Rubicism

Rubicism has spread from the desert planet of Teva to touch the lives of many species across the Federation Spaceway. Its origins are deeply rooted in the history and survival of the Tevesh, a species that endured great hardship and found strength in their connection to a celestial deity and a sacred gem.

Rubicism began as the ancestral faith of the Tevesh. According to their sacred legends, the deity Tabris observed the struggles of the developing Tevesh species as they fought to survive on their planet's sprawling, arid landscapes. Moved by their perseverance against the scorching sun and relentless environment, Tabris wept. These were not tears of water, but "fiery tears" of empathy and power, which fell upon the deserts and crystallized into the Tabris Ruby, a magnificent, crescent-shaped red gem that is said to burn with an eternal, internal fire.

For countless cycles, this belief was central to Tevesh culture. The original Tabris Ruby became their most sacred relic, a symbol of their deity's vigil and a testament to their own resilience. They developed a society that thrived in the planet’s extreme conditions, constructing vast underground cities to shelter from the heat and protect their resources.

Rubicism, as it is practiced today across the Federation Spaceway, is founded on several core principles derived from the Tevesh experience:

• Our Tears Water the Seeds of Our Might: The central tenet of Rubicism is that true strength, both for an individual and for a species, is forged in adversity. Followers believe that challenges are not merely obstacles but are sacred tests from Tabris, designed to purify the spirit.

• Our Hope is a Blade Forged in the Dark: The Tabris Ruby symbolizes the belief that even in the deepest darkness, a spark of hope and resilience remains. 

• Our Empathy is Our Shield, Our Sorrow is Our Sword: Followers believe that Tabris does not intervene directly to prevent suffering, but instead shares in it, offering empathy that manifests as strength for the believers.

• Let Them Fear the Love They Cannot See: Rubicism teaches that every living being possesses an "inner love," Rituals and meditation are aimed at connecting with and strengthening this inner love, allowing a follower to endure any trial.

Rubicism spread through first hand testimonies from the Tevesh travelers and the faith's new converts shared their stories, and the message of finding strength in pain found fertile ground.  While Rubicism spread organically through testimony, its spiritual authority is centralized in a single figure: The Beloved Oracle. This leader is the supreme head of the faith and is believed to be the only individual capable of directly interpreting the will of Tabris. Residing in a secluded sanctum within the highest mountain shrine of Redcrag, the Oracle spends long periods in meditation before the Tabris Ruby itself, interpreting the visions that flicker within its fiery depths. A new Oracle is chosen only upon the passing of the previous one.