NationStates Jolt Archive

OOC: This is simply a chance to RP the spread of Terranism to your nation if you wish it so. It is not, however, a new religion, and thus should not be responded to with sudden surprise. I am really hoping to spark a more peaceful RP, after the destruction caused in the name of Terra during the Utopian Crusades.

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y154/Retro_1989/Terran.jpg
The Symbol of the Terranists:
with the white circle representing Earth,
and the blue her atmosphere.

"Lords of Terra, heed our prayer..."

Thousands upon thousands of years ago, Celtic Polytheism prevailed among the Picts and eventually evolved into the worship of a select few deities. As the centuries passed, they became known as the "Lords of Terra", guardians of the earth and all who worshipped her. For years the clans of Pictavia lived in peace until the Latin invasion, and indeed her children fought bravely, but the riches of Rome advanced Pictavia into a dominant power in Europe. Under Greco-Roman influence the names of Pictavia's deities were lost, and soon Arian became known as Apollo with the others following suit. It mattered not, however, as gods were gods regardless of title, and their divinity continued into eternity.

Apollo: God of the stars, of truth and life.
Neptune: God of the oceans, the rivers, and of unpredictability.
Gaia: God of the Earth, of the climate, of the cycles of Terra (http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y154/Retro_1989/EARTH.jpg).
Hera: God of love, of art and poetry, and of kinship.
Athena: God of wisdom, of intellect, and of patience.
Ares: God of war, battle and victory.

With the establishment of The Pictish Empire, during the kingdoms sovereignty from Latin rule, followers of the Celtic-Latin hybrid faith became known as Terransits. They devoted their entire lives to maintaining the beauty of the cradle of civilization, and to the unwavering worship of Holy Terra (http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y154/Retro_1989/EARTH.jpg). By modernity, the factories of Europa Atlantica blackened the skies of the continent, and boiled the oceans, causing Terra (http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y154/Retro_1989/EARTH.jpg) immense pain. Her Pictish followers saw her anguish, and responded they only way they knew; with war.
The wars did not last forever, and soon alternate methods of preserving life were engaged: The Utopian Commonwealth was founded; with the intention of uniting together nations of a similar goal, and thousands of activists left their home to offer the love of The Lords of Terra to all corners of the globe...

"Terranism preaches that the Earth, or Holy Terra (http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y154/Retro_1989/EARTH.jpg), is a spiritual entity, and that harming her natural processes and ecosystem is a grave sin, and an assault on the entity. It also urges Terranists to take an active role in conversion of others to Terranism, and protecting the Environment. " - Anonymous Kiravian Theistorian

In the city of Crig, Red Tide

BLAM!
The heads of the Terranists whipped around as one of the doors hinges was blown off. They had just began too move when...
BLAM!
The other hinge of the door was blown away. They were just on their feets when...
BANG!
The door was violently kicked too the ground as a Intelligence Commissar wielding a shotgun stormed through the entrance, immediatly followed by another nine Commissars armed with submachine guns.

"DONT MOVE!" The one with the shotgun screamed. Most of the Terranists skidded too a halt right there, but another three continued too run for a nearby fire escape window. The Commissar coolly fired a shotgun blast right into the rear ones back, killing him instantly and injuring his comrade in front of him.

The second Terranist was taken down by a burst of submachine gun fire. As the front one reached the window, pried it open, and dived through it before another Commissar was able too shoot him. One Commissar raced after him, leaping out the window and looking down... and grinned a ghoulish smile.

The Terranist reached the ground and looked back up at the building, not seeing anyone come after him.

"Made it..." he said with relief... which evaporated as he heard a CLICK and felt something metallic press against the back of his knee.
BLAM!
The 6.8mm round blew his kneecap off, violently dropping him too the ground. The Commissar who had been watching for escapee's walked right infront of him and lifted his head up with the tip of his submachine gun. The Commissar studied the Terranists face for a moment, then said:

"You are wanted for Treason against the State. The punishment is execution. The execution will take place... now."

And then he loosed a three round burst into the head of the leader of the Red Tidean Terranist Movement. All of the Terranist leaders who had been arrested in the Apartment were taken too the middle of a forest, were forced too dig a shallow pit, then were executed and buried, their graves left unmarked. The body of the Terranist leader was cremated and his ashes spread across the ocean.

There would be nobody left too lead the Terranist movement in Red Tide.

OOC: Blam! (One of the few times I've literally lol'd in II). Ahh TSRT, nice to see you're still resisting Terranism, and no, I'm not daft enough to even consider war with you! Nice post, and I'd like to have a full RP sometime perhaps detailing an underground Terranist movement or something along the line, but I've got too many other violent RP's on at the moment.

*Bump!*

OOC: Question. What are the terranist churches like? Only 2% of the population believes in a god or some otherworld force, but I am considering having Terranism become fashionable.

OOC: The current Terranist Church was founded in the seventeen-hundreds, although I forget the exact date. It still, however, follows the same principals as the original Pagan faith which dates as far back as 8000 BC in its most primitive form. The priests of the church are known as 'Druids', who spread the word of the ancient 'Vates' (prophets). The churches themselves now form large temples and are largely independent from any significant organizational influence, although The Elders (the most senior druids) loosely govern most denominations of the church in a great council. I hope this is any use!

OOC: Blam! (One of the few times I've literally lol'd in II). Ahh TSRT, nice to see you're still resisting Terranism, and no, I'm not daft enough to even consider war with you! Nice post, and I'd like to have a full RP sometime perhaps detailing an underground Terranist movement or something along the line, but I've got too many other violent RP's on at the moment.

