Lent23

Ckey/BYOND Username: Lent23 Position Being Applied For: Unathi Lore Writer Have you read the Lore Team Rules and Regulations wiki page?: Yes Past Experiences/Knowledge: Outside of being on the Unathi team for over a year now, I have been narratively creating for over a decade now, be it through roleplaying games like Garry’s Mod or tabletop worldbuilding. Examples of Past Work: The reworking of the Si'akh religion (which included a lore arc of its own) as well as some editing for the War in Heaven Arc with the Vaurca. Si'akh Stoking the Flames Arc War in Heaven Arc 1. A particular section of Unathi Lore that you think should be expanded upon, alongside your reasons for it. Or what you think should be removed, and expand your reasons for that too: I want to expand upon the feudal system and how that interacts with the modernity of space exploration. Modern times are here, and those that are enslaved by tradition are historically doomed to stagnate, the threat of radicality ever-looming over static leadership. While the juxtaposition between Unathi honor/religion and the overwhelmingly bleak capitalist hellscape that is the Orion Spur is interesting, I would like to see the Unathi grow in a way that will meaningfully impact the setting - going from a minor power to something that does not inherently have to rely on others in every facet. We have seen Unathi justify the exploitation of their moon by Hephaestus, but I am more interested in how we move forward from that. Looking at the Hegemony, they should look to strengthen themselves individually to ensure that an alliance with them would look mutually beneficial with other states. The divide between youthful Unathi who are willing to compromise centuries-old traditions and the hard-line traditionalist older generation that are unwavering in their reverence of the ways their ancestors acted can be explored through modernization and growth of the species’ various factions and systems. Moghes and Ouerea already have starkly different stances on the individual - imagine how much further that gets augmented with distance from the capital world. Overall, I want to flesh out the distinction of all current factions and planets. We already know how Moghes works, and we know how Moghes compares to Ouerea through Ouerea’s core idea as a more democratic planet comparatively - though one that still lives under the feudal system imposed by the homeworld. Let’s view how other colonies and worlds work under the system while solidifying their core concepts. Honestly, I don’t think we have enough content to want to remove anything whole-sale. Anything that I would consider removing could just as easily be reworked. 2. Do you have a long-term vision for what direction you want to take Unathi? There are a few targets I would like to hit: The Hegemony Dominian Unathi The Sparring Sea / Pirates Unathi Abroad Let’s start with the big one: The Hegemony. A nation that could be considered up-and-coming. They have solved most of their internal discord and can now look outward. This outward view means two things to me: Making and maintaining their friendships and growing their empire. I expand on this point in question three, but I want to touch on it briefly here: The Izweski-Hephaestus partnership is a good start for the Hegemony, but Hephaestus controls the partnership by a large margin. I would like to lessen the stranglehold that Hephaestus has in order to integrate the Hegemony more with the greater Spur and explore other avenues of friendships with other powers. On the note of the growth of their empire, it is clear that Not’zar’s goal is to consolidate the centralized power of the Hegemony and to grow the level of autonomy for his people. We currently hold about eight planets - nine if you count Tret - that we can explore and expand upon. My vision for the Hegemony in the immediate future involves exploring how The Scarcity affects our known Hegemony systems. Once we have established what we have, the Hegemony can grow from there and explore the expansion of the Hegemony itself. The main idea here is how communication breakdown can breed resentment, especially in a system where the homeworld benefits most from the exploitation of its colonies, followed by the idea that distance can allow individuals to forge their own paths that are not necessarily in-line with what the homeworld would prefer. Everyone’s favorite non-Hegemony faction: Dominianathi. Their role has shifted from their inception from invaders to primaries to a powerful great house to a tenuous hated-by-most role in Dominia. Their current role is that of malleable-invaders-turned-integrated-population. I view the Dominian Unathi as a shining example of the adaptability of the Unathi species. While the original Unathi were traditionalist pirate raiders, they were able to form a society for themselves that is free of both the inherent violence and unpredictability of piracy as well as the strict feudalism of the Hegemony. While they may be subservient to human overlords and their strange Goddess, they have adapted and grown to a point where they are able to forge their own path, and I see a lot of potential in their theming. The Sparring Sea is, as you may know, a dangerous and mostly lawless section of space north of Moghes. Of all of the areas, I see the Sparring Sea as the largest potential for growth of the species. It is mostly uncharted within the lore, and it rests in a prime location - one that touches not only the Hegemony, but Dominia and Elyra and borders on the southern claims of the Solarian Alliance. It is home to raiders, pirates, and generally unsavory parties. I want this area to exist as a more tangible conflict zone. I want pirate alliances, Hegemony forays, combat between nations, shaky peace agreements, and attempts to tame what is essentially the wild west. There are so many colonies of Unathi on other worlds. Vezdukh, Eridani, Biesel, Gakal’zaal - Any number of minor planets in the Coalition of Colonies. There is so much potential for growth. Most of our “Abroad” page refers to how “There