Natrakhsan

Natrakhsan is the traditional religion of the Asmocarians, Rulcarians and Cisenilans. Natrakhsan can be classified as monotheistic in that its followers only worship one deity, but it can also be classified as animistic, as they recognise and respect the existence of other supernatural entities as well. Since the term Natrakhsan is Cisen in origin, translating literally as "Great Spirit Path", the religion is presumed to have originated with them, though the presence of Natrakhsan amongst the Human and Elvish populations of Asmocaria is found in the very earliest of both written and archaeological records.

Natrakhsanians - also known as Natrakhsanegul (or less formally, Sanegul) to the Asmocarians and Te'Sanykekh ("Path-walkers", or "walkers on/of the Path") to the Cisens - believe that Natrakh, the Great Spirit, is the greatest of all the spirits and is the singular eternal origin of all things material and immaterial. It is common amongst the Rulcarians to assign Natrakh with feminine pronouns and give it the honorific title of Mother, but both the Asmocarians and Cisenilans refuse to assign material concepts such as biological sex to an immaterial spirit. The lesser spirits, much like mortals on the material plane, may be loyal devotees of Natrakh and work for the benefit of the world, or they may be corrupt and spiteful and commit evil deeds.

Those who pass away have their souls transferred to the immaterial plane, where they must then face the peril of going to meet Natrakh. They will be hindered by evil spirits, and aided by good ones. Natrakhsanians believe that prayers for the departed will strengthen the soul in their journey and ward away evil spirits, though traditions differ as to whether prayers literally empower the soul or whether they are simply words of encouragement to embolden the resolve of the soul. The evil spirits may prove to be a great hindrance, but those who have true faith and trust in Natrakh will always eventually succeed. Those who finally meet Natrakh will be welcomed into its warm embrace, and some traditions believe that the soul literally becomes one with Natrakh, being absorbed into its essence, though still retaining individuality and autonomy.

Although Natrakhsanians have no concept of heaven, hell or purgatory, the state of being with Natrakh can be compared to heaven and the journey to meet the embrace can be compared to purgatory, as it is believed that the soul is cleansed of its self-inflicted corruption during the difficult journey. There is no concept of hell or damnation at all; Natrakhsanians believe that no matter how long it takes, all will be cleansed and will meet the embrace of Natrakh, even the most evil, depraved and sadistic of sinners.

## Morals

Although there is no singular collection of scriptures dictating the Natrakhsan morality or theology, all the traditions keep to the same moral principles which they believe were handed down to the mortals by Natrakh. These are, in no particular order:

* **Justice** - Dealing out punishment in accordance with a crime, avoiding both excess and leniency.
* **Forgiveness** - Accepting the repentance of those who have slighted you.
* **Courage** - To stand your ground and not flee when you or your loved ones are threatened, but never to seek out a fight.
* **Charity** - To aid the helpless and give to the needy.
* **Chastity** - To be faithful to your spouse, even after they have passed and before you have met them (i.e. to avoid premarital sex).
* **Takyç** - The Cisen term Takyç (Daky in Asmocarian) is usually translated as Symphony or Harmony, and it refers to co-operation within and between communities, co-operation between intelligent creatures and the natural world, and the self-sacrifice of individuals for the good of the community. The virtues of kindness and respect are implied within Takyç.

Although there are several other moral teachings present in various traditions, these are the core ones agreed upon by all traditions. Cisens, due to their innate communal hive mindset, view the virtue of Takyç to be far more crucial than most Humans following the faith; they construct their societies (or "hives") around the concept of absolute co-operation and communal benefit, resulting in a strange socialistic caste system where each individual is given a purpose within the hive according to their class and is guaranteed safety and a livelihood by the hive as a whole as long as they fulfil their purpose.