Stoking The Flames Arc
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Stoking the Flames
This is the overview and timeline page for the Stoking the Flames Arc which began on December 17th, 2023 and pertains largely to Unathi lore.
It is centered around the growing influence of the Si'akh faith, and the Prophet's efforts to expand offworld.
Below is a summary of the arc's applicable news articles, and additions.
Heretic Ringleader Judiza Si’akh spotted passing by Res’karumNews Article Publisher : Sinta Articles Writer : Lent23 Editors : RustingWithYou 17/12/2465 The Prophet Judiza Si'akh begins to gather his followers in the Wasteland, with thousands of Si'akh faithful flocking to his call. Yu’zath armsmen were ordered to investigate a large migration of Si’akh Sinta leaving Res’karum this past Wednesday. They followed the most recent migrants out of the city, only to witness the migrants meet up with a much larger group reportedly numbering in the hundreds. Sinta Articles has dispatched senior wasteland correspondent Szek Ren’zsar to Res’karum in order to meet with Lord Yu’zath. While Lord Yu’zath himself was unable to be reached for comment, Master of Rivers Junz Yu’zath gave Ren’zsar this response: “With the departure of many of Mudki’s heretical refugees, we are confident that Res’karum will return to its roots. Th’akh teachings have been a staple of Res’karum for as long as Sinta have lived in these mountains, and we will not be swayed by heretical beliefs.” All this comes to a head as the anti-Si’akh sentiment reaches an all-time high in the city. Lord Yu’zath has always been a strong anchor point of Th’akh worship, especially in the wasteland. His refusal to falter in the face of a strong Si’akh presence in his city is an honorable act. However, this seems to bode poorly for Res’karum, as hundreds of Si’akh workers flock out of the city to follow whatever plan this Judiza Si’akh has. One Miners’ Guild foreman in the city complained to Ren’zsar, stating that: “Half my workers seem to have run off following this damned fool Si’akh. Azhal’s crown, have they all taken leave of their senses? Some Wasteland vagrant waves a staff around, and they act like the man is some kind of prophet. Winds take them all, how am I meant to fill my quotas now?” The Si’akhists continue to leave the city, wandering into the Wasteland. Where they are going, or what this so-called prophet has planned, remains unclear to us at this time. The other lords of the region seem to be less concerned about it, with Lord Korhar of Bahard’s High Speaker informing us that: “These blasphemers can run off into the Wasteland if they like. If they want to abandon their work and their homes to follow a madman, then Bahard has no need for them. Leaves more food to go around those who are actually willing to help keep our city alive.” To the north, Lord Izaku of Mudki seemed dismissive of the Si’akh gathering. While his full statement has been cut for brevity and public decency, he scoffed at the “gathering of heretical rabble” and stated that any Si’akhist who came within sight of Mudki would “quickly find themselves swinging from the gallows”. For now, Ren’zsar and his crew have been sent to tail the migrants in order to keep an eye on what the heretics are up to. Sinta Articles will keep you all updated as the situation develops. Heretic Ringleader Judiza Si’akh In Talks With Queendom?News Article Publisher : Sinta Articles Writer : Lent23 Editors : RustingWithYou 28/12/2465 Si'akh's followers begin to gather near the edge of the Queendom of Szek-Hakh. It has been 11 days Szek Ren’zsar has been instructed to tail the Si’akh migration from Res’karum. Ren’zsar has reported that his crew has reached their destination: the Queendom of Sezk-Hakh. This comes as a shock to the Sinta Articles, as Queen Sezk-Hakh has positioned herself in the past as a staunch ally of the Hegemon, and her harboring of the largest cult leader stands in stark contrast to her past demonstrations of loyalty to the Izweski. Senior correspondent Szek Ren’zsar has compiled a few statements from the heretics themselves: “Si’akh has given me and my clan better opportunities than the Hegemon ever has.” said one follower, “He has revealed how the Hegemon has failed us. He has sold us out to alien corporations and feeds into his own greed. It has corrupted his soul too far.” “Si’akh wants to preserve our souls. People look at him as if he is some [expletive] Aut’akh psycho.” said a now-impoverished noble, “All he has ever wanted was to redeem us from our own damnation, to see Moghes whole