The Netraxians - Stories of faith, hope and cruelty

[Onki9]

(This is my first Stellaris playthrough and my first AAR. Also, I am not a native English speaker. Apologies in advance if the quality of my playing or writing needs correction. I am writing this mostly for my own amusement and to maintain English skills, but if someone else happen to like it, even better )

MEET THE NETRAXIANS

Every story needs a hero. And here is our hero. A pale people, raised by their frost-bitten homeworld. A species that is used to the fact that the only way to survive in the world is through cooperation. Fighting against the forces of nature, and sometimes fighting against each other too, they have survived only by trusting that despite all the bad things, tomorrow will be a new day. They are Netraxians.

THE SPECIES

The Netraxian homeworld is Orossi, a cold planet covered in ice and tundra, orbiting a dim yellow dwarf star they call Orossi-Huivac. Netraxians have adapted to the cold. they are a herd-loving species by nature, characterized by timidness and frugality. They love the old traditions. They are very communal and respect their family and tribe.

Their bodies may look skinny but their muscles are strong. To many outsiders they still seem a bit slow. It doesn't mean they are simple or stupid. It only takes a little time for them to accomplish almost anything.

Netraxians have two biological sexes - of which you can use the name female and male. The sexes are physically - almost - identical and they have almost no importance in the social life of Netraxians. Netraxians usually live in family units of about 2 to 6 adult people + their children. Adults do not form permanent pairs. They still are usually loyal to their family group. Usually a female netraxian becomes pregnant 1-4 times in their lifetime, so the species is quite slow to reproduce. The children are taken care of for quite a long time, and the offspring usually moves away from their childhood family only at the age of almost 30.

THE SOCIETY

Thorough their history Netraxians have been organized into tribes. Each tribe consists usually of about 100 family groups, which means about half a thousand members. Tribes are the traditional basic unit of Netraxi society. Netraxians have never formed large unified states or countries. In modern times, with urbanization and population mobility, the importance of tribes has decreased.

The place of tribes as the guarantor of social cohesion has been taken by religion instead of the state. Netraxians have always been spiritual. Many different religions have appeared throughout their history. However, in modern times, only one dominant religion exists among the Netraxians. It is called the Church of the Word (CoW)

The CoW is a planet-wide religious community. It is also the single most important political organization among Netraxians. It was founded some 500 years ago, and nowadays it is the only existing religious organization among Netraxians. All Netraxians are members of the CoW since their birth.

The CoW is still not an authoritarian organization. Each tribe chooses trusted members from among themselves as priests. The priests of each town, neighborhood, etc. form a conclave. Each conclave usually has priests from 1-5 tribes. Each conclave once again chooses an envoy to the Regional Conclave. The Regional Conclaves send representatives to the even bigger Grand Conclaves. And Grand Conclaves send their representatives to the Highest Conclave. Chairman/-woman of the Highest Conclave is called the Chief Precentor. He is the highest official of the CoW, but he has relatively weak political power. Conclaves make all decisions by voting, and the chairman only leads the meetings.

the CoW has only authority over religious affairs. All other activities of society are the responsibility of tribes and individual citizens. Sometimes there is conflicts and even small wars between tribes. the CoW condemns all dissension between fellow Netraxians. Many church leaders hope that the CoW could unite all Netraxians under one strong rule, so that conflicts and disputes could be resolved peacefully under the leadership of the church.

 

[HistoryDude]

Ah, a religious people. This should be fun. Will we get holy wars?

How did this church take over the entire planet? There had to be resistance of some kind. No one likes abandoning their old ideas entirely, so unless it’s a really syncretic religion… yeah.

Did the tribes fight wars?

And welcome to the forum!

 

[Macavity116]

Welcome to AARland! Fanatic Spiritualist paired with Idealistic Foundation is a fascinating combination. Never tried it myself, looking forward to see where you go from here.

Don't forget to have fun!

