Cult of Yazjweh

With a foundation that predates most of modern civilization the **Cult of Yazjweh**, more colloquially known as the **Cult of the Sun**, has endured the rise of fall of countless empires through its asceticism and relative isolation from the outside world as its temple is located within the harsh desert of **Khoshkam**, centered around what is considered to be a blessed oasis within this harsh region. For what seems to be time immemorial has the **Temple of Eternal Fire** stood against the test of time and long has the Cult inhabited its massive ziggurat.

## History

Founded at the dawn of civilization within the region of what is known today as Khoshkam, the one who would be known eternally as **Ashkan the First Scion** heard the message of **Yazjweh** and was thus the first adherent to the true faith. From there, Ashkan would rally those who would convert and would conquer the known small tribes and kingdoms into the first great Empire of the world, seeking to unite all that which he could observe under the enlightened visage of Yazjweh. Expanding from present-day northern **Sarasvatika** all the way to **Lykos** did this great Ashkan Empire rule for centuries before eventually declining and collapsing into successor states. Many empires would rise and fall within the region, each being under the religious guidance of the Cult up to the present day with Khoshkam.

## Traditions

### Worship

Two figures comprise the worship within Yazjwehism, Ashkan and Yazjweh with the former being subservient to the latter as the greatest prophet and messenger of the One True God. Prayer is conducted through the burning of incense to an altar with subsequent prayer sessions twice a day, once in the morning to celebrate the rise of Yazjweh and once in the evening to give thanks to the One True God for his light and love as well as to, if need be, to ask for forgiveness for certain sins.

### Asceticism

Those that reside within the Temple of Eternal Fire practice an ascetic form of worship in which worldly pleasures are renounced in favor of prayer, devotion, and subservience to the will of Yazjweh. Such asceticism can range from abstinence from alcohol, sex, and in extreme cases: food and water for extended periods of time. It is not expected of the common masses who follow the faith to practice asceticism as a main tenant of their religious lives, although it is looked upon with reverence to do so willingly.

### Pillars of Virtue

The main ethical and moral tenets of Yazjwehism (aka Worship of the Sun, Worship of the One True God) preach the ideals of compassion, community, and above all else to be humble and a servant to Yazjweh's will in any way. Pastors and preachers of communal centers of worship are often also caregivers to the needy and poor as well as instructors of moral guidance to those who need it. The concept of living a virtuous life extends to all aspects of a believer, whether it be how they treat others or how they treat the animals that they raise on a farm. All must receive the kindness and compassion that Yazjweh delivers to his followers.

### Crowning of Kings

Every ruler of Khoshkam, and its preceding empires, has always been crowned and blessed at the behest of the Scion, the official leader of the Cult and the widely regarded figure of being the Messenger of Yazjweh, the Sun. With the blessings of the Scion, the monarch is given the title of "Champion of Yazjweh", as they are seen as the greatest defender of the faith and the one to wield the sword in the name of the one true God. And without such blessings, the monarch's legitimacy is rather questionable at best. The ceremony is performed within the Temple, after a traditional journey of ascetic nature is performed by the soon to be crowned monarch who is closely followed by whatever guards and entourage needed to observe the ceremony, all the way to the Temple. It is there within the innermost sanctum that, under the eyes of Yazjweh and their vassals is the monarch crowned as the Champion and ruler and delivered unto them legitimacy of their rule.

### Choosing of the Scion and the Oracle

Whenever the chosen Scion departs from this world and ascends to the heavens to be with Yazjweh, their successor must be chosen through an ancient ritual involving the consultation of one known as 'the Oracle'. Through the use of incense, the Oracle meditates for however long is needed: ranging from hours to weeks, until a Scion is chosen from the faithful masses. The chosen does not have the originate within the Cult's temple, but can be found from any believer of the faith whether they be within Khoshkam or within the surrounding regions. It is there that the chosen is brought back to the Temple and is delivered the title of Scion of Light to lead the faith and to abandon their old life. Similarly, the choosing of the Oracle is chosen by the Scion through their own meditation and can thus similarly be from any of the faithful in the world.