Fiction:Mirusian Theocratic Congregation

 May Spode bless you, visitor.  "We stand against shadows, war-mongers, and violent heretics. We shall remain a bulwark of defense for our allies against any threat, no matter the cost!"

- Ajaar'Magnos

The Mirusian Theocratic Congregation, formerly known as the  Greater Mirusian Church of Spode, is a massive nation of zealots and shamans alike, brought together from 2 mayor empires and various minor ones, but united by the fact many of their races had biologic relations, and where creations of a mighty empire of the past. Separated for years, some of the genetic decedents gathered back to gather to form the mighty Congregation. Intending to protect all worshippers from militant atheïst and savage eretic alike, the Congregartion is as focused on military prowess as it is on diplomatic prowess. The Congregation, once a divided hegemony, has coalesced together into a major power, and a major member of the, and an important ally of several races, including the , Waptoria Alliance, and various other cultures of the Alliance.

The Congregation still faces challenges, such as the aggression of the, who still despises them for destroying many of their servants, , who have aggressively expanded, despite the continued wars between the 2, and other threats to the galaxy, which they have sworn to protect and guard, in honor of their Creators.

Regarded as the sleeping giant of the Mirus Galaxy, it takes much to rouse it's mighty armies, but once rallied, will lumber to any foe with speed that belies their size. Their mighty engines of war have the same sophistication and ability as their creators, and their combat prowess equals that of many other natives.

Species

 * Link to Species

Formation
The Mirusian Spodist Church was is the fusion between the Brotherhood of Spode and the Unified Nations of Spode, created in the aftermath of the Enlightenment War. This new nation then became part of the Unified Alliance of Enlightenment. While it was difficult for the member races to integrate themselves together, in a number of years, the two soon learned to co-exist, opening their borders to one another, and allowing their colonies to intermingle, and even began colonizing worlds together.

Dominatus War
The Church was later brought into the battle against the Drakodominatus Tyranny, alongside their allies. Learning of the destructive tendencies of the Tyranny, the Church joined their allies to battle the Tyranny, fighting against the abominations of the Tyranny, alongside the Mendel Pact and Waptoria Alliance of Species. Eager to face such terrors with their allies, the Church lead the fight alongside the Volver and Mendel, and face heavy causalities with them as they faced the Dominatus unleashed their horrid creations upon their enemies.

Realizing they needed a counter to the horrid effectiveness of the Overseers and other such things, the UAE began drawing up plans to create their own super-soldiers, which had been in development since the Alliance first encountered the Tyranny. With such a terrifying foe to fight, the UAE pushed their project to the fore-front, developing the Olympians for their purpose. Many Gardeili objected to the idea, as their species was a candidate for the project. They felt it dishonorable to alter the holy body they had been given. However, the UAE did find a number who supported the ideals of defeating the Tyranny, many seeing the sacrifice of their natural body as a means to achieve long-term survival for the Alliance and their people.

Raptoranean Genocide
The Church was the first to answer the relief calls of the Waptoria during the Waptorian-Eldarisian War. The arrival of the large, armed relief fleet, coupled with the intervention of France, was enough to scare the Eldarisians off. This did not keep the relief fleet from doing it's work, as many were horrified by the aristocarties the Cutherians had comitted in the name of their god. Condemning Cuth as a demon, the warriors of Spode had to use every ounce of self-restraint to prevent them from bringing a holy war of retribution to Eldarisia, as the Waptoria were in a too great shock to do so at the moment. In the end, Eldarisia was forced to back down completely and repay the Waptoria, but the crusaders of Mirus kept their blades ready, just in case.

Coalition Wars
During the First War of the Mirusian Coalition, the Mirusian Spodist Church, alongside their allies, went to war with the Xonexi powers, eagerly awaiting war, similar to their allies in the Mendel Pact. Eager members of the Mirusian Coalition, the Greater Mirusian Church was one of the first fleets to muster to battle, and alongside Zarbania, helped open up one of the flanks of the Xonexi allies camped in Mirus.

Despite their eagerness for battle, the fleets of the Church where badly mangled, and many of their forces left disorganized and weakened from the fighting across Mirus. For the remainder of the Second War, the Chruch would allow their Mendel allies to take command of planetary garrisons until they could reorganize and refit their forces, which could not be done until the final battle with the Imperium of War.

