Solstica

## Beliefs

When the cosmic powers were divided between creation and destruction, each opposed each other as enemies. Despite their elevated existence, they were each alone. They existed at a stalemate, each a perfect opposite to the other. Yet when Zebalek arrived from unknown origin, the stalemate shifted, and the competition between Balor and Acheron became feasible to either side. To bolster their strengths, each divided parts of themselves into lesser beings that would independently manage and govern their own aspects of creation or destruction, order and chaos.

When mortal life was created, these subdivisions took governance over it. The powers of creation and destruction continued to contest one another above the view of mortals, but the Gods, children of the Leviathans Balor and Acheron, sought to harness the power of these creatures for their own advances.

The Toa believe that the opposing forces hold the universe in a state of order through means of destruction and creation. The balance is tenuous though and can be tipped with enough effort and reverence to either one side or the other. Destruction is needed for creation, and creation is not eternal thus destruction is the needed opposite. While chaos is the faction of individual determination and possible devotion. Toa believe the forces of the divine can be interacted with and changed and ultimately mortals can join the Gods in the maintaining of balance or the destruction of everything.

## Myths/Stories

At the beginning of reality the two Brother Leviathans Balor and Acheron maintained the cycle of creation and destruction. Balance was had and order reigned. However in the infinite expanse of the cosmos a split in reality occurred and from there came Xebalek, The Chaotic One. Xebalek brought with it a vast chaos that seeped into almost every aspect of reality, nothing was certain anymore and all was put in peril and jeopardy. With the breaking of the natural cycle of Balor and Acheron, the two became three and the relation of power became a bitter rivalry between order, destruction, and chaos. As the Leviathans broke off pieces of themselves to better gain control over aspects of reality in the mortal realm in the form of Gods, the Toa were seen as both cherished creations and useful pawns to the forces that were. Through the actions and devotions of the Toa and like minded worshippers, it is thought that the scales are tipped in the favor of one or more of the Leviathans and their respective spheres. The battle in the heavens continues without relent but on the earth the effects are subtle except to the trained eye and pious observer.

Over the course of history, individual mortals have aspired to do more than they, themselves, were capable. If a person was to live a life of absolute adherence to a God and showed themselves to be masterful in an aspect of their being, the Gods could elevate them to a level of divinity, giving them power and divine control of the aspect of which they became a representative. This apotheosis can only happen after death and the mortal in question would be celebrated and revered as a type of minor deity by those that remember them in life. These Titans watch over the lands and work to keep mortals in line by enforcing their own duties to uphold their aspects in others. This is also the source or crux of their power. For if say a God or Titan of Justice for example loses power it means injustice is taking sway too much in the mortal plane and if all justice fades, so too will said deity. They are more like shades or shadows of ideas and the memory of the people that best define what the Gods call virtues. The Gods typically work to defend against agents of the opposing Leviathan. Many believe it is the universal existence of opposite equals that offers mortals the variety of experiences that they hold. Each person is free to make their decision and choose their allegiances in the vast pantheon of Baloran, Acheronal, and Xebaleki divinity.

Leviathan (The supreme beings, masters of the most basic elements of existence)

Gods and Goddesses (Direct descendants of Leviathans, masters of complex elements of existence)

Titan (Individuals raised to divinity after death either by achievement in life or by becoming masters of specific aspects of existence deemed ascended by priests and priestesses)

Aspects (Individuals given favor, but no divine power or agency. Kings and other rulers mostly)

KEY:(M) for Male, (F) for female, (N) for neither/unknown

## The Baloran Pantheon:

(M) Balor (Bā-lôr) - Leviathan of Creation; Master of the Overworld

(F) Baset (Bäh-set) - Goddess of Wisdom, Courage, and Honor; Personified by the Sun; Matron of Empires

(F) Sisteena (Sis-teen-uh) - Titan of Law; Personified by Inky Quills; Matron of Guards, Courts, and Judges

(F) Sarafem (Seh-reh-fēm) - Titan of Love; Personified by the Lover’s Knot; Matron of Weddings, Spouses, and Families

(F) Damae (Dah-may) - Titan of Prosperity; Personified by Apple Seeds

(M) Hectos (Hek-tōs) - Titan of Sanctuary and Home; Personified by Silver Rings

(M) Allantion (Ah-lon-ti-on) - Titan of Redemption and Self-Sacrifice; Personified by Mountains

