Xaewoon

Symbol of Xaewoon Blue, a 12-pointed star, signifying Eternal Companion

Xaewoon /zeɪ'wuːn, Yammoe: zaɪ'wuːn/ (Jabi for “right path”) is a nontheistic religion based on the Sacred Game of Roads. It originated in Tarnaria and had been exported into the Central Continent several times throughout history.

It postulates that humans and animals are on a path to Mamkoon (Jabi for “homeland”), with Eternal Companion being a strong focus of the theology.

Xaewoon has two main branches known as green stron and blue stron. Unlike other religions on the Continent, Xaewoon does not elevate humans over other animals in that regard, and all living creatures are considered to be equally bound by the theology. It also does not discriminate against ethos, nationality or language, although most believers who practice Xaewoon tend to speak Jabi or Bukk.

Xaewoon canon is oral and offers complex and fluid theology that has shaped the history of Tarnaria. It has links to Eater, but has developed as a relatively separate line of religious thought, mostly tied to the Dawn and the life of explorers of the eastern part of the Continent. Xaewoon is frequently depicted as theology on top of the Eon of Eater, a guide for mortals.

It is one of four major religions on the Continent, along with Rahkahnja, Davinia and Foft, the latter being an offshoot of Xaewoon which has developed into a separate religion over time.

Xaewoon dates back to the Dawn, and has probably developed as a way to add purpose to the difficult exploration of the new and hostile world. The Sacred Game of Roads might have been a vehicle to understand and explain successes and failures along the way. The clear visibility of Eternal Companion in the night sky explains the influence of the satellite on the theology of Xaewoon, a bright light that shines on the paths of pioneers of Tarnaria.

Xaewoon does not seem to have much in common with Rahkahnja, which also appeared at the same time, which means that both religions are original. Xaewoon and Rahkahnja have retained some influence of Davinia, but mysteriously no influence at all from Lolion, which was a major religion in the Western Dantrian Civilization. Some researchers suggest that migrants of the Dawn might have been followers of minor religions and this had contributed to their exodus.

Original Xaewoon canon was what is today called Xaewoon Blue. The rule of Five Kings and the resulting philosophy of Mōroh had splintered religion into Blue and Green. The nomenclature was introduced by Xaewoon Blue followers, with the goal of differentiating themselves from the heretics. Xaewoon Green followers have initially rejected the label, proclaiming that their religion is the only true interpretation, but eventually it was adopted and the symbol of Xaewoon Green became Eternal Companion with the Great Hornet on green background. Elements of green in clothing became popularized by the Kareden.

Believers view life as a journey to Mamkoon, the homeland of all. Life provides many paths, and the goal of the traveler is to find the right path, the Xaewoon. Eternal Companion is the protector of the faithful and the guide to Mamkoon.

Unlike other religions on the Continent, Xaewoon does not elevate humans over other animals in that regard, and all living creatures are considered to be equally bound by the theology.

There are two major interpretations, the green stron and the blue stron (Jabi for “song”). They are frequently denoted as Xaewoon Green and Xaewoon Blue. They differ in how they view Mamkoon, which, in turn, created quite differing and ultimately incompatible theologies: the green stron postulates that Mamkoon is an actual physical location that one must reach within one's lifetime; the blue stron regards Mamkoon as a metaphor. Very different views

Xaewoon canon is passed down from generation to generation in oral form, through songs and through playing the Sacred Game of Roads. The oral tradition is very strong and is noted for its high accuracy. There is no formal prohibition of the written word, but books are rare. Green stron followers tend to be less accepting of the written word.

Still, this makes the theology relatively fluid and introduces a great deal of variation and complexity. So much so, that some regional versions are idiosyncratic to the point where it is not trivial to understand the link between local theology and the Xaewoon canon.

An individual must begin their journey, their Iyando (Jabi for “wandering”) when they turn 12 years of age. It involves a year-long journey away from one's home in the company of one or several elders. Such elders would be part of the Ienana (Jabi for “devoted”), effectively monks who have dedicated their lives to helping others with their faith. The elder would also use the time to test the seriousness and the devotion of the neophyte.

