Minor Religions of the 4th Epoch

This article is designed for internal writing use and not meant for eventual publication.

Minor religions of the 4th Epoch range widely in beliefs and following. While they are “minor,” their followings still include tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands.

Iron Army - Militant Religion - This group is militant in nature and traces back to the military officers of the Empire of Iron. Combat is worship. The dead are buried with weapons. There is a mercenary company made up of believers of this religion that calls itself the Iron Army. Saying: “Better to die fighting than to rust away” or simply “I won’t rust away” (inferring the need for action). Curse: “Rust ‘em!”

Jusa - Religion of Luck and Chance - Followers of Jusa, Lady Luck, believe in her fickle touch upon the world. “By the breath of Jusa” and blowing on the dice/cards is a common nod to the religion. Believers try to appease Jusa by giving a coin to a beggar, preferably a woman or child. Believers pray to Lady Luck before battle, before a storm, before an expedition, and, of course, before rolling the dice. The religion was founded long ago in an attempt to send the misbegotten money of gambling to the needy, and it has morphed into this faith.

Istiandi - Holdout from another world - Followers of Istiandi believe in the existence of a single god (called “Our God”), re-incarnation, and eventual elevation to heaven once you have perfected yourself as a person over many lifetimes. The religion is a holdout and cross-over of Islam, Christianity, and Hinduism, as modified by practitioners across countless generations.

Burus - Worship of Ancestors - Followers of the Burus religion believe in the reverence and worship of ancestors. Thanks is given to their wisdom, and guidance is requested through meditation.

Worshipers of Congruence - Often called Congruists, believers see congruence as a force inherent to life. They believe that congruence is the stuff souls are made of. They believe that life creates congruence and that congruence creates life. It is a gentle religion that believes congruence, being the stuff of souls, must be used for the helping and protecting of others.

Inviolable Hands - The religion common among many healers. The Extended Hands as the followers refer to themselves are intent on helping where they can and follow the teachings of Mial whom they believe is a divinity that walks among them as a healer. In reality it is a title shared by researchers from an alien race that somtimes visit Earth but have not been seen recently.