User:Daytonjhammon/Sandbox
Across the multiverse, different Transformers stories have explored the concept of religion, introducing new gods, religious figures, and belief systems to explore. Although they are usually introduced as a myth or story, these spiritual and religious beliefs are alarmingly confirmed to be true, often to introduce high stakes to the story.
Beliefs
Afterlife
- See also: Transformer afterlife, Spirit realm, and Tree of Life
Regardless of their origin, most Cybertronians believe in the existence of an afterlife. Known by many names across the multiverse, this extradimensional existence is believed to be where sparks are born, and where sparks return to after death. Some Transformers can use relics such as the Matrix of Leadership and the Oracle, or build devices connected to stasis pods, to travel into the afterlife.
Other realms exist beyond the main Transformers afterlife. The 2005 IDW continuity depicts Infraspace as a realm of pure information that exists between life and death. In the Power of the Primes marketing material, Rodimus Unicronus, a corrupted form of Hot Rod, could gain the ability to trap his foes' sparks in a spirit realm. A Transformers Legends prose story, "Singularity Ablyss", introduced a Cybertronian version of the Tree of Life from the Jewish Kabbalah, with the unoriginal name of the Tree of Life.
Primus and the Thirteen
The most prominent religious belief, often more fact than faith in the Transformers franchise, is the story of Primus, Unicron, and in later iterations, the Thirteen. Introduced by Marvel UK author Simon Furman, the 1988 comic "The Legacy of Unicron!" began a series of stories providing different versions of the theomachy - the battle between Primus and Unicron. These stories introduced the concept of Primus becoming Cybertron, and creating both the first Transformer and the Matrix of Leadership. The Dreamwave Generation One continuity would bring the Thirteen into the fold, with their ranks being filled out over the 2000s and early 2010s, resulting in the line-up established in 2013's The Covenant of Primus, set in the Aligned continuity family.
In some continuities, the existence of Primus is more well-known, while in other continuities, such as the Marvel Comics G1 continuity, the Transformers regard Primus and Unicron as mere legends, or disregard them entirely. The 2005 IDW continuity introduced an iteration of the Thirteen who were simply warlords and leaders, that were treated as living gods and were worshipped. Transformers from the colony world of Caminus in particular follow the Way of Flame, a religion that places Solus Prime in particular at the top of The Thirteen. The Clavis Aurea sect believed that Primus had formed as a "counterbalance" to an uncreator - Unicron.
The 2019 IDW continuity depicted Termagax doubting the existence of the Thirteen, considering them metaphors to explain the existence of certain artifacts, while the Reversionists are depicted as a religious organization that worships Primus and the Titans.
The Guiding Hand
The 2005 IDW continuity would introduce a new, alternative mythology involving Primus and four other gods, collectively referred to as the Guiding Hand. The concept was slowly introduced in 2011, with Springarm name-dropping Primus, Mortilus, and Adaptus in "Chaos Theory Part 2". Optimus Prime would later name-drop the Guiding Hand in "Transformers: The Death of Optimus Prime", the one-shot that would kick start the true delivery mechanism for introducing the myth: The Transformers: More than Meets the Eye (MTMTE).
The 2012 annual for More than Meets the Eye would establish the "Primal Sacrament", the creation myth of the Transformers for that universe. According to the Primal Sacrament, the Guiding Hand were five aspects of the original warrior god Primus, a being conceived in reaction to his opposite. Primus, walking the surface of Cybertron, split himself into Primus the life-giver, Mortilus the death-bringer, Epistemus, the embodiment of knowledge, Solomus, the embodiment of wisdom, and Adaptus, master of change. The story claims that Primus bestowed second forms onto the new Cybertronian race and that the Guiding Hand was broken apart by the villainous Mortilus, who started the "God War". Nearly every member of the Guiding Hand became a significant relic or body part: Primus became Vector Sigma, Solomus became the Matrix of Leadership, Epistemus became a prototypical brain module, and Adaptus became the transformation cog. Mortilus, as the story goes, was killed by Primus, which depending on interpretation, meant that the Cybertronian race could live forever in the Afterspark. The Transformers: Lost Light (season 3 of MTMTE) would reveal in its series finale story arc the true history of the Guiding Hand, with some aspects of the traditional myths revealed to be untrue.