again.” “This was a lake, once. Look, over there. You can see the bones of the skyscrapers, the city that was once here,” said a former Sk’akh priestess, “And you call the Prophet Si’akh mad? Madness is burning your own world, all over who gets to be king of the ashes. We have damned ourselves, my friend - but the Great Spirit has granted us a chance at redemption.” “Just doesn’t seem right to me. My clan lived in the Zazalais for three hundred years, digging up silver and sending it off to Res’karum.” said a disgruntled guildsman, “Now the rivers dry up, the fish die, and my clan starves. I turn on the news and what do I see? Not’zar Izweski’s wedding feast. Why should I listen to soft-scaled princelings in their castles? What have they ever done for me? They say Si’akh’s mad, and maybe he is - but he knows what’s wrong with the world, and he means to fix it. Could do a lot worse, all I’m saying.” After our previous article, a few cities took a closer look at the Sinta departing from their lands. Baandr, Bahard, Sahltyr and Darakath have all reported numerous Sinta departures from their lands. It is apparent that these departures have, for the most part, been an effort to congregate thousands of Si’akh sympathizers in the Queendom for Si’akh to make an announcement regarding his heresy. As the announcement is scheduled for tomorrow, we will bring you a live update provided our correspondent is allowed in the meeting hall. As always, remember - you can trust Sinta Articles for your up-to-date news. Si’akh Traveling Abroad?! Ouerea Faces Potential Turmoil.News Article Publisher : Sinta Articles Writer : Lent23 Editors : RustingWithYou 29/12/2465 Si'akh makes his plans known, departing Moghes to bring his promises of salvation to offworld Unathi. Breaking news from the Queendom of Sezk-Hakh! Juzida Si’akh has just announced his intent to travel to Ouerea in an attempt to, in his words, “Save the souls of our direct neighbors. The redeemable few that have stayed within [Uueoa-Esa].” During his announcement today, Si’akh told senior correspondent Ren’zsar that he will bring him and his team personally on the vessel transporting him to Ouerea. The planned destination is Um'a'yid, as Si’akh wishes to convert the lowly peasants to his heretical cause. Below is the transcript of Si’akh’s broadcast: [Cheers, applause, tail stomping can be heard as Si’akh approaches the podium. He places his walking stick against the podium and leans in to speak, softly at first.] “Wastelanders. Heartlanders. Southlanders. Prairie Clans, Coalitioners. Mountain Clans. Those of the Torn Cities. There are many ethnic identities that we may claim to be. There are many differences between these peoples. Strife has been ever-present throughout our history. There is, however, one thing that we all share: Our home. Moghes has tended to us, to our ancestors, and hopefully to our descendants." [Si’akh pauses for a few moments to examine the crowd. As he resumes speaking, he has a much angrier tone.] “I have heard whispers, among the faithful. Talk of the aliens, of Hephaestus Industries, blaming them for the ills of our world. It is an easy path to take, but it is not truth. Look around you! See the divine judgment of Sk’akh, see the ashes our once-beautiful world lies in! What hands wrought this doom upon us? Not alien hands, nor the hands of their corporations. Hephaestus is a nest of vipers, driven by wanton greed - but are they distinct in this? When Yukal T’zakal feasts as the Wasteland starves, is that somehow more wicked than when Not’zar Izweski does the same?” [Many jeers and loud tail stomping can be heard from the crowd. It lasts long enough that Si’akh takes a pause to listen. He resumes his soft-spoken initial tone.] “We are all of us to blame, for the ruin of Moghes. Yes, even I! I was a sinful man, who coveted wealth and power - was I alone in this? No. Moghes is ruled by the negligent and corrupt, those who call themselves lords, as it has ever been. It is our own sin, our own greed, our own abandonment of Sk’akh’s truth. That is what has led our world to damnation!” [Si’akh slams his fist onto the podium as he says “damnation” His tone shifts to an angry yelling once more.] “The Great Spirit has opened my eyes, my friends! Opened my eyes to the truth! For thousands of years we have been mired in faithlessness and corruption, until it left our world itself sundered and bleeding! But there is hope, brothers and sisters! For in Their mercy, Sk’akh offers redemption in flame, that we might make of our world the paradise our creator intended! Ask