OOC-->Yeah, I had a similar experience... perhaps this one is suffering from a real lack of confidence that he needs to "impose" his superiority onto others.

Oh, if interested you could check out the description of the ShogunKhan's religion on the thread "Religion of ShogunKhan, The spread of Wonderful War" in the NationState forum. Its an attempt to make a warrior society from top to bottom, from the lowly martial arts in personal combat all the way to grand strategy thinking in diplomatic relations with various nations.

Perhaps we could come up with a plausible reaction of how both our religions would interact upon first meeting and potential developments.... friend/foe/other?

OOC: The current Terranist Church was founded in the seventeen-hundreds, although I forget the exact date. It still, however, follows the same principals as the original Pagan faith which dates as far back as 8000 BC in its most primitive form. The priests of the church are known as 'Druids', who spread the word of the ancient 'Vates' (prophets). The churches themselves now form large temples and are largely independent from any significant organizational influence, although The Elders (the most senior druids) loosely govern most denominations of the church in a great council. I hope this is any use!

So, I could use some Turkish Mosques to represent the church? I ask because I loved the architecture that I saw on my last visit.

OOC: If you wish, undoubtedly architecture will vary with each region. In terms of the actual synthetics of a Terranist church, they will usually be built into a natural formation, such as a cave, hillside at cetera. The original intentions were of a cross between this, and a more temple-like mosque, so it would be quite fitting. Of course smaller churches are more akin to Iberian-Catholic chapels.

Yanitaria City,Yanitaria

Popular television star Luke Benson had started a craze amongst the spiritual of Yanitaria.

Hundreds of thousands of irreligious people, including moving and tv stars flocked to Terranist churches.

Yanitaria Weekly, the most popular pop-culture magazine named it this year's hot new trend. Soon, even people who didn't believe in god or gods joined the churches.

Yanitaria Caverns, a small natural cave in a hill in the middle of a city park was bought for 1 billion dollars, which supplemented the environmental budget, and Yanitaria's greatest spiritual structure, Notre Terre, was built on top. The area was planted with palm trees, and flowers, and was soon the center of the Terranist religious movement.

Picture of Notre Terre (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/f/f2/Sultanahmet_Camii_2006.JPG)

OOC: That's exactly how I'd imagined it aswell, awesome photograph.

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y154/Retro_1989/Terran.jpg
Official Communiqué

Open Declaration:
The Church wishes to express its gratification at the open embrace of Terranism by some of the Yanitarian people. We hope that under the divine guidance of the Lords of Terra, you may live and die in the knowledge that you served the Lords justly. We hope that your faith grows and spreads to every corner of your home, and let it become a garden of which the Gods would be proud.

~Council of Elders
Church of The Lords of Terra

OOC-->Yeah, I had a similar experience... perhaps this one is suffering from a real lack of confidence that he needs to "impose" his superiority onto others.

OOC:
:sigh: Perhaps you should stick too the UN Forums if you dont understand why I did what I did.

ViZion sees no problem with allowing this Terranism belief to enter, as we do not impose upon the right of religion. It is, however, unsure how ViZionarians will take to this religion previously not within its borders.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/54/Earth_symbol_alternate.svg/181px-

Terranist Church of Kiravia

The United Imperial Terranist Church is proud to announce that our membership now incorporates 1 million Kiravians, and 40% of the Mesoarbourea Colony(Not counting Territheists)

There are 250 Terranist communities outside of Mesoarbourea, and significant movements in Evergreena, Kesta, and Eregula. We have submitted an application to the Imperial government to charter a Terranist colony in the Endopacific.

We would like to hold a conference with Pictish Terranist leaders to discuss the relationship between our congregations.

OOC: I honestly cannot wait for an actual peaceful RP to start, thank you Kirav!

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y154/Retro_1989/Terran.jpg
Official Communiqué

Open Declaration:
The Church wishes to thank the states of ViZion and Kirav for their open-minds. Terranists in certain other nations, such as the place we have come to know as 'Red Tide', hunt our kind down like animals. In the face of such aggression, it is comforting to know that Terranists may practice their faith within the safety of your borders. Addressing The Terranist Church of Kiravia, we would be honored to attend such a conference with the hope of strengthening the bonds between our denominations.

~Council of Elders
Church of The Lords of Terra

Bill: This is Channel 3 News and we have news from the Head of State. Here is Michelle, with the breaking news.

Michelle: Thanks, Bill, The head of State, Rael the II just announced joining forces with Novi Picitia, He said he does not nessacarily support Terranism, but however he is willing to accept all religions in Havangas. Any Refugee may come to Havanaga as part of the "Religous Tolerance and Refugee Act" which was unnanimous.

Bill: Now we have a story on the taxes...

It did not take long for many Terranist syndicates to move overseas to Havanagas and set up trusts in the small nation. The idea would be to fund several self-sustaining communities in areas of natural beauty for conservation, an offering of refuge for The Lords of Terra in a new land. Within weeks work should begin on the first Terranist churches in the conservation areas, while the syndicates continue to expand their territory using the power of economics, and protect more of Holy Terra, one meter at a time.

OOC: I honestly cannot wait for an actual peaceful RP to start, thank you Kirav!

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y154/Retro_1989/Terran.jpg
Official Communiqué

Open Declaration:
The Church wishes to thank the states of ViZion and Kirav for their open-minds. Terranists in certain other nations, such as the place we have come to know as 'Red Tide', hunt our kind down like animals. In the face of such aggression, it is comforting to know that Terranists may practice their faith within the safety of your borders. Addressing The Terranist Church of Kiravia, we would be honored to attend such a conference with the hope of strengthening the bonds between our denominations.

