Asterism is a religion which has its origins in Tasmania and is almost synonymous with Ferozen civilisation. The primary component of Asterism is the belief in Aster, a deity who is said to have slaughtered all other gods in heaven, and then claimed its throne to reign supreme. It can be divided in two main branches.
- Classical Asterism, which adheres strictly to the four commandments issued by Aster after slaughtering the other gods and does not recognise further additions. This branch can be found amongst some of the more backwards Tasmanian clans, though a few believers exist in mainland Australia. As Classical Asterism is fundamentally accepted to be incompatible with modern civilisation, its followers tend to be outcasts or members of antisocial groups such as pirate bands.
- Morlonic Asterism, a branch founded by Morlon of Toffia in which the Commandments were reinterpreted, and the shaman class passed on to become an organised priesthood, amongst many other reforms aimed at making Asterism a viable model for human society. As approximately 98% of Asterists belong to this branch, the terms are practically synonymous.
The Son of Aster reinterpreted the Four Commandments to have a number of common themes which, according to him, had either been lost in translation or to time:
- To worship other gods is futile, as Aster has killed them all.
- Morlon, having fought supernatural beings for years and being well-versed in Dreamtime lore, had come to the realisation that lesser deities and spirits outside of Aster's control existed outside of the Ferozen's ancestral home in Tasmania and could influence the physical world. As such, it was the holy duty of all believers to spread His cult in the face of an alien mythos which could not guarantee their safety and welfare, not only through conquest but also by peaceful conversion. Morlonic Asterism is, therefore, not strictly monotheistic, but rather believes in the supremacy of one deity over all others. It is only after Morlon's reforms that Aboriginals began converting to Asterism; prior to that, the Ferozen and their faith were practically synonymous with each other.
- Morlon, having fought supernatural beings for years and being well-versed in Dreamtime lore, had come to the realisation that lesser deities and spirits outside of Aster's control existed outside of the Ferozen's ancestral home in Tasmania and could influence the physical world. As such, it was the holy duty of all believers to spread His cult in the face of an alien mythos which could not guarantee their safety and welfare, not only through conquest but also by peaceful conversion. Morlonic Asterism is, therefore, not strictly monotheistic, but rather believes in the supremacy of one deity over all others. It is only after Morlon's reforms that Aboriginals began converting to Asterism; prior to that, the Ferozen and their faith were practically synonymous with each other.
- Though Aster has the final decision on the fate of men, they are largely masters of their own destiny.
- The Son of Aster believed this phrase to be the most important of all, as it meant that though men possessed free will, they were also under Aster's protection. Thus, believers should not expect well-being to fall from the sky as a result of pray; instead, they should hone their skills and improve their craft, granting themselves and their families a life well lived.
- The Son of Aster believed this phrase to be the most important of all, as it meant that though men possessed free will, they were also under Aster's protection. Thus, believers should not expect well-being to fall from the sky as a result of pray; instead, they should hone their skills and improve their craft, granting themselves and their families a life well lived.
- To butcher, raze and debauch is wasteful when a lord can recruit, build and train, thus assuring victory in future conquests.
- According to his writings, Morlon believed this phrase to be the justification for the Asterist moral system, which became codified shortly after. Moderation was the proper way for a believer to behave, while excess and vice could only lead to certain doom from one's own actions, building up on the previous Commandment. It also meant that one should be ready for any occasion and not waste any time in worldly affairs such as drinking, gambling or attending brothels, though these acts were not outright forbidden by divine word. The final interpretation of this line was that diplomacy and development were preferable alternatives to constant war and pillaging whenever they were suitable options; the Son of Aster describes a fable in which two princes inherit different fiefdoms. The older chooses to conquer as far as the sun shines, thus gaining enormous riches and land. On the other hand, the younger sibling studies the arts and sciences, surrounds himself with intelligent men, forms a professional citizen's army, and allies nearby lords with which he does not have any land disputes, even Aboriginal ones. When they inevitably go to war, the younger lord comes out victorious because his lands can sustain a better fed and better equipped army, his allies are reliable, his men are zealously loyal and his nation may sustain wars for longer. Logically, the gentle lord was blessed by Aster not with strength, but with wisdom, which can be a more potent weapon in the right circumstances.
- According to his writings, Morlon believed this phrase to be the justification for the Asterist moral system, which became codified shortly after. Moderation was the proper way for a believer to behave, while excess and vice could only lead to certain doom from one's own actions, building up on the previous Commandment. It also meant that one should be ready for any occasion and not waste any time in worldly affairs such as drinking, gambling or attending brothels, though these acts were not outright forbidden by divine word. The final interpretation of this line was that diplomacy and development were preferable alternatives to constant war and pillaging whenever they were suitable options; the Son of Aster describes a fable in which two princes inherit different fiefdoms. The older chooses to conquer as far as the sun shines, thus gaining enormous riches and land. On the other hand, the younger sibling studies the arts and sciences, surrounds himself with intelligent men, forms a professional citizen's army, and allies nearby lords with which he does not have any land disputes, even Aboriginal ones. When they inevitably go to war, the younger lord comes out victorious because his lands can sustain a better fed and better equipped army, his allies are reliable, his men are zealously loyal and his nation may sustain wars for longer. Logically, the gentle lord was blessed by Aster not with strength, but with wisdom, which can be a more potent weapon in the right circumstances.
- Against such a cruel and unforgiving world, the answer is conquest.
- More than literal conquest, this line is interpreted by Morlon to also mean conquest over the natural world, and not exclusively wars of conquest. There are many men who achieve this by different means; the farmer who conquers starvation by feeding his family and his nation, the trader who conquers poverty by selling his wares across the continent, the king who conquers his nation's hearts by acts of compassion, and the priest who conquers ignorance by teaching Aster's words and seeking enlightenment. But there are also more personal examples; the warrior who conquers his fear and comes out on top, the adventurer who conquers the darkness by stepping into the unknown, and the poor man who conquers his destiny by becoming rich. Civilisation is believed by Morlon to be the ultimate weapon of conquest, as it can gain control over men's lives, their actions, their deeds and over large regions of nature itself. Thus, it is Aster's gift to mankind.
A full explanation of these reinterpretations can be found in "Holy Reflections", the Son of Aster's written account on this subject, which has survived almost intact into the mid-1960s. While Asterist priests have created a number of essays, recompilations and tomes on matters of philosophy, theology and ethics, it is this work of literature which can be considered Asterism's most holy book. On the other hand, Morlon's scientific writings ("Wordly Reflections") are considered something more akin to a divine gift to mankind.
There exists no centralised priesthood in Asterism. It is divided into fikaii, a term which can refer to either the religious building itself, those who regularly visit it or to the priesthood which operates it. Large and prosperous fikaii regularly construct additional "extensions" of themselves known as itfikaii. The largest of these centres of worship is the Cestlep City Heavenly Fikaii, which operates 38 itfikaii (mostly in southern Oceanyka). All of these centres of worship and priesthoods must send their leaders, or a representative, to a yearly week-long meeting at Morlon of Toffia's Estate, known as the "Brotherly Congregation". During the colonial era, in one of these Congregations, it was agreed that the first week of Spring would be when this reunion takes place. In Ferozen society this is considered a holiday week.