The battle with the Imperium of War would prove disastrous for the Church of Spode. While maintaining their position, the GMSC held out against the War-Imperial onslaught as Mendel and Zarbanian forces arrived to help. However, when they heard that Matrukoris and many of the remaining Koatria Commandos where left on the planet, organized a fleet led by the high Prophet of Truth to seek it out and rescue it. After fighting through a small Brotherhood of Darklings fleet, they found the remaining Rogue Darklings, Grey Hunter Olympians and 3 remaining Koatria teams left, and rescued them, the High Prophet erecting a psychic shield to protect the fleet as it made it's way to Mendel territory, which was the closest by. This, however, left them open and many of their worlds overrun and forced to evacuate. As such, a massive number of refugees flooded Mendel, Persan, and, ironically enough, Zarbanian worlds, with their fleets only able to give slight support to Mendel and Zarbanian patrols until a liberation could be rallied. Even after, it took a long time for clean-up operations to fully commence. Many GMC soldiers took part in these clean-ups, eager to exact some form of revenge on the Imperium for the loss of their worlds and death of many of their family members.

The GMSC, military-wise, would go about rebuilding much of their lost fleets and ships, with recruitment rates going up, due to a patriot feeling in many young warriors who had lost much of their families and homes to war. GMSC Energy blades where later replicated by the Koatria to honor their sacrifice, and with the last of their 3 Holy Prophets dead, along with many others, the GMSC worried for the future of themselves and their alliance, some even doubting their role in the galaxy as Spode's chosen altogether. Lord Loda himself began to doubt his now sole leadership, seeking out members of the new generation to rule at his side. Their ties with the Waptoria Alliance of Species and Federation of Glory would also become closer, since both had gone trough simmilar ordeals, and had lost the most warriors and worlds to the Imperium.

The Gardeili would later partake in cross-training with Deutzalanian and Mendel warriors, joining them in their practice fields and barracks, in order to learn from them and get some knowledge from their military abilities. Ultimately, though not to the extent of the Mendel, many young warriors within the military, and elders within command and government, began to feel some ill will towards the Xonexi, holding especially Eldarisia responsible for the tragedy, even if their guilt in the matter was only slight at best. Unlike the Mendel, the Mirusian Church would not come to hate the Covenant of Mirus, but instead would become it's most ardent Mirus-native supporter. This is not to say the Church supports or even trust the Xonexi, quite the contrary. Despite their losses, the Church still sees itself is the central Spodist power is Mirus, and the moderator between it's various other religions. To have any other power infringe on this position, would, in their minds, be totally unacceptable. Ultimately, the Greater Mirusian Church sees the Covenant is first and foremost a tool to keep the Xonexi in check. If the Xonexi overtsep their bounderies, they shall be all too willing to use it's powers to kick them out. If not, then the Xonexi at least have shown they can use self-restraint.

Loda'Gadaam would later meet with the members of the Mirusian Triumvirate, saying that, while he knew of no such Triumvirate existing, if it did, he would give support to it in case of the Covenant's potential abuse.

Culture
Culture is somewhat like it was before union, and members are still getting used to the fact they now have so many new neighbors. Gardeili, Cogneili, The Prophets of the Brotherhood, and the Tugian mostly lead the organization, with the Terniam and Targarous being not far behind in pecking order. The Congregation is a meritocracy, much like their close allies in the, with promotion based off bravery, achievements and other factors rather then simple education and family ties. As such, to earn a command position, a student must study under the current holder of the title, until it is decided they are ready.

While "Holy War" is acceptable, the Theocratic Conclave that leads the MTC and it's members often try to find a way to negotiate before charging into battle. The Congregation is, almost strangely, mostly made up by followers of Spode and the God That Will Come, who live side by side. Indeed, the Congregation makes it it's goal to protect minor and small religions from harm and keep them from being wiped out by another, traveling from world to world, and commonly operating as peacekeepers and moderators between religious groups across the galaxy.

Despite these good intentions, the Congregation does not stand to see it's traditions altered. While accepting of all religions, they do not wish to see the blight of atheïsm alter their own culture. While minor officials who identify with one atheïsm are not uncommon, major ones are unheard of. The Congregation can stand much, especially the questioning of heretics or the ridicule of atheïsts, but it's complex belief system being slandered by another Spodist sect is usually one step too far. As stated above, they see themselves as the first and foremost religious power in Mirus, above any others.