(M) Nessos (Neh-sose) - Titan of Independence; Personified by Green Birds (Quetzals)

(F) Mahina (Mŭ-hee-nŭh) - Goddess of Cunning, Reason, and Natural Order; Personified by the Moon; Matron of Maidens

(M) Haborym (Hă-bō-rĭm) - Titan of Justice; Personified by a Hand with Four Fingers; Patron of Bounty Hunters, Executioners, and Jailors

(M) Voltaire (Vul-tər) - Titan of Passion, Attraction, and Romance; Personified by Burning Roses; Patron of Lovers and Careers

(M) Witam (We-tam) - Titan of Humor and Merriment; Personified by Festival Lights; Patron of Jesters

(M) Kalpeso (Kal-peh-soh) - Titan of Preservation; Personified by Gold Rings; Patron of Hunters

(M) Diamo (Dee-amo) - Titan of Satisfaction and Serenity; Personified by Embers; Patron of the Elderly and Contentment

(F) Niverna (Nee-ver-nah) - Titan of Truth and Understanding; Personified by Owls; Matron of Scholars and Educators

(F) Valencia - Titan of Peace; Personified by White Birds

## The Acheronal Pantheon:

(M) Acheron (Ah-ker-ron) - Leviathan of Destruction; Master of the Nether Realm

(M) Nacherai (Nah-kur-rai) - God of Aging, Decay, and Death; Personified by Wither Skeletons

(M) Dulegarre (Doo-luh-gar) - Titan of Impotence and Terminality; Personified by a Lone Wolf

(M) Baelregoth (Bay’l-reh-goth)  - Titan of Pestilence and Disease; Personified by Flies

(M) Asmogard (Az-moh-gar’d) - Titan of Madness; Personified by the New Moon

(M) Ichor (Ick-her) - God of Erosion and Deconstruction; Personified by Dust

(M) Nybaas (Nai-bus) - Titan of Storms, Winds, and Floods; Personified by Dark Clouds

(M) Delgados (Del-god-ohs) - Titan of Restlessness, Pressure, and Earthquakes; Personified by Volcanoes

(F) Circe (See’r-see) - Titan of Ice and Winter; Personified by Fog

(M) Gerroch (Ged’ock) - God of Avarice and Gluttony; Personified by Coins of Silver

(M) Mo’ore (Moh-oh-ray) - Titan of Murder; Personified by Bales of Decayed Wheat and Withered Crops

(M) Balen (Bay-lin) - Titan of Deceit and Falsehood; Personified by a Serpent’s Forked Tongue

(F) Sabine (Sa-bean) - Titan of Lust and Obsession; Personified by Smoldering Ashes

## The Xebaleki Pantheon

(N) Xebalek (Sheh-bal-ec) - Leviathan of Chaos; Master of the Void in all places; Personified by Endermen

(F) Gaki (Ga-key) - Goddess of Fortune; Matron of Gamblers, Personified by Gold Coins

(M) Hakan (Ha-con) - God of Chance; Personified by Iron Weights

## Sacred Texts

**The Solstician Codexes**: The Codex Balor, The Codex Acheron, The Codex Xebalek

Other matters of faith are passed down through oral tradition from priests called Varo and priestesses called Bala.

## Ethics/Morality

To the Toa and any other adherents of the faith, ethics of the spiritual practice boil down to personal choice and one's own moral compass. If one is more akin to the Baloran side of the faith, they likely favor order, peace, and structure. The ones that opt for the Acheronal side favor war, destruction, and other illicit concepts. While the Xebalek inclined are more zealous and even mad, in favor of primitivism and natural chaos or having things tossed to the winds of fate. One doesn’t have to prescribe to the ideals of just one end of the spectrum, a mix of the good and bad and chaotic can be followed at a time, though it is often not viewed with a lot of encouragement by others more set in one or the other ends of the extremes. Since the faith originates in the Toa, the common ethics of tribal and clan survival and group dynamics are often championed. However one clan does not think like the other and where one can be peaceful and ordered, another can be warlike and volatile. Right and wrong are perspectives of a minority in the presence of a majority in this faith.

