Poäd Dalut

Unofficial Poäd Dalut flag

Poäd Dalut, known as Universe Knowledge, is the philosophical, cultural, and religious belief and practice of the South East of the world particularly within the Kotec Confederacy.

### Poädist Belief

#### Founding and Origins

Poäd Dalut has no discernible founder or prophet and is instead a set of spiritual and philosophical beliefs compiled by the tribespeople of Kotec over the ages through oral tradition as well as some written accounts. The primary beliefs of Poäd Dalut are in a wholeness of the universal through all life being a part of the great Pond. Poädist Shamans explain each living creation as being a part of the spiritual movement of the universe.

#### Poädist Beliefs

##### Higher Power

Poäd would not have firm concepts of gods or religion rather Poädist would instead answer the question of “What higher power do you believe in?” as knowledge or universe knowledge. As gods seem as powerful beings in their right as powerful ideas.

##### Source of Divinity

Therefore it is commonly believed that divinity is not gotten through goodness or purity but instead wholeness of an idea. So a god of Battle and War that you would give offerings to would be known as Dêt Abe or Divine War. So, rather than having a pantheon of powerful and individual gods, Poäd Dalut represents ideas like war and culture and natural occurrences like water or thunder not as the work of powerful gods, but as spirits or almost aspects of the universe.

##### Way of Ke'ih

Another main belief is the Way of Ke'ih which holds up three main complimentary principles. These principles while not canon are followed by the religious warrior order known as the Conclave of the Sword Saints. The first of these ideas is the The Sanctity of Nature which holds nature as the highest form of life and justifies the violent retaliation for those who seek to destroy it. The second is the Principle of Non-interference which seeks Poädist and warriors alike not to attack others unless attacked. And lastly and most importantly The Repudiation of Ambition, which rejects all forms of ambition as being a scourge and cause of natural destruction. It is a form of greed that destorys the soul and others around it.

### Poädist Practice

#### Practice

The main rituals of Poäd Dalut offer valuable items such as gold, gemstones, and weapons to the gods. Rituals will include singing and collective chants to summon the spirits. Often a welcoming of food is first offered then a praise is given to a specific spirit in an effort to gain something: strength before a war, a bountiful the harvest or fishing, an artifact, ect. Ritual ceremonies will often stress the literal presence of spirits as being in the crowd.

#### Holy Sites and Shamans

Poäd Mäss, or Pond Shines as they are colloquially known, are the main religious centers for Poädist life. These locations are often the home to a specialized group of priests known as Shamans who are tasked with being the community's spiritual advisers. Their tasks include to enchant weapons for their tribe, orate the will of the gods through Bone-reading, maintaining offerings are secured to the gods, plan and propose public rituals and ceremonies, preform marriage, and the maintaining of shrine gardens and water features.

Poäd Mäss are often have a central pond. Ponds or other natural areas are essential to not only convening with the gods, but also essential for shamans to reach inner perfection through intense meditation and practice of material skills such as gardening, brewery, magic, or other expert crafts. This leads many Shamans to be monastic and hermit like. The first Poäd Mäss is located at the Pändoance, in the Kotec Confederacy and is a large domed shrine made from stone brick that guards an inner garden and pond.

Some Shamans include:

Omaya Otatec