PmWiki | NoTrueEnd / Religions

Eschatological beliefs, much like prophecies, impact how different factions and groups within the post-apocalyptic world operate. Their decisions, priorities, and motivations are often deeply rooted in these end-time prophecies.

The Dawn of Doom: Followers of this belief tend to be proactive, martially trained, and often look for ways to strengthen the human faction. Many Sentinels, along with their allies, ascribe to this belief, and their motto is one of resilience and retaliation. Settlements with this worldview often host Sentinel training camps, armories, and house shrines that celebrate past victories. In these places, children grow up with tales of heroism, and citizens train regularly, prepared for the final battle.

The Day of Judgment: Those who believe in this eschatological view see adherence to Order's principles as paramount. They believe in leading disciplined lives, have strict laws, and dedicate large structures for worship. The leaders in these societies tend to be clerics or priests, whose interpretations of Order's codes guide daily living. There's an emphasis on purity, ritual, and hierarchy. Transgressions are met with severe punishments, given the eternal consequences they believe await.

The Twilight of Fire: This is the eschatology of hedonism and revelry. Factions who believe in this destiny celebrate life, as it may soon be swallowed by chaos. There's a strong emphasis on living in the moment, enjoying sensory pleasures, and indulging in magical experiences. But, underlying this revelry is a sense of impending doom and an acceptance of the inevitable. It's not uncommon to find wild parties in these regions, just as often as witnessing brutal conflicts.

The Night of Ice: This worldview attracts the nihilists, those who believe that all efforts are futile and that entropy is the inevitable outcome. They might build communities that prioritize sustainability and the bare minimum for survival, or they might be wandering bands of scavengers, eking out an existence from the remains of the world. There's a sense of melancholy among these groups, a shared resignation to the approaching cold and quiet. Philosophy and introspection are prized, and many poets, artists, and thinkers emerge from these societies, seeking to find meaning in the inevitable decline.

The division of these eschatological beliefs only further exemplifies the diverse tapestry of the post-apocalyptic world, as communities rally, resist, revel, or resign to their perceived fate.

The cataclysmic events that transpired during the Last War, with deities and supernatural entities directly intervening in human affairs, greatly altered the religious landscape of the world. The active aggression of once-worshipped divine figures deeply scarred the collective psyche of humanity. In the modern age of 28NC, these are the most common appearances of religious belief.

Maltheism:

A substantial portion of humanity has adopted maltheism, the belief that gods exist but are not benevolent. Given the carnage and devastation, it's easy to understand why many see gods as adversarial. They blame the divine for the destruction and seek ways to protect themselves and their communities from further divine wrath. Agnosticism:

Agnosticism: A more neutral stance that has surged. Given the ambiguity of the battles and the chaotic intermingling of prophecies, many individuals simply choose to say, "We can't know for sure." They prioritize the tangible, everyday challenges of survival in a war-torn world over speculation about divine intentions. Buddhism:

Buddhism: With its focus on the Middle Way, seeking a balance between indulgence and self-denial, flourishes in pockets, especially in areas untouched by the direct hand of the Realms. Many turn to Buddhist principles to find inner peace amidst the external chaos. The idea of achieving Nirvana, an end to the cycles of suffering, resonates deeply with people who've witnessed the apocalypse firsthand. Animism:

Animism:

 In the Freewilds, this religious belief thrives. Given the unique melding of ecosystems and the overt presence of the supernatural, many humans see spirits in everything - from the bioluminescent trees to the strange creatures that now inhabit the earth. These spirits aren't necessarily seen as good or bad; instead, they're understood as forces to be respected and, if possible, befriended.

Ancestor Worship:

In the uncertainty of the present world, many turn to the past for guidance. The memories of grandparents and great-grandparents who lived before the apocalypse are revered. These ancestors are consulted for advice through rituals and ceremonies. They're seen as protective spirits who can offer wisdom and, in some cases, intervene on behalf of their descendants.

The Philosophy of Balance:

The turmoil has also given rise to new religious and philosophical movements. A prominent belief in the world, adherents believe that Order and Chaos are necessary forces in the universe, and it's the imbalance that caused the cataclysm. Instead of picking sides, followers seek to understand and harmonize the two forces within themselves. They believe that true enlightenment and salvation come from achieving a personal equilibrium. Temples dedicated to this philosophy often have symbols showing intertwined motifs of order and chaos.

The Saved and The Damned:

The individuals who've entered the realms of Order and Chaos – whether willingly or through abduction – become figures of legend and cautionary tales. Communities tell tales of these individuals, using their stories to impart morals and values to the younger generation.

In some communities, the Saved are seen as martyrs who sacrificed their freedom to appease the forces of Order. In others, they are remembered as individuals who sought a rigid structure to escape the unpredictability of the post-apocalyptic world. Similarly, the Damned are viewed with a mix of pity and horror, as those who were consumed by their basest desires or were unfortunate enough to be snatched by the forces of Chaos.

