Sayaki - Religion

In order to understand the Sayaki mindset regarding the Gods, one must first come to the conclusion that Sayaki culture groups all things into cycles. The weather, the seasons, life... All follow rotating patterns of some sort, and the Sayaki extend this to be true of everything.

This is especially true with the Gods. The Gods are each believed to have cycles of high and low power, by the Sayaki, influenced by their divine 'rank' compared to their other deities, and by how faithful the Sayaki (who consider themselves THE children of the Gods,) are.

While the virtues and characteristics the Sayaki associate with the gods may, in some cases, conflict with the traditional human worship, it is important to note that the Gods themselves are the same, even if their mortal followers have a different understanding of them.

Each of the four major gods represent a major direction, a major element, a greater and lesser virtue, and a vice.

Cymur, referred to as the Draken by the Sayaki, is associated with the East, Fire, Loyalty and Valour, and finally Pride as a vice.

Balor, known as the Rajim (a ferocious and powerful species of large cat,) is associated with the West, Air, Strength and Confidence, and Wrath as a vice.

Morhiag, the Raven, is associated with the North, Earth, Patience and Wisdom, and Jealousy.

Ylessa, the Dri'iv (dolphin,) is associated with the South, Water, Benevolence and Mercy, and Cowardice. (slight irony here: one is expected to be merciful, but not TOO merciful, or they are considered craven.)

The three 'lesser' gods, as they are understood by the Sayaki, represent smaller aspects, though just as important.

Melchior, represented by the Gull, is the divine expression of one's inner spirit, calm, inspiration and, ultimately, potential. Everything about one's inner self is explained as being that which Melchior is. Dreams, Goals, Memories, and Experiences.

Elbahn, the Hare, is change, luck, and the random probability of anything that happens to oneself. These events are uncontrollable by oneself, and thus is a different aspect from that of Melchior.

Sykala, the Wolf, is the nature around oneself, surrounding oneself in every way. The spirits of every animal, the lie energies found in a strong, thriving tree, and the inevitable way everything must pass on: these are all Sykala. The transient phase between birth and death is life, and life belongs to neither the beginning nor end.