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They Who Hath Become Lord Arc

2025-01-04T01:43:28Z

RustingWithYou: shhhh

They Who Hath Become Lord Arc

2025-01-04T01:28:45Z

RustingWithYou: final article

Notable Dionae

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RustingWithYou: viridis update

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===Connected to the Blossoms Beyond===

'''Birthdate: Contended, believed to be around 2365 CE'''

Connected to the Blossoms Beyond (Connected to the Blossoms Beyond reaching to the Eternal) is the High-Overseer of the Eternal faith, based within the Eternal Temple on Biesel. Connected to the Blossoms Beyond comes from quite a rather distinct lineage - one considered to be the eldest of the entirety of the SASV Ophion. Supposedly capable of being traced back almost six or seven millennia, where seniority is a species concept that is respected by all, it was inevitable that Blossoms would rise and accomplish what they have. Their formative years were spent gathering support, and funds, for the creation of the Eternal Temple whilst on New Gibson - but after resettling themselves to Biesel. The six-decade-long construction efforts would eventually come to a head in 2431 CE and thus push the Argus to become the leader of the entire Dionae community of Biesel. Considered a loving, extremely respected, and well-liked Gestalt, they are known to be extremely pleasant and hospitable, being well-versed in cross-species communication and speaking all known common languages fluently.

===Rationing Knowledge of Embodied Sanguis===

'''Birthdate: April, 2332 CE'''

Rationing Knowledge Of Embodied Sanguis often referred to as Sanguis, is a Geras-form Argus known for the creation of the Ichor Genetic Learning Organisation, a legally-run organization known for gathering blood that can be utilized by Dionae to gain experiences. Sanguis is also the main spokesperson for the organization, quite often going on tours to host blood drives so that the blood they gather can be donated or sold. During more busy months for the organization, Sanguis will usually only send a single nymph or a small collection of them to assist in promoting blood drives in slightly more high-profile areas. They are also the Head of Faith for the Ichor Eternal.

===Amplified by Probing Discoverings of Unknown Investigations===

'''Birthdate: Unknown, thought to be around the 2250s.'''

Originating from the Scorned, an oppressed population within the Covenant of Xrim, they have largely been the greatest contributor to the contemporary iteration of the Iron Eternal. They are amalgamated with dozens of different augmentations, which make it slightly more difficult to merge with the rest of the Omnivirate. Their location is a close-guarded secret across the Covenant of Xrim, in fears that they will be retaliated against by either the Enlighted or the Nralakk Federation due to their support of artificial intelligence. They are a Learning Lyrics-minded Argus.

=== Embodiment of Tranquil Stewardship ===
'''Birthdate: August, 2360 CE'''

Chairman of the Consortium’s Chambers, a Cyclops-form Gestalt that has been in politics since 2424 CE – having begun as a lowly administrative assistant to a Borough Councillor, following the adoption of the political hierarchy of the Nralakk Federation with the formation of the Consortium. They quickly managed to climb the ranks, before fulfilling the position of Deputy Chairman in 2442 CE. Merely eight years later, they ascended and now lead Consortium First, remaining the incumbent political party. They attended the Gliutip'lyaz University between 2399 CE and 2420 CE; having studied a variety of fields relating to socio-economics. This has led to those from the other factions present on Hieroaetheria to claim they are a political puppet for the Nralakk Federation, despite the Chairman often going against their policies, despite being thankful for what they have given to Hieroaetheria following First Contact – decisively announcing to the Consortium’s Chamber shortly after inauguration that “Hieroaetheria must begin their own path, and give homage to the forebearers of the Consortium and the Commonwealth, but ultimately carve their own existence in the unforgiving Spur.”

===Ecclesiarch Sanctified Seeker of Holy Communion===
'''Birthdate: June, 2143 CE'''

The Ecclesiarch a rather old Dionae, having been grown two centuries before the founding of the Eternal Republic of the Ekane, in 2143 CE. They were critical in the founding of the religious authority that governs the Eternal Republic – as well as the Knights of the Eternal. They are an Argus-form Gestalt and sport a rather dark, brown appearance with a slight golden hue – on their younger Nymphs, incorporated throughout the years to assist in maintaining mobility, as well as to reinvigorate the Gestalt. Though Dionae from the Eternal Republic of the Ekane would not dare insult Ecclesiarch Sanctified Seeker of Holy Communion, they are known to be deceptive and manipulative to get their way, exploiting the concept of their relationship with the Eternal for personal gain, and to sow discord across the Eternal Republic to maintain their religious authority. They do not keep their disdain for non-Dionae a secret either, having interacted with both Skrell and Humans present on Hieroaetheria, who often report back the palpable hatred the Ecclesiarch displays. It is suspected the Ecclesiarch has a Tyrannical Tune mindtype.

===Ecclesiarch Devoted Emissary of Divine Benediction===
'''Birthdate: January, 2350 CE'''

The Ecclesiarch sports a rather youthful appearance, having only been grown a few years prior to the founding of the Eternal Republic in 2350 CE. Chosen by Ecclesiarch Sanctified Seeker of Holy Communion, Devoted Emissary of Divine Benediction has become instrumental in the development of the Eternal Republic’s industry. They do not waste breath on conservation, nor on restriction – merely complete and utter industrialism, in a controlled manner of course, so as to not cause an imbalance of power between the people and the Ecclesiarchs. Sharing Ecclesiarch Sanctified Seeker of Holy Communion, Devoted Emissary of Divine Benediction holds no light to non-Dionae, and rarely if ever interacts with them – going out of their way to ensure the other Ecclesiarchs instead take the reigns on non-Dionae affairs. They are said to hold a Seasoned Song mindtype, despite only being a little of a century old, with the social Nymph being entirely encased in immobilising growths. They are a Cyclops-form Dionae.

===Ecclesiarch Hallowed Pilgrim of Redemption's Light===
'''Birthdate: Unknown'''

The Ecclesiarch is enigmatic, and little is known about the Ecclesiarch despite their role within the Eternal Republic. Some believe they were to have been grown around the same time as Ecclesiarch Sanctified Seeker of Holy Communion, but others indicate the lack of immobilising growths as indicating the Gestalt to perhaps be younger than Ecclesiarch Devoted Emissary of Divine Benediction. Regardless, they have been Ecclesiarch since the founding of the Eternal Republic, and typically handle the external affairs of the nation – engaging with the Consortium and the Union, as well as anything that may involve non-Dionae. They only leave the Eternal Beacon Cathedral when required, otherwise choosing to engross themselves in their worship of the Eternal, or studying its teachings. Their mindtype is not known, despite attempts to uncover it by non-Dionae reporters, who are quickly shut down by the Ecclesiarch’s Knights of the Eternal that maintain an almost consistent guard over the religious authority. They are an Argus-form Dionae.

=== Paragon Carver of Order for a Unified Future ===
'''Birthdate: December, 2391 CE'''

Paragon of the Union of Gla’orr since its divorce from Consortium-middlings in 2410 CE – in which they rose to power following the forced absorption of their conglomerate’s elected representative to the emissaries from the west, and declaring the creation of a new, sovereign nation that would not bow down to “inferior species believing they may direct our futures”. During the first few years following the inception of the Union, they spread their message across Gla’orr, bringing more and more conglomerates beneath their administration. Despite this, Carver of Order for a Unified Future has admitted the necessity of having diplomatic relations with the Consortium – despite their influence by non-Dionae, claiming it a necessity to strengthen the ties between the nations present on Hieroaetheria – which cannot be done without further attempts to sway the Consortium from their misguided beliefs. It is due to their beliefs of non-Dionae as being inferior, the Union of Gla’orr has structured their political affairs to exclude non-Dionae, as well as persecute them for their mere existence within their borders.

===Exarch Imposing Arbiter of Indomitable Persuasion===
'''Birthdate: July, 2369 CE'''

Largely considered the mind behind the Union’s control techniques – though not as one would think. As opposed to censoring information from the public, Exarch Imposing Arbiter of Indomitable Persuasion upholds a level of unbridled information access; meaning information is neither redacted or censored – merely allowed for any Dionae to explore should they so desire; however, this does not mean it is without its own bias. Information regarding inter-species reliance is often heavily discredited as showing weakness – where they are unable to help themselves and therefore must extend themselves whilst vulnerable to seek help. They have also been known to engage in economic affairs following their appointment as overseer of a Unitary. They are an advocate for a strong Hieroaetheria, one that is overseen by and for Dionae. They are a Cyclops-form and are one of the eldest Exarchs being nearly three centuries old. They are a Competence Choir mindtype and have many different social nymphs to utilize depending on the circumstances.

===Exarch Regal Arbiter of Diplomactic Accord ===
'''Birthdate: September, 2390 CE'''

The Union’s leader in diplomacy between other Hieroaetherian Nations, as well as the Covenant of Xrim; however, unlike the other Exarchs, they are more open to limited diplomatic relations to non-Dionae within the Orion Spur, even placing formal protest against Paragon Carver of Order for a Unified Future for not doing their all to strengthen the Union – which led to an intense debate for months between the Exarch and the Paragon, eventually culminating in a limited degree of autonomy awarded to the Exarch to engage with Non-Dionae. They are a Cyclops-form, and are similar in age to Imposing Arbiter of Indomitable Persuasion; really only being a few decades younger than them. They are an Emphatic Echo mindtype and are well versed in several languages despite Rootsong being the only recognised language – such as Nral’malic, Tau Ceti Basic, Solarian Common and of course Rootsong.

=== Exarch Warforged Sentinel of Unyielding Vigilance ===

'''Birthdate: March, 2386'''

Overseeing the Union’s military capabilities – and is the only known influential Dionae within the Union to have forcefully absorbed another Gestalt to ensure their Cluster would follow Carver of Order for a Unified Future; and as a result is a uniquely seen combination of Chaotic Carcophony and Tyrannical Tune mindtype. The absorption irrevocably changed Exarch Warforged Sentinel of Unyielding Vigilance, removing the affected Nymphs at this point in their lifespan has become impossible, they are more one than they have ever been. They are an Argus-form, and tower over the other Exarchs as they project intimidation; they have contributed significantly to the Union of Gla’orr’s view on non-Dionae, as well as the necessity to join the Commonwealth as to ensure a balanced future. They are amongst the youngest Exarchs, being only eighty years old. They also spearhead the Union’s Sentry Guards.

=== Arch-Consul Enlightened Into the Truth Known ===

'''Birthdate: Publically Unknown'''

A prominent Dionae figure within the Triumvirate of Xrim, a unique position that bridges the governance of the Covenant of Xrim and its relationship with the Nralakk Federation. This role involves supervising compliance with the Triumvirate's laws and ensuring that the planet adheres to the protocols established by both the Federation and the Triumvirate. The Arch-Consul wields significant influence within the Triumvirate, making their voice one of the most authoritative in the Covenant. The Arch-Consul is an Argus-form Dionae, embodying Emphatic Echo which reflects their ability to synthesize vast amounts of information and discern the truth from it. This mindtype allows them to effectively navigate the complex political landscape of the Covenant and maintain the delicate balance between autonomy and compliance with the Federation's directives. Despite their long tenure, little is known about Enlightened Into the Truth Known's personal history or their formative years. They are enigmatic and they maintain a level of detachment that keeps others from understanding their true motivations. However, their commitment to the Federation's values and their unyielding stance against Glorsh-Omega have made them a key figure in ensuring that the Covenant of Xrim remains aligned with the Federation's broader goals.

===Explorers Of An Everchanging Conundrum===

'''Birthdate: February, 2318 CE'''

Initially from Xrim, Explorers Of A Everchanging Conundrum is a xenobiologist known for their theories and research into the origins and evolution of Dionae, as well as for being the first Dionae to reach Primary Status. Explorers initially served as a representative of Xrim during the Federation’s first contact with the planet, and after being recognized for their intellect and understanding of Xrim’s particular wildlife they were allowed to join some of the more recognized Federation research institutes. They spent most of their time attempting to discover the origin of their species, as well as fully understanding their abnormal biology. Due to their countless contributions to the field and decades of work, they managed to become the first Dionae to achieve Primary status and has become an Idol to other Dionae in the Federation to show that their hard work can pay off.

===Connections Of A Familiar Unknown===

'''Birthdate: Unknown'''

To help with contacting and communicating with the many Dionae gestalts and clusters floating throughout the void the Nralakk Federation employed many Dionae diplomats to aid with first contact, with the most well-known and accomplished Dionae diplomat being Connections Of a Familiar Unknown, a Geras-form cyclops originally from Xrim. Familiar Unknown is one of the most widely known Dionae amongst their species in Federation Space due to the work as one of if not the most accomplished Dionae Diplomats, having been known to initiate first contact and aid in the indoctrination of a plethora of Wild Dionae into the Federation over the years. In 2334, two years after first contact with Humanity, Familiar Unknown retired from their position as a diplomat and took up the work of an artist, focusing their effort on drawing celestial objects, stars, and the cosmos as a whole.

===The Silent Friend Embracing The Weeping Souls In A Blanket Of Purity And Love or “Taarazi”===

'''Birthdate: Unknown'''

Purity And Love, generally just known as Taarazi, is a well-known Argus-form Dionae on Moghes. While not the first Dionae to land on the planet or get in contact with either Wasteland villages or the Hegemony, Taarazi is rather famous for being one of the first Argus-sized Dionae documented on the planet, in addition to stories about them going missing after being found by the Hegemony. This resulted in a massive search and rescue operation that ended with their resurgence. Sometime after High Priest Unzi declared Dionae to be a sacred species worthy of respect, although not worship. Since then Taarazi has remained in the village they were originally found in, with the Dionae becoming a minor tourist attraction for some wasteland wanderers, as well as some Hegemony citizens wishing to see the size of the Dionae. Over the years some nymphs have been grown from Taarazi in order to assist villages in more irradiated locals with radiation cleanup.

One of the oldest gestalts native to Moghes, Taraazi was recruited by Lady Aeikuzo and the Hegemon to act as a spearhead for Project Viridis. The gestalt relocated to Lazhi, and was the first Dionae to be raised to nobility, granted the title of High Lord Verdant. Taraazi acts as Lady Aeikuzo's partner in the administration of Project Viridis, overseeing the work of the Lords Verdant and offering their unique perspective on the development of the Viridis. Their first-hand knowledge of Dionae in the Wasteland, as well as their personal expertise in Dionae growth and development, has provided a great advantage to the enigmatic scientist in her work. Taraazi's renown has also acted as a counterpoint to Aeikuzo's own stained reputation, which has reportedly proved a boon in the incorporation of Wasteland communities into the Viridis.

=== Steadfast Guardian of a World Reborn, Lord Verdant ===
'''Birthdate: 2466'''

Steadfast Guardian of a World Reborn Against All Harm or Malfeasance is a Competence Choir gestalt grown in Lady Aeikuzo’s garden and educated by the genetic material of many skilled warriors. Shortly after its growth was complete, the Lady-Governor granted it the position as Lord of Ihaliz - a fledgling settlement in the southern Wasteland, to the west of Teht. Steadfast Guardian is reportedly a strict ruler, though not a cruel one, strongly believing in the importance of order and stability for the work of reclamation. They are known to be uncompromising with Wasteland communities, rarely offering more specific terms than “join or leave”. A martially inclined gestalt, Steadfast Guardian has sought education in the Divine Mandate - and has recruited several practitioners of the martial art to serve as guardians of Ihaliz.

It is largely believed that Steadfast Guardian was cultivated to be more martial in large part due to the proximity of Camp Izweski’s Honor, as well as the present danger of Gawgaryn raids. They have gained a reputation as a warrior - albeit an unorthodox one - and have been generally effective in repelling the threat or raiders. Their heavy-handed approach to diplomacy has won them few friends in the Wasteland, however, and many Wastelanders view Steadfast Guardian’s manner of ruling as proof that the Hegemony intends to see their communities either subjugated or destroyed.

=== Ephemeral Connections Formed Upon Silent Shores, Lord Verdant ===
'''Birthdate: 2466'''

Ephemeral Connections Formed Upon Silent Shores is an Emphatic Echo gestalt, recently cultivated in the gardens of Lazhi. Shortly after the establishment of Rehus, Ephemeral Connections was appointed as the new settlement’s lord, and has rapidly grown the influence of the Pit throughout the Northern Wasteland. The lack of large-scale organized raider groups in the region has allowed their more conciliatory approach to pay off so far, though tension with the Reclaimer clans and the water merchants of Canyon City poses a potential threat to the stability of their realm.

Ephemeral Connections has grown their fledgling realm rapidly since their appointment, and has convinced many Wasteland settlements to join themselves to the Viridis. The mineral reserves of Rehus, along with the water trade, have made the Pit into a boom town, with large investment from Hephaestus Industries driving the settlement’s rapid growth. This wealth has also contributed to the growth of smuggling rings and other organized criminal activity, however - and so far, Ephemeral Connections’ relatively light touch has failed to do much to quell the nascent crime syndicates of Rehus. Though this has yet to prove a serious impediment to the Great Work, many of the citizens of the Pit have expressed dissatisfaction with their liege’s perceived passivity.

[[Category:Dionaea]]

Notable Unathi

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RustingWithYou: /* Contemporary non-Unathi Notables */ dionae

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[[Unathi]] history and society has a long list of notable individuals and heroes that are known across [[Moghes]], or who's fame has become a household name in both Moghes and [[Ouerea]].

==Myths and Legends==
The majority of Unathi legends follow the feats of individuals and their impact on the world. They stress the importance and abilities of single individuals, and carry with them moral lessons that tend to reinforce Unathi cultural ideas.

=== Kazani: the First Guwandi ===

Kazani Guwandi, born '''Kazani Kaxedun''', is an ancient figure who is believed to have been born sometime between '''300 BCE to 20 CE'''. Born before the Sarakus Hegemony, he was the first of two sons of a small noble family that ruled over the village of Kutah. He was raised as the heir to his Clan’s lands and spent his youth in a comfortable life in luxury. Coming into his teenage years he began to fall subject to fits of rage, often exploding on people and physically attacking them for even the smallest provocation and earning a reputation as a brutal person. His father sent him to be trained as a warrior in the hopes of giving him an outlet for his anger. He was trained for years as his instructors tried to bring discipline to the Prince. During training he would fly into a berserk rage and maul his sparring partners. After nearly killing one of them, his father finally just sent him off with the army to fight their Clan’s enemies in the constant battles they fought to defend their lands.

Kazani became a feared warrior within just a few years. He would work himself up into a frenzy before battle, gnashing his teeth and screaming at the enemy. He was known to charge without orders, smashing into the enemy lines and hacking away at them with his sword and bashing them with his shield. He quickly rose to command the Kaxedun army in his '''late 20’s''', and always personally lead from the front line and was the first to make contact with the enemy. Under his leadership and with his seemingly unstoppable strength the Kaxedun clan quickly expanded and seized much surrounding territory. By the time Kazani inherited the role of Clan-Leader once his father died, '''he was barely in his 30’s'''. Despite his prestige and power however, he was never offered a wife as all Clans knew of his violent ways and refused to allow their daughters to be put at risk at the hands of such a savage person.

His brother, Trazli Kaxedun, one day came to his brother and demanded that he be given half of the Clan’s lands to govern himself. Trazli had no lands of his own, and had grown jealous of his older brother. This set Kazani into a rage and he attacked his brother immediately, killing him on the spot.

When the rage subsided, Kazani looked on the body of his brother and realized what he had done. He dropped to his knees and wept for the Ancestors to forgive him.

He soon abandoned his Clan, renouncing all of his titles and possessions. He wandered off into the wilderness, taking on the name Guwandi, which loosely means ‘clanless gladiator’. He travelled the globe, looking to die in battle to redeem himself. With each duel he fought, he hurled himself into it intent to win. He knew that if he simply meekly accepted death that he would never redeem himself for his fratricide. Kazani spent years trying to die in battle. For an entire decade he walked Moghes, slaying foe after foe. He grew increasingly desperate, provoking entire bandit parties, town militias, and even whole armies to face him in the field, alone. Each time he fought viciously’, often over entire days without rest, his sword never dry.

By the time he was '''40 years old''' and reaching the twilight of his life, he looked back upon his many conquests and uncountable victories, and wept. Kazani was cursed to be unbeatable, and knew he would never find peace or redeem himself before the Ancestors.

One day Kazani came before a wandering shaman in the unknown wilds. Kazani was desperate for a fight, and fell to his knees before him. Kazani explained his curse and begged the shaman to lift it so he could die in battle. The shaman listened intently and finally asked what Kazani would to have done with his remains when he died. Kazani said he wanted to be buried at his Clan’s former estate next to his brother. The shaman agreed, and said he would lift Kazani’s curse if Kazani would fight him to the death.

Kazani, despite knowing the shaman would surely die, was desperate enough to accept. When they began the duel, Kazani hurled himself at the shaman. But the shaman deftly dodged out of the way and struck Kazani in the back of the head with his walking staff. Kazani fell forwards and hit his head on a rocky outcropping, killing him instantly.

Slain by one of the High Elders of the Akhanzi order, Kazani was finally found to have died in battle and his sins redeemed. He was reunited with his brother and the Ancestors and they joined Sk’akh to live in the eternal afterlife.

===Tryazali Kres'ha'nor===

Tryazali was born in 949 CE to a minor noble family in what is modern day Baandr. He is credited in Unathi myth as founding the first Hegemony. Information about Trizarki comes from the epic The First Prince and the Night Queen written 1572-1602 CE. According to the epic, when Tryazali was 26 he became separated from his hunting party out in the mountains. He wandered for five days and five nights, unable to find food, water, or shelter. As he was about to die of exposure he was saved by a mysterious tribe of all-female warriors. After he had been nursed back to health by three of the tribe's healers he was taken to meet with their queen, who styled herself The Empress Of Night. She was a ruthless and cunning leader with an azure-colored hide and pure white eyes who claimed to possess magical abilities and a strong spiritual connection to the ancestors. She had been known to lead her tribe of warriors on various raids of the neighboring cities and keep her village hidden in the deep forests in the mountains. After her talks with Tryazali, she demanded that he repay the debt he owed them for saving his life. She tasked him with the rescue of her eldest daughter, who had been kidnapped by a nobleman in S'th. The Queen promised many blessings for the safe return of her child Raz'ha, but warned Tryazali that should he deviate or try to escape from his debt, she would place a curse on him that would doom him and his clan for as long as they tread upon Moghes.

Tryazali eventually learned the whereabouts of the princess, who was being held as a slave to the Lord of S'th, Taraz Jy'haza, keeping her as an exotic curiosity due to the color of her hide, which was a rich azure color. Tryazali would later storm the Lord Taraz's castle and demanded a duel for ownership of Raz'ha. Lord Taraz rebuffed him and sent out his own soldiers, but one by one they fell before the skilled Prince. Eventually Lord Taraz accepted the challenge after overhearing whispers of cowardice amongst his court. According to the epic the resulting duel lasted two entire days before Prince Trazali slew Lord Taraz. Victorious, Tryazali then proclaimed himself the new Lord of S'th, liberating the city and freeing Raz'ha. Before returning her to her mother, the two ended up falling in love, and she elected to remain with Tryazali, becoming queen of S'th and taking the name Kres'ha'nor with her mother's blessing. Tryazali expanded the influence of S'th and eventually created the First Hegemony. He died at the age of 53, in the year 1002 CE. The Kres'ha'nor Hegemony after him continued to grow and dominate most of Moghes.

===Shizarsa Ksi'ka===

Ksi'ka is believed to have been born in '''1632 CE''' to the leaders of a small tribe outside Darakath. She was bethrothed to a hunter from another village but even from a young age she resented this fact. She is known to have been a wild child, picking fights with other children. When she was 17, before the planned wedding day, she fled her village with her father's sword and crossbow. Outraged, her betrothed, Karask, sent several expeditions after her to arrest and return her. Ksi'ka managed to wound a hunter sent after her with her crossbow but her inexperience with combat lead her to being quickly disarmed and arrested. As she was being escorted back her group was ambushed by bandits and she was kidnapped yet again. Shizarsa was held as a captive of the bandits, who forced her to cook, clean, and otherwise act as a maid for their enclave. According to legend she struck a friendship with one of the bandits and he agreed to train her to defend herself.

When she was 27 Ksi'ka killed the leader of the bandits and began leading the men herself. She became an infamous bandit, harassing traveling merchants. One day she even attacked Karask's village, killing him and freeing a woman he had taken as another wife in her place.

Her fame and power grew until she controlled a small petty kingdom that surrounded Darakath and with dozens of kills under her belt. Fearing the barbarians ravaging the countryside Lord of the city sent out his eldest son, Gri'zarsuth, to lead 48 of the city's soldiers to find the bandit enclave and destroy it.

Eventually Gri'zarsuth and his men managed to ambush Ksi'ka's camp and slew or captured the majority of her men. According to legend Ksi'ka managed to kill four men and was the last one standing. Gri'zarsuth managed to knock her out by hitting her in the head with the flat of his sword.

Ksi'ka was considered a wild savage by everyone in the city when she was dragged to the dungeons in chains, but Gri'zarsuth fell in love with her. He begged his father four times to spare her, and four times he refused. The day before her execution Gri'zarsuth begged again, saying that he could civilize Ksi'ka. Finally his father relented on the condition that he be able to civilize Gri'zarsuth within a year.

Ksi'ka's wild spirit was reigned in by Gri'zarsuth over the following year, and the barbarian savage was transformed into a proper princess. At the end of the year she was brought before Gri'zarsuth's father, who marveled at the change a man could bring such a wild woman. She was allowed to live, and eventually married Gri'zarsuth.

== The Contact War ==

===Don'zai Azarak===

Don'zai Azarak was born on 2408 CE in the former city of Darakath, the capital of the Azarak Kingdom, which also briefly served as the capital of the Traditionalist Coalition during its existence. His parents, King Yuiz Azarak and Queen Kwina Azarak, gave him two siblings, both of which were sisters, and his family all followed the Tha'kh faith.

Prince Azarak received extensive education from a young age, showing promise and charisma. When he was 16 he was sent to the University of Darakath to become an Apprentice for the Guildmaster of the university, where he also received his education. While attending university he would be bethrothed to his future wife, Princess Wei'za from the northern kingdom of Izgwani, and they would marry when they were both 20, in 2428.

They had two hatchlings six months after the marriage ceremony, giving Don'zai two children; the male Don'ziki and female Yuiza. Don'zai immediately fell in love with his children and became famous for his elaborate and lavish displays of affection. Using his influence as Prince and heir of the Kingdom he managed to persuade the University of Darakath to rename two new campus buildings after his children. He also spent excessive funds on having the baby rooms renovated with elaborate decorations and furnishing, famously including a small fountain in his son's room and hydroponic trays growing a variety of colorful, exotic plants in his daughter's room.

Don'zai's father died when he was 24, in 2432, and Don'zai was crowned King. Though he professed a desire to continue his studies and delegate matters of state to his staff, the unprecedented event of alien life visiting Moghes forced him to take a leave of absence from his studies and take on official duties as King.

The human and Skrell expedition that made contact with Moghes in 2433 was done in the Izweski Nation, which was the world's sole superpower and Hegemony.

Knowing they had the only functioning spaceports and access to the greater galaxy, Don'zai sent repeated requests to the Izweski to have an Azarak representative sent to humanity and the skrell to speak for his Kingdom but each time he was rebuffed, with the Izweski taking on a patronizing and condescending attitude to his Kingdom.

Azarak called a summit of all world leaders in late Versakh (April relative) of 2433. The summit took place in Tisxaclas, the capital of his allies, the Izgwani, where he gave his infamous speech and single-handily managed to become a global icon and the poster boy of the anti-Izweski bloc.

During the global crisis that had erupted after the Izweski had colonized Ourea, in which humanity and the skrell had practically taken charge of, Don'zai Azarak was one of the leading figures that would come to found the Traditionalist Coalition. He personally served in the conflict, becoming an artilleryman in the Azarak 1st Retinue, his family's private levee. Images of him manning an artillery cannon in active battle were turned into propaganda pieces and he became known as the King on the Battlefield.

It's not known if Azarak approved a nuclear weapons program or even authorized the deployment of their use, but following the atomic attack on Da'ha'den on September 5th, 2439 and the following nuclear exchange his whereabouts became unknown as the 1st Retinue was hit by an Izweski atomic bomb while stationed outside Res'karum. Originally the Retinue had been warned about the impending attack and were attempting to retreat away from the military base and disperse into the countryside.

King Don'zai Azarak spent the week on a journey back to Darakath, facing incredible danger as command and control began to collapse across the planet. He became separated from his retinue and was forced to travel alone, most of his travel spent on foot.

Don'zai managed to make it back to Dakarath, which had been spared from atomic attack by virtue of its defenses. However his journey saw him afflicted with severe radiation poisoning, and he spent the remaining duration of the Contact War too weak to be effective, effectively bedridden.

Don'zai refused all medical treatment, forbidding a doctor to enter the grounds. When his wife tearfully begged him to let the doctor in to provide anti-radiation treatment, he is quoted to have said,

"I will die in in my own home on my own terms. I refuse to die at the axe of the Izweski."

Don'zai died of severe radiation poisoning on 2441. In his final lucid moments, his final words are said to have been,

"Care for our children, Wei'za."

=== Hegemon S'kresti Izweski, ''The Fallen'' ===
Born in Skalamar in 2380 CE, S’kresti was the eldest son of the prior Hegemon. Coming of age in an uncertain world, S’kresti rapidly distinguished himself as both a warrior and a statesman, rising to the position of Lord’s Claws in his father’s court. When the prior Hegemon passed away, S’kresti quickly secured his claim to the throne, defeating rival claimants in a series of duels which won him the respect of the Skalamar nobility. His skill in battle, and his fierce charisma, earned him the moniker of “S’kresti the Strong”. Shortly after his coronation, he married Lady Rakta Sirax, the eldest daughter of a powerful [[Izweski Heartland|Heartland]] noble clan. They would have four children - Yakt, Not’zar, Z’krazki and Rzasul Izweski. Though S’kresti was a harsh father to Not’zar, he took great pride in his other children, viewing Yakt in particular as much like his younger self.

S’kresti presided over First Contact with humanity and the [[Skrell]], and was careful to keep alien presence under Izweski control for as long as he could. He secured a monopoly on offworld trade, and invested heavily in outfitting the Hegemony’s armed forces with imported alien weaponry. Under his reign, the Hegemony began to see the benefits of interstellar society flow to them, as S’kresti’s investment oversaw the construction of the first spaceport on Moghes. The Hegemon massively expanded the space program and Ouerean colonization efforts, intent on securing the Hegemony’s position as the first and only spacefaring power of the Unathi people.

The Contact War was the defining event of S’kresti’s reign. He took an active role in command of Izweski forces, seeking to finally crush the Traditionalist Coalition and bring all of Moghes firmly under Izweski control. With the nuclear exchange, these plans vanished, reducing nearly sixty percent of Moghes to what is now the Wasteland. Nevertheless, S’kresti sought to preserve Unathi society and culture, while expanding the nation’s influence into the stars. By offering pardons to pirates, he built the beginnings of the Izweski Navy, leveraging the newfound force to drive the Solarians and Skrell away from Ouerea and return it to Izweski control. Under his rule the navy was massively expanded, colonization ventures outside [[Uueoa-Esa]] began, and it seemed that the Hegemony would secure its place as an interstellar power.

This would change in [[Unathi_Recent_Events#Death_of_Heir_Yakt:_Rise_of_S'linzar|2458, when Yakt Izweski perished in a shuttle crash]]. As a result, Not’zar Izweski became the heir apparent - which would soon lead to a crisis as S’kresti fell into a coma. Eventually, Not’zar was able to seize the position of Lord Regent, which he would hold for three years as S’kresti remained comatose.

In 2462, [[Unathi_Recent_Events#The_Hegemon_Wakes!_(2461-2462)|the Hegemon woke from his coma]], reclaiming his throne and dissolving Not’zar’s authority. However, the man who awoke was not the same Hegemon remembered by the people of Moghes - S’kresti gave warmongering speeches, spoke of driving the Wastelanders from reclaimed territory, and converted to the beliefs of Si’akh, which led to a bitter conflict with the Sk’akh Church. As other lords rose in rebellion against the Hegemon, he sought to use the Navy to reduce their cities to rubble - an act that would be cataclysmic for the already ruined world. Before the order could be carried out, his youngest son Z’krazki drew his sword and killed the Hegemon, bringing an end to the reign of S’kresti, now dubbed “S’kresti the Mad” by the wider populace. He would be succeeded by Not’zar Izweski, the current Hegemon.

Though his madness and the civil war he caused are what many remember S’kresti by, others look upon his earlier reign with fondness - remembering a Hegemon who was unafraid to get his hands dirty, and was willing to fight to the last to secure the Unathi people a place in the modern Spur. Many of those who find Not’zar’s style of rule distasteful reminisce fondly on S’kresti’s reign - a sentiment common amongst rebel organizations such as the [[Unathi_Crime_And_Enforcement#The_Champions_of_Moghes|Champions of Moghes]].

== Contemporary ==

=== Not'zar Izweski, ''Izweski Hegemon'' ===

[[File:Not'Zar.png|thumbnail|Portrait of Not'Zar Izweski, circa 2458.]]

At 22 as of 2460, Not'zar is the second oldest child to the Hegemon and his First Wife. He become the new Heir to the Hegemony after the death of his brother in a shuttle crash in may of 2458. Not'zar Izweski chose to seek an education in Sinta'studies (Unathi Humanities) and pursued a bachelors in Sinta'Philosophy in the University of S'th before his duties as Lord-Regent forced him to suspend his studies.

As an infant he was struck with The Rot, a deadly viral infection passed from breeds of Moghean birds that almost claimed his life as an infant. The next 5 years were spent on a hospital bed as a sickly child barely clinging to life. The Rot causes Unathi scales and even the rest of the hide to rot and fall off, leaving open wounds and necrotic tissue while it also harms muscle growth while weakening tendons. Every day specialized surgeons had to remove more and more infected tissue to contain the spread of the Rot.

Not'Zar survived the disease and spent his entire childhood in physical rehabilitation. He was unable to stand at all, and his condition was an open secret - the Hegemon S’kresti refused to let Not'Zar socialize with anyone outside the castle courtiers. S’kresti was deeply ashamed at having a crippled son. When Not'Zar was 13 he told his father than he wanted to stop rehabilitation because it wasn't working and he was still unable to walk. S’kresti dramatically pulled him out of his wheelchair and dangled Not'zar out a castle window, telling Not'Zar that if he ended the rehabilitation then he wouldn't have a cripple for a son. The incident made a fearful Not'Zar continue the rehabilitation, and after years of more grueling rehabilitation he was able to walk once more when he was 15.

While he was able to keep all of his limbs and regained the ability to walk with assistance from his cane, it's believed that his continued physical weaknesses from muscle damage and general weakness leave him unable to meet the standards of physical fitness to join the military and military academies that are traditional for Izweski to graduate. In addition, he is constantly battling aches from the weaknesses in his muscles and bones, needing oxycodone to get through a typical day.

Not'zar Izweski is extensively traveled, entering the core of human space for the first time when he was 16. Many close to the young Prince have said he indulges heavily in human and skrell cultures. In his Creative Writing Workshop at the university he created several illustrated fantasy stories which were popular with the human expats studying abroad on Moghes, which include "Mecha Battle on Luna's Torment".

His true potential wasn't fully realized until the fateful events of May 6th, 2458. On that day his brother Yakt and his wife died in a shuttle crash. During the funeral Not'Zar's father became inconsolable and eventually fell into a deep depression culminating into a coma. Legally Not'Zar was now the heir, but a brother in-law, S'linzar, quickly seized the moment and declared himself the Lord-Regent before Not'Zar could seek his claim.

The succession crisis split the Hegemony down the middle and Not'Zar quickly had to maneuver the dangerous political climate. Not'Zar had his immediate family quietly flee Moghes. Not'Zar spent the rest of May navigating court intrigue and rallying support for his claim. He managed to retain an alliance with Lord-Admiral Trazarial Yizarus. Yizarus had the unique strength of commanding the HMV Cataclysm of the 1st Fleet; the most powerful warship in the Hegemony. Ickza attempted to purge the government of Not'Zar loyalists but was unable to drive a wedge between the stubborn Trazarial despite declaring Trazarial a traitor and seizing all his assets on Moghes. These events lead to a dramatic stand-off in orbit of Moghes, as the loyalist 1st Fleet stared down the 2nd Fleet, commanded by Yizarus' brother Azikyui.

Through clever political posturing, Not'Zar managed to hold onto his claims for long enough that he had secured enough allies to create a serious threat to the Ickza's power. Rather than risking a full blown civil war, Not'Zar cleverly took advantage of S'linzar's pride by calling him weak and challenging him to a duel. The proud S'linzar agreed, and in a key mistake, allowed Not'Zar to bring to battle 'whatever he could carry'.

Not'Zar took advantage of this by showing up to the duel in a combat mech before a large crowd of the Hegemony's most powerful nobles. The battle was short, with Not'Zar draining S'linzar's breacher suit and leaving his in-law helpless.

S'linzar surrendered and ceded his claims and titles, restoring the title of Lord-Regent to Not'Zar.

During his reign, Not'Zar has shown an unwillingness to use force to resolve disputes. He is also openly critical of ancient Unathi customs and traditions, and his desire to trust in an inherent goodness in Unathi has made him come off as patronizing and naive. However, Not'Zar is by no means as a coward. When the Maraziite Order besieged his family's personal castle in Skalamar, he stood firm and repelled several attempts by the inquisition to breach the gates. However, Not'Zar's cool head prevailed as he forbade the city garrison from interfering, which he feared would have spilled out into open violence throughout the city.

His negotiations with High Priest Unzi have directly lead to the Sk'akh church being given legitimacy as a political force.

Despite holding onto alliances with key supporters, Not'Zar's position remains tenuous. The young nobleman is struggling to remain a moderate in a dangerous and polarized regime. He remains committed to giving Unathi a place in the galaxy and gain respect from the greater empires of the humans and skrell, but his moderate and progressive policies threaten to cause more instability and resentment from the nobility.

=== Yukal T’zakal, ''Guildmaster of Hephaestus'' ===

[[File:Tzakal.png|thumbnail|Hephaestus poster featuring Yukal T'zakal, circa 2464. Art by Lavillastrangiato.]]

Born in the city of Imas’hi to an urban noble clan in 2422, Yukal was never seen as someone with a grand destiny, just a mediocre life as a member of a struggling noble clan as tensions rose around Moghes. Yet, today he is arguably the most powerful man in the Hegemony, controlling the operations of the megacorporation that has a stranglehold monopoly over the nation; Hephaestus Industries.

Yukal’s young life was full of the bliss of pre-war Moghes, and as an urban noble, he had better access to education than most of the population. It was during his education that Yukal found a passion for something; engineering. The young Sinta loved to take things apart to figure out how they worked, and created small machines for his amusement. Eventually Yukal’s teachers and parents both took interest in this passion, and as the Hegemon at the time was in desperate need of engineers to help Moghes catch up to the rest of the spur in the 25th century, they enrolled him in a engineering course at the age of 14, where he would learn the trade from the far more advanced humans and Skrell. This course would challenge Yukal, but again and again he would succeed, proving himself to be a brilliant engineer. Eventually his education ended, and he returned to Moghes with a goal to help the Hegemon bring the world into the 25th century. 5 months after returning home, the contact war began.

Yukal witnessed the horrors of the contact war in person, as engineers once intended to enlighten Moghes were repurposed into creating engines of war for the Hegemony, and once it had escalated to nuclear war, ways to more efficiently destroy the enemy in what had become a desperate fight for survival. It is unclear how this experience changed Yukal, as he rarely discusses it, and then it is normally to remark on how some feat of engineering was accomplished, instead of what his work meant for his species.

Once the contact war ended however, Yukal looked beyond his home planet, now ruined by war, and to the stars. He managed to get a job with Hephaestus Industries, who at this point did not have the relationship with the Hegemony they now have, and was shipped across the stars to the Sol system itself, to work in the Ceres Shipyards. Slowly, painfully, and with his skills, he managed to climb the ranks of Hephaestus from engineer to one of a select few chief engineers who managed the whole shipyard. Many humans were surprised at a Unathi so far into human space, but his skill and the trust Hephaestus placed in him kept him there. Eventually he caught the eye of an up and coming CEO, Titanius Aeson, who would move Yukal, now a chief engineer, to a posting as a sector administrator for the Hegemony, where he would truly shine.

Hephaestus within the Hegemony had been struggling up until Yukal’s arrival, but he quickly reorganized it, turning it into a well oiled machine that was slowly building its way up to a big finale, an action that would shape the Hegemony for decades to come. Under Yukal’s supervision Hephaestus slowly grew its influence, until in 2465, he was given the title of guildmaster, and Hephaestus ascended to become a total monopoly over the Hegemonic economy, with Yukal still at the helm.

Today, Yukal holds the keys to the Hegemonic economy in his hand. He has a reputation through-out the company as an incredibly hard worker, regularly working 14 hour days, who also likes to crack jokes during meetings and speeches. While theoretically Aeson’s equal, he still takes orders from the CEO, following his wishes. Still, his power cannot be denied. He is a symbol for the Unathi species, having ascended so high in a human corporation, through hard work, dedication, and patience. Most know him only through propaganda put out by Hephaestus, but all Sinta know Yukal represents what the species can be, if they have the will to seize it with the help of their human friends in orange.

=== Hizoni Izweski, ''Izweski Spymaster'' ===
[[File:HizoniSpymaster.png|thumb|Hizoni Izweski in her spymaster regalia, sporting a silver crown. She is known to flaunt her wealth often, and keeps an air of elegance around her.]]

Perhaps the most feared woman or Sinta within the Hegemony, Hizoni controls a network of informants, spies, and assassins that stretches across the surface of Moghes and even across the stars to distant colonies. She was born in 2440 on Ouerea as the third daughter to Guildmaster Keicacu Razi, headmaster of the Merchants Guild and owner of Razi-Snax. As an azure, she has been seen as the beauty of her clan and gained the most attention— earning her an education in the ways of women from her mother and caretakers. After her teachings, she was put into diplomatic situations to defend the Merchant's Guild from hostile subterfuge. Her upbringing allowed Hizoni to grow up within the halls of power, acquainting herself with the elite of the Hegemony during the final days of the Contact War. She rose to prominence when she defended the Hegemon from two would-be assassins by slaying both and destroying the murder plot. Since then, on top of her elevation to the Hegemony’s Spymaster, Hizoni enjoyed ''very'' close relationship with Not’zar, though nothing official was been announced between the two for a long time. In 2465, however, the Hegemon proposed marriage, which Hizoni accepted - with the two marrying in the Third Scept on May 14th, 2465.

Hizoni’s political pursuits and leanings are unknown; she will seemingly flop back and forth between different camps depending on the issue, always remaining unpredictable. Many speculate this is the result of political maneuvering, giving her support to a cause for favors in return, which she uses to shore up the Hegemon’s precarious position. She does not openly front any group, and it is unknown if any beyond her spies plead their cases with her. Her relationship with her brother Sakax is strained, and it is speculated that the two have all but cut off contact with each other.

The most powerful woman in the Hegemony with the least media presence, much of Hizoni’s life is a mystery to the outside world, even after bards began to try and watch her every move due to her marriage to Not’zar.She rarely speaks publicly, preferring to instead use one of her vast retinue of other spies to speak in her stead. Many view her as duplicitous and untrustworthy, though in the same breath many also admit that a spymaster should probably be so. Since her marriage to the Hegemon, she has made a few more public appearances - though largely, she seems to still prefer to stay out of the spotlight.

=== Azui Hutay'zai, Overlord, ''Lord of the Wastes'', and ''Izweski Master of Rivers'' ===
[[File:Azui Hutay'zai.png|thumb|right|alt=what would overlord hutay'zai do|A picture of Lord Hutay'zai in his court, 2465.]]
The only Th’akh Hand of the Hegemon, Azui Hutay'zai fills the position of Not'zar's [[Unathi#The_Master_of_Rivers | Master of Rivers]], overseeing the economy of the Hegemony from his estate on the shore of the Moghresian Sea near his clan's former lands of the Torn Cities. Originally fighting for the Traditionalist Coalition during the Contact War, his father died when the war went nuclear, bathed in the fires that destroyed most of the clan's ancestral land. Azui, who had been leading his clan's forces along the coast at the time, ascended to the throne of his kingdom. There, he would strike a deal with the Hegemony to pledge fealty to clan Izweski and ensure his remaining non-polluted lands would be safe in the hands of the new masters of Moghes, in exchange for his clan being allowed to continue to rule over what it had left of its ancestral lands. After his peace deal and the conclusion of the Contact War, Hutay'zai became one of the most powerful landed nobles within the Hegemony. He set up a new estate on the coast and would use it as a base of operations to continue mining operations within the radiation-blasted lands surrounding the Torn Cities, using the peasant refugee population as an ample workforce with help from the mining guilds. The resources imported into his lands over from these mining operations in the Torn Cities have become even more important to the Hegemony as the scarcity reigns, as they do not require interstellar travel to reach the ever-hungry factories of Jaz'zirt, on the southern side of the sea.

Eventually, as the Traditionalist block swelled in the face of Not'zar's reforms and progressive attitude, he would become one of the two overlords of Moghes, coming to be called by many as '''"Lord of the Wastes."''' His lordship extends throughout the Wasteland, officially managing the scattered Hegemonic outposts such as Camp Integrity and Camp Izweski's Honor, as well as supposedly managing the Sinta living in Wasteland communities. However, due to the nature of the Wasteland, this authority is essentially non-existent outside of Hegemonic-controlled outposts, making his overlordship only one in name.

Azui is known to be one of the most traditional Hegemonic lords, ruling over lands with the minimum of modern amenities; what little modernity his land has is concentrated with the nobility and mining guilds. His appointment as a Hand of the Hegemon, and as one of the two Overlords of Moghes, was a political move made to appease the Traditionalist block which has continued growing after the end of the Contact War. This has made him the unofficial spokesperson for those in the Hegemony who consider themselves Traditionalists and for bringing their concerns before Not’zar whenever he can. However, contrary to what some might say, Hutay’zai has a dogged loyalty towards the Hegemony, believing it the only way Sinta can progress in this new galaxy while keeping what scraps of their tradition they can intact.

Azui is the primary proponent of mercantilism within the Hegemony, advocating for an expanded program of colonization and stricter trade laws with the wider Spur. He believes that further openness, both in trading resources and culture with the Orion Spur, will spell the death of the Hegemony. It is widely known that Azui resents Hephaestus Industries having status as a guild in the Hegemony and will use any measure that might curtail their power.

A meticulous planner, Hutay’zai writes out all his speeches before giving them every time, and sticks to them no matter what. His speeches are rarely followed by a period of questions, and he sets expectations for how his speeches will go. Should his speeches not go the way he thinks, he is prone to become angry and lash out at those around him, mostly whoever isn’t playing by his script. This has led to Hutay’zai fighting members of the audience several times while he gives his speeches, almost once in Skalamar itself. His lifestyle is one fit for an overlord, with extravagance and abundance, even in the midst of a famine. He tends to become rambunctious at feasts and other events when he’s had time to drink, and will go on long winded rants about anything. He’s a doting father and grandfather, giving his children and their children all they could want in the world. This has caused most other nobles to look upon Hutay’zai’s children as spoiled brats.

=== Mizaruz Izweski, Lord and ''Izweski Lord's Claws'' ===
Originally of clan Gri'zan, Mizaruz was born in the city of Baandr, eventually inheriting it and the lands surrounding it after his elder brother passed away without producing an heir. Given his status as a second son for most of his life, he was brought up from a young age with the intention of joining the clergy of Sk'akh. When his brother died while Mizaruz was around the age of 12, his education would shift dramatically towards ruling his realm; however, the young Sinta never forgot his religious education, keeping up theological studies for most of his life. He went on to make a name for himself during the Contact War by fighting several engagements against overwhelming odds and succeeding without the normal technological advantage the Hegemony had. Mizaruz was known as an amazing tactician and inspirational icon to his men, counseling them in religious matters on marches and leading them fiercely into battle. Shortly after the Contact War, Mizaruz was married into the Izweski clan and ascended to become a Hand of the Hegemon, specifically become the [[Unathi#The_Lord's_Claws |Lord's Claws.]] Though his actions during the war and loyalty are laudable, his time as the Lord's Claws has been lackluster. His tactical knowledge has not translated well to giving advice to the Hegemony's military on a strategic level, as he consistently fails to properly grasp supply chains on a grander scale, the intricacies of the levy system, and the new frontier of space. However, for most things, those Sinta that work beneath him manage to effectively cover for him, ensuring that the military has competent efficiency. However, if a disaster were to happen and Mizaruz were caught unprepared, it's unclear if his loyalty and new clan would be able to save him from the reckoning. His diplomacy is viewed with admiration by many Sinta; he has constantly proved himself apt at striking deals and averting crises with other nobility as well as alien states.

Mizaruz supports the policies Not'zar supports: furthering ties with the xeno, the expansion of modernization programs, and usage of force as a last resort, a somewhat strange trait for his position. This undying support for Not’zar has made him the mascot for those who similarly fully believe in the Hegemon: those who share his undying loyalty bring their concerns to him, most of which are about the Hegemon's still-precarious political position. His reputation as a theologian has also helped keep relations between the newly-formed Church of Sk’akh and the state milder than in the past.

Not the planner Hutay’zai is, Mizaruz lives his life seemingly from moment to moment, never making any real long term plans except when forced to by circumstance or his Hegemon. This carries over to his public life, where he’s known to give speeches and answer questions with no notes, preparations, or anything. Most view him as honest because of this, if sometimes a little too naive. He raised his children with minimal input from himself, and generally, most turned out alright. One of his daughters ended up marrying a peasant and causing a scandal but Mizaruz dealt with the situation in the moment, like he always does.

Mizaruz is the main proponent of the "New Model War" that worked so well for the Hegemony during the Contact War. He has issued many studies on ways which the Hegemonic Fleet and Army could be improved, yet due to both his own incompetence and the influence of others within the military establishment, very few of his reforms have gone through.

=== Seleta Sarnac, Lady and ''Izweski High Speaker'' ===
Hailing from the southern untouched lands, the lands owned by her father that Lady Sarnac grew up on encompasses the city of Razir, and much of the territory surrounding it, a majority of which have been claimed by the wasteland following the contact war. Born shortly before the contact war, Setelta is the youngest hand of the Hegemon, at around thirty four. She is also one of the two female hands of the hegemon, and fills the position of [[Unathi#High_Speaker | high speaker.]] It is obvious that she was given her position for political reasons, an exemplification of Not’zars more progressive policies, by allowing a female beyond his spymaster to advise him on how to rule the nation. While she holds no lands her brother, Lord Sarnac, holds the key southern regions around Razir, as well as the city itself. Her brother is known to be disappointed that he was not offered the position of high speaker, but is indifferent to it as long as his clan is represented within the highest levels of the Hegemony, by either male or female.

Lady Seleta is the face of Hegemonic progressivism, fighting against established traditions and gender roles at the highest level. This has gained her both a loyal following of younger Sinta, and the wrath of the older, more traditional Sinta, who see her as a threat to everything they know. These followings are only amplified by her appearance at Not’zars side at nearly every public event, arranging things to run smoothly, fashioning the Hegemon’s image into one of power and stability.

A public speaker to the core, Ms. Sarnac presents a curated version of herself that she wishes others to see at all times, whether at home or in front of the biggest crowd on Moghes. The version is a Unathi with sharp wits, trustworthy despite being a woman, and keeping both intact while answering questions without answering them hundreds of times over. She has no children, and barely anything is known about her home life, so curated her media presence.

As High Speaker Seleta has strived to do what she can to shore up the Hegemon’s position, attempting to establish a universal love for him among the common Sinta, both Guildsmen and Peasant. Both her and the Hegemon have received the wrath of some nobles for this, as they fear their subjects will start to be more loyal to a personage beyond themselves. Her success in this is unknown, and only a massive crisis could reveal how much loyalty she has gained for the Hegemon among the common people.

=== Clan Lord Sakax Razi, ''The General'' ===
As the third son of guild master Keicacu Razi, Sakax's lot in life started with making a name for himself within the military of the Hegemony. Unable to inherit any titles, and lacking the guile of his sister, Sakax threw himself fully into mastering the Sinta art of war, determined to fight as his ancestors had before him. This determination resulted in him shooting through the ranks of the Hegemonic military throughout the Contact War, being given more and more responsibility. Now he is Clan Lord of what is essentially a Hegemony military base between Skamander and Imas'hi, commanding his own set of Kataphract and clan warriors. He is known to be a grim but honorable man and has a hatred for all Sinta who fought the Hegemony in the Contact War, blaming them for the ruined state of the species and their home. The few times he has spoken with '''Azui Hutay'zai''' has almost ended in a physical conflict between the two. For this reason, Sakax is regularly left off of invite lists for functions where the Overlord will be in attendance, including most formal meetings involving the economics of the Hegemony.

Sakax exerts all of his influence confirming that the Hegemony's military never fully adopts the "New Model War" beyond tactics developed during the Contact War. He believes that the lifeblood and culture of the Unathi is inherently tied to the military and that the two should be reflections of each other. He is the primary proponent behind borderline suicidal tactics in space such as ramming, and given the Hegemony has not fought a major naval engagement within space under his command, they are not yet able to prove his tactics defective.

Sakax has little media presence outside of bards who focus on military matters, his primary area of responsibility. Many sagas have been chronicled about his accomplishments and the accomplishments of the men under him, giving him larger than usual influence among the population.

=== Clan Lord Juyzi Izaku, ''The Maddened'' ===

Former ruler of the city and associated lands of Mudki, Lord Juyzi Izaku was once known as one of the Hegemony’s greatest commanders - turning back three assaults on his city during the Contact War, and upholding the reputation of the Zazalai Mountains endlessly. Following the war, however, Lord Izaku grew increasingly erratic - attributed by some to an untreated brain injury during one of his many battles, by others to the influence of malign spirits, and by some simply to the stresses of war.

Izaku grew increasingly vocal about his distaste for alien influence - particularly that of the Skrell, who he believed to be manipulating the minds of the Hegemony’s citizens, causing the Ouerean Revolution. As he became more incensed, his once-proud city was neglected, leading to decades of mismanagement and decay as more and more of his people fled to seek better prospects elsewhere. He was very outspoken against Hegemon Not’zar’s policies, toeing the line of outright sedition on several occasions.

Izaku’s delusion came to a head in 2466, when the Hegemony announced a new agreement with the Nralakk Federation, for the sake of mutual prosperity between the two nations. He believed this to be a conspiracy on the Skrell’s part, seeking to seize control of the Hegemony, and had his warriors abduct several Nralakk humanitarian workers in order to uncover their “true plan”. His actions were discovered at the town of Izilukh, where his warriors attempted to kill the crew of the SCCV Horizon to cover up their crimes. Following this, Izaku called his banners in rebellion, a short-lived conflict against the Hegemon’s might.

Mudki was captured after a campaign of several weeks, and Lord Izaku was sentenced to death - ending his once-storied line, and leaving Mudki’s future in uncertain hands.

=== Lord Glatazk Yu'huni, ''The Pious'' ===
Hailing from the religious city of To'ha'dat, Lord Yu'huni was raised in the heartland of the Th'akh faith as a devout worshiper. However, at age 18, he converted to the religion of Sk'akh and has been one of its most fanatical followers since. Almost losing his position as heir for his clan lands, he kept it through a combination of trickery and might while maintaining ample support from the more centralized Sk'akh church. His first decree was that all who wished to remain in his clan must convert to Sk'akh and must remain faithfulness to their new religion. Because of this, clan Yu'huni has become the most fanatical clan in the process of losing a notable amount of its members, completely loyal to the central Church even in the face of their duty to the Hegemon. This was most apparent during the religious crisis in 2460, where clan Yu'huni expressed their support for the Sk'akh Church against the Hegemon to other clans. The reputation of clan Yu'huni is still stained by the scandal to this day.

As the most pious of all Hegemonic Lords, Glaztak can be found often giving speeches at religious events, occasionally at the request of the Church of Sk’akh. His speeches are essentially written by those priests he trusts and is close to, their words coming out of his mouth at almost every occasion. He has no children of his own but considers all those pious sinta who have joined his clan to be his children, spoiling them with gifts and luxury, which has in turn caused many more to eye the potential to become a Yuhuni with serious consideration.

Lord Glatazk offers any Sk'akh worshiping Sinta a place in his clan, so long as they originate from the Th'akh Heartlands. This takes the form of an application system, where a Sinta has to answer several questions about their religion, their views on the Church and Hegemony, and acquire several references from co-workers that show their piety. Many faithful Sinta strive to be accepted, yet only the truly fanatical pass his scrutiny.

=== Lord Admiral Trazial Yizarus, ''Izharshan's Bane'' ===

One of the most well known Unathi in the Hegemony, Lord Admiral Yizarus is the bloody left hand of Not’zar, the competent, terrifying, skilled military leader contrasted against the ineptitude of Not’zars Claws, Miz Izweski. There is speculation as to why Yizarus was not chosen as Not’zars Claws, with some believing he turned down the offer to remain above the fray of politics, which he has a known distaste for, and other more skeptical spectators believe Not’zar did not want such a powerful force so close to the throne that he sat upon. No matter which route of speculation is correct, Trazial Yizarus has contented himself being one of the gun barrels holding Not’zar in power, with himself at the head of a clan that claims the loyalty of most of the officer corps of the Hegemonic Navy. He wields immense power over the organization, leading one of the Fleets himself, the 1st Fleet, currently in orbit of Moghes. This has given him significant power over the rest of the military apparatus, and levies, lords, and even Kataphracts will normally fulfill any request he has without delay.

Born into the Yizarus Clan, Trazial from the moment of his birth was destined to fight in battle, whether it be on land or in the void of space. When the Hegemonic Navy was formed, his clan as a reward for their loyalty to the Hegemony during the Contact War and their ample supply of trained fighting men, were granted the honor of being some of the first captains and officers of Hegemonic Military Vessels. Trazial, having come of age shortly after the end of the contact war was given one of these positions, and quickly his skills, helped along by his harshness of failure, saw him rise to the very top of the Hegemonic Navy. He became a minor celebrity amongst the rest of the population after a fleet under his command killed the feared pirate lord Izharshan, after Izharshan’s Raiders destroyed the newly built Cataclysm class dreadnought. This fame ensured his final promotion to Lord Admiral of the Hegemony’s First Fleet, after the second was constructed. Crisis after crisis he proved not only his skill, but his loyalty to the Izweski clan, most of all during the Succession Crisis in late 2458 when he refused to break Not’zars faith and helped the fledgling Hegemon ascend his rightful throne. Eventually after much trial and tribulation, he was cemented in his role as Not’zars left hand, the reliable force of power Not’zar could always turn to when it was needed.
Trazial is known to be a man of few words, with bluntness and quickly getting to the point, speeches he gives rarely last more than a couple minutes. He leads a rather Spartan lifestyle, not having many comforts a noble of his station would normally, sleeping little and exercising regularly. He rarely drinks, and many other nobles consider him too uptight, not even letting much out at feasts. His family is frayed from this stoicism and spartanism, as he tried to raise his sons to follow his lifestyle but failed miserably, resulting in one being a wash out, and one being unable to cope and falling into a depression.

=== Korza Azandar, ''[[Sk'akh]] High Priest'' ===
Born to a minor noble clan of Jaz’zirt in 2418, Korza Azandar was the fourth child of a clan which did not have the lands to divide between so many. As such, at the age of thirteen, he was strongly encouraged to pursue a career in the ranks of the Church, which would conveniently disqualify him from inheritance. He would later study at the [[Unathi_Educational_Institutions#Baandr_College_of_Spirits|Baandr College of Spirits]], obtaining a Mastery of Sacred Theology by the age of twenty-three. He would act as a missionary in the [[Zazalai Mountains]] and the kingdoms beyond for some time, though this would come to an end due to the outbreak of war.

He may not have inherited this clan’s title, but the politics of nobility had well-prepared him for the higher ranks of the Church, and he rose through the ranks rapidly - eventually being named Grand Priest of Razir in 2446. When the previous Archpriest perished of old age in the early 2450s Overlord Miazso recommended Azandar’s name as a replacement. He would generally prove a popular Archpriest, earning a reputation as a man with the fabled ‘common touch’ - frequently embarking to speak with refugees, peasants, and Hearts of Industry in the streets of Jaz’zirt in the hopes that the Church could aid them in their struggles. Opponents of his claimed that this was a tactical decision, a way of seeking new converts and increasing his own popularity - but it unquestionably worked, and Azandar would remain well-liked by the people of the [[Southlands]] throughout his entire tenure.

Archpriest Azandar was arrested by Hegemon S’kresti during High Priest Unzi’s failed coup, along with his fellows. When the mad Hegemon perished, his son Not’zar eventually released the Archpriests, as no evidence could be found implicating them directly in the High Priest’s power grab. For the next three years, he and his fellow Archpriests would form an unofficial council of four to administrate the Church - though they were frequently deadlocked and unable to agree until 2465, when Archpriest Akale Roeruz of Tza was appointed to their number.

With the deadlock broken, [[Demands of the Three Arc|the time came in 2466 for the Church to choose a new High Priest]]. Azandar was one of two frontrunners, opposed by Archpriest Koszkahe Oklaal of the Heartland - but eventually, managed to emerge victorious. He has frequently called for strengthening the Church’s military forces, in order to restore it to its status as a major power in Unathi politics. As High Priest, Azandar has also escalated humanitarian and missionary escorts, with priests being sent to the most desperate regions of Moghe to provide humanitarian aid - and to convert as many souls as possible to the faith. Despite being in his late forties, Azandar is reportedly a very energetic and passionate speaker, and it is believed that he was chosen to provide a figure who could rival the youthful energy of the prophet Judiza Si’akh, whose following swelled massively during the Church’s interregnum.

Azandar’s leadership of the Church is still fresh and untested - but at the very least, he has brought an end to the arguments, deadlocks, and debates which plagued the period after Unzi’s death. Whether he will restore the power that Sk’akh once held in the Hegemony or lead it further into decline remains to be seen, however.

[[File:HighPriestUnzi.jpg|thumb|left|Once the court chaplain for the Izweski, High Priest Yizra Unzi used a cult scare in 2458 to rapidly elevate his power and centralize the Sk'akh church, becoming the official leader of the Church and commander of its militant inquisition, the Maraziite Order.]]

=== Yizra Unzi, ''Exiled High Priest'' ===
Yizra was born in 2407 in the city of Skalamar and raised by a wealthy, orthodox Sk'akh family. His father was a Priest for a large local church and helped the young Yizra through his studies to gain a Doctorate in Sacred Theology, becoming a priest by 30. His father's influence helped him rise the ranks of the Church quickly, and he inherited his father's church by 32 when he passed. One of the responsibilities of Sk'akh priests was diagnosing many ills that could be blamed on malicious spirits. Families in Skalamar would bring the mentally ill to the churches to ask if they were genuinely mentally ill or possessed by evil spirits. The mentally ill were often disowned or kept locked up in private Guild institutions, never to be heard from again to avoid embarrassing the family. A priest declaring them possessed kept the Unathi in the care of the Church, so Yizra became a champion for the mental health community in the city because he would always diagnose them as possessed in order to take them under the care of his Church for long-term treatment and care.

His popularity with the city gave him enough influence to be appointed the new Izweski chaplain when the former retired. He was put in charge of all the ceremonial festivities of the capital city of Skalamar, but he still made time to give sermons in his Clan's church. The Church at this time was organized but there was not a lot of formal control or bureaucracy - it was held together by traditions and expectations.
Yizra was rather quiet during and after the crisis' of the Ouerean colonization and the Contact War outside advocating for a peaceful resolution or quick Izweski victory. During the war however he donated nearly all of his wealth to various charities that looked after disabled veterans of the war along with rebuilding efforts for villages ravaged by the conflict.

The turning point of Yizra's career came in 2453. As Yizra was walking from the Izweski Citadel to a charity to meet with the leaders, a group of Unathi in cloaks approached him on an isolated street. They engaged in a brief theological discussion before trying to convince him to join their movement. He refused repeatedly and tried to get past them, making them grow agitated. They started grabbing him and trying to drag him into the alley to kidnap him. His shouts were heard by nearby Watchmen, who rushed to the scene and caused the assailants to flee. They chased the assailants into an alley that lead to a dead-end, but they had disappeared into thin air. The only thing left behind was a single piece of bloody manuscript with a strange, illegible scribbling on it.

The incident deeply concerned him and he began reaching out to his contacts throughout the city. Through sympathetic law enforcement he discovered that there's been a spate of disappearances and murders throughout the city going back as far as 2433. After enlisting the help of several priests and private detectives he compiled all of the evidence that pointed to a massive, unprecedented underground cult movement being responsible. He took the findings repeatedly to law enforcement and various Lords, but all rebuffed him, saying either that he was being zealous or that he had no authority over secular matters like law enforcement.

So Yizra went public with his findings, stoking the flames of a Cult Panic that swept Unathi space in 2458 to become High Priest, assuming total control over the entire Sk'akh faith. He consolidated his power and also founded the Maraziite Order, a military order under the command of the High Priest with the right to bear arms and dispense justice against spiritual threats to the Hegemony. In its short existence it has arrested several hundred individuals and seized many tomes and documents that Mariziite authorities claim are evidence of cult involvement.
Yizra had become single-minded in his goal to eradicate the threat of the occult from the Hegemony. His growing zeal and conviction has led him to behave more ruthlessly, believing more and more in the ends justifying the means.

He's never been recorded disparaging the Th'akh faith (outside general theological disputes) but he has overlooked Maraziite persecution of Th'akh shamans during his tenure.
For skeptics it's unclear how genuine Yizra's intentions are, and he's often painted as a paranoid zealot.
The cult the Maraziites fought remains a vague enigma, and they aren't fully sure if it's a single movement or several. What scant physical evidence they gain from arrested cultists is written in a code that no one has been able to break, and no cultist has revealed secrets under interrogation. Though he hasn't admitted it to anyone except a few Chapter Masters of the Order, not even Yizra fully understood what they were fighting.

Eventually in 2462, High Priest Unzi found himself on Trial for the crime of kidnapping the Heir to the Hegemony, the supposed reborn Yakiz Izweski. Presiding over the Trial was Not’zar, who eventually sentenced the now former High Priest to exile in the Wasteland, where he has been ever since. No-one knows exactly what became of Yizra, but rumors and speculation swirl about his current whereabouts and plans to once again take the reigns of the church.

[[File:Akhandi.png|thumbnail|Portrait of Vuthix Akhandi, circa 2459.]]
=== Vuthix Akhandi, ''Elder Shaman'' ===
Vuthix Akhandi is one of the most well known Elder Shaman of the [[Th'akh|Akhanzi Order]], and is the face of the Akhanzi through recent history. He is the first Elder Shaman to advocate a mass evacuation of the Order from [[Moghes]] to escape the [https://forums.aurorastation.org/viewtopic.php?p=97555#p97555 Iron Crusade], a massive attack on all Order temples. He is currently living in Mendell City, [[Tau Ceti]] in the newly built Akhanzi Library.

Vuthix Akhandi was born in '''2405''' into the now extinct clan Slithiss, which resided in the once fertile lands east of Mudki. He felt the calling to be a shaman at an early age, but his clan members did not hold high respect to him for the role was largely ceremonial and often more political token than a respected profession to the Slithiss clan. He tried over several years to enact reforms within the clan, to increase spiritual idealism within, before finally growing frustrated with the lack of interest from his Clan's leaders. Vuthix began casting what influence he had to travelers, and in his early twenties, received an invitation to join the Akhandi Order from a shaman on a pilgrimage through his home lands that he had the pleasure to speak to. The decision to abandon his clan and renounce all title to it was not a difficult decision for Vuthix, and he formally renounced his affiliation with the Slithiss clan soon after, beginning his own pilgrimage to the mountain temple far to the southwest. There was no further significant contact between Vuthix and his former clan for the next four decades as he learned various teachings of the Akhanzi as an acolyte, then a shaman, and now an Elder Shaman.

During the [[Contact War]] in '''2438''', the lands of his youth suffered heavy bombardment from atomic weapons, and fearing his ancestors were dead, went out and found his childhood home was now a radioactive crater. He scoured the surrounding area, where he managed to find a group of survivors - and a nephew and niece - within the wreckage of a Sky Behemoth. He gave the survivors treatment and spiritual healing to help them survive the fallout, and gave them guidance and care as he led them back to his temple with in the mountains where they would be safe. The two remain the only living connection Vuthix has to his old clan name. Both of them have decided to take the title Akhandzi and join their uncle in the Order.

In '''2459''', the Maraziite Order enacted a major attack on all Akhanzi temples, burning thousands of years of ancient scrolls, texts, and teachings. This Iron Crusade forced many of the Elder Shamans to leave Moghes, with Vuthix saying, "They can not truly steal our ancestral home - for our ancestors are within us, not just on Moghes. Wherever we as Sinta go, our Ancestors follow - within our spirits."
Vuthix then came to Tau Ceti with hundreds of other Shamans and hundreds more acolytes all holding as many scrolls as they could. Under the guidance of Vuthix, the Akhanzi Order has made a new spiritual temple and library in Mendell City where they teach any and all who ask to learn.

[[File:Siakh.png|thumbnail|left|Portrait of Juzida Si'akh in the middle of a firebrand sermon, circa 2457.]]
=== Juzida Si'akh, ''Prophet of Flame'' ===

Juzida was hatched '''Juzida Aizahi''' into a small family in 2409. His father ran their villages' church and raised Juzida as an orthodox member of the faith. He was sent to the neighboring town of Ouairu for schooling in the small university there. He received a basic theological education and pursued a Doctorate in Sacred Theology with the intent of overseeing his village's church with his father. His studies ended on '''2437''' with the outbreak of the Contact War. His father died in the early stages of the war while acting as a Chaplain in the Izweski army. Juzida took on the mantle of Priest and struggled to maintain his small church as an unassuming, technically unqualified priest for those 2 years.

It was shortly after his 30th birthday in the spring of '''2439''' that the '''Contact War''' went nuclear. His village received no prior warning. Juzida was in the basement of his church taking inventory when the ground began to shake and there was a sudden, unearthly roar that knocked him flat and caused sections of the basement to cave in. Juzida quickly left and emerged from his basement to a hellish landscape of brimstone and devastation. His entire village was completely gone and it was as if nothing had ever been there. In the distance Juzida saw the rising mushroom cloud heralding the apocalypse. It was here that Juzida fell to his knees and received divine revelation as Sk'akh spoke to him directly. Sk'akh told Juzida that the Unathi species had become too sinful and corrupted by evil and that the missiles streaking through the sky were the bringers of Judgement Day. Sk'akh told him that everyone that died within the new few hours from the fires of atomic bombs would be cleansed of sin and join her in the afterlife, while all those left behind would be abandoned as Sk'akh wrote off the Unathi species and condemed them to forever reincarnate on Moghes, trapped on the hell that they had created for themselves. Sk'akh finally warned Juzida that she would only consider saving the species if they proved their worth by rebuilding and purifying Moghes, and that Juzida would be the '''Final Prophet''' to represent Sinta'Unathi and prove to Sk'akh that the species was worth saving.

Juzida immediately abandoned his clan name and took on the last name '''Si'akh''', which loosely means '''Prophet'''. Juzida Si'akh spent the rest of the Contact War wandering the wasteland, initially unsure about how to handle his monumental life goal. He watched as civilization collapsed in the face of the apocalypse, and how survivors and tattered remnants of the old kingdoms were fighting a desperate war of survival. His travels had him exposed to the greed, selfishness, and brutality consuming Sinta'Unathi in the post-apocalyptic wasteland. But he also saw glimmers of charity and good deeds that cemented his hopes that his people could be redeemed in the eyes of Sk'akh.

Taking these experiences Si'akh preached his doctrine across the Wasteland. With the end of the world having happened, his message resonated well with the survivors who desperately looked for answers as to why Sk'akh would allow this to happen. By '''2450''' his congregation was up to several thousand, and his entourage traveled the Wasteland with him, and it was from this point that Si'akh began to deal with persecution from the Izweski, who chased him out of their lands wherever they found him.

By '''2457''' Si'akh had survived several asassination attempts, but coincidences (or divine intervention) had foiled all of them, and he claims it is because he is literally immortal and unable to be killed until his mission is complete. The same could not be said for his followers. The Followers of Si'akh were violently persecuted, leading Si'akh to form '''The Reavers of the Flame''', an armed religious order tasked with defending the faithful and guarding pilgrimage routes from marauding bandits or Izweski incursions.

Si'akh is passionate, fiercely devoted to his beliefs, and unwavering in his committment to see the Sinta'Unathi species redeemed. He is known to be extremely giving, immediately handing off any food or water given to him to someone more needy than he. His followers have periodically had to directly confront him and beg him to eat after he goes several days refusing to eat. And while he insists he is Sk'akh, his single-minded mission to completely overthrow the traditional order of Unathi society has caused him to be branded a radical heretic. He has experienced so much prejudice and violence that he has become very radicalized and unwilling to consider deviating from his life mission.

=== Emzal Paossini, ''Creator of Paradigms'' ===
Born by a surrogate to two fathers in 2419, Paossini was once the product of marriage uniting two powerful traditionalist clans. Seeking a scholarly pursuit instead of becoming a spy as her parents wanted, she began her career of religious history by developing an almost obsessive fascination with the old ways of the Sinta’Mador. When the war came about, both of her fathers were sent to the slaughterhouse, and she was left largely without a family. This left Paossini a bitter and closed-off woman. Her words turned to fervent prayer as she asked what to do, unsure of her purpose and what to do with the hatred inside her. The spirits murmured in her ears, and after landing on Ouerea, she realized prosthetics were an advanced form of the ancient and rudimentary golems and crypts utilized by the Sinta’Mador. After rejecting their old name and claiming the soul of a fisher, neither a warrior nor healer, the remnants of the clans of their fathers labeled them as ‘Guwan’—not like Paossini cared or took up the name, anyway.

Though not an official leader of the religion, Paossini is widely regarded as the Progenitor of the Aut’akh. From them, all of the first Mador rituals, runes, and modernized alphabet originates, and their opinion is almost always considered on matters where it is known. They enjoy the great privilege of being a revered unathi among the Aut’akh, and their location is kept hidden from most, outside of secret Sinta’Mador codes passed between communes. Occasionally, they will break from their hiding to deliver a word on a grave issue, but such events are rare at best. Some postulate if Paossini is even still alive, or just a rumor perpetuated among the gossipers of each enclave.

=== Zhelmi Aeikuzo, ''Lady of Thorns'' ===

Zhelmi Aeikuzo was the youngest hatchling of an unremarkable Heartland noble clan, expected to take a role in her clan’s military affairs due to the ongoing Contact War. She elected instead to pursue the path of scholarship, undergoing the Sk’akh ritual of the Sublime Barrier and enrolling in the Skalamar University of Medicine - making a name for herself in the fledgling field of xenobiology. She reportedly grew fascinated by Dionae early in her career, studying their unique biology and manner of symbiosis alongside her now infamous colleague Tarskin Tarwa. After Tarwa’s expulsion from the university, she continued her own work, advocating for further research into the use of Dionae for Wasteland reclamation - and for further experimentation in the limits of Unathi-Diona symbiosis. The argument she made was that it was not enough to change Moghes to remain habitable to Unathi, but that the Unathi must change by whatever means necessary to thrive in the new world. This position was widely criticized as blasphemous, though Aeikuzo claimed that the very core of Sk’akh’s grace was the ability to grow and change, reaching the full and divine potential that the Great Spirit grants to Their children.

This controversial interpretation of scripture made her enemies within the Sk’akh Church - particularly the former High Priest Unzi. In 2462, shortly before the Izweski Civil War and the dissolution of the Maraziite Order, Aeikuzo was formally declared a heretic by the High Priest, and Maraziite warriors were sent to arrest her - though she was able to flee the Hegemony before they could find her. Though the declaration of heresy was withdrawn after Unzi’s downfall, she would not return to Moghes for several years. Aeikuzo made few public appearances during this time, departing Moghes to study Dionae gestalts elsewhere in the Spur. Several of her papers published in this time gained widespread acclaim, and she has come to be recognised as one of the foremost scholars of Dionae biology and psychology in the Orion Spur.

When Hegemon Not’zar made plans for the use of Dionae in reclamation efforts, he offered her the position of Lady-Governor of [[the Viridis]] - as one of the foremost living scholars in the field, her expertise in both their use and management would prove invaluable. She accepted, and began planning efforts for the reclamation of Lazhi to act as a new capital for her efforts. She is often referred to as the “Gardener” in reference to her work - though rumors have spread about her symbiosis, and the unnatural depths to which it extends. Some of these tall tales claim that Lady Aeikuzo does not breathe unless there are others there to witness it, that she drinks the blood of Sinta to sustain herself, and even more outlandish claims. It is never spoken to her face, but her detractors among the nobility will often refer to her, in hushed whispers, as the “Lady of Thorns”. To the Unathi peasantry of the Viridis, she is a brilliant ruler, who has begun the great work of healing - but her name is rarely spoken, even among her most loyal subjects, without a hint of fear.

She is reportedly a blunt and straightforward woman, with little patience for the normal politenesses and schemes of nobility. She does not often appear at public events, save those which the Hegemon himself requests her presence at. This has won her few friends among the aristocracy - but so far, her unrivaled expertise has allowed her to maintain her prestigious position.

== Contemporary non-Unathi Notables ==

=== Overlord Ta’Akaix’Zkaii’xay’yil K’lax of Tret, ''The Sleepwalker'' ===

When the K’lax Hiveship arrived in Hegemony space, it set in motion a chain of events that would form the most radical relationship between a Vaurca Hive and a host country to date. Understanding that they were in a vulnerable position and in need of both interstellar support and political legitimacy, the K'lax Hive negotiated with the Hegemony to make the K'lax Vassals, and for the Hive to be subject to the Hegemony's feudal system. Despite Vetju's vocal objections to vassalization, Zhaii was placed in charge of the negotiations through agreement by the remainder of the K'lax Queens. It was her role in these negotiations that would see her subsequently bargain for and be made overlord of the Hegemony planet of [[Tret]] and later secure her ascent to High Queen of the K'lax itself, enraging the ancient Vetju, who viewed and still does view herself as the rightful inheritor.

Since becoming one of the Hegemony’s five overlords, Zkaii has grown Tret into the industrial center of the Hegemony, with millions of Bound and Unbound Vaurca laboring away in all-factories to produce a myriad of goods, or in the orbital [[Tret#Neutron_Forge | Neutron Forge]]. Due to the original agreement between the K’lax, Hegemony, and Hephaestus Industries, the K’lax are often left out of the extreme profits their labors bring, many of their credits flowing into either Hegemonic tithe or exorbitant Hephaestus shipping fees. It is unclear if the K’lax will ever challenge their relationship with either organization, and what demands they might make should they take the risk.

Outside of Tret, Zkaii has spent much of her time managing the Hive's internal and external relationships. Unlike the C'thur and Zo'ra, the K'lax have no dedicated public relations brood, and Zkaii seemingly lacks much of the political acumen possessed by the Queens of both Hives. Her Diplomats are rarely seen and frequently come across as distant, much like herself, hampering much of her efforts in negotiating with the wider Spur, and she herself can come across as nigh unreachable. Many Izeweki Nobles remember how difficult she was to reach even during political crises, such as Not'zar's civil war of 2462. As a result, some in the Hegemony have voiced opinions that her assent to High Queen is one that the "Sleeper Queen" was unprepared for under such unique circumstances. This misses, however, that behind the scenes, it is Zkaii that keeps the divided Queens of the K'lax together. Her deep devotion to Mother K'lax has earned the High Queen the respect of the other K'lax Ta, though it is deeply begrudging from Vetju. Her days are spent keeping the royal courts of the K'lax in check, settling inter-brood disputes, and reigning in her sister's extremes to turn their strengths out to the Spur as a whole. Though they would never admit it, there is a seemingly small feeling amongst the other K'lax Queens that, had Zkaii not been placed in her position, they would have never have been able to unify as well as they have on Tret and beyond. For the moment, even Vetju appears to be avoiding disrupting this status quo by openly undermining the new High Queen's authority, though how long this will last remains to be seen.

=== Overlord's Claws, Ta’Akaix’Vedhra’rept’ylanze K’lax, ''Princess of Configurations'' ===

Born millennium ago on the Vaurca homeworld of Sedantis with the singular goal of preparing the K'lax to face the menace of the once defeated Lii'dra, few of her kin would argue that they could have ever seen Vedhra becoming the K'laxan Master of War against an entirely different set of threats. Those being threats posed by aliens. With Vedhra's brood having significantly more Warriors than her sister's, and her workers preoccupying the majority of their time developing more efficient tools for waging war, it was no surprise that with High Queen Zkaii's appointment as Overlord of Tret, Vedhra was declared as her Lord's Claws. Since this appointment, the Princess of Configurations has acted to enforce the military will of the Hive and subsequently become a deeply divisive figure on Moghes. Loved by some, feared by others, and frequently hated by those who have found themselves running afoul of the Hive, her impact has cut deep across the planet.

Since not long after first contact was established with the Hive, Vedhra has made one very important contribution to the Hegemon: the might of her Warriors. Her K’laxan Warriors, once dedicated solely to preparing for conflict with the Lii'dra, make up a powerful, unified military force under the Hegemon, outside the influence of scheming Unathi nobility who may challenge Not’zar and his position. Not’zar has not been adverse to using them either, crushing a clan revolt in 2458 and reaffirming his total control over the Hegemonic military without violence, only the threat that thousands of K’laxan Warriors posed. This threat alone has kept many potentially wayward lords in line, greatly contributing to the stability of the Hegemony. Additionally, some of the Vedhra Warriors have even begun to distinguish themselves sufficiently to become Kataphracts, though much to the Queen's ire, these recruits are forced to abandon their advanced combat augmentations. Others amongst her Warrior retinue are tasked with wandering Moghes, even the remote corners of the wastelands and collecting the knowledge of the Unathi that fight there so that the Queen may develop a more complete picture and perhaps even ponder integrating elements of some of the perspectives provided. Only time will tell if Vedhra will continue to allow the threat of her Warriors to be used by the Hegemony or if the changing political tides will see her begin to reconsider if her brood would be better spent tending to more domestic matters.

Unfortunately for the Queen who goes by the title of Princess of Configurations, despite the success of her Warriors, her Workers have seen markedly more opposition to accomplishing one of their primary purposes, that being the development of advanced augmentations. The Sk’akh faith strongly opposes augmentation, and Vedhra's less than subtle suggestions about the Unathi "wasting their potential" by "turning down her gifts" have brought her into conflict with prominent followers of the religion more than once. As a result, many of her Workers find themselves in laboratories on Tret or sent abroad.

==== Admiral Za'Akaix'Xitac K'lax ====

A Warrior tactician with a body of 10 years of age and a mind cultivated in virtual reality much longer, Xitac's rise from the advisor of a low ranking Ta to a military confidant of Queen Vedhra herself at such a young age was already unexpected, but half that of then ending up as an admiral commanding an Izewski Hegemony flagship.
Xitac's appointment to the Hegemony Naval Academy was orchestrated by Vedhra as a result of Xitac's excellent naval results in her military subrealm of "Incursion" knowing that the brewing civil strife saw the Hegemony pressed to fill its ranks with talent even at the expense of tradition, but it's quick ascent as a result of this skill seemed to surprise even her. The choice to appoint a K'lax admiral is still deeply controversial and highlights a larger conflict between reformists and traditionalists.
Xitac is well known for orchestrating elaborate strategies that utilise unconventional means and excellent use of reconnaissance as a tool of war. An array of spies and informants both within their fleet and spread throughout the Hegemony allows Xitac to keep up to date whilst augmenting their own strategic mind with the immense power of the Cephalon biocomputers, allowing them to frequently seem to pre-empt where an attack will originate from. This intelligence gathering is highly valuable, as Xitac understands just how lacking in numerical vessels the Hegemony is relative to the other galactic powers and the importance of striking decisively as a result.

Until 2464, Xitac was admiral of the 3rd Fleet, commanding from aboard their carrier flagship, the HMV Annihilation. The phoron crisis, however, has deeply affected the Hegemony's naval abilities, and the 3rd fleet's ships have been split among the 1st and 2nd fleets. Xitac has instead been given the 4th Fleet, which contains all the Hegemony's vessels still capable of interstellar travel within the navy. This fleet is assigned to patrol the fledgling colonies and borders.

=== The Silent Friend Embracing The Weeping Souls In A Blanket Of Purity And Love or “Taarazi” ===
Purity And Love, generally just known as Taarazi, is a well-known Argus-form Dionae on Moghes. While not the first Dionae to land on the planet or get in contact with either Wasteland villages or the Hegemony, Taarazi is rather famous for being one of the first Argus-sized Dionae documented on the planet, in addition to stories about them going missing after being found by the Hegemony. This resulted in a massive search and rescue operation that ended with their resurgence. Sometime after High Priest Unzi declared Dionae to be a sacred species worthy of respect, although not worship. Since then Taarazi has remained in the village they were originally found in, with the Dionae becoming a minor tourist attraction for some wasteland wanderers, as well as some Hegemony citizens wishing to see the size of the Dionae.

One of the oldest gestalts native to Moghes, Taraazi was recruited by Lady Aeikuzo and the Hegemon to act as a spearhead for Project Viridis. The gestalt relocated to Lazhi, and was the first Dionae to be raised to nobility, granted the title of High Lord Verdant. Taraazi acts as Lady Aeikuzo's partner in the administration of Project Viridis, overseeing the work of the Lords Verdant and offering their unique perspective on the development of the Viridis. Their first-hand knowledge of Dionae in the Wasteland, as well as their personal expertise in Dionae growth and development, has provided a great advantage to the enigmatic scientist in her work. Taraazi's renown has also acted as a counterpoint to Aeikuzo's own stained reputation, which has reportedly proved a boon in the incorporation of Wasteland communities into the Viridis.

=== Steadfast Guardian of a World Reborn, Lord Verdant ===
Steadfast Guardian of a World Reborn Against All Harm or Malfeasance is a Competence Choir gestalt grown in Lady Aeikuzo’s garden and educated by the genetic material of many skilled warriors. Shortly after its growth was complete, the Lady-Governor granted it the position as Lord of Ihaliz - a fledgling settlement in the southern Wasteland, to the west of Teht. Steadfast Guardian is reportedly a strict ruler, though not a cruel one, strongly believing in the importance of order and stability for the work of reclamation. They are known to be uncompromising with Wasteland communities, rarely offering more specific terms than “join or leave”. A martially inclined gestalt, Steadfast Guardian has sought education in the Divine Mandate - and has recruited several practitioners of the martial art to serve as guardians of Ihaliz.

It is largely believed that Steadfast Guardian was cultivated to be more martial in large part due to the proximity of Camp Izweski’s Honor, as well as the present danger of Gawgaryn raids. They have gained a reputation as a warrior - albeit an unorthodox one - and have been generally effective in repelling the threat or raiders. Their heavy-handed approach to diplomacy has won them few friends in the Wasteland, however, and many Wastelanders view Steadfast Guardian’s manner of ruling as proof that the Hegemony intends to see their communities either subjugated or destroyed.

=== Ephemeral Connections Formed Upon Silent Shores, Lord Verdant ===
Ephemeral Connections Formed Upon Silent Shores is an Emphatic Echo gestalt, recently cultivated in the gardens of Lazhi. Shortly after the establishment of Rehus, Ephemeral Connections was appointed as the new settlement’s lord, and has rapidly grown the influence of the Pit throughout the Northern Wasteland. The lack of large-scale organized raider groups in the region has allowed their more conciliatory approach to pay off so far, though tension with the Reclaimer clans and the water merchants of Canyon City poses a potential threat to the stability of their realm.

Ephemeral Connections has grown their fledgling realm rapidly since their appointment, and has convinced many Wasteland settlements to join themselves to the Viridis. The mineral reserves of Rehus, along with the water trade, have made the Pit into a boom town, with large investment from Hephaestus Industries driving the settlement’s rapid growth. This wealth has also contributed to the growth of smuggling rings and other organized criminal activity, however - and so far, Ephemeral Connections’ relatively light touch has failed to do much to quell the nascent crime syndicates of Rehus. Though this has yet to prove a serious impediment to the Great Work, many of the citizens of the Pit have expressed dissatisfaction with their liege’s perceived passivity.

[[Category:Unathi]]

Notable Unathi

2025-01-04T01:19:47Z

RustingWithYou: /* Contemporary */ aeikuzo

Moghresian Dionae

2025-01-04T01:18:02Z

RustingWithYou: adds viridis stuff

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=Overview=

A budding population of [[Dionae]] exist across [[the Wasteland]], with some even making their way into the Hegemony's sphere of influence. Crashing down on the planet following a perceived meteor shower in the early 2450s, the presence of Dionae across Moghes has become apparent to the Hegemony and the wider interstellar community. [[Dionae]] have maintained coexistence with the Unathi, primarily Wastelanders, borrowing heavily from Unathite culture, using their unique properties to serve the communities they're a part of. However, more sinister Unathi have begun to cultivate, and subsequently, trade the species due to their usefulness.

The Hegemony itself has begun the mass-scale cultivation of Dionae, as a component of Project Viridis, a mass-scale bioterraforming initiative meant to reclaim large swathes of the Wasteland. Though in its early days, this project has already shown great promise, and made an indelible mark on the nation with the elevation of Dionae to nobility.

== History ==
[[File:DionaeHistory1.gif|thumb|alt=Unathi First Discovery.|The first Unathi discovery was merely the watching of a meteor shower, later discovered to be Dionae seeds.]]
The introduction of [[Moghes]] to the greater interstellar community, following first contact, brought with it a plethora of species already incorporated – particularly the [[Dionae]] of the [[Nralakk Federation]]. The Federation’s involvement with the Izweski Hegemony prior to the establishment of the Ouerean Confederation allowed for [[Dionae]] to already become a somewhat known species – though obviously only to those within the upper echelons of the Hegemony’s political sphere. Despite [[Dionae]] already being introduced to the Hegemony prior to the Contact War, the arrival of the species as they are currently known occurred in 2451 CE after a perceived meteor shower scattered thousands of seeds across [[the Wasteland]] of [[Moghes]]. These seeds created oases in previously uninhabitable, irradiated areas of the Northern Wastelands, turning them into thriving ecosystems. The Unathi had initially believed these changes were miraculous but eventually discovered that the [[Dionae]] were responsible for cleansing the radiation. As the Unathi learned to communicate with the species, a symbiotic relationship developed: the [[Dionae]] purified the land in exchange for care, leading to their integration into Unathite society, however, some were captured and the commencement of [[Dionae]] trading spurred across [[Moghes]].

[[They Who Hath Become Lord Arc|In late 2466]], the Hegemon massively expanded the role of Dionae in the Hegemony, raising several gestalts to nobility in an unprecedented and surprising move. These new noble gestalts, nicknamed “the Lords Verdant”, administrate the regions known collectively as the Viridis - areas on the border of the Wasteland which act as large-scale testing grounds for the use of Dionae in the reclamation of Moghes. Vast numbers of common gestalts have been grown for the bioterraforming project as well, and the Viridis is now home to the vast majority of the Hegemony's Diona population.

== Culture ==

===Syncretism of the Eternal & Unathi Faiths===
====Th’akh====
The Ichor Eternal and Th’akh faiths seamlessly blend into the naturalistic reverence of Th’akh with the transformative ideals of the Ichor Eternal – the [[Dionae]], who embody both the primal forces of nature and the potential for endless evolution, find that the syncretism between the faith a path that honours their existence and growth. It is believed that the “Ichor” is the life-giving essence that flows through all living things – this is where the moniker of “Blood Eternal” originates from. This essence is believed to not merely be physical, but also spiritual, connecting all beings in a vast web of life. The Ichor is both the source of life and the conduit through which spiritual energy flows, embodying the life cycle that Th’akh venerates. The unique existence of [[Dionae]] as a collective organism is seen as the perfect manifestation of both faith’s ideals – just as the [[Dionae]] come together to form a greater whole, it is taught within Th’akh that all life is interconnected, and true spiritual fulfilment comes from the harmony between the individual and collective, nature and technology and past and future. Unique to those on Moghes, the Eternal Path – or the Th’akh Cycle – teaches that life is an endless cycle of growth, decay and rebirth. The Ichor, as the essence of life, is ever-changing, flowing through different forms and experiences. It is believed that by embracing change and growth, [[Dionae]] shall then honour this cycle and contribute to the eternal flow of the Ichor. The philosophy of the faith’s syncretism is that life is a journey of growth and transformation, where every being plays a part in the greater cycle of existence. By embracing both the natural world and the potential for evolution, it is believed that the [[Dionae]] are the ultimate expression of these ideals, with their ability to exist as both individuals and as a collective – through their practices and beliefs, they hold the ever-flowing essence of the Ichor and Th’akh.

====Sk’akh====

Given the deep connection between the beliefs of [[Dionae]] and their reverence for nature and balance, it isn’t surprising that Sk’akh has connected with some tenets of the Eternal – primarily Ichor. The syncretic belief system combines the Sk’akh reverence for order and the cosmos with the Th’akh focus on spirits, nature and personal harmony – mostly rooted in the fact that [[Dionae]] were first introduced to Th’akh, before Sk’akh. It is viewed by [[Dionae]] with this belief that the universe is a carefully maintained balance of forces, guided by the divine order of Sk’akh, and its Elders, while also embracing the fluidity and interconnectedness of the spirit world emphasized by Th’akh. The universe is a grand design maintained by Sk’akh, whose influence is seen in the natural cycles and the cosmic order, [[Dionae]] believe that their harmonious existence with nature is therefore part of this cosmic order. The balance between the material plane and spirit world is crucial, and [[Dionae]] act as guardians of this balance, using their unique connection to nature and the spiritual to maintain harmony – thanks to their unique genetic absorption abilities. The [[Dionae]] believe that the Beastlands are seen as a paradise, not just for the Unathi, but for all beings who live in harmony with Sk’akh’s order; it is often depicted as a place where nature thrives in its purest form – directly opposite to the Chained Wastes, often characterised by those seeking to disrupt the balance, but uniquely, it is not seen as a punishment by [[Dionae]]. It is thought to be a necessary part of the cosmic order to ensure that chaos does not reign. Borrowed from their Th’akh foundations, [[Dionae]] believe that the Ichor of a person can return to the material plane – usually after some kind of purification, to continue their growth and maintain the balance sought by Sk’akh. Ichor, as similarly seen in the Th’akh syncretism, is seen as the lifeblood of the universe, a sacred substance that flows through all living things, connecting them to both Sk’akh and the material plane – it is revered in rituals, symbolizing the connection between body, spirit and the cosmos. It is believed that the purity of a person’s ichor is a reflection of their spiritual harmony and connection to Sk’akh. Rituals involving the consumption or offering of Ichor are central to their practices, seen as acts of devotion and balance. Similarly to Unathi, [[Dionae]] will perform tributes and dedications to the Fisher, Healer and Warrior. The Church has yet to take a stance on [[Dionae]].

====Si’akh====
The syncretism between Si’akh and the Eternal emerged following the co-existence between Unathi and [[Dionae]] in close proximity following the Contract War. It blends the [[Dionae]]’s reverence for genetic learning with the emphasis of Si’akh’s spiritual purification and asceticism – at its core, it teaches that true enlightenment and salvation and achieved through the amalgamation of ancestral knowledge, and purification of one’s soul through trials – with the former having an emphasis on genetic sampling. It is believed that by ingesting genetic material – such as blood – they can access the memories, experiences and wisdom of their predecessors, which has seen utilisation by Unathi – who consider such ritual to be a sacred rite, enabling adherents to carry the “Echoes” of their ancestors within them. Emulating the ascetic traditions of Si’akh, [[Dionae]] lead lives of simplicity and restraint, in which they abstain from indulgent behaviours, focusing instead on spiritual growth and community service – this is the ultimate goal, to reach a transcendental state where the [[Dionae]] becomes a collective consciousness with the ancestors, enriched by accumulated knowledge. It is largely thought that forceful acquisition of genetic material is not to show restraint, and any form of coercion, kidnapping or unethical extraction is considered taboo, tarnishing the purity sought through Si’akh – [[Dionae]] must be taught to seek willing donors and to honour the gift of their genetic abilities with profound respect and gratitude.

====Aut’akh====

As far as parallels go, Aut'akh and Iron Eternal are the most similar - other branches tend not to align with the Aut'akh, nor do they seek to support them, particularly when confronted with the threat of termination through association with the Aut'akh. In its present form, the religion fuses the Aut’akh desire to attain self-actualization through augmentation, the Iron Eternals' belief that technology is essential for spiritual growth, and a shared reverence for the fusion of flesh, spirit, and machine. Although it is predominantly practised by the [[Dionae]], some Sinta have begun to follow it as well – particularly those seeking to transcend the limitations of flesh and spirit with technological integration while maintaining their distinctive spiritual traditions. Additionally, it is largely decentralized, since many Moghes inhabitants who follow such faith can find themselves in hot water with the local population, especially those who follow the Sk'akh or Th'akh faith. In addition to traditional Th'akh and Sk'akh followers, who oppose these beliefs, megacorporations and governments view these beliefs as subversive – an unfortunate byproduct of Aut'akh values.

=== Way of Life ===

Unlike other locations within the greater Spur, the way of life for [[Dionae]] within the Izweski Hegemony can vary greatly. Depending on the geography of one’s birth, a [[Dionae]] can find themselves bred for cultivation, and subsequently trading, or even within the annals of a Clan becoming their Chronicler – at least those that have. Though the population of [[Dionae]] continues to grow as their presence becomes more cemented within the Hegemony, they are still a rather infrequent sight – vast majorities of the Unathi across the Hegemony have laid their eyes on the species, at least not in the flesh. Stories are carried along the rumour mill of their abilities, some contorting them into nightmarish tales as a method to urge Unathi to be wary within [[the Wasteland]], which typically ushers many of the lower-born Unathi to seek the species to “realize” for themselves, their standing on the species.

Though rare, [[Dionae]] are slowly becoming a rather substantive population within the Hegemony – thanks to their asexual reproductive abilities, and abundance of radiation within [[the Wasteland]] – and are expected to become the second-highest population of non-Unathi within the next three decades. The Hegemony has not taken any official stance on the species, despite their growing numbers, which places them in a rather weird position with the greater Hegemony, and the sub-factions within. Each has a unique approach to the species and uses them for its own advantages. However, as time marches on, it is clear that the Hegemony will soon have to make a decision on [[Dionae]] – whether it be for good, or for bad – as time is running out on how to handle their presence.

Exploitation of [[Dionae]] extends beyond their cultivation and trading; it is embedded in the very fabric of their existence within the Hegemony. As a species that thrives on symbiosis and collective growth, the [[Dionae]] are often perceived as tools or resources to be exploited rather than sophonts deserving of autonomy and rights. Moghes’ harsh labour conditions in resource-rich but dangerous environments often see [[Dionae]] being exploited for their regenerative capabilities. [[Dionae]] are expected to endure gruelling work that would be lethal to other species. While their ability to regenerate might allow them to survive, the psychological and physical toll is immense. These conditions, coupled with the lack of any official recognition for their sentience and rights, make the [[Dionae]] particularly vulnerable within the Hegemony.

=== Honour ===
==== Code of the Bz’tnzai ====

[[Dionae]] that find themselves elevated to Bz’tnzai are designated as cultivators of the next generation of beings; they are to hold the utmost respect for their Clan, and ensure that their actions are in alignment with the desires of the Clan Head. They are the stewards of growth, and protectors of the harmonic life cycle – they are oftentimes even viewed as performing the work of the respective Unathi religions.

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'''Code of the Bz'ntzai'''
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'''I. Stewardship of Growth'''

In order to preserve life, the Bz'tnzai are charged with cultivating and nurturing new Dionae. Throughout the growth of each sapling, from its earliest sprout to its full maturity, it must be nurtured and cared for with unwavering dedication.

'''II. Preservation of Harmony'''

Bz'tnzai must maintain a balance between Dionae and Unathi. As caretakers of both species, they must meet the needs of the Unathi, respecting their traditions and well-being.

'''III. Guardians of Knowledge'''

In a similar vein to the Chronicler, the Bz’tnzai are keepers of the knowledge of Dionae cultivation. They must ensure that the teachings given to them are preserved and imparted to new generations, ensuring the continuity of the practice.

'''IV. Sacrifice for the Greater Good'''

When the community is threatened, the Bz’tnzai must be prepared to sacrifice for the greater good. Whether it be time, resources, or even their own lives, they must place the welfare of the many above the needs of the few, ensuring the survival and prosperity of all.

'''V. Honouring the Cycle of Life'''

Bz’tnzai must understand that life is a cycle of growth, decay, and renewal. They must honour this cycle, ensuring that the passing of life is met with dignity and that the remnants of the old nourish the new, continuing the eternal dance of existence.
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====Code of the Sentinel====

A Gestalt following the Sentinel Code is often concerned with precedent and the security of the community. [[Dionae]] who follow this path are beings of action. A Gestalt who manifests this aspect is encouraged to make sure that their actions speak for themselves and to be candid and direct. Since the Sentinel expresses itself by taking action.

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'''Code of the Sentinel'''
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'''I. Righteousness Above All'''

The Sentinel places the truth as seen before them above all else. Their actions must reflect this unwavering commitment to Righteousness. They stand as beacons of fairness and honesty, never disguising their motives or obscuring facts. Righteousness guides all other principles, shaping the path the Sentinel follows.

'''II. Mercy for the Weak'''

The Sentinel protects those who cannot protect themselves, offering Mercy to the weak and innocent. They do not harm the defenceless or take advantage of the vulnerable. Surrender to a Sentinel is an act of honour, ensuring fair treatment and respect. Mercy is shown even in battle, where honour dictates the restraint of power over those who are subdued.

'''III. Integrity of Word'''

A Sentinel's word is their bond, carrying the weight of their Integrity. Once a commitment is made, the Sentinel ensures that reality conforms to their promise. Integrity is the balance to Righteousness, demanding that the world itself be shaped to honour the Sentinel's word.

'''IV. Loyalty to Leadership and Kin'''

Loyalty binds the Sentinel to their superior, be it a Lord, clan leader, or partner. A Sentinel would willingly sacrifice their life for the protection of their leader or kin. However, Loyalty is not blind; if obeying an order would violate any of the other tenets, the Sentinel is duty-bound to refuse in order to maintain their honour.
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====Code of the Chronicler====

The Code of the Chronicler represents the embodiment of wisdom, memory, and the pursuit of knowledge within the [[Dionae]]. Chroniclers are the living repositories of a Clan’s history, wisdom, and cultural identity, and they dedicate their existence to the cultivation of knowledge and the guidance of future generations.

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'''Code of the Chronicler'''
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'''I. The Pursuit of Knowledge'''

Chroniclers are driven by an insatiable desire to gather knowledge from every corner of the cosmos. They are beings of contemplation, preferring to observe, listen, and learn before they speak. Their curiosity knows no bounds, and they seek to understand not just the physical world, but the spiritual, cultural, and emotional dimensions of existence as well. Every piece of information, every memory absorbed, is a treasure that adds to the vast library of knowledge that Chroniclers maintain within themselves and their clan.

'''II. The Guardian of Wisdom'''

As the custodians of their clan's collective memory, Chroniclers bear the immense responsibility of safeguarding the wisdom of the past. This role is not merely about hoarding knowledge but also about interpreting it and applying it to guide others. Chroniclers are expected to use their accumulated wisdom to enrich their communities, ensuring that the lessons of history are passed down and that the knowledge they possess benefits all. They teach, advise, and mentor, raising clusters of gestalts to independence and preparing them for the challenges of life.

'''III. The Ethical Use of Knowledge'''

Knowledge is power, but it is also a responsibility. Chroniclers adhere to a strict ethical code, ensuring that the knowledge they possess is never used for personal gain or to further selfish ambitions. It is a grave taboo for a Chronicler to exploit their vast stores of information for their own benefit. Instead, they seek to find champions—individuals or causes worthy of their knowledge and guidance. By sponsoring and advising these champions, Chroniclers ensure that their wisdom is put to noble use, serving the greater good of the clan and the broader community.

'''IV. The Role of the Mentor'''

Chroniclers are more than mere advisors; they are mentors and spiritual guides. Within the Oasis clans, Chroniclers are revered as the caretakers of the mental and spiritual well-being of the gestalts. They provide counsel not just in matters of knowledge, but in matters of the soul, helping their kin navigate the complexities of existence. They nurture the growth of young gestalts, helping them find their place within the clan.

'''V. The Keeper of Memory'''

True to their name, Chroniclers are the archivists of their clan's history. They meticulously record and preserve the memories of their people, ensuring that nothing is lost to the sands of time. Their stories are more than just entertainment; they are the lifeblood of the clan's cultural identity, connecting the present with the past and providing a sense of continuity and purpose. Chroniclers are renowned for their storytelling abilities, weaving tales that are rich in wisdom and filled with the echoes of countless lives.

'''VI. The Legacy of the Chronicler'''

A Chronicler's ultimate goal is to leave a legacy of wisdom that will endure long after they have passed into the collective memory of the Dionae. This legacy is not measured in material wealth or personal achievements, but in the lives they have touched, the knowledge they have preserved, and the wisdom they have imparted. A Chronicler lives on in the stories they tell, the advice they give, and the generations they raise to carry forward the torch of knowledge.

'''VII. The Eternal Observer'''

Chroniclers are eternal observers, ever watchful and ever learning. They are patient, knowing that the pursuit of knowledge is a lifelong journey with no end. They take the long view, understanding that wisdom is not just about knowing facts, but about understanding the deeper truths that lie beneath the surface. As they observe the world around them, they remain committed to the principles of their code, always seeking to use their knowledge to serve others and to guide their clan toward a brighter future.
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== Legal Status ==

=== Nobility ===
In late 2466, Hegemon Not’zar raised several Diona gestalts to nobility, under the aegis of Lady-Governor Zhelmi Aeikuzo. These new noble gestalts, nicknamed “the Lords Verdant”, administrate the regions known collectively as the Viridis - areas on the border of the Wasteland which act as large-scale testing grounds for the use of Dionae in the reclamation of Moghes.

Noble gestalts are deliberately cultivated for their roles - most commonly by the Lady-Governor and her servants, from her laboratory in the reclaimed city of Lazhi. The genetic material they are given is donated by carefully selected Izweski nobility, in order to cultivate a gestalt which will perform its duties with competence and loyalty - to take genetic material from an unapproved source is a serious offense, which could result in a noble gestalt losing its position altogether.

All nymphs making up a noble gestalt are required to be recorded and tagged, and are forbidden from leaving the gestalt without the approval of their liege. New nymphs must also be approved before absorption, particularly those from common or wild gestalts. Noble gestalts are allowed, with their liege’s permission, to grow new gestalts of their own or to split - with these new gestalts being considered minor nobility, though without a claim to their parent gestalt’s title. Diona nobility do not have lines of inheritance - should one of the Lords Verdant perish or be removed from its position, a replacement will be selected by their liege.

Though most of these lesser noble gestalts remain in the Viridis, the Lords Verdant have made efforts to forge deeper ties with the established Unathi aristocracy. Since the establishment of the Diona nobility, many lesser noble gestalts have sought positions with the other lords of the Hegemony - forging closer ties between the new lords and the old, and ensuring that the political power of the Lords Verdant is cemented by more than just the Hegemon’s decree. Many of these gestalts have found work in the Hegemon’s direct service, with a substantial number employed in the diplomatic or intelligence sectors.

The mindtypes of noble Dionae are carefully monitored, and the development of a new gestalt is structured to favor those mindtypes which would be beneficial to its position.<br>Noble gestalts can '''ONLY''' be the following mindtypes:
* Singular Sound
* Competence Choir
* Tyrannical Tune
* Emphatic Echo
* Harmonious Hymn
* Scholarly Song

=== Common Gestalts ===
The establishment of the Viridis changed little for the legal status of most Dionae outside the region - but for those within, and the newly grown workers of the region, it rapidly became apparent that the current status quo would not suffice. Common gestalts within the Viridis hold rights comparable to that of an ordinary Unathi peasant, and fewer restrictions on their growth and splitting than their noble kindred.

Common gestalts are assigned to specific regions of the Viridis, and are forbidden from leaving their designated areas. Within these regions, they are required to spread and grow as directed, in order to efficiently cleanse radiation and render the environment habitable for Unathi. Common gestalts are required to be tagged and registered, but are free to divide themselves or grow new nymphs as they desire - so long as they meet their quotas. Though common gestalts are technically required to split or merge as their lieges demand, this has yet to be done in practice, as few of the Lords Verdant take the act of forcibly splitting a gestalt lightly.

These common gestalts will usually live in mixed communities with Unathi workers, who are tasked with aiding in the work of purification and reclamation - though sometimes particularly irradiated regions will be home to solely-Diona settlements. Often close bonds are formed between the two species of the Viridis, united in what has come to be referred to as the ‘Great Work’. Common gestalts are permitted to freely take genetic material with the consent of the donor, though this right can be revoked by their liege. In addition, each donation is required to be registered, so that sources of potentially harmful genetic information can be identified and prevented from further contaminating the Viridis. Common gestalts have fewer restrictions when it comes to mindtype - though Dionae incapable of performing their duties such as Voided Vocals or Nocturne Notes are usually identified and forcibly split. The Lords Verdant tend to monitor their population closely for signs of the Scarlet Score, and the Lady-Governor’s standing policy is that any nymphs demonstrating symptoms are to be exterminated before their contagion can spread. So far, this procedure has not yet been necessary, though the potential of a large-scale Scarlet Score outbreak is reportedly one of Lady Aeikuzo's greatest concerns for the long-term viability of the project.

==Symbiosis==

The use of Nymphs as makeshift prosthetics is a rare practice, but one which is more common on Moghes than most other locales in the Spur. The first reports of [[Dionae]] symbiosis came from the Clan Dorviza of [[the Wasteland]], and were first dismissed as outlandish tales - only to be confirmed. Though the general Unathi skepticism of cybernetics meant many were wary as to this new development, it was broadly agreed at the Hegemon’s great religious conclave that symbiosis was not damaging to the soul. The practice is still rare, and mostly contained to [[the Wasteland]] - though the House of Medicine has on occasion sold specially-grown Nymphs as prosthetics. Due to the rarity of [[Dionae]] and the difficulty of preparing a symbiote, this procedure is rare and extortionately expensive. In [[the Wasteland]] it is more common, though still an oddity, and largely practised by the Dorviza - though the continued growth of [[Dionae]] in the region has led to symbiosis occurring among several of the prominent Wasteland groups. Largely, symbiosis occurs in the form of replacement limbs - though experiments have been carried out on deeper or more extensive forms of the process, with the Skalamar University of Medicine carrying out several trials on the usage of purpose-grown nymphs as replacement organs. The renowned scholar Tarskin Tarwa led the first round of these trials, and reportedly had great success - until the truth of his experiments in Sinta-Diona compatibility came to light. Though the specifics of his process were sealed by order of the University’s administration, he was charged with gross violations of University ethical standards and expelled, fleeing Moghes to avoid criminal prosecution. Skalamar urban legends claim that Tarwa was mad, seeking immortality through unnatural and bloody experiments - and that he continues his dark research on the edge of space, even now. Though Tarwa’s research never saw the light of day, the Hegemony remains at the forefront of research into [[Dionae]] symbiosis, with some experiments continuing at the Skalamar University of Medicine - though carefully, and with controlled supervision from Hegemony officials.

== Cultivation & Trading ==

Captured by Unathi upon the discovery of their “healing” capabilities to [[Moghes]] following its’ nuclear cataclysm, [[Dionae]] have become a valuable commodity across [[the Wasteland]] – leading to their cultivation and subsequent trafficking. Depending on the Clan, [[Dionae]] may either be seen as gifts of incredible value – or even those comparable to other Unathi and therefore find themselves accepted as a member of the Clan as individuals in their own right – this does not negate that [[Dionae]] from [[Moghes]] may have had a significantly different “upbringing” as opposed to its other barky kindred.

[[File:685b5cb7792d62e0cd6708a332bd5e5e.png|thumb|A Dionae being used in the Wastelands by the Reclaimers. ]]
=== Cultivation ===

Similarly to Dionae in the [[Nralakk Federation]], there exist individuals who focus on the tendering of nymph pods referred to as '''Bz’tnzai''', when translated literally into [[Languages|Tau Ceti Basic]] meaning “Growers”, using '''Bz’ntzai Realms''' which exist merely as places of high radiation where maturation of pods occurs much quicker. Through this practice, the lifespan and health of Bz’ntzai are plagued by the byproducts of radiation exposure slowly resulting in a decrease of Unathite Bz’tnzai but instead being replaced by Dionae who have either been trained or taught through consumption of the deceased Bz’tnzai on the methods of cultivation. This has resulted in an increase of the [[Dionae Mindtypes|Mourning Mass]] being found across Dionae Bz'tnzai.

In particular, '''Clan Dorviza''' has become renowned through the [[The Wasteland|Wastelands]] for their rearing of Dionae, and in particular, the methods they employ as to ensure a Gestalt is able to find itself managing the Wastelands, and its integration into the greater Hegemony; through specialising in the biomatter available to each cultivated Bz’ntzai Realms allowing “particular expertise” to be taught to Dionae subsequently also raising the value of the “commodity” where the Clan elects to instead gift or sell the Dionae as opposed to integrating them as a member of Dorviza. Oftentimes Clan Dorviza will utilize the Dionae as limbs – grafting them onto stumps where limbs existed previously, giving a new lease on life to those who previously found themselves confined to conventional means of living with their disabilities.

Though there exists purposeful cultivation of Dionae, there also exists natural cultivation, often by Dionae wandering the Wastelands electing to disgorge seeds in areas of particularly high radiation – recognising within themselves the possibility to clean the area as a way to offer assistance to the Unathi, but more so provide a stable and nutritious spawning area for the next generation of nymphs that its’ seeds will yield. These unkept cultivation areas often find themselves preyed upon by [[Moghes#Siro_(Shrieker)|Siro]] circling overhead, or even Unathi that see an opportunity to capture and trade away the nymphs to ensure their survival as the Wasteland continues to grow and make life scarce.

The vast majority of Dionae cultivation in the Hegemony takes place under the aegis of Zhelmi Aeikuzo, as part of Project Viridis's bioterraforming goals. Though noble gestalts are grown for purpose in the gardens of Lazhi, common gestalts are often grown across the Viridis by skilled Unathi and Dionae alike, to further the agenda of the Great Work.

=== Trading ===

Though there exist countless Gestalts that exist free of having been traded, there exist those that have had an upbringing subject to specific cultivation so that they may be traded away in exchange for particular commodities. This primarily occurs within the Wastes, with '''Clan Dorviza''' being the primary culprit for the advent of Dionae trading, there have been sightings of the trading extending into the eastern cities, in particular, '''Baandr''', '''Res’karum''' and '''Mudki'''. However, the value is primarily dependent on what skills the Dionae has, with the continuously fluctuating value sometimes resulting in a Gestalt costing several [[Moghes#Azkrazal_(Threshbeast)|Azkrazal]] and sometimes even just a few bottles of [[Moghes#Xuizi_Cactus|Xuizi Juice]].

The trafficking conduct of those within the Dionae trade varies it primarily strays away from abusive treatment, mostly due to it resulting in less value gained when trading the Gestalt – where one has had their personality altered or injured to a degree that they no longer have usefulness to the one gaining the Gestalt. It primarily resembles as to how [[Unathi]] treat their domestic fauna such as the [[Moghes#Tul_(Tusk)|Tul]].

Dionae grown within the Viridis are considered free citizens of the Hegemony, and may not be traded or trafficked. Some among the Lords Verdant have pushed for a total end to the practice, while others are indifferent to it. Many among the Lords Verdant have purchased gestalts from outside the borders of their realms, to help expand their workforce - while others fully forbid the trafficking of fellow Dionae within their realms and punish such traders harshly should they roam into the Viridis.

==== Trading “Guilds” or “Clans” ====

[[The_Wasteland|'''Clan Dorviza''']] is largely regarded as the leader of trading Dionae, utilizing those cultivated by its Bz’tnzai to those passing through the Oases – offering them as gifts to other Clans to ensure good relations and promote community among the population centres across the oases, but sometimes even exchanging them to get commodities that would otherwise not make their way to the Wasteland Clan’s little corner of the world, or in particular scarcity, such as '''S’erki Flowers''' or '''S’th Berries'''.

[[The_Wasteland|'''Reclaimers''']] have been known to utilize the Dionae they have traded for to make more radioactive pre-war ruins safer to plunder, using the species' biological advantages of mimicry and soaking up of the dangerous elements to be able to claim riches that they assert as theirs. Outside of their use for scavenging, they have been also used to get into the nitty-gritty of the machinery utilized by the Reclaimers, oftentimes becoming engineers and members of the group as opposed to mere property, shifting into compartments that would otherwise cause a substantial loss of time for the Reclaimers had they had to search and eventually fix the problem.

[[The_Wasteland|'''Clan Vihnmes''']] regularly utilizes their gifted Dionae from Clan Dorviza for menial work, and sometimes as glorified composters for the byproducts of their taverns – as well as their inns. Though rather demeaning, this is typically better than the hard labour that many Dionae found themselves put to work, cultivating or even maintaining what little agricultural sectors exist on Moghes – or moving large quantities of goods as glorified merchant wagons

[[The_Wasteland|'''Clan Ozeuoi''']] takes advantage of the species’ ability to mimic shapes, structures, and knack for being able to learn from genetic material, to ensure their defences remain well-maintained and that their allies’ modes of transport see repairs where needed. Though their isolation has stunted the number of Dionae within the Clan, there still exists a number that seems to be consistently growing, with the Reclaimers making use of their existing relationship to pawn off any “unnecessary” Dionae to Clan Ozeuoi.

[[The_Wasteland|'''Clan Gawgaryn''']] is also yet another group that finds themselves either stumbling on natural clusters or pillaging Dionae from their rightful Clans, to make use of them to assist in their raids and pillaging – in worse cases, as a way to taunt Unathi that they have kidnapped, claiming to throw them into cages of starved Gestalts with an insatiable hunger. Those that have been rescued, either through escaping or by being freed, sometimes reflect that there exist [[Dionae Mindtypes|Voided Vocals]] and even [[Dionae Mindtypes|Scarlet Scores]] within the confines of the Clan’s grips, offering a glimpse into the operations of Clan Gawgaryn that there exists truth of offering its unwilling or uncooperative hostages to starved Dionae.
[[File:Reclaimation.png|thumb|alt=Dionae Unathi.|The Dionae have since been used by various Unathi - even Reclaimers.]]
[[Zazalai_Mountains#Res’karum|'''Res’karum''']] existing as a thorough-fare between the Zazalai Mountains has inevitably become a key player in Dionae trading, where within the city’s markets it isn’t uncommon to find Dionae being auctioned off to the highest bidder, with even peasants attempting to negotiate personal items with a willing merchant for a Nymph, sometimes entire livelihoods when concerning a Gestalt. Acclaimed as being “creatures of good fortune” due to their work in the Wastelands, and ability to be rather useful in almost any situation, some have found themselves becoming serfs to the peasants that acquire them – cleaning the home or even maintaining their grounds. It isn’t unheard of either for those chartered by the Guilds to make their way to Res’karum to purchase Dionae, where the Guilds induct them into their specialities – in particular, the [[Unathi Guilds|Miner’s Guild]] due to the lesser necessities, really only needing ultra-violet lights reasonably provided by [[Hephaestus Industries]], in order to perform mining work.

