Crystalism

Crystalism is the predominant house of worship in Dicio, which focuses on offering words of worship to the seven crystals bestowed by the Goddesses. Most Mortals ascribe to Crystalism, and most races who were gifted one of the crystals also worship, though they don't always call it Crystalism. Crystalism aims to keep the balance of the seven crystals, and thus, the elements they represent, though modern Crystalism, also known as the Church of the Crystal Orthodoxy, has added on with their own teachings.

### **Traditional Crystalism**

Traditional Crystalism follows the guidelines given by the Seven Goddesses themselves, and at its core, is based around words of worship given to the seven crystals. These words of worship are enchanted incantations, which bestow mana upon each crystal to keep their elemental energy balanced among the seven crystals. When each crystal is in balance with each other, the natural elements in the world prosper. As another effect, the energy of the crystals helps keep the seal of the Forbidden Realm secure. If the elements fall out of balance -- if one of the crystals is no longer given words of worship -- then the seal has the risk of breaking, which would allow Voidsent beasts to enter the overworld. Not to mention, when the elements are out of balance, the unbalanced ones will be prone to natural disasters. For example, if the Aquaticae were to stop worshiping the crystal of Aquos, there would be in increase in tsunamis and rogue waves, floods, etc. If the crystal of Ventos was also unworshiped, there could even be tropical storms or hurricanes. As more elements fall out of balance, chaos rises, and the world becomes entropic.

Almost all races originally practiced traditional Crystalism, but the term Crystalism was coined by Humes alongside Elves, until it became the mainstream term used amongst Mortal races. Beastkin races that worshiped the crystals had their own terms for the practice, though some have now adopted the term Crystalism as well.

Each race that was gifted a crystal erected a house for that crystal. Mortal races tended to build temples or stone edifices, but most Beastkin races built more natural encasements for them. The only outlier which did not build a casing for their crystal are the Mandragora, who prefer to keep their crystal -- the crystal of terra -- in the open in a protected area, deep within the forest. Most races elected a representative of their crystal to lead the worship, with varying titles. Humes and most Mortals call theirs the Vestal, whilst Mandragora appoint an Oracle. Other titles used by other races include Holy Queen, High Priest, and Channel of [element].

### **Modern Crystalism and the Church of the Crystal Orthodoxy**

The modern crystal orthodoxy is a modern sect of Crystalism that builds upon the Goddess' original guidelines, in an aim to create an organized society of worshipers who follow specific teachings. Those who follow this form of Crystalism call themselves members of the Church of the Crystal Orthodoxy, and they have specific rules that followers must abide by. The Orthodoxy is popular among Humes and some Dwarves, and a small number of Elves. Those who do not follow the Orthodoxy are seen as heathens by those who do follow, though only 30% of all people on the continent are part of the Order. Amongst Mortal societies however, the Order is prominent in certain areas due their high concentration of Humes. The Order is most prominent in the Kingdom of Avangarde, and in the region of the Northë, where the Order works closely with the Northern Military.

The Order's rules are similar to those of organized religions in other worlds, though their teachings are not open to the public. Many believe that the Order is really a ruse for power which has become ingrained in Mortal society under the guise of a "better" form of Crystalism, though their inner dealings are strictly secret.

### **The Seven Crystals**

Each of the seven elements has a representative crystal, that of which directly controls the balance of that element in the world. Many scholars devote their studies to learning the way the crystal works, though they've yet to reveal all of the crystals' secrets. What *is* known is that each of the seven crystals is essentially a large, unimaginably dense crystalized form of its element, similar to how one can find small crystalized forms of the elements in nature. These seven crystals are inherently divine in nature; they're unable to be damaged, and they never change in size or composition. They glow from within naturally, and one is able to hear a slight humming all around them. They float in the air naturally, and don't move, nor can they be moved by any other than the Goddesses. The enchanted incantations of crystal worship allow one to supply aetherial energy to the crystal, but none have found a way to retrieve that energy back, though many have tried. The energy seems to feed into the natural world at a fixed rate, supplying the world's needs and keeping the balance in place.

Each crystal was bestowed unto a specific race, Mortal or Beastkin, via one of the Seven Goddesses. Each Goddess bestowed the crystal that represented their element, and each crystal was placed somewhere far from its others.

The current locations and protectors of each crystal are as follows:

#### **The Crystal of Alephos**

**Location:** Avangard (Sapphire Palais)

The crystal given by the Goddess Azoth, overseeing the balance of pure magic. It was originally gifted to the Elves, but as many of the Elves migrated away from the midlands, it fell into the care of Humes, amongst others who now live in the Midlands. This crystal is a deep and rich indigo-purple tone. When it is out of balance, emotions become bitter, magic goes awry, and the seal on the Sealed Realm weakens considerably. This crystal has the most effect on the seal of the Realm.

#### **The Crystal of Lux**

**Location:** Dwarven Mines (publicly acessible)

The crystal given by the Goddess Dyauses, overseeing the balance of light. It was paradoxically placed deep within the mountain caves of the Dwarves, who claim it represents their salvation from the darkness and allows them to continue life deep within the caves. When this crystal becomes unbalanced, the sunlight becomes weak, and the daytime shorter. Morale among people dips low, the seal of the Sealed Realm weakens considerably.

#### **The Crystal of Umbra**

**Location:** The Northë (specific location is hidden by the Order)

The crystal given by the Goddess Rahaeses, overseeing the balance of shadows. It was originally given to the Felinae that had settled in the Northë, but as numerous Felinae left the region, it fell into care by the military of the Northë. Nowadays, it is overseen by the Church of the Crystal Orthodoxy, who keep it hidden from all but the Order's most loyal. This crystal resembles onyx or obsidian, an inky purple-black that seems to soak up all light. When it is out of balance, the night becomes darker, beasts become more violent, and the seal on the Sealed Realm weakens further. This crystal has the second highest effect on the seal, tied with the crystal of Lux, and just below the crystal of Alephos.

#### **The Crystal of Terros**

**Location:** Sylphus Woods

The crystal given by the Goddess Thivae, overseeing the balance of earth and nature. It was originally gifted to the Mandragora, and remains in their sole care. This crystal is a natural green. When it is out of balance, plants die, the soil dries up, and landslides and earthquakes occur more frequently.

#### **The Crystal of Aquos**

**Location:** beneath the ocean (location is known by the Aquaticae only)

The crystal given by the Goddess Varunes, overseeing the balance of water. When this crystal is out of balance, tsunamis and storms begin to rage, and the ocean calms to a standstill, stopping ships from travelling in even the strongest of winds.

#### **The Crystal of Pyros**

**Location:** Hakan Desert (specific location hidden by the Arl'medean royal house)

The crystal given by the Goddess Agnidia, overseeing the balance of fire. When the balance of this crystal is disrupted, volcanic eruptions become more frequent, and hot weather becomes scorching. The Se-Hakan landmass suffers the most from these effects due to its already hot climate. The snow of the Northë also begins to melt when this crystal is unbalanced, disrupting the ecosystem.

#### **The Crystal of Ventos**

**Location:** The Valley of Lost (within the Dragonkin village)

The crystal given by the Goddess Vayunada, overseeing the balance of wind. When this crystal is out of balance, the winds rage ferociously, toppling trees and uprooting houses from their foundations and carriages from the roads. Ship travel becomes dangerous, and birds can no longer fly.