PHILOSOPHY

At the core of Hruxsi identity is their Philosophy of Conciliation; bemiddeling. Unlike many empires that expanded through conquest, the Hruxsimenje prioritized diplomacy through cultural integration. This approach allowed them to thrive as successful merchants through inter-trading, respected even by the warlike tribes of the northern passage flat lands, that of the Turukhite peoples. The Hruxsi believe, within their tradition, that war is the final-act of a collapsing kingdom, and their success lies in their ability to unify disparate peoples under a shared cultural umbrella, yet if war does indeed come, prepare to be revered in death.

RELIGION

(Artist rendition of the Father-Emperor.)

The following artist rendition is how the First Hruxsi has been depicted by early imperial artists. The pose is full of cult-symbology. His right dominant-arm wears his shirt-sleeve to signify peace, that he will not get that arm dirty, raised foremost with a hand-gesture of “peace”, raised for all to see, yet his secondary-arm is left out of its sleeve, preparing a sword in the face of adversary, lowered yet not defenseless.

(Artist rendition of an imperial cultist.)

Ytmperbloedolier - Imperial Cult

The spiritual life of the Hruxsi is deeply connected in their origins as Yembronzi settlers from the north. Initially, their beliefs centered on a single divine force, but over time, this became convoluted, and evolved into a complex system of ancestor worship with the introduction of the imperialist cult-worship of the First Hruxs, who fundamentalists believe was a literal person, being classified as the Blood-Father, or Father-Emperor. While there are extremists in their traditional fundamentalism, there are those who take a “jacobin” approach to the matter, not believing that the First Hruxs was at all a real person, only a spiritual and symbolic figure created by an oligarchy-cabal to control generations to be. Despite the controversy, the Hruxsi maintain a sense of unity through their shared reverence for their ancestors. Their pantheon is loose, as there is no official theocratic-office to officiate any ‘revered’, leaving the Hrusximenje to decide who is worthy to be celebrated, creating vast splintering sects all with their own interpretations.  During the 1st to 2nd Generation, the Hruxsi  long lost without a cultural leader, have created a messianic-like worship of a return of the Second-Hruxs, who will lead the Hruxsi people as the Ympiryar, a title meaning "Imperial-Unifier" who would serve as both ruler and spiritual guide, and who is said to possess the wisdom of all Hruxsi ancestors, gifted with visions by the First Hruxs, who himself having the largest Imperial Cult gathering. The Ympirayar-cultists believe in the event of another collapse of society, this figure will arise to save them. The First Hruxs was seen as the Spiritual-Father, while the Ympirayar is seen as the Spiritual-Son. Of course, all of this is up for debate within theological circles.

The ytmperbloedolier take part in the reverence of ancestors through iconography and cult-worship. Many hardlining cultists or laymen cover their face and wear black robes, signifying not only death, but the disassociation between their material-self, and the actual ancestor they are worshipping, as their worship is not about them, but the greater gestalt. The actual ytmperbloedolier general clergy operates in autonomous, separate religious judicial assemblies within a canton-system called “Sanhedrin Councils”, each imperial-cult sect dictating either own canon, whether that be canonizing new ancestor-saints, imposing religious law, scripture, or otherwise. While there are more fanatical sects who believe in administrative-religious law, there are also those who believe in a secular, unorganized and traditional lay clergy.

 WAR & DIPLOMACY

In matters of war, the Hruxsi are pragmatic in their approach. While they prefer diplomacy, they are not strangers to conflict. During times of struggle, Hruxsimenje of all social class or gender, clad themselves in black and red tunics adorned with the hruxsi-anemone on the breast, leaving themselves without heavy armour, defying life, as if they are slain in battle they will be promised glory and reverence. The battle-colours defy their vibrant and eccentric cultural colour scheme in favour of symbolism; death and blood for the anemone. Their blood will spill on the battle-field, and when their breast with the flower touches the soil, from the dirt the anemone will bloom once again, their blood watering the flower for more to grow. War is seen as an ancient custom, thus their approach on the matter has been interpreted as dialectic tradition, yet, of course there are radicalist factions, albeit small, who believe the Second-Hruxs will be a grand commander-lord, being the catalyst of another end.

BURIAL CUSTOMS

In an homage to the blood-anemone, stoic burials are provided to the fallen Hrusxi, buried face down in a casket. Black, symbolizing death, is worn during these burials.

THE FOUR-NATIONS OF OD-HRUXS