Jashjote

## History

Thousands of years ago, during the creation of Eldham, the first ones to inhabit the world were the Santonians, who came out the ground and populated what was known at the time as the Santonian Peninsula, also known as Santos. But before the Empire was four tribes that inhabited the land, The ancient Santonian tribes arose from several lands in the Santonian Peninsula, the red dots indicate where a majority of Santonians arose from. The tribes were of the following: The Imperium Tribe, the Kasa Tribe, the Novician Tribe, and the Khuesko Tribe, all of which were separate tribes that were divided among the lands of the Santonian Peninsula. The chief leader of the Imperium Tribe, known as Michael Imperium, one day went to the local lake near his tribe. At this point the tribes were scared of each other and so they refused to make contact with one another due to the fear of one being more powerful then the other, until Michael collected water that day. In the lake rose the Stone Guardian, who frightened Michael so much that he pulled out his spear in self-defense. However, the Stone Guardian would use his telepathic abilities to communicate with Michael; he explained how he is made up of pure stone due to old asteroids hitting Eldham a long time ago (Rumors being some Asteroids are in Rathnir as well) and he has for a long time studied the Santonians and their culture. He was saddened of how divided they are, so he decided to step in and proclaimed Michael as the Prophet, warning him of the many problems he will one day stumble upon. However he and his Santonians will always arise again due to Santonian willpower. With Michael now knowing his destiny, the Stone Guardian had him listen to his five edicts:

1. Santonians must be ruled by Santonians of the Imperium family.
2. Santonians must worship the Stone Guardian.
3. Protect the Santonians from foreign imperialists.
4. Santonians must practice their way of life.
5. The Stone Guardian must be seen as a protector that all Santonians can look up to.

With these edicts, Michael was then advised to venture across the peninsula and unite the lands peacefully and diplomatically with the other tribes, and merge all the cultures together to create one single culture to unite all Santonians. And with this, Michael mounted his white horse and travelled across the uncharted territories of the Santonian Peninsula. To help him, the Stone Guardian sent forth a bi-headed golden eagle that would help Michael travel across the peninsula by giving directions. After a few weeks of travelling, Michael had gathered many who saw him as the Prophet of the Stone Guardian, and by the end of it all the Santonian Empire was established and all was peaceful. The Stone Guardian, having worked hard, entered a deep slumber, however when he awoke he found The Empire he helped build destroyed and ransacked by colonizers. After traveling the oceans of Leifmyrr, he found Michael and other Santonians in what was known at the time as New Novice. He was told that the nation of Newkunir had attacked them and pillaged them of all their land, and they had plans of selling it to the highest bidder, refusing to sell any to the natives of the lands and forcing them out said land. The ones who refused to leave were massacred. The Stone Guardian, disgusted by this behavior of Newkunir, decided to protect the Santonians from now on, however he was unable to protect them from attacks by foreigners, so instead he would protect them from otherworldly threats. The Santonians still praised him even if they were dealt a bad hand, and after the Santonians were forced out of Leifmyrr they settled into Raiyuna and created the city of Sanria. Sanria became a refugee city which became full of Santonian refugees and Santonians who were born in other parts of Eldham. The Stone Guardian decided to follow wherever the Santonian's went to protect them no matter what.

### The Books of The Stone Guardian

There are currently four books about the Stone Guardian in the Temple of the Stone Guardian. On one lectern, there is one that describes the Stone Guardian, another explaining the eight prophets of Jashjote and the purpose of the Imperium family, and the third and most newest book being a set of instructions The Santonian's must do to regain their old lands that were once taken from them. There are rumors of an even older book, called *The Guardian's Death*, which was made by one Santonian and is considered by Santonians who practice Jashjote as fictional, plus it is lost and its whereabouts are unknown.

## Beliefs

Jashjote believes in only one god known as the Stone Guardian, however they also worship many prophets such as Michael Imperium, who is still seen as the leader of the Santonian people by many. They believe the Stone Guardian is a sort of stepfather to them, and believe he protects all Santonians no matter of what sins they commit, as long as the five edicts are upheld then the Stone Guardian will protect the Santonian people. Santonians also believe that the Santonian Peninsula is rightfully theirs and that they hold a claim to the entire peninsula no matter what. Their dream is one where Santos will one day be able to reclaim their old lands either by diplomacy as some want, or if the situation gets worse then by violence.

Other than the Stone Guardian there are the Eight Prophets, all eight are worshipped and are seen as extensions of The Stone Guardian. The Eight Prophets are chosen either by The Imperium Family or the Stone Guardian himself. Each prophet serves a specific purpose.

### Pratices

The Santonians worship in both Travelers Tongue and the Santonian language. They worship in both large and small temples, and crouch or sit in front of a rose with eight candles being lit to properly pray to the Stone Guardian for peace, justice, or luck. Prayers typically take around five minutes, and after that there is a ceremonial wine to be imbibed before a simple sacrifice is made. Sacrifices are typically a spear, treasure, or a live animal. Jashjote sometimes tries converting other Santonians or other people to worship The Stone Guardian, but this is not a forced conversion.