Y ddaear Culture and Common Practice

[Zenia]

The Nation of Y ddaear, Land of the Noble Savage

Despite having helped other kingdoms in the past, war has been so prevalent in the lives of Y ddaearans that it has become part of their very culture. For instance, since they know that fighting is dangerous, dying in battle is considered the most honorable death; any other death for a warrior has become unacceptable. They have come to believe that those who fall on the battlefield ascend to Havenvahl, otherwise known as the dwelling place of the gods, where they would live the rest of eternity in pleasure and eternal glory.

Because of the belief that all warriors who fall in battle ascend to Havenvahl, it is common among warriors to believe that are bestowing a great honor to their enemy by facing them in glorious battle. To them, it is like both parties are being given a chance to 'ascend'- something they, strangely enough, deeply respect their enemy for. For this reason, it is highly dishonorable to face an opponent who is not on equal terms with them.

Although they truly believe that they grace their enemy with a chance to go to Havenvahl (and, alternatively, the enemy give them that chance as well), it is not the reason that Y ddaearans go to war in the first place. When the Nation calls for war, it is a noble challenge in which to the victor go the spoils. Simply put, they aim to conquer other kingdoms in order to gain anything of value. This means anything that could be of use- buildings, food and clothing, gold and silver, even people. To the Y ddaearan people, stealing is abhorrent and one of the few things that a person can never be forgiven for. This is why they must challenge others- otherwise, its stealing.

Gods and Goddesses of Y ddaearan Religion

Thaljrak- Father of the Gods
Thaljrak is the god of war and the father of all gods/goddesses. He is depicted as a great, burly man with a morning star in one hand and a large shield in the other. He is known in stories as the fair and just ruler of Havenvahl in addition to being the god of war. It is also said that those who fall in the midst of battle are carried to Havenvahl in the palm of his hand. His wife is Mazuya.

Mazuya- Mother Goddess
The goddess of fertility, good fortune, and mother of all the gods/goddesses, Mazuya is a deity known simply as the 'Mother Goddess'. It is said that those blessed by her are destined to give birth to heroes. Her husband is Thaljrak.

Guanyubar- He Who Promises
Guanyubar is the god of law, justice, promises, and loyalty. He is the patron saint of officers within the Y ddaeran military, who are entrusted with the task of punishing criminals. It is said that those who break the promises sworn in Guanyubar's name are destined to bring bad fortune and a dishonorable death to anyone they associate with. Those who break the promises sworn in Guanyubar's name are ostracized from society because of this, if not executed immediately.

Vaylhenna- Judge of Man
Vaylhenna presides over Genhenna, the underworld. Anyone who is not a warrior goes here, along with warriors who died dishonorable deaths, to be judged by Vaylhenna to see which of the three places in the underworld they are to spend the rest of eternity in. The lowest, least desirable place is Gen, which is reserved for those who committed heinous crimes (such as thievery and murder). In Gen, they are tortured for all eternity. The middle place is called Hen, which is for people who didn't commit any significant crimes, but also didn't achieve any greatness or do anything that would earn them enough recognition to warrant their entry into the highest place. Hen is for mortals that simply don't belong anywhere else; it is said that those who enter Hen are doomed to wander for eternity. Na is the highest place in Genhenna and the closest to Havenvahl. Souls who enter Na are gifted with an easygoing afterlife free of labors and troubles. Only the distinguished may enter this place; those who lived righteous and virtuous lives are welcomed.

Warriors who died dishonorable deaths are either placed in Gen or Na, depending on how they died. For instance, a warrior who ran away from battle would be placed in Gen, whereas a warrior who simply died of old age (if he had served valiantly and lived a righteous life) would be placed in Na.

Fu Lu Shen- She Who Smiles
Fu is the goddess of wealth, happiness, and prosperity. She is often depicted as a young girl in green. Fu Lu Shen also governs gems, ores, and metallurgy, being the patron saint of miners and blacksmiths alike.

Nayren- Beauty of the Gods
Nayren is the goddess of love, kinship, beauty, and desire. She is often depicted holding a human heart.

Bjork and Svera- The Wise Twins
Bjork and Svera are the god and goddess of wisdom, prophesy, skill, strategy, and war tactics. They are often depicted intertwined together. They also govern water and the sea, making them the patron saint of sailors and fishermen alongside tacticians.

Common Practices and Cultural Stuff
It is common practice for warriors to pray to the gods before battle by making a bonfire and offering fresh meat to them by throwing it in the flames.

Stealing is among the worst crimes a person can commit, no matter how large or small-scale.

Y ddaearans value loyalty, honesty, honor, and bravery above anything else. They expect a good man to face challenges with courage and bold determination. The greatest test for a warrior is for them to fight to the bitter end, even in the face of death. To Y ddaearans, worrying and complaining only diminishes a man's worth.

While women are also trained as soldiers, they are primarily expected to bear children. Being trained is only as a measure of defense- just in case someone should attack while the men are away.