 

[steptioit08]

Not to make fun of the religion at all but I keep reading “CoW” as cow, kinda funny though

 

[Onki9]

Thank you all for the good feedback

BACKGROUND, PART 2

The Church of the Word

The Vasku'Onor temple - the main temple of the CoW and the residence of the Chief Precentor.

The CoW was founded in 1498. At that time, the Netraxians had developed technologically to a level that in Earth's history would be called the Industrial Revolution. With the advent of early steam engines and labor-intensive industries, tribes began to unite into larger collectives. Although the development of industry increased material wealth, many Netraxians also experienced uncertainty and fear due to rapid change.

In this context, the prophet Torba'Vasku (1420 - 1488) began her work. Torba'Vasku was an eccentric individual who lived a hermit's life preaching about the connection of all living things. She also taught about a deeper level of reality behind everyday reality. This ultimate reality she called "the Word". The concept of the Word is somewhat similar to what we humans call Neoplatonism. According to Torba'Vasku, The word is the only thing that truly exists. Everything else is either reflections or shadows of the Word.

The Netraxians had many different previous religions, but there was something new and intriguing in the teachings of Torba'Vasku. In a short time, she gained many followers. Even entire tribes converted to her religion. Especially the lower social classes found her words comforting: according to the new religion, all creatures, rich and poor, came from the same origin and were equally valuable.

Shortly after Torba'Vasku's death, the tribes that followed her founded a common church to study and preach her teachings. The newly found church also clarified many articles of faith. One of the new doctrines was the socio-political view that machines and industry are evil and prevent the natural fulfillment of the Word. Many converted tribes abandoned industry and returned to their traditional ways of life. Even more of them looked with horror at the neighboring tribes who had already adopted the industry. The result was intensive missionary work, which sometimes also led to religious wars.

Centuries passed, and the CoW slowly increased its sphere of influence. However, it only spread as a planet-wide church after correcting its views in a more moderate direction. This happened in the early 19th century. The advanced machines were no longer completely banned, but they were allowed to operate only under the supervision of the Netraxians. By accepting machines and industrial production, the church-led tribes were eventually able to defeat the more technologically advanced but also more fragmented competing tribes that were still left on the planet. By the late 1900s, the entire Orossi had united under one religion.

The Academia

Although the CoW has always been suspicious of technology, its relationship with science and research has been more positive. The first Zuman'Eseek (which may be translated as "an academy") was founded in 1732. Since then, dozens of church-led academies have been established.

The academies function formally as part of the church organization and under the supervision of the church. In practice, they have very strong autonomy as long as they do not challenge the official doctrine of the CoW. Academies are also highly valued by the CoW, and nowadays it is practically impossible to advance to the highest positions in the church without a background in the Academy.

Traditionally, academies have mainly taught philosophy and theology. Since the late 19th century their teaching has also included natural sciences, social sciences, and even engineering. However, automation research is under special scrutiny and all projects related to automation require the approval of the church.

The Hyperspace

The existence of hyperspace was discovered by an accomplished physicist Hask'Teragg in 2106. From the beginning, the CoW was immensely interested in hyperspace. Hyperspace was speculated to be a route by which it is possible to break out of the physical world into the transcendental world of the Word. Hyperspace research was strongly supported and the best talents of the academies were harnessed to explore it.

Within a few decades, the enthusiasm waned. It began to seem that hyperspace is not the way to a transcendent reality. Instead, it was revealed to be a completely normal feature of space. However, the physics departments of the academies continued to study it.

in 2175 there was a breakthrough in hyperspace research. It had already been possible to move small nano-sized objects into hyperspace before. This time, an unmanned spaceship was successfully transferred to hyperspace. The drone also returned from hyperspace to normal space completely undamaged. The next question was: could living beings also be moved through hyperspace?

In 2181 first hyperspace travel was completed by academician Hask'Jugir. He tried to travel from the orbit of planet Orossi to the orbit of the closest neighboring planet Shi'Tanask. Apparently the gravitational field of the planets and the home star interfered with the journey. She traveled from the Orossi-Huivac system to an unknown empty region of space. Hask'Jugir failed to return home, but sent a message before his ship's batteries died. The location where he arrived was about 1.5 light years from Orossi. Haks'Jugir was declared as a saint and future research of hyperspace travel was warranted.

