Scildism

Scildism
The Hand of Sluj, one of the most prominent symbols of Scildism, particularly used in Qym
Classification	Meranian
Theology	Misotheism
Region	Meran
Language	Ottelian
Founder	Sluj (according to tradition)
Origin	13th century BCE TBD
Number of followers	TBD (Scildists)

Scildism (IPA: /ʃi͜yldɪzᵊm/; Ottelian: 𐐟𐐷𐐮𐑊𐐼𐐪𐐻, Shjyldũt; Qymish: Ⱋⱜⰺⰾⱍⰰⱄ, Shjylchas) is a misotheistic syncretist religion. It has no imposed dogma and no uniformly organized clerical institution. Scildism has its roots in the ancient polytheistic religions of Meran, particularly Byrakan and Ottelian traditions.

The core belief of Scildists is that gods exist, whether they are many or one, and are evil, which consequently makes them enemies of humanity. In their eyes, it is humanity's duty to protect itself against the gods and their agents among humans. This protection takes the form of human cooperation and ingenuity in the face of disasters, diseases, and inhumane behaviors. The majority of Scildists believe that Sluj was the first hero of humanity who recognized the evilness of the gods, although that view is disputed.

Scildism is currently the fourth most practiced religion on Basis after Sunneism, Ānism and Manigism.

Beliefs

Evil gods

Scildists believe gods are evil and are the enemies of humanity. While they recognize the capacity of gods to do good, they assert they only do good from time to time in order to trick humans into lowering their guard and worship them. U/C

Humanity

Humanity is the most important element of faith in Scildism. U/C

Apotheosis, divinization and deification

A central tenet of Scildism is apotheosis, divinization or deification of humans, but particularly its Corens. U/C

Practices

Pilgrimages

Scildism has a strong tradition of pilgrimages to sites associated with the heroes of humanity.

The Cave of Sluj in Prasty, County of Prasty, Qym, is a major site of pilgrimage to honor the Byrakan hero Sluj.

Marriage

Main article: Scildist views on marriage

TBD

Funeral

A Scildist funeral typically comprises two burials. During the initial burial of the body in a burial chamber, the body is left to decompose for about a year to obtain a bare skeleton. During the secondary burial, the deceased's family gathers the bones, which are then piled up in bulk before being stacked in ossuaries. Once an ossuary is full, the bones are transferred to a common grave during a second funeral service to which the entire local community is invited.

Scildist ossuaries are often decorated with the bones of deceased people, making them museums of the dead. Due to lack of space, larger cities usually have catacombs, which are underground ossuaries. Catacombs, although most notable as underground passageways and ossuaries, also house many decorations and sculptures dedicated to the dead. The Catacombs of Zhifol, beneath the Palace of Zhifol, are particularly famous for being the resting place of all the members of the House of Zhifol, the ruling royal family of Qym. Other famous Scildist catacombs include the Catacombs of Zhol, by far the largest, and also the Catacombs of Teurek for its unique decorative ornaments.

During the Festival of the Dead, Scildists perform an evening communal procession to the local ossuary with candles and various skull-related iconography, from makeup, masks or baked goods shaped like skulls. This festival honors all the deceased and a person's ancestors, making it one of the most important in Scildism. Specific regional varieties regarding this festival are found throughout Basis, but it is generally considered a continuation of funeral practices and a way to respect the deceased long after their death.

Persecution

Scildists are one of the most persecuted religious groups on Basis, particularly outside of Meran where they are a minority. U/C

Criticism

Criticism of Scildism goes back to the beginnings of the religion in Byrak and Ottelia, where it was initially seen as an insult to the gods. U/C

See also

• Scildism and violence