Creature:Gargator

Ancient History
The History of the Gargator is largely uncertain. Much of its true history was tightly controlled by the Church throughout history, and in turn much of it was lost with the near destruction of the Capital in 2797. What is known is often deeply tied to their Theology.

Historians generally agree that Spodism first spread to the Gargator homeworld at some point millenia ago. Gargator scripture describes a Prophet descending from the heavens, and is said to have then united the planet under its first Church of Spode. It is unknown who this Prophet and disciples were, however artistic and literary references to the prophet portray an alien figure matching that of a Radeon. The identity and ultimate fate of these ancient missionaries remain unknown.

At some point after the founding of the Church the Radeon departed the planet, in what is described as them ascending back to the heavens. The ambiguity of the text and uncertain historical evidence has fueled Much speculation; most scholars believe it to mean leaving on a ship or a euphemism for their deaths, while recent fringe theories suggest it may refer to their literal Ascension. This departure marked the beginning of the reign of the Gargator [spiritual leader title]. Their often brutal enforcement of doctrine would permanently cement the fanaticism and reverence for tradition into their culture. Though their technology would be accelerated under Radeon occupation after their departure technology would stagnate, banning all research of "Radeon knowledge" in their reverence and suppressing all social change. With the absolute authority of the Church the Gargator would see only minor progress for millennia. Records and evidence that contradicted their theology was systematically destroyed.

The New Prophet
Between 500-1000 years ago, however, cracks began to show. Its technology and infrastructure began to crumble, the knowledge to build and maintain it fading amidst growing Church instability and corruption. By the 24th Century the unified Church had all but collapsed, torn between countless warring religious factions. It was in this "Dark Age" that a new Prophet would emerge. Allegedly over the following decades this Prophet would reunite the Gargator Church by force. Due to the supernatural actions and unnaturally long lifespan associated with this Prophet some have speculated they were a powerful essence user, though many dismiss these accounts as deification by later Gargator religious leaders. This period saw a technological renaissance on a massive scale, to the point is is often claimed to be the work of reversed-engineered Radeon technology and/or the influence of a partially or fully Ascended Prophet. The most notable advancement of this period was the discovery of faster than light travel. In an attempt to reform the new state the Prophet would divide leadership between a spiritual leader, held by the Prophet, and a secular Monarch, said to have been given to the greatest of their disciples.

In time however the Prophet would disappear, said to have ascended to the heavens in search of the original prophets. As with these original prophets it is uncertain if it refers to their death, departure on a ship, or their Ascension. After their departure no successor would ever replace them as spiritual leader, and in time the Prophet's reforms would be undone Monarch became the combined political and spiritual leader of the Gargator. Within decades of their disappearance their social progress would be undone, and the Gargator again began to stagnate. The Prophet's teachings were corrupted into a new doctrine of genocide against all non-believers, and their missionaries would wage war against the galaxy. Throughout the centuries they would launch attacks against nearly every race of Delcath, though many of these raids would be met with limited and decreasing success.

The race known as the Protectors and their successors the Aeoneonatrix would make it their personal duty to oppose the Gargator and Mardor. When the entire Aeoneonatrix Empire mysteriously disappeared in 2795 the Gargator took it as a blessing from Spode and declared a crusade against Delcath. A cold war between the Gargator Empire and the Farengeto Trade Coalition would begin, with the two states engaging in a number of standoffs after Farengeto attempts to block Gargator raids on primitive worlds.

Fall of the Empire
The conflict came to a head in 2797 when the Gargator slaughtered the crew of the Loviak, a Farengeto transwarp-prototype. On the eve of what was to be their holy war against Farengeto, disaster struck. A previously undetected rogue asteroid crashed into the surface of the Gargator homeworld, bringing with it an extinction-level event Their capital and holy city would be eradicated by the impact. Many Gargator cities would be washed away by the massive tsunami. The environmental catastrophe began to spread across the planet's surface. Almost the entirety of the Gargatorian leadership - political, military and spiritual - were killed in a single moment. To most, this was a curse from Spode, a punishment for their sins and a sign they had lost the blessing of Spode. Gargator leadership was fractured, fearing the war ahead. Farengeto forces, unaware of what had transpired, advanced towards them. Some tried in vain to supress the spreading news, launching a desperate campaign to hold the empire together for the coming war. Some prepared their capitulation, praying for mercy.

