Sk'akh

Содержание

Overview

"His sword, my strength,
Her words, my guide,
Their will, my sworn duty,
Praise to the Great Spirit."
-Excerpt from Devotions Of The Three-Faced God, an ancient Sk'akh book of prayer

Sk'akh, or "goddess worship," is the second most common religion, which is followed mostly by Unathi from the Izweski nation and enjoys a status as its unofficial state religion. It still reveres ancestors, similar to Th'akh, but with a major notable difference: the spirits of all Unathi who die become part of Sk'akh, the Great Spirit. Sk'akh is a gender-neutral God, being called 'he,' 'she,' or 'they' interchangeably to represent that Ska'kh is a collection of all Unathi. Traditionally, Sk'akh is gendered according to the circumstances that Their name is invoked - a warrior praying for holy protection would likely call on Sk'akh as male, for instance. God and Goddess are used interchangeably with the Great Spirit to also denote someone’s preferences on Sk’akh. They are also called "the Three of One" because the spirits combine into three Aspects that are all different yet all a part of Ska'kh: the Warrior, the Healer, and the Fisher. These three aspects match the three genders of Unathi society, and serve as personifications of the most important aspects of Unathi life. It is said that all three are equally important and that disasters are caused by an imbalance in the Great Three. Priests often stress the importance of balance, both in matters of the spirit as well as in society and personal life.

Doctrines and Worship

The pervasive belief among Sk’akh is predestination: the outcome of everyone’s life is already determined, and time moves along in an immutable way. Sk’akh worshipers believe that honorable deeds lead to spiritual reward not only in life but in death. The Beastlands serve as the final resting place for Unathi that fulfill their lives with honorable deeds: they are known as the Anointed. Other afterlives exist for the various other species and their gods. In the Beastlands, the Anointed can enjoy an honest life with their creator. The Great Spirit and their Aspects periodically send ‘xzarak’ (or "messengers" in Sinta’Unathi) to uphold the world and its natural order. Sometimes, these xzarak are sent to those on the Material from the Beastlands in order to deliver divine messages. They tend to represent one of the Aspects of Sk’akh, whether the might of a Warrior or the skilled craft of the Fisherman. Sk’akh remains a unified faith, with the Church of Sk’akh being the final authority on all matters regarding new religious doctrines that must be declared. This used to be High Priest Unzi, but currently falls on an interim council of Archpriests to vote on affairs until a new High Priest is declared.

Myth of Creation

The creation myth for Sk'akh follows that after the universe was born, it was cold and dark and empty, without any value. Over time, the first living things walked across creation. These first souls were deeply alone and isolated, and when they died, they entered an empty spirit plane with nothing to guide them. In both life and death creation was chaotic and without meaning. Eventually, even the stars, without purpose and order, fell from the sky and began to burn creation to cinders. Three wise elders, the first Fisherman, the first Healer, and the first Warrior came together in the spirit realm and declared that order must reign in a chaotic universe. Merging their souls together they formed Sk'akh, who became the custodian of creation. Sk'akh is the source of duty and purpose. It is by His command that the stars remain in the sky, that the rivers flow, and the arrow flies. It is by His command that the Beastlands, the Chained Wastes, and other afterlives for beings of all kinds came into being. It is by His command that Unathi learned to work together as the Aspects once did. Thus, everything came into being.

This myth makes Sk'akh followers scornful of the Th'akh, who they see as encouraging the chaos that came before Sk'akh. Beings that defy the demands of order in the universe are scorned by Sk'akh and their spirit is left to perish in the Chained Wastes, eventually becoming forgotten or even becoming an evil entity until their sins are punished fully.

The Beastlands and Other Afterlives

The Beastlands and the Chained Wastes are said to be two of many afterlives layered over the Material Life. However, their connection to the Material World is not uniform; in some places, there are stronger presences of these afterlives than others. This realm of the dead harbors all spirits, and only the strongest, both evil and good, may cross over into the Material Plane without any sort of special help.

The Great Spirit resides in their Empire, collectively known as the Beastlands. Unathi that are righteous in life are sent to their kingdom to forever live in harmony with their creator. Previously known as the Hunt of Harmony, this idyllic lifestyle is a reward for doing right by the Great Spirit on the Material Plane and enduring the sins of other folk. It is described as a rolling plain that stretches on forever, dotted with tall grass, beautiful oases, and wonderful animals to hunt and tame. Once an inhabitant of this plane, Unathi enjoy their lifestyle until feeling fulfilled; after reaching this peak of comfort, they can join Sk’akh to help guide future Unathi.

Conversely to the Beastlands, the Chained Wastes are a blight. Punished souls arrive here chained to the hot and scorching sand— the Wasteland is often alluded to as being the Chained Wastes of the Material for this reason. Vengeful spirits of Sk’akh remain here to punish those that have done wrong, revelling in their torture as it remains retribution for these spirits’ misdeeds in the last life. After tortured for some time, those with good in their hearts are rarely allowed to join others in the Beastlands. However, it is considered the final resting place of many souls. Some are said to escape, the most evil of spirits, to return to the world and wreak more havoc, harm Sk’akh’s chosen, and even lure people away from their beliefs.

Doctrines

One of the foundations for Sk'akh beliefs is the soul is the actual person, and the body is a vessel it inhabits. The Great Spirit instills a newly created soul within a hatchling as it develops within the egg. Sk'akh's creations are viewed as perfect, with many disabilities being viewed as the malignant interference of evil spirits. Treatment of such things is often handled by priestesses of the Healer, who view the alleviation or curing of such things as a holy mission of Sk'akh.

