Zavnakism

Zavnakism is a religion which was most notable for being the dominant faith in the Wizkanian Empire prior to the introduction of Stroomism. The religion relies heavily on on the spiritualization of natural elements and mankind's role in the world. It is believed that mankind is the key to what completes the natural "circle", and is therefore the knot which keeps the rope tied - an analogy commonly referred to in the faith. Those who completed the cycle well were to be rewarded in the afterlife. Completing the cycle could be achieved in multiple ways, though the most prominent way was to leave the world around you the same as it was when you left. Rudimentary forms of ideals like were therefore promoted under the faith, as well as replanting trees used for wood and repopulating local animal populations. Those who observed the faith often bathed in houses similar to that of bath houses in Stroomism. Because of the circular beliefs of the faith, dying was seen as honorable as those who passed were completing the cycle. The sun, known as "çăs", was believed to be that which starts the cycles. The religion was notable in that many of today's scientific ideas such as the and the  were observed to at least a fundamental understanding far before it became common knowledge.

The religion takes its name from the Dzek Zavno as recounted in the "Dzelěk rzap Çăs", or "Rock and Sun", written by the author known only as Qesks in 750 BCE - who claimed to be a servant of Zavno who accompanied him in his journey. The epic tells of Zavno, the founder of Wizkania, and his journey to the Wild Land (xelerr) from the sun (çăs) - descended from a long line of planetary beings. In reality, it is believed that Zavno instead was a banished Viduz royal, who traveled south to establish a new kingdom far from his previous domain; however, Zavno's true identity remains a mystery. The tale tells of Zavno's dispelling of foes along his way to the North Plăduvian River Plain to establish a new kingdom of the sun in the Wild Land, which he called Wizkǎnja, the direct translation of Wild Land in proto-Wizkanian. It is said that the Vojans themselves are all descendants of Zavno, which brought forth the first interpretations of Zavnakism. The "Dzelěk rzap Çăs" poem, known more commonly as the Hyz̧ăsznă, emphasized Zavno's giving back to the world in the form of using the gifts from çăs given to him to pass onto other people or xelerr itself. If whoever received the gift passed it forward themselves, the gift would eventually make its way back to Zavno. Biological and atmospheric cycles were observed to be just this.

Zavnakism slowly disappeared throughout the course of the first century BCE and first century CE as Stroomism soon took over the formerly Zavnak regions. Stroomism's similarity to Zavnakism is what assisted in the disappearance of the faith, as it could be interpreted as a continuation of the already elemental-centric belief. Though Zavnakism did employ proselytizing as a way to spread its faith, it rarely escaped the domain of the Wizkanian Empire. In addition, the Wizkanian Empire made use of a very liberal view on religion and ethnicity, allowing anyone who lived inside the borders of the Empire to have freedom of religion, just so as long as they understood the Wizkanian Empire had supreme control.

Çăs and Xelerr
Çăs, the sun, is believed to be the greatest being in the faith. The Çăs is a giving figure, and is what started the first Qět and every Tveqět. Çăs is what controls Xelerr as well as every other cycle, and is believed to be an omniscient, selfless, and divine deity who gave herself to Xelerr and mankind. Çăs takes a crucial role in every Qět, as it was observed that plants located out of the reach of the sunlight were soon to die, or untie their Tveqět. Çăs is also what birthed Zavno - the savior sent to establish the Empire of the Sun and teach his followers of the way of the Qět and Zavnakism.

Xelerr, also called the Wild Land, is the world which exists around oneself. Xelerr is what exists thanks most importantly to the Qět and mankind's role. While mankind is the knot, xelerr can be representative of the rope.

Qět
The worldview of Zavnakism is that of a desire for symbiosis between mankind and xelerr, and to complete the natural cycle in a way which does not disrupt the Qět or another's Qět. The Qět, also called the Rope or the Circle, is the believed way in which the natural world works, in which each individual creature or object plays a role in a grander scheme of making the world work in a seamless, symbiotic way. It is mankind's role to complete this cycle and ensure it remains complete, thus gaining the analogy of a knot in the rope. Furthermore, every individual organism have their own personal Qět, called the Tveqět which they must themselves complete to keep themselves working with xelerr.

