Vianism was an ancient religion practiced by the Argazdan species in the era before the Galactic Republic, known as the pre-Republic era. This faith system began in the Core Worlds, but eventually vanished from that region. It persisted, however, in the Kanz sector, having been transported there by Argazdan colonists in the early years of the Republic. Despite its origins with the Argazdan, Vianism also drew in members from other species, notably the Lorrdians and Sipsk'ud.
Vianists revered a collection of gods and goddesses, a pantheon also worshipped by ancient Human cultures within the Core Worlds, including the Zhell of Coruscant and the Seoulians. Among these deities was the goddess Via, along with two entities that represented aspects of her being: the Beatific Countenance and the Glorious Radiance. The Glorious Radiance was likened to the Force, as it connected Via to all living things throughout the Galaxy.
Followers would tattoo religious verses onto their bodies, and as such, they would wear robes and masks. Vianism was based on three main principles, one of which was serving others by anticipating what they needed. At one time, this involved using the Force to determine these needs, but those who could not use the Force were taught how to recognize subtle changes in body language. The large number of Lorrdian adherents led to the development of kinetic communication.
Vianism began in the Core Worlds, but disappeared around 20,000 BBY during the Galactic Republic's Great Manifest Period. The religion was brought from the Core to the Kanz sector by the ancestors of the Argazdan civilization. Throughout the Old Republic era, Argazdan missionaries propagated Vianism to other civilizations in the region, including the Sipsk'ud and the Lorrdians.
Over time, a sect mainly composed of Lorrdians, known as the Sisterhood of the Glorious Radiance, emerged as a deviation from mainstream Vianist beliefs. Unlike the Myrialites, this Sisterhood believed in dedicating their lives to serving Via, but they did not believe in forcing others to do the same. During the Kanz Disorders, a radical Vianist group arose under the leadership of Provisional Governor Myrial, known as the Myrialites.
Condemning the Republic as corrupt and without faith, Myrialite forces seized control of the Kanz sector, establishing the separatist Argazdan Redoubt. They enslaved all who opposed them, including the Lorrdians and the inhabitants of Almatanna, because they refused to serve Via. In response, the opposing Sisterhood attracted many anti-Myrialites and Force-sensitives who formed an underground resistance against the Argazdan Redoubt.
Following the enslavement of the Lorrdians, Vianism spread among outsiders, which resulted in the development of kinetic communication among the Lorrdian diaspora. Because of their opposition to the Argazdan Redoubt, the Sisters were exiled to a slave colony on Lorrd II, the moon of the planet Lorrd. However, during the Mandalorian Wars, Revan, the Revanchist Jedi, raided Lorrd II in search of Lorrdian gemstones and freed the slaves as well.
The Myrialites governed the Argazdan Redoubt for three centuries until they were overthrown by Republic-Jedi forces led by Jedi Master Mari-Elan Nora in 3670 BBY. By the time of the Imperial Period, Vianism, including the Sisterhood of Glorious Radiance, still existed in the Kanz sector. During a visit in the Galactic Civil War, Tash Arranda toured the Temple of the Glorious Radiance, guided by Sister Sigil.