Adzamism

## History

Once, the Swareli Church was dominant in Pallacia. Though various folk religions existed in more rural areas, most cities the world over were vigorous followers of Legionism, and the closer to Bothokeven one travelled the fiercer this religious zeal became. However, when the Church collapsed and Legionism began to flicker, an immense vacuum was created. To fill this void rose Adzanism, which up until that point had been a tiny religious movement on some of the smaller Akzah islands. After a period of prodigious growth, Adzanism grew to become the dominant religion of the East, and eventually became prominent in the West as well.

## Core Beleifs

Adzanists worship Adzahnar, the Rising Son; from whom they believe all light originates. Adzanism holds that every belief, culture, and religion has a sliver of pure Truth within it; and it is the goal of every Adzanist to collect as many of these slivers of Truth as possible. This Truth, they say, is made of pure light. As such, like the light given by a torch or the sun itself, it comes from Adzahnar. This ambitious goal leads Adzanist devotaries to travel far and wide, encountering new people and learning new things. Now, this is not to say that the Akzah believe everything they are told, or that they hold all knowledge as equal: they acknowledge that some knowledge’s Truth is more diluted than others. However, their belief that everything has some degree of inherent Truth makes them far more open to new knowledge and accepting of other beliefs than any other people. Many devout Adzanists go on a Journey beginning a year before coming of age and traveling for one year. These youths can be encountered anywhere from mighty Varras to far Gron Ulra.

## Church Structure

There are two primary focal points for Adzanism. The religious body that has presided over Adzanism since its foundation is centered in the holy city of Aram, and as the origin of the religion it is frequently viewed as the core of Adzanism. The religious leader, called the Abhyasi resides there. The Abhyasi is responsible for promoting the collection of knowledge and guiding the religion on a grander scale, in such tasks as denouncing those whose beliefs distract from Truth and anointing Adzanist national leaders as “Truthspeakers,” a high title within the religion. By making the leaders of other nations, the Abhyasi both validates those leaders, makes them official members of the Adzanist movement, and places them in a hierarchy beneath the Abhyasi and other high ranking religious officials. Occasionally, when a leader makes significant contributions to or progress for Adzanism, the Abhyasi will grant them the title of “Leader of Light,” which grants them limited authority for guiding other compliant nations. This title has historically been reserved for the leader of the nation controlling Aram, and is rare even then. Many Adzanists in non-Akzah lands take issue with the concept of the Leader of Light, as they believe that it is a primarily political tool.

## Split in the Church

However, the power of Adzanism is becoming increasingly split between Aram and the Girkish city of Tarsippum. As a group that has faced significant oppression throughout its history and even in the modern forum, the Girkish have clung to the tolerant beliefs of Adzanism as a way to empower themselves. As Girkish influence in Adzanism increases, more focus is drawn to the East. In Tarsippum dwell a group of 12 Girkish philosophers called the Vasteminir. These philosophers have great influence not only among the Girkish, but among many followers of Adzanism. Though not officially recognized by the Abhyasi, the Vasteminir collate the Truth that their followers gather from their travels, and add any new Truth that has not been discovered before to a grand book called the Ubaid Kidar; which contains all Truth that the Vasteminir have ever discovered. There is only one copy of the book, and it is over 8,000 pages long. Travellers who seek wisdom frequently come to Tarsippum to speak to the Vasteminir and gain their advice in dealing with their troubles. Though the Vasteminir never leave Tarsippum, their following has grown steadily in recent years, now representing a major force in Adzanism.