Tanhunga

Gennism
Classification	South Baredinan Religion
Theology	Holy Quadrumvirate, World To Come, The Holy Path
Structure	Mahadran Church, Sjuun Orthodox Church
Grand Gennist Servant	Magos Uunaid
Sjuun High Monk	Bob Bobson
Region	South Baredina
Headquarters	The Grand Temple, Hajenired
Founder	Unknown
Origin	~-200 CE South Baredina
Members	50,000,000

Gennism (/d͡ʒɛ.nɪ.zəm/, Norjihani: djenaibud /d͡ʒɛ.naɪ.bud/), is a major religion in the region of South Baredina. It's two main branches, Mahadran and Orthodox Gennism, are worshiped by a total of around 50 million people (not including small worldwide communities). Although believed to have originated from Ekuosia along with the Baredan peoples, the religion itself is believed to have emerged in South Baredina after the last Baredan Migration. The core belief of Gennism is the idea of the 'Path', the route that one travels to become an 'Enlightened One' so that they may live in Duhëhautsuume, or the Eternal Kingdom, and on the Quadrumvirate, the grouping of Kalkatur (the Allmother), Genn, Huad and Yte (or Sahar). The religion is known for its rather liberal attitudes on several controversial issues, and for being committed to Stewardship, or protection of Yte.

History

Gennism is believed to have first begun to appear with the Proto-Baredan peoples in southern Ekuosia (modern day Lons), where the Baredan peoples were inspired by other religions and belief systems; for example, it is clear that the Dualism of Iovism and of Genn and Huad in Gennism share a common root. Not much is known of this Proto-Baredan religion, but it is clear a hierarchy existed already with priests and the associated nomenclature. It is believed that the religion had been codified before or during the migratory period, mainly because of the close similarity of the two modern Gennist groups despite the early isolation (although there was greater contact and reimposition of earlier Gennist ideals later on).

The major split in Gennism comes from the early history of the religion, and concerns Mahadras Mahadrin. It is accepted that the Holy Mount at Hajenired, on which the modern Grand Temple stands, is the holiest place in Gennism as according to the scripture it is were the spirit Derog led the Baredan peoples to before he let them spread across South Baredina. It is, in Mahadran Gennism, the place were Mahadras established the Lesser Norjihan, or the Kingdom of Genn on Sahar. It is the role of Mahadras within Gennism that is the cause of the split between Orthodox and Mahadran Gennism. The Mahadran Church claims that Mahadras was the prophet of Genn who led the Norjihanis to Norjihan, whereas Orthodox Gennists refuse to believe he was a prophet. There is no real difference in beliefs caused by this, other than the belief that Mahadras will be the King of Duhëhautsuume and several minor disputes, which is why the two religions are still generally classified as one.

Gennism had a major affect on the development of South Baredina, with the Norjihanis using the cause of Gennism as frequent justification for war and practising a strong policy of religious persecution. The idea of 'Knowledge as Duty' also led to the priestly class also become a scholarly class, and helped learning spread amongst the nobility and the clergy at least. The Sjuun High Monk 'Totsmakiflon' is considered one of the most important figures in Gennist Theology and in general Philosophy, with the large volume of his books greatly influencing though in South Baredina for centuries. He was also the creator of the Sjuun Script and the Baredan Calendar, as well as being attributed to the rebirth of Orthodox Gennism. Meanwhile, the office of Grand Gennist (and Mahadran) Servant was founded in Norjihan, with the first Grand Servant Bamrek Ynenu being the most respected theologian of Gennism, even above Totsmakiflon; the two are known to have met in person, with Totsmakiflon writing a book on Mahadran Gennism soon afterwards. Their friendship helped heal the wounds between the two strands, although the dispute surrounding Mahadras remains to the present day.

Gennism remains highly followed in both Norjihan and Sjuu today, and has followings across the rest of South Baredina and Sahar-wide.

Pantheon

The Quadrumvirate

At the heart of the Gennist Pantheon lies the Quadrumvirate, the collection of the four most important spirits in Gennism, with them commonly being referred to as 'Gods'.

Kalkatur
Kalkatur is the Allmother, the origin of all life. In the origin story of Gennism, she creates the spirits to entertain her, and when she can't truly love them she cries Genn and Huad into existence. Kalkatur is murdered by Huad, driven on by the spirit Yni who loved Kalkatur greatly but bitter at her rejection, as well as by his own personal envy. Her blood become the oceans and her bones the earth, and her skin became the universe itself.

Genn
Genn is seen as the protector of mankind and is the most revered spirits in Gennism, being one half of the duality within Gennism along with Huad. It is Genn who shaped Sahar out of the remains of Kalkatur, forming Yte in the process. He fought against Huad who tried to destroy his creation, and eventually banished Hhuad from the universe, before giving the last of his energy so he could watch Sahar eternally as the Moon. At the end of time, Genn will return to fight against Huad once more and will eventually defeat him, and then Genn will sacrifice himself so man may live eternally in Duhëhautsuume. Genn is often represent as a man or a stag, or an amalgamation of the two.

Huad
Huad is the other half of the Genn-Huad duality (although the 'duality' will be explained later), the other son of Kalkatur. Huad was tricked into killing Kalkatur by Yni, and when Genn created Sahar afterwards he tried to destroy it. Before he lost, he decided to leave a lasting mark on Sahar by impregnating the last human woman, creating Meth and Uled. These were the first humans born with the Curse of Huad. Although he currently is outside the universe in the void, his servants still follow his will and the Curse of Huad allows him to strike evil amongst humankind. He will return at the end of the universe, and will eventually be destroyed by Genn but not before destroying the spirit of Time. He is often shown as a black nothingness, or a black humanoid figure.

Yte
Yte is the conceptualised manifestation of Sahar and the spirits, and is often considered a living thing as well. Yte is sacred and must be respected, and so environmentalism is a core concept within Gennism; Yte's gifts must be used but never exploited. Hence, Gennists must do what they can to limit environmental destruction and to protect animal life. The understanding of Yte is part of the role of the Enlightened.

Other Spirits

• Yni - Yni is the spirit who tricked Huad into killing Kalkatur due to her rejection of him. He is thus seen as both the spirit of Love and Betrayal. His remains are the stars, as an example of the other spirits not to rise up against Yte or Genn.

• Meth - The spirit of death, as the direct descendant of Huad, Meth became a spirit when he died. He was cursed to forever watch mankind die and to be the Judge of Men and the Guard of the Englightened. He will be unable to enter the Eternal Kingdom, so Uled his wife will kill both of them out of mercy

• Uled - The other child of Huad, Uled is also cursed with being an immortal spirit. She is the spirit of Mercy and Kindness, and will kill herself and Meth at the universe so Meth doesn't have to bear the pain of never being able to enter the Eternal Kingdom.