are not many Unathi on X.” So let’s put them there. Let’s find out exactly what communities are doing across these planets. One that I am especially interested in is the Gakal’zaal Guwan, who are in a unique position in that they are willing to allow the Tajara to exploit them in exchange for finding a sense of superiority over those that would consider them lesser by joining the Sinta Volunteer Forces. Smaller splinter groups like the SVF deserve a bit more spotlight than they are afforded. Overall, these groups have different goals, but my goal for each of them remains the same: Growth (in the amount of lore that we have for them) and Integration (collaboration with other sections of lore oocly / interconnectivity icly). I want to grow the lore that we already have presented while simultaneously integrating them into the wider spur. Good examples of this integration are the Dominianati and Unathi abroad, as they allow us to work with other teams. My ultimate goal is to have at least one project with each of the other teams. 3. Is there anything regarding Unathi lore that you'd really like to remove or heavily rework, but it's so ingrained in the lore to the point where it'd be challenging to do in a way that's satisfactory? The relationship that the Hegemony has with Hephaestus is integral to their current identity and is not something that I would like to remove, but evolve. As it stands, Hephaestus has a massive head up on the Hegemony with regards to the balance of power. They are able to exploit every facet of the hegemony through the guilds, and this is something that has come about due to the massive disadvantage that the Unathi have been placed in historically. I am not interested in inherently separating that, but simply balancing out the power dynamic between the two in a certain way. With the scarcity becoming a more important topic these days, the biggest idea that exists as a factor of separation between the two groups is the idea that Hephaestus, while benefiting greatly from the Hegemony, is not able to provide an equal benefit in return. There are a lot of things that the Hegemony needs in order to survive that Phoron is integral for - medical equipment, terraforming machines, communication devices, etc. If Hephaestus is not able to provide this key equipment for the Hegemony, the relationship is going to suffer as a result, and the Hegemony will have to push to grow its own ability to solve the shortcomings of their current benefactor. 4. What direction do you want to take Unathi lore in an IC manner? The Hegemony has been looking to form alliances outside of what they have now - they have already begun with the Federation during New Blades Old Wounds. We have an initial alliance that is going to weaken the stranglehold that Hephaestus has on the Hegemony. While they do not want to lose their relationship with Hephaestus, the Hegemony does not want to exist as a vassal of the corporation. There are others that are seeking alliances across the Spur, especially in such a tenuous time such as the scarcity. The Hegemony also has no significant rival that is endangering them outside of Dominia. The Sparring Sea has such potential just waiting to be utilized. My biggest goal for this area is the formation of a confederation of disparate pirate factions that can act as a true rival to the Hegemony and interact with them in a multitude of ways. A shaky border agreement, internal strife, conversations between different factions within the confederation, there is so much potential with the rise of a new faction. The Unathi that live within the Sparring Sea and beyond are privy to the new ways of life. They are not on Moghes anymore, there is no restrictive system keeping them in line, they are free to forge their own path, and that is one that I want to explore. Sinta Volunteer Forces, unite! You have nothing to lose but your chains! Together we take Gakal’zaal back! Probably. 5. What do you think are your strongest and weakest attributes in terms of working on a team, and why? My strongest attribute is my ability to work and compromise with anyone. I will hear out any ideas that are brought to me and I try to expand on things that people bring to me as much as I can. No matter how crazy your concept, if you are passionate about it I will try to include it, provided it fits with the overall vision - and I see it as part of the position to try to fit everything we can. This is a community project, after all. My weakest attribute is likely that I am willing to get discouraged if the group/person that I am writing with does not give me the same treatment - If you are not willing to hear me out, why are we writing cooperatively? 6. The Unathi writer is a position that comes with two deputy writers under them on the team. It is the writer's job to manage their team, in addition to their duties of moderating the WL. Given that, what skills do you have that you think will assist you in this? On the opposite end, what do you believe is your weakest link regarding management and moderation? I have worked throughout my life at varying levels of supervisory and management roles. Delegation is second nature to me and I have no problems with it whatsoever. My biggest weakness on a team has historically been my willingness to let my team get away with a little too much - something I have little true worry about with a collaborative project such as our lore - innovation comes from open minds, after all. This being said, while I am willing to compromise on a lot of things, there is a greater story that must be abided, and while we may work together, it is clear that it will be one vision of the species that moves forward ultimately. With regards to the moderation of the WL, I have no issue contacting people who have misrepresented the species in order to correct them. I like to think I am very approachable and typically available via Discord, and I monitor the forums every day, so I am quick to see what is going on with things like applications. Thank you for reading. Attached is an image for your consideration.

