The Tchaask have long warred, the Tchaask have long quarreled, until with the last hope of Tchaask, Hive Mother Screkan dur'Illiam sent out a fateful ship out of Tchaask and into the rings. When the crew returned, it was not in the vessel they left. It was in a grand vessel forged by the Gods. TRS Destiny was engraved in its side. It spoke truly.-'Words of the Holy Speaker Galedur has'Tivina', compiled by unknown author.
The Tchaask, ruled by the Hive Mother Screkan dur'Illiam(1), began its journey into space. In the years following the discovery stations were built around the system, named Baccotri after the Tchaaskeranmitnull(2)convened upon the tenative unification under Seper'Screkan(3), in honor of the Tchaaskmitall Baccotri, conqueror of all!The Tchaaskeranmitnull began reseearch efforts into increasing their understanding of the Gods' will for them, with Colaut cur'Yalim(4)being given overseership of studying the Destiny's findings on physics, Sacoterum cur'Yuhal into utilizing the tools on board to map the 'genome' of the species, as matter which the Gods' had declared led to a more accurate and useful healthcare system, and finally Thoraul dol'Harne was given overseehip into studying engineering, something witch she took with great pride. The architects of Baccotri were seen as magnificent builders, and thus she hopes to build similarly great things as wellAs the first Tchaaskeranmitnull since the Great Baccotri came to an end, a question rung through the halls. The Tchaasknak had begun to question when they would get their turn in rulership. Even as they toiled in the mines, they all wanted to have one of their own on the new council. So it was decided, by Screkan herself, that the title of Drone Ascendant will be given, and those who hold it may attend any council session. They could not vote, but they could observe and speak.The Second Unification(5)went far better than any could imagine. The Hive Mothers, if begrudgingly, could not deny the blessing of Screkan. As the days pass by, the science ship begins to survey the galaxy, looking for Sola, each day the reality of the situation would press at the Tchaaskmital's mind. What if Sola is not close? She would lead The Tchaask where the Gods' may beckon, but she would fear if she led them far, they would lose hope.A distraction would come months later, however. Strange alien writing? Perhaps the scientist could inspire hope, if it was the Gods' writing again?Author's Note: I forgot to take a screenshot of the failure, just assume this says something else.
Despite her hopes, the scientist Codrales would soon decide it wasn't worth the effort, deeming it to, quote 'Be a waste of my talents examining purely coincidental formations, it's likely some sort of asteroid bombardment coupled with the gravity well of the planet being stronger before.'
Screkan believed her to be faithless, but held her mandibles.Attempts to keep the peace about this development proved to be useless, one of the lesser Hive Mothers under Codrales soon broke their agreement of confidentiality, spreading word of 'what must be alien writing', in her words. The capital of Screkan is abuzz with this news, it quickly spreading outwards as time goes on.The council convened again, this time to discuss the topic of where The Tchaask stood on the arising religious movements inside The Tchaask.
The Gods' Path, what can be considered the state religion, holds the majority of the population. It worships the Gods and their servant Baccotri, holding the Gods and both Baccotri in equal regard.
Baccotrites, the second most plentiful religion. They worship the Gods and Baccotri, however they hold Baccotri higher than the Gods. While they fall in line in most areas, the fact they believe Baccotri to be better than even the greatest of the Gods is... Dangerously close to heresy.
Anti-Baccotrites, the third most plentiful religion. They formed soon after the Baccotrites. They oppose the Baccotrites' main doctrine, claiming that Baccotri was only a vessel for the Gods to do their work. They are considered at the same level as the Baccotrites. Dangerously close to heresy.
