Auguso, God of Autumn

>  *In the times of flux and wane, a light glimmered amidst the cosmic chaos. He bore the name Yuudai Yasuko, a man of unyielding intellect and insurmountable wisdom. His words, like ripples on a tranquil lake, spread forth through the vastness of the cosmos, etching a path of enlightenment in the minds of those who listened. "From the realm of the eternal, Auguso shines upon us," he spoke, "A beacon of unfettered knowledge, a font of unending wisdom. I have drunk from his celestial reservoir, tasted the intoxicating sweetness of understanding, and emerged anew. Each sunrise is a revelation; each sunset, a lesson. In the dance of the cosmos, Auguso leads, and we are but humble partners, tracing his steps in the infinite waltz of existence." His stories echoed across the ages, traversing the inky void, whispered from generation to generation. Each recounting held a subtle shift, like a prism refracting light, distorting yet enriching the original narrative. The gentle touch of time seemed to caress these tales, shaping them into an elaborate tapestry of devotion. "There are no shadows under Auguso's gaze," he once claimed, "only clarity. In his radiant presence, I saw the interconnectedness of all things, the cosmic harmony that binds us. Auguso is not above us but within us, illuminating our path, making us instruments of his divine design." Yet, as the cosmos spun, the echoes of Yasuko's words seemed to fluctuate, growing more embellished, more radiant with each retelling. His teachings, once an intimate dance of insight and reflection, began to ring with a certain grandeur, an almost divine mandate. They seemed to dance not just with the whimsy of cosmic curiosity, but with a structured, predetermined rhythm, as if guided by an unseen conductor's baton. The words echoed on, tales told and retold, shifting subtly like a star's twinkle across the eons. Yuudai Yasuko's voice, carried on the celestial wind, echoed the refrain: "Look not to the shadows for truth. Instead, turn your gaze to the radiant dawn, where Auguso's wisdom awaits." And so, his echoes continue to resonate, a testament to his enduring devotion, a celestial symphony forever singing Auguso's praise. -Book of Auguso: Chapter IX - The Echoes of Yasuko*
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### **Worship of Auguso**

#### Traditions / Holidays

1. **Passage of Wisdom**: This is a rite of passage ceremony for young followers. On their fifteenth birthday, they undergo a trial that tests their knowledge and cleverness. Success in the trial symbolizes the youth's transition from ignorance to knowledge, marking them as a true follower of Auguso
2. **Feast of Auguso**: Held on the first dusk of Autumn solstice, this feast celebrates Auguso's aspect as the god of death. It's a time for followers to reflect on what they've learned and plan for the future, celebrating the cyclical nature of knowledge and wisdom.
3. **Day of Silent Learning:** Held annually, this day is a time for quiet contemplation and study. Silence is maintained throughout the day, symbolizing the death of ignorance and the birth of understanding. Followers spend this day reading, contemplating, and sharing their wisdom through written words.

### **Core Values**

#### **Cleverness**

Followers of Auguso see cleverness as a divine gift, a manifestation of the god's influence in their lives. They believe that Auguso, in his infinite wisdom, recognizes that life is filled with complexity and challenges that require more than just brute force or simple knowledge to overcome.

To embody Auguso's belief in cleverness, his followers are encouraged to:

1. **Value Creative Problem-Solving**: This encourages followers to think outside the box and come up with innovative solutions to problems they encounter in life. By doing so, they show their appreciation for Auguso's gift of cleverness.
2. **Cultivate Critical Thinking:** This promotes the practice of analyzing situations from multiple perspectives, questioning assumptions, and making informed decisions. This not only showcases cleverness, but it also emphasizes the value of knowledge, another key aspect of Auguso's domain.
3. **Engage in Intellectual Games**: Followers are encouraged to participate in games and activities that challenge their minds and test their strategic thinking abilities. This serves to hone their cleverness and promotes an environment of friendly competition and growth.
4. **Adopt Subtlety in Communication**: In honor of Auguso's domain of plots, followers are taught to communicate in a way that is insightful, respectful, and at times, deliberately ambiguous. This fosters a deeper level of understanding among them and allows them to navigate complex social situations with grace.
5. **Nurture Adaptive Learning**: The ability to adapt to new information or circumstances is seen as a true mark of cleverness. Followers are therefore encouraged to be open-minded, continually learn, and adjust their understanding and strategies as necessary.

