Ask Zach and Vanna; Bindian Religions Again?

 

Vanna: I'm not sure what more there is to tell between what my parents and I have already discussed for Dawn and Vernon's forum...aside from maybe the wedding ceremony?

Zach: Y'all mean the Leogna? Didn't we talk about that?

Vanna: Maybe? I mean if we did, we probably just talked about our wedding, which didn't use every aspect of your or my traditions in order to fit them together more smoothly, so it's not...a comprehensive take on a full Leogna.

Zach: Well...might as well tell 'em. Between deities, basic fundamental beliefs, and some of the holidays, I don't think we got anythin' else to lay out that ain't gettin' into a college course on the subject. *Chuckles*

Vanna: Well generally the traditions of a Bindu wedding vary from region to region, at least a lot of the surrounding celebrations do. But at its core, there are three fundamental stages. The Kanidyadanam, which was the act of my father giving me away to Zach and approving of our marriage.

Zach: That fit in real easy, as we already do somethin' similar with Norwulffish tithes and pack head approval. 

Vanna: The groom then ideally accepts the maidens paw, which Zach did. This is called the Pantheragrahana.

Zach: Then we did the steps around the fire and the knot thang right? Although the knot ain't a knot...

Vanna: Correct, the Mewgalasutra is referred to as a sacred knot, though it's really sort of a necklace the groom places on the bride to signify her status as betrothed. After that, we take seven steps around a fire, with each step uttering specific traditional promises to one another, and on the seventh step, we are considered irrevocably married.

Zach: That one was a bit awkward to mix together with the tithin' rite, as we kinda wanted both parts to conclude neatly in order to make us married er' tithed in the eye of both our belief systems and families in the same moment...but in the end we had to lean toward doin' the Pantheragrahana before the whole blood rite and final vows.

Vanna: *chuffing softly* Still it was a wonderful night...

Zach: *Clasps Vanna's paws in his* It really was my beautiful lil' Kitten...Y'all looked ...*Gets flustered* Ya'll were just stunnin' when y'all turned up in yer Lahenga...the lil' jewels glittered just as brightly as the stars in the sky...Although they still paled to y'all Darlin'...you was glowin'...

Vanna: *Blushes softly and looks away from her mate.* And you were so...handsome in your Sherwani...

Zach: I love you Kitten... *Zach kisses Vanna's paw sweetly* 

Vanna: I-I love you too goofball...

*Both Vanna and Zach appear momentarily lost in each other's eyes for a moment before snapping out of it*

Vanna: Oh! Right..*Blushes intensely as she draws back from Zach* I forgot to mention the outside ceremonies my family specifically held.

Zach: *Chuckles, sorting a blush of his own as he rubs the back of his head awkwardly.* Y-yeah, we nearly fergot...I was...I was thinkin' bout other thangs...*the wolf lets out a low, throaty laugh.*

Vanna: *Swats a playful paw at Zach as she tries to cover her beet-red muzzle with her other paw* Z-Zach, professionalism, please...

Zach: *Snickers* Alright, alright Darlin'....I'll be a good pup....fer the moment...*The wolf smirks mischievously.*

Vanna: *Holds a paw in his direction, apparently using it to block him out* My parents came out about a week before our tithe, and Ma and Pa Hunter had them stay in the guest rooms. While the rest of the Hunters didn't arrive until the weekend. During that lead-up, we made up for the traditional engagement ceremony they weren't present for, and there were many days of feasting.

Zach: They also dressed up our trailer to the nines with bright powder paints and flowers and lights...but that was after the weddin'...er' durin' I guess...somehow they pulled that off after we left fer the Ranch to prepare for the whole ceremony.

Vanna: That's our way of blessing the new family, as well as their home...speaking of, we're overdue to have my Mother and Father give our townhouse the same treatment...

Zach: *Chuckles* I'm glad they're willin' to do that...I still wish our house was done when we was tithed so they didn't have to go decoratin' that tin can of a trailer of ours...well Myra's now...

Vanna: *Cringes* Don't remind me...please...Not while I'm reminiscing Goofball...

