Hokurito

**Hokurito** is a monotheistic faith primarily practiced in Konkotsu, located in the Valresh region of Eldham. Hokurito revolves around the worship of Hokuru the Weaver, a planet-sized spider goddess who is said to have spun the entire universe into existence and presides over it in a never ending battle against stagnation. The faith was brought to Valresh by a nomadic tribe originating in the Katsura region and is the state religion of Konkotsu.

## Cosmology

It is believed by practitioners of Hokurito that the universe began as an empty void. The void was perfection: there was nothing, and in that nothing there was perfection. The ultimate stagnation and turmoil. Hokuru stood vigil over this void, and pondered the great mysteries of life. Her conclusion, after thousands of years, was that creation is the nature of all sentience. Hokuru had asked if perfection was worth suffering for to the void, but the void did not answer back. After thousands of millennia, she asked this question once more, and once more the void was silent. Thus, she ended her eternal vigil and began to weave a web. In the void, Hokuru weaved for thousands of years. She melded four primary strands of silk together to form this web, intertwining them intermittently in some places and pulling them far apart in others. When she had finished, Hokuru cast the web upon the void. The blackness of stagnation began to recede, the light of creation reaching upon all corners of the void. The first string represented space, and with it stars twinkled to life and planets formed; the densest of nebulas mingled and the fastest of comets streaked. The second string represented time. Hokuru's imperfect universe was set into motion, and moved with its own mind. Atoms fused and broke, planets spun, the light of stars touched every forsaken edge of the universe. The third string was gravity, and with it stars brought planets into their grasp, pulled comets into their apparatus, and crashed planets together at will. The planets too, pulled their own moons and asteroids. Celestial families were formed. The fourth string was entropy. As time passed, stars would fade and die in a flurry of bright light. Galaxies would drift apart or into each other, planets would leave their stars for a new home, and soo too will each moon set off on its own journey one day. To prevent a world of stagnation and perfection, all things must eventually decay and be renewed. All things must change.

## Beliefs and Symbols

> "Of the Weaver, the everlasting spindle
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> Four strings bind the world,
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> Cut them and all shall unfurl."
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> -Hymn to Hokuru

### Beliefs

It is written by the Emissary of Hokuru, Wonderfaust, in his scholarly texts that Hokuru wove an additional four strings to hold man's heart in place. The first string represented modesty, which brings stability to the realm and soul of man. Those who are modest find serenity in the afterlife and everlasting harmony with their kin and close ones. The second string represented wisdom. To keep an open mind was to thrive in this unpredictable universe, which held so much to experience. The third string represented compassion, which sowed bonds between man. Should others make a mistake, it is the greatest sign of mercy and benevolence to help those who undergo such hardship. The fourth and most important string represented honesty, and holds the soul firmly in place from corruption. It is said that man should not lie about their mistakes and lesser sins, as with each lie told the thread weakens. Should all these threads wither away, one will lose their sole and consequently life where a variety of fates await. Some become living dead, others turned into slaves for the lord of pestilence Muou, a fallen messenger of Hokuru who melds lost souls into abominations of "perfection" that manifest in the physical realm.

In the text *Heresy*, details of the weaving of spider messengers by Hokuru, Muou's downfall, and the consequent rebellion of mankind against Hokuru is detailed. In the aftermath, Hokuru passed four commands to her followers. They are as follows:

1. One must not kill a spider.
2. Bane of Arthropods is forbidden.
3. Murder is forbidden, and punishable by seppuku.
4. Stealing is discouraged.

### Symbols

The number four is important in Hokurito faith. The number four appears thrice: the four strings that hold the universe, the four strings that hold man's heart, and the four commands passed down by Hokuru. It is believed that the number four brings good fortune. Another important symbol are strings, which are representative of the strings that hold the universe and mankind's heart in place. Strands of string longer than five centimeters in length are usually burned as part of a sacrifice to Hokuru, with the belief that it will strengthen the heart of the offeror and ward against sin. Finally, the compass is an integral part of Hokurito. It is believed that all compasses are tuned to point to the direction of the second string, and consequently it allows one to find their way home. Most people of Hokurito faith own a compass or carry one on their persons at all times.

## History

### Early History

It is postulated by *Heresy* that Hokurito, and consequently the worship of Hokuru, was once a widespread practice in Rathnir-Eldham however the resulting rebellion of man drove the faith into the underground and eventually few remained who continued to worship Hokuru. By modern times, the faith had died so badly that only a single group of secluded tribe of nomads in the Katsura region practiced Hokurito. In their sleep they were given an omen by Hokuru who directed them to migrate to northeast Eldham. The nomads followed this vision and traveled across the world. Once they arrived, they found a large rock in the ocean and settled it, building a great castle upon it.