yourselves, each of you - will I stand aside? Will I fall into sin and debauchery, or will I do what is right! I know my answer, but it will take more than me! It will take you, and you, and you! By our own hands, Moghes is damned - and by our hands it shall be saved!” [The crowd erupts in a mixture of jeers, cheers and more tail stomping. Dust fills the stage, and while the noise begins to settle, the dust continues to permeate, vision blurred as two figures can be seen walking up, flanking either side of Si’akh, each with a large walking staff. They slam the bases of their staffs into the ground, and the tips of them ignite and through the dust, the flames create an eerie glow. Si’akh cuts the silence with a calm tone.] “I am going to leave Moghes to reach out to our brothers and sisters on Ouerea.” [Murmurs can be heard throughout the crowd, but they all quiet as Si’akh begins to speak once more.] “I will soon return, but if we seek to end the damnation brought upon us, we will need the assistance of our devotees aboard. There are devouts in many places across the Spur, lying in wait for our time. My brothers and sisters in flame - Now is our time. Return to Moghes with me at the culmination of my trip. All the faithful shall witness my proclamation. Secure your next shuttle to the Queendom and join me.” [The crowd erupts in cheers once more, and Si’akh grabs his walking stick and turns to leave, flanked by his two fire-bearers.] Senior correspondent Ren’zsar will keep us updated as soon as the Si’akh presence touches down on Ouerea. As always, trust Sinta Articles for your up-to-date news.
Si’akh Touches Down On Ouerea, Preaches Heresies to PeasantsNews Article Publisher : Sinta Articles Writer : Lent23 Editors : RustingWithYou 03/01/2466 The word of Si'akh begins to take root on Ouerea, as those angry and dissatisfied with the Hegemony flock to his revolutionary words. Today marks the first time that heretic cult leader Juzida Si’akh has ever been on another planet. He left last week with the intent of reaching Ouerea in order to speak to the peasantry of the planet. Accompanied with merely a small retinue of devotees, including senior correspondent Ren’zsar, his ship touched down just outside of Um'a'yid today. Immediately, Si’akh walked to the docks to speak with a group of fishermen that had shortly before arrived back from a fishing haul. The fishermen seemed surprisingly open to the idea of Si’akh’s presence on their planet, stating that he had seen Si’akh’s broadcast from the Queendom of Sezk-Hakh. The fisherman’s captain was approached after speaking with Si’akh, and was quoted as saying, “You know what? At this point, at least it feels like somebody is speaking up for the hatchlings. Not’zar sold us out to humans. Ouerea was supposed to be our planet, and now not only do I have to live alongside a bunch of aliens, I have to work to make them money. Hephaestus comes in and now we all have to work to satisfy their quotas. We all miss the guilds, you know? Maybe Si’akh will at least help us gain some ground back against them.” It is clear that the anti-corporate sentiment still plagues Ouerea to this day, despite the good that Hephaestus has done for the planet itself. Whether you believe that the corporations are good for the Hegemony itself, their effects on the Hegemonic economy cannot be denied. Si’akh’s presence on Ouerea serves no goal other than destabilizing what the Hegemon has fought to build and secure for the future of the Hegemony. While he may have just arrived on Ouerea, Si’akh has apparent plans to speak with many Sinta around many cities. We at Sinta Articles will keep an eye on the situation as it develops. Don’t lose your faith in these trying times. We are all in this together. Religious Turmoil Strikes Unathi CommunitiesNews Article Publisher : Tau Ceti Times Writer : Lent23 Editors : RustingWithYou 09/01/2466 Inspired or terrified by the words of Si'akh, religious fighting erupts throughout Unathi communities in the Republic of Biesel. Recently, religious turmoil has struck the Hegemony as the leader of the alternative sect leader Juzida Si’akh has expanded his influence off Moghes. On the 28th of December, Si’akh called for Unathi to “Return to Moghes with [him] at the culmination of [his] trip.” This has had a profound impact on Unathi in the Republic of Biesel, with notable Unathi communities in the Republic being affected in various ways. In some Bieselite communities, we have seen mixed reactions to the expansion of the heretical belief. The Unathi in Mendell City itself have been seen nearly