Zach: Thankfully she was able to be fairly reigned in when she was at our weddin'...I think Pascha and Lucero were keepin' her on a tight leash...She did come on purty strong when she met Vern though...Vernon told me she was feelin' him up durin' the reception...

Vanna: *Groans, slapping a paw over her face* Not just Vernon...Trenton too...and Wade....even Ully...Thankfully she left Dorian and Yuri alone...probably because Dorian was tithed and Yuri had Ada with him then.

Zach: At least she's got standards... well...sometimes...*Chuckles*

Ask the Hunters; Religious Beliefs

 

Dorian: I think most of my pups largely take after us in terms of our religious beliefs...

Vernon: Yeah, we're probably all passive Volkinists...Norwulffish, whatever ya'll choose to call it.

Zach: 'Cept fer maybe Yuri...no offense little brother, but I mean, y'all spend a lot o' time crackin' off Native Wolf stuff.

Yuri: *Shakes Head* Just cause I like to throw around words like 'Ome-'.

Audrey: Ah! Ah! Ah! What did I say about usin' the 'O' word in this house?

Yuri: Aw c'mon now Ma! Ain't like I'm callin' any of these sorry sacks o' wolves around me an O-*Stops himself* Look, my point is, I use that stuff cause it gets under folks pelts, not cause I give it any real credence, okay!?

Trenton: That sounds about right. *Chuckles*

Dorian: Anyway, what they mean by 'passive volkinism' is that we follow rites fer big family events and uphold certain traditions. But it ain't like we're holdin' er' attendin' any services on full moon nights er' nothin'.

Wade: And a lot of us don't exactly pray all that often...to the Norwulffish gods I mean.

Yuri: I think the only one of us that breaks form is Ulric...I'd...honestly, I don't even know what to call that mutt...*Chuckles* I wanted to say he's one o' them atheists...but...*Rolls his eyes as if he's mulling things over.*

Xavier: His belief system tends to be in flux based on his current fixation...

Ulric: How many times do I have to say I am a 'TRUTH SEEKER', I seek "TRUTH', and when I find a newr, more compelling argument, I must pursue it!

Yuri: *Rolls his eyes* Here we go...

Zach: He does tend to gravitate back to that one really....weird obscure one though...that one that sound's like it's right out of a Loveclop novel?

Xavier: The space, tentacle thing? The one with the big eye?

Ulric: If you guys would just actually LISTEN to me for once, you would see that that 'things' filthy tendrils have left prints on every culture, in nearly every age of Zootopian history! It's merely modern historians who are trying to bury the lead as-!

Audrey: Honey, have you taken your medication today?

Ulric: I TOOK MY MEDICATION! GEEZE! Listen, he's-!

Vernon: I was gonna say, he tends to start talking about that thing when he's been off his meds for a while...

Ulric: YOU GUYS BROUGHT IT UP! Besides, that's when he....when I see him! That's why I know he's planning to try and set events in motion that will cause his avatar, a son, to be born on Animalia!

Honey: Ully, did you replace-? Uhg, yeah, he replaced the meds in his bottle with M&Ms again...*Clasp Ully's wrists with her strong badger paws, restraining him.* I've got backups in my bag, I'm going to take him to our room give him a dose.

Ulric: NO! NOOOO! I have to TELL THE WORLD! H-HONEY! *Honey starts dragging the wolf toward the stairs.* HOOOONEY STOOOOoooOOOP!*

Honey: OH, and before I duck out, I'm agnostic for the record. I believe there's something...just not sure what. *Is now easily dragging the struggling wolf away.*

Ulric: NOOOoooOOOO! *Voice and whining fades as he is dragged up the stairs and out of sight.*

Vernon: *Coughs* Anywho, yeah....uh...let's just pick it up from Honey's answer and move on to the gals...

Dawn: Well, I'm a passive Capridist I suppose. I do about the same amount of worship and prayer that the rest of the Hunters do when it comes to Volkinism, and upholding the traditional ceremonies. I do...believe in the Elysian fields, or heaven as a sort of basic catch-all, but I don't think I truly believe in any of my pantheon's specific gods...I just feel traditions are important and a nice thing to pass on to your lambs.

