>>20098323The folklore and faith of /morig/ alike both stem from the mountain in the center of the island, the area surrounding it, and what lies within. Mt. Mori is an ancient volcano, generally agreed upon by modern researchers to be completely dormant, though a famous local legend has been attached to it since long before the nation’s formal founding—one that prophesies its potential for destruction on a global scale. Denizens of the island mainly use the old legend as a means to scare young children into their beds at night, though a very small sect of fanatics will occasionally make a scene raving about the forthcoming doomsday, much to the chagrin of locals trying to peacefully go about their days. Curiously, talk of this legend is much more prevalent the further you get from /morig/’s shores, and spoken about with much greater fervor.
The mountain itself remains idyllic and peaceful, serving as a very attractive landmark, but what’s even more striking is what lies below it. Extending out for kilometers from the base of the mountain, surrounding it in a perfect circumference, is an area that’s come to be known as the Underworld. The air is inexplicably and significantly colder in this area, as if to suggest crossing a supernatural border. Nature thrives here since access to the sanctuary is heavily restricted, and, most notably, large cherry trees flower beautifully during springtime. Including the mountain itself, it is the most sacred place on the island. Trace amounts of latent chuubanite, either in the air, the soil underfoot, emanating from the mountain, the trees, and/or the shrine of the goddess herself is what’s thought to be responsible for the supernatural chill, but to the population of /morig/, the touch of Death is considered a cherished boon and comfort—one that must nevertheless warned to be dangerous in excess. Indeed, visitors of weak mind or constitution are especially cautioned not to remain long in the heart of the dense forest, lest they become entranced by the pink embers they start to find flitting at the corners of their eyes, hypnotized and doomed to wander mindlessly and in vain in search of the goddess’ loving embrace.
The Goddess Faithful oversee the Underworld from their temple headquarters at its perimeter. Shrine maidens reside and receive training there. Their duties include maintaining the temple and its grounds, attending to visitors, picking cherries from the trees of the forest, acting as guide to those granted permission to venture inward in pilgrimage to Mt. Mori, retrieving lost souls who have become spellbound within, and dispatching intruders with deadly efficiency. The scholar priests oversee the temple, grant blessings to those in pilgrimage, and dispatch troubadour missionaries to towns to sing the blessings of the goddess. Great stone tablets are erected in all towns transcribed with the goddess’ words and act as informal religious spaces and cultural landmarks. Shrines also exist in every town. In the past, higher amounts of tribute were demanded to be allowed entrance to the Underworld and be offered blessings, until it is said the Goddess herself descended from her mountaintop shrine to interfere. The priests who once reveled in their privilege were then humbled, and religious elitism scaled back over time. Religious tolerance is also very high in /morig/. Marketeers will encourage foreign visitors to gush as much about the love for their goddess, no matter their origin, as long as they’re willing to receive the same in turn.
The goddess is manifest, but the strict oversight of the religious order by the scholar priests has led to a somewhat fractured relationship between the people and the church, independently of the faith itself. In sheer defiance, some took to proclaiming the goddess was among the people, to spite the church, though what started as a jeer ended up becoming a well-circulated rumor and legend over time, that the goddess indeed absconds from her shrine on the mountain and walks among the people to fraternize unbeknownst. Darker are the rumors that involve a demonic cult.
The faith itself is very simple: live out a good and honest life, love the goddess truly, and prepare to kill everyone else for it at the end of the world. It is prophesied that at one day in the future, with no predetermination when, it will be time to ascend to Mt. Mori and fight your friends, family, and countrymen to the death to be the last one standing to receive the goddess’ embrace. Until then, you are free to go about your life. Because of this, the people of /morig/ are trained to be at minimum martially competent and are encouraged to continue their combat training throughout their life, creating an entire warrior caste on the island. In this way you could say that while there are no formal religious practices in /morig/, the religion is still deeply etched into the people.
