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| | == Th'akh on Ouerea == |
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| | 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. |
| <div style="font-size:162%; border:2px solid #dca200; margin:0; background:#29870e; padding:.1em; color:#fff;">Unlikely Alliances</div>
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| {{Template:2023 Event Timeline}}
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| <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 Unlikely Alliances Arc which began on '''August 8, 2023''' and pertains largely to '''[[Unathi]] and Human lore.'''</div>
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| <div style="font-size:110%; border:2px solid #dca200; margin:0; background:#29870e; padding:.1em; color:#fff;">It is centered around the capture of a notorious Unathi pirate by Solarian forces, and the efforts of the two nations to collaborate on the matter.</div>
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| <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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| | 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. |
| =Southern Solarian Reconstruction Mandate Captures Unathi Pirates!=
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| '''News Article'''
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| '''Publisher: Sol Alliance News Network'''
| | 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. |
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| '''Writer: Triogenix'''
| | 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. |
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| '''Editors: RustingWithYou'''
| | Due to the nature of Th’akh, human and Skrell faiths are generally acknowledged as being equally real to Unathi ones - the Qebalak ‘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. |
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| 08/08/2465
| | ===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. |
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| A notorious Unathi pirate wanted by the Hegemony is captured by the forces of the Southern Solarian Reconstruction Mandate | | 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. |
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| Earlier this week several Unathi pirates who had been raiding the shipping lanes passing the southern wildlands were captured by the Southern Solarian Reconstruction Mandate in a lightning raid by members of the Sixth Middle Ring battlegroup.
| | 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. |
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| Intelligence officers who had been working closely with the SIIB since early this year managed to pinpoint the main base of operations for these pirates by triangulating known attacks and comparing their locations and times. This would lead investigators back to a small asteroid base, originally used for mining but abandoned after the collapse, within the former territory of the Southern Fleet Administration. Marines then used several older generation destroyers which still had their original warp drives to jump into the system and assault the base. The pirates were no match for the destroyers and marines; before long the system was once again under Solarian control and many of the pirates were captured.
| | ==== 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. |
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| In a press conference on Sankt Frederick, Fleet Admiral Myo Yunso, one of the naval flag officers assigned to the SSRM answered questions about the raid and what will happen to the captured pirates. She stated that the captured pirates would be subject to a military tribunal, and if found guilty, executed by firing squad. When asked about the possibility of bias within the tribunal due to the defendants being non-human, she responded that piracy is piracy for anyone, it does not matter if the defendants are human or not. In opposition however, Governor MacPherson has put out a statement informing citizens that he has instructed the planetary justice department to prepare to try the pirates in a court of law, with the maximum sentence being execution.
| | 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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| Of course, upon hearing of each other's statements and ideas for the handling of the situation, the Governor and Fleet Admiral immediately fell into the back-and-forth bickering that Sankt Frederick has become known for. The Fleet-Admiral slammed the slow process of the court system, saying that due to the pirates not being Solarian citizens they should be subject to military justice as pirates. The Governor responded by pointing out there was no military government in control of the territory where the pirates were captured and referenced a previous decision by Solarian courts to try resident non-citizen Tajara the same way as Solarian citizens. Fleet Admiral Klaudia Szalai originally sided with her fellow Fleet Admiral, but has since withdrawn that statement, instead suggesting that the Solarian Department of Justice be consulted on the issue. While this back-and-forth is still ongoing, it is unlikely any decision will be made shortly. Whatever will happen though, it is expected that these pirates will be justly punished for their crimes.
| | ==== 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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| | '''Guy 1''' |
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| =Solarian Ambassador on Moghes meets with Hegemon, Lord-Admiral Yizarus; extradition discussed=
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| '''News Article''' | |
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| '''Publisher: Sinta Articles'''
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| '''Writer: Triogenix'''
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| '''Editors: RustingWithYou, CaptainGecko'''
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| 11/08/2465
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| The Hegemon meets with Solarian diplomats to discuss extradition of the notorious pirate.
