Technocracy Religion and Rites



Tecnocracy Faith

The Technocrats that have faith are often following the faiths of their familial traditions or the Iglesia Solar. On the other hand, many in the Technocracia have forsaken the divinities and traditions of old -- the appearance of horrifying monstrosities in the sky and the Long Fall of human civilization is enough to change most minds about the existence of a benevolent deity.

  • Iglesia Solar, Redeemers, Solarites/Solaria

    OVERVIEW: Primarily known as the Iglesia Solar, the Church of the Redeemed Sun is a faith focused on charity, selflessness, and meditative prayer. Dedicated to several solar divinities, it has become a philosophical and spiritual religion that is focused on self-improvement and contemplation. Many scientists and engineers subscribe to it and are contributors to the church as an organization. Indeed, it is their contribution and their civic minded advances that have won them many adherents among the peoples of the Caribbean and the Illustrados.

    As per the written Visions of “Santo Rivero”, the Church is guided by five Wildling Whispers. Each is a reflection of a syncretized figure from the old mythos of the region. They also inspired the five Solaric Virtues and the five Solaric Sins. Though the Church worships them as a whole, each has its own specific portofolio.. Most folk dedicate themselves to one of the Icons.

    — Auroral Serpent: As a two-headed feathered serpent with a sun in its mouths, this Whisper controls winds, water, earth, and flames. He is associated with Harmony.

    — Burning Gate: An intermediary between humanity and the eldritch. Those who look unto infinity are reminded of humanity’s insignificance and the folly of the self. He is associated with Humility.

    — Giving Star: Brought warmth, and agriculture to humanity so he is associated with maize or similar crops. Through him, folk were able to prosper and thrive. He is associated with Charity.

    — Lucent Crown: Enthroned on a mountain and wielding cosmic power, he created celestial bodies, animals, and humanity, bringing light and balance to the world. He is associated with Inquiry.

    — Radiant Eagle: Associated with bravery, fierceness, and rulership. Though he used to be a divinity of kings, he is now a Whisper associated with Loyalty.

    SYMBOL: A stone sunburst surrounded by 5 stars or circles. Many Solarites carry a sun themed medallion with at least 5 large beads, representing a Tenet. Shrines feature clay statues or graven images of a Solaric Icon.

    SHRINE TYPES: Hallowed Shrines built to the Iglesia Solar are varied according to Solaric Icon that it is built to

    — Auroral Serpent: Ancestral, Storm

    — Burning Gate: Ancestral, Deep

    — Giving Star: Pyre, Verdant

    — Lucent Crown: Ancestral, Verdant

    — Radiant Eagle: Primal, Pyre

    TENETS: Below are the commandments of the Iglesia Solar, which follow their philosophical and contemplative perspective of the world.

    — Charity/Caridad: The Sun is radiant and ever giving. So should it be that we too give of ourselves to those in need.

    — Humility/Reflexion: Just as the Sun reflects and illuminates all, so too must we reflect and study our memories and surroundings to see the truth in things and beyond ourselves.

    — Inquiry/Curiosidad: New and old sciences await our minds in the darkness of ignorance. We must seek them out through study and learning.

    — Loyalty/Pureza: A Solarite is beloved of family and of friend, seeking to protect them against harm and nurture them to greatness.

    — Harmony/Templanza: In deed and in word, a Solarite must be measured and balanced in their efforts.

    SINS AND ATONEMENTS: A sin in the eyes of the Iglesia Solar is a stumbling block against redemption and enlightenment. They also represent the baser natures of humanity that must be overcome in order for societal and spiritual harmony. Atonement for committing a sin is usually in the form of guided meditation at a monastery or a campus, though actual crimes against society and humanity are given up to the authorities. Some fringe sects of the Iglesia suggest self-flagellation, meditative starvation, or similarly extreme practices.

    — Apathy/Desidia: Ignorance is said to be the first sin but the true wrong is continuing in it. Solarites must hone their minds with study, practice, and charity

    — Desire/Codicia: While fire burns whatever it can reach, Solarites must be above all such attachments to money, power, and flesh.

    — Hatred/Odio: The Redeemed Sun must avoid the poisons of hatred and of wanton violence. While one’s own defense cannot be ignored, actions must be tempered with need and caution.

    — Pride/Orgullo: The Redeemed Sun is ever burning of itself. Know that there is more to the world than one’s self and that the self is but one star in a cosmos of infinity.