coming to blows, with the group known as the Akhanzi Order attempting to preserve their Th’akh faith by preaching to other communities in the city. This has left them at odds with the Unathi of District 11, some of whom have been seen proclaiming Si’akh’s words, with some even lighting fire to Th’akh flags, seemingly in order to anger the Akhanzi Order specifically. Mendell City’s Tenth and Eleventh district firefighting brigades have been on high alert as a result of the clashing, with the firefighting brigades of Districts Five and Three being ready to aid should fires get much worse. The police force in the area have made several arrests of Si’akh members of District Eleven, with most of them having been responsible for fires across both districts. Despite some cries of religious persecution, Akhanzi Order members have also faced arrests following their assault of a group of Si’akh protesters in district eleven. Outside of Mendell, communities on Valkyrie have also been up-in-arms. On December 31st, a number of Unathi were arrested after they were witnessed assaulting a number of both Th’akh and Sk’akh churches earlier that day. The criminals infiltrated a number of churches before physically assaulting members of the congregations and lighting flames inside, typically using the pews that were present in the church at the time. These Unathi were swiftly arrested, and though the Tau Ceti Times has reached out, we were unable to obtain a statement from the clan’s representative as to why the action was taken against the churches. Across Mictlan, Si’akh’s words have impacted working-class Unathi. A number of protests in support of the Si’akh faith were held in Vezdukh. A statement was taken from one of the Unathi protestors during the rally: “All most of us want is a way to carve our own path - something I think we really share with a lot of common Sinta on Moghes as well. I think [Si’akh’s] focus on the spirit of all Sinta are what can really unite a lot of us.” A number of Th’akh churches in the city have burned down, with some witnesses stating that they witnessed several Unathi throwing what they called fire-bombs at the churches. No arrests were made in connection to this situation, and the investigation remains ongoing. It appears clear to us that the fire motif points to members of the Si’akh faith being behind the incident. The Mictlani government seems highly concerned about these religious tensions, having just brought an end to one long and bitter conflict. In a joint press conference with Lord Mayor Orbza Izziba of Vezdukh, Prime Minister Ladislao de Santos stated that the situation is entirely under control, and that while the Republic of Mictlan respects the right to freedom of religion those inciting religious violence will be judged under the full extent of the law. Unathi Heretics Caught at the BorderNews Article Publisher : Dominia Imperial News Network Writer : Lent23 Editors : RustingWithYou 14/01/2466 The faithful of Si'akh attempt to spread their Prophet's word to distant Unathi, and are met with swift judgement. This morning, a number of heretics attempting to cross into Imperial space were apprehended as they were landing in Nova Luxembourg. They were immediately taken to the Nova Luxembourg Jail and questioned by the Tribunal Investigations Constabulary before being swiftly executed. According to a representative from the Royal Guard, those captured were a group of high-ranking Si’akh Fire Priests who were attempting to cause upheaval in the Empire. Chief Minister of Unathi Affairs Kasz Han’san was quick to respond, and had this to say regarding the situation: "Our nature, as Unathi, does not make us any more susceptible to embrace this "Si'akh" heresy. Far from it, in fact, for what the Empire and the Goddess have offered us, for what we owe, we will never turn our backs on them." Additionally, the Great House Kazkhz-Han’san has announced that they will be making several significant donations to the Holy Tribunal, to aid in further defending the sanctity of Her Immortal Empire against foreign heretics both Unathi and human. During a press release later in the day, His Imperial Majesty Bolesław Keeser had this to say: “I have no doubt that the Unathi in the Empire are and will remain loyal to the Goddess. It is clear that the Hegemon is unable to control his own heresies, and that other nations around the Spur should be on the lookout for these ‘Fire Priests’ lest they face unrest.” Praise the Goddess, for without Her we would not have the foresight to deal with unrest before it rears its ugly head.
