Jhardeho

Jhardeho at its core is more than a religion—it’s a concept that embodies an entire state of evolution, including both physiology and meta physiology.

It began with the arrival of three evolved human species: the Jhardeka, the Jhardekai, and the Jhardoestra.

According to Jhardeho, the most precious biproduct of humanity is intelligence, and its mission was constructed around the need to protect humanity’s collective knowledge—at all costs. They are assisted in this by the starmaker’s conduit, the Etruvian, who translates the will of the starmaker, Jhar, into actions.

But Jhardeho has been met with the prejudice, which has prevented humanity from reaching its promised utopian state.

## Jhardeho as an institution

In the present day of the story, there are two subsets of Jhardeho: the Jhardeho Order and Mystic Jhardeho.

### The Jhardeho Order

is regarded as more a religion, with a focus on controlling the future by instilling ignorance and fear in the witless masses.

### Mystic Jhardeho

A cosmology. Its followers are similar to stoics in that they believe that Arcas operates according to the Starmakers’ grand design, and humanity’s purpose isn’t to influence it, but rather to thrive given the situations it is given, even if those situations spell certain doom. Mystics are often regarded as apathetic.

Due to their use of Jhardeho energy, Mystics have the ability to prolong their own lives, and compared to normal humans are essential ageless in appearance until their later years. Some live up to 300 years.

## Jhardeho as a race

### The Jhardeka

An Arcasian race that has been gifted elevated powers of the mind. Most commonly, they are monks. Many spend most of their time in the void on a pilgrimage to the starmaker, seeking to join \*the collective consciousness\*.

Characters who are Jhardeka include:

* Maldoro
* Magogoso
* Yulia

### The Jhardekai

An Arcasian race with physical and psychokinetic abilities. Their brains include an azurea epicenter, which generates energy that gives them advanced physical and psychokinetic abilities. They have been historically blamed for all of Arcas' past wars, and are at the center of a racial conflict and have suffered genocide at the hands of Maldoro and Boethema Labs. [Link article: The Purge]

The paladins are at the center of Astreus' controversy, as all of them were smuggled into Simitu from Idrica. It's because of this controversy that Simitian leaders are hesitant to support Astreus in its endeavors.

Characters who are Jhardekai include:

* Havelion
* Nicola
* Abruc
* Corbin
* Quay
* Famke
* Homena
* Ditran
* Shan

### The Jhardoestra

A rare Arcasian race with no known abilities, but whose presences have an effect on others that isn't understood by science. Generally attributed to "love," Charturlean describes them as "human nature amplified" but also refers to them as a "placebo" meant as a statement about humanity's innate nature. Little else is known. In episode 2, the folklore laid out implies that Jhardoestra left humanity to fend for itself after it demonstrated through repeated conflicts that it was no longer capable of compassion.

Characters who are Jhardoestra include:

* Sophrosyne
* Queen Hona (deceased)

### The Etruvian

Also referred to as "messiah" or "superman" the Etruvian is an amalgamation of all three Jhardeho types. One is born into every generation, and is given the divine ability to commune with the starmakers. At some point in their lives, they are shows glimpses of the future and are tasked with guiding humanity towards "an enlightened and prosperous future." Chartrulean, Artedemis, and Rankusha are the three Etruvians referenced.

Characters who are Etruvian include:

* Chartrulean
* Artedemis
* Rankusha (deceased)