In the 2005 IDW continuity, belief in the Guiding Hand is known as Primalism, and Neoprimalism is an organized religion emphasizing belief in miracles and unholy evil beings. The Guiding Hand is also associated with myths concerning the legendary Knights of Cybertron, who were said to be disciples of the Guiding Hand. The Primal Prophecies were said to have been created by the Knights of Cybertron.
The Militant Monoform Movement espoused anti-Adaptus ideology by removing their transformation cogs. The Book of Adaptus was a disputed holy text in the Functionist Universe.
The Covenant of Primus
Introduced in the two-part series finale of the Beast Wars cartoon, the Covenant of Primus (aka the Book of Primus) is a religious tome of prophecy. It is an ancient artifact belonging to Alpha Trion, capable of recording both the past and future. The Covenant of Primus contains numerous prophecies, such as the Book of Logos, but these prophecies are often interpreted by less than ideal individuals for their own sinister goals.
The Covenant of Primus refers to a mythical Megatron, who is said to be a dreaded figure that brings great destruction. This mythical "Megatron" would become the namesake of both the Decepticon and Predacon incarnations of Megatron, as depicted in the Beast Wars cartoon. In the 2005 IDW continuity, a similar tome called the Covenant of Primes exists.
Alternate Beliefs
- Unicron worshippers
The Fallen, before the Shroud, was one of the first worshippers of Unicron. The Acolytes of Unicron was a secret cult that worshipped and served Unicron in the Marvel Comics continuity.
- The Ultimate Warrior
The Decepticon myth of the Ultimate Warrior appears to be a corruption of the Last Autobot story. The mystically inclined Decepticon Bludgeon dedicated his life to the "teachings" of the Ultimate Warrior in the Marvel Comics continuity.
- Dark Science
The War Within, a miniseries set in the Dreamwave Generation One continuity, would depict the Chaos Trinity, a trio of Decepticon mystics messing with "dark" mystical forces in attempt to gain power. The Fallen would provide Bludgeon a vision of several demonic robots, a human skull, and swords with these mysterious abilities.
- Xal
The Cybertronian Mindset, in a moment of great fear, screamed "Great Xal protect me!" in an issue of the Marvel Generation 2 comics series. The nature of Xal is unknown, though the Cybertronians appear familiar with the concept of Primus which indicates Xal is a separate entity. Those heard swearing by Xal's name include Kup, Bumblebee and Sentinel Prime. The deity's name is also one of the star signs in the Cybertronian Zodiac.
- Various "Kin of Primus"
- See also: Chronarchitect, Gaea, and Atlas
In some universes, other mysterious beings exist who are related to Primus. The Chronarchitect, an old god who is also known as the Time Walker and Ruler of Time and Space, is said to exist in abstract form outside of linear time. He communicates with the Covenant and Heinard to support the Grand Plan. Other "kin of Primus" include two beings whose alternate modes are the planet Earth: Gaea, a goddess who was believed to be needed for a future threat, and Atlas, whose existence was known by various human secret societies. In one universe, Atlas, Primus, and Unicron were said to be creations of Daiakuron, a being who could create other worlds.
- Atechnogenesis
In the 2005 IDW continuity, atheistic Cybertronians are referred to as "evolutionary engineerists" after the scientifically-grounded theory of atechnogenesis.
- Spectralism
- Dark Cybertron Prophecy
- Primacron
In IDW's comic series he swears by Primacron rather than Primus. (Although what that implies about said continuity beyond being a cute in-joke is unknown. Scoop swears by him later on in the same issue.)