== Dionae in the Unathi Sphere of Influence ==
===Dionae in the Izweski Hegemony===
====The Guilds====
The major guilds of the Hegemony were quick to take advantage of the nascent Diona trade, with many among them realizing the immense utility that gestalts offered as workers. These gestalts were almost never granted full membership in the Guilds, though their general rarity meant that they were highly prized regardless. The Miners’ Guild purchased many gestalts for their advantages in the void of space, while some chapters of the House of Medicine found that Aphrodite proved a cheap and effective painkiller. These chartered gestalts were still paid, though nowhere close to a full guildsman’s wage. The only guild on Moghes to welcome Dionae as full members was Hephaestus Industries, which already employed many gestalts elsewhere. When Hephaestus acquired most of the major guilds in 2465, the chartered gestalts were presented with the opportunity. Many were able to leave their Guilds in search of direct employment with Hephaestus, and those that remained found themselves reluctantly offered similar terms. Though Dionae guildsmen are rare, they are known to exist throughout Hephaestus’s subsidiary guilds, and the growing presence of Dionae in the Hegemony is slowly making them a more common sight.

====The Izweski Military====
The armed forces of the Hegemony do not have an official policy on the use of Dionae - they have been rare enough within the Hegemony, and their general pacifism means that there is little interest in expanding their military role. The most common military use of Dionae is at the various Wasteland outposts, where gestalts are sometimes chartered by patrols as guides or assistants. While these gestalts are not formally part of any armed force, many units in [[the Wasteland]] have grown attached to specific gestalts, and it has reportedly become a common superstition at Camp Integrity that taking a Nymph with you will bring good fortune while wandering the desert. Due to security risks, symbiosis is not permitted for the warriors of the Izweski Navy. For ground forces, regulations vary from lord to lord and regiment to regiment, with nymph prosthetics being used on occasion by Izweski forces at Camp Integrity and other Wasteland outposts. The Kataphracts have no official policy forbidding symbiosis, and neither do the mercenaries of Dagamuir Freewater Private Forces.

===Dionae in the Ouerean Confederation===
[[Dionae]] are rare on Ouerea, though it was the first point of contact between them and the Unathi. The first gestalts introduced to Ouerea largely originated from the [[Nralakk Federation]], though they were a small population in comparison to the [[Skrell]] immigrants. While many of these gestalts departed when the Federation withdrew, some remained behind in Ouerean [[Skrell]] communities. The [[Dionae]] of Ouerea are a small minority, usually lumped in with the [[Skrell]] population, and have little in the way of political influence in their own right. Few gestalts were recorded as taking part in the Ouerean Revolution directly, though several of the Unathi and [[Skrell]] veterans of the conflict used symbiosis to treat their serious injuries. The Ouerean [[Dionae]] population was, for many years, the only readily available sample of the species for Unathi xenobiologists to study. This led to a strong academic interest from Moghresian and Ouerean scholars, and some among the more scholarship-inclined gestalts quickly made names for themselves in Unathi academia. At the New Skalamar Pioneers’ Seminary, the xenobiology department is presided over by Contemplating Patterns Within Flesh, a Cyclops gestalt which made several impressive contributions to the study of Ouerean native fauna during the early colonization period.

===Dionae in the Wasteland===
The Wasteland is home to the largest [[Dionae]] population in the Hegemony, though they are scattered far and wide. The lingering radiation of the Contact War has rendered [[the Wasteland]] an ideal habitat for the growth of Nymphs, and many of [[the Wasteland]] factions make use of [[Dionae]] in their own manner. The Clan Dorviza has perhaps the most widespread use of [[Dionae]], making use of gestalts to cleanse lingering radiation around their settlements - a practice which has spread to other oasis clans since the arrival of [[Dionae]]. The Dorviza hold [[Dionae]] in particularly high esteem, considering them a blessing of one of their gods, the Saint of Ceaseless Growth. Some smaller and more isolated communities have also found [[Dionae]] to be of use in their survival. In the vast deserts of the Eastern Wasteland, the strange Th’akh monks known as the Order of the Deathless venerates a Voided Vocals gestalt, believing its ramblings to be the sacred wisdom of the dead. The Reclaimer Clans often make use of [[Dionae]] for the maintenance of their crawlers, taking advantage of their ability to squeeze into the tightest corners of the vast machines. Some groups of Gawgaryn are rumored to use Scarlet Score gestalts as living weapons, unleashing them to devour their foes.

===The Queendom===
[[The Queendom of Sezk-Hakh]] has made use of Wasteland [[Dionae]], immediately seizing the advantage that their abilities could provide in the realm’s survival. In Yu’kal, Queen Lazak has converted large sections of the Royal Conservatory into a centre of [[Dionae]] cultivation, and has already made use of some of these gestalts in cleansing the city’s farmland - perhaps saving her realm from famine during the economic turmoil of recent years. The people of the Queendom tend to view [[Dionae]] positively, due to this contribution to their land’s wellbeing. The Queendom has become a large component of the Diona trade, with Queen Lazak buying as many gestalts as she can to continue cleansing her lands. The city of Arch’ozal is where most of these gestalts are sent, cleansing the last of the radioactive debris that has been a consistent thorn in the rebuilding of the city.

Moghresian Dionae

2025-01-04T01:09:08Z

RustingWithYou: /* History */ viridis

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=Overview=

A budding population of [[Dionae]] exist across [[the Wasteland]], with some even making their way into the Hegemony's sphere of influence. Crashing down on the planet following a perceived meteor shower in the early 2450s, the presence of Dionae across Moghes has become apparent to the Hegemony and the wider interstellar community. [[Dionae]] have maintained coexistence with the Unathi, primarily Wastelanders, borrowing heavily from Unathite culture, using their unique properties to serve the communities they're a part of. However, more sinister Unathi have begun to cultivate, and subsequently, trade the species due to their usefulness.

== History ==
[[File:DionaeHistory1.gif|thumb|alt=Unathi First Discovery.|The first Unathi discovery was merely the watching of a meteor shower, later discovered to be Dionae seeds.]]
The introduction of [[Moghes]] to the greater interstellar community, following first contact, brought with it a plethora of species already incorporated – particularly the [[Dionae]] of the [[Nralakk Federation]]. The Federation’s involvement with the Izweski Hegemony prior to the establishment of the Ouerean Confederation allowed for [[Dionae]] to already become a somewhat known species – though obviously only to those within the upper echelons of the Hegemony’s political sphere. Despite [[Dionae]] already being introduced to the Hegemony prior to the Contact War, the arrival of the species as they are currently known occurred in 2451 CE after a perceived meteor shower scattered thousands of seeds across [[the Wasteland]] of [[Moghes]]. These seeds created oases in previously uninhabitable, irradiated areas of the Northern Wastelands, turning them into thriving ecosystems. The Unathi had initially believed these changes were miraculous but eventually discovered that the [[Dionae]] were responsible for cleansing the radiation. As the Unathi learned to communicate with the species, a symbiotic relationship developed: the [[Dionae]] purified the land in exchange for care, leading to their integration into Unathite society, however, some were captured and the commencement of [[Dionae]] trading spurred across [[Moghes]].

[[They Who Hath Become Lord Arc|In late 2466]], the Hegemon massively expanded the role of Dionae in the Hegemony, raising several gestalts to nobility in an unprecedented and surprising move. These new noble gestalts, nicknamed “the Lords Verdant”, administrate the regions known collectively as the Viridis - areas on the border of the Wasteland which act as large-scale testing grounds for the use of Dionae in the reclamation of Moghes. Vast numbers of common gestalts have been grown for the bioterraforming project as well, and the Viridis is now home to the vast majority of the Hegemony's Diona population.

== Culture ==

===Syncretism of the Eternal & Unathi Faiths===
====Th’akh====
The Ichor Eternal and Th’akh faiths seamlessly blend into the naturalistic reverence of Th’akh with the transformative ideals of the Ichor Eternal – the [[Dionae]], who embody both the primal forces of nature and the potential for endless evolution, find that the syncretism between the faith a path that honours their existence and growth. It is believed that the “Ichor” is the life-giving essence that flows through all living things – this is where the moniker of “Blood Eternal” originates from. This essence is believed to not merely be physical, but also spiritual, connecting all beings in a vast web of life. The Ichor is both the source of life and the conduit through which spiritual energy flows, embodying the life cycle that Th’akh venerates. The unique existence of [[Dionae]] as a collective organism is seen as the perfect manifestation of both faith’s ideals – just as the [[Dionae]] come together to form a greater whole, it is taught within Th’akh that all life is interconnected, and true spiritual fulfilment comes from the harmony between the individual and collective, nature and technology and past and future. Unique to those on Moghes, the Eternal Path – or the Th’akh Cycle – teaches that life is an endless cycle of growth, decay and rebirth. The Ichor, as the essence of life, is ever-changing, flowing through different forms and experiences. It is believed that by embracing change and growth, [[Dionae]] shall then honour this cycle and contribute to the eternal flow of the Ichor. The philosophy of the faith’s syncretism is that life is a journey of growth and transformation, where every being plays a part in the greater cycle of existence. By embracing both the natural world and the potential for evolution, it is believed that the [[Dionae]] are the ultimate expression of these ideals, with their ability to exist as both individuals and as a collective – through their practices and beliefs, they hold the ever-flowing essence of the Ichor and Th’akh.

====Sk’akh====

Given the deep connection between the beliefs of [[Dionae]] and their reverence for nature and balance, it isn’t surprising that Sk’akh has connected with some tenets of the Eternal – primarily Ichor. The syncretic belief system combines the Sk’akh reverence for order and the cosmos with the Th’akh focus on spirits, nature and personal harmony – mostly rooted in the fact that [[Dionae]] were first introduced to Th’akh, before Sk’akh. It is viewed by [[Dionae]] with this belief that the universe is a carefully maintained balance of forces, guided by the divine order of Sk’akh, and its Elders, while also embracing the fluidity and interconnectedness of the spirit world emphasized by Th’akh. The universe is a grand design maintained by Sk’akh, whose influence is seen in the natural cycles and the cosmic order, [[Dionae]] believe that their harmonious existence with nature is therefore part of this cosmic order. The balance between the material plane and spirit world is crucial, and [[Dionae]] act as guardians of this balance, using their unique connection to nature and the spiritual to maintain harmony – thanks to their unique genetic absorption abilities. The [[Dionae]] believe that the Beastlands are seen as a paradise, not just for the Unathi, but for all beings who live in harmony with Sk’akh’s order; it is often depicted as a place where nature thrives in its purest form – directly opposite to the Chained Wastes, often characterised by those seeking to disrupt the balance, but uniquely, it is not seen as a punishment by [[Dionae]]. It is thought to be a necessary part of the cosmic order to ensure that chaos does not reign. Borrowed from their Th’akh foundations, [[Dionae]] believe that the Ichor of a person can return to the material plane – usually after some kind of purification, to continue their growth and maintain the balance sought by Sk’akh. Ichor, as similarly seen in the Th’akh syncretism, is seen as the lifeblood of the universe, a sacred substance that flows through all living things, connecting them to both Sk’akh and the material plane – it is revered in rituals, symbolizing the connection between body, spirit and the cosmos. It is believed that the purity of a person’s ichor is a reflection of their spiritual harmony and connection to Sk’akh. Rituals involving the consumption or offering of Ichor are central to their practices, seen as acts of devotion and balance. Similarly to Unathi, [[Dionae]] will perform tributes and dedications to the Fisher, Healer and Warrior. The Church has yet to take a stance on [[Dionae]].

====Si’akh====
The syncretism between Si’akh and the Eternal emerged following the co-existence between Unathi and [[Dionae]] in close proximity following the Contract War. It blends the [[Dionae]]’s reverence for genetic learning with the emphasis of Si’akh’s spiritual purification and asceticism – at its core, it teaches that true enlightenment and salvation and achieved through the amalgamation of ancestral knowledge, and purification of one’s soul through trials – with the former having an emphasis on genetic sampling. It is believed that by ingesting genetic material – such as blood – they can access the memories, experiences and wisdom of their predecessors, which has seen utilisation by Unathi – who consider such ritual to be a sacred rite, enabling adherents to carry the “Echoes” of their ancestors within them. Emulating the ascetic traditions of Si’akh, [[Dionae]] lead lives of simplicity and restraint, in which they abstain from indulgent behaviours, focusing instead on spiritual growth and community service – this is the ultimate goal, to reach a transcendental state where the [[Dionae]] becomes a collective consciousness with the ancestors, enriched by accumulated knowledge. It is largely thought that forceful acquisition of genetic material is not to show restraint, and any form of coercion, kidnapping or unethical extraction is considered taboo, tarnishing the purity sought through Si’akh – [[Dionae]] must be taught to seek willing donors and to honour the gift of their genetic abilities with profound respect and gratitude.

====Aut’akh====

As far as parallels go, Aut'akh and Iron Eternal are the most similar - other branches tend not to align with the Aut'akh, nor do they seek to support them, particularly when confronted with the threat of termination through association with the Aut'akh. In its present form, the religion fuses the Aut’akh desire to attain self-actualization through augmentation, the Iron Eternals' belief that technology is essential for spiritual growth, and a shared reverence for the fusion of flesh, spirit, and machine. Although it is predominantly practised by the [[Dionae]], some Sinta have begun to follow it as well – particularly those seeking to transcend the limitations of flesh and spirit with technological integration while maintaining their distinctive spiritual traditions. Additionally, it is largely decentralized, since many Moghes inhabitants who follow such faith can find themselves in hot water with the local population, especially those who follow the Sk'akh or Th'akh faith. In addition to traditional Th'akh and Sk'akh followers, who oppose these beliefs, megacorporations and governments view these beliefs as subversive – an unfortunate byproduct of Aut'akh values.

=== Way of Life ===

Unlike other locations within the greater Spur, the way of life for [[Dionae]] within the Izweski Hegemony can vary greatly. Depending on the geography of one’s birth, a [[Dionae]] can find themselves bred for cultivation, and subsequently trading, or even within the annals of a Clan becoming their Chronicler – at least those that have. Though the population of [[Dionae]] continues to grow as their presence becomes more cemented within the Hegemony, they are still a rather infrequent sight – vast majorities of the Unathi across the Hegemony have laid their eyes on the species, at least not in the flesh. Stories are carried along the rumour mill of their abilities, some contorting them into nightmarish tales as a method to urge Unathi to be wary within [[the Wasteland]], which typically ushers many of the lower-born Unathi to seek the species to “realize” for themselves, their standing on the species.

Though rare, [[Dionae]] are slowly becoming a rather substantive population within the Hegemony – thanks to their asexual reproductive abilities, and abundance of radiation within [[the Wasteland]] – and are expected to become the second-highest population of non-Unathi within the next three decades. The Hegemony has not taken any official stance on the species, despite their growing numbers, which places them in a rather weird position with the greater Hegemony, and the sub-factions within. Each has a unique approach to the species and uses them for its own advantages. However, as time marches on, it is clear that the Hegemony will soon have to make a decision on [[Dionae]] – whether it be for good, or for bad – as time is running out on how to handle their presence.

Exploitation of [[Dionae]] extends beyond their cultivation and trading; it is embedded in the very fabric of their existence within the Hegemony. As a species that thrives on symbiosis and collective growth, the [[Dionae]] are often perceived as tools or resources to be exploited rather than sophonts deserving of autonomy and rights. Moghes’ harsh labour conditions in resource-rich but dangerous environments often see [[Dionae]] being exploited for their regenerative capabilities. [[Dionae]] are expected to endure gruelling work that would be lethal to other species. While their ability to regenerate might allow them to survive, the psychological and physical toll is immense. These conditions, coupled with the lack of any official recognition for their sentience and rights, make the [[Dionae]] particularly vulnerable within the Hegemony.

=== Honour ===
==== Code of the Bz’tnzai ====

[[Dionae]] that find themselves elevated to Bz’tnzai are designated as cultivators of the next generation of beings; they are to hold the utmost respect for their Clan, and ensure that their actions are in alignment with the desires of the Clan Head. They are the stewards of growth, and protectors of the harmonic life cycle – they are oftentimes even viewed as performing the work of the respective Unathi religions.

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'''Code of the Bz'ntzai'''
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'''I. Stewardship of Growth'''

In order to preserve life, the Bz'tnzai are charged with cultivating and nurturing new Dionae. Throughout the growth of each sapling, from its earliest sprout to its full maturity, it must be nurtured and cared for with unwavering dedication.

'''II. Preservation of Harmony'''

Bz'tnzai must maintain a balance between Dionae and Unathi. As caretakers of both species, they must meet the needs of the Unathi, respecting their traditions and well-being.

'''III. Guardians of Knowledge'''

In a similar vein to the Chronicler, the Bz’tnzai are keepers of the knowledge of Dionae cultivation. They must ensure that the teachings given to them are preserved and imparted to new generations, ensuring the continuity of the practice.

'''IV. Sacrifice for the Greater Good'''

When the community is threatened, the Bz’tnzai must be prepared to sacrifice for the greater good. Whether it be time, resources, or even their own lives, they must place the welfare of the many above the needs of the few, ensuring the survival and prosperity of all.

'''V. Honouring the Cycle of Life'''

Bz’tnzai must understand that life is a cycle of growth, decay, and renewal. They must honour this cycle, ensuring that the passing of life is met with dignity and that the remnants of the old nourish the new, continuing the eternal dance of existence.
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====Code of the Sentinel====

A Gestalt following the Sentinel Code is often concerned with precedent and the security of the community. [[Dionae]] who follow this path are beings of action. A Gestalt who manifests this aspect is encouraged to make sure that their actions speak for themselves and to be candid and direct. Since the Sentinel expresses itself by taking action.

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'''Code of the Sentinel'''
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'''I. Righteousness Above All'''

The Sentinel places the truth as seen before them above all else. Their actions must reflect this unwavering commitment to Righteousness. They stand as beacons of fairness and honesty, never disguising their motives or obscuring facts. Righteousness guides all other principles, shaping the path the Sentinel follows.

'''II. Mercy for the Weak'''

The Sentinel protects those who cannot protect themselves, offering Mercy to the weak and innocent. They do not harm the defenceless or take advantage of the vulnerable. Surrender to a Sentinel is an act of honour, ensuring fair treatment and respect. Mercy is shown even in battle, where honour dictates the restraint of power over those who are subdued.

'''III. Integrity of Word'''

A Sentinel's word is their bond, carrying the weight of their Integrity. Once a commitment is made, the Sentinel ensures that reality conforms to their promise. Integrity is the balance to Righteousness, demanding that the world itself be shaped to honour the Sentinel's word.

'''IV. Loyalty to Leadership and Kin'''

Loyalty binds the Sentinel to their superior, be it a Lord, clan leader, or partner. A Sentinel would willingly sacrifice their life for the protection of their leader or kin. However, Loyalty is not blind; if obeying an order would violate any of the other tenets, the Sentinel is duty-bound to refuse in order to maintain their honour.
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====Code of the Chronicler====

The Code of the Chronicler represents the embodiment of wisdom, memory, and the pursuit of knowledge within the [[Dionae]]. Chroniclers are the living repositories of a Clan’s history, wisdom, and cultural identity, and they dedicate their existence to the cultivation of knowledge and the guidance of future generations.

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'''Code of the Chronicler'''
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'''I. The Pursuit of Knowledge'''

Chroniclers are driven by an insatiable desire to gather knowledge from every corner of the cosmos. They are beings of contemplation, preferring to observe, listen, and learn before they speak. Their curiosity knows no bounds, and they seek to understand not just the physical world, but the spiritual, cultural, and emotional dimensions of existence as well. Every piece of information, every memory absorbed, is a treasure that adds to the vast library of knowledge that Chroniclers maintain within themselves and their clan.

'''II. The Guardian of Wisdom'''

As the custodians of their clan's collective memory, Chroniclers bear the immense responsibility of safeguarding the wisdom of the past. This role is not merely about hoarding knowledge but also about interpreting it and applying it to guide others. Chroniclers are expected to use their accumulated wisdom to enrich their communities, ensuring that the lessons of history are passed down and that the knowledge they possess benefits all. They teach, advise, and mentor, raising clusters of gestalts to independence and preparing them for the challenges of life.

'''III. The Ethical Use of Knowledge'''

Knowledge is power, but it is also a responsibility. Chroniclers adhere to a strict ethical code, ensuring that the knowledge they possess is never used for personal gain or to further selfish ambitions. It is a grave taboo for a Chronicler to exploit their vast stores of information for their own benefit. Instead, they seek to find champions—individuals or causes worthy of their knowledge and guidance. By sponsoring and advising these champions, Chroniclers ensure that their wisdom is put to noble use, serving the greater good of the clan and the broader community.

'''IV. The Role of the Mentor'''

Chroniclers are more than mere advisors; they are mentors and spiritual guides. Within the Oasis clans, Chroniclers are revered as the caretakers of the mental and spiritual well-being of the gestalts. They provide counsel not just in matters of knowledge, but in matters of the soul, helping their kin navigate the complexities of existence. They nurture the growth of young gestalts, helping them find their place within the clan.

'''V. The Keeper of Memory'''

True to their name, Chroniclers are the archivists of their clan's history. They meticulously record and preserve the memories of their people, ensuring that nothing is lost to the sands of time. Their stories are more than just entertainment; they are the lifeblood of the clan's cultural identity, connecting the present with the past and providing a sense of continuity and purpose. Chroniclers are renowned for their storytelling abilities, weaving tales that are rich in wisdom and filled with the echoes of countless lives.

'''VI. The Legacy of the Chronicler'''

A Chronicler's ultimate goal is to leave a legacy of wisdom that will endure long after they have passed into the collective memory of the Dionae. This legacy is not measured in material wealth or personal achievements, but in the lives they have touched, the knowledge they have preserved, and the wisdom they have imparted. A Chronicler lives on in the stories they tell, the advice they give, and the generations they raise to carry forward the torch of knowledge.

'''VII. The Eternal Observer'''

Chroniclers are eternal observers, ever watchful and ever learning. They are patient, knowing that the pursuit of knowledge is a lifelong journey with no end. They take the long view, understanding that wisdom is not just about knowing facts, but about understanding the deeper truths that lie beneath the surface. As they observe the world around them, they remain committed to the principles of their code, always seeking to use their knowledge to serve others and to guide their clan toward a brighter future.
</div></div>

==Symbiosis==

The use of Nymphs as makeshift prosthetics is a rare practice, but one which is more common on Moghes than most other locales in the Spur. The first reports of [[Dionae]] symbiosis came from the Clan Dorviza of [[the Wasteland]], and were first dismissed as outlandish tales - only to be confirmed. Though the general Unathi skepticism of cybernetics meant many were wary as to this new development, it was broadly agreed at the Hegemon’s great religious conclave that symbiosis was not damaging to the soul. The practice is still rare, and mostly contained to [[the Wasteland]] - though the House of Medicine has on occasion sold specially-grown Nymphs as prosthetics. Due to the rarity of [[Dionae]] and the difficulty of preparing a symbiote, this procedure is rare and extortionately expensive. In [[the Wasteland]] it is more common, though still an oddity, and largely practised by the Dorviza - though the continued growth of [[Dionae]] in the region has led to symbiosis occurring among several of the prominent Wasteland groups. Largely, symbiosis occurs in the form of replacement limbs - though experiments have been carried out on deeper or more extensive forms of the process, with the Skalamar University of Medicine carrying out several trials on the usage of purpose-grown nymphs as replacement organs. The renowned scholar Tarskin Tarwa led the first round of these trials, and reportedly had great success - until the truth of his experiments in Sinta-Diona compatibility came to light. Though the specifics of his process were sealed by order of the University’s administration, he was charged with gross violations of University ethical standards and expelled, fleeing Moghes to avoid criminal prosecution. Skalamar urban legends claim that Tarwa was mad, seeking immortality through unnatural and bloody experiments - and that he continues his dark research on the edge of space, even now. Though Tarwa’s research never saw the light of day, the Hegemony remains at the forefront of research into [[Dionae]] symbiosis, with some experiments continuing at the Skalamar University of Medicine - though carefully, and with controlled supervision from Hegemony officials.

== Cultivation & Trading ==

Captured by Unathi upon the discovery of their “healing” capabilities to [[Moghes]] following its’ nuclear cataclysm, [[Dionae]] have become a valuable commodity across [[the Wasteland]] – leading to their cultivation and subsequent trafficking. Depending on the Clan, [[Dionae]] may either be seen as gifts of incredible value – or even those comparable to other Unathi and therefore find themselves accepted as a member of the Clan as individuals in their own right – this does not negate that [[Dionae]] from [[Moghes]] may have had a significantly different “upbringing” as opposed to its other barky kindred.
[[File:685b5cb7792d62e0cd6708a332bd5e5e.png|thumb|A Dionae being used in the Wastelands by the Reclaimers. ]]
=== Cultivation ===

Similarly to Dionae in the [[Nralakk Federation]], there exist individuals who focus on the tendering of nymph pods referred to as '''Bz’tnzai''', when translated literally into [[Languages|Tau Ceti Basic]] meaning “Growers”, using '''Bz’ntzai Realms''' which exist merely as places of high radiation where maturation of pods occurs much quicker. Through this practice, the lifespan and health of Bz’ntzai are plagued by the byproducts of radiation exposure slowly resulting in a decrease of Unathite Bz’tnzai but instead being replaced by Dionae who have either been trained or taught through consumption of the deceased Bz’tnzai on the methods of cultivation. This has resulted in an increase of the [[Dionae Mindtypes|Mourning Mass]] being found across Dionae Bz'tnzai.

In particular, '''Clan Dorviza''' has become renowned through the [[The Wasteland|Wastelands]] for their rearing of Dionae, and in particular, the methods they employ as to ensure a Gestalt is able to find itself managing the Wastelands, and its integration into the greater Hegemony; through specialising in the biomatter available to each cultivated Bz’ntzai Realms allowing “particular expertise” to be taught to Dionae subsequently also raising the value of the “commodity” where the Clan elects to instead gift or sell the Dionae as opposed to integrating them as a member of Dorviza. Oftentimes Clan Dorviza will utilize the Dionae as limbs – grafting them onto stumps where limbs existed previously, giving a new lease on life to those who previously found themselves confined to conventional means of living with their disabilities.

Though there exists purposeful cultivation of Dionae, there also exists natural cultivation, often by Dionae wandering the Wastelands electing to disgorge seeds in areas of particularly high radiation – recognising within themselves the possibility to clean the area as a way to offer assistance to the Unathi, but more so provide a stable and nutritious spawning area for the next generation of nymphs that its’ seeds will yield. These unkept cultivation areas often find themselves preyed upon by [[Moghes#Siro_(Shrieker)|Siro]] circling overhead, or even Unathi that see an opportunity to capture and trade away the nymphs to ensure their survival as the Wasteland continues to grow and make life scarce.

=== Trading ===

Though there exist countless Gestalts that exist free of having been traded, there exist those that have had an upbringing subject to specific cultivation so that they may be traded away in exchange for particular commodities. This primarily occurs within the Wastes, with '''Clan Dorviza''' being the primary culprit for the advent of Dionae trading, there have been sightings of the trading extending into the eastern cities, in particular, '''Baandr''', '''Res’karum''' and '''Mudki'''. However, the value is primarily dependent on what skills the Dionae has, with the continuously fluctuating value sometimes resulting in a Gestalt costing several [[Moghes#Azkrazal_(Threshbeast)|Azkrazal]] and sometimes even just a few bottles of [[Moghes#Xuizi_Cactus|Xuizi Juice]].

The trafficking conduct of those within the Dionae trade varies it primarily strays away from abusive treatment, mostly due to it resulting in less value gained when trading the Gestalt – where one has had their personality altered or injured to a degree that they no longer have usefulness to the one gaining the Gestalt. It primarily resembles as to how [[Unathi]] treat their domestic fauna such as the [[Moghes#Tul_(Tusk)|Tul]].

==== Trading “Guilds” or “Clans” ====

[[The_Wasteland|'''Clan Dorviza''']] is largely regarded as the leader of trading Dionae, utilizing those cultivated by its Bz’tnzai to those passing through the Oases – offering them as gifts to other Clans to ensure good relations and promote community among the population centres across the oases, but sometimes even exchanging them to get commodities that would otherwise not make their way to the Wasteland Clan’s little corner of the world, or in particular scarcity, such as '''S’erki Flowers''' or '''S’th Berries'''.

[[The_Wasteland|'''Reclaimers''']] have been known to utilize the Dionae they have traded for to make more radioactive pre-war ruins safer to plunder, using the species' biological advantages of mimicry and soaking up of the dangerous elements to be able to claim riches that they assert as theirs. Outside of their use for scavenging, they have been also used to get into the nitty-gritty of the machinery utilized by the Reclaimers, oftentimes becoming engineers and members of the group as opposed to mere property, shifting into compartments that would otherwise cause a substantial loss of time for the Reclaimers had they had to search and eventually fix the problem.

[[The_Wasteland|'''Clan Vihnmes''']] regularly utilizes their gifted Dionae from Clan Dorviza for menial work, and sometimes as glorified composters for the byproducts of their taverns – as well as their inns. Though rather demeaning, this is typically better than the hard labour that many Dionae found themselves put to work, cultivating or even maintaining what little agricultural sectors exist on Moghes – or moving large quantities of goods as glorified merchant wagons

[[The_Wasteland|'''Clan Ozeuoi''']] takes advantage of the species’ ability to mimic shapes, structures, and knack for being able to learn from genetic material, to ensure their defences remain well-maintained and that their allies’ modes of transport see repairs where needed. Though their isolation has stunted the number of Dionae within the Clan, there still exists a number that seems to be consistently growing, with the Reclaimers making use of their existing relationship to pawn off any “unnecessary” Dionae to Clan Ozeuoi.

[[The_Wasteland|'''Clan Gawgaryn''']] is also yet another group that finds themselves either stumbling on natural clusters or pillaging Dionae from their rightful Clans, to make use of them to assist in their raids and pillaging – in worse cases, as a way to taunt Unathi that they have kidnapped, claiming to throw them into cages of starved Gestalts with an insatiable hunger. Those that have been rescued, either through escaping or by being freed, sometimes reflect that there exist [[Dionae Mindtypes|Voided Vocals]] and even [[Dionae Mindtypes|Scarlet Scores]] within the confines of the Clan’s grips, offering a glimpse into the operations of Clan Gawgaryn that there exists truth of offering its unwilling or uncooperative hostages to starved Dionae.
[[File:Reclaimation.png|thumb|alt=Dionae Unathi.|The Dionae have since been used by various Unathi - even Reclaimers.]]
[[Zazalai_Mountains#Res’karum|'''Res’karum''']] existing as a thorough-fare between the Zazalai Mountains has inevitably become a key player in Dionae trading, where within the city’s markets it isn’t uncommon to find Dionae being auctioned off to the highest bidder, with even peasants attempting to negotiate personal items with a willing merchant for a Nymph, sometimes entire livelihoods when concerning a Gestalt. Acclaimed as being “creatures of good fortune” due to their work in the Wastelands, and ability to be rather useful in almost any situation, some have found themselves becoming serfs to the peasants that acquire them – cleaning the home or even maintaining their grounds. It isn’t unheard of either for those chartered by the Guilds to make their way to Res’karum to purchase Dionae, where the Guilds induct them into their specialities – in particular, the [[Unathi Guilds|Miner’s Guild]] due to the lesser necessities, really only needing ultra-violet lights reasonably provided by [[Hephaestus Industries]], in order to perform mining work.

== Dionae in the Unathi Sphere of Influence ==
===Dionae in the Izweski Hegemony===
====The Guilds====
The major guilds of the Hegemony were quick to take advantage of the nascent Diona trade, with many among them realizing the immense utility that gestalts offered as workers. These gestalts were almost never granted full membership in the Guilds, though their general rarity meant that they were highly prized regardless. The Miners’ Guild purchased many gestalts for their advantages in the void of space, while some chapters of the House of Medicine found that Aphrodite proved a cheap and effective painkiller. These chartered gestalts were still paid, though nowhere close to a full guildsman’s wage. The only guild on Moghes to welcome Dionae as full members was Hephaestus Industries, which already employed many gestalts elsewhere. When Hephaestus acquired most of the major guilds in 2465, the chartered gestalts were presented with the opportunity. Many were able to leave their Guilds in search of direct employment with Hephaestus, and those that remained found themselves reluctantly offered similar terms. Though Dionae guildsmen are rare, they are known to exist throughout Hephaestus’s subsidiary guilds, and the growing presence of Dionae in the Hegemony is slowly making them a more common sight.

====The Izweski Military====
The armed forces of the Hegemony do not have an official policy on the use of Dionae - they have been rare enough within the Hegemony, and their general pacifism means that there is little interest in expanding their military role. The most common military use of Dionae is at the various Wasteland outposts, where gestalts are sometimes chartered by patrols as guides or assistants. While these gestalts are not formally part of any armed force, many units in [[the Wasteland]] have grown attached to specific gestalts, and it has reportedly become a common superstition at Camp Integrity that taking a Nymph with you will bring good fortune while wandering the desert. Due to security risks, symbiosis is not permitted for the warriors of the Izweski Navy. For ground forces, regulations vary from lord to lord and regiment to regiment, with nymph prosthetics being used on occasion by Izweski forces at Camp Integrity and other Wasteland outposts. The Kataphracts have no official policy forbidding symbiosis, and neither do the mercenaries of Dagamuir Freewater Private Forces.

===Dionae in the Ouerean Confederation===
[[Dionae]] are rare on Ouerea, though it was the first point of contact between them and the Unathi. The first gestalts introduced to Ouerea largely originated from the [[Nralakk Federation]], though they were a small population in comparison to the [[Skrell]] immigrants. While many of these gestalts departed when the Federation withdrew, some remained behind in Ouerean [[Skrell]] communities. The [[Dionae]] of Ouerea are a small minority, usually lumped in with the [[Skrell]] population, and have little in the way of political influence in their own right. Few gestalts were recorded as taking part in the Ouerean Revolution directly, though several of the Unathi and [[Skrell]] veterans of the conflict used symbiosis to treat their serious injuries. The Ouerean [[Dionae]] population was, for many years, the only readily available sample of the species for Unathi xenobiologists to study. This led to a strong academic interest from Moghresian and Ouerean scholars, and some among the more scholarship-inclined gestalts quickly made names for themselves in Unathi academia. At the New Skalamar Pioneers’ Seminary, the xenobiology department is presided over by Contemplating Patterns Within Flesh, a Cyclops gestalt which made several impressive contributions to the study of Ouerean native fauna during the early colonization period.

===Dionae in the Wasteland===
The Wasteland is home to the largest [[Dionae]] population in the Hegemony, though they are scattered far and wide. The lingering radiation of the Contact War has rendered [[the Wasteland]] an ideal habitat for the growth of Nymphs, and many of [[the Wasteland]] factions make use of [[Dionae]] in their own manner. The Clan Dorviza has perhaps the most widespread use of [[Dionae]], making use of gestalts to cleanse lingering radiation around their settlements - a practice which has spread to other oasis clans since the arrival of [[Dionae]]. The Dorviza hold [[Dionae]] in particularly high esteem, considering them a blessing of one of their gods, the Saint of Ceaseless Growth. Some smaller and more isolated communities have also found [[Dionae]] to be of use in their survival. In the vast deserts of the Eastern Wasteland, the strange Th’akh monks known as the Order of the Deathless venerates a Voided Vocals gestalt, believing its ramblings to be the sacred wisdom of the dead. The Reclaimer Clans often make use of [[Dionae]] for the maintenance of their crawlers, taking advantage of their ability to squeeze into the tightest corners of the vast machines. Some groups of Gawgaryn are rumored to use Scarlet Score gestalts as living weapons, unleashing them to devour their foes.

===The Queendom===
[[The Queendom of Sezk-Hakh]] has made use of Wasteland [[Dionae]], immediately seizing the advantage that their abilities could provide in the realm’s survival. In Yu’kal, Queen Lazak has converted large sections of the Royal Conservatory into a centre of [[Dionae]] cultivation, and has already made use of some of these gestalts in cleansing the city’s farmland - perhaps saving her realm from famine during the economic turmoil of recent years. The people of the Queendom tend to view [[Dionae]] positively, due to this contribution to their land’s wellbeing. The Queendom has become a large component of the Diona trade, with Queen Lazak buying as many gestalts as she can to continue cleansing her lands. The city of Arch’ozal is where most of these gestalts are sent, cleansing the last of the radioactive debris that has been a consistent thorn in the rebuilding of the city.

The Viridis

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== Overview ==
Established in late 2466, the Viridis refers to several small realms located on the borders of the Wasteland. The largest concentration of these lands lies on the eastern edge of the [[Southlands]], reaching into [[the Wasteland]] past Bahard - though other such fiefdoms lie to the west of Teht and to the north of Imas’hi. These realms are a grand experiment of the Hegemon’s in the large-scale use of [[Dionae]] for Wasteland reclamation, and are perhaps the largest and most influential Diona population in the [[Izweski Hegemony]].

In a controversial decision by the Hegemon, these realms are ruled by [[Dionae]] - though still answerable to the rule of Governor Aeikuzo in Lazhi. Each of these noble gestalts, collectively nicknamed “the Lords Verdant” by their subjects, is carefully cultivated for capability as a ruler and loyalty to the Hegemon. They are allowed to operate with a fairly free hand, responsible for the growth and distribution of common gestalts in order to orchestrate large-scale reclamation of the Wasteland they preside over. Though they are permitted to split, or to form new noble gestalts, these gestalts are considered lesser nobility, with no inherent claim to the title of their progenitor. Many of these lesser gestalts have been sent to work elsewhere in the Hegemony, assuring that the Lords Verdant can gain greater influence outside their own territory.

In addition to the common gestalts of their lands, many Unathi workers have also traveled to the reclaimed Wastes - work remains a precious commodity in the Untouched Lands, and many have seen the new project as their chance to seize fortune from the ruins of the pre-war world. These Sinta will usually dwell side-by-side with the common gestalts of the region, assisting the Dionae in their growth and working to rebuild and reclaim the ruins that dot the Wasteland.

== Culture ==
The Viridis is a melting pot, with workers from across the Hegemony traveling to the new frontier to seek their fortunes. Unathi of all backgrounds and cultures can be found here, but these disparate peoples are united in the overarching goal of the project - the reclamation of the Wasteland. In one way or another, every citizen of the Viridis works towards this goal, which has rapidly taken on a near-religious significance to many of them - often referred to as “The Great Work” among both Unathi and Dionae.

Due to the large Diona population, and the many gestalts dwelling within the region, the Unathi of the Viridis tend to have a positive outlook on Dionae - they are the means by which the Great Work is possible, after all, and many of them spend their days working closely with Diona gestalts. To some, Dionae are viewed as sacred or blessed beings, while others view them merely as an alien race who have lent their unique gifts to the Hegemony’s service. Close friendships between Unathi and Dionae are common in the Viridis, and the practice of symbiosis is more common there than anywhere else in the civilized Spur.

Though there are many Wastelanders among their number, the Sinta of the Viridis have developed a hostility towards many of the Wasteland factions, particularly those which have proven troublesome or hostile to the Great Work. To many in the Viridis, those Wastelanders who refuse to pledge themselves to the Lord Verdant are sabotaging the healing of Moghes out of their own pride, while those who raid or pillage Viridis settlements are viewed as barely-Sinta, savages who would despoil Moghes’ great hope just to prolong their own wretched lives. Though the Lords Verdant do not have a policy of open aggression, many of their subjects wish for a firmer hand in dealing with troublesome or defiant Wastelanders.

Though opinions on the Lords Verdant themselves vary from territory to territory, the Viridis as a whole is ruled by Lady-Governor Zhelmi Aeikuzo, whose enigmatic and disturbing reputation has become a popular subject of idle gossip through the rest of the Hegemony. In the Viridis, these tall tales are still told - but curiously, many of the locals speak them differently, using her moniker “Lady of Thorns” with something approaching pride. Monster or no, she is the one who began the Great Work, and that fact alone has inspired deep loyalty among many of her subjects.

The Viridis has come to appeal deeply to exiles, refugees, and Guwan - it is a new frontier, with the promise of new work and great fortunes to be made for those who do their part. Many Wasteland refugees have flocked to the lands of the Lords Verdant, seeking to reclaim their own homes or to escape the crowded slums of the Untouched Lands. Though it is a young region, it has rapidly amassed a large population, with many among the nobility viewing it as a perfect opportunity to get rid of unwanted mouths to feed.

== Faith ==
[[Sk'akh|Sk’akh]] is the most common religion within the Viridis, largely brought by workers from the Untouched Lands. The Church has established a substantial presence in the region already, and some have even called on High Priest Azandar to raise a new Archpriest to serve the spiritual needs of the region. This request has not been granted, however - likely due to Lady Aeikuzo’s troubled past with the Church, and her unorthodox interpretations of Sk’akh doctrine. Though her proclamation as a heretic was withdrawn following the dissolution of the Maraziite Order, it has still made many among the priesthood wary of the Viridis, and the future that the Lady of Thorns would bring. Their concern is only warranted by how many among the faithful in the region have proven open to Aeikuzo’s interpretations, and her ideas as to the transformation of the Unathi form. Though this has yet to become a major issue for the Church, whispers in the corridors of the Great Scept claim that the Viridis could become the birthplace of a schism if left unchecked.

Though outnumbered by the Sk’akh population, many [[Th'akh|Th’akh]] Unathi also dwell within the Viridis, coming from a thousand divergent faiths. Shrines to all manner of spirit can be found in the Viridis, though the locals tend to favor spirits of growth or life - befitting the Great Work. Many of the Th’akh beliefs in the Viridis view Dionae as holy, particularly those which came from the Wasteland - a fact which the Lords Verdant have been happy to encourage. These Th’akh beliefs have been instrumental in the growth of the Viridis, often successfully used for the peaceful absorption of Wasteland communities - and a major positive factor in negotiations with the Clan Dorviza.

So far, there has been no sign of an [[Aut'akh|Aut’akh]] presence within the Viridis - those in the undercity communes are reluctant to abandon their communities, and the faith is practically nonexistent among Wastelanders themselves.

[[Si'akh|Si’akh]] is also rare in the Viridis, though it has a small following among those Wastelanders who have chosen to be absorbed into the growing realm. The Prophet himself has commented on the project, stating that the Viridis is “a noble effort to alleviate the suffering of Moghes, but true salvation shall only come from Sk’akh”. Si’akh missionaries are generally permitted to preach in the Viridis - though some among the Lords Verdant have refused to allow them, particularly those surrounding Ihaliz.

== Notable Locations ==
=== Lazhi, City of Ten Thousand Blossoms ===
The de facto capital of the Viridis is Lazhi, located in the southern [[Zazalai Mountains|Zazalais]] north of Bahard. Destroyed during the Contact War, Lazhi was left an uninhabitable ruin for decades. When Lady-Governor Aeikuzo was granted her position, she began focusing on the reclamation of Lazhi as her new capital - a grand initial victory for her efforts. Most of the lingering fallout had dispersed, and Aeikuzo’s use of Dionae ensured that the remainder was eradicated.

Since then, Lazhi has become a city unlike any other - many of its buildings still stand as ruined monuments, but where they were once desolate and lifeless they are now overgrown, with both Diona gestalts and specially-modified flora granting the city its namesake. Taking inspiration from Diona architectural styles found in the Commonwealth of Hieroaetheria, Lazhi is both city and garden. It has rapidly become a site of curiosity among xenobotanical scholars both within the Hegemony and from further afield, with human, Skrell, and Vaurca scientists having found positions in the Lady-Governor’s service.

The vast work of reclaiming a city is nowhere near done, and the project has only grown in its enormity. Thousands of laborers have come in the employ of Hephaestus Industries, working to rebuild the city’s infrastructure, and it will likely take years until the scars of the city’s devastation are fully healed. To those who have only ever known Lazhi as ruins, however, the progress already made is astounding - with some even describing it as the Hegemony’s first true victory against the Wasteland.
At the heart of Lazhi lies the Governor’s palace - nicknamed “the Garden” by locals due to Lady Aeikuzo’s work. On the occasions that the Lords Verdant gather, this is where they are summoned to - and from here, all their work to reclaim the Wasteland is coordinated. Though Overlord Hutay’zai bears the informal title of “Lord of the Wastes”, the work done in the Garden has led many to whisper that the Lady-Governor is more deserving of such a title.

Though Aeikuzo rules Lazhi, the area of the Viridis surrounding it also has a Diona lord - the Argus gestalt known as The Silent Friend Embracing The Weeping Souls In A Blanket Of Purity And Love. This gestalt, often known as Taarazi, is a rarity - one of the few wild Dionae to have become one of the Lords Verdant, and the only one to have been grown entirely outside of Lady Aeikuzo’s careful cultivation. Taraazi was recruited early in the establishment of the Viridis, to provide the Lady-Governor insight into the culture and mentality of Wasteland Dionae. It has served as an emissary and advisor, working to bring Wasteland communities and wild Dionae under the Viridis, and many of the gestalts in the area owe their origins to Taraazi.

=== Ihaliz ===
Located to the west of Teht, Ihaliz is a small settlement serving as the center of reclamation efforts in the west. Rather than reclaimed ruins, Ihaliz is a new city, resembling a bustling and overgrown frontier town - though one which still lies well within the reach of Izweski authority, in no small part due to the proximity of Camp Izweski’s Honor. The settlement has become something of a hub for countless smaller reclamation efforts in the region, with the intent of reclaiming all the land between Teht and Camp Izweski’s Honor - ensuring that the Southlands are protected against Wasteland banditry in future.

Ihaliz is ruled by Steadfast Guardian of a World Reborn - a Competence Choir gestalt grown in Lady Aeikuzo’s garden, and educated by the genetic material of many skilled warriors. It is known to be an orderly and martial-inclined ruler, cultivated to assist the soldiers of Camp Izweski’s Honor in dealing with the dangers of Gawgaryn and other raiders which have plagued the region. Though most of the warriors under its command are Unathi, with Dionae largely serving in logistical or support roles, Ihaliz itself is largely defended by Diona practitioners of the Divine Mandate.

Since the establishment of Ihaliz, many local Wasteland groups have found themselves faced with a simple choice - to submit to the rule of Steadfast Guardian and the Hegemony, to depart their homes, or to be driven out. Though most of the local Wastelanders have chosen to reintegrate into the Hegemony, seeing the improvements that the reclamation program can bring to their quality of life, others have chosen to leave or resist - which has been met with stern reprisal by their new lord. Though it is not by any account a cruel ruler, it has been cultivated with a belief in the importance of maintaining authority, and those Wastelanders who have refused to kneel have found themselves driven out, fleeing deeper into the desert. Many of their lands have since been resettled by workers from the Southlands or by newly-grown common gestalts - ensuring that the great work of reclamation cannot be slowed by a few stubborn holdouts.

Hephaestus Industries has a substantial presence in Ihaliz, having been contracted for the building of the settlement. As the town grows, Hephaestus has also begun work on railroad lines to Teht and Camp Izweski’s Honor, ensuring that the reclaimed region can remain well-supplied and well-defended.

=== Rehus ===
Located in the mountains north of Skalamar, Rehus is the largest settlement of the northern Viridis, stretching its expanses of reclaimed land towards Camp Modesty. The site was chosen due to a subterranean aquifer nearby, and mining operations rapidly led to the excavation of the vast underground water reserves. This has led to the city’s nickname of “The Pit”, as it extends deep into the earth, in caverns lit by an odd mix of ordinary light and bioluminescent Dionae growths.

Rehus’s mining industry has led to a rapid population boom, as Hephaestus Industries has rapidly invested in the area’s development, setting up extensive industrial projects via the Miners’ Guild. The city’s true value, however, is in the aquifer - the merchants of Rehus have rapidly become some of the most prominent water traders in the Northern Wasteland, only rivaled by those of the still independent Canyon City. The water supplies of Rehus have led several Wasteland communities to abandon their independence and join the Viridis, swearing allegiance to the Lords Verdant and the Hegemon.

Though there are few Gawgaryn bands in the Northern Wasteland, the reclamation efforts of Rehus have led to tension with the Reclaimers, who on several occasions have clashed with warriors or salvagers seeking to restore ruins that the crawlers wished to salvage. Though this has never broken down into large-scale hostility, many among the northern Reclaimer clans worry that the reclamation projects mean there is little future for their way of life. The city’s water reserves have also led to difficulties with the people of Canyon City, which previously served as the center of the water trade - now, its significance is challenged, and the resources invested in the Viridis are far greater than those that the clans of the Canyon can bring to bear. Though so far the leadership of Rehus has been open to negotiation, Canyon City is reportedly gripped by internal conflict over how to deal with these new developments - and whether their importance will be sustained if the Wasteland grows smaller every year.

Rehus is ruled by Ephemeral Connections Formed Upon Silent Shores, a young Emphatic Echo gestalt. So far, it has taken a conciliatory approach to diplomacy, preferring to negotiate with local Wastelander communities without the use of force. This has led to the gestalt generally being well-liked by its people, though some others believe that Ephemeral Connections is too passive and inexperienced to deal with the challenges of its position.

=== Other Realms ===
Though the Viridis project is still in its infancy, many smaller communities have been established across the borders of the Wasteland under Aeikuzo's guidelines. The Lords Verdant of these realms are usually younger or less experienced gestalts, most commonly offspring of other noble Dionae or grown in the gardens of Lazhi.

[[Category:Pages]]
[[Category:Dionaea]]
[[Category:Unathi]]

Template:Navbox Unathi Lore

2025-01-04T01:04:11Z

RustingWithYou: adds the viridis

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! colspan="3" style="width: 50%; background-color:#34AF10" | [[Unathi|<span style="color: White">Unathi Lore Pages</span>]]
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! style="width: 10%" colspan="2"| Planets and Systems
| align="left" | [[Moghes]] · [[Ouerea]] · [[Uueoa-Esa]] · [[Notable Unathi Colonies]] · [[Gakal'zaal]] · [[Tret]]
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! style="width: 10%" colspan="2"| Factions
| align="left" | [[Izweski Hegemony]] · [[Unathi Guilds]] · [[Unathi Piracy]] · [[K'lax in the Izweski Nation]] · [[The Queendom of Sezk-Hakh]] · [[Mictlan#The_Free_Sinta'Unathi_of_Vezdukh | Free City of Vezdukh]] · [[Unathi in Dominia]]
|-
! style="width: 10%" colspan="2"| History
| align="left" | [[Unathi History]] · [[Contact War]] · [[Unathi Recent Events]] · [[Notable Unathi]]
|-
! style="width: 10%" colspan="2"| Religions
| align="left" | [[Sk'akh]] · [[Th'akh]] · [[Aut'akh]] · [[Si'akh]]
|-
! style="width: 10%" colspan="2"| Society and Culture
| align="left" | [[Unathi Entertainment]] · [[Unathi Honor]] · [[Unathi Military Structure]] · [[Unathi Crime And Enforcement]] · [[Unathi Educational Institutions]] · [[Unathi Spaceflight]] · [[Unathi Abroad]] · [[Zandiziite Games]]
|-
! style="width: 10%" colspan="2"| Regions of Moghes
| align="left" | [[Izweski Heartland]] · [[Tza Prairie]] · [[Southlands]] · [[Broken Coalition]] · [[Torn Cities]] · [[Zazalai Mountains]] · [[The Wasteland]] · [[The Viridis]]
|-
! style="width: 10%" colspan="2"| Lore Arcs
| align="left" | [[The Titan Rises Arc]] · [[New Blades Old Wounds Arc|New Blades, Old Wounds Arc]] · [[They Who Hath Become Lord Arc]]
|-
|}
</div><noinclude>
[[Category:Templates]]
[[Category:Lore]]
</noinclude>
[[Category:Unathi]]
[[Category:Pages]]

The Viridis

2025-01-04T01:03:41Z

RustingWithYou: Created page with "{{Navbox Lore}} {{Navbox Unathi Lore}} == Overview == Established in late 2466, the Viridis refers to several small realms located on the borders of the Wasteland. The largest concentration of these lands lies on the eastern edge of the Southlands, reaching into the Wasteland past Bahard - though other such fiefdoms lie to the west of Teht and to the north of Imas’hi. These realms are a grand experiment of the Hegemon’s in the large-scale use of Dionae f..."

{{Navbox Lore}}
{{Navbox Unathi Lore}}
== Overview ==
Established in late 2466, the Viridis refers to several small realms located on the borders of the Wasteland. The largest concentration of these lands lies on the eastern edge of the [[Southlands]], reaching into [[the Wasteland]] past Bahard - though other such fiefdoms lie to the west of Teht and to the north of Imas’hi. These realms are a grand experiment of the Hegemon’s in the large-scale use of [[Dionae]] for Wasteland reclamation, and are perhaps the largest and most influential Diona population in the [[Izweski Hegemony]].

In a controversial decision by the Hegemon, these realms are ruled by [[Dionae]] - though still answerable to the rule of Governor Aeikuzo in Lazhi. Each of these noble gestalts, collectively nicknamed “the Lords Verdant” by their subjects, is carefully cultivated for capability as a ruler and loyalty to the Hegemon. They are allowed to operate with a fairly free hand, responsible for the growth and distribution of common gestalts in order to orchestrate large-scale reclamation of the Wasteland they preside over. Though they are permitted to split, or to form new noble gestalts, these gestalts are considered lesser nobility, with no inherent claim to the title of their progenitor. Many of these lesser gestalts have been sent to work elsewhere in the Hegemony, assuring that the Lords Verdant can gain greater influence outside their own territory.

In addition to the common gestalts of their lands, many Unathi workers have also traveled to the reclaimed Wastes - work remains a precious commodity in the Untouched Lands, and many have seen the new project as their chance to seize fortune from the ruins of the pre-war world. These Sinta will usually dwell side-by-side with the common gestalts of the region, assisting the Dionae in their growth and working to rebuild and reclaim the ruins that dot the Wasteland.

== Culture ==
The Viridis is a melting pot, with workers from across the Hegemony traveling to the new frontier to seek their fortunes. Unathi of all backgrounds and cultures can be found here, but these disparate peoples are united in the overarching goal of the project - the reclamation of the Wasteland. In one way or another, every citizen of the Viridis works towards this goal, which has rapidly taken on a near-religious significance to many of them - often referred to as “The Great Work” among both Unathi and Dionae.

Due to the large Diona population, and the many gestalts dwelling within the region, the Unathi of the Viridis tend to have a positive outlook on Dionae - they are the means by which the Great Work is possible, after all, and many of them spend their days working closely with Diona gestalts. To some, Dionae are viewed as sacred or blessed beings, while others view them merely as an alien race who have lent their unique gifts to the Hegemony’s service. Close friendships between Unathi and Dionae are common in the Viridis, and the practice of symbiosis is more common there than anywhere else in the civilized Spur.

Though there are many Wastelanders among their number, the Sinta of the Viridis have developed a hostility towards many of the Wasteland factions, particularly those which have proven troublesome or hostile to the Great Work. To many in the Viridis, those Wastelanders who refuse to pledge themselves to the Lord Verdant are sabotaging the healing of Moghes out of their own pride, while those who raid or pillage Viridis settlements are viewed as barely-Sinta, savages who would despoil Moghes’ great hope just to prolong their own wretched lives. Though the Lords Verdant do not have a policy of open aggression, many of their subjects wish for a firmer hand in dealing with troublesome or defiant Wastelanders.

Though opinions on the Lords Verdant themselves vary from territory to territory, the Viridis as a whole is ruled by Lady-Governor Zhelmi Aeikuzo, whose enigmatic and disturbing reputation has become a popular subject of idle gossip through the rest of the Hegemony. In the Viridis, these tall tales are still told - but curiously, many of the locals speak them differently, using her moniker “Lady of Thorns” with something approaching pride. Monster or no, she is the one who began the Great Work, and that fact alone has inspired deep loyalty among many of her subjects.

The Viridis has come to appeal deeply to exiles, refugees, and Guwan - it is a new frontier, with the promise of new work and great fortunes to be made for those who do their part. Many Wasteland refugees have flocked to the lands of the Lords Verdant, seeking to reclaim their own homes or to escape the crowded slums of the Untouched Lands. Though it is a young region, it has rapidly amassed a large population, with many among the nobility viewing it as a perfect opportunity to get rid of unwanted mouths to feed.

== Faith ==
[[Sk'akh|Sk’akh]] is the most common religion within the Viridis, largely brought by workers from the Untouched Lands. The Church has established a substantial presence in the region already, and some have even called on High Priest Azandar to raise a new Archpriest to serve the spiritual needs of the region. This request has not been granted, however - likely due to Lady Aeikuzo’s troubled past with the Church, and her unorthodox interpretations of Sk’akh doctrine. Though her proclamation as a heretic was withdrawn following the dissolution of the Maraziite Order, it has still made many among the priesthood wary of the Viridis, and the future that the Lady of Thorns would bring. Their concern is only warranted by how many among the faithful in the region have proven open to Aeikuzo’s interpretations, and her ideas as to the transformation of the Unathi form. Though this has yet to become a major issue for the Church, whispers in the corridors of the Great Scept claim that the Viridis could become the birthplace of a schism if left unchecked.

Though outnumbered by the Sk’akh population, many [[Th'akh|Th’akh]] Unathi also dwell within the Viridis, coming from a thousand divergent faiths. Shrines to all manner of spirit can be found in the Viridis, though the locals tend to favor spirits of growth or life - befitting the Great Work. Many of the Th’akh beliefs in the Viridis view Dionae as holy, particularly those which came from the Wasteland - a fact which the Lords Verdant have been happy to encourage. These Th’akh beliefs have been instrumental in the growth of the Viridis, often successfully used for the peaceful absorption of Wasteland communities - and a major positive factor in negotiations with the Clan Dorviza.

So far, there has been no sign of an [[Aut'akh|Aut’akh]] presence within the Viridis - those in the undercity communes are reluctant to abandon their communities, and the faith is practically nonexistent among Wastelanders themselves.

[[Si'akh|Si’akh]] is also rare in the Viridis, though it has a small following among those Wastelanders who have chosen to be absorbed into the growing realm. The Prophet himself has commented on the project, stating that the Viridis is “a noble effort to alleviate the suffering of Moghes, but true salvation shall only come from Sk’akh”. Si’akh missionaries are generally permitted to preach in the Viridis - though some among the Lords Verdant have refused to allow them, particularly those surrounding Ihaliz.

== Notable Locations ==
=== Lazhi, City of Ten Thousand Blossoms ===
The de facto capital of the Viridis is Lazhi, located in the southern [[Zazalai Mountains|Zazalais]] north of Bahard. Destroyed during the Contact War, Lazhi was left an uninhabitable ruin for decades. When Lady-Governor Aeikuzo was granted her position, she began focusing on the reclamation of Lazhi as her new capital - a grand initial victory for her efforts. Most of the lingering fallout had dispersed, and Aeikuzo’s use of Dionae ensured that the remainder was eradicated.

Since then, Lazhi has become a city unlike any other - many of its buildings still stand as ruined monuments, but where they were once desolate and lifeless they are now overgrown, with both Diona gestalts and specially-modified flora granting the city its namesake. Taking inspiration from Diona architectural styles found in the Commonwealth of Hieroaetheria, Lazhi is both city and garden. It has rapidly become a site of curiosity among xenobotanical scholars both within the Hegemony and from further afield, with human, Skrell, and Vaurca scientists having found positions in the Lady-Governor’s service.

The vast work of reclaiming a city is nowhere near done, and the project has only grown in its enormity. Thousands of laborers have come in the employ of Hephaestus Industries, working to rebuild the city’s infrastructure, and it will likely take years until the scars of the city’s devastation are fully healed. To those who have only ever known Lazhi as ruins, however, the progress already made is astounding - with some even describing it as the Hegemony’s first true victory against the Wasteland.
At the heart of Lazhi lies the Governor’s palace - nicknamed “the Garden” by locals due to Lady Aeikuzo’s work. On the occasions that the Lords Verdant gather, this is where they are summoned to - and from here, all their work to reclaim the Wasteland is coordinated. Though Overlord Hutay’zai bears the informal title of “Lord of the Wastes”, the work done in the Garden has led many to whisper that the Lady-Governor is more deserving of such a title.

Though Aeikuzo rules Lazhi, the area of the Viridis surrounding it also has a Diona lord - the Argus gestalt known as The Silent Friend Embracing The Weeping Souls In A Blanket Of Purity And Love. This gestalt, often known as Taarazi, is a rarity - one of the few wild Dionae to have become one of the Lords Verdant, and the only one to have been grown entirely outside of Lady Aeikuzo’s careful cultivation. Taraazi was recruited early in the establishment of the Viridis, to provide the Lady-Governor insight into the culture and mentality of Wasteland Dionae. It has served as an emissary and advisor, working to bring Wasteland communities and wild Dionae under the Viridis, and many of the gestalts in the area owe their origins to Taraazi.

=== Ihaliz ===
Located to the west of Teht, Ihaliz is a small settlement serving as the center of reclamation efforts in the west. Rather than reclaimed ruins, Ihaliz is a new city, resembling a bustling and overgrown frontier town - though one which still lies well within the reach of Izweski authority, in no small part due to the proximity of Camp Izweski’s Honor. The settlement has become something of a hub for countless smaller reclamation efforts in the region, with the intent of reclaiming all the land between Teht and Camp Izweski’s Honor - ensuring that the Southlands are protected against Wasteland banditry in future.

Ihaliz is ruled by Steadfast Guardian of a World Reborn - a Competence Choir gestalt grown in Lady Aeikuzo’s garden, and educated by the genetic material of many skilled warriors. It is known to be an orderly and martial-inclined ruler, cultivated to assist the soldiers of Camp Izweski’s Honor in dealing with the dangers of Gawgaryn and other raiders which have plagued the region. Though most of the warriors under its command are Unathi, with Dionae largely serving in logistical or support roles, Ihaliz itself is largely defended by Diona practitioners of the Divine Mandate.

Since the establishment of Ihaliz, many local Wasteland groups have found themselves faced with a simple choice - to submit to the rule of Steadfast Guardian and the Hegemony, to depart their homes, or to be driven out. Though most of the local Wastelanders have chosen to reintegrate into the Hegemony, seeing the improvements that the reclamation program can bring to their quality of life, others have chosen to leave or resist - which has been met with stern reprisal by their new lord. Though it is not by any account a cruel ruler, it has been cultivated with a belief in the importance of maintaining authority, and those Wastelanders who have refused to kneel have found themselves driven out, fleeing deeper into the desert. Many of their lands have since been resettled by workers from the Southlands or by newly-grown common gestalts - ensuring that the great work of reclamation cannot be slowed by a few stubborn holdouts.

Hephaestus Industries has a substantial presence in Ihaliz, having been contracted for the building of the settlement. As the town grows, Hephaestus has also begun work on railroad lines to Teht and Camp Izweski’s Honor, ensuring that the reclaimed region can remain well-supplied and well-defended.

=== Rehus ===
Located in the mountains north of Skalamar, Rehus is the largest settlement of the northern Viridis, stretching its expanses of reclaimed land towards Camp Modesty. The site was chosen due to a subterranean aquifer nearby, and mining operations rapidly led to the excavation of the vast underground water reserves. This has led to the city’s nickname of “The Pit”, as it extends deep into the earth, in caverns lit by an odd mix of ordinary light and bioluminescent Dionae growths.

Rehus’s mining industry has led to a rapid population boom, as Hephaestus Industries has rapidly invested in the area’s development, setting up extensive industrial projects via the Miners’ Guild. The city’s true value, however, is in the aquifer - the merchants of Rehus have rapidly become some of the most prominent water traders in the Northern Wasteland, only rivaled by those of the still independent Canyon City. The water supplies of Rehus have led several Wasteland communities to abandon their independence and join the Viridis, swearing allegiance to the Lords Verdant and the Hegemon.

Though there are few Gawgaryn bands in the Northern Wasteland, the reclamation efforts of Rehus have led to tension with the Reclaimers, who on several occasions have clashed with warriors or salvagers seeking to restore ruins that the crawlers wished to salvage. Though this has never broken down into large-scale hostility, many among the northern Reclaimer clans worry that the reclamation projects mean there is little future for their way of life. The city’s water reserves have also led to difficulties with the people of Canyon City, which previously served as the center of the water trade - now, its significance is challenged, and the resources invested in the Viridis are far greater than those that the clans of the Canyon can bring to bear. Though so far the leadership of Rehus has been open to negotiation, Canyon City is reportedly gripped by internal conflict over how to deal with these new developments - and whether their importance will be sustained if the Wasteland grows smaller every year.

Rehus is ruled by Ephemeral Connections Formed Upon Silent Shores, a young Emphatic Echo gestalt. So far, it has taken a conciliatory approach to diplomacy, preferring to negotiate with local Wastelander communities without the use of force. This has led to the gestalt generally being well-liked by its people, though some others believe that Ephemeral Connections is too passive and inexperienced to deal with the challenges of its position.

=== Other Realms ===
Though the Viridis project is still in its infancy, many smaller communities have been established across the borders of the Wasteland under Aeikuzo's guidelines. The Lords Verdant of these realms are usually younger or less experienced gestalts, most commonly offspring of other noble Dionae or grown in the gardens of Lazhi.

User:RustingWithYou/The Viridis

2024-12-21T23:40:18Z

{{Navbox Lore}}
{{Navbox Unathi Lore}}
== Overview ==
Established in late 2466, the Viridis refers to several small realms located on the borders of the Wasteland. The largest concentration of these lands lies on the eastern edge of the Southlands, reaching into the Wasteland past Bahard - though other such fiefdoms lie to the west of Teht and to the north of Imas’hi. These realms are a grand experiment of the Hegemon’s in the large-scale use of Dionae for Wasteland reclamation, and are perhaps the largest and most influential Diona population in the Izweski Hegemony.

In a controversial decision by the Hegemon, these realms are ruled by Dionae - though still answerable to the rule of Governor Aeikuzo in Lazhi. Each of these noble gestalts, collectively nicknamed “the Lords Verdant” by their subjects, is carefully cultivated for capability as a ruler and loyalty to the Hegemon. They are allowed to operate with a fairly free hand, responsible for the growth and distribution of common gestalts in order to orchestrate large-scale reclamation of the Wasteland they preside over. Though they are permitted to split, or to form new noble gestalts, these gestalts are considered lesser nobility, with no inherent claim to the title of their progenitor. Many of these lesser gestalts have been sent to work elsewhere in the Hegemony, assuring that the Lords Verdant can gain greater influence outside their own territory.

In addition to the common gestalts of their lands, many Unathi workers have also traveled to the reclaimed Wastes - work remains a precious commodity in the Untouched Lands, and many have seen the new project as their chance to seize fortune from the ruins of the pre-war world. These Sinta will usually dwell side-by-side with the common gestalts of the region, assisting the Dionae in their growth and working to rebuild and reclaim the ruins that dot the Wasteland.

== Culture ==
The Viridis is a melting pot, with workers from across the Hegemony traveling to the new frontier to seek their fortunes. Unathi of all backgrounds and cultures can be found here, but these disparate peoples are united in the overarching goal of the project - the reclamation of the Wasteland. In one way or another, every citizen of the Viridis works towards this goal, which has rapidly taken on a near-religious significance to many of them - often referred to as “The Great Work” among both Unathi and Dionae.

Due to the large Diona population, and the many gestalts dwelling within the region, the Unathi of the Viridis tend to have a positive outlook on Dionae - they are the means by which the Great Work is possible, after all, and many of them spend their days working closely with Giona gestalts. To some, Dionae are viewed as sacred or blessed beings, while others view them merely as an alien race who have lent their unique gifts to the Hegemony’s service. Close friendships between Unathi and Dionae are common in the Viridis, and the practice of symbiosis is more common there than anywhere else in the civilized Spur.

Though there are many Wastelanders among their number, the Sinta of the Viridis have developed a hostility towards many of the Wasteland factions, particularly those which have proven troublesome or hostile to the Great Work. To many in the Viridis, those Wastelanders who refuse to pledge themselves to the Lord Verdant are sabotaging the healing of Moghes out of their own pride, while those who raid or pillage Viridis settlements are viewed as barely-Sinta, savages who would despoil Moghes’ great hope just to prolong their own wretched lives. Though the Lords Verdant do not have a policy of open aggression, many of their subjects wish for a firmer hand in dealing with troublesome or defiant Wastelanders.

Though opinions on the Lords Verdant themselves vary from territory to territory, the Viridis as a whole is ruled by Lady-Governor Aeikuzo, whose enigmatic and disturbing reputation has become a popular subject of idle gossip through the rest of the Hegemony. In the Viridis, these tall tales are still told - but curiously, many of the locals speak them differently, using her moniker “Lady of Thorns” with something approaching pride. Monster or no, she is the one who began the Great Work, and that fact alone has inspired deep loyalty among many of her subjects.

The Viridis has come to appeal deeply to exiles, refugees, and Guwan - it is a new frontier, with the promise of new work and great fortunes to be made for those who do their part. Many Wasteland refugees have flocked to the lands of the Lords Verdant, seeking to reclaim their own homes or to escape the crowded slums of the Untouched Lands. Though it is a young region, it has rapidly amassed a large population, with many among the nobility viewing it as a perfect opportunity to get rid of unwanted mouths to feed.

== Faith ==
Sk’akh is the most common religion within the Viridis, largely brought by workers from the Untouched Lands. The Church has established a substantial presence in the region already, and some have even called on High Priest Azandar to raise a new Archpriest to serve the spiritual needs of the region. This request has not been granted, however - likely due to Lady Aeikuzo’s troubled past with the Church, and her unorthodox interpretations of Sk’akh doctrine. Though her proclamation as a heretic was withdrawn following the dissolution of the Maraziite Order, it has still made many among the priesthood wary of the Viridis, and the future that the Lady of Thorns would bring. Their concern is only warranted by how many among the faithful in the region have proven open to Aeikuzo’s interpretations, and her ideas as to the transformation of the Unathi form. Though this has yet to become a major issue for the Church, whispers in the corridors of the Great Scept claim that the Viridis could become the birthplace of a schism if left unchecked.

Though outnumbered by the Sk’akh population, many Th’akh Unathi also dwell within the Viridis, coming from a thousand divergent faiths. Shrines to all manner of spirit can be found in the Viridis, though the locals tend to favor spirits of growth or life - befitting the Great Work. Many of the Th’akh beliefs in the Viridis view Dionae as holy, particularly those which came from the Wasteland - a fact which the Lords Verdant have been happy to encourage. These Th’akh beliefs have been instrumental in the growth of the Viridis, often successfully used for the peaceful absorption of Wasteland communities - and a major positive factor in negotiations with the Clan Dorviza.

So far, there has been no sign of an Aut’akh presence within the Viridis - those in the undercity communes are reluctant to abandon their communities, and the faith is practically nonexistent among Wastelanders themselves.

Si’akh is also rare in the Viridis, though it has a small following among those Wastelanders who have chosen to be absorbed into the growing realm. The Prophet himself has commented on the project, stating that the Viridis is “a noble effort to alleviate the suffering of Moghes, but true salvation shall only come from Sk’akh”. Si’akh missionaries are generally permitted to preach in the Viridis - though some among the Lords Verdant have refused to allow them, particularly those surrounding Ihaliz.

== Notable Locations ==
=== Lazhi, City of Ten Thousand Blossoms ===
The de facto capital of the Viridis is Lazhi, located in the southern Zazalais north of Bahard. Destroyed during the Contact War, Lazhi was left an uninhabitable ruin for decades. When Lady-Governor Aeikuzo was granted her position, she began focusing on the reclamation of Lazhi as her new capital - a grand initial victory for her efforts. Most of the lingering fallout had dispersed, and Aeikuzo’s use of Dionae ensured that the remainder was eradicated.

Since then, Lazhi has become a city unlike any other - many of its buildings still stand as ruined monuments, but where they were once desolate and lifeless they are now overgrown, with both Diona gestalts and specially-modified flora granting the city its namesake. Taking inspiration from Diona architectural styles found in the Commonwealth of Hieroaetheria, Lazhi is both city and garden. It has rapidly become a site of curiosity among xenobotanical scholars both within the Hegemony and from further afield, with human, Skrell, and Vaurca scientists having found positions in the Lady-Governor’s service.

The vast work of reclaiming a city is nowhere near done, and the project has only grown in its enormity. Thousands of laborers have come in the employ of Hephaestus Industries, working to rebuild the city’s infrastructure, and it will likely take years until the scars of the city’s devastation are fully healed. To those who have only ever known Lazhi as ruins, however, the progress already made is astounding - with some even describing it as the Hegemony’s first true victory against the Wasteland.
At the heart of Lazhi lies the Governor’s palace - nicknamed “the Garden” by locals due to Lady Aeikuzo’s work. On the occasions that the Lords Verdant gather, this is where they are summoned to - and from here, all their work to reclaim the Wasteland is coordinated. Though Overlord Hutay’zai bears the informal title of “Lord of the Wastes”, the work done in the Garden has led many to whisper that the Lady-Governor is more deserving of such a title.

Though Aeikuzo rules Lazhi, the area of the Viridis surrounding it also has a Diona lord - the Argus gestalt known as The Silent Friend Embracing The Weeping Souls In A Blanket Of Purity And Love. This gestalt, often known as Taarazi, is a rarity - one of the few wild Dionae to have become one of the Lords Verdant, and the only one to have been grown entirely outside of Lady Aeikuzo’s careful cultivation. Taraazi was recruited early in the establishment of the Viridis, to provide the Lady-Governor insight into the culture and mentality of Wasteland Dionae. It has served as an emissary and advisor, working to bring Wasteland communities and wild Dionae under the Viridis, and many of the gestalts in the area owe their origins to Taraazi.

=== Ihaliz ===
Located to the west of Teht, Ihaliz is a small settlement serving as the center of reclamation efforts in the west. Rather than reclaimed ruins, Ihaliz is a new city, resembling a bustling and overgrown frontier town - though one which still lies well within the reach of Izweski authority, in no small part due to the proximity of Camp Izweski’s Honor. The settlement has become something of a hub for countless smaller reclamation efforts in the region, with the intent of reclaiming all the land between Teht and Camp Izweski’s Honor - ensuring that the Southlands are protected against Wasteland banditry in future.

Ihaliz is ruled by Steadfast Guardian of a World Reborn - a Competence Choir gestalt grown in Lady Aeikuzo’s garden, and educated by the genetic material of many skilled warriors. It is known to be an orderly and martial-inclined ruler, cultivated to assist the soldiers of Camp Izweski’s Honor in dealing with the dangers of Gawgaryn and other raiders which have plagued the region. Though most of the warriors under its command are Unathi, with Dionae largely serving in logistical or support roles, Ihaliz itself is largely defended by Diona practitioners of the Divine Mandate.

Since the establishment of Ihaliz, many local Wasteland groups have found themselves faced with a simple choice - to submit to the rule of Steadfast Guardian and the Hegemony, to depart their homes, or to be driven out. Though most of the local Wastelanders have chosen to reintegrate into the Hegemony, seeing the improvements that the reclamation program can bring to their quality of life, others have chosen to leave or resist - which has been met with stern reprisal by their new lord. Though it is not by any account a cruel ruler, it has been cultivated with a belief in the importance of maintaining authority, and those Wastelanders who have refused to kneel have found themselves driven out, fleeing deeper into the desert. Many of their lands have since been resettled by workers from the Southlands or by newly-grown common gestalts - ensuring that the great work of reclamation cannot be slowed by a few stubborn holdouts.

Hephaestus Industries has a substantial presence in Ihaliz, having been contracted for the building of the settlement. As the town grows, Hephaestus has also begun work on railroad lines to Teht and Camp Izweski’s Honor, ensuring that the reclaimed region can remain well-supplied and well-defended.

=== Rehus ===
Located in the mountains north of Skalamar, Rehus is the largest settlement of the northern Viridis, stretching its expanses of reclaimed land towards Camp Modesty. The site was chosen due to a subterranean aquifer nearby, and mining operations rapidly led to the excavation of the vast underground water reserves. This has led to the city’s nickname of “The Pit”, as it extends deep into the earth, in caverns lit by an odd mix of ordinary light and bioluminescent Dionae growths.

Rehus’s mining industry has led to a rapid population boom, as Hephaestus Industries has rapidly invested in the area’s development, setting up extensive industrial projects via the Miners’ Guild. The city’s true value, however, is in the aquifer - the merchants of Rehus have rapidly become some of the most prominent water traders in the Northern Wasteland, only rivaled by those of the still independent Canyon City. The water supplies of Rehus have led several Wasteland communities to abandon their independence and join the Viridis, swearing allegiance to the Lords Verdant and the Hegemon.

Though there are few Gawgaryn bands in the Northern Wasteland, the reclamation efforts of Rehus have led to tension with the Reclaimers, who on several occasions have clashed with warriors or salvagers seeking to restore ruins that the crawlers wished to salvage. Though this has never broken down into large-scale hostility, many among the northern Reclaimer clans worry that the reclamation projects mean there is little future for their way of life. The city’s water reserves have also led to difficulties with the people of Canyon City, which previously served as the center of the water trade - now, its significance is challenged, and the resources invested in the Viridis are far greater than those that the clans of the Canyon can bring to bear. Though so far the leadership of Rehus has been open to negotiation, Canyon City is reportedly gripped by internal conflict over how to deal with these new developments - and whether their importance will be sustained if the Wasteland grows smaller every year.

Rehus is ruled by Ephemeral Connections Formed Upon Silent Shores, a young Emphatic Echo gestalt. So far, it has taken a conciliatory approach to diplomacy, preferring to negotiate with local Wastelander communities without the use of force. This has led to the gestalt generally being well-liked by its people, though some others believe that Ephemeral Connections is too passive and inexperienced to deal with the challenges of its position.

=== Other Realms ===
Though the Viridis project is still in its infancy, many smaller communities have been established across the borders of the Wasteland under Aeikuzo's guidelines. The Lords Verdant of these realms are usually younger or less experienced gestalts, most commonly offspring of other noble Dionae or grown in the gardens of Lazhi.

They Who Hath Become Lord Arc

2024-12-21T23:15:00Z

RustingWithYou: articles

Template:2024 Event Timeline

2024-11-25T22:47:12Z

RustingWithYou: they who hath become lord

<div class="padded" width="35%" style="font-size: 12px; padding: 5px">
{| style="cellpadding: 5px; text-align: left;width: 35%" class="mw-collapsible mw-uncollapsed wikitable"
|-
! colspan="3" style="width: 100%; background-color:#000080" | <span style="color: white">2024 Event Timeline</span>
|-
! style="width: 20%; background-color:#c53434" colspan="2"| Galactic Events
| " align="left" | N/A
|-
! style="width: 20%; background-color:#3462c5" colspan="2"| Major Events
| " align="left" | [[Silicon Nightmares Arc]] · [[New Blades Old Wounds Arc|New Blades, Old Wounds Arc]]
|-
! style="width: 20%; background-color:#34c578" colspan="2"| Minor Events
| " align="left" | [[Stoking The Flames Arc]] · [[Demands of the Three Arc]] · [[War in Heaven Arc]] · [[Magna Expansio Unionis]] · [[They Who Hath Become Lord Arc|They Who Hath Become Lord]]
|-
|}
</div>
<noinclude>
[[Category:Event Timelines]]
[[Category: Templates]]
</noinclude>

They Who Hath Become Lord Arc

2024-11-25T22:46:23Z

RustingWithYou: articles

They Who Hath Become Lord Arc

2024-11-18T00:25:41Z

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They Who Hath Become Lord Arc

2024-11-11T22:21:28Z

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Template:Navbox Dionae Lore

2024-11-09T01:20:09Z

RustingWithYou: adds unathi arc

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! colspan="3" style="width: 50%; background-color:#907E4A" | [[:Category:Dionaea|<span style="color: White">Dionae Lore Pages</span>]]
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! style="width: 10%" colspan="2"| Species
| align="left" | [[Dionae]] · [[Dionae Forms]] · [[Dionae Mindtypes]] · [[Dionae Biology]] · [[Dionae Out-Of-Character]]
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! style="width: 10%" colspan="2"| Locations, Planets & Systems
| align="left" | [[Xrim]] · [[Hieroaetheria]] · [[Rueltab]] · [[Mictlan#Dionae_on_Mictlan|Primitive Sirens of Mictlan]] · [[Eternal Gardens]]
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! style="width: 10%" colspan="2"| Conglomerates & Factions
| align="left" | [[Dionae in the Federation]] · [[Moghresian Dionae| Dionae in the Hegemony]] · [[Vaurcae & Dionae]] · [[The Narrows]] · [[The Underhive Collective]] · [[Pactolus Exploration League]]
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! style="width: 10%" colspan="2"| Culture, History & Society
| align="left | [[Dionae Culture]] · [[Notable Dionae]] · [[Voidic Proto-Culture]] · [[Dionae Space Capabilities]] · [[Dionae History]] · [[The Eternal]]
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! style="width: 10%" colspan="2"| Lore Arcs
| align="left | [[Omnivirate's Providence]] · [[Magna Expansio Unionis]] · [[They Who Hath Become Lord Arc]]
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Template:Navbox Unathi Lore

2024-11-09T01:19:55Z

RustingWithYou: adds diona arc

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! colspan="3" style="width: 50%; background-color:#34AF10" | [[Unathi|<span style="color: White">Unathi Lore Pages</span>]]
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! style="width: 10%" colspan="2"| Planets and Systems
| align="left" | [[Moghes]] · [[Ouerea]] · [[Uueoa-Esa]] · [[Notable Unathi Colonies]] · [[Gakal'zaal]] · [[Tret]]
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! style="width: 10%" colspan="2"| Factions
| align="left" | [[Izweski Hegemony]] · [[Unathi Guilds]] · [[Unathi Piracy]] · [[K'lax in the Izweski Nation]] · [[The Queendom of Sezk-Hakh]] · [[Mictlan#The_Free_Sinta'Unathi_of_Vezdukh | Free City of Vezdukh]] · [[Unathi in Dominia]]
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! style="width: 10%" colspan="2"| History
| align="left" | [[Unathi History]] · [[Contact War]] · [[Unathi Recent Events]] · [[Notable Unathi]]
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! style="width: 10%" colspan="2"| Religions
| align="left" | [[Sk'akh]] · [[Th'akh]] · [[Aut'akh]] · [[Si'akh]]
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! style="width: 10%" colspan="2"| Society and Culture
| align="left" | [[Unathi Entertainment]] · [[Unathi Honor]] · [[Unathi Military Structure]] · [[Unathi Crime And Enforcement]] · [[Unathi Educational Institutions]] · [[Unathi Spaceflight]] · [[Unathi Abroad]] · [[Zandiziite Games]]
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! style="width: 10%" colspan="2"| Regions of Moghes
| align="left" | [[Izweski Heartland]] · [[Tza Prairie]] · [[Southlands]] · [[Broken Coalition]] · [[Torn Cities]] · [[Zazalai Mountains]] · [[The Wasteland]]
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! style="width: 10%" colspan="2"| Lore Arcs
| align="left" | [[The Titan Rises Arc]] · [[New Blades Old Wounds Arc|New Blades, Old Wounds Arc]] · [[They Who Hath Become Lord Arc]]
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They Who Hath Become Lord Arc

2024-11-09T01:18:21Z

RustingWithYou: Created page with "{| id="mp-eventarc" style="width:65%; background:#29870e; text-align:center; border:4px solid #dca200; margin:0 auto; width:950px" | style="width:56%; color:#000;" | <div style="font-size:162%; border:2px solid #dca200; margin:0; background:#29870e; padding:.1em; color:#fff;">Arc Title</div> <center> {{Template:2024 Event Timeline}} <div style="font-size:110%; border:2px solid #dca200; margin:0; background:#29870e; padding:.1em; color:#fff;">This is the overview and time..."

Ouerea

2024-10-26T11:03:17Z

RustingWithYou: removes ouerea's secret link

{{Navbox Lore}}
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{{Infobox Planet
|Name = Ouerea
|System = [[Uueoa-Esa]]
|Image = Early Ouerea Flag.png
|Sector = [[The_Orion_Spur#Badlands|Badlands]]
|Capital = New Skalamar
|Species = [[Unathi]], [[Skrell]], Human
|Languages = [[Languages|Sinta'Unathi, Sol Common, Nral'malic]]
|Demonyms = Ouerean
|Nation = [[Izweski Hegemony]]
}}
'''Ouerea''', the fourth planet from the [[Uueoa-Esa]] star, is the first planet to be colonized by the [[Unathi]]. It was first colonized by the [[Izweski Nation|Hegemony]] in 2390, when five Unathi stepped onto the planet after a one-way trip from [[Moghes]], and is the only other habitable planet within the Uueoa-Esa system. The colony teetered on a knife's edge for a decade as travel between Moghes and Ouerea was beyond the capability of rudimentary Unathi space flight. It wasn’t until First Contact in 2403 with humanity and the [[Skrell]] that colonization began to take off. Eventually, even humanity and the Skrell began to venture to the planet, creating a melting pot of not only different Unathi cultures but different species. Eventually, the colony was declared self-sufficient, and the [[Unathi Spaceflight|Izweski space program]] began to look elsewhere, beyond their home system. Sadly, this would be the catalyst for the [[Contact War]].

Today Ouerea stands separate from the rest of the Hegemony, with a unique system of governance that goes against the feudal system on which the rest of the Hegemony relies. Their culture, also more influenced by aliens than that of Moghes, has diverged to the point where it no longer truly resembles any found anywhere else within the Hegemony. There have been incidents in the past regarding these differences, but for now, Ouerea remains a Hegemonic colony, a position which has often been enforced by violence against its population, but one that has become much more vital due to the expansion of Aquaculture on the planet by [[Hephaestus Industries]].
{{TOC Hidden}}
== History ==
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=== Humble Beginnings (2390 - 2400) ===
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In 2390, after years of preparation and travel, five Unathi stepped off their spacecraft and onto the Ouerean soil - the first Unathi to ever set foot on an alien world.. After a tortuous five months on a one-way trip traveling through the blackness of space, they were able to breathe in fresh air from a verdant jungle landscape, on the shore of a vast ocean. It was at this moment that the colony of Ouerea was founded.

Unathi spaceflight in 2390 was still rudimentary at best. They had still not truly mastered long-term propulsion, still using basic chemical rockets to achieve orbit and maneuver to their destination. For the next decade, all trips to Ouerea would be one way, and more importantly, while the fledgling colony had communication with their home planet, supplies would always be at a minimum of a 3-month trip away, so any difficulties encountered by the first colonists would have to be handled on their own. Slowly but surely, more and more colonists began to arrive and what was originally a team of just scientists studying the ecosystem made its way to a growing town, one that would evolve into the thriving metropolis known as New Skalamar. Still, a one-way trip in a dubiously safe rocket was not for everyone, so the colony barely grew past a population of 500 for the first decade of its existence, in which time the first egg was hatched on Ouerea, marking a new planet owned by the Hegemony. The culture of these first colonists was rugged and communal. They had only themselves to rely on, and the group would succeed or fail together. The lush jungle, while fit for Unathi habitation, was still untamed wilderness, and one mistake could see the colony fail. Food, mostly fish from the nearby sea and what arrived in drop pods, was shared amongst all equally, and slowly as the years marched by, the caste system of traditional Unathi began to fade into the background. In this fledgling society, those who worked menial jobs were just as important as those who did not. There were no peasants or nobility, there were simply Unathi, trying to survive together - isolated on an alien world, with the nearest hint of civilization billions of kilometers away. This sense of isolated community was the foundation of what would one day become the egalitarian culture of Ouerea that persists to this day. However, eventually, change would come to the colony.
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=== A Time of Growth (2403 - 2455) ===
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In 2403 the [[Izweski Nation|Hegemony]] made First Contact with two new species. [[Sol Alliance|Humanity]], and the [[Skrell]]. Being far behind technologically compared to them, Unathi were able to reap some benefits of this first contact, mainly dramatic improvements in their space travel technology, allowing for travel between [[Moghes]] and Ouerea on a much more regular basis. The first shuttle port was established on Moghes in the city of [[Izweski Heartland|Skalamar]] by [[NanoTrasen]], and the colonization of Ouerea began to take off. The town of New Skalamar swelled in numbers, growing to thousands strong, and after different colonies were established around the now-named Trizkizki Sea, it was declared the capital of the new colony, a whole planet, a colony of the [[Izweski Nation|Hegemony]]. Naturally, the colonists were mostly from the [[Izweski Nation|Hegemony]], however unlike the original group of scientists and other specialists that had settled the world, these new colonists were mostly peasantry, the sons and daughters of menial workers who had been offered a way out of their dreary lives; and unlike the modern day colonies of the [[Izweski Nation|Hegemony]], there were no soldiers to keep traditional society in place. These peasants quickly latched onto the already growing egalitarian culture of Ouerea, propagating it exponentially until even back on [[Moghes]] many had heard of the so-called equal societies on Ouerea. Of course, this caused more peasantry to flock to the colony if ever given the opportunity, which eventually created a self-fulfilling cycle where more colonists meant more word about equal societies which meant more colonists, continue. During this time Ouerean Culture began to truly develop, as unique holidays, greetings, and ideas began to form in the mind of those who lived on the planet. The first Skrellian and human colonists also appeared at this time, bringing new ideas from a more enlightened society that was not clinging to feudalism. The [[Izweski Nation|Hegemony]] would likely have stamped down on this behaviour, or it would have continued indefinitely were it not for one thing. The [[Contact War]].

The [[Contact War]] disrupted Ouerea, but not in the harsh way it disrupted [[Moghes]]. The [[Nralakk Federation]] stepped in and assumed oversight of the colony, imparting their ideas and assisting in what they could. While the [[Sol Alliance|Solarian Alliance]] played a lesser role in the colony's administration, largely focusing on the human population and megacorporate assets on the planet, this period is generally considered to be one of joint governance between the Spur's two superpowers. The [[Izweski Nation|Hegemony]], busy fighting for its dominance at first, then for its survival as the war turned nuclear had no resources to spare for Ouerea, and essentially left it on its own for the next two decades as it fought a brutal planetary war. This would prove to be a mistake for the [[Izweski Nation|Hegemony]].

By this point the colony was self-sufficient, no longer needing supplies from [[Moghes]], and had begun to set up a rudimentary trade network throughout the Trizkizki Sea, as the Federation began to dedicate more advanced space vessels which had finally delivered wet water shipping vessels to the planet. However, the Federation-Alliance government never meant to hold onto Ouerea forever, merely assist it while [[Moghes]] descended into the seventh ring of hell. They would not dedicate many resources to it, instead as was their normal state at the time, preferring to look inwards toward domestic policies. However during this time, with the Federation safeguarding the stability of Ouerea, many Skrell began to emigrate to the planet, mostly those with low social credit who did not have a hope of achieving their dreams within the Federation. These colonists brought with them an idea of a new life and began the formative steps towards what would eventually become the Skrellian culture on Ouerea.

The humans who emigrated, on the other hand, were of a different breed. Mostly workers for the megacorporations that still had assets on Ouerea, they were there for their work, and on a strange alien planet, work with fellow humans was what they found comfort in. Instead of intermingling with the population like many of the Skrell did, Ouerean humans tended to not view the planet as a permanent residence in which to settle down, raising a family, but instead, a job posting where they kept to themselves and their fellow workers. They would rarely leave their megacorporate-built housing areas, and only truly ever interacted with Unathi on the job. Eventually, this latent distrust and anxiety about being a trillion kilometres from home, on an alien world, surrounded by aliens whose own homeworld was awash with the blood of the [[Contact War]], lessened, and the introduction of different species to the Ouerean melting pot began. Both Skrell and human colonists, mostly refugees fleeing persecution from the Federation or sent there by megacorporations to work, began to talk about a governmental structure where all men were equal. Where Lords were not born, but appointed by popular consensus. The already egalitarian culture of Ouerea was ready to eagerly accept such a government, and the people living there took up these alien ideas.

[[File:Oureaea Ciites.png|thumb|A modern day map of Ouerea, with cities and major locations labelled.]]

Already cut off from further colonists arriving due to the state of war on [[Moghes]], Ouerea with its new alien ideas developed entirely alone for a whole generation. No fresh colonists with regressive attitudes, no real communication or care from the [[Izweski Nation|Hegemony]], just the colonists, the planet, and what the new human and Skrell colonists had told them of. The isolation from [[Moghes]] and disinterest of the Federation only reinforced the already popular ideas of equality, as colonies worked together for continued growth, and trade around the Trizkaka Sea became a staple of Ouerean survival. Seamanship was a sought-after skill, and a generation of hatchlings grew up with dreams of sailing the high seas. The idea of nobility was cast aside as the ideas brought by alien colonists took root, and for the first time, free elections were held across the world in cities, as mayors, councilmen, and other elected positions were created based on stories told by the alien colonists; a new word had begun to enter the Unathi lexicon; Democracy. A Government by the people, of the people, for the people. It was almost unheard of within Unathi society before this, but the great Ouerean experiment was underway. Societal structures in place for centuries began to break down, as Unathi found freedom in their religion, social obligations, and status. No longer would there be social shunning, and no longer would clans bind their members permanently. A wave of change was taking over the world, but it would be a while yet until it had the momentum for laws to be formed from it. By the time it was 10 years into the [[Contact War]], the Ouereans even founded their own colony.

The city of Yiz, still just a town at this point, on an island chain in the middle of the ocean, became the first colony on the world founded by those on the world. The population came from across the planet, and no one city created it, though most of the colonists were of course from New Skalamar. Yiz would become a central trading hub in the southern parts of the sea, as its position allowed for coastal traders to easily access both Um’a’yid and Tr’ha’rem, as well as New Skalamar itself. It was founded on the 11th of October, which would come to be the holiday known as founding day when Ouereans celebrate their ancestor's achievements in the face of adversity. This defiance of nature, this ability to make do, that was proven in the founding of Yiz would go on to form another pillar of Ouerean culture, but that would come later, once more fuel was poured on the fire. However, for now, Ouerea had become interconnected through its trade and would form a planetary government. Known as the Synod of Scales, it would be a democratic institution made up of representatives from every settlement across the Trizkizki Sea, the number of representatives determined by population, based in New Skalamar, due to it having been named the planetary capital. The Synod of Scales would have limited powers, and generally be a committee by which decisions that affected the whole of Ouerea would be decided, and would allow the settlements to generally run themselves. They would also appoint one of their number, known as the “Speaker of the Scales” who would moderate discussions within it, and speak for the committee as a whole. There were no restrictions on who could run for office in the Synod, just that they had to be an adult of their respective species. One of the first acts done by the Synod of Scales was to abolish the title of Guwan. Criminals would still exist, but Unathi around the planet was now free of the shackles which bound them to their clan, allowing a breath of freedom for a young generation who had been raised during this time of changing ideals. However, it was not to last.

Perhaps another unforeseen consequence of the [[Contact War]] for the burgeoning colony might have been the birth of [[Unathi Piracy|Unathi space piracy]] as we know it. The [[Izweski Nation|Hegemony's]] inability to survey its own system due to the war on [[Moghes]] and maintain order there, as well as the many alien ships coming in and out of Ouerea, made Uueoa-Esa a perfect place for pirate crews, and soon, the first fleets, to grow in size and power. For a time, Ouerea’s criminal underbelly became a home for most of these pirates when not in space, and for their families if they had one. By the end of the war, and the time the [[Izweski Nation|Hegemony]] could maintain a presence across the system however, most of these pirates would be gone, having moved to the recently-discovered Ha’zana or even more distant stars.
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=== The Months of Blood (2457) ===
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<div style="text-align: center;">Razul Tuzahu would forever go down as a cursed name within the history of Ouerea.</div>

Eventually though, as all things do, the [[Contact War]] came to an end. Though the end for Ouerea was different to the end of [[Moghes]]. For [[Moghes]], the [[Contact War]] ended when the fighting stopped, and the levies were able to return home. For Ouerea, the contact war ended when the [[Izweski Nation|Hegemony]] could spare the time and resources to look at it again, and what they found outraged them. The first real communication between governments began again, in 2457, when a [[Unathi Recent Events#Unathi_Enter_the_Bluespace_Age_(2457)|Hegemonic Fleet jumped into orbit]] seizing the planet from alien control. The Mogheasian representative was a high ranking Izweski bannerman of Clan Tuzahu named Razul. Razul Tuzahu was met by the Speaker of Scales, one Zeihro Arusa, a former member of the peasantry from the Southlands. Razul immediately demanded to speak with the noble lord of New Skalamar, or of the planet if there was one, but Zeihro Arusa informed him that there were no more lords on Ouerea, only mayors and other elected officials. He politely explained that he was elevated from a committee of representatives which spoke for the planet’s population, to speak for them, and would bring Razul, and the assembled members of Clan Tuzahu acting as an honor guard for him before the Synod of Scales to hear what he had to say before discussing it. Razul, a noble himself, was enraged by this thought, that a bunch of peasants would dare invite him, not to listen to his commands, but just to listen and then make their own decision. Razul berated Zeihro Arusa, calling him a disloyal traitor to the [[Izweski Nation|Hegemony]], and to all the values that an Unathi should stand for. Zeihro Arusa would answer with a phrase that would forever live on in the hearts of the Ouerean people.

<div style="text-align: center;">'''“We will be loyal to the Hegemony, so long as it is loyal to us.”'''</div>

Razul would refuse to meet with the Synod of Scales, damning him for all eternity in the eyes of the Ouerean population. Instead, he returned to [[Moghes]], where he informed Hegemon Sk’resti that a peasant rebellion while committing treason was also preaching ideas of equality, tarnishing the tradition of the Sinta, and elevating the peasantry had taken over the colony while the [[Skrell]] had watched over it. Hegemon Sk’resti, ever hungry for more war, believed Razul without second thought, and sent him off with a force of five thousand warriors to re-subjugate the planet, transported by the [[Izweski Nation|Hegemony's]] new spacefaring fleet. Razul descended with a fury born of hatred - both for the peasantry and the new society that had been born on Ouerea. He landed in New Skalamar, dismantling the Synod of Scales and declaring the planet under his direct rule. Those who resisted found themselves executed, and the stories said that the streets outside the Overlord’s Palace in Central New Skalamar, where the Synod of Scales had once met, ran red with blood. Razul would see Zeihro Arusa executed, but in his death, Zeihro Arusa, became a martyr for the Ouerean people, and a rallying cry for resistance. Resistance not only against Razul but resistance against those non-Ouerean Unathi, with their outdated ideas of feudalism; essentially, resistance against the [[Izweski Nation|Hegemony]] itself. Civil unrest was common, with protests and riots gripping the streets daily, but this was not a full-scale revolt yet and never would become one. In early 2458, when the [[Unathi_Recent_Events#The_Cataclysm_(2458)|HMV Cataclysm was sabotaged]], Razul and his men were needed elsewhere in the spur, fighting the real enemies of the [[Izweski Nation|Hegemony]] instead of dealing with peasant rabble. The [[Izweski Nation|Hegemony]] would force a deal with the people of Ouerea, accept an overlord, and they would allow limited democratic governance, with feudal oversight. Overlord Yiztek was chosen, and he would begin to rule the planet, reinstating feudalism against the wishes of the population. While this stopped the immediate rebellion, it only increased resentment, but the pressure was not so far up that it would bubble over just yet.
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=== Enter Hephaestus (2458 - 2460) ===
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The period between 2458 and 2460 was relatively peaceful for Ouerea. There was still a hot underbed of resentment against the [[Izweski Nation|Hegemony]] for the destruction of its democratic system, but there was no real action. [[Hephaestus Industries]] took this year and a half to expand into Ouerea, as it had done much of the rest of the [[Izweski Nation|Hegemony]]. They began setting up logging industries, factories, shipyards, and much of the heavy pollutant industry common for them. The Ouerean people at first welcomed [[Hephaestus Industries]] onto their world, they saw more humans who would share the same ideals as those who had come before them. Ideals of equality, democracy, and the like, while also offering gainful employment to the population. However, this would not be the case. [[Hephaestus Industries]] instead exploited the workers of Ouerea, treating them poorly and unlike those on Moghes who were used to exploitation, Ouereans now had a different culture and history. Unions, while not particularly common on Ouerea, were present in many workplaces, and as the newly employed [[Hephaestus Industries|Hephaestus]] workers tried to unionize themselves, they found themselves stonewalled, fired, ridiculed, and even sometimes threatened or beaten by [[Hephaestus Industries]] as they continued their Anti-Union tactics. Public opinion began to turn on [[Hephaestus Industries]], and they found themselves dealing with an increasingly angry population, as the movement began to grow. It was not a fast spreading movement, many still saw the corporation’s investments as a good thing, but as the attempts to prevent unionization became more and more heavy-handed, and worker treatment remained horrible, the ranks of those fed up with the corporation, the [[Izweski Nation|Hegemony]], and feudalism swelled. The boiling point would come on '''March 6th, 2460''', and the world would direct its wrath at those who wronged them.
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=== The Rebellion (2460) ===
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{{Ouerean Rebellion
|conflict = Ouerean Revolution
|image = Ouerea Flag
|date = 29 February - 9 July 2460
|location = Ouerea
|result = Truce<br>Establishment of democratic government on Ouerea<br>

|combatant1 = [[Izweski Hegemony]]
|combatant2 = Ouerean rebel forces
|commander1 = [[Notable_Unathi#Not'zar_Izweski,_Izweski_Hegemon|Hegemon Not'zar Izweski]]<br>Overlord Tarkat Yiztek
|commander2 = General Vhariz Zik'san
|strength1 = Approx. 26800 professional soldiers<br>Unknown number of levied forces
|strength2 = Approx. 12300 trained combatants<br>Unknown number of insurgent fighters
|casualties1 = Approx. 3100 killed in action
|casualties2 = Unknown
|}}
On [[Unathi_Recent_Events#Rumbles_on_Ouerea|February 29th, 2460]], Union leaders staged a walk-out at a Hephaestus mining facility as a protest for Hephaestus refusing to negotiate with them for higher salaries and better benefits. Hephaestus responded by firing every worker who did not show up for work that day, as the Hegemony laws offered no worker protections. The situation quickly snowballed as more workers joined the walk-out, and protests erupted outside many Hephaestus sites across the planet. The recently installed local lords reacted by deploying their Watchmen to disperse the protests through force. This however only caused the situation to escalate, and on March 5th, at a protest outside of Hephaestus’s Headquarters in New Skalamar, the match was lit. After a Hephaestus Security Officer drew the blood of one of the protestors, a riot began, and the city watchmen and Hephaestus security forces found themselves putting the riot down the hard way. In the end, two of the protesters were killed, and dozens more injured.

The site “Ouerea Now” , a long time hotbed of resentment, crashed due to the traffic it received that night and the following day, the population was furious about the deaths of the protestors, and began to take to the streets. Overlord Yiztek attempted to ban the website, but by then it was too late. Hundreds of thousands of people flooded the streets of every major Ouerean city, as a wave of civil unrest overwhelmed local watchmen, who couldn’t contain the violence. Protestors called for the expulsion of Hephaestus Industries, the abolishment of the Feudal system, and revenge for those lost to the Months of Blood. Tax collectors, noble estates, and other government institutions were attacked by mobs, and millions of credits worth of property destroyed. Overlord Yiztek, unable to properly deal with the amount of unrest, attempted heavy handed measures, including the Guwaning of all those in a group greater than five in number, and extra taxation on the clans. This did nothing but fan the flames of rebellion higher, and on April 10th, what started as a protest against Hephaestus changed into a full scale rebellion.

The Ouerean levies, called up on the order of Overlord Yiztek to help quell the violence instead began to defect to leaders of the protests and riots, after they were given their arms and armor. As Yiztek continued to call up levies, more defected, creating a cycle where Yiztek would call up a levy just watch them defect the following day. The now equipped rebel forces alongside mobs began to storm the palaces of the nobility, taking prisoners and accepting surrenders from noble clans. The situation had become a crisis, and every hamfisted attempt by Yiztek only increased the number of rebels he was facing, now not only peasant mobs but an equipped fighting force. Eventually, after weeks of fighting, the capital of New Skalamar fell under siege by combined rebel forces under the dubious command of one Zik'san, a former member of the Synod of Scales who had escaped death at the hands of Razul. Yiztek did not have enough men to resist them for long, and even much of the city was against him. He had failed as a ruler; he had lost.

During this time a not insignificant number of the humans left on the planet who had not already fled during the Months of Blood finally decided to stake their fortune elsewhere, away from what they now viewed as a violent government, run by a violent species. These emigres would go on to form the first Ouerean expat groups, mostly within the Coalition and Biesel, as having been raised on a completely alien planet made the Solarian Alliance and its xenophobic tendencies difficult to immigrate to. They brought with them a culture warped by their upbringing in a Unathi society, one unlike any other in the spur.

The Skrell were a different matter altogether. With most of the Skrellian population either fleeing from the Federation, or facing re-education due to low social credit scores should they return, many Skrell latched themselves to the fate of the world, refusing to abandon it even as it upheaved with rebellion. Some in fact would become parts of this rebellion, not wanting to trade the bureaucratic authoritarian government of the Federation for the more backward Feudal kind. Those that did not join the rebellion still remained on the world however, looking at rebellion as a situation where no matter what the outcome was, it would be preferable compared to returning to the Federation, or emigrating elsewhere. As a result of this it has become common for Ouerean Skrell after greeting each other, to inquire if their newly met compatriot fought in the rebellion or not, with each Skrell judging the answer as they see fit.
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=== Peace Talks and Reconciliation (2460) ===
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[[File:Siegecomplete.png|thumb|alt=Unathi.|Not'zar Izweski managed to secure a lasting peace with Ouerea by negotiating with the rebel forces, despite the efforts of the then-Overlord to sabotage the talks.]]
As the capital fell under siege and the planet looked to be almost lost to rebel forces, the [[Notable Unathi#Not'zar Izweski, Izweski Hegemon|Lord-Regent Not’zar]] himself intervened. Having seen the destruction caused by Yiztek’s hamfisted policies so far, Not’zar instead shocked everyone by opening a dialogue with the rebel leaders, walking to their siege camp himself to parlay. However, when attempting to return he found the gate to the city locked by Overlord Yiztek, and returned to the Rebel camp to ask the rebels to safely escort him back in. They complied, and this was the beginning of the Ouerean people warming up to Not’zar. That the Hegemon did not see them as savage peasants, and felt comfortable enough to parlay with them, before asking for them to escort him back into the city after the Overlord locked him out, giving the Ouerean people hope. The Hegemon also allowed four negotiators from the prayed-for Ouerean Confederation, a government that would see a return to democracy, into the city. However, Overlord Yiztek was not done with his heavy-handed attempts yet. He had the negotiators executed on charges of espionage, much to the anger of Not’zar, and the fury of the rebels, who gave a warning to the city, not an ultimatum of choice, but a simple warning.

<div style="text-align: center;">'''“We will give this city three days. If you are within New Skalamar and value your life: be somewhere else.”'''</div>

Thankfully, Not’zar had his Guwan Guard arrest Overlord Yiztek moments before the storming would have started, averting the crisis and the need for military force. However, this move cost Not’zar a huge amount of political capital, as the traditionalist lords of the Hegemony were furious at the Lord-Regent for daring to arrest one of their own, after not having intervened until the crisis had gotten out of hand, and in doing so capitulating to the peasantry. It is uncertain if this move was worth what it cost Not’zar, as it set him back years in gaining the trust and loyalty of the influential lords of the Hegemony. None besides Miaruz Izweski backed his play, and the rest all condemned his decision in one way or another. Still, it was a good thing for the Ouerean people, who now had a measure of the freedom they wanted. Zik'san would be appointed Overlord in Yiztek’s stead, a position he still holds to this day.

However in 2465 this measure of freedom was curtailed. After leaked Hephaestus documents pointed to devastating ecological impacts of the massive Aquaculture Centers being constructed by the corporation, rioting once again broke out on the planet fanning the potential flames of rebellion. The Hegemon who once compromised with the Ouerean people would not do so again, the stakes too high this time, and unable to trust the local levies who had rebelled in the past, instead called his and Clan Hutay’zai’s bannermen to arms, deploying them to the planet to pacify the riots by force. The planetary government had no choice but to go along with Hegemon's plan or face his wrath themselves, and have since been seen as a part of the brutal repression by the populace. The death toll was kept minimal, but still over a thousand were killed, nearly all rioting civilians. Images and videos of Izweski bannermen alongside those of the Hutay’zai using force to disperse protests were widely shared across the extranet, only fueling further discontent. However this discontent would not again rise to rioting, as the consequences for such actions were made clear by the one who had compromised with the population in the past, and instead those dissatisfied with the situation took to less direct means of sabotage and peaceful protests. However these acts have only kept the iron boot of the Hegemony on the planet for the foreseeable future, as after a near miss with mass famine a fearful Not’zar wrangles to control the Overlord and Synod of Scales, thereby also controlling the planet. His authority is clearly seen and enforced by a legion of K’lax warrior-forms, and a depleted garrison of Bannermen who have not left the planet following the pacification of the riots; instead they remained to protect the critical Aquaculture facilities alongside members of the Fighter’s Lodge and Hephaestus Security from potential acts of terrorism. These facilities mark the salvation of Moghes, and the continuation of the Hegemony, so Not’zar will not be found lacking either in controlling them, or having the means of taking control of them close by. Thankfully many of these Hegemonic soldiers remain out of the public eye, keeping to themselves by order of Not’zar himself to prevent tension from rising in the population once again. With the government still under his vague control, it is unclear if the Hegemon’s power on the planet will ever be decreased and handed back to the people, though the deciding point all would agree is the upcoming election of 2466, which might see a large change in the makeup of the Synod of Scales, causing a weakening in the control Not’zar has over the government. Only time will tell that story.
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=== Current Day ===
Like all places, Ouerea is a product of its history. The violent revolutions, the isolation, and even the invention of the Federation shaped what it is today. It is a planet so close to [[Moghes]], yet completely different in irreconcilable ways. Still, for the time being, they are chained to the [[Izweski Nation|Hegemony]], whether they like it or not. While they still have special privileges, guaranteed by Not’zar, at the end of the day, they are just another vassal state of the Hegemony, doing as it wills. This has been seen most clearly in the past year, as the Hegemony has simply used Ouerea to save itself, mainly Moghes, from starvation, turning it into a food production centre of the very company Ouerea rebelled against in the first place. Despite all of Not’zar’s promises of reform, he still ended up putting down the protests and riots that occurred as Hephaestus Industries completed their aquaculture centres. The population has not forgotten this, and a sea of resentment still bubbles underneath the surface of the verdant jungle landscape.

It is unclear if the Hegemony will ever fully control Ouerea. Maybe its people have developed a culture that is just too wild, too free, to ever be contained within a feudal system. But if there’s one thing Ouerean people are certain of:

<div style="text-align: center;">'''“We will be loyal to the Hegemony, so long as it is loyal to us.”'''</div>
== Geography and Climate ==
[[File:Oureaea_Ciites.png|thumb|A map of Ouerea, with major cities labeled.]]
Ouerea is best known for its lush, verdant jungle landscape, which covers almost all of the planet’s surface besides the polar ice caps. This jungle cover is attributed to the planets closer proximity to the sun when compared to Moghes, having a much shorter orbit. The Trizkaka Sea is the most prominent feature of the planet, being a large body of water with many island chains, that has become the lifeblood of the colony. The planet also has several mountain ranges.

The strangest thing about the geography and climate of Ouerea, however, is its compatibility with Unathi as a species. For most other species, their first steps of colonization were titanic struggles which required heavy use of terraforming, adaptation, and equipment to survive on their new planet. Whereas Ouerea is essentially a Moghes covered in entirely jungle, well suited for habitation by Unathi. The plants and animals pose little danger to Unathi, and are even edible by them, which is what allowed the first colonists to survive so long cut off from Moghes. Many scholars have puzzled over this question, why Ouerea seems to be such a perfect candidate for colonization, right on the doorstep of the Unathi homeworld, but most have either attributed it to some form of divine intervention, or pure galactic luck. However there are more radical scholars who believe that Ouerea was once a colony of a Unathi precursor race, who terraformed the planet to live on in ancient times, before the evolutionary base of the Unathi stepped out of the ocean. There has been no evidence of this, despite many archaeological expeditions being launched on the world, and it is unclear if any will ever be found.

=== Flora and Fauna ===
'''Awth’una''' are a warm-blooded reptilian species that gives live birth. They are four-limbed with long, snake-like prehensile tails. They resemble iguanas with a more generally ape-like body structure. Their grasping hands are very dextrous, and they have feet that have a grasping toe. They are the primary tree-dwelling type of lizard that is found in jungles across Ouerea. Typically they are omnivorous foragers that also scavenge from other species’ kills, and are not averse to raiding bird nests or eating the birds themselves. A typical Awth’una troop will be led by a patriarch. The patriarch's daughters remain with the troop for their entire lives. The young of Awth’una stay with their mothers for typically a year before becoming fully independent. They learn to forage for food and how to behave from their mothers. Orphaned Awth’una can become aggressive or ill-tempered as a result of not having their mother’s guidance on how to behave properly. Noticing this behavior, Unathi xenobiologists often cite them as evidence of the importance of proper cultural values evident in even the animal kingdom.

'''Subterranean''' flora are mysterious. Only the creatures that are found in the more shallow layers of the caverns are even known at all. Several kinds of reptilian monsters are found there, blind with pale scales and sharp claws. Deeper, lichen-grazing creatures crawl through the tunnels and chambers, stocky-limbed and snakelike and partially aquatic. Cataloguing the incredible breadth and diversity of the subterreanean eco-systems is a task that will keep xenobiologists busy for decades, if not more.

The '''Azkrazal''' or Threshbeast has also taken to Ouerea quite well. A tall, swift-running grazer, in some areas feral herds have outcompeted native Naearzi. However, most Azkrazal on Ouerea are domesticated and thrive in the pastures across Ouerea’s grasslands. They are used as a primary method of conveyance in the homesteads due to their high speed and stamina. However, they are typically found on farms worked by the serfs of rich nobility, due to the cost of importing them and their comparative rarity. The poorer class on Ouerea uses primarily Naearzi harnessed in teams for pulling wagons and carriages. The domestication efforts over the past 20 years have gone well, and the new generations of Naearzi are born less shy and grow to trust their trainers more quickly. Unathi society is learning the secrets of their husbandry quickly, and things like diet and pasture size have been studied to great effect.

'''Mier’vesh''' are a small, reptile-avian creature with forked tongues that sample the air. They are popular animals as they are small and sweet tempered, making them slow to respond to danger. They are used as an ideal tool to teach Ouerean hatchlings how to hunt and eat at an early age. They have a strong flocking instinct which leads them to stay together around a lead hen, typically who has the brightest crest or the loudest cry. They are popular with Unathi clanmothers who are too busy to cook, since they can simply put their hatchling outside in the yard to chase Mier'vesh.

'''Tul''' are large, muscular, leathery creatures, about a head taller than your average unathi that are native to [[Moghes]] but introduced into the local ecosystem. They have sharp claws on each feet and the strange ribbed, flat teeth found on most herbivores. Their most striking feature, however, is their tusks. A large array of long, pointed tusks protrudes from their skull and jaw. They move like a cat - deliberate, pronounced movements, with very broad shoulderblades.

They have a long flat tongue they use for feeding. Tul are commonly poached for their tusks which can be used in various luxuries, from jewelry, to cutlery, to pieces of ornamental weaponry. Hunting Tuls requires personal permission from the Lord of the land, and the honor is almost exclusively reserved for the landed elite. Common Unathi found poaching Tul's or illegally trading the tusks are often given harsh prison sentences.

Owning these animals is reserved for only the richest clans due to how tightly they are controlled. They are sometimes brought out for large events by Lords to impress guests and visitors. Sometimes they can be found wandering the private gardens of the wealthy.

The tul also have a few small myths surrounding them. According to some regional cultures, the tul cultivated the forests before the Sinta could walk on two feet, whereas some say they were responsible for raising the sun - sticking their long tusks into the ether and pulling it back up into the sky. Some of the oldest clans will have a tul displayed as the clan's insignia.

== Political Structure and Governance ==
As a result of its tumultuous history, Ouerea has a political structure unlike any other within the Hegemony. For one, many aspects of their governance is based on democratic rule of law, rather than nobility, and that is only the most obvious aspect. This uniqueness means that Ouerea has a complicated relationship not only with the Hegemony and its Feudal system, but with politics internally.
[[File:Early Ouerea Flag.png|400px|thumb|The original flag of the Ouerean Colony. The colours signify the green, lush jungles of Ouerea next to its vast blue oceans, while the black signifies the void of space through which the colonists had to spend many months in to reach the planet. Due to controversy over the new flag, this flag is technically the official flag of Ouerea.]]
=== The Synod of Scales ===
The Synod of Scales was first formed during the Contact War, when the planet was all but cut off from Moghes. It consisted of a committee of representatives, drawn from each settlement dotting the surface of the planet, with the number of representatives each settlement was entitled to determined by population. More population meant more representatives. One of these representatives would be elevated by their peers to become the “Speaker of Scales”, who would moderate discussions within the Synod, and speak for the committee as a whole to the public. These representatives would then work on matters of planetary policy, only truly creating laws about issues that affected the whole of the population, and preferring to let individual settlements rule themselves. This was the Synod of Scales before the Months of Blood, the brutal Izweski crackdown on Ouerean democracy after the conclusion of the Contact War. The Synod of Scales only exists today by the grace of Not’zar Izweski, who during the rebellion of 2460, conceded to the rebel’s demands on the reinstatement of democratic processes. Still, this concession was not without its caveats, and the way the Synod of Scales works contemporarily differs heavily to how it worked in the past.

The Synod nowadays is still made up of representatives, but each settlement, now towns and cities, only gets so many. The maximum number of representatives a city on Ouerea can appoint is eight, with New Skalamar currently being the only city which has the population to warrant these eight representatives. No other city has more than six, with most hovering around the three to four range. Smaller settlements or towns outside of cities are no longer allotted representatives, instead only being able to have appointed observers, normally appointed by the local mayor or other official who administers the area, in the Synod. This has created a situation where political power on the planet is heavily centered in the cities that dot the Trizkaka Sea, which, by the Hegemony’s standards, have the least amount of resentment towards the nation. However this estimate might be off, as while the countryside is often the growth of resentment and radical ideas, the cities normally quickly follow, as the interconnected people of the planet regularly travel and exchange ideas in a way that is foreign to Moghes.

For matters of actually making policy, the Synod follows much the same traditions as when it was first established, only truly focusing on planetary policy rather than attempting to also govern how the cities are administered. The position of “Speaker of Scales” was abolished after the Synod’s resurgence, and instead replaced with the Overlord of Ouerea, a still feudal position that passes down a clan line. It is the Overlord that moderates discussions within the Synod, and decides which matters should be discussed when. The replacement of the Speaker with a feudal position has caused some friction within the Synod, as the Overlord now determines what policy issues are brought before the Synod and in what order, essentially having control over what can and cannot be discussed. Still, those within the Synod recognize that the situation could be much worse, and are generally willing to put up with this fact, especially given that the current Overlord Zik'san is a former rebel himself. Issues which are brought to the Synod's attention are voted on by all members, excluding the Overlord, who traditionally never votes to appear unbiased. A simple majority is all that is needed to pass a law or policy, and should the vote ever come to a tie, the issue on the floor will be re-voted on until a majority is the victor. The Overlord does not hold veto powers over the decisions of the Synod, however the Hegemon himself does, should he see fit to exercise this power. Not’zar has not yet vetoed a decision made by the Synod, but only time will tell if he one day will.

Currently the Synod of Scales consists of 39 members, but it is expected to grow as the cities of Ouerea themselves grow. The Revolution’s Heirs are the most prominent political party within the Synod, accounting for 28 of its members, a vast majority. The Heirs rarely need to include other parties into policy making because of their majority, and this has created something of a distinction between the Hatchling’s and all other political parties, whose public support is not enough to tip the balance of power in their favor yet. However, now that the Heirs are in near total control of the government, all actions or inaction by the government will be tied to them, for better or for worse, potentially opening space for the smaller political parties to garner more public support.