Other factors in their culture include dailey worship, enjoying of fine foods and music, and other things most other theocracies enjoy.

Society
The Congregation, while united by faith, blood and duty, is actually very insular. Every race maintains their own traditions involving Spodeism, and how to worship the great god. The Gardeili worship in great, elaborate, opulent temples, worshipping minor gods who personify certain aspects of Spode in some way, which, early in their history, caused issues with the other races who felt they had returned to their barbaric old ways. The Targarous, being a largely primitive society, worship Spode via a system of runes and stone monoliths erected in their lands. They care not for large temples, believing Spode exists everywhere, and as such, can be honored everywhere.

The Congregation welcomes a host of other races, many redeemed mebers from the Cult of Attzerry, and as Mendel of all kinds, but mostly Ugandalorians, due to their bond with the Gardeili, and Targarous to a lesser extent. Other common species and groups include members of the Waptoria, Orgaat Clans, and some Togunda mining guilds and holds. These races emigrated for a number of reasons, including job opportunities, religious ideals, or protection from outside forces.

The Congregation, though it has tried to shed some of the speciesism from before and make sure all have opportunity within it's borders, still maintains some what of a pyramid structure to it's society, with certain races inherently having more opportunity then others.

Militarism varies between members. Gardeili, Cogneili, Tugian and Targarous tend to be the most aggressive, or simply have the best militaries, and will fight with the fury equal to the Mendel or Zarbanians, while Utuno and Kig-tar tend to have the morale one would expect from volunteers and even some draftees; not exceptional warriors by any means, but willing and able to get the job down. For this reason, they are commonly lead by more aggressive, stronger races who act as field officers.

Religion
The Congregation is aggressive toward heretics and enemies, and loyal to their allies, Spode worshipers or not.
 * Link to religion

As far as Spodists go, their religion is very similar to the Divanatium's Ecunai sect, and they believe that all religions, except demon-worshipping ones, know Spode, but just worship him under different names. However, the Mirusian branch of Spodist worship is wholly unique compared to It's worship in outside universe, and truly multi-layered. For besides Spode, the Church venerate various other beings as blessed, messengers, angels, or archangels. These are, in order of importance, the Enlightened Ones, the Anointed, the Isio'Nar and the Omnipotent Four, which also leads to them combining aspects of the Eolanai Sect.

Since the have created so many races, the Church believes they have been blessed by Spode. Indeed, the meaning of the name "Multus Esse" has, in their tongue, mutated from "Great Ones" to "Blessed Ones". The Multus are not actually worshipped, but it is considered a great honor to serve them. This causes the Enlightened One remnant to have many Church guards, though the remnant does not consider them servants or the like, preferring to try and treat their creations as equals and respect them for their achievements. Similar to Mendel Oathbound, young warriors fight amongst themselves to try and see who will serve a high ranking Multus Visionary or Military Lord.

The Church are the strongest believers in the The Anointed and see them as "Spode's Chosen Few", something other believers tend to scoff at. Despite being regarded as superstitious for it, the Church refuses to back down from it, believing the Anointed guide all races in some form and believe one day their existence will come to light, and make Spode's words all the clearer. Some even believe the Multus Esse a form of Anointed on some level. The Multus themselves are generally confused, not knowing much of the Anointed, seeing them as a mystery formed in an age that has passed them up. In truth, like most of the civilisations in the universe, the Church has no idea whom or what the Anoited truly are, with some of their aspects overblown, and others completely underrepresented.

The Isio'Nar are the fist in the religious chain to be actually worshipped. They are seen as the messengers of Spode, and are believed to be formed from mortals who have been ascended by Spode. The Church believes that if they serve well and with loyalty, they will be ascended and join Spode's messengers. They take many different shapes among the members, from lesser angels, to guardian spirits who watch over their unascended kin.

The Omnipotent Four are considered archangels or minor gods. They are worshipped as servants of Spode even higher in rank than the Isio'Nar, sitting at the various ends of Spode's tentacles.

Finally, Spode itself is seen as the highest being in the multiverse: omnipotent, all-knowing and with motives beyond understanding. Spode is considered to be the combined consciousness of Kkia'Sihm, Vi'Naherza, Vyro'Narzdea and Kraitoss. While Spode as a whole is worshipped and recieves the highest praise, the four Gods, as aspects of Spode, are also worshipped separately.

