Knadianism

Knadianism (from Mayyian: Knær diacta; literally "brightened commands") is a pandeistic religion originating around western Vikressia and since gaining prominence across the Vikressian cultural sphere and beyond, based on the life and teachings of its deified founder Knævisson and his later apostles. Its beliefs primarily concern the defense of humanity against all threats both external and internal, achieved primarily through adherence to practices and traditions expounded by Knadianism, which seek to optimize human society for a prophesized final conflict (The Finality, or Harthalabeon).

Knadianism first formed from the fire cults of the Kythosian city-states around the 7th century hæ, when a minor sect in the city of Pazticon rose to prominence after the emergence of Knævisson and his codification of contemporarily advanced arcane knowledge as the foundations of Knadian theology. After Knævisson's journeys to the Madiyyan Empire, the religion's popularity overtook contemporary religions in the empire to become its chief religion and synonymous with contemporary arcanistry, its cultural and clerical influences spreading as wide as the extent of the empire. The collapse of the empire saw a temporary halt in this expansion, the religion only propagating wider during the establishment of the Mount of the Knæva and greater centralization in clerical power, culminating in the Great Seeding which cemented Knadianism's position as the primary source of legitimacy for polities within the Vikressian cultural sphere and an immense contributor to the development of post-Madiyyan Vikressian culture. The period of time during which Knadianism was centralized under Knæva is referred to as the Unitarian Period, before the occurrence of the Threefold Schisms over theological disputes and the question of Knævadic supremacy split the religion into three primary sects: Occidental (or Knævadic), Oriental, and Austral. Sectarian conflict led to an overall erosion of clerical dominance in Vikressian politics, as the position of supreme authority over religious matters as a whole was split between the Three Mounts. The Ecumenical Congregation of Ithacia saw a reconciliation between the three major sects, eventually leading to a unification of the sects under the Triadic Ecclesia through the Aspectation Compromise. Following the First, Second, and Third Renaissances, the position of clergy as ultimate adjudicators over ethics and arcanistry has been challenged by secular entities, most prominent in the emergence of Humanism as a new and influential political force in Vikressia. However, greater understandings in the field of science and arcanology has led to a gradual clarification of Knadian teachings and practices within practical contexts, giving credence to the perception of a divine source as the source of the advanced knowledge in premodern scriptures.

Today, Knadianism stands as the undisputed largest religion in the entirety of the Vikressian continent, its clerical traditions (particularly that of fire worship and bloodline studies) having far-reaching influences on the development of Vikressian cultures and even beyond. The Occidental denomination has slightly more adherents than its Oriental counterpart, whereas the Austral denomination is the smallest of the three.

Theology
Knadian doctrine considers temporal and spiritual matters to be completely inseparable. Morality can be found in aiding the continued survival of humanity, whereas immorality is found in aiding in the destruction of humanity. Importantly however, Knadianism does not posit humans to be superior to any other sapient being. To the contrary, it has been implied that humanity is weak and therefore must be defended by all means necessary lest it be destroyed by external powers. Knadianism places the utmost importance on the continued survival of humanity over all else.

It is prophesized in the Parables of Knævisson that humanity and all of its influences on the temporal world will in an indeterminable future face a final conflict which will decide whether it will persist until the end of all things or will be rendered extinct in its entirety. This Harthalabeon, or The Finality, is considered metaphorical in mainstream theology, perceived to symbolize the totality of the worldly challenges which humanity will face throughout its existence. This concept is key to the doctrines of Knadianism, as it posits the idea of humanity struggling against "the world" and all of its threats - from Nature and non-human civilizations which push against humanity from without, to even human emotions which may threaten to tear apart humanity from within if not properly reined in - an eternal struggle which will decide whether humanity perishes or is able to conquer the world itself. The practices of Knadianism ultimately is to optimize and shape human society and civilization in such a way that it may best combat and overcome these external and internal threats.

Cosmology
Knadian cosmology is minimalist and metaphorical in nature, the main figures within it mere personifications of fundamental concepts of the world: Knæderea represents the morality found in the defense of humanity; Tiankh represents the evil found from the eradication of humanity; whereas the Vemael represents the temporal world and the circumstances of its creation. The personified figures depicted within Knadian cosmology originate from the earliest literature of the religion (mainly the Parables of Knævisson) and are used in a metaphoric capacity in later works, personified most commonly as mythical beasts within the context of parables intended to illustrate the religious teachings of Knadianism.

Knæderea
Knæderea ("brightened ground-thing", from Mayyian) is the representation of moral good in the perception of Knadianism, that being the act of defending humanity and its civilizational achievements, and in some depictions humanity itself. It is commonly depicted as a prey animal, most commonly a hare or roe deer, which outsmarts predators which attempt to hunt it: personifying humanity surmounting the worldly challenges to ensure its survival.

Tiankh
Tiankh is ("shunned crawler", from Mayyian) is the representation of immoral evil in the perception of Knadianism, that being entities which threaten humanity's survival either unintentionally (natural disasters) or intentionally (actions of sapient beings). It is commonly depicted as a predator which hunts Knæderea.

Demaeus
Vemael is ("worldly worm", from Mayyian) is the representation of the physical world and the circumstances of its creation. Compared to the other two personifications, it is less commonly depicted, and is used in literature to explore the nature of the temporal world and its existence. It is commonly depicted to be a giant underground worm blind and uncaring of the world above, eating its own tail to symbolize a cycle of life which may be disturbed by Knæderea and/or Tiankh to illustrate moral lessons.

Practices
It is perceived that the greatest good that can be achieved by a person is determined by their contribution to their congregation and by extension, collective humanity. The framework for morality is shaped by a matrix of protocols which combine to optimize all facets of society, with the ultimate goal of defending humanity.

Organization
The ecclesiastical hierarchy of the Knadian clergy is ordered from top to bottom as follows: the Luminarchy, Flameny, and Lumeny, members of these levels known as Luminarchs, Flamens, and Lumens respectively. Luminarchs hold religious jurisdiction over a geographic area recognized as their "luminescence", heading Beacons which in turn hold authority over lesser Phares and Pyres, which administer parishes and minister congregations respectively. Flamens oversee phares while lumens oversee pyres, each aided in their duties by apprenticing clergy and deputized members of the laity. This hierarchy exercises authority over Knadianism in both theological and temporal matters.