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What is Gaianism?
Gaianism is a cosmic religion that celebrates and recognizes Gaia as the Supreme Diety; creator and mother to all things. Although many pagan and tribal religions share close parallels to Terrenian Gaianism, while others recognize the sun as the creator, there are a number of distinct differences that help tell them apart.
Although the earth and Gaia are synonymous entities, the earth is itself is not the vehicle that is worthy of worship. It is merely a conduit; a symbol of something unimaginable by mortal minds, and responsible for all life, creative thought, and positive energy. Gaia, in a sense, is an unseen god as she has no actual face, but her presence is felt universally among her followers.
Gaianism is also centrally organized, with a hierarchy amongst its clergymen and scripture to follow. Odin Haze is both the king of Terrenus and Saint to the largest religious denomination in Terrenus. Were Odin not a born philanthropist and benefactor, the world of Valucre could be a very different place.
Tenets of Gaianism center around the ideals of peace, love, compassion and philanthropy, although it cannot be said that any Gaianist is ignorant to the evils and sins of the world.
Gaianism posits its own version of hell, where the truly wicked are punished. The wicked of Gaianism and the wicked of other religious, especially the monotheistic Abrahamic, are not the same. Gaianism does not consider adultery a sin worthy of eternal damnation, nor stealing or lying or cheating, although the more severe the crime the more severe the punishment.
But not all that merely bandy about her name get a ticket to heaven. Unless one is truly good and righteous, practices virtue with clean intent and a heart of valor, an eternal paradise spent basking in the glow of Gaia is a goal out of bounds. It is also important to note that through pure dedication and discipline, one can find Gaia as well. A mystic who spends his time in the mountains reaching enlightenment, doing neither good nor bad, can see her face as well.
What is an Unnatural?
An Unnatural is a being whose existence is a perversion or twisted facsimile of life. Beings more commonly classified as being Unnatural are: Animated skeletons, Lichs, vampires, zombies, poltergeists (but not ghosts or spirits*), aberrations, some constructs**, and Outsiders***. Through the very act of existence, Unnaturals both harm and downright insult everything that Gaia embodies. Unnaturals, save for the most extreme and unforeseen of circumstances, are to be killed on sight and without discrimination.
Revivals almost always result in zombies, save for chances of extreme and random fortune, while true resurrections result in a perfectly palatable being.
*Poltergeists are lives lost in the throes of intense negative emotion or through grotesque circumstances. The result is a spirit that knows only anger and limitless sorrow, that can express only rage and violence and can do only harm. Poltergeists are treated as any Unnatural, and are purged, exorcised, or destroyed on sight.
Ghosts or spirits, on the other hand are the soul of any given human being at the time of death. These things are not 'evil' by any classification; some are fully cognizant while others are little more than segment's of the person's life, playing over an infinite loop. Rather than react with violence, Gaianists help these poor and lost spirits ascend to their rightful place.
**This depends on the nature of the construct, its composition, and its intent upon creation. Golems, for example, are not out of the norm in the Terrenian society. Golemists make their machines complicated; Gaianists make simple workers out of earth or clay. Either way, it is a fairly common practice.
Two years ago, the Siren attempted an invasion of Terrenus from the South Sea. The Siren are a scourge, but more about them later. What is important to mention about them now is that these are beings made completely of magic and somehow implanted with sentience; they worship Guaea and wear sandals that float them on air and never let them touch the earth, as earth is despicable to them. They were not proper beings but claimed to be, and wanted to hoard the common inheritance of all beings.
***Outsiders are an unclear area of definition as, though they belong and are appropriate for whatever plane they come from, are invaders of the plane in which the natives make their lives. These beings are judged by their intent and the manner in which they react. If they are evil, they are classified as Unnatural and eliminated immediately. If they are good, then they are classified as righteous, even if Unnatural, and are welcomed as a brother in arms.
How do Gaianists control the earth and what do they call it?
Among the ranks of those indoctrinated into the faith, the art of controlling the earth is merely known as "the discipline". In truth, that is all the art is. It is a branch of knowledge; a system of rules of conduct and methods of practice. Outside of the faith, it is known as earth-bending.
The first step is "unchaining the mind". Loosening the hold of the complex, man-made systems of organization that only serve as tools of divisiveness and separation. When the mind is unchained, the disciple comes to the realization that all things in the universe are connected; it is this initial impression that exposes the path.
The second step is "growing closer". Here, the disciple learns the techniques and methods that bring his spirit-soul in closer harmony to the earth's hum. This serves the dual purpose of synchronizing and stabilizing the, by now, rapidly growing connection between disciple and earth.
The third step is "learning". Here, the disciple is versed in the numerous amounts of mental exercises, physical forms, and spiritual strengthening that is equal parts helpful and equal parts essential for the proper utilization of the earth.
