Ertian Reflectivism

Ertian Reflectivism is a monotheistic, introspective belief system centered around the dual beliefs in a single deity, Erts, and a need for constant introspection and challenging of one's perspective of the world around them in order to bring tsuccess and good fortune in life. Chiefly practiced in areas of eastern Ertia and the Kingdom of Wysteria, Ertian Relectivism is a product of the melding of beliefs and traditions from two older religions: Ertianism and Mystical Reflectivism. Ertian Reflectivism is estimated to be practiced by some 20 000 individuals, though the nature of the belief system, eschewing strict practices and designed as customisable to the adherent's personal situation, renders it difficult to both formally define the belief system and to estimate the number who would consider themselves adherents.

Ertian Reflectivism is centered around a pair of beliefs reached by the combination of traditions from both Ertianism and Mystical Reflectivism; these are the belief in a monotheistic deity, Erts, and a belief in the necessity of introspection and perspective. These beliefs, while compatible and of theoretically equal standing, may be weighted differently by the individual; one belief may be more practiced or emphasised while not discounting the other. This is a key challenge in formally defining the belief system.

The God Erts

Ertian Reflectivism holds a central belief in the god Erts, original patron of the Ertian peoples and first observed in the far northern, Old World homelands of the Ertian forebearers. To followers of Ertian Reflectivism, Erts is love and labour incarnate; a manifestation of the work and effort of his followers, he shall reward those who are just, honorable, and persevering in their work with favourable crop yields, rich veins of minerals, and good fortune in travel and economic dealings. While Erts has been incorporated from Ertianism, another monotheistic religion, the deity as recognised by Ertian Reflectivism is significantly altered: Erts's role as creator and master of the world has been diminished in order to recreate him as a benefactor and guide of good fortune. One element Erts does retain from Ertianism is his supposed blue color; like the original Ertian ancestors, Erts is said to hold an affinity with the blue mineral Lapis Lazuli, and this elements is often prized in jewelry as a way of commemorating the god. His mineral affinity grants Erts a place of special respect with mining workers, who will often call upon the god for good fortune in their day's work.

Perspective and Introspection

From the writings of Duke Nicholas II:

The roots of the modern Wysterian state can be traced back hundreds of years. There is general agreement among historical and religious scholars that the mix of beliefs we term Ertian Reflectivism, coming primarily from a combination of Ertianism and Mystical Reflectivism, began with Adam Scrayven: the founder of Craikennais in the Old World’s New Ertia. Though Adam’s original writings have been largely lost to time and the Dark Age, his story survives. Born to Minervan parents on a small, windswept island in the Mercurian Wastes, he was raised to value to core principles of Mystical Reflectivism – an ancient system of beliefs as old as the Empire itself which value reflection on one’s inner self and one’s true purpose. Armed with this set of beliefs, Adam undertook his now historic Wayfarer’s Journey to Mercury Isle – for which he is now christened Adam the Wayfarer – and toured the Empire, broadening his perspectives before settling in New Ertia, the precursor to the current Kingdom of Ertia.

In Ertia, Adam developed a close friendship with the King of the land, that day’s Arjen – his eventual founding of the farming town of Craikennais is considered by most scholars to mark the beginning of a community that would make the voyage to the New World and eventually to what would become Wysteria. It was over decades in New Ertia, as Craikennais prospered and Adam became attuned with the way of life in the growing realm that the regional religion of Ertianism began to hold a place in his life and the lives of his people.

Ertianism is a religion whose true age is perhaps incalculable, though the scholars at the court of Arjen IV would likely argue the point. It is a system of beliefs centered on the mineral god Erts, a deity held in much regard by the ancestors of the Ertian peoples; a great civilization far to the north of Old Hermertia whose culture and history was wiped out in an ice age that forced them from their lands aeons ago. As Ertianism became an ever greater influence on Adam, the beliefs of the religion merged with his own values of Reflectivism to create a blend of the two religions that acknowledged a deity while placing emphasis on the individual’s ability and responsibility to reflect on themselves with the goal of improving themselves. The exact timeframe for this gradual emergence of Ertian Reflectivism is a point hotly debated by scholars; most everyone agrees that it was firmly established by the time Craikennain settlers left for the New World, but the point at which it evolved from complementary ideas to a distinct set of beliefs over the decades in Carikennais is unclear.

In the New World, Ertian Reflectivism was adopted by many settlers of the Duchy of Laborate in Ertia; as an Ertian duchy somewhat isolated from the capital the unique blend of beliefs grew into something of a regional identity. Today, Ertian Reflectivism is stronger than ever before, as it has found a great match with the goals of Wysterians: to learm from reflection of themselves and others. But the success of the beliefs of Ertian Reflectivism is the same reason why Wysteria will never have a state religion – the rewards of diversity are too precious to be done away with. We will forever remain a realm of hospitality, of hard work, and of learning through perspective.