~Council of Elders
Church of The Lords of Terra

OOC: You're quite welcome. I'm very much into the peaceful rp market now, especially because I can't keep on long enough to do much warring.

IC:

Mistwood, Mesoarbourea

Mistwood-the Mecca of Terranism in the Kiravian Empire. Once a tiny fishing village, destroyed by the Cnian incursion, the city had rebuilt itself as the seat of the Imperial Terranist church. Entire lots of the city were replanted areas of the native forests. Natural streams ran through theouter sections of the town. From above, it looked more like a collection of stone buildings scattered across a wood. Except of course, for the Cathedra áu té Terrix Theiuv (English: Cathedral of the Earthly God/Spirit). It was a grand structure, built principally of green stone, with the inner chambers built of geen marble, it was a n octagonal building, housing chapels, libraries, greenhouses, and crypts. In the centre of the vast, lush, courtyard stood an imposing stone circle, regarded by Terranists as the holiest spot in the Empire.

It was here that the Imperial Teranist Church had invtied the Pictavian Rite for the clandestine conference to come.

OOC: I will use the news as a way to talk cuz it is less formal

Bill:Welcome back to Channel 3 News and here is the latest update of Terranism the fastest growing religion in Havangas ever. Many of our current citizens are converting and our leader is thinking if we can get 75% of the population to Terranism, it will be announced as the national religon and he will convert. Rael, Head of State is also sending an undiscloused amount of military to guard the Terranists as they set up their new religon.

OOC: This is NOT going to be a sneak attack i promise.

OOC: Havangas: There is no official conflict ongoing against TSRT, all actions of those Terranists within his borders are Red Tidean converts and of little link to the Imperium. Thus, troops are not needed, just faith! Oh, and you can sneak-attack if you wish, but the Greater Imperium houses tens of billions of souls equipped with the best in military technology =P
Kirav: Will post the IC arrival of The Imperial Church's Elder Druid's soon, but was wondering on some more background of the area beforehand?


Bill:Welcome back to Channel 3 News and here is the latest update of Terranism the fastest growing religion in Havangas ever. Many of our current citizens are converting and our leader is thinking if we can get 75% of the population to Terranism, it will be announced as the national religon and he will convert. Rael, Head of State is also sending an undiscloused amount of military to guard the Terranists as they set up their new religon.

To Havangassian Channel 3 News, Editorial Team

Dear Sirs,
As an Imperial citizen residing in Havangas, I regularly watch the Channel 3 news. In a recent bulletin concerning the rise of Terranism in this fine country, the news team stated that Terranism is a 'new religion': this is simply not the case. If I may direct your attention to this article [Link], (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=13250758&postcount=1) you will see that Terranism is thousands of years old, derived from Celtic Paganism of circa eight-thousand BC.

Yours sincerely,
~Anonymous Pictish Imperial

Kirav: Will post the IC arrival of The Imperial Church's Elder Druid's soon, but was wondering on some more background of the area beforehand?
[/FONT]

OOC: Certainly.

David Bellis walked through the streets of Mistwood after attending a short Terranist service. He was a member of the largest ethnic group in the entire colony: Londinian Terranist.

During the Utopian crusades, the 100,000 or so Terranists in British Londinium were faced with death. Like anyone else who was accused of threatening Londinian society, there was hell to pay for any Terranist in the PSR. THey were about to be executed by the Republic, when the Kiravian EMpire offered Londinium as less bloody alternative. They had a small colony, with unique indigienous wildlife, and needed settlers that would take care of it, as well as develop the colony. So, as it was, 14 countyships were set aside, and Bellis's brothers in faith moved in.

At first, the Italo-British newcomers and the original Cosciv-Kiravian colonists were wary of each other. The sparked a dispute with ethnic Ieurlev settlers over the northern portions of Regina Island, and the Ieurlev Mesoarboureans(who, by Governor Exford Greenpine's judgement, got the land) began a social movement to create two seperate provinces. One for Kiravians, governed as a colony, and another for Londinians, governed as a Mandate. Guess which one had more political freedom.

Nonetheless, time passed, and the Londinans and the various Kiravian groups in the colony grew closer. The Ieurlev and Caldev had Celtic-esque cultures, and forged social bonds with the Terranists. Other groups admired the Londinians for their reverence to the environment. All things considered, conversion began. Many Kiravians, an eco-conscious society, took to Terranism. Others, mostly Coscivian Theists, rejected the polytheism, but adopted the other aspects of the faith through Territheism. Terranists from across the Empire began making pilgrimages to the shrines in Mesoarbourea, and many stayed. Terranism and Territheism now have 60% of the population in their adherence.

After grabbing a quick bite at a café, he unlocked his bicycle from the public parking rack(Petrochemically-fueled cars are banned, but most Mesoarboureans reject automobiles completely), and pedaled out of town.

He rode along the dirt road, through the misty forests of smooth-barked conifers and unique broadleaved trees, found only in Mesoarbourea. The colony's islands were mostly flat, and forested, with many pristine wetlands. It was getting dark, and the mist-filled woodlands were dangerous after dark. THe orginial settlers had stayed on the coast, as not to lose their way in the fog.

As Dusk neared its prime, Bellis entered the gates through the earthwork walls of New Victoria, the largest Londinan village on Boyce Island. It was twilight when he reached his home, as he had to pick up a new garden hose from the local store. He knocked on the door, and his wife, Caledonia, greeted him with a warm kiss. Walking through the small corridor, they pased a frame of their marriage declaration. Written in Coscivian, it bore the name of a Londinian refugee, and a Kiravian teacher.