Si’akh Returns to Moghes with Thousands, Hegemon’s Economic Sanctioning of Dominia?News Article Publisher : Sinta Articles Writer : Lent23 Editors : RustingWithYou 17/01/2466 Si'akh returns, bolstered by thousands of the faithful. The deaths of Hegemony citizens anger the powers that be, with threats of economic sanctions being levelled at Dominia. Today marks the return of heretical cult leader Juzida Si’akh after a trip to Ouerea to spread his anti-corporate, anti-hegemony faith. After a proselytizing trip abroad, Si’akh has returned via shuttle to the Queendom of Sezk-Hakh. His is only the latest shuttle in a series of drop-offs that have seen Sinta from all over the Spur returning to Moghes from abroad, with many coming from the Republic of Biesel itself, evidently answering a call from the cult head himself. Si’akh is reported to have a scheduled announcement tomorrow, which will have live coverage done by Senior Correspondent Szak Ren’zsar and his team. In related news, the Hegemon has released a statement regarding a number of citizens that were killed by the Empire of Dominia just after they landed on January 13. In his statement, the Hegemon stated: “They should have let us extradite the heretics. Killing Hegemony citizens, no matter how heretical they are, is not up to Keeser to decide. The Empire should be ashamed of how their leadership has acted in this situation.” When asked if any action will be taken against the Empire, the Hegemon had this to say: “We have decided to enforce a number of sanctions against the Empire for their actions. These include a limit on the economic exchange between our nations as well as a complete travel ban on all Imperial citizens. We are looking to remove all Imperial citizens inside the borders of Moghes as well. The Hegemony still stands as a strong economic pathway between the Empire and the rest of the Spur. They will suffer for the murder of two Hegemonic citizens.” With such a strong economy established thanks to the presence of Aeson, T’zakal and the rest of Hephaestus, the Empire stands to suffer economically due to these sanctions. So far, the Empire of Dominia has not given a formal response. As always, stick with Sinta Articles for the most up-to-date Hegemonic news. A Live Broadcast of Juzida Si’akh in the Queendom of Sezk-Hakh!News Article Publisher : Sinta Articles Writer : Lent23 Editors : RustingWithYou 18/01/2466 The word of the Prophet reaches unexpected ears during a live transmission. BREAKING NEWS flies across the screen as the background swaps from a Hegemony flag to pan upwards and reveal a single black-scaled male Unathi sitting at a reporting desk. A name at the bottom of the screen denotes this man as Insar Zenkan Zenkan: “Today, we have a live broadcast for you. Senior Correspondent Szak Ren’zsar is live at the Queendom of Sezk-Hakh as heretic pariah Juzida Si’akh prepares to make a speech. While concerning that the previously well-regarded Queen Lazak Szek’Hakh has apparently broken her oath to the Hegemon, we are nevertheless covering this story to keep you, the viewer, up-to-date. Ren’zsar, can you hear me?” The camera switches to a large green-scaled Unathi holding a microphone. In the background there is a large stage with thousands of Sinta in front of it. A name at the bottom of the screen denotes this as Szek Ren’zsar. Ren’zsar: “I hear you, Zenkan. Today we are witnessing history as The Final High Prophet Born of the Purifying Flames unveils his vision of the future.” Zenkan: “Quite the official title for such an insane heretic. It almost sounds like you respect him, Ren’zsar.” Ren’zsar: “Respect comes where respect is due, Zenkan.” Cheering and tail-stomping can be heard in the background as the camera pans away from Ren’zsar and towards the stage. The man known as Juzida Si’akh walks on stage and the camera follows him closely. He walks slowly yet resolutely towards the podium before resting his walking cane on it politely. He interlocks his claws over the top of the podium, and the cheering slowly falls to silence. He dips his head slightly and speaks into the microphone on the podium: Si’akh: “Today, I must address solemn news. I am sure many of you have heard by now, but some of my most trusted advisors whom I have sent to Moroz to spread our word were caught and tortured by the group known as the Royal Guard. They were tortured for daring to speak our name.” As he pauses, jeers can be heard throughout the thousands of Sinta present. Si’akh: “Illkari Csorik and Lisek Zentra - Your names will always be remembered.” The crowd settles into a moment of respectful silence before Si’akh speaks again: Si’akh: “Those of you that have returned from across the Spur to your ancestral homes, this is for you. In cooperation with Queen Lazak Szek’Hakh, we will be establishing the first official Church of Si’akh of Moghes. We are currently working with a