In 2195 a method to survey hyperlanes was invented by a promising young scientist Torba'Inarim - a name you might want to remember. Hyperlanes are mapped and safe routes in hyperspace, connecting two different star systems. Torba'Inarim's discovery was ground breaking. Soon she was appointed as the head academician of the church and she got all the funding she needed to continue her research. In 2200 she and her brand new ship Alam'Buskat are finally ready to start their first interstellar expedition.

 

[Onki9]

The Chief Precentor

The CoW:s worship ceremony is a beautiful service that has remained the same for centuries. When the service begins, the temple hall is completely darkened and silent. Only a faint scent of incense from the earlier ceremonies fills the hall. The service starts when the first assistant priest lights the lantern in the middle of the hall. At the same moment, a quiet and wordless song begins. Both the light and the singing symbolize the Word, in its eternal form. The singer is called the precentor, which is the most prestigious of the clerical duties. And the most prestigious precentor of the CoW and the chairman of the Highest Conclave is called the Chief Precentor. The term of the Chief Precentor lasts 20 years.

In 2200 Torba'Inak was voted on the role of Chief Precentor. She is known as a mastermind theologian, who is highly respected in academia. However, her political views are controversial. She emphasizes the church's secular responsibility for equality and material well-being more than the most of the church leadership. She also wants the church to support academia more than before. According to Torba'Inak the ultimate goal of the CoW should be unified Netraxian species, that seeks communion with the Word and harmony with one another.

At the beginning of her term, she started an unprecedented project. The CoW should strive to establish a unified secular government that would unite the tribes under one authority. Only a unified world government would enable an even distribution of well-being and a fair resolution of conflicts. Time will tell how successful her big project will be.

The Navy

In 2125 the Netraxian space fleet made its first nuclear experiment, launching a nuclear missile from a spaceship toward planet Orossi.

The history of the Netraxian space fleet dates back to 2120. In the beginning of 2100s, there was large conflicts and between several Netraxian tribes. At the same time the CoW leadership was isolated from worldly affairs and mainly focused on collecting taxes for theological research and the welfare of the clergy. As the conflicts deepened, even the status of the CoW as the only religious organization began to be challenged.

To prevent church disintegration and perhaps even a world war, the church created its own security forces. However, a mere conventional army proved to be an unreliable deterrent against strongly armed tribes. In 2120, church security forces launched the first nuclear-armed spacecraft. It was not designed for space warfare, but rather to create deterrence: a nuclear-armed space fleet could launch a devastating attack on any corner of the world in an instant.

The space navy has never participated in combat. Conflicts ended in 2140. At that time, a new, more conciliatory leadership was chosen for the church. At the same time, the increased standard of living reduced citizens' dissatisfaction. However, the space fleet was never disbanded. Now, in 2200, it has three ships. The ships are pretty much the same original nuclear weapons platforms, built by early navy. However, they have been regulary updated as technology advances. Now new FTL drives are being installed on the ships.

Some of the church leadership would like to disband the entire fleet. After all, they are weapons of destruction designed against one's own people. The navy leaders strongly oppose this. According to them, there may be other civilizations in space, against which the Netraxians must be able to protect themselves.

The commander-in-chief of the fleet is Admiral Hask'Timak. In 2200 the fleet is however politically insignificant. Hask'Timak yearns to change this, and he dreams of making the navy great again.

 

[Onki9]

Now as we know a little bit about the background of our heroes, the story itself can begin...

(By the way, it seems I can't find all the screenshots I have taken for some reason, but let's go with what we have)

CHAPTER ONE: Unith

Unith has always fascinated Netraxians. It is the nearest star from Orossi-Huivac. It is also relatively bright and the certainly brightest star in the night sky of Orossi. Astronomical research has also revealed that one of the planets orbiting it has an atmosphere similar to that of Orossi. So it was clear that the first interstellar journey would be directed there.