For robotics, Sk'akh doctrine goes farther than the Th'akh generally do, believing even full-body cyborgs to be without spirit. To ardent Sk'akh, the concept of borgification is to have your soul sent to the Chained Wastes.

Priests always frown on prosthetic limbs and augments, believing them to be unnatural. Aut’akh are seen as a horrible heresy, even compared to the tamer and more reasonable Th’akh, in the eyes of the Church. The Sk’akh Church encourages its followers to preach to these heathens, or else they will be damned to oblivion forever.

Marriage between any Unathi is seen as fine and proper to the Sk’akh Church, with same-gender marriages being part of Sk'akh doctrine for centuries. Since certain marriages are seen as being under the jurisdiction of specific Aspects (men under the Warrior, women under the Healer; and a marriage of two fishers, or a man and woman under the Fisher), each marriage is also seen as a boon or a sign of favor from said Aspect. Some marriages are arranged in this way to bestow certain blessings on both clans, should it not be something chosen by the people getting married off.

Sk'akh priests take a hard stance against biological augmentation. The Church posits that any "gene-boosting" utterly obliterates the person to have any claim to pride or glory and that they should instead be mocked as insecure and boastful. The Church also condemns manipulation of a hatchling still within an egg for anything that is not medically necessary. A 'designer-hatchling' is a profane act against Sk'akh. It is a profound arrogance for any person to claim to know the path of an unborn Sinta better than the one Sk'akh had laid out for them. Medical Acolytes of the Healer are the most staunch and strict on this matter. Biologically augmented Unathi are extraordinarily rare as a result outside of children, due in part to this belief and the fact it is new for most Unathi.

Statues, Shrines, and Monuments

Sk’akh is unique to the other religions because Sk’akh practitioners utilize shrines in order to worship the Great Spirit and their Aspects. Shrines are common for households, clans, and even villages if they are particularly poor. Constructed of stone for the base and ornamented with wood, metal, and gems (again, depending on who has constructed it), they are a method of offering and venerating Sk’akh and their Aspects for Unathi. Monuments are common for poorer clans and villages, as they take no likeness to Sk’akh’s image outside of inspiration and imagination. These have the most discrepancies in their designs and are rarely if ever sanctioned officially by the church. Statues are the most expensive and can be found anywhere in a public city or institution that can afford it within the Hegemony.

Shrines and statues are so commonplace that they can even be made in smaller versions of marble, clay, wood, and other materials to carry around with someone wherever they go. It is not uncommon for Unathi to bring these miniatures to place somewhere where they work or live temporarily when traveling, to have something to honor Sk’akh with wherever they go.

Views on the Tribunal of the Goddess

While sharing some similar core beliefs, such as the Three of One concept and an overarching God, priests of the Church of Sk’akh look upon the Tribunal with scorn and contempt due to the Unathi that partake in it. They hold that humanity has diluted the beliefs of Dominian Sinta and caused it to take such an unnatural form to what it was before. The Goddess is recognized as being an entirely different concept from the Great Spirit; moreover, a recent doctrine was established that recognized the existence of other gods for other species, yet stated that these gods belonged to those species and should not be worshiped by aliens. Therefore, with this choice, they hold that Dominian Unathi are heretical— if not as much as Aut’akh or Si’akh.

Burial Rites

Burial rites require the body to be treated with respect and any open wounds sealed or cauterized. A priest oversees a funeral process and gives a sermon on the individual, which are traditionally communal affairs, assuring the attendees that the individual in question will join their ancestors in the Great Spirit after the ceremony. The funeral ceremony finally begins by placing valuables onto the body, and then the body is offered to Sk'akh through violent and roaring ritual flames. The spirit may eventually find its way out of the body, however cremation will assist the spirit in the process.If someone dies a good person, they join Sk'akh and become a part of the Great Spirit. If someone dies an evil or wicked person they are barred from joining Sk'akh, doomed to go to the Chained Wastes where they will receive millenia of torment until finally being redeemed. These spirits tend to become malicious and hateful near the beginning of their torment and are easily twisted into seeking ways of escaping their just torment. When they do so, they come back to the Material and attempt to ease their suffering by inflicting it on others. Spirits that end up doing this are said to be a lost cause forever.

Worship of Sk'akh

Regular worship is communal with Unathi clans or villages coming together for feasts, festivals, and even regular services to give thanks to their ancestors and Sk'akh for good tidings, or to ask for favors or assistance in life, with a priest to guide the service and provide interpretation of Sk'akh’s intentions. These priests also help deliver Sk’akh’s message from ancestors in the Beastlands to those that wish to, or need to, hear it. The worship of the Great Spirit is either done as a whole if there is no particular point of worship concern or to a specific Aspect on certain topics. Even in foreign lands, statues at any Sk’akh church are available for taking and buying, and as such, they have been commodified in a cheap version for purchasing in foreign space, too.

The Great Spirit is depicted as a three-headed being with three sets of arms and a long, coiling tail; their design can be seen as being passed down to their Aspects as well, since the Warrior inherits their multiple arms and the Fisherman carries their long tail. They are draped across the torso in a himation, depicted in neither masculine or feminine traits for a Unathi, and draped with a coif over the eyes for every head. Despite never showing Sk’akh’s eyes in official imagery, the Church promotes the belief there are three eyes under each coif, with the third one being in the middle of the forehead and slitted vertically rather than horizontally. Each head is one of the Aspects’ heads: they are green, red, and black, from left to right. The scales of Sk’akh’s body are described as being the metals and gems of various kinds, though statues often omit this detail and use one type of metal, especially on smaller, cheaper ones.