=== The Overlord of Ouerea ===
Much like the Synod itself, the Overlord of Ouerea is a strange position for one to hold. Whereas the other Overlords rule directly over many smaller vassals, the Overlord of Ouerea merely manages the democratic affairs of the planet, rather than being a ruler in their own right. The Overlord of Ouerea, currently Zik'san, moderates the talks of the Synod of Scales, sets up the elections by which representatives are elected, and determines what policies are put to the floor within the Synod. That last responsibility gives the Overlord incredible power, if they are smart enough to know how to use it. By being able to determine what is even discussed within the Synod, the Overlord can steer the direction of Ouerean policy-making however they please, exchanging favors with representatives to ensure their issues are given first priority, or refusing to even allow certain issues onto the floor of the Synod.

Unlike in a modern democratic system, there is no check on the Overlord’s power, no way the Synod can over-rule their decision. While they do not have veto power, a right reserved only for the Hegemon himself, they do have a vast amount of influence over the Synod itself. This has resulted in a situation where the Overlord’s primary duty is the garner favours within the Synod, constantly in the political dance of quid-pro-quo, attempting to keep Hegemonic Authority on the planet as high as possible. Though the position is now held by Zik'san a former rebel himself, he has realized that to retain his position, and more importantly keep the planet stable, Hegemonic Authority must not be in doubt, or once again they will descend to the planet to reassert it in brutal Unathi fashion. This is never more the case than contemporarily, as the planet now plays host to a vast majority of the Hegemony’s food production, both current and planned, that the Izweski cannot simply let Ouerea begin to truly govern itself. So Zik'san must work the delicate high-wire act of allowing the planet some representation and some say in governance, while also keeping the Hegemony’s authority over the colony above a certain threshold. Should he fail in either of these, the consequences will spawn forth a torrent of blood that would outdo the revolution itself.

=== Relationship between Democracy and Feudalism ===
Feudalism and Democracy are two ideologies that were never meant to interact. Yet in Ouerea’s case they must. The delicate balance struck by Not’zar in the wake of the 2460 revolution has held up for the past five years, but it is not without its many flaws, beyond those which have been discussed within the Synod of Scales and Overlord sections. The biggest issue between democracy and feudalism is the constant change a democratic government presents, as representatives lose elections, are voted out of office directly, or even have to change policies as public opinion changes; compared to the relatively more consistent feudal monarchy found throughout the rest of the Hegemony, where a Lord’s word is law and the opinions of peasants need not be considered. What has resulted is an inability for the rest of the Hegemony outside of the Overlord and Hegemon to truly communicate with the people of Ouerea, and understand how their government system works.

To the majority of the Hegemony’s nobility, the Ouerean Revolution was a disastrous act of treason, and the Hegemon’s negotiation with the rebels is either considered a rare misstep by his supporters or a sign of his overall weakness by his detractors. Among the peasantry, however, the news of Ouerea’s newly-won democracy acts as a symbol of the potential for change - and many of those who would never have considered a change to the system that has reigned on Moghes for centuries now look at Ouerea as a shining beacon of what their own world could be. While the revolutionary ideals of the Ouerean Confederation have yet to catch on offworld, the citizens of the Hegemony hope and fear alike that while Ouerea was the first revolution to be victorious against the Hegemony’s power, it will not be the last.

=== Political Entities ===
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==== Revolution's Heirs ====
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An informal name for the dominant political viewpoint on Ouerea following the Revolution - born out of its struggle for freedom, and desiring to maintain that freedom in the new age of the planet. They are staunch supporters of maintaining Ouerean democracy and the freedoms it has won for the planet’s citizens, and largely wish to continue with the status quo, working within the Hegemony to demonstrate the value of the Ouerean model of governance.

Most prominent political figures on Ouerea are aligned with this ideology in some way or another. Opinions range on Hephaestus, with some viewing their investment as potentially a boon to the planet and others viewing them as a pestilence that was part of the very reason for the initial rebellion. Generally, followers of this ideology tend to agree that the corporation needs to be watched closely and regulated to prevent exploitation of the planet and its people - though only time will tell if they are capable of enforcing such regulations against Hephaestus’s influence.

The Heirs have been a dominant force among the Synod of Scales since its establishment, and that continues. They are supported by mostly Unathi, with a fairly large amount of Skrellian support. Notable members include Representative of New Skalamar Ozesh Zuruziir, who rose to political prominence beyond Ouerea following an attempt to court the Hegemon in 2465.

The opening of Hephaestus aquacultural centers and the megacorporation’s subsequent capture of the Hegemonic economy has been a contentious issue for the Heirs. Many fear that the corporation is now too powerful for the Ouerean people to control its expansion on their world, and some believe that the aquacultural projects may have devastating impacts on the planet’s biosphere. Others, however, have welcomed the megacorporate presence, believing that while Hephaestus presence is an inevitability, working with them is the only way to properly ensure that the worst of corporate overreach can be reigned in. A small number of the Heirsresigned in protest following these events, with several of them having defected to the Warriors of Liberty or the Independence Movement.

The cooperation of the Heirs who held a majority position within the Synod with the Hegemony during 2465 has also caused many issues for the Heirs in regard to their public support. When the riots were brutally suppressed by Izweski and Hutay’zai bannermen after leaks about Hephaestus’ impact on the local environment, many saw the Heirs as part of the suppression, not stepping in to defend their own people. Many minor representatives resigned in protest, but the party has still defended their position as being what was best for the planet. This defense and lack of apology has seen a swell in the public support for the Warriors of Liberty and the Ouerean Independence Movement, who might finally be able to break the Revolution’s Heirs’ iron majority within the Synod of Scales.
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==== Warriors of Liberty ====
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The Warriors of Liberty are an offshoot of Revolution’s Heirs, formed shortly after the exile of Overlord Yiztek. They believe in the maintaining of the Ouerean model, and in spreading it throughout the Izweski Hegemony, replacing the feudal system with a democratic confederation modeled after the newly formed government of Ouerea. The movement’s followers vary in their militancy, with a small and radical fringe advocating for fighting the Hegemony in open battle - a cause which is viewed as an impossibility by most. However, the existence of this fringe has proved a concern for some of the Moghresian nobility, believing that the Warriors are traitors to the Hegemony who should be stamped out.

Followers of this ideology tend to be staunchly opposed to Hephaestus Industries and the power that the megacorporation holds throughout the wider Hegemony. The prevalent belief among supporters is that the Hephaestus facilities on Ouerea should be nationalized and brought under Ouerean control, instead of being in the hands of a foreign power. While there have been accusations leveled at this movement for ties to radical organizations such as the [[Aut'akh|Aut’akh]] and the [[Unathi Guilds#Hearts of Industry|Hearts of Industry]], none of these accusations have ever borne fruit. This movement primarily consists of Unathi, with a small but dedicated base of human supporters. Notable supporters include Overlord Zik’san - former commander of the rebels during the Ouerean Revolution. His appointment to his position despite his outspoken pro-democracy views has angered many of the more conservative nobility on Moghes, with frequent calls for him to be removed from his position. The Warriors are also in favor of the expansion of Ouerean military power, to ensure that the fledgling democracy is capable of fending off any future attempt to return it to feudalism.

Several members of Revolution’s Heirs defected to the Warriors following the massive expansion of Hephaestus Industries in 2465. They continue to advocate for nationalization of Hephaestus property across the planet, alarmed at the enormous power the corporation now wields at every level of the Hegemony. Overlord Zik’san has not spoken out in favor of this yet, with some accusing him of being on Guildmaster T’zakal’s payroll - an accusation not taken lightly, given his status as a hero of the Revolution.
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==== Ouerean Independence Movement ====
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This movement is a small one, but with a notable presence on the Synod. As the name suggests, they support the independence of Ouerea from the Izweski Hegemony, with opinions ranging from maintaining favorable relations with the Izweski to breaking ties altogether and seeking alliances among the democratic nations of the Orion Spur. This movement has a small representation among the Synod of Scales, and generally tends towards opposition to Hephaestus Industries. With the ongoing famine in the Hegemony, some of the more vocal supporters of this position have been calling for Ouerea to leverage their status as the Hegemony’s main food provider to force the Izweski into conceding to their demands for independence.

The Independence Movement’s support is fairly evenly divided between Skrell and Unathi. To many of its supporters, it represents the truest promise of Ouerea - a world where anyone, regardless of their species or origins, should be free to choose their own destiny without the meddling of foreign powers. This faction tends to work closely with the Warriors of Liberty - while they disagree on some key issues, both of them support the expansion of Ouerea as a military force in its own right, better to prevent another war if a future Hegemon decides that the grand experiment should come to an end.

While the movement has been opposed to Hephaestus, its membership is divided on the subject of the other megacorporations of the Orion Spur. Some believe that inviting other corporations into the Ouerean economy would help to provide a check on Hephaestus’s power, with the majority holding the opinion that any corporate presence at all is inherently detrimental to Ouerean democracy.

Following the massive expansion of Hephaestus, as the megacorporation seized an unopposed monopoly over the Hegemonic economy, the Ouerean Independence Movement has seen an increase in support. While nothing has been proven, some suspect that this is in part due to the discreet support of other human megacorporations such as NanoTrasen in the hopes of weakening Hephaestus’s newfound monopoly
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==== The Oldbloods ====
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The ‘Oldbloods’, ironically, are actually newer to Ouerea than most of the peasants they deride. During the reign of Overlord Yiztek in the late 2450s, nobles from Moghes were brought to the planet to assist in the implementation of feudalism. This period was brief, with feudal rule on Ouerea being overturned after the Revolution, to the chagrin of the nobles who had invested time and money into establishing new authority on Ouerea. Those whose clans held land on Moghes returned there, but many of the new Ouerean nobility had lost their lands to the Contact War, and viewed this planet as a second chance. For these nobles, there was nowhere to go, and the power and wealth they had been promised on Ouerea was gone. Some of them integrated into the new society and managed to gain positions of power - but a large number of them who were unable or unwilling to do so formed the Oldbloods.

Outside of themselves and their retainers, the Oldbloods have little to no public support, and are generally the subject of mockery among the general populace. Currently, their main form of agitation is sending emissaries to the nobility on Moghes, in the hopes of pressuring either Hegemon Not’zar or his successor to stamp out Ouerean democracy once and for all, and to restore the natural order of things - with themselves back in power. They have had little success, with most of the more influential nobility of Moghes recognising that another war on Ouerea would spell disaster for the Hegemony, especially with the ongoing famine.
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==== The Restorationists ====
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The Restorationists are a minority group of humans and Skrell supporting the return of the administration of the colony by the Solarian Alliance and the Nralakk Federation. Due to the Solarian Collapse, this group has a small majority of Skrell over humans, focusing on outreach to the Federation. Following the Revolution, the Restorationists managed to attract a few more supporters in the belief that Ouerea needs the protection of another interstellar power to ensure that the tyranny of the feudal system is not reinstated. While this is the most common viewpoint among Restorationists, there are some among their number who believe that the Unathi are too young to the Spur to successfully govern themselves. The Contact War is, in their eyes, clear proof of the fact that the Unathi require the guidance of their elders on the interstellar stage, lest they bring disaster to themselves and others. The Restorationists are a tiny group, and an effective non-entity in wider Ouerean politics, as most of the human and Skrell colonists who were deeply loyal to the previous governments evacuated the planet when control was returned to the Izweski.

Hephaestus’s expansion, and the recent end of the Solarian Civil War, has led to a small increase in human support for the Restorationists. A corporation seizing control over an entire nation’s economy in such a way is reminiscent of the events leading to the Republic of Biesel’s secession in 2452, and some humans have come to support Solarian intervention on Ouerea to prevent Hephaestus from destroying the fledgeling society there. The Restorationists, despite this increased support, are still largely irrelevant to wider Ouerean politics.
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==== The Hearts of Industry ====
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Following the reintroduction of Hephaestus to the Ouerean economy, the revolutionary guild known as the Hearts of Industry began to take root among the locals. While this had small beginnings, with Hearts from the Southlands of Moghes traveling to the planet in the hopes of agitating for change, these Unathi found a more receptive environment than they could have possibly dreamed of. The Ouerean people were no stranger to the idea of unions, or for collective action to improve the lot of all, and the revolutionary and egalitarian ideas of Ouerea found a kindred spirit in the Hearts of Industry. Second to only the Southlands chapter of the guild, the Ouerean presence is rapidly growing into a force to be reckoned with. Unlike the other political movements of the planet, the Hearts are unconcerned with Ouerea’s relation to the wider Hegemony, focusing solely on the exploitation of the planet and its people by Hephaestus Industries and the Hegemonic guilds that have made a home there.

Following Hephaestus’s seizure of the Hegemonic economy, the Hearts of Industry have faced hard times, as many of their leaders have been arrested and their membership find it impossible to find work with the guilds due to Hephaestus’s anti-union policies. The Southlands chapter of the guild has been crushed into near-irrelevance, but the Ouerean Hearts persist - at least, for now. While many are forced to keep their membership secret to continue employment, others proudly bear the insignia of their guild still, agitating in Ouerean politics against the megacorporation’s power. Whether they will have any success is yet to be seen.
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==== The Aut'akh ====
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While the Aut’akh of Ouerea largely keep to themselves, they are still noteworthy in their actions. Though technically outlawed by Hegemony law, they are far from a priority for the government of Ouerea, and as such have been able to recruit and grow in relative safety. Though law enforcement does not actively pursue the Aut’akh, this is not the case for Hephaestus Industries, as the communes have been a consistent thorn in their side for years. Hephaestus equipment is often stolen or destroyed by Aut’akh saboteurs - both as materials for supporting the communes and as an act of resistance against corporate power.

As such, the Aut’akh of Ouerea have an odd status, where despite the esoteric and unusual nature of their faith, they are often viewed as synonymous with direct action against the Hegemony and Hephaestus. As such, they have found many allies in those who believe that foreign powers - whether corporate or feudal - must be driven from Ouerea by any means necessary. This is where the bulk of the Aut’akh communes on Ouerea recruit from - those who are driven to strike against their oppressors. While there are no known examples of a human or Skrell converting to the Unathi faith, they can often be seen regardless in places such as Aut’akh Valley, living and fighting alongside the augmented Unathi in the hope of freedom for their world.
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== Culture and Demographics ==
''See also: [[Aliens on Ouerea]]''
[[File:Ouerea Flag.png|400px|thumb|The modern day flag of Ouerea, first made during the Times of Growth, then changed slightly during the Rebellion to incorporate red stripes to represent the blood of the nobility. Because of this, the original Ouerean Flag is officially the flag of the planet.]]
Ouerea is a cultural breadbasket within the greater Hegemony, with an influx of native Unathi cultures seemingly blending into one another over the decades of colonisation and escape from the growing Wasteland, as well as foreign cultures that have adapted and been integrated – in particular, Skrell and Human influences that have settled across the planet. Despite its roots within an authoritarian feudal state, Ouerea has managed to break free of the iron first of the Hegemony’s cultural wars and develop a society that above all exemplifies community, freedom and democratic practices – through which must all continue by a constant effort to balance the scales between the colony and Moghes. Yet another element of Ouerean society is perseverance, stemming from the fact the original colonists could only rely on themselves thanks to the rudimentary technology available yielding a one-way trip with little capability for quick re-supply.

Compared to its Hegemonic counterparts, Ouerea prides itself on its meritocratic beliefs. Though initially there was pushback against these foreign ideas where one’s value is not measured by clan, birth or position, but instead through their own merits and accomplishments – originating from the original colonists who settled the planet, who could not trust any but each other for their own survival, no matter the position their fellow colonists might once have held. Nationality, position, or culture means nothing to any Ouerean, who will measure a person's true worth by what they do, for better or for worse. This extends not only to individuals but to entities, whether it be corporations, nation-states, or other groups. The only exception to this is Hegemonic, or Traditionalist, nobility. Ouereans almost universally scorn nobles, despite being ruled by one, especially those from the Hegemony, as they clearly remember both the Rebellion and the Months of Blood. Due to the sheer scale of the uprising in 2460, nearly every Ouerean has a clan member who was hurt or killed during it, and most blame the Hegemony and nobility for those deaths. This unique approach on the planet has blended into other elements of Unathi culture, in particular the structure of clans, as well as the influence they have within one’s life. It is particularly shunned across Ouerea that a Clan may exercise a hold over its members, something seen as sacred on Moghes – a person must be able to take whatever path of life they may elect without hindrance, which subsequently also leads to a decrease in extended familial bonds, with most Ouerean Sinta never meeting the entirety of their Clan, mostly knowing their immediate family and possible some extended family in rare circumstances. However, Ouereans are fiercely loyal to their inner circle, more so than their Moghesian counterparts. Differing heavily from Moghes where such is defined mostly by nobility or allegiance, on Ouerea the inner circle of an Ouerean is normally defined as their community. The first colonists of the planet had to rely on complete strangers in order to survive, and also were relied upon by complete strangers, so therefore have developed this much looser sense of community. Not necessarily of like-minded individuals, an Ouerean views their community as a group of people who will support each other through the thick and thin. To not belong to a community as an Ouerean is to be ostracized, a step apart from society, and therefore making it more difficult to find a community to belong to. Thankfully, most Ouereans are open to inviting new members into their communities, so long as they prove themselves first, in whatever deemed fit. This goes all the way down to friend groups, as they are a community in themselves. Once belonging to a community, Ouereans find themselves obligated to support it, as long as it supports them.

Loyalty to one’s inner circle, to one’s community, is above all else yet another important facet of Ouerean Culture – especially for Ouerean Unathi. Though, there have been instances where cultural contamination has bled into Non-Unathi Ouereans, where a clan-like structure isn’t unheard of within non-Unathi households, in particular Skrell have adapted their own communal habits seamlessly into what have been called “Semi-Clans”. Though community has far-reaching definitions thanks to its subjective nature, it has mostly come to be recognised as one’s immediate surroundings, where not contributing to one’s community – in some way or another – is seen as a societal taboo that results in being shunned, and possibly even ostracized for their inaction if it continues even after “encouraged” participation through shunning.

Not dissimilar to Moghes, betrayal on Ouerea is seen as the most abhorrent of all crimes, requiring only the harshest punishment. However, in other cultures betrayal is mostly a singular person, or small group exercise, as they go against the will of the majority. On Ouerea, the blade cuts both ways, especially in regards to communities. Being a member of a community does not only mean that one has a duty to it, it means that the rest of the community has a duty to the individual. Failing to give someone the support they need is considered to be betraying them, just as is one person failing to give the support required of them. This is most notable in the Ouerean Rebellion, where the main driver of the anger of the population was the feeling that they had been betrayed by the Hegemony, who were not giving them the support they needed. This sentiment spawned the well-known quote: “We will be loyal to the Hegemony as long as it is loyal to us.”

Perseverance is the last pillar of Ouerean culture. Given how much time during its history the planet has been all but cut off from Moghes, a sense of never giving up has all but set into the population. It could be in any matter - in pursuit of personal or career goals, enduring times of great difficulty or simply in hard work - but Ouereans are known across the Hegemony for their perseverance, even when others might have long-since given up. This applies not only to personal matters, but also to grander things. During the Ouerean Revolution, [[Notable Unathi#Lord_Admiral_Trazial_Yizarus,_Izharshan's_Bane|Lord Admiral Trazial Yizarus]] is apocryphally quoted as telling Not’zar Izweski that “We can win this war, Lord Regent - but not without leaving Ouerea more ruined than Moghes. Every man, woman and hatchling of that planet will break before they bend.” Whether or not he actually said this has never been confirmed, with the initial source of the quote being published in an Ouerean newspaper following the Revolution’s end - but it has become a popular saying in Ouerean culture nonetheless. Perseverance within Ouerean culture has taken on a new meaning after this sang rose to prominence, perseverance against the Hegemony and its feudal government; to perserverance in the upholding of Ouerean democracy. It is debatable whether Ouereans have been successful in this, but one thing is for certain; they have not given up yet.

=== Semi-Clans / Non-Traditional Customary Clans ===
Semi-Clans have become a cultural fascination across the Spur, at least to those interested in xenosocietal influences. Similarly operating to Moghesian Clans, with a “Head” or a “Chief”, more commonly just referred to as an “Elder”. These Semi-Clans have been given limited recognition within the Ouerean Federation by the Synod of Scales, where particular elements must be met before a Semi-Clan can be classified as being able to enjoy the legislative protections offered to Unathi Clans – more officially known as Non-Traditional Customary Clans.

Firstly, there must be '''at least fifteen volunteering members''', with some kind of familial ties – whether it be by blood, or by marriage. This has been met with criticisms from Skrell, claiming the [[Skrell Ailments#X'Lu'oa|X'Lu'oa]] has stunted their ability to grow these numbers, however, those from the Synod of Scales have accepted adoptions as being valid familial ties, offering a loophole to those unable to reach the prescribed minimum number. Secondly, each member or someone duly authorised on behalf of the members, must provide the written oaths of all those seeking to join the Non-Traditional Customary Clan to the Synod of Scales. Thirdly, there must be sufficient evidence that there is an interest for the Non-Traditional Customary Clan to be initiated – an independent one outside of merely enjoying legislative protection. It is common to claim financial assistance as an independent interest, merely having to prove an intention to help one another with pooled resources, to bypass this final requirement.

Once a Non-Traditional Customary Clan has been accepted by the Synod of Scales, it can enjoy both the legislative protections and drawbacks offered to Unathi Clans. This includes stipulations and provisions in Ouerean Customary Laws in both Marriage and Contracts, as well as any repercussions for not following them. Many larger families have chosen this route as a means of better integrating into Ouerea, and becoming accustomed to the forged blending of several elements of Unathi, Skrell and Human societies into a mixed cultural breadbasket.

=== Education ===
Education on Ouerea is very different to that on contemporary Moghes, being public and widespread instead of only reserved for the nobility. As a result of the Federation Administration approving the Synod of Scales request to increase funding for educational infrastructure, public schools can be found in nearly all Ouerean settlements, whether there be cities or small townships. The Ouerean population, therefore, has a much higher level of basic education than most Unathi, and alongside public schools, private acceptance schools are widespread for more specialized education. Being subsidized by the [[Izweski Nation|Hegemony]] who wish to advance the species into the modern age, these private schools will often not require payment to attend, instead only requiring that a citizen passes a certain test, or can demonstrate their skill in another form.

==== New Skalamar Pioneer’s Seminary ====
Created by religious authorities within New Skalamar, the Pioneer’s Seminary previously hailed itself for instilling traditional values within its scholars, but more importantly providing them necessary skills to further Ouerea’s development. This predominately manifested itself through teaching skills related to blue-collar industries: construction, farming, mining and any other necessary industries for “Ouerean Sustainability” – the motto of the Seminary. Though initially controlled by a Sk’akh majority during its early days, the introduction of other faiths, including alien faiths, has allowed it to develop a more holistic approach to what is defined as “traditional values”. Having moved from its primary purpose to teach early colonists, the Pioneer’s Seminary now offers several kinds of courses with “Guild Accreditation” – including Health Sciences, Natural Sciences, Astronomy and much more. With a more balanced teaching platform, with Skrell, Human and Unathi theories all seeing practical application, the New Skalamar Pioneer’s Seminary is slowly taking the lead against its Moghesian counterparts. It still maintains its more “religious” structure, even despite its acclimation to the new Ouerean society – where only religious figures maintain tenure.

=== Major Holidays ===
'''March 1st – Rebel’s Cry'''

Unofficially, officially recognized by the greater Ouerean community as being an homage to the Rebellion of February 29th, 2460. Rebel’s Cry, though relatively “new”, sees continued support from native Ouereans as they maintain a distance from their Moghesian Overlord, teetering a precarious balance between free democracy and feudal tyrany. It is generally regarded as being celebrated on March 1st, due to the nature of leap-years, but when the 29th of February does inevitably roll around, Ouerea expects to see hundreds if not thousands of celebrations across its cities.

'''September 28th – Democracy’s Founding'''

Mere weeks after the nuclear cataclysm of Moghes had engulfed the planet, a coalition government had been created by the Solarian Alliance and the Nralakk Federation in an attempt to provide stability in a time of crisis – successful in their attempt, representative democracy continued across the planet for close to three decades before royalist elements overthrew the Ouerean Federation. Democracy’s Founding is officially recognised as to when Ouerea began to unravel from the Hegemony’s clutches, seeking to build themselves a path amongst the stars.

'''October 11th - Pioneers' Landing'''

October 11th in the human calendar marks the initial colonisation of Ouerea - when the first five Unathi made planetfall, and transformed Ouerea from a dot in the night sky to a home. This is a joyous day of celebration amongst all three species present on Ouerea, honoring the persistent and independent spirit that has made the colony what it is today. Banners bearing the Ouerean flag and images of the initial colonists are often flown, and from the smallest village to the largest metropolis there is dancing, drinking and celebration in the streets - as all Ouereans, whether human, Skrell or Unathi, celebrate the work of those who came before them. This day tends to be viewed with less significance by Skrell, as most of the initial Skrell settlers of Ouerea are still alive.

=== Language ===
Language is a confusing topic across Ouerea, in that there exists a vibrant community of polyglots from all walks of life – exposed to languages and dialects from across dozens of planets from which native Ouereans had their ancestors hail from. Seeking to place equality on majority of the more “rooted” languages, the Ouerean Federation has recognised four languages as being instrumental to its continued development: [[Languages|Tau Ceti Basic, Solarian Common, Sinta’Unathi and Nral’malic]]. Though the most predominant language is Sinta’Unathi, Tau Ceti Basic is a close second thanks to its usage as a means of language wayfare – a common ground for which species use to understand eachother.

=== Refugees ===
Since the conclusion of the Ouerean Rebellion, and truly the [[Contact War]], Ouerea has become a sought after destination for refugees fleeing the destroyed environment of [[Moghes]] for the lush verdant jungles of Ouerea. These refugees, originally welcomed with open arms, have slowly become viewed as more of a nuisance by the native population, as outdated views are once again brought to the planet, housing becomes increasingly difficult to find and refugees resort to setting up shanty towns outside of major cities the likes of which can be found outside of Skalamar itself. In return, the refugees mostly view Ouereans as entitled, having been born to or simply fled before their new neighbours had a chance to. These shanty towns are often rife with crime, causing fear within the native population that the criminal activities seen in them will eventually spread to the streets of major cities.

The two negative opinions the groups share about the other have sometimes flared up into violent clashes, as natives and refugees riot attempting to drive the other out or enforce certain demands. With the commonality of such occurrences on the rise, they create a constant source of headaches for local Watchmen in the major cities, who need to expend resources trying to smother the flames before they get out of hand. As a result, and to keep a pool of cheap labour on [[Moghes]], the [[Izweski Nation|Hegemony]] has attempted to curtail the flow of refugees to Ouerea but has had little effect as smugglers remain rampant within the Uueoa-Esa system due to the ongoing scarcity. Those in power on Ouerea, and the Overlord most of all, view the non-stop flow of refugees with increasing concern, as fears of a possible crisis arising from the shanty towns begin to look more and more likely.

== Faith ==
=== Sk'akh on Ouerea ===
Most of the initial colonists of Ouerea were [[Sk'akh|Sk’akh]], with the first scientists and laborers sent to the colony pre-contact largely originating from the heartland of the faith. While New Skalamar had a small chapel, the Church itself did not pay much attention to the fledgling colony until the introduction of alien technology made travel from Moghes significantly faster and easier, leading to a rapid expansion of the colony.

Following this, settlement on Ouerea grew massively, and the Church began sending missionaries, funding the establishment of a proper Ouerean branch of the faith. The First Scept of Ouerea finished construction in 2415 - a truly impressive building, blending the grandeur of traditional Sk’akhist architecture with the advances of modern technology.

In 2458, with the return of feudal rule to the planet, Overlord Yiz’tek gained the right to appoint an Archpriest. His appointee was a priest from Moghes, in the hopes of showing the ‘proper spiritual path’ to the ‘wayward peasantry of Ouerea’. The first Archpriest of Ouerea was known as a man who cared more for the comforts offered to him by the Church than anything else, and descriptions of his lavish personal chambers in the First Scept of Ouerea were frequently spread among the rebels as examples of the evil feudalism had brought to their world.

Following the end of the Ouerean Revolution and the appointment of General Zik’san as the new Overlord, his predecessor’s Archpriest was unceremoniously dismissed due to claims of his ‘deep and wanton spiritual corruption’ - corroborated by the Ouerean clergy who had served under him. A staunch follower of Sk’akh, Zik’san appointed a new Archpriest from among the Ouerean priesthood, a priest by the name of Iloso Azente. After several months of negotiation with the High Priest on Moghes, Azente was accepted and sworn into his new position - to represent the Sk’akh faith as the Ouerean people practiced it, rather than to mindlessly enforce the will of the far-away Church.

The Sk’akh doctrine remains largely unchanged on Ouerea. However, it has been forced into adapting to the two great tests of the Ouerean experiment - the widespread presence of aliens, and the abolition of the feudal system. Archpriest Azente was one of the driving voices behind the recent doctrinal recognition of the gods of other alien species, and despite some protest from more conservative voices within the Church on Moghes he has welcomed dialogue with other faiths both Unathi and alien - the Hegemon’s grand theological conference in 2460, though not exactly a success in resolving religious tensions, was made possible due to the groundwork laid by Azente and the Ouerean church.

The rise of Ouerean democracy has shaped the Church on Ouerea. The Ouerean church places a greater importance on the free will endowed by Sk’akh to Their children - claiming that it is the Great Spirit’s will that the choice between honor and dishonor is individual, and that all Sinta must find their own path to the purpose aligned for them, instead of simply falling into the patterns of their birth. This independent spirit has been proclaimed heretical by some of Azente’s fellows in the Church, but he has never been officially censured for it. This focus on an individual’s path in life, and the idea of Sk’akh wishing for Their children to find their own way, means that the Ouerean church has absorbed more human ideas of gender, believing that it can be chosen independently of one's work or duties, with Archpriest Azente having applied the doctrine of Sk’akh’s perfect creation to the matter - if such a thing was unnatural, the Three in One would not create Sinta who felt in such a way. So far, this has gone either unnoticed or ignored by Azente’s fellow Archpriests, and the absence of a High Priest means there is little oversight to ensure he falls in line with the teachings of the Moghresian church. Some among the priesthood, both on Moghes and Ouerea, fear the potential of a schism whenever the Church appoints a new High Priest - but for now, at least, the Ouerean and Moghresian branches of the faith persist in an uneasy equilibrium.

=== Th'akh on Ouerea ===
Most of the followers of [[Th'akh]] on Ouerea arrived in the post-contact wave of colonists, with settlers from across the Hegemony recruited to settle the new world. As such, Ouerea is home to nearly every variation of Th’akh found on Moghes, though with those practiced in the regions of the former Traditionalist Coalition being less common. Shrines can be found across the planet dedicated to the Court of Stars, the Stone Lords of the [[Zazalai Mountains]], the River Court of the [[Southlands]] and a thousand other variations of the faith. While many keep to the traditions and rituals of their ancestors, the cosmopolitan and independent culture of Ouerea has shaped the practice of Th’akh on the planet.

There is much less of a focus on particular holy sites and ancestral spirits in Ouerean Th’akh - the Unathi on this world are the first and second generation of colonists. There are no honored ancestors who have walked before them on this world, and most believe that, while they watch Ouerea from the spirit world, their ancestors remain on Moghes. For better or for worse, Ouerean Th’akhists know that they will be the ancestors whose spirits are invoked by future generations, the founders of a new civilisation and a new world. This has led to the rise of what is known as Ouerean Syncretism by theological scholars, and simply ‘Ouerean Th’akh’ by others.

Ouerean Th’akh is a synthesis of a thousand variations on the faith - while the colonists all have their own spirit-gods and sacred rituals, their own clans and honored ancestors, they are all equally outsiders now, facing new spirits of a strange new world. The spirits of Ouerea are viewed as wilder and more primal forces than those of Moghes, solely forces of the elemental nature of the planet uninfluenced by the Sinta’Unathi. As such, many Th’akh shamans on Ouerea are equal parts teacher, preacher and survivalist - exemplifying the pioneering spirit of the first Ouereans in learning to work with the spirits of the new world, naming them and seeking to shape a harmonious relationship. Some of the more prominent among these shamans have been vocal in opposition to Hephaestus Industries’ expansion onto the planet, believing that their exploitation of Ouerea will lead to great spiritual misfortune across the planet.

Respect for both the old spirits of Moghes and the new spirits of Ouerea is the duality that shapes Ouerean Th’akh - its shamans teach that the colonists have brought their spirits with them in part, and that only through achieving a peace between the old and the new can one reach true harmony. Those who abandon their old ways and traditions completely may be dishonorable and bring shame to their ancestors - but those who cling to them and refuse to adapt will surely invite the wrath of the Ouerean spirits upon themselves. Widespread exposure to human and Skrell culture has also shaped Ouerean Th’akh in a way that most other variations of the faith have not yet seen. Humans and Skrell are recognized as having their own spirits that they carry with them, both ancestral and reflected in the Th’akh understanding of the alien religions. While there are no known alien converts to Th’akh, the shamans of the faith often seek to work closely with alien religious figures in furthering mutual understanding of both each other, and the world they must share.

Due to the nature of Th’akh, human and Skrell faiths are generally acknowledged as being equally real to Unathi ones - the Qeblak ‘spirits of the stars’ and the deities of the various human faiths are considered to be alien spirits brought here by their followers. They are not venerated by Ouerean Th’akhists, but offerings are sometimes given to them by Unathi who wish to gain their favor for dealing with Skrell and humans.

====Spirits of Ouerea====
===== Azsaei Zis Azua (Crimson-Toothed Liberty) =====
''“Red the blades and red the fires,''<br>
''Let our struggle only grow,''<br>
''Aid us ‘gainst the tyrant’s ire,''<br>
''Red your teeth that find his throat.”''<br>
-A common prayer to Azsaei Zis Azua from the days of the Revolution.

A new spirit that emerged during the years of feudal oppression, Azsaei Zis Azua (Sinta'Unathi: Crimson-Toothed Liberty) is believed to have been born on Ouerea, formed from the spirits of those who died at the hands of the tyrant Yiztek. It is a spirit of freedom, justice, change, and revolutionary violence. It is usually depicted as a young, androgynous Unathi, holding a flaming spear in one hand - though occasionally as a human or Skrell, as their souls are believed to have become part of Azsaei Zis Azua as they perished in the struggle against oppression.

Shrines to this Zyola are often built upon battlefields or sites of import to the Ouerean Revolution. It is often invoked in remembrance of the Ouerean people’s struggle for freedom, and Ouerean Unathi who feel they have been wronged in some way will often call upon it to grant them justice or vengeance. A statue of Azsaei Zis Azua, in its Unathi form, marks the entrance to the Synod of Scales - a solemn reminder to the new government that the freedom Ouerea prizes was not given, but won by blood. Shamans dedicating themselves to Crimson-Toothed Liberty are often political radicals, striving for further liberation of the Ouerean people whether by word or by blade. The spirit is often venerated by members of the Warriors of Liberty, and the party's official symbol is a stylized depiction of Azsaei Zis Azua's burning spear.

===== The Izoaei =====
A collective name for many of the zo’zyola of Ouerea, the Izoaei (Sinta-Unathi: Primordial) are considered to be formless and wild spirits, manifestations of the raw and elemental forces of the world - spirits of stone and wind and water, free from names or bonds that the spirits of Moghes hold. The shamans of Ouerea believe that it is their responsibility to shape the Izoaei, to keep them appeased and guide them into a new state of being. Shrines are rarely built to these nameless spirits, but offerings are commonplace - with shamans believing that it is important to allow the Izoaei to grow accustomed to the presence of life on their world, lest their wrath spell doom for the colony.

Shamans of the Izoaei are an odd blend of scientist, survivalist, and exorcist. Research and understanding of alien worlds is believed to be a method of both honoring and shaping the Izoaei - as Sinta come to better know their new world, so do the spirits of that world come to better understand Sinta. Many of these shamans will take extensive journeys into the Ouerean wilderness, in the hopes of coming to better know the Izoaei and to shape their presence into one that welcomes alien settlement. Shamans of the Izoaei will also often gather in preparation for or in the wake of natural disasters, providing aid in an attempt to bind or banish hostile Izoaei and to shield Ouerea against their harm. Veneration of the Izoaei has spread from Ouerea, with colonists on various [[Notable Unathi Colonies|other Hegemony worlds]] practicing similar rituals in order to overcome hostile environments.

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===== The Founders =====
The five Unathi who first set foot on Ouerea are viewed with immense respect by Ouerean civilization, often venerated as particularly revered ancestors - though they bear no blood relation to most modern Ouerean Unathi, they are ancestors in spirit to the modern-day colony. Historical sites often hold shrines to the Founders, and even non-Th’akh or even non-Unathi Ouereans will often leave offerings there in honor of the planet’s history.
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'''Zuakza Izoki, Speaker of Thunder'''

Born to a prominent Heartland noble clan, Zuakza Izoki was a graduate of the Skalamar Academy of Natural Sciences and one of the foremost astronauts of the Izweski Space Program, having been part of one of the first crews on Izweski Station. When the Ouerean mission was planned, he was reportedly hand-picked by the Hegemon to command it as captain of the IHV Venture. Captain Izoki oversaw the initial establishment of what would become New Skalamar, and lived long enough to see humans and Skrell arrive on the planet. He was one of the founders of the New Skalamar Pioneers’ Seminary, and a statue of him adorns its gates in the modern day. He died of old age in late 2429, with a planetary day of mourning declared in his honor shortly afterwards.

His title as a spirit is “Speaker of Thunder” - either in honor of his commanding presence or as a joke from his surviving crewmates about how his way of speaking was extremely irritating over several months in a confined space together, depending on who one asks. He is venerated as a symbol of leadership, courage, and the pioneering spirit of Ouerea. His symbol is a stylized Unathi claw, reaching upwards to grasp at a distant star.

'''Kiuhi Ahuos, Watcher of the Dark'''

The pilot of the IHV Venture, Kiuhi Ahuos was a distinguished warrior from an Izweski air regiment stationed in the Southlands. As the Izweski Space Program grew, Ahuos found himself working as a test pilot on several of the program’s early missions. He was severely injured during a failed re-entry in the 2460s, which reportedly left him walking with a cane for the remainder of his life. Following the establishment of the Ouerean colony and first contact, he returned to Moghes with honor, continuing to work with the space program on various missions. His final mission was one that would go down in Unathi history, serving as a navigator on the IHRV Uezwik’s Hope - the Hegemony’s first attempt at creating a warp-capable spacecraft. When the warp calculations proved incorrect, Ahuos was killed along with the rest of the ship’s crew.

As a spirit, his title is “Watcher of the Dark”, in reference to his status as one of the Hegemony’s first space pilots. Ouereans working offworld, particularly on spaceships or as pilots, will often make offerings to him to protect them, as his spirit is believed to watch over all Unathi abroad in the vastness of space. His symbol is a black Unathi eye, filled with a field of stars.

'''Skiaei Sazs - Bearer of Flame'''

The ship’s engineer aboard the Venture, Skiaei Sazs was a guildsman of the Construction Coalition and one of the space program’s most talented engineers. The Venture itself was a Sazs design, and they were handpicked by Captain Izoki for the mission. Following planetfall, Sazs was responsible for the assembly of the initial colony site, and is believed by some to be the patron spirit of modern New Skalamar itself. Though well into their old age, Sazs was one of the founders of Hegeranzi Starworks, and reportedly turned down the position of guildmaster there several times before their death. Sazs was known to work closely with Hephaestus Industries, and was reportedly an influential mentor of Yukal T’zakal during his early days working with Hephaestus. They perished from old age in 2452, in their office aboard Hegeranzi Starworks.

As a spirit, their title is “Bearer of Flame”, in reference to their contributions to interstellar engineering. A shrine to Sazs adorns Hegeranzi Starworks today, and Ouerean engineers will frequently make offerings to their spirit to bless the success of a project. Their symbol is a trail of fire, stretching towards a field of stars.

'''Kseok Ssu, Witness of Life'''

Originally from a minor noble clan of S’th, Dr. Kseok Ssu was an accomplished biologist from the Skalamar University of Medicine long before she was chosen for the Ouerean mission. After her arrival on Ouerea, Dr. Ssu was responsible for cataloging thousands of new species native to the planet, as well as for the successful introduction of Moghresian plants and animals to the Ouerean biosphere. She is remembered as one of history’s greatest xenobiologists by Unathi even beyond Ouerea, and was granted the position of planetary chapter-master by the House of Medicine for her contributions to the sciences. She traveled extensively following first contact, studying human and Skrell advances in xenobiology for nearly thirty years and giving several guest lectures at human universities - acquiring a reputation as something of a daredevil researcher in interstellar academic circles. Kseok Ssu disappeared in 2438, only a year before the beginning of the Contact War, departing on an expedition to catalog the alien fauna of the Arusha sector. Her title as a spirit is “Witness of Life”, and she is frequently venerated by healers, academics, and explorers on Ouerea - particularly those seeking to study the planet’s ecosystem. Shrines to her can be found in most Ouerean universities, and it is a common practice among students to leave offerings there to improve their academic performance.

'''Olzahi Ekzur - Eye of Stone'''

The ship’s surveyor, Olzahi Ekzur was responsible for much of the initial exploration and surveying of Ouerea following planetfall. During her time as a researcher for the space program, she was responsible for the launch of several probes to Ouerea, and selected the initial landing site personally. Following planetfall, she engaged in extensive study of the area surrounding the landing site, and much of the layout of New Skalamar today is based on her initial blueprints. Ekzur spearheaded much of the initial exploration of Ouerea, and spent a large amount of her time at the Sahhat Geographical Research Complex with visiting Skrell scientists, reportedly fascinated by their culture and advancements. Ekzur’s methodologies for planetary colonization were rapidly adopted, and have since become standard practice by Hegemony colonists throughout the Spur. In 2441, Ekzur was killed in a storm on the Azareazi Sea as part of an ongoing polar expedition. Survivors of the wreck reported that she refused to leave her research or her crew, and returned to the sinking ship several times in order to recover more.

As a spirit, her title is “Eye of Stone”, in reference to her blunt and unemotional demeanor, as well as her contributions to the field of geology. She is viewed as the patron spirit of explorers, scientists, and all those who seek to wander beyond the horizons of the known. Ouerean exploration and research programs often consecrate their missions in her name. Her symbol is a silhouetted Unathi figure, walking towards a stylized horizon.
</div></div>

=== Aut'akh on Ouerea ===
Ouerea is the birthplace of the [[Aut'akh|Aut’akh]] faith, with the secretive religion’s followers having revealed themselves to the Spur for the first time there, though its communes are now spread across the wider Spur. Its origins lie with a group of Th’akh scientists and engineers, the foremost among them being [[Notable Unathi#Emzal Paossini, Creator of Paradigms|Emzal Paossini]], the elusive archaeologist now known by the Aut’akh as the ‘Creator of Paradigms’.

These founders synthesized their Th’akh beliefs with Paossini’s studies of the ancient Sinta’Mador, and their ruins at the North Pole of Moghes, as well as the Ouerean ideas of self-governance to form the roots of what is now the Aut’akh faith. The Aut’akh of Ouerea exist in an odd state - despite the persecution throughout the wider Hegemony, the Ouerean government is largely content to leave them to their communes - and while some of the more militant among the Sk’akh and Th’akh faithful will occasionally call for stamping them out, this has yet to gain any traction.

The main opposition the Aut’akh face on Ouerea comes in the form of Hephaestus Industries, with the planet’s communes having stood in fierce opposition to the human megacorporation for years. Aut’akh salvagers will frequently launch raids on Hephaestus compounds or equipment, stealing synthetics, machinery and supplies to sabotage the corporation’s efforts and bolster their own communities. Over the years since the Ouerean Revolution and the rise of the Aut’akh faith, Hephaestus has extensively hired mercenaries from the Fighters’ Lodge to protect its investments on the planet - and to engage in borderline warfare against the Aut’akh wherever they may be found.

Following Hephaestus’s absorption of the Fighters’ Lodge as a subsidiary, their campaign against the Aut’akh of Ouerea has only heightened. Though the Confederation has yet to step in, rumors of Hephaestus-backed mercenaries burning Aut’akh communes and Aut’akh radicals engaging in sabotage against Hephaestus employees have spread like wildfire.

More information about the Aut’akh of Ouerea can be found [[Aut'akh#The_Aut'akh_Valley,_"the Originals" | here]].

=== Alien Religions ===
''See also: [[Aliens on Ouerea]]''

When the alien colonists came to Ouerea, they brought their gods with them. Nearly every religion that is common in either the Sol Alliance or Nralakk Federation can be found on the world. In New Skalamar, the First Scept of Ouerea is by far the largest religious building - but it is not alone, standing on what has become known as the Street of Ten Thousand Temples. Human, Skrell and Unathi sites of worship all stand there, visited by their myriad adherents - with some locals jokingly referring to it as ‘the holiest place in the Spur’. More information on the faiths of non-Sinta can be found [[Aliens_on_Ouerea#Alien_Religions|here]].

== Cities of Ouerea ==
The tropical regions around the Trizkizki and Riztizkzi Seas are the most populated areas of Ouerea - nearly all the major cities on the planet are located in and around this region. Due to its warmth making it ideal for Unathi biology, it was targeted from the beginning of the colonization process.

=== New Skalamar ===
The oldest city on Ouerea and capital of the planet, New Skalamar has humble beginnings - the reassembled shelter of five colonists, growing over the years into a ramshackle town and further into the bustling metropolis that it is today. A strange mixture of Unathi, human and Skrell-style architecture defines the city, with the Nralakk Federation and Solarian Alliance having played a major role in its expansion into a true city.

In the Founding District, lying at the center of the city on a plain of undisturbed grass, is the Pioneers’ Field - a near-perfect recreation of the pre-contact settlement built by the first Unathi to arrive on the planet. Statues of each of the five founders stand around it, and each of them was buried beneath its earth, having given all of themselves to the establishment of Ouerea as a thriving world. The Field is a popular spot for tourists, and the locals will often frequent it to remind themselves of the humble beginnings that their world rose from. One of the most famous images of the Ouerean Revolution shows a crowd of rebels - Skrell and Unathi alike - standing shoulder to shoulder on the Pioneers’ Field, refusing to bend or break before Overlord Yiztek’s forces. Frequently, the entrance to the Field is decorated with wreaths of flowers in tradition, or offerings to the restless spirits - honoring those who gave their lives in the Months of Blood and the Revolution, for the freedom and prosperity of their home.

Just a short distance south stands a building that has had many names - initially built as the Ouerean Colonial Administration building by the Nralakk-Sol government, briefly transformed into the seat of Overlord Yiztek, and then renamed again following the Revolution to the Synod of Scales, as the newly formed government of Ouerea took up residence there. The Founding District is filled with grand buildings, any one of which could have made a suitable seat for the newly-appointed Overlord - but so far, Overlord Zik’san has refused to name a proper seat, remaining instead in a modest home a short distance outside the city. While most of the Founding District consists of city or planetary government buildings, there is one exception. Looming over the skyline like a dagger aimed at Moghes, the Hephaestus Regional Branch Office - nicknamed by some locals as ‘the Titan’s Tower’ - is the center of the megacorporation’s operations on Ouerea, and is second only to the Skalamar office in importance to the corporation’s overall strategy in the Hegemony.

Not all of New Skalamar is so picturesque, however. Around the city’s docks, immigrant workers and refugees from Moghes have settled - hoping to find work and prosperity. Many of them have been left to languish, however, with the slums of the Docklands being known as a hotbed of organized - and disorganized - crime and poverty. Frequent calls are made in the Synod to address this issue, but no solution has yet been reached. Clashes between the Ouerean locals and the Moghresian arrivals are common, and many fear that if something is not done for the Docklands, they will erupt into outright war.

=== K'rath ===
A short distance to the east of New Skalamar, K’rath lies on the edge of the sea, in the foothills of the K’rath Mountains. Surrounded by a wide swathe of coastal lowland, it is considered by many to be one of the most beautiful cities on Ouerea - the bottle-green and tropically warm waters of the Trizkizki Sea stretch towards the Horizon, and the snow-capped mountains rise just a short distance to the south. By its locals, it is considered a paradise city, and the tourism industry of K’rath has thrived since the end of the Contact War, with wealthy nobles and guildsmen of Moghes seizing the opportunity to get away from their ruined world and take in the beauty of Ouerea.

The majority of K’rath’s residents are Unathi, with a large number of those wealthy enough to afford it having immigrated there following the end of the Contact War. During the days of feudalism on Ouerea, the region surrounding K’rath was quickly returned to the feudal way of life, with many of the farmers and fishers in the region suddenly finding themselves as serfs, with the rights they once held stripped away. The anger at this treatment, and at being forced to bow to the new lords of the region, exploded violently during the Revolution. Many of the nobility reigning over the K’rath region were executed by the rebels, and those who managed to escape now make up the core of the faction known as the Oldbloods - pointing to the killings carried out by the K’rath rebels as proof of the danger of Ouerean democracy.

K’rath still bears scars from the Revolution, with many of its grander and more luxurious hotels and resorts being rebuilt from the fighting. However, the tourists have begun to visit again, and though many of the locals complain about how their city now caters to the same parasites they once drove out, the influx of foreign wealth has greatly accelerated the rebuilding efforts. Its proximity to the ocean has given K’rath a large Xiialt Skrell population, with a small and insular district referred to as ‘Little Nralakk’ having sprung up on the waterfront. Many of the locals have leaned into the strange reputation of their species, offering services to tourists such as ‘psionic fortune readings and ‘psionic healing’ - neither of which tend to involve any actual psionics.

=== Um'a'yid ===
Um’a’yid lies on the western coast of the Trizkizki Sea, and is a major fishing port on Ouerea. It is home to the planetary guildhall of the Fishing League and has rapidly become one of the most prosperous chapters of the enormous guild. Since the beginning of the famine gripping the Hegemony, the Guild has brought in enormous amounts of labor from Moghes in order to expand fishing operations across the region. As Hephaestus Industries expands its aquacultural operations, it remains unclear as to whether or not the League will continue to keep its iron grasp on the city.

The city is currently majority Unathi, in large part due to the numbers of peasant workers and guildsmen brought in to assist the guild in its food production efforts. Prior to the guild’s expansion into the city, however, the population was fairly evenly split between the planet’s three species. As the Fishing League only recruits Unathi as full guildsmen, much of the work available in the city to humans and Skrell is limited, usually for much lower pay - though some with backgrounds in xenobiology or environmental science have managed to secure prestigious advisory positions to the guild, and have been instrumental in the establishment of some of the guild’s existing aquacultural centers across Ouerea.

For the rest, however, the most common work is on the city’s docks or as non-guild labor on fishing boats. The low pay of non-guildsmen has meant that many humans and Skrell have left the city in recent years, with many of them seeking similar work in the employ of Hephaestus Industries.

Following Hephaestus’s buyout of the Fishing League, however, the situation has changed, with the newly acquired subsidiary being required to pay its non-guild workers the same wage that a guildsman in the same position would earn. This has been instrumental in building goodwill towards Hephaestus among the city’s alien population - though many of the guildsmen resent their new employers for trivializing their difficulties in earning their position in the guild.

=== Tr’ha’rem ===
Along the land bridge separating the Trizkizki and Riztizkzi Seas lies the city of Tr’ha’rem, a major shipping port on Ouerea. Nearly all cargo bound to and from Z’ek or Sahat passes through the city, and the massive tropical rainforests surrounding the city have proven very valuable for logging and farming. A spicy fruit known as kizau (A Sinta’Unathi word meaning ‘sweet sting’) is an extremely popular export from the city, which sees frequent use in Ouerean cuisine, being one of the rare foodstuffs to have proved equally popular among Skrell, humans and Unathi alike.

Due to its position on the northern edge of the Ouerean equator, Tr’ha’rem is less hot and humid than most of the planet. This has made it a popular destination for non-Ouereans, as it is widely considered to be more livable. Tr’ha’rem is also home to one of the larger human communities on Ouerea - though colonists came from many different parts of Solarian space, largely in the employ of megacorporations, traveling halfway across the Spur is not something done lightly, and generally only by those with little to gain remaining on their homeworld. Perhaps it is unsurprising, then, that a large number of [[Mars|Martians]] wound up living and working on Ouerea, primarily in the employ of Hephaestus Industries. As its climate is more bearable year-round for humans, a great many of these workers dwell in Tr’ha’rem, with a district near the city’s docks being named "New Olympia" by its residents. The locals tend to view Hephaestus favorably and have bitter feelings towards the Solarian Alliance, which were only amplified by the Violet Dawn disaster of 2462. Though many of them have not seen Mars in decades, if at all, they still consider themselves as Martian as they are Ouerean, and many of the locals have donated extensively to relief efforts following the disaster.

Due to its large human population, Tr’ha’rem often plays a key role in many human-centric political developments. Some of the earliest fires of the Ouerean Revolution were sparked in the streets of New Olympia, and since the establishment of the Confederation, it has been a key part of the campaign for human representation on the Synod of Scales. Though the Hegemony is unwilling to allow aliens to hold power over Sinta, the humans of Tr’ha’rem have fiercely agitated for at the very least an observer similar to that which the Skrell of Ouerea have. So far, this campaign has not been met with any official response, with the believed reasoning being very few humans have fully settled on the planet as the Skrell did, instead being there as megacorporate workers.

=== Xrqii-Zek'Qlip ===
A small settlement in the Z’ek Crater, the town of Xrqii-Zek'Qlip (often abbreviated to Zek by non-Skrell) is considered to be a gateway to a tropical paradise - for humans and Skrell, anyway. The humidity in the region is generally considered too much to bear for Unathi due to it causing embarrassing and frequent fungal infections of the scales. As such, there are very few Unathi inhabiting this region, though the warm and idyllic tropical waters are a perfect environment for Xiialt Skrell, who make up a majority of the small settlement’s population.

Though briefly settled by Unathi at one point, with the village of Zek being the first settlement on the island, the constant humidity and scale infections led to most of the settlers rapidly leaving. Following their departure, the Nralakk Federation considered the use of the islands as an environmental research facility, and it was their surveying which led to the discovery of their ideal conditions for Skrell. Though the Federation decided against it, moving their efforts elsewhere, this was what attracted the second wave of settlers to come to the island. The Skrell that moved here would name their town after the original settlement in respect to the native Unathi who originally tried living here.

The islands of the Z’ek crater are considered to be one of the wonders of Ouerea, looking like the archetypal island paradise. While most of the locals make their living largely off fishing or farming, the small town has seen a boom of late, as the Ouerean government wishes to further exploration into the Azareazi Sea to the south, which is still unsettled and not nearly as well-explored as the equatorial region of Ouerea. As Xrqii-Zek'Qlip is the closest settlement, in recent years the town has become a frequent stopping point for researchers and supply shipments bound south, to various research bases.

=== Sahhat ===
Far to the east of the Riztizkzi Sea lies the Sahhat Crater - a volcanic crater in the middle of the savannah. Aside from the grassland around it, the middle of the crater holds a large and very deep lake, branching off into unexplored underwater caverns. The beauty of the crater, and its warm yet not unpleasant waters, have led to it becoming something of a tourist destination, with the small town of Sahhat catering to the wealthy Unathi, humans and Skrell who come to visit.

Originally, Sahhat was the site of the Sahhat Geographical Research Complex - a Nralakk Federation scientific outpost dedicated to understanding the unique biosphere of the underwater caverns of the crater. Following the Federation’s withdrawal from Ouerea, the facility stood abandoned, though it has since been reopened as a museum dedicated to the unique flora and fauna found in the caverns.

A small settlement arose over time near the research base, as primarily Unathi settlers from the core of the colony ventured out to the region, and formed what is now the town of Sahhat. The town largely existed to support the research base, but the friendships built over many years between the two groups led to a few of the Skrell scientists choosing to remain on Ouerea when the Federation left. Now, Sahhat is a beautiful town, looming over the crater and descending down the cliffsides of the ancient volcanoes. It offers every luxury - fine food and drink from human, Skrell and Unathi culinary traditions, entertainment in its small yet thriving theatrical district, and the unique sights of diving into the crater itself and exploring the scenic underwater caverns. While this is a profitable industry, and usually divers are accompanied by a Skrell guide - every now and then a foolhardy tourist will dive into the crater’s water and never resurface.

Likely, they simply got lost in the caves and ran out of oxygen. Some of the locals, however, whisper of something more sinister - an alien beast lurking in the depths of the Sahhat Crater, picking off tourists when it sees the opportunity. Though some have sought out to hunt whatever monster this may be, none of these parties have ever turned up anything, leading most serious scholars to conclude that the ‘Sahhat Leviathan’ is nothing more than a ghost story to sell souvenirs.

[[Category:Planets and Systems]]
[[Category:Unathi]]

Corporate Liaison

2024-10-17T18:21:47Z

RustingWithYou: /* Golden Deep */ removes golden deep from this page bc it's not a corporation

{{JobPageHeader
|headerbgcolor = #166294
|headerfontcolor = black
|stafftype = COMMAND SUPPORT
|imagebgcolor = #BFC6E0
|img = Corporateliaison-nbt.png
|jobtitle = Corporate Liaison
|access = The Representative's Office, [[Job_Guides#Station_Command|the Bridge]].
|difficulty = Medium
|qualifications = At least 30 years of age, relevant education. Must represent a [[Megacorporations|corporation]].
|education = Highly dependent on faction and position; a corporate liaison may have a business degree or has otherwise worked their way up through company echelons over years.
|employers = Any [[Stellar Corporate Conglomerate|SCC]] member corporation.
|superior = [[Job_Guides#Command|Ship Command]] and your [[#Interest Group|Interest Group]]
|duties = Represent your corporation's interest. Hold interviews. Offer deals with the devil.
|guides = [[Corporate_Regulations|Corporate Regulations]], [[Guide to Standard Procedure|Ship Directives]], [[Guide_to_Law|Guide to Law]], [[Guide_to_Paperwork|Guide to Paperwork]], [[Chain of Command]]
}}

'''Corporate Liaisons''' act as the link between a megacorporation and their assigned facility. Their primary concerns are to ensure that the group of employees they're representing is treated more favourably or just ensuring they're treated equally within [[Corporate Regulations]], via interviews and reports to [[Job_Guides#Station_Command|Command Staff]] about misconduct. Secondary responsibilities include increasing awareness of their corporation, and potentially increasing said corporation's influence on the ship.

Liaisons can be played by characters of any species that can be a part of the represented faction, by players with a Head of Staff whitelist, but they are not part of [[Job_Guides#Station_Command|Ship Command]]. '''Note that you cannot apply for a command whitelist with a corporate liaison character.'''

{{TOC Hidden}}
==Factions by Species==
Not all species can represent all factions. Certain species are not hired by some companies, and nations primarily populated by a certain species may restrict aliens that live within their borders from holding a diplomatic position. This table shows which species can be played as consular and corporate representatives of respective factions.

{| class="wikitable"
|+ Species Consulars/Liaisons Permitted
|-
!
! Humans
! Skrell
! Unathi
! Tajara
! IPCs
! Dionae
! Vaurca
|-
!NanoTrasen
|style="background-color:#39ff14;" |
|style="background-color:#39ff14;" |
|style="background-color:#39ff14;" |
|style="background-color:#39ff14;" |
|style="background-color:#39ff14;" |
|style="background-color:red;" |
|style="background-color:red;" |
|-
!Zavodskoi
|style="background-color:#39ff14;" |
|style="background-color:#39ff14;" |
|style="background-color:#39ff14;" |
|style="background-color:red;" |
|style="background-color:red;" |
|style="background-color:red;" |
|style="background-color:red;" |
|-
!PMCG
|style="background-color:#39ff14;" |
|style="background-color:#39ff14;" |
|style="background-color:#39ff14;" |
|style="background-color:#39ff14;" |
|style="background-color:#39ff14;" |
|style="background-color:red;" |
|style="background-color:red;" |
|-
!Idris
|style="background-color:#39ff14;" |
|style="background-color:#39ff14;" |
|style="background-color:red;" |
|style="background-color:red;" |
|style="background-color:red;" |
|style="background-color:red;" |
|style="background-color:red;" |
|-
!Hephaestus
|style="background-color:#39ff14;" |
|style="background-color:#39ff14;" |
|style="background-color:#39ff14;" |
|style="background-color:#39ff14;" |
|style="background-color:#39ff14;" |
|style="background-color:#39ff14;" |
|style="background-color:red;" |
|-
!Zeng-Hu
|style="background-color:#39ff14;" |
|style="background-color:#39ff14;" |
|style="background-color:red;" |
|style="background-color:red;" |
|style="background-color:#39ff14;" |
|style="background-color:#39ff14;" |
|style="background-color:red;" |
|-
!Orion
|style="background-color:#39ff14;" |
|style="background-color:#39ff14;" |
|style="background-color:#39ff14;" |
|style="background-color:#39ff14;" |
|style="background-color:#39ff14;" |
|style="background-color:#39ff14;" |
|style="background-color:red;" |
|-
|}

* Only [[Unathi]] from [[Dominia]] can be [[Zavodskoi]] representatives.
* Unathi representing the [[PMCG]] must be from Dagamuir Freewater Private Forces.
* [[Tajara]] representing the PMCG must be from Kazarrhaldiye Operations Group.

== Title Variations ==
As a corporate liaison, you're offered the opportunity to choose between a few different titles for flavour.
*Workplace Liaison
*Corporate Representative
*Corporate Executive
These titles should give your Liaison a bit more flavor by allowing them to have some specialty in the company. However, '''no alternate title gives you any more authority than another. Playing a Corporate Executive does not increase your authority - you have the same amount of direct authority as a liaison: none.''' As a corporate executive, think of yourself more of an executive of middle management; your direct power over the Horizon is functionally zero, as you've been sent by whatever as a liaison and advocate. The SCC chose the heads of staff to command the ship, and they'd like to keep it that way.

==Starting Out==
You spawn in the Representative's Office. After a few minutes, your fax machine will print out a list of randomised objectives that you can use as a jumping-off point for roleplay. You have a secure safe in their office, which you can enter a five-digit code to lock and unlock. Don't forget it! You also have a closet of clothing, paperwork supplies, and sundry to help fill out forms and make notes on the performance of the Horizon's crew.

You also spawn with an energy pistol. This pistol is not very powerful, and it does not give you license to jump into a firefight and start shooting. Remember, you're a bureaucrat.

You also get access to an external communications link in your fax machine, which enables you to contact your superiors. Any faxes you receive will be sent to the CCIA team for an in-character response.

== Roleplaying a Corporate Samurai ==
Before you sign on for that first shift, recognize a hard truth about Corporate Liaisons; you are not, strictly speaking, a necessary component of the ship’s crew. By yourself, you cannot permit, prevent, or enforce just about anything. You are barely even a part of the ship's crew. However, this does not mean your roleplay cannot be an invaluable, enjoyable part of the round!

Typically, the broad duties of a Liaison can be sorted into three major categories:

# '''Awareness:''' Doing activities to spread awareness of your interest group is a very good idea to keep everyone happy, and most importantly, informed. A good representative might give seminars on the benefits and pay packages of their corporation. Get creative! Why might someone want employment with [[Idris Incorporated]] or [[Zavodskoi Interstellar]]?
# '''Oversight:''' Keep your employees happy, and if not happy, willing to fake it. If one of the employees of the company is unhappy, see if you can fix it by offering incentives, chatting with command, or ordering pizza for everyone! A Representative needs to be keeping track of members of their interest group, in ways such as PDAing to check in, or calling them in to your office for a [[Vampire|chat]]. Keep in mind that roleplayed effort, above all, is appreciated; hilariously ineffective responses to an employee's mistreatment or lack of satisfaction with their employer of choice help build a character as much as actually improving their situation.
# '''Protest:''' Stick up for employees. An example would be contacting the [[Captain]], [[Executive Officer]], or [[Job_Guides#Security|Security]] when you suspect someone from your interest group is in danger or has been wronged. Another would be vocally protesting in response to an employee being arrested, even going as far as to negotiate for their release, or lessening of their punishment. '''Be reasonable about this.''' Obviously your credibility is going to go down the toilet if you try and negotiate for the release of an employee who committed [[Traitor|first-degree murder]].

Your ability to effectively do your job therefore relies on your ability to communicate with the ship’s various [[Job_Guides|Departments]], and [[Job_Guides#Station_Command|ship Command]]. Having good working relationships with the crew also makes it more likely that they will come to you with their problems or report things to you, rather than leaving you to hunt for them or to sit at your desk contemplating your coffee all shift.

But how can you build working relationships?

#'''Do: Spread Awareness.''' The only way you're going to get ship crew on your side is if you get involved with the crewmembers aboard the Horizon, in whatever way you may choose to do so, or your interest group entails. Hang out at the bar, organise a tabletop game at the library, perform employee evaluations.
#'''Don't: Cause Trouble. (Unless You Can Get Away With It)''' You are here with the express permission of [[Job_Guides#Station_Command|Ship Command]] and the [[Stellar Corporate Conglomerate]], a permission that can easily be revoked. Any violation of [[Corporate Regulations]] should be strictly covert, if at all. Keep in mind that this doesn't mean you have to play a nice person, and more likely than not someone who has climbed to the rank you've climbed to might have a fair few skeletons in their closet.
#'''Do: Play Favourites.''' It is the express purpose of your job to advocate for your interest Group, and thus, to play favourites. If you think that helping a crewmember who is close to someone in it will aid in that, you should definitely do it if it fits your character. Though, you don't want others to know, as it could land you in trouble with a [[Security Officer]], and thus, [[Job_Guides#Station_Command|Ship Command]]. It could also violate [https://aurorastation.org/rules.html server rules] in extreme cases. If in doubt, '''adminhelp'''.

=== [[Guide to Standard Procedure#Corporate Liaisons and Consular Officers|Directive 12]] ===
"Command staff are expected to engage representatives through diplomacy and to consent to reasonable requests. The representative is not part of the ship chain of command. The representative is granted special status in relation to corporate regulations;"
* The representative does not serve brig time for low level infractions, the fine alternative can be used in those cases. The representative can serve brig time for medium and high level infractions, with command staff being able to contact Central Command requesting the revocation of the representative's privilege.
* The representative's office offers immunity to the representative. Security may not enter to conduct arrests under normal circumstances. Entering or refusing to exit the office is considered trespassing. The office's immunity may be revoked by the captain or a captain level decision.

<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed">
===Roleplaying the Corporations===
Each megacorporation expects different standards from its employees, and has different methods and a different company "culture". While you're not obligated to play a character who follows these suggestions, they might help in building your roleplay or creating a character.
<div class="mw-collapsible-content">
=== [[NanoTrasen]] ===

* Essentially the "generic" corporation. You are the largest company in the Conglomerate, and its flagship member; it's likely you'll have a lot of people to talk to. Cut corners, encourage transfers, and promote Getmore Energy.
* Instead of a bureaucrat, your character might also have a science or medical degree, or be a service manager.
* Common origins for NanoTrasen employees are typically the [[Republic of Biesel]] and the [[People's Republic of Adhomai]], but NT is everywhere.

=== [[Idris Incorporated]] ===

* Idris is professional, shiny, and saccharine. Being too "personal" in the business or being casual goes against company standards; an Idris liaison has a smile on their face and a handshake ready for everyone, regardless of how they actually feel.
* Your character might have a background in banking, economics, private security or the military, or service.
* Common origins for Idris employees are [[Luna]], [[Venus]] (typically Cythereans), [[Silversun]] (typically expatriates), [[Eridani]], or the [[New Kingdom of Adhomai]].

=== [[Zavodskoi Interstellar]] ===

* Professional and upright through and through, though considerably less cheerful than an Idris employee. Nevertheless, a Zavodskoi representative is as polite as they are cutthroat, particularly if they are [[Dominia|Dominian]].
* Your character might have a background in science (usually weapon sciences or research and development), private security or military, or engineering.
* Rivalries with Hephaestus are encouraged. Poach employees!
* The most common origin for a Zavodskoi employee is [[Dominia]]. Other planets with a headquarters include [[Luna]], [[Biesel]], and [[Earth]].

=== [[Zeng-Hu Pharmaceuticals]] ===

* Your character has likely risen to where they are from sheer merit alone, considering the standards imposed on them by the keiretsu. One thing's for sure; even if your character isn't nice, they're smart, and they know how to conduct themselves in a corporate environment better than just about anyone.
* Remember that Zeng-Hu as a whole is technically three companies; Jeonshi Biotech, Bishop Cybernetics, and Yomi Genetics. Pick one from your character to come from and develop their education background from there.
* Your character definitely has a background in some sort of STEM or medical field, and definitely has a doctorate.
* High-ranking Zeng-Hu employees are likely heavily augmented, and almost always have a Zeng-Hu veterancy faceplate implanted. Play this for all the discomfort it's worth.
* Common origins for Zeng-Hu employees include [[Earth]], [[Europa]], the [[Nralakk Federation]], [[Aemaq]], [[Assunzione]], and housepeople of Volvalaad in [[Dominia]].

=== [[Hephaestus Industries]] ===

* You're a HARDWORKING, BLUE-COLLAR (even if you make more than the entire operations department combined), DOWN-TO-EARTH WORKER who PULLED THEMSELVES UP BY THEIR BOOTSTRAPS and GOT TO WHERE THEY ARE TODAY. Hephaestus is a company that breeds a lot of loyalty, and your character might reflect that.
* Uniquely, you might not have much of a degree; while it's likely you have a diploma, Hephaestus representatives and foremen can indeed work their way up to the company ladder by personal merit and leadership ability alone.
* Bust unions and sneer at [[Himeo|Himeans]].
* Common origins for Hephaestus employees include [[Mars]] (pre-Violet Dawn), [[New Hai Phong]], [[Burzsia]], [[Moghes]], and the [[People's Republic of Adhomai]].

=== [[Private Military Contracting Group]] ===

* One of the most variable company groups, the PMCG is a variety of private military companies operating under one umbrella. These companies are fairly different from subsidiary to subsidiary.
* If you're from an [[Eridani]] military contracting group (N4NL, Sekhmet Intergalactic, Eagle Corp, or Ringspire), you're likely an Eridanian suit. If you are from Nexus Corporate Security, you're essentially a [[NanoTrasen]] representative under a different name. Dagamuir Freewater Private Forces representatives are [[Unathi]]; Kazarrhaldiye Operations Group representatives are [[Tajara]]. Ve'katak Phalanx representatives can, ironically, be any species but [[Vaurca]]. Xanu Defense Services are [[Coalition of Colonies|Coalitioners]], and Wildlands Squadron are [[Sol Alliance|Solarians]], usually Middle Ring residents.
* You probably have a military or security background, no matter your character's job. If your character is a medical professional, they are likely a combat EMT or a military surgeon.
* The PMCG is everywhere; EPMCs will always have experience on [[Eridani]], no matter their origin.

=== [[Orion Express]] ===

* You are a representative of the youngest company in the Conglomerate; you yourself are likely fairly young and fresh to the world of corporate espionage, if you aren't a transplant from another company. Orion's casual company culture likely means you're not looking to dress yourself up (physically or socially) too much, and you probably come off as strangely genuine to most employees.
* You likely have a background in logistics or the service industry.
* Orion Express is everywhere, and hires just about anyone. However, it has bases on [[Valkyrie]], [[Callisto]], [[Konyang]], the [[People's Republic of Adhomai]], and [[Elyra|Bursa]]. Skrell of all stripes are also commonly hired by Orion.

</div></div>

== Traitor ==
Should you find yourself selected as a traitor, congratulations! You are an antagonist trusted explicitly by your interest group, who will likely be thrilled to help you.

Wield your bureaucracy against the company you've signed up to act within! The morphic clerical kit may be of use to a traitorous Representative, as the stamps it provides allow you to forge command staff approval of just about anything. Through this, you can stamp approval papers to your fellows, have them lie to [[Job_Guides#Command|Command Staff]] about who they got them from, and then procure anything they'd like, thanks to you. If anyone questions what you're doing, remind them that you have the best interests of your people at heart.

{{Guides}}
{{Jobs}}
[[Category:Jobs]]
[[Category:Command]]

New Blades Old Wounds Arc

2024-09-04T21:22:18Z

RustingWithYou: epilogue

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<div style="font-size:162%; border:2px solid #dca200; margin:0; background:#29870e; padding:.1em; color:#fff;">New Blades, Old Wounds</div>
<center>
{{Template:2024 Event Timeline}}
<div style="font-size:110%; border:2px solid #dca200; margin:0; background:#29870e; padding:.1em; color:#fff;">This is the overview and timeline page for the '''New Blades, Old Wounds''' Arc which began on '''April 20, 2024''' and pertains largely to '''[[Unathi]] and [[Skrell]] lore.'''</div>
<div style="font-size:110%; border:2px solid #dca200; margin:0; background:#29870e; padding:.1em; color:#fff;">It is centered around the relationship between the [[Izweski Hegemony]] and the [[Nralakk Federation]], and their joint humanitarian efforts on the planet [[Moghes]].</div>
<div style="font-size:110%; border:2px solid #dca200; margin:0; background:#29870e; padding:.1em; color:#fff;">Below is a summary of the arc's applicable news articles, and additions.</div>

<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed">
=Hegemon Announces Talks With Skrell!=
'''News Article'''

'''Publisher: Sinta Articles'''

'''Writer: RustingWithYou'''

'''Editors: Triogenix'''

20/04/2466

''"Awake, dear heart, awake."''<br>
-The Tempest, Act I Scene II

Hegemon Not'zar reaches out to the Nralakk Federation, hoping that [[Change on the Horizon Arc|recent upheavals]] will allow old grudges to be laid to rest.
<div class="mw-collapsible-content">

In a surprising announcement from Skalamar today, Hegemon Not’zar Izweski announced that he intends to hold a diplomatic summit with the Nralakk Federation, which will be led by High Speaker Seleta Sarnac. The office of the High Speaker followed up on this, stating that Hegemon Not’zar understands that there is a long and often-troubled history between Sinta and Skrell, and he hopes that the two nations can enter into a more prosperous relationship in future.

The talks are set to take place on Ouerea, in several weeks’ time. Many have speculated as to the Hegemon’s choice to invite the Skrell delegation to Ouerea rather than Moghes - while some believe it is simply due to the planet’s large Skrell population, others believe that the Hegemon intends to call the Skrell to account for the planet’s occupation during the Contact War.

The Skrell delegation’s agenda, as well as who their representative will be, remains to be seen. The office of the High Speaker confirmed to us this morning, however, that the Nralakk Federation has accepted the Hegemon’s invitation. Their envoys will likely be en route to Uueoa-Esa already, and many wait apprehensively to see what the Federation hopes to get from these talks.

Some among the nobility have been outspoken against the Hegemon’s decision, however - with many protesting the inviting of Skrell to Izweski space, blaming them for everything from the Ouerean Rebellion to the Contact War itself. Perhaps the most outspoken of these was Lord Juyzi Izaku of Mudki, who invited representatives of Sinta Articles to a press conference in the city to issue his statement.

Lord Izaku was certainly passionate on the matter, claiming that ''"The Skrell, they get inside a man’s thoughts, to twist his mind and strip his honor! You see them, small and weak as they are, and you think they are harmless, but they can manipulate your very spirit - look at the slaughter on Ouerea, barely more than five years ago! It was driven by them, twisting innocent Sinta to anarchy and murder, and now the Hegemon wishes to treat with them? He must be careful, lest he find himself dancing on their vile and twisted strings.”''

While the Lord of Mudki is certainly the most outspoken, he is not the only one of the nobility to object to these talks. Several among the nobility have petitioned the Hegemon to turn away from this plan, citing the occupation of Ouerea and subsequent rebellion as proof that the Skrell cannot be trusted to negotiate in good faith.

We at Sinta Articles hope for a resolution that is beneficial to the Hegemony and its people. As always, we shall keep our readers updated on these talks as they develop.

</div></div>

<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed">
=Ormish Jrolk Departs For Alien Stars=
'''News Article'''

'''Publisher: Warble Enquirer'''

'''Writer: RustingWithYou'''

'''Editors: Triogenix, Brotendo'''

26/04/2466

''“Misery acquaints a man with strange bedfellows.”''<br>
-The Tempest, Act II Scene II

The Federation's representative departs for Ouerea.
<div class="mw-collapsible-content">

Grand Advisor of Economic Development Ormish Jrolk has announced their temporary departure from Federation space today - leading a delegation to the planet Ouerea, a warm and hospitable world currently under the rule of the Izweski Hegemony. The ruler of the Hegemony, Hegemon Not’zar Izweski, extended formal invitations to the Nralakk Federation to send a delegation to Ouerea, in the hopes of laying to rest past hostilities between Unathi and Skrell.

The Unathi, for those of our readers who are not aware, rapidly descended into global nuclear warfare following first contact with the Federation and the Solarian Alliance - during which a delegation of Federation diplomats was sent in the hopes of brokering peace between the two warring sides, and preventing needless loss of life. These delegates were murdered, their shuttle shot down by the group known as the ‘Traditionalist Coalition’ (Unrelated to the Homeworld Traditionalist Coalition party), a radical collection of Unathi micro-states opposed to further dealings with the Federation and humanity.

Since that day, the Federation has had little contact with the Unathi - though for several decades, Federation officials administrated the colony on Ouerea, due to the Hegemon’s inability to do so during wartime. Following the end of what the Unathi have come to call the ‘Contact War’, the Federation graciously returned control of Ouerea to the Unathi, though a substantial Skrell population remains on the planet.

Reportedly, the delegation was approved with an overwhelming majority by the Grand Council, with only the Homeworld Traditionalist Coalition voting against. Coalition leader Overseer Nalo Gir-Roq referred to the delegation as “a mistake” during an address to the Council, claiming that for the Federation to involve ourselves further in the affairs of the Spur at large only serves to weaken our position on the interstellar stage. The Coalition was thoroughly outvoted, however, with all other parties standing in favor of the Ouerean talks. Grand Advisor Jrolk and the Federalist League cited the dangers of pirate and Marauder activity on the Federation’s southern border, claiming that forming stronger ties to the nations of the Sparring Sea is a proactive measure to ensure our national security against such threats in future - while voices from the Free Skrell Union cited establishing further connections to Hephaestus Industries as a key reason for building diplomatic ties to the Hegemony.

The talks are scheduled to begin in several weeks' time. Questions of whether these talks will lead to future involvement in Unathi affairs, or further connection with alien nations, remain unanswered for now - though the Federation watches eagerly to see what will come of the Ouerean summit.

</div></div>

<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed">
=Nralakk Delegation Arrives, Talks Begin=
'''News Article'''

'''Publisher: Sinta Articles'''

'''Writer: RustingWithYou'''

'''Editors: Triogenix'''

30/04/2466

''“Yet, with my nobler reason 'gainst my fury''<br>
''Do I take part; the rarer action is''<br>
''In virtue than in vengeance.”''<br>
-The Tempest, Act V Scene I

The talks on Ouerea begin, and speculation abounds on what each side hopes to gain.
<div class="mw-collapsible-content">

The delegation from the distant Nralakk Federation has arrived, entering the Uueoa-Esa system early this morning before landing on Ouerea properly. Led by Ormish Jrolk, their ‘Grand Advisor of Economic Development’ - a role similar to a Master of Rivers - the delegation was promptly shown to a hotel in New Skalamar’s Founding District, where the talks are set to take place.

High Speaker Sarnac was present to welcome the delegation, along with her entourage. To the clamoring of spectators Unathi, Skrell and human alike, they entered the hotel, where the talks have begun in earnest. Though it is very early in the process, our correspondent on the scene was able to glean some insight as to the agendas from both sides.

It appears that the Hegemon, via the High Speaker, has demanded reparations from Nralakk for the occupation of Ouerea, claiming that they had no right to meddle in that world’s affairs and that it was shameful that his father was forced to resort to drastic measures to reclaim what is rightfully an Izweski colony. The Skrell have not taken this well, with their delegation claiming that the Federation was the only reason Ouerea survived the Contact War at all, and that Hegemon S’kresti’s actions were an act of rash bravado, where he could have instead negotiated with the Federation to ensure a peaceful transfer of power. The Skrell delegation also mentioned a shuttle of their diplomats destroyed by Traditionalists during the Contact War, claiming that as the ruler of all Moghes, Hegemon Not’zar bears an obligation to make amends.

So far, neither side seems to be bending on their demands - though the diplomatic process can be a lengthy one, and negotiations have only just begun. Rumors abound on the streets of Ouerea, however, with many claiming that Guildmaster T’zakal of Hephaestus Industries may be invited to the talks. As yet, Hephaestus Industries has not made any statement on the matter, and these rumors may have little merit to them.

As always, we at Sinta Articles will keep our readers updated on these talks as they progress, and we express our deepest hope for a mutually beneficial resolution.

</div></div>

<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed">
=Talks Continue On Ouerea; Hephaestus, K’lax Invited=
'''News Article'''

'''Publisher: Sinta Articles'''

'''Writer: RustingWithYou'''

'''Editors: Triogenix, Desven'''

5/05/2466

''“The hour's now come;''<br>
''The very minute bids thee ope thine ear.”''<br>
-The Tempest, Act I Scene II

The talks continue, and new faces are seen at the table
<div class="mw-collapsible-content">

The diplomatic talks on Ouerea seem to be making swift progress - while we do not have any further information on how both parties’ agenda is shifting, word from the inside is that attitudes have begun to soften, and that both sides are moving closer to an agreement. What that agreement is, and what it will entail for the Hegemony at large, remains to be seen.

Hephaestus Industries has also announced that they will be attending the talks at the Hegemon’s request, with Guildmaster T’zakal issuing a statement that due to the guild’s strong ties to every part of the Hegemonic economy since their recent reorganization of the major Hegemonic guilds, the outcome of these talks is of deep importance to Hephaestus.

Guildmaster T’zakal arrived on Ouerea yesterday morning, and spent the day touring the recently-completed Aquacultural Center One - before arriving by shuttle in New Skalamar last night, and traveling straight to the site of the talks. What role Hephaestus may play in this negotiation is as of now unknown.

The K’lax Hive have also announced that they will be in attendance at the talks. As one of the largest and most influential vassals of the Hegemon, the Vaurcae of Tret are instrumentally positioned within our nation’s economy, with one of the Hive’s representatives stating that ''“Since our arrival, the K’lax and the Sinta’Unathi have held a shared destiny - and if the Nralakk Federation is to be involved in that destiny, we will be included in the discussions.”''

The K’lax delegation at the talks is reportedly being directed by the Queen Vedhra, with representatives of her brood having arrived on Ouerea this afternoon. Sinta Articles reporters attempted to get in contact with the K’laxian delegation in order to elaborate on why the High Queen elected not to send a representative from her own brood, but were unable to clarify. Our correspondents contacted Lady Ta’Akaix’Maz'roth'isek K’lax, the leader of the K’laxian delegation, who stated ''“The High Queen trusts in her servants’ ability in a matter that will affect the Hive in its entirety. Though I serve the Queen Vedhra, my role at this summit is to stand for all the K’lax.”''

With the talks soon to enter their second week, we eagerly await further information. As always, we will keep our readers updated as the situation develops.

</div></div>

<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed">
=Senator Trang Condemns Hephaestus Role in Nralakk Summit=
'''News Article'''

'''Publisher: Sol Alliance News Network'''

'''Writer: RustingWithYou'''

'''Editors: Triogenix'''

12/05/2466

''“The truth you speak doth lack some gentleness''<br>
''And time to speak it in.”''<br>
-The Tempest, Act II Scene I

The Ouerean summit gains attention from across the stars - and not all are happy to see Hephaestus take such a role.
<div class="mw-collapsible-content">

Senator Le Hanh Trang has issued a public statement with regards to recent talks between the Nralakk Federation and the Unathi-ruled Izweski Hegemony, condemning the invitation of Hephaestus Industries. In a live statement from Unity Station today, the senator stated that ''“It is a dark day for the Spur when a megacorporation sits at a table with two nations, and negotiates as an equal. We in the Alliance know too well the damage that these corporations can cause - the actions of NanoTrasen have been devastating to the Alliance and its people, and Hephaestus themselves have exploited my homeworld and its people for generations. While this is not unexpected of the Unathi - a species new to the interstellar stage, who do not understand the danger that unchecked corporate power poses - I would expect more wisdom from our long-time allies in the Nralakk Federation than to allow such a predatory force to influence their affairs. I hope that both sides of these Ouerean negotiations realize the foolishness of their actions, and reconsider inviting Hephaestus to their discussion.”''

Senator Trang has often made such statements against the megacorporations of the Spur, having been a leading figure in the implementation of the Solarian Corporate Authority and the nationalization of corporate assets across the Alliance. SANN reporters reached out to the Nralakk Federation consulate on Unity Station, and received an official response informing us: ''“The Nralakk Federation is well aware of all risks involved in these negotiations, but we do not make our decisions based on fear. Rest assured that our representatives shall act with the wisdom that we pride ourselves on, and that we extend our hopes that ill-founded fear is not allowed to jeopardize the friendship between our two great nations.”''

SANN has also reached out to staff at the Alliance embassy on Moghes for comment, but we have only received a fax informing us that the Alliance has yet to take an official stance on the matter. Time will tell whether or not Senator Trang’s words will reach our allies in the Federation, however - or whether Hephaestus will keep its seat at the negotiating table.

</div></div>

<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed">
=Agreement Reached on Ouerea!=
'''News Article'''

'''Publisher: Sinta Articles'''

'''Writer: RustingWithYou'''

'''Editors: Triogenix'''

20/05/2466

''“And as the morning steals upon the night,''<br>
''Melting the darkness, so their rising senses''<br>
''Begin to chase the ignorant fumes that mantle''<br>
''Their clearer reason.”''<br>
-The Tempest, Act V Scene I

Old grudges are settled, and new accords are struck.
<div class="mw-collapsible-content">

The High Speaker has announced that the talks with the Nralakk Federation, which have been ongoing for nearly a month, have reached an end, with both parties finally reaching an agreement. She was photographed with the Skrell representative, Ormish Jrolk, proudly announcing the signing of the newly-named Nralakk-Izweski Mutual Prosperity Agreement.

The agreement is a lengthy one, but our correspondents have gathered the main points that are most likely to impact our readers, and what they may mean for the future of our own nation and our newfound friends in the Nralakk Federation. The agreement entails the following:

* The Nralakk Federation will formally acknowledge its unlawful occupation of Ouerea - while both parties recognise the difficulties the Contact War posed to colonial administration, the Federation will formally acknowledge that control should have been returned immediately following the end of the war on Moghes, and that Hegemon S’kresti should not have had to resort to military action to see our colony returned to us. The Federation has declined to comment on the Sol Alliance’s role in the Ouerean affair, stating that it lies outside the purview of the summit.
* As a form of reparation for their interference in Sinta affairs, the Federation will offer the assistance of its scientists in combating the spreading of the Wasteland, as well as assisting in medical treatment of those harmed by radiation.
* The Hegemon has made a formal trade agreement with the Federation, and is set to begin exporting raw materials to Skrell space soon via Hephaestus Industries. Guildmaster T’zakal has strongly endorsed this announcement, welcoming the opportunity to expand further into alien markets.
* The Hegemony will permit the ships of the Federation’s ‘Qukala’ (their primary military force) to dock at any Izweski colony, station or port. This will allow our new trade partners to assist the Izweski Navy in ensuring that cargo vessels are capable of safely traveling through the Badlands and Sparring Sea without threat of piracy.

While some still remain skeptical of the Nralakk-Izweski Mutual Prosperity Agreement, the mood across the Hegemony overall is one of celebration, as the Federation’s commitment to the restoration efforts on Moghes has been declared.

An initial group of Federation scientists and healers is set to arrive within the month, to begin working to both treat radiation-related disorders among the population and to work with the brightest minds of the Hegemony in accelerating environmental restoration efforts on Moghes. High Speaker Sarnac made a public address from Skalamar, having seen the Skrell delegation safely depart from the system, bound to return to Federation space. From the Izweski keep, the High Speaker addressed the assembled press, stating:

''“It has been a long and arduous negotiation - but both the Hegemon and myself are pleased at this outcome. The rabble-rousing of some who believe the Skrell hold some sort of nefarious agenda can be safely dismissed - and on behalf of myself and Hegemon Not’zar, I wish to welcome the aid of our new allies in the Nralakk Federation in the restoration of our world. May the Great Spirit bless this new agreement, and the wisdom of our Hegemon in seeking such a powerful ally.”''

The Nralakk Federation has also made plans for the reopening of the embassy in Skalamar, having made an agreement with Hephaestus Industries to begin construction on new premises immediately. Though an ambassador has yet to be appointed, Grand Advisor Jrolk did make a brief statement to Sinta Articles earlier today, stating on behalf of the Nralakk Federation their satisfaction with the agreement reached - and that they look forward to the age of future cooperation between our two nations that this agreement heralds.

We at Sinta Articles strongly congratulate the Hegemon for this alliance, as well as the offer of assistance from our new friends in the Federation. As always, we will keep our readers updated as the situation develops further.

</div></div>

<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed">
=Event I: Strange Bedfellows=
'''Server Event'''

'''Host: RustingWithYou'''

02/06/2466

Via Hephaestus, the SCC is invited to participate in the humanitarian program. Fresh from their recent successes on Konyang, the SCCV Horizon is deployed to the Uueoa-Esa system.
<div class="mw-collapsible-content">

The Horizon crew was invited to the Grand Ouerean Hotel in New Skalamar, while humanitarian program representatives inspected the vessel. While the crew enjoyed the hotel's many amenities, command met with representatives of the Hegemony, the Federation, the K'lax Hive, and Hephaestus Industries, who briefed them on the significance of their mission. The Horizon was informed that their first major mission would be to assist the town of Kazseres, located in the southern Tza Prairie.

</div></div>

<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed">
=Event II: Brave New World=
'''Server Event'''

'''Host: RustingWithYou'''

09/06/2466

The Horizon crew deployed to the town of Kazseres to provide aid and survey the region alongside Federation staff. Though some difficulties emerged, the mission was overall a success.
<div class="mw-collapsible-content">

The Horizon crew landed in Kazseres, located in southern Tza. After exploring the town and meeting the locals, the Horizon crew began working to provide food and medical aid, while the ship's engineers worked on infrastructure repairs and the research team surveyed the region with the Nralakk Federation personnel. Eventually, the crew encountered a pair of Gawgaryn who had been stealing humanitarian supplies, and found themselves in a tense standoff. Though the hostage perished, the two Gawgaryn were captured and sentenced to death by the local lord. Engineering was able to partially repair the Kazseres Hydroelectric Dam, and a comprehensive survey produced by the science team indicated that the region could recover from the damage of the Contact War. With their mission a success, the crew departed Kazseres.

</div></div>

<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed">
=Humanitarian Mission to Tza "Major Success"=
'''News Article'''

'''Publisher: Sinta Articles'''

'''Writer: RustingWithYou'''

'''Editors: Lent23, CaptainGecko'''

16/06/2466

''“O brave new world, that has such people in it!”''<br>
-The Tempest, Act V Scene I

The humanitarian mission to Kazseres is well-received, despite some minor setbacks. Locals of the region are hopeful for what may come.
<div class="mw-collapsible-content">

Following the signing of the Nralakk-Izweski Mutual Prosperity Agreement, the newly-launched humanitarian program has made its first major stride in the town of Kazseres, located south of Kutah in the Tza Prairie. Following the assistance of a team from the Nralakk Federation, aid was provided by the crew of the SCCV Horizon, a foreign corporate vessel brought to assist by Hephaestus Industries.

Our reporters visited Kazseres shortly after the Horizon’s crew departed, and locals tell us that the difference is already noticeable. The artificial Lake Kazseres which the town is built around has been restored to its former glory, with a team of Horizon engineers having made initial repairs on the grand Kazseres Hydroelectric Dam - once the pride of the region. Reportedly, former residents in the wider Tza Prairie are considering returning home, as both the dam and the area’s rich mines are scheduled to reopen towards the end of 2466.

Hephaestus Industries repair crews are set to begin work on the dam and mines, and reportedly fish populations are to be reintroduced to the lake thanks to Hephaestus aquaculture centers on Ouerea. Our correspondent in the field spoke to Lord Khuzar Mogarakh of Kazseres, who was present for the corporate mission. Lord Mogarakh was unable to speak for long due to his duties, but informed us that in his eyes: ''“The mission went well, and I am pleased to hear the dam may one day returned to working order. I am told by our honored guests from Nralakk that this land can be healed, and that my Kazseres can be restored to the peace and prosperity it once knew. Some of the aliens were rowdy and disrespectful - but others showed great honor and wisdom. If the rest of the Hegemon’s program goes as the mission here did, then I have high hopes for the future of our world. The spirits have blessed not just me, but all of my subjects upon this land today.”''

The leader of the Nralakk Federation team, one Qu’vesi (Nral’malic: “Star Graduate”, a highly accomplished scholar) Aqaz'Par Maqzi, seemed to agree with Lord Mogarakh’s optimism. They informed us that while the full report on the region’s wellbeing is still being put together, the data that they acquired alongside Horizon scientists indicates a bright future for Kazeres and the region as a whole. Qvs. Maqzi gave their warm thanks to the corporate research team who aided the Federation personnel in their efforts, stating that ''“The research done by the scientists of the Horizon will be invaluable in the future of the restoration efforts here. I cannot thank them enough for their work, and I hope that they see such success elsewhere.”'' Federation staff are scheduled to remain in Kazseres, and are reportedly preparing to work with Hephaestus Industries on restoring the Kazseres Hydroelectric Dam to working order.

The mission did not run completely unhindered, however - reportedly a group of Gawgaryn from the Wasteland to the south had approached Kazseres, looking to steal humanitarian supplies from the locals in need. When discovered, the Gawgaryn kidnapped a Horizon employee and attempted to flee, before they were captured by corporate security and local law enforcement - though tragically, their hostage was murdered before the criminals were apprehended. The Gawgaryn were found guilty of theft, murder, banditry, and dishonorable behavior, and sentenced to execution for their heinous crimes. Though we could not reach him for comment at this time, Overlord Hutay’zai has reportedly deployed his own sworn warriors to several towns in southern Tza to protect against further incursion from these dishonorable raiders.

The humanitarian efforts across the Tza Prairie continue, with plans reportedly being made to expand operations to similarly afflicted regions of Moghes in the days ahead. We were unable to receive any information as to the program’s next major endeavor at this time. For further news on the humanitarian program, and for all Sinta news Spur-wide, remember - stick to the source you know you can trust. Stick to Sinta Articles.

</div></div>

<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed">
=Event III: This Thing of Darknes=
'''Server Event'''

'''Host: RustingWithYou'''

30/06/2466

Fresh from their successes in Kazseres, the Horizon's crew were deployed to assist Federation humanitarian workers in the town of Izilukh, in the northern [[Zazalai Mountains]]. Upon arrival, they found several dead Federation crew, with signs of a prolonged battle nearby. As the crew aided Izilukh, they worked to discover what had happened to the Federation team - eventually learning that they were killed by Lord Izaku's warriors. After a brief battle between the crew and Izaku's men, the crew evacuated the region.
<div class="mw-collapsible-content">
Upon learning that the Federation team had been killed, the Horizon found Izaku's escort attempting to steer them away from investigating further. While some of the crew carried out the aid mission, others sought to discretely learn the truth of what had happened, and potentially locate any survivors. One surviving Skrell, seemingly delirious and confused, appeared in the Srom, allowing the Horizon's Skrell to speak with them and gain more information.

Eventually, Horizon scientists discovered a long-abandoned Izweski military bunker, prompting Izaku's warriors to attack out of fear of their crimes being discovered by the Hegemony. Within the bunker, the crew was able to negotiate the release of the surviving Skrell and flee as reinforcements arrived. Returning to the Horizon, the crew left the ruins of Izilukh behind - waiting to see what would come of the tragedy.

</div></div>

<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed">
=Hegemon Condemns Izaku!=
'''News Article'''

'''Publisher: Sinta Articles'''

'''Writer: RustingWithYou'''

'''Editors: Triogenix'''

01/07/2466

''“This thing of darkness I''<br>
''Acknowledge mine.”''<br>
-The Tempest, Act V Scene I

The Hegemon responds to Izaku's betrayal.
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Yesterday, tragedy and dishonor struck the Zazalai Mountains, with several members of the humanitarian programme murdered by the warriors sent to protect them. A corporate vessel landed near the town of Izilukh discovered that several Nralakk Federation workers had been abducted and killed, and were soon betrayed by their escort, forcing a retreat from the area. One Federation worker was rescued from captivity by the crew of the SCCV Horizon, and has reportedly been moved to Skalamar General Hospital for treatment.

Eyewitness testimony indicates this savage and honorless attack to have been conducted at the order of Lord Juyzi Izaku of Mudki. In response to this, the Hegemon has issued an official public statement in response, addressing both Sinta Articles and interstellar news correspondents from outside Keep Izweski in Skalamar. A full video excerpt of the Hegemon’s speech, recorded by our correspondents, is visible below.

''The camera pans upward, displaying the logo of Sinta Articles. An Unathi man is standing at a podium, clad in simple yet fine robes of red and gold - instantly recognisable as Hegemon Not’zar Izweski. Izweski banners hang in the background, and two heavily-armored Unathi carrying what look like some kind of energy spear or glaive flank him, their distinctive insignias marking them as warriors of the Guwan Guard.''

''After a long silence, the Hegemon looks up - his right claw gripping his cane. He pauses a moment, as the camera closes on his face. He begins to speak in Sinta’Unathi, with Tau Ceti Basic subtitles scrolling across the bottom of the screen.''

''“I speak now to Juyzi Izaku, Lord of Mudki. Once, you were known as a great champion of the Hegemony, who turned back assault after assault from our enemies to the east. It brings shame to me and my clan, to see the traitor that you have become. For years, you have beseeched me and mine for aid, and when aid is provided, what do you do? The hand of friendship was extended to you, Izaku, and you acted in a manner more befitting of a Guwan than a Lord of this Hegemony - my Hegemony. You have shown nothing but dishonor and cowardice, seeking to slaughter those who came in friendship! It shames me, and if you have any honor left it should shame you too.''

''I offer to you a choice. You may open the gates of Mudki and surrender yourself, to face justice for your crimes. You may face me with the honor befitting one of your position. I offer you three days to do this, and to show some degree of contrition for this betrayal not only of our allies, but of me.''

''Should your gates remain closed in three days, you will know my anger. If it will take tearing your city down around you to make you face your crimes, that is what I shall do.''

''You have three days to decide.''

''To our friends in the Federation, and the corporate workers who suffered this atrocity, I offer my deepest of apologies. It is my shame that such harm was allowed to come to you. Rest assured - this slight shall not go unanswered. Justice will be done.”''

''The Hegemon looks out over the crowd, pausing for a moment. His claw is trembling on his cane - he seems furious.''

''“And to all citizens of the Hegemony - I promise you this. The humanitarian efforts will continue - and with the help of our allies from across the stars, we will see our world restored to glory!”''

''The crowd erupts in cheers, with an aerial camera panning over the citizens of Skalamar, many of them waving Izweski flags proudly. The logo of Sinta Articles appears again, before the broadcast fades out.''

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=BREAKING: Izweski Forces Confront Izaku Rebellion!=
'''News Article'''

'''Publisher: Sinta Article'''

'''Writer: RustingWithYou'''

'''Editors: Triogenix'''

05/07/2466

''“At this hour''<br>
''Lie at my mercy all mine enemies”''<br>
-The Tempest, Act IV Scene I

The Hegemony's forces clash with Lord Izaku's, as the Mudki Rebellion begins in truth.
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After his ultimatum to Juyzi Izaku has gone unanswered, Hegemon Not’zar has remained true to his word, with Izweski military forces moving into the northern Zazalai Mountains and marching towards Mudki. The warriors of the Kataphract Guild within immediate reach have been summoned, and the armsmen of the Izweski clan are providing the bulk of the assault force, alongside forces from Res’karum and veterans from Camp Integrity. The Hegemon himself has issued a formal statement, condemning Izaku as a traitor to the Hegemony. From this day forth, his lands and titles are stripped from him as punishment for his cowardly and dishonorable deeds.

Izweski forces have made significant progress in the northern Zazalais already, though the harsh climate and terrain is projected to slow the campaign at current rates. Many of the remaining nobility of the region have already renounced their treacherous liege, and have allowed the Hegemon’s warriors to pass through their lands. Those nobles who have chosen to join the Mudki Rebellion have largely fled to the safety of the city

The former Lord’s men have rallied around him, however, and the city’s legendary walls may well prove a challenge for the Hegemon’s warriors. The city’s sophisticated anti-air and anti-spacecraft defenses are reportedly still operational, preventing significant assistance from the Navy without causing severe damage to the city and its people. However, Izweski troops have the advantage of numbers, equipment and training - though our military analysts have stated that, in such a well-defended position, the warriors of Mudki may hold out for an extended siege.

Izaku himself has issued a public statement, which was sent to Sinta Articles. We do not condone his words, but it is our journalistic duty to publish them. The former Lord’s words are thus:

''“Myself? A traitor? What twisted joke is this, Hegemon? You have sold our very nation to aliens - first for the wealth of Hephaestus, now for whatever your new Skrell puppetmasters offer you? You spit on the legacy of the Clan Izweski - you are not worthy to bear the name of your forefathers! You dishonor their very spirits every moment you continue to draw breath! I will not bow and beg your mercy, Not’zar, and I will not bend the knee to your alien masters! These mountains are littered with the bones of those who thought to take Mudki, and your warriors shall soon number among them! Bring your armies, you wretched coward. I will be waiting.”''

Hegemon Not’zar, in his wisdom, has not dignified these mad ramblings with a response.

We will keep our readers updated on the Mudki Rebellion as it develops. Spirits bless the Hegemon, and we express our strongest hopes that the traitor Juyzi Izaku is brought to justice soon.

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=Hegemon’s Forces Advance Into Zazalais=
'''News Article'''

'''Publisher: Sinta Articles'''

'''Writer: RustingWithYou'''

'''Editors: Triogenix'''

08/07/2466

''“O, I have suffered''<br>
''With those I saw suffer”''<br>
-The Tempest, Act I Scene II

The campaign in the Zazalais continues, as a once-prosperous city surrenders. The Izweski army prepares to advance on Mudki.
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The campaign in the Zazalais continues, with Izweski forces making steady progress towards Mudki. Several of the settlements in the lower foothills between Mudki and Res’karum have surrendered, and Izweski troops have reportedly encountered little resistance in capturing the city of Isekas - once a prosperous stop on the Mudki-Res’karum railroad line. Though some resistance from Izaku troops was encountered, reports from the front are indicating low casualties from the Hegemon’s forces.

Footage from Isekas indicates severe neglect from Lord Izaku’s leadership. Representatives of the humanitarian program have shifted efforts, with Nralakk Federation personnel assisting military forces in deploying food and water to the local population. Hephaestus Industries has reportedly inquired with local leaders as to the status of the rail line, leading to speculation that they may plan to restore the Mudki-Res’karum connection once the Izaku Rebellion is defeated.

Footage from our coverage of Isekas, and the overall status of the campaign in the Zazalais, has been attached. Viewer discretion is advised.

''The camera fades in on a city street. The buildings seem to be in various states of disrepair - some from simple neglect, others bearing signs of more recent damage. A banner bearing the Sk’akh symbol of the Healer hangs over one of the intact buildings, and an Unathi woman in a House of Medicine mantle stands outside. A short line of Sinta is queued before her, though most of them do not seem to bear visible injuries.''

''Standing in front of the camera is a brown-scaled Unathi man holding a microphone, clad in a himation cloak and a mantle bearing the symbol of the Keepers of Heirlooms. A small box at the bottom of the screen identifies him as Kas’van Risek, Sinta Articles military correspondent. He begins speaking in Sinta’Unathi, Tau Ceti Basic subtitles rolling across the bottom of the screen.''

''“Good afternoon, viewers. I am speaking to you now from the city of Isekas, a few days’ travel south of Mudki, where the former Lord Izaku still hides from the Hegemon’s justice. Early this morning, Izweski forces entered the city, driving the Izaku armsmen out after a few hours of battle. What we found here, however, has shocked us.”''

''The camera pans around, showing further crumbling buildings. The city looks to be half-ruined. The shot lingers for a moment on a rusting and inactive streetlight, before returning to the reporter.''

''“Since the destruction of the Mudki-Res’karum railroad during the Contact War, Isekas has been neglected by the region’s leadership, left to fend for itself. When we arrived, we found contaminated water, entire districts left without electricity, and a population living in a state of appalling poverty. Though it was known that settlements near the Wasteland had suffered greatly, the conditions here are far worse than anything official reports had indicated. The city has been placed under military command, and troops have been working alongside agents of the humanitarian program to restore order here.”''

''The camera fades out to Risek in a new location, standing before what looks like a tent housing a large kitchen. Several Unathi workers appear to be handing out bottled water and bowls of a steaming stew to locals. A pair of armored Hegemony troops seem to be standing guard near the tent, laser rifles slung as they assist in handing out the meals. A group of Skrell, clad in Nralakk work uniforms, stand near a recently-excavated hole in the road, seemingly examining a water pipe.''

''“The city’s lord, an Izaku loyalist of Clan Zurosk, was slain during the fighting. His heir, Lady Uhzo Zurosk, assumed rulership shortly after the battle concluded, and has since issued a surrender to Hegemony forces. Though it remains too soon to be certain, it is likely she will maintain her position once the rebellion has been brought to an end. Overall, the locals seem to be largely grateful for the Hegemony’s intervention here - though there’s been some apprehension about the Skrell and Vaurca here. For many of the locals, this is their first time seeing an alien in-person - but the general sentiment I’ve gathered is hope that this will mean an improvement for Isekas.”''

''The red-and-gold banners of the Hegemony snap in the breeze as Risek continues. A squad of armored Hegemony soldiers marches past, locals and humanitarian workers clearing the way.''

''“Isekas is being used as the Hegemony’s new command center for the ongoing campaign. From here, the path to Mudki is largely unobstructed along the old railway, though the line is in no shape to be used for transport. Hephaestus Industries surveyors have been examining the condition, and believe that the rail lines can be restored - but likely not in time to be of use in taking Mudki. I’ve spoken with officers on the ground here, and the general consensus seems to be that the army will set out for Mudki in a matter of days. Hephaestus engineers are currently working to restore the Isekas airport, to allow for resupply and reinforcement via air and spacecraft - but ultimately, this rebellion will be decided at Mudki. I will be moving with the army as they advance on Mudki, providing first-hand coverage as the conflict continues.”''

''The camera fades out to a black screen and the Sinta Articles logo.''
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=Rebels Defeated At Fort Ozi!=
'''News Article'''

'''Publisher: Sinta Articles'''

'''Writer: RustingWithYou'''

10/07/2466

''“He that dies pays all debts”''<br>
-The Tempest, Act III Scene II

The campaign in the Zazalais continues.
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Earlier this morning, Izweski warriors under the command of Ozur’saa Kuzwe Sirax engaged Izaku rebels at Fort Ozi, located to the south of Mudki. After a swift battle, the rebels were defeated, with a few survivors fleeing north from the fort. Since then, Izweski forces have established a command position in Fort Ozi, and are reportedly working alongside Hephaestus engineers to restore the fortress to working order in preparation for the final phase of the Zazalai campaign.

Humanitarian program representatives have also landed near Fort Ozi, with Nralakk Federation healers working to establish field hospitals for wounded warriors and civilians, and beginning preemptive studies for long-term aid in the region. When asked for comment, one Skrell representative informed us that the Federation had no plans to take part in the battle, but would continue to offer their aid and support to those seeking to bring the Izaku rebels to justice.

The captured commander of Fort Ozi, along with his warriors, has been charged with high and dishonorable acts of treason and sentenced to death. The prisoners are scheduled to be executed by firing squad within the next few days, serving as a warning to those who would continue to fight with this rebellion. Ozur’saa Sirax issued his own statement on the matter, calling for rebel warriors to “stand down or face a traitor’s death”. The rebel zone of control has decreased dramatically already, though Mudki remains a significant challenge ahead. Though Izaku’s rebels are no match for the warriors of the Hegemon, the city’s impenetrable reputation is a daunting task for even the most skilled of commanders.

What many have called into question, however, is what the fate of the region will be when this conflict is finally over. Juyzi Izaku has no heirs, and his once-esteemed line will end with his death, leaving the greater Mudki region leaderless. Whether the Hegemon means to raise new lords of the northern Zazalais, or simply abandon the region to its ruin, remains uncertain. Some voices have called for a proactive aid in restoration, chiefest among them being High Priest Azandar - who has been vocal in the Church’s position on this rebellion, declaring that “Sk’akh will see justice done for Izaku’s crimes”. The High Priest has also stated that the innocents of Mudki deserve compassion in a public announcement, closing with a quotation from ''Dedications of the Three-Faced God.''

''“For as the Warrior, He shall strike down His foes with the strength of nations, and suffer no insult or injury to His own. Yet as the Healer, She calls for wisdom and kindness, that the wounds of war may not scar. As the Fisher, They temper ruin with love, rage with wisdom, and let peace be a thing of glory. Blessed are they triumphant in war, honorable in peace; blessed are they who let old wounds not fester, but heal; for they are the champions of Sk’akh in Their threefold glory.”''

Though few have claimed Mudki should be abandoned, many among the nobility have raised concerns as to the expense of maintaining and restoring the region. Lord Karkatus of S’th has publically speculated that the damage may be too far gone to restore, and that the Hegemon should concentrate his efforts on lands which can be stabilized rather than investing in a “lost cause”. The Hegemon himself has made no comment on these remarks at this time.

We will keep our readers updated on the situation in the Zazalais as it unfolds. Remember, for Sinta news Spur-wide, stick to the source you know you can trust - stick to Sinta Articles.

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=BREAKING: Mudki Under Siege!=
'''News Article'''

'''Publisher: Sinta Articles'''

'''Writer: RustingWithYou'''

13/07/2466

''“What seest thou else''<br>
''In the dark backward and abysm of time?”''<br>
-The Tempest, Act I Scene II

The Hegemony's forces reach the walls of Mudki, with assistance from an unexpected source.

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Reports coming out of the Zazalais indicate that Hegemony forces have encircled Mudki, and have dug in for a prolonged siege of the city. Troops from Camp Integrity arrived earlier this morning along the city’s old highway, and have joined forces with the warriors who recently captured Fort Ozi to the south. The city’s eastern highway has also been captured, blocking off any avenue of retreat into the Wasteland for the rebel forces.

How long the siege will take remains uncertain, particularly if the Hegemon in his wisdom wishes to avoid collateral damage. Mudki is a shell of its former grandeur, but the city stood as the shield of the Hegemony for centuries, and its defenses - and the experience of its remaining warriors in holding those defenses - remain unmatched. As the rebel forces prepare for a prolonged siege, it remains increasingly apparent that the former Lord Izaku has no plans to surrender himself to face justice.

However, as the city has begun, something unusual has occurred, as large numbers of warriors from Zazalai clans have made the long and difficult journey to Mudki - seeking to join with the Hegemon’s forces in crushing the Izaku Rebellion. Flying proudly above the army camp is a standard depicting the Hammer of Iala - a popular image among Zazalai warriors, and the emblem of the Mudki 52nd Infantry, a distinguished regiment which served under the Izaku clan during the Contact War.

The Mudki 52nd disbanded after the war’s end, and most of its surviving warriors left the city behind to seek greater prosperity elsewhere. The majority wound up in Res’karum, from where the bulk of their assembled host has come - alongside a significant host of warriors from both the city itself and the mountain clans. Upon their arrival, Ozur’saa Sirax rode out to meet the approaching host, fearing that rebel reinforcements had emerged, and was greeted by the regiment’s former commander, bannerman Yaret Utuzi. Though we were unable to capture footage of their conversation, the 52nd and the assorted Zazalai warriors soon joined with the Izweski host, making camp nearby.

Correspondent Kas’van Rizek sought to interview Lord Utuzi, as well as several of the warriors who arrived. Footage has been attached.

''The camera fades in on the familiar features of Kas’van Rizek, Sinta Articles military correspondent. He stands in a dusty canyon of red-brown stone, surrounded by tents and a swarm of Unathi soldiers going about their business. Before him stands an old Unathi man, leaning on the haft of what looks to be an inactive energy glaive. Subtitles identify him as Armsman Hrok Relzi, Mudki 52nd Infantry. Rizek nods to the camera briefly, before beginning to speak.''

''“Good afternoon, viewers - we are live from the Hegemony’s war camp, within sight of the legendary walls of Mudki. This is the final push of the rebellion, and the forces here have been bolstered by an unusual arrival - several once-disbanded regiments from across the Zazalais, as well as many volunteers from the mountain clans. At the head of this host is the Mudki 52nd Infantry Regiment, who once fought under Juyzi Izaku - I’m here today with Hrok Relzi, an armsman with the 52nd. Armsman Relzi, would you mind sharing why your regiment chose to come here?”''

''The old warrior flicks his tongue, looking at the camera. He hisses softly, before speaking in a slow and thick Zazalai accent.''

''“You ever been in a battle, Rizek? Not with a camera, I mean down there, in the mud and the fire. There’s a thing that happens sometimes, with warriors after fighting too long. Go mad. We had a… rule, back in the old days. One of your own goes bad, you put him down, afore he does it to someone else.”''

''Relzi pauses, tail swishing across the stone.''

''“Our Lord was a good man. When the Aeikizo Kingdom marched for Mudki, he wasn’t hiding behind the walls. He was down there, with us. He understood. He was a warrior. This?”''

''He gestures up behind Rizek. The walls of Mudki loom high in the distance, casting the land below in shadow.''

''“These are no warrior’s deeds. Cowardice, murder, treachery. One of your own goes bad, you put him down. Simple as that.”''

''Rizek nods, leaning closer to the microphone. “Is that what all of your fellows feel? It must have taken quite something, to bring a regiment twenty years disbanded back together.”''

''Relzi flicks his tongue. “Some of us. Some just miss having a good fight, I think. Sitting around in Res’karum or S’th or… wherever, pushing crates or guarding doors… no life for a warrior. And some?”''

''He pauses, hissing. “We’re old men, Rizek, but we’re men of the Zazalais. A man should die with his home and his ancestors in sight.”''

''Rizek nods, a somber expression on his face. “Thank you, Armsman Relzi. It is most honorable of you and your regiment to join this fight.”''

''Relzi chuffs, flicking his tail. “Don’t start talking like we’re already dead. Bad luck.”''

''As Relzi leaves, the camera focuses back on Rizek, Mudki’s walls still looming in the background. The reporter turns, looking up at the distant city for a moment.''

''“Soon, it seems that the Izaku Rebellion will be decided - though it remains uncertain what exactly the Izweski forces plan. I will do my best to stay safe, and to keep viewers at home updated on the battle to come.”''

''The camera fades out to the Sinta Articles logo.''

How the Hegemon intends to approach this siege, and the challenge of capturing a city which has never fallen, remains to be seen. We will, as always, continue to update our readers as this situation develops, and express our hopes that justice is done.

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=BREAKING: Mudki's Walls Fall!=
'''News Article'''

'''Publisher: Sinta Articles'''

'''Writer: RustingWithYou'''

'''Editors: Triogenix'''

14/07/2466

''“Hell is empty''<br>
''And all the devils are here”''<br>
-The Tempest, Act I Scene II

One way or another, the end begins, as the assault on Mudki begins.
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Breaking news from Mudki, as it appears the city’s ancient walls have been breached by a combined effort from Izweski armsmen, Naval vessels, and the warriors of the Kataphract Guild. Footage of the assault was captured by our military correspondent, Kas’van Rizek, and has been attached. Viewer discretion is advised.

''The Sinta Articles logo is displayed for a few moments, before the camera fades in to an Unathi man, wearing a traditional himation cloak and a mantle of the Keepers of Heirlooms under an armored vest. He is standing in what looks like a mountainous environment - all around him are soldiers in the armor of the Izweski Hegemony, as well as what looks like several enormous artillery pieces. A small box at the bottom of the screen identifies him as Kas’van Rizek, Sinta Articles military correspondent. He begins speaking in Sinta’Unathi, with Tau Ceti Basic subtitles displayed across the bottom of the screen.''

''“This just in - I am hearing that mere moments ago, the warriors of the Kataphract Guild have moved into position, and are commencing their role in the assault on Mudki - I’m not sure of the specifics, but-"''

''In the background, several soldiers in the armor of the Izweski Hegemony are pointing up. Rizek turns to look, the camera panning up. The peaks of the Zazalai Mountains stretch into the blue sky, and as the camera zooms forward several small dots can be seen falling.''

''Rizek begins speaking again, the camera remaining focused on the tiny dots - it’s hard to make out at this distance, but a vaguely humanoid outline is visible.''

''“I- I’m getting reports that those are the Kataphracts - they’re dropping in from low-Moghes orbit. Sk’akh’s scales…”''

''The dots continue to fall, the camera zooming in on one of them- the hulking silhouette of an Unathi in a breacher hardsuit can be barely made out now, with some kind of maneuvering jets halting their fall. The helmet’s eyes glow a menacing red.''

''With a roar, the city’s anti-aircraft guns begin firing, Rizek flinching slightly - but the Kataphracts are too small a target, descending too fast. A few of the falling specks are struck, vanishing from the sky in seconds - but the rest continue their descent. The first of the falling warriors vanishes from sight, behind the city’s walls - with dozens of others following suit. The guns continue to fire, as Rizek begins speaking.''

''“I’m trying to get patched in to the radio channel the assault force is using - hopefully, we will be able to get a live update on what’s going on behind the wall-”''

''With a crackle of static, new voices cut in, the subtitles still scrolling.''

''“All Saa’Izweski! This is Knight-Captain Kssighriss speaking! You know our mission - see to your duties! Our Hegemon has given us a task, and even should the stars themselves fall upon our heads we shall see it completed! Honor! Fire! Burn thy fear!”''

''A chorus of voices repeat the Izweski ancestral words, as the camera lingers on the city walls, before cutting back to Rizek.''

''“It appears the Kataphracts have breached the city through a drop from low-Moghes orbit - though in such small numbers, it’s unclear at this time what their mission is. They don’t have the manpower to capture the city, or seize the gates from within, but-”''

''The radio cuts in again, silencing the reporter abruptly.''

''“This is Knight-Captain Kssighriss to HMV Glory of the Dead! Reporting all targets down, you are clear to move in!”''

''A long and pained silence, before finally the radio cuts in again.''

''“Knight-Captain, this is HMV Glory of the Dead, acknowledged. Target confirmed.”''

''Rizek seems confused for a moment, before a strange mood begins to pass over the battlefield. All around, the soldiers are looking up at the sky, seemingly shocked. Rizek follows suit, gazing up and letting out a whispered “Sk’akh almighty…”''

''The camera pans upwards, focusing on a dark silhouette in the sky. Details cannot be made out at this distance - likely the vessel has just entered the upper atmosphere.''

''Rizek regains his composure, turning to the camera. “Viewers, it seems that the Izweski Navy has joined the battle - the Glory is with the First Fleet in orbit. Looking at it now, it seems that the Kataphracts have struck Mudki’s anti-spacecraft defenses, letting vessels move into position. It looks like they’re-”''

''The screen explodes with light, a golden spear striking the city walls - and then another, and another, like the fists of an angry god. All around the battlefield, soldiers shield their eyes, the camera barely able to capture the strike. The walls of Mudki are a black silhouette against the light, the tiny shapes of soldiers atop the walls vanishing in the glare. The silhouette grows more intense, the light brighter, until even the camera can no longer capture it fully.''

