The Istvaanians believe that the survival and strength of the domains of the God-Emperor depend on a process of continual trial and eventual triumph that ensures that they continue and grow. In the Istvaanian ideology, only by passing through near-destruction can the weaknesses of mankind be shed and the strong prosper. These are the convictions of the Istvaanians, and the beliefs for which they willingly spend the lives of the Imperium's citizenry and soldiers and the genesis of the wars, misery, and bloodshed that they create within the realms that they are sworn to protect. For if they do not act, then mankind's strength will fail, the Imperium's defences weaken and it will be beaten down until humanity is rendered extinct.