Venoxian Culture
Serpentism
Serpentism is a polytheistic religion composed of the religious and cultural values of Vexians. There are a total of eight Gods & Goddesses that are worshiped within Serpentism, with an additional deity (Xordon) serving as a “devil” of sorts.
In Serpentism it is believed that, long ago, the World of Venox was a land of paradise. The King of this land bore two sons, Leodon & Xordon, with Xordon being the firstborn of the two. Typically, the first born child in the royal family is the next to take the throne, however, Xordon was said to have become incredibly greedy & violently ambitious as he grew older. Concerned by this, King Oreon decided that Leodon would take the throne instead of his brother, and made it law that Kings & Lords are to select the best heir from their bloodline rather than give the privilege to whomever was the eldest.
Enraged by this decision, Xordon attacked his brother the day of his coronation, and the two engaged in a bloody battle that would soon turn into a war that would last centuries. This destroyed the paradise that they once called home, dividing the people within and causing the loss of thousands of lives. Eventually, Leodon would emerge victorious, and banished his brother to the very core of the world, where he would be doomed to a life of eternal pain & suffering in a place now called Hel.
Unable to live in the ruins of his home, Leodon took to the skies with his beloved life Layla, and together the two roamed the skies. They bore six children, and together those children began to repair the world of Venox, eventually nurturing it back to its former glory. As the world began to heal, Vexians began to repopulate and began to spread across the land, eventually evolving to adapt to their new environments.
In Serpentism it is believed that, long ago, the World of Venox was a land of paradise. The King of this land bore two sons, Leodon & Xordon, with Xordon being the firstborn of the two. Typically, the first born child in the royal family is the next to take the throne, however, Xordon was said to have become incredibly greedy & violently ambitious as he grew older. Concerned by this, King Oreon decided that Leodon would take the throne instead of his brother, and made it law that Kings & Lords are to select the best heir from their bloodline rather than give the privilege to whomever was the eldest.
Enraged by this decision, Xordon attacked his brother the day of his coronation, and the two engaged in a bloody battle that would soon turn into a war that would last centuries. This destroyed the paradise that they once called home, dividing the people within and causing the loss of thousands of lives. Eventually, Leodon would emerge victorious, and banished his brother to the very core of the world, where he would be doomed to a life of eternal pain & suffering in a place now called Hel.
Unable to live in the ruins of his home, Leodon took to the skies with his beloved life Layla, and together the two roamed the skies. They bore six children, and together those children began to repair the world of Venox, eventually nurturing it back to its former glory. As the world began to heal, Vexians began to repopulate and began to spread across the land, eventually evolving to adapt to their new environments.
To read a more in-depth retelling of the story of Venox, please visit the “Lore” page!
Holidays & Ceremonies
In Serpentism, there are a variety of Holidays & Celebrations that Vexians celebrate:
Gathering of Hearts Festival (February)
The Gathering of Hearts Festival is a joyous time of year where Vexians celebrate their love for one another, whether it be platonic or romantic! Traditions for this festival include Vexians gathering several ribbons of the same color & giving them to loved ones, tethering them somewhere on the body in order to show their affections & celebrate the new life that will come with the breeding season!
Flower Festival (May)
The Flower Festival is a newer holiday that was created in order to celebrate the unity among the Divisions after Lady Lilith’s efforts in creating equality for all. This holiday is held in spring to represent the growth occurring in Venox and the birth of a new era. During this time, Vexians of all Divisions will gather and give each other flowers or accessories crafted with flowers to signify the diversity & unity among the Divisions. Each Division has a designated color, with hybrid Vexians using the 2-3 colors representing their makeup!
Summer Solstice Celebration (August)
The Summer Solstice Celebration is a time where Vexians celebrate the coronation or coronation anniversary of the current King! During this celebration, the current King will be handed a specific torch from each Lord and will then light a series of pyres, that of which have different symbols on them to represent all of Venox's Divisions. Afterwards, the Royal Prophet will say a small prayer and place the King's crown atop their head. After the ceremony has been completed, a city-wide feast & party is held in honor of the King, and subjects will give small gifts or offerings to the King to signify their loyalty.
Hallowed Nights Festival (October)
The Hallowed Nights Festival is a time where it is believed that the gateways to the spirit world are open & the souls of lost loved ones roam to visit their families. During this time, Vexians will celebrate the lives of the deceased by hosting parties & feasts whilst dressed up in costumes in order to ward off “evil” spirits. Many homes are typically decorated with carved pumpkins & other homemade decor in order to keep unwanted spirits out of homes; candles are typically placed in the front windows of homes & small offerings are often in the windowsills to welcome the spirits of the families’ departed.
