Confluence

Confluence is the primary religion of Tarquinia, and its outlook is rooted in the rivers of the nation. Life is like the river deltas, and its ebb and flow is to be accepted in order to yield its fruits. Everyone starts at the source in the mountain peaks, and follow The Flow downstream across the deltas to the ocean where you drift off to peaceful eternal slumber. It is unique in that there is no god or godly figure, but there is The Mouth, who is the spiritual leader who speaks on the river and The Flow. They do not have any authority over the religious populace, but they are highly respected.

Unlike the stalwart teachings of The Fayth, and to a degree Heltevei, Confluence tells that the meaning of life is not to be understood. To try and understand the chaos of the world, and to drift from The Flow only leads to despair and insanity. The key to Confluence is to accept that not everything has an answer, and to instead focus on what is in front of you. Therefore, the main doctrines of Confluence are of self-improvement and community. Followers are friendly and inviting, and visitors are shocked and sceptical when strangers joyfully and genuinely invite them into their homes for tea and cake. 

Where The Fayth is so repressed in its structure and rules, Confluence has flexible boundaries that ebb and flow with context, just like the seasons of the river. Where The Fayth would ask of you to mourn quietly, in private and move on swiftly; Confluence wants you to release your emotions and be free - mourn loudly and without shame, take the time to pause on the river bank to feel what you need to feel. The Flow continues in your absence but never goes away, so when you are ready to rejoin the current, it will welcome you. 

The main adversary to The Flow is the aforementioned need for control. Where people may want more than what is granted to them, and want to take advantage, this is where conflict rises. At its extreme, Witches are seen as those who want to dam the river and keep its riches for themselves which is why, in Tarquinia, Witches are hunted with extra scrutiny. 

However, the outlook on other creatures of Evil is entirely different. For example, if one who is cursed with Lycanthropy exiles themselves to isolation in the wild, where an active effort has been made not to do harm - why bring harm to their door? The Fayth would tell you that Evil needs eradicating no matter the cost, but here it is viewed much more holistically. It is no wonder, with this in mind, that the Jaegers of Tarquinia and the rest of Aynca are often at odds with one another. 

Priests 

Priests within Confluence are a far cry from the strict regimes of priests of The Fayth, or the rigorous testing of Vitki in Heltevei.

In Confluence, one does not require to be ordained by the church to become a priest. Instead, it is communities who decide who their spiritual guides are. Those who exhibit wisdom, empathy and deep seated faith in Confluence and The Flow naturally become figures whom others go for guidance, which in time grants them this great honour by their community. 

Ceremonies

Within Confluence, rituals and ceremonies are deeply intertwined with the symbolism of rivers and their seasonal cycles. During significant milestones in life, such as births, marriages, and deaths, followers gather along riverbanks to partake in rituals that honour The Flow and mark the transitions of life. These milestones are often tied to certain locations in rivers as well, for example: birth and naming celebrations taking place at river sources, and funerals taking place at mouths of rivers leading out to sea. These ceremonies often involve offerings of flowers, prayers whispered to the rushing waters, and symbolic gestures that reflect the fluidity of existence. 

Festivals

Throughout Tarquinia, vibrant river festivals take place every year, drawing communities together in celebration of their shared connection to The Flow. They are very unlike the more formal festivities of The Fayth and, to an extent, some elements of Heltevei, instead embracing chaotic exuberance. These festivals feature music, dance, and feasting, with activities ranging from boat races and fishing competitions to storytelling circles and craft markets. River festivals serve as joyous occasions for people to come together, strengthen bonds, and revel in the beauty of their natural surroundings.

Living With Nature, Not Against It

Central to Confluence is the belief in living in harmony with the natural world and being considerate of the environment. Followers are taught to respect the delicate balance of ecosystems and to tread lightly upon the earth, mindful of the impact their actions may have on the river and its surrounding habitats. Conservation efforts are often spearheaded by communities, who recognise the interconnectedness of all life and strive to protect the sacred waters that sustain them.