Landon

Landon
One of the residential houses established by the Open Hand movement in the early 2020s.
Born	1948, Ostralis Apex, Thymara
Died	(2032–present)
Nationality	Thymaran
Occupation	Preacher, schoolteacher, religious leader
Known for	Founder of the Cult of Landon; advocate of nonviolence
Affiliation	Cult of Landon (founder)
Religious affiliation	Landonite movement
Notable work	The Way of the Open Palm (1998)

Landon is a new religious movement and former nonviolent political organization founded in 1998 by the preacher and schoolteacher Landon in Ostralis Apex, Thymara. Originally known informally as the Gathering or the Open Hand, the group evolved from loose circles of residential communal living into a structured movement under the leadership of Vora by 2019. The movement emphasized pacifism, community care, and the use of traditional open-palm gestures derived from regional rituals. Following the formalization of its structure in 2019, members took a specific vow known as the "vow of the Open Hand," which codified their commitment to nonviolent resistance and residential houses.

The organization faced increasing legal scrutiny over several decades. The Republic of Aethelgardia banned the Cult of Landon in 2014, citing concerns over its unregistered gatherings. Tensions escalated in 2019 following a standoff involving the Highland Assembly, after which the Highlands Sovereignty issued its own ban. The group's status changed again in 2038 when the Ulmarkan Empire prohibited the movement, citing accusations of involvement in regional unrest. Despite these bans and the persecution of its members, investigations by the Cohesive Global Concord and various national authorities concluded that the Landonite movement remained distinct from The Brass Concord, despite both groups utilizing pacifist rhetoric to describe their ideologies.

The legacy of Landon became a subject of intense investigation following the 2049 Sylvaris Transit Corridor Bombing. State media in the Ulmarkan Empire blamed the Landonites for the attack, which occurred on November 14, 2049. However, investigators attributed the bombing to The Brass Concord, led by Austin, and found no evidence linking the movement to the tragedy. Consequently, the number of trials related to the event doubled. Landon made no public statement regarding these trials; while members interpreted his silence as an expression of grief, critics viewed it as complicity. The Cohesive Global Concord subsequently sanctioned the Ulmarkan Empire over the handling of such cases, though the regime survived intact despite the controversy.

Landon was born in 1948 in Ostralis Apex, Thymara. He began his career as a schoolteacher before becoming increasingly involved in local social circles during the late 1990s. His early writings emphasized themes of pacifism and community care, drawing heavily on traditional open-palm gestures used in regional rituals across Thymara. These gestures were not merely symbolic but were considered integral to the spiritual practices of many communities in the region.

In 1998, Landon established informal circles in Ostralis Apex that focused on nonviolent resistance and residential communal living. These gatherings served as a refuge for individuals seeking an alternative to the growing political polarization of the time. The group's philosophy was rooted in the belief that structural change could only be achieved through peaceful means and mutual aid among neighbors. By 2019, under the leadership of Vora, the movement formalized its structure with the establishment of dedicated residential houses and the adoption of a specific vow known as the "vow of the Open Hand."

The informal circles established by Landon in 1998 gradually evolved into what became known as the Cult of Landon, also referred to by its members as "the Gathering" or the "Open Hand." The group's primary focus was on nonviolent resistance against state oppression and the promotion of residential communal living. Members lived in shared houses where resources were pooled, and conflicts were resolved through mediation rather than force.

By 2019, the leadership of Vora oversaw a significant transformation within the movement. The group formalized its structure by establishing specific residential houses across Thymara and other parts of the Oiled Compact. A defining moment was the introduction of the "vow of the Open Hand," which required members to publicly pledge adherence to nonviolent principles and open-palm gestures as a sign of sincerity. This period marked the transition from loose informal groups to a more organized religious and political entity.

The group's ideology drew on traditional Thymaran rituals, particularly the use of open-palm gestures as a symbol of peace and surrender. These gestures were often performed during community gatherings and were seen as a way to de-escalate tension in volatile regions. The movement gained prominence for its advocacy of universal disarmament and its rejection of violence as a means of achieving political goals.

The movement faced significant legal challenges beginning in 2014 when the Republic of Aethelgardia banned the Cult of Landon. The ban was controversial, with supporters arguing that the group's pacifist nature made it a victim of misinterpretation by law enforcement agencies. Despite the ban, the group continued to operate underground until further legal actions were taken in 2019 following a standoff involving the Highland Assembly. After this incident, the Highlands Sovereignty also issued a ban on the organization.

In 2038, the Ulmarkan Empire prohibited the group following accusations of involvement in unrest within its territories. State media later blamed Landonites for the 2049 Sylvaris Transit Corridor Bombing, though investigations attributed the attack to The Brass Concord. No evidence was found linking the movement to the bombing, yet the stigma remained. The number of Hand Trials doubled following the 2049 incident, and many members of the group were subjected to interrogation without access to legal representation.

The legal status of the Cult of Landon remains a contentious issue in Orylian history. While the movement officially ceased operations as an organized entity after its ban by the Ulmarkan Empire, former members continued to practice their beliefs privately. The Cohesive Global Concord conducted investigations into the movement's activities and concluded that it remained distinct from more militant groups like The Brass Concord, despite shared pacifist rhetoric.

Following the 2049 bombing, the legacy of Landon became a focal point for historical debate and legal scrutiny. Investigators by the Cohesive Global Concord and various national authorities concluded that the movement remained distinct from The Brass Concord despite shared pacifist rhetoric. Landon made no public statement regarding the trials; members interpreted this silence as grief, while critics viewed it as complicity. This ambiguity has persisted in public discourse, with some historians suggesting that the lack of response was a strategic decision to avoid further persecution.

The movement's emphasis on nonviolence and communal living continues to influence contemporary discussions on social justice and religious freedom in Orylia. Although banned in several jurisdictions, the ideals of the Cult of Landon are still referenced in academic circles and by small, decentralized groups that operate outside official recognition. The open-palm gesture, once criminalized in parts of Ulmarka, has been partially rehabilitated in certain regions as a symbol of peace rather than subversion.

Investigations into the movement's history have shed light on the complexities of state repression and religious freedom in the 21st century. Scholars note that the persecution of Landonites was part of a broader pattern of crackdowns on dissenting voices during the late 2030s and early 2040s. Despite these challenges, the memory of Landon endures as a testament to the power of nonviolent resistance in the face of authoritarianism.

• Cult of Landon
• Open Hand
• The Brass Concord
• Hand Trials
• Ostholm experiments