Capitology
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 Capitology Symbol | |
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| 636,834,702+ | |
| Founder | |
| Daniel Campos | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
 Prybourne |
Capitology is socio-cultural religion that was founded and primarily exists in the nation of Prybourne. Capitology beliefs cover two basic principles: the belief in the universe as bound together in the Great Material Continuum and the pursuit of profit and accumulation of wealth. Capitology is most notable with its great presence within the social and economic culture of Prybourne starting with the Canter Uprising in which it became the revolutionary ideology after the Canter Republic failed to suppress it and into modern day Prybournean society and law. While being the majority in Prybourne it's presence, if any, is very low outside the nation.
Beliefs
The Great Material Continuum
Capitology belief, simply stated, is that all societies exist in alternating states of having and wanting, and are metaphorically seen as a great flowing river comprised of material acquisitions. If wanting gains dominance over having - or vice versa - then the great river churns and overflows, becoming dangerously unstable. And as the river goes, so does society. Instability is not prosperous in the long term.
Someone in financial trouble often finds himself tossed to the shores of the great river by a wave of inflation. Similarly, he might run aground on a shoal of hardship and have to swim to safety. Finding his way back onto the river requires financial consolidation, a realigning of his investments, the selling of his property, or even a dreaded loan.
To stay afloat on the river, you must carefully navigate by balancing profit and loss, acquisition and liquidation, while also keeping an eye out for opportunities farther along the river's course. One who deftly navigates the great river can, in effect, steer the river's course toward opportunity. Those skilled in this earn great prosperity, and a second chance to pursue profit in the afterlife.
The Divine Treasury
The sacred heavens of afterlife. Everything from the walls to the furniture is made of the purest gold. A sign above the entrance to the Divine Treasury reads: "Please have your profit-and-loss statement ready for inspection before entering the Divine Treasury." When a person dies, his spirit goes before the Registrar of the Divine Treasury, who decides whether they deserve to enter. This involves much cringing, bribery, as well as well placed obsequious groveling. If the Registrar is impressed by the deceased actions, he is allowed to enter.
Once inside, the deceased bids on a new life under the supervision of the Blessed Exchequer and Celestial Auctioneers. If they have acquired enough profit in life, they simply pay for a new one and are reborn, earning the chance to gain yet more profit. If they did not earn enough profit, their bid fails and their spirit is banished from the Divine Treasury and locked in the Vault of Eternal Destitution forever. So, a person gets only once chance at a profitable afterlife. A prosperous person gains a second life, and if he earns enough profit again, a third, and even a fourth.
The Vault of Eternal Destitution
The worst possible fate after death. Every Person banished to the Vault becomes the property of a Vault Auditor. The Auditors form a council called the Regulation Committee, which is lead by the Desecrated Auditor - the most powerful and influential Auditor. The Committee oversees every aspect of business and life in the Vault. These policies, known as the Laws of Destitution, are harsh. The Auditors charge outrageous accommodation expenses, high income taxes, service charges, and strictly regulate transactions. Painstaking financial audits and fines await all who break the laws. Though it is possible, few people ever manage to bribe their Auditor to overlook transgressions. Fewer still gain enough wealth to buy the title of Auditor and get to own slaves themselves.
To scare their children into behaving, mothers recite stories of the Demons of Despair. These demons are evil spirits from the Vault of Eternal Destitution, and used to be people who were generous, charitable, generally unconcerned with profit, or otherwise heretical. Legend says that the demons take shadowy forms and escape the Vault for a time, stealing money and other valuables from miscreant children.
Worship
The everyday place of worship is known as a Holy Exchange with the most holy place for Capitology exists within the city of Duron in Prybourne known as the Sacred Marketplace which sits at the base of the Prybourean Tower of Commerce. A Capitologist service typically consists of reciting the Rules of Acquisition and various rituals said to stabilize the Continuum in order to bring greater profit. Capitologist spirituality revolves around profits. Gold and silver are considered holy metals and are used in worship. Many Capitologists carry gold or silver jewelry to show their heritage to others.