The Theophany
Y'all are gonna get sick of my nonsense sooner or later. This conworld has been the object of my latest ADHD hyperfixation for the past two years, and I have a lot of attempts at art (and writing). It is, essentially, my stress-induced maladaptive daydreams put to writing.
Anyhoo, on to the lore. I mentioned the Bright Way in my previous post. It is the oldest existing, and historically most widespread, religion among yinrih*. It does not have a single founder, and can trace its roots to nearly the beginning of yinrih history, when yinrih still lived as a single population of paleolithic hunter-gatherers in an equatorial rain forest river basin. The Bright Way's most distinctive doctrine is the Great Commandment, said to have been imparted to the entire yinrih species in an event called the Theophany.
A great shimmering orb of light with a fringe of shifting hues appeared in a part of the southern sky where the sun did not travel. Though it was midday the sky was dark and the stars shone unusually bright. A voice was heard, as though speaking to each yinrih individually, though addressing the species as a whole. There are many accounts of the event which differ in minor details, but are largely congruent with one another. A translation of the Great Commandment is quoted below.
Consider, little ones, the Tree-dwellers**, the very clay from which I sculpted your form. They move about, seek refuge, nourish themselves, and beget young according to the passions which I have kindled within them. Yet do they gain any merit thereby? By no means! For they do so without understanding. They paint the leaves, yet they cannot write a single glyph. They call out to one another, yet they cannot chant a single syllable. But within you, little ones, you alone among the myriads of creatures walking upon the land and swimming beneath the waves and soaring upon the wind of this earth, I have kindled the fire of understanding.
Now gaze, little ones, upon the countless stars bedewing the heavens. Think ye that I have wrought them for no purpose? Nay, each one shines forth my love. Know ye that there are others like yourselves, in whom I have kindled the fire of understanding. Their bone is not of your bone, their flesh is not of your flesh, yet their souls are like unto your own. search among these stars for other minds, that together ye might meditate upon the mysteries of this dear little creation. Listen to them for other voices, that they might join you in song. Seek among them other hearts, and offer to them your friendship. Go, dearest little ones, spread your light to the stars, and ye shall become brighter yourselves.
Secular commentators, especially within Partisan Territory, have a number of theories about what the event actually was. It may have been an instance of mass hysteria. But there are multiple accounts of the Theophany that are reasonably congruent with one another that were penned (clawed?) far away from one another, with no time for one group to have been influenced by another.
Others think it was a hallucination brought on by tainted water or a gas seep that collected along the river valley. A disaster of this magnitude would surely have resulted in other negative effects, like dead animals or sick pups, or at least lingering issues with adults that would have been documented. The fact that this is not the case, especially given the strong taboo against intoxication, makes this idea hard to square with what is known.
Perhaps it was something akin to an aurora, but at that time of year? at that time of day? in that part of Yih? localized entirely within a single discreet orb? Highly unlikely. It also doesn't explain the darkened sky.
* yinrih: the most common name humans use to refer to monkey foxes. It's an onomatopoeia of a Commonthroat word meaning "a person from the planet Yih". Yinrih are a Kardashev II species, so the vast, vast majority of yinrih don't live on, or even identify with, Yih at all, and the name is considered controversial in some corners. It would be like calling all humans "Africans". It's technically true in the loosest possible sense.
** tree-dwellers: a nonsapient species, Vulpithecus ferox, closely related to the yinrih, Vulpithecus fidelis. They look almost indistinguishable from yinrih.
Jan 05 · 4 months ago · 👍 99thplace, jimmy-leafhorde, lxak
1 Comment
🐰 99thplace · Jan 06 at 02:39:
this is cool as fuck