As far as followers of the God That Will Come go, it's membersmostly believe in various reams that are inperfect mirrors of one another. Though good deeds in this life, one gets to be reïncarnated an a better realm, and though bad deeds, in a worse. The ultimate goal is to, by doing good, to escape the ciircle of reïncarnation altogether, and become one with the nothingless. As such many Spodists still tend to distrust the followers of the God That Will Come slightly, continuously looking out for any Void energy taint.

Ultimately, all members of the Mirusian Theocratic Congegation are thaught that both Spode, the God That Will Come, Zaraturai, and everything else is simply part of the One God. United in their zeal, this leads to the religions living side by side relatively peacefuly.

From every ascended being the Congregation is aware of -indeed, if they are aware of the ascension- and every prophet, to even the most basal of minerals, all have their place on the celestial chain. This heavenly hierachy is often seen as overly elaborate, and a common objection by non-Mirusian Spodists is that it distributes the complete glory of the One God downwards to beings that are not ought to be venerated. Spode's glory, they say, only belongs to him. Indeed, more than a few other Spodists -all non Mirusian, of course- have labelled the MTC as worshipping false idols, and some have even decalred it outright heretical, an excommunication which often becomes mutual.

Government
Despite the name, the Abiding Government of the Church, the Prophet Conclave, is not directed by the Brotherhood Prophets. They have members from all races, though the Prophets, Tugian, Targarous, Gardeili, Cogneili, and Terniam are usually the hgihest ranking members and most common in the government of the empire. The Conclave is lead by two rulers, one from the Brotherhood, and one from the UNOS, though current circumstances have forced Loda'Gadem to take on full leadership position. Under them, are various Councilors and Theocrats who act as a senate of sorts to govern the various states and planets under Congregation control.
 * Link to Prophet Conclave

The Conclave meets to discuss matters of faith, and to set new laws, taxes, and deal with any heretic movements that may harm the society.

Order and Law
Law and order is enforced usually by Secruirty Forces on the planet, called "Arbituis of the Abiding Ascendancy". The Arbituis are under direct command of one individual gifted with a title "the Arbiter". The Arbiter is considered the Hammer of the Prophets, selected specially by the Prophet Conclave for his battle prowess, his fair sense and his ability to seperate the heretic from the pure one. He is notable one of the only ones, safe for the Prophet Conlave themselves, who can over-rule descisions of the Inquisition.

However, far more feared are their secret police, the "Inquisition of the Abiding Ascendancy". The Inquisition, while not allowed to have a standing army, and being under strict control of the Prophet Conclave, do have a near-unlimited power over other security forces, the army, and the fleet. They stamp out all signs of treachry and heresy within their territory, and while sometimes extreme, are respected by their member-states for their loyalty to faith and law.

Overall, while some colonies are better off then others, law and order is held in high regard by them, and police are an common sight. To say they are a police state would be wrong, however.

Economy
The Mirusian Theocratic Congregation has a stable economy, and while not focussing on economics all too much, their member states have a high standard of living, and with a strong middle class. A rich upper class does exist, as does a poor lower class, but, generally, the richer one is, the greater the moral pressures on him or her become to give away a constant amount money in alms to the needly. This elevates the poor and devaluates the rich, in turn keeping the middle class large.

Military

 * Link to the Military in general

Land Forces
Land forces, or the Army of Zeal, are the armored forces of the Mirusian Theocratic Congregation. Ranging from basic combat soldiers, to the elite Ceremony Guard, the Army is mostly unopposed on the field. Commonly seen as the counter to the Tarmealox Royal Army, the Congregation's Army of Zeal is held in high regard by members of the Concalve and it's allies. The Army's members, from Utuno and Kig'tar, to Gardeili and Terniam, are trained to stand their ground, and to not use swarm tactics in battle. When confronted, members prefer to fight an enemy in groups of two to one, taking turns dealing with a foe.
 * Link to the Army

Fighting alsong side the Army of Zeal are those that wish to repent for their sins though a glorious battle. Often called Flaggelants due to the barbed lashes they carry into battle, they fight alongside Crusaders, militia that are entirely devoted to Spode, and are led into battle by one of his Warrior-Priests. However, while Crusaders serve as the militia of the Church, they still do recieve some basic training, and this, coupled with their fanatic devotion to Spode, have caused many foes to severely underestimate them.

