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Xaewoon has two main branches known as green stron and blue stron. Unlike other religions on the Continent, Xaewoon does not elevate humans over other animals in that regard, and all living creatures are considered to be equally bound by the theology. It also does not discriminate against ethos, nationality or language, although most believers who practice Xaewoon tend to speak [[Bukk]] and live in Tarnaria.

Xaewoon has two main branches known as green stron and blue stron. Unlike other religions on the Continent, Xaewoon does not elevate humans over other animals in that regard, and all living creatures are considered to be equally bound by the theology. It also does not discriminate against ethos, nationality or language, although most believers who practice Xaewoon tend to speak [[Bukk]] and live in Tarnaria.

Xaewoon canon is oral and offers complex and fluid theology that has shaped the history of [[Tarnaria]]. It has strong links to [[Eon of Eater|Eater]], but has developed as a relatively separate line of religious thought, mostly tied to the [[Dawn]] and the life of explorers of the eastern part of the [[Continent]]. Xaewoon is frequently depicted as a guide for mortals, as opposed to the Eon of Eater, which is a guide for gods. One of the most popular ties-in to Eater is the Stron Hoorhae (Song of Light) of the [[Oaleed]]. It depicts the hill of [[Mantar]] as the home of demigods, sent to guide and save mortals from Eater's minions.

Xaewoon canon is oral and offers complex and fluid theology that has shaped the history of [[Tarnaria]]. It has strong links to [[Eon of Eater|Eater]], but has also developed a relatively separate line of religious thought, mostly tied to the [[Dawn]] and the life of explorers in the eastern part of the [[Continent]]. Xaewoon depicts itself as a guide for mortals, as opposed to the Eon of Eater, which it views as a guide for gods. One of the most popular ties-in to Eater is the Stron Hoorhae (Song of Light) of the [[Oaleed]]. It depicts the hill of [[Mantar]] as the home of demigods, sent to guide and save mortals from Eater's minions.

It is one of four major religions on the [[Continent]], along with [[Rahkahnja]], [[Davinia]] and [[Foft]], the latter being an offshoot of Xaewoon which has developed into a separate religion over time.

It is one of four major religions on the [[Continent]], along with [[Rahkahnja]], [[Davinia]] and [[Foft]], the latter being an offshoot of Xaewoon which has developed into a separate religion over time.

=== Xaewoon Blue ===

=== Xaewoon Blue ===

[[File:Cangon.jpg|150px|thumb|Cangon. Ancient Tarnarian tapestry c. 18th [[CFR]]]]

[[File:Cangon.jpg|200px|thumb|Cangon. Ancient Tarnarian tapestry c. 18th [[CFR]]]]

Blue stron regards Mamkoon as a metaphor. There is no physical location that is the Mamkoon. Instead, Mamkoon is something akin to non-existing, which is understood to be the perfect harmony. Mamkoon can and should be found during one's lifetime. Failure to do so means that the person would be re-born and would need to go through an even more difficult life. The cycle would repeat until Mamkoon is found or until [[Eon of Eater|Eater]] devours the world.

Blue stron regards Mamkoon as a metaphor. There is no physical location that is the Mamkoon. Instead, Mamkoon is something akin to non-existing, which is understood to be the perfect harmony. Mamkoon can and should be found during one's lifetime. Failure to do so means that the person would be re-born and would need to go through an even more difficult life. The cycle would repeat until Mamkoon is found or until [[Eon of Eater|Eater]] devours the world.

Xaewoon Blue puts great emphasis on personal growth, and in that sense is very close to Xaewoon dark green.

Xaewoon Blue puts great emphasis on personal growth, and in that sense is very close to Xaewoon dark green.

[[File:Cangon3.jpg|150px|thumb|left]]

[[File:Cangon3.jpg|200px|thumb|left|Cangon. Ancient Tarnarian painting c. 2nd [[CSR]]]]

Xaewoon Blue devotees also worship the skycat, Cangon, who is believed to be a friend of Eternal Companion, but an unintentional menace to creatures on earth, like a kitten who drops a cup on the floor. Cangon is generally believed to be responsible for anything that appears random and capricious, such as the weather. Misfortunes, sickness and lack of luck mean that "Cangon is playful" (''marmanee Cangon''). The phrase is frequently added to the end of a sentence when it's intention is to complain about something benign, like bad weather. Appeasing Cangon, making him sleepy or distracted is the purpose of the many Xaewoon Blue rituals.

Xaewoon Blue devotees also worship the skycat, Cangon, who is a friend of Eternal Companion, but an unintentional menace to creatures on earth. Like a kitten who drops a cup on the floor, Cangon is generally believed to be responsible for anything that appears random and capricious, such as the weather. Misfortunes, sickness and lack of luck mean that "Cangon is playful" (''marmanee Cangon''). The phrase is frequently added to the end of a sentence when it's intention is to complain about something benign, like bad weather. Appeasing Cangon, making him sleepy or distracted is the purpose of the many Xaewoon Blue rituals.

 

 

Thus, contrary to popular belief, Xaewoon Green doesn't reject the existence of Cangon, but rather rejects its power over the lives of mortals.

