Religion

**Hābudukh**, the ancient traditional religion of Dahān, Heiyān and certain parts of Rus', is polytheistic. Starting about 500 BCE (or earlier) it has no founder, no single supreme deity, and no fixed canons, but it has preserved its guiding beliefs throughout the ages.

## Realms

There are three realms in the universe of Hābudukh lore. These are:

* *First Realm* – The realm home to the *Kamui*. It is made of an endless sea of clouds and light with many palaces. The "first realm" is also used when referring to the entirety of *Kamui*-kind.
* *Second Realm* – The realm in which all mortals reside, it has also been dubbed as the "mortal realm."
* *Third Realm* – This is the frozen underworld where individuals go to spend their afterlife upon death, either before they reincarnate or if they don't at all. The "third realm," refers to both the spirits of the departed who reside in the underworld and that underworld itself.

## Kamui

Their deities are called “*Kamui*” and are said to be youthful in appearance with white hair and one hundred times more beautiful than the best-looking human.

The *Kamui* are classed into four ranks.

* There are two First Ranking "Truths," The *Kamui* of Creation, Izāna and his sister, Sakhaaya, the *Kamui* of Destruction.

* Then there are two Second ranking "Sovereign" *Kamui*, Mosirkara; the *Kamui* of the moon and Kandakoro; *Kamui* of the sun.

* There are then fourteen Third-Ranking "Prevalent" *Kamui*. The "Prevalent" *Kamui* are then split into two. "The Seven *Kamui* of Fortune," and the "Seven *Kamui* of Calamity."

* Fourth Rank *Kamui* come under the Third Ranks and are assigned to one *Kēanik*.

## Kēanik

A Kamui *Kēanik* is something like a "clan," for *Kamui*.

The word comes from the root “Kē,” meaning subject and “Anik,” as in brother. *Kēanik*'s include the *Kamui*, their retainers (spirit familiars), and lesser Fourth Rank *Kamui*’s that come under them.

For Example, Darya's, the *Kamui* of War and Destruction, *Kēanik* includes Nukilik, a Fourth Rank *Kamui* of the Hunt and Forests and Amarok, the *Kamui* of Politics. It also includes her spirit familiars.

Some *Kamui* have larger *Kēanik*, with more Third Rank *Kamui* that come under them and some *Kamui* can belong to more than one *Kēanik*. Such as Amarok, the *Kamui* of politics comes under both Darya and Shüükh, the *Kamui* of Judgement.

## Spirits

There are many different types of Spirits in the *Hābudukh* teachings and folklore. Here are a few classes present in the stories of this world.

* *Nykahin* - Guardian Enforcers.
* *Nekhii* - One of the rarest types of supernatural beings. Originally humans who die before their allotted or appointed time, usually due to spiritual or heavenly influence.
* *Ruriāi* - Usually female, they are the spirits of those who die at sea or have had otherly water-related deaths. They notably have a pale blue skin tone.
* *Rügen* - A guardian animal spirit. Can take on different forms but the most common are dogs, cats and falcons. A common trait they share are different coloured eyes.
* *Sūhai* - “Spirits in Charge of lesser acts like “thunder, rain, funerals, dances…” They are the most powerful types of spirits and are occasionally allowed to sit in on Kamui councils.
* *Vinākāri* - “Destructive Spirits” These spirits drain the life out of their victims, aging them dramatically.