Fiction
Generation 1 continuity family
Marvel Comics continuity
Marvel The Transformers comic
Marvel Generation 2 comic
Regeneration One
In ages long past, Primus created the Demons as a test run of his creation powers. The Demons created a primitive society based around the worship of Primus only for their free will to cause them to turn on each other and destroy their civilization. Displeased, Primus enacted a cataclysm that rendered the Demons virtually extinct. In their place, Primus created the Transformers. Natural Selection, Part Four
Cartoon continuities
The Transformers cartoon
In his final moments, Optimus Prime recited a prophecy that "one day an Autobot shall rise from our ranks, and use the power of the Matrix to light our darkest hour". His last words would later on be repeated by the survivors of the Unicron War: "'Til all are one." The Transformers: The Movie
Kup recommended praying before battle but did not specify to whom. Five Faces of Darkness, Part 2
The spirits of Autobot leaders past dwelt within the Matrix of Leadership even after their deaths, allowing a living Autobot leader to journey within the Matrix to commune with them and receive visions of the past. Five Faces of Darkness, Part 4 The Return of Optimus Prime, Part 2
Japanese Generation 1 cartoon continuity
Primus became known in Transformer mythology for his prophecies (such as through the Covenant of Primus) and was worshipped. Super Megatron comic 2 Three hundred years after the end of the Great War between the Autobots and Decepticons, Primus was now known as the Oracle. Through the Oracle, Optimus Primal communed with the Allspark, the extradimensional source of all Transformer life to which the computer was connected, and believed that it was the will of the Allspark that Cybertron be restored to its organic beginnings. The Innards of the Machine Following the Great Transformation, Emissary of the Fourth Planet Primus, now once again known as Vector Sigma, was recognized as the god of the Transformers and the ultimate authority over the planet of Cybertron. Big Convoy, Move Out
Beast Wars cartoon continuity
Beast Wars cartoon
In addition to its occasional invocation in prayer or in righteous anger by the Beast Warriors, Bad Spark Primus's name was also lent to a set of prophetical datatrax, known as the Covenant of Primus. From this document, the Megatron of this era took his name, and the scriptures foretold the events that completed the Beast Wars. Nemesis Part 2
When the Vok spoke with Optimus Primal in Earth's pre-history, they took the form of Unicron's head, claiming that they scanned his mind and chose Unicron as an "authority figure". Other Voices, Part 1 Megatron would later invoke the name of Unicron by referring to Tarantulas as "Unicron's spawn" in a derogatory manner. Nemesis Part 1
3H Comics
One week after the Great Transformation, the Predacon gangster Cryotek succeeded in acquiring the Divine Light, one of the Quintessons' discarded attempts to subvert the will of Primus. As Cryotek used it to steal Primus's power for himself, Sentinel Maximus warned him that flaunting Primus's power would catch the attention of Unicron and doom them all. Cryotek laughed at this, since Unicron had been dead since three centuries earlier, and the idea of his resurrection was a fairytale believed only by the naive. Wreckers: Finale Part II
Dreamwave Generation One continuity
During the Dark Ages, the Chaos Trinity (composed of Bludgeon, Bugly and Mindwipe), were performing a ceremony to tap into dark science, when they were approached by The Fallen. The Fallen offered them power beyond measure in exchange for their servitude, which they eventually agreed to. Fragmentation The Fallen would later give Bludgeon a glimpse into the power of dark science, ensuring his loyalty. Escalation
Jetfire, a skeptic of the supernatural and metaphysical, found himself involved in The Fallen's ceremony, the Unbinding, at the Well of All Sparks. Witnessing the hand of Primus reaching out and smiting The Fallen, Jetfire began to question if something bigger than them was going on. Conflagration
Sometime later, Jetfire experienced a vision of Primus deconstructing The Fallen with a gesture of his hand. As Jetfire struggled to rectify what he had experienced with his own lack of belief in Primus, he was confronted by The Fallen, who informed Jetfire that his mindset would help The Fallen return to power. The Enemy Within
2005 IDW continuity
Unlike many others, Transformers from this continuity hold a wide variety of religious reliefs, and the true nature of Cybertronian life remains a mystery in the modern day... except for some notable individuals, who are eventually revealed to be responsible for creating their species' greatest beliefs through memory wiping, fake prophecies, time travel, and rare ores of Energon.
