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Central to all Caelu is the belief that they were born from a connection of mist and mountain, a marriage of land and sky. Their worship revolves predominantly around the Light Primes. Particularly sacred is the feminine; their beliefs involve a matriarchal figure -- named 'the Mother' or simply 'Mother' -- at the center of everything. Mother created the world, and therefore their mountains, where the majority of her soul resides.
It is believed that within each Caelu resides a fragment of this soul. It is traditionally thought that this fragment is responsible for the light within their qiú, although the soul runs throughout their entire bodies. A Caelu may leave the sacred mountains, but will retain the Mother's light, because she is eternal and omnipresent. Caelu believe that they are closest to the Mother when within their house, on their birth mountain.
Caelu worship with activity. For instance, those of the Sword hunt in the Mother's name. Those of the Cloud dedicate their craft to the Mother. Those of the Mother tend to temples and uphold rituals. They believe that life is prayer; to live one's life well is holy. To contribute to a house is holy.
When a Caelu dies, their soul fragment is restored to the Mother in a joyous union -- a final and ultimate bond. Caelu travel to a lower altitude to cremate the bodies of their dead, returning them partially to the sky. Ashes of the dead are scattered in a sacred place, returning them partially to the land. A Caelu's jewellery is removed and entombed within Mother shrines, where those that were soul-bonded may pray or reflect. -
✧⋄⋆⋅⋆⋄✧ Mating ✧⋄⋆⋅⋆⋄✧
The spiritual portion of the decision to extend the Caelu lineage is conducted by the house Mother. Female Caelu who have given birth at least once may participate. Gathering in a designated Mother temple, these Caelu will take a concentrated dose of the 'sight' brew, and will scry together over a period of hours. Once they exit their trance, pairing names will be written down and placed within a bag. The high government will read these names, cross-reference them with council choices, and announce their decisions. This ritual occurs annually, though the date may vary.
✧⋄⋆⋅⋆⋄✧ House Initiation ✧⋄⋆⋅⋆⋄✧
Caelu that have developed either passive or active house abilities that differ from those of their birth house will leave to continue their training in an appropriate house. Rituals to welcome newcomers into houses are performed as needed. Challenges of the soul, challenges of the hunt, and challenges of the craft are prepared for Mother, Sword and Cloud houses respectively. Successful completion yields a reward of jewellery.
✧⋄⋆⋅⋆⋄✧ House Specific ✧⋄⋆⋅⋆⋄✧
These rituals include the observance of trials passed, and honorable duty. They do not require all Caelu of a house to participate, but most are encouraged to attend. Rites of a house may award different items. Houses and individual Caelu may also perform ability specific rituals as needed. -
✧⋄⋆⋅⋆⋄✧ Losar ✧⋄⋆⋅⋆⋄✧
Caelu celebrate the New Year on the first new moon between February 5 to March 5, with customs influenced by those of the Tibetan New Year. The event is marked first by much cleaning of dwellings, temples, and other inhabited spaces to invite good fortune in. Incense is burnt for the sky, and an offering of succulent meat is buried for the land. Houses come together to share feasts.
✧⋄⋆⋅⋆⋄✧ Kāishǐ Rìqí ✧⋄⋆⋅⋆⋄✧
Translating simply to 'Start Date', this annual holiday is observed at the beginning of April. Over a couple of days, Caelu give thanks to the Mother for their lives, and the lives of those that came before them. It's a tradition that involves the giving of gifts (usually jewellery or weaponry), and a day of contemplative prayer. This is a time that Caelu consider their 'birthday'.
✧⋄⋆⋅⋆⋄✧ Jì Fēngyǔ ✧⋄⋆⋅⋆⋄✧
Observing the summer monsoon season, Caelu gather within their houses at the beginning of June. This holiday serves as a time of practicality. The rains bring more game for the house Sword to hunt, but they also bring heavy fogs at high altitude and drenching storms at lower altitude. Preparations are made for this by all three houses; house Sword trains, house Cloud crafts, and house Mother prays.
✧⋄⋆⋅⋆⋄✧ Dōngjì Shèngyàn ✧⋄⋆⋅⋆⋄✧
The Feast of Winter signifies the end of monsoon season, and the beginning of the coldest months. It is held at the start of October. All neighbouring houses convene and share supplies, as well as enjoy banquets together. Dancing and singing are part of this holiday, as Caelu ask the Mother for her mercy in providing food and safety for them. -
Laws are not written down in an official capacity. They are taught to Caelu as they grow up and are communally known. Records are kept of shunned Caelu that have violated these principles, both of those sentenced to pilgrimage (and the length), as well as those that have been exiled. The following lists are not necessarily complete.
Serious offences (usually result in a long pilgrimage, or exile) include:
• knowing conception outside of ritual (both sexes punished)
• refusal to participate in lineage continuation without reason (both sexes punished)
• violence or murder without cause (Caelu specific)
• murder of a peaceful outsider
• mutilation of another Caelu's qiú
• informing outsiders of locations or rites
Less serious offences (usually result in short pilgrimage) include:
• failure to contribute meaningfully to house
• discrimination against another house
• helping a shunned Caelu sentenced to solitary pilgrimage
• leaving the mountains without council permission
• appointed Caelu (such as traders, protectors, etc) conducting themselves poorly
• stealing food or other supplies
An accused Caelu is allowed to speak in their own defence during the discussion of their case presented at council. Members of council and the high government consider evidence and the accused's personal testimony before the high government makes a ruling.