Honestly, I would love to see the vacant office get some use more than anything, and it absolutely fits the theme of "Make the freelancer figure their own stuff out." Though I wouldn't be against the freelancer getting their own office in this situation either.

"Ginny dies!" D : "Ginny dies." : (

Hiza really is just a @geeves self-insert

First, I'd like to say that I like the content of most of your application, and I think you're a strong choice from what I've seen from you, so I kindly brought you some questions! Good luck with your app I genuinely love this idea. A point was raised recently about the PMCG however, where the PMCG is considered "bloated" for having 13 subcontractors. Are you interested in doing something with the current perceived bloat of the PMCG? How would you prevent a similar situation with the keiretsu? Would you be similarly open to the possibility of subcontractors for the other megacorporations? Something that I have a gripe with personally is the amount of irrelevant lore that we have. If it can't be utilized on the server, it feels mostly unimportant to include. This is not to say that all lore off the Horizon/main worlds is useless, but it should have some impact on the Horizon/characters or have the potential to. I would love to see more of the mundane parts of the Spur, but I believe that there is a lot of relevant lore that could be worked/expanded upon. All this to say, are you interested in working on keeping things at least relevant to characters? This is something I'd really like to see more of. I feel something starkly underrepresented is the fact that these Megacorporations aren't exactly friends, they're just working together out of convenience. Is there any two megacorporations you'd like to see in conflict in-particular? Would you be interested in multiple corporations teaming up against multiple other corporations? Do you have anything in mind already? With no experience leading other people, what makes you believe that you are a good candidate for essentially helping manage 20+ people? Why do you want to become DLM, and what do you hope to gain if you get the position?

Hey, I'd like to be a bit transparent and say that I've been a bit busy, and that's why it's taken so long to get back to you about your post, and I apologize for that. I know we're sitting on a little over a week of this post being up. This application was received positively by the Unathi team. I was already planning a bit of a rework on the Kataphracts as an Order, and I'm looking to include a number of things from your application in my work. Would you be alright with us selectively picking things from your application, or are you more interested in a "all-or-nothing" sort of deal? Let me know how you feel either way! 😃

Hey, thanks for applying! I've got just a few questions for you: 1. Which religion does Aehruk practice, and why? 2. Who sponsored Aehruk when it came time to join Kesh'ka proper? Why did they want him in the clan? 3. Why was he christened Aehruk Thos'kar? Who bestowed this new name on him and why? 4. How does Aehruk feel about Hephaestus, a company that owns a vested interest in the SCCV Horizon, where he is going to be working.