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| Today the Hegemon, together with his wife Spymaster Razi and Lord-Admiral Yizarus attended a small function stated to be with other nobles of the Hegemony, to discuss the current affairs of the realm in a relaxed setting. However, reporters working on behalf of the Keeper’s outside the Izweski Citadel where it was to be held noticed that very few official vehicles and noble retinues arrived at the gate but took notice when a diplomatic car from the Solarian Embassy entered the Citadel. While the windows were tinted, reporters believe the occupant of the car was the charge-de-affairs of the Solarian embassy, the highest-ranking Solarian diplomat left within the Hegemony after a general recall due to the collapse of their government about three years ago.
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| A source close to the Hegemon has stated that the real purpose of the meeting was to discuss the possibility of extraditing several Unathi Pirates who were captured by the Southern Solarian Reconstruction Mandate, a Solarian designated mandate within the human wildlands some days ago. Among the pirates is rumored to be Guwan Sitraz, a former member of our navy who fled the Hegemony after dishonoring the Izweski clan by murdering unarmed combatants and civilians attempting to surrender to his men. His location has been unknown since 2458 when after being ordered by the Hegemon to return to Moghes to face judgment, he fled into the frontier. He has since been suspected to be behind several pirate organizations within the Sparring Sea and Badlands but has never been positively located by any organization. It now appears that due to the work of the Solarian Interstellar Intelligence Bureau and other Solarian intelligence clans, he may finally face the Hegemon's justice.
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| While we hope that Sitraz and the other pirates can be brought back to Moghes to face the Hegemon’s justice, it is unclear how extradition may work. As a mandate, now totally under the control of Sol, the SSRM may wish to try the criminals themselves or return them to the interim Solarian Government for trial. We presume that this was the center of the conversation with the Citadel, as the diplomat and Hegemon spoke for at least several hours. We will keep our readers appraised as this story develops.
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| =Governor MacPherson announces negotiations underway for the extradition of Unathi Pirates to Hegemony=
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| '''News Article'''
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| '''Publisher: Sol Alliance News Network'''
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| '''Writer: Triogenix'''
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| '''Editors: RustingWithYou, CaptainGecko'''
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| 16/08/2465
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| SSRM leadership announces that extradition is considered. Some among the public are unhappy.
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| Earlier today, standing beside Minister of Defense Lucien Courtois on Sankt Frederick, Governor MacPherson announced the recently captured Unathi Pirates, now in custody on the planet, may be extradited to the Hegemony. The SANN was on the ground to record the announcement and has attached it to this article.
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| ''The camera pans over to the right to track Governor MacPherson and Fleet Admiral Courtois as they make their way up to the Podium, taking about thirty seconds. The Governor quickly rearranges some papers on the podium, before politely coughing into the mic. Having confirmed that it’s on, he begins his announcement.''
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| “My fellow Solarians, I stand here today with a representative of our provisional government in the core worlds, Minister of Defense Courtois, to speak to you today about the Unathi pirates we recently captured in the former territory of the Southern Fleet Administration. It is our belief, and I think I speak for both myself and the Minister of Defense here, that a diplomatic solution where these criminals can be punished by their original government is preferable, and will help to signal a reborn Solarian Alliance that has diplomacy beyond threats of force.”
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| ''The governor pauses for a moment to look at Courtois who gives an almost imperceptible nod before continuing.''
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| “With that said, we have several conditions we would like to consider. Firstly, the trial of the criminals shall take place here, on Sankt Frederick. We are willing to grant the Iz-we-ski Hegemony a plot of land at a now unused consulate for a fixed period where the trial and punishment can occur, outside the laws of these lands. Secondly, the trial must be observed by a member of the Solarian Department of Justice, who will act as an advisor to the Hegemonies appointed judge. Third, the criminals shall be charged with all crimes committed within the territories of the Solarian Alliance, occupied or otherwise, during their trial. We are not just here to achieve justice for a crime six years in the past, we are here to find justice for murdered Solarian citizens. Lastly, not all criminals will be extradited, we will allow your government to try two of them, while the remaining are tried here by our planetary courts.”
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| ''After finishing his statement, the governor takes another quick pause before continuing.''
