Mysticism/Mystery Cult
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The Mystery Cult
As Mysticism is the truth behind all religions, it is acceptable for Mystics to worship the faiths of their choice. Therefore, there are many variations of Mysticism. It is also not uncommon to find Mystics who blend all of the paths together or are stringent to only one. After all, there are many ways for a Soul to ascend the Hierarchy of the Gods.
Aetherism
Aetherist Mystics interact with a pantheon of Power God spirits. These spirits possess and affect them in various ways depending on whether or not the Mystic has invited the spirit, has enacted a deal with a spirit, or even angered the spirit. Often, these spirits are sought for to occupy the Mystic's Soul when they must face danger, uncertainty, or other such times when the mental fortitude of the person is weak, or alternatively when the Mystic needs to boost their own strengths and abilities. Powerful Aetherist Mystics are able to hold multiple spirits within their Soul, and sometimes are able to convince the spirits to fuse permanently with them.
The goal of Aetherist Mystics, as well as to gain the power and protection of the spirits during life, is to slowly leech away the spirit's essence into their Soul and eventually takeover the spirit's position in the Hierarchy of Gods, thus circumventing the Soul Trade and securing their own ascension.
Astromantism
Astromantic Mystics believe that the Bloodstars are deeply connected to the Soul and that the stars are the origin of all Souls. They observe the festivals and prophecies of the faith, and are more keen to act in the way that the phase of the star dictates. This is so because they feel that the more naturally in tune they are with the stars the more favour they will earn for their own Soul. Upon death, if an Astromantic Mystic has "succeeded" in worshiping the Bloodstars their Soul will union with the stars and live forever as a Transcendent God, a most desirable position.
Beastiarism
Beastiarist Mystics follow a radical path to ascension in the Hierarchy. Their beliefs are centred around the teachings that the daimons are a second rank parallel but superior to mimics in the living realm. Just as a mimic's Soul leaves Oblivion through its own volition, or as it descends the Hierarchy of Gods for its own agenda and becomes a human in life, so to may a Soul with more power in the Divine Realm choose to become a daimon in the living realm. As the physical form of a daimon is perceived to be more powerful and mystical Beastiarists therefore believe that the daimons are incarnations of Souls higher up in the Hierarchy. It is through worship of the daimons that they find their recommendation into the Hierarchy. An even further extreme sect of Beastiarists believe that the daimons are Power Gods roaming the continent pursuing further power for their climb to the "summit of all seats," the Paramount God.
Bloodmoonism
A Mystery cult founded by the Windswept Mystic, the prophet and Hierophant of the Cult, in Vakreno Heaps in the Winter of 18 YD. Cultists of the Bloodmoon consume the red plum-like fruit in order to gain the ability to see the dimensions of existence and to be able to communicate with Souls in other forms and in other positions on the Hierarchy of Gods. The Bloodmoon fruit is reported to have powerful affects on the person and to allow them to access visions of the past, the future, and to have contact with gods and spirits. With the abilities imbibed by the fruit, the cultist attempts to gain truths and powers from the mysteries and divinites. The Windswept Mystic was executed in D'Hara in the Winter of 20 YD. She is the first Mystic to acquire nearly all of the Badges of Divinity, earning six of the eight.
Draconism
Draconist Mystics worship the Great Dragons of Dwilight. These Power Gods have been dormant for centuries and live in certain nests across the continent. Most are unknown and forgotten, but the few who are still active have inspired the creation of religions devoted to them, such as the religions found in D'Hara and Sallowtown. Draconist Mystics believe that service to these dragons will grant them blessings, fortune, invulnerability to strife, and access to a just afterlife. A common feature of the Dragon Faiths is that they require the faithfuls to live virtuous lives, pay respects to their ancestors, observe the festivals and sacred times, and to pay ritual offerings. Holy lands include the mountain of Dragon's Roost, the city of Port Raviel and the city of Sallowtown. Each temple built is another nest for the dragon to inhabit, and certain rituals invite their patron dragon to visit the temple to bless and sanctify it. Each temple is dedicated to a particular Great Dragon, and so you will find Draconist Mystics that emphasis the worship of one dragon over another.