Message from the Wasteland Stoking the Flames Arc, Article 10 (Finale) Recently, a video was sent to us here at TruthFinder from the Unathi homeworld of Moghes, with a former correspondent for Hephaestus-owned local media sharing his thoughts on recent developments. While we’re not so sure about some of the religious aspects of the message, the fact that corporate media refuses to publish it means we have an obligation to. The video is attached below, with helpfully-provided Tau Ceti Basic subtitles. Attached: truthofsiakh.vid The camera turns on, showing a Unathi recognizable as former Sinta Articles correspondent Szak Ren’zsar - though seeming very different to his prior appearances. He has shed his professional attire, and is now clad in a simple and uncomfortable-looking robe, bereft of any adornment. He seems to be standing in what looks like the long-abandoned lobby of some kind of office building, with several humbly-dressed Unathi working to clear away rubble behind him. He looks to the camera and begins to speak in Sinta’Unathi. Tau Ceti Basic subtitles scroll across the bottom of the screen. “To all of you, across the Spur. Though my words are meant for my Sinta brothers and sisters, I welcome all to listen. I am Szak Ren’zsar, formerly of Sinta Articles - now Speaker of the Flame, by the grace of the Prophet Judiza Si’akh. I’m here today at the First Church of the Flame, near what was once Lake Azuaki, in what is now the Wasteland of Moghes. I know what is said about us, because I have said it myself. We are called cultists, killers, madmen. I had hoped that Sinta Articles would let me show the truth of Si’akh, but when I tried to speak they silenced me. But in doing so all that they have shown is the simple truth - that the powers of this world are afraid of what we say.” Ren’zsar pauses, gesturing slightly. The camera pans, looking out a window over an expanse of barren sand. In the distance, the bones of skyscrapers jut out from the desert. After a long pan past the devastation, the camera returns to Ren’zsar. “They call us madmen. But change often looks like madness, from the eyes of those who cling to the past. Look at what has become of our world, and ask yourself - is it a sane world that we live in? Is it madness to see these ruins and say, this is wrong? Ten million Sinta once lived in that city on the horizon. The fish in the lake here fed a nation, and now it is dust and bone. Is it madness? To look upon this and say ‘no more’? I have seen the heart of the Hegemony, the corridors of power in which Not’zar Izweski and his ilk walk. The nobles sitting on thrones of gold, feasting to their hearts’ content while their own people starve. It is the way it has always been, is what I am told, but we stand here in ruins because the way it has always been is wrong. In wickedness, greed, and corruption, the lords of the Hegemony and Traditionalists alike condemned our world to devastation, all to squabble over who would be king of the ruins. I am here today because there is a man who sees this evil for what it is. A man who was blessed threefold by Sk’akh, who I believe is the last hope of our people for redemption. I am Szak Ren’szar, Speaker of the Flame, and what I say now is the truth of Si’akh - that there are no lords but the Great Spirit, and the prophet that They have chosen!” Cheers come from the gathered Unathi. Chants of “Si’akh! Si’akh!” can be heard echoing through the chamber. “As the Fisher, They guide Their children. As the Healer, She shall mend this blighted world. As the Warrior, He shall fight beside us, to make our world green once more! My brothers and sisters, I know you have lived lives of sin and wickedness, for I have too. But there is good news for one and all, that redemption is possible, that a better world is possible!” He pauses again, as the cheering slowly dies down. With a calmer tone, he addresses the audience. “I know that there are those among you who see the rot and corruption in our people, and who feel as I feel. If that is you, my brothers and sisters - then come to this place, the Church of the Flame, anointed by the Prophet Si’akh. Find us, join us - and together, we shall save our people from damnation. The Hegemon and his fellows in sin may seek to stop us - but our fire rises, and for each that falls in Si’akh’s name a hundred more shall take up his words.” The crowd erupt with cheers again, cries of “The fire rises!” and “May Si’akh take the world!” being heard. The camera jerks downwards awkwardly, and the sound of someone fiddling with it can be heard for a few seconds, before the video ends.