Sk’akh’s Great Spirit is represented by a triangle, typically with a sword, a staff, and a fishing pole intersecting each side of the triangle. This imagery, barring this barebones representation, is the most diverse thing about the religion with artists of all types doing their own takes and ideas of this concept. The Church even encourages these arts— provided the artist themselves are not uncouth or of bad standing in society.

The Warrior Mukari

The Warrior is a figure represented as being the ideal male Unathi with four arms. He often uses these arms to carry a sword, a shield, a holy symbol such as a metal bar with a coiled top, and lute; the Warrior’s many arms allow Him to defend the Healer and the Fisher. This Aspect often takes up the role of an arbiter, handling disputes either with His words or His weapons. He is a red-scaled Unathi donned in splint armor, ringed with silver and platinum, and in some cases, a bow or rifle with intricate designs of animals hunting each other is depicted on His back. Fights, conflict, and strife are all matters that people worship Him for. However, the Warrior is revered for things such as festivals, coming of age ceremonies for men, and ritual combat. His statues are almost universally common around dueling grounds, and His imagery and symbols are common at ceremonies.

The symbols of the Warrior are the sword and the lute. Some colleges and institutes are dedicated to teaching the Way of the Warrior in Skalamar to anyone that wishes to learn and can pay. Some focus on music and storytelling, such as theater and orchestra, and others take on rough training and lessons in conflict resolution. A rare few of these colleges even blend both arts to train a Unathi to become a warrior-poet: a skald. Skalds almost exclusively are reserved for nobility that take up the mantle of becoming a warrior, or those that are skilled enough to become Kataphracts. Even those that believe in Th’akh are permitted within some schools— if they do not speak up against the religion in place there.

The Healer Simi

The Healer is the pinnacle of femininity in Sk’akh belief. She has a quarterstaff or bo staff in one hand and a tome in the other with a satchel at Her side; Her wit carries the Healer, and Simi’s knowledge and supplies are what lets Her heal the Warrior and the Fisher. She is a green-scaled Unathi that dresses elegantly— though, notably amongst most outside observers, rarely revealing scales— the Healer carries Herself with elegance and grace. Her outfit of choice is a flowing dress that goes down to the ankles, sometimes covering the feet almost entirely. Simi’s eyes are blindingly bright like gems; the eyes of the Healer cannot see, yet they are said to be able to pick apart a person’s intentions with a glance, such as discerning truth, lie, and rumor. Good health, life, death, and learning are what Unathi turn to Her for in their rituals and actions. She also presides over coming of age ceremonies for women, milestones of age for Unathi, and blessing surgeries and medical operations.

The symbols of the Healer are her whitewood staff and her leather tome. The staff is a twisted branch of whitewood and represents wisdom, as only the most wise in Unathite societies have staves, typically. Her tome is a reference knowledge, and it is a leatherbound book decorated well with a woman and man standing above a prone man, tending to him. Schools of medicine are a popular choice for women. Those that do not marry when they are of age pursue these avenues and carriers should they prove some talent in them. As a result of this, any Sk’akh-dominated institution will have a statue erected in Simi’s honor.

The Fisher Verrix

The Fisher remains someone shrouded in clothes, leaving most of their form hidden. Remaining slender with a long tail, he uses it in order to grab onto things and never lose his balance. Otherwise, Verrix carries a fishing pole over one shoulder and a sickle in the other. They are usually depicted as a plain, black-scaled Unathi. A hood dons over Their long, dorsal frills, a long dark blue color that is said to shimmer and shine in the sun like fish scales. The Fisher's arms and legs are covered in plain wrappings with muted colors as well. Using Their sickle to reap plants of use and his fishing pole to collect food, Verrix is a veritable worker that provides food and supplies for the Warrior and the Healer. They are regarded when hard work, craftsmanship, the harvest, and nature are topics of worship. Verrix is celebrated during times of harvest and large feasts, arduous and long projects, and before, during, and after hard trials and challenges.

The symbols of the Fisher are Their fishing pole and silver sickle. Guild halls are especially dedicated to the Fisher, and any Sk’akh-leaning guild will have Their imagery everywhere that can be found to remind their workers of what hard work looks like in the faith. Hydroponicists are especially committed to their devotion of Verrix, seeing as Their xzarak moderate the harvests and nature itself. Otherwise, artists turn to Them for inspiration in their crafts, hope that their work pleases Them, and pray they will become successful.

Rituals of Sk'akh

The rituals of Sk’akh are universal and rarely waver. There are prayers and words of wisdom for any situation with most priests being wise in specific areas of the faith. Most interestingly, the various Aspects of the God are referred to or revered as individual people as the focus of different prayers, hymns, rituals, and offerings. Those focusing on the Warrior often are thankful for the passing of time and the seasons in addition to those revolving around conflict; the Healer is regarded for the cycle of life and death and for— as one may have guessed it— healing; the Fisherman is given thanks for reaping things from nature and for giving back to nature as well as travel.

Sk’akh’s name is invoked for major points in someone’s life: officiating a marriage, after a time of great ruin, the birth of a child, and so forth. Other events are done at the discretion of the one looking to host one, but they may come at an exorbitant fee for the one looking to host at a chapel or church.

Dances of the Warrior

The Warrior is the most lively of the three Aspects. Words in reverence to Him are typically evocative and filled with imagery, and those particularly smitten by His Aspect take up poetry, song, and other verbal arts. Anything that is more than a verbal affair tends to be a physical expression. Two aspirants and warriors sparring in homage to the Great Spirit may look more graceful than the typical fight; people relate these fights to dances, as two warriors in fierce combat can resemble a ballroom dance more than a vicious spar. As such, some Unathi attempt to emulate this by focusing on showing grace in combat. It becomes more interesting in choreographed fights— and, as a side, can make a well-trained Unathi an appealing choice for both live-action and CGI fights.

