Daudinistic Order

The symbol of Daudinism.

**Daudinism,** also known as the **Daudinistic Order,** was the monotheistic worship of The Bone King, lord of death and overseer of the cycle of decay and renewal; Daudin. In Daudinism, bones are venerated, for bones are not only what supports the body but also your spirit. Daudinists believed in a cycle of death and rebirth, through Daudin's guidance everything must die and through his power that death will bring new life. This cycle was celebrated annually during a festival called Karnival Daudans, where members of the clergy donned skull masks of copper and iron and the common folk painted their faces in elaborate skeletal designs. A pious persons ultimate goal was to break the cycle and enter Daudinheim, the afterlife.

## History

Daudinism began with the first settler of Beinlandi, Einar Einaren. Upon sailing to the land on which the City of Beinlandi now sits, Einar discovered overgrown ruins of an era long since passed. Thinking nothing of it Einar made camp there, as he slept he heard a raspy voice in his ear. The voice spoke unto Einar, beckoning him forth into a cave nearby. Einar ventured deep into the bowels of the world eventually discovering an elaborate stone sarcophagus. The voice boomed within the chamber "The land you camp on is holy, build upon it, farm on it, and live upon it; invigorate the cycle of decay and renewal and your reward will be fruitful.” From that day the Daudinist Order has spread the gospel of life from death and the loyalty to Daudin the god of death.

## Worship

### Practices

There are only a handful of practices that followers of Daudinism must follow

1. Veneration of ones dead ancestors through the regular maintenance of tombs and graves.
2. Belief in the cycle of Decay and Renewal.
3. Participation in Karnival Daudans.

### Afterlife

*In the Daudinistic Order there is a belief in both an afterlife and reincarnation, an individual's goal in life is to break the cycle of Decay and Renewal.*

Upon death your flesh and bone will be taken by Daudin and refashioned into new life. Your soul will then be judged by him, those deemed to be worthy enough shall be taken by Daudin across the cosmic sea that separates the world of life from that of death. These worthy souls will be taken to Daudinheim, the land of the Dead where one will enjoy eternal rest and comfort in the presence of Daudin.

However, those deemed unfit shall have their soul taken and reused by Daudin in the cycle of Decay and Renewal. Those who have been damned shall be reborn and given another chance to achieve entrance into Daudinheim, in another life. Because of this it is believed that life itself is a purgatory and that one must eventually break free from it.

#### Necromancy

Necromancy is an aspect of Daudinism that is practiced only by religious leaders. The members of the clergy keep the process a closely guarded secret. However, it is known a resurrection cannot be done with an incomplete skeleton and that through a dance and an offering of food, valuables, or alcohol the spirit of the dead may be convinced to return to the world of the living.

### Clergy

The Daudinist Order is the theological governing structure of Daudinism.

#### Positions in the Daudinist Order

Within the Clergy of the Daudinist Order there are only two main positions:

1. Erkiprestur: the Erkiprestur is the head of Daudinism and oversees the rest of the clergy and ceremonies.
2. kardínáli Grafanna: or Cardinal of the Tombs in Skóguran, is the care taker of the graveyard of the Svart Musteri and the extensive crypt that lies below it.
3. Knights of Einar: The Knights of Einar are a religious police tasked with keeping the Kingdom of Beinlandi free from heresy.
4. Prestur: Prestur's are simply priests within the faith and oversee daily tasks such as sermons and weddings. (The female equivilant of a Prestur is a Prestura)

#### Tasks of the Clergy

Most of the tasks of the Clergy is simple events such as holding sermons, wedding and most importantly performing the funerary rights. Likewise, after funerals the Prestur's watch over the graves of the dead and monitor how well maintained they are; once it is obvious that a grave is no longer being cared for the Prestur's and Erkiprestur will exhume the now forgotten body and move it along with the headstone to the crypt bellow the Great Temple. The bones of the forget are then sealed away, the name of the forgotten soul recorded in the Tomb of the Dead, and the second funerary rights are performed. For in Daudinism to be forgotten by ones ancestors and no longer have your grave being cared for is considered a second death.

### Svart Musteri

The Svart Musteri or Black Temple in skóguran is the headquarters of the Order and one of the most holy sites in Daudinism. The Svart Musteri was constructed during the reign of King Álfþór and along with the Castle atop the city of Beinlandi is one of oldest buildings in the Holy City.

### Sjants

*For the Main article see Bók af Sjants*

Within the Daudinistic Order a Sjant is a person who is recognized as having an exceptional degree of holiness, likeness, or closeness to Daudin. Those designated by the Order as Sjants often have their bodies entombed within a shrine dedicated to them where the faithful may pray and worship. The Sjants and their individual deeds are written down in The Bók af Sjants which along with the Tome of the Dead is an integral part of Daudinist worship.

**Bellow is a current list of the Sjants in chronological order of canonization.**

* Einar Einaren, the Prophet
* Sjant Alfhilda, First Daudinist convert and wife of the Prophet
* Sjant Álfþór, Son of the Prophet
* Sjant Bartól, the Bard
* Sjant Tungl, the Zealous
* Sjant Njáll, the Advisor
* Sjant Fórna, the Victim
* Sjant Gamalt, the kind
* Sjant Klaus, the merry
* Sjant Björn, the Hunter
* Sjant Sigrún, the Traveler
* Sjant Rós, the Pilgrim
* Sjant Helga, the Martyr
* Sjant Leif, the Warrior
* Sjant Anna, the Radiant

## Holidays

### Karnival Daudans

Karnival Daudans, meaning Carnival of Daudin in Skóguran, is an annual religious festival in honor of the Bone King, Daudin. During Karnival Daudans, music is played, alcohol and fine good food is consumed amongst the tombs of the dead. The common folk paint their faces in complex skeletal designs in honor of their ancestors. As the party rages on the members of the clergy descend into the depths of the cave where the bones of the forgotten lie. Clad in skull masks of metal and carrying offerings for the Bone King, the members of the clergy perform a ritual of necromancy to help Daudin give life again to the forgotten. The festival is considered an offering to Daudin and to the dead; it is the holliest day in Daudinism.

### Feast of Sjant Gamalt

Held yearly during the month of Veislu this is a feast to commemorate the story of Sjant Gamalt the Kind as writen in The Bók af Sjants. The feast often entails the nobility royalty and clergy of the Daudinistic Order opening their doors to the poor and ill. Families often gathering to eat with one another and share food.