## Rituals

Vemana (Veh-mana): The general worship of the divine in the faith. It is often a prayer with a sacrifice or offering to a shrine/temple/altar or ritual fire. The offering/sacrifice is often one of blood, either in the form of a sacrificial animal, one’s own blood dripped onto cloth or paper and then burned, or in the grandest of gatherings at temples and shrines the tearing out of the heart of a sacrificial victim and the burning of said heart. It is believed that chul’el or mana is in the blood and to offer the heart is the offering of all the chul’el one has to give. The chul’el is believed to go to the entity prayed to and empower them to better carry out their respective powers and domains in the overworld.

Yakuntik (Yak-oon-tic): The Solstician rite of marriage where the bride is decorated with vibrant flowers to symbolize youth and fertility before being led to a temple or shrine to meet the groom who is decorated with warrior regalia or things to showcase wealth and prosperity. A sacrifice is made to the chosen deities of the two, who will hence become the house patron/matron deities of the house/family and prayer is given by a Varo or Bala to bless the union and praise the gods. Gifts are given to the bride’s family and a feast is held afterward.

Miquizpatli (Me-qweetz-pach-tli): The death rite of Solstica if observed at the death of someone or a day or two afterward. The body is mourned over by friends and family and prepared in finery. The body is then prayed over by either a Varo or Bala or the head of the household for the spirit of the deceased to Solitztica, The Bright Lands, a haven away from harshness and pain, sorrow and want closest to the gods. This varies though depending on the person’s devotions in life. The Baloran inclined go to Solitztica, the Acheronal go to Xibala which is a nether realm of fire and battle to do eternal warfare and fight alongside the fiercest of the dead, while the Xebalek inclined go to Entlaki which is a void of mystery where all answers to any question are said to dwell. The body is buried and a monument of the deceased’s image is erected nearby, usually a statue called a moai with which it is believed the departed empowers to protect the family left behind.

Kiimak Oolal (Keem-mock Oo-lal): The Solstician rite of conversion to the faith. In this ritual the Varo or Bala brings the convert to a temple or shrine and takes a bit of blood from them to place in a bowl or on a bit of cloth/wool. The prayers of praise are given and the convert is asked to offer the blood or cloth into a fire in the name of the gods. They are then marked with a symbol of a rising sun on their chests to show the dawn of new faith in their heart. Celebration and feasting happen after.

## Symbols

A rising sun: Balor

A flaming skull: Acheron

A setting moon: Xebalek

## Social Structures

Varo are male priests whereas Bala are priestesses. Both are equal in rank and station. They tend temple pyramids and shrines. They are held in highest regard in Toa society as mediators between mortals and the Gods. They are often kept fed and taken care of by tributes and donations of food and coin to them by the great faithful community. They train successors called Tlani (T’lani) who live with their masters or mentors near temple/shrine grounds. When they complete their instruction they are made into Varo or Bala and often take over for their mentors. Shrines called Tutli (Toot-lee) are often the common stone built structures in a village or town but may also be wooden and thatch if stone is scarce. Temple pyramids called Tzonklin (T’zonk-lean) are found in larger cities of Toa and serve as grand worship sites and burial grounds for celebrated leaders. Worship is done commonly at shrines and temples, but also in sacred spaces like near moai if and whenever available. House shrines are also a common place of worship and often incorporate ancestral venerations.

## Religious Experience

At shrines and temples sacrifices are made and prayers spoken or yelled aloud for the group attending to heer. In shrines The prayers are a bit calm and personal as one can offer sacrifice in private with a Varo or Bala. Yet at temples the rites and sacrifices are announced from the top of the pyramid to the jubilant and boisterous crowd at the base. Worship ranges from simple and calm to loud and festive.

## Holidays

Baloral: Jun 21st (Sun’s Height 21st) - The Solar veneration of Balor and his pantheon

Acheronia: Oct 29: (Moon’s Rise 29th) - The fiery festival of the old year being burned away by Acheron and veneration of his pantheon

Xebalek Kish: Jan 1st (Ice Rule 1st) - The celebration of Xebalek and his pantheon and the reveal of routines and destinies for the New Year just starting

Due to the sheer number of deity figures in this faith, most other holidays and festivals are of a more local nature and are impulsively held and/or scheduled town to town, village to village, and so on and in a rather infrequent nature.