Torba'Inarim guided her ship on the borders of the home system. The ship's FTL generator created a precisely calculated rotating energy field that eventually ripped open the wall between spacetime and hyperspace - just as Hask'Teragg's 3rd theorem predicts. The ship was absorbed into hyperspace. Torba'Inarim remembers nothing of the following moments. When the sense of time and spatial space returned to normal, a whole new world opened before her eyes. She and her crew were the first persons to arrive in a completely new star system. The first object to research would be planet Unith I. The planet's ice-covered surface looked just like her home planet Orossi from afar.

After reaching the planet's orbit, he detached the reconnaissance ship, which would allow descent through the atmosphere. She would lead the expedition throuh athmosphere in person. Clouds of the thick atmosphere prevented visibility. But when she got below the cloud cover, the view was breathtaking.

The surface of the planet had melt water, dry land, and vast polar ice caps. Just like in Orossi. Analysis of the atmosphere showed it to be fully breathable. Most amazingly, she saw large growths resembling forests and even a few herds of wandering creatures that remotely resembled the animals that lived on the surface of Orossi. There was no doubt that the discovery would be revolutionary for the academia and the CoW. Her crew collected a few samples of soil, plants and insect-like small creatures and sent them back to the Orossi by opening a FTL lane with ship's generators and launching sample-carrying drones through it.

The packages caused the expected reaction at home. A discussion on the matter immediately began among the church. In particular, the fact that the creatures of Unith were found to have a simple form of nervous system and sensory system sparked debate. Could alien lifeform have consciousness? What would its relation to the Word be? Part of the church demanded the suspension of the study as heresy. However, the majority were interested in the new discoveries. the High Conclave was called to a special meeting.

After several days of debate, the formal resolution was finally ready:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE HIGH CONCLAVE OF THE CHURCH OF THE WORD DECLARES

The sample package 00090937y sent from star-system Unith by expedition of academician Torba'Inarim has caused a wide debate through civil society. While the Church of the Word considers social discussions to be desirable and encouraged, it still hopes that the discussion will always be based on facts. Thus the Church of the Word proclaims the following truth, which is the truth in the Word, by the Word and throug the Word and therefore unquestionable.

§1 The sample package 00090937y is a genuine find, and not a fake, counterfeit, forgery etc. Its study by Academia is accepted and encouraged.

§2 The sample package 00090937y contains an alien life form that is not intelligent. It neither confirms nor excludes the possibility of an intelligent alien life form.

§3 The case being that the alien lifeform is alive, the same theological truths about life apply to it as to endemic life forms. Especially commandment number 17 "thou shall not eat the brain. For the brain is the link between the word and life" and commandment number 28 "all sentinent life forms are brothers in the eyes of the word. They shall not cause unnecessary pain, annoyance, or trouble to each other".

§4 The case being that the alien lifeform is non-intelligent it can be used as food, however, taking into account commandment number 17.

§5 The case being that the alien lifeform is intelligent it should be respected as a brother in the manner of commandment number 28.

§6 Only the church and the church alone decides if a life form is intelligent.

§7 This declaration is the truth in the Word, by the Word and throug the Word. This declaration is unquestionable. Violations against this declaration are considered as Category 2 sins - non-mortal severe sins against truth.

This declaration is approved unanimously by the High Conclave of the Church of the Word. This declaration is electronically signed by The Chief Precentor Torba'Inak - may the Word's eternal light protect her path!

 

[Onki9]

CHAPTER 2: The age of exploration 2201-2207

As the shock caused by the discovery of a new life form settles, The Chief Precentor Torba'Inak finally finds some time to promote her social reforms as well. In her public speeches, she emphasizes the importance of kinship and love of neighbor in a rapidly changing world.

