Theianism

**Theianism** is a major, Lazhan religion within Blue, primarily located in Oldfoundland. It is centralized around the worship of the goddess Theia.

## Theology

### Doctrine

Theianism is a Fractalist faith, meaning that it accepts the events of the Myth of the Fracture as truth. The vast majority of Theians also believe in the Theian Account, which focuses on the events from a Theian perspective. In summary, in the time before the Fracture (known as the Age of Myth), Theia was the Goddess of Time who established the universe and created predestination. However, during the Fracture, Theia was nearly killed, and lost her control over the passage of fate. She escaped to the Liquid Mountains to live in peace, only now having her immortality and control over decay. As such, Theianism centers around the worship of decay and death, which are both seen as holy processes. Attempting to achieve immortality is seen as the greatest sin of all.

### Sectarianism

Theianism is split into three formal sects, known as Fatalism, Constructivism, and Destructivism. These three versions each have a different intepretation of death which defines their beliefs and rituals. Each sect was founded by a Prophet, a legendary figure who obtained a fragment of Theia's soul. Sectarian conflict has historically been limited, with much greater focus being placed on conflict with other religions.

#### Fatalism

Fatalism is the oldest and most commonly practiced version of Theianism, established by Prophet Thes circa 4100 BB. It holds foremost that death is inevitable, and as such must be respected and feared. Elders, or those who are closest to death, are seen as being closer to Theia and are thus worthy of respect. Distrust of medical officials is common throughout Fatalist societies, with doctors often being regarded as lesser or even shunned. Fatalism has a greater focus on communal ritual practice, with entire towns and villages engaging in flashy rites and performances.

#### Constructivism

Constructivism is both the second-oldest and secondmost common sect of Theianism, established by Prophet Amelia in 451 BB. It views the act of death as allowing other things to grow, thus drawing the conclusion that death allows for life. Death is seen as a common good, with middle-aged people more often gaining respect. Very old people are sometimes viewed as "hogging life", and as such ritual suicide is common among the elderly. Its positive outlook on death makes it more palatable to other religions, and as such it has adopted Selenist and Dawnist ideas over time.

#### Destructivism

Destructivism is the newest and least popular sect of Theianism, established by Prophet Teajskate in 217 BB. This version views death as the greatest honor, and that killing is a way of spreading salvation. Ritual human sacrifice is incredibly common even in modern times, with the people being sacrificed often having committed minor crimes or perceived injustices. Although murder is frowned upon in modern-day Destructivism, perpetrators are seldom punished. Historically, Destructivist nations were infamous for kidnapping and executing foreign citizens and rulers. This sect is generally despised by all non-Theians, and a taboo even among Fatalists and Constructivists.

## History

### Ancient History

Theianism most likely originates out of the Agnos River Valley located in the modern-day duchy of Oldfoundland. The first records of the worship of an entity known as Theia date back to around 5000 BB, but it was not until the Lazhans' arrival circa 4100 BB that worship began to centralize around her. Around this time, a famous myth known as the Eklagal vi Avida (Journey to Darkness) was spread throughout the region, which establishes Theia as a key goddess in Lazhan culture as a whole. This marks the beginning of formal Theianism, with the First Prophet Thes (writer of the Eklagal vi Avida) as its head.

## Structure

The Theian clergy follows a rigid hierarchy based on the amount of land a member holds jurisdiction over. The central authority of Theianism, the Vicars' Conclave, meets annually in Ypsilipoli to discuss the passage of new religious law.

### Vicars

The Vicars are the religious heads of each Theian sect, making for three Vicars at any given time.