Tacikism

 

Tacikism

Tacik (Tae – Sick)

From the old language.

Tac = Man or mankind , ik = King, ruler, or sometimes lord ; Man is Lord

 

Tacikism is a belief system that originated approximately one thousand years ago. The beliefs were written in an anonymous document known as the Tacik. The document has survived through the centuries mostly unchanged, but not unchallenged. While the Tacik covers a wide range of topics, its primary purpose is to explain and advance a single core belief. Man, or mankind, is the dominant species. Only men and women, human men and women, possess a soul. This is to the exclusion of all others.

The Taciks believe that all other species may possess a spirit, but not a soul. (A soul is eternal and carries on in the afterlife, going either to heaven or hell. A spirit is transferred or absorbed by another living being at death, but does not enter the afterlife.) This includes most animals as well as what the Taciks term as sub-species. This list includes, but is not limited to, Dwarves, Elves, Fairies, Goblins, Merpeople, and Trolls. While these subspecies may be ranked above many categories of animals, such as livestock and those considered lesser life forms, such as insects, they remain inferior to humans.

This belief system, although not widespread, has remained to some degree throughout the kingdom. While its proponents are adamant about their beliefs, they keep to themselves, for the most part. It should go without saying that the Tacik beliefs have created a good deal of controversy and ill will between the species. In the early days, immediately after the publication of the Tacik, when the belief system was at its height, a significant amount of violence erupted between Taciks and other species, primarily Dwarves and Goblins. Tragically, many lives were lost during this time.

During this time, at the start of the second age, some extremists used its teachings to justify the enslavement and mistreatment of the sub-species. Many Dwarves and Goblins were used as forced labor in mines, mills, and in other harsh and dangerous professions. Fairies and Nymphs were caught and sold as novelty items. It was during this time that Merpeople were ruthlessly hunted and driven to the brink of extinction. The king outlawed these atrocities, and a number of the Taciks were imprisoned for their actions; others lost lands, and some entire family fortunes.

The violence and the rejection of their beliefs by the vast majority drove the Taciks into silence. While they still have many devoted followers, they are far less vocal and are now considered a secret society. Their headquarters, or temple as they call it, is located in the Castle Crete. It is a plain, nondescript building with nothing to tell the general public what it is or what takes place within its walls.

The Tacik, while not officially banned in the kingdom, is considered rare. The oldest copy is still housed in the central Tacik temple, where it is available to ‘believers’. A copy is also available at the Library of Lady Catherine by special request, but it is not on display to the general public.

It should be noted that some, whom most would call extremists, even among the Taciks, used the teachings and beliefs to justify the omission of certain races. In their view, these people regarded these races as subspecies and therefore considered them not fully human. These beliefs and the practices associated with them drove the Taciks into further isolation as they were chastised and ridiculed for their beliefs and racist views. The surviving Taciks do not endorse or embrace these harsher views, at least openly. These events have made any association with the Taciks paramount to political and social suicide. To many, the Taciks are a blemish on the kingdom and should be banned entirely. While not directly outlawed, the Tacik' beliefs and practices are closely monitored, and their opponents are waiting for any opportunity to take further action against them.