Yffism

The Yffite faith is one of the oldest Brytite denominations, having been around since the time of the 2nd Council. More specifically, the faith's origin is congruent with the creation of the Therisan race during the Great Punitive War.

As it regards Acteon and Fengyaion as its main deities, it was able to endure the influence of Gaia's ascension to head of the 3rd Council, and has remained mostly unchanged since it was first created. Fengyaion takes Gaia's place in most rites, primarily those surrounding love and fertility. Meanwhile, Acteon takes center stage, encouraging yiffite societies to revere hunting in all its forms, to small or greater degrees. A tribal society, for example, would preferably subsist more on hunting and foraging instead of farming, and among settled peoples, wild game would become more prestigious and more frequently comprise day-to-day meals.

## **Structure**

### **Clergy (Layman | Recruitment)**

The structure of the Yiffite clergy and worship greatly differs from the rest of its religious family. For one, Yiffism completely rejects that only those who abstain from the material world are more capable of interpreting and preaching the faith. Quite to the contrary, it asserts only those that struggle with the harshness of the world are capable of truly understanding the teachings of the All-Father. As such, layman, namely hunters, fufill the roll of yffite clergy, and can act in the place of druids. Shamans, typically devotees of Fengyaion, serve advisory roles and offer spiritual guidance. Druids, although respected, are mostly relegated to hermits and forest rangers, maintaining the shrines and nature groves that are hidden throughout their lands.

Hunters take precedence in Yiffite society. They carry a distinguished role, living according to the words and deeds of the All-Father, observing the duties that are entrusted to them. Aside from overseeing the rites of passage and hunting, they must train and defend their community from outside threats, whatever form these may take. Hunters typically form parallel societies within their own community, behaving as their own caste or diaspora. What these groups consider to be the body of their society will also greatly differ, but, regardless, will seek to contribute to it in whichever way they can.

Shamans serve an intermediary role between the hunters and the greater community. Sorcerers, diplomats and advisors, their roles preclude a relatively more sedentary lifestyle, which facilities integration with the greater populace, while marriage and blood connections with the hunters assure their influence within the group. In fact, many of them were hunters before having to retire due to old age or injury.

### **Temples (Natural)**

As per Yiffite belief: "*the temple is wherever bones are laid"*. No proper temple structure or organization exists for the yiffite faith. The faithful worship privately with totems of their own making, or partake on a communal sessions with the Hunters and Shammans. Places with high density of natural energy, like Natural Wonders, or the graveyards of mega-beasts, are considered holy sites and frequently attract pilgrims.

## **Beliefs**

Yiffism holds the same core beliefs as mainline brytism. However, it differs somewhat in its virtues and sins, and exalts Acteon's role as the creator of many races and beasts. The love between the All-Father and the Moon Goddess is celebrated, and is thought to pervade all of reality and animate it. Yiffites hold *Bravery*, *Loyalty*, *Justice*, *Shrewdness*, and *Patience* as cardinal virtues; while *Wrath*, *Sloth*, *Gluttony*, *Pride* and *Acedia* are held as its cardinal sins.

Yiffism considers life and nature as sacred. The acts of farming, hunting and fishing are highly codified and respected. Wasting parts of an animal or plant is considered sinful, as it devalues their life and promotes further destruction of life, so yiffites tend to utilize them in a lot of their crafts, art and cuisine. Pregnancy is seen as a mystical - nearly divine - process, with the local community getting highly involved. Bringing harm to a mother or her child is a most abhorrent sins to brytite societies.

### **Mysticism**

Animal souls tend to linger on earth after their death, confusing the natural order. To avoid collapse, and to grant the creations of Acteon their deserved rest, it is common to create totems, paintings or adornments depicting the dead beast. If the beast recognized themselves in the creation, they will enter it, thinking it is their own body. This then allows them to truly die and be carried on to the cycle of reincarnation, and grants the object mystical properties. Additionally, consuming certain parts of a great creature is though to transfer some of their properties unto them. For example, the heart of a strong beast might grant them a part of its strength, the brain of a clever predator might increase their clarity, and the genitals of an alpha may increase their own vigor. To ensure effectiveness, the body-part is consumed in a ritualistic fashion, becoming the center-piece of any concurrent feasts. It must be consumed whole to have any effect. The offer of this piece to another person makes one of the most valuable gifts available on common tribes, being considered a sing of affection (romantic or not, is up to interpretation and mood more than the gifter's intent).

## **Sphere**

Yiffism is the majority faith of the Yiffian Tribes, the Forgotten Valley tribes, and the Locked Archipelago.