Vianism Vianism was an ancient pre - Republic religion of the Argazdan species . It originated in the Core Worlds but eventually died out . However , it survived in the Kanz sector where it was brought over to the region by Argazdan settlers in the early years of the Galactic Republic . Despite its Argazdan origins , Vianism also attracted several non - Argazdan species including the Lorrdians and Sipsk ' ud . Beliefs and doctrine . Vianists worshiped a pantheon of deities venerated by ancient Human civilizations in the Core Worlds including the Zhell of Coruscant and the Seoulian s . These deities included the goddess Via along with two entities representing aspects of the goddess — the Beatific Countenance and the Glorious Radiance . The Glorious Radiance was described as being similar to the Force since it connected Via to all life in the Galaxy . Believers had religious verses tattooed onto their bodies and thus wore robes and masks . Vianism had three major tenets which including serving others by anticipating their needs . At one point , this involved using the Force to discover these needs , though non - Force users were taught to read subtle changes in body language . Due to the large number of Lorrdian believers , this led to the development of kinetic communication . History . Vianism originated in the Core Worlds but had died out by circa . 20 , 000 BBY during the Galactic Republic ' s Great Manifest Period . The religion was brought to the Kanz sector from the Core by the ancestors of Argazdan civilization . Throughout the Old Republic era , Argazdan missionaries spread Vianism to other civilizations in the region including the Sipsk ' ud and the Lorrdians . In time , a predominantly Lorrdian sect known as the Sisterhood of the Glorious Radiance developed as an offshoot from mainstream Vianist beliefs . Unlike the Myrialites , the Sisterhood believed in giving their lives to serve Via , but did not believe in forcing others to do so . During the Kanz Disorders , a radical Vianist faction developed under the leadership of Provisional Governor Myrial , known as the Myrialites . Denouncing the Republic as corrupt and faithless , Myrialite forces occupied the Kanz sector , establishing the separatist Argazdan Redoubt . They enslaved all who opposed them , including the Lorrdians and inhabitants of Almatanna , for refusing to serve Via . In response , the rival Sisterhood attracted many anti - Myrialites and Force - sensitives who began an underground resistance against the Argazdan Redoubt . Following the enslavement of the Lorrdians , Vianism spread among outsiders which led to the development of kinetic communication among the Lorrdian diaspora . Due to their opposition to the Argazdan Redoubt , the Sisters were deported to a slave colony on the planet Lorrd ' s moon Lorrd II . However , during the Mandalorian Wars , the Revanchist Jedi Revan raided Lorrd II for Lorrdian gemstone s and also freed the slaves . For three hundred years , the Myrialites ruled the Argazdan Redoubt until they were ousted by Republic - Jedi forces under Jedi Master Mari - Elan Nora in 3670 BBY . By the Imperial era , Vianism including the Sisterhood of Glorious Radiance still existed in the Kanz sector . During a visit in the Galactic Civil War , Tash Arranda visited the Temple of the Glorious Radiance and was taken on a guided tour by Sister Sigil .