Peicism

Peicism (pronounced as "Pie-sis-im") is a profound and self-reflective religion that holds the core belief the the world and individuals struggle between four competing forces: Order and Chaos, Creation and Destruction. These forces permeate every aspect of life and existence. Followers, known as Peics (pikes) or Peicists (pie-sists), embrace the idea that these opposing forces are not inherently good or evil, but rather, it is their delicate balance that leads to goodness and harmony. It encourages introspection, recognizing that the struggle between Order and Chaos and between Creation and Destruction, is ever-present and that while true balance may not be fully attained or sustained, the lifelong journey towards equilibrium is inherently worthy and enriching.

At the heart of Peicism lie two central deities, Rurik (representing the forces of Chaos and Creation) and Grixalis (representing Order and Destruction). Using mathematics as the metaphysical explanation for the universe and for ethics, the Peicist creation myth answers questions like, "Why is there something instead of nothing?" and "How should a person act?"

Creation Myth:

"In the beginning, there was nothing. The universe was as a blank canvas, boundless with potential but utterly lacking. From this zero-point, two celestial beings came to exist at the dawn of time, Rurik, the Boundless Creator (a positively charged entity) and Grixalis, the Resolute Arbiter (a negatively charged deity). They were brothers, born from the essence of cosmic balance, the zero point, a great equilibrium.

Rurik reveled in the splendor of his creative powers. He wove space, conjured stardust, painted nebulae with celestial hues, and breathed life into countless worlds across his creation. In contrast, Grixalis could not create as his brother did but instead gave shape, order, laws, and purpose to his brothers creation. By creating physical and magical laws, stardust nebuae formed stars, solar systems, and planets. By distinguishing matter by type, mist became streams, became lankes, became oceans, and by ensuring that all things, no matter how magnificent, would eventually end, they were blessed with value. The shape of the world, the fading of life, and the eventual dissolution of worlds were orchestrated by Grixalis's firm but compassionate hand. Joyfully, Rurik witnessed the formulation of stars, the movement of objects, refractions of light, and the rise of life forms, embracing the beauty of an ever-changing cosmos.

As the eons turned to epochs, the harmony between the brothers wavered. Rurik's pursuit of boundless creation and admiration of the chaotic potential of the unformed was being limited by the laws and rules of his brother. Meanwhile, Grixalis grew weary of keeping his fine-tuned and mechanistic vision of a finely tuned cosmos free from the new conjurations and disruptive nature of Rurik's influence. This discord between the siblings cast shadows upon the cosmos as their once mutual vision of creation bifurcated."

When "The Age of Living Gods" dawned upon The Free Kingdoms of Ammersol, the mortal realm found itself under the watchful gaze of Grixalis in physical form. The balance that once governed the heavens now echoed within the hearts of mortals. Some revered Grixalis as the ultimate lawgiver, while others saw him as a celestial tyrant. The centuries passed, and as Grixalis continued his reign, the realm experienced periods of prosperity and peace under an immortal and unwavering god-king. Among the sages of the council, some feared the ever-tipping scales. Atrigat, the daughter of Grixalis, encompassed the essence of his Order and with her father's blessing, provided counsel to the sages, reminding them of the inherent goodness of Order and the danger Chaos represents. Berantheos, the son of Grixalis, encompassed the essence of his Destruction and kept the creation of new things stifled through force.

From beyond, Rurik saw his brothers influence and domination of humanity. Seeking to free his creations from the grip of this dictator Rurik too took physical form. A war which scarred the world in the lands known as The Urik transpired between the polarized followers of these two living gods. In the end, this war brought on the destruction of their physical forms. It is unknown, and unimportant to the beleif of Peicists, whether their gods were annihilated or if their physical forms were all that perished. 

Grixalis had two children on Ascalen, Berantheos and Aatrigat. Aatrigat, the first born, formed the religion known as Atrism in The Etarian after her fathers death. An act which revolutionized the people and culture which resided there. Berantheos, in the absence of Grixalis, named Peicism and took on the role of the sages' host, advising the council of The Free Kingdoms of Ammersol. Unlike his father, Berantheos exercises caution and avoids exerting undue influence over the policies of the world. The council, comprised of Peicist sages, fosters an environment where the pursuit of balance is considered noble and essential. Berantheos himself is a practitioner of this religion and despite his destructive nature, remains a pacifist, offering only guidance to the followers of this religion.

It is beleives that Ruik, like Grixalis, created two children as well. These four children of The-Living-Gods became known as The Inevitables, entities whose existance were both sufficient and neccesary for the continuation of the worlds balance in the absence of their creators. While the children of Grixalis are known to the world, the children of Rurik are not and are said to be walking amoung mankind as one of them.

Peicism's influence extends far beyond the council chambers of The Free Kingdoms, shaping the ethics, governance, and perspectives of its followers. It's influences have spread across all of Ascalen, taking form within Audemn's Pantheonic religion with the creation of the deity Dalthys - goddess of fate - who embodies balance between the four aforementioned forces. 

Peicism offers its adherents a lens through which to view the complexities of existence and inviting all to seek equilibrium in a world defined by the perpetual dance between opposing forces.