One popular prayer is dedicated to whenever someone wakes up or before they go to sleep, done routinely:

Song of the Sunstones

   As my time slows still,
   The Burning Mother
   Burns bright and fulfills
   The Moon’s slick borders.

   And now, the Sun will
   Rise again, further,
   Once I sleep and kill
   The restless slumber.

   O Warrior, in night,
   Bring me further light,
   Dawning on the edge
   Of crowning yester.

Another prayer dedicated to the Warrior is customized by the needs of whoever is chanting it, but always begins with the following phrase: "My Warrior, claws wielding the Blade of Her Holiness, bestow me [a] borrowed boon." This line is used in what is called the Champion’s Chant, a prayer dedicated to the Warrior before an important conflict or challenge will occur for the reciter.

Dedications of the Healer

Those that show reverence to the Healer rarely make a verbal commission to her; instead, acts are considered the most sincere form of worship to the Healer. Charity and kindness are dedicated to her name, and as such, it is not uncommon for nobles to go through what is considered "routine charity" by giving in a specific way as a tokenistic act of keeping the Healer appeased. However, most people see that it is not the value of the act that matters, but the importance of it. Buying food for someone is not as meaningful as cooking a meal for them, for example. As such, thoughtful acts are appreciated more by those in the Church for giving thanks to this Aspect.

Nonetheless, the Healer does still have some prayers and mentions. They often remain in a rhyme and to the point with sophisticated language. The most common one is for someone recovering from an injury or that has fallen ill:

Ease of Disease

   Keep vigilant eyes over those bordering the Beastlands,
   My Healer and my Grace,
   Do not let Your meticulous methods stray Your slow hands
   And take those out of place.

Alternatively, singing is (not officially) used as a means of showing gratitude to the Healer as good singers require precise pitch in order to deliver a perfect performance. The few prayers that are given to Simi’s Aspect are often done through song by disciples as a result.

Tributes to the Fisher

The Fisher, like the Healer, appreciates words less than another tactic: offerings. Food is the common way to show reverence to the Fisher, whether leaving a piece of every meal to the earth or rivers, pouring (some) drinks over the earth, or feeding better food to livestock. Open braziers provide ways for burning the offerings— which can also be particularly-coveted plants, incense, and expensive spices— the smell is said to waft through the air and please the Fisher and their xzarak. The way the offering is presented depends on what is being asked of the Fisher: if it’s for blessing a yield of food, typically the food is burned; blessings for long commutes are done by pouring a drink on the ground, to soften the earth one is about to walk; if someone is about to partake on a hunt, the Fisher and Warrior are both regarded with a hearty feast and a whole plate offered up to the Fisher. In later years, the Fisher has also come to represent the skilled artisan crafts that are required of Unathi culture, such as blacksmithing, glassblowing, jewelry, and other crafts.

The lines coming from prayers for the Fisher often are heavily drenched in metaphor, simile, and allusion. The following is the beginning of a prayer that is offered at the end of a good harvest: "While nature is constant, its blessings are not. As the tides of life and fisheries recede and draw in, we can only pray the food is fat and filling."

Some prayers are also offered for a long journey. One recitation, in particular, can be used for the reciter, or for someone they know that is traveling: "Winds provide a current to blow away storms; waters replenish my body like a river; earth yield to my claw-falls; fire from the Burning Mother keep me warm and energized for every step I take."

Sk'akh and Gender

In the Izweski Hegemony and other Sk’akh societies, changing of gender is generally a religious matter, overseen by a Sk’akh priest of the relevant Aspect. A three-day ceremony of fasting, meditation and reflection on the threefold nature of the Great Spirit is required, after which the individual in question will be formally declared as their new gender by the grace of Sk’akh. In Church literature, the act of changing gender is referred to as “Transcendence of the Sublime Barrier”, and is believed to bring one closer to understanding of Sk’akh. Often this ritual is practiced in seclusion by Sk’akh priests - for only in understanding the threefold Aspects can one understand Sk’akh in Their entirety. This ritual is required for those wishing to become Priests of the Aspect, to bring the acolyte closer into alignment with their chosen face of Sk'akh. In times past, it was required for a High Priest to spend a period as each gender, in order to truly understand the threefold nature of Sk'akh. This tradition has fallen out of practice during the age of the Izweski Hegemony, however.

Organization

The Sk'akh Church has seen power increasingly centralized into a handful of influential priests in the last few decades with the High Priest being a mere honorary title for a priest that oversaw ceremonial rituals for the Hegemony's royal family. This status quo came to a surprising head in 2458. High Priest Yizra Unzi used a moral panic on Moghes over alleged cultist infiltration to begin an inquisition across the Hegemony. Once the court chaplain for the Izweski, Unzi used this cult scare to rapidly elevate his power and centralize the Sk'akh church, becoming the official leader of the church and commander of its militant inquisition, the Maraziite Order. After a dramatic confrontation with the Izweski family itself, the resulting negotiations created an agreement that reformed the Sk'akh Church.

Unzi's reign would collapse in 2462, during a conflict with former Hegemon S'kresti Izweski which would see the Maraziites disbanded and the High Priest sent to die in the Wasteland. Since then, the Church has been leaderless, ruled over by the Archpriests. In 2464, Overlord Azui Hutay'zai appointed Archpriest Akale Roeruz to fill the absent seat of Archpriest of Tza - allowing the Archpriests to break the deadlock they had been caught in. A new High Priest has not been appointed yet, but with the Church seemingly rising to prominence once again it is only a matter of time.