Si’akh Cultists Establish Wasteland Church Stoking the Flames Arc, Article 9 Following yesterday’s dramatic events, it appears that a small army of Si’akh cultists have fortified a structure in the Wasteland, near the borders of the Queendom of Szek’Hakh. While we do not have any personnel on the scene, reports indicate several thousand followers of the heretic ringleader have begun to settle in the region, proclaiming the “First Church of the Flame”. Queen Szek’Hakh has issued only a brief comment on this recent madness, stating that she will not risk her people’s lives in driving out the cult without the Hegemon’s express command. The office of the Hegemon has yet to issue an official response to recent events. Former Sinta Articles guildsman Szak Ren’zsar seems to be presiding over the cult presence, having been declared as ‘First Speaker of the Flame’ by the so-called prophet Judizah Si’akh. Following his outrageous declaration, his employment with Sinta Articles has been terminated. Sinta Articles does not condone or endorse Szak Ren’zsar’s beliefs or statements, and his conversion to the Si’akh faith is in no way reflective of our stance as a guild, or the stance of our parent guild Hephaestus Industries. Among the nobility there has been an uproar, with Lord Yuhuni of To’ha’dat calling for Sk’akh faithful to take up arms against the Si’akh cult and its followers. The Sk’akh Church has yet to issue an official statement, though Archpriest Malza of Zazalai made a brief public statement that “Where the egg of heresy is allowed to hatch unimpeded, death and ruin shall be birthed in abundance”. Whether his fellow archpriests will back him on this matter remains to be seen. Szak Ren’zsar has taken to posting videos on the extranet, filled with the deranged ramblings that one might expect from a cult such as Si’akh. The Ren’zsar clan has denounced their once-proud son’s actions, and our sources inform us that discussion of declaring the so-called First Speaker Guwan has been raised. As for this Church itself, more Si’akhists are reported to flock there by the day - though whether Judiza Si’akh himself is still there remains unclear. It is likely he has fled again, driven by cowardice to avoid the risk of confrontation for his many crimes. What this development will mean remains to fully unfold, however. Whether this new ‘Church’ is a staging ground for an assault on the nearby Queendom, or one of the cities of the Zazalais, remains to be seen - as well as what the madman Judiza Si’akh intends to do next. As always, Sinta Articles will keep our readers updated on any further developments. Remember, for Sinta news Spur-wide, stick to the source you know you can trust - stick to Sinta Articles.

A Live Broadcast of Juzida Si’akh in the Queendom of Sezk-Hakh Stoking the Flames Arc, Article 8 BREAKING NEWS flies across the screen as the background swaps from a Hegemony flag to pan upwards and reveal a single black-scaled male Unathi sitting at a reporting desk. A name at the bottom of the screen denotes this man as Insar Zenkan Zenkan: “Today, we have a live broadcast for you. Senior Correspondent Szak Ren’zsar is live at the Queendom of Sezk-Hakh as heretic pariah Juzida Si’akh prepares to make a speech. While concerning that the previously well-regarded Queen Lazak Szek’Hakh has apparently broken her oath to the Hegemon, we are nevertheless covering this story to keep you, the viewer, up-to-date. Ren’zsar, can you hear me?” The camera switches to a large green-scaled Unathi holding a microphone. In the background there is a large stage with thousands of Sinta in front of it. A name at the bottom of the screen denotes this as Szek Ren’zsar. Ren’zsar: “I hear you, Zenkan. Today we are witnessing history as The Final High Prophet Born of the Purifying Flames unveils his vision of the future.” Zenkan: “Quite the official title for such an insane heretic. It almost sounds like you respect him, Ren’zsar.” Ren’zsar: “Respect comes where respect is due, Zenkan.” Cheering and tail-stomping can be heard in the background as the camera pans away from Ren’zsar and towards the stage. The man known as Juzida Si’akh walks on stage and the camera follows him closely. He walks slowly yet resolutely towards the podium before resting his walking cane on it politely. He interlocks his claws over the top of the podium, and the cheering slowly falls to silence. He dips his head slightly and speaks into the microphone on the podium: Si’akh: “Today, I must address solemn news. I am sure many of you have heard by now, but some of my most trusted advisors whom I have sent to Moroz to spread our word were caught and tortured by the group known as the Royal Guard. They were tortured for daring to speak our name.” As he pauses, jeers can be heard throughout the thousands of Sinta present. Si’akh: “Illkari Csorik and Lisek Zentra - Your names will always be remembered.” The crowd settles into a moment of respectful silence before Si’akh speaks again: Si’akh: “Those of you that have returned from across the Spur to your ancestral homes, this is for you. In cooperation with Queen Lazak Szek’Hakh, we will be establishing the first official Church of Si’akh of Moghes. We are currently working with a number of printers to codify our word, which will be given to all willing Sinta.” The raucous cheers of thousands of Sinta can be heard. Tail stomping kicks a ton of dust into the air. As it settles, Si’akh continues. Si’akh: “We have also spoken with a number of Si’akh communes around the Spur, and we will be establishing a few Si’akh churches on choice planets across the Spur. These include Vezdukh, Mictlan; District 11 of Mendel City, Biesel and Valkyrie. In each of these locations, I will be sending a trusted Fire Priest to lead in my stead, while I will remain here on Moghes in the First Church of the Flame. My brothers and sisters, this is but the beginning for us.” Raucous cheers fill the air from sections of the crowd as sections are called out. Si’akh: “I have one final announcement for us all today. Behind the crowd lies one man that I have spoken with many times throughout this journey - a man I have seen many of you speak with as well. He is a man with confidence, charisma, and true faith. This man I am declaring as the First Speaker of The Flame: Fire Speaker Szak Ren’zsar!” Many cheers can be heard as the camera pans back to Szak Ren’zsar. His expression is not that of shock, but of reverence. He turns to address the camera. Ren’zsar: “In my time traveling with Juzida Si’akh, I have learned many things. I have seen many faces, and I have heard many stories. Today marks a new day of the Si’akh religion. No longer will we be labeled as cultists, or heretics. No longer will we stand idly by as our world dies.. We are -” First the microphone cuts out, leaving only silence as Ren’zsar continues to speak on-screen. Murmuring from the news crew's voiceover can be heard momentarily as the audio cuts to them before the screen cuts to Insar Zenkan once more. He has a look of shock on his face. He glances around the newsroom, before shuffling some papers. After a moment, he begins to speak: Inzsar: “We will be back. We have to-.. Cut. Cut the stream.” A screen displaying the words PLEASE STAND BY are all that is left on the screen, and a short chime plays. There are a few minutes before commercials resume on the channel.