number of printers to codify our word, which will be given to all willing Sinta.” The raucous cheers of thousands of Sinta can be heard. Tail stomping kicks a ton of dust into the air. As it settles, Si’akh continues. Si’akh: “We have also spoken with a number of Si’akh communes around the Spur, and we will be establishing a few Si’akh churches on choice planets across the Spur. These include Vezdukh, Mictlan; District 11 of Mendel City, Biesel and Valkyrie. In each of these locations, I will be sending a trusted Fire Priest to lead in my stead, while I will remain here on Moghes in the First Church of the Flame. My brothers and sisters, this is but the beginning for us.” Raucous cheers fill the air from sections of the crowd as sections are called out. Si’akh: “I have one final announcement for us all today. Behind the crowd lies one man that I have spoken with many times throughout this journey - a man I have seen many of you speak with as well. He is a man with confidence, charisma, and true faith. This man I am declaring as the First Speaker of The Flame: Fire Speaker Szak Ren’zsar!” Many cheers can be heard as the camera pans back to Szak Ren’zsar. His expression is not that of shock, but of reverence. He turns to address the camera. Ren’zsar: “In my time traveling with Juzida Si’akh, I have learned many things. I have seen many faces, and I have heard many stories. Today marks a new day of the Si’akh religion. No longer will we be labeled as cultists, or heretics. No longer will we stand idly by as our world dies.. We are -” First the microphone cuts out, leaving only silence as Ren’zsar continues to speak on-screen. Murmuring from the news crew's voiceover can be heard momentarily as the audio cuts to them before the screen cuts to Insar Zenkan once more. He has a look of shock on his face. He glances around the newsroom, before shuffling some papers. After a moment, he begins to speak: Inzsar: “We will be back. We have to-.. Cut. Cut the stream.” A screen displaying the words PLEASE STAND BY are all that is left on the screen, and a short chime plays. There are a few minutes before commercials resume on the channel. Si’akh Cultists Establish Wasteland ChurchNews Article Publisher : Sinta Articles Writer : RustingWithYou Editors : Lent23 19/01/2466 The wider Hegemony responds to the rise of Si'akh. Is it idle bluster, or a prelude to holy war? Following yesterday’s dramatic events, it appears that a small army of Si’akh cultists have fortified a structure in the Wasteland, near the borders of the Queendom of Szek’Hakh. While we do not have any personnel on the scene, reports indicate several thousand followers of the heretic ringleader have begun to settle in the region, proclaiming the “First Church of the Flame”. Queen Szek’Hakh has issued only a brief comment on this recent madness, stating that she will not risk her people’s lives in driving out the cult without the Hegemon’s express command. The office of the Hegemon has yet to issue an official response to recent events. Former Sinta Articles guildsman Szak Ren’zsar seems to be presiding over the cult presence, having been declared as ‘First Speaker of the Flame’ by the so-called prophet Judizah Si’akh. Following his outrageous declaration, his employment with Sinta Articles has been terminated. Sinta Articles does not condone or endorse Szak Ren’zsar’s beliefs or statements, and his conversion to the Si’akh faith is in no way reflective of our stance as a guild, or the stance of our parent guild Hephaestus Industries. Among the nobility there has been an uproar, with Lord Yuhuni of To’ha’dat calling for Sk’akh faithful to take up arms against the Si’akh cult and its followers. The Sk’akh Church has yet to issue an official statement, though Archpriest Malza of Zazalai made a brief public statement that “Where the egg of heresy is allowed to hatch unimpeded, death and ruin shall be birthed in abundance”. Whether his fellow archpriests will back him on this matter remains to be seen. Szak Ren’zsar has taken to posting videos on the extranet, filled with the deranged ramblings that one might expect from a cult such as Si’akh. The Ren’zsar clan has denounced their once-proud son’s actions, and our sources inform us that discussion of declaring the so-called First Speaker Guwan has been raised. As for this Church itself, more Si’akhists are reported to flock there by the day - though whether Judiza Si’akh himself is still there remains unclear. It is likely he has fled again, driven by cowardice to avoid the risk of confrontation for his many crimes. What this development will mean remains to fully unfold, however. Whether this new ‘Church’ is a staging ground for an assault on the nearby Queendom, or one of the cities of the Zazalais, remains to be seen - as well as what the madman Judiza Si’akh intends to do next. As always, Sinta Articles will keep our readers