The Bellis's were the most perfect example of what Mesoarbourea was: Two cultures, one faith, one land, one life.

OOC: Could you explain "Terratheistic" to me?

Atlas, two days west of Europa Atlantica.

The IWS (Imperial Warship) Britannia (http://tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:IMh0oFpWd8R4-M:https://sslrelay.com/s84068217.oneandoneshop.co.uk/shopdata/0090_Construction%2BPlans/0030_Marine%2BPlans/0090_Scale%2BWarship%2BDesigns/images/mar_2564_100x65.jpg) cut the ocean in two with it's three, gleaming hulls. The trimaran shape of the vessel was in keeping with Imperial design, but with significantly less weaponry and a far greater degree of greenery. The inside was spacious and the walls donned with metaphytes, most notably ferns. Two men and one women, Elders of the Imperial Terranist Church, were congregated around a small spring contemplating the day before them. The appeared to be clothed in many mismatched layers of white cloth forming a thick toga, while the men wore baggy ghillie-shirts underneath belted plaid. Most notably, none of the party chose to don footwear and each one's head was shaved bald.
The ship itself bore no ill-harm to it's destination. "Imperial Warship" was merely the designation for any Fleet vessel, even the Brittania which was but a VIP transport ship was honored with the title. Soon, the thin green coast of Mesoarbourea lined the horizon, and the bridge crew began to relax. With so many enemies, traveling in open-waters was becoming increasingly dangerous for Imperial ships. The Brittania's two Fleet escorts (http://defence-data.com/dsei99/trimaran.jpg) broke formation and executed a holding pattern while the VIP vessel continued on towards the coast.

"This is Captain Reska of the Imperial Warship Brittania. I believe I have two very important people for you. Requesting permission to dock for the Brittania and her escorts"

Yanitaria:

The popularity of Terranism had remained stable. Terranist celebrities had funded the construction of an ecologically pristine city named Arkadia. So far, 1,000,000 people, Terranist or not, had flooded the city.

The city was made possible by developing on the existing city of Orwell, and extensive city planning. It resided in the province of Nouvelle France, which has a lot of undeveloped land, but also some of the most beautiful cities, including Yanitaria's coveted Nouvelle Paris.

Yanitaria:

The popularity of Terranism had remained stable. Terranist celebrities had funded the construction of an ecologically pristine city named Arkadia. So far, 1,000,000 people, Terranist or not, had flooded the city.

The city was made possible by developing on the existing city of Orwell, and extensive city planning. It resided in the province of Nouvelle France, which has a lot of undeveloped land, but also some of the most beautiful cities, including Yanitaria's coveted Nouvelle Paris.

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y154/Retro_1989/Terran.jpg
Official Communiqué

Open Declaration:
The city of Arkadia is simply a glimpse of what the future has to offer; an example of peaceful coexistence between man and his environment, for it is Apollo's will that amongst the myriad of jewels that adorn the night sky, Holy Terra prevails. We hope with all sincerity that Arkadia's influence spreads to the rest of the most serene state of Yanitaria, and that her people nestle close to the bosom of the cradle of civilization under the watchful eyes of the Lords of Terra.

~Council of Elders
Church of The Lords of Terra

OOC: Terranism violently opposes non-eco-friendly industry right?

And how would you feel about a schism in the church?

OOC: Yes, pretty much downright doesn't like anything un-environmentally friendly where the ends do not justify the means. Also, schisms sound interesting! (Do Yanitarian Terranists follow the Imperial Terranist Church? If so where would this schism exist? Kirav has it's own Terranist church, so an independent church is completely normal.)

OOC: For now, Yanitarian Terranists are members of the Imperial Church, but I am thinking of having a schism, to really bring out the faults in Yanitarian Terranists.

There will be two competing churches from Yanitaria, the Reformed Church of Terra, and the Independant Orthodox Terranist Church. I'll explain through IC posts. The Imperial Church will still exist, though.

Also, in Yanitaria, it has become more common to say 'Mother Terra' than 'Holy Terra'.

IC:
Arkadia:

Debate raged in the now large city. Terranism gripped 10% of all Yanitarians, with many flocking on pilgrimages to Arkadia.

Here, the largest church in Yanitaria, The Mother Earth Cathedral (http://www.netuse.co.uk/clients/salawaat/images/east%20harlem%20mosq%2096th%20st.jpg) was built, and was used by the philosophically inclined as an area for religious discussion.

"We, the children of Terra should be free to do as we please! Furthermore, Mother Terra provides us with such bounty, why should we do anything else in our free time other than enjoy it!?" railed one man.

The people around him agreed. Suddenly, they flocked closer, to sign a paper. It was a declaration of freedom, and the beginnings of a new church, the Reformed Church of Terra.

The people assembled agreed that violence would not protect Terra, and that the largest virtue was enjoying the bounty of Mother Terra every moment they could.

To this end, large parties occurred, in the church, where people would partake of natural food, and home made wine, and dance and indulge themselves when ever they wanted.

Eventually, disgusted with their behavior, but wanting to have the freedom to decide what was best for Terra, many people joined the Independent Orthodox Terranist Church.

Their message appealed to those who sincerely wanted a better world. They agreed that violence wouldn't help, but they wanted to be pro-active about convincing others to be eco-friendly.

They built their own church, and divided Arkadia between the members of the RCoT, and the IOTC. A small number of people, roughly 10% of all Terranists, stuck with the Imperial Church.

