Efteta

(F-teh-tah)

Information

While avocs have been around centuries—hundreds of years before the Timekeeping Reset—much of their worship practices have been documented exclusively through oral tradition. These histories and rituals have been passed down by rote, creating rich diversity in each denomination.

References

Algiephav

The Dav is the foundational text of Efteta, with around ten books considered to be part of the religion’s canon. Some denominations have more or less books, but none have fewer than seven. No denominations hold any books written after the Timekeeping Reset, as any contact with Davoto after that point is considered heretical or blasphemous.

Theology

Though there are differences across and within denominations, overall avocs hold their ancestral relationship with Davoto in high esteem. In some communities having a clearer or more established bloodline is considered more holy, and these clans have more power in the area. Generally some form of ritualistic or repetitive worship is considered necessary to maintain the relationship.

Denominations

There are three main denominations of Efteta with three very different takes on worshiping the Deity of Death. Two—Grenavoc and Alieravoc—are in relative opposition on how to read and interpret the events of the Dav, with the former taking a more literal or straight approach and the later taking a more metaphorical approach. A third large denomination called Driovoc has both literal and metaphorical stances of various books, but is differentiated by a central tenant that seeks to promote a “healthy” fear of Davoto among avocs.

Grenavoc

The main denomination of Avotoc, which base their worship on the literal word of the Ontiba, with no interpretation. Rich in tradition and history after developing for hundreds of years. This includes avoc who believe in the power of Davoto can be harnessed through symbology and physically manifested in artifacts like amulets.¹ One denomination draws influence from both Foradt and Ranaivoc and is the most conservative, requiring that all of its followers be fully clothed at all times for modesty.

Alieravoc

A denomination that does not take the Ontiba as literally. They believe that the Fieft is a metaphor entirely, and argue that the four star-planets cannot contain the afterlife and is instead a metaphor for ascension onto the immortal level of Davoto. They wish to travel as living mortals to the Fieft, and are often open to other non-literal interpretations of the Ontiba. Their worship is often seen as less-traditional, often taking place outside overlooking the water.

Driovoc

The belief that Davoto is not a benevolent god, as shown by his punishment of Lu’Sca. Other Avotoc warn that encouraging all to fear Davoto would invoke his wrath. Generally this is the least popular of what are considered the three “main” denominations and include several shunned sub-groups like the Algikovoc who bury their dead in towers on land.