updated on any further developments. Remember, for Sinta news Spur-wide, stick to the source you know you can trust - stick to Sinta Articles. Message from the WastelandNews Article Publisher : TruthFinder Writer : RustingWithYou Editors : Lent23 25/01/2466 The truth of the Prophet is spoken. Recently, a video was sent to us here at TruthFinder from the Unathi homeworld of Moghes, with a former correspondent for Hephaestus-owned local media sharing his thoughts on recent developments. While we’re not so sure about some of the religious aspects of the message, the fact that corporate media refuses to publish it means we have an obligation to. The video is attached below, with helpfully-provided Tau Ceti Basic subtitles. Attached: truthofsiakh.vid The camera turns on, showing a Unathi recognizable as former Sinta Articles correspondent Szak Ren’zsar - though seeming very different to his prior appearances. He has shed his professional attire, and is now clad in a simple and uncomfortable-looking robe, bereft of any adornment. He seems to be standing in what looks like the long-abandoned lobby of some kind of office building, with several humbly-dressed Unathi working to clear away rubble behind him. He looks to the camera and begins to speak in Sinta’Unathi. Tau Ceti Basic subtitles scroll across the bottom of the screen. “To all of you, across the Spur. Though my words are meant for my Sinta brothers and sisters, I welcome all to listen. I am Szak Ren’zsar, formerly of Sinta Articles - now Speaker of the Flame, by the grace of the Prophet Judiza Si’akh. I’m here today at the First Church of the Flame, near what was once Lake Azuaki, in what is now the Wasteland of Moghes. I know what is said about us, because I have said it myself. We are called cultists, killers, madmen. I had hoped that Sinta Articles would let me show the truth of Si’akh, but when I tried to speak they silenced me. But in doing so all that they have shown is the simple truth - that the powers of this world are afraid of what we say.” Ren’zsar pauses, gesturing slightly. The camera pans, looking out a window over an expanse of barren sand. In the distance, the bones of skyscrapers jut out from the desert. After a long pan past the devastation, the camera returns to Ren’zsar. “They call us madmen. But change often looks like madness, from the eyes of those who cling to the past. Look at what has become of our world, and ask yourself - is it a sane world that we live in? Is it madness to see these ruins and say, this is wrong? Ten million Sinta once lived in that city on the horizon. The fish in the lake here fed a nation, and now it is dust and bone. Is it madness? To look upon this and say ‘no more’? I have seen the heart of the Hegemony, the corridors of power in which Not’zar Izweski and his ilk walk. The nobles sitting on thrones of gold, feasting to their hearts’ content while their own people starve. It is the way it has always been, is what I am told, but we stand here in ruins because the way it has always been is wrong. In wickedness, greed, and corruption, the lords of the Hegemony and Traditionalists alike condemned our world to devastation, all to squabble over who would be king of the ruins. I am here today because there is a man who sees this evil for what it is. A man who was blessed threefold by Sk’akh, who I believe is the last hope of our people for redemption. I am Szak Ren’szar, Speaker of the Flame, and what I say now is the truth of Si’akh - that there are no lords but the Great Spirit, and the prophet that They have chosen!” Cheers come from the gathered Unathi. Chants of “Si’akh! Si’akh!” can be heard echoing through the chamber. “As the Fisher, They guide Their children. As the Healer, She shall mend this blighted world. As the Warrior, He shall fight beside us, to make our world green once more! My brothers and sisters, I know you have lived lives of sin and wickedness, for I have too. But there is good news for one and all, that redemption is possible, that a better world is possible!” He pauses again, as the cheering slowly dies down. With a calmer tone, he addresses the audience. “I know that there are those among you who see the rot and corruption in our people, and who feel as I feel. If that is you, my brothers and sisters - then come to this place, the Church of the Flame, anointed by the Prophet Si’akh. Find us, join us - and together, we shall save our people from damnation. The Hegemon and his fellows in sin may seek to stop us - but our fire rises, and for each that falls in Si’akh’s name a hundred more shall take up his words.” The crowd erupt with cheers again, cries of “The fire rises!” and “May Si’akh take the world!” being heard. The camera jerks downwards awkwardly, and the sound of someone fiddling with it can be heard for a few seconds, before the video ends. |
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