OOC: The RCoT are a bunch of debauched fools, while the IOTC would be the sort that knock on your doorat 6am, and be frustratingly polite. The breakdown is 45% for each of the new churches, and 10% for the old one, who are also mostly the original Terranists.

SilentScope003 Terranist Church

President of SilentScope003: "You can't be serious!"

Terranist Priest: "I afraid so, President."

Terranism, the belief in the Holy Earth and her patheon of Gods, has experienced a huge growth during the great Plant Wars, and the current President himself was raised a Terranist before turning atheist. However, there seems to be a problem...

Terranist Priest: "Listen, you HAVE to start up that nuclear bomb program. Doing so will make the Earth happy."

President: "Er, doesn't nukes destroy the enviroment?"

Terranist Priest: "No, no! It rejunative the planet, see? The cleansing of radioactivty causes mutations, helping evolution, recyling the Earth, allowing for new species to form, and old species like bacterium and cockroaches to sperad. Buy that nuke!"

You see, Terranists believe in 6 gods, who do have some doctrinal differences, but mostly believing in the same thing. The Terranist Church in SilentScope003 takes a view that only through the embracing of all of the Gods' whims and desires can Holy Terra truly be happy.

Which is why the Terranists are calling for SilentScope003 to invest in a nuclear bomb.

President: "Warfare is wrong, alright? It's horrible. I don't see the point of building a nuclear bomb."

Terranist Priest: "Who says we have to start a war? We could just randomly fire it at fish. Or just launch it at a nearby country and deny it ever happened. No need to fight a war, it's just wrong."
***
Religious Phamplet:
Apollo loves the stars, and it is nuclear fission that powers the Stars.

Neptune loves the unpredictablity, and it is through the constant change of landscape can we sastify him.

Gaia loves the climate, so she would like us providing her the gift of Nuclear Winter.

Hera loves kinship, and nothing brings people together like the threat of annihliaton driving everyone to bunkers.

Athena loves intellect, and it is only through mastery of the intellect can we create something like this.

Ares desire victory, and when we can trimpuh our ourselves, that is something grand.

But what if we don't engage in starting a Holy Nuke Program? Then what do you think will happen?

The Gods will laugh at us for our lack of devotion to this religion! They will drop our economy to new lows, allow us to enter into another major civil distrubance! They may even abolish our democracy! We are already building huge factories that pollute, and the threat of global warming always hover over us! We must pressure the Government to please the Gods and listen to our will! The fate of our nation is imperiled!

OOC: Could you explain "Terratheistic" to me?

Atlas, two days west of Europa Atlantica.

The IWS (Imperial Warship) Britannia (http://tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:IMh0oFpWd8R4-M:https://sslrelay.com/s84068217.oneandoneshop.co.uk/shopdata/0090_Construction%2BPlans/0030_Marine%2BPlans/0090_Scale%2BWarship%2BDesigns/images/mar_2564_100x65.jpg) cut the ocean in two with it's three, gleaming hulls. The trimaran shape of the vessel was in keeping with Imperial design, but with significantly less weaponry and a far greater degree of greenery. The inside was spacious and the walls donned with metaphytes, most notably ferns. Two men and one women, Elders of the Imperial Terranist Church, were congregated around a small spring contemplating the day before them. The appeared to be clothed in many mismatched layers of white cloth forming a thick toga, while the men wore baggy ghillie-shirts underneath belted plaid. Most notably, none of the party chose to don footwear and each one's head was shaved bald.
The ship itself bore no ill-harm to it's destination. "Imperial Warship" was merely the designation for any Fleet vessel, even the Brittania which was but a VIP transport ship was honored with the title. Soon, the thin green coast of Mesoarbourea lined the horizon, and the bridge crew began to relax. With so many enemies, traveling in open-waters was becoming increasingly dangerous for Imperial ships. The Brittania's two Fleet escorts (http://defence-data.com/dsei99/trimaran.jpg) broke formation and executed a holding pattern while the VIP vessel continued on towards the coast.

"This is Captain Reska of the Imperial Warship Brittania. I believe I have two very important people for you. Requesting permission to dock for the Brittania and her escorts"

OOC: Territheism is a kind of Coscivian Theism, where Holy Terra is worshipped(although deities may vary) as a powerful spirit under a God, rather than a God-like figure itself. However, as stated in parentheses, what and how Terra is regarded varies by believer. But the only major ideological difference twixt the two faiths is that Territheists aren't as much into conversion.

Also, I am assuming that your ships are docking in Mistwood, for sake of convenience. Let me know if you'd prefer elsewhere.

IC:

A great gathering began in Mistwood's port. Once, it was a small fishingh wharf for the local villagers, but now it was Mesoarbourea's second-largest cargo port after Orkney Harbour, and the colony's largest passenger port.

Terranist clerics, laypeople, and non-Terranist onlookers stood behind the off-loading station, where the Pictish, Imperial, Mesoarbourean, and UC plags flew alongside each other, with a huge anner between the Pictish and Mesoarbourean flagpoles, reading "Terra Scara et Enterno"[spelled wrong, I know].

Bump. Read my IC above.

