Tarik il Iʂik
Introduction
Good and evil are deities that reside within an unseen realm. They cannot show their physical forms but can manifest themselves through deeds or ideas. It is thus believed that through doing good one becomes a vessel for good itself. Likewise, one that commits evil deeds shall become a vessel for evil.
In the perfect creation that is the universe, everything fits in its own place, as it is meant to be. Upon death, the souls of those that have walked the path of evil in their mortal lives shall be cast into the darkness of the void, surrounded by horrors unimaginable that seek only to devourer them whole.
The souls of those that lived good lives, the ones that were kind of heart, shall end up within the warm embrace of the sun, the only light within the darkness. They are the brightest stars in the night, waiting to return to Terra when the time of their reincarnation arrives. A chance only they will get since the souls that reside in the light shall not be devoured by the creatures of the dark.
Beliefs
Followers of Tarik il Iʂik (meaning “Path to the light”), Tarik for short, view life as an endless struggle between light (Iʂik) and darkness, where they themselves serve as holy soldiers of light. Violence against those who embody evil is highly encouraged, and “holy wars” against evildoers are viewed as blessings from the divine. For it gives the followers a chance at achieving heroism, which is the highest attainable goal during one's mortal life. To become a hero is to embody goodness in its purest form. To deny all self-preservation instincts and instead dawn the mantle of self-sacrifice for the good of others. The souls of heroes are cherished by the divine. When a hero perishes they live on as great beacons of hope in the night, set apart from even the brightest stars to continue to shed their light upon the world. Only to be reincarnated in times of great need.
But this greatness is not only reserved for heroes. By subjugating oneself to hardships, be it in month or year-long campaigns or during one's daily life, any man can find spiritual elevation that will aid him in this life and his next. This notion of glory and self-sacrifice has motivated people throughout history to expose themselves to hardships over and over again in the hopes of transcending to live a better life of spirituality over materialism.
Tarik il Iʂik is practiced by all Khadan humans and even a large proportion of the dark elf population, who believe their creator god Fineall to be an agent of Iʂik sent to battle the darkness.
Practises
Philosophy is held in high regard, for the art concerns itself with questioning what is good and what is evil. It is thus no surprise that the Paths spiritual leaders are philosophers of great intellect, valued throughout all Eden.
History
WIP