Si’akh Returns to Moghes with Thousands, Hegemon’s Economic Sanctioning of Dominia? Stoking the Flames Arc, Article 7 Today marks the return of heretical cult leader Juzida Si’akh after a trip to Ouerea to spread his anti-corporate, anti-hegemony faith. After a proselytizing trip abroad, Si’akh has returned via shuttle to the Queendom of Sezk-Hakh. His is only the latest shuttle in a series of drop-offs that have seen Sinta from all over the Spur returning to Moghes from abroad, with many coming from the Republic of Biesel itself, evidently answering a call from the cult head himself. Si’akh is reported to have a scheduled announcement tomorrow, which will have live coverage done by Senior Correspondent Szak Ren’zsar and his team. In related news, the Hegemon has released a statement regarding a number of citizens that were killed by the Empire of Dominia just after they landed on January 13. In his statement, the Hegemon stated: When asked if any action will be taken against the Empire, the Hegemon had this to say: With such a strong economy established thanks to the presence of Aeson, T’zakal and the rest of Hephaestus, the Empire of Dominia stands to suffer economically due to these sanctions. So far, the Empire has not given a formal response to the sanctions. As always, stick with Sinta Articles for the most up-to-date Hegemonic news.

Unathi Heretics Caught at the Border Stoking the Flames Arc, Article 6 This morning, a number of heretics attempting to cross into Imperial space were apprehended as they were landing in Nova Luxembourg. They were immediately taken to the Nova Luxembourg Jail and questioned by the Tribunal Investigations Constabulary before being swiftly executed. According to a representative from the Royal Guard, those captured were a group of high-ranking Si’akh Fire Priests who were attempting to cause upheaval in the Empire. Chief Minister of Unathi Affairs Kasz Han’san was quick to respond, and had this to say regarding the situation: Additionally, the Great House Kazkhz-Han’san has announced that they will be making several significant donations to the Holy Tribunal, to aid in further defending the sanctity of Her Immortal Empire against foreign heretics both Unathi and human. During a press release later in the day, His Imperial Majesty Bolesław Keeser had this to say: Praise the Goddess, for without Her we would not have the foresight to deal with unrest before it rears its ugly head.