Sk'akh priests universally consider synthetics to be devoid of a soul, and thus they cannot be considered living beings. In December of 2457, the Council of Teht was held, in which an assembly of Sk'akh priests mandated this as doctrine for the faith. While a minority of priests argued against this, they were overruled by the majority and forced to accept their views.

Church of Sk’akh

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

The Church of Sk’akh is a formal organization that has almost evolved into a bureaucracy of sorts within the last decade. It is run as a tight ship with inspections of churches and the priests running them, measurements of tithes taken and checked for fraud, and reports on worshiper counts being done frequently. Each church has very similar parallels, and while the specific activities and local events done out of a given church will vary widely, their functions, responsibilities, and worship all operate the same way.

Affairs of the Church

The Church is staffed exclusively by the clans of its priest(s), or by Unathi that are interested in someday becoming a priest themselves. As such, it is typical for a clan’s job to be running a chapel, collecting tithes, running community events, carousing with nobility for the Church’s agenda, and other duties. A church at the local level does not do much to impact the decisions of the Church of Sk’akh as a whole.

A church will hold biweekly summons, typically interspersed as evenly as possible and with the attempt to work on days that work the best for the community. For example, if near a fishing guild, sermons may be held near the middle of the day due to the early hours the guild spends in a hatchery or aquaponics farm. During these summons, people of the community interact, share tales, ask the priest or priests and their peers for guidance, and share food. On a day of summons, it is considered appropriate to eat and to bring food to share if able. Additionally, the meal of the day is reserved for sharing with everyone at a chapel or church on a day of summons. The priest, or one of them if there are multiple, will then host a discussion on a topic of their choosing and weave in one of Sk’akh’s words of wisdom or draw attention to certain details the Church of Sk’akh puts out. Sometimes this will begin with summarizing the latest information the Church has put on the Extranet, though this is not always the case. This is interspersed with prayer, singing, offerings to the Great Spirit and their Aspects, and collecting tithes (once every week or so).

Churches and chapels are also the ideal location for a marriage occurring under Sk’akh. The specific affairs of the wedding are often left to clans to decide upon, such as spilling blood from each spouse into a bowl and pouring it, a friendly competition, or eloquent professions of admiration and love. Each priest mimics the same role in officiating the marriage, bestowing a blessing upon the newly-wed couple on behalf of Sk’akh, and offering the usual priestly services in addition to coordinating guests and performers around the space.

Grand Priests and their clans have more sway in affairs. They collect tithes and send a portion back up the ladder, but they can otherwise use money to renovate existing churches, hold important festivals and ceremonies to attract new followers, or run emergency events, such as in the wake of a tragedy to mourn or otherwise pray over. Archpriests collect the rest of the tithes in the same way, but they have the power to construct new churches or tell the Grand Priests how to spend their funding, if needed. Additionally, they can help weigh in on important decisions for the faith in the case of new rulings or responses to galactic issues. The High Priest has ultimate authority on all things within the Church, and currently, there is no set way to remove him from power. Due to the formation of the Sk’akh Church and how Unzi has departed, there has been intense internal strife about how to elect a new High Priest and if there should be internal reform of the Church before that is realized.

Ranks of the Church

Typically to become a priest, you must seek and obtain a Mastery of Sacred Theology in a major Unathi university first. The degree takes three to four years to obtain. With this, you can apply to enter the Church of Sk’akh, with recommendation from a noble, and begin training in its ministry. This process of training can take anywhere from three to seven years depending on the student, how quickly they learn, and how much time they devote to studying. This entry level is known as a Peer of Sk’akh. Peers are sent out on work exchanges for up to two years after they have completed their training, to spread the word of Sk’akh to Sinta across the galaxy. Time abroad is meant to be the final test: either the galaxy reaffirms your beliefs, or you are turned away from the Church.

After becoming a priest, most people stay at this position for some time. Promotions from here can vary, either into becoming a Maraziite, joining the Priests of the Aspect, or looking to be promoted to a Grand Priest or further. At this point, the Church becomes more corrupt; regardless of a priest’s religious intuition and knowledge, their cunning and some political navigation will get them much further in the ranks of the Sk’akh Church.

The Church of Sk’akh has developed a similar power structure to feudal lords in that the clans of prominent priests within the Church help organize and run regions of Sk’akh’s influence, whether it be for a single town to a whole region of the Hegemony. The hierarchy is as follows:

Church of Sk'akh Hierarchy

• High Priest: The leader of the Church and earthly voice of Sk'akh. This position was last held by Yizra Unzi, and has remained absent since his death.
• Claws of the High Priest: A circle of advisors chosen by the High Priest to aid him in decision making, similar to a lord's council.
• Archpriest: The leaders of the Church, beneath only the High Priest in power. Traditionally, each Archpriest is appointed by an Overlord, and handles all Church affairs in their Overlord's demesne. Currently there are five Archpriests - four on Moghes, and one on Ouerea.
• High Aspect Acolyte: The leader of one of the three Orders of the Aspect. They make decisions for the specific orders within the Church and report directly to the High Priest. While they are technically their own order, Priests of the Aspect that run chapels are treated the same as other priests, barring the cases their specialized knowledge is needed.
• Grand Priest: The director of a diocese. Makes more local decisions such as renovating churches and missionary outreaches into majority Th’akh towns.
• Guildmasters: The leader of a branch of the Maraziite Order, now disbanded.
• Priest: A priest assigned to a specific town, district or region.
• Chapter Master: The leader of a Maraziite chapter, now disbanded.
• Peer: a disciple in training.