Mistwood, Mesoarbourea

The three Elders were perhaps the most renowned Druids in the Terranist world, known to their followers as the 'Trinity'. As their bare feet rested on the rickety wooden dock of the port, they stopped to observe the crowd assembled before them. Flags rippled in the relentless sea breeze alongside the Elders' garments, and for a while was the only sound present in the air. The crowd stood in silence, whether out of anticipation or respect was unknown to the Elders, but they stood so nonetheless. The Elder in the centre of the three spoke first;

"I am Áed of Pictavia, and these are my friends; Rhiannon and Palladius. We are honoured that you have travelled here to greet us"

*****

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y154/Retro_1989/Terran.jpg
Official Communiqué

To The Terranist Church of SilentScope003:
Why brother, do you insist on the suffering of Holy Terra? The building of the ultimate bomb will not cleanse you of your polluting factories, nor of your civil disobedience, lest you release such a wrath on your own children. Your Terranist brethren in Pictavia, Yanitaria and Mesoabourea will drive your fine homeland to glory, together as a band of brothers should. Please, I ask that you do not stray from your righteous path, and honour the Lords of Terra as one.

To The Terranist Peoples of Yanitaria:
Let this be a time of union, not of segregation, for segregation breeds prejudice, and prejudice breeds intolerance. Let us convert those who do not honour the Lords of Terra with our accomplishments, not with our tongues. Let us build the most beautiful cities, let us grow the finest crops, let us develop the cleanest economies, and let us allow Arkadia to flourish as one. My brothers, do you not share the same dream? A dream where the eminence of Arkadia inspires millions to take our hand?

~Council of Elders
Church of The Lords of Terra

Cheers and applause rung through the plaza at the Elder's announcement. After a minute or so, it faded away into hushed muttering. A man with wispy white hair, draped in jade-green robes stepped forward.

"It is my humble and most dear honour to welcome the Trinity to Mesoarbourea. Your brothers and sisters here have long awaited your presence, and now rejoice at your arrival. I am Eóri Pinestream, High Priest[Or whatever a mid-level Terranist title would be] of the Kiravian Terranist Church."

OOC: The regular priests are known as Druids, while higher up priests are Elders, although the Trinity may even be considered as prophets, known as "fáith".

Mistwood, Mesoarbourea

"Eóri, I am glad that we have met" said Áed, before Rhiannon and Palladius said in concert;
"As are we"

Each of the three gave a bow and then offered their hands to the Mesoarbourean Elder.

"Where, I ask, will we be taken on our visit?"

OOC: The regular priests are known as Druids, while higher up priests are Elders, although the Trinity may even be considered as prophets, known as "fáith".

Mistwood, Mesoarbourea

"Eóri, I am glad that we have met" said Áed, before Rhiannon and Palladius said in concert;
"As are we"

Each of the three gave a bow and then offered their hands to the Mesoarbourean Elder.

"Where, I ask, will we be taken on our visit?"

OOC: Thanks.

IC:

"Well, first of all, we would like to take you to the Cáthedruv, the plae of worship that we have constructed."

"Lead the way, my friend"

Áed headed the group of three while two groups of Imperial Pathfinders disembarked from the escort vessels, with only one group continuing to follow the Elders. The men were in full tactical gear and equipped with M56 Pulse Sub-Carbines and a couple of M57 Pulse Carbines, purely for security measures. After all the outside world was a dangerous place for
Imperial citizens with the threat of countless enemies, terrorists and pirates.

"Lead the way, my friend"

Áed headed the group of three while two groups of Imperial Pathfinders disembarked from the escort vessels, with only one group continuing to follow the Elders. The men were in full tactical gear and equipped with M56 Pulse Sub-Carbines and a couple of M57 Pulse Carbines, purely for security measures. After all the outside world was a dangerous place for
Imperial citizens with the threat of countless enemies, terrorists and pirates.

Elder Pinestream led the dignitaries through the fine-gravel streets of Mesoarbourea. Kiravians found asphalt disgusting, for whatever reason.

Few citizens were disturbed by the heavily armed Pictish soldiers. After the Cnian invasion, the bad PR that the Colonial Defence Secriat got forced them to start applying for detatchments of Imperial troops to supplement their militia.

The gravel crunched satisfyingly under Áed's feet as the party made its way down the streets. The Imperial Pathfinders who remained to accompany the Elders dispersed into parallel streets, out of sight.

"Tell me friend, how many Terranists reside here?"

The Mapmaker leafed through report after report. Not exactly the satisfying work he had expected when he assumed the role of largely-ceremonial monarch. Truth be told, the exciting currents of change always sweeping through the world always seemed to miss South Thasland. Thus, the dreary report that he was now pretending to read. Putting it aside, he leafed through the the records of Parliament's last meeting. Nothing exciting there either; they were debating the levels of funding for some minor program or other. He sighed and resigned himself to the inevitable boredom when the door to his office opened. He turned around, hoping for an excuse to put off the work until tomarrow.
Oh Joy. More...reports...He sighed and took another stack from the aide, who walked out. He looked at the title page at the top. It was, rather than a report, a petition. A petition to include fund Terranism.
Hmm? Our old friends, the Picts, seem to have moved in without someone telling me. Or their religion, at least...He stared at the petition. He couldn't fund it, but he could find other ways to honor it. Maybe open up some possible relations with the Picts again, as a bonus.

========

To the Terranist Movement in South Thasland
In recognition of your religion's stunning growth in South Thasland, the Mapmaker would be interested in speaking to your representatives about the future of Terranism in South Thasland. The specifics of such a meeting can be arranged shortly. Please inform us of your intentions.

The Office of The Mapmaker
The Lord of South Thasland

The gravel crunched satisfyingly under Áed's feet as the party made its way down the streets. The Imperial Pathfinders who remained to accompany the Elders dispersed into parallel streets, out of sight.

"Tell me friend, how many Terranists reside here?"