The Guiding Hand was the first prominent pantheon of gods in Cybertronian mythology, known for starting the planet's first Golden Age. You, Me, and Other Revelations Primus, known as "The Celestial Architect" and "The Mechanica Divine" Metastasis, supposedly delivered the Prime Pastoral at the future site of Crystal City. Origin Myths. The Primal Sacrament described the fall of the Guiding Hand during the God War. You, Me, and Other Revelations New myths emerged from the Knights of Cybertron's age, such as the monstrous Trypticon being rumored to be a creation of Mortilus Salvation, and eventually the Knights are believed to be mythological folk heroes. Dark Dawn
Skids was described as a lapsed Primalist The Gloaming, while Flywheels was known as a "twitchy neoprimalist". Rules of Disengagement Cyclonus would claim that he used to pray in the shadow of Titans, reciting the Primal Sacrament in Old Cybertronian. Rodimus would also affirm to Drift his belief in the Guiding Hand and the Knights of Cybertron in the early days of their quest. You, Me, and Other Revelations
Many members of the Lost Light held various beliefs outside of the Guiding Hand. After a new-death experience, Drift rediscovered his spiritual side and became a practicing spectralist, Hangers On even attempting to convert Rodimus to the religion. Predestination: A Beginner's Guide Drift would later be greeted by Thunderclash with the spectralist greeting known as the Call of the Wavelength Little Victories. Rodimus would eventually convert to spectralism, being repainted in blue and purple, which Drift noted had multiple interpretations according to his beliefs. Some Other Cybertron
Primus was also involved in a separate series of myths concerning his battle with an "uncreator", which he was created to act as a counterbalance to. Unstopped and Unstoppable All Good Things Some religious circles considered the two beings as natural balances to one another; the Clavis Aurea sect believed that Primus had formed as a "counterbalance" to the uncreator. You, Me, and Other Revelations Metastasis According to these myths and legends, Primus battled against this villainous being for eons in a war that predated the universe before eventually triumphing over his foe and casting him out. Last Stand Another account claimed that the original three Titans—Metroplex, Metrotitan, and Chela—had taken part in the battle. Origin Myths
The Thirteen Primes were the second prominent pantheon of gods in Cybertronian mythology, ruling the planet during the Age of Primes. These ancient tribal leaders ruled Cybertron together, but their egos grew as they began to believe that they were immortal and that only a Prime could kill another Prime. The Crucible Origin Myths The memory of the Thirteen would survive the First Cybertronian Civil War The Crucible The First Who Was Named, with Caminus's religion, the Way of Flame, defying Solus Prime and the rest of the Thirteen. The Sum and Its Parts For reasons unknown, the Thirteenth Prime's name was stricken from history, along with that of his brother Megatronus; whereas Megatronus became known only as "the Fallen", the Thirteenth Prime was dubbed "The Arisen" Lagrange The Arisen, in particular, would be known as a "true Prime", Unforgivable.
In modern times, Alpha Trion told Optimus Prime the story of the Primes' fall. The Crucible When Cybertron reconnected with Caminus, Windblade warned Optimus about the Way of Flame. Optimus's arrival on Caminus, and his "proof of divinity" by being a living Prime with the Matrix of Leadership, caused the Mistress of Flame and other Camiens to bow before Optimus. The Sum and Its Parts A small group of Camien immigrants began handing out religious pamphlets about Optimus Prime in a Decepticon ghetto of all places, The Transgressors while Optimus had an encounter with the Torchbearers in the Sea of Rust. The Torchbearers, uniquely affronted by the presence of a "Prime", question Optimus, before fighting him and eventually combining into Victorion. Optimus, prompted by Victorion to share the history of the Matrix of Leadership, tells what he knows of its origins: how "Solomus the Wise" was trapped in the photonic crystals by Mortilus, how the crystal prison was reshaped into the Matrix by Solomus, and how the Matrix eventually fell into the hands of Solus Prime, who used it to forge Prima's Star Saber. Optimus admitted that he does not believe the Matrix of Leadership is a divine object, or a "Creation Matrix" - he believes it to be an object, a piece of technology, nothing more. Lagrange
After a meeting with the Council of Worlds didn't go in his favor, Optimus met with the Mistress of Flame, who explained her belief that Optimus was The Arisen. The Medium and the Message After raising Metrotitan from the ground, As Above... So Below Optimus's divinity seemed to be all but proven, changing public opinion among Cybertronians and infuriating Starscream. No Fair Fights Optimus's increased divinity led to a journey across the colony worlds, recruiting a new generation of Autobots. Many of his closest allies, particularly Aileron, became increasingly unsettled with his use of the colonists' religious beliefs to gain their allegiance. Time Will Rust Post Many of his closest allies, particularly Aileron, became increasingly unsettled with his use of the colonists' religious beliefs to gain their allegiance. Time Will Rust Post