The Archpriests

Since the exile of High Priest Unzi, the Church has been leaderless - debating on whether a new High Priest even can be appointed without proof of Unzi’s death, and on which of them should take the mantle of Sk’akh’s most faithful. For years, there were four Archpriests, deadlocked over nearly everything, before Overlord Azui Hutay’zai appointed the first Archpriest of Tza in 2465.

Akale Roeruz, Archpriest of Tza
A Sk’akh missionary, Akale Roeruz spent most of his life trying to spread the word of the Great Spirit in the Tza Prairie, to little success. He oversaw a small church in Kutah, for the few Sk’akh faithful of the city, before being appointed as Archpriest of Tza by Overlord Hutay’zai, in the hope of swinging the vote in favour of reparations to the Akhandi Order. Personally, he is reported to be a very traditional Unathi who favours the Aspect of the Fisher, believing in the virtues of diligence and industriousness - which has led to an odd friendship with Overlord Hutay’zai, despite the latter’s strong Th’akh faith and dislike of the Church.

Koszkahe Oklaal, Archpriest of the Heartlands
Born to a noble clan of Baandr, Koszkahe Oklaal has risen over decades through the Church’s ranks, having skillfully balanced the demands of the Hegemon, Overlord Sirax and High Priest Unzi for years prior to the latter’s banishment. Now, he has taken on a position as an unofficial representative of the Archpriests in political matters - seeking to rebuild the Church as a power in its own right. He is often criticised for opportunism, with many viewing him as emblematic of entrenched corruption within the Church - but he has skilfully worked within his role, and his supporters claim he is the only reason that the Church remains a political power at all after Unzi’s failure.

Korza Azandar, Archpriest of the Southlands
Appointed by Overlord Miazso, Korza Azandar is a passionate and fiery Sinta, who frequently speaks on what he sees as the sacred duty of the Church - to act as spiritual guides to the Unathi people, to show the way that Sk'akh wishes Their children to live. Azandar has a reputation as a man of the people, being photographed speaking with Hearts of Industry during the Jaz'zirt riots of 2465 - an act which led him to speak out on the fear many Sinta had of Hephaestus Industries and its expansion. He has called for a return of the Church as not only a political power, but a military one, believing that the faithful of Sk'akh must have a Church that can defend them against any threat, physical or spiritual. This sentiment, and his reputation, have made him very popular among the common people.

Kharan Malza, Archpriest of Zazalai
The only Archpriest not appointed by an Overlord, Kharan Malza was raised to the position of Archpriest in 2462 by High Priest Unzi, after consultation with the lords of the region - believing that a strong Church presence was needed to stand against the growing Si'akh cult. Malza is a militant, having served as a Priest of the Warrior for nearly thirty years prior to his appointment, who has spoken in favor of a reformed Maraziite Order - believing that in times when madness and corruption such as Si'akh and Aut'akh run rampant, the Great Spirit requires an army of the faithful to enforce Their will. Despite this, he was reportedly not a supporter of Unzi's, having later decried the former High Priest as a man who sought personal power and glory, rather than the glory of Sk'akh.

Iloso Azente, Archpriest of Ouerea
Called a radical by many, Iloso Azente leads the Church on Ouerea, having been appointed by Overlord Zik'san in 2463. His beliefs have been claimed to verge on heresy, preaching of how Sk'akh blessed the fighters of the Ouerean Revolution and how those who wield power against their own people have abandoned the path of the Great Spirit. Regardless, Azente is charismatic and popular among the Sk'akh community of Ouerea, even if the Church on Moghes may look down on him. Azente is known to have fought in the Ouerean Revolution, though little about his specific participation has ever been unveiled. He is a personal friend of Overlord Zik'san, and has been one of the strongest voices calling for reformation within the Church and the Hegemony itself.

Priests of the Aspect

Some Sk'akh priests also try to embody one of the Great Three: a Priest of the Aspect. They become great paladins, skilled doctors or surgeons, or even aquatic farmers. On top of their studies in theology, a Priest of the Aspect takes additional years to study their chosen field on top of this degree or study both fields in tandem. As a result, a Priest of the Aspect is typically older in their relevant field than other entry applicants. However, training into the Sk’akh Church as one of these shamans will guarantee jobs within the Hegemony and abroad due to the high prestige of the institution and their reputation of professionalism and efficiency. Priests of the Aspect are each required to be the gender matching their aspect, with new acolytes required to undergo a highly secretive ritual of transition to further understand the Aspect that they dedicate their lives to.

Priests of the Warrior of the Warrior are near-universally highly respected, and form a small, elite fighting force that is on par with some of the finest warriors of Moghes. They go into battle with intricate hymns drawn across their armored plates while chanting to Sk'akh for their blessing in the battle. However, in recent times due to the lack of conflict, many have taken to fighting off malignant ghosts that try to disrupt the lives of the living. Others act as travelling martial trainers, or have taken on positions with the Kataphracts or Navy. Priests of the Warrior usually study techniques of mediation and conflict resolution as their honor and position are often called upon to settle disputes, both violent or otherwise. They are headquartered in Keep Mukari, an ancient Sarakus fortress several days from Baandr, where the priesthood trains for when they are called to battle once more.

Priestesses of the Healer traditionally study medicine, stating that the anatomy of creatures is sacred and cannot— should not— be altered genetically, mechanically, or otherwise. This is what lends Dominian Unathi away from genetic enhancement; Medicinal Acolytes of the Healer are often the ones who starkly oppose the Aut’akh the most due to their harsh views. They also act as scholars and historians, keeping the records of the Church and its history. They are headquartered in the Simiite Reliquary of To'ha'dat, a vast library holding the complete records of the Sk'akh Church, which is generally very difficult to gain access to for those outside the Church's ranks.

