User:Jofwu/Trelagism
| Jofwu/Trelagism | |
|---|---|
| Related to | Classical Scadrial, Nelazan |
| World of Origin | Scadrial |
| Universe | Cosmere |
Trelagism was a religion on Scadrial practiced by the Nelazan before the Ascension of the Lord Ruler and the establishment of the Final Empire.[1]
Beliefs
Trelagism was a dualist religion named after the god Trell. Trell's opposite was Nalt, and the two were believed to be brothers. Trelagists believed that night was beautiful and daylight was profane. During the night, Trelagists were able to see the Thousand Eyes of Trell (the stars) watching over them. During the day, Nalt, jealous of the worship given to his brother, would shine his single eye (the sun) on the land, blocking Trelagists from seeing Trell's eyes. Despite Nalt's attempts to outshine his brother, the Trelagists believed that Trell continued to watch over them during the day.[1]
Their beliefs concerning the afterlife are described by Sazed as "almost whimsical," and their doctrine in general was left intentionally ambiguous on many issues in order to allow followers to "discover truth for themselves." Adherents were encouraged to pray to Trell, and believed that their god would respond to petitions.[2]
Followers
Classical Scadrial
Before the Final Empire eradicated Trelagism, it was practiced primarily by a people known as the Nelazan. The Nelazan people lived in northern Scadrial, likely in close proximity to the planet's Arctic Circle. Sazed notes that their winters had few hours of daylight, and their summers had few hours of darkness.[1] These extreme day-night cycles evidently factored into their religious beliefs. Little is known about the Nelazan themselves. They apparently placed great value on mathematics and astronomy--a trait which attracted Sazed to the religion personally.[3]
The Final Empire
The adherents of Trelagism were eliminated by the Lord Ruler, however some Terris Keepers were able to recover their star charts and record their beliefs.[4] Trelagism was the fifth religion that Sazed offered to Vin not long after she joined Kelsier's crew.[1] Sazed later considered the religion for himself, but was discouraged by the lack of clarity that it offered.[3] After his Ascension, Sazed used the Trelagist star charts to return Scadrial to it's original orbit.[4]
Post-Catacendre
Trelagism may have diverged from its original beliefs since the end of the Final Empire. Miles Dagouter, Edwarn Ladrian, and others are self-proclaimed followers of Trellism,[5][6] which they believe traces its roots to the religion of Trelagism as described in the Words of Founding.[5] The true relationship between Trelagism and Trellism is unclear.