Skatsim

Skatsim, otherwise known as the Old Religion,^[2] is a religion practiced in Kehjistan.

Lore

At its core, Skatsim is a unique blend of faith and mysticism. Practitioners perform certain rites to attain states of clairvoyance or to perceive past and future events. The followers of Skatsim strive for a higher state of being—a transcendence of self. The belief is that all the misfortunes, pains, and disasters of life are not obstructions, but gateways to perfection that await any bold enough to pass through them.^[3] Its practices are similar to that of the Taan Clan.^[1]

Spirits exist in the context of the religion, as do priests.^[2] Runes were used as part of the religion's writing style.^[4]

History

Skatsim's history goes as far back as Sanctuary's early history. Originally existing as a cult, Skatsim's followers practiced their beliefs in hidden temples located in the east.^[5]

Prior to the rise of Zakarum, Skatsim was one of the most widely practiced religions in Kehjistan. However, even before that, the popularity of the faith had been waning.^[1] Prior to Zakarum gaining dominance over the land, Skatsimi magic was studied by Lam Esen.^[6] He compiled his studies in a tome titled the Black Book of Lam Esen.^[1] The book was lost when Zakarum gained dominance.^[6]

Lorath Nahr speculated that Skatsim found its way to the Fractured Peaks; that a local variant of the faith was practiced there.^[7]

When the Zakarum Inquisition was launched, Skatsim was one of the religions that was brutally suppressed by the church.^[1] The Inquisitors captured the relics of Skatsim and murdered their keepers.^[8] By 1264, only a few Skatsimi relics remained.^[2] One of these artifacts, The Gidbinn, was retrieved by a group of heroes in their efforts to overcome the forces of Zakarum, which had been corrupted by Mephisto.^[2] By the Great Enmity, only a handful of Skatsim artifacts remained.^[9]

References

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