Legends of Belariath

Sithian Religion

Religion, for Sithians, forms the base of their government and their social structure. The Qux-Anxata, the holy book written by the ancients describing all the precepts of the Sithian religion, is still in existence in the city state of Cax’abac. The book describes three major precepts of the religion, that are still worshipped in their original form by both City dwellers and outcasts. Trinity: Things come in threes, three is a sacred symbol for the Sithians; triplets are regarded as holy beings, the 3rd year is considered the entrance into childhood for Sithians, 33 is considered coming of age. Most of all, Sithians believe that what is done in life is returned threefold. Rings: Rings are considered the basic representation of Tepictuc, the great earth serpent. Tepictuc is described to be a great serpent eating its own tail; the beginning and death of all things and the continuity of both.

Endlessness: This is a principle little understood by those outside of the order, and something that is starting to be discovered by the practitioners of the magical arts. Reality is endless, and as such, each being in existence is the center of known existence. Being this as it may, Sithians believe that consciousness is also endless and takes unlimited forms; because of this, Sithians believe in spirits and regularly commune and appease spirits.

There are many interpretations of the Qux-Anxata. The most popular interpretation is by the city-state monarchy, who preach Tepictuc as a hungry and vengeful goddess that would swallow all known existence unless appeased by sacrifices. The book itself simply says ‘Tepictuc is the creator and swallower of all things’. Based on this interpretation, the monarchy has ruled off of fear and has maintained its power mostly because of the tectonic instability of the land around the Sithian homeland, which (several hundred years ago) was known for earthquakes and eruptions. By the outcast interpretation, Brastli was created as a more peaceful goddess, and seen as a positive goddess, the goddess of death and the harvest, even though Brastli and Tepictuc are essentially the same goddess.

Recent additions:

To incite warriors to call to battle, and as a political move to make an alliance with the Jaguar cat-folk neighboring the Sithian homeland, a false god was made in the image of the Jaguar-folk. Balamob was constructed as the god of war, a god that would call to battle and bring to victory all who served him. Though not officially a part of Qux-Anxata, it was considered a major part of the religion for the past 150 years.

As per the caste system above, Sithians were considered ‘born’ into their caste because of ‘karmic’ worthiness. Station was not chosen by choice, but rather given at birth, by family name and heritage.

Rituals

Sacrifice: Sacrifice is very important in Sithian society; it is considered the sole appeasement of the god Tepictuc. Sacrifice is done once every full moon, and is done by removing the heart of the victim and incinerating the remains in a great pyramid inferno. Sacrifice is only done on outside races, and it is not a practice of outcasts. Orgy: For most of the rituals that would require a sacrifice for city dweller Sithians, the outcasts simply hold a village wide orgy.

Holidays

Tyl'Emmisj: This is a ritual done at the end of the month by Sithian priestesses, involving the hunting and capture of 'lesser' races and the sacrifice of those races above an inferno, which represents the Bal'toc (vagina/mouth) of Tepictuc from whence everything sprang.

Tyl'Emmeri: Celebrated only by the 'outcasts' of the Sithians, worshipers of Brastli, this is rather similar to Tyl'Emmisj: involving a bon fire and a sacrifice. The sacrifice is of a domesticated animal and the roasting of that animal over the fire. The animal is then consumed and thanks is given to Brastli.

Taj'Meri'kzí: This is the New year festival which occurs in the middle of summer. Since there are no seasons where the Sithians live, this holiday is not chosen after winter. For the outcast worshipers of Brastli, this day occurs after winter, as is usually the custom to do. Regardless, it requires a day of celebration, and usually involves an orgy (it is regarded as a fertility festival).