Priests of the Fisher are also known as Spirit-Guides, a play on words in Sinta’Unathi due to the words for ‘spirit’ and ‘river’ sounding similar. They travel from town to town and offer their expertise to help show new techniques and ways of raising fish in hatcheries. Their goodwill and assistance is seen as a form of missionary work in the Sk’akh Church and is how they keep their reach relevant, even in Th’akh communities within the Hegemony. They are headquartered in Baandr, where they are largely responsible for the upkeep and operation of the Baandr College of Spirits.

The Maraziite Order

Also known simply as "the Order," the Maraziite Order was a military order under the command of the High Priest with the right to bear arms and dispense justice against spiritual threats to the Hegemony, following the revelation that a secretive religious cult had infiltrated the Hegemony government. In its short existence, it arrested several hundred individuals and seized many tomes and documents that Maraziite authorities claim are evidence of cult involvement.

Maraziites were commanded by the High Priest of the Hegemony, directly overseeing a small council of Guildmasters appointed by himself. Prior to the disbanding of the Order, the Guildmasters formed an elite council under the High Priest and advised him on the day to day matters of the Order specifically. They also commanded the overall operations of the Order through their subordinates, the Chapter Masters. Chapter Masters ran individual Chapters of the Order in their specific settlement or City. They oversaw the Maraziite officers and were responsible for the efficient running of their Chapter. Individual officers are merely referred to as Maraziites. The officers are often called the Iron Masks because of their tendency to wear iron masks while on patrol.

Qualifications to become a Maraziite were, outside the obvious need of being a follower of Sk'akh, at least minor experience in law enforcement, military experience, the priesthood of the Church, or a completed Apprenticeship in a university. After applying, a Maraziite Fledgling was put under a quick, extensive interview and investigation. Upon completion, they were assigned to a Chapter and sent to enforce the law of the Great Spirit upon the souls of the Hegemony.

Maraziites are now considered an unofficial group— in the eyes of the Hegemony. In the wake of the Izweski Civil War of 2462, High Priest Unzi of the Holy Sk’akh Church and Hegemon Not’zar Izweski turned on each other over accusations of Not’zar’s sibling going missing in a short and fiery conflict. Lords and noble clans were forced to choose between their religion and their Hegemon when blades clashed. The aftermath provided a clear victor: Unzi’s collection of power was not enough to challenge the status quo, and he fled the Izweski Hegemony. Condemned to the Wasteland, hired by the Dagamuir Freewater Company as tail-turners, or taking to the corner of the stars to hide from their dishonor, the Maraziites are pushed out and away from the Church they were formerly a part of.

Politics

The politics of the Sk’akh Church have been tied to the Hegemony since the days of the Sarakus, with Archpriests having wielded nearly as much influence as Overlords in the past. Every recorded Izweski Hegemon has been crowned in the Scept of Skalamar, and part of the Hegemon’s full title is “Chosen By The Grace Of Sk’akh”. The Church has historically been tied to Izweski education, and played a major role in the enforcement of the Sinta’Unathi language across the Hegemony. Traditionally, the High Priest of Sk'akh has always had a seat as one of the Hands of the Hegemon - though this position is currently unfilled, due to the absence of a High Priest.

With the rise of High Priest Unzi, the Church wielded incredible power, with the Maraziite Order acting with near-impunity against heretics, blasphemers and enemies of the faith. This would be short-lived, however, as Hegemon S’kresti crushed the Church during their attempted coup in 2462. Since then, the Church has floundered, with much of its political power lost and a strict prohibition from Hegemon Not’zar preventing the rebuilding of a military force outside of the existing Priesthood of the Warrior. The Maraziites are condemned to exile, with many having fled Moghes to act as pirates or mercenaries in the wider Orion Spur.

It would be a severe mistake, however, to discard the Church’s role in politics due to their current state. Many lords and commoners alike are devoutly Sk’akh, and its influence can be felt nearly anywhere that Unathi can be found, from Gakal’zaal to Biesel. Though the Hegemony may not hold much influence in offworld Unathi communities, the Church maintains a great deal of influence on most worlds with large Unathi populations, with the Grand Priest of Valkyrie technically having the largest diocese in the entire faith. Sk’akh missionaries work to spread the faith in traditionally Th’akh regions such as the Tza Prairie and the Torn Cities, and the faithful increasingly call upon the Church to defend them from the threats which plague the modern age. With the Archpriests finally breaking their deadlock and moving towards raising a new High Priest, the Church is moving to restore its status as a political power once again.

Notable Locations

The Sk'akh Church is an ancient institution, with many sacred sites across Moghes. Beyond the spiritual, there are several scepts and strongholds of Church influence throughout Hegemony space, the most notable of which are responsible for hundreds of thousands of the faithful.

The Third Scept of Skalamar

Also referred to as the Great Scept, the Third Scept is the center of the Church - home to the High Priest, and the spiritual rock upon which the faith is built. It has been destroyed twice in Unathi history - once in a time long before the Hegemony, and a second time during High Priest Unzi's attempted coup of the Hegemon. Regardless, it has been rebuilt each time, and the full wealth and power of the Church is on display within its hallowed halls. It is an enormous building, home to hundreds of priests and acolytes, and as well-protected as any lord's castle. Though a city of Skalamar's size holds dozens upon dozens of smaller scepts and churches, the faithful will flock from every corner of the city to worship at the Great Scept.