#### Death

Followers of Auguso view death not as an end, but as a transition in the cyclical nature of existence. This concept intertwines with the god's domains of knowledge and plots, as the cyclical view of death is seen as a deeper understanding of life's narrative and the interconnectedness of all things. To embody Auguso's belief in the cyclical nature of death, his followers are encouraged to:

1. Honor the Deceased: Auguso's followers remember those who have passed as continuing to be a part of the cycle of life. They keep their memories alive and honor their contributions to the world. This can be seen in rituals, storytelling, and the preservation of ancestral knowledge.
2. Embrace Change: Just as seasons change and life transitions to death, so too should Auguso's followers understand the necessity of change in their lives. They see periods of transition, even those filled with loss, as opportunities for growth and new beginnings.
3. Study the Cycles of Nature: Auguso's followers find wisdom in the natural world, observing the cyclical patterns of growth, death, and renewal in the environment around them. They study these cycles to gain a deeper understanding of Auguso's teachings and apply these insights to their lives.

#### **The Harvest**

Auguso's emphasis on the harvest symbolizes the culmination of hard work, the cyclical nature of life, and the importance of sharing abundance within the community. Here's how followers of Auguso can embody these beliefs:

1. Value of Hard Work: The harvest is the result of months of toil and effort. It symbolizes the fruit of one's labors, both literally and metaphorically. Auguso's followers are encouraged to work hard in their endeavors, knowing that the rewards of their diligence will be reaped in due time. They understand that nothing worthwhile comes without effort.
2. Celebrate the Cycles of Life: The cycle of sowing, growing, and reaping is a fundamental aspect of life on earth. Auguso's followers celebrate these cycles and see them mirrored in their own lives. They sow seeds of kindness, grow their skills and knowledge, and reap the rewards of their efforts.
3. Embrace the Spirit of Sharing: The harvest is not only about reaping the fruits but also about sharing the abundance. Auguso's followers are taught the importance of generosity and community. They share their harvest, be it food, knowledge, or wealth, with others in their community, especially those less fortunate.
4. Respect for Nature: The harvest is a gift from the earth, and it reminds Auguso's followers of their connection to the natural world. They are encouraged to respect and protect nature, understanding that the health of the land affects the bounty of the harvest.
5. Practicing Gratitude: The time of harvest is a time of giving thanks for the abundance received. Followers of Auguso are reminded to practice gratitude in their daily lives, appreciating the blessings they've received and the opportunities they've been given.

### **Church Organizations**

#### **The Templars of Fallen Leaves**

The Templars of Fallen Leaves are a distinguished order within the religion of Auguso, having an essential role within the Red King's army. They function primarily as a group of advisors and strategists, utilizing their god's domains of knowledge, cleverness, and plotting to their fullest.

1. Strategists: Given Auguso's emphasis on the cleverness, the Templars are often the masterminds behind the military tactics employed by the Red King's forces. They are known for their innovative strategies and unexpected tactics, often turning the tide of battle in their favor.
2. Advisors: Their understanding of the cyclical nature of life and death and their skill in deciphering plots make them excellent advisors. They provide counsel to the Red King and other high-ranking officials, predicting the movements of enemy forces, anticipating their strategies, and suggesting effective countermeasures.
3. Scholars: As followers of Auguso, they are deeply committed to the pursuit of knowledge. The Templars of Fallen Leaves often serve as scholars, documenting the history of their people, the details of their wars, and the teachings of their religion. This role ties into their strategy, as they use their extensive knowledge to inform their plans and predictions.
4. Clerics: While not their primary role, the Templars also have clerics within their ranks. These clerics offer spiritual guidance to the army, conducting rites of Auguso, and providing comfort and counsel to soldiers. They often invoke the god's protection before battles and give thanks for the harvest of victory afterward.

#### **Way of the Wisdom**

The Way of Wisdom is a respected monastic order dedicated to Auguso, the god of knowledge, death, cleverness, and plots. The members of this order are known for their profound understanding of the world, their exceptional insight, and their unwavering pursuit of enlightenment.

Meditations

Monks of the Way of Wisdom undergo rigorous meditative practices that connect them to Auguso's domains. They believe that through contemplation and understanding, they can achieve wisdom and spiritual growth.

1. Meditation of Knowledge: Monks study ancient texts, scrolls, and other sources of knowledge, meditating on their meanings and implications. They believe that knowledge brings them closer to their god and grants them deeper insight into the world's workings.
2. Meditation of Death: This meditation involves the monks pondering the nature of death and the cycle of life. They meditate in silence and solitude, contemplating mortality's meaning and the lessons it brings.
3. Meditation of Cleverness: Monks spend time solving complex puzzles, riddles, and conundrums during this meditation. They believe that this practice sharpens their minds and strengthens their ability to perceive and understand complex systems and situations.
4. Meditation of Harvest: Monks meditate on the importance of the harvest, both in a literal and metaphorical sense. They see the harvest as a symbol of reaping the rewards of their hard work and diligence, and reflect on its significance in their lives.