TRADITIONAL CAMBRIAN SPIRITUALITY

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Since Nevermere's occupation of Cambria, for many, the old ways have fallen out of favor. It was a final push in a slide toward more modern ways of thinking, one untethered from the traditions of Cambria's past. Some observe the old ways, some view them as cultural rather than religious practices, and others still see them as vestiges of a way of life that no longer exists. 

HISTORY

In the years following the Cambrian Exodus, the women of Cambria rejoiced in their liberation from the male-dominated society of Coheed. Isolation from Coheed was possible until the women of Cambria started dying, and the need to reproduce required them to ally with their old enemies.

Though the alliance was a necessary one, Cambria’s leaders grew concerned that fraternization with male warriors of Coheed may lead some women to question whether a single-sex society was sustainable. The Cambrian Witch Doctor, the tribal leader at that time, saw a need to unite her people under a common set of spiritual beliefs: one that affirmed female supremacy and distanced Cambiran spiritual practices from those of Coheed.

As legend has it, it was at this time that the All-Mother revealed herself to the Cambrian Witch Doctor. In what was called the Great Revelation, the All-Mother chose the Cambrian warriors as the guardians of the terrestrial realm. She revealed the spirit world to the Witch Doctor, giving the Cambrian women of the terrestrial realm access to the wisdom of their ancestors.
The Great Revelation is the point-of-origin for traditional Cambrian beliefs. Though spiritual practices have evolved over time, the foundation can be traced back to this one event.

OVERVIEW

Cambrians do not make a strong distinction between the spiritual world and the physical world. The world of spirits exists in the same space as the terrestrial realm, and the differences and separations between them are frequently bridged. Mothers and sisters that have passed on to the spiritual world are still present in the everyday lives of their descendants. Cambrians can call upon their foremothers for strength and wisdom, as they have already walked their path and know the way forward.

Cambrians believe in a divine guardian called the “All-Mother.” She is not a benevolent goddess or a “good” that seeks to overcome evil. Instead, she is a force who keeps balance in both the terrestrial and spiritual realms. Though the universe is always shifting in and out of harmony, and, through the “Great Mystery” of the All-Mother, it will right itself again. The holy chaos of the terrestrial realm is natural, and something which should be embraced as the way of the All-Mother, as it is she who will ultimately bring things into balance once again.

Duality is the most prevalent theme in Cambrian spirituality. For light to exist, so must darkness; for life to exist, so must death. In the same way, men are seen as the other half in the duality of humankind. Women are elevated beings who thrive on cooperation rather than competition. Men, however, are baser creatures that are driven to destroy one another by lust and a hunger for violence. But, as in all things, within this duality, there is balance: women could not exist without men, as they are needed to bear daughters of Cambria.

Cambrians do not have a holy text. Their religion is preserved in the legends, ceremonies, traditions, and oral passed from Witch Doctor to the next. There is a language spoken in many Cambrian ceremonies called the “Ancient Tongue.” Though there have been efforts over the years to keep the language alive, much of it has been lost and it is no longer in everyday spoken use.

VALUES

Respect for Elders

While other cultures may place emphasis on the energy and independence of youth, Cambrian culture emphasizes the wisdom of elders. All daughters are expected to treat their elders with dignity and respect. The passing on of knowledge from elders to youth is the backbone of traditional Cambrian life. This is mirrored in the asking of wisdom from one’s ancestors, as it is accumulated experience that is the best guide for the future.

Connection to Ancestors

Cambrian “prayer” takes the form of communing with one's ancestors. It can be done silently or aloud and can involve the burning of ceremonial herbs or incense. Altars may be constructed to honor warriors which have passed on to the spiritual realm. When a Cambrian is experiencing turmoil or uncertainty in their life, a Witch Doctor may provide psychedelic herbs as part of a spiritual healing process which allows the taker to more closely communicate with the spiritual realm.

Reverence for Horses

Horses are sacred creatures that embody the holy chaos of the universe. On one side, they are wild and powerful, on the other, they are gentle, beloved companions. Horses are central to the Cambrian way of life, and many ceremonies revolve around them. Horses are blessed before battle and have a special ceremony and associated feast when they are named and given to a rider. The relationship between a horse and its rider is a sacred one that endures even after the horse has moved from the terrestrial to the spiritual realm.

Horses that are killed in battle are honored just as Cambrian warriors are. A lock of the fallen horse’s hair is burned in a ceremonial pyre. The ashes are mixed with a special broth which is fed to the rider’s new steed in its naming ceremony.

Superiority of Women

As women are the creatures that most closely resemble the All-Mother, they are the chosen guardians of the terrestrial realm. Women have divine power that is present in every part of their daily lives. Women are encouraged to celebrate their power by honing their craft, strengthening themselves physically, and expressing their sexuality with other women.

Women who consistently bear daughters are seen as uniquely blessed, while women who consistently bear sons are seen as spiritually out-of-sync with the universe. Tradition dictates that these women go to the Witch Doctor for spiritual healing so that they may reconnect with their ancestors and regain their spiritual balance.

IMPORTANT CEREMONIES

First Blood

When Cambrian women reach maturity and get their first blood, they meet with the Witch Doctor for a private ceremony called “First Rites.” The most important part of this ritual is the Witch Doctor’s reading of the woman’s future. This reading will help define who the young woman is to become. Whatever is shared during this ceremony is between the Witch Doctor and the Cambrian woman, and is shared with no one else. The woman is then blessed by the Witch Doctor, symbolizing the transition from a daughter of Cambria to a warrior/sister. It is only after this ceremony that women are allowed to go to Coheed.

Blessing of Horses

When a horse is old enough to be broken and given to a rider, it is named and blessed by the witch doctor in a jubilant, lavish ceremony. It is a festive occasion and often involves dancing and feasting. The horse is painted with ceremonial symbols and is adorned with an artfully created sash that tells the story of the horse’s lineage. This sash will be handed on to the rider and is burned if the horse is killed in combat.

Cambrian Last Rites

If possible, the Witch Doctor is to be at the side of any dying Cambrian to help ferry them into the spiritual realm. Often the Witch Doctor will travel to the battlefield in order to perform last rites on fallen warriors. If this is not possible, their bodies are transported back to the Witch Doctor.

Traditionally, the Witch Doctor then cleans and dresses the body, painting it with ceremonial symbols. She does this overnight, sitting vigil with the body until dawn praying and singing songs to the ancestors. It is then that the body is burned on a funeral pyre. The Witch Doctor has ritual chants and songs that she will perform to summon the spirits of the woman’s ancestors so that they may carry her into the spiritual realm. Once the body has been burnt, the Witch Doctor will mark the foreheads of the blood-daughters of the fallen warrior with the ashes of their mother.

ROLE OF WITCH DOCTOR

For the first several centuries of Cambria's history, the Witch Doctor was the most powerful figure in Cambrian society. The role of Chieftess was created later as a military appointment, leaving the Witch Doctor to govern in political and spiritual affairs. Over time, the role of Chieftess grew in political power and the influence of the Witch Doctor waned. Some leaders have actively sought to undermine the power of the Witch Doctor for fear that she may try to reassert her authority as an equal governor of Cambria. Because of this, Cambrian society has become increasingly secular. Fewer and fewer daughters of Cambria honor the old traditions or recognize the role of the divine in their everyday lives.

**The only leadership role recognized by Nevermere is that of the Governor. The Witch Doctor has no authority in the eyes of the king. At best she is a tolerated cultural figure, at worst a nuisance and a perpetuation of Cambria's barbarism.