At the same time, Torba'Inarim surveys the Unith system further. Also, a new academician of space exploration is nominated. Torba'Tulus starts her own expeditions in the footsteps of Torba'Inarim. After surveying the Unith system, Torba'Inarim continues her expedition to the other neighboring systems. Torba'Tulus continues surveying planet Unith I. Some kind of unnatural humming sound has been reported on its surface. Torba'Tulus's mission is to find out what causes the noise.

About one year after the discovery of life in Unith, the construction of a starbase around the Unith star is completed in 2201.11. This is the first Netraxian starbase in a foreign star system. Starbase is rather small, merely a platform where ships and their crews can land for maintenance and rest.

In 2202 the Conclave declares a new program: The infinite opportunities resolution launches several civil projects to make people more engaged in space research and more interested in its findings. The conclave hopes that the space-enthusiasm of the citizens will cause them to unite behind a common cause and they would forget their differences and worldly sorrows. The project bears fruit and soon Netraxians seem to be more united and single-minded than ever and a strong sense of common good prevails in society.

The most important part of the project is the colonization project of planet Unith I. However, colonists refuse to land on an alien planet as long as the reason for the mysterious sound remains unknown. Luckily, Torba'Tulus's research has advanced. The reason for the humming sound is rather unexpected: it is an abandoned automatic toy factory:

Even though the factory only makes toys, it is still a remarkable discovery. Finally, the Netraxians know for sure that there are other intelligent beings in the universe. Or at least has been: the toy factory seems to have been long abandoned. Whether there are other active civilizations still in the galaxy remains to be discovered.

Shortly after finding the factory, the colonists waiting in orbit dare to land. In 2203.05.03 the first Netraxian colony, the New Orossi, is founded.

The exploration continues. One of the most important findings is the discovery of artifacts made by the mysterious "First League". Not much is known about the First League yet. They were an alien confederation, consisting of several different species, and existed a few million years ago. What happened to them? Nobody knows yet.

At the same time societal development advances. As the Netraxian state consists of two planets, the administration must be rethought. The CoW in New Orossi forms a similar organization as in the home world. Local parishes elect bigger conclaves etc. The first Chief Precentor of New Orossi is elected, and she is Torba'Kari. Torba'Kari is an experienced and popular priest, but he lacks formal academic education.

Theologians have not yet had time to think about what is the power relationship between the Chief Precentors of different worlds. Are they equal, or does the Chief Precentor of Orossi have primacy of some degree? While theologians argue about the new situation, new informal practices begin to form.

The High Conclave and the Chief Precentor of Orossi do not claim power over the church of New Orossi. Instead, they appeal to High Conclave's theological scholarship and the enlightened solutions that flow from it. In practice, the ecclesiastical declarations given by Orossi are also now followed in the new Orossi, as the theological insight of the Old World is stronger.

In 2206.10, Only six years after the discovery of the first alien lifeform in Unith, the worldview of Netraxians is being revolutionized once again. While surveying the Ozaggamun system, Torba'Inarim recognizes an unexpected object. When she analyzes it more closely, it turns out to be a working spaceship. Alien spaceship peacefully surveys the system, but does not seem to take any kind of contact.

In a few weeks, the news about the encounter reach the homeworld. The new era of Netraxian history has just begun.

 

[HistoryDude]

I didn’t expect such a long post on background! It’s appreciated. The Church of the Word sounds very Catholic (holy wars, ripping off Neoplatonism, etc). Is the High Precedentor infallible?

Will the existence of other tribes not under the rule of the Church be relevant? What if they reach space? What if they attack the Church on Orossi?

I haven’t gotten the First League, so that should prove interesting.

 

[Onki9]

I didn’t expect such a long post on background! It’s appreciated. The Church of the Word sounds very Catholic (holy wars, ripping off Neoplatonism, etc). Is the High Precedentor infallible?

Will the existence of other tribes not under the rule of the Church be relevant? What if they reach space? What if they attack the Church on Orossi?

I haven’t gotten the First League, so that should prove interesting.

Thank you Many of my ideas regarding the church and its administration come in a way from Catholicism. The Chief Precentor in person perhaps is not infallible, but as we have seen, the High Conclave, which she leads, gives some sort of "declarations of truths".