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| “These conditions are the requirements we have to allow some of these criminals to be punished by their original government, and we encourage the Hegemony to reach out to our Charge-de-affairs to give their response. As a gesture of good faith, we will allow a Hegemonic Lord to observe the trials of the rest of the pirates, as well as provide further evidence of their guilt, but not advise the Judge on their sentence.”
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| ''The governor then finishes his speech, speaking briefly with Courtois, before both walk off the stage and the camera stops rolling.''
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| This announcement has baffled interstellar relations experts, who were incredibly surprised to find the Alliance open to negotiations in any form, instead expecting a quick military trial of the pirates. Legal experts have also given their input into the strange nature of the agreement, commenting on the allocation of land to the Hegemony for a fixed period, and the precedent it sets. One interviewee from Callisto was quoted saying ''“If we start giving all our land to [EXPLETIVE] alien governments to do what they please, what’s the point of the alliance?”'' The SANN also reached out to Fleet Admiral Myo Yunso to ask for a comment, but her public relations officer declined to give a statement. It was the same when SANN reporters reached out to Fleet Admiral Klaudia Szalai’s office. We currently know that Minister of Defense Courtois visited both admiral’s flagships before appearing with the governor for his statement, though not what was discussed. Now we expectantly wait for the response of the Hegemony with bated breath, stay tuned!
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| =Hegemon Accepts Southern Provisional Governments terms for extradition, Lord-Admiral Yizarus leaves for Sankt Frederick=
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| '''News Article'''
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| '''Publisher: Sinta Articles'''
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| '''Writer: Triogenix'''
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| '''Editors: RustingWithYou, CaptainGecko'''
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| 18/08/2465
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| An agreement is reached. Lord-Admiral Yizarus departs the Hegemony to sit in judgement on Sankt-Frederick.
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| Over the past few days since the announcement by the Southern Solarian Reconstruction Mandate, the Charge-de-affairs of the Solarian embassy has been seen entering and leaving the Izweski Citadel, sometimes multiple times a day. It has been believed that the Hegemon is negotiating with the Solarian Government for better conditions regarding the extradition of the Guwan Sitraz and other pirate scum captured by one of their reconstruction mandates so recently. Today, our speculation came to an end, however, as High Speaker Seleta Sarnac called a press conference in the evening. Our reporters were there and captured her opening statement.
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| “Greetings. I am pleased to announce that our Hegemon has accepted a set of revised conditions presented by a Solarian Diplomat this afternoon, in regards to the extradition of several Unathi criminals. I ask that you hold all questions until I have informed you of all new conditions. The Hegemony has agreed in full to the condition that the trials of the pirates take place on the world which they are currently held, and accept the local government's offer to hold a small former consulate under the banner of the Izweski Hegemony for the time of the trial and punishment. The Hegemony has also fully agreed to try the pirates with the assistance of a Solarian Judge for their crimes committed in Solarian Territory. We however will be trying two pirates of our choosing, in addition to the guwan Sitraz. In addition, we will be taking up the local government's offer to have a Hegemonic Lord observe the trials of the remaining pirates, as well as offer advice to the presiding Judge. The Hegemony has also requested that the maximum sentence for the crimes of the pirates be execution by firing squad, rather than cyborgification, which the local government has accepted.”
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| ''Seleta pauses for a moment, keeping her hand up to forestall questions.''
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| “To these ends, Lord-Admiral Yizarus has been dispatched to the planet of Sankt Frederick, where he will act in our Hegemon’s stead as the presiding judge for the criminals we prosecute. He has taken one of our quickest ships and is expected to be there by the end of the week. I now open the floor to questions.”
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| Very few questions of any substance were asked by the members of the press attendant, due to the skillful delivery of the High Speaker. Our journalists held off on asking further questions. We pray the spirits are with Lord Admiral Yizarus on his journey, and that he may extract the Hegemon’s justice by word of mouth and strength of claw.
