A Look Into Thanatosism

The following article was written by Kristeean Aarseth, of the Cosmological Order of Fou Lu, in 551AR. However, before she could pen a note to attach to the document detailing her information, one of her experiments failed, and as a result, she now no longer resides on Fou Lu(or, as the case may very well be, this realm of existence). May the Gods have mercy on her.

Gregory Seratoulle, Cosmological Order of Fou Lu
Ivory Tower, Dzanator
551AR

Thanatosism:
When one hears the word "mind," it is almost guaranteed that the name "Thanatos" is recalled in some manner. And why not? He is the God of Thought, after all. His religion is in no way a physical thing, for what is the body ruled by? The mind. It is within the holy sanctuary of the realm of thought that he is worshipped. The paths are many to Thanatos, and they all exist within that which is Thanatos, and is governed by Thanatos.

The ideas of Thanatosism:
Thanatites are the children of Thanatos. They are the masters of the mind; their own, and, through rigorous mental discipline and application, perhaps the masters of the minds of others. The matters that pertain to the physical are of very little, if any, importance to the average Thanatite. Of course, some are influenced if the parent is of a different elementus (Psychic children of Fire descent are known to be very physically active). But no matter this, the most important thing in a Thanatite's life is the strength of his mind, as opposed to the strength of the body.

To think, to learn, to allow the mind to grow. These are the ways to worship Thanatos. The majority of Psychics take up magic, as magic is the entire mind. But other pursuits are undertaken by Thanatites as well. For example, philosophy takes second place to magic as the preferred method of mental expansion, as the questions which pertain to it encourage and cultivate thought.

Observing is the act of mentally absorbing all that one experience with their senses for mental dissection. Thanatites are strict observers, and it's very rare for one to take an active role in something. This is something they are taught to do directly by Thanatos himself.

Through guided dreaming, Thanatites regularly commune with their God. When they do, every bit of knowledge they have gained since the last time they conversed is shared with Thanatos, and should Thanatos deem it worthy, it is stored away in his Palace. In this Palace is a storehouse of knowledge for any Psychic to browse through at their leisure.

Thanatosism in practice:
Thanatites perhaps possess the closest relationship with their God, being able to commune at will, but even so, there are events that are important for a Psychic, no matter what. These events are:

Thanataine: During that time when fall fades into the grips of winter, Thanatos casts out his psychic net. At this time, any Psychic that attempts regular communion with Thanatos is instead caught within these weave, and are transported to a place which, after discussion with various Psychics, can only be described as "total, absolute, unimaginable bliss." It has also been described as being "something that the other elementals will never come near experiencing." During their stay in this place, existence is nothing but pure joy to a Thanatite.

Dream Birth: The rite of passage for Thanatites. As the mind of a young Thanatite approaches what Thanatos considers being maturity, he pulls them into their mind. For five days, within a state of guided dreaming, they are tested within a mental environment constructed specifically for them. Thanatos tests and judges them, forcing them to push themselves beyond their known limits and prove themselves as his servants. Following their success, they are "reborn" on the Psychic plane, and the power of their mind increases. For magic users, this means greater feats of magic are now available to them.

It is not said what happens to those Thanatites who fail to prove themselves. When asked, Thanatos warns of the dangers of inquiring where one should not.

Fast of the Mind: Once every five years, instead of Thanataine, this is what is observed. For five days, Psychics will isolate themselves, and enter a state of meditation. During this time, they gather silently in the Palace of Thanatos, and empty their minds of all thought. This time is undertaken to honor the time when Thanatos was imprisoned, and the Psychic community was left with no connection to their God. Throughout this time, Thanatos picks apart the minds of his followers, and joins them with his own mind, before putting the pieces back. It is said that, to the truly virtuous, rewards of new knowledge are given.

The Temple of Thanatos:
The only temple of Thanatos is that which exists within the Realm of the Mind. As perception is different from person to person, so to is the shape different to each different mind. The only constants of the look of the Psychic Temple are its color, a rich and vibrant purple, and the ornate carvings scrawled over the entire surface. It is said that, within the depths of the Temple, rests every piece of knowledge that so far has existed (a popular rumor is that the Temple also contains information of the future). However, the consequences of obtaining this knowledge are not known, as Thanatos hasn't said anything about what lies therein. No Psychic to date, however, has braved the potential wrath to learn the truth of the Temple.