The Doctrine of True Reason
The grim men and women of Lom are the only full nation of atheocrats, though numerous smaller cells exist throughout the realm. Lom itself was founded by refugees and survivors from the nightmarish techno-theocracy that once ruled the Bleak Reach, and in bitterness they forever after forswore all the gods. In the centuries since, the Atheocrat of True Reason has ruled in that cold land, sending forth antipriests as missionaries to the south. Those converts they win are often from among those scourged by parasite gods and other divine plagues, people embittered against divinity and seeking protection. The exact doctrines of the atheocratic faith have changed over the centuries to suit the winners of assorted intellectual and martial disputes. At present, “True Reason” is enshrined as the ultimate ideal of the atheocrats, with the Atheocrat himself enshrined as the “Voice of Reason”. A complete plan of virtue and societal organization can be developed from first principles, according to this belief, and it is the duty of the atheocrats to bring this wisdom to the god-raddled world. True Reason, however, seems to logically point toward the command of society by the intelligent and rational, a description that most perfectly fits the antipriests themselves. Antipriests vie with one another in seeking deviations from the right path; the more subtle the error
discovered, the more keenly insightful the discoverer, and thus more worthy to rule. Failures or suffering in atheocrat communities are blamed on heretics or the presence of the Irrational, those god-enslaved wretches who fail to accept the light of True Reason.
Atheocrats flatly deny the power of Hell over their adherents. While this in no way protects their souls from damnation, the angels of Hell are known for favoring atheocracy as a useful tool against the divine, and make a point of ostensibly supporting these claims even as they cruelly torment the souls of the dead believers. The current doctrine of True Reason would be precarious were it not for the Pyre, a mighty celestial artifact seized by the Atheocracy several hundred years ago. Carefully-prepared antipriests are permitted to enter the Pyre. Most who emerge have their minds scorched of intellect, becoming little more than shambling, child-like souls scarcely capable of speech. All who survive, however, gain access to the ineffable gifts of the Stiflers, powers that can suppress even a godbound’s miracles. The “simple” use these powers on command, conditioned to them by cruel training and ruthless handlers. Those who retain their intellects become the elite of the atheocracy, the “antiprelates” that serve the Atheocrat himself. The moral doctrine of True Reason is infinitely mutable. Lay reasoners are taught to obey the antipriests implicitly; all that is obedient is good, and all that is defiant is evil. Antipriests are bade to search out true happiness and abundance by any means necessary, even if the methods should seem horrific to less enlightened minds. Conventional social and sexual morality is useful only insofar as it keeps the lay reasoners docile before their betters. Aside from the current dominant faction, a small number of antipriest reformers desperately seek the correction and purification of their philosophy into something more humane and temperate. These reformers risk a lingering death should their disloyalty to the Voice of Reason be discovered.
Atheocrats flatly deny the power of Hell over their adherents. While this in no way protects their souls from damnation, the angels of Hell are known for favoring atheocracy as a useful tool against the divine, and make a point of ostensibly supporting these claims even as they cruelly torment the souls of the dead believers. The current doctrine of True Reason would be precarious were it not for the Pyre, a mighty celestial artifact seized by the Atheocracy several hundred years ago. Carefully-prepared antipriests are permitted to enter the Pyre. Most who emerge have their minds scorched of intellect, becoming little more than shambling, child-like souls scarcely capable of speech. All who survive, however, gain access to the ineffable gifts of the Stiflers, powers that can suppress even a godbound’s miracles. The “simple” use these powers on command, conditioned to them by cruel training and ruthless handlers. Those who retain their intellects become the elite of the atheocracy, the “antiprelates” that serve the Atheocrat himself. The moral doctrine of True Reason is infinitely mutable. Lay reasoners are taught to obey the antipriests implicitly; all that is obedient is good, and all that is defiant is evil. Antipriests are bade to search out true happiness and abundance by any means necessary, even if the methods should seem horrific to less enlightened minds. Conventional social and sexual morality is useful only insofar as it keeps the lay reasoners docile before their betters. Aside from the current dominant faction, a small number of antipriest reformers desperately seek the correction and purification of their philosophy into something more humane and temperate. These reformers risk a lingering death should their disloyalty to the Voice of Reason be discovered.
Type
Religious, Cult
Parent Organization
Subsidiary Organizations
Permeated Organizations
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