The spirits

## History

### Early history

It is not known when The Path of the Spirits began to form, it is said that the recognizable version of it first appeared in 4500 BDoS but it is hard to tell as the path of the spirits came from multiple different types of shamanism began to meet together. Most Elion's (at the time named Orc's) followed a similar system of shamanism and belief in the spirits of all creatures continued on after death. However there were many many differences that different tribes had and they were constantly in flux as write scripture was not used or wanted among the Elion's. Over time small rules and systems of law became more commonplace. However the true point where the systems became a true scripture was in 1250 BDoS when Empress Elion joined with Ivan Cidel and brought the division of the Orc's and Elion's. Empress Elion wrote down a form of scripture that created laws and rituals for the path of the spirits. Empress Elion's written scripture only served to farther the divide between those that followed her and her uniting with humans and those that refused. To those that refused to follow her the idea of a written form of their personal beliefs was absolutely unacceptable. This rift would lead to the difference between the naming of the Elion (the reformers) and the Orc's (the traditionalists).

### The Elion reformation

Elions write scripture, known as The path of the spirits, pushed an ever present idea of "honor" in the pre-scripture region to a much higher level. Pushing that ideas of binding spits could not apply none-honorable kills. This helped shove the idea that the Elion's needed to conduct themselves less viciously in battle and at peace. This would help ease the joining of the Elions and the humans. After Empress Elion's death the written scripture became gospel to those that followed the path of the spirits. Many arguments would occur over the centuries as disagreements over the scripture caused fractures among those institutes dedicated to the path of the spirits. By 237 BDoS the written scripture had all but fallen apart. Most institutes could only service a handful of masses. By 100 BDoS the government chose to re-define the path of the spirits from religious organization to personal beliefs do to the declining attendance of institutions. This nearly abolished Empress Elion's written scripture. However many did base their personal belief on the written scripture but with minor changes to fit personal taste.

### Modern history

In 0 DoS groups from Ocwus discovered the Shield setting a new date for the calendar. This also lead to the discovery of Ifirithism, as this new ideology spread the path of the spirits was a major victim of its conversions. Many Elion joined the new teachings of Ifirithsm nearly bringing an end to the path of the spirits. However at home those that "kept to the spirits" became more resolute in their beliefs. Among the close colony worlds of Ocwus most Elions kept to the spirits, suspicious and afraid of the new and ever expanding Ifirithism. By the mid 300 DoS's only around 5% of Elion claim to keep to the spirits, but the idea is still kept alive and the torch burning.

## Scripture

The path of the spirits largely believes that every living thing has a spirit and that following death those spirits may continue on in different forms. After death a object relating to that person or animal can be attached to something to gain that spirits strengths. Such as taking a tooth from a slain beast and adding it to a sword or armor in order to give it that beasts strength, in the best case one would forge a new metal equipment with thier bones; this gave the iron more carbon in their forging making it stronger. The written scripture by Empress Elion, that most base their ideas on, says that the spirit is not bound to an object if the spirit of the slain does not find their slayer honorable and are aggravated over their death. This would push a much more fair and honorable method of hunting and warfare. There is also a large belief in "elder trees", the oldest and largest trees found on Ocwus that grow to nearly 30 meters tall. These trees are seen with an absolute reverence as the most powerful spirits, many Elions and even Orc's made it a point to visit these trees over their life time; which made the grounds surrounding them neutral grounds. Any who would break this neutrality or bring weapons before the great trees would ostracized. However after groups left Ocwus this became a lot lesser importance, the value of the great trees would lesson. However the Star Control Federation made the territory crown land and forbid any attempt to cut down these trees.

## Other species

Well not common it has been seen that some Monoga find the idea of the path of the spirits charming and often identify with it. Some making the great trek to Ocwus to visit the great trees, most Elion consider them as attempting to be "trendy" and don't put much stock in other species that identify themselves as keeping to the spirits.