Astikism

Astikism is a henotheistic religion based on the teachings of the prophet Astiki, namely that God (Achat)`. It is one of the most practiced religions in the world, with around [TBD] million followers, known as Astikites. The religion is primarily practiced in Artadesia and among the Artadesian diaspora. Astikite beliefs vary regionally, but a common thread is that God is formless, eternal, deathless, and indivisible, and that It commands 10 major deities, the Bhratis, or "Elevated Ones". It is from the concept of indivisibility that the name for God is derived, Achat. The primary scriptures of Astikism are the Artasya Avagamanam, "Understanding of Righteousness", a compilation of the life of Astiki and his revelations.

Astikism was formed around the 600s BCE as an offshoot of Vidanism, and took many concepts and inspiration from Vidanism. The Prophet Astiki is believed to have been born in Spentavrat, and walked across much of Artadesia from what is now central Mehrdesh to what is now eastern Chorap. He espoused principles of anti-kingship, egalitarianism, and a cosmic struggle between good and evil, and soon Astikism was a dominant force in much of central Artadesia. After Astiki's death in the mid-500s BCE, Astikism grew to become a dominant religion in nearly all of Airyavej, and around 470 BCE, the great-great-grandson of Astiki, Sadvicarah I founded the First Realm of God, which would conquer much of modern Artadesia, spreading the faith. The First Realm of God would standardize the faith, codifying the Artasya Avagamanam and introducing a concise code of Astikite law. The faith would continue to spread until around the 1st Century CE, when the expansion of the First Realm stagnated. Splits began to form in Astikism, mainly the split between the Orthodox Guiding Hand (Artik: Artātmā Mārgardarśakahastaḥ) and the Guiding Hand of Exaltation (Artik: Utthānasya Mārgardarśakahastaḥ), which gained popularity in Chakhadesh and Chorap. Other minor splits occured, however none were major, until the split of the Guiding Hand of Liberation (Artik: Muktyāḥ Mārgardarśakahastaḥ) in 1913, spearheaded by A.K. Maurya, under whom the Guiding Hand of Liberation become the official Guiding Hand. Astikism has played a major role in the development of Artadesian civilization, and has been integral to Artadesian culture.

The three largest branches of Astikism are Liberation Astikism (X adherents), Orthodox Astikism (X adherents), and Exalation Astikism (X adherents). Other smaller branches do exist, however their influence is mostly regional. In Artadesia, Astikism is the dominant religion, with the vast majority of Artadesians practicing Astikism. Astikism is also influential elsewhere in Sorenway, particularily in regions which have been historically close to Artadesia.