Gargatorian military leadership rallied its forces in desperation, gathering what they could for a stand against the Farengeto fleets. Morale only further fell at news of Tekari's secret transwarp fleet, and its raids against their core worlds. The fleet made its last stand over the planet of Sudal. Demoralized, and facing a technologically and numerically superior force, the Gargator were overwhelmed. Driven by their fanaticism, the Gargator fleet was nearly entirely destroyed in the battle at great cost to Farengeto forces. With their military decimated and their empire on the brink of collapse, many of the Gargator leaders were forced to surrender. They would sign a humiliating treaty with the Farengeto in the Sudal Accords, restricting their religion and reducing the ancient race to a protectorate of the Farengeto Trade Coalition.

Farengeto Occupation
With its leaders gone the Empire was fragmented. The Battle of Sudal had seen the destruction or surrender of the bulk of the Gargatorian forces, but many of their ships still remained in the hands of regional leaders. Most chose to reject the Sudal Accords and the Farengeto occupation, organizing themselves as independent warlords. The warlords attempted to form a unified front against Farengeto, but these efforts failed and most collapsed into a series of infighting. The early years of the occupation became extremely bloody, as warlords fought each other and the Farengeto occupation for control over Gargator space. During this time the "New" Gargatorian Church was founded, using alliances with influential figures to create a new Spodist doctrine in line with the Sudal Accords. It would be nearly two years before the last warlord was rooted out, the survivors reduced to a struggling guerilla campaign.

In their shattered faith of the old ways the Gargator adapted to their new faith and government faster than any believed possible, believing the new order to be the will of Spode. They would soon find the opportunity to prove themselves, fighting alongside the rest of Farengeto in the Great Xonexian Schism. To many in Farengeto, the war was a sign of the Gargator's rapid change. However in the following years the anti-Farengeto movement began to properly assert itself, the deep divide in Gargatorian society grew stronger and more visible. Despite this the Gargator would largely adapt, and slowly started to become accepted by the rest of the nation. In the 2810s their political rights would be restored, first gaining democratic self-governance and soon after earning representation as a full member state of Farengeto.

Society and Religion
Gargator society remains heavily devoted to Spode. Religion dominates nearly every aspect of Gargator life. Under Farengeto rule, Gargatorian Spodism has become increasingly tied to their culture. To many the religion is an integral part of the Gargatorian identity. This deep-rooted religious identity has led to severe difficulties in deradicalization efforts by Farengeto.

A significant generational divide has emerged among the Gargator following the Farengeto occupation. Older generations, raised before the war, remain extremely religious. Many of these generations still follow the more radical, more traditional branches of Gargatorian Spodism. By contrast the younger generations, largely raised under Farengeto rule, have significantly lower religiousity. While these generations remain overwhelmingly Spodist, most are drastically less fanatical in their beliefs and are far more willing to accept the less radical denominations promoted by Farengeto. This divide has fueled tensions among the Gargator, and sparked a large counter-cultural movement among these younger generations.

The Gargator culture is predominantly divided among religious lines, and has fractured in recent decades. The "Old" Church, once absolute among the Gargator, has all but collapsed following the destruction of the holy city. It retains a significant presence, but with the catastrophic losses to its old leadership its new leadership is fractured and inexperienced. Many see the old Church as having lost the blessing of Spode. The "New" Church has overtaken it as the largest Gargatorian denomination. The "New" Church is considered the "Farengeto-approved" version of Spodism, and its reputation has led to many early difficulties. Using an alliance with a number of influential preachers it grew rapidly as the only truly organized faction in the early occupation. Later gaining the support of Radeon missionaries, the denomination found further legitimacy and soon became the dominant branch of Gargatorian Spodism. A number of smaller religious denominations exist, most lead by various dissident preachers opposed to the old or new churches. Conflict between these denominations is widespread, with violence continuing to erupt between sects even decades later. In many Gargator territories there remains widespread discrimination against other Spodist denominations.