In this world, religion isn't just about devotion; it's deeply intertwined with survival, identity, and the human endeavor to make sense of an incomprehensible reality.

Worship of Future Entities:

In a world upturned by cosmic conflict, where the past's deities were active participants in near-genocidal destruction, the idea of looking to the future for salvation holds a certain allure.

The Devourer Cult:

The Devourer is seen as the ultimate equalizer. While the battles between Order and Chaos rage on, the Devourer, as the embodiment of entropy, will gradually and inevitably bring an end to the struggle. Temples dedicated to the Devourer often resemble ruins, symbolizing the eventual decay of all things. Worship often includes quiet, somber rituals emphasizing the impermanence of existence. The cult preaches acceptance of the inevitable and advocates for minimizing conflict and unnecessary expenditure of energy. For them, it's about conserving what's left and living in harmony until the Devourer's time comes. The Omega Point Followers:

The Omega Point:

this sect believes in a brighter, unified future for humanity. Their faith centers on the hope that, out of the post-apocalyptic ashes, a new, evolved, collective consciousness will emerge. The followers actively collect and preserve knowledge, understanding that every bit of information is a step closer to the Omega Point. Their temples are often libraries or data centers, buzzing with activity, where individuals contribute to the collective's growth. They emphasize education, cooperation, and the pursuit of a shared dream.

Fictional Religions:

In the vacuum left by the loss of trust in traditional deities, some found solace in the religions of fictional worlds. These religions, with their detached histories and clear moral compasses, provided a refuge from the complexities of the post-apocalyptic world.

The Jedi Temples:

The Jedi faith, with its focus on the Light Side, the Dark Side, and the balance between them, resonates deeply with a world torn between Order and Chaos. The temples serve dual purposes. Spiritually, they offer guidance and teachings based on the Jedi Code, emphasizing self-discipline, responsibility, and balance. Practically, they train individuals in the art of combat, using weapons reminiscent of lightsabers. While not actual plasma swords, these weapons are advanced, efficient, and deadly in the hands of a trained Jedi. Beyond that, the Jedi faith instills values of peacekeeping, diplomacy, and guardianship, with many Jedi taking on roles similar to rangers, protecting human settlements from supernatural threats.

Other religions:

Other fictional religions also find followers, from the teachings of the 'Elder Gods' of Lovecraftian lore to the pacifist ways of the Star Trek Vulcans. Each offers a unique blend of escapism and moral guidance, allowing their followers to construct a semblance of order in a world where traditional faiths have failed them.

In this chaotic age, spirituality is fluid, adaptive, and deeply personal. People find solace wherever they can, crafting a mosaic of beliefs to navigate a world forever changed.

The fifth Prophecy

In the aftermath of the apocalypse, the natural balance of the world had been thrown into disarray. Coastal communities had to adapt quickly to their new environment, leveraging technology, ingenuity, and magic to survive. Desalinators became symbols of hope and continuity, allowing humans to extract fresh water from the vast, inexhaustible seas.

These desalination facilities, often sprawling solar farms equipped with large arrays of photovoltaic panels, harness the power of the sun to purify seawater. In conjunction with this, runes and enchantments provide an additional layer of protection, preventing the machinery from malfunctioning or the salt from building up too rapidly.

While the machinery's hum and the glint of solar panels became familiar sights in these communities, the Realm of Order's solution to the water problem was different and much grander. At the heart of their dominion, the Ultimate Temple stood tall and regal, its spires reaching towards the heavens. From beneath this magnificent structure, clear springs of fresh water gushed forth, quenching the thirst of the vast and orderly populace.

These springs were not just a testament to the Realm of Order's power but also to their self-sufficiency. For them, relying on machines and enchantments was a mark of imperfection, a symbol of humanity's struggle against the post-apocalyptic world. Their springs, on the other hand, represented divine providence, a gift from the Principle of Order itself.

As days turned into years and the prophecies became more rooted in collective memory, rumors spread of the fifth prophecy's harbinger, the chosen one who would balance the Principles. Whispers circulated about children born with strange marks or exhibiting uncanny abilities, but the Sentinels remained vigilant, ever watchful for any signs that might confirm the prophecy's veracity.

To them, this harmonizer was both a hope and a threat. While many longed for a world where Order and Chaos coexisted in harmony, the potential repercussions were daunting. Such a balance could lead to a stalemate, with neither Principle prevailing, thereby making humanity vulnerable.

Yet, amid the political and spiritual machinations, life persisted. Communities continued to grow, adapt, and flourish, bound by the shared dream of a world where magic and reality danced together in harmony, where the Principles coexisted not as adversaries, but as partners. And whether through desalinators or divine springs, humanity quenched its thirst, determined to carve a future in this unpredictable, magical world.