Vanna: I agree with Dawn, to some extent. Traditions are nice, and Binduist beliefs have a great many traditions I look forward to sharing with our...kittens *Blushes softly as she grips Zach's paw.* when we adopt. *Smirks* But the tenets of Binduism and the concept of Karma and Dharma are a great sort of...moral framework to live by, and pass on to your kittens.

Zach: *Smiles at his mate* I think so too, although the same could prolly' be said fer Volkinism, and Capridism...

Dawn: Yes, it's good to have a moral framework to live by, and instill in your lambs...

Trenton: *Leans in to inspect Zach and Vanna and smirks* Y'all too got awfully smiley when talkin' 'bout adoptin'....you two fixin' to finally...?

Vanna: *Retracts slightly, covering her muzzle to hide her growing blush* Well...I-I mean....

Zach: We've been talkin' about it a lot lately...and well...we're gonna start touchin' base with agencies next month...

Vernon: *Flashes the couple a wide, toothy smile* Well I'll be dipped! *Chuckles* No way! Yer fixin' to take up rearin' some pup's finally?

Vanna: *Still blushing* W-We've-We feel that we're finally ready to t-take that step.

Zach: Already talked to Pa privately about addin' the new pup's bedroom to the house...we're puttin' some foundation down next week.

Ada, Dawn, Qali, Malcolm and Audrey: *Various excited and girlish squealing*

Dawn: OOOH! I'm so happy for you guys! *Hugs Vanna's leg* If there is anything Vernon and I can do to help, letters of recommendation, anything, you don't even have to ask!

Vernon: I imagine a letter from us could make thangs real nice and smooth fer the whole process all things considered. *Chuckles*

Vanna: *Leans down and hugs Dawn, slowly the other Hunter gals and Malcolm pile on the hug, Vanna's blush only deepens as she tears up. *T-Thank you all...

Audrey: *Audrey turns to Dorian while hugging Vanna* And when was you fixin' to tell me this was happenin'!?

Dorian:*Holds up his paws defensively* I was sworn to secrecy! I swear! They had time constraints, so they had to tell me, but they wanted to tell y'all as a group when the time was right...

*The hug breaks up, and Auddey returns to Dorian's side, giving the older wolf a hug*

Audrey: Alright, I forgive ya Darlin'...*Audrey giggles, planting a kiss on Dorian's muzzle* Next time, y'all might not be as lucky...*Laughs*

*Dorian looks relieved, letting out and audible *phew* As he grips Audrey to his side.*

Vernon: Now 'er pups will finally have some cousins to play with. *Chuckles*

Ada: Dat's so great! I'm so happy for yas too! *Smirks at Yuri* Aldough it's gettin' me tinkin' I might be wantin' my own pups soon...

Yuri: *huffs and crosses his arms*  We got tithed last year fer cryin' out loud! We ain't doin' this now!

Ada: So later den? *Chuckles*

Yuri: *Growls* UGGGH!

Xavier: I think it would be better to give in now Yuri, Ada does seem to always win these sorts of discussions between you.

Malcolm: *Snickers* Best to stop strugglin' and ride the current out...

Yuri: Let's just get back on track already! *Snorts* Ada, tell them about your kooky religion...

Ada: *Rolls her eyes* Hey, don't take potshots at Zoodoo just cause youse know gonna lose dat pup fight.

Dawn: You practice Zoodoo? I thought the Sam Hain Costume your was last year was...well...

Ada: *Chuckles* A gag? Eh...a little from column A, a little from column B. My parents was passive Simboligsts, but me's, I couldn' jives with a religion dat frames all hyenas as evil...considerin' I was one...*Chuckles* 'Specially when I becames a moody teen...

Qali: So what is Zoodoo exactly?

 Ada: Eh...I ain't gonna bog ya downs wit da details. Clops notes voision is da Hyenas fleein' from South Afrikat to escape da treatment dere settled in Suddern Mammalia and da islands and sorta reinvented Simbology usin' a lot of 'non-canonical' texts and meshin' it with old Hyenyan Predganist religions. 

