OOC: This factbook is going to be done a tad differently from the standard style, insofar as it will be comprised of books and reports about the Drazgal from outside sources. As such it is information that anyone can have access to once they've RP'ed with my race and suggested they've sent an emmissary capable of learning such information, as it is written from the perspective of spies/investigators/researchers etcetera.
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Subject Genre: Drazgal, Theocratic Technocracy of
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A Collection of Reports & Writings on the Theocratic Technocracy of the Drazgal.
A Sociological Treatise on the Theocratic Technocracy of the Drazgal: Biotechnologists & Diocese as an Autocratic Ruling Class (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=12811356&postcount=2)
Related Subjects: Biological Weaponry; Bioships; Humanity, Subspecies of; Theocracy; Technocracy
A Sociological Treatise on the Theocratic Technocracy of the Drazgal: Biotechnologists & Diocese as an Autonomous Ruling Class.
Foreword
Your honour, as requested I have infiltrated the Drazgal society on their home world. The contents of this report are a sociological analysis of this species that is clearly an evolutionary branch of Humanity, with the aim of greater understanding of this unusual people.
This treatise is broken down into several sections, these being; Political Structure, Religion & Technology, History and Customs & Traditions.
Political Structure
Explaining the political structure of this people is best achieved by likening it to political models with which we are familiar. It is a Theocratic and Technocratic leadership in a strict, almost feudal system, where the diocese controls all lands, with higher ranks of the religion controlling greater tracts and number of clergymen.
A clearly hierarchy is evident and whilst I was unable to ascertain all branches of it, what I have concluded is at least a rudimentary model of said hierarchy. Foremost upon the planet is the Arch-Hierarch, a figure revered by the entire populous for their unrivalled knowledge of biotechnological techniques, the significance of which shall be covered later under the Religion subsection. Underneath this unified figure are two others, who are both the head of their specific branch of the Church; the Lord-Hierarch, Lord-Chaplain and the Lord-Inquisitor.
From hereon, the Church becomes effectively three separate bodies; the Diocese, the Chaplaincy and a third group that seems to have no formal title in the same sense as the former two although Inquisition or Apostulate could both be appropriate. It is the Diocese that wields the greater power, having complete control over all technology on the planet to the point where only its members can operate power stations, armed craft and planetary defenses. All members of the Diocese are scientists, the majority in the field of biotechnology, and it is they who keep the entire planet running. Their leadership structure appears to be something akin to the following;
• Arch-Hierarch
• Lord-Hierarch
• Hierarch
• Arch-Bishop
• Bishop
• Priest
This is merely a rough guide, and may be inaccurate or have missing positions. Certainly there is a class below priest comprised solely of students, however regrettably I was unable to learn any information of those in training beyond the fact that it is there that their skills are analyzed to determine the area in which their skills are best suited, Diocese, Chaplaincy or the third path.
The Chaplaincy is the militant arm of the Church and controls the planetary military insofar as they are reputed to have the unswerving loyalty of their troops. In all actuality they appear to be little more than glorified warriors who have a rudimentary knowledge of the biotechnologies they utilize and oratorical skills. However members are given extensive training in tactics and leadership. While I was unable to make contact with one of these Chaplains, they are rumoured to no longer be ‘Drazgal’ or Human one should say. Their leadership structure seems to be simple;
• Arch-Hierarch
• Lord-Chaplain
• Chaplain
• Knight-Apostle
As with the Diocese they recruit directly from whatever educational establishment is utilized by the Church.
The final branch of the Church appears to be concerned with upkeep of the religion amongst the populous, ensuring the continual superstition surrounding the Diocese and Biotechnology, as well as the hatred of metals and what we would consider standard technologies. What I have ascertained is that despite the fact many members are knowledgeable in the field of biotechnology, and even have quite advanced skills by our standards, they are more highly prized for their oratory skills, counseling abilities and empathy. Of the three chapters of the Church, it is this group that controls the people and guards the Church. Unlike the Diocese and Chaplaincy, I have thus-far been unable to ascertain the exact leadership structure of this group. However, I have managed to gather various titles; Arch-Deacon, Deacon, Inquisitor, Monk, Brother Superior, Apostle, and Lord-Apostle. What is clear is that the Deacons work closely with the Diocese, often acting as an intermediary between the Bishops and the people.
The Apostles are generally those who run the Churches and conduct sermons, while the Inquisition appears to be the dominant force behind this sect, ensuring complete orthodoxy to the religious outlook on the Church and technology. While primarily investigators, many Inquisitors are equally well trained and equipped as Chaplains.
Religion & Technology
In the brief time I spent upon the world of Drazgal, it became swiftly apparent that technology forms the basis of their planet-wide religion. Children learn at a young age that the priesthood is the ultimate class of citizen, the only ones capable of continuing the living cities and transport devices that the Drazgal utilize.
As mentioned in the previous section of this report, the priesthood’s monopoly on technology is what allows it to remain the ultimate power of the planet. However it should be noted that the religious belief behind the technology is very much widely acknowledged as being a charade by the priesthood and the populace, so I can only make presumptions on why the religious façade is maintained.
Primarily; keeping a certain level of mysticism surrounding the technology may be initiated to prevent too many members of the populace from seeking to penetrate the priesthood. Evidently even though the people do not consider the technology holy, they do seem to have a belief that the science is beyond ‘normal’ people and accessible only to ‘gifted’ members of the society.
Secondly; religious tendencies are an innate failing in all species of Humanity we have thus far discovered, and it is possible that these people have turned their science into a religion in order to delude themselves in a in such a way that is more productive.
Finally, there is a revulsion surrounding metal and what we would consider standard sciences. The exact source of this is covered in the section on Drazgal history; suffice to say it is deeply ingrained in the society that such items are blasphemous against existence.