| Domains | Nature, Order, Peace |
|---|---|
| Aliases | God of Spirits |
| Plane | Feywild |
Dao Shinto is the “god” of the Kami, a pervasive spiritual force that resides in everything in existence. He is a force of self-cultivation and harmony, and despite having a physical form and being a physical god, is often believed and revered to be the animistic force that resides in everything.
Description[edit | edit source]
Dao Shinto is characterized as a fox-like god, with anatomy similar to that of a Vulpine. Despite this, it is a false association to assume the Vulpine and Dao Shinto are associated, they in fact have nothing in common. He has wavy, sky-blue hair and sky-blue robes to match. They often are depicted riding the clouds like a surfboard, as they interact with the mortals below throughout Quelmar.
History & Works[edit | edit source]
Belief in whether Dao Shinto is largely cultural, and therefore he does not have the power to perform large-scale religious beliefs. As he is also not a "Celestial God" and is instead from the Feywild, it is not uncommon for someone to not believe in the existence of Dao Shinto as a whole, as opposed to most major gods, whose existence is known but maybe not followed. Dao Shinto actually prefers this, as he feels it allows him to perform blessings that are more dear to his heart.
Dao Shinto's main theological "mission" is to unite the planes of Quelmar in peace, unity, and self-improvement. Dao Shinto's followers hold the belief that the various "denominations" of creatures (Demons, Celestials, Fey, etc.) are also people, simply just from different planes. Though their ways of life are separate, there is common ground that can be established, evidenced by a good standing relationship with Quelmar's Feywild, where Dao Shinto originated from.
Due to the influx of worshippers that happened in the wake of the Demonic Infiltration, Dao Shinto had taken it upon himself to align himself with the values of his worshippers at the time, and find common ground between the demons of the Abyss and the Humanoids of Quelmar, attempting proving once and for all that demons are innately evil and it is merely a byproduct of their solitude, upbringing, and lack of option. His main examples for this are Toi'Viral, Koschei (Found within the player list of Quelmar PHANTOMS), and Vice (Found within Session 38 of Bedlam In The Badlands). His followers became openly divided (as there had already been a schism hidden under the surface) with some followers (known formally as the Yang Sect, detailed below) believing in peace between the realms, while some followers (known formally as the Yin Sect, detailed below) believing in aligning with the outer planes' more powerful creatures to bring about a new world order. Dao Shinto believes in the former, but believes that the polarity and intersectionality of both sides is needed to keep a neutral and open mind (and would not have the power to forsake half of his followers regardless). The Yin Sect eventually amassed enough Favoure to bring about the Kami War, the darkest period in the religon's history.
Worshippers[edit | edit source]
Due to being a self-improving based belief, Dao Shinto is a belief that can be worshipped by anyone of any walk of life. However, throughout the continent of Osugbo, there are many noted conclaves of worshippers that have formed so-called "churches" (known as Conclaves) dedicated to their belief. They are well known within Osugbo, but are still so small that many people who live outside of the conflict would not easily know it. When introducing themselves, worshippers of Dao Shinto will typically introduce themself by their conclave's name (which they share their surname with if born into the clergy), followed by their conclave's location. For example, Ichake Asaku, who is from the Asaku Conclave in Troverth, commonly introduces himself as "Asaku of Troverth." The one exception to this rule is in a situation regarding one's achievement, effort, labor, or growth, where claiming ownership of the deed with one's first name is encouraged.
YIN SECT[edit | edit source]
The Yin Sect of worshippers represent the "Dark Side" of the religion, leaning deeper into Dao Shinto's themes of growth, reflection, and improvement by seeking power and intention in everything they do. By some, they're considered evil, and even though Dao Shinto disagrees with them at times, they are ultimately still following Dao Shinto's teachings as he says them. Dao Shinto appreciates the difference in idealism over his admittedly non-specific teachings.
The most notable group of worshippers under this sect include the Asaku Conclave, a tribe of primarily Troverthian Ursin (Though they openly accept anyone of all walks of life). Located in the heart of Quixing, they did not have power in the beginning of the Demonic Infiltration, but they certainly had sway with the royal family in its beginning, hoping to make contact with demons in order to use their power to assist in the First Realm War.