The return of Onyx Prime and Liege Maximo would ultimately mark the end of Prime-based worship, with the truth about the Primes' origins The First Who Was Named ultimately destroying Cybertron's pre-existing mythology and ideologies. Unforgivable Yet even in the Transformers' darkest hour, new meanings of faith would emerge. Soundwave, wielding the Enigma of Combination, used his faith to tap into the "spiritual combination implicit in the phrase 'Till All Are One' ", connecting with the Earth Enigma. Soundwave reached into the Afterspark, united the spirits of countless Cybertronians, and sent them, Shockwave's thoughts, Stardrive's Dire Wraith magicks, and the energy of the Talisman to Optimus Prime in the heart of Unicron. Shockwave protested, arguing that he invented faith itself, but Prowl responded that "faith" is just another name for having the strength to conquer the fears within yourself. After Unicron and Optimus Prime's death, Pyra Magna realized that to her, "faith" is not what others tell you to believe, but what you believe in your own heart. Ceremony
G.I.Joe vs. the Transformers
Unicron was known about in Transformer legend and was said to have been banished from his homeworld. Optimus Prime admitted that he had believed Unicron to be a legend, a boogeyman, and a tall tale. Black Horizon, Part 1 of 2
Transformers vs. G.I. Joe
Venturing deep below the surface of Cybertron, Rodimus and Duke's team learned the origins of the Transformers from the Keeper, steward of Primus's dreams. The Keeper explains that an ancient race known as the Makers created Daiakuron, a living world that could create worlds of its own. This being created Unicron and Primus, the latter of which in turn created the Transformers race. Earth: R.I.P. Daiakuron was later revealed to be the creator of Atlas, the hidden true form of Earth and Primus's long lost kin. The War Never Ends
Beast Wars: Uprising
According to the scriptures, Primus, along with several other bizarre deities, had held court beneath the Sonic Canyons. The First Church of Primus was erected in Dodecahex where the order debated how Primus was interpreting the current situation and how the atrocities fit into the god's infinite wisdom. Derailment Despite such evidence to the contrary, information creep caused some Cybertronians to doubt that Unicron had been real. The Inexorable March Some maintained he was a conspiracy theory, made up to accomplish... something, or just outright denied his existence at all. These individuals were dubbed "Unicron Truthers". Derailment
2019 IDW continuity
Primus and the Thirteen Primes were well-known myths on Cybertron. Primus was worshipped as the creator-god of Cybertron by the Reversionists, who believed Cybertron and every forged Cybertronian were manifestations of Primus. The World In Your Eyes Part Four A statue of Primus existed before its destruction during the War of the Threefold Spark. Orion Pax: Free Fall After the war, Windblade offered thanks to Primus that the power of the orbiting Titans had not been needed for ten megacycles. The World In Your Eyes Part One At an Ascenticon rally in Tarn, Megatron spoke of the great gifts that Primus had bestowed upon their race and of how the Nominus Edict limited those gifts. The World In Your Eyes Part Two
The Matrix of Leadership's Mediator software seemed to support Primus's existence, claiming that it was Primus' intent that the Matrix be an echo of the Allspark made of his own essence. The Mediator shared to Orion Pax the legend of the Thirteenth Prime, the final bearer of the Matrix, and how they would one day claim it. Prime The Mediator later showed Optimus Prime a vision of Cybertron transforming into Primus' robot mode as it warned that the planet was preparing to die. Radical Time
The Thirteen Primes were said to have lived in the Age of Primes before they vanished. Prime Termagax considered them to be metaphors, avatars, Sea of Rust I or an expression of the life pattern that made up Cybertron itself, End of Time even postulating that the Thirteen might have been fabricated by the early Cybertronians to explain the origins of their fourteen artifacts Sea of Rust I. One legend said that Solus Prime and Alchemist Prime received Solomus to hear his plans for Crystal City, and contributed to its construction. A Dust of Crystals
When forced to take Lodestar on an almost certainly suicidal mission against a crazed Vigilem, Lightbright prayed that the Thirteen would see the two through their task. The Change In Your Nature Part Five
Calm Sleep Stories
Regarded as the Cybertronian deity of creation, Primus was said to have created Cybertron using the AllSpark before using the energy of his own spark to create the Transformer race. His creations considered energon to be a remnant of Primus. History of the Transformers
Unicron Trilogy
Cartoon continuity
Transformers of this universe believed the stories of Unicron, Primus, and Omega Supreme to be only myth and legend.
