User:Casiella Truza/Starkmanir

For generations the Starkmanir only knew a life of slavery in the Ammatar Mandate, living a relatively backward existence on vast agricultural colonies and for the greatest part unaware of their heritage. Now having to rapidly come to terms to modern life in a turbulent society, they search for their place in a Republic where they are viewed by many with an almost religious reverence.

Historical Background

Another Minmatar tribe, the Vherokior, "is a splinter tribe from the Starkmanir tribe. "

The Khumaak chronicle explains the decision by the Amarr to "wipe out" the tribe as it participated in fomenting rebellion. It describes a Starkmanir girl as "dark-skinned" with "almond eyes". This occurred in 22947 (YC -289) at the orders of the Royal Heir Idonis Ardishapur.

"The Outcast" (another chronicle) identifies the homeworld of the supposedly extinct tribe, Starkman Prime, as a tropical world located in the Arzad system. A settlement named "Vo'shun" ("Hidden Hope") lies in the Sorrow Gash, a man-made geological feature created four centuries prior by the Amarrian orbital bombardment. An Ardishapur edict known as "Khadrea's Law" forbids further Imperial harm to the world. Sources conflict as to the specific identity of this planet (Arzad II, VI, or [[1]]).

Recent Developments

Just prior to the Elder War, the Sisters of EVE announced that, in a humanitarian relief mission, they had discovered remnants of the Starkmanir tribe within the Ammatar Mandate. Subsequent events revealed that the Ammatar (Nefantar) had defected during the Minmatar Rebellion precisely to shelter remnants of the Starkmanir from total annihilation by the Amarr. Substantial political turmoil resulted, including the vote of no confidence that caused Karin Midular to lose her premiership. Chamberlain Dochuta Karsoth had pledged to help preserve the tribe after its rediscovery, though privately he intended to see to their extermination.

The refugees from both tribes returning to the Republic have encountered substantial difficulties, including complaints of treatment like "beasts of the field," as symbols rather than people, after the Elder Fleet rescued them from Halturzhan (Jarizza IV), as well as other slaves across the Empire. Many of the "Starkies" and "Nefs" (pejorative nicknames for returning members of the tribes) now live in colonies in the Great Wildlands. In October YC 111, reports circulated regarding the difficulty that the Starkmanir had in re-integrating into broader Minmatar society.

Objects

Wildfire Khumaak

The Wildfire Khumaak is noted as following:

"There are unique markings along the side; tiny holes that appear to have fastened the scepter to a wall at one point. In the centre of the flared orb there is another unique distinguishing mark, the visage of an Amarrian man draped in the robes of a Saint. His name, Torus Arzad, is not mentioned in any contemporary history, Amarrian or otherwise. Below his face a single line of text reads:

'Understand His mercy, and you will know enough.'"

Book of St. Arzad

The Book of St. Arzad describes the life of Arzad Hamri, an Amarr Holder on Starkman Prime. It is supposedly a relic from the Starkmanir Rebellion.

Excerpts include:

Chapter 1 - St. Arzad

"And so it was that Arzad Hamri, son of Ezzara Hamri, grandson of Yuzier Hamri, ascended to the title of Holder of the most holy grounds on Starkman Prime. Though only a young man, Arzad held the wisdom of the ages, granted to him by the celestial Maker, and carried with him the burden of creation.

"His first act as Holder was to grant a day of celebration to all his slaves, calling that day holy by the Amarr religion. The slaves, members of the Starkmanir tribe, referred to that day as the 'Hand of Solace' or 'Khu-arzad.' Unlike his father before him, Arzad was instantly loved by his slaves, and his benevolence sowed the seeds of righteous love between Holder and slave."

Chapter 6 - The Benevolent

"The fields and hills of Starkman Prime are harsh and demanding, especially for those working indentured servants tied directly to the land by the holy bonds of slavery. Arzad Hamri understood their plight and pitied them. As a boy, he would often work alongside the Starkmanir in the fields, immersing himself with the tribe to better understand their customs and traditions, much to the chagrin of his father and elders.

"As a Holder, Arzad offered many forms of restitution and bereavement for the Starkmanir during their often long and difficult days. Regular rest periods were common during his rule, as well as days of parlay and rest, including high holy days and other Amarr religious festivals, deeming these occasions to be too holy. The Starkmanir loved him for these decisions, often working extra hours when necessary because they respected Arzad and wished for him to be pleased with their efforts."

Chapter 12 - The Education of the Starkmanir

"By the end of his tenth year as Holder on Starkman Prime, Arzad had finished the educational infrastructure for the Starkmanir with the establishment of the final slave college on his continent. The focus of these education centers, aimed at young members of the Starkmanir tribes, was in assimilating the slaves into the greater Amarr society. The focus was primarily in basic business matters, science and technology, and all aspects of the Amarr religion. Attendance at this school was not entirely elective, and slaves were given time to study, though they would often have to make up for lost time in the fields. Despite this, many Starkmanir entered into the slave colleges in order to better their station in life, especially with respect to the high, holy Amarr religion.

"The Starkmanir also educated their beloved Holder in kind, as well as other members of the Hamri family. The tradeoff in education was often mutual between the tribal leaders and Arzad. When the slave colleges began teaching business matters, the Holder learned ancient Starkmanir woodworking; astronomy education led to the Starkmanir martial arts; and the teaching of the Amarr religion initiated Arzad’s own edification of the Starkmanir’s tribal spiritualism."

Chapter 20 - Hand of Arzad

"The Hand of Arzad grew to become the most popular festival on Starkman Prime, so beloved was this day of rest granted by Arzad Hamri. On this day, Hamri presided acted as pastor of religious services, in which most of the Starkmanir attended. His sermons from these festivals were collected and distributed among the tribe, often used by the elders to educate the young people of the importance of benevolence and good grace to people of all stations.

"The theme of Arzad’s sermons was almost always of the inherent dignity of the Starkmanir, their precious qualities, and the hope of salvation through servitude. This message did not fall on deaf ears, and many ambitious, young Starkmanir took his words as inspiration for independence and rebellion against the greater Amarr Empire, though Arzad was always able to quell the burgeoning pride and self-esteem of the slaves. 'Salvation comes through servitude, the grace of your masters, the dignity of your being,' was Arzad’s common response, his refrain found throughout his sermons."

Chapter 37 - The Fire in Our Hearts

"Lord Arkon Ardishapur, though a longtime friend of Arzad, oversaw the popular Holder’s execution for treason and blasphemy. Arzad had requisitioned an Amarr symbol of authority, a scepter, as a symbol for lowly slaves. Arzad’s granted the scepter to his slaves as a symbol for enlightenment and salvation. Ardishapur ordered that all copies of this scepter – dubbed Wildfire scepters for its blood obsidian orb, a rock native to Starkman Prime – be destroyed. The Starkmanir were angry at his execution. Arzad’s book of sermons inspired the troubled tribe.

"Three months after his death, Arzad appeared to Drupar Maak while the slave was alone in the fields. The Starkmanir youth was afraid at first, though once he saw the shimmering eyes of his former Holder, he was at peace. Arzad handed a Wildfire scepter to Maak, telling him, ‘The fire in our hearts burns for salvation, redemption, and grace. May the Word of God grant you the courage to save yourself and your people.’ With those words, Arzad disappeared, but the scepter was still with Maak. Years later, he would wield a similar item and avenge the death of his beloved Holder on the day of Khu-arzad. After that day, the scepter would be forever known as Khumaak."