Dawn: Non-canonical...you mean...like Kovu?

Ada: Yeah, and reframin' da hyenas who was vilified unda Scar and puttin' dem' back into da whole 'cicle o' life' where day belong...aldough, we did put a hyena at da top of da pole. Dat would be Jasiri, da den mudder of us modern hyenas, and da goddess of death...

Giselle: She's a goddess of death...you don't see many that many religions with a death goddess at the top...

Ada: Wells, Hyenas as a species are verys intune wit death, I means, are ancestors was da undatakers of da wild...*Snickers*. Besides, she was balanced out by her mate Kion, God of life, and a lion a dat...a forbidden tryst...*Snickers*

Dawn: So do you still...I mean are you still-?

Ada: Eh...I'm passive about it now...more into it when I was a teen...back den I did spell rituals and stuff...no chicken sacrifices dough...wasn't willin' to go dat far...

Vanna: I was about to ask...

Trenton: As for Qali here, she's also a Volkinist...

Qali: My family bloodline trace back to Northern Roarope, and the way things were with foxes of all pelts at the time meant the Norwulves were going to be the only mammals who accepted us as equals...Naturally, my family's patron saint is Vulki! But we don't practice too deeply...

Trenton: It made things much easier durin' our own tithe...we didn't have to worry about meshin' anythin' into the frame work....no offense you guys...*Gestures to Dawn, Vern, Vanna and Zach*

Zach: Eh, we got along just fine...wasn't to hard...

Vernon: Same here, y'all and Gus did a great job mergin' two types o' ceremonies on such short notice. 

Xavier: We're in the same boat, Malcolm is also a passive Volkinist.

Malcolm: So we won't have any trouble at all durin' our tithe this Fall! *Laughs*

Vernon: Cheers to that! We're lookin' forward to it!

Wade: What about you Darlin' yer a Simbologist, right?

Giselle: Yes, my family was from Afrikat originally, and our species never really got a chance to have an organized religion of its own before the Pridelands took over. But like the rest of you I'm a passive worshipper, as are my parents...

Wade: Good thing too, 'er else we might run into some hiccups iffin' we ever got tithed... Simboligists are very anti-cross species tithin's and all...

Audrey: Iffin' yer ever gonna ask that gal, that is! *Laughs*

Wade: Aww MA! Don't start!

Ask the Ruminerds PLUS; Weirdopolis or Fictionpunk?

Vernon: Phew, that's a purty weird, wide net to be castin' in terms of who yer askin'...I mean, I'd expect a question like this fer me and the other Ruminerds...but Gazelle? And Finnick? I don't really even know that fella...

Dawn: I do know about Finnick quite well...but only by virtue of writing his and Gazelle's stories for my sequel book; "The Crosser Diaries". But other than that, I can't say I really...know him in a sense that was...well, I wouldn't say we're on "Nick and Judy" terms. Finnick seems like a very private mammal who doesn't like being bothered...and as for Gazelle, I'd feel weird to be bothering her with a question like this...no offense.

Nick: Afraid it's too small a question for her, or afraid she's gonna steal this guy's ideas and take them to some big movie studio? *Chuckles*

Judy: Nick, don't joke like that! Gazelle would never steal from someone!

Nick: The chapter on Gazelle's faun-hood in Dawn's book would beg to differ Carrots. And that's straight from the antelope's muzzle.

Judy: *Huffs and crosses her arms* Well that...um...I mean...look she doesn't now! And she did that to survive!

Gus: Adding to Dawn's 'no offense' remark, even if Gazelle wanted to steal an idea like that, I don't think she'd know who to take it to in order to sell it. Now me stealing one of these settings for a BnB campaign, that's far more likely. *Snickers*

Melly: *Raises and skeptical brow* Really? C'mon Gussie...You're better than that...

Gus: What!? It's not like I'd be selling it or something, it'd just be a space to play in for our group. If it wasn't for this little conversation with Dawn acting as a stenographer to post it on her and Vernon's 'dear tabby' blog, this hyena guy would never know I intended to use it.

