Just for fun, the fake religion I made up for Elissa. More updates as I add more lore.
Sofreh
The Four Tenets:
1. Live to your potential
2. Help others to their potential
3. Live to your truths
4. Help others to their truths
Sofreh began circa 300 B.C. in present-day Iran when Youtab Satrapi fled an unwanted marriage and wandered in the desert, where she had a vision of an incomprehensible being with the visage of a diamond. This being handed down the Four Tenets and told Youtab to determine the rest for herself. Youtab lingered in the wilderness, telling any who asked of her vision. Some began to follow her, and Sofreh was born.
With its foundational postulate that truth is many-natured, Sofreh was an open-ended religion that readily absorbed any input from disparate followers. Many of its oldest ceremonies and rituals are passed down from Youtab's former Zoroastrian faith, though they have become different over the millennia. The other religions most influential on Sofreh, due to their similarly fluid natures, are Daoism and Satanism. Because they so readily add in and adapt to the dominant religion of the area, and because it is so modestly and invisibly practiced, Sofrehites have endured little persecution over the years.
The holy book of Sofreh is called The Book of Truths. It contains multitudes of separate accounts, stories, lessons, parables, and proverbs collected over millennia by different followers. Some are attributed to deities and others are considered general wise sayings. Any writing can be included, and no one Book of Truths is assumed to have every entry ever recorded. Followers are expected to pick the writings that apply to their own lives and outlooks. The writings are disparate and many contradict each other, in keeping with the multifurcated view of truth.
Deities:
Sofreh recognizes one deity, Asuir ("AA-shur"). Asuir is the embodiment of truth- the source of all that was and is. Asuir is directly invested in the lives of its creations and listens to prayers, though it prefers to spur followers in the right direction rather than divinely intervene. No sacrifices or deeds are necessary in particular, but Asuir appreciates any gestures and values them based on intent.
Asuir manifests as infinite facets, like the different faces humans show in different situations. These manifestations are called Ahuras. No historian knows how many Ahuras there are, but there are some that are more well-known.
List of prominent Ahuras:
Shamhat- the Ahura of benevolence and deference. Often represented by rain and inverted tulips. The truth of Shamhat is the uplifting of others is the uplifting of the self.
Chernoduk- the Ahura of pleasure. Often represented by the sun. Typified by a life of hedonism and the encouragement of impulses. The truth of Chernoduk is do as you will.
Huyk- the Ahura of action, conflict, and violence. Huyk is a dynamic Ahura who emphasizes initiative and the active will to better oneself. The truth of Huyk is I will accomplish what I first begin.
Xian- the Ahura of serenity and non-action. Often represented by curving lines. Xian is practiced by all Sofrehites in their attitude toward nonbelievers. Xian holds that truth and goodness are the default of the universe and all things tend toward it. The truth of Xian is There are many rivers, but all flow to the same sea.
Malchaim- the Ahura of antagonism. Set apart from most Ahuras by the tendency to portray it as a particular being: a gaping, fire-filled mouth surrounded by sword-wielding arms. Malchaim denies the infinity of truth and exhorts followers to destroy those who do not acknowledge Malchaim's sole reign. Malchaim is a controversial Ahura, with many Sofrehites struggling to reconcile its exclusion with Asuir's nature. This has resulted in many disagreements throughout the years, culminating with a schism in 37 B.C. that resulted in nearly a quarter of the religion splitting off and forbidding inclusion of Malchaim in their Books of Truth. The truth of Malchaim is I consume those whom I am able.
Isst'a- The Ahura of love and cohesion. Isst'a values all relationships and the bond between people who value each other and work for each other's benefit, from parents and siblings to lovers. Anything that naturally occurs in a pair is considered an emblem of Isst'a, though the Ahura recognizes relationships with more members as well. The truth of Isst'a is I am part, we are whole.
Fadd-Boodaa- The Ahura of joy. Fadd-Boodaa likes to visit Earth in human form, appearing as a smiling rotund man or woman with a bright yellow robe. The symbol of Fadd-Boodaa is a curved line with two dots. Any offering given to Fadd-Boodaa will be gratefully eaten, but when Fadd-Boodaa eats, it is the hungriest person on Earth at that moment who is satisfied. Depending on the Sofrehite, Fadd-Boodaa can be treated in varying degrees either as a pure Ahura or as a sort of mythical figure. Fadd-Boodaa encourages followers to always see the bright side and to preserve a joyful spirit that no hardship can break. The truth of Fadd-Boodaa is Joy! Joy! Joy unending!.
Devotion to Ahuras is not exclusive. Sofrehites consider themselves followers of all Ahuras in differing proportions. Devotion ebbs and flows with transitions in the follower's life and philosophy.
As you probably picked up, there's a ton of references to various religions in here. Have fun looking for them.
