Primordial Spirit

Introduction

The Primordial Spirits are the first and most fundamental spirits in Adarian cosmology. There are nine. The first two, Umalyu and Pavkanai, arose in the Napadéh before anything else existed. The other seven, who embody darkness, light, earth, fire, air, water, and time, arose from the interaction of the two.

A Primordial Spirit is not separate from the thing it embodies. When Yairan was thought into being, earth was thought into being with him.

Origin and Nature

The first two

Umalyu – The first consciousness. It emerged from the Ákyar of the Napadéh, and all other spirits derive from it.
Pavkanai – The spirit of imagination, creativity, and dreaming. She arose from Umalyu.

The seven

Seven further spirits arose from the interaction of Umalyu's consciousness and Pavkanai's imagination. In order of emergence, they are:

Náiluv – The spirit of darkness.
Tñarilu – The spirit of light.
Yairan – The spirit of earth.
Metihi – The spirit of fire.
Yavi – The spirit of air.
Aahi – The spirit of water.
Konmai – The spirit of time. He emerged last, near the end of the Great Erosion.

Yairan, Metihi, Yavi, and Aahi are the four elemental spirits, and what they embody are the four Primordial Elements. Náiluv, Tñarilu, and Konmai are Primordial Spirits but are not counted among the elements.

Role in the Cosmos

Each Primordial Spirit has a realm. Dalel is the realm of earth, Píñáku of fire, Zayam of air, and Aasila of water. Qaaniguaq is the realm of light and Woncu the realm of darkness, and between them they give day and night. Q'ommer, the realm of time, encompasses the others. Gueroeq, the realm of imagination, lies outside time.

The four elemental spirits fought over Dalel in the Great Erosion. The Ascendant Spirits arose only afterward.

Influence and Manipulation in Osia

The paths of Osia are named for Primordial Spirits, such as the Path of Yairan and the Path of Náiluv. A path is not something inherent in the spirit. It is a human tradition, comparable to a religion, made up of people who study how to manipulate the lesser spirits associated with that Primordial Spirit.

Umalyu is an exception. A path of Umalyu exists in theory but is not practised. Umalyu is instead the source of a number of religions.

Role in Everyday Life

The Primordial Spirits are revered throughout Adaris, though forms of worship vary between cultures and regions. Some regard them as distant, and others hold that they act in the world and influence the lives of mortals. Temples, shrines, and rituals dedicated to them are common, and many people seek their blessing for health, prosperity, and guidance.