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.
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