Followers of the Cosmic Formula
Followers of the Cosmic Formula Many see science as the anti-religion. It is seen as humans attempting to become all powerful and rule over nature. Instead of obeying laws handed down to them from divine beings they now seek to apply their own laws to the universe; and it will be humans who discover these laws, not any god.
Followers of the Cosmic Formula are a group of people who have a different view. While still immersed in science, they also believe that not everything is fully graspable, at least not yet. The Cosmic Formula Church is a strange mix of science, faith, and rituals. They believe that science is a tool that can be used to reveal great truths about the universe. On top of this, there is one great Formula that can be used to show how everything works. This Cosmic Formula would cover a chattering of an insect, to magic, to firing up a steam engine. Of course the clergy admits that they still have a ways to go before this Formula is ever discovered.
FCF has no one single god who commands everything, that is what the Cosmic Formula is for. There are several demi-god like beings in their faith though. These are called “The Progresses”. Currently there a 7 Progresses. They are Progress of Steam, Progress of Gears, Progress of the Spheres, and Progress of CoGs. There are also three Progresses of knowledge for the fields of biology, mathematics, and books. The history of these is quite complicated to anyone outside the church and to most members who are not of a science background themselves. Usually once a certain invention or breakthrough takes place, the church announces that a new Progresses and manifested. The most recent Progress was the Progress of CoGs. Also the Progresses do not always stay the same. The Progress of Biology use to be the Progress of Hybrids for example.
The church was founded based on the writings of Jothan Seluva, who was a French scientist born around 1510. Jothan was alive during a time of rapid progress and become immersed in mathematic theories at the age of 14. He was considered a prodigy by all and was entered into a prestigious college at the age of 16. For the most part of his life he found the worship practices of religions to be old and nothing more then superstitious. However, one day he witnessed a magic user vest several would be thugs. He went to research it but found that science could not really explain it. As he dove more into his studies he found out science couldn’t explain many things. This troubled him as he had placed all his faith in science. Then he realized that humans must just need to work harder to unlock the power of the universe. But also that humans were not above these powers, they simple could aid them. This brought him to the idea that science not only helps humans but allows the universe to work as it should, but for some reason is now in shambles.
At the age of 25 he published his ideas and theories in a book entitled “Mathematics of the Universe – A Formula to Govern all Things”. His book was met with quite a bit of scorn from many in academic circles, but also found a number of interested parties as well. This book was followed by another called “The Broken Formula – Fixing the Cosmos”. This book was primarily about how the Universal Formula was broken, and how humans could help the universe by studying science. Jothan thought and often wrote about this Formula as if it were an actual entity. He came to believe that this entity might actually even have a physical form, something like a grand calculating machine that is the size of a planet. As his ideas evolved some aspects of the religion did take on this more “un-scientific” aspect.
Johtan officially founded the church at the age of 55, and held the first mass on October 5th, which is now a huge holiday for the faith.
Fact Sheet: Official Name: Followers of the Cosmic Formula Founded: 1565 Members: This church is far smaller then most religions but has wide acceptance in some academic circles. It can not be denied that the Grand Calculusts of the church come up with ground breaking formulas. The followers vary from country to country but France and England have the most followers. France has around 50,000 followers and England has around the same number. Head Church Location: The main Church is located in a port city on the coast of France.
Views on…
Other religions: While they have the general idea right, they are very flawed in how the practice it. They are clinging to the “old ways” while progress and miracles happen right in-front of them. Also they are too quick to condemn the FCF’s views.
Non-Humans: Some seem to understand the new way, namely dwarfs and some elves. Elves also have a mastery of magic and thus when we can, we should try and get any notes on the subject they may have.
CoGs: These are a sign that humans are on the right track. CoGs are believed to have souls, and are a miracle of The Formula. We have many CoGs among our followers. Although we do not tolerate the views of the Gear Destiny.
Psychics: These are another sign of progress. We actually believe that soon a new Progress will appear for them. They are one of the hardest parts of The Formula to study however, and we look forward to taking on this challenge. Also with so much power we believe that more understanding will result in more safety for them and those of us not gifted.
Magic: While we do not dabble in magic as much, we do this only because we believe that through technology we can emulate its’ effects. Some might call our Holy Numerologists magic users, but they are more then this. They are actually drawing out the power that can be found in The Formula.
