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THE BEARERS OF THE OBSIDIAN STAVES.

THE WANDERERS.

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Basics

A sect that worships Oschon and Nald’thal as a trinity. Adherents to the Obsidian Staves believe that wealth is measured not by material means but by spiritual experiences.

While Nald’thal is commonly depicted as a twin god, the Bearers treat Nald and Thal as separate deities.

Nald is the Trader who rules over life and its fortunes. He is the one who dictates the struggles and triumphs one undergoes to test the luster of their souls. To the Bearers, he is the more inscrutable of the trinity, for the fates he gives aren’t always understandable to mere mortals. He is often depicted as fatherly, if distant.

Thal is the Trader who rules over death and its rewards. He is the one who measures the worth of a soul and assigns them their dues. Those who’ve accrued great spiritual wealth will be permitted entry into the Heaven of Fire. Those who present with a tarnished soul will be cast into the Hell of Fire, to be melted down and recast. He is often depicted as cold, but fair.

Oschon is the brother to Nald and Thal. He is the one who lays out the tenets for a virtuous life so that the Bearers may have shining souls. His nomadic nature is extolled within the sect as the ideal. He is often depicted as the most human of the trinity, and there are many stories that speak of Oschon walking among mortals to spread his message.

+ POST-ENDWALKER SPOILERS

After the Myths of the Realm questline, Sasavachi has shifted his beliefs slightly. He now believes in earning his place in the Lifestream, where he may reunite with his parents and be reborn. He believes that, if he fails to die without regrets, he will become a shade similar to Ilberd or Livia.

HISTORY

Shortly after the Belah’dia Empire split into two sister states, the Bearers formed as a small group within Ul’dah that rallied for reunification with Sil’dih. They believed that knowledge and power were equally important to the soul and sought ways to mend the rift between the two states.

Some of the Bearers were vehemently opposed to Ul’dah claiming Sil’dih’s land. Some were pleased by what they saw as a necessary step towards reunification.

As Ul’dah’s mercantile culture emerged, the Bearers shifted from a political-religious group to a heavily religious cult that opposed what they saw as wanton avarice. They denounced coveting material goods and began adopting a nomadic lifestyle to emphasize their belief.

The Bearers are not officially recognized by the Ul’dahn government, who treats them as an unimportant offshoot (i.e. a cult.)

CORE BELIEFS

May gold be repaid in gold. May blood be repaid in blood.

Due to the nomadic nature of the Bearers, there is no centralized religious authority. Family units - and by extension, caravans - formed their own self-sufficient religious units. Spiritual leaders were determined according to three factors: gender, age, and religious competency.
Genderfluid/bi-gender individuals were called "fu-mu iwa-lala," or twofold teachers. She/he were considered the mortal manifestations of Nald'thal, whose natural duality was reflected by their gender identity. After the fu-mu iwa-lala, the eldest man assumes a leadership role, followed by the eldest woman.

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PRACTICES

Bearers have no set place of worship due to their nomadic nature. Shrines are often set up near or on mountains, and are marked on maps freely shared within the order. Pilgrimages are popular within the sect. It is not uncommon for a group of Bearers to journey across the land to make their offerings. It is highly encouraged for adherents to worship through song, craft, or dance.

Hymns and dance play a prominent role in worship for the Bearers. At births, at funerals, at any major life event, there is a song and dance assigned to it. A child who lives past their first month is given their name-song, a special melody that only their family and loved ones know.

code

hmd.

u know how it goes

visuals.

cw: suicidal ideation
( its memes )