Asahumu Polytheism

## Summary

Asahumu Polytheism is the syncretic state religion of Calai, formed from all the old religions of the Union. These old religions became the Heresies of Asahumu Polytheism.

## Asahumu Polytheism

Asahumu Polytheism is the most popular religion in Calai. It was created at the Asahumu temple in the capital of Sumuher, Uru, and draws the name from the location. The site was a meeting of religious leaders from the constituent nations of Calai. They hoped to address the issue, that their nation was now one of many faiths. They sought to find common ground between their faiths, so that they could get along better. However, one young priest, a student from The Poliau Academy, attending alongside another priests from Pieua Pioh, believed they could do better. He proposed the most radical piece of theology from all the religions of the lakes.

*'First, there was The Sun, Fathers of Fathers. He lived in a void, the only thing there. Then, there was The Guardian, Mother of Mothers. They were lonely, very lonely, stuck in a void with no else to speak to. They decided they would have to create life to watch over. First, they created the Four Siblings, as an experiment on what life would look like. Confident their experiment would work, The Sun and Guardian both split themselves into two halves, and combined them. With this Divine Union, the universe was created, as many stars were born from The Father, and Planets were born from The Mother. In-between the Planets and Stars, Moons were born, a representation of the two halves coming together for a better purpose.*

*The Four Siblings then gave life to the Universe. Anudara, the eldest, was the most caring, and helped the siblings stay together, reminding all of them of their great purpose, as taught by The Father and The Mother. Enundo, the youngest, was the most curious, always hoping to discover something new about the universe as a whole, exploring at all times. Kakathun, the largest, was a being of immense vitality and great strength, they protected their siblings. Finally Seriath, the smallest yet most precious, they were the one who truly shaped all the planets, giving the most intricate details. They placed the Planets and their Moons, specific distances away from The Stars, to ensure life could grow on them. As, sadly, The Father had not been perfect in his creations. Neither had The Mother. Not all could hold the life they so valued, in fact, very few could. While Seriath tried their hardest, they could only place a small number of Planets and Moons a fair distance away from their Stars. Their two halves proved invaluable, the Sun provided life, but only if limited by The Guardian. Eventually, Enundo found one Star which was special. They named it The Sun, after The Father. Seriath succeeded in moving a planet into a habitable zone, however it was a mass of gas, not liveable on. However, it's Moon could hold life. The Planet reminded Anudara of The Mother, so it was named The Guardian. Life flourished on those habitable planets, however it was the Moon that succeeded the most. The Moon would rotate, being exposed to The Sun for sometime, before being shielded by The Moon. While The Moon was exposed to The Sun, life was born, however, without The Moon, it would then die. Therefore, as had happened before, a balance was struck. It is not known exactly how the lands were shaped, and life developed, all we know is that the Siblings did not create it, but instead documented it. The texts indicate that a great tree, Ketiki, was the first sign of life. It sprouted from barren land, and to this day stands, despite shifts of land and sea. Alongside the tree, yet again, two halves became one. The vine plant could not support itself, instead latching onto Ketiki, growing alongside it. Along this vine grew fruits, things to eat. Other life, flora and fauna, had flooded the land, as life spread from Ketiki. As life was abundant, most creatures are huge at the time. Many birds tried to eat at the fruits on Ketiki, however they could not, as sharp thorns stopped them, and they could not understand how to deal with them. This was one of life's first hardships. Over many more years, life developed. The birds had found sources of food themselves, as had many on land, and those at sea. However, some still tried to get at the fruit on Ketiki. This drive led to their bodies themselves responding, and after hundreds of millions of years, their brains, which gave them the idea in the first place, became larger. They made them possible to get the fruits. They had arms, and legs, and mouths capable of language. These were the first sentient creatures.*