"This city itself has 12,000 Terranists, nearly the whole population. About 780,000 more live throughout Mesoarbourea, but this is a small colony. There are six million[the number multiplied since unification] Terranists in other colonies, particularly Karesta, New Harbour, and Kaleforest."

Mistwood, Mesoarbourea

"Six million? That is quite a number. Please excuse my ignorance for it is not intentional, but tell me how Mesoarboureans live? What products be produced in the islands?"

*****

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y154/Retro_1989/Terran.jpg
Terran Communiqué

To the Mapmaker:
We would be honoured to meet with yourself, such an event would indeed be a step forward for the faith of Terra in South Thasland. Our intentions are simple: We ask only that we may worship the Lords of Terra, the cradle of true civilization, in peace from those who wish to see us harm. Thasland, our homeland, is a beacon of said civilisation where the respect for Holy Terra commands not only theists, but every citizen as well.
We will not utilize unorthodox tactics in order to attain more believers, as let the believers discover our Lords for themselves. What we will do, however, is warn our government and our people of the dangers posed to Terra out with the sanctuary of Thas.

~Council of Elders
Church of The Lords of Terra

Mistwood, Mesoarbourea

"Six million? That is quite a number. Please excuse my ignorance for it is not intentional, but tell me how Mesoarboureans live? What products be produced in the islands?"


"It is understood, sir. In this vast world, no one can know all. Most of the Mesoarboureans in the cities and towns live as shopkeepers, service workers, or fishermen, the fishermen being under tight supervision and regulation of course. In the more 'rural' areas, they live as farmers or sylvaculturalists. Their farming methods were modelled after the native peoples of a similar island to the south, and keep the biochemical end ecological balances and cycles of the surrounding environment intact. Nearly all are devout practitioners of our faith, and Holy Terra comes first in their livelihoods. We have no mineral rescources, only our environment and our people. Fore exports, we produce some of the crops we make, as well as handicrafts and small manufactured goods such as pottery, clothing accessories, and dining ware."

(OOC: My nation has a large eco-city literally in the middle of a mediterranean forest called "Ciudad Gaia"(Gaia City) with about 1,5 millions of inhabitants, some of them literally living in the middle of the nearby woods (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anarcho-primitivism):

Residential Downtown (http://www.ecocitybuilders.org/images/rr3_big.jpg)
Industrial Area (http://img455.imageshack.us/img455/3715/517590uw.jpg)*

*Software development only among other clean industrial activities.

Green anarchists (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_anarchists)... they don't see organized religions with good eyes though, most of them defend the environment based on secular beliefs, or ideologies, but they "adapted" Terranism to their ideological views)

If one looked into the island where Third Spanish States was located from the Space, the stretches of green vegetation filling almost the entire center of it could be visible.

Bacconi Woods, Ciudad Gaia

It would be a perfect place for the Terranists to establish a church, even though whoever joined them would eventually broke off from the main Church as organized religion wasn't a popular thing in Third Spanish States. For each block of houses there was an entire block of greenbelt. Rather than the typical grey of most metropolises, it was a spanning but low density town with a few, at most 10 stores tall, buildings here and there which also served as solar lenses to reflect sunlight to the vegetation. All industries that existed there operated entirely on solar power, and no heavy or polluting industry was accepted inside, not even if it guzzled only "a little bit of carbon monoxide". Cars did exist, although all were hydrogen or solar powered electric cars, used only for distances greater than 1 kilometer as there were several public parking lots around which allowed people to park their cars and have the rest of their travel on foot. A massive network of electric monorails which seemingly blended with the vegetation was also constantly used, connecting every distant street. There was not a visible line indicating where the forest ended and the city started. In fact most of the city was literally built together with the reforestation of that previously vegetation-less place years ago, the city rather than growing against, simply grew together with the vegetation. Small shacks built over trails of the forests and fitted with electronic equipment and modernities, treehouses, trees planted on arboretums on the top of the buildings which simulated the altitude those trees were used to. There was not any stretch of depressingly grey streets, only green. Even the sewage was recycled through new methods which allowed near 100% recycling capability. All envelopes, papers and other typical materials that would go to the trash were biodegradable.

People always cared about the environment on Third Spanish States more than the typical western individual they saw as the "alienated consumerist". In fact there were and never existed any environmental laws besides the "Common Law": polluting anything was a guarantee of failure in the free market as simply nobody would buy a merchandise associated with pollution and disrespect against the environment. That was the greatest barrier for anyone who wanted to import products to Third Spanish States, coupled with the barriers of being know for using underpaid or semi-slave labor in sweatshops, or the fact of not being a product done by a democratic cooperative built upon mutualist ideals but by a greedy "fascist" corporation ran by what they saw as the stereotypical "capitalist pig". In fact a few of those corporations known for manufacturing patented genetically modified crops were literally kicked out of Third Spanish States by its people, including with several amateur hackers of the cyber-group known only as "Anonymous" invading their web pages years ago. However the people of Ciudad Gaia cared even more than the average Third Spanish States citizen. It was an entirely autonomous, green communist (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eco-socialism) society in the middle of it.

A few started to worship the "Tierra Sagrada", not with prayers in Churches, but with ecological marches and pickets. The cooperative Tienda del Coche tried to open a factory there, and even though its CO2 emissions were insignificant compared to those of a typical automobile industry, they were barred entrance to Ciudad Gaia, only to be allowed should they find an entirely non-polluting process of manufacturing cars. But not only because of it, but because of the fact TdC also manufactured tanks and armored fighting vehicles: it was also one of the influences of the Military after a weird decision to decentralize the control of it over the private cooperatives creating an unusual type of democratically-run military-industrial complex.

