Khalypsil
Khalypsil (The Union of Blessed Followers in Khalypsil) is a heretical Euran religion, first expounded by the Prophet Drun in the year 1619 AN. Adherents of the religion are to be found principally in Zeed, Suren, and Raspur, as well as the ungoverned spaces of central Eura.
Theology
The god of the Khalypsil is Mitra, a deity who is believed to have provided guidance and hope to the followers of the prophet Drun. Worship of Mitra is centered around the Hymn of Mitra, a sacred text that is believed to contain the teachings and wisdom of the god.
Adherents of the religion believe that Mitra is a benevolent and compassionate god who is dedicated to helping his followers achieve their goals and find a better way of life. The god is often invoked in times of crisis or hardship, and is seen as a source of strength and guidance for those who seek his help.
Worship of Mitra typically takes place in temples or other sacred spaces, and may involve chanting, meditation, or other forms of prayer and devotion. Priests and other religious leaders often lead the worship and may offer guidance and teachings to those seeking to learn more about the god and his teachings.
The Hymn of Mitra is a key text in the worship of the god, and is often recited or studied by those seeking to deepen their understanding of the divine. The hymn is believed to contain the wisdom and guidance of Mitra, and is seen as a source of inspiration and guidance for those who seek to follow his teachings.
Relations with Zurvanism
The followers of Khalypsil perceive the conflict with Zurvanism as a disagreement over the nature of deity and the proper way to worship. They believe that Mitra is a self-created deity who has the power to provide guidance and hope to those who seek his help, and that worship of Mitra is a legitimate and valid way to connect with the divine.
In contrast, the followers of Zurvanism believe that Mitra is merely a manifestation of Zurvan, and that worship of Mitra is therefore heresy. They view the followers of Khalypsil as misguided and misguided in their beliefs, and may attempt to convert them to Zurvanism in order to bring them back into the fold.
Despite this conflict, the followers of Khalypsil do not view the followers of Zurvanism as enemies or opponents. Instead, they see them as fellow believers who have different understandings of the divine, and may attempt to engage in dialogue and debate in order to better understand each other's beliefs and perspectives.
Accessing the Sacred Atash flames
Sacred Atash flames, found at ruined Babkhan sites around Eura, are integral to the worship of Mitra. The followers of Khalypsil may perform their adoration of the sacred Atash flames in a number of different ways, depending on the specific circumstances and the availability of the flames.
When adherents of Khalypsil seek access to the sacred Atash flames controlled by the Zurvanite clergy is that the mobads may deny them access on the grounds that they are heretics and therefore not worthy of receiving the sacred flames. This could lead to frustration and resentment among the followers of Khalypsil, who may feel that they are being unfairly denied access to something that is essential to their religious practice.
Another potential conflict is that the followers of Khalypsil may seek to obtain the Atash flames by force, either by raiding the temples where they are kept or by using violence to persuade the mobads to hand them over. This could lead to violence and conflict between the two groups, and could potentially escalate into a broader religious war.
In some cases, the followers of Khalypsil may be willing to compromise and accept the terms and conditions set by the Zurvanite clergy in order to gain access to the Atash flames. This could involve pledging loyalty to Zurvan or agreeing to certain restrictions on their worship, which may be seen as a betrayal by some members of the Khalypsil community. This could lead to internal strife and division within the community, as some members may be willing to compromise while others are unwilling to give up their beliefs and practices.
In some cases, they may be able to gain access to the flames through negotiations or other means, and may then perform their adoration in a traditional manner, such as by reciting the Hymn of Mitra or engaging in other forms of prayer and devotion.
In other cases, the followers of Khalypsil may be unable to gain access to the flames due to the hostility of the Zurvanite clergy. In these situations, they may engage in alternative forms of worship, such as by lighting their own fires or using other symbols of the divine to focus their devotion. They may also continue to seek access to the sacred flames through negotiation or other means, in order to fulfill their religious obligations and maintain their connection with Mitra.
Priesthood
The religion of Khalypsil, the followers of Drun, does not maintain a separate priesthood. All adherents of the faith are 'priests' unless excluded from performing community activities by bishops under the criminal law. There is therefore no conception of clerical celibacy, as all followers are encouraged to reproduce and fill the world with new followers. Repopulation was a vital goal of the movement at its inception, though now it has begun to put a strain on resources.
Instead, Promisors and Clerical Clerks exclude themselves from the priesthood by taking an oath of celibacy, to focus on the needs of the wider community and not their own families. The senior Clerical Clerks also voluntarily castrate themselves to ensure the bureaucracy does not serve its own ends.
Governance
Khalypsil provides a sanctuary of peace, morality and order in a world of darkness and chaos. The government is limited, however, and its chief purposes are providing food and water to citizens and defending the state from external threats and internal disorder. Regulation in commerce is limited, though moral law does have a role in this area.
The Drun is the head of state and pinnacle of government. The role is currently vacant, the latest reincarnation not having yet been found. The leader role of the Drun cannot be held in commission by the second most important organ of government, the Wisdom, though it can perform most functions and take decisions in the Drun's absence. The Wisdom is fixed at 16 Prelates, who elect new members for life from among the Bishops when one of their number dies. The Drun is acclaimed within six months of his birth by a special meeting of all bishops and prelates.
The third most significant role is that of the Guides, of which there are thirteen chapters. Each chapter is lead by a Warden, and the Wardens are in turn lead by a Supreme Vice-Warden. The Supreme Warden is the Drun, who is also commander of the Captains (not pictured), who lead the armies of Khalypsil. Membership of the Guides is hereditary, but new Guides can be appointed by the Wisdom and Drun, who also appoint the Wardens.
The bishops have a great deal of influence on the day to day lives of ordinary Khalypsids. Bishops may be territorial or non-territorial (i.e. having charge of a particular area or not). The number of bishops is not fixed. Territorial bishoprics can be hereditary according to custom.
Clerks and Promisors together form the civil service.
Drunzhôr
The Drunzhôr (formally 'Drun's Zhôr' meaning place of safety) is the heart of the union, the most sacred place on Khalypsil. This oasis location was revealed to Drun during his first life and has remained a sanctuary for secluded meditation for him ever since. It is also home to retired Wardens and, at the mouth of the western valley through which the only navigable entrance lies, the Wisdom also have a meeting hall to discuss matters with the Drun. The waters are the purest on the continent, and the vegetation is lush and free, as it was before the collapse. The Drunzhôr represents the promise of the future - a sacred relic of the flowering of the land.
