Revision as of 05:35, 24 December 2011

Project lead: Kaito Haakkainen

Contributors:

Archivist: Myyona

Introduction

The Takmahl are an ancient race once part of the Amarr Empire who, having crowned their first emperor in -6876YC, could also be considered an ancient race.^[1] Despite originating from an faction with a long and well preserved written history.^[2] little information is currently available on the Takmahl. They were exiled from the Empire, for reasons unknown, shortly after the Amarr returned to space.^[3] Relics in Araz have proven the Takmahl had a thriving culture for centuries after this, eventually dying out, again for reasons unknown.^[3]

We do know the Takmahl remained a religious people, building temples, creating statues and idols depicting their god, and composing texts describing their rituals.^[3] Yet currently we know almost nothing about the Takmahl religion beyond what can be drawn from the faiths of the Imperial creed, the Order of St. Tetrimon, the Sani Sabik, and the Blood Raider Covenant.

Further study of Takmahl history would benefit the fields of the theology and history and the Amarr and the Sani Sabik. It would also improve our understanding of the history of the New Eden cluster, potentially providing information on other ancient factions. History provides context to the present, allows the examination of new viewpoints, and provides a greater pool of experience to draw from when looking to the future. While not a goal of this project, historical analysis of a faction with advanced or alternate technologies may contribute to the production of new technologies, in this case most likely in the fields of biotechnology and cybernetics. While pursuit of practical applications is not discouraged it should be remembered that the Arek'Jaalan Project takes an active stance against any further weaponization of ancient technology.

Research Goals

The aim of this project is to attain further information on Takmahl history. There is no specific final goal therefore submission for review will be at the discretion of the Project and Division leads. Research shall continue after submission and hopefully benefit from feedback generated by the Arek'Jaalan Project and its affiliates.

Review

To avoid duplication of effort and provide a starting point for further study a review of current data can be found below. As further sources and interpretations become available they will be added to this section providing an overview of current understanding on the subject matter. The known history of the Amarr begins with Dano Gheinok, accredited in Scripture as leading what would become the Amarrian people to Athra.^[1][2] Also referred to as Gheinok the First, it can be implied he was the first Amarrian Prophet and established the foundations of the Amarrian theocracy.

This demonstrates retention of data from before the Dark Ages, which are themselves seemingly referred to in Book 1 1:14, which the Amarr apparently survived better than most other factions.^[2] The retention of knowledge and rapid development, compared to the Caldari and Gallente, suggest that the Amarralso devolved less during the Dark Ages themselves. Eight millennia passed before the Amarr crowned their first emperor^[1], presumably following the leadership of the Prophets as established by Gheinok the First during this period.

Written over 6,000 years ago, Chapter I of the Epitoth describes events during the time of Emperor Amash-Akura which can be interpreted as describing the interference of another faction in Amarrian development.^[2] The arrival of the Sefrim, during a solar eclipse, is depicted in terms that could describe a starship landing and are described as "speaking the Language of God" and being "those that guard the high seats of heaven". They gifted Ametat the Scepter and Avetat the Crown to the emperor, which remained in the Imperial family for four centuries and "For a hundred years while the Sefrim watched over the empire no wars or epidemics or famines ruined the lands and the people were content and joyous."

The Sefrim ultimately left, turned away by Amash-Akura for not aiding him against Molok the Deceiver.^[2] God speaks to Amash-Akura and tells him "Thy folly is great, Amash-Akura, thou hast rejected those I sent to thee in thine hour of need. Thou must redeem thyself to me by thy own merits." Amash-Akura succeeded in this five years later dying the same day he sacrificed Molok to God. Four millennia after the crowning of their first emperor the Amarr attained sole control of Athra. Despite taking so long to reach this point of development the Amarrians had recovered from the collapse faster than the Caldari and Gallente, beating them to their stargate by over 1200 years. Zaragram Ardishapur, dubbed the "Mad Emperor", rose to power shortly after.^[4][5] He placed himself above the Apostle Council and issued many decrees directly usurping the Scriptures. During his time many traditions of Amarr society were uprooted and eradicated. Zaragram II is said to have sought godhood and constructed Mezagorm in the Shastal system in pursuit of this goal. After 114 years as emperor Zaragram was assassinated by a nobleman of his own family upon Mezagorms completion. In the aftermath the Apostle Council returned to power and established the Order of St. Tetrimon to reverse the “corrupting influence” of Zaragram II.^[5] They “purified” the scriptures, removing chapters that disagreed with the "canon" of the Amarrfaith, and those chapters which had been added in recent times.

Half a century later the Moral Reforms took place.^[4] The Emperor, along with what would become the Theology Council, created a new canon of scriptures that increased the authority of the Emperor.^[5] Many aspects of the Amarr faith were purged and modified to fit the new political order. After the Reforms the Amarr began taking tentative steps towards further exploration and expansion, implying that for a time such actions ceased. Scripture pre-dating the Moral Reforms has since been rigorously suppressed by the Theology Council.^[4] Amongst them, the writings of the Takmahl and the original Scriptures guarded by the Order of St. Tetrimon.

Sani Sabik Scripture is also suppressed by todays Empire. Having its roots in the Amarrian faith the faction split from the empire for “complicated reasons” centuries ago.^[6] The Takmahl are said to be the predecessors of the Blood Raiders.^[3] This suggests that while old, the Sani Sabik faith does not date from the same time period. The Sani Sabik follow apocryphal writings deemed heretical by the Empire, as did the Takmahl. The Blood Raider Covenant is a space-based sect of the Sani Sabik, the Takmahl being their predecessors indicates that the Takmahl were a space-based sect or order within the Empire.