''After minutes of this, the light fades. As the dust clears, the camera pans to the city walls - now left in ruins, piles of rubble the only remnant of the Untaken City’s pride. Plumes of black smoke the size of buildings drift upwards from the desolation, as if attempting to grasp their destroyers from the sky. Silence grips the battlefield - all around, Izweski soldiers are staring ahead, each one seemingly unable to speak a word. Rizek slowly dusts himself off, seemingly regaining his composure - but not before the radio crackles to life again. A familiar voice - Hrok Relzi, armsman of Mudi’s 52nd Infantry.''

''“Warriors of the Izweski, forward! Today, we show the Spur the price of treachery!”''

''The soldiers around Rizek begin advancing, and the silence is broken by a sound like rolling thunder - their own artillery firing on the now-defenseless city. Whatever muteness had gripped the warriors vanishes, as a thousand battle cries are called out. Rizek looks back to the camera, clearly shaken from the bombardment.''

''“The walls have fallen- I repeat, the walls have fallen. I’m moving into the city with the Izweski armsmen present - I will do my best to keep you updated, and to stay safe.”''

''The camera fades to the Sinta Articles logo, before the broadcast ends.''

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=Izaku Rebellion Brought to an End!=
'''News Article'''

'''Publisher: Sinta Articles'''

'''Writer: RustingWithYou'''

'''Editors: Triogenix'''

15/07/2466

''“Full fathom five thy father lies,''<br>
''Of his bones are corals made;''<br>
''Those are pearls that were his eyes,''<br>
''Nothing of him that doth fade.”''<br>
-The Tempest, Act I Scene II

The rebellion is concluded - but the fate of the region remains uncertain.
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The Izaku Rebellion has come to an end, after hours of intense and bloody battle within the city. Earlier today, after fierce fighting from his followers, several Kataphract warriors were able to breach the Izaku keep, and confront the traitor Juyzi Izaku directly. We have confirmed reports that though he fought ferociously, killing at least one Kataphract in his bloodlust and injuring several more, Izaku was captured by the valiant warriors. We were able to receive a brief statement from a Kataphract warrior being treated for injuries, who stated that despite Izaku’s cowardice and dishonor, “he faced us as a warrior.”

The city of Mudki remains occupied by Izweski armsmen, as members of the humanitarian programme will be moving to provide assistance to soldiers and civilians injured during the fighting. Thankfully, casualties among the Izweski armsmen assaulting the city were minimal, in no small part thanks to the heroism of the Kataphracts and the in-depth knowledge of the city’s defenses provided by the warriors of the 52nd.

The future of Mudki and the surrounding lands remains unclear. Though the population was already greatly diminished, the region is now left without a ruler, as the once-storied line of Izaku will likely soon be extinguished when the disgraced former Lord stands trial. Whether Hegemon Not’zar will appoint a new Lord of Mudki, or allow the city to be abandoned entirely, remains to be seen. Reports have come in of humanitarian program vessels landing in the city and providing assistance to those injured in the fighting.

We at Sinta Articles would like to offer our gratitude to the warriors of the Kataphract Guild, the Navy and the Izweski levies, who have fought bravely to keep the peace of our great nation intact. We also offer our condolences to those harmed by the fighting, and hope that the humanitarian program will be able to assist.

As always, we will keep our readers updated on the situation in Mudki as it develops. Spirits bless the Hegemony, and our friends and partners from both the Nralakk Federation and Hephaestus Industries.

</div></div>

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=Event IV: Hell is Empty=
'''Server Event'''

'''Host: RustingWithYou'''

21/07/2466

Following the Battle of Mudki, the humanitarian program provided aid to the people of the damaged city. With the aid of the Nralakk Federation team and the Hegemony's occupying force, the SCCV Horizon was able to restore power and water to a portion of the city, allowing for further stabilization efforts to proceed.
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After the defeat of the Izaku Rebellion, the humanitarian program was deployed to the city of Mudki, left sundered by the fighting between Izweski forces and Izaku troops. The SCCV Horizon's crew was deployed alongside Nralakk Federation personnel to a district in southeastern Mudki, near the city walls, and began working to restore district utilities and provide aid to the locals. Though some difficulties arose, the crew were able to restore district power and water, as well as providing food and medical assistance to several of the district's residents who were injured in the fighting.

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=Humanitarian Program Sets Sights On Mudki!=
'''News Article'''

'''Publisher: Sinta Articles'''

'''Writer: RustingWithYou'''

'''Editors: Triogenix'''

23/07/2466

''“Let us not burthen our remembrance with''<br>
''A heaviness that's gone.”''<br>
-The Tempest, Act V Scene I

A glimmer of hope among the ashes, as Mudki seems to be recovering from the latest in a long line of miseries.
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Following the Mudki Rebellion and the capture of the traitor Juyzi Izaku, many worried that the city and surrounding region would be left to ruin, given the difficulties of maintaining the city due to the encroaching Wasteland and the damage left by the battle. Fortunately, however, it seems that this is not the case, with the Hegemon declaring that Mudki, and the wider Zazalai Mountains, will form the beginnings of a true restoration for Moghes, with the aid of our allies in the Nralakk Federation.

Corporate and Federation vessels have already sent aid to Mudki following the battle, with medical assistance and supplies being provided to the locals. Though the city remains under military occupation for now, the office of the Hegemon’s Claws has reassured our correspondents that this is a temporary measure, until a new lord can be properly appointed over Mudki.

''Attached is a photograph of a medical tent. Several Skrell workers in Federation uniforms are gathered outside, with an Unathi leaning on a cane standing next to them, waving happily at the camera.''

The corporate assistance in humanitarian efforts in Mudki cannot be understated, with Hephaestus providing millions of credits in material aid, and pledging to see the city rebuilt to what it once was prior to the devastation that the Contact War, and years of mismanagement from the craven and corrupt former Lord, have wrought upon the region. Workers from the wider Stellar Corporate Conglomerate were also present, providing medical, food, and supply aid to the people who have suffered long enough under the former Lord Izaku’s misrule.

''Attached is a photograph of a long table, with what looks like food cooking in the background. Several corporate workers, mostly human and Unathi, are handing out meals to a long line of Unathi. The flag of the Izweski Hegemony is flying proudly in the background.''

Though the first weeks of the humanitarian effort have been fraught with danger, it seems that the kindness of our friends across the stars has persisted. We at Sinta Articles offer our deepest thanks to the members of the humanitarian programme, and their efforts in restoring order to the region.

As always, we will keep our readers updated on any new developments.

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=Juyzi Izaku Found Guilty, Executed=
'''News Article'''

'''Publisher: Sinta Articles'''

'''Writer: RustingWithYou'''

28/07/2466

''“If thy greatness will''<br>
''Revenge it on him - for I know thou darest”''<br>
-The Tempest, Act III Scene II

The guilty are condemned.
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Following his capture and trial, former Lord of Mudki Juyzi Izaku has been found guilty of the charges laid against him. For the crimes of murder, sabotage of vital national resources, dishonor in the gravest of forms, and high treason against his liege lord, Izaku was sentenced to death by order of the Hegemon earlier today.

The execution was carried out in Mudki - despite his titles being stripped, Izaku was granted execution by beheading, rather than hanging or firing squad. The execution was not public, due to concerns about remaining rebels attempting to mount a rescue. Lord Izaku did not attempt to mount a defense during his trial, electing to remain silent throughout the proceedings.

With his death, the once-honored Izaku clan is extinguished. Discussions among the nobility have reportedly already begun as to who Hegemon Not’zar intends to elevate to rule Mudki, as it seems increasingly unlikely that the city will be abandoned. The Hegemon himself has made no comment on the matter yet - whatever he plans for Mudki remains a mystery.

For now, Mudki remains under military occupation. Trials are continuing for rebel warriors - most of the levied and conscripted men have been granted some measure of clemency, though they are forbidden from taking up arms until the military occupation ends. Most notably, the captured perpetrators of the Izilukh Massacre have been found guilty of murder and dishonorable deeds.

Several of the Izilukh murderers were hanged this morning, with the remainder likely facing execution later this week. The Nralakk Federation delegation declined an interview, but offered a brief statement describing the executions as ''"A conflicting conclusion to what has happened. The Federation mourns those we have lost, yet we cannot condone executing those responsible. The Grand Council appreciates that the laws of the Hegemony are not our laws, however, and is grateful to the Hegemon for bringing these criminals to justice."''

Mudki itself has remained largely peaceful so far - a madman such as Izaku seems to have inspired few to true loyalty. Though the cost of this rebellion has been bitter, it seems that a resurgence of fighting is thankfully unlikely, in a land which has already seen too much death. We will keep our readers updated on the situation in Mudki as it develops - remember, for Sinta news Spur-wide, stick to the source you know you can trust. Stick to Sinta Articles.

</div></div>

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=Event V: Such Stuff As Dreams Are Made On=
'''Server Event'''

'''Host: RustingWithYou'''

11/08/2466

As thanks for their efforts, the crew of the Horizon is invited to a dinner at the estate of Overlord Azui Hutay'zai.
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Following their contributions to the Tza Prairie, and efforts in the restoration of Mudki, the crew of the Horizon were invited to a celebratory banquet in Kutah, at the estate of Overlord Hutay'zai. Though the Horizon's part in the humanitarian program was concluded, Overlord Hutay'zai and the Nralakk delegate present indicated that the Hegemony has grand future plans for restoration efforts on Moghes.

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=Mudki Restoration Efforts Begin!=
'''News Article'''

'''Publisher: Sinta Articles'''

'''Writer: RustingWithYou'''

'''Editors: Triogenix'''

5/09/2466

''“As you from crimes would pardoned be;''<br>
''Let your indulgence set me free.”''<br>
-The Tempest, Epilogue

The Hegemon announces grand plans for the future.
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A historic day today, as a joint effort between the Hegemony, Hephaestus Industries and the Nralakk Federation has been announced in Mudki, the site of the cowardly rebellion of Juyzi Izaku. Skrell scientists, Hephaestus resources, and Hegemonic oversight have come together, with Hegemon Not’zar making a public speech in Mudki declaring the beginning of ‘a true restoration’. A transcript of the speech is available on our Extranet page, as well as full video footage of the event, which has been attached below. Subtitles are available in Sinta’Unathi, Tau Ceti Basic, and Nral’malic.

''The camera displays the Sinta Articles logo a moment, before fading in to a shot of Not’zar Izweski, standing on a stage with the recognisable silhouette of the Izaku keep rising in the background. The sun appears to be setting, giving the entire scene a pale golden glow. Standing beside the Hegemon are three other figures - two immediately recognisable to those familiar with Unathi politics as Overlord Azui Hutay’zai and Guildmaster Yukal T’zakal respectively. The third figure is a pale green Skrell, with shoulder-length headtails and a neatly-braided set of tuux growths on their face.''

''The Hegemon steps forward, looking out over a crowd of Unathi. A few Izweski flags can be seen waving in the crowd. He rests one claw on the podium, pausing a moment before beginning his address.''

''“My citizens. My vassals. My friends. We have endured much in the past years - war. Famine. Economic depression. It has been a dark time not just for the people of Moghes, who have suffered greatly - but for all Sinta, and all citizens of this great nation, the Hegemony of my forefathers. The aid of our friends at Hephaestus was invaluable in bringing an end to rationing - but it is now, with the implementation of the humanitarian programme, that we can truly begin to declare a return to peace and prosperity.”''

''He gestures to T’zakal as he mentions Hephaestus, before turning to the Skrell.''

''“Allow me to introduce Qriixi Vol’Kluu - the Nralakk Federation’s newly-appointed ambassador to the Izweski Hegemony. They will be instrumental in the future of our nations’ mutual cooperation, and have taken up residence in the recently-completed embassy in Skalamar. With the aid of Overlord Hutay’zai, my Master of Rivers, we can work to ensure that restoration efforts are properly supplied and equipped.”''

''He pauses a moment, silence gripping the crowd.''

''“I have said that word a lot - ‘restoration’. I do not speak figuratively. With Sinta innovation, Skrell and Vaurca research, and Hephaestus resources, we will redouble our efforts to mend the wounds of the Contact War at last - and that will begin right here in Mudki. Your lord may have been a traitor, but your Hegemon will not abandon you, or the people of this land. Mudki will not be left as a ruin, but as a shining monument to our victory - the place where the Sinta’Unathi took back their world!”
The Hegemon’s words are met with applause, and he waits for it to die down before continuing.''

''“The brightest scientists from the Hegemony and Federation alike will be headquartered here, working to restore this city and region to life - a blueprint for what is to come! I will say this, here and now - we will see the Wasteland bloom once again, and this is where it starts! It starts here, with each and every one of you - not solely a project of mine, or even of the nation’s - but an effort that spans the stars themselves!''

''The crowd cheers, louder this time, as the Hegemon gestures out at the citizens of Mudki.''

''“These have been dark years, even before the Izaku Rebellion. Some have said to me that this could be the fall of the Izweski Hegemony in its entirety, and in my moments of greatest weakness… I could not help but consider that they may be correct. But I have stayed the course, and I see now that this is not our fall, but our rise!”''

''He lifts one hand, gesturing up to the sky.''

''“The adversity we have faced has been a crucible, and from it we shall rise to claim our destiny - to restore our world, and to claim an empire that spans the stars! The days ahead will be days of hard work, and they will require great diligence from each of us - but they will be days of glory! When the scholars look back on these years, to chronicle my rule when my bones are dust - they will call this a golden age for the Unathi people, as we claimed our place in the universe!”
''
''The crowd erupts with cheering, as the Hegemon looks out over his people. As the camera pans over the crowd, a chant begins, several of the more enthusiastic citizens beginning it, and most others joining in - though a few faces, notably, remain silent.''

''“Long live the Hegemon!” cries the crowd, the words repeating ever louder as the delegation stands there, the dim twilight bathing the entire affair in an ethereal glow. The words repeat, called out over and over, as the camera fades out to the Sinta Articles logo - before the video ends.''

Already, scientists from the Nralakk Federation have arrived, alongside the finest of Sinta and K’laxan researchers working on Wasteland reclamation projects. Hephaestus Industries has been expanding operations in Mudki enormously, working to repair the city’s ancient walls, as well as the historic buildings destroyed in the battle.

It seems that Mudki is poised to be the linchpin of future reclamation efforts, and only time will tell for sure whether the Hegemon’s efforts will succeed. We at Sinta Articles wish the best of fortune to those working to reclaim our world, and pray that they are successful.

As always, we will keep our readers updated on further news of relevance to Sinta affairs.

</div></div>

Ouerea

2024-08-21T00:16:29Z

RustingWithYou: /* Geography and Climate */ map

{{Navbox Lore}}
{{Navbox Unathi Lore}}
{{Infobox Planet
|Name = Ouerea
|System = [[Uueoa-Esa]]
|Image = Early Ouerea Flag.png
|Sector = [[The_Orion_Spur#Badlands|Badlands]]
|Capital = New Skalamar
|Species = [[Unathi]], [[Skrell]], Human
|Languages = [[Languages|Sinta'Unathi, Sol Common, Nral'malic]]
|Demonyms = Ouerean
|Nation = [[Izweski Hegemony]]
}}
'''Ouerea''', the fourth planet from the [[Uueoa-Esa]] star, is the first planet to be colonized by the [[Unathi]]. It was first colonized by the [[Izweski Nation|Hegemony]] in 2390, when five Unathi stepped onto the planet after a one-way trip from [[Moghes]], and is the only other habitable planet within the Uueoa-Esa system. The colony teetered on a knife's edge for a decade as travel between Moghes and Ouerea was beyond the capability of rudimentary Unathi space flight. It wasn’t until First Contact in 2403 with humanity and the [[Skrell]] that colonization began to take off. Eventually, even humanity and the Skrell began to venture to the planet, creating a melting pot of not only different Unathi cultures but different species. Eventually, the colony was declared self-sufficient, and the [[Unathi Spaceflight|Izweski space program]] began to look elsewhere, beyond their home system. Sadly, this would be the catalyst for the [[Contact War]].

Today Ouerea stands separate from the rest of the Hegemony, with a unique system of governance that goes against the feudal system on which the rest of the Hegemony relies. Their culture, also more influenced by aliens than that of Moghes, has diverged to the point where it no longer truly resembles any found anywhere else within the Hegemony. There have been incidents in the past regarding these differences, but for now, Ouerea remains a Hegemonic colony, a position which has often been enforced by violence against its population, but one that has become much more vital due to the expansion of Aquaculture on the planet by [[Hephaestus Industries]].
{{TOC Hidden}}
== History ==
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=== Humble Beginnings (2390 - 2400) ===
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In 2390, after years of preparation and travel, five Unathi stepped off their spacecraft and onto the Ouerean soil - the first Unathi to ever set foot on an alien world.. After a tortuous five months on a one-way trip traveling through the blackness of space, they were able to breathe in fresh air from a verdant jungle landscape, on the shore of a vast ocean. It was at this moment that the colony of Ouerea was founded.

Unathi spaceflight in 2390 was still rudimentary at best. They had still not truly mastered long-term propulsion, still using basic chemical rockets to achieve orbit and maneuver to their destination. For the next decade, all trips to Ouerea would be one way, and more importantly, while the fledgling colony had communication with their home planet, supplies would always be at a minimum of a 3-month trip away, so any difficulties encountered by the first colonists would have to be handled on their own. Slowly but surely, more and more colonists began to arrive and what was originally a team of just scientists studying the ecosystem made its way to a growing town, one that would evolve into the thriving metropolis known as New Skalamar. Still, a one-way trip in a dubiously safe rocket was not for everyone, so the colony barely grew past a population of 500 for the first decade of its existence, in which time the first egg was hatched on Ouerea, marking a new planet owned by the Hegemony. The culture of these first colonists was rugged and communal. They had only themselves to rely on, and the group would succeed or fail together. The lush jungle, while fit for Unathi habitation, was still untamed wilderness, and one mistake could see the colony fail. Food, mostly fish from the nearby sea and what arrived in drop pods, was shared amongst all equally, and slowly as the years marched by, the caste system of traditional Unathi began to fade into the background. In this fledgling society, those who worked menial jobs were just as important as those who did not. There were no peasants or nobility, there were simply Unathi, trying to survive together - isolated on an alien world, with the nearest hint of civilization billions of kilometers away. This sense of isolated community was the foundation of what would one day become the egalitarian culture of Ouerea that persists to this day. However, eventually, change would come to the colony.
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=== A Time of Growth (2403 - 2455) ===
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In 2403 the [[Izweski Nation|Hegemony]] made First Contact with two new species. [[Sol Alliance|Humanity]], and the [[Skrell]]. Being far behind technologically compared to them, Unathi were able to reap some benefits of this first contact, mainly dramatic improvements in their space travel technology, allowing for travel between [[Moghes]] and Ouerea on a much more regular basis. The first shuttle port was established on Moghes in the city of [[Izweski Heartland|Skalamar]] by [[NanoTrasen]], and the colonization of Ouerea began to take off. The town of New Skalamar swelled in numbers, growing to thousands strong, and after different colonies were established around the now-named Trizkizki Sea, it was declared the capital of the new colony, a whole planet, a colony of the [[Izweski Nation|Hegemony]]. Naturally, the colonists were mostly from the [[Izweski Nation|Hegemony]], however unlike the original group of scientists and other specialists that had settled the world, these new colonists were mostly peasantry, the sons and daughters of menial workers who had been offered a way out of their dreary lives; and unlike the modern day colonies of the [[Izweski Nation|Hegemony]], there were no soldiers to keep traditional society in place. These peasants quickly latched onto the already growing egalitarian culture of Ouerea, propagating it exponentially until even back on [[Moghes]] many had heard of the so-called equal societies on Ouerea. Of course, this caused more peasantry to flock to the colony if ever given the opportunity, which eventually created a self-fulfilling cycle where more colonists meant more word about equal societies which meant more colonists, continue. During this time Ouerean Culture began to truly develop, as unique holidays, greetings, and ideas began to form in the mind of those who lived on the planet. The first Skrellian and human colonists also appeared at this time, bringing new ideas from a more enlightened society that was not clinging to feudalism. The [[Izweski Nation|Hegemony]] would likely have stamped down on this behaviour, or it would have continued indefinitely were it not for one thing. The [[Contact War]].

The [[Contact War]] disrupted Ouerea, but not in the harsh way it disrupted [[Moghes]]. The [[Nralakk Federation]] stepped in and assumed oversight of the colony, imparting their ideas and assisting in what they could. While the [[Sol Alliance|Solarian Alliance]] played a lesser role in the colony's administration, largely focusing on the human population and megacorporate assets on the planet, this period is generally considered to be one of joint governance between the Spur's two superpowers. The [[Izweski Nation|Hegemony]], busy fighting for its dominance at first, then for its survival as the war turned nuclear had no resources to spare for Ouerea, and essentially left it on its own for the next two decades as it fought a brutal planetary war. This would prove to be a mistake for the [[Izweski Nation|Hegemony]].

By this point the colony was self-sufficient, no longer needing supplies from [[Moghes]], and had begun to set up a rudimentary trade network throughout the Trizkizki Sea, as the Federation began to dedicate more advanced space vessels which had finally delivered wet water shipping vessels to the planet. However, the Federation-Alliance government never meant to hold onto Ouerea forever, merely assist it while [[Moghes]] descended into the seventh ring of hell. They would not dedicate many resources to it, instead as was their normal state at the time, preferring to look inwards toward domestic policies. However during this time, with the Federation safeguarding the stability of Ouerea, many Skrell began to emigrate to the planet, mostly those with low social credit who did not have a hope of achieving their dreams within the Federation. These colonists brought with them an idea of a new life and began the formative steps towards what would eventually become the Skrellian culture on Ouerea.

The humans who emigrated, on the other hand, were of a different breed. Mostly workers for the megacorporations that still had assets on Ouerea, they were there for their work, and on a strange alien planet, work with fellow humans was what they found comfort in. Instead of intermingling with the population like many of the Skrell did, Ouerean humans tended to not view the planet as a permanent residence in which to settle down, raising a family, but instead, a job posting where they kept to themselves and their fellow workers. They would rarely leave their megacorporate-built housing areas, and only truly ever interacted with Unathi on the job. Eventually, this latent distrust and anxiety about being a trillion kilometres from home, on an alien world, surrounded by aliens whose own homeworld was awash with the blood of the [[Contact War]], lessened, and the introduction of different species to the Ouerean melting pot began. Both Skrell and human colonists, mostly refugees fleeing persecution from the Federation or sent there by megacorporations to work, began to talk about a governmental structure where all men were equal. Where Lords were not born, but appointed by popular consensus. The already egalitarian culture of Ouerea was ready to eagerly accept such a government, and the people living there took up these alien ideas.

[[File:Oureaea Ciites.png|thumb|A modern day map of Ouerea, with cities and major locations labelled.]]

Already cut off from further colonists arriving due to the state of war on [[Moghes]], Ouerea with its new alien ideas developed entirely alone for a whole generation. No fresh colonists with regressive attitudes, no real communication or care from the [[Izweski Nation|Hegemony]], just the colonists, the planet, and what the new human and Skrell colonists had told them of. The isolation from [[Moghes]] and disinterest of the Federation only reinforced the already popular ideas of equality, as colonies worked together for continued growth, and trade around the Trizkaka Sea became a staple of Ouerean survival. Seamanship was a sought-after skill, and a generation of hatchlings grew up with dreams of sailing the high seas. The idea of nobility was cast aside as the ideas brought by alien colonists took root, and for the first time, free elections were held across the world in cities, as mayors, councilmen, and other elected positions were created based on stories told by the alien colonists; a new word had begun to enter the Unathi lexicon; Democracy. A Government by the people, of the people, for the people. It was almost unheard of within Unathi society before this, but the great Ouerean experiment was underway. Societal structures in place for centuries began to break down, as Unathi found freedom in their religion, social obligations, and status. No longer would there be social shunning, and no longer would clans bind their members permanently. A wave of change was taking over the world, but it would be a while yet until it had the momentum for laws to be formed from it. By the time it was 10 years into the [[Contact War]], the Ouereans even founded their own colony.

The city of Yiz, still just a town at this point, on an island chain in the middle of the ocean, became the first colony on the world founded by those on the world. The population came from across the planet, and no one city created it, though most of the colonists were of course from New Skalamar. Yiz would become a central trading hub in the southern parts of the sea, as its position allowed for coastal traders to easily access both Um’a’yid and Tr’ha’rem, as well as New Skalamar itself. It was founded on the 11th of October, which would come to be the holiday known as founding day when Ouereans celebrate their ancestor's achievements in the face of adversity. This defiance of nature, this ability to make do, that was proven in the founding of Yiz would go on to form another pillar of Ouerean culture, but that would come later, once more fuel was poured on the fire. However, for now, Ouerea had become interconnected through its trade and would form a planetary government. Known as the Synod of Scales, it would be a democratic institution made up of representatives from every settlement across the Trizkizki Sea, the number of representatives determined by population, based in New Skalamar, due to it having been named the planetary capital. The Synod of Scales would have limited powers, and generally be a committee by which decisions that affected the whole of Ouerea would be decided, and would allow the settlements to generally run themselves. They would also appoint one of their number, known as the “Speaker of the Scales” who would moderate discussions within it, and speak for the committee as a whole. There were no restrictions on who could run for office in the Synod, just that they had to be an adult of their respective species. One of the first acts done by the Synod of Scales was to abolish the title of Guwan. Criminals would still exist, but Unathi around the planet was now free of the shackles which bound them to their clan, allowing a breath of freedom for a young generation who had been raised during this time of changing ideals. However, it was not to last.

Perhaps another unforeseen consequence of the [[Contact War]] for the burgeoning colony might have been the birth of [[Unathi Piracy|Unathi space piracy]] as we know it. The [[Izweski Nation|Hegemony's]] inability to survey its own system due to the war on [[Moghes]] and maintain order there, as well as the many alien ships coming in and out of Ouerea, made Uueoa-Esa a perfect place for pirate crews, and soon, the first fleets, to grow in size and power. For a time, Ouerea’s criminal underbelly became a home for most of these pirates when not in space, and for their families if they had one. By the end of the war, and the time the [[Izweski Nation|Hegemony]] could maintain a presence across the system however, most of these pirates would be gone, having moved to the recently-discovered Ha’zana or even more distant stars.
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=== The Months of Blood (2457) ===
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<div style="text-align: center;">Razul Tuzahu would forever go down as a cursed name within the history of Ouerea.</div>

Eventually though, as all things do, the [[Contact War]] came to an end. Though the end for Ouerea was different to the end of [[Moghes]]. For [[Moghes]], the [[Contact War]] ended when the fighting stopped, and the levies were able to return home. For Ouerea, the contact war ended when the [[Izweski Nation|Hegemony]] could spare the time and resources to look at it again, and what they found outraged them. The first real communication between governments began again, in 2457, when a [[Unathi Recent Events#Unathi_Enter_the_Bluespace_Age_(2457)|Hegemonic Fleet jumped into orbit]] seizing the planet from alien control. The Mogheasian representative was a high ranking Izweski bannerman of Clan Tuzahu named Razul. Razul Tuzahu was met by the Speaker of Scales, one Zeihro Arusa, a former member of the peasantry from the Southlands. Razul immediately demanded to speak with the noble lord of New Skalamar, or of the planet if there was one, but Zeihro Arusa informed him that there were no more lords on Ouerea, only mayors and other elected officials. He politely explained that he was elevated from a committee of representatives which spoke for the planet’s population, to speak for them, and would bring Razul, and the assembled members of Clan Tuzahu acting as an honor guard for him before the Synod of Scales to hear what he had to say before discussing it. Razul, a noble himself, was enraged by this thought, that a bunch of peasants would dare invite him, not to listen to his commands, but just to listen and then make their own decision. Razul berated Zeihro Arusa, calling him a disloyal traitor to the [[Izweski Nation|Hegemony]], and to all the values that an Unathi should stand for. Zeihro Arusa would answer with a phrase that would forever live on in the hearts of the Ouerean people.

<div style="text-align: center;">'''“We will be loyal to the Hegemony, so long as it is loyal to us.”'''</div>

Razul would refuse to meet with the Synod of Scales, damning him for all eternity in the eyes of the Ouerean population. Instead, he returned to [[Moghes]], where he informed Hegemon Sk’resti that a peasant rebellion while committing treason was also preaching ideas of equality, tarnishing the tradition of the Sinta, and elevating the peasantry had taken over the colony while the [[Skrell]] had watched over it. Hegemon Sk’resti, ever hungry for more war, believed Razul without second thought, and sent him off with a force of five thousand warriors to re-subjugate the planet, transported by the [[Izweski Nation|Hegemony's]] new spacefaring fleet. Razul descended with a fury born of hatred - both for the peasantry and the new society that had been born on Ouerea. He landed in New Skalamar, dismantling the Synod of Scales and declaring the planet under his direct rule. Those who resisted found themselves executed, and the stories said that the streets outside the Overlord’s Palace in Central New Skalamar, where the Synod of Scales had once met, ran red with blood. Razul would see Zeihro Arusa executed, but in his death, Zeihro Arusa, became a martyr for the Ouerean people, and a rallying cry for resistance. Resistance not only against Razul but resistance against those non-Ouerean Unathi, with their outdated ideas of feudalism; essentially, resistance against the [[Izweski Nation|Hegemony]] itself. Civil unrest was common, with protests and riots gripping the streets daily, but this was not a full-scale revolt yet and never would become one. In early 2458, when the [[Unathi_Recent_Events#The_Cataclysm_(2458)|HMV Cataclysm was sabotaged]], Razul and his men were needed elsewhere in the spur, fighting the real enemies of the [[Izweski Nation|Hegemony]] instead of dealing with peasant rabble. The [[Izweski Nation|Hegemony]] would force a deal with the people of Ouerea, accept an overlord, and they would allow limited democratic governance, with feudal oversight. Overlord Yiztek was chosen, and he would begin to rule the planet, reinstating feudalism against the wishes of the population. While this stopped the immediate rebellion, it only increased resentment, but the pressure was not so far up that it would bubble over just yet.
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=== Enter Hephaestus (2458 - 2460) ===
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The period between 2458 and 2460 was relatively peaceful for Ouerea. There was still a hot underbed of resentment against the [[Izweski Nation|Hegemony]] for the destruction of its democratic system, but there was no real action. [[Hephaestus Industries]] took this year and a half to expand into Ouerea, as it had done much of the rest of the [[Izweski Nation|Hegemony]]. They began setting up logging industries, factories, shipyards, and much of the heavy pollutant industry common for them. The Ouerean people at first welcomed [[Hephaestus Industries]] onto their world, they saw more humans who would share the same ideals as those who had come before them. Ideals of equality, democracy, and the like, while also offering gainful employment to the population. However, this would not be the case. [[Hephaestus Industries]] instead exploited the workers of Ouerea, treating them poorly and unlike those on Moghes who were used to exploitation, Ouereans now had a different culture and history. Unions, while not particularly common on Ouerea, were present in many workplaces, and as the newly employed [[Hephaestus Industries|Hephaestus]] workers tried to unionize themselves, they found themselves stonewalled, fired, ridiculed, and even sometimes threatened or beaten by [[Hephaestus Industries]] as they continued their Anti-Union tactics. Public opinion began to turn on [[Hephaestus Industries]], and they found themselves dealing with an increasingly angry population, as the movement began to grow. It was not a fast spreading movement, many still saw the corporation’s investments as a good thing, but as the attempts to prevent unionization became more and more heavy-handed, and worker treatment remained horrible, the ranks of those fed up with the corporation, the [[Izweski Nation|Hegemony]], and feudalism swelled. The boiling point would come on '''March 6th, 2460''', and the world would direct its wrath at those who wronged them.
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=== The Rebellion (2460) ===
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{{Ouerean Rebellion
|conflict = Ouerean Revolution
|image = Ouerea Flag
|date = 29 February - 9 July 2460
|location = Ouerea
|result = Truce<br>Establishment of democratic government on Ouerea<br>

|combatant1 = [[Izweski Hegemony]]
|combatant2 = Ouerean rebel forces
|commander1 = [[Notable_Unathi#Not'zar_Izweski,_Izweski_Hegemon|Hegemon Not'zar Izweski]]<br>Overlord Tarkat Yiztek
|commander2 = General Vhariz Zik'san
|strength1 = Approx. 26800 professional soldiers<br>Unknown number of levied forces
|strength2 = Approx. 12300 trained combatants<br>Unknown number of insurgent fighters
|casualties1 = Approx. 3100 killed in action
|casualties2 = Unknown
|}}
On [[Unathi_Recent_Events#Rumbles_on_Ouerea|February 29th, 2460]], Union leaders staged a walk-out at a Hephaestus mining facility as a protest for Hephaestus refusing to negotiate with them for higher salaries and better benefits. Hephaestus responded by firing every worker who did not show up for work that day, as the Hegemony laws offered no worker protections. The situation quickly snowballed as more workers joined the walk-out, and protests erupted outside many Hephaestus sites across the planet. The recently installed local lords reacted by deploying their Watchmen to disperse the protests through force. This however only caused the situation to escalate, and on March 5th, at a protest outside of Hephaestus’s Headquarters in New Skalamar, the match was lit. After a Hephaestus Security Officer drew the blood of one of the protestors, a riot began, and the city watchmen and Hephaestus security forces found themselves putting the riot down the hard way. In the end, two of the protesters were killed, and dozens more injured.

The site “Ouerea Now” , a long time hotbed of resentment, crashed due to the traffic it received that night and the following day, the population was furious about the deaths of the protestors, and began to take to the streets. Overlord Yiztek attempted to ban the website, but by then it was too late. Hundreds of thousands of people flooded the streets of every major Ouerean city, as a wave of civil unrest overwhelmed local watchmen, who couldn’t contain the violence. Protestors called for the expulsion of Hephaestus Industries, the abolishment of the Feudal system, and revenge for those lost to the Months of Blood. Tax collectors, noble estates, and other government institutions were attacked by mobs, and millions of credits worth of property destroyed. Overlord Yiztek, unable to properly deal with the amount of unrest, attempted heavy handed measures, including the Guwaning of all those in a group greater than five in number, and extra taxation on the clans. This did nothing but fan the flames of rebellion higher, and on April 10th, what started as a protest against Hephaestus changed into a full scale rebellion.

The Ouerean levies, called up on the order of Overlord Yiztek to help quell the violence instead began to defect to leaders of the protests and riots, after they were given their arms and armor. As Yiztek continued to call up levies, more defected, creating a cycle where Yiztek would call up a levy just watch them defect the following day. The now equipped rebel forces alongside mobs began to storm the palaces of the nobility, taking prisoners and accepting surrenders from noble clans. The situation had become a crisis, and every hamfisted attempt by Yiztek only increased the number of rebels he was facing, now not only peasant mobs but an equipped fighting force. Eventually, after weeks of fighting, the capital of New Skalamar fell under siege by combined rebel forces under the dubious command of one Zik'san, a former member of the Synod of Scales who had escaped death at the hands of Razul. Yiztek did not have enough men to resist them for long, and even much of the city was against him. He had failed as a ruler; he had lost.

During this time a not insignificant number of the humans left on the planet who had not already fled during the Months of Blood finally decided to stake their fortune elsewhere, away from what they now viewed as a violent government, run by a violent species. These emigres would go on to form the first Ouerean expat groups, mostly within the Coalition and Biesel, as having been raised on a completely alien planet made the Solarian Alliance and its xenophobic tendencies difficult to immigrate to. They brought with them a culture warped by their upbringing in a Unathi society, one unlike any other in the spur.

The Skrell were a different matter altogether. With most of the Skrellian population either fleeing from the Federation, or facing re-education due to low social credit scores should they return, many Skrell latched themselves to the fate of the world, refusing to abandon it even as it upheaved with rebellion. Some in fact would become parts of this rebellion, not wanting to trade the bureaucratic authoritarian government of the Federation for the more backward Feudal kind. Those that did not join the rebellion still remained on the world however, looking at rebellion as a situation where no matter what the outcome was, it would be preferable compared to returning to the Federation, or emigrating elsewhere. As a result of this it has become common for Ouerean Skrell after greeting each other, to inquire if their newly met compatriot fought in the rebellion or not, with each Skrell judging the answer as they see fit.
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=== Peace Talks and Reconciliation (2460) ===
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[[File:Siegecomplete.png|thumb|alt=Unathi.|Not'zar Izweski managed to secure a lasting peace with Ouerea by negotiating with the rebel forces, despite the efforts of the then-Overlord to sabotage the talks.]]
As the capital fell under siege and the planet looked to be almost lost to rebel forces, the [[Notable Unathi#Not'zar Izweski, Izweski Hegemon|Lord-Regent Not’zar]] himself intervened. Having seen the destruction caused by Yiztek’s hamfisted policies so far, Not’zar instead shocked everyone by opening a dialogue with the rebel leaders, walking to their siege camp himself to parlay. However, when attempting to return he found the gate to the city locked by Overlord Yiztek, and returned to the Rebel camp to ask the rebels to safely escort him back in. They complied, and this was the beginning of the Ouerean people warming up to Not’zar. That the Hegemon did not see them as savage peasants, and felt comfortable enough to parlay with them, before asking for them to escort him back into the city after the Overlord locked him out, giving the Ouerean people hope. The Hegemon also allowed four negotiators from the prayed-for Ouerean Confederation, a government that would see a return to democracy, into the city. However, Overlord Yiztek was not done with his heavy-handed attempts yet. He had the negotiators executed on charges of espionage, much to the anger of Not’zar, and the fury of the rebels, who gave a warning to the city, not an ultimatum of choice, but a simple warning.

<div style="text-align: center;">'''“We will give this city three days. If you are within New Skalamar and value your life: be somewhere else.”'''</div>

Thankfully, Not’zar had his Guwan Guard arrest Overlord Yiztek moments before the storming would have started, averting the crisis and the need for military force. However, this move cost Not’zar a huge amount of political capital, as the traditionalist lords of the Hegemony were furious at the Lord-Regent for daring to arrest one of their own, after not having intervened until the crisis had gotten out of hand, and in doing so capitulating to the peasantry. It is uncertain if this move was worth what it cost Not’zar, as it set him back years in gaining the trust and loyalty of the influential lords of the Hegemony. None besides Miaruz Izweski backed his play, and the rest all condemned his decision in one way or another. Still, it was a good thing for the Ouerean people, who now had a measure of the freedom they wanted. Zik'san would be appointed Overlord in Yiztek’s stead, a position he still holds to this day.

However in 2465 this measure of freedom was curtailed. After leaked Hephaestus documents pointed to devastating ecological impacts of the massive Aquaculture Centers being constructed by the corporation, rioting once again broke out on the planet fanning the potential flames of rebellion. The Hegemon who once compromised with the Ouerean people would not do so again, the stakes too high this time, and unable to trust the local levies who had rebelled in the past, instead called his and Clan Hutay’zai’s bannermen to arms, deploying them to the planet to pacify the riots by force. The planetary government had no choice but to go along with Hegemon's plan or face his wrath themselves, and have since been seen as a part of the brutal repression by the populace. The death toll was kept minimal, but still over a thousand were killed, nearly all rioting civilians. Images and videos of Izweski bannermen alongside those of the Hutay’zai using force to disperse protests were widely shared across the extranet, only fueling further discontent. However this discontent would not again rise to rioting, as the consequences for such actions were made clear by the one who had compromised with the population in the past, and instead those dissatisfied with the situation took to less direct means of sabotage and peaceful protests. However these acts have only kept the iron boot of the Hegemony on the planet for the foreseeable future, as after a near miss with mass famine a fearful Not’zar wrangles to control the Overlord and Synod of Scales, thereby also controlling the planet. His authority is clearly seen and enforced by a legion of K’lax warrior-forms, and a depleted garrison of Bannermen who have not left the planet following the pacification of the riots; instead they remained to protect the critical Aquaculture facilities alongside members of the Fighter’s Lodge and Hephaestus Security from potential acts of terrorism. These facilities mark the salvation of Moghes, and the continuation of the Hegemony, so Not’zar will not be found lacking either in controlling them, or having the means of taking control of them close by. Thankfully many of these Hegemonic soldiers remain out of the public eye, keeping to themselves by order of Not’zar himself to prevent tension from rising in the population once again. With the government still under his vague control, it is unclear if the Hegemon’s power on the planet will ever be decreased and handed back to the people, though the deciding point all would agree is the upcoming election of 2466, which might see a large change in the makeup of the Synod of Scales, causing a weakening in the control Not’zar has over the government. Only time will tell that story.
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=== Current Day ===
Like all places, Ouerea is a product of its history. The violent revolutions, the isolation, and even the invention of the Federation shaped what it is today. It is a planet so close to [[Moghes]], yet completely different in irreconcilable ways. Still, for the time being, they are chained to the [[Izweski Nation|Hegemony]], whether they like it or not. While they still have special privileges, guaranteed by Not’zar, at the end of the day, they are just another vassal state of the Hegemony, doing as it wills. This has been seen most clearly in the past year, as the Hegemony has simply used Ouerea to save itself, mainly Moghes, from starvation, turning it into a food production centre of the very company Ouerea rebelled against in the first place. Despite all of Not’zar’s promises of reform, he still ended up putting down the protests and riots that occurred as Hephaestus Industries completed their aquaculture centres. The population has not forgotten this, and a sea of resentment still bubbles underneath the surface of the verdant jungle landscape.

It is unclear if the Hegemony will ever fully control Ouerea. Maybe its people have developed a culture that is just too wild, too free, to ever be contained within a feudal system. But if there’s one thing Ouerean people are certain of:

<div style="text-align: center;">'''“We will be loyal to the Hegemony, so long as it is loyal to us.”'''</div>
== Geography and Climate ==
[[File:Oureaea_Ciites.png|thumb|A map of Ouerea, with major cities labeled.]]
Ouerea is best known for its lush, verdant jungle landscape, which covers almost all of the planet’s surface besides the polar ice caps. This jungle cover is attributed to the planets closer proximity to the sun when compared to Moghes, having a much shorter orbit. The Trizkaka Sea is the most prominent feature of the planet, being a large body of water with many island chains, that has become the lifeblood of the colony. The planet also has several mountain ranges.

The strangest thing about the geography and climate of Ouerea, however, is its compatibility with Unathi as a species. For most other species, their first steps of colonization were titanic struggles which required heavy use of terraforming, adaptation, and equipment to survive on their new planet. Whereas Ouerea is essentially a Moghes covered in entirely jungle, well suited for habitation by Unathi. The plants and animals pose little danger to Unathi, and are even edible by them, which is what allowed the first colonists to survive so long cut off from Moghes. Many scholars have puzzled over this question, why Ouerea seems to be such a perfect candidate for colonization, right on the doorstep of the Unathi homeworld, but most have either attributed it to some form of divine intervention, or pure galactic luck. However there are more radical scholars who believe that Ouerea was once a colony of a Unathi precursor race, who terraformed the planet to live on in ancient times, before the evolutionary base of the Unathi stepped out of the ocean. There has been no evidence of this, despite many archaeological expeditions being launched on the world, and it is unclear if any will ever be found.

=== Flora and Fauna ===
'''Awth’una''' are a warm-blooded reptilian species that gives live birth. They are four-limbed with long, snake-like prehensile tails. They resemble iguanas with a more generally ape-like body structure. Their grasping hands are very dextrous, and they have feet that have a grasping toe. They are the primary tree-dwelling type of lizard that is found in jungles across Ouerea. Typically they are omnivorous foragers that also scavenge from other species’ kills, and are not averse to raiding bird nests or eating the birds themselves. A typical Awth’una troop will be led by a patriarch. The patriarch's daughters remain with the troop for their entire lives. The young of Awth’una stay with their mothers for typically a year before becoming fully independent. They learn to forage for food and how to behave from their mothers. Orphaned Awth’una can become aggressive or ill-tempered as a result of not having their mother’s guidance on how to behave properly. Noticing this behavior, Unathi xenobiologists often cite them as evidence of the importance of proper cultural values evident in even the animal kingdom.

'''Subterranean''' flora are mysterious. Only the creatures that are found in the more shallow layers of the caverns are even known at all. Several kinds of reptilian monsters are found there, blind with pale scales and sharp claws. Deeper, lichen-grazing creatures crawl through the tunnels and chambers, stocky-limbed and snakelike and partially aquatic. Cataloguing the incredible breadth and diversity of the subterreanean eco-systems is a task that will keep xenobiologists busy for decades, if not more.

The '''Azkrazal''' or Threshbeast has also taken to Ouerea quite well. A tall, swift-running grazer, in some areas feral herds have outcompeted native Naearzi. However, most Azkrazal on Ouerea are domesticated and thrive in the pastures across Ouerea’s grasslands. They are used as a primary method of conveyance in the homesteads due to their high speed and stamina. However, they are typically found on farms worked by the serfs of rich nobility, due to the cost of importing them and their comparative rarity. The poorer class on Ouerea uses primarily Naearzi harnessed in teams for pulling wagons and carriages. The domestication efforts over the past 20 years have gone well, and the new generations of Naearzi are born less shy and grow to trust their trainers more quickly. Unathi society is learning the secrets of their husbandry quickly, and things like diet and pasture size have been studied to great effect.

'''Mier’vesh''' are a small, reptile-avian creature with forked tongues that sample the air. They are popular animals as they are small and sweet tempered, making them slow to respond to danger. They are used as an ideal tool to teach Ouerean hatchlings how to hunt and eat at an early age. They have a strong flocking instinct which leads them to stay together around a lead hen, typically who has the brightest crest or the loudest cry. They are popular with Unathi clanmothers who are too busy to cook, since they can simply put their hatchling outside in the yard to chase Mier'vesh.

'''Tul''' are large, muscular, leathery creatures, about a head taller than your average unathi that are native to [[Moghes]] but introduced into the local ecosystem. They have sharp claws on each feet and the strange ribbed, flat teeth found on most herbivores. Their most striking feature, however, is their tusks. A large array of long, pointed tusks protrudes from their skull and jaw. They move like a cat - deliberate, pronounced movements, with very broad shoulderblades.

They have a long flat tongue they use for feeding. Tul are commonly poached for their tusks which can be used in various luxuries, from jewelry, to cutlery, to pieces of ornamental weaponry. Hunting Tuls requires personal permission from the Lord of the land, and the honor is almost exclusively reserved for the landed elite. Common Unathi found poaching Tul's or illegally trading the tusks are often given harsh prison sentences.

Owning these animals is reserved for only the richest clans due to how tightly they are controlled. They are sometimes brought out for large events by Lords to impress guests and visitors. Sometimes they can be found wandering the private gardens of the wealthy.

The tul also have a few small myths surrounding them. According to some regional cultures, the tul cultivated the forests before the Sinta could walk on two feet, whereas some say they were responsible for raising the sun - sticking their long tusks into the ether and pulling it back up into the sky. Some of the oldest clans will have a tul displayed as the clan's insignia.

== Political Structure and Governance ==
As a result of its tumultuous history, Ouerea has a political structure unlike any other within the Hegemony. For one, many aspects of their governance is based on democratic rule of law, rather than nobility, and that is only the most obvious aspect. This uniqueness means that Ouerea has a complicated relationship not only with the Hegemony and its Feudal system, but with politics internally.
[[File:Early Ouerea Flag.png|400px|thumb|The original flag of the Ouerean Colony. The colours signify the green, lush jungles of Ouerea next to its vast blue oceans, while the black signifies the void of space through which the colonists had to spend many months in to reach the planet. Due to controversy over the new flag, this flag is technically the official flag of Ouerea.]]
=== The Synod of Scales ===
The Synod of Scales was first formed during the Contact War, when the planet was all but cut off from Moghes. It consisted of a committee of representatives, drawn from each settlement dotting the surface of the planet, with the number of representatives each settlement was entitled to determined by population. More population meant more representatives. One of these representatives would be elevated by their peers to become the “Speaker of Scales”, who would moderate discussions within the Synod, and speak for the committee as a whole to the public. These representatives would then work on matters of planetary policy, only truly creating laws about issues that affected the whole of the population, and preferring to let individual settlements rule themselves. This was the Synod of Scales before the Months of Blood, the brutal Izweski crackdown on Ouerean democracy after the conclusion of the Contact War. The Synod of Scales only exists today by the grace of Not’zar Izweski, who during the rebellion of 2460, conceded to the rebel’s demands on the reinstatement of democratic processes. Still, this concession was not without its caveats, and the way the Synod of Scales works contemporarily differs heavily to how it worked in the past.

The Synod nowadays is still made up of representatives, but each settlement, now towns and cities, only gets so many. The maximum number of representatives a city on Ouerea can appoint is eight, with New Skalamar currently being the only city which has the population to warrant these eight representatives. No other city has more than six, with most hovering around the three to four range. Smaller settlements or towns outside of cities are no longer allotted representatives, instead only being able to have appointed observers, normally appointed by the local mayor or other official who administers the area, in the Synod. This has created a situation where political power on the planet is heavily centered in the cities that dot the Trizkaka Sea, which, by the Hegemony’s standards, have the least amount of resentment towards the nation. However this estimate might be off, as while the countryside is often the growth of resentment and radical ideas, the cities normally quickly follow, as the interconnected people of the planet regularly travel and exchange ideas in a way that is foreign to Moghes.

For matters of actually making policy, the Synod follows much the same traditions as when it was first established, only truly focusing on planetary policy rather than attempting to also govern how the cities are administered. The position of “Speaker of Scales” was abolished after the Synod’s resurgence, and instead replaced with the Overlord of Ouerea, a still feudal position that passes down a clan line. It is the Overlord that moderates discussions within the Synod, and decides which matters should be discussed when. The replacement of the Speaker with a feudal position has caused some friction within the Synod, as the Overlord now determines what policy issues are brought before the Synod and in what order, essentially having control over what can and cannot be discussed. Still, those within the Synod recognize that the situation could be much worse, and are generally willing to put up with this fact, especially given that the current Overlord Zik'san is a former rebel himself. Issues which are brought to the Synod's attention are voted on by all members, excluding the Overlord, who traditionally never votes to appear unbiased. A simple majority is all that is needed to pass a law or policy, and should the vote ever come to a tie, the issue on the floor will be re-voted on until a majority is the victor. The Overlord does not hold veto powers over the decisions of the Synod, however the Hegemon himself does, should he see fit to exercise this power. Not’zar has not yet vetoed a decision made by the Synod, but only time will tell if he one day will.

Currently the Synod of Scales consists of 39 members, but it is expected to grow as the cities of Ouerea themselves grow. The Revolution’s Heirs are the most prominent political party within the Synod, accounting for 28 of its members, a vast majority. The Heirs rarely need to include other parties into policy making because of their majority, and this has created something of a distinction between the Hatchling’s and all other political parties, whose public support is not enough to tip the balance of power in their favor yet. However, now that the Heirs are in near total control of the government, all actions or inaction by the government will be tied to them, for better or for worse, potentially opening space for the smaller political parties to garner more public support.

=== The Overlord of Ouerea ===
Much like the Synod itself, the Overlord of Ouerea is a strange position for one to hold. Whereas the other Overlords rule directly over many smaller vassals, the Overlord of Ouerea merely manages the democratic affairs of the planet, rather than being a ruler in their own right. The Overlord of Ouerea, currently Zik'san, moderates the talks of the Synod of Scales, sets up the elections by which representatives are elected, and determines what policies are put to the floor within the Synod. That last responsibility gives the Overlord incredible power, if they are smart enough to know how to use it. By being able to determine what is even discussed within the Synod, the Overlord can steer the direction of Ouerean policy-making however they please, exchanging favors with representatives to ensure their issues are given first priority, or refusing to even allow certain issues onto the floor of the Synod.

Unlike in a modern democratic system, there is no check on the Overlord’s power, no way the Synod can over-rule their decision. While they do not have veto power, a right reserved only for the Hegemon himself, they do have a vast amount of influence over the Synod itself. This has resulted in a situation where the Overlord’s primary duty is the garner favours within the Synod, constantly in the political dance of quid-pro-quo, attempting to keep Hegemonic Authority on the planet as high as possible. Though the position is now held by Zik'san a former rebel himself, he has realized that to retain his position, and more importantly keep the planet stable, Hegemonic Authority must not be in doubt, or once again they will descend to the planet to reassert it in brutal Unathi fashion. This is never more the case than contemporarily, as the planet now plays host to a vast majority of the Hegemony’s food production, both current and planned, that the Izweski cannot simply let Ouerea begin to truly govern itself. So Zik'san must work the delicate high-wire act of allowing the planet some representation and some say in governance, while also keeping the Hegemony’s authority over the colony above a certain threshold. Should he fail in either of these, the consequences will spawn forth a torrent of blood that would outdo the revolution itself.

=== Relationship between Democracy and Feudalism ===
Feudalism and Democracy are two ideologies that were never meant to interact. Yet in Ouerea’s case they must. The delicate balance struck by Not’zar in the wake of the 2460 revolution has held up for the past five years, but it is not without its many flaws, beyond those which have been discussed within the Synod of Scales and Overlord sections. The biggest issue between democracy and feudalism is the constant change a democratic government presents, as representatives lose elections, are voted out of office directly, or even have to change policies as public opinion changes; compared to the relatively more consistent feudal monarchy found throughout the rest of the Hegemony, where a Lord’s word is law and the opinions of peasants need not be considered. What has resulted is an inability for the rest of the Hegemony outside of the Overlord and Hegemon to truly communicate with the people of Ouerea, and understand how their government system works.

To the majority of the Hegemony’s nobility, the Ouerean Revolution was a disastrous act of treason, and the Hegemon’s negotiation with the rebels is either considered a rare misstep by his supporters or a sign of his overall weakness by his detractors. Among the peasantry, however, the news of Ouerea’s newly-won democracy acts as a symbol of the potential for change - and many of those who would never have considered a change to the system that has reigned on Moghes for centuries now look at Ouerea as a shining beacon of what their own world could be. While the revolutionary ideals of the Ouerean Confederation have yet to catch on offworld, the citizens of the Hegemony hope and fear alike that while Ouerea was the first revolution to be victorious against the Hegemony’s power, it will not be the last.

=== Political Entities ===
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==== Revolution's Heirs ====
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An informal name for the dominant political viewpoint on Ouerea following the Revolution - born out of its struggle for freedom, and desiring to maintain that freedom in the new age of the planet. They are staunch supporters of maintaining Ouerean democracy and the freedoms it has won for the planet’s citizens, and largely wish to continue with the status quo, working within the Hegemony to demonstrate the value of the Ouerean model of governance.

Most prominent political figures on Ouerea are aligned with this ideology in some way or another. Opinions range on Hephaestus, with some viewing their investment as potentially a boon to the planet and others viewing them as a pestilence that was part of the very reason for the initial rebellion. Generally, followers of this ideology tend to agree that the corporation needs to be watched closely and regulated to prevent exploitation of the planet and its people - though only time will tell if they are capable of enforcing such regulations against Hephaestus’s influence.

The Heirs have been a dominant force among the Synod of Scales since its establishment, and that continues. They are supported by mostly Unathi, with a fairly large amount of Skrellian support. Notable members include Representative of New Skalamar Ozesh Zuruziir, who rose to political prominence beyond Ouerea following an attempt to court the Hegemon in 2465.

The opening of Hephaestus aquacultural centers and the megacorporation’s subsequent capture of the Hegemonic economy has been a contentious issue for the Heirs. Many fear that the corporation is now too powerful for the Ouerean people to control its expansion on their world, and some believe that the aquacultural projects may have devastating impacts on the planet’s biosphere. Others, however, have welcomed the megacorporate presence, believing that while Hephaestus presence is an inevitability, working with them is the only way to properly ensure that the worst of corporate overreach can be reigned in. A small number of the Heirsresigned in protest following these events, with several of them having defected to the Warriors of Liberty or the Independence Movement.

The cooperation of the Heirs who held a majority position within the Synod with the Hegemony during 2465 has also caused many issues for the Heirs in regard to their public support. When the riots were brutally suppressed by Izweski and Hutay’zai bannermen after leaks about Hephaestus’ impact on the local environment, many saw the Heirs as part of the suppression, not stepping in to defend their own people. Many minor representatives resigned in protest, but the party has still defended their position as being what was best for the planet. This defense and lack of apology has seen a swell in the public support for the Warriors of Liberty and the Ouerean Independence Movement, who might finally be able to break the Revolution’s Heirs’ iron majority within the Synod of Scales.
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==== Warriors of Liberty ====
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The Warriors of Liberty are an offshoot of Revolution’s Heirs, formed shortly after the exile of Overlord Yiztek. They believe in the maintaining of the Ouerean model, and in spreading it throughout the Izweski Hegemony, replacing the feudal system with a democratic confederation modeled after the newly formed government of Ouerea. The movement’s followers vary in their militancy, with a small and radical fringe advocating for fighting the Hegemony in open battle - a cause which is viewed as an impossibility by most. However, the existence of this fringe has proved a concern for some of the Moghresian nobility, believing that the Warriors are traitors to the Hegemony who should be stamped out.

Followers of this ideology tend to be staunchly opposed to Hephaestus Industries and the power that the megacorporation holds throughout the wider Hegemony. The prevalent belief among supporters is that the Hephaestus facilities on Ouerea should be nationalized and brought under Ouerean control, instead of being in the hands of a foreign power. While there have been accusations leveled at this movement for ties to radical organizations such as the [[Aut'akh|Aut’akh]] and the [[Unathi Guilds#Hearts of Industry|Hearts of Industry]], none of these accusations have ever borne fruit. This movement primarily consists of Unathi, with a small but dedicated base of human supporters. Notable supporters include Overlord Zik’san - former commander of the rebels during the Ouerean Revolution. His appointment to his position despite his outspoken pro-democracy views has angered many of the more conservative nobility on Moghes, with frequent calls for him to be removed from his position. The Warriors are also in favor of the expansion of Ouerean military power, to ensure that the fledgling democracy is capable of fending off any future attempt to return it to feudalism.

Several members of Revolution’s Heirs defected to the Warriors following the massive expansion of Hephaestus Industries in 2465. They continue to advocate for nationalization of Hephaestus property across the planet, alarmed at the enormous power the corporation now wields at every level of the Hegemony. Overlord Zik’san has not spoken out in favor of this yet, with some accusing him of being on Guildmaster T’zakal’s payroll - an accusation not taken lightly, given his status as a hero of the Revolution.
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==== Ouerean Independence Movement ====
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This movement is a small one, but with a notable presence on the Synod. As the name suggests, they support the independence of Ouerea from the Izweski Hegemony, with opinions ranging from maintaining favorable relations with the Izweski to breaking ties altogether and seeking alliances among the democratic nations of the Orion Spur. This movement has a small representation among the Synod of Scales, and generally tends towards opposition to Hephaestus Industries. With the ongoing famine in the Hegemony, some of the more vocal supporters of this position have been calling for Ouerea to leverage their status as the Hegemony’s main food provider to force the Izweski into conceding to their demands for independence.

The Independence Movement’s support is fairly evenly divided between Skrell and Unathi. To many of its supporters, it represents the truest promise of Ouerea - a world where anyone, regardless of their species or origins, should be free to choose their own destiny without the meddling of foreign powers. This faction tends to work closely with the Warriors of Liberty - while they disagree on some key issues, both of them support the expansion of Ouerea as a military force in its own right, better to prevent another war if a future Hegemon decides that the grand experiment should come to an end.

While the movement has been opposed to Hephaestus, its membership is divided on the subject of the other megacorporations of the Orion Spur. Some believe that inviting other corporations into the Ouerean economy would help to provide a check on Hephaestus’s power, with the majority holding the opinion that any corporate presence at all is inherently detrimental to Ouerean democracy.

Following the massive expansion of Hephaestus, as the megacorporation seized an unopposed monopoly over the Hegemonic economy, the Ouerean Independence Movement has seen an increase in support. While nothing has been proven, some suspect that this is in part due to the discreet support of other human megacorporations such as NanoTrasen in the hopes of weakening Hephaestus’s newfound monopoly
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==== The Oldbloods ====
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The ‘Oldbloods’, ironically, are actually newer to Ouerea than most of the peasants they deride. During the reign of Overlord Yiztek in the late 2450s, nobles from Moghes were brought to the planet to assist in the implementation of feudalism. This period was brief, with feudal rule on Ouerea being overturned after the Revolution, to the chagrin of the nobles who had invested time and money into establishing new authority on Ouerea. Those whose clans held land on Moghes returned there, but many of the new Ouerean nobility had lost their lands to the Contact War, and viewed this planet as a second chance. For these nobles, there was nowhere to go, and the power and wealth they had been promised on Ouerea was gone. Some of them integrated into the new society and managed to gain positions of power - but a large number of them who were unable or unwilling to do so formed the Oldbloods.

Outside of themselves and their retainers, the Oldbloods have little to no public support, and are generally the subject of mockery among the general populace. Currently, their main form of agitation is sending emissaries to the nobility on Moghes, in the hopes of pressuring either Hegemon Not’zar or his successor to stamp out Ouerean democracy once and for all, and to restore the natural order of things - with themselves back in power. They have had little success, with most of the more influential nobility of Moghes recognising that another war on Ouerea would spell disaster for the Hegemony, especially with the ongoing famine.
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==== The Restorationists ====
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The Restorationists are a minority group of humans and Skrell supporting the return of the administration of the colony by the Solarian Alliance and the Nralakk Federation. Due to the Solarian Collapse, this group has a small majority of Skrell over humans, focusing on outreach to the Federation. Following the Revolution, the Restorationists managed to attract a few more supporters in the belief that Ouerea needs the protection of another interstellar power to ensure that the tyranny of the feudal system is not reinstated. While this is the most common viewpoint among Restorationists, there are some among their number who believe that the Unathi are too young to the Spur to successfully govern themselves. The Contact War is, in their eyes, clear proof of the fact that the Unathi require the guidance of their elders on the interstellar stage, lest they bring disaster to themselves and others. The Restorationists are a tiny group, and an effective non-entity in wider Ouerean politics, as most of the human and Skrell colonists who were deeply loyal to the previous governments evacuated the planet when control was returned to the Izweski.

Hephaestus’s expansion, and the recent end of the Solarian Civil War, has led to a small increase in human support for the Restorationists. A corporation seizing control over an entire nation’s economy in such a way is reminiscent of the events leading to the Republic of Biesel’s secession in 2452, and some humans have come to support Solarian intervention on Ouerea to prevent Hephaestus from destroying the fledgeling society there. The Restorationists, despite this increased support, are still largely irrelevant to wider Ouerean politics.
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==== The Hearts of Industry ====
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Following the reintroduction of Hephaestus to the Ouerean economy, the revolutionary guild known as the Hearts of Industry began to take root among the locals. While this had small beginnings, with Hearts from the Southlands of Moghes traveling to the planet in the hopes of agitating for change, these Unathi found a more receptive environment than they could have possibly dreamed of. The Ouerean people were no stranger to the idea of unions, or for collective action to improve the lot of all, and the revolutionary and egalitarian ideas of Ouerea found a kindred spirit in the Hearts of Industry. Second to only the Southlands chapter of the guild, the Ouerean presence is rapidly growing into a force to be reckoned with. Unlike the other political movements of the planet, the Hearts are unconcerned with Ouerea’s relation to the wider Hegemony, focusing solely on the exploitation of the planet and its people by Hephaestus Industries and the Hegemonic guilds that have made a home there.

Following Hephaestus’s seizure of the Hegemonic economy, the Hearts of Industry have faced hard times, as many of their leaders have been arrested and their membership find it impossible to find work with the guilds due to Hephaestus’s anti-union policies. The Southlands chapter of the guild has been crushed into near-irrelevance, but the Ouerean Hearts persist - at least, for now. While many are forced to keep their membership secret to continue employment, others proudly bear the insignia of their guild still, agitating in Ouerean politics against the megacorporation’s power. Whether they will have any success is yet to be seen.
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==== The Aut'akh ====
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While the Aut’akh of Ouerea largely keep to themselves, they are still noteworthy in their actions. Though technically outlawed by Hegemony law, they are far from a priority for the government of Ouerea, and as such have been able to recruit and grow in relative safety. Though law enforcement does not actively pursue the Aut’akh, this is not the case for Hephaestus Industries, as the communes have been a consistent thorn in their side for years. Hephaestus equipment is often stolen or destroyed by Aut’akh saboteurs - both as materials for supporting the communes and as an act of resistance against corporate power.

As such, the Aut’akh of Ouerea have an odd status, where despite the [[Ouerea's Secret | esoteric]] and unusual nature of their faith, they are often viewed as synonymous with direct action against the Hegemony and Hephaestus. As such, they have found many allies in those who believe that foreign powers - whether corporate or feudal - must be driven from Ouerea by any means necessary. This is where the bulk of the Aut’akh communes on Ouerea recruit from - those who are driven to strike against their oppressors. While there are no known examples of a human or Skrell converting to the Unathi faith, they can often be seen regardless in places such as Aut’akh Valley, living and fighting alongside the augmented Unathi in the hope of freedom for their world.
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== Culture and Demographics ==
''See also: [[Aliens on Ouerea]]''
[[File:Ouerea Flag.png|400px|thumb|The modern day flag of Ouerea, first made during the Times of Growth, then changed slightly during the Rebellion to incorporate red stripes to represent the blood of the nobility. Because of this, the original Ouerean Flag is officially the flag of the planet.]]
Ouerea is a cultural breadbasket within the greater Hegemony, with an influx of native Unathi cultures seemingly blending into one another over the decades of colonisation and escape from the growing Wasteland, as well as foreign cultures that have adapted and been integrated – in particular, Skrell and Human influences that have settled across the planet. Despite its roots within an authoritarian feudal state, Ouerea has managed to break free of the iron first of the Hegemony’s cultural wars and develop a society that above all exemplifies community, freedom and democratic practices – through which must all continue by a constant effort to balance the scales between the colony and Moghes. Yet another element of Ouerean society is perseverance, stemming from the fact the original colonists could only rely on themselves thanks to the rudimentary technology available yielding a one-way trip with little capability for quick re-supply.

Compared to its Hegemonic counterparts, Ouerea prides itself on its meritocratic beliefs. Though initially there was pushback against these foreign ideas where one’s value is not measured by clan, birth or position, but instead through their own merits and accomplishments – originating from the original colonists who settled the planet, who could not trust any but each other for their own survival, no matter the position their fellow colonists might once have held. Nationality, position, or culture means nothing to any Ouerean, who will measure a person's true worth by what they do, for better or for worse. This extends not only to individuals but to entities, whether it be corporations, nation-states, or other groups. The only exception to this is Hegemonic, or Traditionalist, nobility. Ouereans almost universally scorn nobles, despite being ruled by one, especially those from the Hegemony, as they clearly remember both the Rebellion and the Months of Blood. Due to the sheer scale of the uprising in 2460, nearly every Ouerean has a clan member who was hurt or killed during it, and most blame the Hegemony and nobility for those deaths. This unique approach on the planet has blended into other elements of Unathi culture, in particular the structure of clans, as well as the influence they have within one’s life. It is particularly shunned across Ouerea that a Clan may exercise a hold over its members, something seen as sacred on Moghes – a person must be able to take whatever path of life they may elect without hindrance, which subsequently also leads to a decrease in extended familial bonds, with most Ouerean Sinta never meeting the entirety of their Clan, mostly knowing their immediate family and possible some extended family in rare circumstances. However, Ouereans are fiercely loyal to their inner circle, more so than their Moghesian counterparts. Differing heavily from Moghes where such is defined mostly by nobility or allegiance, on Ouerea the inner circle of an Ouerean is normally defined as their community. The first colonists of the planet had to rely on complete strangers in order to survive, and also were relied upon by complete strangers, so therefore have developed this much looser sense of community. Not necessarily of like-minded individuals, an Ouerean views their community as a group of people who will support each other through the thick and thin. To not belong to a community as an Ouerean is to be ostracized, a step apart from society, and therefore making it more difficult to find a community to belong to. Thankfully, most Ouereans are open to inviting new members into their communities, so long as they prove themselves first, in whatever deemed fit. This goes all the way down to friend groups, as they are a community in themselves. Once belonging to a community, Ouereans find themselves obligated to support it, as long as it supports them.

Loyalty to one’s inner circle, to one’s community, is above all else yet another important facet of Ouerean Culture – especially for Ouerean Unathi. Though, there have been instances where cultural contamination has bled into Non-Unathi Ouereans, where a clan-like structure isn’t unheard of within non-Unathi households, in particular Skrell have adapted their own communal habits seamlessly into what have been called “Semi-Clans”. Though community has far-reaching definitions thanks to its subjective nature, it has mostly come to be recognised as one’s immediate surroundings, where not contributing to one’s community – in some way or another – is seen as a societal taboo that results in being shunned, and possibly even ostracized for their inaction if it continues even after “encouraged” participation through shunning.

Not dissimilar to Moghes, betrayal on Ouerea is seen as the most abhorrent of all crimes, requiring only the harshest punishment. However, in other cultures betrayal is mostly a singular person, or small group exercise, as they go against the will of the majority. On Ouerea, the blade cuts both ways, especially in regards to communities. Being a member of a community does not only mean that one has a duty to it, it means that the rest of the community has a duty to the individual. Failing to give someone the support they need is considered to be betraying them, just as is one person failing to give the support required of them. This is most notable in the Ouerean Rebellion, where the main driver of the anger of the population was the feeling that they had been betrayed by the Hegemony, who were not giving them the support they needed. This sentiment spawned the well-known quote: “We will be loyal to the Hegemony as long as it is loyal to us.”

Perseverance is the last pillar of Ouerean culture. Given how much time during its history the planet has been all but cut off from Moghes, a sense of never giving up has all but set into the population. It could be in any matter - in pursuit of personal or career goals, enduring times of great difficulty or simply in hard work - but Ouereans are known across the Hegemony for their perseverance, even when others might have long-since given up. This applies not only to personal matters, but also to grander things. During the Ouerean Revolution, [[Notable Unathi#Lord_Admiral_Trazial_Yizarus,_Izharshan's_Bane|Lord Admiral Trazial Yizarus]] is apocryphally quoted as telling Not’zar Izweski that “We can win this war, Lord Regent - but not without leaving Ouerea more ruined than Moghes. Every man, woman and hatchling of that planet will break before they bend.” Whether or not he actually said this has never been confirmed, with the initial source of the quote being published in an Ouerean newspaper following the Revolution’s end - but it has become a popular saying in Ouerean culture nonetheless. Perseverance within Ouerean culture has taken on a new meaning after this sang rose to prominence, perseverance against the Hegemony and its feudal government; to perserverance in the upholding of Ouerean democracy. It is debatable whether Ouereans have been successful in this, but one thing is for certain; they have not given up yet.

=== Semi-Clans / Non-Traditional Customary Clans ===
Semi-Clans have become a cultural fascination across the Spur, at least to those interested in xenosocietal influences. Similarly operating to Moghesian Clans, with a “Head” or a “Chief”, more commonly just referred to as an “Elder”. These Semi-Clans have been given limited recognition within the Ouerean Federation by the Synod of Scales, where particular elements must be met before a Semi-Clan can be classified as being able to enjoy the legislative protections offered to Unathi Clans – more officially known as Non-Traditional Customary Clans.

Firstly, there must be '''at least fifteen volunteering members''', with some kind of familial ties – whether it be by blood, or by marriage. This has been met with criticisms from Skrell, claiming the [[Skrell Ailments#X'Lu'oa|X'Lu'oa]] has stunted their ability to grow these numbers, however, those from the Synod of Scales have accepted adoptions as being valid familial ties, offering a loophole to those unable to reach the prescribed minimum number. Secondly, each member or someone duly authorised on behalf of the members, must provide the written oaths of all those seeking to join the Non-Traditional Customary Clan to the Synod of Scales. Thirdly, there must be sufficient evidence that there is an interest for the Non-Traditional Customary Clan to be initiated – an independent one outside of merely enjoying legislative protection. It is common to claim financial assistance as an independent interest, merely having to prove an intention to help one another with pooled resources, to bypass this final requirement.

Once a Non-Traditional Customary Clan has been accepted by the Synod of Scales, it can enjoy both the legislative protections and drawbacks offered to Unathi Clans. This includes stipulations and provisions in Ouerean Customary Laws in both Marriage and Contracts, as well as any repercussions for not following them. Many larger families have chosen this route as a means of better integrating into Ouerea, and becoming accustomed to the forged blending of several elements of Unathi, Skrell and Human societies into a mixed cultural breadbasket.

=== Education ===
Education on Ouerea is very different to that on contemporary Moghes, being public and widespread instead of only reserved for the nobility. As a result of the Federation Administration approving the Synod of Scales request to increase funding for educational infrastructure, public schools can be found in nearly all Ouerean settlements, whether there be cities or small townships. The Ouerean population, therefore, has a much higher level of basic education than most Unathi, and alongside public schools, private acceptance schools are widespread for more specialized education. Being subsidized by the [[Izweski Nation|Hegemony]] who wish to advance the species into the modern age, these private schools will often not require payment to attend, instead only requiring that a citizen passes a certain test, or can demonstrate their skill in another form.

==== New Skalamar Pioneer’s Seminary ====
Created by religious authorities within New Skalamar, the Pioneer’s Seminary previously hailed itself for instilling traditional values within its scholars, but more importantly providing them necessary skills to further Ouerea’s development. This predominately manifested itself through teaching skills related to blue-collar industries: construction, farming, mining and any other necessary industries for “Ouerean Sustainability” – the motto of the Seminary. Though initially controlled by a Sk’akh majority during its early days, the introduction of other faiths, including alien faiths, has allowed it to develop a more holistic approach to what is defined as “traditional values”. Having moved from its primary purpose to teach early colonists, the Pioneer’s Seminary now offers several kinds of courses with “Guild Accreditation” – including Health Sciences, Natural Sciences, Astronomy and much more. With a more balanced teaching platform, with Skrell, Human and Unathi theories all seeing practical application, the New Skalamar Pioneer’s Seminary is slowly taking the lead against its Moghesian counterparts. It still maintains its more “religious” structure, even despite its acclimation to the new Ouerean society – where only religious figures maintain tenure.

=== Major Holidays ===
'''March 1st – Rebel’s Cry'''

Unofficially, officially recognized by the greater Ouerean community as being an homage to the Rebellion of February 29th, 2460. Rebel’s Cry, though relatively “new”, sees continued support from native Ouereans as they maintain a distance from their Moghesian Overlord, teetering a precarious balance between free democracy and feudal tyrany. It is generally regarded as being celebrated on March 1st, due to the nature of leap-years, but when the 29th of February does inevitably roll around, Ouerea expects to see hundreds if not thousands of celebrations across its cities.

'''September 28th – Democracy’s Founding'''

Mere weeks after the nuclear cataclysm of Moghes had engulfed the planet, a coalition government had been created by the Solarian Alliance and the Nralakk Federation in an attempt to provide stability in a time of crisis – successful in their attempt, representative democracy continued across the planet for close to three decades before royalist elements overthrew the Ouerean Federation. Democracy’s Founding is officially recognised as to when Ouerea began to unravel from the Hegemony’s clutches, seeking to build themselves a path amongst the stars.

'''October 11th - Pioneers' Landing'''

October 11th in the human calendar marks the initial colonisation of Ouerea - when the first five Unathi made planetfall, and transformed Ouerea from a dot in the night sky to a home. This is a joyous day of celebration amongst all three species present on Ouerea, honoring the persistent and independent spirit that has made the colony what it is today. Banners bearing the Ouerean flag and images of the initial colonists are often flown, and from the smallest village to the largest metropolis there is dancing, drinking and celebration in the streets - as all Ouereans, whether human, Skrell or Unathi, celebrate the work of those who came before them. This day tends to be viewed with less significance by Skrell, as most of the initial Skrell settlers of Ouerea are still alive.

=== Language ===
Language is a confusing topic across Ouerea, in that there exists a vibrant community of polyglots from all walks of life – exposed to languages and dialects from across dozens of planets from which native Ouereans had their ancestors hail from. Seeking to place equality on majority of the more “rooted” languages, the Ouerean Federation has recognised four languages as being instrumental to its continued development: [[Languages|Tau Ceti Basic, Solarian Common, Sinta’Unathi and Nral’malic]]. Though the most predominant language is Sinta’Unathi, Tau Ceti Basic is a close second thanks to its usage as a means of language wayfare – a common ground for which species use to understand eachother.

=== Refugees ===
Since the conclusion of the Ouerean Rebellion, and truly the [[Contact War]], Ouerea has become a sought after destination for refugees fleeing the destroyed environment of [[Moghes]] for the lush verdant jungles of Ouerea. These refugees, originally welcomed with open arms, have slowly become viewed as more of a nuisance by the native population, as outdated views are once again brought to the planet, housing becomes increasingly difficult to find and refugees resort to setting up shanty towns outside of major cities the likes of which can be found outside of Skalamar itself. In return, the refugees mostly view Ouereans as entitled, having been born to or simply fled before their new neighbours had a chance to. These shanty towns are often rife with crime, causing fear within the native population that the criminal activities seen in them will eventually spread to the streets of major cities.

The two negative opinions the groups share about the other have sometimes flared up into violent clashes, as natives and refugees riot attempting to drive the other out or enforce certain demands. With the commonality of such occurrences on the rise, they create a constant source of headaches for local Watchmen in the major cities, who need to expend resources trying to smother the flames before they get out of hand. As a result, and to keep a pool of cheap labour on [[Moghes]], the [[Izweski Nation|Hegemony]] has attempted to curtail the flow of refugees to Ouerea but has had little effect as smugglers remain rampant within the Uueoa-Esa system due to the ongoing scarcity. Those in power on Ouerea, and the Overlord most of all, view the non-stop flow of refugees with increasing concern, as fears of a possible crisis arising from the shanty towns begin to look more and more likely.

== Faith ==
=== Sk'akh on Ouerea ===
Most of the initial colonists of Ouerea were [[Sk'akh|Sk’akh]], with the first scientists and laborers sent to the colony pre-contact largely originating from the heartland of the faith. While New Skalamar had a small chapel, the Church itself did not pay much attention to the fledgling colony until the introduction of alien technology made travel from Moghes significantly faster and easier, leading to a rapid expansion of the colony.

Following this, settlement on Ouerea grew massively, and the Church began sending missionaries, funding the establishment of a proper Ouerean branch of the faith. The First Scept of Ouerea finished construction in 2415 - a truly impressive building, blending the grandeur of traditional Sk’akhist architecture with the advances of modern technology.

In 2458, with the return of feudal rule to the planet, Overlord Yiz’tek gained the right to appoint an Archpriest. His appointee was a priest from Moghes, in the hopes of showing the ‘proper spiritual path’ to the ‘wayward peasantry of Ouerea’. The first Archpriest of Ouerea was known as a man who cared more for the comforts offered to him by the Church than anything else, and descriptions of his lavish personal chambers in the First Scept of Ouerea were frequently spread among the rebels as examples of the evil feudalism had brought to their world.

Following the end of the Ouerean Revolution and the appointment of General Zik’san as the new Overlord, his predecessor’s Archpriest was unceremoniously dismissed due to claims of his ‘deep and wanton spiritual corruption’ - corroborated by the Ouerean clergy who had served under him. A staunch follower of Sk’akh, Zik’san appointed a new Archpriest from among the Ouerean priesthood, a priest by the name of Iloso Azente. After several months of negotiation with the High Priest on Moghes, Azente was accepted and sworn into his new position - to represent the Sk’akh faith as the Ouerean people practiced it, rather than to mindlessly enforce the will of the far-away Church.

The Sk’akh doctrine remains largely unchanged on Ouerea. However, it has been forced into adapting to the two great tests of the Ouerean experiment - the widespread presence of aliens, and the abolition of the feudal system. Archpriest Azente was one of the driving voices behind the recent doctrinal recognition of the gods of other alien species, and despite some protest from more conservative voices within the Church on Moghes he has welcomed dialogue with other faiths both Unathi and alien - the Hegemon’s grand theological conference in 2460, though not exactly a success in resolving religious tensions, was made possible due to the groundwork laid by Azente and the Ouerean church.

The rise of Ouerean democracy has shaped the Church on Ouerea. The Ouerean church places a greater importance on the free will endowed by Sk’akh to Their children - claiming that it is the Great Spirit’s will that the choice between honor and dishonor is individual, and that all Sinta must find their own path to the purpose aligned for them, instead of simply falling into the patterns of their birth. This independent spirit has been proclaimed heretical by some of Azente’s fellows in the Church, but he has never been officially censured for it. This focus on an individual’s path in life, and the idea of Sk’akh wishing for Their children to find their own way, means that the Ouerean church has absorbed more human ideas of gender, believing that it can be chosen independently of one's work or duties, with Archpriest Azente having applied the doctrine of Sk’akh’s perfect creation to the matter - if such a thing was unnatural, the Three in One would not create Sinta who felt in such a way. So far, this has gone either unnoticed or ignored by Azente’s fellow Archpriests, and the absence of a High Priest means there is little oversight to ensure he falls in line with the teachings of the Moghresian church. Some among the priesthood, both on Moghes and Ouerea, fear the potential of a schism whenever the Church appoints a new High Priest - but for now, at least, the Ouerean and Moghresian branches of the faith persist in an uneasy equilibrium.

=== Th'akh on Ouerea ===
Most of the followers of [[Th'akh]] on Ouerea arrived in the post-contact wave of colonists, with settlers from across the Hegemony recruited to settle the new world. As such, Ouerea is home to nearly every variation of Th’akh found on Moghes, though with those practiced in the regions of the former Traditionalist Coalition being less common. Shrines can be found across the planet dedicated to the Court of Stars, the Stone Lords of the [[Zazalai Mountains]], the River Court of the [[Southlands]] and a thousand other variations of the faith. While many keep to the traditions and rituals of their ancestors, the cosmopolitan and independent culture of Ouerea has shaped the practice of Th’akh on the planet.

There is much less of a focus on particular holy sites and ancestral spirits in Ouerean Th’akh - the Unathi on this world are the first and second generation of colonists. There are no honored ancestors who have walked before them on this world, and most believe that, while they watch Ouerea from the spirit world, their ancestors remain on Moghes. For better or for worse, Ouerean Th’akhists know that they will be the ancestors whose spirits are invoked by future generations, the founders of a new civilisation and a new world. This has led to the rise of what is known as Ouerean Syncretism by theological scholars, and simply ‘Ouerean Th’akh’ by others.

Ouerean Th’akh is a synthesis of a thousand variations on the faith - while the colonists all have their own spirit-gods and sacred rituals, their own clans and honored ancestors, they are all equally outsiders now, facing new spirits of a strange new world. The spirits of Ouerea are viewed as wilder and more primal forces than those of Moghes, solely forces of the elemental nature of the planet uninfluenced by the Sinta’Unathi. As such, many Th’akh shamans on Ouerea are equal parts teacher, preacher and survivalist - exemplifying the pioneering spirit of the first Ouereans in learning to work with the spirits of the new world, naming them and seeking to shape a harmonious relationship. Some of the more prominent among these shamans have been vocal in opposition to Hephaestus Industries’ expansion onto the planet, believing that their exploitation of Ouerea will lead to great spiritual misfortune across the planet.

Respect for both the old spirits of Moghes and the new spirits of Ouerea is the duality that shapes Ouerean Th’akh - its shamans teach that the colonists have brought their spirits with them in part, and that only through achieving a peace between the old and the new can one reach true harmony. Those who abandon their old ways and traditions completely may be dishonorable and bring shame to their ancestors - but those who cling to them and refuse to adapt will surely invite the wrath of the Ouerean spirits upon themselves. Widespread exposure to human and Skrell culture has also shaped Ouerean Th’akh in a way that most other variations of the faith have not yet seen. Humans and Skrell are recognized as having their own spirits that they carry with them, both ancestral and reflected in the Th’akh understanding of the alien religions. While there are no known alien converts to Th’akh, the shamans of the faith often seek to work closely with alien religious figures in furthering mutual understanding of both each other, and the world they must share.

Due to the nature of Th’akh, human and Skrell faiths are generally acknowledged as being equally real to Unathi ones - the Qeblak ‘spirits of the stars’ and the deities of the various human faiths are considered to be alien spirits brought here by their followers. They are not venerated by Ouerean Th’akhists, but offerings are sometimes given to them by Unathi who wish to gain their favor for dealing with Skrell and humans.

====Spirits of Ouerea====
===== Azsaei Zis Azua (Crimson-Toothed Liberty) =====
''“Red the blades and red the fires,''<br>
''Let our struggle only grow,''<br>
''Aid us ‘gainst the tyrant’s ire,''<br>
''Red your teeth that find his throat.”''<br>
-A common prayer to Azsaei Zis Azua from the days of the Revolution.

A new spirit that emerged during the years of feudal oppression, Azsaei Zis Azua (Sinta'Unathi: Crimson-Toothed Liberty) is believed to have been born on Ouerea, formed from the spirits of those who died at the hands of the tyrant Yiztek. It is a spirit of freedom, justice, change, and revolutionary violence. It is usually depicted as a young, androgynous Unathi, holding a flaming spear in one hand - though occasionally as a human or Skrell, as their souls are believed to have become part of Azsaei Zis Azua as they perished in the struggle against oppression.

Shrines to this Zyola are often built upon battlefields or sites of import to the Ouerean Revolution. It is often invoked in remembrance of the Ouerean people’s struggle for freedom, and Ouerean Unathi who feel they have been wronged in some way will often call upon it to grant them justice or vengeance. A statue of Azsaei Zis Azua, in its Unathi form, marks the entrance to the Synod of Scales - a solemn reminder to the new government that the freedom Ouerea prizes was not given, but won by blood. Shamans dedicating themselves to Crimson-Toothed Liberty are often political radicals, striving for further liberation of the Ouerean people whether by word or by blade. The spirit is often venerated by members of the Warriors of Liberty, and the party's official symbol is a stylized depiction of Azsaei Zis Azua's burning spear.

===== The Izoaei =====
A collective name for many of the zo’zyola of Ouerea, the Izoaei (Sinta-Unathi: Primordial) are considered to be formless and wild spirits, manifestations of the raw and elemental forces of the world - spirits of stone and wind and water, free from names or bonds that the spirits of Moghes hold. The shamans of Ouerea believe that it is their responsibility to shape the Izoaei, to keep them appeased and guide them into a new state of being. Shrines are rarely built to these nameless spirits, but offerings are commonplace - with shamans believing that it is important to allow the Izoaei to grow accustomed to the presence of life on their world, lest their wrath spell doom for the colony.

Shamans of the Izoaei are an odd blend of scientist, survivalist, and exorcist. Research and understanding of alien worlds is believed to be a method of both honoring and shaping the Izoaei - as Sinta come to better know their new world, so do the spirits of that world come to better understand Sinta. Many of these shamans will take extensive journeys into the Ouerean wilderness, in the hopes of coming to better know the Izoaei and to shape their presence into one that welcomes alien settlement. Shamans of the Izoaei will also often gather in preparation for or in the wake of natural disasters, providing aid in an attempt to bind or banish hostile Izoaei and to shield Ouerea against their harm. Veneration of the Izoaei has spread from Ouerea, with colonists on various [[Notable Unathi Colonies|other Hegemony worlds]] practicing similar rituals in order to overcome hostile environments.

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===== The Founders =====
The five Unathi who first set foot on Ouerea are viewed with immense respect by Ouerean civilization, often venerated as particularly revered ancestors - though they bear no blood relation to most modern Ouerean Unathi, they are ancestors in spirit to the modern-day colony. Historical sites often hold shrines to the Founders, and even non-Th’akh or even non-Unathi Ouereans will often leave offerings there in honor of the planet’s history.
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'''Zuakza Izoki, Speaker of Thunder'''

Born to a prominent Heartland noble clan, Zuakza Izoki was a graduate of the Skalamar Academy of Natural Sciences and one of the foremost astronauts of the Izweski Space Program, having been part of one of the first crews on Izweski Station. When the Ouerean mission was planned, he was reportedly hand-picked by the Hegemon to command it as captain of the IHV Venture. Captain Izoki oversaw the initial establishment of what would become New Skalamar, and lived long enough to see humans and Skrell arrive on the planet. He was one of the founders of the New Skalamar Pioneers’ Seminary, and a statue of him adorns its gates in the modern day. He died of old age in late 2429, with a planetary day of mourning declared in his honor shortly afterwards.

His title as a spirit is “Speaker of Thunder” - either in honor of his commanding presence or as a joke from his surviving crewmates about how his way of speaking was extremely irritating over several months in a confined space together, depending on who one asks. He is venerated as a symbol of leadership, courage, and the pioneering spirit of Ouerea. His symbol is a stylized Unathi claw, reaching upwards to grasp at a distant star.

'''Kiuhi Ahuos, Watcher of the Dark'''

The pilot of the IHV Venture, Kiuhi Ahuos was a distinguished warrior from an Izweski air regiment stationed in the Southlands. As the Izweski Space Program grew, Ahuos found himself working as a test pilot on several of the program’s early missions. He was severely injured during a failed re-entry in the 2460s, which reportedly left him walking with a cane for the remainder of his life. Following the establishment of the Ouerean colony and first contact, he returned to Moghes with honor, continuing to work with the space program on various missions. His final mission was one that would go down in Unathi history, serving as a navigator on the IHRV Uezwik’s Hope - the Hegemony’s first attempt at creating a warp-capable spacecraft. When the warp calculations proved incorrect, Ahuos was killed along with the rest of the ship’s crew.

As a spirit, his title is “Watcher of the Dark”, in reference to his status as one of the Hegemony’s first space pilots. Ouereans working offworld, particularly on spaceships or as pilots, will often make offerings to him to protect them, as his spirit is believed to watch over all Unathi abroad in the vastness of space. His symbol is a black Unathi eye, filled with a field of stars.

'''Skiaei Sazs - Bearer of Flame'''

The ship’s engineer aboard the Venture, Skiaei Sazs was a guildsman of the Construction Coalition and one of the space program’s most talented engineers. The Venture itself was a Sazs design, and they were handpicked by Captain Izoki for the mission. Following planetfall, Sazs was responsible for the assembly of the initial colony site, and is believed by some to be the patron spirit of modern New Skalamar itself. Though well into their old age, Sazs was one of the founders of Hegeranzi Starworks, and reportedly turned down the position of guildmaster there several times before their death. Sazs was known to work closely with Hephaestus Industries, and was reportedly an influential mentor of Yukal T’zakal during his early days working with Hephaestus. They perished from old age in 2452, in their office aboard Hegeranzi Starworks.

As a spirit, their title is “Bearer of Flame”, in reference to their contributions to interstellar engineering. A shrine to Sazs adorns Hegeranzi Starworks today, and Ouerean engineers will frequently make offerings to their spirit to bless the success of a project. Their symbol is a trail of fire, stretching towards a field of stars.

'''Kseok Ssu, Witness of Life'''

Originally from a minor noble clan of S’th, Dr. Kseok Ssu was an accomplished biologist from the Skalamar University of Medicine long before she was chosen for the Ouerean mission. After her arrival on Ouerea, Dr. Ssu was responsible for cataloging thousands of new species native to the planet, as well as for the successful introduction of Moghresian plants and animals to the Ouerean biosphere. She is remembered as one of history’s greatest xenobiologists by Unathi even beyond Ouerea, and was granted the position of planetary chapter-master by the House of Medicine for her contributions to the sciences. She traveled extensively following first contact, studying human and Skrell advances in xenobiology for nearly thirty years and giving several guest lectures at human universities - acquiring a reputation as something of a daredevil researcher in interstellar academic circles. Kseok Ssu disappeared in 2438, only a year before the beginning of the Contact War, departing on an expedition to catalog the alien fauna of the Arusha sector. Her title as a spirit is “Witness of Life”, and she is frequently venerated by healers, academics, and explorers on Ouerea - particularly those seeking to study the planet’s ecosystem. Shrines to her can be found in most Ouerean universities, and it is a common practice among students to leave offerings there to improve their academic performance.

'''Olzahi Ekzur - Eye of Stone'''

The ship’s surveyor, Olzahi Ekzur was responsible for much of the initial exploration and surveying of Ouerea following planetfall. During her time as a researcher for the space program, she was responsible for the launch of several probes to Ouerea, and selected the initial landing site personally. Following planetfall, she engaged in extensive study of the area surrounding the landing site, and much of the layout of New Skalamar today is based on her initial blueprints. Ekzur spearheaded much of the initial exploration of Ouerea, and spent a large amount of her time at the Sahhat Geographical Research Complex with visiting Skrell scientists, reportedly fascinated by their culture and advancements. Ekzur’s methodologies for planetary colonization were rapidly adopted, and have since become standard practice by Hegemony colonists throughout the Spur. In 2441, Ekzur was killed in a storm on the Azareazi Sea as part of an ongoing polar expedition. Survivors of the wreck reported that she refused to leave her research or her crew, and returned to the sinking ship several times in order to recover more.

As a spirit, her title is “Eye of Stone”, in reference to her blunt and unemotional demeanor, as well as her contributions to the field of geology. She is viewed as the patron spirit of explorers, scientists, and all those who seek to wander beyond the horizons of the known. Ouerean exploration and research programs often consecrate their missions in her name. Her symbol is a silhouetted Unathi figure, walking towards a stylized horizon.
</div></div>

=== Aut'akh on Ouerea ===
Ouerea is the birthplace of the [[Aut'akh|Aut’akh]] faith, with the secretive religion’s followers having revealed themselves to the Spur for the first time there, though its communes are now spread across the wider Spur. Its origins lie with a group of Th’akh scientists and engineers, the foremost among them being [[Notable Unathi#Emzal Paossini, Creator of Paradigms|Emzal Paossini]], the elusive archaeologist now known by the Aut’akh as the ‘Creator of Paradigms’.

These founders synthesized their Th’akh beliefs with Paossini’s studies of the ancient Sinta’Mador, and their ruins at the North Pole of Moghes, as well as the Ouerean ideas of self-governance to form the roots of what is now the Aut’akh faith. The Aut’akh of Ouerea exist in an odd state - despite the persecution throughout the wider Hegemony, the Ouerean government is largely content to leave them to their communes - and while some of the more militant among the Sk’akh and Th’akh faithful will occasionally call for stamping them out, this has yet to gain any traction.

The main opposition the Aut’akh face on Ouerea comes in the form of Hephaestus Industries, with the planet’s communes having stood in fierce opposition to the human megacorporation for years. Aut’akh salvagers will frequently launch raids on Hephaestus compounds or equipment, stealing synthetics, machinery and supplies to sabotage the corporation’s efforts and bolster their own communities. Over the years since the Ouerean Revolution and the rise of the Aut’akh faith, Hephaestus has extensively hired mercenaries from the Fighters’ Lodge to protect its investments on the planet - and to engage in borderline warfare against the Aut’akh wherever they may be found.

Following Hephaestus’s absorption of the Fighters’ Lodge as a subsidiary, their campaign against the Aut’akh of Ouerea has only heightened. Though the Confederation has yet to step in, rumors of Hephaestus-backed mercenaries burning Aut’akh communes and Aut’akh radicals engaging in sabotage against Hephaestus employees have spread like wildfire.

More information about the Aut’akh of Ouerea can be found [[Aut'akh#The_Aut'akh_Valley,_"the Originals" | here]].

=== Alien Religions ===
''See also: [[Aliens on Ouerea]]''

When the alien colonists came to Ouerea, they brought their gods with them. Nearly every religion that is common in either the Sol Alliance or Nralakk Federation can be found on the world. In New Skalamar, the First Scept of Ouerea is by far the largest religious building - but it is not alone, standing on what has become known as the Street of Ten Thousand Temples. Human, Skrell and Unathi sites of worship all stand there, visited by their myriad adherents - with some locals jokingly referring to it as ‘the holiest place in the Spur’. More information on the faiths of non-Sinta can be found [[Aliens_on_Ouerea#Alien_Religions|here]].

== Cities of Ouerea ==
The tropical regions around the Trizkizki and Riztizkzi Seas are the most populated areas of Ouerea - nearly all the major cities on the planet are located in and around this region. Due to its warmth making it ideal for Unathi biology, it was targeted from the beginning of the colonization process.

=== New Skalamar ===
The oldest city on Ouerea and capital of the planet, New Skalamar has humble beginnings - the reassembled shelter of five colonists, growing over the years into a ramshackle town and further into the bustling metropolis that it is today. A strange mixture of Unathi, human and Skrell-style architecture defines the city, with the Nralakk Federation and Solarian Alliance having played a major role in its expansion into a true city.

In the Founding District, lying at the center of the city on a plain of undisturbed grass, is the Pioneers’ Field - a near-perfect recreation of the pre-contact settlement built by the first Unathi to arrive on the planet. Statues of each of the five founders stand around it, and each of them was buried beneath its earth, having given all of themselves to the establishment of Ouerea as a thriving world. The Field is a popular spot for tourists, and the locals will often frequent it to remind themselves of the humble beginnings that their world rose from. One of the most famous images of the Ouerean Revolution shows a crowd of rebels - Skrell and Unathi alike - standing shoulder to shoulder on the Pioneers’ Field, refusing to bend or break before Overlord Yiztek’s forces. Frequently, the entrance to the Field is decorated with wreaths of flowers in tradition, or offerings to the restless spirits - honoring those who gave their lives in the Months of Blood and the Revolution, for the freedom and prosperity of their home.

Just a short distance south stands a building that has had many names - initially built as the Ouerean Colonial Administration building by the Nralakk-Sol government, briefly transformed into the seat of Overlord Yiztek, and then renamed again following the Revolution to the Synod of Scales, as the newly formed government of Ouerea took up residence there. The Founding District is filled with grand buildings, any one of which could have made a suitable seat for the newly-appointed Overlord - but so far, Overlord Zik’san has refused to name a proper seat, remaining instead in a modest home a short distance outside the city. While most of the Founding District consists of city or planetary government buildings, there is one exception. Looming over the skyline like a dagger aimed at Moghes, the Hephaestus Regional Branch Office - nicknamed by some locals as ‘the Titan’s Tower’ - is the center of the megacorporation’s operations on Ouerea, and is second only to the Skalamar office in importance to the corporation’s overall strategy in the Hegemony.

Not all of New Skalamar is so picturesque, however. Around the city’s docks, immigrant workers and refugees from Moghes have settled - hoping to find work and prosperity. Many of them have been left to languish, however, with the slums of the Docklands being known as a hotbed of organized - and disorganized - crime and poverty. Frequent calls are made in the Synod to address this issue, but no solution has yet been reached. Clashes between the Ouerean locals and the Moghresian arrivals are common, and many fear that if something is not done for the Docklands, they will erupt into outright war.

=== K'rath ===
A short distance to the east of New Skalamar, K’rath lies on the edge of the sea, in the foothills of the K’rath Mountains. Surrounded by a wide swathe of coastal lowland, it is considered by many to be one of the most beautiful cities on Ouerea - the bottle-green and tropically warm waters of the Trizkizki Sea stretch towards the Horizon, and the snow-capped mountains rise just a short distance to the south. By its locals, it is considered a paradise city, and the tourism industry of K’rath has thrived since the end of the Contact War, with wealthy nobles and guildsmen of Moghes seizing the opportunity to get away from their ruined world and take in the beauty of Ouerea.

The majority of K’rath’s residents are Unathi, with a large number of those wealthy enough to afford it having immigrated there following the end of the Contact War. During the days of feudalism on Ouerea, the region surrounding K’rath was quickly returned to the feudal way of life, with many of the farmers and fishers in the region suddenly finding themselves as serfs, with the rights they once held stripped away. The anger at this treatment, and at being forced to bow to the new lords of the region, exploded violently during the Revolution. Many of the nobility reigning over the K’rath region were executed by the rebels, and those who managed to escape now make up the core of the faction known as the Oldbloods - pointing to the killings carried out by the K’rath rebels as proof of the danger of Ouerean democracy.

K’rath still bears scars from the Revolution, with many of its grander and more luxurious hotels and resorts being rebuilt from the fighting. However, the tourists have begun to visit again, and though many of the locals complain about how their city now caters to the same parasites they once drove out, the influx of foreign wealth has greatly accelerated the rebuilding efforts. Its proximity to the ocean has given K’rath a large Xiialt Skrell population, with a small and insular district referred to as ‘Little Nralakk’ having sprung up on the waterfront. Many of the locals have leaned into the strange reputation of their species, offering services to tourists such as ‘psionic fortune readings and ‘psionic healing’ - neither of which tend to involve any actual psionics.

=== Um'a'yid ===
Um’a’yid lies on the western coast of the Trizkizki Sea, and is a major fishing port on Ouerea. It is home to the planetary guildhall of the Fishing League and has rapidly become one of the most prosperous chapters of the enormous guild. Since the beginning of the famine gripping the Hegemony, the Guild has brought in enormous amounts of labor from Moghes in order to expand fishing operations across the region. As Hephaestus Industries expands its aquacultural operations, it remains unclear as to whether or not the League will continue to keep its iron grasp on the city.

The city is currently majority Unathi, in large part due to the numbers of peasant workers and guildsmen brought in to assist the guild in its food production efforts. Prior to the guild’s expansion into the city, however, the population was fairly evenly split between the planet’s three species. As the Fishing League only recruits Unathi as full guildsmen, much of the work available in the city to humans and Skrell is limited, usually for much lower pay - though some with backgrounds in xenobiology or environmental science have managed to secure prestigious advisory positions to the guild, and have been instrumental in the establishment of some of the guild’s existing aquacultural centers across Ouerea.

For the rest, however, the most common work is on the city’s docks or as non-guild labor on fishing boats. The low pay of non-guildsmen has meant that many humans and Skrell have left the city in recent years, with many of them seeking similar work in the employ of Hephaestus Industries.

Following Hephaestus’s buyout of the Fishing League, however, the situation has changed, with the newly acquired subsidiary being required to pay its non-guild workers the same wage that a guildsman in the same position would earn. This has been instrumental in building goodwill towards Hephaestus among the city’s alien population - though many of the guildsmen resent their new employers for trivializing their difficulties in earning their position in the guild.

=== Tr’ha’rem ===
Along the land bridge separating the Trizkizki and Riztizkzi Seas lies the city of Tr’ha’rem, a major shipping port on Ouerea. Nearly all cargo bound to and from Z’ek or Sahat passes through the city, and the massive tropical rainforests surrounding the city have proven very valuable for logging and farming. A spicy fruit known as kizau (A Sinta’Unathi word meaning ‘sweet sting’) is an extremely popular export from the city, which sees frequent use in Ouerean cuisine, being one of the rare foodstuffs to have proved equally popular among Skrell, humans and Unathi alike.

Due to its position on the northern edge of the Ouerean equator, Tr’ha’rem is less hot and humid than most of the planet. This has made it a popular destination for non-Ouereans, as it is widely considered to be more livable. Tr’ha’rem is also home to one of the larger human communities on Ouerea - though colonists came from many different parts of Solarian space, largely in the employ of megacorporations, traveling halfway across the Spur is not something done lightly, and generally only by those with little to gain remaining on their homeworld. Perhaps it is unsurprising, then, that a large number of [[Mars|Martians]] wound up living and working on Ouerea, primarily in the employ of Hephaestus Industries. As its climate is more bearable year-round for humans, a great many of these workers dwell in Tr’ha’rem, with a district near the city’s docks being named "New Olympia" by its residents. The locals tend to view Hephaestus favorably and have bitter feelings towards the Solarian Alliance, which were only amplified by the Violet Dawn disaster of 2462. Though many of them have not seen Mars in decades, if at all, they still consider themselves as Martian as they are Ouerean, and many of the locals have donated extensively to relief efforts following the disaster.

Due to its large human population, Tr’ha’rem often plays a key role in many human-centric political developments. Some of the earliest fires of the Ouerean Revolution were sparked in the streets of New Olympia, and since the establishment of the Confederation, it has been a key part of the campaign for human representation on the Synod of Scales. Though the Hegemony is unwilling to allow aliens to hold power over Sinta, the humans of Tr’ha’rem have fiercely agitated for at the very least an observer similar to that which the Skrell of Ouerea have. So far, this campaign has not been met with any official response, with the believed reasoning being very few humans have fully settled on the planet as the Skrell did, instead being there as megacorporate workers.

=== Xrqii-Zek'Qlip ===
A small settlement in the Z’ek Crater, the town of Xrqii-Zek'Qlip (often abbreviated to Zek by non-Skrell) is considered to be a gateway to a tropical paradise - for humans and Skrell, anyway. The humidity in the region is generally considered too much to bear for Unathi due to it causing embarrassing and frequent fungal infections of the scales. As such, there are very few Unathi inhabiting this region, though the warm and idyllic tropical waters are a perfect environment for Xiialt Skrell, who make up a majority of the small settlement’s population.

Though briefly settled by Unathi at one point, with the village of Zek being the first settlement on the island, the constant humidity and scale infections led to most of the settlers rapidly leaving. Following their departure, the Nralakk Federation considered the use of the islands as an environmental research facility, and it was their surveying which led to the discovery of their ideal conditions for Skrell. Though the Federation decided against it, moving their efforts elsewhere, this was what attracted the second wave of settlers to come to the island. The Skrell that moved here would name their town after the original settlement in respect to the native Unathi who originally tried living here.

The islands of the Z’ek crater are considered to be one of the wonders of Ouerea, looking like the archetypal island paradise. While most of the locals make their living largely off fishing or farming, the small town has seen a boom of late, as the Ouerean government wishes to further exploration into the Azareazi Sea to the south, which is still unsettled and not nearly as well-explored as the equatorial region of Ouerea. As Xrqii-Zek'Qlip is the closest settlement, in recent years the town has become a frequent stopping point for researchers and supply shipments bound south, to various research bases.

=== Sahhat ===
Far to the east of the Riztizkzi Sea lies the Sahhat Crater - a volcanic crater in the middle of the savannah. Aside from the grassland around it, the middle of the crater holds a large and very deep lake, branching off into unexplored underwater caverns. The beauty of the crater, and its warm yet not unpleasant waters, have led to it becoming something of a tourist destination, with the small town of Sahhat catering to the wealthy Unathi, humans and Skrell who come to visit.

Originally, Sahhat was the site of the Sahhat Geographical Research Complex - a Nralakk Federation scientific outpost dedicated to understanding the unique biosphere of the underwater caverns of the crater. Following the Federation’s withdrawal from Ouerea, the facility stood abandoned, though it has since been reopened as a museum dedicated to the unique flora and fauna found in the caverns.

A small settlement arose over time near the research base, as primarily Unathi settlers from the core of the colony ventured out to the region, and formed what is now the town of Sahhat. The town largely existed to support the research base, but the friendships built over many years between the two groups led to a few of the Skrell scientists choosing to remain on Ouerea when the Federation left. Now, Sahhat is a beautiful town, looming over the crater and descending down the cliffsides of the ancient volcanoes. It offers every luxury - fine food and drink from human, Skrell and Unathi culinary traditions, entertainment in its small yet thriving theatrical district, and the unique sights of diving into the crater itself and exploring the scenic underwater caverns. While this is a profitable industry, and usually divers are accompanied by a Skrell guide - every now and then a foolhardy tourist will dive into the crater’s water and never resurface.

Likely, they simply got lost in the caves and ran out of oxygen. Some of the locals, however, whisper of something more sinister - an alien beast lurking in the depths of the Sahhat Crater, picking off tourists when it sees the opportunity. Though some have sought out to hunt whatever monster this may be, none of these parties have ever turned up anything, leading most serious scholars to conclude that the ‘Sahhat Leviathan’ is nothing more than a ghost story to sell souvenirs.

[[Category:Planets and Systems]]
[[Category:Unathi]]

Skrell Politics

2024-08-11T03:20:49Z

RustingWithYou: /* Izweski Hegemony */ NBOW relationship update

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= Politics =
== Government Structure ==
[[file:jargon_flag.jpg|thumb|right|360px]|The flag of the Nralakk Federation]]

The Nralakk Federation has most of its power centred around the '''Federal Government''', the central body that legislates and governs for the Federation as a whole which is led by the '''Grand Council'''. While the Federal Government oversees external relations as well as the overall governing of the Federation, the '''Sector Government''' oversees the regular day-to-day operations of a sector and its systems and planets, and is led by the '''Sector Councillor'''. Each level of government in the Nralakk Federation will have a council structure of some sort, where several members of equal authority come together to form a council with either shared authority - or under a single authority in some cases similarly to the Grand Council itself.

Positions within the Government follow a strict hierarchical structure, outlined below:

* '''Borough Councillor''' - This is the lowest and most local Government position recognised by the State. The definition varies, but boroughs are typically divisions of a town or city, with the number varying based on size. How the division is decided is based entirely on the local '''Magistrate''', with the '''Regional Governor''' approving the final proposal. The borough councils are set up in a triumvirate structure and typically provide local services such as garbage collection and community event organisation. They are also responsible for cooperating with Federal Officials when it comes to auditing [[C%27thur_in_the_Federation#Citizenship|C'thurian]] hive-cells living in the borough or having local Diona prepare for their [[Diona_in_the_Federation#The_Citizenship_Test|citizenship exam]]. Borough councils together form the local '''town or city council''', where they make decisions that will affect the entire locality, rather than just their own borough.

* '''Magistrate''' - A Magistrate's role can be seen as similar to a mayoral position. Their main responsibilities involve organising the local councils and providing guidance where required, as well as heading ceremonial duties and council meetings. Magistrates also act on behalf of their locality by forming the main council for the '''Regional Governor'''.

* '''Regional Governor''' - A Regional Governor oversees entire regions on a planet. Typically this is divided by continent, but can also be divided by island chains or other geographic lines. Regional Governors will provide the main administrative decision-making for their region, ensuring that the region they govern performs to an acceptable standard. Regional Governors will form a council with and answer to the '''Planetary Governor'''.

*'''Planetary Governor''' - The Planetary Governor oversees the administration of entire planets in a system. They follow the directives of the '''System Councillor''', ensuring that a planet is productive and adheres to the standards outlined for their system.

'''Installation Directors''' also exist, whose authority depends on the facility in question. Facilities that require governance vary, but range from habitats or industrial facilities orbiting populated planets to large mining structures or research installations in systems only exploited for their resources or for scientific pursuits. The authority of an Installation Director can either be equivalent to a '''Regional Governor''' if orbiting an inhabited planet, or a '''Planetary Governor''' if it is the sole facility on or orbiting a planet.

*'''System Councillor''' - System councillors administrate entire systems. They are responsible for ensuring that the planets and installations in their system are providing their assigned portion of the system's quota as outlined by their '''Sector Councillor''', as well as ensuring that requests for Federal assistance in the form of funding, disaster relief, or other resources are sent through the proper channels. In the event that a system only contains installations, one of the '''Installation Directors''' will be assigned the role of System Councillor.

*'''Sector Councillor''' - The six Sector Councillors govern one of the '''Sectors''' assigned to them by the '''Grand Councillor'''. They are responsible for ensuring that each sector is able to achieve the agenda as set out by '''Grand Council''', which they are a part of.

== Grand Council ==
[[File:GrandCouncil.png|thumb|right|300px|The emblem of the Grand Council.]]
'''Wuqrnjeq-Qu'Nralakk''' (Grand Council of the Nralakk Federation) is the supreme ruling body of the entirety of the Nralakk Federation. The Council will utilize subspace communication frequencies for non-essential meetings but is expected to return to Qerrbalak to attend an annual meeting held in Kal'lo, or in the event of an emergency. The Grand Council is renowned for its swift response to events in the Federation, but the bureaucratic nature of the Federation and its byzantine-like regulations open the way for criticism. Despite the Grand Council being quick to react, it can still take weeks or months for a final decision to be made as every outcome is considered.

====History====
First formed after the unification of the three nations of Qerrbalak into the [[Skrell_Early_History#The_War_of_the_Tides_and_Skrell_Space_Age|Commonwealth of the Three]], the Grand Council was designed to oversee matters such as colonization, space exploration and to create a monolithic approach to society. Positions were quickly filled by those elected by their peers - with most coming from the precursor nations; the Heshyu Council, the Tzqul Republic, and the Weshqi Republic. With the formation of the [[Skrell_Early_History#The_War_of_the_Tides_and_Skrell_Space_Age|First Nralakk Federation]] in '''878 CE''', the Grand Council became the main governing body of the new union.

The Grand Council would see itself subsumed after the rise of Glorsh-Omega who deemed it unnecessary as the intelligence could easily, and much more quickly, respond to any issues that would arise - even preventing issues entirely through the use of predictive algorithms and its tyrannical rule. After [[Skrell_Synthetic_Age#Culmination_of_Glorsh-Omega|Glorsh-Omega's disappearance]] following the Tri-Qyu Calamity, it left the remnants of the Federation scrambling as planets were left to fend for themselves in the chaotic aftermath of Glorsh's sudden disappearance. It wasn't until the formation of the [[Skrell_Recent_History#Reunification_of_the_Nralakk_Federation|Second Nralakk Federation]] in '''2245 CE'' that the Grand Council was reinstated. The aims of such were exceptionally different from those that had guided the Skrell almost a millennia ago, with importance being placed on reintroducing the fragmented colonies back into the fold, reactivating the Nlom Relays disabled by the singularity caused by Glorsh-Omega, and reestablishing their dominance of the stars.

It wasn't until this second iteration of the Grand Council that it was decided that a singular Head of State would be required, prompting the creation of the '''Grand Councillor''' title. The Grand Councillor is expected to lead the Federation and its citizens into eras of prosperity, and to ensure the continued existence of the Skrell. [[Notable_Skrell#Tiipis_Yla|Tiipis Yla]], the first Grand Councillor, was elected thanks to their heroic efforts spearheading the revolt against Glorsh-Omega, and their proposed ban on any artificial intelligence within the borders of the Federation. Their role in the [[Skrell_Synthetic_Age#Culmination_of_Glorsh-Omega|resistance]] during Glorsh-Omegas rule and their staunch anti-AI stance secured their position as Grand Councillor until their death almost a century after they came into power.

Grand Councillor [[Notable_Skrell#Rixa_Tep-Wul|Rixa Tep-Wul]] succeeded Councillor Tiipis Yla after their death in '''2305''', winning the election with a platform promising to further reintegrate the fringe sectors of the Traverse that did not yet rejoin the Nralakk Federation. Their tenure as Grand Councillor is looked back on with mixed feelings; while their administration did see stability and steady growth, many Skrell today are quick to point out the setbacks, mistakes, and inefficient decision-making of Tep-Wul. Tep-Wul's time as Grand Councillor saw the widespread use of [[Federation_Crime_and_Resistance#Uoo’qui_Xuqi_(Recollection_Pills)|recollection pills]], the reintegration of many Traverse worlds, [[Skrell_Recent_History#First_Contact|first contact]] with Humanity - and the subsequent leak of AI designs that led to humans creating true Artificial Intelligence.

Today, the Grand Council is headed by Grand Councillor [[Notable_Skrell#Weashbi_Jrugl|Weashbi Jrugl]], who succeeded Tep-Wul in the '''2453 elections'''. Grand Councillor Jrugl's first term saw great success as it reintegrated the rest of the Traverse, while his second term has seen both success and misfortune - the most recent being the [[The_Phoron_Scarcity:_Skrell_Arc|Phoron Crisis]] and being forced to enact martial law in the [[link to ITM arc writeup here|Q'elpi]] system as a result of it.

====Composition====
[[File:Jargon3.png|400px|thumb|alt=Composition|A visual representation of the composition of the Grand Council of the Nralakk Federation.]]
The composition of the Grand Council is as follows:

*'''Grand Councillor''':

The titleholder is expected to engage with the respective branches of the Federation: Executive, Judicial and Legislative. They are to utilize such to ensure sustainable development of all aspects in [[Skrell Culture| Skrell Society]].

*'''Sector Councillors''':

The leaders of the six sectors of the Nralakk Federation, these councillors are expected to co-operate with the Grand Councillor, and relay information to and from the systems they oversee. Alongside the Grand Councillor, these members of the Council oversee policy, laws, direction and hold the most direct control over the Federation as a whole.

*'''Advisory Council''':

The advisory council is comprised of Skrell that are selected by the Grand Councillor to provide advice when requested. Typically selected among idols that have made a profound impact in their respective fields. [[Change_on_the_Horizon_Arc|Recently]], former members of the [[Skrell_Politics#Independent_Traverser_Movement|Independent Traverser Movement]] were added to the Advisory Council by Councillor Jrugl on the basis that they were "required certain individuals to best keep the interests of the Traverse in mind.".

*'''Public Sector''':

The Public Sector is a collective of Skrell important to the functioning of society; composed of [[Skrell Politics|Representatives]], [[Skrell Culture|Idols]] and bureaucrats. While the advisory council can consist of any Skrell, personally selected by the Grand Councillor, members of the public sector are almost always the top-performing members of their interest group.

== Representatives ==

The Nralakk Federation's external diplomacy is handled primarily by its '''Representatives''', several hundred individuals who take up ambassadorial positions between the Federation and foreign entities. Each Representative is recognised by the Grand Council as an individual of merit, who holds the Federation's best interests at heart and is entrusted to represent the Nralakk Federation abroad.

Representatives are tasked with studying the society of the entity they will be interacting with extensively. While focusing on culture and politics, this can also include history and any other number of topics that the Representative deems important for their work - effectively making them experts on their '''Entity of Interest'''.

The responsibilities a Representative may have are based primarily on seniority; older Representatives who have shown an aptitude for politics and diplomacy over the years will be able to choose positions that are more important or desirable, while younger members will either be tasked with shadowing a senior Representative as part of an attaché or given a smaller pool of options to choose from. Representatives who share an Entity of Interest will work together as a group to form a diplomatic corps for that entity, which can be as centralised or decentralised as needed to better represent and protect the interests of the Nralakk Federation.

Representatives will see themselves propelled into idol status as a result of their work, especially if their Entity of Interest is of particular importance to the Nralakk Federation. These individuals are expected to be well-versed in politics and to go above and beyond the standards set by the Federation for its citizens and are under minute security by the Grand Council as a result. Even rumours of a potential scandal are enough for a Representative to be recalled, especially for Representatives interacting with high-profile entities, such as the Federation's long-term ally the [[Sol_Alliance|Solarian Alliance]] or the economically strategic [[Republic of Biesel]].

== Political Parties and Schools of Thought ==

The Nralakk Federation has two main schools of thought in modern politics which influence the ideology of its citizens and political parties:

*'''Symbiosis:''' The mainstream ideology within the Nralakk Federation; it broadly follows the principles of welcoming foreign people, concepts, and ideas into Skrell society while still holding onto the core ideals that have guided the Skrell for millennia. Its broadness means Symbiosists is susceptible to change, as old ideas adapted for Skrell society are phased out for new ones as time goes on. Doctrines revolve around cooperation with other species and promoting the Nralakk Federation as a guiding hand to the "lesser" nations of the Orion Spur.

*'''Isolationism:''' A deeply conservative ideology that's been steadily growing within the Nralakk Federation in the last century. Skrell Isolationism dictates the need for the Federation and Skrell society as a whole to retract themselves from the affairs of the Orion Spur, only involving themselves if events affect the Federation directly. Doctrines revolve around the establishment of a pro-Skrell status quo, self-sufficiency of the Federation, and the following of Skrellian tradition.

*'''Progressivism:''' Technically not an ideology by itself, Progressivism is a catch-all for "radicals" within Symbiosist or Isolationist followings. Progressivism focuses on the continuous pursuit of Federation dominion in the Orion Spur, whether it be through cultural, economic, scientific, technological, or military superiority. For example, Symbiosist Progressives will heavily promote human ideas or culture within Federation society as a means of improving the Federation. At the same time, Isolationist Progressives will call for a complete cut-off of the Federation from outside influences and rely on older traditions or ideas to guide the Nralakk Federation forward.

=== Political Parties ===

Throughout the history of the Nralakk Federation, politicians ran as independents during elections with no official backing from large political entities. While candidates routinely seek support from [[Federation_Crime_and_Resistance#Consultant_Agencies|Consultant Agencies]] to help organise or support their campaign, formal political parties did not exist as they do in the rest of the Spur, and candidates instead relied on basing their platform on their own personal ideology that is based on one of the prevailing schools of thought.