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| =Unathi Pirates Publicly Executed by Hegemony Lord-Admiral after 4-hour Trial=
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| '''News Article'''
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| '''Publisher: Sol Alliance News Network'''
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| '''Writer: Triogenix'''
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| '''Editors: RustingWithYou, CaptainGecko'''
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| 26/08/2465
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| Lord-Admiral Yizarus dispenses the Hegemon's justice. Solarian viewers are shocked by the swift and merciless judgement.
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| In a shocking development, after a mere six hours on the planet of Sankt Frederick the Hegemony’s appointed judge, one Lord-Admiral Yizarus has completed the trial and punishment of the three criminals the Hegemony was allowed to try. The trial itself only took four hours, and thirty minutes after completion the convicted Unathi were taken out of the consulate building to its front yard for their punishments. The SANN had a camera on the scene and captured the following video. Viewer discretion is advised.
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| ''The camera turns on with an unsteady hand, as it shakes seemingly up onto someone's shoulder. After a few moments, it clears up and begins to track a three person long file of Unathi prisoners gagged and chained being escorted out onto the front lawn of the former consulate. The file is led by a tall, proud-looking Sinta with a sword at his waist, Lord-Admiral Yizarus, and flanked on all sides by Men-at-arms wearing the heraldry of the Izweski; by the Lord-Admiral's side is a short, plump man identified as a Solarian Judge. About halfway across the lawn, the file stops, in front of a small crowd that’s begun to form. Several armsmen place three wooden boxes on the lawn and force each prisoner to kneel with their head on one. Lord-Admiral Yizarus notices the crowd which has begun to grow in size, and quickly speaks with the Judge before turning to face the crowd. He then gave the following statements.''
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| ''“I have found thessse criminalss guilty of a litany of crimesss, including pirassy in the Sssolarian Alliansse. For thesse crimesss, they will be eksecuted.”''
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| The Lord-Admiral seemingly believes that’s enough to say, and turns back to criminals, now all kneeling, drawing the sword on his waist. It’s an unadorned simple sword but shines with a sharpness that only Plasteel could achieve. He plants the point into the soft ground near the head of the rightmost convict, Sitraz. He then sa''ys;
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| ''In Sinta’Unathi: “And now, a duty fulfilled.”''
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| ''After that phrase Yizarus brings the sword up over his head and down onto Sitraz’s neck, completely separating his head from the rest of his body in one smooth stroke, to the gasps of the crowd. Yizarus casually kicks the now removed head out of his way, as he moves on to the next convict, believed to be Sitraz’s second in command. Without a word this time, Yizarus once again hefts the sword up over his head and down onto the convict's neck, separating their head from their body. He then moves on to the last convict and repeats the same motion with the same ending before speaking again.''
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| ''In Sinta’Unathi: “Have it all burned, and spread the ashes through the star lanes; there should be no resting place for the dishonored.”''
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| ''The armsmen move to carry the bodies and head back inside, as Yizarus calmly pulls out a piece of cloth and begins to clean his sword, speaking with the stunned Solarian Judge all the while. The crowd murmurs but is mostly quiet, too stunned to react spectacularly. Eventually, Yizarus and the judge both head back inside, and the camera stops rolling.''
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| The speed and severity of the punishment handed down to the pirates has taken Sankt Frederick by storm, with videos of the executions and the thoughts of the population being re-chirped millions of times across the spur. When asked by a reporter who caught him at the starport leaving for the Hegemony about the executions, Lord-Admiral Yizarus simply said:
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| ''“They broke the lawsss of the Hegemon, Sssolarian Alliansse, and other civilized nationss ass well asss the lawsss of the sspiritsss, and were punissshed accordingly.”''
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| The remainder of the pirates remain on Sankt Frederick and are expected to be brought before a Solarian Judge for their trials several months from now. The Hegemony has extended its full thanks to the Solarian Government as well as the leaders of the Southern Solarian Reconstruction Mandate, in particular Governor McPherson, for allowing them to “justly punish a criminal who has long evaded rightful authority.”
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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 Qebalak ‘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,
Let our struggle only grow,
Aid us ‘gainst the tyrant’s ire,
Red your teeth that find his throat.”
-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 other Hegemony worlds practicing similar rituals in order to overcome hostile environments.
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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