Sentism

Flag of the Sentist State
Founder
Edgar Schuchardt
Regions with significant populations
Ceris, Argis
Scriptures
Tanz der Nachtgeschwister (Original) Die Erlösung des Menschen im Kosmos (Moderate) Opfer der Erde (Radical)
Languages
Dolch, Anglish

Sentism is a regional religion based mostly in Ceris and South East Argis with several million followers. Following the Sentist War the religion suffered a schism which divided it between more mainline moderate Sentists, and radical Sentists which interpreted the religion differently.

Sentism was first noted as a religion in the mid eighteenth century, being considered no more of a cult by the majority Christian occupants of Ceris. Over time however it grew slowly and following the invasion of the Seylosian Mandate in the late 1940s and subsequent collapse of the Hodrean Kingdom. Sentism originated near the southern border of the present day Hodrea and Sentist State. It's principle religious document, Tanz der Nachtgeschwister, focuses heavily on early astronomical observations made by Ceriser astronomer Edgar Schuchardt which strove to tie various historical astronomical phenomena to important historic events on Eurth. The cult gained significant following over the years though never broke into wider popularity until two of Schuchardt's followers published their own writings on their observations. Die Erlösung des Menschen im Kosmos, written by follower Reinhardt Tanzer in 1821, spoke of a universal need to better humanity through an impending crisis in the stars, one that would require sacrifice but cooperation to fulfill. Separately in Opfer der Erde, written by Albrecht Siegert in the same year, spoke of a deluge of disasters man must endure to send a message of Eurth's ability to take its place in the stars. Both books however spoke of the same cosmic threat represented by the dwarf planets Nacht-A and Nacht-B (Elkatoth and Selvious respectively) and their possible collision unleashing a cosmic force upon Eurth.

Etymology

The name "Sentist" comes from the Tanz der Nachtgeschwister, which was published in both Anglish and Dolch simultaneously. The text itself calls for humanity to show its worth to outside cosmic forces by sending a message through unspecified means of either humanity's greatness or it's willingness to endure hardship. In Dolch the world "Bote" has been used to describe Sentists followers however the words "Sentist" and "Sentism" have gained the most popularity in Ceris and abroad.

Beliefs

Painting of Sentist founder Edgar Schuchardt circa 1797.

Sentist ideology is split between two major groups. In the Sentist War the schism was noted between Southern Sentists and North Sentists, however the split stems from followers of Die Erlösung des Menschen im Kosmos vs Opfer der Erde of which the works of Reinhardt Tanzer were far more popular.

Tanz der Nachtgeschwister

Written by Edgar Schuchardt in 1798 after the man has spent most of his life in pursuit of astronomy. Residing within the Hodrean Kingdom in Ceris, his initial work was a blend of spiritual and scientific observations. This is the first written record of observations of the Nacht-A (Elkatoth) and Nacht-B (Selvios) as taken by Schuchardt. By this point Schuchardt has several academic papers already published in his name, and many of his works were essential to building early astronomical knowledge of the Solar System. It is unknown why exactly Schuchardt decided to pursue spirituality in the midst of his research but the Argic scientific community was surprised at the release of Tanz der Nachtgeschwister.

The book itself contains both methodical observations of celestial bodies through telescope, complete with detailed drawings by Schuchardt himself, as well as "divine readings" he claims to have experienced while making these observations. The book claims that Schuchardt was given messages from celestial beings far beyond our knowledge through the movement of the celestial bodies he observed. He spends much of the book speaking in detail about Nacht-A and B and their "celestial dance", wherein he claimed to have deduced the background and meaning of the dwarf planets.

Coincidentally at around the same time of Schuhardt writing his book, two comets were observed moving fairly close to Eurth, an incredibly rare event. However Schuchardt misinterpreted the distances of these comets as being as far away as the Nacht dwarf planets, which became central to his interpretations of what he was witnessing.

According to the Tanz der Nachtgeschwister, the observed celestial bodies around Eurth (the planets in our local system), are sites of large inter-planetary battles raging between almost unknowable cosmic beings. With humanity unable to travel the stars, Schuchardt argues for a a deep focus on humanity to reconcile its difference and create a new age of science. The book also contains occult accounts of individuals along the Ceris coast who have experienced strange beings who live among the water of the Dolch See and Adlantic Ocean. Schuchardt claims that these beings are remnants of an empire that was once present on Eurth and was wiped out by these other warring civilizations amongst the stars. He argues that humanity must be ready for possible conflict with these beings, those he does not specify through what means.

Die Erlösung des Menschen im Kosmos

Die Erlösung des Menschen im Kosmos, also known as Man's Place in the Cosmos in Anglish, is a later Sentist text written by Reinhardt Tanzer in 1821. Tanzer was a devout follower of Schuchardt's, going so far as to apprentice underneath him and become and astronomer himself. By the time of Schuchardt's death in 1819, Tanzer had gained prominence as his favored pupil and had been in the process of writing a follow up text to Tanz der Nachtgeschwister with the blessings of Schuchardt. Tanzer followed up on Schuchardt's ideas in more detail, explaining that an existential threat existed to life on EUrth beyond the stars and that humanity needed to work together and build a stable society in order to survive and thrive.

The central tenants of Die Erlösung des Menschen im Kosmos revolve mainly around building and creating a a global nation state that could pool its resources together to harden humanity for the trials and tribulations that would follow. Tanzer goes into detail describing a strange hybrid theocratic but somewhat free society built around the possibility of extraterrestrial threat. He emphasizes in his texts that religious adherence to his works in inconsequential, but that a core group of leaders must hold the beliefs espoused in his text in order to properly guide society. Conquest is described as an option of last resort, or in some cases and opportunity if it is possible with little bloodshed. Regardless, this state must solidly its presence and care for its people to build a strong state that can grow and meet the possibility of an otherworldly incursion. He also puts forth that a message must be sent of possible extraterrestrial powers that humanity is united and strong.