NOTABLE MEMBERS OF THE YIN SECT[edit | edit source]
- None so far, at the time of writing this.
YANG SECT[edit | edit source]
The Yang Sect of worshippers represent the "Light Side" of the religion, leaning deeper into Dao Shinto's themes of peace, unity, and togetherness by missioning out to unite the planes like Dao Shinto does. By some, they're considered naive, but they have the ready blessing of Dao Shinto at their backs due to being directly aligned with the holy deeds Dao Shinto himself hopes to accomplish. If Dao Shinto was any more strict, he would forsake the followers of the Yin Sect for the Yang Sect, but he respects the individuality of both.
At the time of writing this, there is not a notable conclave of the Yang Sect that has been created yet.
NOTABLE MEMBERS OF THE YANG SECT[edit | edit source]
Playing A Dao Shinto Worshipper[edit | edit source]
People who devote their service to Dao Shinto may manifest as Clerics, Druids, Warlocks, Monks, or Paladins, with classes and subclasses depending on the nature of their devotion, study, and sect of worship.
Either sect can contain Clerics of the Nature Domain, Druids of the Shepherd Circle, Archfey Warlocks, or Paladins of the Oath of Devotion.
Worshippers of the Yin Sect can additionally manifest as Clerics of the Order Domain, Paladins of the Oath of Glory, or Monks of the Way of the Astral Self.
Worshippers of the Yang Sect can additionally manifest as Clerics of the Peace Domain, Paladins of the Oath of Redemption, or Monks of the Way of Mercy.
Notable Holy Sites[edit | edit source]
Due to the widespread belief that everything contains spiritual energy under Dao Shinto, it did not become a large priority for holy sites to be built, instead that travelers who believed in Dao Shinto would be able to find each other on their paths and bless each other’s journeys through the world. However, due to the demonic uprising, the first holy site to Dao Shinto, known as the Su Torii, was crafted by Ichake Asaku.
The Èmózhījiā[edit | edit source]
The Èmózhījiā is the flagship temple to Dao Shinto in Quixing, and the home of the Asaku Conclave of Dao Shinto. The Èmózhījiā is considered to be the biggest hub for the Yin Sect of Dao Shinto Worshippers, and located less than two blocks away from the gates of the main palace itself. It handles most, if not all, of Quixing's spiritual affairs, from festivals to religious sermons, and included within the walls of the two-acre holy ground is also a school that is attended by many children in Quixing, a school that prides itself on being the prime source of learning the Troverthian Language (a front for the Abyssal Language, to make communications with demons easier.)
The Su Torī[edit | edit source]
The Su Torī is the first dedicated holy site made for Dao Shinto outside of Osugbo, and has since gained renown in the ages to come despite being a very small dedication to Dao Shinto. A small campfire on the outskirts of the Arboretum where Ichake Asaku would retire after the day’s work, and hear the stories of people who wished to share them. Ichake Asaku believed that the act of devotion to Dao Shinto was enough to make a holy site, and never actively acted upon making it more powerful and more vibrant, though he wouldn’t say no to if someone wished to spruce it up.
Most notably around the campfire is dedications to everyone that has been lost to the Demonic Infiltration, memoriums of every spirit who lost their life in the struggle. The list of the people memorialized (and what is there) in the Su Torii are listed below:
- Gobbo Greenskin (A funeral pyre made by Rhogar Dreel)
- Nid (A funeral pyre made by Rhogar Dreel)
- Daphne (A locket containing a photo of Daphne's family)
Hymns and Prayers[edit | edit source]
LET THE WORLD SPEAK[edit | edit source]
GO FORTH, EMPOWERED[edit | edit source]
This is a hymn in Sylvan, and when transcribed to Common, does not rhyme.
As the gods say at their every command,
One thing or another loves the world.
The path may be muddy, but we still walk forwards
We've a long road ahead of us.
As the gods say at their every command,
You have the ability to become even greater.
Drink and sing! Everyone, be merry!
It's not so bad once in a while.