It is believed that the Scept is built upon a holy site, the place where Sk'akh stood in the days before time and issued Their doctrines to the Sinta'Unathi. While historians have called the literal possibility of this into question, the truth remains that the Scept is one of the oldest buildings in Skalamar - and by some accounts, even predates it, with the First Scept believed to have been built in a city that stood long before Skalamar itself was ever built. It has been burned, besieged and assaulted before, but it remains an unrivaled monument to the Church, and the power it still holds.

Keep Mukari

Located several days north of Baandr, Keep Mukari is the headquarters of the Priesthood of the Warrior. Once a fortress built by the Sarakus Hegemony to guard against assault from one of its many rival kingdoms, the Church acquired it during the War of the Honored Alliance. The specific structure is not widely known, as only initiates of the Warrior are permitted to set foot inside - but it is known to be highly fortified and home to hundreds of battle-hardened priests at any given time. The last time that the fortress saw a direct siege was during the Contact War, when a Traditionalist Army managed to cross the Zazalai Mountains and attempted to capture Keep Mukari. The fortress held for three weeks, until the army of Baandr was able to lift the siege. During High Priest Unzi's reign, the Maraziite Order petitioned to be granted Keep Mukari - a request which was repeatedly denied.

Simiite Reliquary

Located in the city of To'ha'dat, the Simiite Reliquary is the headquarters of the Priesthood of the Healer, and one of the oldest libraries on Moghes. It contains the near-complete historical records of the Church, including many pieces of information that have long since been lost to the knowledge of other scholars. Only anointed Priestesses of the Healer are permitted inside the archive, though any who come seeking knowledge may request a specific volume from the priestesses who keep the facility - a difficult task when its contents are only known to its keepers. Little information is known about the Reliquary, though it is enormous and believed to extend deep underground, having been renovated in the 22nd century to protect its contents in the event of a potential nuclear strike. The keepers of the Reliquary are chosen from among the most dedicated Priestesses of the Healer, and traditionally serve for life.

Baandr College of Spirits

Located in the city of Baandr, the Baandr College of Spirits is one of the main educational institutions of the Church. Those seeking to become priests are required to earn a Mastery of Sacred Theology from the College, and many among the more devout nobility will often study there. Unusually for Unathi institutions, it has traditionally been open to noble and commoner alike - though earning entrance without joining the clergy was always far easier for the former than the latter. It is maintained by the Priesthood of the Fisher, and the order is traditionally headquartered there, with many of the priesthood taking teaching positions at the College.

First Scept of Valkyrie

The center of Sk'akh worship in Tau Ceti, the First Scept of Valkyrie is one of the largest offworld Sk'akh institutions, rivalling even the Great Scept in its stature. Located in the Valkyrie Exchange Terminal, Sk'akh Unathi from across the moon will often travel there for services, with many of them viewing it as an imporant lifeline connecting them to their cultures and homeworld. The Grand Priest of Tau Ceti dwells in the Valkyrie Scept, and is responsible for the oversight of other Sk'akh scepts and churches throughout the system. Though a mere Grand Priest, the leader of the Valkyrian Church has influence to rival the Archpriests, and there has been increasing demand among the Bieselite faithful calling for the official appointment of an Archpriest of Tau Ceti.

Religious Holidays

Day of the Warrior

Held at the start of Versakh, and traditionally observed on December 9th by the human calendar, the Day of the Warrior is a time of vigorous feasting, drinking, and celebration of the life which the Warrior defends. Traditionally, the day is celebrated with public contests of skill and strength, with sport duels and grand melees being common. Many Unathi folk heroes are said to have won the eye of a lord at a Warrior’s Day festival, and from there risen to find honor and glory in battle. Later in the evening, it is traditional to write and burn prayers to Sk’akh, as well as messages to the spirits of those who died in battle, thanking them for their honor and diligence in defending those who remain on Moghes.

Among Sk’akh Guwandi, the Day of the Warrior is a time of peace, when the mission of an honorable death is discarded and no Guwandi may draw their blade. It is spent in meditation and reflection upon a Guwandi’s disgrace and dishonor, and in prayer to Sk’akh that when they finally reach an honorable death, they may be granted entrance to the Beastlands.

Day of the Healer

Held in the cold of Travakh, August 14th by the human calendar, the Day of the Healer is a day of charity and goodwill. Traditionally, the faithful either donate resources or volunteer to assist those less fortunate, showing veneration of the Healer through good works and kindness. Later in the evening, displays of music and singing are customary, as the Healer is believed to be pleased by such things. A Healer’s Day celebration is considered a time to reflect on the beauty and fragility of life, and to give aid to those who need it. Traditionally, it is a time for Guwan to plead their cases before their clan or another, in the hopes of finding atonement for their life of dishonor.

The Day of the Healer holds special significance to many Unathi after the Contact War, and is often filled with songs and prayers to heal the wounds of Moghes. To Unathi offworld, it has become emblematic of peace and hope, that one day their homeworld might be mended.

Day of the Fisher

Held in the middle of Kasavakh, March 12th by the human calendar, the Day of the Fisher is considered a time for rest, reflection and community. Clans will traditionally gather, and Unathi away from home will often seek to return to their ancestral lands to spend time with clan and kin. Priests of the Fisher will travel Moghes, preaching the word of Sk’akh, and the importance of clan, kin and people in maintaining the order of the world.

Among the clans themselves, feasting, drinking and merriment are traditional, as well as the exchange of gifts. A Fisher’s Day gift is traditionally handmade, and of spiritual significance to the recipient - though in the modern age, the giving of pre-purchase gifts has become somewhat more common. Offworld Unathi will make the effort to return to their clans on Moghes if they can afford it, and if not will simply make contact as best as they can - the root of the holiday is togetherness and community, after all.