Sect of Maadmug

The Sect of Maadmug (Huai: Maadməəg Phog; Modern Huai: Maaneuk Phak [mɑnɨk̚ pʰʌk̚]; Iquis: Raōw Mādməgri; Mānəkri), less commonly known as Maadmugism, is a major religion in the Settled Systems. Though its founding date is unconfirmed, its scripture, the Tkhal, is traditionally recounted to have been written and compiled in 1357 AAI.

Central to their worship is the world saviour Maadmug, who is considered by followers to be the first among mortals to decipher the nature of the Cosmic Principle.

The Cosmic Principle is a belief that the universe is in a cycle of birth and death, caused by the 'breathing' of a Cosmic Anima, an ineffable entity of unimaginable scale. A universe is born with every inhale of breath, and dies with every exhale.

The Sect of Maadmug is a recognized religion in the Coalition of Allied Star Systems, protected by the freedom of worship.

History

Early Days

The historical figure Maadmug is likely based on is the ascetic Due (<DUʼ>), a travelling monk who lived around the 8th century on the fledgling frontier world of Hlendu. For his views deemed too radical, he and his followers were exiled off Hlendu and was forced to relocate to a new world. Their followers first settled on Ptanpols, then relocated to Charé.

Due gained the posthumous title of Maadmug ('stellar saviour'), granted by his best disciple Tslaak (<SKHLAAK>). Tslaak became the first phiemtsi <PHIMSTEEʼ> of the sect.

Taad movement

The Taad movement, the official state religion of the Great Huai but considered by mainstream practitioners to be a fundamentalist and extremist branch of the Sect of Maadmug, is an offshoot (considered a cult by most governments) that believes the current universe is unnaturally corrupt, and seeks to hasten the 'exhalation' of the Cosmic Anima in order to bring an end the current universe.