Cycle of the Scarlet Eyes

**Cycle of the Scarlet Eyes** is a religion practiced in the old and new Kingdom of Vokya. It is a polytheistic faith that follows a strange form of resurrection. The Cycle of the Scarlet Eyes is a belief that one child will be born in Vokya who has scarlet eyes, which will mark the end for the current ruler, who, once the child turns 16, will consume the ruler in a ceremony called the Scarlet Blood ceremony. After the ruler is fully consumed, they ascend to divinity with the previous gods, and the now remaining Scarlet Eyed will assume rulership.

## Terminology

It got its name for fairly obvious reasons, the fact that its about a cycle of birth, consumption, death, and ascendance. The Scarlet Eye part is obvious as well, stemming from the Scarlet colored eyes marking the chosen child.

The deities are referred to in 3 different ways. A male divine is referred to as a god, a female divine is referred to as a goddess, and one of ambiguous gender/referring to multiple will be a deity/deities.

## Beliefs

Supposedly when a ruler ascends and becomes a deity, they will have dominion over what they were most skilled in/most famous/infamous for. For example, Treia Opea was a Scarlet Ruler who ascended to become the Goddess of Literature, as she was known for her great works. Once ascended, they take the form of whatever the peak of their life was, no matter at what age they died or from what.

### Cosmology

While the Scarlet Cycle has no cosmogony (AKA creation story), it does have a cosmology (Structure of the present universe). There are 4 layers, and from top to bottom it is: The Stars, Alveyra, the Abyss, and the Scarlet Cycle. The deeper that you go, the more "unreal" it becomes and the more conceptual and metaphysical it is.

The Stars of course represent beyond the sky, Alveyra represents the world life resides in, the Abyss represents the oceans and the depths, and the Scarlet Cycle represents the concept and very existence of itself. The Abyss includes "the Depths" because it is the middle area of the metaphysical, having both a physical place (Ocean) and a non-physical place which is called the Depths.

And the Scarlet Cycle itself, despite being in the Cosmology, is entirely non-physical unlike the Abyss which is part physical. Despite this, it is still said to be below the Abyss.

An important note is that the Cosmology also represents the binaries of Magic and Alchemy (Chimiador). The Stars are the far one side of the binary, representing Alchemy, and the Scarlet cycle is on the other far side of the binary, representing Magic. The Depths and Alveyra are the middle ground of the 2 binaries, with Alveyra being the perfect mix of all the layers.

The Stars layer is the most unknown layer, having many scriptures about it which were destroyed or lost to time.

### Spirits

Upon dying, you also ascend to the plane where the Scarlet Rulers ascended and became divinity. However, you will become a spirit. There are 3 types of Spirits: Minor, Medium, and Major.

Minor Spirits are what most deceased would become, those who died of normal causes and led unremarkable lives. Then you have Medium Spirits, those who forfeit their body to be used in practices when they die or those who die honorable deaths in combat, protecting others, or led lives of such magnitudes. Next you have Major Spirits, more often then not these would include famous generals or people who led remarkable lives in both the private and public eye.

However, one might think that an easy way to assure to become a Medium Spirit is to give up your body when you are dead to the faith. After all, its not like you will be using it right? Wrong. Those deemed unworthy by Vokya, the Deity of Eternity, will be denied access to the plane. Because of this, they will instead descend into the Abyss.

Despite the Abyss being said to be where souls who are not accepted go, it isn't considered a hell. More of a limbo, roaming a dark submerged world full of other souls not accepted, and whatever else may lurk there unseen.

## Practices

Typically, a follower of the Cycle of the Scarlet Eye would partake in human flesh at least several times in their life. This is seen as a show of devotion to the cycle, and a show of appreciation to those who would give up small pieces of themselves to friends, family, or even lovers. And sometimes there are those devoted enough to donate themselves to the cycle, having their body used in the practices instead of being buried, thus garnering them a spot as a Medium Spirit among the ascended.

One of the most important ceremonies is the Scarlet Blood ceremony, which serves to perpetuate the cycle. Before it starts however, a few things must happen fist. A child must be found to be born with Scarlet Eyes, this marks the time for the current ruler has come to an end. The citizens and people of high status will be told, including the current ruler, and a celebration will be held.

Then, when the child turns 16, the Scarlet Blood ceremony will commence. A large festival will occur, and then a private ceremony with the ruler, new Scarlet Eyed child, and members of high status/siblings of the chosen child. There, the Scarlet Eyed child will consume the Ruler (Dead most of the time, although fresh. On rare occasions they are alive). After this, the Scarlet Blood ceremony will stop. Then, they will be crowned in the following day.

Magic is often encouraged, seen as a blessing from the divinity or even the cycle itself. Supposedly, Scarlet Eyes are inherently talented at magic, or have a high capacity for it.

## History

### Founding

The supposed founding of the religion is rather vague, although what is generally known is this: A child named Vokya was born into a nomadic tribe with scarlet eyes, and in some versions with canine-like teeth. They were praised as a being above humans as they grew older, until they eventually matured and led the tribe, leading them to a non-nomadic lifestyle.

From there, the founding of the religion would gradually form naturally.

### Spread and Growth

As the Old Kingdom of Vokya spread, so did the faith. Each city and nation it conquered, it would spread its faith there. While the faith wasn't the main reason for the conquering, the spreading of it was seen as a large benefit of it.

Although the religion rarely if at all spread past Vokya's borders.

### Change

The addition of lesser spirits (Etrea and those who donate themselves to the Cycle) are newer additions, most likely coming from the many faiths that were encountered on the kingdoms many conquests and diplomacies which involved forms of lesser spirits and minor gods.

## Sects

Due to the calamity of Vokya, whatever sects did exist have fallen to the wayside, as their minor influence could not survive the changing time as much as the main religion. Although, of course, maybe someday a new sect will be made, or perhaps an old one will resurface.

## Demographics

It is almost, if not entirely, practiced by the people of Vokya due to its age and long period of inactivity. Once a large faith, it can now almost be considered a cult. Perhaps a cult-following. Haha.

Generally speaking, Vokyans are seen as the only ones who should follow the faith, as it was almost exclusive to the region of the Old Kingdom of Vokya. However, after its borders, cities, and churches have been destroyed to fire and time, perhaps it can spread in a more inclusive manner.