Festival of Harvest (November)
The Festival of Harvest is a time where Vexians celebrate the change of seasons & the bountiful harvests that come with fall! Each year, Vexians gather to celebrate by playing games & having feasts with their friends and loved ones! Additionally, during this time, Vexians will often leave treats & other small offerings at Godly altars in order to give thanks to the Gods & Goddesses for their protection!
Hoarfrost Festival (December)
The Hoarfrost Festival is a time where Vexians gather to celebrate the beginning of the winter season with their loved ones! Vexians will often decorate their homes & evergreen trees within the home (as well as Godly altars) to welcome the winter season & the ending of the year! Additionally, feasts will often be held & gifts will be exchanged on the 25th of the month! A large celebration is typically held in the town centre of large cities where there is food, games, and gifts for all to enjoy!
Gathering of Hearts Festival (February)
The Gathering of Hearts Festival is a joyous time of year where Vexians celebrate their love for one another, whether it be platonic or romantic! Traditions for this festival include Vexians gathering several ribbons of the same color & giving them to loved ones, tethering them somewhere on the body in order to show their affections & celebrate the new life that will come with the breeding season!
Flower Festival (May)
The Flower Festival is a newer holiday that was created in order to celebrate the unity among the Divisions after Lady Lilith’s efforts in creating equality for all. This holiday is held in spring to represent the growth occurring in Venox and the birth of a new era. During this time, Vexians of all Divisions will gather and give each other flowers or accessories crafted with flowers to signify the diversity & unity among the Divisions. Each Division has a designated color, with hybrid Vexians using the 2-3 colors representing their makeup!
Summer Solstice Celebration (August)
The Summer Solstice Celebration is a time where Vexians celebrate the coronation or coronation anniversary of the current King! During this celebration, the current King will be handed a specific torch from each Lord and will then light a series of pyres, that of which have different symbols on them to represent all of Venox's Divisions. Afterwards, the Royal Prophet will say a small prayer and place the King's crown atop their head. After the ceremony has been completed, a city-wide feast & party is held in honor of the King, and subjects will give small gifts or offerings to the King to signify their loyalty.
Hallowed Nights Festival (October)
The Hallowed Nights Festival is a time where it is believed that the gateways to the spirit world are open & the souls of lost loved ones roam to visit their families. During this time, Vexians will celebrate the lives of the deceased by hosting parties & feasts whilst dressed up in costumes in order to ward off “evil” spirits. Many homes are typically decorated with carved pumpkins & other homemade decor in order to keep unwanted spirits out of homes; candles are typically placed in the front windows of homes & small offerings are often in the windowsills to welcome the spirits of the families’ departed.
Festival of Harvest (November)
The Festival of Harvest is a time where Vexians celebrate the change of seasons & the bountiful harvests that come with fall! Each year, Vexians gather to celebrate by playing games & having feasts with their friends and loved ones! Additionally, during this time, Vexians will often leave treats & other small offerings at Godly altars in order to give thanks to the Gods & Goddesses for their protection!
Hoarfrost Festival (December)
The Hoarfrost Festival is a time where Vexians gather to celebrate the beginning of the winter season with their loved ones! Vexians will often decorate their homes & evergreen trees within the home (as well as Godly altars) to welcome the winter season & the ending of the year! Additionally, feasts will often be held & gifts will be exchanged on the 25th of the month! A large celebration is typically held in the town centre of large cities where there is food, games, and gifts for all to enjoy!
Non-Religious Ceremonies
Weddings
Venoxian weddings, while unique to each & every couple, have a few shared traditions specific to Venoxian culture. After the couples have exchanged rings, they will also give each other a flower representing their specific Division in order to symbolize their unity and to symbolize how they are becoming a part of each other forever.
Funerals
Although there are a couple different types of burials for Vexians depending on their wishes, it is tradition for the deceased Vexian to be shrouded in flowers - these flowers are given to them by each attending member of the funeral, and are colored according to the attendee’s Division, sometimes resulting in a very colorful array of flowers surrounding the deceased as they are buried. These flowers are meant to represent love, and are a way for the living to encourage the deceased to move on & reach The Heavens safely.
Venoxian weddings, while unique to each & every couple, have a few shared traditions specific to Venoxian culture. After the couples have exchanged rings, they will also give each other a flower representing their specific Division in order to symbolize their unity and to symbolize how they are becoming a part of each other forever.
Funerals
Although there are a couple different types of burials for Vexians depending on their wishes, it is tradition for the deceased Vexian to be shrouded in flowers - these flowers are given to them by each attending member of the funeral, and are colored according to the attendee’s Division, sometimes resulting in a very colorful array of flowers surrounding the deceased as they are buried. These flowers are meant to represent love, and are a way for the living to encourage the deceased to move on & reach The Heavens safely.