At the moment there are no Netraxian tribes who would not belong to the church. The CoW for Netraxians is perhaps a bit like the UN for humans. It is a rather weak organization politically, but its influence however extends to all persons in the world. It remains to be seen whether the state of affairs will remain like this.

 

[Onki9]

CHAPTER 3: The childhood's end 2207 - 2214

Encountering an intelligent alien species was to be expected. After all, the explorers had already found signs of both "the First League" and Unith's mystical toy factory as well.
Anyway, an intelligent civilization whose ship had arrived only a few FTL jumps away from the Netraxian home world was something new and exciting, maybe also a bit frightening.

The best communication engineers in the academies were soon recruited to develop devices that could be used to attempt to contact the alien ship. Linguists were also on constant alert. If pieces of aliens' language would be obtained, its analysis would begin immediately. Now it would have to be decided who would represent the Netraxians if contact with the aliens was finally established.

Faced with the new situation, the Netraxians also needed the feeling of safety more than ever. Throughout Torba'inak's reign, the CoW had tried to strengthen the unity between the Netraxians, and right now the church was seen as the most reliable source of stability and security.

In 2207.10 the church of Orossi, the church of New Orossi and the leaders and the chiefs of the mightiest tribes organized a summit. The topic of the conference was the attitude towards alien species and the cooperation of Netraxians in various possible scenarios. As a result of the negotiations, the tribes unanimously decided to give the CoW the authority to negotiate with the foreigners. The church was also given a wider taxation right than before. With taxes the church could finance new space bases and the expansion of the navy (to protect the Netraxians from potentially aggressive aliens). In return, tribal representatives were given observer membership in the High Conclave of the CoW.

The summit also clarified the relationship between the churches of different planets. Although the churches of the new planets were found to be autonomous, they were also required to collect taxes for the Old World church. They also had to accept the theological declarations given by the old world church.

After the meeting, the entire Netraxi civilization united under the church. Local administration would remain in the hands of the tribes, but the church would have the exclusive right to determine the broad lines and diplomacy of the Netraxian empire.

Just two years after the encounter with the first alien civilization - the "Tau aliens" - the ship of Torba'Inarim encountered yet another type of spacecraft. Torba'Inarim is not equipped with a good imagination, and she also named this new species "Tau aliens". Perhaps the creatures were initially thought to be the same species? Anyway, it is soon revealed that their ships are completely different and that they are two distinct civilizations.

The years pass. The tau aliens - both of them - explore the Netraxian's near-space, but never reach the homeworld Orossi. The messages they send are successfully collected, and linguists are slowly making progress in translating the messages. The first tau aliens encountered seem to avoid communication with the Netraxians. Their language is linquistically not too complex, but the scarcity of material slows down the progress of research. The communication of the second Tau aliens' is more open and they even send direct messages to Netraxian research ships. However, their language is much more complex, and linguists don't always even know if the messages are language or some other signals produced by their ships.

Meanwhile, in the home world, the growth of the church's political influence has a new effect in domestic politics. The leaders of the church are divided about what should be done with the increased influence. An association arises within the church. The party demands the church should to be a prominent political actor, but perhaps not so active in secular projects. The new party swants the church to return to its basic tasks, which would focus on its spiritual mission instead of naval projects and space research. The faction is called "the Council of Spiritual Philosophy" (CSP). The Chief Precentor Torba'Inak does not support the faction. After all, she is the figurehead of the church's secular political program. However, she also does not condemn the party in her public speeches. The party has a lot of support among the clergy and some of its supporters are even members of the High Conclave.

Of course, the founding of the CSP causes a backlash. Only half a year after the founding of the party, a rival is founded. Its name is Citizens for Freedom Network. Unlike CSP, CFN is a secular political movement. It demands equality and justice for all citizens of the empire. CFN demands, that the administration should be interested in secular matters. However, not by building a strong navy or space empire, but rather through equality projects and social grants. The party is not very popular, but it is seen in church circles as a threatening new force. The Chief Precentor Torba'Inak is sympathetic to the new party but does not declare herself a supporter of it.