Blue stron regards Mamkoon as a metaphor. There is no physical location that is the Mamkoon. Instead, Mamkoon is something akin to non-existing, which is understood to be the perfect harmony. Mamkoon can and should be found during one's lifetime. Failure to do so means that the person would be re-born and would need to go through an even more difficult life. The cycle would repeat until Mamkoon is found or until Eater devours the world.

Xaewoon Blue puts great emphasis on personal growth, and in that sense is very close to Xaewoon dark green.

Xaewoon Blue devotees also worship the skycat, Cangon, who is believed to be a friend of Eternal Companion, but an unintentional menace to creatures on earth, like a kitten who drops a cup on the floor. Misfortunes, sickness and lack of luck mean that “Cangon is playful” (marmanee Cangon). The phrase is frequently added to the end of a sentence when it's intention is to complain about something. Appeasing Cangon, making him sleepy or distracted is the purpose of the many Xaewoon Blue rituals.

According to the green stron, Mamkoon is a physical location that one must reach within one's lifetime.

Xaewoon Green has a more complicated theology than Xaewoon Blue, with an extra emphasis on Eternal Companion. The path is considered to be written in the skies, therefore green stron followers study the star patterns and at times might require to make complicated journeys, because their path is set on the sky map, without much regard to the terrain one must actually traverse.

Within this stron there is a division into light green and dark green. Light green adherents believe that Mamkoon is a single physical location for everyone, whereas dark green followers consider Mamkoon to be personal. So, according to a light green Xaewoon believer there would be a location that all other green stron followers should travel to. Dark green believers would search for a location that is specific for their personal religious journey, which makes the dark green interpretation very close to the blue stron, if not in form, than in spirit.

Cangon, the skycat, is completely missing from Xaewoon Green. Instead, the light green interpretation introduces the Great Hornet, a visionary who had led believers to Mamkoon once before, and will return to lead them once again. Sometimes, such a visionary is referred to as Kasanja, the “prophet of far away lands”. This theology fueled a number of nomadic kingdoms in Tarnaria, such as the Kareden and the Overpol Expanse.

Throughout history light green has proven to be a more violent version of the faith. Light green devotees were the majority during the second revolution, but with the turn of the third revolution the dynamics began to change, and today dark green constitutes the majority.

Main page: Foft

Xaewoon Blue has less interpretations than Xaewoon Green, but several have gained prominence over the course of history.

Foft is an alternative interpretation which focuses on the relationship between Eternal Companion and Cangon and teaches that Cangon's behavior is reflective of a person's deeds and morality. Foft has mostly found devotees outside of Tarnaria due to their prosecution by the Angry King. Hee became the First Ienana of Foft, leading the culture war against Mantar's version of the Oordar rule.

While both strons have a class of especially devoted believers, the Ienana (singular and plural forms are the same), Xaewoon Blue have a more decentralized and a more numerous Ienana. Ienana are also bound by a more strict code of conduct and are treated with more reverence.

Green stron Ienana are more organized, more formalized and are frequently part of the government. A simple way to describe the difference is that Ienana in Xaewoon Blue are more like monks and Ienana in Xaewoon Green are more like priests, although this comparison is a simplification.

A notable historical exception was the rule of the Angry King in Mantar, who made Xaewoon Blue the official state religion and instigated laws against non-believers, foreigners and devotees of alternative Xaewoon Blue interpretations, specifically Foft.

Foft is also an exception in that it has a hierarchy consisting of a First Ienana, a title usually given to the King of Kings or head of a ruling family, and Following Ienanas, the number of which is defined by the amount of ruling family members that have a family of their own. Each Following Ienana is then considered to be First in their parish and would have Following Ienanas based on the number of people in the congregation.

Xaewoon's dominance in Tarnaria, combined with a strategic tolerance towards other religions, has resulted in the so-called formations, semi-official denominations, comprised of various religions and Xaewoon. The most common ones are Xaewoon Lolion, Xaewoon Davinia and Xaewoon Rahkanja.