The Twins

To write of the Twins, or as some would call them, Alanesu, almost seems a bit unnecessary. Even throughout my travels, the Divinities’ names are those that are commonly known, but in the off chance my musings find their way to the hands of somebody centuries from now, I’ll pray that my words bring either answers or entertainment. The Prince and the Scholar, immortal beings that have walked among us in any shape they pleased for as long as we can recall, have been favored among the masses of Divinities for eons. So favored, in fact, that they have a growing following: Something that has been colloquially coined as the “religion for every man”.

Beliefs - Gratitude

To religiously follow Prys (Prince) and Alym (Scholar) is to choose a life filled with gratitude. Whether that be for the vast quest for knowledge that awaits you, a bountiful harvest in your fields, or a roof over your head, the understanding that everything you have is everything you need permeates the daily beliefs of this accessible religion.

The Day of Abundance

This is best shown in their annual celebration known as The Day of Abundance. I’ve never personally experienced this day, but from what I could learn throughout my travels in Caliharah, the day is celebrated upon the arrival of the priesthood in towns where this faith is heavily practiced. As the priests arrive, they are greeted by the town with open arms: The townsfolk see to any wagon repairs that are needed on the spot while welcoming their monastic guests into their homes to provide them with food, water, and any other gifts they choose to give. Once the introductions are complete, the priests will gather at a designated place of worship, opening their ears and their hearts in one-on-one sessions with any of the townsfolk facing hardships. In these meetings, they offer counsel and guidance to those in need, helping them to find contentment despite their troubles and wishing them good fortune in the coming year. As the sun sets on the pain and suffering the town has faced, the townsfolk all gather as a congregation, bringing something that they are grateful for or something that they hope to find abundance in during the coming year. Together, they watch the day come to an end, hopeful for the year that awaits them. A feast is held in the evening to celebrate what came before, and as the priests retire to rest for their travels ahead, the town prepares any food, water, and monetary donations that they choose to give to bring them good fortune as they continue to spread their wisdom. Those who wish to join the priesthood submit a journal reflecting a year’s worth of devotion to daily gratitude and study, hoping that, upon its review, it will be accepted and they can begin their monastic journey. With the next rising sun, the priests continue on their pilgrimage as the town bids them adieu, excited for their next arrival and grateful for the year to come.

Live like the Prince, Learn like the Scholar

Why gratitude? This idea of abundance seems to come from the two major teachings that the disciples of the twins repeat on a regular basis: Live like the Prince, learn like the Scholar. This phrasing, a combination of the two teachings these Divinities brought to their people, is a mantra that guides these devout folk through their day to day. “Live like the Prince” stems from the stories of Prys, who had a knack for finding a pleasant and leisurely life no matter his surroundings. Some believe he was actually a prince from a world beyond our own, while most would coin him as a prince of circumstance, finding that abundance and leisure no matter his situation. If he could live like a prince, so could those who followed his teachings, inspired by the everyday luxuries a mindset of gratitude could provide. “Learn like the Scholar,” in turn, references Prys’ twin brother and constant companion, Alym, who is always depicted with a boundless love towards the quest for knowledge. In Alym’s eyes, there is always more to learn, whether it be hours of study or choosing to think before you speak, and learning what comes from that. The more one learns, the greater their connection to the world around them. To those who choose to follow the twins, a strong aptitude to congruence is a powerful connection to the Divinities themselves, and that is always something that this congregation strives for.

Cats

While the ceremony of abundance and daily mantra of this religion are inspiring, it’s the superstitions held by the locals I’ve encountered that keep me coming back for more. Their high esteem for felines, for instance. It’s well known, or at least well rumored, that the immortal shapeshifters often choose this form to roam this planet. Because of this, cats are considered to be good luck to the religious folk. Say someone owned a wheelbarrow and used it to carry produce from their gardens to the market. If a cat was seen sleeping in their wheelbarrow the next day, it was believed that they would have a bountiful harvest in the coming season. Similar to the reverence for cats, twins are looked upon favorably, since the duo is never seen apart. A pair of travelers coming into town would be seen as a good omen. On the other hand, a solo traveler might be seen as quite the opposite, so prepare to travel with a buddy in these regions unless you like being coined as unlucky.

Ponderings

But one has to wonder, are all of these beliefs passed down directly from the Divinities themselves? Where has the faith doctrine deviated from the twins teachings? Did the twins even take time to teach us? After all, very few people have actually encountered the twins, or at least knew that they were doing so. It appears that even with Divinities that have reputations among the masses, there is so much that remains unknown…