    — Treachery/Traición: The Redeemed Sun illuminates but never blinds. So too must a Solarite avert their words and deeds from deception and oath breaking.

    WORSHIPERS: The Iglesia Solar is the biggest religion of the Illustrados Union, with a few adherents and followers among the peoples of the Mid-Atlantic region.

    Its worshippers are called Solaria in the Caribbean but Mid-Atlantic calls them Solarites. These pious folk tithe and attend the Church organization, which is peopled by both priests and engineers that live in their monastery-campuses. The former are ministers of rite and of people, some are skilled in healing while others are skilled in counseling or in teaching.

    CLERGY: The priests and ritualists of the Iglesia Solar are a deeply civic class of people. Their campuses are not only for meditation and prayer, but they also feature universities, libraries, laboratories, clinics, hospitals, soup kitchens, and orphanages among their holdings across the Illustrados Union.

    These clergyfolk are often called “La Tea” (pronounced Lah Teh-Yah), even though the term technically only applies to the second rank of the priesthood. They are just as often called Redeemers in Mid-Atla due to their philanthropic work.

    LEADERSHIP: The Sinodo del Sol (the Solar Synod) provides the leadership of the Iglesia, whether in their headquarters on the Yucatan Peninsula, on the Illustrados islands, or even far afield in Mid-Atla. The five individuals that make it up deliberate and decide on Iglesian policy, on Iglesian dogma, and on major tribunals. These Espejo del Sinodo (eng. “Mirrors of the Synod) are led by one of their own, called an Arbitro who administers discussion and debate, only lending their vote in ties.

    The current Arbitro del Sinodo is Alphonso Aguilar del Espejo, a Psion respected for his prudence and his skill in Talismanic magics. While politically neutral, he is known to be of the Lucent Crown Order - they focus on the implementation of the new sciences over the veneration of spirits.


Tecnocracia Tenets

  • Fulfill your Contracts: Oaths and promises are important, but they pale in comparison to paper and ink. To make a sale, a Technocrat will say whatever they need to say. To secure a peace, any words will do. But if it is written down and signed -- then a Technocrat is bound to adherence, even by their Corporation (unless it is too much to follow). Thus, Technocrats never sign anything before reading it and will offer up contracts to those who wish to work for them.



  • The Importance of Wealth and Status: While wealth and status are important to a Technocrat, they are only useful tools for them to achieve their goals and the goals of their Corporation (in that order). Therefore, these individuals will do what they can to gain resources and reagents without sullying their reputation. Many are those who fall to simple greed and love of comfort, but a true Technocrat is said to advance the cause of humanity, not merely wallow in their excesses. 



  • The Power of Technology: To the Tecnocracia, power and knowledge is out there just waiting to be harnessed by those with the expertise to do so. With humanity still recovering from the Long Fall, its scions must ensure their supremacy and prosperity by whatever means possible. If this means using strange magical technology, so be it. Similarly, if humanity requires that certain resources be exploited for use and experimentation, the Technocrat is required to do so by the needs of their descendants and fellow humans.



  • Words over Wars: Though military contracts have earned certain Corporations no small amount of wealth, most Technokrats detest fighting. They think it is dirty, chaotic, and (less importantly) dangerous. A Technokrat will ask first and shoot later, which may fly in the face of common wisdom in hazardous areas. Though they consider combat beneath them, they do not ignore their own safety. Thus, they hire or befriend allies that are much more dangerous than they are. Similarly, their wealth and/or technical expertise also lends them to having gadgetry and weaponry aplenty to deal with trouble.




Life Rites

Birth Rite -- From Earth to Sky

While it is not universal, it is tradition in many communities that a parent give birth indoors and present their child to the sky immediately afterward. Some communities have a cave wherein such a rite is performed while others style their hospital’s maternity ward or their own birthing room in such a fashion, with a nearby window for the Sky portion of the rite. Some say that this presentation resembles the bringing of life and light from a time of darkness. Others claim that this rite is an ancient one with a mythic history. The Iglesia Solar assists in the propagation of this rite, though they tend to elaborate on the Sky portion by ensuring that the extended family of the parent is there (with the parent’s consent). 

The wealthier members of the Illustrados follow this happening with a feast for all attendees, in a different room during the next day. The child is presented as a new member of the family and to the community. The expectation is that the food be of different animals and varieties, with no dish being replicated. This practice has filtered down to the other social classes, who make do with their own smaller, private celebrations.  