THE FIRST CONTACT

Shortly after this, in 2213, contact with the first Tau aliens is established. They call themselves "the Pobelin Foundation". It is revealed that they have much in common with the Netraxians. They too are spiritual beings who speak of a higher power and are dedicated to serving it. However, their strongly centralized governance is foreign to the Netraxians. Nor does their aggressive and authoritarian religion appear to be quite identical to that of the Church of the Word.

The Netraxians greeted them politely and with respect. However, conversations with strangers do not seem to develop well. The aliens have built their own space stations in the nearby systems of the Netraxians, and right away they state that passing through these stations will be prohibited. Soon after, they dare to declare the Netraxians an undesirable species.

The CoW leadership is discussing the situation intensively. Netraxians have no experience in interspecies diplomacy. Maybe something has just been misunderstood or a translation error has occurred? The linguists assisting the High Conclave however deny the possibility of a mistake. The messages are genuinely aggressive.

A few members of the Highg Conclave support a conciliatory line. The Netraxians have no experience in space warfare, so a military conflict with an alien species would be a huge risk. Perhaps war could be avoided by skillful diplomacy? Maybe we should ask the Pobelins what they want, and the demands of the Pobelins should be agreed to?

However, most members believe in military defense. High Precentor Torba'Inak summarizes her own position in a few words: "No one hopes for war, but now we have to prepare for it. War is a mortal sin if it can be avoided. However, we don't know if the war with these creatures can be prevented anymore." This statement receives strong support. The borders of the Netraxian state are closed to the Pobelins. Admiral Hask'Timak is given free rein to plan the defenses of the border station. This responsibility he takes on with enthusiasm. The importance of the space fleet has been questioned throughout its existence. Now the Navy finally gets to show its necessity. The defenses of the newly completed Ozaggamum space bastion are strengthened and the space fleet is also restationed to Ozaggamum.

There is still calm. A new prayer for peace and for the Navy is added to the church's official litany of prayers. The optimistic enthusiasm of the early space age is gone.

 

[Onki9]

CHAPTER 4: The gathering storm 2214-2220

In 2214.06 the High Council declares a new set of martial laws. "Fortify the Border edict" gives additional resources to build and upkeep space bastions. The economy is also directed to produce more and more materials and supplies needed by the space fleet. New naval ships are manufactured, and new orbital battle stations are being built in those star systems that lie between the Netraxians and the Pobelins. Admiral Hask'Timak has established his court of naval officers in the bastion of Ozaggamum.

In 2214.12 the crisis between Netraxians and Pobelins deepen further. Netraxians have just built a starbase, which orbits a star named Roxelana. Roxelana's location is somewhat remote, but it has valuable resources for research and the mining industry. While the system is under Netraxian control, Pobelins claim to be the first to discover the system and the rightful owners of it. The Netraxians do not respond to the claim.

War seems to be an increasingly inevitable option. For now, however, peace may continue.

the space-bastion of the Ozaggamum-system becomes the main defense line of the Netraxians. It is supported by a group of smaller static defense platforms.

While the Navy prepares for war, the rest of society tries to continue as normal a life as possible. In 2214.10 a new colony is established. Planet Veliko Prime is an ideal destination for a Netraxian colony: its climate is suitably cold, but it also has some liquid water. Its atmosphere is breathable and edible plant species can grow on its surface. It is also located far from Pobelins


Along with worries about a possible war, the High Conclave is also concerned about the spiritual development of its citizens. The Conclave issues a declaration according to which the planets can be declared holy places and pilgrimage destinations. After carefully studying the star systems they control, the Conclave determines that the gas planet Roxelana IX is such an object. Unfortunately, the lay members of the church do not receive the declaration very enthusiastically. After all, Roxelana IX is a remote and completely uninteresting destination. Many suspect that the reason for the declaration was simply to oppose the claim that the Pobelins had set. Perhaps in the future, the conclave will find a bit more holier places to be recorded in the church canon