If one were to not complete their own individual rope, then the knot would become untied, and the cycle would stop. If the cycle stops, then the owner of the Tveqět dies or is otherwise destroyed. One's cycle may become untied if they were to not give back to the world or if they were to destroy another's Tveqět without a valid reason. Valid reasons to untie another's Tveqět are for food, self-defense, or otherwise necessity to keep oneself's Tveqět intact, like cutting down a tree for firewood. Those who do not observe the Zavnak faith or are not Vojanak do not have a Tveqět. The Tveqět also becomes untied with old age, in which case the owner of the Tveqět will go on to be rewarded in the afterlife for not disrupting their Tveqět or the main Qět.

If the main Qět were to become untied by mankind's lack of care for xelerr, then a great scourge would wipe the Xelerr of all life and cycles. A sign of the great scourge's coming was said to be plague, drought, ignorance, and widespread infighting. The scourge was to take form of "a blinding light, one which would light up the darkest of nights and the deepest caverns, and one which did not have but one form, but many [...] the scourge shall remain in the sky for 5 fortnights to punish [mankind] for their callousness against their only home".

Role of the sea and moons
The sea and water itself is seen as the replenisher of the Qět. Submersing oneself in water would help repair one's Tveqět and clear themselves of any wrongdoings against the cycle. This endeavor would result in the construction of many bath-houses across the Wizkanian Empire and remain in-use to this day due to the similar beliefs of Stroomism.

The moons, both Luna and Jove, are seen as the tired and dimmed previous iterations of Çăs - dim from giving all of her gifts to Xelerr. They remain in the sky to show Çăs' sacrifices and to demonstrate why her followers must stay faithful.

Common Zavnak practices
Due to the nature of the religion - sharing resources, minimalism, tenacity, and giving back to the ecosystem and fellow man were promoted to its followers. Proselytizing was also a common practice, and is cited among the reasons that the Wizkanian Empire wished to grow its realm so large, though the faith was rarely ever spread outside of the domain of the empire. To show one's faith to Çăs, was a common practice amongst followers. The tanner one was, the more they were respected and expected to be a true follower of Zavnakism. Along with getting tan, becoming sunburnt was indeed seen as a sacrifice against oneself to show their true gratefulness towards Çăs. For this reason, prayers were most commonly done in the afternoon or when the sun was the highest in the sky.

Conducted most often during the sunset or sunrise, bathing in public bath houses were a common practice as well. Bathing was practiced at these times for that was when it was believed that the Qět was strongest, and therefore when it was the most important to fix oneself's. Bath houses were among the most popular building built during the Empire's reign, and many continue to stand to this day. The bath house was seen as the most important and holiest places one visits each day, and was therefore the largest, most intricate building one may have in their community. In large cities such as Wizkanja or Bramoz, these bath houses were even grander, and often dominated the skyline of the cities.

Movements and revivalism
Revivalist movements of Zavnakism have always existed in small, isolated communities, however no group has ever successfully taken off with their beliefs. Recent concerns in and related issues have brought the public eye back onto Zavnakism and its tendency to care for its environment.

Inside Wizkanian Realm
Vojandzeka has by far had the most Zavnak revivalist groups in recent decades, with approximately 5,000 believers within the nation of 5 million. Vojandzeka's past as both the core territory of the Wizkanian Empire as well as its recent independence war has seemingly increased the numbers of alleged believers, who prefer believing in a more "mellow, caring" religion which does not believe in killing your fellow man. Places like Ochsardvia, Izlegal, and Galvia have also had scattered movements, however they have all been very small and insignificant in following.

Elsewhere
In Gladomyr, there exists a entitled the "Zavnak Revival Party", which is based upon Zavnak ideals. The party retains very little support, and only received 1,304 votes in the nation's recent most election.

Zavnakism & Gender Equality
Women in Zavnakism are seen as equals to men, as they are both responsible for their own individual Tveqět and the grander Qět equally. Women were often seen in places of power and have also been in the role of Dzek on several occasions in the Wizkanian Empire, as the Dzek's first child is to be positioned as next Dzek regardless of gender. Women were also often seen as members of the Wizkanian legionaries, though men were usually separated from women legions so that they would not become distracted by the women.

Zavnakism & Homosexuality
Zavnakism does not have any opinions on homosexuality, as having a children or having a relationship has no effect on the Qět or ones Tveqět. For this reason, homosexuality was not contentious within the Wizkanian Empire and was an ordinary fact of life.