Zainudianism

Zainudianism is a major organized faith of the east, centered on the god Zain'ud, the holy city of Makok, and the revelations granted to Bachin and Jaoz. Its faithful, the Zainudians, are fiercely devoted and hostile to those they believe would corrupt the faith.

The Two Prophets¶

Zainudian tradition begins with two founders:

• Bachin, Lord of Dui-Pattar - a philosopher prince who was set to inherit Dui-Pattar. In 698 LC, while seeking answers to the suffering of life, he received the First Revelation (Ununan) atop a mountain near Dui-Ttaushu.
• Jaoz the Bold - a warrior who became Bachin's first convert. When he prayed alongside Bachin in the Dduran Mountains, Zain'ud appeared to them both and gave the Second Revelation (Bhaxnan).

The faith became political as well as devotional almost immediately. Bachin and Jaoz's partnership turned revelation into movement, movement into conquest, and conquest into the religious identity of the Zainudian World.

Revelations and Makok¶

The Second Revelation commanded the faithful to spread Zain'ud's word and gather in prayer at his altar. In 704 LC, Bachin and Jaoz reached Makok, where local pagans greeted them as foretold foreigners who would deliver them from Zaraken and Zani rule.

At Makok, the prophets cleared the Zaindaxan of idols, prayed atop it, and received the Third Revelation. This moment made Makok the center of Zainudian sacred geography and launched the Jaxan Conquests against the weakened Zarakens.

Law, Zeal, and Heresy¶

Zainudianism treats divine law as a command to order the world. Its faithful are not merely private worshippers; they are expected to defend the religion, reject idol worship, and oppose rulers who twist Zain'ud's command into tyranny or compromise.

That tension shaped later Zainudian history. The Zakara Kephal forcefully converted subjects and built a cruel imperial order in Zain'ud's name, but it also cultivated relations with Helluvianism and became increasingly hated by many Zainudians. The Great Zinduidian Revolt of 934 LC began the overthrow of Zakaran authority and broke the empire's hold over much of the east.

The Faithful After the Revolt¶

After the fall of Zakaran power, the Zainudians splintered back toward their older tribal and regional identities. They remain hostile to heretics: both those who would revive Zakaran abuses and rivals such as the Helluvians. Many await a true Zinduidian Kalif who can unite the faithful without repeating the corruption of the Zakara Kephal.

See also: Zainudian World, Bachin, Jaoz, Zarakens, and Helluvianism.