Galanavity

Symbol of Galanavi

**Galanavity** is both a religion and philosophy encompassing a variety of different traditions, beliefs and practices. Whilst **Galanavi** societies can vary drastically, the same underlying belief in the deities and teachings of **Galanavi** remain the same. But despite being a theistic religion with a number of different deities, **Galanavi** is unique in the sense that each deity is not only a guardian of a certain aspects to life but also the direct representation of feelings and emotions. It is through the five deities of **Galanavi** that lessons, wisdom and knowledge are passed down through the generations. Promising the people of **Avalor** guidance and protection.

## Galanavity Concepts

### The Three Treasures

**The Three treasures** were the teachings of the first **Galanavi** follower, **Nakorno Mangesh**. It is often regarded as containing the entire essence of the **Galanavi Way** and is thus usually one of the first concepts taught to new followers. **The Three Treasures** are the unifying combination of compassion, frugality and humility. It is said that through **The Three Treasures**, harmony exists. Avoiding or disowning **The Three Treasures** thus spins an individual down a cycle of disharmony and imbalance.

## Galanavity Deities

**Galanavity** has five known deities all varying vastly from one another. The one theme the deities of **Galanavi** have in common is that they are all children of the **Great Universe, Galanavi** and were brought into this world for a specific reason. Each **Galanavi** culture usually has one deity of great importance at the centre of their monuments, however this is not always the case. This is because the deities of **Galanavi** all represent a unique element, theme or lifestyle that relates differently from culture to culture.

### Pravah

**Pravah** is arguably the most important deity out of the five, and was the first to make themselves known to the **Galanavi** followers. During an exploration expedition in his boat, the founder of **Galanavi**, **Nakorno Mangesh**, had gotten lost but was soon enough graced by the presence of **Pravah**. **Pravah** helped **Nakorno** return home whilst engaging in friendly discussions with the stunned tribal emperor. This event would see **Galanavity** dramatically shift from a non-theistic religion to a theistic religion. Because of this story symbols of **Pravah** are often carried by sailors to bring them guidance and safety on their journeys.

**Pravah** is the deity of the seas and waters. He is usually depicted as having long light hair, blue skin with gills along his ribs and a large bladed spear. **The Great Universe, Galanavi** tasked **Pravah** with guarding and protecting the seas and waters which **Pravah** still does to this day. However, he has been known to go above ground and assist his brethren on numerous occasions. **Pravah** represents protection, balance and order, all things that many **Galanavi** cultures respect and nurture.

### Kurmana

**Kurmana** is the deity of architecture and civilization. Out of all the five deities, **Kurmana** has the most recorded stories by **Galanavi** followers. Some go as far to say that **Kurmana** is simply an enlightened mortal, this is mainly because **Kurmana** is often described and depicted as looking indistinguishable from humans. **Kurmana** however is far superior to any human. It was **Kurmana** who helped nurture and guide the ancient **Galanavi** tribes into becoming advanced civilizations in their respective times. Much of this knowledge given directly to the followers by **Kurmana**, has been passed down from generation to generation and is still often used in **Galanavi** cultures. Such examples include the Galanavi aqueducts, pyramid temples and floating gardens. **Kurmana** represents wisdom, knowledge and time.

### Sakti

**Sakti** is the deity of life and death. He is usually depicted as a deceiving trickster and in many **Galanavi** cultures seen as a bad omen. As a result it is incredibly rare for any **Galanavi** cultures to centre around **Sakti**, and those who have in the past are quickly shunned. In many **Galanavi** stories **Sakti** plays the role of a villain of sorts who actively attempts to disrupt the other deities' tasks. This however was not always the case, **Sakti** and **Pravah** used to be inseparable, but after a heated disagreement the two have become rivals of sorts. **Sakti** is often depicted as a humanoid crocodile king, due to the crocodile army the deity possesses. **Sakti** represents chaos, disharmony and rebellion.

