s followers who believe they have achieved this peak are usually rather calm and content with their existence. Most become monks and reside in special shrines or temples where they live humble lives knowing they will die and be reborn forever complete and at peace. Contrary to this is the Ascendent Spirits. Much like traditional Merkavism, the Ascendent Spirits and its followers, Ascendites, believe there is no limit to how much one can learn and grow. However, unlike the Merkavi Spirits which is far more modest and emphasises subtle, but gradual growth of a person, the Ascendent Spirits encourages more extreme feats of knowledge and companionship in exchange for greater growth of the soul. A person may raise and provide for a personal army of individuals they are close to or frantically scour the galaxy for relics and artifacts once thought lost. While zealous followers of Pinnicalism may seem stagnant and sometimes even uncaring, the more dedicated of Ascentites may seem power hungry, irrational, or even mad.