After the Independent Traverser Movement and Grand Council finished their [[Change_on_the_Horizon_Arc|negotiations]], the Grand Council announced the formation of formal political parties in Federation politics as part of the reforms passed as part of the '''Traverse Accords'''. The leaders of these parties have permanent advisor seats on the Grand Council, and will be expected to represent and propose policies in line with their party's policies.

===United Federation===

''"Progress is vital to the continued existence of the Nralakk Federation, but that progress must be carefully navigated. Stagnation and corruption threaten to destroy what we have built over the millennia and must be combatted at every opportunity."''

The United Federation Party is headed by Grand Councillor [[Notable_Skrell#Weashbi_Jrugl|Weashbi Jrugl]], and is currently the ruling party within the Nralakk Federation. The party follows a moderate Symbiosist ideology, welcoming new ideas that benefit the Federation and believing in a slow-and-steady approach to enacting new policies.

Policies of note:

*'''Reforms''': Reforms will be considered as long as they are for the betterment of the Federation and do not go against Skrell ideals. The United Federation party is especially interested in policies that will improve the Federation's standing in wider Spur politics and reforms that further uplift its citizens.
*'''Megacorporations''': Megacorporations will be allowed to continue operating within Federation space, but their impact on the Federation as a whole and the Skrellian way of life will be closely monitored. Megacorporations will be under strict regulation while operating within the Nralakk Federation's borders.
*'''Foreign Policy''': The United Federation plans to continue and improve upon its relations with the Solarian Alliance, while at the same time creating and improving upon relations with other nations within the Orion Spur.
*'''Traverse Autonomy''': There are no active plans to reduce or expand on the autonomy of the Traverse.
*'''Nlom Relays''': The Nlom Relay network is considered vital to the continued existence of the Nralakk Federation, and a vital link between Skrell across all worlds within Federation space.

===The Homeworld Traditionalist Coalition===

''"Tradition and the upholding of our species' values are vital to keeping the Nralakk Federation intact. New ideas should be challenged before they are accepted, and change should only be made when it is clear that it benefits the Federation as a whole."''

The Homeworld Traditionalist Coalition is a moderate Isolationist party, led by Tuz'qlip Researchers' Overseer [[Notable_Skrell#Nalo_Gir-Roq|Nalo Gir-Roq]]. The Coalition aims to maintain the culture and traditions of the Nralakk Federation where possible, and seeks to close off the Federation from outside influences.

Policies of note:

*'''Reforms''': Reforms should be enacted only as necessary for the preservation of the Federation and its goals.
*'''Megacorporations''': Megacorporation activity within the Federation is a matter of concern for the Coalition, and foreign influence in the economy and internal affairs should be heavily considered before they should be allowed to expand operations within Federation space. This said, the Coalition currently has no policies planned that would mean the expulsion of megacorporations from the Nralakk Federation.
*'''Foreign Policy''': While current relations with the Solarian Alliance should be sustained, the Homeworld Traditionalist Coalition believes that the Federation should stay out of wider Spur affairs.
*'''Traverse Autonomy''': The Coalition seeks to reintroduce old policies regarding the Traverse, reducing their autonomy greatly and centralising government authority across all sectors of Federation space.
*'''Nlom Relays''': The Federation's Nlom Relay network is considered vital to the trans stellar infrastructure of the Nralakk Federation, enabling a strong, unified nation that works towards the interests of the collective rather than the individual.

===The Federalist League===

''"For the many, not the few. The Nralakk Federation was founded on this idea. Through the equal division of power between all parts of our union, we can build a stronger, more focused nation that can adequately uphold the ideas it was founded upon."''

The Federalist League is led by Advisor [[Notable_Skrell#Ormish_Jrolk|Ormish Jrolk]], and seeks to create a true Federalist state where each part of the Federation has an equal part to play in its organisation. A progressive Symbiosist party, the League wishes to further ties to both megacorporations and foreign powers to further strengthen the Federation.

Policies of note:

*'''Reforms''': The League plans to implement extensive reforms in all areas of Federation society, focusing on equal power between all sectors of government and all citizens. The League also puts an emphasis on economic reform, due to Jrolk's first-hand experience in dealing with the [[The_Phoron_Scarcity:_Skrell_Arc|Phoron Crisis]] and its impact on the Federation.
*'''Megacorporations''': Megacorporate investment into the Nralakk Federation's economy is considered critical in response to the Phoron Crisis. Special Economic Zones introduced by Weashbi Jrugl are not considered effective enough, and cooperation between the megacorporations and State-Owned Enterprises should be encouraged without also encouraging competition.
*'''Foreign Policy''': The Federalist League plans to continue the Federation's relations with the Solarian Alliance, including cooperating in securing national borders with the human Wildlands. Experience with warlords such as [[The_Beauchamp_Arc|Beauchamp]], as well as increased risks related to piracy and banditry against Skrell, have led the League to adopt a more proactive stance in protecting the national security of the Federation.
*'''Traverse Autonomy''': The primary goal of the Federalist League is to create an equal-party nation, making Traverse Autonomy a topic of major importance for the party. The League will pursue additional rights and freedoms for sectors outside of the inner systems wherever possible.
*'''Nlom Relays''': The Nlom Relay network is not considered vital for the continued existence of the Nralakk Federation. Each state should be allowed to have the right to choose whether or not they want to enable, disable, or otherwise change how the network impacts them.

===The Free Skrell Union===

''"An economy without needless interference is an economy that performs well. Our fellow star travellers in humanity have flourished in a fraction of the time it took us to, and the Federation should take their ideas and mould them into something more compatible with Skrellian society, if not adopted in their entirety. The adoption of a free open market and receptiveness to change are vital for the continued prosperity of our nation."''

The Free Skrell Union is led by [[Notable_Skrell#Yoana_Ji'ko|Yoana Ji'ko]]. A progressive Symbiosist party heavily influenced by its leader's experiences as a Representative to the Republic of Biesel, the party has a focus on economic growth through megacorporate involvement and strengthening ties with the Republic of Biesel.

Policies of note:

*'''Reforms''': The Union's main focus is on economic reform, with no current plans to enact or repeal social or political reforms unless necessary for the continued function of the Nralakk Federation.
*'''Megacorporations''': Megacorporate involvement in the Federation's economy is a core issue of the Free Skrell Union. Megacorporate operations are considered vital to the growth of the Nralakk Federation's economy, and their expansion within Federation space is deemed a priority. Unlike the Federalist League, the Union wishes to encourage competition and rivalry between megacorporations and the State-Owned Enterprises, believing that competition is key to innovation and economic success.
*'''Foreign Policy''': The Union will attempt to continue the Federation's current relationship with the Solarian Alliance while at the same time furthering relations with the Republic of Biesel. The Free Skrell Union has no special interest in developing relations with any other entity elsewhere in the Spur.
*'''Traverse Autonomy''': Traverse autonomy is not a concern for the Free Skrell Union, but does believe that megacorporations are key to further developing the Traverse and industries found within it. No plans are in place, but party members have expressed an interest in creating corporate-controlled colonies and installations within the Traverse.
*'''Nlom Relays''': The Nlom Relay Network is considered a hindrance to the cultivation of ideas and innovation within Skrellian society. Policies regarding the limitation or dismantlement of the network will be pursued by the party where possible.

== Federation Enforcement ==
Enforcers, or Kala, are responsible for upholding the law within the Nralakk Federation. Functioning in a strict hierarchy, the Kala are governed by a legislative body known as the Nralakk Federation Security Council. Formed in '''901 CE''' as a means to unify all enforcement branches after the unification of the Commonwealth of the Three, the Kala were regarded one of the most important bodies of the Nralakk Federation, as Skrell who devote their lives to ensuring the wellbeing of others and their society.

Their doctrines revolve around mobility, flexibility and precision. Whereas other units use a blunt approach, the Kala instead aim for the permanent neutralization of the situation - surgically striking to prevent it from growing out of control. Presently, the Kala maintain two core objectives. Firstly, ensuring the safety, security and cooperation of all systems under the Federation flag and protecting their borders. Secondly, reaching out to foreign communities outside their borders, be it within the Traverse or even the human Frontier. Representatives describe these operations as purely altruistic, aiding these communities both from a protection and economic point of view as part of the "Unity Initiative Project". One such example of these operations was the Nralakk Federation's involvement in the [[Tajaran_Military_Structures#The_S.27rend.27marr_Coalition|S'rend'marr Coalition]]. The Skrell civilians providing [https://forums.aurorastation.org/topic/4674-warble-inquirer/page/2/?tab=comments#comment-123991 aid] there suffered little casualties, with the advanced technology of their nlomkala protectors dissuading any ALA strikes.

[[File:Srom.PNG|thumb|125px|The unique emblem of the Sromkala]]
==Sromkala==
''"Prevent & Protect."''

Sromkala, translating to Dream Enforcers, are Skrell selected to ensure that major planetary dreambubbles are safe from malicious lucidity. Agents are selected for their high psychic potential to oversee the Srom to ensure that no illegal or anti-Federation activities occur, particularly through the malicious use of Nlom-capable devices. They are commonly situated close to Nlom Relays - using the technology to amplify their capabilities tenfold. It is said that for every Nlom Relay across the Nralakk Federation, there is a Sromkala nestled within a special cryogenic pod that allows for their body to be in suspended animation, but allows their minds to project and continue working within Srom.
[[File:Nlom.PNG|thumb|125px|The unique emblem of the Nlomkala.]]

==Nlomkala==
''"Service with Excellence."''

Nlomkala, or Wake Enforcers, are often compared to police across alien space. The Nlomkala are expected to ensure the stability and safety of the Nralakk Federation at a physical level; mostly pertaining to simple duties such as patrolling, executing warrants and responding to emergencies relayed by the Ruupkala. There are extensive requisites to join the Nlomkala - ranging from athletic ability, understanding of the law and mandatory public relation classes to ensure that those selected to join can respond to situations correctly. Nlomkala are also expected to operate both on land and beneath the waves of the various planets across the Nralakk Federation.

Recently, the C'thur Hive has began to supply the Nlomkala with Vaurca Warriors to bolster the Nlomkala's forces. These Warriors are largely from [[Vytel]]'s brood and have been loyalty implanted, making the Federation's orders equal to those of a Queen's. If the Warriors experience a conflict of interest, they enter hibernation until it's resolved. Thankfully, due to Vaurca adaptability, these Warriors function just as well underwater as above it.
[[File:Ruup.PNG|thumb|125px|The unique emblem of the Ruupkala.]]

==Ruupkala==
''"Always Vigilant."''

Ruupkala - or Intelligence Enforcers - are the Federation's official security intelligence agency, designed around the need to maintain Skrell harmony as unobtrusively as possible and ensure a safe position in galactic politics. While one of the most respected Kala, their agents are often characterised as the least martially inclined of the enforcement branches, owing in part to Federation media's efforts to present them as dedicated and principled data gatherers. Similarly, the agency's role is declared strictly as internal and focused on counterintelligence; public Federation figures often praise the Ruupkala non-interventionist policy and dismiss accusations of espionage as ignorant of Federation policy, or malicious. The only exception to their internal operations policy, Ruupkala also tend to keep tabs on the various Representatives throughout the Orion Spur, ensuring both their safety and that their work is satisfactory. Largely, this is accepted by most nations as the Ruupkala will only monitor the Representatives and not interfere with any diplomatic functions in any capacity.

The Ruupkala are rumored to monitor the fabled “Drylist”. This list supposedly holds the names of all Skrell living abroad who have performed deductive behaviors against the Nralakk Federation, displayed worrying ideals, joined an opposing faction, or renounced their citizenship. Some theorize that this list even covers non-Skrell who may pose a threat to the Federation.
[[File:Qukala.PNG|thumb|125px|The unique emblem of the Qukala.]]

==Qukala==
''"Perpetually Primed."''

Qukala, or Star Enforcers, function as the Navy of the Nralakk Federation. Ranging from soldiers, to highly qualified personnel educated in engineering, or medical. Positions within the Qukala often require degrees from recognised universities across the Nralakk Federation, meaning in only very rare circumstances will undereducated candidates be considered for the Qukala. The Qukala is one of the most powerful Navies in the Spur, due to the Federation's old age and advanced technological level.

The '''Lukala''' was a branch of the Qukala once comprised of only [[Dionae]] and [[Vaurca]], but as of '''2463''', the Directory of Defense Operations decided to dissolve the subbranch in favor in of integrating [[Dionae]] and [[Vaurca]] into the lower ranks of the Qukala as full members. This decision largely stemmed from the success the Lukala had in stopping insurgent activity in the Travese during the fallout of the recent Election. Furthermore, after striking a deal with the Grand Council, the C'thur Hive (namely [[Vytel]]'s brood) have begun to supply a steady stream of new Warriors for the Qukala. These new Warriors have a Federation-designed Loyalty Implant that equalizes the Federation's orders to that of a Queen's. If a conflict of interest arises, the Warriors merely enter hibernation until the conflict is resolved.

===Qehalak===
"''Duty and Homeland"''

The Qehalak, or Homeguard in Basic, is a new branch of the Qukala formed as a result of the Traverse gaining increased autonomy following reforms agreed upon by the [[Skrell_Politics#Independent_Traverser_Movement|Independent Traverser Movement]] and the Nralakk Federation; with the increased autonomy granted to the Traverse, the responsibility of defence now fell on local government rather than the central government and Qukala.

The primary objective of the Qehalak is to provide the main defence force for the Traverse states, with each state organising, training, and equipping its own force, while also acting as an auxiliary force where required by the Qukala during domestic operations. The Qehalak not only allows each Traverse state to properly defend itself from internal and external threats but has also lessened the burden of the Qukala, which was solely responsible for the military defence of the Nralakk Federation; events involving the Ti'Raqki and the Independent Traverser Movement concluded that a centralised force was no longer effective in properly responding to security threats within the Federation.

The Qehalak is a part-time, voluntary organisation, which relies on local governments to equip and train, and has been compared to the early Tau Ceti Foreign Legion - both favourably and unfavourably. Some praise the concept for its potential to further secure the Traverse, while others have raised concerns regarding the potential for inconsistency in the quality of Qehalak organisations between the Traverse states. As the organisation was only formed recently, the accuracy of these concerns is still unknown.

[[File:Tup.PNG|thumb|125px|The unique emblem of the Tupkala.]]

==Tupkala==
''"Courage, Bravery and Dedication."''

Tupkala, usually shorted to Tup, are highly revered Skrell. Only those with a long, distinguished career are capable of being elevated to the position of a Tup; a position that encompasses increased security clearance - as well as minor Idol status. Tupkala are able to originate from all the other branches of the Kala, but are additionally trained and implanted to prevent any security breaches in the unlikely event that they are captured by enemies of the Nralakk Federation. These Skrell are commonly in their advanced age, with the mean being that of 276 years. When a Tup dies, their name will be added to the Tupkala Wall hosted in the Grand Councilor's Chamber on Kal'lo.

The Tupkala serve a variety of roles within the Federation. They dedicate Tups to the protection of prominent figures, black sites, and Special Operations. Oftentimes when the Federation needs something done quickly and quietly, the Tupkala are called to carry out the operation. Tups are rarely spotted outside the Federation, though that does not necessarily mean they are not present. Utilizing various Tupkala from the various different branches, Skrell who have pledged their unquestioning loyalty to the Nralakk Federation, aided by loyalty implants not different to the discontinued line released by [[Nanotrasen Corporation| NanoTrasen]].

In '''2463''', after a series of diplomatic incidents caused by Tupkala operating outside their orders, for the first time in history the Tupkala were disbanded, following Grand Councilor Weashbi's condemnation. A few months later, Weashbi rebuilt them with Skrell he personally handpicked from the other branches of the Kala. The Tupkala are now under Commander Kezoq Torq-Bep, Weashbi's chosen Leader. Oddly enough, Commander Kezoq was promoted from the Sromkala, an unlikely place to find candidates for the Tups.

'''OOC Note: Characters that were former Tupkala are not allowed.'''

= Espionage =
The act of spying and gaining confidential information is a long-held tradition for the Skrell. The use of subterfuge and other clandestine operations replaced the more traditional forms of warfare since the time of the [[War of the Tides]], and is seen as a more "noble" form of war compared to open conflict. The Federation has a reputation throughout the Orion Spur for its intelligence and counterintelligence capacities, being able to wage a conflict without the need for its navy and the advanced military technology at its disposal. This has led to many conspiracy theories regarding the nation and its people, which only serve to further reinforce fears that none are safe from the reach of the Nralakk Federation.

<div class="mw-collapsible-content">
== Targets of Espionage ==

Not all of the Nralakk Federation's operations abroad are to the detriment of the entity in question, and many acts of espionage committed by the Federation can be seen as benign or even benevolent. Agents can be tasked with multiple goals, depending on which area they are tasked to infiltrate:

*'''Bureaucracy''', the strategic identification and assessment of resources within a bureaucratic state. Publicly known to be implemented internally, as spies will infiltrate local governments to report back to the Grand Council on discrepancies regarding production quotas or the use of resources. The Federation has an interest in this area abroad as well, helping it determine how effective or efficient another nation's bureaucratic process is and using that information to the benefit of its Representatives.

*'''Media''', the infiltration and interference in all forms of media to the benefit of the Skrell and Federation. Usually subtle, the Federation employs journalists, [[Idols]], producers, and even civilians to influence public opinion. This is seen most commonly on [[Viv-ID]], as the social network will routinely be flooded with pro-Federation propaganda along with other methods to censor or otherwise hinder access to certain information. The extent of these operations abroad is unknown, but it is believed that it mainly consists of exporting Skrell culture and media to promote positive opinions of the Nralakk Federation and Skrell as a whole.

*'''Academia''', the monitoring and interference of research and education. Educators, scientists, and even medical professionals are tasked with securing Skrellian dominance over science and technology across the Orion Spur. It is assumed that the Federation both hinders and encourages scientific progress by sabotaging projects related to concepts such as AI research while assisting projects that could be later stolen and repurposed by the Federation for their own uses.

*'''Militaries''', the monitoring and infiltration of foreign military organisations, pirate fleets, and other military threats to Federation security. The military capabilities of the Federation's neighbours and enemies are of great importance, and a massive effort is dedicated to this sector of espionage. Outside of monitoring, agents focused on this area of espionage will poise themselves to decapitate opposing forces, destroy supply lines, or otherwise hamper efforts to attack the Federation.

'''OOC Note: It is an acceptable idea to play a Federation Spy aboard a SCC Vessel, but such a spy would have excellent training and prioritize maintaining their cover above all else. If you do wish to make such a character, be sure the Skrell Lore Team approves of their existence. The categories above give an excellent overview on what goals these characters would have.'''

=The Traverse and Independence=

[[Notable_Skrell_Systems_and_Locations#The_Tetramerous_Systems:_The_Traverse|The Traverse]] is a collection of systems that are considered the frontier of Federation space. Stretching from the [[Notable_Skrell_Systems_and_Locations#The_Contingent_Systems:_The_Second_Waves|Second Waves]], the second-oldest set of systems colonised by the Skrell, to the far edges of Federation territory, the Traverse plays a vital role in supporting the Nralakk Federation.

Despite this importance, the Traverse is seen as a backwater by Skrell hailing from the inner systems, and those that live in the region are regularly labelled subversives or criminals. Combined with the Federation's apparent lack of urgency when it comes to dealing with situations such as famine, disease, piracy, or natural disasters, this has led to many in the Traverse holding a dim view of the Nralakk Federation and their place in it.

This animosity is only further exacerbated by the Traverse's history, especially in regions further out from the centre of the Nralakk Federation that have only recently been reintegrated under Grand Councillor Weashbi Jrugl; systems that were not present for the [[Skrell_Recent_History#Reunification_of_the_Nralakk_Federation|Tresja Agreement]] have slowly been reintegrated since, with the last of the Traverse rejoining the Federation in the last decade.

These factors have given rise to numerous movements that call for an independent Traverse in some form; the Lyukal, as a whole, believes in an independent Traverse state or states, while more local movements may only be concerned with their planet or system gaining independence from Federation rule.

==Independent Traverser Movement==

The Independent Traveser Movement is the latest group to call for Traverse Independence. Formed on [[Change_on_the_Horizon_Arc|30/06/65]] after a series of protests and civil unrest in the Q’elpi region, brought on by TIME under martial law as a result of local authorities [[The_Phoron_Scarcity:_Skrell_Arc|collaborating with Marauders active in the area]]. When formed, the movement presented a manifesto that laid out its concerns to the Grand Council regarding many policies used by the Nralakk Federation, their primary concerns being the mistreatment and misrule of citizens in the Traverse by the Nralakk Federation. Grand Councilor Weashbi Jrugl responded cordially to this formation, agreeing to a meeting in the Grand Council chambers where they promised a discussion on potential reforms.

By August 26th, 2465, the Independent Traverser Movement suffered a schism in its ranks as more moderate members decided to come to the negotiating table with the Nralakk Federation. Events leading up to the schism, including the discovery of weapons being shipped to the Marauder systems and the occupation of government buildings, revealed that the movement's actions went against the more peaceful nature of the species and the originally non-violent activism of the movement itself. Both sides have agreed to make a genuine attempt to end the conflict, and hopes are high that a peaceful resolution will be met.

With the successful conclusion of negotiations between moderate leaders and the Grand Council on 04/09/65, the Independent Traverser Movement has officially been disbanded. Leaders of the movement that met with the Grand Council now hold permanent Advisor positions on the Council, advising on Traverse Affairs as well as overseeing the Committee for Traverse Well-Being, a body within the Grand Council in charge of crisis response in the Traverse.

===Reconcilliation Tribunal===

The Reconciliation Tribunal was organised on 21/09/65, shortly after negotiations ended between the Independent Traverser Movement and the Grand Council. The tribunal consisted of members of the Grand Council, the Independent Traverser Movement, and other notable citizens who were impacted by the conflict that began in the Q'elpi Systems. The tribunal was organised with the idea of "reconciliation, not revenge"; the primary goal of the tribunal was to provide restorative justice for any crimes or miscarriages of justice it investigated, and not to punish either side more than what was deemed fair by Federation standards. The tribunal has been compared positively to the Lao'qa Courts during the Collaborator Trials, which were used as a model for its organisation and goals.

The Tribunal interviewed and tried hundreds of citizens who had direct involvement in the events surrounding the Independent Traverser Movement. To prevent bias due to the media and other factors, the tribunal was held in secret and only revealed once the tribunal was already over.

Sentences varied, but most were given light sentences that included imprisonment or mandatory stays in a rehabilitation centre. Other sentences were carried out, such as the demotion of a Kala officer whose decision-making was deemed incompetent and uncharacteristic of a member of the Kala. A known leader of the Independent Traverse Movement was also given a harsher sentence than most, being sentenced to 75 years in prison for their part in several acts of sabotage against Federation facilities. The tribunal's focus on restorative justice was called into question in the case of the latter but was justified by members of the tribunal due to the egregious nature of the offences committed.

===Traverse Accords===

The '''Traverse Accords''' are a set of reforms and other policies enacted by the Federation in response to the Independent Traverser Movement and the issues it brought forward. The reforms include changes to the legal status of [[Nralakk_Federation#Social_Credit_System|Tertiary Numericals]], allowing those in the group to access state resources if they are considered "in good standing" by the Federation, as well as economic and political reforms that address the impact of production quotas as well as increasing the autonomy of Traverse sectors. The reforms are significant due to the comparatively sudden change in the status quo they resulted in compared to how a change in Federation policy usually occurs.

== Relations with Foreign States ==
=== Solarian Alliance ===
The Solarian Alliance sees the Nralakk Federation as their closest ally within the Orion Spur, both economically and as a force to help preserve the status quo if anything seriously threatening galactic stability or if an unrecoverable disruption of the balance of power had to occur. Whilst there are whispers of many that fear the potential growth of the Nralakk Federation into the wildlands that the Solarian Alliance still seeks to return to the fold, their relationship has continued to prosper even after the turbulent events that nearly brought the Orion Spur to its knees.

The Solarian Alliance has the most Representatives of the Nralakk Federation within its borders, who typically work alongside one another to maintain the relationship between both nations. The recent events that have resulted in the shrinking of the Solarian Alliance has prompted additional Representatives working within its borders; seeking further avenues in which the Nralakk Federation can expand their influence within the Solarian Alliance. The Solarian Alliance and Nralakk Federation have several agreements; mostly related to trade, research, and migration.

At the moment, the Alliance and Federation are both working with Einstein Engines to create a new type of Warp Gate to alleviate the Spur’s reliance on NanoTrasen phoron. Though one of the prototype gates was destroyed by the late Solarian Warlord Beauchamp.

=== Republic of Biesel ===
In most official capacities, the Republic of Biesel maintains positive relations with the Nralakk Federation to the beneficial trade that occurs between the both of them. Politically, it is mostly the same, however there is a growing number within the Republic that have begun to view the Nralakk Federation as untrustworthy due to their lack of intervention during both invasions of Tau Ceti. Tau Ceti is one of few places outside of the Nralakk Federation that is considered worthy of visiting by Skrell; resulting in an increased demand for visas (tourist and work) for Tau Ceti.

The Republic of Biesel, at any given time, has roughly the second-largest amount of Representatives of the Nralakk Federation within its borders. Following the events that nearly crippled the Orion Spur, the Nralakk Federation has begun searching for another way to increase their influence within the fledgeling republic; mostly through the use of foreign aid, and restricted technological exchanges. The Republic of Biesel has expressed interest in increased diplomatic ties with the Nralakk Federation; mostly involving concessions for Megacorporations to be able to freely operate within the political entity. The Nralakk Federation has affirmed that they see the Republic of Biesel as a valuable diplomatic partner, and publically wishes to increase diplomatic ties with them.

=== Coalition of Colonies ===
The Coalition of Colonies is somewhat public about their opinion of the Nralakk Federation, stating that they are suspicious of the foreign policy boasted by the nation, alongside its authoritarian system. They also view the Nralakk Federation as Sol-aligned, and therefore anti-Coalition of Colonies by association. Whilst there are talks about economical cooperation, however, both the Coalition of Colonies and the Nralakk Federation would be able to produce large quantities of wealth off of one another.

The Coalition of Colonies sports a few dozen Representatives of the Nralakk Federation within its borders, mostly tasked with improving the relations between the two behemoths. The inaction of the Nralakk Federation in the Second Invasion of Tau Ceti has resulted in quite a stir within the Coalition; many citing that the Nralakk Federation is no longer pro-Sol, with others perpetuating rumours that they simply bide their time and will soon be launching an attack on the Orion Spur. The Nralakk Federation has publically announced an interest in exploring additional diplomatic avenues with the Coalition of Colonies; however, little effort has been seen in regards to this.

=== Empire of Dominia ===
The Empire of Dominia maintains a publically ambivalent relationship with the Nralakk Federation; politically and economically. Hardly any effort is exerted in regards to the Nralakk Federation officially, with some more liberal merchant factions rooted within proposing trade with the Skrell. Unofficially, the Empire of Dominia is split ideologically in regards to the political entity. Many both like that the Nralakk Federation has taken steps in restricting artificial intelligence, but there is also a sizable group that hates them for being the first ones to create it.

The Empire of Dominia maintains only six Representatives of the Nralakk Federation within its borders, focusing on creating opportunities for trading, with little success. The inaction of both the Nralakk Federation and the Empire of Dominia during the latest turbulent events of the Orion Spur has resulted in the warming of relations somewhat. The Nralakk Federation has displayed minor interest in exploring the relationship between the two entities but has yet to engage in such diplomacy.

=== Serene Republic of Elyra ===
The Serene Republic of Elyra has publically maintained that they are suspicious of Federation encroachment, as well as interference in human affairs, in lieu of the Solarian Alliance's collapse - despite this, they continue cordial if a bit distant relations with the Nralakkn Federation. There are whispers that many within Elyra see the Nralakk Federation as an ally against the Lii'dra should they return. They are economically disinterested in the Nralakk Federation, as the Serene Republic of Elyra has continued their self-sufficiency since the collapse of the Solarian Alliance, and the trade that the nation does conduct are mostly done with the Coalition of Colonies and the Republic of Biesel.

The Serene Republic of Elyra has roughly two dozen Representatives of the Nralakk Federation within its borders, with a focus on technological cooperation. The inaction of the Nralakk Federation during the recent events that haunted the Orion Spur has resulted in relations between the two technological giants to become somewhat cold, with a large migration of Representatives back to the Nralakk Federation. The Nralakk Federation publically supports a minor interest in exploring a relationship with the Serene Republic of Elyra, a technological one, that is.

=== Eridani Corporate Federation ===
The Eridani Corporate Federation has made the Orion Spur very aware of their interest to pursue additional economic cooperation with the Nralakk Federation, citing that it is a massive market for Zeng Hu Pharmaceuticals, and Megacorporations found within the Board of Five. The closeness of the Nralakk Federation and the Solarian Alliance has resulted in cordial relations between these two federations, with a significant amount of both the entities' wealth being invested into one another.

The Eridani Corporate Federation maintains the third largest following of Representatives of the Nralakk Federation within its borders, with most focusing on exploring additional economic cooperative avenues that will enhance the wealth of both. The inaction of the Nralakk Federation during the Second Invasion of Tau Ceti has resulted in somewhat weakened relations; however, the Eridani Corporate Federation publically maintains that the Nralakk Federation is a crucial member of its economy. The Nralakk Federation has all but ensured that the Eridani Corporate Federation will soon benefit from proposed deregulation of the skrellian economy.

=== People's Republic of Adhomai ===
The People's Republic of Adhomai attempts to secure a respectful, diplomatic relationship with the Nralakk Federation; mostly in part due to its policy of approaching alien powers for support in the Adhomian Cold War. The People's Republic of Adhomai has essentially pushed for cordial relations between them and the Nralakk Federation resulting in increased cooperatives, mostly involving the '''"Project Unity Initiative"''' - a diplomatic agreement in which the Nralakk Federation commences humanitarian aid projects and provides monetary assistance.

The People's Republic of Adhomai has roughly three dozen Representatives of the Nralakk Federation within its borders, mostly focusing on administrating the '''"Project Unity Initiative"''' and facilitating diplomacy between the three warring nations on Adhomai. The inaction of the Nralakk Federation during the recent Solarian Invasion of Tau Ceti and resulting collapse that turned the Orion Spur on its head has not had an impact on the relationship between the Nralakk Federation and the People's Republic of Adhomai. The Nralakkn Federation recently broke it's stance of neutrality in regards to Adhomai. After an attempted terror attack on District 8 in Biesel's Mendell City by radical Al'mariist insurgents, the Federation officially recognized the People's Republic of Adhomai as the sole civil authority of the planet and began to support their claims politically. It's unknown to the public if the Federation is offering more material support behind the scenes due to both nations' private nature.

=== Democratic People's Republic of Adhomai ===
The Democratic People's Republic of Adhomai has little to no relations with the Nralakk Federation; mostly due to the xenophobic nature of Al'mariism. The Nralakk Federation is viewed by many within the Democratic People's Republic of Adhomai's borders as a threat to their independence and future; which usually devolves into accusations of imperialism by various prominent politicians. Even the most progressive of Al'mariists maintain the dislike of the Nralakk Federation.

Due to the recent attempted terror attack in Mendell City, relations between the two political bodies dipped to the worst in history. The Federation took the planned bombing of District 8 as an unfettered act of aggression against Skrell. While the Federation had always believed the Democratic People's Republic a threat to Adhomai, they now hold the position that Al'marrists are a threat to the greater Spur aboard as well.

=== New Kingdom of Adhomai ===
The New Kingdom of Adhomai, due to its precarious position, maintains an official intention of establishing positive diplomatic ties with the Nralakk Federation; mostly in hopes of establishing the '''"Project Unity Initiative"''' within its borders. The turbulent history of Adhomai has resulted in somewhat lukewarm relations between the New Kingdom of Adhomai and the Nralakk Federation, however, what relations that did exist were irrevocably obliterated when the Federation announced their political recognition of the People's Republic of Adhomai as the sole civil authority of the planet.

Despite the incident that caused this change in the Federation's political stance being caused by Al'mariists, the Federation has been unyielding in political channels to reverse this decision, to the woe of those in the Kingdom who had hoped to benefit from the '''Project Unity Initiative'''. The Federation retracted all political ties with the New Kingdom of Adhomai, and declared the state illegitimate.

=== Izweski Hegemony ===
The Nralakk Federation was one of two nations to make first contact with the Hegemony alongside the Sol Alliance, and jointly operated the Ouerean provisional government with them. Following Hegemon S’kresti’s demand for the return of Ouerea, the Federation withdrew completely from Uueoa-Esa and had little formal contact with the Hegemony for over a decade, remaining focused on their own affairs. [[New Blades Old Wounds Arc|In 2466, following political upheaval in the Federation and economic difficulties in the Hegemony, the two nations worked to restore their relationship]], signing the '''Nralakk-Izweski Mutual Prosperity Agreement.'''

This treaty opened trade between the two nations, as well as making provisions for the use of Hegemony ports and stations by the Qukala and sending humanitarian workers to Moghes. Though some Hegemony lords were initially opposed, most public enmity towards the Skrell was silenced after the Izaku Rebellion, with few willing to openly align themselves with the traitorous Lord of Mudki. In the Federation, the Homeworld Traditionalist Coalition has argued against the agreement, though most of the other parties have backed it for their own myriad of reasons.

The two nations have close ties, though trade through the Sparring Sea remains risky due to the presence of pirates, smugglers, and privateers - requiring great effort from both the Qukala and the Izweski Navy to ensure that trade routes remain open. Nevertheless, the agreement has forged a strong bond - and one that seems to promise a new approach to the wider Spur from both nations.

=== The Commonwealth of Hieroaetheria ===
The Nralakk Federation and the Commonwealth of Hieroaetheria have close ties, with the Federation playing a large part in the formation of the planet's most influential nation. The Federation has a permanent embassy in the city of Nral'Daaq on the planet, which is also the location of the majority of Skrell that live here. The Nralakk Federation has long-established trade and migration agreements with the Consortium, with the latter allowing for a somewhat easier citizenship process for Dionae originating from [[Hieroaetheria]], and the former allowing Hieroaetheria to export goods to the Nralakk Federation on a barter basis similar to their local economy.

[[Category:Skrell]]

Izweski Hegemony

2024-08-11T03:20:03Z

RustingWithYou: /* International Relations */ updates fed-hegemony relationship

{{Navbox Lore}}
{{Navbox Unathi Lore}}

'''''"Honor, fire, burn thy fear"'''''<br>
''-Ancestral words of the Izweski Clan''

The '''Izweski Hegemony''', also known as the '''Izweski Nation''' and the '''Third Hegemony of Moghes''', is the primary Unathi nation of the Orion Spur - a feudal empire in the Badlands ruled by a monarch known as the Hegemon. The nation is made up of hundreds of land-owning noble clans and their vassals, of which a few dozen are major influencers in the Hegemon's politics. The Hegemony is ruled by the Izweski Clan, whose current head is Hegemon Not'zar Izweski, First of His Name. The Hegemony is new to the interstellar stage, and has suffered from various growing pains as it attempts to expand into a Spur dominated by humans and Skrell while attempting to resolve the ongoing ecological collapse of their homeworld.
[[File:Moghes_porposal.png|thumb|The flag of the Izweski Hegemony. It is said the flag symbolizes the wildfires that frequented Moghes.]]
{{TOC Hidden}}

== Population and Planets ==
''See also: [[Notable Unathi Colonies]]''

'''[[Moghes]]''' is the Unathi homeworld, and the capital of the Izweski Hegemony. It is one of three inhabited planets in the [[Uueoa-Esa]] system. It once bore a similarly diverse climate to Earth, but the large-scale nuclear exchange in the late 2430s known as the Contact War has rendered nearly sixty percent of the planet's service an inhospitable Wasteland. The politics and economy of the Hegemony are centered around affairs on Moghes, with the vast majority of Hegemony nobility being concentrated there. Due to the Contact War, Moghes is undergoing an ecological collapse, which the Hegemony has invested billions of credits' worth of manpower and resources into staving off.

'''[[Ouerea]]''' is the fourth planet from Uueoa-Esa's star, and the first colony established by Unathi. It was colonized in 2390, fourteen years prior to first contact with humanity and the Skrell, who both invested heavily in colonial development. During the Contact War, a joint provisional government was established by the [[Sol Alliance]] and the [[Nralakk Federation]], which was dissolved following Hegemon S'kresti's demand for its return. The Ouerean people had grown used to democracy, however, and did not take kindly to the restoration of feudalism. This would boil over in 2460, in the event known as the Ouerean Revolution, which would result in the death of the reigning Overlord Yiztek and the establishment of a semi-democratic government. Ouerea is home to large human and Skrell populations in addition to the Unathi one, and a unique multicultural society has developed there.

'''[[Tret]]''' is the second planet from Uueoa-Esa's star, and is largely a barren and uninhabitable world. It remained unexploited until 2459, when the [[Vaurca|Vaurcae]] of the K'lax Hive arrived in the system. After a long period of negotiation, the K'lax agreed to swear allegiance to the Hegemony, and the High Queen Z'kaii was granted the title Overlord of Tret. Tret has become the new homeworld for the K'lax, with few non-Vaurcae dwelling there due to its uninhabitable conditions. Since their arrival, the K'lax have transformed it into a massive industrial center with the help of [[Hephaestus Industries]].

'''[[Gakal'zaal]]''' was initially a [[Tajara|Tajaran]] colony, occupied by the Hegemony in 2455. The Unathi, with the help of Tajaran collaborators, began to restructure the society present into the Izweski model of feudalism, while the guilds engaged in widespread economic exploitation of the planet's people and resources. In 2462, with the aid of the [[Democratic People's Republic of Adhomai]], the Tajara of Gakal'zaal engaged in a successful insurrection, driving the Hegemony from the planet and electing to join the DPRA. The Hegemony has since been content to ignore Gakal'zaal as an embarrassing failure, though it has never formally cede its claim to rulership of the planet.

Many further colonies have been established by the Hegemony across the Badlands and Sparring Sea - in part due to the massive refugee population on Moghes following the Contact War. Ranging from food production to mining colonies to military outposts, these colonies are scattered far and wide across the region - though the phoron scarcity has made it much harder for the Izweski Navy to protect them from the ever-constant threat of pirates, warlords, and raiders.

== Economy ==

The Izweski economy is centered around the [[Unathi Guilds|guilds]], which for centuries have largely controlled the economy of Moghes. Many of the major guilds adapted rapidly to the interstellar age, with the Miners' Guild and Merchants' Guild in particular rapidly expanding operations across the Spur. In 2465, the phoron scarcity led to a full-scale economic depression which resulted in the bankruptcy of the Merchants' Guild and several others rapidly declining. Only the intervention of [[Hephaestus Industries]] prevented a total economic collapse, as the megacorporation rapidly bought out all major remaining guilds, establishing itself as a near-total monopoly in the nation. No other megacorporations operate to any serious degree in the Hegemony, with Hephaestus working tirelessly to keep out its competitors.

In the modern day, Hephaestus and the Hegemony are almost unbreakably tied together, with the vast majority of former guild members now being Hephaestus employees. Guildmaster Yukal T'zakal now sits as an equal above the Board to CEO Titanius Aeson, and the megacorporation has invested enormously in projects across the nation. Though the megacorporation remains headquartered on Biesel, its branches on Moghes and Ouerea have rapidly become instrumental to Hephaestus's power in the Spur. This expansion has not come without consequence, however - anti-Hephaestus Unathi have struck several devastating blows at the corporation, with the terrorist organization known as the Champions of Moghes almost killing Titanius Aeson in late 2465. Rival corporations such as [[NanoTrasen]] and [[Zavodskoi Interstellar]] are often suspected to be linked to this terrorist activity - though so far, no proof has been found as to their involvement.

=== Trade ===

The Hegemony is a major exporter of raw resources throughout the Orion Spur, estimated to produce nearly a third of the Spur’s plasteel and borosilicate glass supply. The aid of K’lax technology and Hephaestus investment has rendered the nation an industrial powerhouse on the interstellar stage, which has become the new basis of the Izweski economy. Due to the strict control of the Hegemony’s government over trade, all of this flows through [[Moghes]], with outlying colonies and stations shipping their products back to the homeworld to be sold and exported across the stars, with nearly every nation in the wider Spur importing Izweski raw materials to some degree or another. Prior to the economic depression of 2465, this was primarily the provenance of the [[Unathi_Guilds#Merchants_GuildMerchants’ Guild]] and [[Hephaestus Industries]] - but following the bankruptcy of the Guild and the ascension of Hephaestus to near-total control of the Unathi Guilds, the megacorporation now handles almost all exports from Izweski space.

Though the Hegemony exports to nearly everywhere in the Spur, its major trading partners are the [[Republic of Biesel]], the [[Empire of Dominia]] and various member-states of the southern [[Coalition of Colonies]]. Prior to the Solarian Collapse, the [[Sol Alliance]] was also an importer of Izweski goods via Hephaestus, but the dangers of the [[Human Wildlands]] have made trade between the two nations difficult. Aside from raw resources, the Hegemony also frequently exports Unathi luxury goods such as xuizi juice to nations with sizable Unathi populations - primarily the Republic of Biesel and the Empire of Dominia.

Due to their navy’s reliance on bluespace travel, the Hegemony was at one point a large-scale importer of phoron, purchasing the rare substance from both the Republic of Biesel and [[Republic of Elyra|Serene Republic of Elyra]]. Following the beginning of the phoron scarcity and subsequent economic recession, however, phoron imports have near-entirely ceased. Aside from this, however, the Hegemony does not import much - luxury goods for the wealthy and the nobility being its primary import in the modern day.

Though the Hegemony’s colonies do not export due to the national policy, the world of [[Ouerea]] is of note - providing most of the food required to sustain Moghes following the nuclear devastation of the [[Contact War]]. The colony has obtained a key role in the Hegemony’s economy, and with that comes less-than-legitimate trade, with many smugglers choosing to dock in Ouerea to sell and buy their ill-gotten gains. Addictive koko bars from the world of [[Unathi_Piracy#Ha'zana,_Harrow_of_Fangs|Ha'zana]], weapons of the kind illegal in Hegemony space and cybernetics shipped to the planet’s [[Aut'akh]] communes can all be found traded by smugglers - human, Unathi and Skrell alike, with some Tajara smugglers also seeking to trade in the system. Human and Skrell goods are also often imported to Ouerea, granting the alien population of the planet some of the comforts of their homeworlds.

=== Currency ===
The official currency of the Izweski Hegemony was the '''Ziki''', a fiat currency issued by the Izweski Reserve Banking Guild for several centuries. Following first contact, the Solarian credit was also accepted, and the nation began to transition towards Solarian currency as the national reserve. In 2463, the Hegemony adopted the Biesel Standard Credit as its reserve currency, as it was believed that it was the most stable option following the collapse of Sol. Bieselite currency remained concentrated in the hands of wealthy guildsmen and nobles, with peasants still using Ziki or operating off a barter system - though with the massive expansion of Hephaestus, the credit has rapidly become the most popular currency in the Hegemony.

=== Mercantilism ===

The Unathi economic system is '''mercantilist''' in nature. Access to ports are restricted to specific guilds given a royal charter, which is a bill of exclusivity over shares of trade to protect them from competition . It is best thought of as being given a lease by the Izweski to handle a specific amount of interstellar trade coming to and from the Hegemony. All goods flow from the colonies to Moghes, which are then sold to the wider galaxy after the Izweski take a cut.

Following the bankruptcy of the Merchants' Guild and the absorption of most major guilds by Hephaestus, the mercantilist economy has changed - though not as much as one might suspect. Though the production of the Guilds now flows through the megacorporation, and it holds a generous charter, the law still holds - goods are shipped back through Uueoa-Esa, and the Hegemony receives a very generous cut - which may well help them in emerging from their recent years of economic depression.

==Politics and Government==
The Izweski Hegemony, in the past and present, is ruled by a single monarch - in the modern day, the '''Hegemon Not'zar Izweski.''' The Hegemon rules over the entirety of the land and populace, including the nobility. While the Hegemon's power technically overrules that of the nobility, the influence each actor has on each other is in constant flux. In some ages past, the Hegemon has been little more than a figurehead, whose nobles would depose them at the slightest hint of overreach, while other Hegemons have bent their vassals to their will through cunning politics. In the modern day, the Hegemon has faced a great deal of stress, with the guilds, nobility, the Church and alien actors all pushing against one another - it is a testament to Not'zar's reign that he has managed to balance these forces, and increasingly centralized the power of the Izweski over their vassals.

=== Structure ===
The Izweski Hegemony is a feudal society, where all power is technically held by the Hegemon, who delegates that power to vassals. These vassals will then delegate power to their own vassals, working down from the interstellar level to individual towns and clans. Currently, Not'zar Izweski has made an ally of many of his vassals, with his globalist attitude having made allies among the guilds and those nobles who seek further wealth from the wider Spur. More traditional or isolationist nobles have often found themselves opposed to Not'zar, however - with Lord Juyzi Izaku of Mudki having threatened rebellion several times, and Overlord Azui Hutay'zai having almost done so over Hephaestus's presence in the economy.

Under the Hegemon directly are Overlords - appointed directly by the Hegemon to rule vast regions of the Hegemony. Currently there are five Overlords - three on Moghes, one on Ouerea, and the [[Zkaii, The Sleepwalker|High Queen Zkaii]] acting as Overlord of Tret. Overlords oversee their own Lords, who rule different provinces of their territory. All Lords and Overlords also equally swear fealty to the Hegemon and only the Hegemon, making them technically all his direct vassals. A province may be an entire planet's development or one sprawling city metropolis depending on the population and settlement sizes of the province. Lords then appoint Clan Lords for different city districts, towns, and swathes of sparse rural lands. Cities are typically run by a Clan Lord (or even a Lord, should the city be large enough) and a small council of lesser clan leaders (or Clan Lords, in the case of a ruling Lord). At the bottom are the clan leaders. Clan leaders are usually the eldest ruler of a specific family clan, and clan leaders are often the most ruthless schemers of the noble ladder.

Lordships are inherited, with specific rules of succession varying from region to region. The position of an Overlord is traditionally inherited, but legally is the sole province of the Hegemon, who can strip or appoint new Overlords at any time. There are some exceptions to this rule - the contract between the Izweski and the Hutay'zai clan of Tza dictates that the title of Overlord shall remain within the Hutay'zai, in exchange for their renouncing of the former Kingdom of Tza. The contract between the Izweski and K'lax has a similar point, dictating that the title of Overlord of Tret shall belong to the High Queen of the K'lax so long as the Hive remains a loyal vassal.

<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed">
====Hands of the Lord====
A wise ruler knows where he is lacking wisdom and hires an expert to consult him. It is this idea that led to the formation of Hands of the Lord, a fixture in the world of ruling nobility. Theoretically, the Hands of the Lord supplement lackluster skills a ruler may have and offer an expert perspective on issues. In reality, the Hands of the Lord are merely a vessel for which the powerful under the ruling nobility can gain influence and be encouraged to use it for the betterment of the realm and themselves. It is seen as a high honor to be appointed as one of the Lords Hands— both for an individual and for their whole clan. Hands of the Lord will be called "Hand of the [Title of their lord]". For example, Not'zar's hands are called the Hands of the Hegemon.
<div class="mw-collapsible-content">

===== The Master of Rivers =====
In charge of overseeing the economic aspects of a lord's land, the Master of Rivers reads aquaculture and fishery reports, negotiates with guilds, and safeguards the money that continues to flow into the coffers of the realm. The Masters of Rivers are arguably one of the most important Sinta in a realm with their control of the most precious resource of all, the treasure and food. Despite this importance, they are normally not of the same clan as the ruler. They are usually from clans which have a heavy hand in the industry or food production of the realm, whether it be aquaculture, or heavy industry. This is viewed by most lords as a concession to their skilled workers and is always a point of pride for a clan if one of their own is selected. Gender does not matter for the title, though they tend to be predominantly male anyway.

===== The Lord’s Claws =====
The Lord’s Claws is a Lord’s Hand who is well versed in military matters, offering strategic advice to their lord. Lord’s Claws are most commonly a part of the same clan as their lord, if not they are married to a suitable clan member as quickly as possible, and brought into the fold. Due to the militaristic nature of many Unathi realms pre-Contact, a clan survived or died by the sword, and advice on military matters needed to be untainted by potential corruption and trusted beyond doubt. The not-so hidden message in marrying the Lord’s Claws into the clan was that if the clan failed in war, he would be executed along with all the other members who could not escape. However, a Lord's Claws must not only assist in wartime, but ensure peacetime is kept. Nearly all Unathi lords still follow the tradition of having their Claws conduct diplomacy in their name, striking agreements with rival clans and lords, and warding off bloodshed for as long as possible. There are no female Unathi of this title in the Hegemony.

===== Spymaster =====
A coveted position amongst women in the Hegemony, the Spymaster is a spider spinning and untangling webs of secrets and intrigue, safeguarding their lord both against scandal, and assassination. Spymasters also keep tabs on the local population for their lord, silencing dissent and ensuring loyalty. Lies, plots, and secrets are the bread and butter of spymasters, and those who have mastered the position are viewed by others with a certain weariness, afraid they might turn on them one day. Spymasters within the Hegemony are only women.

===== Court Shaman =====
A position originally started by the more political Sk’akh religion, it has since been adopted by Th’akh nobles as well. The primary responsibility of the court priest is to offer spiritual advice to their lord and to cement the political and cultural importance of religion. Secondarily, Court Priests have a duty to help the faithful bring their grievances to their lord and tend to the connection between the ruling nobility and their subjects. People in this position tend to be men, though Th’akh’s adoption of the practice, as well as the rare female Priest of the Aspect, has seen some women participating in the role.

===== High Speaker =====
A newer position, the High Speaker's primary job is to work in the noisy and complex world of public relations for their noble. Very few ruling nobles have a High Speaker as one of their Hands, either relying on their spymaster for knowledge of what others think of them, or do not deem public relations as important to their management of their lands. Rulers who choose to incorporate a High Speaker as one of their hands tend to be more predominant within their larger realm, such as one of the two Overlords within the Hegemony, or have lands whose industry relies heavily on skilled guildsmen who cannot be ordered around as simply as peasants. Gender does not matter for high speakers, and few nobles even have an alien high speaker should their realm have a heavy mega corporate presence.
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=== Politics ===

The actual government of the Third Hegemony of the Izweski Nation is a state founded on conflicting principles and a shaky truce between the actors of the government. In the past, the Hegemony was a true feudal monarchy, with the land-owning nobles keeping the power all to themselves — now it is an intricate web of deceit and dictations. "Hegemon" is a queer title, a throne sealed not by a royal bloodline or a divine right, but the law of power. The Hegemon is still the symbolic uniter of Moghes, the civilized ruler over the savages and peasants and lordlings, the dictator of an entire people, but the actual right to the Izweski Nation lies in strength, as intended. The strong rule the weak, and the title of Hegemon, though symbolic and sealed by the government, is won through power and influence. When the ancient Lord Neeziah Izweski slit the throat of the last Hegemon Sarakus, he set a precedent that would act as the nation's founding principle - the strong rule, and those who cannot challenge them serve.

[[File:Unathi Fuedalism.png|thumb|The Izweski Hegemony is based on vassal obligations to their liege lord.]]

This has profoundly affected the Izweski Nation's history: it legitimized conquering forces as a new Hegemon and also delegitimized anyone who was not worthy enough to rule with the title. Each cessation, unification, and civil war in the Hegemony occurred because nobles are not loyal to any specific Hegemon, but to the throne of the nation itself. The fervent honor-culture the Hegemony engages in and promotes is also its greatest destabilizer. This ensures that those who are worthy enough to be the Hegemon are constantly wary to expand their influence and loyalties. If a Hegemon is able to survive his death-prone position by securing his strength, then he is worthy; if a ruler bucks under the accusing nobility, the wealthy guilds, and the foolish masses, then he is not worthy. Nobles are almost encouraged to dissent against their lord, as it tests their mettle. This constant battle within the Hegemony is a breeding ground for honorable zeal and has led to the Hegemony's combined interest in colonization and forays into the Orion Spur, so that the nobility and the Hegemon may grow in power (against each other). Such expansion and imperialistic attitudes are a means of keeping the populace in check; should peasantry engage in the system, then they may see a promotion in rank and honorifics by moving through the castes.

The constant battering of the Hegemon by uprising lords and treacherous schemes is its boon and bane for both the nobles and the ruling clan (and the Guilds and the dead Church), but little has been said about the common peasant. It is true that even the rising middle class has little say in their government — the Hegemony is ruled by power, and those who lack it are unable to speak for themselves. Low nobility and commoners are constantly thrown about due to scheme after scheme, skirmish after skirmish between the nobles and the Hegemon. Frustrations against the Hegemony are, for the most part, tolerated, as the people speaking against the Hegemony have little political rights. Once dissenting talks turn into rebellion, however, it is always quickly put down — the Hegemony is quick to consolidate when the have-nots try to rise up. Large-scale revolutions have been prevented by autocratic force, but the clan system also keeps those under them with some influence, enough to keep everyone fed and content. Those who are not so easily tempered by this system in recent years join the [[Aut'akh]] or [[Si'akh]] cults, turning away from any authoritarian force over them and owing to why the system views them as such a threat.

The Hegemon handles the international affairs of the state, as well as curbing the individual powers of the major land-owning nobles. They also directly charter the Guilds - now under Hephaestus - which feeds into their wealth. The internal affairs of the Izweski Nation are built off of a federal system and governed by a feudal hierarchy (though in recent years such a term, 'feudal', seems to conflict with the reformation into a more modern government), from the lowest lord with the worst land to the highest overlord that governs a vast region or an entire colony. Even the highest overlord bows directly to the Hegemon, and controls the taxes, edicts, other parts of their territory. Typically, the middling ranks are filled with the most cut-throat opportunists as lords seek more land and more influence — occasionally, one clan ends up owning the entirety of a territory as a result. The noble in charge of that province thereafter acts as a sort of "local Hegemon," trying to sort out ambitious nobles and keeping the order. The only difference is that the Hegemon themself is still above the overlord, ready to remove them if they do not kneel in the end. Roughly the same system also occurs in the guilds of the Hegemony, though feuds are over positions and titles, not land and labor.

The Hegemony technically rules over all of Moghes which fulfills the ancient prophecy — anyone, planetside or otherwise, knows this is a farce. The borderlands of [[The Wasteland|the Wasteland]], though settled by nobles and workers, is harried by raiders and poor resource outputs. Once it becomes worthless to expand forward, independent Wastelander settlements crop up, illegal yet existing, and no lord is going to care over a dusty desert village. After one passes the independent once-Traditionalist villages, there lies only sand and the dishonored. The Hegemony, for symbolic and economic reasons, is trying to terraform the Wasteland with the help of the K'lax and Hephaestus, though due to raids, the expanding Wasteland, and the phoron scarcity it has not been profitable besides keeping what Untouched Lands remain intact.

==== Hands of the Hegemon ====
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Made up of the most powerful lords from the Hegemon's nobility, the Hands of the Hegemon advise Not’zar on the everyday affairs of the Hegemony together, ensuring that they are given a fair voice in the affairs of the tate. Each lord or lady fills an important political role, using their influence for the betterment of their people, and speaking on behalf of important interest groups. Many disagree with Not'zar on matters of policy and culture, nevertheless, they continue to serve as his Hands. More information about the specifics of their roles can be found [[Unathi#Hands_of_the_Lord | here.]]

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'''Master of Rivers:''' [[Notable_Unathi#Azui_Hutay'zai,_Overlord,_''Lord_of_the_Wastes'',_and_''Izweski_Master_of_Rivers'' | Azui Hutay’zai ]]

The bastion of Traditionalism with the Hegemony and the most traditionalist Hand of the Hegemon, Azui Hutay’zai originally fought for the Traditionalist Coalition during the Contact War under his father, but upon his ascent to the throne of Tza he chose instead to sue for peace, giving up his kingdom in exchange for a position as Overlord and keeping his lands safe from the nuclear war. Since then he has become one of the most powerful vassals in the Hegemony, rising to the position of Master of Rivers on the Hegemon's council. He believes in the economic policy of mercantilism, limiting imports and maximizing exports, and ensuring that there is little outside influence on the economy. It is for the latter reason Azui sees the status of Hephaestus Industries within the Hegemony as a mistake, and one he must make every effort to correct.

'''Court Priest:''' [[Notable_Unathi#Korza_Azandar,_Sk'akh_High_Priest|Korza Azandar]]

Due to [[Unathi_Recent_Events#The_Hegemon_Wakes!_(2461-2462)|political conflict with the church of Sk’akh]], this position was unfilled for four years, with the Sk'akh Archpriests ruling the Church by committee. In 2466, ongoing religious turmoil and the rise of revolutionary faiths such as [[Aut'akh]] and [[Si'akh]] led the Archpriests to finally act, [[Demands of the Three Arc|raising Korza Azandar to lead them]]. Despite past difficulties with the Church, Hegemon Not'zar appointed High Priest Azandar to the traditional position of Court Priest, allowing him to advise the Hegemon on spiritual matters - and firmly solidifying the Church as a political power in the Hegemony once again.

'''Lord’s Claws:''' [[Notable_Unathi#Mizaruz_Izweski,_Lord_and_''Izweski_Lord's_Claws'' | Mizaruz Izweski]]

A former war hero, Mizaruz was married into the Izweski clan and made Lord’s Claws of the Hegemony shortly after the Contact War. He is utterly loyal to Not’zar, but viewed as an incompetent in strategic military matters by many Sinta. His diplomacy has been viewed favorably however, having managed to avert many crises both within the Hegemony and with other alien empires. He is the primary proponent for the further adoption of the new model war which allowed the Hegemony its victory during the contact war. He has recommended several reforms, even going so far as to propose a standing army in addition to the Navy, but has been disrupted by more traditionalist elements who still wield considerable power within the military establishment.

'''High Speaker:''' [[Notable_Unathi#Seleta_Sarnac,_Lady_and_''Izweski_High_Speaker'' | Seleta Sarnac]]

A dedicated public relations expert, Lady Sarnac runs the diplomatic arm of the Hegemony, with foreign ambassadors reporting directly to her. She is known to be a rival of Overlord Rokasi Miazso of the Southlands, and has frequently attempted to leverage her position to strengthen her clan's place in the region. She is also noted for her progressive standpoints, which has earned her the ire of more traditional nobles. She appears at Not’zars side at nearly all public events, crafting his image into one of power and certainty. She has also begun a campaign of propaganda, in an attempt to garner the loyalty of common sinta, particularly guildsmen and peasants.

'''Spymaster:''' [[Notable_Unathi#Hizoni_Izweski,_''Izweski_Spymaster'' | Hizoni Izweski]]

The only daughter of former Merchants' Guild guildmaster Keicacu Razi, Hizoni rose to prominence when she defeated a murder plot directed at the Hegemon, killing two of the assassins herself and uncovering their paymasters - the disgraced Yiztek clan. Since then she has continued to protect the Hegemon, shoring up his precarious position anyway she can. On May 14th, 2465, she married Not'zar Izweski, taking his name in the process. Little is known about Hizoni Izweski personally - perhaps fittingly for her position.
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=== Consular Officers ===
A consul's job in foreign space is ultimately to represent the Hegemony and assist in legal matters for Unathi dealing with both the Hegemony and another government or group. However, a consul's own secondary objective may depend on their role in society back in the Hegemony. For instance, a Sk'akh priest's interest outside of navigating legal channels would be promoting the Sk'akh faith in a positive light, making sure Sk'akh believers are not causing trouble, ensuring proper tithes are paid, and similar activities. A guildsman promotes their guild membership and benefits for joining; former healers endorse nearby Houses of Medicine and perhaps make sure a Unathi's working conditions are safe and healthy, especially in human space.

A Hegemony consular must be a member of a noble clan, though not one who directly rules territory themselves. Open members of the Aut'akh and Si'akh faiths are not permitted to serve as consulars, though some may hold these beliefs in secret. Vaurca Gynes from the K'lax Hive may also act as consulars for the Hegemony, as they are considered to be noblewomen within the feudal system.

=== International Relations ===
'''[[Sol Alliance]]:'''<br>
The Izweski Hegemony worked closely with the Sol Alliance following first contact, but the aftermath of the Contact War and the Solarian retreat from Ouerea saw the two nations grow distant from each other. Though the Alliance maintained an embassy on Moghes, most of its high-ranking staff were recalled during the Solarian Collapse. Since then, the two nations have had little to do with each other, the main exception occurring in 2464 when the Southern Solarian Reconstruction Mandate and the Hegemony jointly prosecuted a notorious Unathi pirate on the planet Visegrad.

'''[[Republic of Biesel]]:'''<br>
The Hegemony has good relations with the Republic of Biesel, with the two nations having numerous long-standing trade agreements and many Hegemonic Unathi working abroad in the Republic. During the [[KING OF THE WORLD|Solarian invasion of 2462]], the Kataphract Guild lent its services to Biesel, with Unathi warriors fighting alongside the Republic’s forces against the renegade 35th fleet. Though phoron imports have slowed since the scarcity began, the Hegemony still exports large quantities of raw materials such as plasteel and borosilicate glass to the Republic via Hephaestus Industries.

'''[[Empire of Dominia]]:'''<br>
While the Hegemony and Empire have occasionally cooperated in the past - the most notable example being the Battle of Youthstone, where a joint Izweski-Dominian force destroyed a major pirate stronghold on the planet Gwim’zala - relations between the two have always been tense. A large contributor to this tension is the ongoing privateering of House Kazhkz, who tend to favor targeting Izweski ships due to lingering resentment from the Contact War. As Hephaestus has grown in power in the Hegemony and Zavodskoi Interstellar has grown in power in Dominia, these tensions have notably worsened - with the two megacorporations discreetly attempting to sabotage one another’s efforts in the southern Spur. The execution of two Si’akh priests by the Empire in 2466 has led to the threat of trade sanctions against Dominia, though it remains to be seen if this is anything more than idle diplomatic bluster.

'''[[Elyra|Serene Republic of Elyra]]:'''<br>
Elyra and the Hegemony have little formal diplomatic relationship, though a sizable population of Unathi migrant workers are employed by Hephaestus on New Suez. The two nations have had occasional border skirmishes in the past, and though these have ended the relationship between the two remains cold. As tensions between Elyra and Dominia escalate in the Sparring Sea, many in the Hegemony are increasingly concerned of the danger a war between their two main rivals could bring to their own nation, with their navy in little shape to repel a potential attack.

'''[[Coalition of Colonies]]:'''<br>
The Hegemony has no real relationship to speak of with the Coalition. The most notable tie is to [[Burzsia]] via Hephaestus Industries, where many Hegemony citizens have found lucrative employment. Due to concerns of the Hegemony growing into a potential threat to the southern member-states, the Coalition has engaged in several embargoes of the Hegemony in an attempt to diplomatically isolate it - most notably preventing the export of [[Vysoka|Vysokan]] foodstuffs during the recent famine on Moghes.

'''[[Nralakk Federation]]:'''<br>
The Nralakk Federation was one of two nations to make first contact with the Hegemony alongside the Sol Alliance, and jointly operated the Ouerean provisional government with them. Following Hegemon S’kresti’s demand for the return of Ouerea, the Federation withdrew completely from Uueoa-Esa and had little formal contact with the Hegemony for over a decade, remaining focused on their own affairs. [[New Blades Old Wounds Arc|In 2466, following political upheaval in the Federation and economic difficulties in the Hegemony, the two nations worked to restore their relationship]], signing the '''Nralakk-Izweski Mutual Prosperity Agreement.'''

This treaty opened trade between the two nations, as well as making provisions for the use of Hegemony ports and stations by the Qukala and sending humanitarian workers to Moghes. Though some Hegemony lords were initially opposed, most public enmity towards the Skrell was silenced after the Izaku Rebellion, with few willing to openly align themselves with the traitorous Lord of Mudki. In the Federation, the Homeworld Traditionalist Coalition has argued against the agreement, though most of the other parties have backed it for their own myriad of reasons.

The two nations have close ties, though trade through the Sparring Sea remains risky due to the presence of pirates, smugglers, and privateers - requiring great effort from both the Qukala and the Izweski Navy to ensure that trade routes remain open. Nevertheless, the agreement has forged a strong bond - and one that seems to promise a new approach to the wider Spur from both nations.

'''[[People's Republic of Adhomai]]:'''<br>
The Hegemony and the People’s Republic have decent diplomatic relations, as the two major non-human powers of the region - the two nations maintain embassies with one another, and their fleets have shared information in order to combat piracy in the Badlands. Relations between the two have occasionally been fraught, however - the PRA denounced the Izweski occupation of [[Gakal'zaal]] prior to the planet’s vote to join the DPRA, while the Hegemony has openly denounced the PRA’s use of nuclear weapons during the war. Due to their own experiences, the Izweski have made several calls for nuclear disarmament on Adhomai - though so far, little has come of it. Though the two nations have never been actively hostile, both are wary of the possibility of future conflict.

'''[[Democratic People's Republic of Adhomai]]:'''<br>
The Hegemony and Democratic People’s Republic have a hostile relationship, largely due to the events on Gakal’zaal. The Al’mariist government denounced the Unathi and supplied materiel and fighters to the rebels in the colony. Despite the normalization of diplomatic ties after the liberation of the planet, the relationship between both nations remains tense because of the Unathi situation in Gakal'zaal; the Hegemony wishes for the Unathi residing there to regain citizenship, yet the bitter history between the previously-named Unathi nobility and the Tajara population there proves too recent a hurdle to pass.

'''[[New Kingdom of Adhomai]]:'''<br>
In an attempt to gain more allies, the New Kingdom approached the Izweski Hegemony recently. As part of the concessions to gain its favor, it denounced the Al'mariist presence in Gakal'zaal. The Unathi have also requested the NKA to recognize their claim to the planet, a demand that the Kingdom is still unsure if it will accept or not. Beyond this, the NKA and Hegemony have had little in the way of formal relations or trade.

'''[[The Commonwealth of Hieroaetheria]]:'''<br>
As a result of the sheer distance between the Commonwealth and Hegemony territories, diplomacy between the two nations is light but does occur. To aid in combating the growing Wasteland, The Commonwealth has sent thousands of nymph seeds to Moghes in order to help clear radiation. Unathi merchants and smugglers have been known to make a stop in the Commonwealth's territory to purchase some goods to resell elsewhere.

==Culture and Demographics==
''See also: [[Unathi#Society|Unathi Society]]''

Life in the Hegemony has changed very little since the emergence of feudalism centuries ago. There are the people at the top — nobles, guildsmen, aliens, and then there are the people at the bottom — the peasantry, Guwan, and more. The reverence of honor continues to be a major player in Unathi society even to this day. Conservative cultural norms such as the importance gender plays in deciding somebody's role in society, strong religious zeal, and arranged marriages, are upheld and persevere due to the stubbornness native to Unathi.

=== Feudalism and Caste ===
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All Unathi in the Izweski Hegemony live under a strict feudal society. It divides most of the species into distinct castes, each of which usually prevents upward mobility - though social mobility has become increasingly more common in recent years. The varied castes of Unathi society, and the genders associated with them, are as follows.

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'''The nobility''' or '''Sanza''' can include Lords, Clan Lords, and even distinguished Clan members. These are the landed elite of the Hegemony, and the most powerful nobles influence the Hegemon's decisions. Nobles must own a tract of land, no matter how small, to be considered a noble. Land is inherited, purchased, or granted by the Hegemon (often by pleasing him or winning his wars). The nobility enjoy the comforts of off-world technology and are considered superior physically, mentally, and spiritually to the average peasant. It is important to note that one may be part of a noble clan and not be a noble--for example, children do not typically own land, so they are technically not noble, though they enjoy the privileges of the nobility all the same. Many of those that swear allegiance to the clan are considered part of the noble clan, but are not actual nobility. This is not a gendered role, with men, women, and fishers being equally common.

'''Shaman''' or '''Akh''' is the general term for any Unathite clergy; priests however are exclusively members of the Sk'akh Church. Priests tend to own the land of their church which owes its fealty to the local Lord, making them a form of pseudo-nobility. They are granted many special protections that protect them from violence or land seizures. Priests own their respective churches and Lords are forbidden from collecting tax from them, pressing them into armed service, or seizing their lands. Their influence rivals that of secular Lords, and many priests are active participants in local politics and intrigue. Ever since the fall of the Church, much of what was considered "church land" was seized by enterprising lords--after the end of the civil war, the priests were able to hold on to some, but not all of their land. Th'akh shamans have been unaffected by this change, though they always typically held much smaller tracts of land when compared to their Sk'akh rivals, causing some tension. These roles are not gendered, though a priest or shaman's duties will change greatly based on their chosen gender.

'''Healers''' or '''Riz'akh''' are, as their name implies, doctors. Like shamans, it takes many years studying and learning to become an official healer. A well-studied healer will typically swear allegiance to a noble clan (including their own clan) and treat for their clan only. Large noble clans have entire hospitals and multiple healers dedicated for their needs, while smaller clans may only employ one healer. This tradition has come to change, however--after the Contact War, the need for healers increased drastically due to the effects of radiation on Unathi. The Hegemon finances prospective healers to study abroad or at the Skalamar University of Medicine so that they may join public hospitals, paid at a similar (albeit lesser rate) than healers that are in service to a noble clan. Notably, even peasants have even been awarded this scholarship, though they must prove their skill at healing beforehand. The healer is the archetypically feminine role, with all in this position being considered women.

'''Warriors''', known as '''Saa'[clan]''', are soldiers that fight under the banners of their Lords. They are seen as an ideal for male Unathi to strive for. They attach themselves to noble clans (including their own) and fight in that clan's conflicts, and clans are expected to give their warriors to the Hegemon in the event of war (provided it is not a civil war). Warriors are expected to follow the Warrior's Code perfectly. Warriors, like Healers, are pulled from the entirety of the populace, but it is up to that noble lord's discretion on who to promote. Warriors could be trained from birth in the family of the noble, a levyman that distinguishes himself in battle, or a random farmer forced into training--whatever the noble decides. Warriors, in peace time, guard their noble clan or serve in the Hegemony. Warriors are occasionally awarded land for their service, either by their overlord or the Hegemon himself. Warriors who attach themselves to the Hegemony himself and not any noble family are known as Kataphracts. The warrior is the archetypically male role, with all engaging in such activities being considered men.

'''Kataphracts''' or '''Saa’Izweski''', are an ancient class of warriors that has recently been revived by Not’zar Izweski. They attach themselves to the Hegemony itself rather than a clan and follow the [[Unathi Honor|Warrior's Code of Honor]] strictly. When they are not summoned to do battle for the Izweski, Kataphracts seek to maintain their status as brave and honorable warriors by participating in martial games or going on adventures throughout the galaxy. Kataphracts are appointed by the Hegemon, an Overlord, or another Kataphract if they prove themselves in battle to be especially brave and worthy, though lords are hesitant to hand off their best warriors to the Hegemon. Women cannot become Kataphracts; only those that claim the soul of a warrior may become one. '''They are referred to as Saa''' when referring to their rank, or '''Saa’Izweski''' when formally referred to. Kataphracts are only paid by the Hegemony when they are summoned for war. Kataphracts as a result take to adventuring across the galaxy to earn credits and make their name, and some even seek employment within Tau Ceti, waiting until the day they are summoned to do proper battle.

Besides their ventures in the frontier and Tau Ceti, the Kataphracts were purchased as mercenaries by the People’s Republic of Adhomai to fight in the [[Tajaran_Military_Structures#The_S'rend'marr_Coalition|S'rend'marr Coalition]]. They were utilized to primarily protect urban areas and officials. The Kataphracts suffered heavily in their deployment however, struggling to balance their precepts of honor with the harsh reality of guerilla war on Adhomai. Their experiences left them embittered against Tajara of the DPRA, a feeling many Hegemony clans would share following the [[Gakal'zaal|Gakal'zaal conflict]].

'''Kataphract-Hopefuls''' or '''Zo’saa''', are Unathi that have pledged themselves to the life of a Kataphract, yet are not appointed. They are warriors that have attached themselves to the Hegemony, but have not actually been appointed a Kataphract by the Hegemon. Other Hopefuls, after making their intentions known, are sent out across the galaxy to be tested in various ways, in accompaniment with real Kataphracts. Many Kataphract-Hopefuls come to Tau Ceti for the challenge of holding true to their ideals and the goal of "Kataphract-hood", tested against the well known trend of the star system to break down conservative Unathite beliefs. Kataphract-Hopefuls that spend a few years in Tau Ceti and still hold true to their commitments of honor and bravery, or who engage in incredibly brave deeds and do the same, can easily find themselves anointed a Kataphract.

'''Spies''' or '''Zo'kaa''', occupy the same rank as the warriors for Unathi, being the female counterpart to the warrior caste. Similarly, while male Unathi look up to warriors as an ideal, women look up to spies with an equal amount of reverence. Spies, however, are in an often unique position - a majority often serve their Lords for whatever intelligence they are looking to collect, but can also be reached out to by spymasters should they be looking for dangerous elements, especially in outlying territories. Generally speaking, '''spies''' are often what humans consider to be detectives of sorts, and lower rank and file spies work as investigators. Some spies specialize in gathering information through subtle questioning and incentivizing cooperation, while others are masters in infiltration and blending in. This is a traditionally feminine position.

'''Spymasters''' or '''Kaa''', are those that gain a reputation by word of mouth between those that would seek their employment - namely, powerful Lords, merchants, priests, and other figures of influential clans. Such spymasters become operators themselves of other spies, using their experience to give potential leads, offer guidance to newer spies, and take up larger work from the Izweski Hegemony. Spies themselves do not attach themselves to specific clans, and are instead forced to serve whomever their spymaster decrees.

'''Guildsmen''' are merchants, businessmen, and entrepreneurs striving to make a name for themselves and earn a nice profit while doing so. This social class includes both Guildmasters and independent salesmen. You are required to purchase the title of Guildsman from a local Lord or Guildmaster before being considered as such and are legally barred from conducting business without one. Guildsmen are only required to pay rent to their Lord and are exempt from taxation, so this group forms the closest thing Moghes has to a middle class. Guildsmen can be men, women or fishers; with fishers commonly making up the bulk of a Guild's labor force while women usually are the outward face of any aspects regarding external business. There are a few exceptions, but those that stray from these norms within Unathite culture are shunned and face a more difficult uphill battle in gaining recognition and becoming successful. Peasants who work for guilds are not considered guildsmen. Following the rise of Hephaestus Industries, most guildsmen are considered Hephaestus employees. This is a non-gendered role, though this depends on guild - members of mercenary guilds are considered male, while members of medical guilds are considered female and most productive guilds would be considered as fishers.

[[File:Fuedalism.png|thumb|A visual representation of Izweski feudalism.]]

'''Peasants''' are the bottom rung of society, and are by far the largest. This group comprises traditional tenants on the land of a Lord working aquaculture farms or in the mines, to urban Unathi living in slums and working in guild factories. Peasants have zero political power and are at the mercy of their overlords. Strong social norms and tradition are what keep Lords from outright abusing their peasants en-masse. They work for the Guilds and provide the Guilds the fruit of all their labor, keeping meager earnings of which they must surrender half to their Lord for the privilege of living on his land. Peasants only have meager influence when organized into clans, in which they can appeal for better things to their lord or guild, like a crude worker's union. This is how peasants ascend to the middle class, though they are still at the whims of their lord--and if a lord or guild dislikes what you or your clan is doing, you will be immediately stomped out.

'''Guwan''' are the absolute bottom caste of Hegemony society. As punishment for their crimes, they are given absolutely zero protections, and are actively subjugated, persecuted, and barred from all aspects of public life and hopes of ever-advancing upwards. They typically work the worst jobs and sleep on the street, as they are not allowed to own property. Aut'akh usually end up in this caste as well, as most of them are denounced by their clan or Lord. The only chance that a Guwan has to ever lose their status is to be adopted into another clan or proven innocent of their crimes.
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=== Gender Roles ===
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Unathi society is highly gender-stratified, with very specific gendered divisions of work and societal role. The Unathi understanding of gender has become tied deeply into these roles, which leads to a structure that humans may find unusual. In Unathi society, gender has little to do with assigned sex, rather being almost entirely dependent on the societal role an individual finds themselves in. The Sinta’Unathi words for ‘warrior’ and ‘male’ are the same, but this is not because one is required to be male to be a warrior - rather, the act of being a warrior is what makes one considered male. To Unathi, gender is not something that one ''is'', but something that one ''does''. An Unathi who sought to live as a professional warrior would be considered male by society at large, regardless of their sex at hatching - and regardless of their own thoughts on the matter.

Where this system originates is largely unknown, having existed in some form for most of Unathi recorded history. The earliest known example comes from archaeological discoveries in the [[Tza Prairie]], indicating that ancient Unathi cultures held the Fisher as the feminine role, rather than the Healer - which was reserved for a long-extinct caste of shaman-kings. The gender division in its modern form was likely codified by the early Sk’akh Church or predecessor faiths, though with so much of Moghes’ history now lost to the Wasteland scholars doubt if the origins of such a fundamental part of society will ever be discovered.

The divisions of labor in Unathi society are based on this structure of gender, and it is expressed prominently in religion - the Three Aspects of Sk’akh being the most prevalent examples. The Warrior, Healer, and Fisher are the primary categories into which almost every aspect of Unathi life has been divided for centuries - though as with many Unathi traditions, it is being increasingly challenged in the modern era.

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'''The Warrior'''<br>

The Warrior is the masculine category, under which roles to do with martial affairs tend to fall. Most military positions are considered male due to this, with some rare exceptions being made for medical and support personnel. Outside of direct combat matters, positions in law enforcement and colonial expansion are also widely considered warriors, as are many roles to do with the direct enforcement of a ruler’s will such as governorship, tax collection and announcement of decrees. Unathi identifying as warriors are expected to act with honor in accordance with the [[Unathi Honor|Warriors' Code]]. Vaurca Warriors outside of those in medical or scientific fields are generally gendered as male by Unathi as a result of this.

'''The Healer'''<br>

The Healer is the feminine category, which is broader than its name might indicate. Positions in the medical field are obviously considered healers, but the category also covers most scholarship and keeping of knowledge in general. The Simiite Reliquary in To’ha’dat is staffed exclusively by Priestesses of the Healer, and holds the complete historical record of the Sk’akh Church. While scholarship in general has never been as gendered as some other categories, the vast majority of Unathi scientists, archivists and researchers would be considered female. The sphere of knowledge and learning also covers the business of spycraft, investigation and diplomacy, with the positions of Spymaster and High Speaker being traditionally female ones. Unathi identifying as healers have less of a concrete code of honor, though in recent years the invention of the [[Unathi Honor|Matriarch's Code]] has gained some popularity. Vaurca Gynes, as well as Workers and Warriors in medical or scientific fields, are generally gendered as female by Unathi as a result of this.

'''The Fisher'''<br>

The Fisher is the third Unathi gender, without a direct translation in Tau Ceti Basic. Its sphere covers productive work such as fishing, construction and engineering. Many among the Unathi working class are considered to be fishers, and the title of Master of Rivers is one that traditionally is held by a fisher. In Tau Ceti Basic, gender-neutral pronouns are often used to describe fishers, though due to linguistic differences a fisher may often be gendered as male or female by humans. The sphere of the fisher encompasses many positions to do with economic development, ranging from humble miners, ranchers and fishers all the way to colonial administrators. There is no strict code of honor for fishers similar to that of warriors and healers, though the idea of developing one has been attempted a few times. Vaurca Workers outside of medical or scientific fields are generally gendered as fishers by Unathi.

'''Non-Gendered Roles'''<br>

The gender stratification of Unathi society is nearly all-encompassing, though there are some rare positions that can be considered as more than one gender. Rulership is the most notable of these, with the gender of a ruler being considered emblematic of their style of rule - male rulers are considered a good omen for military victory, whereas female rulers are considered a blessing for periods of peace and wisdom and fisher rulers are considered to bring periods of great productivity to their demesne. The title of Hegemon is something of an exception, having always had a connotation of military conquest to it. As such, Hegemons throughout the ages have largely been warriors, though with a few notable exceptions. Hegemon Ayzi Sarakus is historically recorded as a fisher, and there have been several recorded healers and fishers to have held the throne throughout the Izweski Hegemony’s history - though greatly outnumbered by the warriors.

One role which falls outside any of the three genders is that of the Guwandi. The reason for this is simple. A Guwandi sheds their gender as they shed their name, and for the same reason - it is a sign of the person they once were, before facing such shame that it was left behind. A Guwandi is only referred to as their prior gender when they are confirmed to have died with honour, and the stain of their disgrace can be erased from their history.

In addition, the introduction of Unathi to the interstellar stage has led to a vast array of new roles, which have yet to be neatly assigned to a gender. While some were able to fit into pre-existing categories, other roles such as interstellar piloting, civilian spaceship command and various roles to do with colonial oversight have yet to be fit into one of Unathi society’s well-defined boxes.

'''Changing Gender'''<br>

Most Unathi will live in the gender of their work for their entire lives. However, the nature of Unathi gender roles mean that changing one’s gender is fairly common in Unathi society, especially among nobles who may find themselves in a wide number of roles during their lives. It is not uncommon for rulers identifying as female to present as male during wartime, for instance, or for rulers identifying as male to present as a fisher when investing heavily in developing their lands.

In the modern age this has become more common among non-nobles, as common Unathi find themselves with a greater degree of social mobility. Many who would have lived and died as fishers find themselves seeking out battle and becoming warriors, or enrolling at institutions such as the [[Unathi_Educational_Institutions#Skalamar_University_of_Medicine|Skalamar University of Medicine]] and identifying themselves as healers. The act of changing one’s gender is, in most Unathi societies, a religious one. In the [[Izweski Heartland]] and other majority Sk’akh regions, these affairs are handled by the Church, while other faiths have their own approaches to it. For Unathi outside the Hegemony, such as those in Biesel or Dominia, less of a spiritual significance tends to be placed on the transition, being treated as more of a personal and private affair.

'''Outside the Gender Trinary'''<br>

In every society, there are those who do not conform to expectations, and the same is true among Unathi. Following the Contact War, many Unathi have challenged the ancient structures of gender that bind their species, seeking to separate their work from their own identification. The first female Kataphract, the Lady H’zala was appointed in 2459, one of the first public examples of a non-warrior permitted in such a strongly gendered role. In the Queendom of Szek-Hakh, the ordinary structures of gender are largely reversed as most of the fighting is done by women - while some present as warriors to the world, most continue to identify themselves as healers. While this is done out of practicality, with most of the realm’s men having perished in the Contact War, it is still viewed as a dramatic aberration from the norm. Abroad, some Unathi have found themselves adopting more human conceptions of gender as something that a person is, rather than something that they do, and choose to present as a gender that does not match their occupation - whether one which matches their sex, or simply based on personal preference.

Many have decried this as alien confusion and an erosion of Sinta tradition, while others welcome or simply do not pay mind to it. Gender is a spiritual matter, after all, and the priests and shamans have yet to come to a definite conclusion about these changing matters. How this will impact Unathi society, built around the strict gender trinary for centuries, remains to be seen.

'''Gender and Aliens'''
To many Unathi, human conceptions of gender are confusing, seemingly arbitrary and without reason. While decades of contact between the two species has helped for better understanding of this, both tend to view the other society’s ideas of gender as strange. Unathi, particularly those less-accustomed to working with aliens, will often gender non-Unathi based on their profession rather than any outward signs, and will find being corrected on this matter particularly confusing. For aliens which lack a concept of gender altogether such as [[Skrell]], [[Vaurca|Vaurcae]] or [[Dionae]], this is generally less of an issue.

On [[Ouerea]], a general understanding has been reached as to human concepts of gender, with the Unathi population coming to understand their alien neighbors’ views. Some of these views have been adopted among the Unathi population, with Archpriest Azente of the Sk’akh Church holding in the belief that an Unathi can do the work of one gender while identifying as another, which has caused him to be labelled as a radical among his fellows. Generally speaking, Skrell on Ouerea do not seem to have any particular trouble assimilating to Unathi notions of gender, though the reasoning behind it can often be confusing to them.

Some Diona gestalts which have primarily learned from Unathi - such as those living in the Izweski Hegemony, or among the pirates of the Tarwa Conglomerate - have adopted their own interpretation of Unathi gender. Some more organized gestalts tend to gender their individual nymphs based on the role they play in the whole, while others have developed their own codes of behavior similar to those practiced in Unathi society. More information about them can be found [[Moghresian Dionae|here]].

Most [[Unathi in Dominia|Dominian Unathi]] have, at least in practice, adopted the human model. Though most were born and raised on Moghes and held (perhaps still hold) traditional views, most Unathi choose to adapt to the local Imperial culture for similar reasons as converting to the [[Moroz Holy Tribunal|Holy Tribunal]] - that not respecting the customs and culture of their new home would be dishonorable to those who had welcomed them. Some, particularly among the Han’san and the older Unathi population, do not forget about traditional understandings of gender, still living much as they would on Moghes. To the humans of Dominia, this is largely written off as another alien curiosity of the Unathi, though those who spend more time with them may come to a better understanding of their ways. The newer generations of Unathi born on Imperial soil, however, are generally much more familiar with human ideas of gender than Unathi ones.
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=== Relationships and Marriage ===
Marriage in the culture of the Hegemony is seen strictly as a means to secure alliances between clans. With the bonding of two souls under [[Sk'akh]], clans are capable of securing peace and strength.

[[File:PostCitiesNamed.png|thumb|A map of Moghes, with cities and the Wasteland labelled. The Hegemony rules all.]]

Depending on who is being married, the act of marriage can carry different societal expectations. Marriage between a '''two fishers, or two different genders''' is seen as a symbol of fertility and growth, bringing the call of the Fisher. Marriage between '''two men''' links to the Aspect of the Warrior for strength, and is often used to secure particularly military alliances. Marriage between '''two women''' is a call for the Aspect of the Healer, and is thought to bring stability and kindness.

Divorces in the Izweski Hegemony must be requested through the Sk'akh Church, where a member of the clergy will decide how property and titles will be split. Typically, if a man is known to abuse or neglect their spouse, it is seen as a deep insult to the spouses' clan - a woman is often seen as being unable to do something so violent against another soul.

Oftentimes, '''Marriage Competitions''' are held to encourage young, unmarried Unathi to be competitive against each other and be the best suitor they can be, while unwed Unathi, parents, and Clan Leaders from various clans watch. Formal events are gender-segregated and have suitors attempt to impress Clan Leaders, whether through status, skill, or beauty. Men will often prove themselves in duels between suitors, women display acts of debate or healing, and fishers display skilled craftsmanship. Successful Unathi who win these contests are lauded by their entire communities and enjoy great prestige, and often enjoy the luxury of several suitors pining for their hand - and oftentimes, the best two are fated for each other.

==Military==
''See also: [[Unathi Military Structure]], [[Unathi Honor]]''

Most major nobles have standing personal forces, which are augmented by levies in times of war. Following the end of the Contact War, many levied troops have remained in the service of the Izweski, having lost homelands to return to. Outside of the levy system, the Hegemony maintains a professional navy to project power on the interstellar scale - though it is currently suffering great difficulty from the phoron scarcity, which has rendered outlying colonies vulnerable to pirate raids and the inability to defend against attack from other regional powers such as Elyra or Dominia.

The Kataphract Guild acts as the personal force of the Hegemon when called, though they act as mercenaries in peacetime. They are highly-trained and well-equipped fighters, though they abide by the Warrior's code with a level of dedication that would make even the most zealous of ordinary Sinta look twice. Though their insistence on honorable tactics has often caused them difficulties - particularly in their involvement with the S'rand'marr Coalition - the Kataphracts are widely regarded as some of the finest fighters in the Orion Spur.

Though technically the standing levies of High Queen Zkaii, the K'lax are also a major contributor to Izweski military power, with legions of K'laxan warriors and the support of enormous specialized warforms acting as a major force multiplier for Hegemony ground forces. The Lord-Admiral Za'Akaix'Xitac K'lax commands all the Hegemony's currently-mobile vessels, and their alien intelligence and connection to the Cephalon network has given them a reputation as an undefeatable commander - a reputation which has yet to be disproven.

==Technology==
''See also: [[Unathi Spaceflight]]''

Prior to first contact, Izweski technology was slightly ahead of twenty-first century Earth - though far more stratified in its distribution. Luxuries such as air travel, automobiles, television and advanced medicine were reserved for the nobility, while the peasantry made do with outdated and relatively primitive equipment. Nuclear weapons were widely distributed over Moghes, with both the Hegemony and the more powerful independent nations having access to nuclear-capable ICBMs. It was generally believed that the possibility of mutual destruction would act as a balancing factor against war - though this would not prove to be the case. The Izweski space program had progressed rapidly, with the first colonists landing on Ouerea in 2390.

The introduction of alien technology changed Moghes rapidly - extranet connections and holoscreens are common across the urban centers of Moghes, advanced medicines such as dexalin and ryetalyn can be acquired through the House of Medicine, and the Izweski navy is outfitted with high-quality laser rifles and the advanced hardsuits known as 'breachers'. Nobles in the Untouched Lands enjoy a quality of life on par with that found anywhere in the Spur, and increasing social mobility means that many peasants have found hope that one day, they too will enjoy the full benefits of the modern age. The introduction of Vaurcae to the Hegemony has also brought new technological advances, such as the now-commonplace energy-based melee weapons and the establishment of gene clinics to treat the genetic defects caused by lingering radiation.

Life in the rural areas is harsher, with cities being rare and life mostly determined by the size of a village and how well they can fish and hunt. Due to the distance from city centers, essential supplies like medicine are hard to come by locally and, more often than not, expensive. Access to domesticated threshbeasts, railroads, and the occasional car allows for travel to nearby tradeposts, so even though such supplies are expensive to import, one can still obtain them if they have enough coin. These threshbeasts also allow those that work skilled labor to exchange information on techniques to work trades in the city.

Each rural town generally has a radio so important news, orders from a Clan Lord, weather forecasts, and the like can be broadcast to the clan leader in the village. Often times, over the radio is how many rural Unathi receive statements from Not'zar, and most have not seen a likeness of him. Cheap holoscreens are becoming increasingly common in rural areas, and the wealthier peasant clans sometimes can afford to buy more than one car. The most advanced aspect of life for rural clans is the aquaponics system, one that Hephaestus engineers have helped develop to maximize livability for fish in these farms. Most Lords and Clan Lords see to it these systems remain up to date as possible, else starvation and minimal profits will be turned from a given clan.

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Unathi Recent Events

2024-08-11T03:18:39Z

RustingWithYou: NBOW

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A brief summary of the storyline for the [[Unathi]] is here.

== Unathi Enter the Bluespace Age (2457)==
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Technically spacefaring, the Hegemony never had time to build a fleet before the Contact War caused Izweski attention to collapse inwards. But in June of 2457, all of that changed. By inviting Unathi raiders from all across the galaxy to return to Moghes and swear fealty to clan Izweski in exchange for amnesty, Hegemon S'kresti managed to assemble a small fleet of warships. This fleet would be used to force the Solarian Alliance and Nralakk Federation to the negotiating table by taking Qukala marines prisoner. The negotiations would see the peaceful transfer of the colony world Ouerea to the Hegemony, marking the end its joint administration by the Alliance and Federation.

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On June 2nd the [https://forums.aurorastation.org/viewtopic.php?p=26210#p26210|Hegemon S’kresti Izweski announced amnesty for all Unathi raiders in the galaxy] if they came to Moghes and swore fealty. Several ships accepted the call, and overnight the Unathi had a small, rag-tag fleet that began to grow in size.

[[File:FirstCataclysm.jpg|thumb|One of the first vessels to answer the call, the HMV Cataclysm became a namesame for the later class of super-dreadnaught.]]

On June 3rd the [https://forums.aurorastation.org/viewtopic.php?p=26334#p26334|NanoTrasen frigate NMV Daedalus was attacked and destroyed by an Izweski vessel], which rammed it and boarded it to seize the ship and crew before scuttling the ship. In retaliation NanoTrasen completely shut down their infrastructure in Uueoa-Esa space. Within hours Uueoa-Esa had lost the majority of satellites, shuttleports on the surface shut down as the human staff left, and the bluespace gate for the system itself was shut off.

On June 4th the [[Sol Alliance]] the Prime Minister '''Michael Douglas''' held a speech condemning NanoTrasen's response to the Unathi crisis. Immediately after the speech there was a vote of no-confidence, ousting the Prime Minister, his cabinet, paralyzing SolGov and [https://forums.aurorastation.org/viewtopic.php?p=26597#p26597| making it hard to respond to the seizure of a NanoTrasen telecommunications satellite in orbit of Moghes.]

[https://forums.aurorastation.org/topic/2330-galaxy-news-unathi-crisis/?do=findComment&comment=27318 On June 23rd] Hegemon S’kresti Izweski used a seized NanoTrasen t-comm satellite to broadcast his agenda of expansion for the Hegemony, as well as demanding the return of the Ouerean colony back to Unathi officials. Ouera was jointly administered by the [[Nralakk Federation]] and [[Sol Alliance]] at the time, who originally ignored the demands. Nralakk even warped four extra frigates in orbit of Ouerea to ensure the safety of its citizens on and around the planet.

[https://forums.aurorastation.org/topic/2330-galaxy-news-unathi-crisis/?do=findComment&comment=28422 On July 5th], Hegemonic Fleets jumped into Ouerea orbit. They fired a broadside across the bow of several Federation ships, in order to notify them of their presence. Hegemonic forces would then announce to the Federation that several Qukala marines had been taken prisoner by the Hegemony. These prisoners were essentially used as hostages to force the Federation and Alliance into negotiations for the planet.

[https://forums.aurorastation.org/topic/2330-galaxy-news-unathi-crisis/?do=findComment&comment=28529 On July 7th] newly elected Alliance Prime Minister Chater announced he was ceding Ouerea to the Izweski, deeming the planet not worth the loss of lives in an actual conflict. This lead the Hegemon to name '''Tarkart Yiztek''' as Overlord (King) of the planet.

[https://forums.aurorastation.org/topic/2330-galaxy-news-unathi-crisis/?do=findComment&comment=29205 On July 12th] Nralakk ceded all claims the planet in exchange for all Skrell prisoners being returned, and the opportunity to evacuate any skrell who wished to leave Ouerea.

[[Hephaestus Industries]] was [https://forums.aurorastation.org/topic/2330-galaxy-news-unathi-crisis/?do=findComment&comment=29862 quick to swoop in and fill] in the void left by a withdrawn NanoTrasen. On the 19th of July they announced a partnership with the Hegemony, and laid the groundwork for a tightly woven relationship between the Hegemony and the mega-corporation.
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=== The Cataclysm (2458) ===
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The construction and sabotage of the first Dreadnaught, the HMV cataclysm. Following it's sabotage, the amnesty fleet would go undertake it's first real military operation, fighting the pirates of Izharshan's Raiders. While the raiders were not destroyed, the expedition was generally considered a success; Izharshan was killed by Hegemonic forces, and his pirate fleets severely damaged. The operation would cement Lord-Admiral Trazial Yizarus as a popular war-hero, and give him influence above his station for years to come.

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[https://forums.aurorastation.org/topic/3956-sinta-articles/#comment-49876 On February 13th], the galaxy's first Super-Dreadnaught was launched by the Hegemony thanks to a partnership by Hephaestus Industries. Hephaestus had helped kickstart the orbital industry around Moghes needed for the project. It was a warship of then-unrivalled size, and used the Hegemony's unorthodox naval strategy of close quarters naval combat and shock tactics, bristling with heavy weapons and a reinforced frontal ram. Lord-Admiral Trazarial Yizarus, an older establishment nobleman, was granted the vessel as his flagship for a new future fleet.

[https://forums.aurorastation.org/topic/3956-sinta-articles/?do=findComment&comment=49956%7C That same day], the launch of the HMV Cataclysm was mired by an act of sabotage of the ship's second Supermatter core. The attack killed just over a hundred Unathi and the ship was critically damaged before its maiden launch. The Chief Engineer of the superdreadnaught, Yiazar Tsaera, was murdered in his office by a Guwan infiltrator that had been on the vessel as a janitor.

[https://forums.aurorastation.org/topic/3956-sinta-articles/?do=findComment&comment=50114%7C On Febuary 14th] the culprit was captured and interrogated, he revealed himself to be working for [[Unathi_Piracy#Izharshan's_Raiders | Izharshan's Raiders]], a pirate group that mainly operates within the territory of the Hegemony. The hegemony would retaliate with a large military operation, with the overall goal to be the capture or death of Iklex Izharshan, the leader of Izharshan's Raiders. Many Raider ships were captured or destroyed, and several of his lieutenants and crews were captured as the Hegemony raided forward operating bases. Those captured by the Hegemony would go onto be punished; officers were executed on the order of Lord-Admiral Yizarus, and crews were sentenced to lifetimes of hard labor.

[https://forums.aurorastation.org/topic/3956-sinta-articles/?do=findComment&comment=51582%7C On Febuary 29th], the turning point of the expedition came. Sinta who had joined the Hegemony's 'amnesty navy' under the command of '''Captain Zyuiz Sitraz''', conducted a massacre against a Raider occupied station just outside of the Hegemonies borders. The station was home to not only the Raiders, but members of their families, primarily women and children. Ignoring hails from the station and requests by the inhabitants to be allowed to surrender, Sitraz and his men indiscriminately cleared the station, leaving no survivors. For his crimes, he was personally condenmed by the Hegemon and accused of Abhorrent Dishonor. He fled the Hegemony before being arrested.

[https://forums.aurorastation.org/topic/3956-sinta-articles/?do=findComment&comment=53001%7C On March 15th], Ilkex Izharshan was killed when the Hegemony raided a well defended asteroid base just outside of the Hegemonies territory. The Hegemonic Navy was led to the base by tracking a damaged raider ship carrying a supply of Phoron. The assault was led by Lord-Admiral Trazial Yizarus, as his brother was battling a seasonal sickness. Ilkex was killed on the bridge of the base when several hegemonic warriors threw frag grenades into the room. This also marked the end of the Hegemonic Navy's first true military operation, which they completed rather well. It is seen by many as the day the Hegemony became an equal player within the Badlands.

[https://forums.aurorastation.org/topic/3956-sinta-articles/?do=findComment&comment=53584%7C By March 19th] the repairs to the HMV Cataclysm were completed, and the ship was re-launched to much fanfare. It joined the 1st Fleet, commanded by Lord-Admiral Trazial Yizarus, and became the fleet's flagship.
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== The Succession Crisis (2458)==

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In 2458 the Heir to the Hegemony, Yakt Izweski, would suddenly perish in a shuttle crash on Moghes. As a result, the line of succession shifted to Not'zar Izweski, who was seen as a weak and undesirable heir. Following the funeral of his son, Hegemon Sr'kresti became recluse, locking himself away in the Izweski Keep eventually falling into a coma. This left a power vacuum within the Hegemony, leading to S'linzar Ickza, a son in law of the Hegemon, declaring himself Regent with the support of many powerful vassals. Eventually, Not'zar challenged S'linzar to single combat for the throne, triumphing by utilizing a large skrell made exosuit.

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=== Death of Heir Yakt: Rise of S'linzar ===
[https://forums.aurorastation.org/topic/3956-sinta-articles/?do=findComment&comment=57849%7C May 6th, 2458] will forever mark a turning point in the Hegemony's history. Hegemon Heir Yakt Izweski along with his wife Asalizathi and 4 other passengers were killed when a private shuttle crashed in the mountains just north of To'ha'dat. According to sources within the Moghean Shuttle Service Authority they received a distress signal from the shuttle's pilot. The pilot had declared an emergency after its engines failed at 45,000 feet from an unknown malfunction. His death decapitated the Izweski's succession plans. The prince was the epitome of Unathi ideals, being a warrior-poet who strengthed the Izweski clan through a powerful marriage alliance with the Ackza clan through his wife.
His death left as heir the undesirable Prince Not'zar Izweski, 20 years old at the time and second oldest child to the Hegemon and his First Wife. The physically handicapped and unassuming Unathi was never expected to achieve anything, and most people skipped over him to focus on his younger brother Prince Z'krazki Izweski who was 16 at the time. Z'krazki was seen as the same sort of robust, strong-headed Unathi that his eldest brother and father were.
It also left in a powerful position Lord S'linzar Ickza', 25 at the time. He was brother-in-law of the late Heir and Son-in-Law of the Hegemon after marrying the 19 year old Rzasul Izweski. He personally commanded the Ickza Levee forces, which fought extensively alongside Izweski forces under his late father in the Contact War. Many of their forces were tragically lost, including Slin'zar's father, in the nuclear exchange but the Ickza continued to be a dominant force in the Hegemon military as its leading officers and a sizable portion of the Moghean levies.

[https://forums.aurorastation.org/topic/3956-sinta-articles/?do=findComment&comment=58087%7C On May 8th], S'linzar saw his chance after the sudden loss of the Hegemon. During the funeral of his lost son, Hegemon S'kresti, already having experienced the trauma of living through a nuclear apocalypse that saw him lose friends, family, and almost his entire civilization, became inconsolable upon seeing his son buried. Following the burial the Hegemon cut off all contact and resigned himself to his quarters in the Izweski Citadel, not leaving his bed. His doctors soon found the grief and major depressive episode had caused the Hegemon to fall into a coma.
After losing their heir and then immediately losing their Hegemon, a power vacuum was ripped wide open in the Hegemony. Immediately power players made moves to seize the ultimate prize. Faster and savvier than the others, S'linzar Ickza unilaterally declared himself Regent and immediately gained support of powerful vassals.

[https://forums.aurorastation.org/topic/3956-sinta-articles/?do=findComment&comment=58568%7C By May 11th] S'linzar attempted to purge his enemies and uplift his loyalists, but hit a roadblock in the form of Lord-Admiral Yizarus. After purging and sidelining large elements of the upper nobility in government, Lord-Admiral Trazarial Yizarus was also given a letter of retirement ordering him to cede authority of the 1st Fleet which is still withdrawing from operations in the Frontier. Lord-Admiral Yizarus announced that he would refuse to abide by the letter, and that he would continue to operate the fleet, which accounts for almost half of the orbital navy of the Hegemony. The Yizarus clan and its direct vassals remained the majority of officers in the young Hegemon Space Command, whereas the Ickza and their vassals dominated the politics and manpower of the army of Moghes and Ouerea.
Lord-Regent Ickza responded by threatening to brand Lord-Admiral Yizarus a traitor, forcefully stripping him of his titles and lands. Complicating the matter, Lord-Admiral Azikyui Yizarus, Trazarial's brother, commanded the 2nd Fleet which had just returned to the orbit of Moghes. Azikyui did not give any statements on his position and the 2nd fleet went silent, refusing hails from both the Moghean Space Command or the 1st Fleet's hails. Lord-Admiral Yizarus demanded his brother defy the Lord-Regent while Lord-Regent Ickza has sent demands for Azikyui to detain his brother and seize control of the 1st Fleet.

[https://forums.aurorastation.org/topic/3956-sinta-articles/?do=findComment&comment=59300%7C Following this on May 19th], S'linzar doubled down on his attacks against Not'zar Izweski and his immediate family. Not'zar had just went to diplomatic summit in Tau Ceti to meet emissaries from the Jargon Federation, seeking recognition for his own claim from the [[Jargon Federation]]. Ickza visciously mocked and attacked the young Prince for this move, trying to discredit him by painting him as a pawn of xeno powers in words that quoted the famous 'false smiles and unknowable minds' line from King Don'zai Azarak and his Firebrand Summit of 2437.
Following this maneuver, the Overlord of Ouerea declared his support for Ickza. This also caused Azikyui to break his fleets silence and declare himself for Ickza. It seemed evident to all that Not'zar's only choice was to either formally abdicate to Ickza or rally his existing forces and seize his claim by force, plunging the Hegemony into a brutal war of succession that would forever prevent them from reversing the spread of the Wasteland, and potentially ending Unathi's chance for civilization entirely.

=== Defeat of S'linzar: Rise of Not'Zar ===
[https://forums.aurorastation.org/topic/3956-sinta-articles/?do=findComment&comment=60030%7C On May 27th], Not'zar Izweski showed his grasp of intrigue and political acumen by taking a third choice. Having been secretly shuttled to the Cataclysm, Not'zar Izweski broadcast a speech in which he challenged S'linzar to a duel of personal combat. He antagonized Ickza's pride by declaring he'd spare his in-law upon his defeat. Publically challenging Ickza before all Unathi and having such self-confidence in his own victory manipulated Ickza into immediately accepting at risk of losing face. The key in Ickza's response was that Not'zar, who was known to be physically handicapped, could "choose whatever weapons and armor he can walk to the field with."

[https://forums.aurorastation.org/topic/3956-sinta-articles/?do=findComment&comment=61473%7C On June 16th], the duel of personal combat marked a stunning reversal in Ickza's trajectory. The duel was conducted that morning with Lord Regent S'linzar arriving outside the Izweski Citadel, the capital of the Hegemony and personal castle of the Izweski family, in a Mk II Class Breacher Suit taken from the Izweski personal armory. The duel was taking place in the courtyard of the Izweski Citadel with the ramparts filled with various members of the Hegemony nobility. Many were encouraged by the self-assured Slin'zar to take the victor as the legitimate and legal heir to the Hegemony.
Not'zar was allowed by the terms of the duel to arrive with whatever weapons and armor he could personally carry, and it's believed that this loophole was exploited as a reason for his dramatic entry in a large skrell-made mech. The mech's use in the duel was not known until it departed from a shuttle that had landed just outside the citadel walls. The shuttle itself had embarked from the HMV Cataclysm, which had jumped in orbit above the capital city despite protests from Moghean Space Command and threats of retaliation from the nearby 2nd Fleet. The duel continued despite the surprise of Lord-Regent S'linzar but was quickly ended when Not'Zar fired a series of ion bursts that disabled S'linzar's Breacher Suit and depleted its charge. Lord-Regent S'linzar was them asked to surrender and keep his life and nominal titles, and the offer was accepted.

[https://forums.aurorastation.org/topic/3956-sinta-articles/?do=findComment&comment=63874%7C On July 2nd 2458], Not'zar Izweski ascended to Lord-Regent and the formal heir of the Hegemony during an official coronation ceremony in which he laid out his vision for the Hegemony's future. Not'Zar Izweski gave an extremely controversial speech to the assembly.
Following this speech thirty-eight of the assembled delegations staged a walk out. The fifty-three remaining Lords and Ouerean Overlord Tarkart Yiztek reportedly had extremely mixed reactions to the speech, with several instances of fighting and heated arguments between the assembly. This fierce disagreement would be the norm for the next years of Not'zar's reign as the young prince tried to steer the Hegemony into a new future.
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== The Rise of the Iron Masks (2458)==
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Using the fire of religious tensions and superstitions, the Izweski Court Chaplin, soon to be High Priest Unzi, seized power over the church of Sk'akh. He formed the Maraziite Order, otherwise known as the Iron Masks, a religious police force who had authority throughout the Hegemony. High Preist Unzi's paranoia would see this force used to target thousands of Sinta, eventually attempting to target Clan Izweski themselves. The Maraziites would lay siege to the Izweski Citadel, attempting to assault it several times but being repelled, until negotiations between Not'zar and Unzi reached a peace, with a compromise between the Hegemony and church of Sk'akh.

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[https://forums.aurorastation.org/topic/3956-sinta-articles/?do=findComment&comment=67539%7C On September 24th] news came out about a feudal Lord on Ouerea that had been arrested by his Watchmen, on accusations of black magic. Originally elected as the city mayor before Ouerea was returned to the Hegemony, he had been serving as its feudal Lord since only 2457. This incident was originally thought to be a minor incident that was embarrassing for the landed nobility for twin reasons: the fact there was a revolt against a landed Lord at all, and that it made the Unathi look incredibly superstitious and backwards to the galaxy. However this soon became known as the first incident in the coming occultist panic that would see the rise of a powerful new political player in the Hegemony: High Priest Unzi.

[https://forums.aurorastation.org/topic/3956-sinta-articles/?do=findComment&comment=67956%7C September 20th] gave another warning sign when Ouerea officially banned conducting seances without a license. But November 11th is often considered the true birth of the panic and the origin of the Iron Masks. Yizra Unzi, a Sk'akh priest with a prestigious but ceremonial title as the Izweski's formal chaplain and priest, reveale alleged evidence of unprecedented infiltration of Hegemony society by what he called "Occultist influences". The investigation sparked immense alarm across Uueoa-Esa as mass panic gripped nearly every major city. Not'zar Izweski tried to appeal for calm and to caution against superstition, but this was futile as powerful elements of the nobility, the general public, and even extended members of the Izweski clan itself had already called for a broad and unprecedented growth of the power of the Sk'akh church.

[https://forums.aurorastation.org/topic/3956-sinta-articles/?do=findComment&comment=70116%7C By November 14th] this broad coalition allowed Unzi to unilaterally name himself the head of the Sk'akh Church. This same day he created an armed inquisition called the Maraziites, or the Iron Masks recruited from the pools of Warrior Priests or hired from the ranks of civilian Watchmen. This religious police was unilaterally granted unrestricted jurisdiction across Hegemonic space and supremacy over civilian courts. The Order was granted authority to put accused cultists before trial in the new High Court of Tranquility, which would punish Unathi with exile or even death. Despite these reforms being extremely illegal, Not'zar Izweski did not have the power base necessary to resist without his attempts blowing up in his face.

[https://forums.aurorastation.org/topic/3956-sinta-articles/?do=findComment&comment=70159%7C Going into the rest of November], the Maraziites ruthlessly targeted enemies of the Church. Consolidating power incredibly quickly, Unzi began targeting Unathi outside the original documents. In an ever-expanding web of "occultists" and "daemonic influences" the High Priest began to see enemies everywhere, until his eyes settled on the biggest threat of them all.

=== Defending from the Cult Menace and the Failed Coup ===
[https://forums.aurorastation.org/topic/3956-sinta-articles/?do=findComment&comment=70345%7C November 23rd] was the climax of the Maraziites rise. It saw the Orders sudden siege of the Izweski Citadel. The Order accused Clanmother Rak'ta of the Izweski Clan of practicing black magic on the comatose Hegemon. Iron Masks attempted to breach the citadel but were repelled, and a 5-day stand-off ensued. The Lord that ruled Skalamar, Trikzara Sirax, attempted to attack the Maraziites using his forces in the city but was deterred by Not'zar Izweski who wanted to avoid the situation escalating.

[https://forums.aurorastation.org/topic/3956-sinta-articles/?do=findComment&comment=70518%7C On November 28th], At the end of the 5th day there was a dramatic battle that saw the Maraziites try to actively break down the walls of the Citadel but they were unsuccessful. Following the defeat, High Priest Unzi agreed to meet with Not'zar Izweski. The two of them crafted an agreement that would compromise power between the Sk'akh Church and the Izweski Clan. While this avoided bloodshed, the agreement is also seen as a formal acknowledgement of High Priest Unzi's legitimacy in his new role.
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= Not'zar's Rule is Tested (2459) =

== The Arrival of Vaurca ==
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The arrival of the K'lax Hive in their massive hiveship saw the Hegemony adopt them into their empire, granting them the world of Tret. Their Queen would be named overlord of the planet, and become another vassal of the Izweski. The hive would then go on to act as Not'zars private army in many disputes, and some K'lax unbound even being named to the Admiralty.

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[https://forums.aurorastation.org/topic/3956-sinta-articles/?do=findComment&comment=73412%7C March 9th], saw the arrival of one of the major Vaurca Hives. The object was colossal, with long range scans showing it to be almost 28 kilometers in length where the Cataclysm was just under a single kilometer in length.

[https://forums.aurorastation.org/topic/3956-sinta-articles/?do=findComment&comment=73557%7C March 13th] revealed that after originally being incredibly alarmed and fearing conflict after an error in translation, which saw the mobilization of the Hegemony's armed forces, the Vaurca were soon revealed to be seeking refuge.

[https://forums.aurorastation.org/topic/3956-sinta-articles/?do=findComment&comment=73718%7C On March 17th] Not'zar Izweski allowed them to settle on the small world of Tret within the Uueoa-Esa system. He named their Queen Overlord of the planet and vassalized the K'lax

[https://forums.aurorastation.org/topic/3956-sinta-articles/?do=findComment&comment=105501%7C On November 15th, 2460], a Vaurca named Za'Akaix'Xitac Klax achieved the rank of Admiral within the Hegemony's Navy. Xitac had shown consistent talent and promise since 2459, and in May, in the season of Versakh, he was tapped as the potential leader of the growing 3rd Fleet.

[https://forums.aurorastation.org/topic/3956-sinta-articles/?do=findComment&comment=126795%7C On December 4th, 2460], the new 3rd Fleet of the Hegemony received its flagship: The HMV Annihilation. The Cataclysm-class warship differed significantly from its sister-ships. Its main focus was a heavy compliment of stike-craft: bombers and fighters that used the vessel as a carrier. The Annihilation would be the flagship of the K'lax Admiral Za'Akaix'Xitac Klax.
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== The Restoration of the Kataphracts ==
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Not'zar would restore the [[Izweski_Nation # Feudalism | Kataphract Order]], warriors who swear allegiance only to the Hegemony rather than specific clans. Some of his appointments would see backlash from other lords. More information can be found [[Izweski_Nation # Feudalism | here]].

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[ On April 26th], Not'zar announced the resurrection of the Kataphract Order. Not'zar included in this resurrection the new titles of High Kataphracts who would be held up as paragons for the entire species. The First High Kataphract was Saa Yui’zai of Clan Timzula. The second was Lady H'zala. Her appointment broke convention and upset many traditionalists, and only came after she went through an arduous series of [https://forums.aurorastation.org/topic/3956-sinta-articles/?do=findComment&comment=113262%7C trials] and [https://forums.aurorastation.org/topic/3956-sinta-articles/?do=findComment&comment=113356%7C quests] not required by her male peers before her eventual [https://forums.aurorastation.org/topic/3956-sinta-articles/?do=findComment&comment=113632%7C success].

[https://forums.aurorastation.org/topic/3956-sinta-articles/?do=findComment&comment=113759%7C%7C On May 4th], the next High Kataphract was a hero of Youthstone, Ozal’kai Zizae.

[https://forums.aurorastation.org/topic/3956-sinta-articles/?do=findComment&comment=113759%7C%7C On May 25th], it was revealed that Zizae was a fraud. He was a Guwan who had taken his deceased brother's name in order to fight in the war. Upon this discovery there was little leniency offered; Not'zar Izweski stripped him of his title and he was imprisoned.

[https://forums.aurorastation.org/topic/3956-sinta-articles/?do=findComment&comment=115854%7C On June 10th], he was allowed to have his name restored as his status as Guwan removed. However he still had to embark on a quest given by the Lord-Regent with only a ship, a spear, and a laser rifle. Only by completing this quest would he be allowed to return fully into the fold of his Clan.

[https://forums.aurorastation.org/topic/3956-sinta-articles/?do=findComment&comment=115696%7C On June 7th], Za’Akaix’Ziza K’lax became the first K'lax Kataphract. The medical doctor had been tending to Wastelanders deep in the desert when raiders came and stole supplies and kidnapped a patient. Ziza then later went on a quest to attack the raiders at their camp and liberate his patient and the stolen medical supplies. He was lauded as an exemplar example of the Hegemony's ability to bring non-Unathi into the fold of heroism and honor.

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== The Hegemonic Assembly ==

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A assembly called by Not'zar in the city of New Skamander, during which the primary issue was the direction the Hegemony would take, and it was decided that the Hegemony would undertake a massive terraforming effort on Moghes, in an attempt to fix the wasteland. Secondarily, it was also used by Not'zar to limit the power of clans.

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[https://forums.aurorastation.org/topic/3956-sinta-articles/?do=findComment&comment=77628%7C On July 8th] Not'zar Izweski called an assembly to determine the future of Moghes and the Hegemony. With limited resources, the three choices were to either invest in terraforming Moghes, invest in expanded territory and resources through conquest, or abandon Moghes and relocate the Sinta people to Ouerea. The K'lax Queen was also in attendence as a delgate. In the end, despite a heavily militarist bent, the Assembly decided to invest in repairing the environment of Moghes. Heavy industries and a massive investment in terraforming equipment was made. But at the same time, Unathi who had for decades made a home in the Wasteland were now being evicted by the Izweski Hegemony and their lands seized. It was a bitter reminder to those who still remembered how the Izweski had done this all before, but this time there was no unified force to resist them.

[https://forums.aurorastation.org/topic/3956-sinta-articles/?do=findComment&comment=80525%7C On August 28th], four weeks later, Not'zar Izweski announced a decree that provided token protection against the practice of Clans branding someone as a Guwan. The new law required an imperial court to brand someone a Guwan, and not a Clan Leader. This antagonized traditional elements of Unathi society, with Not'zar facing intense criticism at what many Lords and Clan Leaders called an arbitrary seizure of power.

[https://forums.aurorastation.org/topic/3956-sinta-articles/?do=findComment&comment=82319%7C On September 26th] Not'zar faced a reprieve. The Wasteland experienced its first rainfall for 20 years. The moment marked a tremendous moment of jubilation within the Hegemony as a sign that the investments in terraforming were already bearing fruit. The day was so celebrated that September 26th became known as Restoration Day.

[https://forums.aurorastation.org/topic/3956-sinta-articles/?do=findComment&comment=83856%7C October 21st]saw strange news that foreshadowed either the arrival of the Aut'akh or the long history of occultist powers. The Hegemony Guild Of Xenoarchaeology announced a startling find: an ancient temple pre-dating Sinta'Unathi civilization. Master K'arzl, a prestigious xeno-archaeologist, conducted an expedition into the deep cave system that housed the temple. The Iron Masks, antagonized by the spiritual threat they claimed the temple possessed, had a scuffle with the Master and then sealed the caves leading to the temple.
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== The Return of Clan Ickza (2459) ==
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Due to the ascension of a peasant admiral to the command of the 2nd Fleet, several lords announced they would be refusing Levy services to the Hegemon, causing half the army of Moghes to disappear in a single day. These lords were led by Czia Ickza, who had taken control of the clan following the defeat of S'lzinar in 2458. Not'zar would call upon the K'lax of Tret to supply him with warriors, of which he was granted ten thousand, and use them to lay siege to the Ickza ancestral estate. The discipline of the Vaurca and their alien appearance caused panic within the Ickza levy, leading Not'zar to force a capitulation without battle. Czia would become a hostage of the Izweski, and Not'zar gained incredible control over the military system of the Hegemony.

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[https://forums.aurorastation.org/topic/3956-sinta-articles/?do=findComment&comment=84547%7C On November 3rd] The second Superdreadnought HMV Catastrophe was launched from an orbital dockyard. An elaborate ceremony in Skalamar, Lord-Regent Not'zar officially named Oyuti Gour'zai Admiral of the 2nd Fleet and Captain of the Castastrophe, taking the place of the retiring Lord-Admiral Azikyui Yizarus. Oyuti was the first one of the officers that graduated from Not'zar Izweski's Imperial Academy that was training officers exclusively loyal to the Izweski rather than the many feudal Lords. Following Azikyui's public support for a pretender and rival to Not'zar Izweski, none were surprised by his being replaced. But many were shocked to see Lords passed over in favor of someone they saw as a peasant.

[https://forums.aurorastation.org/topic/3956-sinta-articles/?do=findComment&comment=84790%7C On November 7th] this immediately saw a retaliation from the many Lords, they announced that they would be refusing their Levy services to the Hegemon entirely. Just over half the army deployed across Moghes disappeared over a single day. The move caused incredible antagonism between Oyuti and the nobility, with Oyuti boldly echoing Yizarus' statement during the Succession Crisis that any attempt to take his fleet would have to be done via force. Bizarrely to many, rather than wade into the middle of the dispute Not'zar Izweski left on a shuttle to the K'lax planet of Tret. The reason for this soon became clear.

