Hou

Hou is the religion that worships the moons. Since 3 moons orbit the world of Arlec, all showing themselves in the night at different time, people have interpreted some meaning and faith from it. Hou is one of the oldest religions, coming from the Second Era and potentially the First.

## Chal'Ul

Chal is the first moon of the night. It is named as such because of the story of the man dated back to the First Era.

The story talks about a man who was sickened with the constant death of his friends and family from the bandits raiding his village. While having no skills in battle, he took up a sword in order to slay them and protect future generations. Knowing he had little chance of winning, Chal made a pact with the first moon, selling his life to gain the strength to fight and win.

The pact with the moon was fulfilled, as Chal found the bandits and killed every one of them, condeming and punishing them for the evil they had done. Though in the end, it costed his life. With the first moon beaming a light over him, and bringing his soul to them.

Thus, Chal became the first Hou god, filling the empty role that the first moon was looking for. He is seen as a good god, representing the afterlife, with the worshippers of Hou that have done good being able to join him on the moon.

The reason for the name Chal'Ul comes from the old language, Chal coming from the man who became the first god and Ul being the old word for first.

Worshippers of Hou often come out during the first moon in order to have themselves blessed with Chal'Ul's light.

## Um'Lcul

Um is the second moon of the night, seen as the decider of the fates, with all dead souls passing through him. The moon is only up in the night for an hour, rarely having a different position. Though even though the moon is up for only an hour, the power it holds still decides the fates of all souls.

The story of Um is that he was the first true judge of the First Era, believing solely in Justice and fair. He protected the town he was from, punishing the people when he did wrong and judging cases to find the truth. It was a very foreign idea to the world at the time, someone judging others for if they were right or wrong. Thus, a few things happened to Um. One was that he was getting a small following of worshippers, believing he was a god in person. The second was dangerous, for the violent people of the time did not wish for him to judge them for their rights and wrong, they just wanted to be.

Thus, in the night by the second moon, Um was confronted by the people to hate him, with some of his worshippers coming to his defence. Violence broke out and Um was eventually found and killed by his enemies, proving he wasn't a god. But it was at this moment that the second moon found it's icon, shining its light on the body of Um and reviving his soul to be a god.

Um's death was seen as worthy, ascending to godhood and continuing his job as a judge, now deciding the fates of anyone who dies, having an ultimate neutrality.

The addition of Lcul to his name is the old word for second.

Worshippers of Hou often deal judgement during the light of the second moon, though with the short time it is only the very important situations.

## Puery'Elcul

Purey is the third moon of the night. Named after a good man, willing to sacrifice himself to punish evil.

The story goes that Purey was around during the time of Um, accepting of the judical system. While he was not a worshipper, nor believed he was a god, he knew that to stop the violent and evil people, this system needed to remain. Thus, he was shocked when the world let Um die in front of him, killed by the very people that needed to be punished in the world.

With anger in his heart, Purey vowed that somehow the evil and violent people would be punished when he got the chance. Like Chal, he made a pact with the third moon, picking up a sword and going after the murderers of Um. But unlike Chal, the pact with the moon gave Purey no strength, as he was cut down in the streets fighting for what he believed in.

For the moon had other plans, needing a god, it shined its light on Purey, bringing his soul to it. There, he would be able to punish the people who Um had sent there.

Thus, the third moon was seen as evil, with many evildoers doing their business under his light, eventually knowing that while they may not be stopped now, Purey had a world of torture for them once they died.

The addition of Elcul means third in the old language.

## Churches

The Churches of the Hou religion are unique. Most of them have a hole in their roof that allows them to reflect the light inside. Sometimes the holes are small, using a network of mirrors to help direct it, while others have a hole in their roof that they can simply open.

Inside the churches are a bowl of water, which the moon light shines on to bless it. When in prayer, the worshippers drink a sip from every one of the bowls, keeping them proper and not worshipping one god more than the other.

The colour scheme of the churches are usually lots of white, with marble floors and only a small amount of coloured tiles or paint on the walls. Most of the worship is done during the night, with some of the worshippers dedicating a single night for their faith.