Cybertronian legend referred to an attack by Unicron on the planet that was ultimately thwarted by the mighty Autobot warrior, Omega Supreme. Omega Supreme
When Optimus Prime tried to tell Galvatron about Unicron's existence, Galvatron didn't believe him, believing it to be an Autobot trick. Uprising It wouldn't be until Starscream's demise at the hands of Unicron that Galvatron would believe his existence. Cramp
While exploring Cybertron's interior, Dr. Brian Jones was transported to a long-abandoned temple where offerings of energon had been left for the legendary "guardian of energon" who had protected Cybertron long before the current generation of Transformers was created. Before witnessing Omega Supreme's reactivation, Jones believed these stories were just myths. Crash Course
Fleer Armada cards
At the beginning of the universe, the All Spark sent his two sons, Primus and Unicron, to explore the new world, from one end to another. They discovered a region that acted as a fountain of "pure energon", a source of infinite power. Primus planned to tell their father of this wonderful discovery, but Unicron, desiring this power for himself, struck Primus and left his apparent corpse adrift in a nearby star cluster. Unicron card
Beast Wars Reborn
Before he took the form of a planet, Primus created the "Ancients" as the first clan of Transformers, possessing power beyond their descendants. Planetfall
Live-action film series
The Last Knight film
On Cybertron, Unicron was known as the planet's ancient enemy. A book that would eventually come to be held in the Trinity Library spoke of Unicron being the core of Earth. The Last Knight
Rise of the Beasts film
Legends that predated Cybertronian civilization described Unicron as a dark god who consumed planets, but few knew of the legends, and fewer still believed them. The Maximals learned that Unicron was real only when the Chaos Bringer arrived on their doorstep to consume their planet. Rise of the Beasts
Titan movie comics
Legend had it that the original seven Transformers were creations of Primus, though they themselves didn't think this. It was not said who started the legend. The Fallen Profile Optimus referred to Primus as his ancestor and the protector of the AllSpark. Accept No Substitutes!
IDW movie comics
The Primes thought they were "children of Primus". Tales of the Fallen #4
According to legend, when the AllSpark cube crashed into Cybertron, it gave life to Primus and his descendants, the Primes. Foundation #2 Primus was known as the first Cybertronian. Foundation #1
Aligned continuity family
Cyberverse cartoon
Primus was a known associate of Nexus Prime, appearing in his contact list. The Immobilizers Windblade swore by Primus when Shockwave's hacking forced her out of a cortical psychic patch. Sabotage Optimus Prime later invoked Primus' name when he channeled the power of the Matrix to blast the AllSpark out of Starscream. I Am The Allspark
The Thirteen were legendary figures in Cybertronian society. Dweller In The Depths Silent Strike The Other One One of them, Onyx Prime, was said to have existed up to the Age of Expansion. During the Age of Expansion, Onyx Prime sent his loyal knight, Thunderhowl, to face the Crystalline King. Thunderhowl
Deep in the Argon Sea, the Dweller slumbered for many years. A tentacled and monsterous Titan, the Dweller was said to have been banished to the Argon Sea. Hammerbyte became the guardian of the Argon Sea, while the Dweller became a local legend. Dweller In The Depths