Many minor variations of the pantheon exist, however one that stands out are the... Followers of the Unnamed God, or 'The Forsakened Cult.' Knowing the true name of the followers of the Forsaken One is considered to be heretical, and their basis of beliefs must be stamped out. They, however, are crafty just like the Forsaken One, hiding in the shadows with the rest. We can only hope they do not infiltrate the government of Tchaask.After the meeting convened, Screkan went on to declare the enforcement of 'The Gods' Path' once more as the state religion, heretics being rooted out, converted, and ritually executed to preserve their afterlife.(7)
The system of Avim, one of the first systems examined by Codrales, was finally confirmed to be under control by Tchaaskeran forces. A small station built based on specifications designed by Thoraul herself was made to symbolize the event. While it was not a magnificent structure as she intended, it was still a structure. One far larger than anything on Tchaask.A large 'wormhole', the scientist Codrales called it, has been spotted in the Azha system. The more religious of the Hive Mothers say it is one of the Gods' many eyes, used to see the universe for its glory. We cannot confirm or deny this suspicion.Large structures were spotted on Azha V, however Codrales has her doubts about them being anything of importance. Regardless, she was dispatched and forced to investigate under suspicion of *this* being Sola.Another failure from Codrales, confirming her suspicions and saddening the council. It does not match any records of Sola.Codrales would begin the day as any other. Check for communications, study what they'd surveyed, forward what was new, and rest. She was bored, but there was no worry from her or her drones.
They detected a strange energy reading from a nearby moon. They went to redo their survey of the moon, 'surely I haven't missed anything', he thought.Codrales and her crew spent the next three months rescanning every inch of the moon's surface. They however found something they weren't expecting. As they tried to pull out of orbit upon completing the survey, the ship was soon surrounded by two vessels, a strange symbol emblazened on their hull.Twenty Seven days.
Twenty Seven days she negotiated. Eventually she did the unthinkable. She ordered the ship to distract the pirates as she rode the escape shuttle away. It exploded, sending debris across the system as multiple missiles collided with its hull. Codrales was safe. Her drones were not.[spoiler=Admirality]
Gorlife dol'Destiny would step up. The Hive Mother commanding the refitted science vessel would be the first of many great Tchaaskeran admirals. She was given the order to prepare for an attack, a retaliation, against the pirates.Viewing Codrales' failure to defuse the pirate situation, the newest science vessel was not given to her and her hive, it was given to a new scientist hoping to make a name for herself.A strange structure was found by this new scientist a year later. We're not sure how it functions, but it seems to be some sort of transportation system.Merould has discovered a set of distress beacons reminiscent to our own. Strange, as we have no allowed non-government vessels to leave Baccotri.A vessel similar to the pirates' vessels is found. We will do research into what was on this vessel in due time.Nothing of note occured after that discovery.A station was discovered in Kharasta. The mere fact that another spacefaring race exists brings levity to Screkan. Perhaps it is the Gods, and this is a stepping stone to Sola? Will the Great Journey be complete?The Fourth Council convened, to discuss this station. It was agreed upon the state shall begin to truly, and justly, show the universe that it can follow the words of the Gods, and that it simply isn't full of sinners. Screkan herself was sure that the Great Journey would be over before it could even begin, not even lasting a decade.The day had been full of meetings. The encounter they had hoped would be Gods was not. It was... Mammals."The High King of Rek'Omak greets you, Tchaaskeran, on behalf of the Kingdom and the Electorate."The Electorate of Rek'Omak was not run by the High King, no, it was ruled by the Electorate, who would sooner depose a High King who would try and rein them in than allow them to rule, declaring previous electors(who coincidentally were the tie breaking votes) to be frauds and put new Photecians in their place, than give up their power. The High Kings soon resigned themselves. While still absolute rulers, many spent their days in luxury and decadence while the Electorate played.Negotiations began roughly, however soon the two empires came upon an agreement. Star charts would be exchanged and a non-aggression pact signed. This was the beginning of a friendship, Screkan reckoned.When the Fifth Council, convened to determine if Screkan would continue to hold the crown of Tchaaskmitall, was ended, it was clear. Her achievements and her continued diligence towards the state meant that she would continue to rule.
Long Live Screkan dur'Illiam! Long Live The Tchaask!
Footnotes:
(1) Formally 'Tchaaskmitall Screkan dur'Illiam dur'Lurindia dur'Baccotri
(2) Tchaaskeran Council of Hive Mothers
(3) Tribe of Screkan
(4) Colaut, Baron of Yalim(Yalim being a small parcel of land in the mountains)
(5) The First Unification being when Baccotri unified the Tchaaskeran tribes under one banner.
(6) While the second council of the Second Unification, it is considered the Third chronologically, with Baccotri's Council considered the first.
(7) A horrific practice to non-Tchaaskerans. While it's a simple beheading after conversion, it represents one of the core beliefs of their faith. Apostasy is considered damning permanently, the only way to truly save one's soul is to convert and then allow oneself to be executed for one's unfaithfulness.