Sponjdaism

Sponjdaism (far more frequently called by sect) is a system of belief featured in EngelReise that originates from the Krucifixans of the Greater Krucifix region, and eventually bleeding westward into Kuchu as well. The core fundamental of Sponjdaism is the acknowledgment that the universe is the creation of a supernatural being, the Sponjdai, who makes subtle interventions into the world based on the consumed knowledge of beings who have passed away. The Sponjdai serves as an explanation for things such as weather, vegetative growth, and fertility, the suggestion being that if someone dies with the knowledge that a forest is suffering from too much deforestation, the Sponjdai will inherit this knowledge and address the situation appropriately. There are two Sponjdaist sects operating within Krucifix and Kuchu. Jochanism is the older faith, founded by early Krucifixans, they contend that the Sponjdai is not a deity, rather it is a natural entity—a science—and that it primarily concentrates on keeping the planet healthy through growth. The other sect, Hochanism, is primarily based in the neighboring Kuchu, and differs in that the Sponjdai is treated as a deity—a conscious being susceptible to emotions, judgment, and even prejudices. Hochanists, unlike Jochanists, do believe that the Sponjdai is well capable of intervening directly into the affairs of mankind if it sees this as a necessary means of helping the world.

## Sects

### Jochanism

*“No, Sponjdai to us Jochanists is a divine entity, it is a giant coalition of minds that power our world for the better. In the beginning of time, when our world was without an ocean, without forests, without settlements—Sponjdai was, with all due respect, a brainless entity. Then, when the first human died, their soul was conceded into the brainless entity that is Sponjdai. That one human soul contributed everything he learned in life to Sponjdai. His soul would tell Sponjdai: Humanity needs water to drink, an array of animals to hunt, trees to chop. Using that man’s knowledge, the mystifying will of Sponjdai brought oceans to this world, planted seeds in the ground, created new animal organisms to hunt. With every human who dies, their soul and knowledge are collected by Sponjdai and used for the betterment of this world.”* *―A Jochanist clergyman, EngelReise - Chapter 28*

Jochanism is the much larger sect of Sponjdaism, as well as the original. The ancient Krucifixans of the Greater Krucifix region founded the concept of Sponjdai as a way of explaining the process of growth, and over time, developed into an in-depth system of belief. While there would be those throughout all of history who flirt with the thought of the Sponjdai being a deity, the majority would stand by the canon that the Sponjdai is a natural science, not a being capable of independent thought.

Due to a lack of afterlife belief—and for many, a lack of belief in punishment—the desire to spread the Jochanist faith outside the natural borders of the Kingdom of Krucifix is seen as unnecessary. To the Jochanist, every living being in the universe contributes valuable knowledge to the Sponjdai after death, even including the Imperyean Puritonists who cause them so much pain. While the passing knowledge of mankind is treated as superior knowledge, it is widely acknowledged that even the passing knowledge of common animals plays a valuable role in that the animals know what the planet lacks, and therefore, informs the Sponjdai on what little bits of nature are in need of support. For this reason, it is a common view among Jochanists that avian life possess the second most important knowledge due to the vast terrain they observe daily.

### Hochanism

*"In Hochanism, Sponjdai is the watchful eye and sole god of the universe. When we die, our souls are either accepted or rejected by the Sponjdai—our god—thus adding to its collection of knowledge. In your Jochanism, the Sponjdai is a nature portal that controls the grass, air, clouds, water, and more. It is not a living thing, but rather, a natural center of the universe powered by the passing souls."* *―A Hochanist proselytizer, EngelReise - Chapter 33*

An export of Jochanism to Kuchu, the Krucif-Kuch (Krucifixans who migrated into Kuchu) aspired to spread the Jochanist system into the Superium Empire, believing that introducing the Sponjdai to such a mighty empire would lead to a trinkling effect around the world. Consequently, as the Superium Empire was overwhelmingly followers of the Shunam faith, the common theistic influences within Kuchu would root itself into the Jochanist presence, over time inspiring them to declare the Sponjdai as a god. Further reason for this transformation was due to Jochanism being very vulnerable to the process of syncretism due to it not having many contradicting fundamentals with other faiths. As Shunam-Jochanist syncretism became commonplace within Kuchu, an unsurprising development would lead to many simply removing the Shunamist teachings from the picture but while preserving the belief in a god.

Hochanists are far more aggressive with their faith, and unlike their Jochanist brethren, are eager to engage in theological debate in the hope of achieving conversions. Despite this aggressive nature, the Hochanists due not turn to violence to get their voices heard, and yet they will be quick to defend themselves if their way of life is genuinely threatened.