Hybrids: This was one of the first steps towards progress. While some have said that CoGs have replaced them, they will always have a place in the history of progress. We feel sad that they have fallen out of the spotlight, but they too must realize their place in progress. We also have a fair number of them in our following as well. And we are quite proud that many of them accepted the first CoGs into our following; proof that The Formula is in action.
Souls: Of course almost all living things posses souls. But just what they are is debated even within our highest ranks. The two leading theories are as follows. The first is known as the “Sum” camp. They believe that the soul is a mathematical formula that makes us who we are, however there are many variables with-in, and those are the choices we make. Thus one’s soul is the combinations of factors that were in the equation from the beginning, and the sum of the variables. The other camp is called the “Continuations” camp. They believe that the soul of each person is fixed, and has no variables. This means that most people are a part of a bigger formula, and all are carrying out their roles. One problem with this camp though is that it has trouble explaining why things have gone wrong. They usually cite that things haven’t gone wrong, but that we are just in a certain part of The Formula. Also that people can be not useful to the whole such as criminals. These represent chaos which is of course the enemy of the faith. Either way souls are an important part of The Formula and their full importance is not fully understood.
Holy Books and Such
Mathematics of the Universe – A Formula to Govern all Things
The Broken Formula – Fixing the Cosmos
Codex of Gears: This book details varies aspects of machine creation. It is actually a text only seen by members of the church and has very old and also very advanced technology gathered by the Knowledge Hunters. It is said to be around 1000 pages long and as long as two men standing on top of one another. There are smaller versions available that detail more mundane technology and these can be purchased from the church or at many bookstores.
The Formula: This is considered the “bible” of the faith. It details many of Jothan’s first musings but focuses more on how to live your daily life, study habits, how to get into a college, and the importance of sacrifice in order to put someone through school. Universities tend to help publish this book. It also contains knowledge on basic algebra and geometry. This book however is not widely used by the uneducated followers for the math parts, as they do not have the time or learned ability to study it.
Cosmic Order of Progresses: This is a book that deals with Progresses, how they work, history, their predictions, how to look for new ones, and almost anything else dealing with The Progresses. This is a book mostly used by those in the clergy.
Divine Machine: This book covers what the planet sized calculating machine of The Formula is. It is read by the masses and explains how most souls of the good go here for processing and decides their fate from there. It is around 800 pages. The Great Record of Truth: This is actually several books now. It details every scientific progress that is made and that the church can get its’ hands on. It is considered one book however. Just why that is, is unknown to the general public. The higher up clergy just smile and say it is as it should be. It also keeps tracking of varying other statistics.
Ranks: Knowledge Hunters: These are clergy who are charged with going out into the world and discovering lost or new technology that has yet to be discovered by the rest of civilization.
Grand Calcululists: There are only 8 of these at any time. These represent some of the best of the best when it comes to greater understanding of mathematical theories and spiritual knowledge of The Formula. One of these is always designated as “Master of the Formula” who leads the rest in research.
Master of the Formula: Leader of the Grand Calcululists. This is a very prestigious post and commands much respect with-in the church and from academic circles around the world. He/she comes up radical new theories that usually redefine current understandings. He/she is also in charge of heading up who works on what with in the GC.
Holy Numerologists: These select few are those who are able to draw power out of mathematical formulas that deal with magic. While their methods often work, it is beyond our understanding why other forms of magic work. They do not seem to follow the same laws as the Holy Numerologists, but work just as well if not sometime better. Of course like everything else, this needs more study.
Prime Guard: These are the protectors of our knowledge. They dedicate long hours of meditation and martial skill practice in order to defend the knowledge we have not deemed ready for everyone. They also protect our churches from those who seek to bring us down. And of course if need be the Prime Guard can take the offensive.
Grand Prime General of the Guard: This is the leader of the Prime Guard. He is a master in many forms of combat, tactics, and religious learning’s.
Helping Hands: These are our researchers. They research all other aspects and come up with new inventions in other areas besides math.
Grand Advancer of the Holy Formula: This is the head of our church. He is an amazing man who has an understanding of math, science, and The Formula far greater then almost anyone else. He is elected by the Holy Numerologists heads and the Grand Calcululists.
Of course we also have priests and scribes as well. The scribes keep track of as much knowledge as possible. They belong to our knowledge system called “The Sum of Knowledge”.
