Tai Dai Cult
Sarna News
Overview
The Tai Dai Cult was a cult identified in 3025 by ISF and O5P operatives located somewhere within Brocchi's Cluster The cult name comes from ISF reports, but it was not known if this was the name the cult gave themselves.
The group seemed to have named its outpost "Terrapin Station", though whether this is a small world, a continent, or a city, was not yet clear at that time.[1]
Practices
Some of the group's practices seem to have to do with a "box of rain", which might suggest that the world were they are located may be water-poor. It seems the cult has a priesthood system as the "group" name called "Uncle John's Band" has been identified. There are also rumors of an "estimated prophet", raising concern that their beliefs may contain elements of forbidden messianism by Draconis Combine. The group is very musical and has a penchant for colorful clothing. The cult seems to be accomplished in the healing arts, and there are hints that these people might have been long-lost survivors of the pre-Exodus Terra Trepanning cult, after one agent thought she heard them referred to as "dead heads", though after additional investigation it seems to be no connection.[1]
Status of the Cult
It is believed that O5P has penetrated this movement, but ComStar's information came only from contacts within the ISF, whose knowledge and picture of the cult is based on fragmentary phrases and fourth-hand observations.[1]
Destiny
The possibility of this cult's survival is slim. House Kurita takes the people's ideology seriously, and polices any off-brand religions carefully. It is especially severe on any cult that puts up an individual as guru or prophet and this is considered a challenge to the First Lord. Between the Internal Security Force and the Order of the Five Pillars, there is a gray area as to which agency is responsible for controlling the people's thoughts, however. It is in this gray area that the cult-like movements flourish, especially in the Middle Class and among the Unproductives.[1]