Adulthood -- Spirit Hunt

In the myriad communities of the Illustrados Union, one rite that the majority subscribes to is the Spirit Hunt. When a group of children reach the age of 18, their guardians take them into the wilderness or a remote but secure area. The children are then unleashed for one whole day with the goal of catching an animal.

The Spirit Hunt is muddled by history and obfuscated by local traditions. In Puerto del Encanto, it is said that the caught animal will grant a blessing to its catcher. In Ayiti island, such animals are slain in a hunt so that their aspect strengthens the hunter. In Caubano island, the animal’s spirit will aid the adolescent in their direst moments. In some parts of the mainland, the animal is slain and its skin is worn so that it protects its slayer’s soul from misfortune.

Ultimately, the would-be adults craft a unique mask called a Cara. This resembles the animal they connected with -- and they carry it everywhere with them, remaking it if they lose it. Taking or destroying someone else’s Cara is disrespectful, marking the thief or vandal as someone that cannot be trusted.

With the advance of years and the mists of antiquity, this rite has changed and lost most of its meaning from its original form. Its sanctity has fallen on the wayside. Wealthy adolescents go on safaris and are assisted by hirelings, coming back with exotic and highly esteemed Cara (e.g. jaguars,  or eagles) or even parafauna Cara. Impoverished folk make do with rats, crows, and other scavengers.

Promotion -- Boarding Contract

When a Technocrat has passed their initial probation period within their Corporation, their change in status is acknowledged by their peers and their superiors. A Bureaucrat will have them sign a second contract that speaks to their new status and ensures them that their Corporation will assist them (pending the situation at hand). Wealthier individuals may have a celebration of their success and ensured future, with extended family and friends along for the festivities. 

Many Technocrats will face this Life Rite multiple times in their lifetime as they ascend the ranks through promotions.  


Marriage -- Marital Contract

Weddings among the Illustrados are loud affairs filled with family and friends. There is typically a short rite, ministered by clergy (and of a higher position if either celebrant is also clergy). The minister assists the marrying couple in their declaration of love and affection for each other. In some of the Illustrados, they are styled as the earth and sky coming together while they are the sun and moon or sea and sky in others. Tokens of love are then exchanged, such as rings or amulets. This rite is followed by raucous celebration, with singing, dancing, hired entertainment and the like.

The Tecnocracia like to mix their business with their personal life. Part of the marriage ceremony involves signing a marital contract in front of everyone, including a Corporate Notary. This contract establishes the couple’s status within the Tecnocracia as well as how their assets will be divided by death or divorce.

It is common to add local customs to one’s wedding. Some appease the spiritual world with the ritual sacrifice of an animal or the controlled destruction of a treasured possession. Others ensure that certain foods are served or offered to the heavens during the feasting portion of the ceremony. Among a significant portion of the population, a single bite of meat and a single bite of vegetable is exchanged in addition to the marital tokens.

Funeral -- Closing Contract

When a Technocrat passes away, they are given a solemn farewell by family and friends. A member of the Bureaucracy has to be present to record the death. Most Technocrats prepare for their demise in advance and a Closing Contract prepared; such a Contract includes the deceased's final desires, wishes and statements in addition to a will -- inheritances are usually divided among children and spouse. 



View of the Afterlife

A Technocrat’s view of the afterlife is dependent on their faith. Those who follow the Iglesia Solar believe that in an afterlife of sun and plenty, provided that a soul lives a life of compassion, charity, and honor. To that end, followers are invited to assist the church in their various humanitarian efforts such as maintaining hospitals, orphanages, soup kitchens, and similar activities.

Many Technocrats have no real idea of the afterlife beyond the cessation of their own lives. They try not to think of the oblivion that awaits them when they pass, preferring instead to focus on the “here and now”.




View of Magic

Despite their love of technological gadgets and wonders, the Tecnocracia have no fear or distaste for magic. In fact, they consider some of their greatest technologies to be harnessed sorcery -- Magnatech and Apextech do utilize Magnetic Mana energy after all. Thus, Technocrats perceive magic as just another tool to be used, as lethal as a firearm to both its user and its target. 

That said, sorcery has certain requirements of those that wish to use it. Technology, on the other hand, can be used by anyone that has learned the necessary skillset to do so. Despite the wondrous power of the eldritch, Technocrats tend to prefer the more practiced and “reliable” strength of Nueva Cienca. There are exceptions, of course -- the Sorcerous Sciences Corporation excels in magic related products and technologies.