Broomie: What makes you think he's a hyena?

Gus: 'Laugh'lin...with a surname like that, how can he not be?

Melly: *Lets out a snorting laugh* *Shakes her head* Gus, that was terrible...

Gus: *Smirks* It was worth it...

Megumi: Didn't he say his name was pronounced 'lawf'lin...?Why would that...uh...? I am sorry, I'm confused...

Joel: *Whispers in Megumi's ear.*

Megumi: *Eyes widen as realization washes over her.* *The little red panda begins laughing hysterically* Oh-HO-HO! HA-! LAUGH! Because H-hYena's laugh...you said his n-naHAHAme wrong on purpose as part of the joke! *Continues cackling*

Gus: *Flashes Joel a half-lidded gaze.* She really didn't get that?

Joel: *Smirks* She's very good when it comes to Zootopian and Animalian culture and humor in general...but every once and a while something doesn't get through the internal translator just right, and stuff like this happens....*Laughs* I do so love these little 'lost in translation' moments...

*Megumi's laugh trails off as the little panda wipes a tear from her eye.*

Megumi: *Phew*...I need to catch my breath...that caressed my ribs...

Gus: *Quirks eyebrow* Uh...what?

Joel: Tickled babe, the expression is 'tickled my ribs".

Dawn: We're getting way off track. Dustin wanted to know which of these if novelized, we'd rather read.

Gus: Allow me to reframe it for the group if you would Dawn? Guys, which of these settings would you rather play in?

Joel: Fiction Punk...

Megumi: Because you want to rub shoulders with your anime heroes...*Snickers* Or 'super simian Joel'...

Joel: *Places a hoof finger up to his muzzle and hushes Megumi loudly* You promised you'd keep that a secret! *Joel whispers to his mate*

Gus: Oh please, we all know about super simian Joel...we've seen your secret commission harvesting art page...

Joel: *Looks flustered* M-Megumi! You to-!?

Broomie: She didn't do anything, you left yourself logged into Gus BnB computer in the office and forgot to log out. And well...*snickers* There was no way I was gonna keep gold like that to myself.

Joel: *Huffs* I t-thought it was one of those...logs out from the guest systems on idle deals! *Snorts in irritation* CHIKUSHOU!

Gus: I'm voting Weirdopolis.

Vernon: Same...I feel y'all got more creative freedom with that one...with the fiction one y'all gotta...pull from cartoons and books and movies and such...I dunno if I'm keen in playin' in a world like that Ready Player One movie...and as a book...well, I mean I feel that Fiction Punk thang is better served by bein' in a visual medium.

Dawn: It's a difficult call with Fiction Punk...as much as I like it...if you lean heavily on established characters across media interacting you tend to end up leaning toward fan service, and it may hurt the concept...at the same time, a world of original characters, such as fake cartoon and book characters...well not only would you have trouble getting an audience if you didn't have one already...but you'd have to really work out exactly what makes different fictives stand apart from one another...like toony cartoons or superheroes, or...whatever else. Sort of like species traits...

Vernon: So...Weirdopolis?

Dawn: I'd vote Weirdopolis yes.

Melanie: I'd agree with the rest of you...the whole cryptids element really kinda hooks me in from the jump as I'm a bit of a 'conspiracy, urban legends, and cryptid' nerd.

Vernon: *Snickers* Don't let Ully hear you say that...

Melanie: *Laughs* I won't, believe me! I've heard their podcast...and seen their live streams... Ulric would give Alex Roams a run for his money.

Megumi: I do like the creepy and strange concept more...it seems very intriguing.

Joel: Oh sure! Everyone just vote me down! *laughs*

Vernon: What about y'all...I mean...I wager yer probably not interested in this kinda stuff...but...

Judy: As far as books go...I'd lean Weirdopolis...

Nick: As far as your little backroom fantasy games go, we'd go neither. *Chuckles* Though I'd say Fiction Punk would make for a good film...although...I'm not sure what you'd have to do to distance yourself from ol' Roger Rabbit...

Dawn: That's another fair point I guess...Not to discourage you, Dustin, please don't take any of this that way...they're both fun ideas! But if I'm forced to choose...