=== Xaewoon Green ===

=== Xaewoon Green ===

Xaewoon Green has a more complicated theology than Xaewoon Blue, with an extra emphasis on Eternal Companion and the search.

 

Within this stron there is a division into light green and dark green. Dark green believers consider Mamkoon to be personal and would search for a location that is specific for their personal religious journey, which makes the dark green interpretation very close to the blue stron, if not in form, then in spirit.

 

Light green adherents, on the other hand, believe that Mamkoon is a single physical location for everyone, a location that all true believers should travel to. There are many caveats, and simply knowing the location is not enough. One must instead be able to go on a mission and find one's own path to Mamkoon, which in many cases means that a person is actually not allowed to travel to the location believed to be the Mamkoon, let alone settle there, until their religious path is fulfilled.

According to the green stron, Mamkoon is a physical location that one must reach within one's lifetime. The path is considered to be written in the skies, therefore green stron followers study star patterns and at times might be required to make complicated journeys, because their path is set on the sky map, without much regard to the terrain one must actually traverse.

Which physical location is the Mamkoon is a matter of active disagreement. The disagreement is largely non-violent and is positioned as part of what it means to practice Xaewoon.

Within this stron there is a division into light green and dark green. Dark green believers consider Mamkoon to be personal and would search for a location that is specific for their personal religious journey, which makes the dark green interpretation very close to the blue stron, if not in form, than in spirit.

One school of thought claims that Mamkoon's location is known to some Ienana, but cannot be revealed until one reaches a certain point in their path. Another approach is to consider Mamkoon's location to be a matter of the search of Xaewoon believers as a whole. This interpretation incurs stricter rules on believers, as a failure to follow one's path becomes everyone's problem.

Light green adherents, on the other hand, believe that Mamkoon is a single physical location for everyone, a location that all true believers should travel to. There are many caveats, and simply knowing the location is not enough. One must instead be able to go on a mission and find one's own path to Mamkoon, which in many cases means that a person is actually not allowed to travel to the location believed to be the Mamkoon, let alone settle there, until their religious path is fulfilled.

[[File:Great Hornet.jpg|200px|thumb|The Great Hornet. Tarnarian tapestry c. 5th [[CSR]]]]

Cangon, the skycat, is completely missing from Xaewoon Green. Instead, the light green interpretation introduces the Great Hornet. Initially simply a replacement for Cangon that would not interfere in the lives of the mortals, it eventually evolved into the helper of mortals, a prophet figure who will lead believers to Mamkoon. Sometimes, such a visionary is referred to as a "Kasanja",  the “prophet of far away lands”. This theology fueled a number of nomadic kingdoms in Tarnaria, such as the [[Kareden]] and the [[Overpol Expanse]].

Cangon, the skycat, is completely missing from Xaewoon Green canon, although its existence is not necessarily rejected. Instead, the light green interpretation introduces the Great Hornet. Initially simply a replacement for Cangon that would not interfere with the lives of the mortals, it eventually evolved into the helper of mortals, a prophet figure who will lead believers to the true Mamkoon. Sometimes, such a visionary is referred to as a "Kasanja",  the “prophet of far away lands”. This theology fueled a number of nomadic kingdoms in Tarnaria, such as the [[Kareden]] and the [[Overpol Expanse]]. Numerous religious leaders claim one or the other location to be the homeland.

Throughout history light green has proven to be a more violent version of the faith. Unlike Xaewoon Blue, Xaewoon Green has a specific term for true believers, Trenonoh or Trenona, which means "people of the path". Light green devotees were the majority during the second revolution, but with the turn of the third revolution the dynamics began to change, and today dark green constitutes the majority, making the religion a bit more tolerant.

Throughout history light green has proven to be a more violent version of the faith. Unlike Xaewoon Blue, Xaewoon Green has a specific term for true believers, Trenonoh or Trenona, which means "people of the path". Light green devotees were the majority during the second revolution, but with the turn of the third revolution the dynamics began to change, and today dark green constitutes the majority, making the religion a bit more tolerant.

Xaewoon Blue has less interpretations than Xaewoon Green, but several have gained prominence over the course of history.

Xaewoon Blue has less interpretations than Xaewoon Green, but several have gained prominence over the course of history.

Foft is an alternative interpretation which focuses on the relationship between Eternal Companion and Cangon and teaches that Cangon's behavior is reflective of a person's deeds and morality. Foft has mostly found devotees outside of Tarnaria due to their prosecution by the [[Nilma Oordar|Angry King]]. [[Hee Oordar|Hee]] became the First Ienana of Foft, leading the culture war against Mantar's version of the Oordar rule.

Foft is an alternative interpretation which focuses on the relationship between Eternal Companion and Cangon and teaches that Cangon's behavior is reflective of a person's deeds and morality. Foft has mostly found devotees outside of Tarnaria due to their prosecution by the [[Nilma Oordar|Angry King]]. [[Hee Oordar|Hee]] became the First Ienana of Foft, leading the brief culture war against Mantar's version of the Oordar rule. However, his support of Foft established it as a major religion in [[Tref]].

=== Relationship with Kajoon ===

=== Relationship with Kajoon ===