After the crisis of Roxelana, the Pobelins fall silent for a moment. However, the Netraxian diplomats will have new worries, for the incredibly complex language of "the nicer Tau aliens" has finally been analyzed. These aliens call themselves the "Heejam dynastic union". As a peaceful spiritual electoral kingdom, they have a lot in common with the Netraxians.
The Hejaams will soon propose not only the establishment of a permanent diplomatic mission but also a non-aggression pact and a trade agreement. In a situation where already one alien species threatens the existence of the Netraxians, the kindness of the Hejaams is a great relief.

In 2216, the Veliko settlement is only two years old when it faces its first crisis. A huge asteroid is heading straight for the planet. A collision could destroy the young colony in its infancy. The local space station's light protective armament is not enough to scratch the threatening asteroid. The only solution to the situation is to alert Admiral Hask'Timak and his space fleet. Fleet's nuclear weapons could presumably destroy an asteroid with ease.

Unfortunately, the Ozaggamum -naval base is located on the opposite border of the empire. It takes an estimated year to travel from there to Veliko. During the mission, the border of the empire remains defended only by the bastion. However, there are no alternatives, so the fleet sets off as soon as it receives the information.

When the fleet arrives at Veliko, it fires its weapons at the asteroid. The stone breaks into numerous smaller, but still threatening pieces. However, with their combat lasers, the ships soon manage to vaporize the pieces into such small parts that they are no longer able to penetrate the planet's atmosphere.

The asteroid is destroyed, and the world is saved, but there is no time to rest. the Pobelins have amassed a sizable naval fleet at the border, threatening Ozaggamun. The fleet is immediately sent back to the border. The Pobelin fleet section is of such a size that a mere bastion without support forces would not necessarily be able to survive it.

The navy and military officers are extremely worried about the situation. However, the citizens are already getting used to the new situation, and some members of the church administration are also starting to believe that the war would have already started if it was about to start. Torba'Inak is also a bit more optimistic than before, or at least she no longer bothers her mind with military matters. From the end of the year 2218 the High Conclave starts a new political program, the purpose of which is to raise the spiritual life of the nation. The program has the strong support of the CSP party. At the same time the army is worried that the state leadership is not interested enough in military affairs.

The new ecclesiastical project is indeed the last major decision that Torba'Inak has time to make in her career. The new Chief Precentor is elected in 2220. Torba'Inak is running for office, along with the Chief Academician Torba'Inarim, and two lesser candidates.

Torba'Inak is supported by the CFN. Many ordinary citizens appreciate her egalitarian policies. However, among the clergy she has lost popularity.

Torba'Inarim, on the other hand, does not count on the support of any party. Her merits are widely known throughout the masses - she is the inventor of Hyperlane travel, she discovered the alien lifeform of Unith, and she was the first one to meet the "Tau aliens". Electors with an academic background respect his pro-science line, while more militaristic electors wants to replace the current leader with anyone who would take the impending crisis more seriously. As chief academician, Torba'Inarim has the rank of priest and membership of the High Conclave, which makes it possible to run for office.

After a special election worship service the electors have cast their votes. The results are clear: Torba'Tulus: 2 votes, Torba'Varass: 16 votes, Torba,Inak: 453 votes, and Torba'Inarim: 1391 votes.

Torba'Inarim's coronation ceremony takes place in 2220.03.20. The ceremony is happy and beautiful, but the worry is still visible on the faces of many participants.

 

[HistoryDude]

The summit is good and should allow the Netraxians to appear more unified. It also makes the Church more like Orthodoxy (what with the autocephalous thing).

Is that a holy war I see on the horizon?

How will the Netraxians react to a materialist empire if they encounter one?

The new nature of politics could be an issue for unity…

 

[Macavity116]

I truly did not know it was possible to consecrate a Gas Giant. (The title Profane World is intriguing) That's a fascinating idea with plenty of storytelling potential.

 

[jasondroth24]

brilliant AAR