Reductionism

Reductionism is a small religion that follows the teachings of Machi, the goddess of the bedrock. The primary tenant is the belief in reducing resources to purge the world of the greed and temptation they bring, and bring everyone closer to the voice of Machi. To the followers, their task of mining and reducing the earth's resources is a form of meditation and worship. This is known as "The Work" and is considered the most sacred part of their faith.

Origins
The religion of Reductionism is said to have originated from a newcomer to Rathnir, though it is not known whom, as the origins were discovered through a journal left behind only by someone who is now referred to as 'The Wanderer'.

The journal begins with The Wanderer having entered Rathnir alone, seeing the state of the world and found it displeasing. Seeking shelter from a rainstorm, he took cover in an abandoned port town and ventured deep into their forgotten mines. As the player delved deeper, he began to hear a strange noise that echoed through the caverns and pits. At first, the noise was harsh and uninviting, but as he wandered further the noise grew clearer and took on a more musical quality, like it was trying to speak to him. The wanderer felt it coming from the walls and dug to find it.

Descending deep into the earth, he ignored the various riches he passed by, broke through gold with stone tools, and stayed true to his goal to find the source of that voice, and hear what it had to say. But everything came to a halt when he reached the bedrock itself. Listening, he strained to see if the voice came from beneath it. But as he waited, staring deep into the foundations of the world, he saw an image of a being made of bedrock, with a serene expression and an outstretched hand. The figure had closed eyes, conveying a sense of peace and calm, while the open hand suggested a willingness to receive and embrace all who come to her. The wanderer, struck by the beauty and stillness of the figure, felt compelled to dig no further. He returned to the surface and told others of his experience and the being he had seen.

Over time, others joined and founded this new religion, centered around the bedrock goddess they named Machi, the Foundation. They believe that the voice they hear in the caverns is the voice of Machi, calling out to those who will listen, and guiding them to her.

The Work
The practice simply known as 'The Work' is the most common execution of faith that members can conduct. It is a process of mining a section of the world down to bedrock and then burning the resources gathered in a Ritual of Appeasement. There is no size requirement for excavation, but it is common for members to begin with as little as a 3x3 pit, or as much as 11x11, depending on how much one wishes to commit and the number of members dedicated to a single pit. Afterwards, members can attempt to expand the pit but it is more common to take time away or to create a new pit elsewhere.

The practice began as a way to invoke the voice of Machi, and to be closer to her physically, and through the effort, spiritually too. The mining and eventual forgoing of resources is purposed to mimic the non-materialistic desires of The Wanderer in his initial descent.

The Ritual of Appeasement
The most common and important ritual is the 'Ritual of Appeasement', otherwise called 'Ritual of Reduction' due to the prayer that is spoken during the ceremony. The ritual is a sacrifice of the resource gathered during the large mining expeditions that precede it. Either once an excavation has reached bedrock a cleared out in its entirety, or after expansion of a pre-existing excavation, one can conduct this ritual as token of thanks to Machi.

To conduct, the ritual can be executed in one of two ways. The more casual version is to place all gained resources possible into a small hole, recite the 'Prayer of Reduction', and at the end to fill the hole with lava, burning the items. Oh, great Machi, great foundation,

Reduce our hearts to humility and simplicity.

In this world of greed and temptation,

(*) Reduce our sins to nothing.

Through our hands, reduce this world to its foundation,

And rid us of all materialistic desires.

Grant us the strength to want for nothing,

And the wisdom to need for nothing

(*) Reduce us to your holy grace, oh Machi,

As we descend to join your side.

Reduce our worries and fears,

And fill us with peace and contentment.

(*) Reduce us to your love. More ceremonial rituals split the resources into three holes, one with building materials like stone or deepslate, one with crafting materials like iron and redstone, and the last with valuable items like gold and diamonds. At specific section of the prayer (marked with a *), the holes are filled with lava.

This ritual is occasionally conducted after a 'Plea of Permanence' to attempt to invoke an image of her before the sacrifice.

Plea of Permanence
This prayer is used primarily to appeal to Machi to invoke an image or vision of her, typically before some other ritual. The only requirement is to be in contact with a block of bedrock. Oh, Machi, Bedrock Purifier, Hear our call and heed our prayers.

From the depths of the earth below,

Reveal to us and show us your grace.

In your wisdom, in your love,

Bless us with your holy image.

Appear to us, oh Machi.

Guide us with your wisdom,

Soothe us with your peace.

Reduce us, oh Machi,

In your holy embrace.

Appear to us, and reduce us to you.

The Wanderer's Journal
The original text that was written depicting the events of The Wanderer and what lead to his vision of Machi. The original text was lost during transit, but copies and recounting from memory have started production as second editions to attempt to preserve the history.