[https://forums.aurorastation.org/topic/3956-sinta-articles/?do=findComment&comment=85128%7C On November 13th] Not'zar Izweski landed four miles north of the Ickza's ancestral estate with over 10,000 Vaurca warriors. Taking his new K'lax levy on the march, Ickza soldiers abandoned their posts and even villages fled rather than face these strange aliens. The Vaurca played up their strange customs, moving in complete silence and with a discipline unknown to any major galactic species, and partaking in no violence. They ended up taking up positions near the Ickza's ancestral castle.

[https://forums.aurorastation.org/topic/3956-sinta-articles/?do=findComment&comment=85445%7C On November 19th] the bizarre stand off around the Ickza's ancestral home came to an end. The Ickza requested their own vassals answer a summons to rally an army of their own but many of the Ickza's lower vassals refused the summons. The Ickza ended up with a force of 2,500 Sinta surrounded by the tens of thousands of Vaurca. The Vaurca remained completely silent and unmoving for hours and hours on end during the stand-off as Not'zar negotiated with the Clan-Leader Czia Ickza nearby. By nightfall on the 17th the Unathi forces, wearing full combat gear and holding melee weapons or rifles, were becoming exhausted after standing in place for 13 hours. The commanders refused to let anyone move until the sun began to set on the next day. By this time the Ickza's levy-men had gone nearly 40 hours standing in place with no food or water and many collapsed in place from exhaustion. Ickza commanders then finally signaled all the formations to break up and return to their camp. It was then that the Vaurca's entire force, suddenly took two steps forward, startling the Ickza forces. The sudden short advanced the entire Ickza army routed from the field.
In the end Czia Ickza agreed to return to the Izweski Citadel as a hostage while Not'zar took direct control of all the Ickza's lower vassals. With the leaders of the short rebellion defeated, the general strike dissolved and by December Not'zar now enjoyed a much greater control over the military than before.
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= The Discovery of Wasteland Diona (2459-2460) =
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Late in the year, a Diona Gestalt was discovered within the wasteland. Using it's ability to absorb radiation as food, the Gestalt had brought down cancer rates and radiation sickness dramatically, leading for the local shaman to declare the Diona a blessing from the ancestors. Hegemonic scientists swarmed the site, conducting studies on the Gestalt, before Th'akh shamans spirited the Diona away, declaring the studies to be too invasive. The Sk'akh church then met with the Shamans, and after discussion, agreed that the Gestalt was holy, leading to pressures against the Hegemony. This combined pressure would see a recall of all the Hegemonic Scientists, and the declaration that Diona are a scared species within both churches. The wastelanders however would take this to another level, merging diona with their bodies in a symbiotic relationship, which is viewed with revulsion by the wider public, save for the Sk'akh church who condone the practice.

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[https://forums.aurorastation.org/topic/3956-sinta-articles/?do=findComment&comment=86207%7C On December 3rd] it was discovered that a Dionae Gestalt had somehow found its way into a Wasteland community. It had given itself the name The Silent Friend Embracing The Weeping Souls In A Blanket Of Purity And Love. Over the time it had been there it developed a relationship with the local community. Using its natural ability to absorb radiation, the Gestalt brought radiation sickness and cancer down dramatically. The shaman of the local village had declared the dionae a blessing from the Ancestors intended to protect them and had persuaded the villagers to bring it regular tribute of food and water. However Hegemonic scientists swarmed to the small town to conduct invasive studies on the Gestalt. Objecting to this, Th'akh shamans helped the dionae escape the scientists. After retaliating with arrests and an extensive manhunt the Sk'akh Church came to meet with the shamans. The two faiths found a common respect for the gestalt. In a rare moment of cooperation, the Church and the shamans both pressured the Izweski to call away the scientists and allow the dionae to live with the village in peace. This incident marked the first of the growing relationship between Unathi and the Dionae.

[https://forums.aurorastation.org/topic/3956-sinta-articles/?do=findComment&comment=88283%7C On January 15th] this would evolve into Dionae being declared sacred.

[https://forums.aurorastation.org/topic/3956-sinta-articles/?do=findComment&comment=128514%7C On December 22nd] news came out that Wastelanders had created a ritual where they merge dionae nymphs with their body, forming entire new limbs. Originally it was believed it was a parasitic relationship and was immediately condemned by many religious and civil authorities.

[https://forums.aurorastation.org/topic/3956-sinta-articles/?do=findComment&comment=128882%7C By December 28th], discussions with the Unathi in question with religious leaders had the Sk'akh Church and many shamans reconsider it a symbiotic relationship. The Sk'akh Church went so far as to condone the practice. Despite this, the public's views on the matter would continue to be dominated by revulsion.
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= The Year of Chaos (2460) =

== Rumbles on Ouerea ==
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Starting as a protest against Hephaestus Industries, civil unrest would eventually spiral into full-blown rebellion on Ouerea, with demands to abolish feudalism, end taxation, and the return of a democratic government. Overlord Yiztek responded with a brutal crackdown of the rebellion, causing most of his levymen to abandon him and join the rebels. The rebellion swelled in power, seizing nearly all major cities save for the capital, arresting members of the nobility and ransacking estates. With the situation dire, Not'zar would arrive on Ouerea, and begin to negotiate with the rebels against the advice of the Overlord. While negotaitions were ongoing, the overlord would kill many rebel negotiators, forcing Not'zars hand, causing the Guwan Guard to storm the capital and arrest the Overlord, who was then branded Guwan and exiled to the wasteland. The rebel army accepted Not'zars terms for peace, which led Ouerea to become a democratic colony under the Hegemony. '''Not'zar was then nearly murdered by surviving members of the Overlords Clan, but was saved by Hizoni Razi.''' This caused the entire Yit'zek clan to be branded Guwan, and exiled into the wasteland.

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[https://forums.aurorastation.org/topic/3956-sinta-articles/?do=findComment&comment=88076%7C On January 12th], 2459 it was finally brought to public consciousness that the women of Ouerea were politically agitating via what they called Women's Councils. These argued against the exploitation of Ouerea and its falling standard of life and loss of its diversity, focusing on the children of the women in particular. Ouerean Overlord Tarkart Yiztek tried to appease the groups by redirecting their criticism to Not'zar.

[https://forums.aurorastation.org/topic/3956-sinta-articles/?do=findComment&comment=88721%7C On Janurary 27th] the public consciousness present on the planet got a boost through an appropriated war chant bellowed by Wastelanders who attacked an Izweski terraforming site with a leader claiming to be Don'ziki Azarak, the leader of the Traditionalist Coalition.

[https://forums.aurorastation.org/topic/3956-sinta-articles/?do=findComment&comment=90959%7C On March 6th], Ouerea would explode into unrest once again. The protests originally began in New Skalamar, focused against Hephaestus Industries' treatment of Ouerean workers. The original protests grew into an organized rebellion that almost immediately overwhelmed five major cities. The original demands of this rebellion was the abolishment of feudalism on Ouerea, the banishment of Hephaestus Industries, the end of taxation to Moghes, and the return of a democratic government. Overlord Yiztek responded with a brutal crack-down that failed spectacularly in containing the violence.

[https://forums.aurorastation.org/topic/3956-sinta-articles/?do=findComment&comment=93396%7C On April 10th], in response to his retaliation, large portions of the Ouerean levymen abandoned the Overlord and joined the rebels. They seized government buildings across several major cities in a coordinated surprise attack. Feudal Lords were forced to flee or be captured, and in only a handful of cities were the aristocracy able to maintain control.
This rebellion would continue to rage on Ouerea for some time, being a festering problem with no solution in sight.

[https://forums.aurorastation.org/topic/3956-sinta-articles/?do=findComment&comment=97517%7C On June 2nd, 2460] the rebel movement on Ouerea that became known as the Ouerean Confederation managed to flip all the major cities of the planet except for the capital of New Skalamar. The rebellion's violence was mostly focused on the property of the nobility. Many estates and castles were ransacked by rebel forces. Many high profile noble Clan elders were arrested by the rebel army while dozens of Sinta in general had perished. In lands that the Confederation controlled the Maraziite Order was also expelled by force. The planet was majority Th'akh and did not appreciate the presence of the Order that had burnt their sacred temples to the ground. The Confederation's main army, commanded by General Zik'San then besieged the capital.

[https://forums.aurorastation.org/topic/3956-sinta-articles/?do=findComment&comment=97591%7C On June 3rd] Not'zar Izweski himself arrived on Ouerea. The Lord-Regent's arrival came after Overlord Yiztek expressed frustration with the handling of the crisis, at one point directly attacking Not'zar's honor by saying that it was easy for the Lord-Regent to give orders far away from the front lines. After these reports reached Moghes, Not'zar Izweski is said to have immediately left his Citadel for a shuttle to Ouerea.There he flew into the encircled city and took a direct part in directing its defense.

[https://forums.aurorastation.org/topic/3956-sinta-articles/?do=findComment&comment=98438%7C On June 20th] Not'zar left the city to directly speak to the rebel General Zik'san. Initially being at the walls directing reinforcement of the western gate and discussing how to best distribute food supplies being shuttled in from orbit to residents of the city, Not’zar suddenly signaled his Guwan Guards and informed the assembled defenders that he would be ‘seeking a better alternative’ to the crisis. Not’zar Izweski began by asking Zik’san his terms for a peaceful end of the conflict. General Zik’san reiterated the terms sent to Overlord Yiztek. Zik'san was originally reluctant to engage in negotiation with someone he saw as unable to keep their word, having dealt with only the dishonorable Overlord. Not'zar requested a radio in response and ordered the expulsion of all Maraziites from New Skalamar. Impressed by this overture Zik'san and Not'zar were able to engage in earnest negotiations.

[https://forums.aurorastation.org/topic/3956-sinta-articles/?do=findComment&comment=98554%7C On June 22nd] negotiations were halted when Overlord Yiztek locked the Lord-Regent outside the city during the latter's return from a negotiation. The Overlord had hoped that the rebels would seize the Lord-Regent as a prisoner and give him the justification to engage in a violent reprisal. Not'zar Izweski went back to General Zik'san, who felt honor-bound to ensure Not'zar's safe return. The general offered the Lord-Regent a shuttle to fly over the city walls and Not'zar was able to return to the city. After meeting with Yiztek for several hours in private, the Overlord apologized publicly for the accident. In addition future negotiations were to take place in the Overlord's castle inside the city.

[https://forums.aurorastation.org/topic/3956-sinta-articles/?do=findComment&comment=99164%7C On July 6th] Yiztek had the rebel emissaries assassinated in his own castle. Overlord Yiztek is defending his action by claiming that they were spies attempting to get information. Zik'san swore retaliation and gave the city 3 days to surrender before he assaulted it.

[https://forums.aurorastation.org/topic/3956-sinta-articles/?do=findComment&comment=99249%7C On the 3rd day] an assault came in the form of Not'zar's personal Guwan Guard storming Yiztek's castle. The castle garrison was taken by surprise and quickly overwhelmed. Several dozen of Yiztek’s Clan and followers were arrested. Refusing to become a Guwandi Yiztek was branded a Guwan and exiled, sent back to Moghes to be released into the Wasteland. The Ouerean Confederation accepted peace and soon Ouerea was reformed to become a democratic colony of the Hegemony.

[https://forums.aurorastation.org/topic/3956-sinta-articles/?do=findComment&comment=103022%7C On September 28th, 2460], at a formal dinner to celebrate a local Ouerean holiday and to commemorate the peace, Not'zar Izweski was nearly assassinated by surviving elements of Yiztek's family. The assault failed thanks to the efforts of Lady Hizoni Razi, a mysterious azure who was close to Not'zar at the time. In the fallout the entire Yiztek clan were branded Guwans and exiled into the Wasteland, and Lady Razi grew closer to Not'zar Izweski.
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== Our Brother, Dominia ==
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A joint anti-pirate operation between the Hegemonic and Dominian Navies. All the objectives of the operation were accomplished, and the pirates within the system were destroyed.

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[https://forums.aurorastation.org/topic/3956-sinta-articles/?do=findComment&comment=95734%7C On May 6th,] an emissary from the Empire of Dominia named Keanu Markarus was abducted by pirates based in the Youthstone star system. The incident was taken as a grievous insult that dishonored both the Hegemony and Dominia. Normally having cold relations, Not'zar Izweski immediately offered a joint counter-piracy expedition that was accepted by the Empire. Both Admiral Oyuti and his HMV Castastrophe as well as Lord-Admiral Yizarus and his HMV Cataclysm were deployed with their respective fleets.

[https://forums.aurorastation.org/topic/3956-sinta-articles/?do=findComment&comment=95833%7C On May 8th] things started smoothly with a summit onboard the HMV Catastrophe when the Domion Fleets met with Hegemonic fleets. The ceremonial meeting took place as initial fighting took place in the Youthstone system.

[https://forums.aurorastation.org/topic/3956-sinta-articles/?do=findComment&comment=95924%7C The day after] saw the invasion take place proper. The Youthstone system was a major hub of pirate and raider activity and so boasted a robust defense. Despite their best efforts the coalition was able to break through and land forces on the pirate's planet's surface.
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= The Iron Crusades and Religious Tensions (2460-2461) =
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The Iron Crusade was a religious conflict between the Th'akh Akhanzi shamans and the Maraziite Order, caused by the persecution the Th'akh faith faced by the Church of Sk'akh. It saw the Maraziites completely destroy the Akanzi Order, demolishing their ancient temples and butchering their members. No lords were willing to oppose the Church of Sk'akh and High Priest Unzi, and only The Prophet Si'akh openly defied the church, rescuing several Akanzi Elders, aiding them to escape to Tau Ceti.

Beyond the Crusade, the years also saw the outbreak of the Aut'akh heresy. Seeing the religious tension within the Hegemony, and the outbreak of heresies, Not'zar Izweski called for a summit in New Skamander for all religious leaders to attend. The convention accomplished little beyond allowing grievances to air and starting inklings of well reasoned theological debate. However, it was generally agreed as a step in the right direction.

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[https://forums.aurorastation.org/topic/9655-the-wasteland-window/%7C On April 1st] The Wasteland also saw great unrest. Akhanzi Order shaman Elder Vuthix Akhandi entered Bo'ha'dat and gave a public speech; a very rare sight from the reclusive Elders. In it he warned the people there of the Sk'akh Church and the Iron Masks, speaking out against their persecutions.

[https://forums.aurorastation.org/topic/9655-the-wasteland-window/?do=findComment&comment=92829%7C By the next day] the Maraziites were targeting Akhanzi Order. Using helicopters and off-road vehicles Iron Masks reached many secluded mountain temples and their surrounding villages, attacking them and harassing's the villagers. This prompted uprisings from Th'akh Unathi were angered at the attacks. [https://forums.aurorastation.org/topic/9655-the-wasteland-window/?do=findComment&comment=93599%7C On April 12th] there was prison-break by Akhanzi shamans out of Iron Mask custody, prompting a dark warning of retaliation by High Priest Unzi.

[https://forums.aurorastation.org/topic/9655-the-wasteland-window/?do=findComment&comment=94478%7C On April 22nd] the Maraziite Order launched the Iron Crusade. A coordinated attack on the secluded Akhanzi Order temples saw their complete destruction, including the oldest standing structure on Moghes at the time: Durahi Monastery. Over the Crusade's duration the entirety of the ancient order of shamans was ended. The survivors and refugees, dispossessed, relocated to Ouerea and as far as Tau Ceti in the largest religious diaspora in the history of Moghes. The Iron Masks appeared unstoppable due to the reluctance of Lords to intervene against them, fearing High Priest Unzi. The most successful resistance came from The Prophet Si'akh. [https://forums.aurorastation.org/topic/9655-the-wasteland-window/?do=findComment&comment=95575%7C On May 4th] the prophet Si'akh rescued several Elders from the Order, aiding them in escaping to Tau Ceti.

[https://forums.aurorastation.org/topic/3956-sinta-articles/?do=findComment&comment=108284 On January 6th], The Aut'akh formally announced themselves in a huge shock to Moghes. The High Church, under Unzi, and conservative Lords immediately moved to destroy the heretics that are the Aut'akh.

[https://forums.aurorastation.org/topic/3956-sinta-articles/?do=findComment&comment=108480%7C On January 9th], an expedition made by the Church, with volunteer levys, were soundly defeated in a decisive battle dominated by geurilla warfare by the Aut'akhs against the inexperienced Iron Masks. Not'zar Izweski exploited this to maneuver to decree that the Aut'akh may live. Many express confusion as to why Not'zar is siding with the Aut'akh instead of the Church. But Not'zar Izweski understood that if High Priest Unzi were to secure prestige and power from a second successful Iron Crusade, he would effectively dwarf the power of the Izweski dynasty. Not'zar Izweski, attempting to avoid the mistake of the Iron Crusade, is undermining the Church and showing that he still has power over it.

[https://forums.aurorastation.org/topic/3956-sinta-articles/?do=findComment&comment=117632%7C On July 11th Not'zar Izweski] a grand convention in New Skalamar on the colony of Ouerea which was meant to establish a formal dialogue between the Unathi Religions. Delegates came from Th'akh, Aut'akh, Sk'akh, and even Si'akh.

[https://forums.aurorastation.org/topic/3956-sinta-articles/?do=findComment&comment=118081%7C On July 17th] the Convention came into full swing. The Sk'akh and Th'akh delegates immediately addressed the first Iron Crusade that all but scoured Moghes of the Akhandi Order. Their arguments continued for so long that Not'zar intervened and asked the Th'akh to address the Aut'akh. During that exchange the Th'akh were extremely critical, but the Aut'akh persisted. In the end, Clan-Mother Mortenga conceded that souls can manifest in inorganic material ‘in certain circumstances’. This was rejected by nearly all the Sk’akh delegates as well as the lone Si’akh delegate, who insisted a soul can only reside in organic material.
A turning point came when two Sk'akh delegates signaled they were interested in the Aut'akh's arguments. This caused the head of the Sk'akh delegation to interrupt the convention with loud condemnations, throwing the affair into disarray. It ended in a show-down between Not'zar and the Sk'akh delegate in which Not'zar dared High Priest Unzi himself to come and speak for the church he claimed. The convention then dissolved.

[https://forums.aurorastation.org/topic/3956-sinta-articles/?do=findComment&comment=118657%7C On July 27th] the convention started up again. This time High Priest Unzi was in attendance. To everyone's surprise the doomsday prophet Si'akh, who had been disguised, revealed himself and entered into a fierce tirade against the High Priest. The convention concluded without any concrete peace being made, but it did plant the seeds of small scale reconciliation between individuals of the differing faith. The open and honest dialogue and theological discussion broadcast on galactic media gave many Unathi words and arguments to explore other faiths.

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= The Hegemon Wakes! (2461-2462) =
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In the most defining moment of the contemporary history of the Unathi, Hegemon Sk'resti awoke from his coma and reassumed his duties, dissolving the authority of Not'zar. It would be the start of a slide into chaos, as the Hegemon gave warmonging speeches, stoked the fires of militarism, and openly adopted the beliefs of the prophet Si'akh, believing his son had been re-incarnated in the wasteland. This last would cause the destruction of the tenuous peace between Church and State, with High Priest Unzi condemning the Hegemon himself for heresy. It was discovered that the hegemon was suffering from severe PTSD, and was unwilling to seek help for fear of looking weak.

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[https://forums.aurorastation.org/topic/3956-sinta-articles/?do=findComment&comment=129034%7C On December 30th] the Hegemony was radically altered in the course of a single day. Hegemon Sk'resti woke from his coma and immediately Lord-Regent Not'zar Izweski's authority dissolved. The Hegemon, filled with the same resolve and militarism as before, made bombastic speeches in which he openly declared his intention for a great conquest of the Hegemony's foes. This fired up the bellicose members of the nobility and many began to prepare for a new age of war and conquest.

[https://forums.aurorastation.org/topic/3956-sinta-articles/?do=findComment&comment=129267%7C On January 2nd] of the new year 2462, the Hegemon went on a tour over several Wastelander territories. During this he vowed to persecute, run out, and even slay the Wastelanders. The Hegemon swore that all lands reclaimed by the terraforming efforts would be settled exclusively by loyal Sinta, and that in this new era there would be no room for Wastelanders.

[https://forums.aurorastation.org/topic/3956-sinta-articles/?do=findComment&comment=129565%7C On January 5th] the Hegemon was holding court in the city of Res’karum, Moghes, to meet with Wasteland representatives to hear their cases for their own existence. During this a robed figure entered the room and presented the Hegemon with a scarred Wastelander child. The robed figure was revealed to be the Prophet of Flame Si'akh. The Prophet declared the child was the reincarnation of Yakt Izweski. Initially outraged, the Hegemon paused when attempting to strike down the child and the prophet. As the Prophet escaped in the resultant riot and chaos, the Hegemon, who never fully processed his grief, seemed to accept the child as his own.

[https://forums.aurorastation.org/topic/3956-sinta-articles/?do=findComment&comment=130233%7C On January 11th] the Hegemon adopted the child, declaring him Yakt Izweski and his true heir. The Hegemon's open adoption of Si'akh's belief in reincarnation immediately blew up the tenuous peace between Church and State. Reprisals against Si'akh communities across Moghes took place, and High Priest Unzi condemned the Hegemon for heresy.

[https://forums.aurorastation.org/topic/3956-sinta-articles/?do=findComment&comment=130357%7C On January 14th] a mundane article on water treatment reports that seemed to show corruption was found by sleuths to be embedded with documents exposing the Hegemon's mental state. In the documents, which consist of audio and video, the Hegemon is suffering from hallucinations, episodes of explosive violence, and irrational anger. In the logs its made clear that the Hegemon is still suffering from severe 'Post Trauma Disorder', but is both unwilling to seek help while his retainers and courtiers are too afraid to convince him to get help, believing it would be humiliating for the Hegemon.

[https://forums.aurorastation.org/topic/3956-sinta-articles/?do=findComment&comment=130667%7C On January 17th] Z’krazki Izweski, now 20 years old as the youngest of the Hegmon's children, is named a Kataphract. During the ceremony he was continuously asked about his thoughts on his father's actions but became agitated and left.
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== The Burning of the Scept ==
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Following the condemnation by the High Priest, and hostility between the church and the Hegemon, the Church was accused of kidnapping the reincarnated heir, Yakt Izweksi from the Citadel. The city watch of Skamander laid siege of the Grand Scept of the church, facing off against the Maraziites who had been discreetly arming themselves within the scept. Eventually, after a tense 3 day stalemate where neither side began overtly hostile actions, the Hegemon openly accused High Priest Unzi of the kidnapping in a public speech. Immediately, Izweski bannermen began to attempt to fight their way into the Scept, making it to the entrance as priests barricaded the doors and windows. As anarchy began to grip the city, the Maraziites attacked the city watch, which itself had divided as many members deserted to side with the Church. After a night of fighting, the Izweksi bannermen were repelled from the Scept, leading the Hegemon to personally lead an attack to the Scept with his Guwan guard. This attack would overwhelm the Maraziites and members of the Watch with them, and in the resulting capsulation the Hegemon sacked and heavily damaged the Scept. With Lords swearing to avenge this destruction, the Hegemony was on the brink of a full scale civil war. However, Hegemon Sk'resti would not live to see this, as during a meeting with loyalist lords, Kataphract Z'krazk Izweski, son of the Hegemon, would slay his father. thrusting Not'zar back into the role of Hegemon.

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[https://forums.aurorastation.org/topic/3956-sinta-articles/?do=findComment&comment=130889%7C On January 19th] the grand temple of the Sk'akh faithful in Skalamar. Moghes, was surrounded by the City Watch on the orders of the City's Lord Trikzara Sirax. The Watch initially respected the Scept, meeting with delegations from inside on the steps. They accused members of the Church of kidnapping Yakt Izweski, the adopted child of the Hegemon. In defense of the Scept Maraziites began clandestinely rearming themselves and moving to the area, actions explicitly banned by the law. High Priest Unzi himself canceled his trips and returned to the city to the seat of his power.

[https://forums.aurorastation.org/topic/3956-sinta-articles/?do=findComment&comment=131079%7C Violence broke out on January 21st] throughout Skalamar. In a public speech the Hegemon accused Unzi of kidnapping Prince Yakt and made his intentions for violence known if Yakt was not returned. The Izweski's personal soldiers fought their way to the Scepts entrance as the priests barricaded the doors and windows. In retaliation the Iron Masks violently assaulted the Watch, attempting to reinforce their holy site. The Watch itself was divided, with many deserting to join the defense of the Scept. The brutal and confusing three-way conflict Lords across Moghes responded by summoning their own forces.

[https://forums.aurorastation.org/topic/3956-sinta-articles/?do=findComment&comment=131116%7C By the morning of January 22nd] the Izweski bannermen were repelled by the Watch and by the Iron Masks. In response the Hegemon, personally wearing a Breacher Suit, led a large contingent of his personal Guwan Guard to the Scept. A loose coalition of Watchmen, Iron Masks, and armed commoners were viscously and decisively defeated and scattered as their clubs and ballistic rifles were useless against the heavy armor of several Breacher Suits and the advanced laser weapons. Other groups surrendered immediately. The Guwan Guard and the Hegemon made their way to the Scept where they were confronted by Lord Trikzara Sirax himself. After a brief argument Sirax stood down and refused to participate in the assault. As a consequence the Third Scept was sacked by the Hegemon and the Guwan Guard. High Priest Unzi himself was critically wounded in the attack that saw the destruction of countless priceless religious and historical artifacts. The building itself suffered heavy structural damage. By the end of the day several Lords swore to avenge the sacking and declared themselves to be in open revolt. By nightfall the Hegemony was once again teetering on the brink of a full scale civil war.

[https://forums.aurorastation.org/topic/3956-sinta-articles/?do=findComment&comment=131234%7C On January 23rd] the Hegemon was meeting with loyalist Lords to discuss their strategy, with his sons Not'zar Izweski and Kataphract Z'krazk with him. During the war council the Hegemon began demanding increasingly harsh responses, at one point even calling upon Captain Xirac, present in the meeting holographically from the HMV Annihilation, to commence orbital bombardment of all cities with Lords that declared themselves against the Izweski. After a fierce argument and escalating tensions, Kataphract Z'krazk drew his sword and killed his father before all those present. Not'zar Izweski was then unceremoniously thrust back into his role as leader of the Hegemon as his brother was clad in irons. Even with the death of the Hegemon, the rebelling Lords refused to end the conflict and announced that they would only follow Not'zar once again if he defeated the rebellion in open battle.
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= Not'zar's Civil War (2462) =
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Thrust back into the position of Hegemon, Not'zar was faced with a civil war due to his fathers actions. His own forces were disorganized, with loyal lords refusing attempts at centralization, and most of the lower nobility having defected to rebellion resulting in a critical shortage of officers. In an attempt to fix this, Not'zar decreed that even the lowest members of the nobility, landed or otherwise, could serve as officers resulting in many Unathi from across the spur to return to Moghes to fight on the side of the hegemony. Others would return to fight on the side of the growing rebellion. As armies maneuvered, it was soon discovered that the rebellion would be decided in a single battle, the battle of four hills. Fought north of To'ha'dat, the battle was an intense struggle, but would see the loyalists prevail over the rebel forces, with a significant number of foreign-born unathi fighting within the battle. After the battle Not'zar met with the leaders of the rebellion, and through skillful political maneuvering, managed a separate peace with the primary military leader of the rebellion, forcing a total capitulation of who remained.

The civil war saw the consolidation of Not'zars power, the growing acceptance of Diona augments, the dissolution of the Maraziite order, and the imprisonment of High Priest Unzi. It would mark the turning point for the Hegemony in the eyes of many, being seen as the last point in time where the Izweski could have been dislodged from their position as the Hegemon of Moghes, and their resulting victory a sign that they would remain where they are.

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[https://forums.aurorastation.org/topic/3956-sinta-articles/?do=findComment&comment=131324%7C On January 25th] Not'zar found that even within his own loyalist forces, patience for his radical ideas was strained. Lords rejected his attempts to centralize their forces and appoint officers from his Cadet Schools into the army. Due to mass defections by lower-nobility to the rebel side, this left Not'zar's army with critical shortages in officers. Another option was implemented, allowing even the lowest members of nobility to become officers. This saw many Unathi from as far as Tau Ceti come to Moghes to fight on the side of Not'zar, while others returned to fight on the side of the rapidly growing rebellion. Several battles broke out in these initial stages, with victories and defeats on either side. But the primary upcoming battle was at a site known as the Four Hills, which if lost by the loyalists would throw open the gates of To'ha'dat and Skalamar itself to the rebellion.

[https://forums.aurorastation.org/topic/3956-sinta-articles/?do=findComment&comment=131402%7C January 25th] saw ceremonial preparation for the Battle of Four Hills. Here Not'zar, oversaw his assembly of Unathi and Vaurca warriors while across Moghes smaller scale battles were taking place.

[https://forums.aurorastation.org/topic/3956-sinta-articles/?do=findComment&comment=131444%7C On January 27th] the Battle of the Four Hills decided the civil war. After the intense struggle nearly saw the loyalist forces rout, and even after the near-death of Not'zar in personal combat, the loyalists prevailed and routed the rebellion forces. The battle is historically significant for the large number of foreign-born Unathi who came to Moghes for the fighting. A large number of Unathi from Tau Ceti came, fought, and then retuned to their home Star System.

[https://forums.aurorastation.org/topic/3956-sinta-articles/?do=findComment&comment=131587%7C By January 28th] Not'zar Izweski, met with the three leaders of the Rebellion: High Kataphract Zakeai, Lord Orezali, and Maraziite Chapter-Master Nu'ghai. During the peace conference he skillfully divided the rebellion by tapping into the animosity between their leaders. He secured a separate peace with Lord Orezali, which reduced the rebellion's forces so significantly that they had no choice but to comply in turn. The consequences of the brief civil war were intense on historical, political, and sociological scales. It saw the consolidation of Not'zar Izweski's power, growing acceptance for dionae augments and the becoming of Kizitaa - or "bonded ones", or even Aut'akh augments by maimed warriors, the deposition of High Priest Unzi and the dissolution of the Maraziite Order, the eventual loss of Gakal'zaal by the Hegemony to the Democratic People's Republic of Adhomai, and a wider belief that the Lords were losing their ability to dislodge the Izweski from their position.
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= The Rise of Hegemon Not'zar (2462-2465) =
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His victory in the brief civil war and quick consolidation of power made Not'zars full ascension to Hegemon assured, as political maneuvers eased the transition and more formally esbatlished his authority. Immediatly after the surrender of the rebellion, Not'zar presided over the trials of his brother, for murdering their father, and of High Priest Unzi, for the kidnapping of Yakt Izweksi. In both cases, the defendants were established to be guilty, with his brother Z'krazki taking on the title of Guwandi, and High priest Unzi being exiled into the wasteland. At the conclusion the Trials, Not'zar was seen speaking to Hizoni Razi several times, who had just been given broad powers as the Izweski Spymaster by Not'zar.

In the announcement for his coronation, Not'zar promised to repair the image of Clan Izweski as honorable leaders, emphasizing his goal to take a more traditional style of rule compared to the times during his Reign as Lord-Regent. Following his coronation which took a large phsyical toll on the handicapped hegemon, the colony of Gakal'zaal fell to rebellion due to the draconian actions of Overlord Yizarus. Due to his actions, including the execution of a pro-hegemony Tajara family, the overlord was stripped of all titles, and handed over to the people of Gakal'zaal to do with as they pleased. The colony was written off by the Hegemony, and has since been under the tenious control of the Democratic People's Republic of Adhomai.

The Hegemon then supported the Republic of Biesel in it's conflict against the Solarian 35th Fleet, before the Hegemony was struck heavily by the onset of the phoron scarcity. With emergency phoron reserves depleted, Not'zar reigns over a Hegemony in dire straits, with a bulk of the navies best ships unable to travel interstellar distances, and Moghes undergoing a famine, with strict rationing in place to attempt to stave off widespread starvation for the time being. Smuggling runs rampant, with the Navy ineffectually running patrols to intercept smugglers. The Hegemony stands on a precipice, and only the spirits knows if it will fall.

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[https://forums.aurorastation.org/topic/3956-sinta-articles/?do=findComment&comment=132442%7C On February 10th] Not'zar oversaw the trial of his brother. During the trial Not'zar demanded that Z'krazki justify his crime, and his obstinate younger brother refused to speak until mid-way through the trial. Z'krazki's legal defendant, Advocate Miziak, was unable to persuade the emotional Not'zar. The young Hegemon demanded that Z'krazki take on the title of Guwandi and enter exile. This offer was accepted and Z'krazki was escorted deep into the Wasteland.

[https://forums.aurorastation.org/topic/3956-sinta-articles/?do=findComment&comment=132681%7C On February 16th] High Priest Unzi faced trial. During the trial the same questions were brought up on the relationship between the church and the state, and where each had authority over one another. Unwilling to concede, Unzi trapped himself into sharing culpability with the Iron Masks. In the end he was found guilty on all counts and exiled to the Wasteland. In addition Not'zar was seen speaking to the azure Hizoni Razi, who only a year ago saved his life. Unknown at the time, the young noblewoman at that moment was being given broad power over the Hegemon Shadow Service as spymaster for the young Hegemon.

[https://forums.aurorastation.org/topic/3956-sinta-articles/?do=findComment&comment=134520%7C On March 31st], Not'zar Izweski made a speech for reconciliation and to repair the Izweski's image as honorable leaders, and emphasizing that he would be taking a more traditional kind of rule to placate the Lords. Hizoni Razi also spoke, herself announcing the formal coronation of Not'zar Izweski as Hegemon in the next seven days.

[https://forums.aurorastation.org/topic/3956-sinta-articles/?do=findComment&comment=134918%7C On April 7th] Not'zar Izweski was officially coronated as the 68th Hegemon, and the 19th Izweski to have the title. The experience was exhausting for the physically handicapped nobleman as he had to wear heavy clothes and a lot of jewelry, but the image portrayed as a strong, calming presence to his citizens in the first publicly broadcast coronation further increased his approval with the public.

== The Fall of Gakal'zaal (2462) ==

[https://forums.aurorastation.org/topic/3956-sinta-articles/?do=findComment&comment=119676%7C On August 15th], word came from the Hegemony colony of [[Gakal'zaal]], a majority Tajara planet, the second son of Guildmaster Mj'akurahur disappeared from their clan’s estate just outside the capital city of Zikala. The Guildmaster blamed the Tajara of the colder northern regions which had never submitted to the Hegemony. Overlord Makar Yizarus, relative of the famous Lord-Admiral Yizarus, swore retaliation for what was believed to be an abduction.

[https://forums.aurorastation.org/topic/3956-sinta-articles/?do=findComment&comment=119781%7C But by August 17th], the story became even more complicated, turning from an abduction in the dead of night to a story of love, religious conviction, and the resistance many of the local Tajara felt to their Unathi overlords and the demands to convert to their so-called "liberators" religion.

[https://forums.aurorastation.org/topic/3956-sinta-articles/?do=findComment&comment=137401%7C On June 20th] the colony of Gakal'zaal was finally pushed over the edge. Overlord Yizarus' continued floundering and brutal treatment of the natives had worn out the patience of of the local Tajara population, the Guilds he was exploiting, and even Not'zar Izweski.

[https://forums.aurorastation.org/topic/3956-sinta-articles/?do=findComment&comment=137708%7C By June 30th] the corruption and mismanagement prompted a more serious rebellion. Using guerilla warfare the Tajara rebels imposed significant casualties on the forces of Overlord Yizarus, who engaged in even more draconian punishments in an attempt to quash the movement.

[https://forums.aurorastation.org/topic/3956-sinta-articles/?do=findComment&comment=138172%7C On July 15th] Overlord Yizarus was discovered to have been the mastermind of an elaborate ruse that saw the execution of a prominent pro-Hegemony Tajara family. In addition the Overlord had used a holographic projection claiming to be a moderately well known and honorable nobleman Shiassta to protect his own honor. Disgusted, Hegemon Not'zar Izweski stripped Overlord Yizarus of his titles and all but granted Gakal'zaal both autonomy and the right to do with Yizarus as they pleased if they caught him. Writing off the colony, Gakal'zaal became an embarrassing stain on Not'zar's proclaimed ability to integrate anyone within the Hegemonic system.

[https://forums.aurorastation.org/topic/3956-sinta-articles/?do=findComment&comment=139965%7C On August 25th] Spymaster Hizoni Razi announced the conclusion of the investigation into the kidnapping of Yakt Izweski. It was revealed that an Izweski Citadel maid abducted the child and handed it over to the Maraziite Order. While the investigation did not settle the question on Unzi's involvement, it nevertheless proved to be the final blow in the Iron Masks's legitimacy, all but ending the Order entirely. At the same time the fate of Yakt Izweski was still undetermined, with the childs whereabouts still unknown.

[https://forums.aurorastation.org/topic/3956-sinta-articles/?do=findComment&comment=142913%7C On November 22nd] Not'zar Izweski announced that the Hegemony would be intervening in the conflict between the Republic of Biesel and the attacking Solarian forces. Summoning Kataphracts and levys, forces were assembled an dispatched to protect the fledgling star nation.

[https://forums.aurorastation.org/topic/3956-sinta-articles/?do=findComment&comment=143207%7C By December 4th] the crisis had been resolved, but due to elaborate demands on how the Hegemonic forces should return to Tau Ceti, the withdrawl took a considerable length of time that resulted in hundreds of warriors being stranded in the star system.

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== The Phoron Scarcity (2464) ==
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The Hegemony was finally caught by the Phoron scarcity in 2464, resulting in an economic downturn followed by famine. Not'zar pushed many reforms in an attempt to avoid total catastrophize, tightening his control over the economy, demanding taxes from the guilds, instituting rationing and tapping Ouerea to become the Hegemonic food production center. These reforms managed to somewhat stabilize the situation, but greatly increased the influence of Hephaestus Industries, while decreasing the influence of individual guilds within the Hegemony.

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[https://forums.aurorastation.org/topic/3956-sinta-articles/page/6/#comment-156281 On May 4th], the Master of Rivers for the Hegemony, Overlord Azui Hutay'zai announced that the Hegemonies phoron reserves had finally depleted. The depletion of the reserves was an extreme danger to the economy, as it would become more and more difficult to ship goods manufactured or created within the Hegemony across the stars; The massive amount of exported goods from the Hegemony has been it's main source of revenue since first contact, and now the flow of credits into the nation had been cut off.

[https://forums.aurorastation.org/topic/3956-sinta-articles/?do=findComment&comment=157225 On June 14th], it was announced by Lord's Claws Mizaruz Izweski that a large number of the navies galactic ships, including all three of the Cataclysm Class Super Dreadnaughts would no longer be able to travel interstellar, due to a lack of phoron to fuel their bluespace drives. The most advanced ships of the Hegemony were effected by this, and all ships above bulwark class were remanded to the the First and Second Fleet, who began to patrol the orbits of Moghes and Ouerea. The 4th fleet was created with all ships that could still go interstellar, and patrols the fledging Hegemonic colonies and borders.

[https://forums.aurorastation.org/topic/16716-mendell-city-bugle/?do=findComment&comment=157351 On June 21st], a string of announcements by megacorporations and their subsidiaries spelled out a general withdrawal from business within the Hegemony, and with Hegemonic Guilds citing unfriendly practices and difficulty transporting goods due to the Hegemonic tariffs and guild system. The only two companies not to withdraw from business with the Unathi were Hephaestus Industries and Orion Express.

[https://forums.aurorastation.org/topic/3956-sinta-articles/?do=findComment&comment=157453 On June 24th], the Hegemon, with the Master of Rivers, announced their response to the withdrawal of megacorporations that had happened the following week. The response was an reform to the tax system, centrally the introduction of a flat guild tax that must be paid by guilds of the Hegemony, the establishment of a sales tax within the Hegemony, and the raising of tariffs. Secondarily, colony worlds were no loner allowed to transport goods directly from their ports, all goods must first go through the Moghes Orbital docks. The sales tax is also double on all colony worlds. In addition, mining operations began on Chantrell, the Moon of Moghes, with 1/3rd of the lands being given to Hephaestus as payment, and the other 2/3rds being put up for auction. The guilds generally despised these reforms, with only Hephaestus Industries praising the Hegemon for his wisdom.

[https://forums.aurorastation.org/topic/3956-sinta-articles/?do=findComment&comment=157739 On July 13th], a joint report was released by the Fishermen's, Medical, Hunters, and aquaculture guilds of the Hegemony. The report stated that due to the scarcity making it near impossible to import enough food foodstuffs, and the issues of food production post-contact war, the Hegemony would soon be facing a full on famine as food stocks after the next harvest would only be enough to feed roughly three-fourths of the population. The report then went on to propose a solution, strict rationing under the Hegemon himself could hold over the Hegemony without widespread starvation, while food production is massively expanded on the Ouerea.

[https://forums.aurorastation.org/topic/3956-sinta-articles/?do=findComment&comment=157872 On July 19th], a ship carrying smuggled goods was seized in the city of Tzonia. The goods were high end electronics, and the smugglers, mostly human, were intent on selling their goods without paying tariffs or enforcing the sales tax required by the Hegemon. The seizure illustrated a larger issue, where populations who before had easy access to high-end off world goods, primarily the urban nobility, wishing for a return to their pre-scarcity quality of life, regularly purchased smuggled goods. As a response, the Hegemonic Navy announced it would dedicate those ships unable to go interstellar to fighting smugglers.

[https://forums.aurorastation.org/topic/3956-sinta-articles/?do=findComment&comment=158061 On July 26th], a Aut'akh community was discovered being used as a smugglers base in Raizr. The community was using profits from their illegal operations to purchase high-end prothesis and electronics from the wider spur.

[https://forums.aurorastation.org/topic/3956-sinta-articles/?do=findComment&comment=158210 On August 2nd], the results of the Hegemonic Navies attempt to combat smuggling were revealed. Due to the ships used in the attempt being incredibly large, and only able to utilize subspace engines, as well as tactics practiced by the Hegemonic navy, very few smugglers are intercepted. Most use small atmospheric shuttles who land in the wasteland, outside the reach of any city Watchmen. Those selling smuggled goods also began to use mobile shops, slipping into cities to sell their goods, before ducking back out into the wasteland.

[https://forums.aurorastation.org/topic/3956-sinta-articles/?do=findComment&comment=158446 On August 9th], the Hegemon official announced a policy of food rationing over the radio. Ouerea had agreed to terms setout by the Hegemon, having it's colony taxes and tariffs revoked, as well as assurances those working on Ouerea will be majority Ouerean in return for becoming a food production powerhouse within the next year. Stealing food became a extreme crime, punishable by up to 15-20 years of hard labor. Rationing will work by having every clan register themselves and all their members with a local representative of the Hegemon, who oversees the distribution of food. Clans will pick up their food together, with each member being given a card with their photograph containing dates for pickup and type of food.
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== The Wedding of Not'zar Izweski (2465) ==
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In mid-2465, a brief moment of joy interrupted the ongoing famine ravaging the Hegemony, as Hegemon Not'zar announced his intent to marry and continue the Izweski line. Suitors from across the Hegemony flocked to Skalamar in the hopes of winning the Hegemon's heart, with each of them working to their own agendas. Eventually, however, Not'zar chose to marry for love rather than politics, marrying his spymaster Hizoni Razi. The consequences of this, and the factions alienated by the Hegemon's choice, have yet to fully unfold.

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[https://forums.aurorastation.org/topic/3956-sinta-articles/?do=findComment&comment=164617 On April 20th], the Hegemon announced his intent to marry, leading to widespread celebration and speculation. Within hours of the announcement, the powerful factions of the Hegemony began planning, and seeking to turn this announcement to their advantage.

The first suitor to formally announce her interest was Seleta Sarnac, the High Speaker. [https://forums.aurorastation.org/topic/3956-sinta-articles/?do=findComment&comment=164643 On April 23rd], the diplomat announced her intent to court the Hegemon - though receiving some criticism for her progressive views, she persisted in her efforts.

More suitors would follow, with two more arriving [https://forums.aurorastation.org/topic/3956-sinta-articles/?do=findComment&comment=164686 on April 26th]. Zsash Hutay'zai, daughter of Overlord Azui Hutay'zai, was the first to arrive - followed shortly after by Overlord Rokasi Miazso of the Southlands. Hutay'zai's interest proved controversial, as the only Th'akhist seeking the Hegemon's hand; while Miazso's rivalry with the Sarnac clan as an oft-discussed subject among those speculating on the Hegemon's wedding.

The final two suitors proved stranger still - the first not even nobility, but an elected official from the Ouerean Confederation, Ozesh Zuruziir. She arrived on Moghes [https://forums.aurorastation.org/topic/3956-sinta-articles/?do=findComment&comment=164713 on April 29th], and rapidly began putting her own plans into motion. A short while later, [https://forums.aurorastation.org/topic/3956-sinta-articles/?do=findComment&comment=164739 on May 2nd], a young woman by the name of Azihoa T'zakal announced her interest - the niece of Hephaestus's Sector Administrator, with close ties to the megacorporation in her own right.

[https://forums.aurorastation.org/topic/3956-sinta-articles/?do=findComment&comment=164814 On May 10th], the Hegemon made his choice - announcing his imminent marriage to spymaster Hizoni Razi. Though rumors of a relationship between the two had long-abounded, her lack of expressed interest meant that the decision came out of nowhere to many of those observing. Nonetheless, the choice was made.

[https://forums.aurorastation.org/topic/3956-sinta-articles/?do=findComment&comment=164835 On May 14th], very soon after the announcement, Hizoni and Not'zar were married in the Great Scept, before the assembled nobility of the Hegemony. Though the celebrations seemed to bring some light into the Hegemony's dark situation, many of those who sought the Hegemon's hand - whether on their own, or through other proxies - left Skalamar angry at the Hegemon's decision. Whether his choice was a bold or foolish one remains to be seen.
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= The Izweski Restoration (2465-Present) =
As the phoron scarcity worsens across the Spur, the Hegemony has begun to stabilize, redoubling its efforts to heal the wounds of Moghes. As Hephaestus Industries greatly expands its power, the Sk'akh Church recovers from the chaos of the civil war, and the Hegemon seeks new allies elsewhere, the Unathi people find themselves entering an age of uncertainty - and, perhaps, one of hope.

== [[The Titan Rises Arc|The Titan Rises]] (2465) ==
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In 2465, the phoron scarcity's impact on the Hegemony would reach a tipping point, as the major guilds began to fall into bankruptcy and Ouerea erupted in rioting against potential ecological devastation caused by Hephaestus Industries. With the nation on the brink of collapse, the megacorporation swept in, buying out many of the major Hegemonic guilds and establishing a near-monopoly over the Izweski economy. This would not be purely one-sided, as concessions were required in order to sway the nobles of the Hegemony to allow such an action, naming Yukal T'zakal as Guildmaster, standing equal to Titanius Aeson himself on the Board of Directors - the highest corporate position ever achieved by any non-human in the Orion Spur. As Hephaestus seizes nearly all the major Guilds, and Unathi gain ever more influence within the company, it seems apparent that now more than ever the nation and corporation are tied tightly together - and though both benefit from this, it is not without its own risks, and the potential for a schism in Hephaestus from the very top has not gone unnoticed...

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[https://forums.aurorastation.org/topic/3956-sinta-articles/?do=findComment&comment=166310 On July 20th], Hephaestus Industries announced construction of a new aquaculture center on Ouerea, in the hopes of bringing an end to the famine gripping the Hegemony. Though some Ouereans claimed that it would damage the environment of Ouerea, these protests were small and largely dismissed.

[https://forums.aurorastation.org/topic/3956-sinta-articles/?do=findComment&comment=166353 On July 22nd], that would change, as leaked documents - allegedly confidential Hephaestus internal memos - showed projections that the seas of Ouerea would be rendered barren by the megacorporation's aquacultural program. The planet erupted in outrage at Hephaestus, protests gripping the planet - while on Moghes, the general opinion was more favorable towards this, valuing the survival of the people living there over the Ouerean ecosystem. Though Hephaestus claimed the documents were forgeries, and released their own predictions showing that their project would be sustainable, it was too late - the fire had already been lit.

[https://forums.aurorastation.org/topic/3956-sinta-articles/?do=findComment&comment=166364 On July 24th], Izweski and Hutay'zai troops were deployed to Ouerea to quell the rioting. Martial law was imposed in several cities, in scenes reminiscent of the Rebellion, and several Oueran protestors wound up dead during battles in the streets of the planet's major cities. The rioting would continue for several days, with nearly one thousand dead from both protestors and Hegemonic forces.

[https://forums.aurorastation.org/topic/3956-sinta-articles/?do=findComment&comment=166432 On July 27th], the rioting ended, with Hutay'zai bannermen withdrawing from Ouerea to be replaced by K'lax Warriors. Several prominent Ouereans, including members of the Synod of Scales, condemned the riots - as well as voices from further afield. The K'lax and Izweski forces would remain on the planet to maintain order, before being withdrawn. The Hegemony's troubles were far from over, however, as would soon become clear.

[https://forums.aurorastation.org/topic/3956-sinta-articles/?do=findComment&comment=166532 On July 30th], the Merchants' Guild, a cornerstone of the Izweski economy, declared bankruptcy - driving the ongoing recession into what could only be described as a death spiral. The other guilds reeled from this, unable to export or trade their products without the Merchants, and it seemed that a depression was imminent in the Hegemony.

[https://forums.aurorastation.org/topic/3956-sinta-articles/?do=findComment&comment=166909 On August 2nd], the other guilds would begin massive layoffs, attempting desperately to stay afloat as the economy crashed and burned around them. Guildsmen who had lost their livelihoods took to the streets in fury, protesting the cowardice of the guildmasters who had, in their eyes, thrown them under the bus. While Hephaestus snatched up much of the skilled workforce who had lost their jobs, thousands of Unathi across Moghes were left suddenly unemployed.

[https://forums.aurorastation.org/topic/3956-sinta-articles/?do=findComment&comment=166927 Later that same day], Overlord Hutay'zai made waves with an incendiary proclamation, condemning the Hegemon and claiming he will sell the Hegemony out to aliens. This proclamation bordered on treason, though the Hegemon's response was surprising, expressing sympathy rather than condemnation, claiming that Hutay'zai is being misled and hoping he realises that. What exactly the Overlord meant with his words, none were certain - at least, not yet.

[https://forums.aurorastation.org/topic/3956-sinta-articles/?do=findComment&comment=166947 On August 3rd], history was made as Hephaestus CEO Titanius Aeson gave a public address, declaring that Hephaestus was alien no longer - both a human corporation and an Unathi guild, and that its leadership should reflect this. Former Sector Administrator, Yukal T'zakal, was raised to Aeson's former position of Guildmaster - a position equal to the CEO in authority, above the board of directors. This would be the highest corporate position ever reached by a non-human, and it would send shockwaves through the entire Spur; though they would be nothing compared to what was to come.

[https://forums.aurorastation.org/topic/3956-sinta-articles/?do=findComment&comment=166950 That same day,] Hephaestus made its move - bailing out nearly all of the major Hegemonic Guilds (with the exception of the Merchants), and reorganizing them as subsidiary corporations. In a matter of hours, the megacorporation had suddenly achieved a near-monopoly within the economy of the Izweski Hegemony - and brought an end to the ongoing economic collapse. While some former guildsmen protested this, viewing it as vindication of Hutay'zai's outlandish claims, many rejoiced, having regained their jobs complete with the newfound benefits provided by Hephaestus.

[https://forums.aurorastation.org/topic/16330-tau-ceti-times/?do=findComment&comment=167247 This would send shockwaves even further afield], with Hephaestus stock prices skyrocketing as thousands of newly-hired Hephaestus workers on Moghes bought company shares. In the Republic of Biesel, economists were astounded at the masterstroke of Hephaestus, creating a monopoly that previously only NanoTrasen had dared to dream of - and in an entire nation, rather than one system.

[https://forums.aurorastation.org/topic/3956-sinta-articles/?do=findComment&comment=167534 On August 17th], Hegemon Not'zar would announce widespread reform of workers' rights, in collaboration with Hephaestus. Guild workers across the Hegemony received paid vacation, sick leave, and mandatory Guild-provided healthcare - which would now largely be provided by Hephaestus, thanks to its acquisition of the House of Medicine. This would be celebrated by many, with the anti-Hephaestus sentiment on Moghes already fading among commoners and guildsmen - the economy was saved, and the workers would thrive more now than ever.

[https://forums.aurorastation.org/topic/3956-sinta-articles/?do=findComment&comment=168522 On September 13th], the day many had awaited finally came, as the Hegemon declared an end to rationing. The aquaculture centers on Ouerea had begun exporting fish en masse already, and food distribution stands were torn down across the planet as the looming spectre of famine was finally banished - in the Untouched Lands, at least. Though the Wasteland still struggled with famine, the broad feeling across the Hegemony was one of hope - hope that the worst had finally passed, and the nation would emerge greater than ever.
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== The Sk'akh Restoration, Part 1 (2465) ==
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While the Hegemony's economy entered its final descent, the ancient religions of Moghes were engaged in their own crisis. The Akhandi Order, exiled to Tau Ceti during the Iron Crusade, demanded reparations from the Sk'akh Church - who were unable to agree, being deadlocked with only four Archpriests since the exile of Unzi. Eventually, Overlord Azui Hutay'zai took action - using his right to appoint an Archpriest and break the deadlock, an act which he previously had decried as a betrayal of his Th'akh faith. With the new Archpriest appointed, the Church voted in favor of reparations, leading to celebration among Th'akh faithful - and some wariness among the Hegemony's nobility, as the once-broken power of the Church begins to repair itself.
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[https://forums.aurorastation.org/topic/3956-sinta-articles/?do=findComment&comment=166295 On July 20th], the Akhandi demanded several billion credits' worth of reparations from the Church, with Overlord Hutay'zai speaking out in favor and urging the Archpriests to pay the reparations. Faithful Sk'akh nobility were outraged at this, urging the Church not to cave to the Akhandi demands.

[https://forums.aurorastation.org/topic/3956-sinta-articles/?do=findComment&comment=166442 On July 27th], Sinta Articles revealed that the Archpriests were conflicted - unable to reach a consensus on the matter of the reparations, and seemingly growing angered in their debates over the matter. This deadlock would continue for some time, as without a High Priest there was no voice to call the highest of the Church to order.

[https://forums.aurorastation.org/topic/3956-sinta-articles/?do=findComment&comment=167032 On August 5th], the Hegemon stepped in, as the ongoing economic crisis had been averted by Hephaestus Industries. The Archpriests were summoned to a meeting with Not'zar Izweski, and reportedly left looking pleased, leading many to speculate that the Hegemon had managed to get them to agree on a solution.

[https://forums.aurorastation.org/topic/3956-sinta-articles/?do=findComment&comment=167593 On August 19th,] the Archpriests announced that they would formally vote on the matter of reparations. In the Tza Prairie, Overlord Hutay'zai's court shaman called on him to rise to his station and appoint an Archpriest, in the hopes that the ancient Akhandi temples could once again be rebuilt. The Overlord took this suggestion poorly, refusing to legitimize the Church in an angered public outburst that shocked many. In response to this, the Hegemon summoned Hutay'zai to Skalamar to meet with him personally.

[https://forums.aurorastation.org/topic/3956-sinta-articles/?do=findComment&comment=168256 On September 4th], Hutay'zai seemingly had a shocking change of heart, agreeing to appoint a Sk'akh Archpriest for the Tza Prairie - a historic first, as the region had traditionally been a heartland of Th'akh. The new Archpriest, Akale Roeruz, thanked Overlord Hutay'zai for his appointment, and spoke on the necessity of peace and friendship between their two faiths.

[https://forums.aurorastation.org/topic/3956-sinta-articles/?do=findComment&comment=168468 On September 11th], Archpriest Roeruz was formally inaugurated, promising an end to the months of deadlock and dispute among the Church. Crowds of Sk'akh faithful celebrated, bells ringing in the streets - as the Hegemony waited to see how the vote would unfold.

[https://forums.aurorastation.org/topic/3956-sinta-articles/?do=findComment&comment=168621 On September 13th], the Archpriests voted three to two in favor of reparations to the Akhandi Order. The elder shamans of the Order gave their thanks, hoping that a new age of peaceful coexistence between Th'akh and Sk'akh could come to be. Some Sk'akh faithful, however, were less than pleased with the decision, protesting what seemed to them to be the Church bending its knee to heretics. Regardless, thousands of Th'akhists made pilgrimages to the ruins of the Akhandi Temples, in the hopes of blessing the reconstruction when it begins.
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== [[Unlikely Alliances Arc|Unlikely Alliances]] (2465) ==
During Hephaestus's rise to power, an Unathi pirate who had long evaded justice was captured by the forces of the [[Solarian Reconstruction Mandates|Southern Solarian Reconstruction Mandate]]. Zyuiz Guwan, formerly Captain Zyuiz Sitraz of the Izweski Navy, was captured on August 8th, 2465, and charged with the crime of piracy in Solarian space. After negotiations with the Hegemony, the SSRM permitted the prisoners to be extradited and tried by the Hegemony in a temporary embassy on the planet Sankt-Frederick. Lord-Admiral Yizarus presided over the trial, executing the captured pirates in a swift and merciless trial which shocked Solarian audiences. With the deed done, the admiral departed - leaving the Hegemony and the Reconstruction Mandate more open to future cooperation.

== [[Stoking The Flames Arc|The Rise of Si'akh]] (2466) ==

Due to the divided state of the Sk'akh Church and ongoing problems in the Hegemony, the Si'akh faith saw a sudden rise to prominence, with the Prophet Si'akh making several appearances both across Moghes and offworld. Si'akh priests began preaching vocally on Ouerea, Biesel, and Mictlan, leading to religious conflict across the Spur. Several Si'akh preachers attempted to enter the Empire of Dominia, and were caught and executed for their heresy - an act which worsened Izweski-Imperial relations. The full details of these events can be read on the arc page.

== [[Demands of the Three Arc|The Sk'akh Restoration, Part 2]] (2466) ==

In 2466, the Archpriests of the Sk'akh Church finally gathered to appoint a new High Priest, with the rising influence of Si'akh threatening them into action. After a period of much debate regarding the future role of the Church in society, the question of Church militancy, and the spiritual wellbeing of the nation, a new High Priest was finally chosen - Korza Azandar, former Archpriest of the Southlands. A moderate voice, Azandar was able to gain the support of both the militant Archpriest Malza and the radically progressive Archpriest Azente - though what concessions they extracted from him in exchange for their votes remain unclear. The Church was permitted to raise a small force of armed men, though one far more tightly leashed than the Maraziites of old.

== [[New Blades Old Wounds Arc|New Blades Old Wounds (2466)]] ==

In May 2466, Hegemon Not'zar invited several diplomats from the Nralakk Federation to Ouerea, in the hopes of re-establishing relations with the formerly isolationist nation. After much deliberation, the Hegemony and Federation signed the Nralakk-Izweski Mutual Prosperity Agreement - a treaty establishing trade connections, mutual use of ports, and humanitarian aid efforts for the regions of Moghes harmed by the Contact War. Hephaestus Industries, seeking better publicity, involved themselves, leading to the wider SCC contributing to the humanitarian efforts via the crew of the Horizon.

The humanitarian program was undermined by Lord Izaku of Mudki, who believed it to merely be the first stage of a nefarious Skrell plot. Izaku had his warriors abduct and torture several Federation workers for information in the town of Izilukh - a betrayal discovered by the crew of the Horizon. With Izaku's crime exposed, he raised his banners in a desperate rebellion, which was swiftly defeated by the Hegemon's forces. Though the future of the Hegemony remains uncertain, it appears that their new agreement with the Federation will continue without significant opposition.

{{Navbox Lore}}
[[Category:Unathi]]

Zazalai Mountains

2024-08-11T03:03:42Z

RustingWithYou: /* Mudki */ link

{{Navbox Lore}}
{{Navbox Unathi Lore}}

== Overview ==
<center>''“We are the Hegemon's shield, wretch. These mountains are littered with the bones of those who sought to break us. Bring your armies, and let them know Zazalai shall be their tomb.”''<br>
-Lord [[Notable_Unathi#Clan_Lord_Juyzi_Izaku,_The_Maddened|Juyzi Izaku]], responding to demands that he surrender Mudki to the forces of the Traditionalist Coalition.</center>
Spanning nearly the entirety of [[Moghes]], the Zazalai Mountains are a vital strategic position in the modern age. In the north, they separate the Northern and Eastern [[The Wasteland|Wasteland]] - and in the south, they divide the Eastern Wasteland from the Untouched Lands. As such, despite the difficulties of maintaining them, Hegemon Not’zar has worked tirelessly to ensure that the cities of the Zazalai Mountains stand as bastions against the Wasteland, to limited success. Historically, the Zazalai Mountains have been [[Izweski Nation|Hegemony]]-controlled, having been vassals of the Izweski since their ascent to power. While there is a vast distance between the three cities of the region, they remain at least nominally united by a common culture - though with the growing Wasteland placing increased strain on the cities of the region, it is uncertain how long that will last. The mountains are cold and inhospitable, and most of the region’s population are concentrated in the cities, or the rare habitable valleys and lowlands that can be found in the range. In the modern age, with more and more of the mountains being lost to the Wasteland, most of the region’s population can be found in the mountains surrounding the city of Res’karum.

The largest city of the Zazalai range, Res’karum was spared from atomic devastation during the [[Contact War]] by complete chance - the plane carrying the payload meant to destroy the city crashed into a nearby mountain, leaving the city untouched. Now, it is the last stop between the Untouched Lands and the Wasteland - and, given the state of things in Mudki and Bahard, it may soon be the last bastion of civilization in the mountains altogether. Currently, Res’karum is ruled by the Clan Yu’zath. The Lord Yu’zath is a competent ruler, and he has held his city together through the ashes of the Contact War, the ongoing famine, and the encroaching Wasteland. However, recent events have placed his city under threat, as refugees flood to the south from Mudki, fleeing the maddened and tyrannical rule of Lord Juyzi Izaku. As the situation grows ever more dire, the firebrand cult of Si’akh grows increasingly more popular among the Sinta of Res’karum, having recently become a majority in the city. While Lord Yu’zath remains staunchly Th’akh, some of the region’s nobles have embraced the teachings of Judiza Si’akh, and are placing pressure on their liege to convert as well.

Mudki was once known as a mighty city, which turned back Traditionalist armies many times during the Contact War. However, when the Coalition failed to take the city for the third time, they abandoned it, and rained down nuclear fire upon the region. While Mudki was able to protect the city itself from nuclear devastation, all the surrounding region was turned into uninhabitable Wasteland. The rural clans of the area are nonexistent now, with all having either perished or fled - either to Mudki’s walls or to a safer city to the south. Seeing the city collapsing has driven its ruler, Lord Juyzi Izaku, to near-madness, and a fanatical level of traditionalism that even the old Coalition would have seen as absurd. Izaku claims that the Hegemon’s welcoming of aliens has corrupted the spirit of Moghes, and that so long as this contamination is allowed, the Wasteland will never be healed. Gawgaryn forces frequently raid the city, and Izaku’s levies seem unable to mount a proper defence. As this carries on, many of Izaku’s subjects have fled south towards Res’karum, leaving the city as a ghost town, built to support a population many times its size. Those few who remain, whether out of loyalty or fear, can see Mudki crumbling - and though none will admit it, lest the mad lord come down on them, it is clear that Mudki will die if Izaku continues to rule.

To the south, on the border of the Eastern Wasteland, lies Bahard. The birthplace of the Merchants’ Guild and one of the oldest trading hubs on Moghes, the city was once one of the wealthiest in the region, said to rival even the greatest cities of the Izweski Heartland in its splendor. However, during the Contact War, it was also of great strategic importance to both sides, as it guarded several key passes in the Zazalai Mountains. During the war, the Traditionalists hoped to reduce the city to rubble - and while Bahard survived, it endures today as a shell of its former self. Surrounded by Wasteland, and only maintained by its subterranean aquifer, the city is expected to fall within the decade. While the city’s population that remains is hopeful as to the success of terraforming efforts, Lord Korhar, ruler of Bahard, has remained silent on the matter. Rumours about him say that his ancestors placed a curse on the city, as all who have opposed his clan have died or been crippled in some seemingly unrelated fashion. While this is a matter of suspicion around him, he is generally well-respected by his people - with some even holding hope that some ancient sorcery of the Korhar line will save Bahard. In 2464, a detachment of [[Vaurca Hives|K’lax]] scientists arrived to survey the city, and begin planning for terraforming efforts in the region - but it will take years before any large-scale efforts are ready to commence.

== Culture ==
<center>''“My father died at his post upon this wall. My grandfather the same. Should I have a son, he will man this wall as I have, and he will know his duty - whatever comes, he shall face it as a man of Res'karum.”''
-Anonymous Res'karum guardsman, on the night before one of the many assaults on the city.</center>

=== Culture of the Zazalai Mountains ===
Since the earliest days of the Izweski Hegemony, the Zazalai Mountains have been known as a mighty wall, keeping those kingdoms who refused to bend the knee from launching any assault on the might of Hegemonic power. Their culture reflects this - the Sinta of the mountains are hardy and militaristic, for every man, woman and child has known for centuries that if and when war comes, their people will be the first to fight, bleed and die for the Hegemony. Though in the modern age the Izweski rule over Moghes is uncontested, the mindset persists, and many Unathi from the Zazalai Mountains have enlisted with the Izweski Navy or become Kataphract-Hopefuls, to continue the traditional role of their people in defending the Hegemony. Their loyalty to the Izweski is well-known and well-reinforced. In the centuries since the rise of the Hegemony, the Izweski have known the value of the natural barrier that the Zazalai Mountains formed, and have historically spared no expense in ensuring the loyalty of the Zazali Sinta. Since the Contact War, however, the ancient barrier of the Zazalai Mountains has become obsolete as a military point, as all that remains on the far side now is Wasteland - leading the Izweski to be both less able and less willing to provide as much assistance to the region as they historically have. Some of the locals view this as a betrayal - particularly those from the region around Mudki, where the rule of the maddened Lord Izaku has driven the city into disrepair, seemingly without intervention from the Hegemon.

The mountains are cold and vicious, with the Unathi of the region having historically dressed in thick furs from the mountains’ various beasts. Most of their food comes from either hunting or fishing, with several mountainous lakes still existing in the untouched regions of the range. While, like most Sinta, they adhere strongly to the traditions of their ancestors, the Zazalai are above all else practical. If a new way of doing things is better, they will adopt it - and if not, it will be discarded. The mountains do not abide sentimentality. This mindset has led to the Sinta of Zazalai being stereotyped as stern, pragmatic and humourless by others. This is a misconception, however, as the Zazalai sense of humour is a particularly stone-faced and deadpan one.

=== Bahard ===
Bahard is an oddity among the Zazalai Mountains, with the Sinta of the city breaking from many of the stereotypes of the wider culture of the range. For centuries, the Bahard Pass was one of the only safe routes between the Hegemony-controlled Southlands and the independent kingdoms of the east, and most trade between these nations was forced to route through the city. The wealth of both the Hegemony and the kingdoms that would later form the Traditionalist Coalition flowed through Bahard, bringing great wealth to both the city and its rulers. Even the commoners - the more advantaged ones, anyway - of Bahard were known for their wealth and propensity to display it - jewellery, armbands of precious metals and fine clothing were known as hallmarks of those from Bahard, even outside of the nobility. This has led to a wider stereotype of Bahard Sinta as ostentatious, greedy and vain, obsessed with their own appearances. As an old joke told on both sides of the mountains goes - “How do you know if a man is from Bahard? Give him a mirror and wait for him to look for a priest to marry the thing”.

It is unsurprising, then, that the Merchants’ Guild can trace its origins to Bahard. The Guildhall of the city was the place where the modern institution was formed, and for many years served as its main headquarters. While it is now extinct, the purple mantles of guild members were originally dyed with the Korhar Blossom, a deep purple flower that once grew on the slopes of the Bahard Pass. However, the Contact War brought an end to these glory days, as trade across the mountains dried up. The Merchants gradually withdrew their efforts from the city, until the nuclear exchange brought the final death knell to the city. Many of those who remained in Bahard have never forgiven this, believing that while the Contact War crippled the city, it was the Merchants’ flight that truly doomed it. The Guild is hated now, and those who show their faces wearing the colours of the Merchants will be met with dismissal at best and outright hostility at worst. Following the bankruptcy of the Merchants' Guild, the residents of Bahard, while not celebrating outright, have been known to express a sense of vindication - the Guild's betrayal of its homeland finally paid for.

While its underground aquifer has prevented Bahard from facing the fate of most other cities in the Wasteland, its fisheries and farms are gone now, covered in radioactive sand and dust. The city’s grand buildings and palaces still stand, but every year more and more of them are empty as the population flees east into what remains of the Untouched Lands. The Sinta of Bahard still cling to their trinkets and finery, but the gold and silver is tarnished now, the fine clothes worn and tattered. While some, particularly among the older generations, still believe that the days of wealth and glory may return, whether by K’laxan science or Lord Korhar’s sorcery, but year by year the Wasteland spreads, and despair grips the city further.

=== Res’karum ===
Res’karum was a city of middling importance prior to the Contact War - its military might was dwarfed by that of Mudki, and its economic power paled in comparison to that of Bahard. During the Contact War, however, this changed, as the plane carrying the bomb meant to destroy the city crashed during its approach, sparing the city and surrounding region from nuclear annihilation. Most of the range’s population in the modern day lives in Res’karum and the surrounding region, now the largest portion of habitable land in the Zazalai Range - and for many, the last safe place before venturing into the harsh sands of the Wasteland.

Res’karum sits over a sheer cliff, dropping nearly one hundred feet. The River Kharai runs through the city, thundering off the cliff in an awe-inspiring display of natural glory. To many practitioners of Zazalai Th’akh, it is believe that the Falls of Res’karum are a site of great spiritual power, and it is said that on certain auspicious nights of the year, they act as a gateway between the earthly world and the realm of spirits, where Sinta with sufficient honour and courage may seek to venture into the ethereal realm and win their heart’s desire from the mighty Zyola of the mountains. Even outside of the city, the falls are considered one of the great natural wonders of Moghes, and often attracted wealthy tourists from across the planet to see them with their own eyes.

The city’s population take great pride in the natural splendour of their home, and often take umbrage at how it has been packaged, sold and cheapened by the tourism industry. Low-quality souvenirs of the Falls and the mountains surrounding them can often be found in the Wasteland now, left and forgotten in the dust. One would think that the nuclear exchange would have diminished the tourism industry, but wealthy nobles from across the Hegemony will still make the trip by shuttle on occasion, looking to see the famed falls for themselves.

Since the Contact War, the city has been stretched to the point of breaking, however. Refugees from the wider mountain range have fled to the region, and Lord Yu’zath cannot help them all - though some odd mixture of pride and kindness has led him to try anyway, enforcing harsh rationing that has only grown worse as the wider Hegemony undergoes famine. Many of the original population resent these refugees, viewing them as little more than useless mouths to feed leeching on the hard work of the locals - or, in the case of refugees from the eastern side of the mountains, enemies of the Hegemony who should receive no aid or succor from the Sinta of Zazalai.

=== Mudki ===
Mudki was once known as the Shield of the Hegemony - a fortress-city spanning the northernmost pass of the Zazalai Mountains. In the Izweski War of Succession, where the Honoured Alliance took up arms against the upstart Izweski Clan, Mudki acted as a bulwark, serving as one of the key allies of the Izweski in securing control of the mountains, and it has filled that role ever since. During the Contact War, the Traditionalist Coalition’s forces tried and failed three times to take Mudki, before the nuclear weapons were launched to destroy what they could not capture.

The Unathi of Mudki are known across Moghes as resilient, proud and quick to anger - firm friends, and terrible enemies. Their dedication to their duty is near-fanatical, and it is said that the warriors of Mudki will build barricades of their own dead before they surrender. Every tendency of the warriors of Zazalai was exemplified in Mudki, and for centuries it has had a reputation for producing some of the finest and best-disciplined soldiers in the Hegemony. Perhaps that stubborn refusal to break is why so many have remained there, even as the Wasteland consumes more and more of the lands around the city.

[[New Blades Old Wounds Arc|In 2466, Lord Izaku of Mudki began a rebellion against the Hegemon]], believing that he had fallen under the malign influence of the Skrell. After a short campaign, the legendary walls of Mudki were shattered by an orbital barrage, leading to Izaku’s capture and execution, as well as great damage to the already-neglected city. Following the defeat of the rebels, Mudki was placed under military administration, and humanitarian workers arrived to work on restoring the city. Though it seems the Hegemon does not intend to abandon it, Mudki’s future remains uncertain.

== Education ==
Education in the Zazalai Mountains is nothing out of the ordinary for Unathi - most of the region lacks a formal schooling system, with rural clans’ education traditionally being a combination of on-the-job learning for most practical tasks and basic literary and theological education - traditionally the duty of the local shaman or priest. The one exception to this, however, comes from the martial culture of the range. Traditionally, all Sinta men aged fourteen or older are required to train at arms, to a degree beyond the ordinary levels that levies elsewhere may have. Usually organised by the local Lord’s Claws, these young men are usually taken for several months when they are considered old enough and drilled in the basics of a modern Unathi army. They are also required regularly to practise these skills in their own time, so that whenever the next foes of the Hegemony emerge, the warriors of Zazalai may stand ready.

In the urban centres, however, it is a different story. The Merchants' Guild bankrolled a formal system of schooling in Bahard for nearly two hundred and fifty years, leading to a generally well-educated urban peasantry. Many of the graduates of these schools wound up becoming apprentices and later full-fledged guild members with the Merchants, and they were generally successful in their aim - creating a well-educated workforce for guilds such as the Merchants and Junzi Electric, which required a degree of education greater than that of the average Unathi when the system was first developed.

Bahard was never truly one of the great academic centres of Moghes, paling in comparison to the universities of greater cities such as Teht and Skalamar. However, the education system of the city was much more widely available, with the members of the guild who operated it charging affordable fees, and offering loans to those who could not pay. This led to a generally well-educated populace in the city, and a large number of its citizens becoming workers in well-paying guilds. However, following the Contact War, the schools of Bahard are a pale shadow of what they once were without Guild investment - many of the buildings now stand empty and crumbling, and while the new generation still receives the education that citizens have come to prize dearly, teachers are few and far between, and the lack of Guild funding means that the schools have trouble maintaining themselves.

While it is the warriors of Mudki who are most well-known, the city’s status as a bulwark against the foes of the Hegemony also led to the establishment of the Mudki Academy of Engineering in the year 1976. One of the oldest academic institutions on Moghes, many of the finest engineers of the Izweski Hegemony have graduated from its halls, and for much of its history it has been noteworthy as the rare university that accepted nobles and commoners alike. The Construction Coalition was a large investor in the Academy, and many of its members are graduates of the institution, including the current guildmaster. However, following the Contact War and the gradual ruin of Mudki, the Academy closed its doors in 2456, stating that they would reopen when the situation had stabilised. Nearly a decade on, and there is no sign that the once-honoured institution will return.

== Faith ==
<center>''“King and Queen beneath the earth, grant to these two prosperity, good health, and long life. Let not the spirits of cold and howling wind touch them.”''
-A prayer recited at Zazalai Th'akh weddings</center>
Prior to the Contact War, the region has been majority Th’akh, with both Res’karum and Mudki following the faith. Bahard was, and remains, traditionally Sk’akh. However, following the Contact War, the faith of Si’akh has caught like wildfire in the region, with Res’karum recently having become majority Si’akh. In Bahard, Si’akh remains a minority so far, though it is spreading among the increasingly desperate population of the city. In Mudki, the population is certainly desperate enough to listen to the words of Si’akh - but Lord Izaku will not abide it in his lands. While it is not outlawed by the Hegemony, followers of the prophet Si’akh are put to death, wherever Izaku or his men find them.

The variety of Th’akh practised in the Zazalai Mountains is fairly similar to the standard form of the religion - however, the main regional pantheon is quite different. Divided between two rival forces of good and evil Zyola, known as the Stone Lords and the Cold Gods respectively, Zazalai Th’akh believes that peace will come to Moghes when the Cold Gods are driven out of this world entirely, and that only through the vigilance of Sinta can their influence be scourged.

=== The Stone Lords ===

==== Lord Azhal, King of the Mine ====
Gold and silver, coal and oil - Azhal is king of all wealth beneath the earth. He is known to be stern and unforgiving, yet always fair in his judgements. Stories about him are usually about some bold and arrogant hero venturing into his realm, deep beneath the ground, in search of treasure. The hero is faced with trials that humble him, and Azhal may grant him the treasure he seeks - but only if he believes the Sinta is truly worthy. He is depicted as a male Unathi with glittering silver scales clad in black, wearing a golden crown.

==== Lady Kharai, Queen of the Waters ====
Mistress of the precious lakes and springs that give the mountains life, Kharai is the wife of Azhal. Where he is harsh and unforgiving, she is kind, and in many tales is the one who persuades him to show mercy to the hero. However, when her anger is roused, she is a terrible force to behold, causing drought and famine to plague those who have wronged her. It is said that her tears can cure even death, and she is often venerated by healers of the Zazalai mountains.

==== Lord Iala, Prince of the Sword ====
A warrior through and through, Iala is the son of Kharai and Azhal. He wields a sword forged in his father’s underground realm, and is the one who leads the pantheon to war against the Cold Gods, when the season of war comes. He is portrayed in his tales as overconfident and bold, but an honourable and good-hearted warrior, who always tries to fix his mistakes. It is said that he takes the spirits of noble warriors to march with him in his host, to push the Cold Gods off their distant peaks and back into darkness.

==== Lady Zalai, Princess of the Winds ====
Daughter to Kharai and Azhal, Zalai is the opposite of Iala through and through - where he is cocky, she is patient, and where he is straightforward, she is calculating. She often stands beside her brother during battles against the Cold Gods, and frequently is the one who leads her family to victory, by turning their enemies against one another, or tricking them in some clever fashion.

=== The Cold Gods ===

==== Vhesk, of the Empty Peaks ====
Vhesk is, in some versions of the tale, Azhal’s younger brother. It is said that the two agreed at the world’s creation on who would get the lands beneath the earth, and who would get the peaks of the high mountains. Vhesk chose the peaks, and felt cheated when his brother found the riches that the earth holds. Furious, he has tried many times to steal his brother’s kingdom, and will send avalanches and freezing winds to torment the Sinta of the peaks. He is primarily associated with dishonour, cowardice and envy.

==== Xiaxa, of the Howling Storm ====
In some versions of the faith, she is Vhesk’s daughter - in others, a sister to Iala and Zalai who betrayed them, jealous of Zalai’s domain. She claims the winds as her own as well, but where Zalai is subtle she is furious and direct, sending tornadoes and howling storms to drive Zalai from the skies she calls her own. She is a vicious god, and will torment Sinta on the high slopes, hoping to kill them and claim their souls for her own. She is primarily associated with rage, treachery and cruelty.

==== Aore, of the Endless Hunger ====
A monstrous spirit, barely even Sinta, Aore is used as a weapon of war by the other Cold Gods. It devours food, causing it to spoil, and is said to eat the souls of Sinta it finds wandering the spirit world. All that matters to it is filling its endless hunger, and it will return from death until it does so. It is believed that Sinta who turn to cannibalism have fallen to Aore’s influence. It is associated with greed, gluttony and waste.

==== Jharal, of the Gilded Lie ====
A spirit of unknown origin, Jharal is known as a wanderer and a miscreant - often working with the Cold Gods, in the hopes of stealing Azhal’s treasure for themself. However, they will often betray the Cold Gods as well, as soon as the situation turns against them. They are said to be in love with Zalai, and she will often trick them into helping the Stone Lords out of some peril or another by exploiting this. They are associated with lustfulness, deceit and laziness.

== Holidays ==

=== Kharai’s Reverie ===
Held on the last day of Kasavakh, it is considered a day of thanks and celebration of Kharai’s gifts to the mortal world, before she rests until Versakh comes again. Gifts are often exchanged during the Reverie, and lovers will often sneak off to spend the occasion together, before the harsh cold of Travakh comes in.

=== Iala’s Contest ===
A festival, often held in one of the larger cities of a region, where young men will travel from far and wide to test their skill and strength against others. These act as a form of marriage competition, with many seeking less victory, and more to prove themselves before likely young women. It is generally a boisterous occasion, full of laughter, drinking and good-natured duels which are, in the modern age, very rarely lethal.

=== Vhesk’s Day ===
The only time of year when the Cold Gods are honoured, this day falls in the middle of Travahk, at its coldest point. For this day, offerings are made to Vhesk and the Cold Gods, to spare the Sinta from their wrath. It is considered extreme misfortune to speak at all during this day, and most clans will go about the day’s business in total silence. Hatchlings born on Vhesk’s Day are considered to be cursed, and in ancient times were often left to die rather than risking bringing misfortune on their clan. While that practice was outlawed under the Sarakus, Sinta born on this black day can rarely expect happy lives, as rumours of their cursed nature will spread.

=== Gharakai (Merchants’ Welcome) ===
A holiday that is no longer celebrated, Gharakai was held near the start of Kasavakh in Bahard, to celebrate as new trade caravans came in from both east and west. Colourful banners would be hung, and a grand celebration would commence in the streets. But now the eastern gates are shut altogether, and no merchants come in from the west - and these days, when Gharakai comes is simply another reminder of the doom that grips the city.

Zazalai Mountains

2024-08-11T03:03:08Z

RustingWithYou: /* Mudki */ NBOW

{{Navbox Lore}}
{{Navbox Unathi Lore}}

== Overview ==
<center>''“We are the Hegemon's shield, wretch. These mountains are littered with the bones of those who sought to break us. Bring your armies, and let them know Zazalai shall be their tomb.”''<br>
-Lord [[Notable_Unathi#Clan_Lord_Juyzi_Izaku,_The_Maddened|Juyzi Izaku]], responding to demands that he surrender Mudki to the forces of the Traditionalist Coalition.</center>
Spanning nearly the entirety of [[Moghes]], the Zazalai Mountains are a vital strategic position in the modern age. In the north, they separate the Northern and Eastern [[The Wasteland|Wasteland]] - and in the south, they divide the Eastern Wasteland from the Untouched Lands. As such, despite the difficulties of maintaining them, Hegemon Not’zar has worked tirelessly to ensure that the cities of the Zazalai Mountains stand as bastions against the Wasteland, to limited success. Historically, the Zazalai Mountains have been [[Izweski Nation|Hegemony]]-controlled, having been vassals of the Izweski since their ascent to power. While there is a vast distance between the three cities of the region, they remain at least nominally united by a common culture - though with the growing Wasteland placing increased strain on the cities of the region, it is uncertain how long that will last. The mountains are cold and inhospitable, and most of the region’s population are concentrated in the cities, or the rare habitable valleys and lowlands that can be found in the range. In the modern age, with more and more of the mountains being lost to the Wasteland, most of the region’s population can be found in the mountains surrounding the city of Res’karum.

The largest city of the Zazalai range, Res’karum was spared from atomic devastation during the [[Contact War]] by complete chance - the plane carrying the payload meant to destroy the city crashed into a nearby mountain, leaving the city untouched. Now, it is the last stop between the Untouched Lands and the Wasteland - and, given the state of things in Mudki and Bahard, it may soon be the last bastion of civilization in the mountains altogether. Currently, Res’karum is ruled by the Clan Yu’zath. The Lord Yu’zath is a competent ruler, and he has held his city together through the ashes of the Contact War, the ongoing famine, and the encroaching Wasteland. However, recent events have placed his city under threat, as refugees flood to the south from Mudki, fleeing the maddened and tyrannical rule of Lord Juyzi Izaku. As the situation grows ever more dire, the firebrand cult of Si’akh grows increasingly more popular among the Sinta of Res’karum, having recently become a majority in the city. While Lord Yu’zath remains staunchly Th’akh, some of the region’s nobles have embraced the teachings of Judiza Si’akh, and are placing pressure on their liege to convert as well.

Mudki was once known as a mighty city, which turned back Traditionalist armies many times during the Contact War. However, when the Coalition failed to take the city for the third time, they abandoned it, and rained down nuclear fire upon the region. While Mudki was able to protect the city itself from nuclear devastation, all the surrounding region was turned into uninhabitable Wasteland. The rural clans of the area are nonexistent now, with all having either perished or fled - either to Mudki’s walls or to a safer city to the south. Seeing the city collapsing has driven its ruler, Lord Juyzi Izaku, to near-madness, and a fanatical level of traditionalism that even the old Coalition would have seen as absurd. Izaku claims that the Hegemon’s welcoming of aliens has corrupted the spirit of Moghes, and that so long as this contamination is allowed, the Wasteland will never be healed. Gawgaryn forces frequently raid the city, and Izaku’s levies seem unable to mount a proper defence. As this carries on, many of Izaku’s subjects have fled south towards Res’karum, leaving the city as a ghost town, built to support a population many times its size. Those few who remain, whether out of loyalty or fear, can see Mudki crumbling - and though none will admit it, lest the mad lord come down on them, it is clear that Mudki will die if Izaku continues to rule.

To the south, on the border of the Eastern Wasteland, lies Bahard. The birthplace of the Merchants’ Guild and one of the oldest trading hubs on Moghes, the city was once one of the wealthiest in the region, said to rival even the greatest cities of the Izweski Heartland in its splendor. However, during the Contact War, it was also of great strategic importance to both sides, as it guarded several key passes in the Zazalai Mountains. During the war, the Traditionalists hoped to reduce the city to rubble - and while Bahard survived, it endures today as a shell of its former self. Surrounded by Wasteland, and only maintained by its subterranean aquifer, the city is expected to fall within the decade. While the city’s population that remains is hopeful as to the success of terraforming efforts, Lord Korhar, ruler of Bahard, has remained silent on the matter. Rumours about him say that his ancestors placed a curse on the city, as all who have opposed his clan have died or been crippled in some seemingly unrelated fashion. While this is a matter of suspicion around him, he is generally well-respected by his people - with some even holding hope that some ancient sorcery of the Korhar line will save Bahard. In 2464, a detachment of [[Vaurca Hives|K’lax]] scientists arrived to survey the city, and begin planning for terraforming efforts in the region - but it will take years before any large-scale efforts are ready to commence.

== Culture ==
<center>''“My father died at his post upon this wall. My grandfather the same. Should I have a son, he will man this wall as I have, and he will know his duty - whatever comes, he shall face it as a man of Res'karum.”''
-Anonymous Res'karum guardsman, on the night before one of the many assaults on the city.</center>

=== Culture of the Zazalai Mountains ===
Since the earliest days of the Izweski Hegemony, the Zazalai Mountains have been known as a mighty wall, keeping those kingdoms who refused to bend the knee from launching any assault on the might of Hegemonic power. Their culture reflects this - the Sinta of the mountains are hardy and militaristic, for every man, woman and child has known for centuries that if and when war comes, their people will be the first to fight, bleed and die for the Hegemony. Though in the modern age the Izweski rule over Moghes is uncontested, the mindset persists, and many Unathi from the Zazalai Mountains have enlisted with the Izweski Navy or become Kataphract-Hopefuls, to continue the traditional role of their people in defending the Hegemony. Their loyalty to the Izweski is well-known and well-reinforced. In the centuries since the rise of the Hegemony, the Izweski have known the value of the natural barrier that the Zazalai Mountains formed, and have historically spared no expense in ensuring the loyalty of the Zazali Sinta. Since the Contact War, however, the ancient barrier of the Zazalai Mountains has become obsolete as a military point, as all that remains on the far side now is Wasteland - leading the Izweski to be both less able and less willing to provide as much assistance to the region as they historically have. Some of the locals view this as a betrayal - particularly those from the region around Mudki, where the rule of the maddened Lord Izaku has driven the city into disrepair, seemingly without intervention from the Hegemon.

The mountains are cold and vicious, with the Unathi of the region having historically dressed in thick furs from the mountains’ various beasts. Most of their food comes from either hunting or fishing, with several mountainous lakes still existing in the untouched regions of the range. While, like most Sinta, they adhere strongly to the traditions of their ancestors, the Zazalai are above all else practical. If a new way of doing things is better, they will adopt it - and if not, it will be discarded. The mountains do not abide sentimentality. This mindset has led to the Sinta of Zazalai being stereotyped as stern, pragmatic and humourless by others. This is a misconception, however, as the Zazalai sense of humour is a particularly stone-faced and deadpan one.

=== Bahard ===
Bahard is an oddity among the Zazalai Mountains, with the Sinta of the city breaking from many of the stereotypes of the wider culture of the range. For centuries, the Bahard Pass was one of the only safe routes between the Hegemony-controlled Southlands and the independent kingdoms of the east, and most trade between these nations was forced to route through the city. The wealth of both the Hegemony and the kingdoms that would later form the Traditionalist Coalition flowed through Bahard, bringing great wealth to both the city and its rulers. Even the commoners - the more advantaged ones, anyway - of Bahard were known for their wealth and propensity to display it - jewellery, armbands of precious metals and fine clothing were known as hallmarks of those from Bahard, even outside of the nobility. This has led to a wider stereotype of Bahard Sinta as ostentatious, greedy and vain, obsessed with their own appearances. As an old joke told on both sides of the mountains goes - “How do you know if a man is from Bahard? Give him a mirror and wait for him to look for a priest to marry the thing”.

It is unsurprising, then, that the Merchants’ Guild can trace its origins to Bahard. The Guildhall of the city was the place where the modern institution was formed, and for many years served as its main headquarters. While it is now extinct, the purple mantles of guild members were originally dyed with the Korhar Blossom, a deep purple flower that once grew on the slopes of the Bahard Pass. However, the Contact War brought an end to these glory days, as trade across the mountains dried up. The Merchants gradually withdrew their efforts from the city, until the nuclear exchange brought the final death knell to the city. Many of those who remained in Bahard have never forgiven this, believing that while the Contact War crippled the city, it was the Merchants’ flight that truly doomed it. The Guild is hated now, and those who show their faces wearing the colours of the Merchants will be met with dismissal at best and outright hostility at worst. Following the bankruptcy of the Merchants' Guild, the residents of Bahard, while not celebrating outright, have been known to express a sense of vindication - the Guild's betrayal of its homeland finally paid for.

While its underground aquifer has prevented Bahard from facing the fate of most other cities in the Wasteland, its fisheries and farms are gone now, covered in radioactive sand and dust. The city’s grand buildings and palaces still stand, but every year more and more of them are empty as the population flees east into what remains of the Untouched Lands. The Sinta of Bahard still cling to their trinkets and finery, but the gold and silver is tarnished now, the fine clothes worn and tattered. While some, particularly among the older generations, still believe that the days of wealth and glory may return, whether by K’laxan science or Lord Korhar’s sorcery, but year by year the Wasteland spreads, and despair grips the city further.

=== Res’karum ===
Res’karum was a city of middling importance prior to the Contact War - its military might was dwarfed by that of Mudki, and its economic power paled in comparison to that of Bahard. During the Contact War, however, this changed, as the plane carrying the bomb meant to destroy the city crashed during its approach, sparing the city and surrounding region from nuclear annihilation. Most of the range’s population in the modern day lives in Res’karum and the surrounding region, now the largest portion of habitable land in the Zazalai Range - and for many, the last safe place before venturing into the harsh sands of the Wasteland.

Res’karum sits over a sheer cliff, dropping nearly one hundred feet. The River Kharai runs through the city, thundering off the cliff in an awe-inspiring display of natural glory. To many practitioners of Zazalai Th’akh, it is believe that the Falls of Res’karum are a site of great spiritual power, and it is said that on certain auspicious nights of the year, they act as a gateway between the earthly world and the realm of spirits, where Sinta with sufficient honour and courage may seek to venture into the ethereal realm and win their heart’s desire from the mighty Zyola of the mountains. Even outside of the city, the falls are considered one of the great natural wonders of Moghes, and often attracted wealthy tourists from across the planet to see them with their own eyes.

The city’s population take great pride in the natural splendour of their home, and often take umbrage at how it has been packaged, sold and cheapened by the tourism industry. Low-quality souvenirs of the Falls and the mountains surrounding them can often be found in the Wasteland now, left and forgotten in the dust. One would think that the nuclear exchange would have diminished the tourism industry, but wealthy nobles from across the Hegemony will still make the trip by shuttle on occasion, looking to see the famed falls for themselves.

Since the Contact War, the city has been stretched to the point of breaking, however. Refugees from the wider mountain range have fled to the region, and Lord Yu’zath cannot help them all - though some odd mixture of pride and kindness has led him to try anyway, enforcing harsh rationing that has only grown worse as the wider Hegemony undergoes famine. Many of the original population resent these refugees, viewing them as little more than useless mouths to feed leeching on the hard work of the locals - or, in the case of refugees from the eastern side of the mountains, enemies of the Hegemony who should receive no aid or succor from the Sinta of Zazalai.

=== Mudki ===
Mudki was once known as the Shield of the Hegemony - a fortress-city spanning the northernmost pass of the Zazalai Mountains. In the Izweski War of Succession, where the Honoured Alliance took up arms against the upstart Izweski Clan, Mudki acted as a bulwark, serving as one of the key allies of the Izweski in securing control of the mountains, and it has filled that role ever since. During the Contact War, the Traditionalist Coalition’s forces tried and failed three times to take Mudki, before the nuclear weapons were launched to destroy what they could not capture.

The Unathi of Mudki are known across Moghes as resilient, proud and quick to anger - firm friends, and terrible enemies. Their dedication to their duty is near-fanatical, and it is said that the warriors of Mudki will build barricades of their own dead before they surrender. Every tendency of the warriors of Zazalai was exemplified in Mudki, and for centuries it has had a reputation for producing some of the finest and best-disciplined soldiers in the Hegemony. Perhaps that stubborn refusal to break is why so many have remained there, even as the Wasteland consumes more and more of the lands around the city.

In 2466, Lord Izaku of Mudki began a rebellion against the Hegemon, believing that he had fallen under the malign influence of the Skrell. After a short campaign, the legendary walls of Mudki were shattered by an orbital barrage, leading to Izaku’s capture and execution, as well as great damage to the already-neglected city. Following the defeat of the rebels, Mudki was placed under military administration, and humanitarian workers arrived to work on restoring the city. Though it seems the Hegemon does not intend to abandon it, Mudki’s future remains uncertain.

== Education ==
Education in the Zazalai Mountains is nothing out of the ordinary for Unathi - most of the region lacks a formal schooling system, with rural clans’ education traditionally being a combination of on-the-job learning for most practical tasks and basic literary and theological education - traditionally the duty of the local shaman or priest. The one exception to this, however, comes from the martial culture of the range. Traditionally, all Sinta men aged fourteen or older are required to train at arms, to a degree beyond the ordinary levels that levies elsewhere may have. Usually organised by the local Lord’s Claws, these young men are usually taken for several months when they are considered old enough and drilled in the basics of a modern Unathi army. They are also required regularly to practise these skills in their own time, so that whenever the next foes of the Hegemony emerge, the warriors of Zazalai may stand ready.

In the urban centres, however, it is a different story. The Merchants' Guild bankrolled a formal system of schooling in Bahard for nearly two hundred and fifty years, leading to a generally well-educated urban peasantry. Many of the graduates of these schools wound up becoming apprentices and later full-fledged guild members with the Merchants, and they were generally successful in their aim - creating a well-educated workforce for guilds such as the Merchants and Junzi Electric, which required a degree of education greater than that of the average Unathi when the system was first developed.

Bahard was never truly one of the great academic centres of Moghes, paling in comparison to the universities of greater cities such as Teht and Skalamar. However, the education system of the city was much more widely available, with the members of the guild who operated it charging affordable fees, and offering loans to those who could not pay. This led to a generally well-educated populace in the city, and a large number of its citizens becoming workers in well-paying guilds. However, following the Contact War, the schools of Bahard are a pale shadow of what they once were without Guild investment - many of the buildings now stand empty and crumbling, and while the new generation still receives the education that citizens have come to prize dearly, teachers are few and far between, and the lack of Guild funding means that the schools have trouble maintaining themselves.

While it is the warriors of Mudki who are most well-known, the city’s status as a bulwark against the foes of the Hegemony also led to the establishment of the Mudki Academy of Engineering in the year 1976. One of the oldest academic institutions on Moghes, many of the finest engineers of the Izweski Hegemony have graduated from its halls, and for much of its history it has been noteworthy as the rare university that accepted nobles and commoners alike. The Construction Coalition was a large investor in the Academy, and many of its members are graduates of the institution, including the current guildmaster. However, following the Contact War and the gradual ruin of Mudki, the Academy closed its doors in 2456, stating that they would reopen when the situation had stabilised. Nearly a decade on, and there is no sign that the once-honoured institution will return.

== Faith ==
<center>''“King and Queen beneath the earth, grant to these two prosperity, good health, and long life. Let not the spirits of cold and howling wind touch them.”''
-A prayer recited at Zazalai Th'akh weddings</center>
Prior to the Contact War, the region has been majority Th’akh, with both Res’karum and Mudki following the faith. Bahard was, and remains, traditionally Sk’akh. However, following the Contact War, the faith of Si’akh has caught like wildfire in the region, with Res’karum recently having become majority Si’akh. In Bahard, Si’akh remains a minority so far, though it is spreading among the increasingly desperate population of the city. In Mudki, the population is certainly desperate enough to listen to the words of Si’akh - but Lord Izaku will not abide it in his lands. While it is not outlawed by the Hegemony, followers of the prophet Si’akh are put to death, wherever Izaku or his men find them.

The variety of Th’akh practised in the Zazalai Mountains is fairly similar to the standard form of the religion - however, the main regional pantheon is quite different. Divided between two rival forces of good and evil Zyola, known as the Stone Lords and the Cold Gods respectively, Zazalai Th’akh believes that peace will come to Moghes when the Cold Gods are driven out of this world entirely, and that only through the vigilance of Sinta can their influence be scourged.

=== The Stone Lords ===

==== Lord Azhal, King of the Mine ====
Gold and silver, coal and oil - Azhal is king of all wealth beneath the earth. He is known to be stern and unforgiving, yet always fair in his judgements. Stories about him are usually about some bold and arrogant hero venturing into his realm, deep beneath the ground, in search of treasure. The hero is faced with trials that humble him, and Azhal may grant him the treasure he seeks - but only if he believes the Sinta is truly worthy. He is depicted as a male Unathi with glittering silver scales clad in black, wearing a golden crown.

==== Lady Kharai, Queen of the Waters ====
Mistress of the precious lakes and springs that give the mountains life, Kharai is the wife of Azhal. Where he is harsh and unforgiving, she is kind, and in many tales is the one who persuades him to show mercy to the hero. However, when her anger is roused, she is a terrible force to behold, causing drought and famine to plague those who have wronged her. It is said that her tears can cure even death, and she is often venerated by healers of the Zazalai mountains.

==== Lord Iala, Prince of the Sword ====
A warrior through and through, Iala is the son of Kharai and Azhal. He wields a sword forged in his father’s underground realm, and is the one who leads the pantheon to war against the Cold Gods, when the season of war comes. He is portrayed in his tales as overconfident and bold, but an honourable and good-hearted warrior, who always tries to fix his mistakes. It is said that he takes the spirits of noble warriors to march with him in his host, to push the Cold Gods off their distant peaks and back into darkness.

==== Lady Zalai, Princess of the Winds ====
Daughter to Kharai and Azhal, Zalai is the opposite of Iala through and through - where he is cocky, she is patient, and where he is straightforward, she is calculating. She often stands beside her brother during battles against the Cold Gods, and frequently is the one who leads her family to victory, by turning their enemies against one another, or tricking them in some clever fashion.

=== The Cold Gods ===

==== Vhesk, of the Empty Peaks ====
Vhesk is, in some versions of the tale, Azhal’s younger brother. It is said that the two agreed at the world’s creation on who would get the lands beneath the earth, and who would get the peaks of the high mountains. Vhesk chose the peaks, and felt cheated when his brother found the riches that the earth holds. Furious, he has tried many times to steal his brother’s kingdom, and will send avalanches and freezing winds to torment the Sinta of the peaks. He is primarily associated with dishonour, cowardice and envy.

==== Xiaxa, of the Howling Storm ====
In some versions of the faith, she is Vhesk’s daughter - in others, a sister to Iala and Zalai who betrayed them, jealous of Zalai’s domain. She claims the winds as her own as well, but where Zalai is subtle she is furious and direct, sending tornadoes and howling storms to drive Zalai from the skies she calls her own. She is a vicious god, and will torment Sinta on the high slopes, hoping to kill them and claim their souls for her own. She is primarily associated with rage, treachery and cruelty.

==== Aore, of the Endless Hunger ====
A monstrous spirit, barely even Sinta, Aore is used as a weapon of war by the other Cold Gods. It devours food, causing it to spoil, and is said to eat the souls of Sinta it finds wandering the spirit world. All that matters to it is filling its endless hunger, and it will return from death until it does so. It is believed that Sinta who turn to cannibalism have fallen to Aore’s influence. It is associated with greed, gluttony and waste.

==== Jharal, of the Gilded Lie ====
A spirit of unknown origin, Jharal is known as a wanderer and a miscreant - often working with the Cold Gods, in the hopes of stealing Azhal’s treasure for themself. However, they will often betray the Cold Gods as well, as soon as the situation turns against them. They are said to be in love with Zalai, and she will often trick them into helping the Stone Lords out of some peril or another by exploiting this. They are associated with lustfulness, deceit and laziness.

== Holidays ==

=== Kharai’s Reverie ===
Held on the last day of Kasavakh, it is considered a day of thanks and celebration of Kharai’s gifts to the mortal world, before she rests until Versakh comes again. Gifts are often exchanged during the Reverie, and lovers will often sneak off to spend the occasion together, before the harsh cold of Travakh comes in.

=== Iala’s Contest ===
A festival, often held in one of the larger cities of a region, where young men will travel from far and wide to test their skill and strength against others. These act as a form of marriage competition, with many seeking less victory, and more to prove themselves before likely young women. It is generally a boisterous occasion, full of laughter, drinking and good-natured duels which are, in the modern age, very rarely lethal.

=== Vhesk’s Day ===
The only time of year when the Cold Gods are honoured, this day falls in the middle of Travahk, at its coldest point. For this day, offerings are made to Vhesk and the Cold Gods, to spare the Sinta from their wrath. It is considered extreme misfortune to speak at all during this day, and most clans will go about the day’s business in total silence. Hatchlings born on Vhesk’s Day are considered to be cursed, and in ancient times were often left to die rather than risking bringing misfortune on their clan. While that practice was outlawed under the Sarakus, Sinta born on this black day can rarely expect happy lives, as rumours of their cursed nature will spread.

=== Gharakai (Merchants’ Welcome) ===
A holiday that is no longer celebrated, Gharakai was held near the start of Kasavakh in Bahard, to celebrate as new trade caravans came in from both east and west. Colourful banners would be hung, and a grand celebration would commence in the streets. But now the eastern gates are shut altogether, and no merchants come in from the west - and these days, when Gharakai comes is simply another reminder of the doom that grips the city.

Notable Unathi

2024-08-11T03:02:42Z

RustingWithYou: /* Clan Lord Juyzi Izaku, The Maddened */

{{Navbox Lore}}
{{Navbox Unathi Lore}}
[[Unathi]] history and society has a long list of notable individuals and heroes that are known across [[Moghes]], or who's fame has become a household name in both Moghes and [[Ouerea]].

==Myths and Legends==
The majority of Unathi legends follow the feats of individuals and their impact on the world. They stress the importance and abilities of single individuals, and carry with them moral lessons that tend to reinforce Unathi cultural ideas.

=== Kazani: the First Guwandi ===

Kazani Guwandi, born '''Kazani Kaxedun''', is an ancient figure who is believed to have been born sometime between '''300 BCE to 20 CE'''. Born before the Sarakus Hegemony, he was the first of two sons of a small noble family that ruled over the village of Kutah. He was raised as the heir to his Clan’s lands and spent his youth in a comfortable life in luxury. Coming into his teenage years he began to fall subject to fits of rage, often exploding on people and physically attacking them for even the smallest provocation and earning a reputation as a brutal person. His father sent him to be trained as a warrior in the hopes of giving him an outlet for his anger. He was trained for years as his instructors tried to bring discipline to the Prince. During training he would fly into a berserk rage and maul his sparring partners. After nearly killing one of them, his father finally just sent him off with the army to fight their Clan’s enemies in the constant battles they fought to defend their lands.

Kazani became a feared warrior within just a few years. He would work himself up into a frenzy before battle, gnashing his teeth and screaming at the enemy. He was known to charge without orders, smashing into the enemy lines and hacking away at them with his sword and bashing them with his shield. He quickly rose to command the Kaxedun army in his '''late 20’s''', and always personally lead from the front line and was the first to make contact with the enemy. Under his leadership and with his seemingly unstoppable strength the Kaxedun clan quickly expanded and seized much surrounding territory. By the time Kazani inherited the role of Clan-Leader once his father died, '''he was barely in his 30’s'''. Despite his prestige and power however, he was never offered a wife as all Clans knew of his violent ways and refused to allow their daughters to be put at risk at the hands of such a savage person.

His brother, Trazli Kaxedun, one day came to his brother and demanded that he be given half of the Clan’s lands to govern himself. Trazli had no lands of his own, and had grown jealous of his older brother. This set Kazani into a rage and he attacked his brother immediately, killing him on the spot.

When the rage subsided, Kazani looked on the body of his brother and realized what he had done. He dropped to his knees and wept for the Ancestors to forgive him.

He soon abandoned his Clan, renouncing all of his titles and possessions. He wandered off into the wilderness, taking on the name Guwandi, which loosely means ‘clanless gladiator’. He travelled the globe, looking to die in battle to redeem himself. With each duel he fought, he hurled himself into it intent to win. He knew that if he simply meekly accepted death that he would never redeem himself for his fratricide. Kazani spent years trying to die in battle. For an entire decade he walked Moghes, slaying foe after foe. He grew increasingly desperate, provoking entire bandit parties, town militias, and even whole armies to face him in the field, alone. Each time he fought viciously’, often over entire days without rest, his sword never dry.

By the time he was '''40 years old''' and reaching the twilight of his life, he looked back upon his many conquests and uncountable victories, and wept. Kazani was cursed to be unbeatable, and knew he would never find peace or redeem himself before the Ancestors.

One day Kazani came before a wandering shaman in the unknown wilds. Kazani was desperate for a fight, and fell to his knees before him. Kazani explained his curse and begged the shaman to lift it so he could die in battle. The shaman listened intently and finally asked what Kazani would to have done with his remains when he died. Kazani said he wanted to be buried at his Clan’s former estate next to his brother. The shaman agreed, and said he would lift Kazani’s curse if Kazani would fight him to the death.

Kazani, despite knowing the shaman would surely die, was desperate enough to accept. When they began the duel, Kazani hurled himself at the shaman. But the shaman deftly dodged out of the way and struck Kazani in the back of the head with his walking staff. Kazani fell forwards and hit his head on a rocky outcropping, killing him instantly.

Slain by one of the High Elders of the Akhanzi order, Kazani was finally found to have died in battle and his sins redeemed. He was reunited with his brother and the Ancestors and they joined Sk’akh to live in the eternal afterlife.

===Tryazali Kres'ha'nor===

Tryazali was born in 949 CE to a minor noble family in what is modern day Baandr. He is credited in Unathi myth as founding the first Hegemony. Information about Trizarki comes from the epic The First Prince and the Night Queen written 1572-1602 CE. According to the epic, when Tryazali was 26 he became separated from his hunting party out in the mountains. He wandered for five days and five nights, unable to find food, water, or shelter. As he was about to die of exposure he was saved by a mysterious tribe of all-female warriors. After he had been nursed back to health by three of the tribe's healers he was taken to meet with their queen, who styled herself The Empress Of Night. She was a ruthless and cunning leader with an azure-colored hide and pure white eyes who claimed to possess magical abilities and a strong spiritual connection to the ancestors. She had been known to lead her tribe of warriors on various raids of the neighboring cities and keep her village hidden in the deep forests in the mountains. After her talks with Tryazali, she demanded that he repay the debt he owed them for saving his life. She tasked him with the rescue of her eldest daughter, who had been kidnapped by a nobleman in S'th. The Queen promised many blessings for the safe return of her child Raz'ha, but warned Tryazali that should he deviate or try to escape from his debt, she would place a curse on him that would doom him and his clan for as long as they tread upon Moghes.

Tryazali eventually learned the whereabouts of the princess, who was being held as a slave to the Lord of S'th, Taraz Jy'haza, keeping her as an exotic curiosity due to the color of her hide, which was a rich azure color. Tryazali would later storm the Lord Taraz's castle and demanded a duel for ownership of Raz'ha. Lord Taraz rebuffed him and sent out his own soldiers, but one by one they fell before the skilled Prince. Eventually Lord Taraz accepted the challenge after overhearing whispers of cowardice amongst his court. According to the epic the resulting duel lasted two entire days before Prince Trazali slew Lord Taraz. Victorious, Tryazali then proclaimed himself the new Lord of S'th, liberating the city and freeing Raz'ha. Before returning her to her mother, the two ended up falling in love, and she elected to remain with Tryazali, becoming queen of S'th and taking the name Kres'ha'nor with her mother's blessing. Tryazali expanded the influence of S'th and eventually created the First Hegemony. He died at the age of 53, in the year 1002 CE. The Kres'ha'nor Hegemony after him continued to grow and dominate most of Moghes.

===Shizarsa Ksi'ka===

Ksi'ka is believed to have been born in '''1632 CE''' to the leaders of a small tribe outside Darakath. She was bethrothed to a hunter from another village but even from a young age she resented this fact. She is known to have been a wild child, picking fights with other children. When she was 17, before the planned wedding day, she fled her village with her father's sword and crossbow. Outraged, her betrothed, Karask, sent several expeditions after her to arrest and return her. Ksi'ka managed to wound a hunter sent after her with her crossbow but her inexperience with combat lead her to being quickly disarmed and arrested. As she was being escorted back her group was ambushed by bandits and she was kidnapped yet again. Shizarsa was held as a captive of the bandits, who forced her to cook, clean, and otherwise act as a maid for their enclave. According to legend she struck a friendship with one of the bandits and he agreed to train her to defend herself.

When she was 27 Ksi'ka killed the leader of the bandits and began leading the men herself. She became an infamous bandit, harassing traveling merchants. One day she even attacked Karask's village, killing him and freeing a woman he had taken as another wife in her place.

Her fame and power grew until she controlled a small petty kingdom that surrounded Darakath and with dozens of kills under her belt. Fearing the barbarians ravaging the countryside Lord of the city sent out his eldest son, Gri'zarsuth, to lead 48 of the city's soldiers to find the bandit enclave and destroy it.

Eventually Gri'zarsuth and his men managed to ambush Ksi'ka's camp and slew or captured the majority of her men. According to legend Ksi'ka managed to kill four men and was the last one standing. Gri'zarsuth managed to knock her out by hitting her in the head with the flat of his sword.

Ksi'ka was considered a wild savage by everyone in the city when she was dragged to the dungeons in chains, but Gri'zarsuth fell in love with her. He begged his father four times to spare her, and four times he refused. The day before her execution Gri'zarsuth begged again, saying that he could civilize Ksi'ka. Finally his father relented on the condition that he be able to civilize Gri'zarsuth within a year.

Ksi'ka's wild spirit was reigned in by Gri'zarsuth over the following year, and the barbarian savage was transformed into a proper princess. At the end of the year she was brought before Gri'zarsuth's father, who marveled at the change a man could bring such a wild woman. She was allowed to live, and eventually married Gri'zarsuth.

== The Contact War ==

===Don'zai Azarak===

Don'zai Azarak was born on 2408 CE in the former city of Darakath, the capital of the Azarak Kingdom, which also briefly served as the capital of the Traditionalist Coalition during its existence. His parents, King Yuiz Azarak and Queen Kwina Azarak, gave him two siblings, both of which were sisters, and his family all followed the Tha'kh faith.

Prince Azarak received extensive education from a young age, showing promise and charisma. When he was 16 he was sent to the University of Darakath to become an Apprentice for the Guildmaster of the university, where he also received his education. While attending university he would be bethrothed to his future wife, Princess Wei'za from the northern kingdom of Izgwani, and they would marry when they were both 20, in 2428.

They had two hatchlings six months after the marriage ceremony, giving Don'zai two children; the male Don'ziki and female Yuiza. Don'zai immediately fell in love with his children and became famous for his elaborate and lavish displays of affection. Using his influence as Prince and heir of the Kingdom he managed to persuade the University of Darakath to rename two new campus buildings after his children. He also spent excessive funds on having the baby rooms renovated with elaborate decorations and furnishing, famously including a small fountain in his son's room and hydroponic trays growing a variety of colorful, exotic plants in his daughter's room.

Don'zai's father died when he was 24, in 2432, and Don'zai was crowned King. Though he professed a desire to continue his studies and delegate matters of state to his staff, the unprecedented event of alien life visiting Moghes forced him to take a leave of absence from his studies and take on official duties as King.

The human and Skrell expedition that made contact with Moghes in 2433 was done in the Izweski Nation, which was the world's sole superpower and Hegemony.

Knowing they had the only functioning spaceports and access to the greater galaxy, Don'zai sent repeated requests to the Izweski to have an Azarak representative sent to humanity and the skrell to speak for his Kingdom but each time he was rebuffed, with the Izweski taking on a patronizing and condescending attitude to his Kingdom.

Azarak called a summit of all world leaders in late Versakh (April relative) of 2433. The summit took place in Tisxaclas, the capital of his allies, the Izgwani, where he gave his infamous speech and single-handily managed to become a global icon and the poster boy of the anti-Izweski bloc.

During the global crisis that had erupted after the Izweski had colonized Ourea, in which humanity and the skrell had practically taken charge of, Don'zai Azarak was one of the leading figures that would come to found the Traditionalist Coalition. He personally served in the conflict, becoming an artilleryman in the Azarak 1st Retinue, his family's private levee. Images of him manning an artillery cannon in active battle were turned into propaganda pieces and he became known as the King on the Battlefield.

It's not known if Azarak approved a nuclear weapons program or even authorized the deployment of their use, but following the atomic attack on Da'ha'den on September 5th, 2439 and the following nuclear exchange his whereabouts became unknown as the 1st Retinue was hit by an Izweski atomic bomb while stationed outside Res'karum. Originally the Retinue had been warned about the impending attack and were attempting to retreat away from the military base and disperse into the countryside.

King Don'zai Azarak spent the week on a journey back to Darakath, facing incredible danger as command and control began to collapse across the planet. He became separated from his retinue and was forced to travel alone, most of his travel spent on foot.

Don'zai managed to make it back to Dakarath, which had been spared from atomic attack by virtue of its defenses. However his journey saw him afflicted with severe radiation poisoning, and he spent the remaining duration of the Contact War too weak to be effective, effectively bedridden.

Don'zai refused all medical treatment, forbidding a doctor to enter the grounds. When his wife tearfully begged him to let the doctor in to provide anti-radiation treatment, he is quoted to have said,

"I will die in in my own home on my own terms. I refuse to die at the axe of the Izweski."

Don'zai died of severe radiation poisoning on 2441. In his final lucid moments, his final words are said to have been,

"Care for our children, Wei'za."

=== Hegemon S'kresti Izweski, ''The Fallen'' ===
Born in Skalamar in 2380 CE, S’kresti was the eldest son of the prior Hegemon. Coming of age in an uncertain world, S’kresti rapidly distinguished himself as both a warrior and a statesman, rising to the position of Lord’s Claws in his father’s court. When the prior Hegemon passed away, S’kresti quickly secured his claim to the throne, defeating rival claimants in a series of duels which won him the respect of the Skalamar nobility. His skill in battle, and his fierce charisma, earned him the moniker of “S’kresti the Strong”. Shortly after his coronation, he married Lady Rakta Sirax, the eldest daughter of a powerful [[Izweski Heartland|Heartland]] noble clan. They would have four children - Yakt, Not’zar, Z’krazki and Rzasul Izweski. Though S’kresti was a harsh father to Not’zar, he took great pride in his other children, viewing Yakt in particular as much like his younger self.

S’kresti presided over First Contact with humanity and the [[Skrell]], and was careful to keep alien presence under Izweski control for as long as he could. He secured a monopoly on offworld trade, and invested heavily in outfitting the Hegemony’s armed forces with imported alien weaponry. Under his reign, the Hegemony began to see the benefits of interstellar society flow to them, as S’kresti’s investment oversaw the construction of the first spaceport on Moghes. The Hegemon massively expanded the space program and Ouerean colonization efforts, intent on securing the Hegemony’s position as the first and only spacefaring power of the Unathi people.

The Contact War was the defining event of S’kresti’s reign. He took an active role in command of Izweski forces, seeking to finally crush the Traditionalist Coalition and bring all of Moghes firmly under Izweski control. With the nuclear exchange, these plans vanished, reducing nearly sixty percent of Moghes to what is now the Wasteland. Nevertheless, S’kresti sought to preserve Unathi society and culture, while expanding the nation’s influence into the stars. By offering pardons to pirates, he built the beginnings of the Izweski Navy, leveraging the newfound force to drive the Solarians and Skrell away from Ouerea and return it to Izweski control. Under his rule the navy was massively expanded, colonization ventures outside [[Uueoa-Esa]] began, and it seemed that the Hegemony would secure its place as an interstellar power.

This would change in [[Unathi_Recent_Events#Death_of_Heir_Yakt:_Rise_of_S'linzar|2458, when Yakt Izweski perished in a shuttle crash]]. As a result, Not’zar Izweski became the heir apparent - which would soon lead to a crisis as S’kresti fell into a coma. Eventually, Not’zar was able to seize the position of Lord Regent, which he would hold for three years as S’kresti remained comatose.

In 2462, [[Unathi_Recent_Events#The_Hegemon_Wakes!_(2461-2462)|the Hegemon woke from his coma]], reclaiming his throne and dissolving Not’zar’s authority. However, the man who awoke was not the same Hegemon remembered by the people of Moghes - S’kresti gave warmongering speeches, spoke of driving the Wastelanders from reclaimed territory, and converted to the beliefs of Si’akh, which led to a bitter conflict with the Sk’akh Church. As other lords rose in rebellion against the Hegemon, he sought to use the Navy to reduce their cities to rubble - an act that would be cataclysmic for the already ruined world. Before the order could be carried out, his youngest son Z’krazki drew his sword and killed the Hegemon, bringing an end to the reign of S’kresti, now dubbed “S’kresti the Mad” by the wider populace. He would be succeeded by Not’zar Izweski, the current Hegemon.

Though his madness and the civil war he caused are what many remember S’kresti by, others look upon his earlier reign with fondness - remembering a Hegemon who was unafraid to get his hands dirty, and was willing to fight to the last to secure the Unathi people a place in the modern Spur. Many of those who find Not’zar’s style of rule distasteful reminisce fondly on S’kresti’s reign - a sentiment common amongst rebel organizations such as the [[Unathi_Crime_And_Enforcement#The_Champions_of_Moghes|Champions of Moghes]].

== Contemporary ==

=== Not'zar Izweski, ''Izweski Hegemon'' ===

[[File:Not'Zar.png|thumbnail|Portrait of Not'Zar Izweski, circa 2458.]]

At 22 as of 2460, Not'zar is the second oldest child to the Hegemon and his First Wife. He become the new Heir to the Hegemony after the death of his brother in a shuttle crash in may of 2458. Not'zar Izweski chose to seek an education in Sinta'studies (Unathi Humanities) and pursued a bachelors in Sinta'Philosophy in the University of S'th before his duties as Lord-Regent forced him to suspend his studies.