Active Draconist Mystics spread their faith with zeal and devotion as they believe that the Great Dragons will grant them a recommendation for their Soul to return as an immortal dragon after they die. They take the example of Prince Sallow to be the model for this arrangement.
Manifestationism
Manifestatonist Mystics attempt to simplify the complicated truths of Mysticism by attributing the many aspects of the faith into personified deified Souls. Mysticism can be as complicated or as simple as the Mystic needs it to be. Manifestationists attempts to offer a clear and ordered way to worship. They approach the faith through these deities with the goal of attaining a recommendation by enlightenment. They believe that ascension up the Hierarchy derives in understanding the ultimate truths of Mysticism, and therefore the true application of that knowledge. These Mystics worships a variety of gods known and unknown. Naturally, since Mysticism is occult, even the deities proposed to help seekers are often concealed and shrouded.
Patronism
Patronistic Mystics are heroic Mystics who attempt to persuade the Demigods to become their patron. As a patron, the Demigod is expected to protect the hero, to guide them, to grant them blessings and fortunes, and to join them in battle. The exchange is for these heroes to gain the favour of the Demigod, and hopefully their recommendation, and for the Demigods to get a taste of battle and glory in life once again. A Demigod may only be the patron for one hero, and if they find out their hero has more than one Demigod it is immediate death, at least that is the warning. Some Mystics try to contact heroes they knew alive and ask them to be their patron, hoping friendship will secure the contract, while others reach out for ancient heroes long since dead.
Though Patronism is predominately for the hero class, there are Mystics who collect as many claims for a recommendation as they can, including this one. They hope their Demigod does not discover the deceit.
Pyreism
Pyreist Mystics share a very close relationship with the premise of Mysticism except they regard the Soul as a flamma – a fiery substance. They believe in the three zones of existence, although attribute different names and slightly different functions to each zone. They also believe in a detailed mythology and pantheon of Souls and have developed that knowledge into a set of rituals and practices. They produced a very intense study of the Soul and its composition, similar to but not entirely exact as the general views held by the majority of Mystics. They also have a different way to view the Hierarchy of Gods; grouping Souls into three or four categories rather than the usual seven. Some consider Pyreists a technical way to approach Mysticism. Where Mysticism is fluid and syncretic, Pyreism is fixed and certain. But this certainty is no different than the decided beliefs of other paths within the Mystery Cult.
Scrollism
Scrollist Mystics follow the teachings of divinely transcribed wisdom found in a collection of Scrolls. There are many Scrolls in popular circulation, many undiscovered, and many more hidden away. Scrollist Mystics accept the Scrolls for what they share and try to apply their principles hoping that whichever god or gods formed the Scrolls grants them a recommendation.
These are the most widely known and worshiped Scrolls.
Territorialism
Territorial Mystics believe in the sacred geography, or geomancy, of Dwilight. For mysterious reasons certain regions are more powerful than others and attract a following. It is likely that these regions occupy gods vying for followers to advance in the Hierarchy, or, for reasons further hidden.
By progressing the region with developments, the Mystic hopes to earn a recommendation.
The history of Mysticism has encountered source elements of this version of Mysticism such as the gods the Rogue Mystic encountered during the Revelation Era.
Verdisism
Verdicists Mystics worship the gods of the Five Elements: Spirit, Water, Wind, Fire and Earth. Various gods rule over and operate within these elemental domains. A Verdicist will explore and practice knowledge of their chosen elements hoping to learn its power and nature. Having more experience with an element increases the strength of the practitioner's Soul thereby making it easier for the Soul to promote itself in the Hierarchy of Gods. In particular, Elyon, the God of Spirit, is a favourite among Verdicist Mystics as they believe it is the strongest of all and the one that can get them promoted the fastest. They also believe the worship of Elyon will grant them unrevealed truths about the Soul and its origins and power.
This is one of the few ways in Mysticism that assures self-promotion – that is promotion in the Hierarchy without direct aid from a higher divinity. Few Verdicists condone the Soul Trade and they look down upon other Mystics who play it claiming those Souls are too weak to earn ascension on their own.