Nick: He asked for an answer, if he didn't like it, he shouldn't have pitched it to us in the first place.

Judy: Nick, be nice!

Nick: *Rolls eyes* Fine Carrots, fine...

Dawn: Perhaps I can get Gazelle's opinion sometime in the future, but for now I hope that is enough feedback for you Dustin. Good luck in your writing endeavors!

*The group falls silent for a moment*

Megumi: So...is he actually a hyena, or...?

Ask Padaprascha and Lucero; Bindu Gods

 

Padaprascha: Binsuims has many deities. So many that it even I would probably need to spend time researching to name and explain all of them.

Lucero: As we've mentioned before, Bindu's origin was a sort of an amalgam of local religions, beliefs, and deities. And the nature of Bunduisim, with its openness to adapting and absorbing portions of outside religions into itself, its theology has only been added to for millennia after it was initially founded.

Padaprascha: So for brevities sake, I'll just mention some of the key gods and goddesses my family kept me familiar with. First there's our primary god of creation Brahman, who is...unironically worshipped the least among Bindu practitioners. His consort, Simmrawati is the goddess of learning and creative endeavors, essentially arts and poetry and such...

Lucero: Next ones I can recall are Ursidnu, god of preservation, and the most involved of the gods with us mortals on Animalias. He's also the god that has the strongest connection to the concept of Dharma, and has interceded directly many times through incarnating on Animalia in order to maintain cosmic order.

Padaprascha: Good job my love. You recalled quite a bit more about Usidnu than I thought you would.

Lucero: *Chuckles* Well, it helps he's one of the 'biggest gods' in Binduism. Otherwise, I assuredly would only recall Tigra and Purravati.

Padaprascha: *Snickering* Of course you'd be best versed in the gods most commonly associated with our species. But before we get there, let me mention Lakshmaw, the goddess of wealth, prosperity, and beauty. She's also a bear.

Lucero: Moving right along we have Tigra, the god of destruction, which...should make his role in the grand scheme of things very apparent. His consort is Purravati, the godess of power, courage, and a little addendum there that she also represents fertility and beauty. 

Padaprascha: As a tiger, she has to steal a bit of the other god's thunder by representing some similar aspects of life.

Lucero: *Chuckles* As a tiger, she can do it better. As can Tigra. God of destruction and the goddess of power and courage...a true power couple if ever there was one. *Snickers*.

Padaprascha: By now you may have noticed a theme among the gods, each of the primary gods representing the birth, preservation, and death of the universe, and the stages of life to an extent. With their consorts representing an extension of those aspects. Though there are a few other gods that are sort of... ancillary?  if that is the right word?

Lucero: Essentially gods outside of the main set that holds a high prominence, that is what you were trying to say, right my dearest?

Padaprascha: Yes, exactly my love. And I have three deities on my mind that would be worthy of noting I think.

Lucero: If they are the gods I'm thinking of, they are certainly relevant, but considering their parentage, I can't help that I've always had some questions. *Snickers*

Padaprascha: A god of great importance that most outsiders know of, aside from Ursidnu and Tigra, would be Gompesha, the elephant god of wisdom and the remover of obstacles in one's life. He's quite commonly worshipped among Bindians. He's also the son of Tigra and Purrvati...

Lucero: Two tigers give birth to an elephant...that must have cause quite a stir. *Laughs*

Padaprascha: Well, apparently Ursidnu sired a camel who would be the god of love, so there's another species peculiarity.

Lucero: I suppose it's reasons like this why one must not take scripture as pure gospel...then again with the birth of Vanna's sister-in-law's hybrid kitten...perhaps Binduism was telling us ahead of time that the barriers that separate species were not as thick as we assumed they were. 

Padaprascha: or you could just go with the standard excuse for religious inconsistency. It's the work of the gods, they can bend reality and therefore do anything! *Snickers*

Lucero: But that's the easy route...*Chuckles* I prefer encouraging letting one's mind wander rather than stifling it with a vague, unsatisfyingly cryptic answer. It's more fun that way.