Fleet
The Fleet, or Armada of Faith, is the massive organziation in charge of protecting colonies, enforcing their faith, attacking aggresors, or spreading their faith. Ranging from massive capital ships to colony vessels, the fleet has multiple purposes, though when in combat, is feared for their use of plasma weaponry and other, more dangerous weapons, being not feared to glass enire planets is nessecary.
 * Link to the Navy

Arbituis
Unlike many other nations within the UAE, the Mirusian Theocratic Congregation retains a strong police force. Discipined highly focussed on their task, the Arbituis of the Abiding Ascendacy, as they are called, sometimes assist the Army in defending Cathedral and Shrine world belonging to the Congregation. The extremely high amount of Tugian in their ranks caused said race to gain the image of a security race, and also caused the Arbituis to become so well respected, due to the Tugian being extremely respected by the other member species of the Church as well.
 * Link to the Arbituis

Holy inquisition
Commonly seen as the razor blade to the hammer of the army, the Inquisition are the secret police of the Mirusian Theocratic Conclave and used to stamp out heretics movements that the Arbitors cannot deal with, and commonly the 2 work together on Church worlds to promote unity among different branches of society. Elitely trained, and highly feared, the Inquisition likes to work covertly, but when forced to act openly in the most extreme of cases, the results are severe, and more than once an planet of heretics found itself glassed after the order of the Inquisition declared them "Exterminatus".
 * Link to the Inquisition

Weapons, Devices and Equipment

 * Link to weaponry and equipment

Captains

 * Captains

[[File:Green face.png]] Allies
Our path is broad, and we can walk side by side!


 * Unified Alliance of Enlightenment - We will be eternal!
 * - The path of the warrior is strong in their kin.
 * - Their forms and way of life deceives all. Underneath their soft exterior, beats the hearts of warriors.
 * - Honorable and striving for glory at all times.
 * - Our faiths may be different, but our blood burns together.
 * Blue face.png/Yellow face.png/Red face.png - It is complicated. It is but a tool.

[[File:Blue face.png]] Friends
May the Light of Spode smile upon us.


 * Zarbania Powers - We will put aside our past for a better tomorrow.

[[File:Yellow face.png]] Neutral
Hopefully Spode can show the path to friendship.


 * - Our Mendel kin don't like you. We'll wait and see.
 * Masul Holy Union - Some welcome them, some are weary of them. We will watch and see if they can be truly trusted.
 * Gargator Theocracy - Spode's fellow children perhaps, but clearly fallen from His path.
 * Aeoneonatrix Empire - You might follow godlike being, but a true god? No, in his cruelty, that, your "Cleanser" is not.

[[File:Orange face.png]] Disliked
We will keep our weapons ready.


 * - Your ideal is false. Your ways are genocidal. So was our path, but it is questionable if you will learn.
 * The Hegemony - We do not forgive those who murder the vision of innocence that is a child.

[[File:Red face.png]] Enemies
We shall not stop until your bodies are ashes in the wind.


 * Tarmealox Hierarchy - Nemeses! Heretics! No matter now long it takes, we will make you repent for your sins!
 * Cult of Attzerry - We swear, we will free every last one of you...or make you repent if you won't want to.
 * Blood Brotherhood - Filthy atheïsts! The One God that permeates all existence will never die!
 * Alpha Cyber Collective - You...you are not Spode's chosen...
 * Bachyeon Hive-mind - You will never lead us to slaughter ever again.

Quotes from Others

 * Add your own!

"Purifiers of faith, keep your hearts pure, yet your minds set to realism. With you at their side, the UAE can never fall to darkness."

- of the

"Let the Greater Church be a beacon of hope to any out there who suffer under tyrants and warmongers who doubt Spode's word!"

- Loda'Gadem

"What's with all this Spode hype? Holy rats, Warrior races, prophets, fish-people, Spode's awesome, but no where near as awesome as say...Freddie Mercury. Just putting that out there."

- Phase-Hunter

Trivia

 * Based on the Covenant from Halo, the Citadel Alliance from Mass Effect, and to a lesser extent on the Empire of Sigmar/Imperium of Man from Warhammer.
 * The reason to include reform to GMCS onto the MTC was to give the followers of the God That Will Come a more prominent role in the Fiction Universe - and because "Greater Mirusian Churh of Spode" was judged too long a name.
 * Theme -