Lunism

Lunism is the official state religion of Aquila, revolving around the worship of the Moon God Azurah. Lunism is a peaceful religion that promotes harmony and unity with all. Many Lunite rituals involving Seraphs or Seraphi Blood will contain at least some Runic symbols or speech.

Creation
Long before any civilized life grew on Minuteba, the realm was mostly covered in a primordial ocean that the Moon God Azurah was able to control freely. This ocean allowed her powers to seep into the great waters, causing life to blossom and flourish. This made Arak jealous, as he was not in control of the realm and the plants and animals living there would not grow up in his image.

After the beings in the ocean became significantly more advanced, out of jealousy and hatred for Azurah, Arak used his powers of the sun to dry up much of the water from the ocean while Azurah was sleeping. This cataclysmic event uncovered vast swathes of land that used to be part of the ocean floor, while also killing or exposing many of Azurah's creations to the now harsh sun. Arak reveled in his actions and took pride in the new land he had uncovered, while ignoring many of the helpless beings he had destroyed in the process.

While more closely observing his handiwork, Arak noticed three creatures on land that had not been destroyed by his sun. Large lobsters from the shallow waters, bipedal monkeys who lived on small tropical islands, and highly-intelligent bipedal fish creatures. Arak decided to take these creatures and make them into his own image, but only succeeded to evolve them another 2,000 years until Azurah woke up from her slumber to check upon her ocean world.

Waking up and seeing her ocean paradise nearly destroyed, Azurah fiercely defended her world and rescued Arak's hostage creatures from his clutches. Defeating him after a long battle, Azurah locked Arak away into the sun to be punished for his crimes against life for all eternity. Instead of destroying Arak's new evolved creations, Azurah vowed to give them a peaceful and bountiful home on her planet and covered Arak's dry land with fertile plains and rich mountains. The creatures continued to evolve peacefully over thousands of years, until they began to develop distinct cultures and civilizations.

Arak, able to gain back some of his power, let pieces of his essence escape to Minuteba during the Syzygys, when Azurah was busy watching her planet celebrate. After enough of his essence and consciousness was present on Minuteba, Arak put a new plan in action to oust Azurah from the realm, and to take over the planet for himself. He used his limited powers to create vicious monsters that attack any sentient being, and used his evil to influence groups of beings into worshipping him so that he may gain more of his powers back. Azurah soon found out and sent her Caelius Seraphs to the land on Minuteba to help defend and organize the civilizations against Arak and his forces.

Azurah, more awake and ready than ever, is currently gathering her own forces to meet Arak in battle once more over the fate of Minuteba and the beings that call it home.

List of Deities
Azurah - Benevolent god of the Moon

Arak - Malevolent god of the Sun

Caelius Seraphs - Seraphs sent by Azurah to rule the Crownlands

Seraphs - Lesser Deities sent to carry out the will of the Gods

Lunatic - Mortal being gone mad after incorrectly funneling the power of Azurah during a ritual.

Lunar Divinations
The Caelius Seraphs have the ability to commune with Azurah to predict changes in the Lower Realm (Minuteba). These predictions are realized in a special holy ceremony held in the Temple of A Thousand Moons and will help the Seraphs set the policy of the Aquilan Crownlands. Lesser divinations are also commonly used as party tricks by the Caelius family, who hold limited power to commune with Azurah.

The Blood Moon Ritual
In order for a representative from one of the Five Families to serve on the Lunar Council that advises the Seraphs, they have to undergo a sacred transformation during the Blood Moon. This ritual takes place in the Temple of A Thousand Moons and consists of a Caelius Seraph transferring a drop of their blood into an open wound on the right hand of the representative at midnight, when the moon is most prominent in the sky. This sharing of blood will give the representative limited power of divination from Azurah and will help them govern the Crownlands.

Syzygy
The most sacred event in the Lunite religion, the Syzygy is the convergence of the Moon with the Lower Realm. This event only rarely happens when the moon is nearest to the Lower Realm, bringing Azurah within the grasp of the Aquilan people. Festivals and celebrations often happen leading up to midnight on the Syzygy, when the celebrations stop and the people gaze up towards the moon to worship in awe the power of Azurah. The Aquilan people often feel the power of Azurah flowing through their veins and rejuvenating their ailments, and then go back to celebrating the wonderful deeds of the Moon God. The Aquilan people will often enjoy various alcoholic beverages and the famous Aquilan moonbread during the Syzygy.

Religious Tolerance
Lunism has historically been the religion of the Aquilan people, and one of the main tenements is to not force will on others who do not consent. Accordingly, missionaries of Lunism do not exist outside of the Crownlands and any attempt of subjugation of any kind is vehemently opposed by the Aquilans and Lunites. Conversion to Lunism happens only by the will of the convertee and will never be forced.