*They numbered fifteen. They all tried to get the fruits from Ketiki. Five succeeded, those of the fruit. Five failed, pricking their skin on the thorns, spilling blood. The other five did neither, instead choosing better pursuits. The Thorn Children retreated to the underground, seeking eternal darkness in the arms of The Mother after being mocked by the Fruit Children. The Fruit Children remained above, staying in the light of The Father at all costs, hoping more products of life would be granted. Those who did not split themselves between the Father and Mother instead dedicated themselves to their own paths. The Thorn Children grew angry however, and would seek vengeance. Two of the Thorn Children killed two others, Bacce and Marraw. Bacce died of a sickness forced upon her, while Marraw was killed with sticks and stones. Viven, another of the Thorn, went further into The Guardian's darkness, and buried the two dead deep underground. The other two, Tuzum and Rano, went out into The Sun, and again slaughtered. Tuzum and Rano came to a shelter, and Rano found they could manipulate metals found in the underground, into tools, and weapons. With iron clubs in hand, they first forced the strong but young Barim into the wilderness, forcing him to slip on wet rocks, and die. Three of those who were neither Children of Fruit or Thorns tried to rescue Barim, but died in the process. Tuzum, now studying the weather that had aided him, celebrated with Rano. They both founded a kingdom, in what is now the Eastern Continent. Four of the remaining, Duma, Kilup, Buima and Tzadim, were banished, and went to found nations in the Western Continent, The Haven Chain was taken by Poliau and Hadae, who also took up nation building. Viven remained underground. At this time, the world was complete. It looked much like today, barring the influence of sentient creatures. Ketiki could only grow as The Seasons could allow it. The Seasons themselves, were, as all good things, of two halves. Two created lives, and two were of withering. The Summer and Spring were of The Father of Fathers, The Sun. The Autumn and Winter were of The Mother of Mothers, The Guardian. As always, balance was needed, as eternal heat and brith would end in burning and consumption of all life, while eternal cold and death would not allow any life at all. The Four Siblings saw what happened with the Children, and knew that life what not what they wanted. Their ideas of balance were necessary for life, but because of that reason, both good and evil would flourish. They left, but not before looking to the Lakes and Rivers, and naming them the Sesh and An, with The Lakes and their slow flow receiving the dedication of The Mother, and the rapid flow of The Rivers gaining the name of The Father. Where the Siblings have gone is a mystery. The Sentients died in their own ways, leaving their nations and descendants to be what we are today. However, Viven is rumoured to be as immortal as one of Argenta. Upon death of mortals, they pass through the Gates of the Underworld, as Viven lets them through. The Moon that is our home came to be named Delthoria, after a false god. However, as wished by the Sun and The Guardian, we all need to respect those other gods, for even falsehoods are creations of life.*

*All was still, life progressed as expected. Until one person came. The Great Uniter. They built an empire from scratch, unifying the people of The Central Lakes. After the empire fell, the lakes shattered into many peoples. However, once they again, by those echoing the ideas of the Uniter, were brought together, the ideas became clear. Every religion fit into place. All those of the Old Western Empire formed their own cohesive story. This is what I have told. Whether the story is true is irrelevant. The lessons taught are common throughout our people's, the shared idea of Three Lakes. This is not, cannot be, coincidence. There are other theological mysteries. The divinity of Sol, The King of Kings of Sumuher, and the King and Queen of Ke-Sheshan are one of these. As are the presence of spirits today. But our faiths are too closely linked, and the stories fit to much. We must unite into one movement, even if we have separate sects within. That is all I can say.'*

The speech was not the longest, or most intricate of the summit, but it's shockwaves travelled across the Union. After many, even the youth of the Union, showed interest in the religion, faith leaders had no choice. Adherence to Asahumu Polytheism will vary across Calai, with many sects changing their beliefs barely. However, as the next generation of Calai study at Eth Bâtibore Hadaeidatalu Amun, they adopt The Asahumu Teachings, whether in theism or atheism. The religion is intertwined with the cultures of the Three Lakes, a unique religion as pseudo-nationalistic as spiritual.

Asahumu Polytheism is still young, being around for roughly a year. The old national religions remain somewhat present as sects or heresies. Mayor Udirrerpillar of Havle has indicated that The Union Government plans to found a Ministry of Ministries, to deal with religions matters. However, while the Tiztlasen Regency continues, Asahumu Polytheism will remain separate from matters of state.