The fourth and final step is "the awakening". At this point, the disciple is fully realized. The discipline is never "mastered", per say, but it can be thoroughly and comprehensively acquired. A radical percentage of the laity has reached this level, as the discipline and progression through the faith go hand in hand.
It is important to underline, once again, that this is a discipline. It is not magic and hence cannot be dispelled. If it is untouched the disciple will grow rusty barring an extreme level of innate talent; if it is worked at every day, the disciple will grow stronger and stronger.
Anyone can learn it. Even the wicked. It is important to note, though, that by the time one reaches "the awakening", the wicked tend to find themselves converted.
How do Gaianists view death and the after-life?
Life is simultaneously a manifestation of Gaia and a celebration of Her glory. Death is nothing more than a transfiguration of this essence, with the dying spirit ascending to a new state in the cosmological cycle. Birth and death are endless cycles of rebirth and renewal; death is not feared, but simply accepted. Those dying are simply returning to her grace. When this natural cycle of life and death is altered or infringed upon it weakens Gaia, which is why Gaianists are so adamant against the continued existence of the Unnatural.
The highest level of Gaianist heaven is one of unification with Gaia. The ego dissipates and all of the being's emotions and experiences merge with Gaia's infinite expression. Odin Haze is the only known being to have corresponded with Gaia directly upon death and retain his self-identity. Odin himself states that this was no feat of his own; Gaia simply willed it as such.
The Gainaist hell is a complete separation from Gaia and all others, forcing the condemned to spend their eternity in a specially suited and subjective damnation. Unlike most other religions, Gaianism does not use its heaven and hell dichotomy as a means for fear-mongering. One cannot lie or cheat their way into heaven, and neither is there a rigid ruleset to follow that deems one virtuous. One is and does good, or one doesn't. Those that do and are good are rewarded. Those that don't are punished. It's that simple.
Side-Note B-1: "A king may move a man and a father may claim a son. But remember that, even though those who move you be kings or men of power, your soul is in your keeping alone. When you stand before the Judge, you cannot say 'but I was told by others to do thus?' or 'virtue was not convenient at the time'. That will not suffice, and you'd do well to remember that." Odin Haze. (© Kingdom of Heaven)
What is the Gaianist view of Necromancy?
Most people view Necromancy as a dark art whose very nature is meant only to twist and pervert the natural progression and equilibrium of things. This, however, is a notoriety that follows the art thanks only to the kind of people that wield this magic. Necromancy, though customarily used for evil, can be used for good; it is the art of manipulating life and it is only to the degree that this is done that determines whether it is evil or good.
Resurrection, one of the many parts of the Necromantic school of magic, is not viewed as a debauchery of Her gift whereas animating a dead corpse is the primary example of it. Useful talents of a good necromancer involve preparing bodies for last rites, communicating with spirits, and manipulating dead tissue.
--Side-Note C1: When interviewed, Brian Norvomand had this to say about Necromancy.
“Let me guess. Besides being all gaunt and moody, I bet you think all necromancers are murderous fanatics who are eager to turn everyone they meet into a zombie. Death has this horrible reputation with humans. We treat it like some unnatural abomination that needs to be avoided at all times. Death, natural death that is, should be embraced. True necromancy isn’t about zombies and blight and darkness. It is the study and respect of life and death.”
Is Gaia the Earth?
Yes, but that is not all she is. Outsiders to the faith mistakenly believe that Gaia is the spirit of the earth. She is much more than that. She is the Truth; the Way; the Infinite; the Alpha and Omega; the One Above All. She is the creator of all life in all terms of existence so far as eternity can reach. Earth is considered one of her many manifestations, and the most common medium through which She is worshiped. This is understandable, considering the fact that the planet itself houses and nourishes all life on it, and it is all expansive for the life it harbors.
That said, Gaia is as much the earth as She is the sun, moon, and stars.
Earth-bending and Nature
The ability to manipulate the earth is not restricted solely to the ability to move stone; those of an exceptional proficiency are capable of working minerals, and even metals, with the same ease of movement as others are able to lift slabs of stone. Those few students of the church who slave all their focus into better understanding the world, and gain even a shred of enlightenment, see Gaia in more than just hard, cold, unfeeling things; they then understand how their power can affect nature and, to an extent, even life.
What is the symbol of Gaia?
The symbol of Gaia is customarily one of two things. Either a grand and glorious tree, known as the World Tree, that signifies the love of life and peace shared by all Gaianists while simultaneously expressing the stability, strength, and scope of their faith.
The other is a circle with thorns. The circle symbolizes the never-ending cycle of life while the thorns represent the martial aspect of the Gaianists. As serene as their faith leads them to be, they somberly accept the fact that their current state of life calls for violence at the worst of times.