As an infant he was struck with The Rot, a deadly viral infection passed from breeds of Moghean birds that almost claimed his life as an infant. The next 5 years were spent on a hospital bed as a sickly child barely clinging to life. The Rot causes Unathi scales and even the rest of the hide to rot and fall off, leaving open wounds and necrotic tissue while it also harms muscle growth while weakening tendons. Every day specialized surgeons had to remove more and more infected tissue to contain the spread of the Rot.

Not'Zar survived the disease and spent his entire childhood in physical rehabilitation. He was unable to stand at all, and his condition was an open secret - the Hegemon S’kresti refused to let Not'Zar socialize with anyone outside the castle courtiers. S’kresti was deeply ashamed at having a crippled son. When Not'Zar was 13 he told his father than he wanted to stop rehabilitation because it wasn't working and he was still unable to walk. S’kresti dramatically pulled him out of his wheelchair and dangled Not'zar out a castle window, telling Not'Zar that if he ended the rehabilitation then he wouldn't have a cripple for a son. The incident made a fearful Not'Zar continue the rehabilitation, and after years of more grueling rehabilitation he was able to walk once more when he was 15.

While he was able to keep all of his limbs and regained the ability to walk with assistance from his cane, it's believed that his continued physical weaknesses from muscle damage and general weakness leave him unable to meet the standards of physical fitness to join the military and military academies that are traditional for Izweski to graduate. In addition, he is constantly battling aches from the weaknesses in his muscles and bones, needing oxycodone to get through a typical day.

Not'zar Izweski is extensively traveled, entering the core of human space for the first time when he was 16. Many close to the young Prince have said he indulges heavily in human and skrell cultures. In his Creative Writing Workshop at the university he created several illustrated fantasy stories which were popular with the human expats studying abroad on Moghes, which include "Mecha Battle on Luna's Torment".

His true potential wasn't fully realized until the fateful events of May 6th, 2458. On that day his brother Yakt and his wife died in a shuttle crash. During the funeral Not'Zar's father became inconsolable and eventually fell into a deep depression culminating into a coma. Legally Not'Zar was now the heir, but a brother in-law, S'linzar, quickly seized the moment and declared himself the Lord-Regent before Not'Zar could seek his claim.

The succession crisis split the Hegemony down the middle and Not'Zar quickly had to maneuver the dangerous political climate. Not'Zar had his immediate family quietly flee Moghes. Not'Zar spent the rest of May navigating court intrigue and rallying support for his claim. He managed to retain an alliance with Lord-Admiral Trazarial Yizarus. Yizarus had the unique strength of commanding the HMV Cataclysm of the 1st Fleet; the most powerful warship in the Hegemony. Ickza attempted to purge the government of Not'Zar loyalists but was unable to drive a wedge between the stubborn Trazarial despite declaring Trazarial a traitor and seizing all his assets on Moghes. These events lead to a dramatic stand-off in orbit of Moghes, as the loyalist 1st Fleet stared down the 2nd Fleet, commanded by Yizarus' brother Azikyui.

Through clever political posturing, Not'Zar managed to hold onto his claims for long enough that he had secured enough allies to create a serious threat to the Ickza's power. Rather than risking a full blown civil war, Not'Zar cleverly took advantage of S'linzar's pride by calling him weak and challenging him to a duel. The proud S'linzar agreed, and in a key mistake, allowed Not'Zar to bring to battle 'whatever he could carry'.

Not'Zar took advantage of this by showing up to the duel in a combat mech before a large crowd of the Hegemony's most powerful nobles. The battle was short, with Not'Zar draining S'linzar's breacher suit and leaving his in-law helpless.

S'linzar surrendered and ceded his claims and titles, restoring the title of Lord-Regent to Not'Zar.

During his reign, Not'Zar has shown an unwillingness to use force to resolve disputes. He is also openly critical of ancient Unathi customs and traditions, and his desire to trust in an inherent goodness in Unathi has made him come off as patronizing and naive. However, Not'Zar is by no means as a coward. When the Maraziite Order besieged his family's personal castle in Skalamar, he stood firm and repelled several attempts by the inquisition to breach the gates. However, Not'Zar's cool head prevailed as he forbade the city garrison from interfering, which he feared would have spilled out into open violence throughout the city.

His negotiations with High Priest Unzi have directly lead to the Sk'akh church being given legitimacy as a political force.

Despite holding onto alliances with key supporters, Not'Zar's position remains tenuous. The young nobleman is struggling to remain a moderate in a dangerous and polarized regime. He remains committed to giving Unathi a place in the galaxy and gain respect from the greater empires of the humans and skrell, but his moderate and progressive policies threaten to cause more instability and resentment from the nobility.

=== Yukal T’zakal, ''Guildmaster of Hephaestus'' ===

[[File:Tzakal.png|thumbnail|Hephaestus poster featuring Yukal T'zakal, circa 2464. Art by Lavillastrangiato.]]

Born in the city of Imas’hi to an urban noble clan in 2422, Yukal was never seen as someone with a grand destiny, just a mediocre life as a member of a struggling noble clan as tensions rose around Moghes. Yet, today he is arguably the most powerful man in the Hegemony, controlling the operations of the megacorporation that has a stranglehold monopoly over the nation; Hephaestus Industries.

Yukal’s young life was full of the bliss of pre-war Moghes, and as an urban noble, he had better access to education than most of the population. It was during his education that Yukal found a passion for something; engineering. The young Sinta loved to take things apart to figure out how they worked, and created small machines for his amusement. Eventually Yukal’s teachers and parents both took interest in this passion, and as the Hegemon at the time was in desperate need of engineers to help Moghes catch up to the rest of the spur in the 25th century, they enrolled him in a engineering course at the age of 14, where he would learn the trade from the far more advanced humans and Skrell. This course would challenge Yukal, but again and again he would succeed, proving himself to be a brilliant engineer. Eventually his education ended, and he returned to Moghes with a goal to help the Hegemon bring the world into the 25th century. 5 months after returning home, the contact war began.

Yukal witnessed the horrors of the contact war in person, as engineers once intended to enlighten Moghes were repurposed into creating engines of war for the Hegemony, and once it had escalated to nuclear war, ways to more efficiently destroy the enemy in what had become a desperate fight for survival. It is unclear how this experience changed Yukal, as he rarely discusses it, and then it is normally to remark on how some feat of engineering was accomplished, instead of what his work meant for his species.

Once the contact war ended however, Yukal looked beyond his home planet, now ruined by war, and to the stars. He managed to get a job with Hephaestus Industries, who at this point did not have the relationship with the Hegemony they now have, and was shipped across the stars to the Sol system itself, to work in the Ceres Shipyards. Slowly, painfully, and with his skills, he managed to climb the ranks of Hephaestus from engineer to one of a select few chief engineers who managed the whole shipyard. Many humans were surprised at a Unathi so far into human space, but his skill and the trust Hephaestus placed in him kept him there. Eventually he caught the eye of an up and coming CEO, Titanius Aeson, who would move Yukal, now a chief engineer, to a posting as a sector administrator for the Hegemony, where he would truly shine.

Hephaestus within the Hegemony had been struggling up until Yukal’s arrival, but he quickly reorganized it, turning it into a well oiled machine that was slowly building its way up to a big finale, an action that would shape the Hegemony for decades to come. Under Yukal’s supervision Hephaestus slowly grew its influence, until in 2465, he was given the title of guildmaster, and Hephaestus ascended to become a total monopoly over the Hegemonic economy, with Yukal still at the helm.

Today, Yukal holds the keys to the Hegemonic economy in his hand. He has a reputation through-out the company as an incredibly hard worker, regularly working 14 hour days, who also likes to crack jokes during meetings and speeches. While theoretically Aeson’s equal, he still takes orders from the CEO, following his wishes. Still, his power cannot be denied. He is a symbol for the Unathi species, having ascended so high in a human corporation, through hard work, dedication, and patience. Most know him only through propaganda put out by Hephaestus, but all Sinta know Yukal represents what the species can be, if they have the will to seize it with the help of their human friends in orange.

=== Hizoni Izweski, ''Izweski Spymaster'' ===
[[File:HizoniSpymaster.png|thumb|Hizoni Izweski in her spymaster regalia, sporting a silver crown. She is known to flaunt her wealth often, and keeps an air of elegance around her.]]

Perhaps the most feared woman or Sinta within the Hegemony, Hizoni controls a network of informants, spies, and assassins that stretches across the surface of Moghes and even across the stars to distant colonies. She was born in 2440 on Ouerea as the third daughter to Guildmaster Keicacu Razi, headmaster of the Merchants Guild and owner of Razi-Snax. As an azure, she has been seen as the beauty of her clan and gained the most attention— earning her an education in the ways of women from her mother and caretakers. After her teachings, she was put into diplomatic situations to defend the Merchant's Guild from hostile subterfuge. Her upbringing allowed Hizoni to grow up within the halls of power, acquainting herself with the elite of the Hegemony during the final days of the Contact War. She rose to prominence when she defended the Hegemon from two would-be assassins by slaying both and destroying the murder plot. Since then, on top of her elevation to the Hegemony’s Spymaster, Hizoni enjoyed ''very'' close relationship with Not’zar, though nothing official was been announced between the two for a long time. In 2465, however, the Hegemon proposed marriage, which Hizoni accepted - with the two marrying in the Third Scept on May 14th, 2465.

Hizoni’s political pursuits and leanings are unknown; she will seemingly flop back and forth between different camps depending on the issue, always remaining unpredictable. Many speculate this is the result of political maneuvering, giving her support to a cause for favors in return, which she uses to shore up the Hegemon’s precarious position. She does not openly front any group, and it is unknown if any beyond her spies plead their cases with her. Her relationship with her brother Sakax is strained, and it is speculated that the two have all but cut off contact with each other.

The most powerful woman in the Hegemony with the least media presence, much of Hizoni’s life is a mystery to the outside world, even after bards began to try and watch her every move due to her marriage to Not’zar.She rarely speaks publicly, preferring to instead use one of her vast retinue of other spies to speak in her stead. Many view her as duplicitous and untrustworthy, though in the same breath many also admit that a spymaster should probably be so. Since her marriage to the Hegemon, she has made a few more public appearances - though largely, she seems to still prefer to stay out of the spotlight.

=== Azui Hutay'zai, Overlord, ''Lord of the Wastes'', and ''Izweski Master of Rivers'' ===
[[File:Azui Hutay'zai.png|thumb|right|alt=what would overlord hutay'zai do|A picture of Lord Hutay'zai in his court, 2465.]]
The only Th’akh Hand of the Hegemon, Azui Hutay'zai fills the position of Not'zar's [[Unathi#The_Master_of_Rivers | Master of Rivers]], overseeing the economy of the Hegemony from his estate on the shore of the Moghresian Sea near his clan's former lands of the Torn Cities. Originally fighting for the Traditionalist Coalition during the Contact War, his father died when the war went nuclear, bathed in the fires that destroyed most of the clan's ancestral land. Azui, who had been leading his clan's forces along the coast at the time, ascended to the throne of his kingdom. There, he would strike a deal with the Hegemony to pledge fealty to clan Izweski and ensure his remaining non-polluted lands would be safe in the hands of the new masters of Moghes, in exchange for his clan being allowed to continue to rule over what it had left of its ancestral lands. After his peace deal and the conclusion of the Contact War, Hutay'zai became one of the most powerful landed nobles within the Hegemony. He set up a new estate on the coast and would use it as a base of operations to continue mining operations within the radiation-blasted lands surrounding the Torn Cities, using the peasant refugee population as an ample workforce with help from the mining guilds. The resources imported into his lands over from these mining operations in the Torn Cities have become even more important to the Hegemony as the scarcity reigns, as they do not require interstellar travel to reach the ever-hungry factories of Jaz'zirt, on the southern side of the sea.

Eventually, as the Traditionalist block swelled in the face of Not'zar's reforms and progressive attitude, he would become one of the two overlords of Moghes, coming to be called by many as '''"Lord of the Wastes."''' His lordship extends throughout the Wasteland, officially managing the scattered Hegemonic outposts such as Camp Integrity and Camp Izweski's Honor, as well as supposedly managing the Sinta living in Wasteland communities. However, due to the nature of the Wasteland, this authority is essentially non-existent outside of Hegemonic-controlled outposts, making his overlordship only one in name.

Azui is known to be one of the most traditional Hegemonic lords, ruling over lands with the minimum of modern amenities; what little modernity his land has is concentrated with the nobility and mining guilds. His appointment as a Hand of the Hegemon, and as one of the two Overlords of Moghes, was a political move made to appease the Traditionalist block which has continued growing after the end of the Contact War. This has made him the unofficial spokesperson for those in the Hegemony who consider themselves Traditionalists and for bringing their concerns before Not’zar whenever he can. However, contrary to what some might say, Hutay’zai has a dogged loyalty towards the Hegemony, believing it the only way Sinta can progress in this new galaxy while keeping what scraps of their tradition they can intact.

Azui is the primary proponent of mercantilism within the Hegemony, advocating for an expanded program of colonization and stricter trade laws with the wider Spur. He believes that further openness, both in trading resources and culture with the Orion Spur, will spell the death of the Hegemony. It is widely known that Azui resents Hephaestus Industries having status as a guild in the Hegemony and will use any measure that might curtail their power.

A meticulous planner, Hutay’zai writes out all his speeches before giving them every time, and sticks to them no matter what. His speeches are rarely followed by a period of questions, and he sets expectations for how his speeches will go. Should his speeches not go the way he thinks, he is prone to become angry and lash out at those around him, mostly whoever isn’t playing by his script. This has led to Hutay’zai fighting members of the audience several times while he gives his speeches, almost once in Skalamar itself. His lifestyle is one fit for an overlord, with extravagance and abundance, even in the midst of a famine. He tends to become rambunctious at feasts and other events when he’s had time to drink, and will go on long winded rants about anything. He’s a doting father and grandfather, giving his children and their children all they could want in the world. This has caused most other nobles to look upon Hutay’zai’s children as spoiled brats.

=== Mizaruz Izweski, Lord and ''Izweski Lord's Claws'' ===
Originally of clan Gri'zan, Mizaruz was born in the city of Baandr, eventually inheriting it and the lands surrounding it after his elder brother passed away without producing an heir. Given his status as a second son for most of his life, he was brought up from a young age with the intention of joining the clergy of Sk'akh. When his brother died while Mizaruz was around the age of 12, his education would shift dramatically towards ruling his realm; however, the young Sinta never forgot his religious education, keeping up theological studies for most of his life. He went on to make a name for himself during the Contact War by fighting several engagements against overwhelming odds and succeeding without the normal technological advantage the Hegemony had. Mizaruz was known as an amazing tactician and inspirational icon to his men, counseling them in religious matters on marches and leading them fiercely into battle. Shortly after the Contact War, Mizaruz was married into the Izweski clan and ascended to become a Hand of the Hegemon, specifically become the [[Unathi#The_Lord's_Claws |Lord's Claws.]] Though his actions during the war and loyalty are laudable, his time as the Lord's Claws has been lackluster. His tactical knowledge has not translated well to giving advice to the Hegemony's military on a strategic level, as he consistently fails to properly grasp supply chains on a grander scale, the intricacies of the levy system, and the new frontier of space. However, for most things, those Sinta that work beneath him manage to effectively cover for him, ensuring that the military has competent efficiency. However, if a disaster were to happen and Mizaruz were caught unprepared, it's unclear if his loyalty and new clan would be able to save him from the reckoning. His diplomacy is viewed with admiration by many Sinta; he has constantly proved himself apt at striking deals and averting crises with other nobility as well as alien states.

Mizaruz supports the policies Not'zar supports: furthering ties with the xeno, the expansion of modernization programs, and usage of force as a last resort, a somewhat strange trait for his position. This undying support for Not’zar has made him the mascot for those who similarly fully believe in the Hegemon: those who share his undying loyalty bring their concerns to him, most of which are about the Hegemon's still-precarious political position. His reputation as a theologian has also helped keep relations between the newly-formed Church of Sk’akh and the state milder than in the past.

Not the planner Hutay’zai is, Mizaruz lives his life seemingly from moment to moment, never making any real long term plans except when forced to by circumstance or his Hegemon. This carries over to his public life, where he’s known to give speeches and answer questions with no notes, preparations, or anything. Most view him as honest because of this, if sometimes a little too naive. He raised his children with minimal input from himself, and generally, most turned out alright. One of his daughters ended up marrying a peasant and causing a scandal but Mizaruz dealt with the situation in the moment, like he always does.

Mizaruz is the main proponent of the "New Model War" that worked so well for the Hegemony during the Contact War. He has issued many studies on ways which the Hegemonic Fleet and Army could be improved, yet due to both his own incompetence and the influence of others within the military establishment, very few of his reforms have gone through.

=== Seleta Sarnac, Lady and ''Izweski High Speaker'' ===
Hailing from the southern untouched lands, the lands owned by her father that Lady Sarnac grew up on encompasses the city of Razir, and much of the territory surrounding it, a majority of which have been claimed by the wasteland following the contact war. Born shortly before the contact war, Setelta is the youngest hand of the Hegemon, at around thirty four. She is also one of the two female hands of the hegemon, and fills the position of [[Unathi#High_Speaker | high speaker.]] It is obvious that she was given her position for political reasons, an exemplification of Not’zars more progressive policies, by allowing a female beyond his spymaster to advise him on how to rule the nation. While she holds no lands her brother, Lord Sarnac, holds the key southern regions around Razir, as well as the city itself. Her brother is known to be disappointed that he was not offered the position of high speaker, but is indifferent to it as long as his clan is represented within the highest levels of the Hegemony, by either male or female.

Lady Seleta is the face of Hegemonic progressivism, fighting against established traditions and gender roles at the highest level. This has gained her both a loyal following of younger Sinta, and the wrath of the older, more traditional Sinta, who see her as a threat to everything they know. These followings are only amplified by her appearance at Not’zars side at nearly every public event, arranging things to run smoothly, fashioning the Hegemon’s image into one of power and stability.

A public speaker to the core, Ms. Sarnac presents a curated version of herself that she wishes others to see at all times, whether at home or in front of the biggest crowd on Moghes. The version is a Unathi with sharp wits, trustworthy despite being a woman, and keeping both intact while answering questions without answering them hundreds of times over. She has no children, and barely anything is known about her home life, so curated her media presence.

As High Speaker Seleta has strived to do what she can to shore up the Hegemon’s position, attempting to establish a universal love for him among the common Sinta, both Guildsmen and Peasant. Both her and the Hegemon have received the wrath of some nobles for this, as they fear their subjects will start to be more loyal to a personage beyond themselves. Her success in this is unknown, and only a massive crisis could reveal how much loyalty she has gained for the Hegemon among the common people.

=== Clan Lord Sakax Razi, ''The General'' ===
As the third son of guild master Keicacu Razi, Sakax's lot in life started with making a name for himself within the military of the Hegemony. Unable to inherit any titles, and lacking the guile of his sister, Sakax threw himself fully into mastering the Sinta art of war, determined to fight as his ancestors had before him. This determination resulted in him shooting through the ranks of the Hegemonic military throughout the Contact War, being given more and more responsibility. Now he is Clan Lord of what is essentially a Hegemony military base between Skamander and Imas'hi, commanding his own set of Kataphract and clan warriors. He is known to be a grim but honorable man and has a hatred for all Sinta who fought the Hegemony in the Contact War, blaming them for the ruined state of the species and their home. The few times he has spoken with '''Azui Hutay'zai''' has almost ended in a physical conflict between the two. For this reason, Sakax is regularly left off of invite lists for functions where the Overlord will be in attendance, including most formal meetings involving the economics of the Hegemony.

Sakax exerts all of his influence confirming that the Hegemony's military never fully adopts the "New Model War" beyond tactics developed during the Contact War. He believes that the lifeblood and culture of the Unathi is inherently tied to the military and that the two should be reflections of each other. He is the primary proponent behind borderline suicidal tactics in space such as ramming, and given the Hegemony has not fought a major naval engagement within space under his command, they are not yet able to prove his tactics defective.

Sakax has little media presence outside of bards who focus on military matters, his primary area of responsibility. Many sagas have been chronicled about his accomplishments and the accomplishments of the men under him, giving him larger than usual influence among the population.

=== Clan Lord Juyzi Izaku, ''The Maddened'' ===

Former ruler of the city and associated lands of Mudki, Lord Juyzi Izaku was once known as one of the Hegemony’s greatest commanders - turning back three assaults on his city during the Contact War, and upholding the reputation of the Zazalai Mountains endlessly. Following the war, however, Lord Izaku grew increasingly erratic - attributed by some to an untreated brain injury during one of his many battles, by others to the influence of malign spirits, and by some simply to the stresses of war.

Izaku grew increasingly vocal about his distaste for alien influence - particularly that of the Skrell, who he believed to be manipulating the minds of the Hegemony’s citizens, causing the Ouerean Revolution. As he became more incensed, his once-proud city was neglected, leading to decades of mismanagement and decay as more and more of his people fled to seek better prospects elsewhere. He was very outspoken against Hegemon Not’zar’s policies, toeing the line of outright sedition on several occasions.

Izaku’s delusion came to a head in 2466, when the Hegemony announced a new agreement with the Nralakk Federation, for the sake of mutual prosperity between the two nations. He believed this to be a conspiracy on the Skrell’s part, seeking to seize control of the Hegemony, and had his warriors abduct several Nralakk humanitarian workers in order to uncover their “true plan”. His actions were discovered at the town of Izilukh, where his warriors attempted to kill the crew of the SCCV Horizon to cover up their crimes. Following this, Izaku called his banners in rebellion, a short-lived conflict against the Hegemon’s might.

Mudki was captured after a campaign of several weeks, and Lord Izaku was sentenced to death - ending his once-storied line, and leaving Mudki’s future in uncertain hands.

=== Lord Glatazk Yu'huni, ''The Pious'' ===
Hailing from the religious city of To'ha'dat, Lord Yu'huni was raised in the heartland of the Th'akh faith as a devout worshiper. However, at age 18, he converted to the religion of Sk'akh and has been one of its most fanatical followers since. Almost losing his position as heir for his clan lands, he kept it through a combination of trickery and might while maintaining ample support from the more centralized Sk'akh church. His first decree was that all who wished to remain in his clan must convert to Sk'akh and must remain faithfulness to their new religion. Because of this, clan Yu'huni has become the most fanatical clan in the process of losing a notable amount of its members, completely loyal to the central Church even in the face of their duty to the Hegemon. This was most apparent during the religious crisis in 2460, where clan Yu'huni expressed their support for the Sk'akh Church against the Hegemon to other clans. The reputation of clan Yu'huni is still stained by the scandal to this day.

As the most pious of all Hegemonic Lords, Glaztak can be found often giving speeches at religious events, occasionally at the request of the Church of Sk’akh. His speeches are essentially written by those priests he trusts and is close to, their words coming out of his mouth at almost every occasion. He has no children of his own but considers all those pious sinta who have joined his clan to be his children, spoiling them with gifts and luxury, which has in turn caused many more to eye the potential to become a Yuhuni with serious consideration.

Lord Glatazk offers any Sk'akh worshiping Sinta a place in his clan, so long as they originate from the Th'akh Heartlands. This takes the form of an application system, where a Sinta has to answer several questions about their religion, their views on the Church and Hegemony, and acquire several references from co-workers that show their piety. Many faithful Sinta strive to be accepted, yet only the truly fanatical pass his scrutiny.

=== Lord Admiral Trazial Yizarus, ''Izharshan's Bane'' ===

One of the most well known Unathi in the Hegemony, Lord Admiral Yizarus is the bloody left hand of Not’zar, the competent, terrifying, skilled military leader contrasted against the ineptitude of Not’zars Claws, Miz Izweski. There is speculation as to why Yizarus was not chosen as Not’zars Claws, with some believing he turned down the offer to remain above the fray of politics, which he has a known distaste for, and other more skeptical spectators believe Not’zar did not want such a powerful force so close to the throne that he sat upon. No matter which route of speculation is correct, Trazial Yizarus has contented himself being one of the gun barrels holding Not’zar in power, with himself at the head of a clan that claims the loyalty of most of the officer corps of the Hegemonic Navy. He wields immense power over the organization, leading one of the Fleets himself, the 1st Fleet, currently in orbit of Moghes. This has given him significant power over the rest of the military apparatus, and levies, lords, and even Kataphracts will normally fulfill any request he has without delay.

Born into the Yizarus Clan, Trazial from the moment of his birth was destined to fight in battle, whether it be on land or in the void of space. When the Hegemonic Navy was formed, his clan as a reward for their loyalty to the Hegemony during the Contact War and their ample supply of trained fighting men, were granted the honor of being some of the first captains and officers of Hegemonic Military Vessels. Trazial, having come of age shortly after the end of the contact war was given one of these positions, and quickly his skills, helped along by his harshness of failure, saw him rise to the very top of the Hegemonic Navy. He became a minor celebrity amongst the rest of the population after a fleet under his command killed the feared pirate lord Izharshan, after Izharshan’s Raiders destroyed the newly built Cataclysm class dreadnought. This fame ensured his final promotion to Lord Admiral of the Hegemony’s First Fleet, after the second was constructed. Crisis after crisis he proved not only his skill, but his loyalty to the Izweski clan, most of all during the Succession Crisis in late 2458 when he refused to break Not’zars faith and helped the fledgling Hegemon ascend his rightful throne. Eventually after much trial and tribulation, he was cemented in his role as Not’zars left hand, the reliable force of power Not’zar could always turn to when it was needed.
Trazial is known to be a man of few words, with bluntness and quickly getting to the point, speeches he gives rarely last more than a couple minutes. He leads a rather Spartan lifestyle, not having many comforts a noble of his station would normally, sleeping little and exercising regularly. He rarely drinks, and many other nobles consider him too uptight, not even letting much out at feasts. His family is frayed from this stoicism and spartanism, as he tried to raise his sons to follow his lifestyle but failed miserably, resulting in one being a wash out, and one being unable to cope and falling into a depression.

=== Korza Azandar, ''[[Sk'akh]] High Priest'' ===
Born to a minor noble clan of Jaz’zirt in 2418, Korza Azandar was the fourth child of a clan which did not have the lands to divide between so many. As such, at the age of thirteen, he was strongly encouraged to pursue a career in the ranks of the Church, which would conveniently disqualify him from inheritance. He would later study at the [[Unathi_Educational_Institutions#Baandr_College_of_Spirits|Baandr College of Spirits]], obtaining a Mastery of Sacred Theology by the age of twenty-three. He would act as a missionary in the [[Zazalai Mountains]] and the kingdoms beyond for some time, though this would come to an end due to the outbreak of war.

He may not have inherited this clan’s title, but the politics of nobility had well-prepared him for the higher ranks of the Church, and he rose through the ranks rapidly - eventually being named Grand Priest of Razir in 2446. When the previous Archpriest perished of old age in the early 2450s Overlord Miazso recommended Azandar’s name as a replacement. He would generally prove a popular Archpriest, earning a reputation as a man with the fabled ‘common touch’ - frequently embarking to speak with refugees, peasants, and Hearts of Industry in the streets of Jaz’zirt in the hopes that the Church could aid them in their struggles. Opponents of his claimed that this was a tactical decision, a way of seeking new converts and increasing his own popularity - but it unquestionably worked, and Azandar would remain well-liked by the people of the [[Southlands]] throughout his entire tenure.

Archpriest Azandar was arrested by Hegemon S’kresti during High Priest Unzi’s failed coup, along with his fellows. When the mad Hegemon perished, his son Not’zar eventually released the Archpriests, as no evidence could be found implicating them directly in the High Priest’s power grab. For the next three years, he and his fellow Archpriests would form an unofficial council of four to administrate the Church - though they were frequently deadlocked and unable to agree until 2465, when Archpriest Akale Roeruz of Tza was appointed to their number.

With the deadlock broken, [[Demands of the Three Arc|the time came in 2466 for the Church to choose a new High Priest]]. Azandar was one of two frontrunners, opposed by Archpriest Koszkahe Oklaal of the Heartland - but eventually, managed to emerge victorious. He has frequently called for strengthening the Church’s military forces, in order to restore it to its status as a major power in Unathi politics. As High Priest, Azandar has also escalated humanitarian and missionary escorts, with priests being sent to the most desperate regions of Moghe to provide humanitarian aid - and to convert as many souls as possible to the faith. Despite being in his late forties, Azandar is reportedly a very energetic and passionate speaker, and it is believed that he was chosen to provide a figure who could rival the youthful energy of the prophet Judiza Si’akh, whose following swelled massively during the Church’s interregnum.

Azandar’s leadership of the Church is still fresh and untested - but at the very least, he has brought an end to the arguments, deadlocks, and debates which plagued the period after Unzi’s death. Whether he will restore the power that Sk’akh once held in the Hegemony or lead it further into decline remains to be seen, however.

[[File:HighPriestUnzi.jpg|thumb|left|Once the court chaplain for the Izweski, High Priest Yizra Unzi used a cult scare in 2458 to rapidly elevate his power and centralize the Sk'akh church, becoming the official leader of the Church and commander of its militant inquisition, the Maraziite Order.]]

=== Yizra Unzi, ''Exiled High Priest'' ===
Yizra was born in 2407 in the city of Skalamar and raised by a wealthy, orthodox Sk'akh family. His father was a Priest for a large local church and helped the young Yizra through his studies to gain a Doctorate in Sacred Theology, becoming a priest by 30. His father's influence helped him rise the ranks of the Church quickly, and he inherited his father's church by 32 when he passed. One of the responsibilities of Sk'akh priests was diagnosing many ills that could be blamed on malicious spirits. Families in Skalamar would bring the mentally ill to the churches to ask if they were genuinely mentally ill or possessed by evil spirits. The mentally ill were often disowned or kept locked up in private Guild institutions, never to be heard from again to avoid embarrassing the family. A priest declaring them possessed kept the Unathi in the care of the Church, so Yizra became a champion for the mental health community in the city because he would always diagnose them as possessed in order to take them under the care of his Church for long-term treatment and care.

His popularity with the city gave him enough influence to be appointed the new Izweski chaplain when the former retired. He was put in charge of all the ceremonial festivities of the capital city of Skalamar, but he still made time to give sermons in his Clan's church. The Church at this time was organized but there was not a lot of formal control or bureaucracy - it was held together by traditions and expectations.
Yizra was rather quiet during and after the crisis' of the Ouerean colonization and the Contact War outside advocating for a peaceful resolution or quick Izweski victory. During the war however he donated nearly all of his wealth to various charities that looked after disabled veterans of the war along with rebuilding efforts for villages ravaged by the conflict.

The turning point of Yizra's career came in 2453. As Yizra was walking from the Izweski Citadel to a charity to meet with the leaders, a group of Unathi in cloaks approached him on an isolated street. They engaged in a brief theological discussion before trying to convince him to join their movement. He refused repeatedly and tried to get past them, making them grow agitated. They started grabbing him and trying to drag him into the alley to kidnap him. His shouts were heard by nearby Watchmen, who rushed to the scene and caused the assailants to flee. They chased the assailants into an alley that lead to a dead-end, but they had disappeared into thin air. The only thing left behind was a single piece of bloody manuscript with a strange, illegible scribbling on it.

The incident deeply concerned him and he began reaching out to his contacts throughout the city. Through sympathetic law enforcement he discovered that there's been a spate of disappearances and murders throughout the city going back as far as 2433. After enlisting the help of several priests and private detectives he compiled all of the evidence that pointed to a massive, unprecedented underground cult movement being responsible. He took the findings repeatedly to law enforcement and various Lords, but all rebuffed him, saying either that he was being zealous or that he had no authority over secular matters like law enforcement.

So Yizra went public with his findings, stoking the flames of a Cult Panic that swept Unathi space in 2458 to become High Priest, assuming total control over the entire Sk'akh faith. He consolidated his power and also founded the Maraziite Order, a military order under the command of the High Priest with the right to bear arms and dispense justice against spiritual threats to the Hegemony. In its short existence it has arrested several hundred individuals and seized many tomes and documents that Mariziite authorities claim are evidence of cult involvement.
Yizra had become single-minded in his goal to eradicate the threat of the occult from the Hegemony. His growing zeal and conviction has led him to behave more ruthlessly, believing more and more in the ends justifying the means.

He's never been recorded disparaging the Th'akh faith (outside general theological disputes) but he has overlooked Maraziite persecution of Th'akh shamans during his tenure.
For skeptics it's unclear how genuine Yizra's intentions are, and he's often painted as a paranoid zealot.
The cult the Maraziites fought remains a vague enigma, and they aren't fully sure if it's a single movement or several. What scant physical evidence they gain from arrested cultists is written in a code that no one has been able to break, and no cultist has revealed secrets under interrogation. Though he hasn't admitted it to anyone except a few Chapter Masters of the Order, not even Yizra fully understood what they were fighting.

Eventually in 2462, High Priest Unzi found himself on Trial for the crime of kidnapping the Heir to the Hegemony, the supposed reborn Yakiz Izweski. Presiding over the Trial was Not’zar, who eventually sentenced the now former High Priest to exile in the Wasteland, where he has been ever since. No-one knows exactly what became of Yizra, but rumors and speculation swirl about his current whereabouts and plans to once again take the reigns of the church.

[[File:Akhandi.png|thumbnail|Portrait of Vuthix Akhandi, circa 2459.]]
=== Vuthix Akhandi, ''Elder Shaman'' ===
Vuthix Akhandi is one of the most well known Elder Shaman of the [[Th'akh|Akhanzi Order]], and is the face of the Akhanzi through recent history. He is the first Elder Shaman to advocate a mass evacuation of the Order from [[Moghes]] to escape the [https://forums.aurorastation.org/viewtopic.php?p=97555#p97555 Iron Crusade], a massive attack on all Order temples. He is currently living in Mendell City, [[Tau Ceti]] in the newly built Akhanzi Library.

Vuthix Akhandi was born in '''2405''' into the now extinct clan Slithiss, which resided in the once fertile lands east of Mudki. He felt the calling to be a shaman at an early age, but his clan members did not hold high respect to him for the role was largely ceremonial and often more political token than a respected profession to the Slithiss clan. He tried over several years to enact reforms within the clan, to increase spiritual idealism within, before finally growing frustrated with the lack of interest from his Clan's leaders. Vuthix began casting what influence he had to travelers, and in his early twenties, received an invitation to join the Akhandi Order from a shaman on a pilgrimage through his home lands that he had the pleasure to speak to. The decision to abandon his clan and renounce all title to it was not a difficult decision for Vuthix, and he formally renounced his affiliation with the Slithiss clan soon after, beginning his own pilgrimage to the mountain temple far to the southwest. There was no further significant contact between Vuthix and his former clan for the next four decades as he learned various teachings of the Akhanzi as an acolyte, then a shaman, and now an Elder Shaman.

During the [[Contact War]] in '''2438''', the lands of his youth suffered heavy bombardment from atomic weapons, and fearing his ancestors were dead, went out and found his childhood home was now a radioactive crater. He scoured the surrounding area, where he managed to find a group of survivors - and a nephew and niece - within the wreckage of a Sky Behemoth. He gave the survivors treatment and spiritual healing to help them survive the fallout, and gave them guidance and care as he led them back to his temple with in the mountains where they would be safe. The two remain the only living connection Vuthix has to his old clan name. Both of them have decided to take the title Akhandzi and join their uncle in the Order.

In '''2459''', the Maraziite Order enacted a major attack on all Akhanzi temples, burning thousands of years of ancient scrolls, texts, and teachings. This Iron Crusade forced many of the Elder Shamans to leave Moghes, with Vuthix saying, "They can not truly steal our ancestral home - for our ancestors are within us, not just on Moghes. Wherever we as Sinta go, our Ancestors follow - within our spirits."
Vuthix then came to Tau Ceti with hundreds of other Shamans and hundreds more acolytes all holding as many scrolls as they could. Under the guidance of Vuthix, the Akhanzi Order has made a new spiritual temple and library in Mendell City where they teach any and all who ask to learn.

[[File:Siakh.png|thumbnail|left|Portrait of Juzida Si'akh in the middle of a firebrand sermon, circa 2457.]]
=== Juzida Si'akh, ''Prophet of Flame'' ===

Juzida was hatched '''Juzida Aizahi''' into a small family in 2409. His father ran their villages' church and raised Juzida as an orthodox member of the faith. He was sent to the neighboring town of Ouairu for schooling in the small university there. He received a basic theological education and pursued a Doctorate in Sacred Theology with the intent of overseeing his village's church with his father. His studies ended on '''2437''' with the outbreak of the Contact War. His father died in the early stages of the war while acting as a Chaplain in the Izweski army. Juzida took on the mantle of Priest and struggled to maintain his small church as an unassuming, technically unqualified priest for those 2 years.

It was shortly after his 30th birthday in the spring of '''2439''' that the '''Contact War''' went nuclear. His village received no prior warning. Juzida was in the basement of his church taking inventory when the ground began to shake and there was a sudden, unearthly roar that knocked him flat and caused sections of the basement to cave in. Juzida quickly left and emerged from his basement to a hellish landscape of brimstone and devastation. His entire village was completely gone and it was as if nothing had ever been there. In the distance Juzida saw the rising mushroom cloud heralding the apocalypse. It was here that Juzida fell to his knees and received divine revelation as Sk'akh spoke to him directly. Sk'akh told Juzida that the Unathi species had become too sinful and corrupted by evil and that the missiles streaking through the sky were the bringers of Judgement Day. Sk'akh told him that everyone that died within the new few hours from the fires of atomic bombs would be cleansed of sin and join her in the afterlife, while all those left behind would be abandoned as Sk'akh wrote off the Unathi species and condemed them to forever reincarnate on Moghes, trapped on the hell that they had created for themselves. Sk'akh finally warned Juzida that she would only consider saving the species if they proved their worth by rebuilding and purifying Moghes, and that Juzida would be the '''Final Prophet''' to represent Sinta'Unathi and prove to Sk'akh that the species was worth saving.

Juzida immediately abandoned his clan name and took on the last name '''Si'akh''', which loosely means '''Prophet'''. Juzida Si'akh spent the rest of the Contact War wandering the wasteland, initially unsure about how to handle his monumental life goal. He watched as civilization collapsed in the face of the apocalypse, and how survivors and tattered remnants of the old kingdoms were fighting a desperate war of survival. His travels had him exposed to the greed, selfishness, and brutality consuming Sinta'Unathi in the post-apocalyptic wasteland. But he also saw glimmers of charity and good deeds that cemented his hopes that his people could be redeemed in the eyes of Sk'akh.

Taking these experiences Si'akh preached his doctrine across the Wasteland. With the end of the world having happened, his message resonated well with the survivors who desperately looked for answers as to why Sk'akh would allow this to happen. By '''2450''' his congregation was up to several thousand, and his entourage traveled the Wasteland with him, and it was from this point that Si'akh began to deal with persecution from the Izweski, who chased him out of their lands wherever they found him.

By '''2457''' Si'akh had survived several asassination attempts, but coincidences (or divine intervention) had foiled all of them, and he claims it is because he is literally immortal and unable to be killed until his mission is complete. The same could not be said for his followers. The Followers of Si'akh were violently persecuted, leading Si'akh to form '''The Reavers of the Flame''', an armed religious order tasked with defending the faithful and guarding pilgrimage routes from marauding bandits or Izweski incursions.

Si'akh is passionate, fiercely devoted to his beliefs, and unwavering in his committment to see the Sinta'Unathi species redeemed. He is known to be extremely giving, immediately handing off any food or water given to him to someone more needy than he. His followers have periodically had to directly confront him and beg him to eat after he goes several days refusing to eat. And while he insists he is Sk'akh, his single-minded mission to completely overthrow the traditional order of Unathi society has caused him to be branded a radical heretic. He has experienced so much prejudice and violence that he has become very radicalized and unwilling to consider deviating from his life mission.

=== Emzal Paossini, ''Creator of Paradigms'' ===
Born by a surrogate to two fathers in 2419, Paossini was once the product of marriage uniting two powerful traditionalist clans. Seeking a scholarly pursuit instead of becoming a spy as her parents wanted, she began her career of religious history by developing an almost obsessive fascination with the old ways of the Sinta’Mador. When the war came about, both of her fathers were sent to the slaughterhouse, and she was left largely without a family. This left Paossini a bitter and closed-off woman. Her words turned to fervent prayer as she asked what to do, unsure of her purpose and what to do with the hatred inside her. The spirits murmured in her ears, and after landing on Ouerea, she realized prosthetics were an advanced form of the ancient and rudimentary golems and crypts utilized by the Sinta’Mador. After rejecting their old name and claiming the soul of a fisher, neither a warrior nor healer, the remnants of the clans of their fathers labeled them as ‘Guwan’—not like Paossini cared or took up the name, anyway.

Though not an official leader of the religion, Paossini is widely regarded as the Progenitor of the Aut’akh. From them, all of the first Mador rituals, runes, and modernized alphabet originates, and their opinion is almost always considered on matters where it is known. They enjoy the great privilege of being a revered unathi among the Aut’akh, and their location is kept hidden from most, outside of secret Sinta’Mador codes passed between communes. Occasionally, they will break from their hiding to deliver a word on a grave issue, but such events are rare at best. Some postulate if Paossini is even still alive, or just a rumor perpetuated among the gossipers of each enclave.

== Contemporary non-Unathi Notables ==

=== Overlord Ta’Akaix’Zkaii’xay’yil K’lax of Tret, ''The Sleepwalker'' ===

When the K’lax Hiveship arrived in Hegemony space, it set in motion a chain of events that would form the most radical relationship between a Vaurca Hive and a host country to date. Understanding that they were in a vulnerable position and in need of both interstellar support and political legitimacy, the K'lax Hive negotiated with the Hegemony to make the K'lax Vassals, and for the Hive to be subject to the Hegemony's feudal system. Despite Vetju's vocal objections to vassalization, Zhaii was placed in charge of the negotiations through agreement by the remainder of the K'lax Queens. It was her role in these negotiations that would see her subsequently bargain for and be made overlord of the Hegemony planet of [[Tret]] and later secure her ascent to High Queen of the K'lax itself, enraging the ancient Vetju, who viewed and still does view herself as the rightful inheritor.

Since becoming one of the Hegemony’s five overlords, Zkaii has grown Tret into the industrial center of the Hegemony, with millions of Bound and Unbound Vaurca laboring away in all-factories to produce a myriad of goods, or in the orbital [[Tret#Neutron_Forge | Neutron Forge]]. Due to the original agreement between the K’lax, Hegemony, and Hephaestus Industries, the K’lax are often left out of the extreme profits their labors bring, many of their credits flowing into either Hegemonic tithe or exorbitant Hephaestus shipping fees. It is unclear if the K’lax will ever challenge their relationship with either organization, and what demands they might make should they take the risk.

Outside of Tret, Zkaii has spent much of her time managing the Hive's internal and external relationships. Unlike the C'thur and Zo'ra, the K'lax have no dedicated public relations brood, and Zkaii seemingly lacks much of the political acumen possessed by the Queens of both Hives. Her Diplomats are rarely seen and frequently come across as distant, much like herself, hampering much of her efforts in negotiating with the wider Spur, and she herself can come across as nigh unreachable. Many Izeweki Nobles remember how difficult she was to reach even during political crises, such as Not'zar's civil war of 2462. As a result, some in the Hegemony have voiced opinions that her assent to High Queen is one that the "Sleeper Queen" was unprepared for under such unique circumstances. This misses, however, that behind the scenes, it is Zkaii that keeps the divided Queens of the K'lax together. Her deep devotion to Mother K'lax has earned the High Queen the respect of the other K'lax Ta, though it is deeply begrudging from Vetju. Her days are spent keeping the royal courts of the K'lax in check, settling inter-brood disputes, and reigning in her sister's extremes to turn their strengths out to the Spur as a whole. Though they would never admit it, there is a seemingly small feeling amongst the other K'lax Queens that, had Zkaii not been placed in her position, they would have never have been able to unify as well as they have on Tret and beyond. For the moment, even Vetju appears to be avoiding disrupting this status quo by openly undermining the new High Queen's authority, though how long this will last remains to be seen.

=== Overlord's Claws, Ta’Akaix’Vedhra’rept’ylanze K’lax, ''Princess of Configurations'' ===

Born millennium ago on the Vaurca homeworld of Sedantis with the singular goal of preparing the K'lax to face the menace of the once defeated Lii'dra, few of her kin would argue that they could have ever seen Vedhra becoming the K'laxan Master of War against an entirely different set of threats. Those being threats posed by aliens. With Vedhra's brood having significantly more Warriors than her sister's, and her workers preoccupying the majority of their time developing more efficient tools for waging war, it was no surprise that with High Queen Zkaii's appointment as Overlord of Tret, Vedhra was declared as her Lord's Claws. Since this appointment, the Princess of Configurations has acted to enforce the military will of the Hive and subsequently become a deeply divisive figure on Moghes. Loved by some, feared by others, and frequently hated by those who have found themselves running afoul of the Hive, her impact has cut deep across the planet.

Since not long after first contact was established with the Hive, Vedhra has made one very important contribution to the Hegemon: the might of her Warriors. Her K’laxan Warriors, once dedicated solely to preparing for conflict with the Lii'dra, make up a powerful, unified military force under the Hegemon, outside the influence of scheming Unathi nobility who may challenge Not’zar and his position. Not’zar has not been adverse to using them either, crushing a clan revolt in 2458 and reaffirming his total control over the Hegemonic military without violence, only the threat that thousands of K’laxan Warriors posed. This threat alone has kept many potentially wayward lords in line, greatly contributing to the stability of the Hegemony. Additionally, some of the Vedhra Warriors have even begun to distinguish themselves sufficiently to become Kataphracts, though much to the Queen's ire, these recruits are forced to abandon their advanced combat augmentations. Others amongst her Warrior retinue are tasked with wandering Moghes, even the remote corners of the wastelands and collecting the knowledge of the Unathi that fight there so that the Queen may develop a more complete picture and perhaps even ponder integrating elements of some of the perspectives provided. Only time will tell if Vedhra will continue to allow the threat of her Warriors to be used by the Hegemony or if the changing political tides will see her begin to reconsider if her brood would be better spent tending to more domestic matters.

Unfortunately for the Queen who goes by the title of Princess of Configurations, despite the success of her Warriors, her Workers have seen markedly more opposition to accomplishing one of their primary purposes, that being the development of advanced augmentations. The Sk’akh faith strongly opposes augmentation, and Vedhra's less than subtle suggestions about the Unathi "wasting their potential" by "turning down her gifts" have brought her into conflict with prominent followers of the religion more than once. As a result, many of her Workers find themselves in laboratories on Tret or sent abroad.

==== Admiral Za'Akaix'Xitac K'lax ====

A Warrior tactician with a body of 10 years of age and a mind cultivated in virtual reality much longer, Xitac's rise from the advisor of a low ranking Ta to a military confidant of Queen Vedhra herself at such a young age was already unexpected, but half that of then ending up as an admiral commanding an Izewski Hegemony flagship.
Xitac's appointment to the Hegemony Naval Academy was orchestrated by Vedhra as a result of Xitac's excellent naval results in her military subrealm of "Incursion" knowing that the brewing civil strife saw the Hegemony pressed to fill its ranks with talent even at the expense of tradition, but it's quick ascent as a result of this skill seemed to surprise even her. The choice to appoint a K'lax admiral is still deeply controversial and highlights a larger conflict between reformists and traditionalists.
Xitac is well known for orchestrating elaborate strategies that utilise unconventional means and excellent use of reconnaissance as a tool of war. An array of spies and informants both within their fleet and spread throughout the Hegemony allows Xitac to keep up to date whilst augmenting their own strategic mind with the immense power of the Cephalon biocomputers, allowing them to frequently seem to pre-empt where an attack will originate from. This intelligence gathering is highly valuable, as Xitac understands just how lacking in numerical vessels the Hegemony is relative to the other galactic powers and the importance of striking decisively as a result.

Until 2464, Xitac was admiral of the 3rd Fleet, commanding from aboard their carrier flagship, the HMV Annihilation. The phoron crisis, however, has deeply affected the Hegemony's naval abilities, and the 3rd fleet's ships have been split among the 1st and 2nd fleets. Xitac has instead been given the 4th Fleet, which contains all the Hegemony's vessels still capable of interstellar travel within the navy. This fleet is assigned to patrol the fledgeling colonies and borders.

[[Category:Unathi]]

New Blades Old Wounds Arc

2024-08-11T00:51:55Z

RustingWithYou: event 5

New Blades Old Wounds Arc

2024-07-28T02:31:19Z

RustingWithYou: /* Juyzi Izaku Found Guilty, Executed */

New Blades Old Wounds Arc

2024-07-28T02:30:49Z

RustingWithYou: article 16

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<div style="font-size:162%; border:2px solid #dca200; margin:0; background:#29870e; padding:.1em; color:#fff;">New Blades, Old Wounds</div>
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{{Template:2024 Event Timeline}}
<div style="font-size:110%; border:2px solid #dca200; margin:0; background:#29870e; padding:.1em; color:#fff;">This is the overview and timeline page for the '''New Blades, Old Wounds''' Arc which began on '''April 20, 2024''' and pertains largely to '''[[Unathi]] and [[Skrell]] lore.'''</div>
<div style="font-size:110%; border:2px solid #dca200; margin:0; background:#29870e; padding:.1em; color:#fff;">It is centered around the relationship between the [[Izweski Hegemony]] and the [[Nralakk Federation]], and their joint humanitarian efforts on the planet [[Moghes]].</div>
<div style="font-size:110%; border:2px solid #dca200; margin:0; background:#29870e; padding:.1em; color:#fff;">Below is a summary of the arc's applicable news articles, and additions.</div>

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=Hegemon Announces Talks With Skrell!=
'''News Article'''

'''Publisher: Sinta Articles'''

'''Writer: RustingWithYou'''

'''Editors: Triogenix'''

20/04/2466

''"Awake, dear heart, awake."''<br>
-The Tempest, Act I Scene II

Hegemon Not'zar reaches out to the Nralakk Federation, hoping that [[Change on the Horizon Arc|recent upheavals]] will allow old grudges to be laid to rest.
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In a surprising announcement from Skalamar today, Hegemon Not’zar Izweski announced that he intends to hold a diplomatic summit with the Nralakk Federation, which will be led by High Speaker Seleta Sarnac. The office of the High Speaker followed up on this, stating that Hegemon Not’zar understands that there is a long and often-troubled history between Sinta and Skrell, and he hopes that the two nations can enter into a more prosperous relationship in future.

The talks are set to take place on Ouerea, in several weeks’ time. Many have speculated as to the Hegemon’s choice to invite the Skrell delegation to Ouerea rather than Moghes - while some believe it is simply due to the planet’s large Skrell population, others believe that the Hegemon intends to call the Skrell to account for the planet’s occupation during the Contact War.

The Skrell delegation’s agenda, as well as who their representative will be, remains to be seen. The office of the High Speaker confirmed to us this morning, however, that the Nralakk Federation has accepted the Hegemon’s invitation. Their envoys will likely be en route to Uueoa-Esa already, and many wait apprehensively to see what the Federation hopes to get from these talks.

Some among the nobility have been outspoken against the Hegemon’s decision, however - with many protesting the inviting of Skrell to Izweski space, blaming them for everything from the Ouerean Rebellion to the Contact War itself. Perhaps the most outspoken of these was Lord Juyzi Izaku of Mudki, who invited representatives of Sinta Articles to a press conference in the city to issue his statement.

Lord Izaku was certainly passionate on the matter, claiming that ''"The Skrell, they get inside a man’s thoughts, to twist his mind and strip his honor! You see them, small and weak as they are, and you think they are harmless, but they can manipulate your very spirit - look at the slaughter on Ouerea, barely more than five years ago! It was driven by them, twisting innocent Sinta to anarchy and murder, and now the Hegemon wishes to treat with them? He must be careful, lest he find himself dancing on their vile and twisted strings.”''

While the Lord of Mudki is certainly the most outspoken, he is not the only one of the nobility to object to these talks. Several among the nobility have petitioned the Hegemon to turn away from this plan, citing the occupation of Ouerea and subsequent rebellion as proof that the Skrell cannot be trusted to negotiate in good faith.

We at Sinta Articles hope for a resolution that is beneficial to the Hegemony and its people. As always, we shall keep our readers updated on these talks as they develop.

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=Ormish Jrolk Departs For Alien Stars=
'''News Article'''

'''Publisher: Warble Enquirer'''

'''Writer: RustingWithYou'''

'''Editors: Triogenix, Brotendo'''

26/04/2466

''“Misery acquaints a man with strange bedfellows.”''<br>
-The Tempest, Act II Scene II

The Federation's representative departs for Ouerea.
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Grand Advisor of Economic Development Ormish Jrolk has announced their temporary departure from Federation space today - leading a delegation to the planet Ouerea, a warm and hospitable world currently under the rule of the Izweski Hegemony. The ruler of the Hegemony, Hegemon Not’zar Izweski, extended formal invitations to the Nralakk Federation to send a delegation to Ouerea, in the hopes of laying to rest past hostilities between Unathi and Skrell.

The Unathi, for those of our readers who are not aware, rapidly descended into global nuclear warfare following first contact with the Federation and the Solarian Alliance - during which a delegation of Federation diplomats was sent in the hopes of brokering peace between the two warring sides, and preventing needless loss of life. These delegates were murdered, their shuttle shot down by the group known as the ‘Traditionalist Coalition’ (Unrelated to the Homeworld Traditionalist Coalition party), a radical collection of Unathi micro-states opposed to further dealings with the Federation and humanity.

Since that day, the Federation has had little contact with the Unathi - though for several decades, Federation officials administrated the colony on Ouerea, due to the Hegemon’s inability to do so during wartime. Following the end of what the Unathi have come to call the ‘Contact War’, the Federation graciously returned control of Ouerea to the Unathi, though a substantial Skrell population remains on the planet.

Reportedly, the delegation was approved with an overwhelming majority by the Grand Council, with only the Homeworld Traditionalist Coalition voting against. Coalition leader Overseer Nalo Gir-Roq referred to the delegation as “a mistake” during an address to the Council, claiming that for the Federation to involve ourselves further in the affairs of the Spur at large only serves to weaken our position on the interstellar stage. The Coalition was thoroughly outvoted, however, with all other parties standing in favor of the Ouerean talks. Grand Advisor Jrolk and the Federalist League cited the dangers of pirate and Marauder activity on the Federation’s southern border, claiming that forming stronger ties to the nations of the Sparring Sea is a proactive measure to ensure our national security against such threats in future - while voices from the Free Skrell Union cited establishing further connections to Hephaestus Industries as a key reason for building diplomatic ties to the Hegemony.

The talks are scheduled to begin in several weeks' time. Questions of whether these talks will lead to future involvement in Unathi affairs, or further connection with alien nations, remain unanswered for now - though the Federation watches eagerly to see what will come of the Ouerean summit.

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=Nralakk Delegation Arrives, Talks Begin=
'''News Article'''

'''Publisher: Sinta Articles'''

'''Writer: RustingWithYou'''

'''Editors: Triogenix'''

30/04/2466

''“Yet, with my nobler reason 'gainst my fury''<br>
''Do I take part; the rarer action is''<br>
''In virtue than in vengeance.”''<br>
-The Tempest, Act V Scene I

The talks on Ouerea begin, and speculation abounds on what each side hopes to gain.
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The delegation from the distant Nralakk Federation has arrived, entering the Uueoa-Esa system early this morning before landing on Ouerea properly. Led by Ormish Jrolk, their ‘Grand Advisor of Economic Development’ - a role similar to a Master of Rivers - the delegation was promptly shown to a hotel in New Skalamar’s Founding District, where the talks are set to take place.

High Speaker Sarnac was present to welcome the delegation, along with her entourage. To the clamoring of spectators Unathi, Skrell and human alike, they entered the hotel, where the talks have begun in earnest. Though it is very early in the process, our correspondent on the scene was able to glean some insight as to the agendas from both sides.

It appears that the Hegemon, via the High Speaker, has demanded reparations from Nralakk for the occupation of Ouerea, claiming that they had no right to meddle in that world’s affairs and that it was shameful that his father was forced to resort to drastic measures to reclaim what is rightfully an Izweski colony. The Skrell have not taken this well, with their delegation claiming that the Federation was the only reason Ouerea survived the Contact War at all, and that Hegemon S’kresti’s actions were an act of rash bravado, where he could have instead negotiated with the Federation to ensure a peaceful transfer of power. The Skrell delegation also mentioned a shuttle of their diplomats destroyed by Traditionalists during the Contact War, claiming that as the ruler of all Moghes, Hegemon Not’zar bears an obligation to make amends.

So far, neither side seems to be bending on their demands - though the diplomatic process can be a lengthy one, and negotiations have only just begun. Rumors abound on the streets of Ouerea, however, with many claiming that Guildmaster T’zakal of Hephaestus Industries may be invited to the talks. As yet, Hephaestus Industries has not made any statement on the matter, and these rumors may have little merit to them.

As always, we at Sinta Articles will keep our readers updated on these talks as they progress, and we express our deepest hope for a mutually beneficial resolution.

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=Talks Continue On Ouerea; Hephaestus, K’lax Invited=
'''News Article'''

'''Publisher: Sinta Articles'''

'''Writer: RustingWithYou'''

'''Editors: Triogenix, Desven'''

5/05/2466

''“The hour's now come;''<br>
''The very minute bids thee ope thine ear.”''<br>
-The Tempest, Act I Scene II

The talks continue, and new faces are seen at the table
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The diplomatic talks on Ouerea seem to be making swift progress - while we do not have any further information on how both parties’ agenda is shifting, word from the inside is that attitudes have begun to soften, and that both sides are moving closer to an agreement. What that agreement is, and what it will entail for the Hegemony at large, remains to be seen.

Hephaestus Industries has also announced that they will be attending the talks at the Hegemon’s request, with Guildmaster T’zakal issuing a statement that due to the guild’s strong ties to every part of the Hegemonic economy since their recent reorganization of the major Hegemonic guilds, the outcome of these talks is of deep importance to Hephaestus.

Guildmaster T’zakal arrived on Ouerea yesterday morning, and spent the day touring the recently-completed Aquacultural Center One - before arriving by shuttle in New Skalamar last night, and traveling straight to the site of the talks. What role Hephaestus may play in this negotiation is as of now unknown.

The K’lax Hive have also announced that they will be in attendance at the talks. As one of the largest and most influential vassals of the Hegemon, the Vaurcae of Tret are instrumentally positioned within our nation’s economy, with one of the Hive’s representatives stating that ''“Since our arrival, the K’lax and the Sinta’Unathi have held a shared destiny - and if the Nralakk Federation is to be involved in that destiny, we will be included in the discussions.”''

The K’lax delegation at the talks is reportedly being directed by the Queen Vedhra, with representatives of her brood having arrived on Ouerea this afternoon. Sinta Articles reporters attempted to get in contact with the K’laxian delegation in order to elaborate on why the High Queen elected not to send a representative from her own brood, but were unable to clarify. Our correspondents contacted Lady Ta’Akaix’Maz'roth'isek K’lax, the leader of the K’laxian delegation, who stated ''“The High Queen trusts in her servants’ ability in a matter that will affect the Hive in its entirety. Though I serve the Queen Vedhra, my role at this summit is to stand for all the K’lax.”''

With the talks soon to enter their second week, we eagerly await further information. As always, we will keep our readers updated as the situation develops.

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=Senator Trang Condemns Hephaestus Role in Nralakk Summit=
'''News Article'''

'''Publisher: Sol Alliance News Network'''

'''Writer: RustingWithYou'''

'''Editors: Triogenix'''

12/05/2466

''“The truth you speak doth lack some gentleness''<br>
''And time to speak it in.”''<br>
-The Tempest, Act II Scene I

The Ouerean summit gains attention from across the stars - and not all are happy to see Hephaestus take such a role.
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Senator Le Hanh Trang has issued a public statement with regards to recent talks between the Nralakk Federation and the Unathi-ruled Izweski Hegemony, condemning the invitation of Hephaestus Industries. In a live statement from Unity Station today, the senator stated that ''“It is a dark day for the Spur when a megacorporation sits at a table with two nations, and negotiates as an equal. We in the Alliance know too well the damage that these corporations can cause - the actions of NanoTrasen have been devastating to the Alliance and its people, and Hephaestus themselves have exploited my homeworld and its people for generations. While this is not unexpected of the Unathi - a species new to the interstellar stage, who do not understand the danger that unchecked corporate power poses - I would expect more wisdom from our long-time allies in the Nralakk Federation than to allow such a predatory force to influence their affairs. I hope that both sides of these Ouerean negotiations realize the foolishness of their actions, and reconsider inviting Hephaestus to their discussion.”''

Senator Trang has often made such statements against the megacorporations of the Spur, having been a leading figure in the implementation of the Solarian Corporate Authority and the nationalization of corporate assets across the Alliance. SANN reporters reached out to the Nralakk Federation consulate on Unity Station, and received an official response informing us: ''“The Nralakk Federation is well aware of all risks involved in these negotiations, but we do not make our decisions based on fear. Rest assured that our representatives shall act with the wisdom that we pride ourselves on, and that we extend our hopes that ill-founded fear is not allowed to jeopardize the friendship between our two great nations.”''

SANN has also reached out to staff at the Alliance embassy on Moghes for comment, but we have only received a fax informing us that the Alliance has yet to take an official stance on the matter. Time will tell whether or not Senator Trang’s words will reach our allies in the Federation, however - or whether Hephaestus will keep its seat at the negotiating table.

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=Agreement Reached on Ouerea!=
'''News Article'''

'''Publisher: Sinta Articles'''

'''Writer: RustingWithYou'''

'''Editors: Triogenix'''

20/05/2466

''“And as the morning steals upon the night,''<br>
''Melting the darkness, so their rising senses''<br>
''Begin to chase the ignorant fumes that mantle''<br>
''Their clearer reason.”''<br>
-The Tempest, Act V Scene I

Old grudges are settled, and new accords are struck.
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The High Speaker has announced that the talks with the Nralakk Federation, which have been ongoing for nearly a month, have reached an end, with both parties finally reaching an agreement. She was photographed with the Skrell representative, Ormish Jrolk, proudly announcing the signing of the newly-named Nralakk-Izweski Mutual Prosperity Agreement.

The agreement is a lengthy one, but our correspondents have gathered the main points that are most likely to impact our readers, and what they may mean for the future of our own nation and our newfound friends in the Nralakk Federation. The agreement entails the following:

* The Nralakk Federation will formally acknowledge its unlawful occupation of Ouerea - while both parties recognise the difficulties the Contact War posed to colonial administration, the Federation will formally acknowledge that control should have been returned immediately following the end of the war on Moghes, and that Hegemon S’kresti should not have had to resort to military action to see our colony returned to us. The Federation has declined to comment on the Sol Alliance’s role in the Ouerean affair, stating that it lies outside the purview of the summit.
* As a form of reparation for their interference in Sinta affairs, the Federation will offer the assistance of its scientists in combating the spreading of the Wasteland, as well as assisting in medical treatment of those harmed by radiation.
* The Hegemon has made a formal trade agreement with the Federation, and is set to begin exporting raw materials to Skrell space soon via Hephaestus Industries. Guildmaster T’zakal has strongly endorsed this announcement, welcoming the opportunity to expand further into alien markets.
* The Hegemony will permit the ships of the Federation’s ‘Qukala’ (their primary military force) to dock at any Izweski colony, station or port. This will allow our new trade partners to assist the Izweski Navy in ensuring that cargo vessels are capable of safely traveling through the Badlands and Sparring Sea without threat of piracy.

While some still remain skeptical of the Nralakk-Izweski Mutual Prosperity Agreement, the mood across the Hegemony overall is one of celebration, as the Federation’s commitment to the restoration efforts on Moghes has been declared.

An initial group of Federation scientists and healers is set to arrive within the month, to begin working to both treat radiation-related disorders among the population and to work with the brightest minds of the Hegemony in accelerating environmental restoration efforts on Moghes. High Speaker Sarnac made a public address from Skalamar, having seen the Skrell delegation safely depart from the system, bound to return to Federation space. From the Izweski keep, the High Speaker addressed the assembled press, stating:

''“It has been a long and arduous negotiation - but both the Hegemon and myself are pleased at this outcome. The rabble-rousing of some who believe the Skrell hold some sort of nefarious agenda can be safely dismissed - and on behalf of myself and Hegemon Not’zar, I wish to welcome the aid of our new allies in the Nralakk Federation in the restoration of our world. May the Great Spirit bless this new agreement, and the wisdom of our Hegemon in seeking such a powerful ally.”''

The Nralakk Federation has also made plans for the reopening of the embassy in Skalamar, having made an agreement with Hephaestus Industries to begin construction on new premises immediately. Though an ambassador has yet to be appointed, Grand Advisor Jrolk did make a brief statement to Sinta Articles earlier today, stating on behalf of the Nralakk Federation their satisfaction with the agreement reached - and that they look forward to the age of future cooperation between our two nations that this agreement heralds.

We at Sinta Articles strongly congratulate the Hegemon for this alliance, as well as the offer of assistance from our new friends in the Federation. As always, we will keep our readers updated as the situation develops further.

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=Event I: Strange Bedfellows=
'''Server Event'''

'''Host: RustingWithYou'''

02/06/2466

Via Hephaestus, the SCC is invited to participate in the humanitarian program. Fresh from their recent successes on Konyang, the SCCV Horizon is deployed to the Uueoa-Esa system.
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The Horizon crew was invited to the Grand Ouerean Hotel in New Skalamar, while humanitarian program representatives inspected the vessel. While the crew enjoyed the hotel's many amenities, command met with representatives of the Hegemony, the Federation, the K'lax Hive, and Hephaestus Industries, who briefed them on the significance of their mission. The Horizon was informed that their first major mission would be to assist the town of Kazseres, located in the southern Tza Prairie.

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=Event II: Brave New World=
'''Server Event'''

'''Host: RustingWithYou'''

09/06/2466

The Horizon crew deployed to the town of Kazseres to provide aid and survey the region alongside Federation staff. Though some difficulties emerged, the mission was overall a success.
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The Horizon crew landed in Kazseres, located in southern Tza. After exploring the town and meeting the locals, the Horizon crew began working to provide food and medical aid, while the ship's engineers worked on infrastructure repairs and the research team surveyed the region with the Nralakk Federation personnel. Eventually, the crew encountered a pair of Gawgaryn who had been stealing humanitarian supplies, and found themselves in a tense standoff. Though the hostage perished, the two Gawgaryn were captured and sentenced to death by the local lord. Engineering was able to partially repair the Kazseres Hydroelectric Dam, and a comprehensive survey produced by the science team indicated that the region could recover from the damage of the Contact War. With their mission a success, the crew departed Kazseres.

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=Humanitarian Mission to Tza "Major Success"=
'''News Article'''

'''Publisher: Sinta Articles'''

'''Writer: RustingWithYou'''

'''Editors: Lent23, CaptainGecko'''

16/06/2466

''“O brave new world, that has such people in it!”''<br>
-The Tempest, Act V Scene I

The humanitarian mission to Kazseres is well-received, despite some minor setbacks. Locals of the region are hopeful for what may come.
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Following the signing of the Nralakk-Izweski Mutual Prosperity Agreement, the newly-launched humanitarian program has made its first major stride in the town of Kazseres, located south of Kutah in the Tza Prairie. Following the assistance of a team from the Nralakk Federation, aid was provided by the crew of the SCCV Horizon, a foreign corporate vessel brought to assist by Hephaestus Industries.

Our reporters visited Kazseres shortly after the Horizon’s crew departed, and locals tell us that the difference is already noticeable. The artificial Lake Kazseres which the town is built around has been restored to its former glory, with a team of Horizon engineers having made initial repairs on the grand Kazseres Hydroelectric Dam - once the pride of the region. Reportedly, former residents in the wider Tza Prairie are considering returning home, as both the dam and the area’s rich mines are scheduled to reopen towards the end of 2466.

Hephaestus Industries repair crews are set to begin work on the dam and mines, and reportedly fish populations are to be reintroduced to the lake thanks to Hephaestus aquaculture centers on Ouerea. Our correspondent in the field spoke to Lord Khuzar Mogarakh of Kazseres, who was present for the corporate mission. Lord Mogarakh was unable to speak for long due to his duties, but informed us that in his eyes: ''“The mission went well, and I am pleased to hear the dam may one day returned to working order. I am told by our honored guests from Nralakk that this land can be healed, and that my Kazseres can be restored to the peace and prosperity it once knew. Some of the aliens were rowdy and disrespectful - but others showed great honor and wisdom. If the rest of the Hegemon’s program goes as the mission here did, then I have high hopes for the future of our world. The spirits have blessed not just me, but all of my subjects upon this land today.”''

The leader of the Nralakk Federation team, one Qu’vesi (Nral’malic: “Star Graduate”, a highly accomplished scholar) Aqaz'Par Maqzi, seemed to agree with Lord Mogarakh’s optimism. They informed us that while the full report on the region’s wellbeing is still being put together, the data that they acquired alongside Horizon scientists indicates a bright future for Kazeres and the region as a whole. Qvs. Maqzi gave their warm thanks to the corporate research team who aided the Federation personnel in their efforts, stating that ''“The research done by the scientists of the Horizon will be invaluable in the future of the restoration efforts here. I cannot thank them enough for their work, and I hope that they see such success elsewhere.”'' Federation staff are scheduled to remain in Kazseres, and are reportedly preparing to work with Hephaestus Industries on restoring the Kazseres Hydroelectric Dam to working order.

The mission did not run completely unhindered, however - reportedly a group of Gawgaryn from the Wasteland to the south had approached Kazseres, looking to steal humanitarian supplies from the locals in need. When discovered, the Gawgaryn kidnapped a Horizon employee and attempted to flee, before they were captured by corporate security and local law enforcement - though tragically, their hostage was murdered before the criminals were apprehended. The Gawgaryn were found guilty of theft, murder, banditry, and dishonorable behavior, and sentenced to execution for their heinous crimes. Though we could not reach him for comment at this time, Overlord Hutay’zai has reportedly deployed his own sworn warriors to several towns in southern Tza to protect against further incursion from these dishonorable raiders.

The humanitarian efforts across the Tza Prairie continue, with plans reportedly being made to expand operations to similarly afflicted regions of Moghes in the days ahead. We were unable to receive any information as to the program’s next major endeavor at this time. For further news on the humanitarian program, and for all Sinta news Spur-wide, remember - stick to the source you know you can trust. Stick to Sinta Articles.

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=Event III: This Thing of Darknes=
'''Server Event'''

'''Host: RustingWithYou'''

30/06/2466

Fresh from their successes in Kazseres, the Horizon's crew were deployed to assist Federation humanitarian workers in the town of Izilukh, in the northern [[Zazalai Mountains]]. Upon arrival, they found several dead Federation crew, with signs of a prolonged battle nearby. As the crew aided Izilukh, they worked to discover what had happened to the Federation team - eventually learning that they were killed by Lord Izaku's warriors. After a brief battle between the crew and Izaku's men, the crew evacuated the region.
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Upon learning that the Federation team had been killed, the Horizon found Izaku's escort attempting to steer them away from investigating further. While some of the crew carried out the aid mission, others sought to discretely learn the truth of what had happened, and potentially locate any survivors. One surviving Skrell, seemingly delirious and confused, appeared in the Srom, allowing the Horizon's Skrell to speak with them and gain more information.

Eventually, Horizon scientists discovered a long-abandoned Izweski military bunker, prompting Izaku's warriors to attack out of fear of their crimes being discovered by the Hegemony. Within the bunker, the crew was able to negotiate the release of the surviving Skrell and flee as reinforcements arrived. Returning to the Horizon, the crew left the ruins of Izilukh behind - waiting to see what would come of the tragedy.

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=Hegemon Condemns Izaku!=
'''News Article'''

'''Publisher: Sinta Articles'''

'''Writer: RustingWithYou'''

'''Editors: Triogenix'''

01/07/2466

''“This thing of darkness I''<br>
''Acknowledge mine.”''<br>
-The Tempest, Act V Scene I

The Hegemon responds to Izaku's betrayal.
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Yesterday, tragedy and dishonor struck the Zazalai Mountains, with several members of the humanitarian programme murdered by the warriors sent to protect them. A corporate vessel landed near the town of Izilukh discovered that several Nralakk Federation workers had been abducted and killed, and were soon betrayed by their escort, forcing a retreat from the area. One Federation worker was rescued from captivity by the crew of the SCCV Horizon, and has reportedly been moved to Skalamar General Hospital for treatment.

Eyewitness testimony indicates this savage and honorless attack to have been conducted at the order of Lord Juyzi Izaku of Mudki. In response to this, the Hegemon has issued an official public statement in response, addressing both Sinta Articles and interstellar news correspondents from outside Keep Izweski in Skalamar. A full video excerpt of the Hegemon’s speech, recorded by our correspondents, is visible below.

''The camera pans upward, displaying the logo of Sinta Articles. An Unathi man is standing at a podium, clad in simple yet fine robes of red and gold - instantly recognisable as Hegemon Not’zar Izweski. Izweski banners hang in the background, and two heavily-armored Unathi carrying what look like some kind of energy spear or glaive flank him, their distinctive insignias marking them as warriors of the Guwan Guard.''

''After a long silence, the Hegemon looks up - his right claw gripping his cane. He pauses a moment, as the camera closes on his face. He begins to speak in Sinta’Unathi, with Tau Ceti Basic subtitles scrolling across the bottom of the screen.''

''“I speak now to Juyzi Izaku, Lord of Mudki. Once, you were known as a great champion of the Hegemony, who turned back assault after assault from our enemies to the east. It brings shame to me and my clan, to see the traitor that you have become. For years, you have beseeched me and mine for aid, and when aid is provided, what do you do? The hand of friendship was extended to you, Izaku, and you acted in a manner more befitting of a Guwan than a Lord of this Hegemony - my Hegemony. You have shown nothing but dishonor and cowardice, seeking to slaughter those who came in friendship! It shames me, and if you have any honor left it should shame you too.''

''I offer to you a choice. You may open the gates of Mudki and surrender yourself, to face justice for your crimes. You may face me with the honor befitting one of your position. I offer you three days to do this, and to show some degree of contrition for this betrayal not only of our allies, but of me.''

''Should your gates remain closed in three days, you will know my anger. If it will take tearing your city down around you to make you face your crimes, that is what I shall do.''

''You have three days to decide.''

''To our friends in the Federation, and the corporate workers who suffered this atrocity, I offer my deepest of apologies. It is my shame that such harm was allowed to come to you. Rest assured - this slight shall not go unanswered. Justice will be done.”''

''The Hegemon looks out over the crowd, pausing for a moment. His claw is trembling on his cane - he seems furious.''

''“And to all citizens of the Hegemony - I promise you this. The humanitarian efforts will continue - and with the help of our allies from across the stars, we will see our world restored to glory!”''

''The crowd erupts in cheers, with an aerial camera panning over the citizens of Skalamar, many of them waving Izweski flags proudly. The logo of Sinta Articles appears again, before the broadcast fades out.''

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=BREAKING: Izweski Forces Confront Izaku Rebellion!=
'''News Article'''

'''Publisher: Sinta Article'''

'''Writer: RustingWithYou'''

'''Editors: Triogenix'''

05/07/2466

''“At this hour''<br>
''Lie at my mercy all mine enemies”''<br>
-The Tempest, Act IV Scene I

The Hegemony's forces clash with Lord Izaku's, as the Mudki Rebellion begins in truth.
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After his ultimatum to Juyzi Izaku has gone unanswered, Hegemon Not’zar has remained true to his word, with Izweski military forces moving into the northern Zazalai Mountains and marching towards Mudki. The warriors of the Kataphract Guild within immediate reach have been summoned, and the armsmen of the Izweski clan are providing the bulk of the assault force, alongside forces from Res’karum and veterans from Camp Integrity. The Hegemon himself has issued a formal statement, condemning Izaku as a traitor to the Hegemony. From this day forth, his lands and titles are stripped from him as punishment for his cowardly and dishonorable deeds.

Izweski forces have made significant progress in the northern Zazalais already, though the harsh climate and terrain is projected to slow the campaign at current rates. Many of the remaining nobility of the region have already renounced their treacherous liege, and have allowed the Hegemon’s warriors to pass through their lands. Those nobles who have chosen to join the Mudki Rebellion have largely fled to the safety of the city

The former Lord’s men have rallied around him, however, and the city’s legendary walls may well prove a challenge for the Hegemon’s warriors. The city’s sophisticated anti-air and anti-spacecraft defenses are reportedly still operational, preventing significant assistance from the Navy without causing severe damage to the city and its people. However, Izweski troops have the advantage of numbers, equipment and training - though our military analysts have stated that, in such a well-defended position, the warriors of Mudki may hold out for an extended siege.

Izaku himself has issued a public statement, which was sent to Sinta Articles. We do not condone his words, but it is our journalistic duty to publish them. The former Lord’s words are thus:

''“Myself? A traitor? What twisted joke is this, Hegemon? You have sold our very nation to aliens - first for the wealth of Hephaestus, now for whatever your new Skrell puppetmasters offer you? You spit on the legacy of the Clan Izweski - you are not worthy to bear the name of your forefathers! You dishonor their very spirits every moment you continue to draw breath! I will not bow and beg your mercy, Not’zar, and I will not bend the knee to your alien masters! These mountains are littered with the bones of those who thought to take Mudki, and your warriors shall soon number among them! Bring your armies, you wretched coward. I will be waiting.”''

Hegemon Not’zar, in his wisdom, has not dignified these mad ramblings with a response.

We will keep our readers updated on the Mudki Rebellion as it develops. Spirits bless the Hegemon, and we express our strongest hopes that the traitor Juyzi Izaku is brought to justice soon.

</div></div>

<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed">
=Hegemon’s Forces Advance Into Zazalais=
'''News Article'''

'''Publisher: Sinta Articles'''

'''Writer: RustingWithYou'''

'''Editors: Triogenix'''

08/07/2466

''“O, I have suffered''<br>
''With those I saw suffer”''<br>
-The Tempest, Act I Scene II

The campaign in the Zazalais continues, as a once-prosperous city surrenders. The Izweski army prepares to advance on Mudki.
<div class="mw-collapsible-content">

The campaign in the Zazalais continues, with Izweski forces making steady progress towards Mudki. Several of the settlements in the lower foothills between Mudki and Res’karum have surrendered, and Izweski troops have reportedly encountered little resistance in capturing the city of Isekas - once a prosperous stop on the Mudki-Res’karum railroad line. Though some resistance from Izaku troops was encountered, reports from the front are indicating low casualties from the Hegemon’s forces.

Footage from Isekas indicates severe neglect from Lord Izaku’s leadership. Representatives of the humanitarian program have shifted efforts, with Nralakk Federation personnel assisting military forces in deploying food and water to the local population. Hephaestus Industries has reportedly inquired with local leaders as to the status of the rail line, leading to speculation that they may plan to restore the Mudki-Res’karum connection once the Izaku Rebellion is defeated.

Footage from our coverage of Isekas, and the overall status of the campaign in the Zazalais, has been attached. Viewer discretion is advised.

''The camera fades in on a city street. The buildings seem to be in various states of disrepair - some from simple neglect, others bearing signs of more recent damage. A banner bearing the Sk’akh symbol of the Healer hangs over one of the intact buildings, and an Unathi woman in a House of Medicine mantle stands outside. A short line of Sinta is queued before her, though most of them do not seem to bear visible injuries.''

''Standing in front of the camera is a brown-scaled Unathi man holding a microphone, clad in a himation cloak and a mantle bearing the symbol of the Keepers of Heirlooms. A small box at the bottom of the screen identifies him as Kas’van Risek, Sinta Articles military correspondent. He begins speaking in Sinta’Unathi, Tau Ceti Basic subtitles rolling across the bottom of the screen.''

''“Good afternoon, viewers. I am speaking to you now from the city of Isekas, a few days’ travel south of Mudki, where the former Lord Izaku still hides from the Hegemon’s justice. Early this morning, Izweski forces entered the city, driving the Izaku armsmen out after a few hours of battle. What we found here, however, has shocked us.”''

''The camera pans around, showing further crumbling buildings. The city looks to be half-ruined. The shot lingers for a moment on a rusting and inactive streetlight, before returning to the reporter.''

''“Since the destruction of the Mudki-Res’karum railroad during the Contact War, Isekas has been neglected by the region’s leadership, left to fend for itself. When we arrived, we found contaminated water, entire districts left without electricity, and a population living in a state of appalling poverty. Though it was known that settlements near the Wasteland had suffered greatly, the conditions here are far worse than anything official reports had indicated. The city has been placed under military command, and troops have been working alongside agents of the humanitarian program to restore order here.”''

''The camera fades out to Risek in a new location, standing before what looks like a tent housing a large kitchen. Several Unathi workers appear to be handing out bottled water and bowls of a steaming stew to locals. A pair of armored Hegemony troops seem to be standing guard near the tent, laser rifles slung as they assist in handing out the meals. A group of Skrell, clad in Nralakk work uniforms, stand near a recently-excavated hole in the road, seemingly examining a water pipe.''

''“The city’s lord, an Izaku loyalist of Clan Zurosk, was slain during the fighting. His heir, Lady Uhzo Zurosk, assumed rulership shortly after the battle concluded, and has since issued a surrender to Hegemony forces. Though it remains too soon to be certain, it is likely she will maintain her position once the rebellion has been brought to an end. Overall, the locals seem to be largely grateful for the Hegemony’s intervention here - though there’s been some apprehension about the Skrell and Vaurca here. For many of the locals, this is their first time seeing an alien in-person - but the general sentiment I’ve gathered is hope that this will mean an improvement for Isekas.”''

''The red-and-gold banners of the Hegemony snap in the breeze as Risek continues. A squad of armored Hegemony soldiers marches past, locals and humanitarian workers clearing the way.''

''“Isekas is being used as the Hegemony’s new command center for the ongoing campaign. From here, the path to Mudki is largely unobstructed along the old railway, though the line is in no shape to be used for transport. Hephaestus Industries surveyors have been examining the condition, and believe that the rail lines can be restored - but likely not in time to be of use in taking Mudki. I’ve spoken with officers on the ground here, and the general consensus seems to be that the army will set out for Mudki in a matter of days. Hephaestus engineers are currently working to restore the Isekas airport, to allow for resupply and reinforcement via air and spacecraft - but ultimately, this rebellion will be decided at Mudki. I will be moving with the army as they advance on Mudki, providing first-hand coverage as the conflict continues.”''

''The camera fades out to a black screen and the Sinta Articles logo.''
</div></div>

<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed">
=Rebels Defeated At Fort Ozi!=
'''News Article'''

'''Publisher: Sinta Articles'''

'''Writer: RustingWithYou'''

10/07/2466

''“He that dies pays all debts”''<br>
-The Tempest, Act III Scene II

The campaign in the Zazalais continues.
<div class="mw-collapsible-content">

Earlier this morning, Izweski warriors under the command of Ozur’saa Kuzwe Sirax engaged Izaku rebels at Fort Ozi, located to the south of Mudki. After a swift battle, the rebels were defeated, with a few survivors fleeing north from the fort. Since then, Izweski forces have established a command position in Fort Ozi, and are reportedly working alongside Hephaestus engineers to restore the fortress to working order in preparation for the final phase of the Zazalai campaign.

Humanitarian program representatives have also landed near Fort Ozi, with Nralakk Federation healers working to establish field hospitals for wounded warriors and civilians, and beginning preemptive studies for long-term aid in the region. When asked for comment, one Skrell representative informed us that the Federation had no plans to take part in the battle, but would continue to offer their aid and support to those seeking to bring the Izaku rebels to justice.

The captured commander of Fort Ozi, along with his warriors, has been charged with high and dishonorable acts of treason and sentenced to death. The prisoners are scheduled to be executed by firing squad within the next few days, serving as a warning to those who would continue to fight with this rebellion. Ozur’saa Sirax issued his own statement on the matter, calling for rebel warriors to “stand down or face a traitor’s death”. The rebel zone of control has decreased dramatically already, though Mudki remains a significant challenge ahead. Though Izaku’s rebels are no match for the warriors of the Hegemon, the city’s impenetrable reputation is a daunting task for even the most skilled of commanders.

What many have called into question, however, is what the fate of the region will be when this conflict is finally over. Juyzi Izaku has no heirs, and his once-esteemed line will end with his death, leaving the greater Mudki region leaderless. Whether the Hegemon means to raise new lords of the northern Zazalais, or simply abandon the region to its ruin, remains uncertain. Some voices have called for a proactive aid in restoration, chiefest among them being High Priest Azandar - who has been vocal in the Church’s position on this rebellion, declaring that “Sk’akh will see justice done for Izaku’s crimes”. The High Priest has also stated that the innocents of Mudki deserve compassion in a public announcement, closing with a quotation from ''Dedications of the Three-Faced God.''

''“For as the Warrior, He shall strike down His foes with the strength of nations, and suffer no insult or injury to His own. Yet as the Healer, She calls for wisdom and kindness, that the wounds of war may not scar. As the Fisher, They temper ruin with love, rage with wisdom, and let peace be a thing of glory. Blessed are they triumphant in war, honorable in peace; blessed are they who let old wounds not fester, but heal; for they are the champions of Sk’akh in Their threefold glory.”''

Though few have claimed Mudki should be abandoned, many among the nobility have raised concerns as to the expense of maintaining and restoring the region. Lord Karkatus of S’th has publically speculated that the damage may be too far gone to restore, and that the Hegemon should concentrate his efforts on lands which can be stabilized rather than investing in a “lost cause”. The Hegemon himself has made no comment on these remarks at this time.

We will keep our readers updated on the situation in the Zazalais as it unfolds. Remember, for Sinta news Spur-wide, stick to the source you know you can trust - stick to Sinta Articles.

</div></div>

<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed">
=BREAKING: Mudki Under Siege!=
'''News Article'''

'''Publisher: Sinta Articles'''

'''Writer: RustingWithYou'''

13/07/2466

''“What seest thou else''<br>
''In the dark backward and abysm of time?”''<br>
-The Tempest, Act I Scene II

The Hegemony's forces reach the walls of Mudki, with assistance from an unexpected source.

<div class="mw-collapsible-content">

Reports coming out of the Zazalais indicate that Hegemony forces have encircled Mudki, and have dug in for a prolonged siege of the city. Troops from Camp Integrity arrived earlier this morning along the city’s old highway, and have joined forces with the warriors who recently captured Fort Ozi to the south. The city’s eastern highway has also been captured, blocking off any avenue of retreat into the Wasteland for the rebel forces.

How long the siege will take remains uncertain, particularly if the Hegemon in his wisdom wishes to avoid collateral damage. Mudki is a shell of its former grandeur, but the city stood as the shield of the Hegemony for centuries, and its defenses - and the experience of its remaining warriors in holding those defenses - remain unmatched. As the rebel forces prepare for a prolonged siege, it remains increasingly apparent that the former Lord Izaku has no plans to surrender himself to face justice.

However, as the city has begun, something unusual has occurred, as large numbers of warriors from Zazalai clans have made the long and difficult journey to Mudki - seeking to join with the Hegemon’s forces in crushing the Izaku Rebellion. Flying proudly above the army camp is a standard depicting the Hammer of Iala - a popular image among Zazalai warriors, and the emblem of the Mudki 52nd Infantry, a distinguished regiment which served under the Izaku clan during the Contact War.

The Mudki 52nd disbanded after the war’s end, and most of its surviving warriors left the city behind to seek greater prosperity elsewhere. The majority wound up in Res’karum, from where the bulk of their assembled host has come - alongside a significant host of warriors from both the city itself and the mountain clans. Upon their arrival, Ozur’saa Sirax rode out to meet the approaching host, fearing that rebel reinforcements had emerged, and was greeted by the regiment’s former commander, bannerman Yaret Utuzi. Though we were unable to capture footage of their conversation, the 52nd and the assorted Zazalai warriors soon joined with the Izweski host, making camp nearby.

Correspondent Kas’van Rizek sought to interview Lord Utuzi, as well as several of the warriors who arrived. Footage has been attached.

''The camera fades in on the familiar features of Kas’van Rizek, Sinta Articles military correspondent. He stands in a dusty canyon of red-brown stone, surrounded by tents and a swarm of Unathi soldiers going about their business. Before him stands an old Unathi man, leaning on the haft of what looks to be an inactive energy glaive. Subtitles identify him as Armsman Hrok Relzi, Mudki 52nd Infantry. Rizek nods to the camera briefly, before beginning to speak.''

''“Good afternoon, viewers - we are live from the Hegemony’s war camp, within sight of the legendary walls of Mudki. This is the final push of the rebellion, and the forces here have been bolstered by an unusual arrival - several once-disbanded regiments from across the Zazalais, as well as many volunteers from the mountain clans. At the head of this host is the Mudki 52nd Infantry Regiment, who once fought under Juyzi Izaku - I’m here today with Hrok Relzi, an armsman with the 52nd. Armsman Relzi, would you mind sharing why your regiment chose to come here?”''

''The old warrior flicks his tongue, looking at the camera. He hisses softly, before speaking in a slow and thick Zazalai accent.''

''“You ever been in a battle, Rizek? Not with a camera, I mean down there, in the mud and the fire. There’s a thing that happens sometimes, with warriors after fighting too long. Go mad. We had a… rule, back in the old days. One of your own goes bad, you put him down, afore he does it to someone else.”''

''Relzi pauses, tail swishing across the stone.''

''“Our Lord was a good man. When the Aeikizo Kingdom marched for Mudki, he wasn’t hiding behind the walls. He was down there, with us. He understood. He was a warrior. This?”''

''He gestures up behind Rizek. The walls of Mudki loom high in the distance, casting the land below in shadow.''

''“These are no warrior’s deeds. Cowardice, murder, treachery. One of your own goes bad, you put him down. Simple as that.”''

''Rizek nods, leaning closer to the microphone. “Is that what all of your fellows feel? It must have taken quite something, to bring a regiment twenty years disbanded back together.”''

''Relzi flicks his tongue. “Some of us. Some just miss having a good fight, I think. Sitting around in Res’karum or S’th or… wherever, pushing crates or guarding doors… no life for a warrior. And some?”''

''He pauses, hissing. “We’re old men, Rizek, but we’re men of the Zazalais. A man should die with his home and his ancestors in sight.”''

''Rizek nods, a somber expression on his face. “Thank you, Armsman Relzi. It is most honorable of you and your regiment to join this fight.”''

''Relzi chuffs, flicking his tail. “Don’t start talking like we’re already dead. Bad luck.”''

''As Relzi leaves, the camera focuses back on Rizek, Mudki’s walls still looming in the background. The reporter turns, looking up at the distant city for a moment.''

''“Soon, it seems that the Izaku Rebellion will be decided - though it remains uncertain what exactly the Izweski forces plan. I will do my best to stay safe, and to keep viewers at home updated on the battle to come.”''

''The camera fades out to the Sinta Articles logo.''

How the Hegemon intends to approach this siege, and the challenge of capturing a city which has never fallen, remains to be seen. We will, as always, continue to update our readers as this situation develops, and express our hopes that justice is done.

</div></div>

<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed">
=BREAKING: Mudki's Walls Fall!=
'''News Article'''

'''Publisher: Sinta Articles'''

'''Writer: RustingWithYou'''

'''Editors: Triogenix'''

14/07/2466

''“Hell is empty''<br>
''And all the devils are here”''<br>
-The Tempest, Act I Scene II

One way or another, the end begins, as the assault on Mudki begins.
<div class="mw-collapsible-content">

Breaking news from Mudki, as it appears the city’s ancient walls have been breached by a combined effort from Izweski armsmen, Naval vessels, and the warriors of the Kataphract Guild. Footage of the assault was captured by our military correspondent, Kas’van Rizek, and has been attached. Viewer discretion is advised.

''The Sinta Articles logo is displayed for a few moments, before the camera fades in to an Unathi man, wearing a traditional himation cloak and a mantle of the Keepers of Heirlooms under an armored vest. He is standing in what looks like a mountainous environment - all around him are soldiers in the armor of the Izweski Hegemony, as well as what looks like several enormous artillery pieces. A small box at the bottom of the screen identifies him as Kas’van Rizek, Sinta Articles military correspondent. He begins speaking in Sinta’Unathi, with Tau Ceti Basic subtitles displayed across the bottom of the screen.''

''“This just in - I am hearing that mere moments ago, the warriors of the Kataphract Guild have moved into position, and are commencing their role in the assault on Mudki - I’m not sure of the specifics, but-"''

''In the background, several soldiers in the armor of the Izweski Hegemony are pointing up. Rizek turns to look, the camera panning up. The peaks of the Zazalai Mountains stretch into the blue sky, and as the camera zooms forward several small dots can be seen falling.''

''Rizek begins speaking again, the camera remaining focused on the tiny dots - it’s hard to make out at this distance, but a vaguely humanoid outline is visible.''

''“I- I’m getting reports that those are the Kataphracts - they’re dropping in from low-Moghes orbit. Sk’akh’s scales…”''

''The dots continue to fall, the camera zooming in on one of them- the hulking silhouette of an Unathi in a breacher hardsuit can be barely made out now, with some kind of maneuvering jets halting their fall. The helmet’s eyes glow a menacing red.''

''With a roar, the city’s anti-aircraft guns begin firing, Rizek flinching slightly - but the Kataphracts are too small a target, descending too fast. A few of the falling specks are struck, vanishing from the sky in seconds - but the rest continue their descent. The first of the falling warriors vanishes from sight, behind the city’s walls - with dozens of others following suit. The guns continue to fire, as Rizek begins speaking.''

''“I’m trying to get patched in to the radio channel the assault force is using - hopefully, we will be able to get a live update on what’s going on behind the wall-”''

''With a crackle of static, new voices cut in, the subtitles still scrolling.''

''“All Saa’Izweski! This is Knight-Captain Kssighriss speaking! You know our mission - see to your duties! Our Hegemon has given us a task, and even should the stars themselves fall upon our heads we shall see it completed! Honor! Fire! Burn thy fear!”''

''A chorus of voices repeat the Izweski ancestral words, as the camera lingers on the city walls, before cutting back to Rizek.''

''“It appears the Kataphracts have breached the city through a drop from low-Moghes orbit - though in such small numbers, it’s unclear at this time what their mission is. They don’t have the manpower to capture the city, or seize the gates from within, but-”''

''The radio cuts in again, silencing the reporter abruptly.''

''“This is Knight-Captain Kssighriss to HMV Glory of the Dead! Reporting all targets down, you are clear to move in!”''

''A long and pained silence, before finally the radio cuts in again.''

''“Knight-Captain, this is HMV Glory of the Dead, acknowledged. Target confirmed.”''

''Rizek seems confused for a moment, before a strange mood begins to pass over the battlefield. All around, the soldiers are looking up at the sky, seemingly shocked. Rizek follows suit, gazing up and letting out a whispered “Sk’akh almighty…”''

''The camera pans upwards, focusing on a dark silhouette in the sky. Details cannot be made out at this distance - likely the vessel has just entered the upper atmosphere.''

''Rizek regains his composure, turning to the camera. “Viewers, it seems that the Izweski Navy has joined the battle - the Glory is with the First Fleet in orbit. Looking at it now, it seems that the Kataphracts have struck Mudki’s anti-spacecraft defenses, letting vessels move into position. It looks like they’re-”''

''The screen explodes with light, a golden spear striking the city walls - and then another, and another, like the fists of an angry god. All around the battlefield, soldiers shield their eyes, the camera barely able to capture the strike. The walls of Mudki are a black silhouette against the light, the tiny shapes of soldiers atop the walls vanishing in the glare. The silhouette grows more intense, the light brighter, until even the camera can no longer capture it fully.''

''After minutes of this, the light fades. As the dust clears, the camera pans to the city walls - now left in ruins, piles of rubble the only remnant of the Untaken City’s pride. Plumes of black smoke the size of buildings drift upwards from the desolation, as if attempting to grasp their destroyers from the sky. Silence grips the battlefield - all around, Izweski soldiers are staring ahead, each one seemingly unable to speak a word. Rizek slowly dusts himself off, seemingly regaining his composure - but not before the radio crackles to life again. A familiar voice - Hrok Relzi, armsman of Mudi’s 52nd Infantry.''

''“Warriors of the Izweski, forward! Today, we show the Spur the price of treachery!”''

''The soldiers around Rizek begin advancing, and the silence is broken by a sound like rolling thunder - their own artillery firing on the now-defenseless city. Whatever muteness had gripped the warriors vanishes, as a thousand battle cries are called out. Rizek looks back to the camera, clearly shaken from the bombardment.''

''“The walls have fallen- I repeat, the walls have fallen. I’m moving into the city with the Izweski armsmen present - I will do my best to keep you updated, and to stay safe.”''

''The camera fades to the Sinta Articles logo, before the broadcast ends.''

</div></div>

<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed">
=Izaku Rebellion Brought to an End!=
'''News Article'''

'''Publisher: Sinta Articles'''

'''Writer: RustingWithYou'''

'''Editors: Triogenix'''

15/07/2466

''“Full fathom five thy father lies,''<br>
''Of his bones are corals made;''<br>
''Those are pearls that were his eyes,''<br>
''Nothing of him that doth fade.”''<br>
-The Tempest, Act I Scene II

The rebellion is concluded - but the fate of the region remains uncertain.
<div class="mw-collapsible-content">

The Izaku Rebellion has come to an end, after hours of intense and bloody battle within the city. Earlier today, after fierce fighting from his followers, several Kataphract warriors were able to breach the Izaku keep, and confront the traitor Juyzi Izaku directly. We have confirmed reports that though he fought ferociously, killing at least one Kataphract in his bloodlust and injuring several more, Izaku was captured by the valiant warriors. We were able to receive a brief statement from a Kataphract warrior being treated for injuries, who stated that despite Izaku’s cowardice and dishonor, “he faced us as a warrior.”

The city of Mudki remains occupied by Izweski armsmen, as members of the humanitarian programme will be moving to provide assistance to soldiers and civilians injured during the fighting. Thankfully, casualties among the Izweski armsmen assaulting the city were minimal, in no small part thanks to the heroism of the Kataphracts and the in-depth knowledge of the city’s defenses provided by the warriors of the 52nd.

The future of Mudki and the surrounding lands remains unclear. Though the population was already greatly diminished, the region is now left without a ruler, as the once-storied line of Izaku will likely soon be extinguished when the disgraced former Lord stands trial. Whether Hegemon Not’zar will appoint a new Lord of Mudki, or allow the city to be abandoned entirely, remains to be seen. Reports have come in of humanitarian program vessels landing in the city and providing assistance to those injured in the fighting.

We at Sinta Articles would like to offer our gratitude to the warriors of the Kataphract Guild, the Navy and the Izweski levies, who have fought bravely to keep the peace of our great nation intact. We also offer our condolences to those harmed by the fighting, and hope that the humanitarian program will be able to assist.

As always, we will keep our readers updated on the situation in Mudki as it develops. Spirits bless the Hegemony, and our friends and partners from both the Nralakk Federation and Hephaestus Industries.

</div></div>

<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed">
=Event IV: Hell is Empty=
'''Server Event'''

'''Host: RustingWithYou'''

21/07/2466

Following the Battle of Mudki, the humanitarian program provided aid to the people of the damaged city. With the aid of the Nralakk Federation team and the Hegemony's occupying force, the SCCV Horizon was able to restore power and water to a portion of the city, allowing for further stabilization efforts to proceed.
<div class="mw-collapsible-content">

After the defeat of the Izaku Rebellion, the humanitarian program was deployed to the city of Mudki, left sundered by the fighting between Izweski forces and Izaku troops. The SCCV Horizon's crew was deployed alongside Nralakk Federation personnel to a district in southeastern Mudki, near the city walls, and began working to restore district utilities and provide aid to the locals. Though some difficulties arose, the crew were able to restore district power and water, as well as providing food and medical assistance to several of the district's residents who were injured in the fighting.

</div></div>

<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed">
=Humanitarian Program Sets Sights On Mudki!=
'''News Article'''

'''Publisher: Sinta Articles'''

'''Writer: RustingWithYou'''

'''Editors: Triogenix'''

23/07/2466

''“Let us not burthen our remembrance with''<br>
''A heaviness that's gone.”''<br>
-The Tempest, Act V Scene I

A glimmer of hope among the ashes, as Mudki seems to be recovering from the latest in a long line of miseries.
<div class="mw-collapsible-content">

Following the Mudki Rebellion and the capture of the traitor Juyzi Izaku, many worried that the city and surrounding region would be left to ruin, given the difficulties of maintaining the city due to the encroaching Wasteland and the damage left by the battle. Fortunately, however, it seems that this is not the case, with the Hegemon declaring that Mudki, and the wider Zazalai Mountains, will form the beginnings of a true restoration for Moghes, with the aid of our allies in the Nralakk Federation.

Corporate and Federation vessels have already sent aid to Mudki following the battle, with medical assistance and supplies being provided to the locals. Though the city remains under military occupation for now, the office of the Hegemon’s Claws has reassured our correspondents that this is a temporary measure, until a new lord can be properly appointed over Mudki.

''Attached is a photograph of a medical tent. Several Skrell workers in Federation uniforms are gathered outside, with an Unathi leaning on a cane standing next to them, waving happily at the camera.''

The corporate assistance in humanitarian efforts in Mudki cannot be understated, with Hephaestus providing millions of credits in material aid, and pledging to see the city rebuilt to what it once was prior to the devastation that the Contact War, and years of mismanagement from the craven and corrupt former Lord, have wrought upon the region. Workers from the wider Stellar Corporate Conglomerate were also present, providing medical, food, and supply aid to the people who have suffered long enough under the former Lord Izaku’s misrule.

''Attached is a photograph of a long table, with what looks like food cooking in the background. Several corporate workers, mostly human and Unathi, are handing out meals to a long line of Unathi. The flag of the Izweski Hegemony is flying proudly in the background.''

Though the first weeks of the humanitarian effort have been fraught with danger, it seems that the kindness of our friends across the stars has persisted. We at Sinta Articles offer our deepest thanks to the members of the humanitarian programme, and their efforts in restoring order to the region.

As always, we will keep our readers updated on any new developments.

</div></div>

<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed">
=Juyzi Izaku Found Guilty, Executed=
'''News Article'''

'''Publisher: Sinta Articles'''

'''Writer: RustingWithYou'''

28/07/2466

''“If thy greatness will''<br>
''Revenge it on him - for I know thou darest”''<br>
-The Tempest, Act III Scene II

<div class="mw-collapsible-content">

Following his capture and trial, former Lord of Mudki Juyzi Izaku has been found guilty of the charges laid against him. For the crimes of murder, sabotage of vital national resources, dishonor in the gravest of forms, and high treason against his liege lord, Izaku was sentenced to death by order of the Hegemon earlier today.

The execution was carried out in Mudki - despite his titles being stripped, Izaku was granted execution by beheading, rather than hanging or firing squad. The execution was not public, due to concerns about remaining rebels attempting to mount a rescue. Lord Izaku did not attempt to mount a defense during his trial, electing to remain silent throughout the proceedings.

With his death, the once-honored Izaku clan is extinguished. Discussions among the nobility have reportedly already begun as to who Hegemon Not’zar intends to elevate to rule Mudki, as it seems increasingly unlikely that the city will be abandoned. The Hegemon himself has made no comment on the matter yet - whatever he plans for Mudki remains a mystery.

For now, Mudki remains under military occupation. Trials are continuing for rebel warriors - most of the levied and conscripted men have been granted some measure of clemency, though they are forbidden from taking up arms until the military occupation ends. Most notably, the captured perpetrators of the Izilukh Massacre have been found guilty of murder and dishonorable deeds.

Several of the Izilukh murderers were hanged this morning, with the remainder likely facing execution later this week. The Nralakk Federation delegation declined an interview, but offered a brief statement describing the executions as ''"A conflicting conclusion to what has happened. The Federation mourns those we have lost, yet we cannot condone executing those responsible. The Grand Council appreciates that the laws of the Hegemony are not our laws, however, and is grateful to the Hegemon for bringing these criminals to justice."''

Mudki itself has remained largely peaceful so far - a madman such as Izaku seems to have inspired few to true loyalty. Though the cost of this rebellion has been bitter, it seems that a resurgence of fighting is thankfully unlikely, in a land which has already seen too much death. We will keep our readers updated on the situation in Mudki as it develops - remember, for Sinta news Spur-wide, stick to the source you know you can trust. Stick to Sinta Articles.

</div></div>

New Blades Old Wounds Arc

2024-07-23T04:31:52Z

RustingWithYou: article 15

New Blades Old Wounds Arc

2024-07-21T05:00:13Z

RustingWithYou: event 4

Template:Navbox Unathi Lore

2024-07-17T02:02:32Z

RustingWithYou: nbow

<div class="padded" width="100%" style="font-size: 12px; padding: 5px">
{| style="cellpadding: 5px; text-align: center;width: 100%" class="mw-collapsible mw-uncollapsed wikitable"
|-
! colspan="3" style="width: 50%; background-color:#34AF10" | [[Unathi|<span style="color: White">Unathi Lore Pages</span>]]
|-
! style="width: 10%" colspan="2"| Planets and Systems
| align="left" | [[Moghes]] · [[Ouerea]] · [[Uueoa-Esa]] · [[Notable Unathi Colonies]] · [[Gakal'zaal]] · [[Tret]]
|-
! style="width: 10%" colspan="2"| Factions
| align="left" | [[Izweski Hegemony]] · [[Unathi Guilds]] · [[Unathi Piracy]] · [[K'lax in the Izweski Nation]] · [[The Queendom of Sezk-Hakh]] · [[Mictlan#The_Free_Sinta'Unathi_of_Vezdukh | Free City of Vezdukh]] · [[Unathi in Dominia]]
|-
! style="width: 10%" colspan="2"| History
| align="left" | [[Unathi History]] · [[Contact War]] · [[Unathi Recent Events]] · [[Notable Unathi]]
|-
! style="width: 10%" colspan="2"| Religions
| align="left" | [[Sk'akh]] · [[Th'akh]] · [[Aut'akh]] · [[Si'akh]]
|-
! style="width: 10%" colspan="2"| Society and Culture
| align="left" | [[Unathi Entertainment]] · [[Unathi Honor]] · [[Unathi Military Structure]] · [[Unathi Crime And Enforcement]] · [[Unathi Educational Institutions]] · [[Unathi Spaceflight]] · [[Unathi Abroad]] · [[Zandiziite Games]]
|-
! style="width: 10%" colspan="2"| Regions of Moghes
| align="left" | [[Izweski Heartland]] · [[Tza Prairie]] · [[Southlands]] · [[Broken Coalition]] · [[Torn Cities]] · [[Zazalai Mountains]] · [[The Wasteland]]
|-
! style="width: 10%" colspan="2"| Lore Arcs
| align="left" | [[The Titan Rises Arc]] · [[New Blades Old Wounds Arc|New Blades, Old Wounds Arc]]
|-
|}
</div><noinclude>
[[Category:Templates]]
[[Category:Lore]]
</noinclude>
[[Category:Unathi]]
[[Category:Pages]]

New Blades Old Wounds Arc

2024-07-15T02:54:22Z

RustingWithYou: article 14 and also 11 which i forgor

New Blades Old Wounds Arc

2024-07-15T01:10:33Z

RustingWithYou: article 13

{| id="mp-eventarc" style="width:65%; background:#29870e; text-align:center; border:4px solid #dca200; margin:0 auto; width:950px"
| style="width:56%; color:#000;" |
<div style="font-size:162%; border:2px solid #dca200; margin:0; background:#29870e; padding:.1em; color:#fff;">New Blades, Old Wounds</div>
<center>
{{Template:2024 Event Timeline}}
<div style="font-size:110%; border:2px solid #dca200; margin:0; background:#29870e; padding:.1em; color:#fff;">This is the overview and timeline page for the '''New Blades, Old Wounds''' Arc which began on '''April 20, 2024''' and pertains largely to '''[[Unathi]] and [[Skrell]] lore.'''</div>
<div style="font-size:110%; border:2px solid #dca200; margin:0; background:#29870e; padding:.1em; color:#fff;">It is centered around the relationship between the [[Izweski Hegemony]] and the [[Nralakk Federation]], and their joint humanitarian efforts on the planet [[Moghes]].</div>
<div style="font-size:110%; border:2px solid #dca200; margin:0; background:#29870e; padding:.1em; color:#fff;">Below is a summary of the arc's applicable news articles, and additions.</div>

<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed">
=Hegemon Announces Talks With Skrell!=
'''News Article'''

'''Publisher: Sinta Articles'''

'''Writer: RustingWithYou'''

'''Editors: Triogenix'''

20/04/2466

''"Awake, dear heart, awake."''<br>
-The Tempest, Act I Scene II

Hegemon Not'zar reaches out to the Nralakk Federation, hoping that [[Change on the Horizon Arc|recent upheavals]] will allow old grudges to be laid to rest.
<div class="mw-collapsible-content">

In a surprising announcement from Skalamar today, Hegemon Not’zar Izweski announced that he intends to hold a diplomatic summit with the Nralakk Federation, which will be led by High Speaker Seleta Sarnac. The office of the High Speaker followed up on this, stating that Hegemon Not’zar understands that there is a long and often-troubled history between Sinta and Skrell, and he hopes that the two nations can enter into a more prosperous relationship in future.

The talks are set to take place on Ouerea, in several weeks’ time. Many have speculated as to the Hegemon’s choice to invite the Skrell delegation to Ouerea rather than Moghes - while some believe it is simply due to the planet’s large Skrell population, others believe that the Hegemon intends to call the Skrell to account for the planet’s occupation during the Contact War.

The Skrell delegation’s agenda, as well as who their representative will be, remains to be seen. The office of the High Speaker confirmed to us this morning, however, that the Nralakk Federation has accepted the Hegemon’s invitation. Their envoys will likely be en route to Uueoa-Esa already, and many wait apprehensively to see what the Federation hopes to get from these talks.

Some among the nobility have been outspoken against the Hegemon’s decision, however - with many protesting the inviting of Skrell to Izweski space, blaming them for everything from the Ouerean Rebellion to the Contact War itself. Perhaps the most outspoken of these was Lord Juyzi Izaku of Mudki, who invited representatives of Sinta Articles to a press conference in the city to issue his statement.

Lord Izaku was certainly passionate on the matter, claiming that ''"The Skrell, they get inside a man’s thoughts, to twist his mind and strip his honor! You see them, small and weak as they are, and you think they are harmless, but they can manipulate your very spirit - look at the slaughter on Ouerea, barely more than five years ago! It was driven by them, twisting innocent Sinta to anarchy and murder, and now the Hegemon wishes to treat with them? He must be careful, lest he find himself dancing on their vile and twisted strings.”''

While the Lord of Mudki is certainly the most outspoken, he is not the only one of the nobility to object to these talks. Several among the nobility have petitioned the Hegemon to turn away from this plan, citing the occupation of Ouerea and subsequent rebellion as proof that the Skrell cannot be trusted to negotiate in good faith.

We at Sinta Articles hope for a resolution that is beneficial to the Hegemony and its people. As always, we shall keep our readers updated on these talks as they develop.

</div></div>

<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed">
=Ormish Jrolk Departs For Alien Stars=
'''News Article'''

'''Publisher: Warble Enquirer'''

'''Writer: RustingWithYou'''

'''Editors: Triogenix, Brotendo'''

26/04/2466

''“Misery acquaints a man with strange bedfellows.”''<br>
-The Tempest, Act II Scene II

The Federation's representative departs for Ouerea.
<div class="mw-collapsible-content">

Grand Advisor of Economic Development Ormish Jrolk has announced their temporary departure from Federation space today - leading a delegation to the planet Ouerea, a warm and hospitable world currently under the rule of the Izweski Hegemony. The ruler of the Hegemony, Hegemon Not’zar Izweski, extended formal invitations to the Nralakk Federation to send a delegation to Ouerea, in the hopes of laying to rest past hostilities between Unathi and Skrell.

The Unathi, for those of our readers who are not aware, rapidly descended into global nuclear warfare following first contact with the Federation and the Solarian Alliance - during which a delegation of Federation diplomats was sent in the hopes of brokering peace between the two warring sides, and preventing needless loss of life. These delegates were murdered, their shuttle shot down by the group known as the ‘Traditionalist Coalition’ (Unrelated to the Homeworld Traditionalist Coalition party), a radical collection of Unathi micro-states opposed to further dealings with the Federation and humanity.

Since that day, the Federation has had little contact with the Unathi - though for several decades, Federation officials administrated the colony on Ouerea, due to the Hegemon’s inability to do so during wartime. Following the end of what the Unathi have come to call the ‘Contact War’, the Federation graciously returned control of Ouerea to the Unathi, though a substantial Skrell population remains on the planet.

Reportedly, the delegation was approved with an overwhelming majority by the Grand Council, with only the Homeworld Traditionalist Coalition voting against. Coalition leader Overseer Nalo Gir-Roq referred to the delegation as “a mistake” during an address to the Council, claiming that for the Federation to involve ourselves further in the affairs of the Spur at large only serves to weaken our position on the interstellar stage. The Coalition was thoroughly outvoted, however, with all other parties standing in favor of the Ouerean talks. Grand Advisor Jrolk and the Federalist League cited the dangers of pirate and Marauder activity on the Federation’s southern border, claiming that forming stronger ties to the nations of the Sparring Sea is a proactive measure to ensure our national security against such threats in future - while voices from the Free Skrell Union cited establishing further connections to Hephaestus Industries as a key reason for building diplomatic ties to the Hegemony.

The talks are scheduled to begin in several weeks' time. Questions of whether these talks will lead to future involvement in Unathi affairs, or further connection with alien nations, remain unanswered for now - though the Federation watches eagerly to see what will come of the Ouerean summit.

</div></div>

<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed">
=Nralakk Delegation Arrives, Talks Begin=
'''News Article'''

'''Publisher: Sinta Articles'''

'''Writer: RustingWithYou'''

'''Editors: Triogenix'''

30/04/2466

''“Yet, with my nobler reason 'gainst my fury''<br>
''Do I take part; the rarer action is''<br>
''In virtue than in vengeance.”''<br>
-The Tempest, Act V Scene I

The talks on Ouerea begin, and speculation abounds on what each side hopes to gain.
<div class="mw-collapsible-content">

The delegation from the distant Nralakk Federation has arrived, entering the Uueoa-Esa system early this morning before landing on Ouerea properly. Led by Ormish Jrolk, their ‘Grand Advisor of Economic Development’ - a role similar to a Master of Rivers - the delegation was promptly shown to a hotel in New Skalamar’s Founding District, where the talks are set to take place.

High Speaker Sarnac was present to welcome the delegation, along with her entourage. To the clamoring of spectators Unathi, Skrell and human alike, they entered the hotel, where the talks have begun in earnest. Though it is very early in the process, our correspondent on the scene was able to glean some insight as to the agendas from both sides.

It appears that the Hegemon, via the High Speaker, has demanded reparations from Nralakk for the occupation of Ouerea, claiming that they had no right to meddle in that world’s affairs and that it was shameful that his father was forced to resort to drastic measures to reclaim what is rightfully an Izweski colony. The Skrell have not taken this well, with their delegation claiming that the Federation was the only reason Ouerea survived the Contact War at all, and that Hegemon S’kresti’s actions were an act of rash bravado, where he could have instead negotiated with the Federation to ensure a peaceful transfer of power. The Skrell delegation also mentioned a shuttle of their diplomats destroyed by Traditionalists during the Contact War, claiming that as the ruler of all Moghes, Hegemon Not’zar bears an obligation to make amends.

So far, neither side seems to be bending on their demands - though the diplomatic process can be a lengthy one, and negotiations have only just begun. Rumors abound on the streets of Ouerea, however, with many claiming that Guildmaster T’zakal of Hephaestus Industries may be invited to the talks. As yet, Hephaestus Industries has not made any statement on the matter, and these rumors may have little merit to them.

As always, we at Sinta Articles will keep our readers updated on these talks as they progress, and we express our deepest hope for a mutually beneficial resolution.

</div></div>

<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed">
=Talks Continue On Ouerea; Hephaestus, K’lax Invited=
'''News Article'''

'''Publisher: Sinta Articles'''

'''Writer: RustingWithYou'''

'''Editors: Triogenix, Desven'''

5/05/2466

''“The hour's now come;''<br>
''The very minute bids thee ope thine ear.”''<br>
-The Tempest, Act I Scene II

The talks continue, and new faces are seen at the table
<div class="mw-collapsible-content">

The diplomatic talks on Ouerea seem to be making swift progress - while we do not have any further information on how both parties’ agenda is shifting, word from the inside is that attitudes have begun to soften, and that both sides are moving closer to an agreement. What that agreement is, and what it will entail for the Hegemony at large, remains to be seen.

Hephaestus Industries has also announced that they will be attending the talks at the Hegemon’s request, with Guildmaster T’zakal issuing a statement that due to the guild’s strong ties to every part of the Hegemonic economy since their recent reorganization of the major Hegemonic guilds, the outcome of these talks is of deep importance to Hephaestus.

Guildmaster T’zakal arrived on Ouerea yesterday morning, and spent the day touring the recently-completed Aquacultural Center One - before arriving by shuttle in New Skalamar last night, and traveling straight to the site of the talks. What role Hephaestus may play in this negotiation is as of now unknown.

The K’lax Hive have also announced that they will be in attendance at the talks. As one of the largest and most influential vassals of the Hegemon, the Vaurcae of Tret are instrumentally positioned within our nation’s economy, with one of the Hive’s representatives stating that ''“Since our arrival, the K’lax and the Sinta’Unathi have held a shared destiny - and if the Nralakk Federation is to be involved in that destiny, we will be included in the discussions.”''

The K’lax delegation at the talks is reportedly being directed by the Queen Vedhra, with representatives of her brood having arrived on Ouerea this afternoon. Sinta Articles reporters attempted to get in contact with the K’laxian delegation in order to elaborate on why the High Queen elected not to send a representative from her own brood, but were unable to clarify. Our correspondents contacted Lady Ta’Akaix’Maz'roth'isek K’lax, the leader of the K’laxian delegation, who stated ''“The High Queen trusts in her servants’ ability in a matter that will affect the Hive in its entirety. Though I serve the Queen Vedhra, my role at this summit is to stand for all the K’lax.”''

With the talks soon to enter their second week, we eagerly await further information. As always, we will keep our readers updated as the situation develops.

</div></div>

<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed">
=Senator Trang Condemns Hephaestus Role in Nralakk Summit=
'''News Article'''

'''Publisher: Sol Alliance News Network'''

'''Writer: RustingWithYou'''

'''Editors: Triogenix'''

12/05/2466

''“The truth you speak doth lack some gentleness''<br>
''And time to speak it in.”''<br>
-The Tempest, Act II Scene I

The Ouerean summit gains attention from across the stars - and not all are happy to see Hephaestus take such a role.
<div class="mw-collapsible-content">

Senator Le Hanh Trang has issued a public statement with regards to recent talks between the Nralakk Federation and the Unathi-ruled Izweski Hegemony, condemning the invitation of Hephaestus Industries. In a live statement from Unity Station today, the senator stated that ''“It is a dark day for the Spur when a megacorporation sits at a table with two nations, and negotiates as an equal. We in the Alliance know too well the damage that these corporations can cause - the actions of NanoTrasen have been devastating to the Alliance and its people, and Hephaestus themselves have exploited my homeworld and its people for generations. While this is not unexpected of the Unathi - a species new to the interstellar stage, who do not understand the danger that unchecked corporate power poses - I would expect more wisdom from our long-time allies in the Nralakk Federation than to allow such a predatory force to influence their affairs. I hope that both sides of these Ouerean negotiations realize the foolishness of their actions, and reconsider inviting Hephaestus to their discussion.”''