Another piece of suppressed information is the Sixth Sign of the Amarrian faith.^[7] While officially there is no sixth sign the sequence implies its existence. The inversion of the first, sign the Sixth can be interpreted as Man become God and follows on from the Fifth which is said to represent that the empires future lies in space. Visibly the symbol resembles an egg or capsule shape. The symbol may have influenced Zaragram II’s pursuit of Godhood, which may in turn explain its apparent suppression. Direct information on the Takmahl is sparse. Takmahl derived design naming conventions point towards the Takmahl being related to the knight crusaders who led the early Reclaiming.^[8][9] Knightly tradition may still be seen in the Khanid Cyber Knights.^[10] The Labyrinth, in Aphi, contains numerous Takmahl relics and a Temple site.^[11] It is hoped Project Theseus will lead towards further data on The Labyrinth and that recovered artifacts will provide more information on the Takmahl in general.

Another site of interest was brought to light in recent times, the Temple of God’s Assuring Whisper. An Amarrian religious center which was destroyed during the Moral Reforms, the site was said to once contain "Amarrians receiving training on how to walk the path of God and work in the spirit of the Reclaiming."^[12] Holy statues were recovered from the site which the Tetrimon believed would herald the coming of a new Reclaiming that will "bring God’s faith to all." This statement may connect the statues to known apocryphal texts.^[4]

Finally, there are a number of surviving passages in Amarrian Scripture that may relate to the Takmahl.^[2] The word "Chosen", when capitalized, may refer to a more specific group than the faithful in general. It is possible that the term has been misapplied in later additions meaning not all examples would apply, or the capitalization may only reflect different styles, having no impact within the scope of this project. Despite this, due to the impact readily available data could have on advancing the field in the short term, several notable passages are presented here:

And the Lord spoke, and said, Lo, my people, Witness, for I have made the worlds of Heaven;

And these worlds I give to you, My Chosen,

So Amarr shall rule the worlds of the Heavens.

None shall stand higher than you save the Sefrim,

Who serve Me as others shall serve you,

For all things under Me serve one higher;

So Amarr shall rule the worlds of the Heavens.

As Garrulor rules the skies; as Frisceas rules the sea;

As Emperor rules Holder; as Holder rules Serf;

Yet all under Heaven serve Me;

So shall Amarr rule the worlds of the Heavens.

3.19 - 3.21 Reclaiming

"So the Lord sent forth the Chosen,

to bring forth the light of faith

And those who embrace his love

Shall be saved by his grace

For we are his shepherds in the darkness

His Angels of Mercy.

But those who turn away from his light,

And reject his true word

Shall be struck down by his wrath

For we are his retribution incarnate

His Angels of Vengeance"

- 4:45 Reclaiming

"Chosen, you are first before God.

You are the True and the Faithful.

But in such a state must you hold yourselves high above all.

And constantly prove yourself worthy of Gods Love.

How can such a gift be repaid,

Other than to toil all our days,

In his glorious service,

According to his will,

Serving him always,

Bearing him first in our thoughts,

Always must we strive to show him our worth,

For we are the Chosen, Blessed above all."

- The Scriptures, Anoyia's Exhortation to the Faithful

Methodology

Acquisition, Analysis and Comparison

Scripture passages

Existing research

Historical items

Suppressed writings and records

Cruor, Ashimmu and Bhaalgorn

Contact

Experts at Schools

Theology Council

House Ardishapur

Order of St. Tetrimon

Khanid Royal Family

Devolved colonies

Sani Sabik

Blood Raider Covenant

Equilibrium of Mankind

Scavengers, Dealers, and Collectors

All official contact and announcements should be made with the utmost, unbiased, sensitivity for the religious beliefs of others.

Subjects

Gheinok Period

- How long did Dano Gheinok rule

- What was the early theocracy like

- How did the theocracy survive the gate collapse

- What technology level was available during this period

- Why did the Amarrchange from Prophets to Emperors

Apostle Period

- Do the Apostles predate the emperors

- How did the Council and Emperor rule

Sefrim

- Impact on Amarrian development

- Were the Sefrim a known faction, or related to one

- Possible relation to Talocan or Jovians

- Nature of Ametat and Avetat

- Possible relation to the Rod of the Creator

- Possible relation to Khumaak and related symbology

- Sefrim relation to red sky in Amarr and Sani Sabik Scripture

- Information on Molok the Deceiver

Zaragram II Period

- Impact on Scripture, faith, and tradition

- Impact on society and technology

- Impact on House Ardishapur

- Impact on Sani Sabik and Blood Raider Covenant

- Possible relation to infomorph technology

2nd Apostle Period

- Why attempt to erase Zaragram II from history

- What was involved in reversing Zaragram’s decrees

- Did the Order take a military role in reversing Zaragram’s decrees

- Were technologies abandoned during the Reform

Takmahl

- Place within the Amarr Empire

- Religious differences

- Takmahl depiction of God

- Impact on the Amarr Empire

- Impact on the Khanid Kingdom

- Impact on Sani Sabik and Blood Raider Covenant

- Links to Zaragram II

- Relation to the Sani Sabik and Blood Raider Covenant

- Level of technology

- Inspect hints they were a capsuleer-like group

- Comparison of Astral Treatment and Sleeper Stellar Engineering

- Reasons for exile

- Why did the Takmahl die out

- Did any Takmahl survive on planets

- Did any Takmahl reintegrate or infiltrate into the Empire

Sites

City of God

- How was the site supposed to aid Zaragram’s pursuit of godhood

Temple of Gods Assuring Whisper

- What mention of the site is there in Scripture

- What was the sites purpose

- What can we learn of the split from its destruction

- Examine any similarity to capsuleer School stations

- What did the Privy Council, Royal Amarr Institute and Hedion University discover about the site

References