### Tonatiu

**Tonatiu** is the deity of the sun and skies. It is very common for Galanavi civilizations to have many **Tonatiu** symbols even if they do not centre around the sun deity. It is widely accepted that **Tonatiu** is the oldest **Galanavi** deity, despite not being the first to come into contact with **Galanavi** followers. **Tonatiu** had once appeared in many other varying doctrines and beliefs during the ancient times, now however he is present in only **Galanavi**. **Tonatiu** has a variety of different depictions ranging from humanoid eagles to the more common fiery phoenix. **Tonatiu** represents peace, tranquillity and safety.

### Lakani

**Lakani** is the deity of agriculture and health. **Lakani** is often linked in tandem with **Tonatiu** as being symbols of calmness and serenity. She is also sometimes placed next to **Kurmana** as being symbols of food and freshness. Whilst **Lakani** is widely adaptable to different cultures and civilizations, alongside **Pravah** she is one of the more common deities for civilizations to be centred around. Depictions of **Lakani** differ from culture to culture like most deities, but what remains a constant is her crown-like headpiece and plethora of symbolic jewellery. **Lakani** represents birth, nature and power.

## Galanavi History

Being one of the oldest religions, **Galanavi** history is one that spans over countless generations and incorporates the stories of many significant figures. Although some unrecorded stories for now remain lost, the stories of most significance to the overall development of **Galanavity** remain intact.

### The Emperor

In ancient **Avalor**, a tribe of great renown lived in almost complete prosperity. Despite this, the great emperor was unhappy and displeased with his life. He had everything he could ever want, and yet still felt empty. Word of a great sage who lived in isolation up in the nearby mountains soon found the emperor. Without a second thought, the emperor abandoned his position and set off on a grand journey. He travelled day and night like a man possessed, driven by his pursuit for fulfilment.

Soon the emperor arrived at the mountain and found the great sage in deep meditation. The sage welcomed him in and introduced himself. The sage was a man named **Kumar** and was the first known individual to reach true enlightenment. **Kumar** sat the emperor down and began to teach him his knowledge and wisdom. The emperor was struck by the sage's teachings, and felt a level of peace he had never felt before. The emperor immediately returned to his empire and began to implement **Kumar’s** teachings. He encouraged his people to live in harmony with the natural world and to cultivate **The Three Treasures** of compassion, frugality and humility. The emperor would take the name **Nakorno Mangesh** and would devote his life to his newfound philosophy. It is through this devotion, that **Nakorno** would reach enlightenment himself and found **Galanavity**.

### The Great Beginning

Over the next few centuries, the **Way of Galanavi** would spread all over the world. Buildings, monuments and hermitage’s were erected in honour of the teachings. But **Galanavi** reached a limit due to a general lack of literature, stopping the Way from expanding and growing further. However, this period of stagnation would not last for much longer. A direct descendant to **Nakorno Mangesh**, **Lettcor Mangesh**, the new **High Priest** of **Galanavity**, was a **Galanavi** monk and teacher. He would make it his mission to continue on the Way of **Galanavi**, producing **The Skrola** which would ultimately thrust the Way forwards. With the help of other great **Galanavi** minds, **Lettcor** would elevate the already established teachings into unprecedented territory. In doing so, sparking a period in **Galanavi** history known as The Great Beginning. This period would see the large production of literature, artwork, buildings, sacred sites, stories, teachings, figures and music.

## Practices

Due to **Galanavi's** ancient flair, their practices and traditions carry on a legacy that spans over centuries. Their music is deep and emotional, their artwork is abrupt and passionate, their traditions are old and spiritual. **Galanavi** practices are incredibly important to its followers and therefore see little change through history. It is often a way for communities to come together and express themselves deeply with one another, this in turn creates strong tightly bonded groups.

### Music Traditions

*Galanavi Sacrifice Melody (Performed during sacrificing ceremonies.)*

*Kurmana the Architect (Performed during light-hearted events.)*

*Galanavi War Song (Performed during battles to intimidate the enemy.)*