Senator Trang has often made such statements against the megacorporations of the Spur, having been a leading figure in the implementation of the Solarian Corporate Authority and the nationalization of corporate assets across the Alliance. SANN reporters reached out to the Nralakk Federation consulate on Unity Station, and received an official response informing us: ''“The Nralakk Federation is well aware of all risks involved in these negotiations, but we do not make our decisions based on fear. Rest assured that our representatives shall act with the wisdom that we pride ourselves on, and that we extend our hopes that ill-founded fear is not allowed to jeopardize the friendship between our two great nations.”''

SANN has also reached out to staff at the Alliance embassy on Moghes for comment, but we have only received a fax informing us that the Alliance has yet to take an official stance on the matter. Time will tell whether or not Senator Trang’s words will reach our allies in the Federation, however - or whether Hephaestus will keep its seat at the negotiating table.

</div></div>

<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed">
=Agreement Reached on Ouerea!=
'''News Article'''

'''Publisher: Sinta Articles'''

'''Writer: RustingWithYou'''

'''Editors: Triogenix'''

20/05/2466

''“And as the morning steals upon the night,''<br>
''Melting the darkness, so their rising senses''<br>
''Begin to chase the ignorant fumes that mantle''<br>
''Their clearer reason.”''<br>
-The Tempest, Act V Scene I

Old grudges are settled, and new accords are struck.
<div class="mw-collapsible-content">

The High Speaker has announced that the talks with the Nralakk Federation, which have been ongoing for nearly a month, have reached an end, with both parties finally reaching an agreement. She was photographed with the Skrell representative, Ormish Jrolk, proudly announcing the signing of the newly-named Nralakk-Izweski Mutual Prosperity Agreement.

The agreement is a lengthy one, but our correspondents have gathered the main points that are most likely to impact our readers, and what they may mean for the future of our own nation and our newfound friends in the Nralakk Federation. The agreement entails the following:

* The Nralakk Federation will formally acknowledge its unlawful occupation of Ouerea - while both parties recognise the difficulties the Contact War posed to colonial administration, the Federation will formally acknowledge that control should have been returned immediately following the end of the war on Moghes, and that Hegemon S’kresti should not have had to resort to military action to see our colony returned to us. The Federation has declined to comment on the Sol Alliance’s role in the Ouerean affair, stating that it lies outside the purview of the summit.
* As a form of reparation for their interference in Sinta affairs, the Federation will offer the assistance of its scientists in combating the spreading of the Wasteland, as well as assisting in medical treatment of those harmed by radiation.
* The Hegemon has made a formal trade agreement with the Federation, and is set to begin exporting raw materials to Skrell space soon via Hephaestus Industries. Guildmaster T’zakal has strongly endorsed this announcement, welcoming the opportunity to expand further into alien markets.
* The Hegemony will permit the ships of the Federation’s ‘Qukala’ (their primary military force) to dock at any Izweski colony, station or port. This will allow our new trade partners to assist the Izweski Navy in ensuring that cargo vessels are capable of safely traveling through the Badlands and Sparring Sea without threat of piracy.

While some still remain skeptical of the Nralakk-Izweski Mutual Prosperity Agreement, the mood across the Hegemony overall is one of celebration, as the Federation’s commitment to the restoration efforts on Moghes has been declared.

An initial group of Federation scientists and healers is set to arrive within the month, to begin working to both treat radiation-related disorders among the population and to work with the brightest minds of the Hegemony in accelerating environmental restoration efforts on Moghes. High Speaker Sarnac made a public address from Skalamar, having seen the Skrell delegation safely depart from the system, bound to return to Federation space. From the Izweski keep, the High Speaker addressed the assembled press, stating:

''“It has been a long and arduous negotiation - but both the Hegemon and myself are pleased at this outcome. The rabble-rousing of some who believe the Skrell hold some sort of nefarious agenda can be safely dismissed - and on behalf of myself and Hegemon Not’zar, I wish to welcome the aid of our new allies in the Nralakk Federation in the restoration of our world. May the Great Spirit bless this new agreement, and the wisdom of our Hegemon in seeking such a powerful ally.”''

The Nralakk Federation has also made plans for the reopening of the embassy in Skalamar, having made an agreement with Hephaestus Industries to begin construction on new premises immediately. Though an ambassador has yet to be appointed, Grand Advisor Jrolk did make a brief statement to Sinta Articles earlier today, stating on behalf of the Nralakk Federation their satisfaction with the agreement reached - and that they look forward to the age of future cooperation between our two nations that this agreement heralds.

We at Sinta Articles strongly congratulate the Hegemon for this alliance, as well as the offer of assistance from our new friends in the Federation. As always, we will keep our readers updated as the situation develops further.

</div></div>

<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed">
=Event I: Strange Bedfellows=
'''Server Event'''

'''Host: RustingWithYou'''

02/06/2466

Via Hephaestus, the SCC is invited to participate in the humanitarian program. Fresh from their recent successes on Konyang, the SCCV Horizon is deployed to the Uueoa-Esa system.
<div class="mw-collapsible-content">

The Horizon crew was invited to the Grand Ouerean Hotel in New Skalamar, while humanitarian program representatives inspected the vessel. While the crew enjoyed the hotel's many amenities, command met with representatives of the Hegemony, the Federation, the K'lax Hive, and Hephaestus Industries, who briefed them on the significance of their mission. The Horizon was informed that their first major mission would be to assist the town of Kazseres, located in the southern Tza Prairie.

</div></div>

<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed">
=Event II: Brave New World=
'''Server Event'''

'''Host: RustingWithYou'''

09/06/2466

The Horizon crew deployed to the town of Kazseres to provide aid and survey the region alongside Federation staff. Though some difficulties emerged, the mission was overall a success.
<div class="mw-collapsible-content">

The Horizon crew landed in Kazseres, located in southern Tza. After exploring the town and meeting the locals, the Horizon crew began working to provide food and medical aid, while the ship's engineers worked on infrastructure repairs and the research team surveyed the region with the Nralakk Federation personnel. Eventually, the crew encountered a pair of Gawgaryn who had been stealing humanitarian supplies, and found themselves in a tense standoff. Though the hostage perished, the two Gawgaryn were captured and sentenced to death by the local lord. Engineering was able to partially repair the Kazseres Hydroelectric Dam, and a comprehensive survey produced by the science team indicated that the region could recover from the damage of the Contact War. With their mission a success, the crew departed Kazseres.

</div></div>

<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed">
=Humanitarian Mission to Tza "Major Success"=
'''News Article'''

'''Publisher: Sinta Articles'''

'''Writer: RustingWithYou'''

'''Editors: Lent23, CaptainGecko'''

16/06/2466

''“O brave new world, that has such people in it!”''<br>
-The Tempest, Act V Scene I

The humanitarian mission to Kazseres is well-received, despite some minor setbacks. Locals of the region are hopeful for what may come.
<div class="mw-collapsible-content">

Following the signing of the Nralakk-Izweski Mutual Prosperity Agreement, the newly-launched humanitarian program has made its first major stride in the town of Kazseres, located south of Kutah in the Tza Prairie. Following the assistance of a team from the Nralakk Federation, aid was provided by the crew of the SCCV Horizon, a foreign corporate vessel brought to assist by Hephaestus Industries.

Our reporters visited Kazseres shortly after the Horizon’s crew departed, and locals tell us that the difference is already noticeable. The artificial Lake Kazseres which the town is built around has been restored to its former glory, with a team of Horizon engineers having made initial repairs on the grand Kazseres Hydroelectric Dam - once the pride of the region. Reportedly, former residents in the wider Tza Prairie are considering returning home, as both the dam and the area’s rich mines are scheduled to reopen towards the end of 2466.

Hephaestus Industries repair crews are set to begin work on the dam and mines, and reportedly fish populations are to be reintroduced to the lake thanks to Hephaestus aquaculture centers on Ouerea. Our correspondent in the field spoke to Lord Khuzar Mogarakh of Kazseres, who was present for the corporate mission. Lord Mogarakh was unable to speak for long due to his duties, but informed us that in his eyes: ''“The mission went well, and I am pleased to hear the dam may one day returned to working order. I am told by our honored guests from Nralakk that this land can be healed, and that my Kazseres can be restored to the peace and prosperity it once knew. Some of the aliens were rowdy and disrespectful - but others showed great honor and wisdom. If the rest of the Hegemon’s program goes as the mission here did, then I have high hopes for the future of our world. The spirits have blessed not just me, but all of my subjects upon this land today.”''

The leader of the Nralakk Federation team, one Qu’vesi (Nral’malic: “Star Graduate”, a highly accomplished scholar) Aqaz'Par Maqzi, seemed to agree with Lord Mogarakh’s optimism. They informed us that while the full report on the region’s wellbeing is still being put together, the data that they acquired alongside Horizon scientists indicates a bright future for Kazeres and the region as a whole. Qvs. Maqzi gave their warm thanks to the corporate research team who aided the Federation personnel in their efforts, stating that ''“The research done by the scientists of the Horizon will be invaluable in the future of the restoration efforts here. I cannot thank them enough for their work, and I hope that they see such success elsewhere.”'' Federation staff are scheduled to remain in Kazseres, and are reportedly preparing to work with Hephaestus Industries on restoring the Kazseres Hydroelectric Dam to working order.

The mission did not run completely unhindered, however - reportedly a group of Gawgaryn from the Wasteland to the south had approached Kazseres, looking to steal humanitarian supplies from the locals in need. When discovered, the Gawgaryn kidnapped a Horizon employee and attempted to flee, before they were captured by corporate security and local law enforcement - though tragically, their hostage was murdered before the criminals were apprehended. The Gawgaryn were found guilty of theft, murder, banditry, and dishonorable behavior, and sentenced to execution for their heinous crimes. Though we could not reach him for comment at this time, Overlord Hutay’zai has reportedly deployed his own sworn warriors to several towns in southern Tza to protect against further incursion from these dishonorable raiders.

The humanitarian efforts across the Tza Prairie continue, with plans reportedly being made to expand operations to similarly afflicted regions of Moghes in the days ahead. We were unable to receive any information as to the program’s next major endeavor at this time. For further news on the humanitarian program, and for all Sinta news Spur-wide, remember - stick to the source you know you can trust. Stick to Sinta Articles.

</div></div>

<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed">
=Event III: This Thing of Darknes=
'''Server Event'''

'''Host: RustingWithYou'''

30/06/2466

Fresh from their successes in Kazseres, the Horizon's crew were deployed to assist Federation humanitarian workers in the town of Izilukh, in the northern [[Zazalai Mountains]]. Upon arrival, they found several dead Federation crew, with signs of a prolonged battle nearby. As the crew aided Izilukh, they worked to discover what had happened to the Federation team - eventually learning that they were killed by Lord Izaku's warriors. After a brief battle between the crew and Izaku's men, the crew evacuated the region.
<div class="mw-collapsible-content">
Upon learning that the Federation team had been killed, the Horizon found Izaku's escort attempting to steer them away from investigating further. While some of the crew carried out the aid mission, others sought to discretely learn the truth of what had happened, and potentially locate any survivors. One surviving Skrell, seemingly delirious and confused, appeared in the Srom, allowing the Horizon's Skrell to speak with them and gain more information.

Eventually, Horizon scientists discovered a long-abandoned Izweski military bunker, prompting Izaku's warriors to attack out of fear of their crimes being discovered by the Hegemony. Within the bunker, the crew was able to negotiate the release of the surviving Skrell and flee as reinforcements arrived. Returning to the Horizon, the crew left the ruins of Izilukh behind - waiting to see what would come of the tragedy.

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=Hegemon Condemns Izaku!=
'''News Article'''

'''Publisher: Sinta Articles'''

'''Writer: RustingWithYou'''

'''Editors: Triogenix'''

01/07/2466

''“This thing of darkness I''<br>
''Acknowledge mine.”''<br>
-The Tempest, Act V Scene I

The Hegemon responds to Izaku's betrayal.
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Yesterday, tragedy and dishonor struck the Zazalai Mountains, with several members of the humanitarian programme murdered by the warriors sent to protect them. A corporate vessel landed near the town of Izilukh discovered that several Nralakk Federation workers had been abducted and killed, and were soon betrayed by their escort, forcing a retreat from the area. One Federation worker was rescued from captivity by the crew of the SCCV Horizon, and has reportedly been moved to Skalamar General Hospital for treatment.

Eyewitness testimony indicates this savage and honorless attack to have been conducted at the order of Lord Juyzi Izaku of Mudki. In response to this, the Hegemon has issued an official public statement in response, addressing both Sinta Articles and interstellar news correspondents from outside Keep Izweski in Skalamar. A full video excerpt of the Hegemon’s speech, recorded by our correspondents, is visible below.

''The camera pans upward, displaying the logo of Sinta Articles. An Unathi man is standing at a podium, clad in simple yet fine robes of red and gold - instantly recognisable as Hegemon Not’zar Izweski. Izweski banners hang in the background, and two heavily-armored Unathi carrying what look like some kind of energy spear or glaive flank him, their distinctive insignias marking them as warriors of the Guwan Guard.''

''After a long silence, the Hegemon looks up - his right claw gripping his cane. He pauses a moment, as the camera closes on his face. He begins to speak in Sinta’Unathi, with Tau Ceti Basic subtitles scrolling across the bottom of the screen.''

''“I speak now to Juyzi Izaku, Lord of Mudki. Once, you were known as a great champion of the Hegemony, who turned back assault after assault from our enemies to the east. It brings shame to me and my clan, to see the traitor that you have become. For years, you have beseeched me and mine for aid, and when aid is provided, what do you do? The hand of friendship was extended to you, Izaku, and you acted in a manner more befitting of a Guwan than a Lord of this Hegemony - my Hegemony. You have shown nothing but dishonor and cowardice, seeking to slaughter those who came in friendship! It shames me, and if you have any honor left it should shame you too.''

''I offer to you a choice. You may open the gates of Mudki and surrender yourself, to face justice for your crimes. You may face me with the honor befitting one of your position. I offer you three days to do this, and to show some degree of contrition for this betrayal not only of our allies, but of me.''

''Should your gates remain closed in three days, you will know my anger. If it will take tearing your city down around you to make you face your crimes, that is what I shall do.''

''You have three days to decide.''

''To our friends in the Federation, and the corporate workers who suffered this atrocity, I offer my deepest of apologies. It is my shame that such harm was allowed to come to you. Rest assured - this slight shall not go unanswered. Justice will be done.”''

''The Hegemon looks out over the crowd, pausing for a moment. His claw is trembling on his cane - he seems furious.''

''“And to all citizens of the Hegemony - I promise you this. The humanitarian efforts will continue - and with the help of our allies from across the stars, we will see our world restored to glory!”''

''The crowd erupts in cheers, with an aerial camera panning over the citizens of Skalamar, many of them waving Izweski flags proudly. The logo of Sinta Articles appears again, before the broadcast fades out.''

</div></div>

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=BREAKING: Izweski Forces Confront Izaku Rebellion!=
'''News Article'''

'''Publisher: Sinta Article'''

'''Writer: RustingWithYou'''

'''Editors: Triogenix'''

05/07/2466

''“At this hour''<br>
''Lie at my mercy all mine enemies”''<br>
-The Tempest, Act IV Scene I

The Hegemony's forces clash with Lord Izaku's, as the Mudki Rebellion begins in truth.
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After his ultimatum to Juyzi Izaku has gone unanswered, Hegemon Not’zar has remained true to his word, with Izweski military forces moving into the northern Zazalai Mountains and marching towards Mudki. The warriors of the Kataphract Guild within immediate reach have been summoned, and the armsmen of the Izweski clan are providing the bulk of the assault force, alongside forces from Res’karum and veterans from Camp Integrity. The Hegemon himself has issued a formal statement, condemning Izaku as a traitor to the Hegemony. From this day forth, his lands and titles are stripped from him as punishment for his cowardly and dishonorable deeds.

Izweski forces have made significant progress in the northern Zazalais already, though the harsh climate and terrain is projected to slow the campaign at current rates. Many of the remaining nobility of the region have already renounced their treacherous liege, and have allowed the Hegemon’s warriors to pass through their lands. Those nobles who have chosen to join the Mudki Rebellion have largely fled to the safety of the city

The former Lord’s men have rallied around him, however, and the city’s legendary walls may well prove a challenge for the Hegemon’s warriors. The city’s sophisticated anti-air and anti-spacecraft defenses are reportedly still operational, preventing significant assistance from the Navy without causing severe damage to the city and its people. However, Izweski troops have the advantage of numbers, equipment and training - though our military analysts have stated that, in such a well-defended position, the warriors of Mudki may hold out for an extended siege.

Izaku himself has issued a public statement, which was sent to Sinta Articles. We do not condone his words, but it is our journalistic duty to publish them. The former Lord’s words are thus:

''“Myself? A traitor? What twisted joke is this, Hegemon? You have sold our very nation to aliens - first for the wealth of Hephaestus, now for whatever your new Skrell puppetmasters offer you? You spit on the legacy of the Clan Izweski - you are not worthy to bear the name of your forefathers! You dishonor their very spirits every moment you continue to draw breath! I will not bow and beg your mercy, Not’zar, and I will not bend the knee to your alien masters! These mountains are littered with the bones of those who thought to take Mudki, and your warriors shall soon number among them! Bring your armies, you wretched coward. I will be waiting.”''

Hegemon Not’zar, in his wisdom, has not dignified these mad ramblings with a response.

We will keep our readers updated on the Mudki Rebellion as it develops. Spirits bless the Hegemon, and we express our strongest hopes that the traitor Juyzi Izaku is brought to justice soon.

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=Hegemon’s Forces Advance Into Zazalais=
'''News Article'''

'''Publisher: Sinta Articles'''

'''Writer: RustingWithYou'''

'''Editors: Triogenix'''

08/07/2466

''“O, I have suffered''<br>
''With those I saw suffer”''<br>
-The Tempest, Act I Scene II

The campaign in the Zazalais continues, as a once-prosperous city surrenders. The Izweski army prepares to advance on Mudki.
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The campaign in the Zazalais continues, with Izweski forces making steady progress towards Mudki. Several of the settlements in the lower foothills between Mudki and Res’karum have surrendered, and Izweski troops have reportedly encountered little resistance in capturing the city of Isekas - once a prosperous stop on the Mudki-Res’karum railroad line. Though some resistance from Izaku troops was encountered, reports from the front are indicating low casualties from the Hegemon’s forces.

Footage from Isekas indicates severe neglect from Lord Izaku’s leadership. Representatives of the humanitarian program have shifted efforts, with Nralakk Federation personnel assisting military forces in deploying food and water to the local population. Hephaestus Industries has reportedly inquired with local leaders as to the status of the rail line, leading to speculation that they may plan to restore the Mudki-Res’karum connection once the Izaku Rebellion is defeated.

Footage from our coverage of Isekas, and the overall status of the campaign in the Zazalais, has been attached. Viewer discretion is advised.

''The camera fades in on a city street. The buildings seem to be in various states of disrepair - some from simple neglect, others bearing signs of more recent damage. A banner bearing the Sk’akh symbol of the Healer hangs over one of the intact buildings, and an Unathi woman in a House of Medicine mantle stands outside. A short line of Sinta is queued before her, though most of them do not seem to bear visible injuries.''

''Standing in front of the camera is a brown-scaled Unathi man holding a microphone, clad in a himation cloak and a mantle bearing the symbol of the Keepers of Heirlooms. A small box at the bottom of the screen identifies him as Kas’van Risek, Sinta Articles military correspondent. He begins speaking in Sinta’Unathi, Tau Ceti Basic subtitles rolling across the bottom of the screen.''

''“Good afternoon, viewers. I am speaking to you now from the city of Isekas, a few days’ travel south of Mudki, where the former Lord Izaku still hides from the Hegemon’s justice. Early this morning, Izweski forces entered the city, driving the Izaku armsmen out after a few hours of battle. What we found here, however, has shocked us.”''

''The camera pans around, showing further crumbling buildings. The city looks to be half-ruined. The shot lingers for a moment on a rusting and inactive streetlight, before returning to the reporter.''

''“Since the destruction of the Mudki-Res’karum railroad during the Contact War, Isekas has been neglected by the region’s leadership, left to fend for itself. When we arrived, we found contaminated water, entire districts left without electricity, and a population living in a state of appalling poverty. Though it was known that settlements near the Wasteland had suffered greatly, the conditions here are far worse than anything official reports had indicated. The city has been placed under military command, and troops have been working alongside agents of the humanitarian program to restore order here.”''

''The camera fades out to Risek in a new location, standing before what looks like a tent housing a large kitchen. Several Unathi workers appear to be handing out bottled water and bowls of a steaming stew to locals. A pair of armored Hegemony troops seem to be standing guard near the tent, laser rifles slung as they assist in handing out the meals. A group of Skrell, clad in Nralakk work uniforms, stand near a recently-excavated hole in the road, seemingly examining a water pipe.''

''“The city’s lord, an Izaku loyalist of Clan Zurosk, was slain during the fighting. His heir, Lady Uhzo Zurosk, assumed rulership shortly after the battle concluded, and has since issued a surrender to Hegemony forces. Though it remains too soon to be certain, it is likely she will maintain her position once the rebellion has been brought to an end. Overall, the locals seem to be largely grateful for the Hegemony’s intervention here - though there’s been some apprehension about the Skrell and Vaurca here. For many of the locals, this is their first time seeing an alien in-person - but the general sentiment I’ve gathered is hope that this will mean an improvement for Isekas.”''

''The red-and-gold banners of the Hegemony snap in the breeze as Risek continues. A squad of armored Hegemony soldiers marches past, locals and humanitarian workers clearing the way.''

''“Isekas is being used as the Hegemony’s new command center for the ongoing campaign. From here, the path to Mudki is largely unobstructed along the old railway, though the line is in no shape to be used for transport. Hephaestus Industries surveyors have been examining the condition, and believe that the rail lines can be restored - but likely not in time to be of use in taking Mudki. I’ve spoken with officers on the ground here, and the general consensus seems to be that the army will set out for Mudki in a matter of days. Hephaestus engineers are currently working to restore the Isekas airport, to allow for resupply and reinforcement via air and spacecraft - but ultimately, this rebellion will be decided at Mudki. I will be moving with the army as they advance on Mudki, providing first-hand coverage as the conflict continues.”''

''The camera fades out to a black screen and the Sinta Articles logo.''
</div></div>

<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed">
=BREAKING: Mudki Under Siege!=
'''News Article'''

'''Publisher: Sinta Articles'''

'''Writer: RustingWithYou'''

13/07/2466

''“What seest thou else''<br>
''In the dark backward and abysm of time?”''<br>
-The Tempest, Act I Scene II

The Hegemony's forces reach the walls of Mudki, with assistance from an unexpected source.

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Reports coming out of the Zazalais indicate that Hegemony forces have encircled Mudki, and have dug in for a prolonged siege of the city. Troops from Camp Integrity arrived earlier this morning along the city’s old highway, and have joined forces with the warriors who recently captured Fort Ozi to the south. The city’s eastern highway has also been captured, blocking off any avenue of retreat into the Wasteland for the rebel forces.

How long the siege will take remains uncertain, particularly if the Hegemon in his wisdom wishes to avoid collateral damage. Mudki is a shell of its former grandeur, but the city stood as the shield of the Hegemony for centuries, and its defenses - and the experience of its remaining warriors in holding those defenses - remain unmatched. As the rebel forces prepare for a prolonged siege, it remains increasingly apparent that the former Lord Izaku has no plans to surrender himself to face justice.

However, as the city has begun, something unusual has occurred, as large numbers of warriors from Zazalai clans have made the long and difficult journey to Mudki - seeking to join with the Hegemon’s forces in crushing the Izaku Rebellion. Flying proudly above the army camp is a standard depicting the Hammer of Iala - a popular image among Zazalai warriors, and the emblem of the Mudki 52nd Infantry, a distinguished regiment which served under the Izaku clan during the Contact War.

The Mudki 52nd disbanded after the war’s end, and most of its surviving warriors left the city behind to seek greater prosperity elsewhere. The majority wound up in Res’karum, from where the bulk of their assembled host has come - alongside a significant host of warriors from both the city itself and the mountain clans. Upon their arrival, Ozur’saa Sirax rode out to meet the approaching host, fearing that rebel reinforcements had emerged, and was greeted by the regiment’s former commander, bannerman Yaret Utuzi. Though we were unable to capture footage of their conversation, the 52nd and the assorted Zazalai warriors soon joined with the Izweski host, making camp nearby.

Correspondent Kas’van Rizek sought to interview Lord Utuzi, as well as several of the warriors who arrived. Footage has been attached.

''The camera fades in on the familiar features of Kas’van Rizek, Sinta Articles military correspondent. He stands in a dusty canyon of red-brown stone, surrounded by tents and a swarm of Unathi soldiers going about their business. Before him stands an old Unathi man, leaning on the haft of what looks to be an inactive energy glaive. Subtitles identify him as Armsman Hrok Relzi, Mudki 52nd Infantry. Rizek nods to the camera briefly, before beginning to speak.''

''“Good afternoon, viewers - we are live from the Hegemony’s war camp, within sight of the legendary walls of Mudki. This is the final push of the rebellion, and the forces here have been bolstered by an unusual arrival - several once-disbanded regiments from across the Zazalais, as well as many volunteers from the mountain clans. At the head of this host is the Mudki 52nd Infantry Regiment, who once fought under Juyzi Izaku - I’m here today with Hrok Relzi, an armsman with the 52nd. Armsman Relzi, would you mind sharing why your regiment chose to come here?”''

''The old warrior flicks his tongue, looking at the camera. He hisses softly, before speaking in a slow and thick Zazalai accent.''

''“You ever been in a battle, Rizek? Not with a camera, I mean down there, in the mud and the fire. There’s a thing that happens sometimes, with warriors after fighting too long. Go mad. We had a… rule, back in the old days. One of your own goes bad, you put him down, afore he does it to someone else.”''

''Relzi pauses, tail swishing across the stone.''

''“Our Lord was a good man. When the Aeikizo Kingdom marched for Mudki, he wasn’t hiding behind the walls. He was down there, with us. He understood. He was a warrior. This?”''

''He gestures up behind Rizek. The walls of Mudki loom high in the distance, casting the land below in shadow.''

''“These are no warrior’s deeds. Cowardice, murder, treachery. One of your own goes bad, you put him down. Simple as that.”''

''Rizek nods, leaning closer to the microphone. “Is that what all of your fellows feel? It must have taken quite something, to bring a regiment twenty years disbanded back together.”''

''Relzi flicks his tongue. “Some of us. Some just miss having a good fight, I think. Sitting around in Res’karum or S’th or… wherever, pushing crates or guarding doors… no life for a warrior. And some?”''

''He pauses, hissing. “We’re old men, Rizek, but we’re men of the Zazalais. A man should die with his home and his ancestors in sight.”''

''Rizek nods, a somber expression on his face. “Thank you, Armsman Relzi. It is most honorable of you and your regiment to join this fight.”''

''Relzi chuffs, flicking his tail. “Don’t start talking like we’re already dead. Bad luck.”''

''As Relzi leaves, the camera focuses back on Rizek, Mudki’s walls still looming in the background. The reporter turns, looking up at the distant city for a moment.''

''“Soon, it seems that the Izaku Rebellion will be decided - though it remains uncertain what exactly the Izweski forces plan. I will do my best to stay safe, and to keep viewers at home updated on the battle to come.”''

''The camera fades out to the Sinta Articles logo.''

How the Hegemon intends to approach this siege, and the challenge of capturing a city which has never fallen, remains to be seen. We will, as always, continue to update our readers as this situation develops, and express our hopes that justice is done.

</div></div>

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=BREAKING: Mudki's Walls Fall!=
'''News Article'''

'''Publisher: Sinta Articles'''

'''Writer: RustingWithYou'''

'''Editors: Triogenix'''

14/07/2466

''“Hell is empty''<br>
''And all the devils are here”''<br>
-The Tempest, Act I Scene II

One way or another, the end begins, as the assault on Mudki begins.
<div class="mw-collapsible-content">

Breaking news from Mudki, as it appears the city’s ancient walls have been breached by a combined effort from Izweski armsmen, Naval vessels, and the warriors of the Kataphract Guild. Footage of the assault was captured by our military correspondent, Kas’van Rizek, and has been attached. Viewer discretion is advised.

''The Sinta Articles logo is displayed for a few moments, before the camera fades in to an Unathi man, wearing a traditional himation cloak and a mantle of the Keepers of Heirlooms under an armored vest. He is standing in what looks like a mountainous environment - all around him are soldiers in the armor of the Izweski Hegemony, as well as what looks like several enormous artillery pieces. A small box at the bottom of the screen identifies him as Kas’van Rizek, Sinta Articles military correspondent. He begins speaking in Sinta’Unathi, with Tau Ceti Basic subtitles displayed across the bottom of the screen.''

''“This just in - I am hearing that mere moments ago, the warriors of the Kataphract Guild have moved into position, and are commencing their role in the assault on Mudki - I’m not sure of the specifics, but-"''

''In the background, several soldiers in the armor of the Izweski Hegemony are pointing up. Rizek turns to look, the camera panning up. The peaks of the Zazalai Mountains stretch into the blue sky, and as the camera zooms forward several small dots can be seen falling.''

''Rizek begins speaking again, the camera remaining focused on the tiny dots - it’s hard to make out at this distance, but a vaguely humanoid outline is visible.''

''“I- I’m getting reports that those are the Kataphracts - they’re dropping in from low-Moghes orbit. Sk’akh’s scales…”''

''The dots continue to fall, the camera zooming in on one of them- the hulking silhouette of an Unathi in a breacher hardsuit can be barely made out now, with some kind of maneuvering jets halting their fall. The helmet’s eyes glow a menacing red.''

''With a roar, the city’s anti-aircraft guns begin firing, Rizek flinching slightly - but the Kataphracts are too small a target, descending too fast. A few of the falling specks are struck, vanishing from the sky in seconds - but the rest continue their descent. The first of the falling warriors vanishes from sight, behind the city’s walls - with dozens of others following suit. The guns continue to fire, as Rizek begins speaking.''

''“I’m trying to get patched in to the radio channel the assault force is using - hopefully, we will be able to get a live update on what’s going on behind the wall-”''

''With a crackle of static, new voices cut in, the subtitles still scrolling.''

''“All Saa’Izweski! This is Knight-Captain Kssighriss speaking! You know our mission - see to your duties! Our Hegemon has given us a task, and even should the stars themselves fall upon our heads we shall see it completed! Honor! Fire! Burn thy fear!”''

''A chorus of voices repeat the Izweski ancestral words, as the camera lingers on the city walls, before cutting back to Rizek.''

''“It appears the Kataphracts have breached the city through a drop from low-Moghes orbit - though in such small numbers, it’s unclear at this time what their mission is. They don’t have the manpower to capture the city, or seize the gates from within, but-”''

''The radio cuts in again, silencing the reporter abruptly.''

''“This is Knight-Captain Kssighriss to HMV Glory of the Dead! Reporting all targets down, you are clear to move in!”''

''A long and pained silence, before finally the radio cuts in again.''

''“Knight-Captain, this is HMV Glory of the Dead, acknowledged. Target confirmed.”''

''Rizek seems confused for a moment, before a strange mood begins to pass over the battlefield. All around, the soldiers are looking up at the sky, seemingly shocked. Rizek follows suit, gazing up and letting out a whispered “Sk’akh almighty…”''

''The camera pans upwards, focusing on a dark silhouette in the sky. Details cannot be made out at this distance - likely the vessel has just entered the upper atmosphere.''

''Rizek regains his composure, turning to the camera. “Viewers, it seems that the Izweski Navy has joined the battle - the Glory is with the First Fleet in orbit. Looking at it now, it seems that the Kataphracts have struck Mudki’s anti-spacecraft defenses, letting vessels move into position. It looks like they’re-”''

''The screen explodes with light, a golden spear striking the city walls - and then another, and another, like the fists of an angry god. All around the battlefield, soldiers shield their eyes, the camera barely able to capture the strike. The walls of Mudki are a black silhouette against the light, the tiny shapes of soldiers atop the walls vanishing in the glare. The silhouette grows more intense, the light brighter, until even the camera can no longer capture it fully.''

''After minutes of this, the light fades. As the dust clears, the camera pans to the city walls - now left in ruins, piles of rubble the only remnant of the Untaken City’s pride. Plumes of black smoke the size of buildings drift upwards from the desolation, as if attempting to grasp their destroyers from the sky. Silence grips the battlefield - all around, Izweski soldiers are staring ahead, each one seemingly unable to speak a word. Rizek slowly dusts himself off, seemingly regaining his composure - but not before the radio crackles to life again. A familiar voice - Hrok Relzi, armsman of Mudi’s 52nd Infantry.''

''“Warriors of the Izweski, forward! Today, we show the Spur the price of treachery!”''

''The soldiers around Rizek begin advancing, and the silence is broken by a sound like rolling thunder - their own artillery firing on the now-defenseless city. Whatever muteness had gripped the warriors vanishes, as a thousand battle cries are called out. Rizek looks back to the camera, clearly shaken from the bombardment.''

''“The walls have fallen- I repeat, the walls have fallen. I’m moving into the city with the Izweski armsmen present - I will do my best to keep you updated, and to stay safe.”''

''The camera fades to the Sinta Articles logo, before the broadcast ends.''

</div></div>

Unathi Military Structure

2024-07-14T03:17:01Z

RustingWithYou: /* Vessels and Equipment */ typos

{{Navbox Lore}}
{{Navbox Unathi Lore}}
{{TOC Hidden}}
Historically, the Unathi of Moghes have operated under a feudal levy system, where lords were required to maintain a personal and well-trained military force to be summoned by their liege in times of war. This tradition continues in a sense, with most lords of the Hegemony still holding levies - though it has had to adapt greatly to the realities of a modern interstellar empire.

= The Hegemonic Army =
The armed forces of the Izweski Hegemony largely rely on vassal levies, made up of the peasantry. During times of war, lords are required to conscript a certain percentage of their population to serve under them in the Hegemonic Army, with this percentage being set by the Hegemon and subject to change as the war demands. The largest percentage of levies raised was in the midst of the contact war, when the conscription rate reached 80% of all male Unathi in the Hegemony’s territories. This reliance on peasant levies to fill in the army has resulted in the Izweski having a tiny standing army, particularly when compared to their regional rivals in the [[Empire of Dominia]] and [[Republic of Elyra]]. Raising of levies generally tends to cause a significant drop across all industrial sectors, as their workers are called to war. For this reason, the Hegemony only calls its full army to bear in the most extreme circumstances, instead preferring to rely on '''Bannermen and Men-at-Arms.'''
[[File:Space refugees by thirteen dogs-da00teb.jpg|thumb|alt=Refugee Crisis.|A peasant levy stands watch over in a destroyed town staring out at the newly formed wasteland during the Contact War.]]
== Peasant Levies ==
Peasant levies make up a majority of the armed forces of the Hegemony when they are raised for war, which is only in the direst of circumstances. Most of the time, those conscripted are simply peasants working the land under their lord, not the normal jobs for soldiers. Untrained and generally under equipped, they act as fodder to bolster the strength of the professional trained regiments of Men-At-Arms, who are full time soldiers. To be called into a peasant levy is generally a harsh experience, with most levies being provided little to no training in military matters, instead simply equipped with the bare minimum of gear, and thrown into the fight. Their losses therefore are normally heavy, compounded by the callous disregard most of their officers(normally nobility) have for their ability as soldiers, instead seeing them as mostly meat for whatever grinder is nearby.

Equipment within a Levy is the bare minimum of what one would bring into battle in the 25th century, normally consisting of a simple set of poor quality body armor, old rifles, and whatever spare equipment a noble can dredge up out of storage for war. However, despite how ill-equipped the levies are, morale is rarely an issue, as should a levy be raised to war it is a sign that the war is going badly for their leaders, and all hands are needed to ensure that their lands do not suffer because of it. Peasant Levies are usually inspired by being told they are fighting for their homes themselves, instead of a distant idea of honor or debt to their lords. Still, once battle commences peasant levies can not be relied upon to maintain their normally high morale, as their officers command them to engage in areas that are little more than meat grinders, long slogging engagements, mostly pinning down enemy forces until a professional force can come and kill them. These engagements extract heavy casualties from the peasant levies, who even if they are victorious, become disillusioned with the idea of fighting for their lord in such a way. Desertion after the first battle a peasant levy engages in is normally high, and Lords make every effort to publicly punish those they can catch.

Additionally, when peasants are called for a levy, they are no longer working their normal jobs on the home front. This leads to a marked drop in production of all goods whenever a peasant levy is called to war, and the high casualties mean production continues to suffer as fewer Unathi are now working the lands. This is the primary reason the Hegemony has been slowly working towards phasing out peasant levies, attempting to replace them with a standing army of Men-at-Arms, yet the finances of most lords are not to the point where the Hegemony would have access to an army the likes of their neighbors should peasant levies be fully abandoned. At least for now, the levy system remains, though ever since the Contact War levy requirements have been generally lowered across the nation.

== Bannermen and Men at Arms ==
Since the beginning of the industrial era, it quickly became clear that armies required at the very least a core of professionally trained soldiers, instead of just massed peasantry with minimal training. The Sarakus Hegemony proved the value of a standing professional force during their wars of unification, and drafted the structure that still dominates Unathi military forces today.

=== Bannermen and Officers ===
Bannermen are noble Unathi outside of the normal feudal structure - not holding any lands but instead commanding a noble’s professional force of a regiment of Men-at-Arms. It was born out of the nobility's desire to ensure their classes continued control over the trained section of the army, not trusting peasants to consistently be loyal. As time has passed since its creation, there have also been more titles created to represent different levels of officers within a regiment that are still held by the nobility. Unlike other noble titles, the title of Bannerman along with other officer titles is non-hereditary, instead being an appointed one by the ruler to which the Bannerman gives fealty. However, many landed rulers will continually pick Bannermen from the same clans as a reward for trusted allies. The only landed title a Bannerman may hold is being the commander of a military position, where the title is non-hereditary and constantly changing hands between different officers.

As stated, officers usually come from noble clans that have been long associated with the clan of the landed ruler. These clans, often referred to as ‘Shieldbearer Clans’, exemplify the martial leanings of the Unathi species, steeped in the traditions of Unathi war. From the time they first walk, male members of these clans will be taught the intricacies of command, strategy, and combat - all so that they may one day become officers themselves. Those who excel in this learning usually achieve this goal, becoming an officer in their liege's forces - but for the rest, very little remains tying them down to Moghes. Many of these so-called “wash-outs” instead look to the stars, where their years of experience and education in all matters of warfare are highly valued. Many become officers within the Hegemonic Navy, while some venture even further to employment within human corporations such as [[Zavodskoi Interstellar]], or various [[Private Military Contracting Group|private military contractors]], using their skills to line their clan’s pockets. These clans tend to be highly traditional and slow to embrace change, save for in the field of the army and its technology. Shieldbearer clans tend to be progressive towards the extreme when it comes to the organization of their military forces and the technology used on the battlefield. They constantly advocate for new equipment, training material, and tactical ideas to be tested or implemented, in whatever form they can. However many Lords cannot afford the cost of this, leaving those bannermen and their regiments beyond those pledged to the wealthiest of lords much worse-equipped than their contemporaries in other nations.

For those nobles who do eventually become an officer, a spartan life of war and preparation for it awaits them. The officer corps know that not only their individual lords but the entire Hegemony has only them and their men to rely on as professional soldiers in the event of a conflict - as barely any training is ever afforded to levied soldiers. As a result they will often push themselves and their troops to the absolute limit of training, constantly developing and testing new tactics and strategies, while keeping their skills and condition finely honed. The end result is that Unathi officers, especially those of higher rank, are some of the most skilled commanders in the Spur - so long as they are kept to the field of battle they know.

Officers pledged to a lord will often not start near the top of a regiment, instead starting as a Slhiri, or Troop-Leader, commanding the smallest units within their regiment. At this point the officer will probably be around sixteen years of age, and still undergoing heavy education in martial matters. These low-ranking officers are rarely viewed with the same respect as more experienced officers, but instead as arrogant, stubborn, and poor quality officers. Those who learn quickly may advance, slowly working their way up the chain of command to higher ranks - but many, now having been granted a command, do not, and remain poor quality officers at this lowest level. The result of this has seen regiments across the Hegemony have very talented high command, while those soldiers who actually take part in the fighting are frequently forced to suffer under the difficulties of incompetent officers.

=== Men at Arms ===
Men at arms(also called Armsmen) are the professional soldiers of the Hegemony’s nobility, commanded by noble officers. Unlike the officer corps, armsmen are mostly peasantry, those Sinta who wanted to become professional soldiers instead of tilling the land for the remainder of their lives. However they live separate from the rest of the peasant population, isolated within castles or military bases when not deployed, and encouraged to remain so when they are. Men-at-arms are chosen in a variety of ways, from the local watchmen, notable levies on the field of battle, to applications and trials similar to boot-camps. Whichever way they are chosen though, to become a man-at-arms is to commit oneself to the Warrior’s Code, and live a life of war. Unlike other professional armies, there is no resignation as an armsman - it is a career position that one must serve in until they become too old, physically unable to fight any more, or perish on the field. However, for this life of service, they are owed a debt by their lord, not just in their standard wages, but a pension at the end of their service, whether that end comes from age or injury. This pension can sustain a Unathi in relatively comfortable conditions, not needing to be worked for, and is what all Armsmen dream of receiving one day. An armsman's pension is paid out to his clan should he die in the line of duty, which has led to many of the peasantry post-Contact War seeking to enlist in the hopes of helping their kin to survive.

The most common way that men-at-arms are chosen is from the countless former levies who fought in the Contact War. Many of the surviving warriors who fought for the Hegemony wished to remain in military life, instead of returning to their homes - as many of them no longer had homes to return to. While some of these men formed the backbone of the newly formed Izweski Navy, many of them have remained in the Army, enlisting as permanent men-at-arms. So many of these men enlisted that the Hegemon created brand new regiments tasked with securing the various Wasteland outposts, as well as patrolling key bases and locations across Izweski space which are deemed vital enough for the Hegemon to take a direct hand in overseeing them.

Divided up into regiments each focused on a different aspect of war, men-at-arms spend nearly every day until their retirement under the direct command of their officers and any subordinates he chooses to appoint to assist his command. Each regiment is equipped in a different way, determined by their specialization, local lord, and available equipment. For example, a heavy infantry regiment may be equipped with breacher suits, heavy autocannons, and only stand at five hundred men strong - whereas a standard infantry regiment may be equipped with basic body armor, laser rifles, and stand at five thousand men strong. This difference in equipment and specialization makes those who have served in a regiment unable to truly relate to others who served in a different regiment, regardless if they served under the same lord. Regiments will interact with one another regularly though, with training exercises being incredibly common not just only within a Lord’s territory, but with those loyal to a different Lord of the Hegemony.

These training exercises are the most constant part of the daily life for an armsman, with them being scheduled regularly by lords and their Bannermen - all in order to constantly keep their men not only physically impressive but mentally talented in the arts of war. The intense energy put into this training has left the Hegemony's armsmen as some of the best trained troops within the Spur, having vast experience in many different types of combat and engagements. These training exercises normally see armsmen vastly overpowered by their imagined enemy, whoever it may be - allowing for far better training not only for the officer commanders, but for individual armsmen who become used to the feeling of needing to fight an enemy better than they are. The results of this training were demonstrated in 2465, when the Hegemon and Overlord Hutay’zai used their armsmen to pacify extensive rioting on Ouerea. The pacification was carried out with brutal efficiency over a perid of two days - and while it resulted in thousands of deaths, only ten of the combined Ouerean watchmen and Hegemonic armsmen were killed during the unrest. However, the Hegemony's standing army has never been tested against a foe beyond internal Hegemonic issues, remaining untested should war break out with another power.

While almost every noble in the Hegemony has a force of men-at-arms, the Izweski clan hold by far the largest force of profesional warriors at their disposal. The Hegemony, founded on the principle of rule through strength, necessitates a large force under the direct command of the Hegemon or those implicitly loyal to him. The regiments of the Izweski Clan, either pledged to the Hegemon himself or Lord's Clas Mirazuz Izweski, number in the thousands, with their associated armsmen accounting for over a third of all armsmen within the Hegemony. This massive professional force has been the main deterrent of rebellion during Not’zars reign, keeping potential enemies at bay.

== Battle Order ==
The equipment of the different regiments of armsmen is as varied as their background, and depends on so many factors it cannot be easily defined. For those armsmen serving poorer landed nobility, equipment is markedly poor quality, and in poor condition as most purchases are either pre-war equipment or imported human weaponry. For those serving wealthier nobles or the Izweski themselves, they are often equipped with top-of-the-line Unathi-manufactured weapons, armor, and equipment.

=== Regiment Equipment and Type ===
==== Infantry Regiments ====
[[File:Unathivillage.png|thumb|alt=Unathi.|A Motorized Infantry Squad roles into a Wasteland Village.]]
Infantry regiments are the most diverse of the Hegemony's army, as nearly every lord of the nation has raised at least one. Their quality of equipment varies wildly, though for those pledged to wealthier lords or the Izweski themselves there is a general standard for equipment. The modern Hegemonic infantryman is usually equipped with a Hegemony-manufactured laser rifle, as well as a pistol and energy sword as sidearms. They do not have much in the way of conformity, instead simply using the colors of whichever lord they are pledged to, though they can be identified by their ceramic-metal composite body armor, also usually bearing the heraldry of their lord. Specialized troops within the regiment will also be equipped with extra gear, such as tripod-mounted weapons, medical supplies, or other specialized equipment.

Beyond the standard form, there are many varieties of infantry regimens, each with their own set of specialized equipment. The main two specialized infantry regiments that can be found are Motorized and Mechanized, which use half-tracks and exosuits respectively. Spaceborne and Waterborne infantry regiments are rare, largely only deployed by the Izwewki themselves.

Besides Spaceborne and Waterborne Infantry Regiments, which only the Izweski currently hold, Infantry regiments are limited to ground deployments - mostly on Moghes itself. They use the Izweski rail network to travel normally, though sometimes shuttles or aircraft are required for rapid deployment or travel or to Wasteland outposts. The Wasteland itself represents the largest deployment area for Infantry regiments, as the Hegemony is constantly fighting against its denizens and attempting to reclaim the more habitable areas of the border wastes. This fighting is normally on foot, with standard infantry regiments doing most of the work while the more specialized(and expensive) regiments are held back.

==== Heavy Infantry Regiments ====
The most famous of Unathi warriors, heavy infantry regiments are composed of heavily armored infantry in the famed breacher hardsuits, armed with the heaviest weaponry available. It is a common view throughout the Hegemony that energy weaponry is best-suited for lightly equipped troops who cannot carry the amount of ammunition that someone in a hardsuit can. For this reason the standard heavy infantry armsmen are normally equipped with projectile weapons - heavy sluggers, railguns and light machine guns all being commonplace. However, for those armsmen who have proved their worth and been assigned to specializations, a far more extensive range of weaponry is available - with many being ordinarily crew-served weapons repurposed for heavy infantry use. These weapons include heavy autocannons, rocket pods, grenade launchers and anti-tank weaponry, and are common to see among specialized armsmen of heavy infantry regiments, usually modified for use by a single soldier.

Despite the weight of their equipment and armor, heavy infantry regiments tend to be the most mobile of unmounted infantry, and remain more mobile than vehicles - able to climb or navigate rough terrain with the aid of their hardsuits. Breacher hardsuits used by most heavy infantry regiments are manufactured by Hephaestus Industries within the Hegemony, and the design for the suit as well as its specifications are a heavily guarded secret by both parties. Due in part to this, the suits are incredibly expensive on top of being highly advanced, making the equipping of a proper heavy infantry regiment an impossibility for all but the wealthiest lords. For this reason, those armsmen who have served in heavy infantry regiments are seen as the ultimate warriors of the Unathi, recieving great respect from both their fellow warriors and the general public. Yet despite their martial prowess, they are rarely deployed in the modern day due to the expense and training requirements of replacing a fallen heavy infantry armsman. Therefore, they are most often deployed in socially significant roles such as honor guards, or when excessive violence is needed to make a point against an enemy.

To become one of these warriors is a difficult task, as their high status allows those Bannermen in command of heavy infantry regiments to take only the best recruits - acting as an elite force for the Hegemony. At this time, only Lords to have proper heavy infantry regiments within their forces are the Hegemon himself and the five Overlords of Moghes, as lesser nobility cannot afford the cost of their creation and maintenance. As a rule, these regiments recruit only those who are already serving as armsmen, usually after they have proved themselves in one way or another. Once selected, recruits are then put through a grueling set of tests known as the Anvil Trials designed to break those who are disloyal or too weak to be given the power of joining the heavy infantry. Very little is known about these tests, as the regiments attempt to keep them secret, but it is known that a few soldiers have died attempting to pass. After the tests are passed, the recruits are then given their armor and weaponry, before being inducted into the regiment for a year of training and further tests, after which they will either pass and join the Regiment or fail and be returned to their previous position.

==== Armored Regiments ====
Besides infantry regiments, armored regiments are the second most prolific form of regiment in the Hegemony, making use of tanks, warcarriers and other armored vehicles. Though they were deployed extensively on both sides of the Contact War, the armored regiments are largely overlooked in the modern day, with heavy armored vehicles seeing little use in the ongoing campaign to reclaim the Wasteland or in fighting the various insurgent groups that threaten the nation. Modern armored regiments tend to be deployed in supporting roles with infantry regiments, with their heavier vehicles largely going unused.

However armored regiments still do have some specialized equipment, notably the Courser - a recently invented tank designed for mobile fire support. Its design was mainly driven by the weakened Izweski Navy, as well as fears that the Hegemony would lack an armored force of its own should they be forced to engage rival powers in ground combat. As such it comes equipped with high-end jamming equipment, and a plethora of guns ranging from a 100mm direct-fire cannon to four 15mm autocannons. It is lightly armored for a vehicle of its size, having traded protection for mobility.

==== Artillery Regiments ====
Artillery regiments are considered a symbol of status and power among the Unathi nobility. Infantry regiments will often be complimented by some specialized members with simple mortar tubes or even proper artillery - but unless a Lord has a large force of men-at-arms or is constantly fighting at the borders of the wasteland, an entire regiment dedicated to artillery and artillery alone is rarely worth its cost. As they are used so infrequently, artillery regiments follow a standardized code of operations laid down by Yaret Akrezi, a bannerman who made famous use of artillery against the Traditionalist Coalition during the Contact War. The standard he set would go down as being ahead of its time in terms of military thinking, and be adopted universally among the Bannermen who came after him.

The standard composition of an artillery regiment set by Yaret Akrezi reflects the time when it was made, being useful only for a regiment providing artillery support for a large army such as those fielded during the Contact War. In Akrezi’s eyes, an artillery regiment should be built around a core of twelve batteries, each boasting sixteen 165mm guns, the standard gun for Hegemonic artillery. These artillery pieces are usually vehicle-mounted for ease of rapid artillery support anywhere on the battlefield. Half of these batteries should then operate independently of each other, instead being attached to other regiment groups and their commanding Lords, providing fire support for them. The other half should be held in reserve, and be shuffled around to where large-scale combat is occurring, lending all their guns to support that effort, hopefully tipping the balance in favor of the Hegemony. Outside of these twelve core batteries, an artillery regiment should have a robust network of supply to keep guns fed with fresh ammunition, and a further four batteries made up of six self-propelled light artillery pieces each. These light artillery pieces, mostly 105mm guns, would be spread out among the army, with none allocated for the main point of fighting, instead acting on the wings with the flank troops. Doing so, in Akrezi’s eyes, would allow the big guns to support the biggest groups who were going to decide the course of the battle, while still not depriving the rest of the army of fire support. Lastly, that there should be two batteries of twenty self propelled artillery pieces each, being made up of what we would know as MLRS’s, or Multi-Launch-Rocket-Systems. Akrezi envisioned these final batteries to be the only part of the Regiment, outside of the logistics system, under the personal command of the Firemaster, the Bannerman who commands an artillery regiment. They would act as the overall commander’s personal artillery batteries, able to assist anywhere they wanted fire support given. In his writings, Yaret Akrezi vaguely referenced the possibility of also allowing MLRS’s to fire small tactical level fission bombs, but does not go into detail about it, or recommend it.

In the end, Akrezi would get his wish. Following the conclusion of the Contact War and Akrezi's death, the Hegemony quickly realized their two biggest potential threats were the nations of Dominia and Elyra, both with larger navies than that of the Hegemony. Therefore, their tactics adapted accordingly, and Bannermen across the Hegemony began to ask what they needed to fight a war should they lose control of the planet’s orbit. Hephaestus Industries quickly picked up on this, and after acquiring weapon schematics believed to be from [[Zavodskoi Interstellar]](though it was never proven), began rolling out a line of self-propelled artillery, with the option of 165mm, 105mm, or MLRS weapons attached to the baseline chassis. The line was an instant hit, and Hephaestus found a market for their inventions as Bannermen across the Hegemony clamored to their lords to purchase them. Once done, those artillery regiments not already following Akrezi’s standards reformed to do so, and today the Hegemonic artillery regiments stand as the best organized aspect of their wider military. This standard of warfare is similar to the K'lax Hive's use of artillery warforms, and many K'laxan forces holding the feared Type BDE forms have been structured as artillery regements.

[[File:IzweskiBlimp.png|thumb|A sketch of an Izweski Sky Behemoth, the first aircraft used in war by Unathi.]]

==== Air Regiments ====
Air regiments are even rarer than artillery regiments, with the cost of maintaining a fleet of aircraft and training pilots being prohibitive for all but the wealthiest of lords. During the Contact War, air regiments on both sides were tasked with dropping nuclear bombs, as well as intercepting enemy bombers attempting the same. After the War's end and the total nuclear disarmament of the Hegemony, most existing air regiments were restructured entirely from scratch, equipped with newly-manufactured vessels and weaponry purchased largely from Hephaestus Industries to repurpose them for the potential of interstellar war. The modern air regiment is largely prepared for defensive warfare, with most of its aircraft being designed for the potential of enemy spacecraft assaulting an Unathi world directly.

There are three main aircraft used by modern air regiments, all manufactured by Hephaestus Industries. The first is the Gryphon-120, a space/orbital control fighter-bomber designed to enforce superiority within a planet's orbit. It has dual capabilities, being able to engage not only enemy fighters but smaller enemy ships with an incredibly large payload. Currently they are stationed in heavily camouflaged low-Moghes orbital stations for use as harassers against an enemy force. Currently, they are largely used by Lord-Admiral Yizarus in attempts to combat smuggling - though so far to little success. Second are the Gryphon-118s, another space-capable aircraft designed for air support to ground units. These are largely used for scouting and reconnaissance in the Wasteland, with most stationed at Camp Integrity - though several have been stationed at military bases on Ouerea to prepare for the possibility of a second revolution. The final aircraft of the Hegemony is the Irontooth-135, an incredibly large space-capable aircraft designed for bombardment on a planetary scale. These vessels are few in number and largely attached to the Navy in the modern day.

==== Support Regiments ====
Support regiments are the most varied type of regiment, and are usually only found under the command of lords with large armies. In most Hegemonic forces, the duties of a support regiment will largely be divided among other regiments - with only the largest forces requiring enough dedicated support personnel to form an entire regiment.

Support regiments provide a diverse range of support to front-line combat regiments. They provide an immensely varied range of support - from logistics to reconnaissance to repair and resupply. These regiments are incredibly rare, being found only pledged to Overlords and the Hegemon, who are the only ones who hold a large enough army to require dedicated units to support it. During peace-time, these regiments remain active to train with their compatriots - though most of them are unlikely to see combat.

=== Ranks ===
'''Auxiliary'''(Sinta’unathi: Rekeha): This rank is largely unused in times of peace, referring to the reserves of a nobleman’s levy called upon in times of war. Auxiliaries are required to spend at least one day of the week training with weapons, and are paid a small stipend from their lord for their readiness to fight. These men make up the bulk of a lord’s standing army - below the professional full-time soldiers, but above the largely poorly trained peasantry who may be called to battle.

'''Man-at-arms'''(Sinta’unathi: Rezasl): These men make up the core of any standing army - full-time professional soldiers of whatever lord they may serve. They are usually used to supplement law enforcement, protect their noble clan, and ensure the safety of a region against threats too great for local city watchmen to handle.

'''Specialist'''(Sinta’unathi: Ozas): An in-between rank, applied to warriors with skills outside of combat that are of use on the battlefield. This rank is frequently used for medics, engineers, technicians and any others, an odd mixture of any and all specialists within a lord’s military force. This rank is one of the rare positions where women have historically been permitted to serve, with healers often finding positions at this rank within times of war.

'''Standard-bearer'''(Sinta’unathi: Kiruki): These warriors are the equivalent to non-commissioned officers, with each kiruki being responsible for leading an individual squadron of soldiers on the battlefield. For many peasants, this is one of the highest stations that they can reach in life. A kiruki is responsible for the wellbeing and discipline of their men, and will usually be the first to be blamed for a disaster.

'''Troop-leader'''(Sinta’unathi: Slhiri): These warriors are the lowest rank of a Regiment’s officer corps, with each one traditionally commanding the smallest units of whichever regiment they are a part of. These officers are usually nobles, often young and untested, and they have a reputation for being arrogant and stubborn among the enlisted men.

'''Battle-leader'''(Sinta’unathi: Uezsla): These officers command a number of units, overseeing the Slhiri and reporting to their own commander, the Seiirak. Unlike Slhiri they do not command any fighting units of their own, instead leading a specialized command squad which helps them run the affairs of their portion of the regiment. These officers to date have all been nobility. The number of Uezsla depends on the type and size of a regiment, but there will usually be around five Uezsla in an average regiment.

'''Bannerman'''(Sinta’unathi: Seiirak): The commander of a single regiment of armsmen, appointed by their liege lord. In addition to commanding the regiment as a whole, they traditionally have a personal unit known as their banner - which often acts as an honor guard, protective detail, or elite force for their commander. Bannermen may sometimes command the regiment directly, but normally work through the chain of command to their Uezsla to ensure their orders are carried out.

'''Master-at-arms'''(Sinta’unathi: Ozur’saa): These men directly lead the private retinue of a clan, and will serve as the highest authority for an individual landed noble’s forces. They are normally selected from amongst the Bannerman, and act as the professional military adviser of the Lord. Should the landed lord control a small amount of land, or otherwise not required to engage in significant politicking, the Ozur'saa will also often be the Lord’s Claws, holding a seat on his council. However, for those Lords who rule over large sections of the Hegemony, or have powerful vassals to appease, they will often choose a more advantageous Lord's Claws. In this case, the Ozur’saa remains the Lord’s professional military adviser, but cannot sit on council meetings and often has to accede to the thoughts of the Lord’s Claws, whatever he may think of them.

=== Deployment ===
Nominally, all these forces fall under the Hegemon during times of war, their lords required to answer calls to fight at his side. Therefore, in addition to the peasants taken as levies, the Hegemon may also take the regiments of his lords to war, though he cannot directly command them. Bannermen, who command the individual regiments, will only answer to their lord or his Master-at-Arms, none other, including the Hegemon. Therefore, when the Hegemonic army is fully assembled, communication is the biggest issue it encounters.

==== Military Operations ====
Under the current law, the Hegemonic Army can be divided up into distinct forces - the armies under the command of Overlords. Each Overlord leads an army composed of the levies and armsmen of their own territory, and those of their vassals, who in turn call on the forces of their own vassals. Each portion of this army only responds to the lord who raised them, so commands must go from Overlords to lords, then to the officers of a regiment, instead of professional military commanders. This means that communication from the top of the chain of command to the bottom is incredibly slow and disjointed, as each noble lord commands a different number, variety, and quality of men than the next.

Due to these issues, the Hegemon and his Overlords tend to avoid calling their vassals' armsmen to war unless absolutely necessary, instead choosing to rely on their own personal forces. Should they be needed, however, a legal loophole allows a lord to simply request a vassal lend them the use of their armsmen. This allows for armsmen to be placed under the command of the liege lord directly, circumventing the communication issues that the normal means of raising troops causes. Should the Hegemony's army ever be mobilized for war again, this is likely how it will be called.

== The Modern Day ==
[[Image:Minimap hegemony.png|thumb|A closer image focusing on the factions surrounding the Izweski Hegemony's territory, showing it's precarious position between two rival powers.]]
Contemporarily, there is one thought above all else that flashes through every high officer of the Hegemony - the possibility of alien invasion. This concern has become the dominant driver of the nation's military planning - as tensions grow between Dominia and Elyra the possibility of the Hegemony being invaded as part of a war between the two begins to look more and more likely. The dominant desire of the Hegemony's military is to prepare for the potential of invasion, or of being dragged into a war between their major rivals.

The Hegemony as it stands is largely unprepared for ground combat, despite its troops' general competence. Elyra and Dominia both have larger armies and navies, and are more experienced in the realities of interstellar combat. Though the Izweski Navy's concentration in Uueoa-Esa is an effective deterrent, the outer colonies would likely be incapable of mounting effective resistance. As such, the Hegemony's defensive strategy relies primarily on mutual deterrence - on inflicting as much damage as possible on an invading force. Should Dominia or Elyra seek to seize the Hegemony's starways to assault their rival, they would likely triumph - but at such a great cost that they would surely be defeated by their rivals seeking to take advantage. Though this deterrent has been effective so far, the Hegemony's military commanders are uneasy with it, and are desperately pursuing means of restoring and expanding the Navy's power.

= Unathi Martial Tradition =
The Unathi as a species are widely perceived to be steeped in violence, honor, and war. Regardless of the truth of this stereotype, Unathi warriors have a long martial tradition - particularly those who have fought for the Izweski Hegemony. The first part of the culture of war is the [https://wiki.aurorastation.org/index.php?title=Unathi_Honor#Honor_for_the_Warrior Warrior’s Code], a code of honor that is applicable to all warriors - marking those who disregard it as shameful and dishonorable. However, the Warrior's Code is one which applies to all Unathi warriors, regardless of their origin - and the traditions and culture of the modern day have been, like almost every aspect of Unathi society, shaped in the devastation of the Contact War.

== The Contact War ==
Contemporary martial culture within the Hegemony is largely the product of the [[Contact War]]. The war which destroyed so much of Moghes also destroyed much of the martial culture that came before it, while nuclear fire provided the heat to forge the culture of those soldiers who fought it into something new. After the war ended, it became apparent that during the decades it raged, it had changed not only the men who fought but how Unathi, warriors and civilians alike, viewed war as a whole.

Before the Contact War, wars were seen as fleeting, short-spanning conflicts that rarely lasted more than a handful of years. As in any war, civilians were hurt as troops marched through lands taking whatever they pleased from the local population, but most wars since the War of the Honored Alliance were small-scale affairs. Surrendering, while shameful, was seen as a realistic option, and who won or who lost was not of great significance to an individual soldier. The Contact War changed everything. No longer was war limited, it was all-encompassing, the entirety of Moghes consumed by violence - and defeat would mean annihilation. Civilian and refugee casualties became more and more common as the untouched regions reached their capacity. Prisoners were no longer taken, surrender no longer contemplated - the war could only end in victory or death. As the war dragged on, the brutality continued - not even out of necessity, simply because those fighting in it had forgotten how to stop. In short, the Contact War was a traumatic event for the species - one which almost entirely eradicated the martial culture that had stood for centuries prior. For the soldiers who fought through the war, this shockwave hit the hardest. Their culture completely changed, as men who had seen too much returned home - or had no homes to go back to - were unable to readjust to civilian life. Many joined a piece of the Hegemonic army or the Hegemonic navy, while others became mercenaries or simply fell into despondency in the slums of major cities.

== Contemporary Culture ==
Forged by the events of the Contact War, the contemporary culture of Unathi warriors is one of duty, sacrifice, and totality. The trauma of the Contact War has forged a new mindset among the warriors who fought it - one in which victory is worth any price. Duty is the strongest part of contemporary warrior culture, an unwavering focus placed upon it. Any warrior, whatever their station, must do all they can to fulfill their duty, even if it is the smallest of tasks, for without duty a warrior is nothing. This sense of duty is all-encompassing, with a warrior's sole cause being to achieve victory no matter the cost.

The idea of dying for one's duty ties in with sacrifice. It is a new idea that all warriors must be prepared to sacrifice everything on the altar of victory, not only their own lives, but their honor, family, love, and even souls. The soldiers of the Contact War fought with everything they had, giving it all for the hope of a victory that would see their nation victorious, and their sacrifice is the most remembered of Unathi society today. Atrocities were committed during the Contact War, and with such frequency that soon minds became numb to the horror, people broke, and for those who managed to escape death, their sacrifice continued by living on having experienced, and partaken in the horrors of war. For victory, one must be ready to sacrifice everything.

This contemporary culture has been analyzed by human psychologists, and they find it nearly matches the symptoms of a person in a severe depression; never working to improve, just going about their tasks because they have forgotten how to do otherwise, and suffering all the while. It is theorized by psychologists across the spur that the events of the Contact War were so traumatic not just to a few, but to an entire species that it left a permanent scar on their psyche, one that manifests itself as a severe depression within culture. The exact reasons behind the development of these cultures, and these feelings within the Unathi as a species may never be known, but it is clear that the Contact Warr played a part, and most likely left its trauma with no regard for who it parted it to.

= The Kataphract Guild (Saa’Izweski) =
An ancient order, the knights of the Kataphract Guild have long enjoyed a storied place in Unathi history, as defenders of the helpless and a scourge upon the wicked and dishonorable. While their historical role was more complicated at the best of times, ranging over their history from strict adherents of the Warrior’s Code to little better than mercenaries, the popular perception of the ancient knights remained as one of bold, honorable and fierce warriors. During the rise of the Sarakus Hegemony, the Kataphracts were viciously crushed by the first Hegemon Sarakus, and their order would not be revived for centuries, until Not’zar Izweski restored them in 2459. The new Kataphracts are a fusion of the best ideas of the ancient order and the practical realities of modern Unathi - they are sworn to follow the Hegemon and the Warrior’s Code equally, and act as an elite military force to bolster the Hegemon’s personal strength when necessary.

When not necessary, they travel the Spur, largely using repurposed naval vessels, seeking honorable causes to fight for, as well as lending their services as mercenaries to many across the stars. Kataphracts have been found in many military conflicts across the Spur, with the largest of these being the S’rand’marr Coalition, where many Kataphract knights fought for the [[People's Republic of Adhomai|People’s Republic of Adhomai]] in the Second Revolution. This fighting is done partially to maintain themselves, as the Kataphracts are only paid by the Hegemony in times of war - and to increase their skills as warriors. Kataphract knights are known as Saa’Izweski, or simply Saa for the sake of brevity.

Kataphracts generally prefer to fight in melee, though they do tend to carry energy pistols and the occasional slugger. Their traditions of combat are viewed as antiquated by some - however, underestimating a Kataphract is a fool’s mistake. They are some of the most highly-trained and well-equipped warriors that the Unathi species has to offer, and have overcome seemingly insurmountable odds time after time.

== Ranks ==
The ranking of the Kataphracts is far simpler than that of most militaries, resembling that of a guild more than an army.

Kataphract-Hopeful(Zo’saa): The Zo’saa are the bulk of the order’s fighting force, made up of those who wish to earn the right to call themselves Kataphracts. Their lives are hard and regimented even by military standards, training at all times of the day and night in whatever conditions they may find, from battles as mercenaries across the Spur to surviving the harsh sands of the Moghresian Wasteland. Several K’lax warriors have also become Kataphract-Hopefuls, and though their understanding of the Warrior’s Code is often poor compared to their Unathi counterparts, they have proved a fearsome addition to the order’s forces.

Kataphract Knight(Saa): These are the warriors of the Kataphract Guild, who have earned the right to call themselves knights. They range in age, experience and skill, but all of them have completed the gruelling trials of a Kataphract-Hopeful and sworn their oath before whatever faith they may follow - to uphold the Warrior’s Code, to obey and defend the Hegemon and his people, and to protect the innocent against cruelty and dishonour wherever it may be found.

Kataphract Knight-Captain: These are the more seasoned commanders of the Kataphracts, usually found in command of a vessel or a large group of knights and hopefuls alike. When multiple Knight-Captains come together in a particularly large operation, they will often elect one from among them temporarily to serve as the commander of the force.

High Kataphract: The leaders of the Kataphract Order, the council of High Kataphracts are the highest authority for the guild in its entirety. They are few in number, and seasoned warriors one and all, answerable only to the Hegemon. When the order in its entirety is called to war, they are responsible for summoning the knights from wherever they may be, across the Spur, and for deploying them as the Hegemon wishes.

= The Navy =
[[File:Moghes_porposal.png|thumb|The flag of the Izweski Hegemony. It is used as the Naval Ensign for the Izweski Navy.]]
The Navy is a true professional force, and the bulk of the Izweski’s armed forces. Currently, the Navy has three active fleets, with many of their larger ships currently mothballed in Uueoa-Esa due to lack of phoron supplies. Fleets are commanded by Lord-Admirals, and deployed across Hegemony-controlled space. The Navy’s lower ranks are structured similarly to those of traditional Unathi armies, with men-at-arms making up the bulk of a naval vessel’s enlisted crew. For officers, however, the structure of the Navy is based largely on human interstellar navies, with captains commanding individual ships and commanders acting as their second-in-command.

The Izweski Navy is a relatively young organization - but that does not mean it is an untested one, as myriad clashes against the pirates of the Badlands and Sparring Sea have let the Navy cut their teeth in battle. While they have yet to face a true interstellar conflict, the warriors of the Izweski Navy are disciplined, experienced and well-trained - though only time will tell whether or not that will be enough.
Due to the phoron scarcity, the Izweski Navy is greatly weakened - with the vast majority of its ships relying on bluespace travel. In order to conserve valuable phoron resources, all ships larger than destroyers are currently on standby in the Uueoa-Esa system - leaving the outlying colonies of the Hegemony open to attack.

The arrival of the K’lax Hive in Uueoa-Esa has been a great boon to the Izweski Navy - with the plentiful labor and advanced technology of the Vaurcae helping greatly in both the construction and crewing of the Navy’s vessels. The Queen Vedhra has been particularly invested in the Izweski Navy - believing that the K’lax must be capable of interstellar warfare for the inevitable return of the Lii’dra Hive to the Orion Spur.

== Naval Fleets ==
The Izweski Navy is divided into four fleets, with three currently being active.

The First Fleet is commanded by [https://wiki.aurorastation.org/index.php?title=Notable_Unathi#Lord_Admiral_Trazial_Yizarus%2C_Izharshan%27s_Bane Lord-Admiral Trazarial Yizarus], known as “Izharshan’s Bane” due to his victories against the pirates of Izharshan’s Raiders. He is one of the most experienced military commanders in the Hegemony, a decorated war hero, and a fierce supporter of Not’zar Izweski, having stood by the Hegemon’s side since before his ascent to the throne. The First Fleet’s flagship is the famed '''HMV Cataclysm''', the first of the Hegemony’s dreadnoughts. Currently, the First Fleet is tasked with protecting Moghes.

The Second Fleet is commanded by '''Lord-Admiral Oyuti Gour'za''' - the first commoner to ever be appointed to such a prestigious position. Gour’za is known to be an aggressive, ambitious and highly intelligent commander, known to be extremely restrained and focused on his work - knowing full well that the slightest slip-up will be used by the nobility to call for his removal from his position. The flagship of the Second Fleet is the '''HMV Catastrophe''', a Cataclysm-class dreadnought. The Second Fleet is currently tasked with the defense of Ouerea.

The Third Fleet is commanded by '''Lord-Admiral Za’Akaix’Xitac K’lax''', a Vaurca Warrior of the Queen Vedhra’s brood and a brilliant tactical mind. Though young, they have rapidly earned the respect of the Sinta serving under them - and while their strategies may be considered unorthodox, none can deny their effectiveness. Armsmen of the Third have given themselves the nickname of the ‘Xsain Fleet’, in reference both to the Vaurca commanding them and the seemingly incomprehensible nature of Xitac’s tactics. The Third Fleet is commanded from the '''HMV Annihilation''' - the third Cataclysm-class dreadnought, which is currently positioned in orbit of Tret. Currently, the Third Fleet is inactive, with its ships having been shuffled around to bolster the Navy’s other fleets.

The Fourth Fleet is a recently established one - while it was planned for, the phoron crisis caused rapid adjustments, with nearly every ship still capable of affordable interstellar travel being assigned there. It is under the command of Lord-Admiral Xitac, and it is responsible for protecting the Hegemony’s colonies outside of Uueoa-Esa - no small task, especially given that the fleet solely consists of Brawler and Foundation-class vessels. While it serves for scaring pirates and marauders away from Hegemonic colonies, no one is under the delusion that the Fourth Fleet would be capable of facing a rival nation’s navy on equal measure.

== Naval Personnel and Equipment ==
=== Personnel ===
The navy, much like the ground forces of the Hegemony, is broken up into two distinct personnel categories. The officer corps, composed of mainly nobility and some K’lax Warriors; and the enlisted, which is an odd collection of Unathi Peasantry, K’laxan Vaurcae, and even some lesser nobility who were unable to become officers immediately. They use the same ranking system as the Hegemonic ground forces, with key differences in the officer ranks - based instead on human interstellar navies, with officers given far more power over their assigned ships. The biggest difference of naval officers though is their position as a standing force of the Hegemon. Instead of being loyal to vassals or other Lords of the Hegemony, naval officers swear fealty directly to Not’zar, making the navy his and his alone, granting the Izweski total control of the star lanes. This is not the case for enlisted crew, who instead swear fealty to the officers(lords) of their ships, swearing new oaths every time they are transferred from one ship to another, or a ship command is changed. It is this that allows Hegemonic naval officers to take the title of Lord-Rank, instead of a simple rank, such as Lord-Admiral Trazial Yizarus, the most famous Unathi naval commander.

However, having enlisted crew swear allegiance to their officers instead of the Hegemon directly has been met with criticism by some, most notably Mirazuz Izweski himself, and not without reason. When Hegemon S’kresti fell into a coma in 2458, a succession crisis erupted within the Hegemony between Not’zar, Skresti’s eldest son, and Lord S’linzar Ickza, S’kresti’s son-in-law, over who should be given the title of Lord Regent. Half the fleet officers defected from the Izweski Clan under the command of Lord-Admiral Azikyui Yizarus, Trazial’s younger brother - and the enlisted men, bound by oaths to their officers, went along with them. While the crisis was averted, and Not’zar eventually placed as Lord-Regent of the Hegemony, it illustrated the potential issue of disloyal officers, particularly those who were from the original pirate fleet assembled by S’kresti. Not’zar would respond to this by initiating a fleet-wide purge of officers under the direction of Lord-Admiral Trazial Yizarus - who had sided with the Lord-Regent during the crisis - in order to turn the naval officer corps into not only a professional force, but one that was loyal to the Izweski alone. This purge laid the foundation of the modern officer corps known today, with sweeping reforms that for the first time opened education centers similar to officer-candidate-schools, where potential officers would be taught the fine points of space warfare, while also heavily indoctrinated with engrained senses of loyalty to the Izweski. Yizarus would use his powers as director of the purge to install many of his clan within the reformed officer corps, resulting in clan Yizarus making up a vast majority of the navy's higher ranking members. With the arrival of the K’lax, Not’zar saw an opportunity to expand these schools as well as the navy itself, and began inducting K’lax as not only instructors, but officers for his new fleet. Today, the officer corps of the Hegemonic navy is composed of military professionals, who despite using outdated tactics, are loyal and eager to serve their Hegemon and his clan, but who will also never forget the betrayal of half the fleet during the succession crisis.

For the enlisted however, the story is different. Little has changed for them since the Hegemonic Navy was first formed, and they toil under their officers the same way they always have. Ships have become more modern and training generally become higher quality, but for many advanced tasks, officers are still relied upon. For many of the enlisted ranks, they are keenly aware that despite having reached a pinnacle of what may be their military careers, and trained beyond what even some armsmen undergo, they are still lessers of their officers, who view the enlisted as little more than rabble whose help is needed to run the ship in combat. The enlisted members of the navy are trained to do their tasks in rote order, doing one thing after the other day in and day out, rather than truly thinking for themselves. Onboard a Hegemonic vessel, whenever serious repairs are undertaken or things outside of what enlisted would consider their daily tasks done, it is common to see officers holding the tools, or completing the task; though sometimes, a particularly trusted enlisted man might be given a rank similar to standard-bearer, plus some extra training, and work in an officers stead. This lack of intensive training for the enlisted of the navy is born out of a mistrust by the nobility of the Hegemony, who Not’zar was forced to yield to. The biggest concern for any noble is that a peasant uprising would be able to occur aboard one of the vessels of the Hegemonic Navy, and that the peasants, once in control, would be able to effectively operate the vessel. Therefore, outside of the countless minor tasks needed to keep a starship functioning, the training of larger operations, such as firing the weaponry, piloting, and so forth, is entrusted only to the majority noble officer corps.

It is debatable what effect this has had on the effectiveness of the Hegemonic Navy. One could argue it has no effect at all, but that would only be because the Navy’s tactics are so outdated that their baseline effectiveness is too low for this type of stringent difference in training to have an effect. What is more important is the effect that this has on the Navy’s morale. While officers generally live in good conditions, well compensated for their service with a high degree of freedom, the enlisted ranks find themselves curtailed, poorly-compensated, and looked down upon by their officers. Morale within the enlisted ranks is therefore incredibly poor, with consequences for the Hegemonic Navy. Under Not’zar’s reforms post-succession crisis, he believed that the enlisted ranks could be filled out on a volunteer basis - a man would volunteer for a set term, before either re-enlisting or being discharged to pursue other goals. Due to poor morale, re-enlistment rates within the navy are incredibly low, near twenty percent for non-Vaurca, resulting in what many call a “revolving door scenario” where men simply move through the navy instead of remaining in it. These men mostly look beyond Moghes to the rest of the stars for future work, using their limited experience with the Hegemonic Navy to secure positions with human megacorporations throughout the rest of civilized space. So far, there has been no attempt to reform the navy to deal with this problem, as the Hegemony has been dealing with more pressing matters. Mizaruz Izweski has begun to make noises about it, calling it a shame, and pushing the Hegemony - most notably the Yizarus clan - to begin reforming the navy so that it may better treat its enlisted members, and thereby hold onto them for longer.

As the Navy and the Kataphract Guild have served similar roles - acting as forces directly answerable to the Hegemony - it is perhaps natural that a rivalry has developed between the two groups. Some among the Navy’s personnel tend to, though with respect for their prowess in combat, view the Kataphracts as arrogant - seeing their adherence to ancient tradition as nothing more than a way to make themselves seem more grand, and their mercenary work across the wider Spur as a dereliction of duty. The worst views of the Kataphracts among the navy see the wandering knights as treating their service to the Hegemon as an inconvenient fact rather than a duty, and wasting the resources given them by the Izweski on wandering about the Spur going on adventures.

The Kataphracts, meanwhile, have a similar opinion of the Navy - believing that, though they provide a necessary service, they are not true warriors, only experiencing combat from across the vastness of space - and that their insistence on looking down on those who serve the Hegemon elsewhere dishonors them. Though the two groups have often cooperated in military actions, there is a general spirit of competition and one-upping between Kataphracts and Naval forces when this does occur - with the Kataphract-Hopefuls tending to become far more invested in the rivalry than their superiors.
[[File:Izharshan.png|thumb|right|A refitted ship going through space. Ships like these were what made up the vast majority of the original Izweski Navy. Done by CNEGecko#9618 on Discord.]]

=== Vessels and Equipment ===
When it was first formed at the order of Hegemon S’kresti, the Izweski Navy was a ramshackle collection of vessels - stolen and retrofitted civilian freighters and shuttles, with crudely-mounted weapons - capable of defending against pirates, perhaps, but not of facing any greater threat. Though the Navy was able to threaten the forces of the [[Sol Alliance]] and [[Nralakk Federation]] into withdrawing from Ouerea, no one among the Izweski was under any delusion that if the alien powers had chosen to remain on the planet, the fledgling Navy would have stood a shadow of a chance.

Since then, however, enormous strides have been made. The Izweski Navy has vessels of its own, and well-equipped and professional troops aboard them. This is in large part thanks to two factors - the investment of Hephaestus Industries, and the arrival of the K’lax Hive in Uueoa-Esa. Though a Hegemonic shipbuilding guild did exist briefly in the form of Hegeranzi Starworks, it was unable to live up to the Hegemon’s expectations, and was soon absorbed by Hephaestus. With the aid of Hephaestus’s wealth and experience in the field, the earliest versions of Izweski-designed ships began to be produced - which was only amplified by the arrival of the K’lax. Though the Vaurcae had little experience with spaceflight, they had access to technology far beyond the wildest dreams of the Unathi, and their ability for mass industrial work was invaluable. Through working with K’laxan and Hephaestus scientists and engineers, the Izweski Hegemony has begun to produce five main ship classes, as well as various associated shuttles, fighters and gunships - a comprehensive list of which can be found [[Unathi Spaceflight|here]].

Many of the Izweski Navy’s military vessels are equipped with weapons produced by human manufacturers - with Kumar Arms rotary guns often being seen on the smaller corvettes and fighters of the Navy. However, their engineers have made great strides in weapon design, and much of the Navy’s modern-day equipment is now Izweski-designed, Izweski-produced and Izweski-wielded.

The '''Hegemony Model I ‘Bruiser’''' was the first spaceship-mounted weapon to be designed by Izweski engineers - a simple enough design for a heavy ballistic cannon. The Bruiser is also notable for the light weight of its ammunition, allowing an Unathi to carry a shell without need of mechanical assistance - minimizing the expensive equipment that a vessel might require to fight. The Model I Bruiser was inaccurate, slow to fire and prone to overheating, leading to the design of the commonly-used Hegemony Model II ‘Bruiser’, largely seen on the corvettes and destroyers of the Izweski Navy. The Model II is faster, more accurate and capable of firing at much higher velocities, enabling the smaller ships of the Navy to punch above their weight class in battle.

The '''Hegemony Model III ‘Fury’''' is the main armament of Brawler-class destroyers - a heavy mass driver weapon designed by some of the brightest minds of the K’lax. Firing enormous magnetic slugs, the Fury is capable of tearing lightly-armored vessels such as those often flown by pirates to shreds. Each of the Hegemony’s Cataclysm-class vessels is equipped with a full battery of these guns, and the theoretical design of the Hammer-class would also rely on these as its primary weapon.

The '''Hegemony Model IV ‘Aperture’''' is only an armament in name, equipped on most small vessels such as Brawler and Foundation-class vessels, and is essentially a battery of cannons designed to fire boarding pods containing heavily armored Unathi or K’lax warriors into enemy vessels, where they will wreak havoc. The Aperture is the result of Unathi ground forces being much better equipped compared to the navy, and their powerful hardsuits often providing a notable advantage even in space battles. It is usually equipped on smaller, fast-moving vessels as according to Izweski battle doctrine, these vessels should close the engagement distance with an enemy fleet with capital ships providing fire support from a stand-off distance.

The '''Hegemony Model V ‘Sk’akh’s Spear’''' is the first energy weapon designed by the Izweski Navy - a heavy laser cannon, designed to tear through even the heaviest of armor. The size of these cannons leads to an enormous power strain on the vessel, meaning that only the larger ships of the Navy are capable of firing them for any amount of time. Their power drain can also cause wild fluctuations in a vessel’s shields, and while this has not proved a fatal flaw so far, it may prove troublesome for the Navy in future. Due to its design being based on the energy weapons often used by Izweski ground forces, the Model V’s beams have a distinctive golden glow to them - resembling some ancient depictions of the Aspect of the Warrior, and granting it its name.

The '''Hegemony Model VI ‘Shieldbreaker’''' is the other energy weapon currently fielded by the Izweski Navy - an enormous ion cannon, mounted on Bulwark-class vessels. The Shieldbreaker is designed for exactly what its name says - to overwhelm shields and guidance systems of enemy vessels, allowing the fleet to annihilate the helpless vessel. Similarly to the Model V, this weapon drains enormous amounts of power - and due to its electromagnetic pulse, it cannot be fired without first lowering a vessel’s shields. This makes use of the Shieldbreaker a risky, yet potentially battle-shifting prospect for captains - though so far, it has seen little use in battle.

The '''Hegemony Model VII ‘Glory’''' Battery is perhaps the most impressive - at least in theory - design of the Izweski Navy. An enormous railgun battery, so far its only use has been on the Cataclysm-class dreadnoughts, where it makes up the bulk of their long-distance offensive capability. The Glory is capable of firing hundreds of railgun slugs extremely quickly - to devastating effect in all field tests. Though the Cataclysm-class bristles with other weaponry, those who have crewed them tend to speak particularly fondly of the Glory - believing that there is no weapon in the Spur capable of rivaling its sheer power. Whether or not that is true, however, has yet to be determined.

== Tactics ==
When it comes to the tactics of the Izweski Hegemony, the first thing that comes to many people’s mind is the tactic of ramming. Popularized in the media, particularly after the formation of the Hegemonic Fleet when its first battles were being fought, contrary to popular opinion, ramming is not the standard Izweski battle strategy. While was once used under the more traditionalist pirate captains who made up the original navy, it has since been phased out by Not’zar’s reforms - as Captains and Admirals are schooled properly on the tactics of space warfare. However, despite this schooling, it still remains within the public consciousness and many young captains, eager to win fame and glory for themselves, will unnecessarily resort to it, causing severe damage to their vessels in doing so. This high-risk behavior is often strictly punished by high command, with Lord-Admiral Yizarus having reportedly to throw any captain foolish enough to attempt such a maneuver out an airlock.

The preferred Izweski battle tactic is one of stand-off and rush, using their capital ships' powerful weaponry to cripple the enemy, while the faster Brawlers and other escorts close distance with the enemy fleet in order to employ their '''Apertures'''. The secondary reasoning behind this tactic is an economic one. The Hegemony has never been a rich nation, and replacing capital ships lost in action is an expensive undertaking, one that is better avoided if possible. This tactic has been used to much effect in the past, but only against pirate fleets, rather than other professional interstellar navies. However, it comes with one main drawback in the modern day, the lack of capital ships available to the Izweski Navy. With the ongoing phoron scarcity, the Hegemony does not have enough phoron to effectively power the bluespace drives of its larger ships, leaving them stranded in orbit around key planets within the Uueoa-Esa system, such as Moghes, Ouerea, and Tret. The lack of these capital ships has diminished the effectiveness of the Izweski’s main battle tactic, making it almost impossible for smaller ships to close the distance with enemy forces without taking unacceptable losses. There have been many proposed changes to account for this, but for now, the navy seems to still be unable to effectively cope with the loss of their biggest vessels.

Yet these common tactics, even at full effectiveness, go directly against the supposed strategy of the navy. In theory, the Izweski Navy embraces a strategy of hit and run, harassing enemy vessels before quickly maneuvering out of engagement range before battle can begin in earnest. However in order to board troops, a key part of Izweski Tactics, vessels must get close to enemy formations, significantly hindering their ability to flee before being destroyed or otherwise receiving damage. The Hegemony so far has not yet encountered an issue with this, as the strategy of hit and run is only considered a strategy against “near-peer” foes such as other nations interstellar navies. Yet, it goes to illustrate the core failing of the Hegemonic Navy, being a new force that has not yet had the time others have to properly develop strategies and tactics that synergize with each other.

==== Admirals ====
The admirals of the Izweski Navy are each skilled tacticians - with Lord-Admiral Yizarus especially having been celebrated as the mind behind many of the victories that the Navy has achieved in recent years. Each of them has a unique approach to battle, and while their opportunities for a true test have been limited so far, even the most hardline opponent of the Hegemon must admit that he has chosen well.

'''Lord-Admiral Yizarus''' is known for his patience and harshness - an odd combination. He punishes failure among his officers strongly, and though it is the nature of an admiral’s position that sacrifices must be made, he is feared and respected in equal measure for his willingness to make such difficult choices with little hesitation. His patience manifests in his tactics - where other commanders may rush in, Yizarus is seemingly always calm, collected and capable of making a strategic decision. It is rumored that some of the crew of the Lord-Admiral’s flagship, the famed '''HMV Cataclysm''', have a running bet as to who can get the infamously stone-faced Yizarus to laugh. The current pot is believed to sit somewhere around four thousand credits, six kegs of xuizi, and a Siro-class fighter. To date, no one has been able to claim the prize. This unflappable exterior, combined with his prowess as a defensive commander, has led the Lord-Admiral to be nicknamed ‘Old Ironscales’ by his men - though never to his face. Yizarus has been a foundational figure in the modern Izweski Navy - and should war come to the Hegemony, it has never been a question who will be leading its navy into the fray.

'''Lord-Admiral Gour'za''', of the Second Fleet, is known for his rapid and aggressive tactics - often engaging in strategies that his peers have criticized as reckless, though these strategies have succeeded far more than they have failed. Part of this aggression in battle is due to his precarious position - as a commoner raised to such a high rank, he knows that he must do twice as well as his rivals for half the acclaim, for the slightest slipup could be used as an excuse to strip his rank from him. Gour’za is considered something of a maverick among the Izweski court - unfamiliar with the usual manner in which a nobleman conducts war, yet brilliantly and astoundingly effective at it. Due to his lowly origins, Gour’za is loved by the enlisted, and often despised by the officers of his fleet - with the former viewing him as an aspirational figure, who rose to the ranks of the aristocracy and proved himself better than all of them. Many among the noble officers, however, tend to view him as a jumped-up commoner with no business giving them orders - though these thoughts are best-left unexpressed, as Gour’za is all too willing to crack down on dissent within his fleet. The nobles have all manner of names for Gour’za, best left unsaid - but the enlisted men of his fleet know him by one name, “The Hegemon’s Spear”. Wherever enemies of the Izweski may wait, the enlisted of the Second Fleet know one man who will be leading the assault - and based on his history, may well be leading it to victory.

'''Lord-Admiral Za’Akaix’Xitac K’lax''', of the Fourth Fleet, is by far the most distinctive of the Izweski Navy’s admirals. The K’laxan Warrior is young, having emerged from virtual reality ten years ago - but it has rapidly proven its unorthodox genius in command, rising to become the Queen Vedhra’s personal military advisor prior to its appointment to the Navy. There is a reason the Third Fleet, prior to its inactivity, was known as the ‘Xsain Fleet’ - and it is not just due to the Vaurca commanding them. Xitac’s tactics are incomprehensible, baffling and often appear insane - yet so far, the Vaurca admiral has gone undefeated in battle, often relying on seemingly random chance to deliver a victory. Some speculate this is due to some hidden Vaurca technology, or the processing power of the Cephalons allowing Xitac to predict the future - but whatever the case, the Sinta of the Third Fleet, wherever they may be now, have grown proud of their alien commander, proclaiming the virtues of “Xitac the Undefeated” to their fellows in other fleets. Xitac is alien, often incomprehensible, and if reports are to be believed, downright terrifying to actually speak to - but the warriors of the Third would rather follow no one else, to the ends of the Spur and beyond. A common saying among the former Third Fleet regarding their admiral expresses this perfectly - “We’d fly to the Chained Waste and back if the Xsain ordered us - and he would.”
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New Blades Old Wounds Arc

2024-07-13T05:54:05Z

RustingWithYou: article 12

Dionae

2024-07-10T03:39:08Z

RustingWithYou: /* Heads of Staff */ mentions diona XO

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{{Navbox_Dionae_Lore}}

<center>[[File:DionaeMainpage.png|1000px|The cold, desolate void of space, the only home Dionae have always known.|link=]]</center>

==Overview==

A unique race of fungoid creatures, the Dionae are a unique blend of biological and intellectual capabilities that distinguishes them from other known life within the Orion Spur, or the greater galaxy. With a physical resemblance to slugs, they have the ability to form "gestalts" which are complex, collective entities that enhance cognitive abilities and perform more intricate tasks than in their baseline forms. They may also exhibit sophisticated behaviour, showcasing a collective intelligence that evolves with the number of Dionae within a gestalt. Dionae have the ability to gain information through genetic absorption; meaning they are able to assimilate knowledge and skills from a genetic sample, allowing them to gain knowledge through biological interaction. This has allowed Dionae to rapidly adapt to the societies present within the Orion Spur. Dionae rely on radiotrophy, in which they derive energy for growth and sustenance from ionizing radiation. Dionae convert radiation into usable chemical energy, which in turn allows them to survive in otherwise inhospitable environments as long as radiation exists.

=== Heads of Staff ===

Dionae can be the following Heads of Staff:

* [[Executive Officer]]

* [[Research Director]]

* [[Chief Engineer]]

* [[Chief Medical Officer]]

* [[Operations Manager]]

=== Mechanics ===

*Access to the species' unique language, Rootsong with,q prefix.
*Lives off of light and radiation, will take damage and eventually die if they lack either for too long
*Heals damage while in light or radiation.
*Not affected by lack of atmosphere or pressure.
*Inability to run.
*Can split a nymph from their gestalt and control it. Can also switch between the split nymph and original gestalt at will, as well as still hear what’s happening near the other.
*Can split completely into several nymphs through an ability or when they take too much damage, as well as reform into a gestalt with enough biomass.
*Can regrow limbs with enough nutrients and while exposed to light or radiation, faster with radiation.
*Can devour certain creatures and objects by grabbing them, aiming for the mouth, and clicking yourself.
*Can use the Create Structure verb to form their biological mass into a wall, floor, or glowing bulb.
*In an emergency can absorb the local atmosphere for nutrients.
*Can be stunned with a flash, causing them to fall down for a few seconds. Cannot be protected against with normal equipment due to the nature of a Dionae’s eyes.

{{Infobox Diona
|Species = Dionae
|Scientific = D. Primis
|Image = Dionae410x320.png
|Language = Rootsong
|Factions = [[Xrim]], [[Hieroaetheria]], [[Moghes]], [[Nralakk Federation]], [[Mictlan|Primitive Sirens]], [[Vaurcae & Dionae|Titan Prime]] and [[Minor Dionae Factions|Others]].
|Location = Everywhere
}}
{{toc_right}}

== Biology ==

=== Forms ===

'''See:''' [[Dionae Forms]]

The process of merging and separation for Dionae is a rather strenuous affair, taking both a significant amount of time and energy. Nymphs are considered the smallest form, however, Nymphs are Dionae in their 'baseline' form. Nymphs will then typically come together to form larger structures, a process which can span several hours, sometimes days for the larger forms. The majority of Dionae exist in Cyclops-forms, which is a bipedal, human-like formation. Before a formation is made, Dionae will typically gorge themselves on biomatter, and supplement themselves with radiation, as a method of ensuring that the stockpiled energy and resources needed for the demanding process are not exhausted at the end. In contrast to merging, there is separation. It is a rare, drastic measure typically reserved for situations where survival seems unlikely. It is a traumatic process, and very rarely done. Sustained, repeatedly separation may lead to the loss of knowledge, and even the loss of life in some circumstances.

=== Mindtypes ===

'''See:''' [[Dionae Mindtypes]]

Dionae, dissimilar to other sophonts, have personalities formed from the unique interplay of the biological and cognitive characteristics exhibited in the species: mindtypes. Mindtypes are essentially the personality of the collective gestalt and often involve how the Dionae presents itself to others. Mindtypes represent the myriad of ways in which gestalts process information, form identities, and develop consciousness. The formation of a mindtype is influenced by several factors, including the method in which they merged, continued separation of Dionae, the accumulation of experiences, and the manner in which these memories or experiences are shared or retained within the gestalt. There are several different types of document mindtypes, with more still being discovered as time marches on.

=== Physiology ===

'''See:''' [[Dionae Biology]]

The lifespan of Dionae is not determinable, with some living for minutes and others for millennia. The species is categorized into six critical stages, which do not necessarily follow a linear timeline. The stages include Gesnatio, Coeus, Medio, Geras, Vetus, and Penuma. Each stage has distinct characteristics, such as the growth of chitin, and increased pain tolerance. The stages are influenced by contextual circumstances, such as environmental factors and the formation of a Gestalt. Dionae have a unique ability to absorb genetic material from other species, allowing them to modify their genome and adapt to new environments. This process, known as genetic assimilation, can also result in the unintentional absorption of harmful genes. Additionally, Dionae can mimic the neural structures of other organisms, which can result in the transfer of memories and skills but also carries risks such as the transmission of neurological pathologies. Dionae also exhibit genetic and environmental mimicry, allowing them to adapt to their surroundings by mimicking the appearance and traits of other species. This ability is studied by various organizations across the Spur, including the Skrell and Zeng-Hu Pharmaceuticals. Overall, the complex life cycle and unique abilities of Dionae make them fascinating and potentially valuable subjects for research and study.

=== Psychology ===

Dionae differ incredibly compared to other species in terms of their emotions and psychology; primarily in how it affects each nymph and how it would be displayed in a gestalt. Dionae feel a myriad of diverging reactions to certain issues - which is what sets them apart from others. When a Nymph first becomes sentient, and the ability to grasp more intricate and complicated ideas becomes easier, there is a rare chance for complications to arise which are deemed ‘cognitive obstacles’ and can easily be seen as mental disorders. Cognitive obstacles parallel mental illnesses that frequently find themselves rooted within other species across the Orion Spur. These cognitive obstacles affect Dionae uniquely in the sense that each nymph can experience these differently from another. Dionae can form cognitive obstacles similar to that of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Anxiety, and Tourettes. It can be expected that Dionae that fall into this category of cognitive obstacles will have bursts of unintended chirps, additionally coinciding with spasms. Some have noted that they have intense bouts of paranoia and periods where they will experience an existential crisis.

Dionae can also form cognitive obstacles similar to that of various depressive disorders. These are often seen as a mortal danger - where if an individual nymph begins to feel symptoms similar to depressive disorders, such as intense periods of feeling impending doom or simply feeling lifeless, will eventually spread these thoughts through a gestalt which will eventually perish. Nymphs that are deemed a hazard to the entire gestalt are usually cast and left to find a treatment or possibly perish if unable to find or receive one. Splitting Disorder is a temporary disorder that occurs in gestalts that have split off into smaller forms. The disorder is characterized by increased anxiety within the Dionae at being apart from each other and intense fear that harm might befall one of the split forms, getting worse the longer the gestalt is split. This fear of danger varies from gestalt to gestalt, with some split forms being “braver” than others. Splitting Disorder can temporarily be relieved by brief re-merging via physical contact. This usually appears to other species as close hugs or hand-holding followed by the happy chirping of the nymphs within the gestalt. It can be permanently cured by a full re-merging or after a long period of separation through long periods of separation can instead turn into a depressive disorder. The death or injury of a split partner tends to be extremely traumatizing for the other Dionae, with the level and manner of the trauma dependent on each nymph, with some being “braver” than others.

== Culture ==

=== Language ===
Unlike most other species of the Spur, Dionae are grown already knowing their native language, Rootsong. Rootsong is spoken through a combination of sounds created by limbs, membranes, and movement that all come together to create a “song” that can be understood as words and sentences. To the uninitiated, these sounds tend to sound more "natural", with many comparing their songs to an orchestra of leaves rustling in the wind, branches rubbing together, and sometimes softer instrumental sounds such as a noise akin to a flute. Emotion and intent can be understood through the pitches and speed of the sounds, with faster, lighter pitches used for happier words, and lower, slower pitches for more negatively-inclined words. Dionae are capable of comprehending and oftentimes speaking a plethora of languages found throughout the spur, although they can have some difficulties with speaking languages that require certain facial features or body parts used in motions and gestures whilst speaking. To overcome this Dionae are capable of growing or designating a Nymph to create a mimicry of what they’re missing, such as by designating a Nymph to act as a tail to assist them in speaking certain languages or using biomass to create appendages that can act as fingers for sign language.

=== Naming ===

The naming conventions of Dionae are as diverse and intricate as the beings themselves, varying significantly depending on the origin of the gestalt. Unlike other sophonts within the Orion Spur, in which there exists a conventional naming system that generally is applied to all members of the species, Dionae are deeply rooted in their experiences, emotions, actions or ideals, in which their names serve as a reflection of their identity. They are highly fluid, changing as the Dionae evolves and undergoes new experiences, and can be both literal and metaphorical in nature. A Dionae's name might stem from daily routines, significant memories of interactions with others, particular fascinations or emotions, unique locations where important events occurred, or even distinctive physical features. The broad range of inspirations indicates there exists no limit to the length or complexity of a Dionae's name, through for practical reasons, they are typically shortened to make them more manageable in written form.

=== Voidic Dionae ===

'''See:''' [[Voidic_Proto-Culture|Voidic Proto-Culture]]

Voidic Proto-Culture refers to the oral traditions, behaviours, and beliefs held by feral or wild Dionae gestalts that exist within the vast expanse of open space. These gestalts, often removed from the influence of more structured and technologically advanced societies, develop a unique cultural framework shaped by the harsh and isolating conditions of their environment. Despite the vast distances and isolation inherent in space, the Voidic Proto-Culture is remarkably widespread and uniform among Dionae, indicating a deep-seated set of survival strategies and shared understandings. Among the Dionae, this proto-culture is known simply as the Voidic.

=== Terrestial Dionae ===

Unlike their voidic counterparts, terrestrial Dionae do not have a uniform culture. It is heavily dependant on the origin of the gestalt, this variation stems from the wide range of environments, societies and experiences encountered by the Dionae living on different planets or within other terrestrial settings such as the Pests of Titan Prime. As a result, the cultural practices, beliefs, and behaviours of such Dionae are as varied as the worlds they inhabit. There is a complex integration of ecological, social, and historical influences that give rise to these unique cultures across the planets of the Orion Spur.

=== The Eternal ===
[[File:Eternal.png|thumb|alt=Eternal Icons.|From left to right: Symbol of the Iron Eternal, symbol of the Orthodox Eternal, symbol of the Omnivirate, symbol of the Ichor Eternal.]]
'''See:''' [[The Eternal]]

The Eternal has spread far and wide across the Orion Spur. It is largely considered the most influential organisation within Dionae society, having branched into three different Schools of Thought that each has its own interpretation of the Eternal; ranging from ingesting blood to augmenting oneself with biotechnology to transcend into a reality with the Eternal in accordance with their faith. Othrodox Eternal is the most followed branch of the religion, followed by the Iron Eternal, and lastly the Ichor Eternal. Operating as an interstellar theocracy, headed by the Omnivirate, they call for all Dionae to follow the Eternal, and pledge themselves to it. The future of the faith is uncertain as it continues to develop and evolve from its circumstances in the Orion Spur. '''The majority of Dionae are well acquainted with the Eternal, with it being a facet of life in most factions. It is advised for players to familiarize themselves with it.'''

== History ==

'''See:''' [[Dionae History]]

Dionae have a varied history, with three defined instances of first contact with the [[Skrell]]. Humans and the [[Unathi]]. Though these first contact situations each differ, they all led to the fundamental discovery of the species in a new capacity; the [[Skrell]] sought to use the species as a stop-gap measure as they built a new society without the incorporation of artificial intelligence, in the wake of the reign of Glorsh-Omega and the Genophage. They were integrated and subsequently became an integral component of the Nralakk Federation in the decades following their discovery. However, their ability to act as a replacement for the lost workforce of the Federation was merely one element of their abilities.

The discovery of the [[Rueltab|Rueltab Titan]] brought forward an era of concern regarding the presence of Dionae. A joint Human-Skrell expedition into [[Rueltab]] turned into a gruesome conflict following the destruction of the SAMV Ophion as a result of the largest conglomerate of Dionae to ever, and likely have ever existed in the Orion Spur, launched an attack on the expedition. This attack ultimately changed the view of Dionae for many within the Orion Spur, and after the attack surviving gestalts were forced into servitude to repay the [[Solarian Alliance]] reparations for their actions. The ensuing years saw Dionae proliferate across the Orion Spur as they found themselves assisting the [[Solarian Alliance]] in bolstering their colonisation forces in some instances. Following the discharge of their debt, many found themselves within the [[Republic of Biesel]], building themselves a life from the scattered remnants of the Rueltab Titan.

The caution concerning Dionae only began to wane upon the discovery of their biological abilities to essentially terraform upon the unearthing of the species on [[Moghes]]. Though it is unknown how they came to arrive to the irradiated wastelands, their beneficial presence largely discounted any such further enquiry. In a matter of months, areas highly populated with Dionae and previously thought to be uninhabitable as a result of the overwhelming presence of radiation began to transform into many oases in the growing wasteland. Soon thereafter, Dionae found themselves embedded within some of the Unathi Clans, but also captured and forced into servitude similar to the survivors of the [[Rueltab|Rueltab Titan]].

In recent times, Dionae have established themselves as a species within the Orion Spur that wishes to have presence on the interstellar stage. [[The Commonwealth of Hieroaetheria]] is one such example, as well as the [[Covenant of Xrim]]. Both are among the only known instances of communities having been created, and sustained, by Dionae. Though, the former more prominent than the latter, considering the vassalage of the Covenant of Xrim with the Nralakk Federation. Only time will tell whether they truly integrate within the greater Spur, besides merely being a population encompassed by the other factions present within the Orion Spur.

== Major Factions ==

=== Primitive Sirens of Mictlan ===
{{Infobox Planet
|Name = Mictlan
|System = Sankta Tereza
|Image = Mictlan flag new.png
|Sector = [[Corporate Reconstruction Zone]]
|Capital = Arequipa
|Species = Human, [[Skrell]], [[Unathi]], [[Diona]], [[IPC]]
|Languages = Tau Ceti Basic, Tradeband, Sol Common
|Demonyms = Mictlani
|Nation = [[Republic of Biesel]]
|Former = [[Sol Alliance]]
}}
'''See:''' [[Mictlan]]

Rooted within the emigrants from [[Rueltab]], following the completion of their debt as a result of the Rueltab Incident, Dionae have nestled themselves within their own city of “Fallowed Meadows” in the Mictlani Sertão. However, different from other Dionae settlements across the Orion Spur, the Primitive Sirens follow an ideology of technophobic primacy, where they deny themselves the pleasures and convenience of advanced technology to ensure the preservation of the true tenets of a Dionae – connection to nature, and to themselves. Though their foundations remain the same, the Primitive Sirens have evolved their approach to their understanding, and assimilated themselves within Mictlani society, to a degree, of course. Following the cornerstone of gaining experience, the Primitive Sirens regularly leave the Fallowed Meadows and work in the surrounding Mictlani cities, most of the time forming the basis of the cities’ common labourers – construction workers, operations employees and even farmhands.

=== Commonwealth of Hieroaetheria ===

'''See:''' [[Hieroaetheria]]

Standing as a beacon of interstellar cooperation and unity amidst the vast expanse of the Spur and its political system, the Commonwealth of Hieroaetheria represents a collaborative effort to foster mutual prosperity and security for the Dionae of the planet; at its core lies a commitment to diplomatic dialogue, economic integration and collective defence, aimed at ensuring stability and progress for all member entities. Hieroaetheria is unique in that it is amongst one of the few planets within the Spur dominated primarily by Dionae, but with varying views on their existence. There currently exists three factions within the Commonwealth of Hieroaetheria; [[The Consortium]], who strives to realize the principles of freedom, equality and fairness; The [[Eternal Republic of the Ekane]], who are religious fanatics that do not take kindly to non-Dionae or heresy; The [[Union of Gla'orr]], a nationalistic entity that seeks to prove the supremacy of Dionae, and the inferiority of non-Dionae.

=== Mourning Survivors of Rueltab ===

'''See:''' [[Rueltab]]

The resting place of the largest formation of Dionae, the Last Vociferation of The Superlative Consensus, a Titan-class the size of Mars. Initial contact between Humanity and the Rueltab Titan resulted in the breaking out of a conflict that led to the destruction of the latter, forced to reside on Rueltab I and perform menial work to 'pay reparations' for the damage that it had inflicted during First Contact. Rueltab I is a glorified landfill for the discarded refuse of the Solarian Alliance, the Dionae put to work scavenging anything salvageable in hopes of being relocated to more prosperous colonies within the Alliance. Many eventually were distributed across the Solarian Alliance as indentured workers, some establishing their own communities such as the Primitive Sirens of Mictlan, or the Hierophants of the Eternal Gardens. Those who remained on Rueltab, even following the collapse of the [[Solarian Alliance]], continue attempting to pay off their reparations, likely as a result of a unified guilt present in all those originating from Rueltab.

=== Hierophants of the Eternal Gardens ===

'''See:''' [[Eternal Gardens]]

Having settled in District 11 following the discharge of their debt to the [[Solarian Alliance]], the Hierophants of the [[Eternal Gardens]] are mostly Dionae that have elected to pursue a life in accordance with one of the three branches of [[the Eternal]]. Within the centre of Eternal Gardens exists the Eternal Temple, amongst the largest religious monuments to the faith within the entirety of the Orion Spur. The way of life within District 11 is significantly influenced by the presence of the Eternal Temple, who often seek to run humanitarian campaigns to both improve the perspective of the species, but also uplift those in close proximity to the Temple. Though not considered a 'faction' in the same way as others are, it arguably has the most influence over Dionae. The Omnivirate, the head of the theocratic order of the Eternal, deliberates on decisions that may ultimately change the direction of Dionae, seeking to insert themselves in most affairs that concern the species.

=== Pests of Titan Prime ===

'''See:''' [[Vaurcae_%26_Dionae|Pests of Titan Prime]]

Having survived in the shadows within the Vaurcae Hiveship of Titan Prime for over half a millennia, the Pests of Titan Prime are believed to have originated from a Voidic Cetus travelling amongst the stars before colliding with the Hiveship – with stories told from the survivors of the original encounter recalling flight across clouds of hydrogen, refuelling themselves to continue their own journey before being vacuumed into the hydrogen harvesters of Titan Prime. Trapping them for the next five hundred years. They were subjected to repeated onslaughts by the Vaurcae of Titan Prime, having been forced to continuously split and reform to ensure their survival. There is a deep-rooted fear of the Vaurcae for the majority of the Pests of Titan Prime, with the arrival of Titan Prime to Tau Ceti mostly allowing them to flee and begin their lives anew elsewhere. However, there still exists a minority that have chosen to forgive the Vaurcae, and assist them in integrating themselves within the Orion Spur.

=== Servants of the Covenant ===
{{Infobox Planet
|Name = Covenant of Xrim
|System = Xrim
|Image = Covenant of Xrim Flag.png
|Sector = [[Notable_Skrell_Systems_and_Locations#Xrim|The Estuaries]]
|Capital = Sanctus
|Species = Dionae
|Languages = Nral'Malic and Rootsong.
|Nation = [[Nralakk Federation]]
}}
'''See:''' [[Covenant of Xrim]]

Within the deep frontier of the Nralakk Federation, the Covenant of Xrim exists in a precarious situation. Attempting to juggle their own internal strife, alongside ensuring amicable relations with its suzerain, Xrim's initial purpose significantly changed following the introduction of Dionae. With a history of religious conflict and a deep reverence to a now-departed artificial intelligence, Xrim has slowly begun to adapt to its new circumstances, at least in some regions of the planet, with others calling for an end to the Federation's control and subsequent return to their original roots. However, others call for a more systematic suppression of those calling for independence, seeking to align themselves closer to the Nralakk Federation so as to protect their positions of authority in its governance.

=== Indentured Wanderers of Moghes ===

'''See:''' [[Moghresian_Dionae|Dionae in the Hegemony]]

Concentrated primarily within the growing nuclear wastelands of Moghes, Dionae have become a unique demographic within the sphere of influence of the Izweski Hegemony. Having first established contact in the early 2450s CE, they have sought coexistence with the Unathi, primarily Wastelanders, in which they have been used to assist in surviving the wastelands thanks to their abilities to essentially clear radiation. Though they have become integrated within some Unathi Clans, mostly the Oasis Clans, they have also become an indentured workforce not dissimilar to those in [[Rueltab]]. It is not uncommon to see Dionae being traded as objects within the Wastelands, or being used for nefarious acts.

=== Prisoners of the Narrows ===

'''See:''' [[The Narrows]]

The Narrows was a penal ship, an initial footstep for Hephaestus Industries into punitive labour. However, a cataclysmic uprising resulted in the destruction of the Narrows, with almost no survivors. The only survivors were Dionae who had been sentenced aboard the penal ship. Through repairing and expanding, Dionae would seek to claim the Narrows as their own, reclaiming the expanse of the stars as they drifted throughout it. It now serves as one of the largest 'independent' mining corporations within the [[Coalition of Colonies]], having significantly multiplied the vessel's previous mining abilities. Though loyalty to the Narrows is uncontested, there exists subsets that do not believe that the Narrows should associate with Hephaestus Industries, but instead to forge their own path. Dionae from the Narrows that find themselves on the SCCV Horizon are typically contracted by Hephaestus Industries unless one has sought fit to desert their origin.

[[Category:Pages]]
[[Category:Species]]
[[Category:Dionaea]]

Guide to Command

2024-07-10T03:38:42Z

RustingWithYou: /* Species restrictions */ mentions all industrials for HoS restriction

Command is one of the most important roles on the ship, and also one of the hardest to fill. As someone in a command position, you are in charge of a certain department of the ship. You are the centerpiece of all the action within your department. Some situations will be simple and require nothing more than a passing word to deal with. Other matters, however, will require your full attention, communication, and powers of delegation to handle.

No pressure, right?

Command is not a role everyone can fill. Do not be discouraged if you get overwhelmed by stress, or can't keep up your first few times. There is a lot of baggage to carry, and a lot of things you can do wrong, when you will mostly be expected to be the best in your field.

==The Whitelist==
Command roles are locked behind an application, or whitelist, that requires certain conditions to be fulfilled on the player's part before they can be trusted to play a command character. You'll begin by writing an application, which will require being able to effectively summarize what the duties of a command character is, both OOC and IC. Then, you'll receive feedback on your application from other players on how effective you are at both department gameplay and being able to roleplay well.

Once you've collected sufficient feedback, an administrator will place you on trial to put theory into practice. This means that for a brief period of time, you get to try your hand at command roles! During this period, you'll gather more feedback from the playerbase by advertising your whitelist in OOC after the round, and by the end of your trial it'll be determined whether or not you're up to the task.

Do note that gaining your command whitelist does not guarantee its permanency. Breaking the rules or being banned means your whitelist can be stripped from you by administrators.

If you think you can play command well, [http://forums.aurorastation.org/viewforum.php?f=28 click here] to be taken to the applications subforum. Be sure to read the rules and follow the command whitelist format.

==Species restrictions==
Due to ability-related complications, laws, or corporate regulations, not all species can play all heads of staff. '''Vaurca and privately-owned IPCs cannot be heads of staff.'''

*'''Captain:''' Can ONLY be Humans or Skrell.
*'''Head of Security:''' Cannot be Diona, Vaurca, Offworlder Humans, Zhan-Khazan Tajara, Hephaestus G1, Hephaestus G2, or Xion Industrial IPCs.
*'''Executive Officer, Chief Engineer, Chief Medical Officer, Research Director, Operations Manager:''' Cannot be Vaurca, M'sai Tajara, or Zhan-Khazan Tajara.
*'''Corporate Liaison/Consular Officer:''' Species restrictions depend on the interest group that the character is representing. For more information, [[Corporate_Liaison#Interest_Groups|see the guide itself]].

==General Guidelines==
While every command role you may fill will be vastly different in the actions you and your department will take, there are some general binding ideas that can be applied to each role that involves leadership. If you wish to be a good leader, following these basic ideas is a must.

===1. Communicate===
This guideline is the '''most important''' to follow, and it is the one most command staff fail at. As command, you are an administrator first. Your job is to delegate among your department, ensure tasks are completed, and make sure your subordinates are part of a well oiled machine for when it gets to be crunch time. Make sure you know where everyone is, have people check in, and if there is something the entire ship needs to know, remember that each head of staff has a communication console in their office; any announcement you make here will be very visible. General comms tend to be so filled with clutter, especially in an emergency, that you trying to convey information via the common channel will fall on deaf ears.

===2. Be Known===
This point goes a bit in hand with Communication. If you don't have a presence in your department, taking control of a situation or organizing a panicking department becomes that much harder. At the start of a shift or when you join, check in with your department and get a quick impression of the people around you. Give out tasks and orders, even if it's as simple as "you know what you're doing, so go do it". Making the initial connection with each member of your department can be key to keeping things structured.

===3. Use the Command Channel===
Nothing is worse than being uninformed, especially when situations can necessitate the involvement of more than one department. For example, an explosive was set off, someone was caught in the explosion, and someone was spotted with a gun at the site. Now there are three departments involved! If engineers and medics arrive, but security hasn't been informed, then the other two departments might be put in danger. Coordinate with your fellow command staff, make things happen, and relay important information to your department as needed. As the saying goes, knowledge is power.

===4. Know How to Play Your Department===
Nothing is worse than a Chief Engineer not knowing how the Supermatter Engine is set up. When a leader has to be told by their subordinates how to complete a basic task, it inspires negative amounts of confidence, and means things can get that much more chaotic if an emergency happens and your department isn't going to listen to you. Contrary to popular belief, you don't have to be the ultimate super-doctor/engineer/security officer/etc., you just have to have a good idea of how to make everything run smoothly. If a specialist knows more than you in an area, that's fine.

==Who Does What==
When asking on the command channel for assistance from another department, it is helpful to know exactly who to talk to. As such, here are brief descriptions of each head of staff's role.

===[[Captain]]===
[[Image:Captain-nbt.png|64px|Captain]]

As the highest authority on-ship, the Captain is the final word on any issue, the coordinator of all heads of staff, and the endpoint of information on the ship. They know when something should happen and if something should happen, and they've got a general idea on what needs to be done.

===[[Executive Officer]]===
[[Image:Executiveofficer-nbt.png|64px|Executive Officer]]

The service department's manager, the Executive Officer also helps manage the Bridge, crew contracts, IDs, and personnel transfer to other departments. If you need someone suspended for the shift, or you're looking to transfer to another department, the Executive Officer is your guy.

===[[Head of Security]]===
[[Image:Headofsecurity-nbt.png|64px|Head of Security]]

The Head of Security is the highest authority when it comes to the safety of the crew and enforcing the law on the ship. If a dangerous situation is unfolding, it's best to keep in contact with the Head of Security.

===[[Chief Engineer]]===
[[Image:Chiefengineer-nbt.png|64px|Chief Engineer]]

The Chief Engineer manages the engineering department, and thus is the best person to liaise with on ship breaches, compromised atmospheres, or a heavily-damaged area.

===[[Chief Medical Officer]]===
[[Image:Chiefmedicalofficer-nbt.png|64px|Chief Medical Officer]]

The Chief Medical Officer is the ship's top medical expert, and as such should be communicated with in regards to injuries, search-and-rescues, and certain biohazardous situations.

===[[Research Director]]===
[[Image:Researchdirector-nbt.png|64px|Research Director]]

The Research Director's area of expertise tends to lie in anomalous happenings, away missions to archaeology sites, and malfunctioning synthetics, particularly the AI.

===[[Operations Manager]]===
[[Image:Operationsmanager-nbt.png|64px|Operations Manager]]

The Operations Manager is the head of logistics on-ship, and has authority over mining operations, crew orders, secure storage, and the procurement of ammunition for the [[Guide to Gunnery|ship's weapons]]. They can also be coordinated with to ensure that ship-bound synthetics and mechanical crewmembers are being repaired as needed.

===[[NanoTrasen Liaison|Corporate Liaison/Consular Officer]]===
[[Image:ia_consultant.png]]

If there are concerns about breaches in [[Corporate Regulations|corporate regulation]], ship directive, or [[Guide to Law|legal issues]], the Consular and Corporate Liaisons are more inclined to lend an ear if it so happens you belong to their [[Corporate_Liaison#Interest_Group|interest group]]. Before making an incident report to the CCIA, it might be best to speak to them.

{{Guides}}
[[Category:Command]]
[[Category:Guides]]
[[Category:Pages]]

New Blades Old Wounds Arc

2024-07-08T00:43:11Z

RustingWithYou: articles 9 & 10

New Blades Old Wounds Arc

2024-07-05T01:46:44Z

RustingWithYou: article 8