Okara
The Okara religion shares the teachings of the elemental deities of nature and seeks to educate about and maintain the natural order that sustains all life on the planet. Those who follow the Okara religion call themselves Okaras.
The Okaras lifestyle is built around the respect and acceptance of nature, and the idea that all people are a part of the natural order and must not separate themselves from the world created for them by the gods.
The Okara deities are lead by the great Nalatur, his wife Corodual, and Corodual’s sibling Frona. The rest of the Okara deities are Nalatur and Corodual’s children.
Deity // Element
Nalatur: Strength
Corodul: Life
Forna: Beauty
Nikia: Water
Colu: Fire
Tresse: Plant
Paval: Breath / Air
Ylue: Cloud / Sky
Nyla: Blood / Flesh
Zraja: Dirt / Soil
It is important to note that while Frona is the ruler of beauty (a description commonly used to refer to the feminine) the majority of Okara texts refer to them as ambiguous, completely genderless, or multi-gendered. Their descriptions also tend to change from race-to-race, as different cultures have different ideas of what is beautiful.
Modification of Nature
It is believed that making permanent modifications to the land is an insult to the Okara deities; that by changing the natural world around you, you are implying that the deities didn’t create the world correctly and that mortal beings could do a better job.
If changes to the land are made, an offering must be made to the deities to apologise. Offerings to the deities can be anything the Okaras thinks is worthy, from simple prayer to rare jewellery.
This is with the exception of offerings made to Tresse; who orders that two trees must be planted for every one cut down. The only time that Tresse’s apology is not planted is if the trees and foliage are affecting the well-being of the native wildlife and are cut to maintain the habitat’s order. An offering must still be made; usually one of food or art made from the fallen trees.
Homes and Cities
It is very rare for trees to be cut down or for the ground to be dug up to create building foundations, meaning it is difficult for Okaras people to build large buildings or cities. Many Sentients in the Okara religion become travellers because of this; choosing not to stay in one place long enough to have any sort of permanent effect on the natural environment around them.
Most non-travelling Okaras will make their homes in underground cities. These cities are shaped to fit the natural cave systems and decorated with fungi, soulstone, and painted tapestries that hang over doorways. Only once the cave systems have been used to the largest extent possible will Okara cities begin to expand above ground. Buildings made for travellers, such as inns, are the exception to this rule and are often built above ground for visibility reasons. Though it is easy to tell if an inn is owned by an Okaras, as it will usually be surrounded by expansive gardens with roofs built to accommodate the native birds.
Those that choose not to live in cities or travel will live in smaller homes built with care for the environment.
Prayer
Okaras will pray to their deities almost every day. This is usually done before meals to thank the gods for the food they eat.
Nyla and Tresse are the most commonly mentioned during meals as they are the givers of flesh and plants; though Nikia is often included when eating fish. Those that live in mountainous areas, such as Kutu, may also thank Ylue for their meals. This is done especially by nurlak families.
During prayer, Okaras will surround themselves with objects that represent the element of the deity they are praying to. Things such as candles may be lit for Colu, while meditative objects such as incense will be used for prayer to Paval.
Other
There is a famous story told by seces about a water-giving spirit that is believed to be linked to the Okara religion. A young seces child, Mo’ay’a, died lost in the desert and became a servant of Nikia; her duty is to give water to those in need to stop her fate becoming the fate of others. Because of this story, Okaras seces often become disciples of Nikia and create shrines for her in their homes.
Okaras are closely tied to the Aurn religion, and many Okaras will learn about the Aurn in order to gain a deeper understanding of their own deities. However unlike the Aurn who bend nature to their own wishes, Okaras are taught to harmonise with nature and allow nature to guide them in their ways.
When cursing, Okaras will habitually name the god of whichever elements are around them. For example, if they fall into a river, they may say something similar to ‘by Nikia it’s cold!’ or if they injure themselves they may say ‘Nyla that hurts!’ and so on so forth.