Clan Jusmia: Sect Agate

[ThatFunkyBunch 2818]

CLAN JUSMIA

Agate, the firstborn of Jus and Mia. This Mali’ker was born shortly after Velulaeis’ pact with Luara. In ancient Magara’lin, he created a following of his own. Adopting Ker into the fold, making the clan in reverence to his mother and father. Jusmia. This laid the foundation for the Sects the clan still follows today. As in the days of yore, many of the clan count themselves among this Sect’s numbers. Favouring trades such as carpentry, medical pursuits, tailoring, metallurgy, and beyond.
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Sect Agates’ Function in Jusmia
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Agate serves as the figurehead of the Jusmia, and many of the Jusmia attempt the Sects trials to be counted as among its number. To labour is to be divine, for idle time is the workings of Azul. The Agate makes the majority of essential niches that allow life to function. From farming to metallurgy, glasswork, and carpentry. Those of Agate strive to perfect their trade and spread knowledge of it. Most Jusmia are of Agate, but not all pursue this path. 
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Sect Agates’ Ideology
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Those of Agate follow simple guidelines. To ensure the stability of the clan, perfect their trade, and teach this trade to new members of the clan. Stagnation is the ultimate foe to the Agate, through conflict, the mind is honed. Through labour the body and soul are balanced. Confrontation is required for growth on the personal and cultural levels. Those of Agate are more outspoken about their ideals and what they reference as the ‘Will of Agate’. 

 

The Will of Agate is a simple idea that Agate is a part of every Jusmia, that above all else, those of Jusmia must strive for Ancestral Approval. By blood or adoption, Agate maintains control of the clan from Stargush’Stroh. When Jusmia mentions The Will of Agate, they mean several things. Firstly, that Agate is watching, secondly, that Agate demands growth, and thirdly, Agate reigns true. 

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Sect Agates’ Spiritual Theorem
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The Spiritual Theorem of Agate revolves around Genthuraz, Ghorza, and Jevex. Through Genthuraz, the body is honed by craft and trade. Through Ghorza, social skills are learned from commerce. Merit is given for the gain of the clan. Muscle is gained from the humbling work of the mortal world. Through Jevex, hard work is rewarded. Labour means nothing without blood and sweat. Veneration of Gultroz is common, though not for personal gain. For clan gain. Those of Agate dedicate their crafts and skills firstly for Jusmia, nothing else comes above the clan.

Stagnation is the ultimate enemy of Agate, to give into  Shezept. To become lazy is scorned in the eyes of Agate, feeding into the Great Sloth. Like many modern Mali’ker, Sect Agate prepares for the war to come between Shepazt and Jevex.
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Sect Agates’ Tatau
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Sect Agates Tatau is given upon completion of Sect Trials. These are mortal markings or shamanic markings as proof of growth.

Tatau of Agate
Granted upon adoption to Sect Agate.
 

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Tatau of Genthuraz
Granted Upon Completion of Sect Agate Genthuraz Trials
 

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Tatau of Jevex
Granted Upon Completion of Sect Agate Jevex Trials
 

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Tatau of Ghorza
Granted Upon Completion of Sect Ghorza Trials
 

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Tatau of Philanthropy

Given upon completion of Sect Agate Philanthropy Trials
 

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Tatau of Benevolence
Given upon Completion of Sect Agate Benevolence Trials

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Agatism
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It is said that Agate had the power to fragment his soul and place it into Jusmia, giving them his composer, his thoughts, and his peace. This belief still goes on, long after his death. Jusmia that follows Agatism is called Agatist. They perform simple spiritual rituals and maintain shrines to Agate. 

 

They believe that Agate places a piece of himself into each Jusmia willing to believe so, keeping this steady, cool and collected. These Jusmia make their work a priority and enforce a strict set of codes on the other Jusmia. Agatist Acolytes are not allowed to show their face to other Jusmia (Outside one's wedded partner, own parents, and direct spawn.), nor are they allowed to refer to themselves by their names. The acolyte remains this way for two years, performing simple chores about temples, cleaning shrines, and maintaining livestock. 

 

Upon graduation, the Acolytes are initiated into the order through a powerful act called the blood bond. The Jusmia are given a knife and little clothes. The Acolytes are sent into a deep part of the forest. Where they must remain for a year, surviving. It is critical for the Jusmia here to work closely together to survive. This teaches the Acolyte that other Agatist are one and the same. Agatist greet each other with open arms, a, more, alarming trait of the belief that is a taboo ritual even other Jusmia frown upon.

 

This practice is called Gen’Vaun. Simply put ritual suicide. All Agatist, if they are able to, pass this way. If not, they end up in Stargush like any other Jusmia.

 

If they are reaching the end of their life, become sick, or near death. The Agatist travels to a proper shrine of Genthuraz. The shrine, in this case, always has a massive, deep, burning pit of logs. The Agatist takes a knife and runs it across their throat. (Or a local priest does it for them). Then, they fall into the flames. Sacrificing themselves to Genthuraz to be reborn as a spirit in his Immortal Realm until time, or it ceases to be. 
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Sect Agate Trials
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To be counted among the Agate, the Jusmia must perform and complete at the very least, two Agate Trails and be marked by their tatau by another Jusmia as proof of completion. Once two trials have been completed, they are marked with the Tatau of Agate.

Trial of Genthuraz
This trial serves as means to prove existing or to be Agate displays a trade that marks them as worthy of Agates' mantle. From metallurgy to carpentry, to medical practices. The Maehr will perform three grand tasks of their trade, with recorded proof from other Maehr and Jusmia. These tasks are appointed by the Head of Sect Agate. Once completed, they gain the Tatau of Genthuraz.

Trial of Jevex
Stagnation is true death, the greatest enemy of Agate. This trial is one set out by the Head of Sect Agate, who will challenge the Maehr on this trial to give forth personal effort to learn new things, help new Maehr, and ultimately, undertake a spiritual journey as deemed by the Head of Sect Agate. This trial, of all Agates’ takes the longest. As the Head of Sect Agate will decide what they believe to be the best way to test one's ability to sacrifice themselves for the betterment of Agate and Jusmia. Once completed they are marked with the Tatau of Jevex

Trial of Ghorza
This trial is simple. The Maehr in question will show proof they possess the ability to maintain commerce on a wide range, via shops of their own or proof that they have sold to outlanders in matters of bulk. Once completed they are marked with the Tatau of Ghorza

Trial of Philanthropy
The Maehr in question will give members of Jusmia products of their tradecraft. From medical practice to material goods shaped by hand. The Maehr gifts these to Jusmia five times before they gain approval to have the Tatau of Philanthropy.

Trial of Benevolence
The Maehr in question teaches their trade fully to another Jusmia. Once the Jusmia has adequate knowledge of the trade, they will approve the teacher to gain the Tatau of Benevolence.