The unofficial worshipers of the "Tierra Sagrada", a handful of 150 thousands of anarcho-primitivists and green anarchists in Ciudad Gaia, finally sent a message to the Terranists, their worship was highly improvised as the building of churches was considered an unnecessary waste of natural resources, they tended to gather into the forests and grooves of the Bacconi Woods together with several of the neopagan minorities in that region. Freedom of religion was absolute in Third Spanish States, except for a few bizarre cults which involved human sacrifices and whose followers were treated as common murderers with bullets in their heads. But they were also vanished by this time. However of notice was the fact Ciudad Gaia had the lowest crime rate of all Third Spanish States cities whereas the megalopolis of Tucker was crippled with every type of lowlife and thug.

La Tierra Sagrada
Message to the Worldwide Terranists

I believe Earth will talk to us if we are willing to listen. I can sense the healthy energy from nature soothing our minds, it in fact is so serene that its absence is what makes our society sick. I have witnessed the highly industrialized and economical powerhouse that is the city of Tucker, which although still much more ecologically friendly than others cities of the same scale due to its ecologically friendly arcologies, it has a problem which contrasts to our peaceful Gaia City, which we call "Ciudad Gaia". How can a city like Tucker, where nobody lives in poverty, where there are not any slums or shantytowns, be so crippled with crime and brutality? That is only one reason. Many blindly see the life of the primitive man as a life of misery and lack of access to medicine, of suffering and fear of predators, but the truth is, they had a much better life than any of the current "civilized" societies. They were unrestrained by rules, schedules, the moot of industrialization. Move x from point a to b through process y, this simple, linear equation resumes the lifeless existence of most who live in industrial society. It is no wonder that many seek a way to liberate their creative potential chained by the unhealthy organization of labor through violence and crime. Like Bob Black said, the "jobs (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Abolition_of_Work)" are killing humanity and are the source of all the misery of the world. The primitive man "work" lasted only 3 hours, if it can be called a work by modern standards. We are trying to take the final step in Third Spanish States bottom to top transition from a polluting, robotic, inhuman and lifeless capitalist industrial society to a new society of pure freedom, creativity and welfare but many were lured to the trap that by organizing the same principles of the coercitive and hierarchical capitalist industry through voluntary and democratic cooperatives instead, they would be free from its vices, but they did not as many of them became as enamored with wealth and earthly possessions as a typical capitalist, and the existence of a cooperative called Cocaine-Cola is the greatest proof of this fact. However, we do not need to "return to the caves", but to rebuild the moving principles of civilization towards the environmental interest and serenity of the mind. I believe technology is not an inevitable evil, but a tool which can be built and shaped for several different purposes, as it was technology itself built for the purpose of the public rather than of the self-gratification that allowed the Gaia City to exist beyond a mere idealistic concept. The abolition of the paternalistic hierarchy, essence of the structures of haves and have-nots, of the divisions between those who obey and order, was all but the first step in the creation of the idealistic society Third Spanish States seeks to become. The next step shall be the entire abolition of the vestiges of the former consumerist society still in place. However no matter what, I believe Third Spanish States is a great example of a nation which reconciled progress with the environment, or the Bacconi Woods would now be only a distant dream.

I believe in the Holy Terra, which we now as "Tierra Sagrada", I felt its presence and its presence makes our city the safest and more peaceful in the entire nation, I hope my words of wisdom can enlighten you on how the next stage of mankind's social evolution can occur. To promote the progress of this new social order is to worship the Holy Terra. However, we shall not build churches with the natural resources that could be invested into the research of new technologies with the goal. Instead of prayers, we shall work our way to lead our nation into the next step of its long walk towards the transformation into a green and socialist utopia of absolute freedom. Though our ways of seeing the Holy Terra and interpreting its voice might be different, our goals are shared. Our city is so perfectly blended into the nature that it's impossible to find the borderline between the city and the forest, as both are one integrated group and not two distinct, competing presences. Some of our streets are literally inside the woods, with no single tree cut down for their construction and all the tress used for wood that went into the construction of our infrastructure replanted back into nature. We are also inviting you for a visit to Ciudad Gaia at any time you wish to.

Hernán Somoza, Civil Engineer of Ciudad Gaia

To the Mapmaker:
We would be honoured to meet with yourself, such an event would indeed be a step forward for the faith of Terra in South Thasland. Our intentions are simple: We ask only that we may worship the Lords of Terra, the cradle of true civilization, in peace from those who wish to see us harm. Thasland, our homeland, is a beacon of said civilisation where the respect for Holy Terra commands not only theists, but every citizen as well.
We will not utilize unorthodox tactics in order to attain more believers, as let the believers discover our Lords for themselves. What we will do, however, is warn our government and our people of the dangers posed to Terra out with the sanctuary of Thas.

~Council of Elders
Church of The Lords of Terra


http://img120.imageshack.us/img120/8178/sealco1.gif (http://imageshack.us)
I promise you, South Thasland will be a refuge and safe harbor for any Terranists. My best regards go to your faith, and I hope that you feel welcome to practice your belief as you see fit.
It would indeed be a great step forward for all involved if we could meet. I would welcome a chance to better acquaint myself with the religion and its members. Enclosed is an invitation to visit. Anyone may visit when you feel is best.

The Mapmaker

OOC: Ah, feck, I completely forgot about this. Sorry guys, I'll get a post up tomorrow.

OOC: No problem.

Though I know I've got no time for this...bump...a very much delayed bump...