The Fi'an

Artist interpretation of the Fi'an

One of the largest religions spanning the galaxy. The Fi'an gods are the 'silent watchers' who stand above all life and observe. The Fi'an do not intercede or provide counsel and correction. Most religious practices and sacraments aim to commune with the gods to gain access to their insights. This omni-observation also creates the most considerable distinction between the sects of the Fi'an. The followers of The Fi'an are often referred to as Fikist.

Orthodox Fi'an

Orthodox Fi'an holy symbol

Holding to the original order, as passed down by the High Sacraments, Orthodox Fi'an use objects to commune with the Fi'an spirit woven into the galaxy's fabric. These objects hold a power of memory that a priest will use to understand what the object witnessed. Orthodox Fi'an hunt down key objects and attempt to observe their stories, passively learning the will of the Fi'an.

The Fi'an Order

The Fi'an Order is an ancient order of orthodox Fikists who use strength in battle to be noted in sacred objects by the Fi'an. These objects are considered holy and stored in their Far Port shrine. When a warrior monk performs a remarkable feat in a battle, that would have been observed by a Fi'an, a Fi'an Seeker is commissioned to scour the galaxy for the object that contains their tale.

The warrior monks of the Fi'an Order are known for their renown in battle and near-fearless strength. They train religiously to increase the likelihood of being observed. The Fi'an Order also provides mercenary services to sovereign governments.

The mercenary fleets and soldiers make the Fi'an Order an economic powerhouse that now manages its investments and provides banking with its minted coin, the Borbert.

The Fi'an Seeker

The Fi'an Seeker is an ancient order of orthodox Fikists whose sworn duty is to locate, authenticate, store, and monitor the holy objects of the Fikist. Fi'an Seekers are welcome at any port of call that recognizes the Fi'an faith. The primary repository of relics is on Arenasar. However, there are hovels throughout the galaxy that protect the religious objects.

The Fi'an Seekers specialize in finding and keeping objects that haven't been "read" yet. Once an object is read, it has no value to the Seekers. These objects are generally sold to collectors or given as state gifts between governments.

Neo Fi'an

Neo Fi'an holy symbol

The neo-Fikists believe the Fi'an are 'god-like' extragalactic aliens who live on another plane of existence. They believe anyone can commune with the Fi'an through technology or naturally occurring inexplicable galactic events - like the eddies of a hyperwave or a black hole collapsing.

The Dark Wardens

The Dark Warders are a sect of Neo-Fikists who worship and study dark matter and 'the space between.' In entertainment media, they're often portrayed as mystics and wizards with knowledge of special powers. In truth, Dark Warden's foundational leadership is academics and deep space research. A few charismatic followers have perpetuated the mystic myths.

The Silent Children

The Silent Children are a sect of Neo-Fikists who believe they can hear the tales of the Fi'an in the radiowaves and lightwaves that transverse the galaxy. They spend lifetimes listening to static until the patterns of speech emerge. Often reclusive, the Silent Children do not build massive cathedrals or meandering shrines like other Fikists—rather, they meet in small groups and communities and listen.

The Nine Chiefs

Once the dominant sect of the Neo Fi'an, the Nine Chiefs used technology and Mother-stones (Hauembite before she was lost) to commune with the god-aliens. Their followers would make a pilgrimage to Hauembite to hear their stories and fulfill their duties to the gods. This journey was often expensive and filled with peril. Over time, corruption overtook the titular leading body of Nine Chiefs and their cronies.

A fragment of followers broke away, forming the Council of Five Chiefs, which persecuted the Nine Chiefs and their followers. Several key members of the Rhyno Confederacy were members of the Council of Five Chiefs, and they sought the utter destruction of the Nine Chiefs and their temples and shrines.

It was not long after the religious purge and the subsequent Rhyno Confederacy Civil War that Hauembite was lost in the bombardment of Skywatch.

Council of Five Chiefs

The Council of the Five Chiefs broke away from the Nine Chiefs. They persecuted and scattered the Nine Chiefs in retribution for extortion and corruption of their faith. The Council of Five Chiefs is the largest sect of Neo-Fikists in the galaxy, albeit still smaller than the Orthodox Fikist.