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“What we have here is one of the great remaining bastions of Spode's faithful, and I, like my countrymen, have sworn to defend her with my life. By the grace of Spode, she will never fall.”
- - Iliana Serrada, commander of GSC forces during the First Bunsen War
The Grand Spodist Church (commonly abbreviated to GSC and sometimes referred to as the Pazumiri or Pazumiri Church) is a theocratic empire native to the Bunsen Galaxy, spanning most of the galaxy's Odwalla and Kereo Sectors. The Church collectively follows a brand of Spodism known as Pazu'Mir Te Sepodias (meaning Peaceful Sight of the Heavens, usually shortened to Pazu'Mir Spodism) and is well-known for their stated intent of peaceful spread of Spodism and the reconciliation of the numerous varieties of Spodism found in Bunsen. While they have fought multiple conflicts in their history due to their religion, their peaceful conversion tactics and theological authority has led to the Church becoming a significant and important economic and hegemonic power broker within the Bunsen Galaxy.
Conceived in 309 SY (approximately 2403 AD in the Terran calendar) as an extension of the Precathoran Pazu'Mir Church, the Church spread its influence through both trade and conquest in its native Kereo Sector, uniting the diverse peoples of Kereo under a single religious banner and establishing itself as the local power in Kereo. The momentous Corambia Convocation between the Church and other neighboring religious empires marked the beginning of Idenza Sepodia, one of the Church's defining theological policies which aimed for reconciliation and dialogue between the numerous and highly-varied Spodist sects found throughout the Galaxy.
Idenza Sepodia led to a rapid acceleration of the Church's influence in the Merna Arm as contact with the other galactic powers began. Venturing out into the galaxy, the Church found itself at odds with the other four nascent galactic powers, namely the Argexantine Warrior Alliance and the Bunsen Grox, who participated in the persecution and suppression of local Spodist strains. After many struggles and conflicts, the GSC eventually resolved its differences with the rival powers, becoming a founding member of the Allied Bunsen Galaxy in 1782 SY and becoming a permanent fixture in the Bunsen galactic community.
History
Under construction, expect something here soon!
Government
The GSC is a theocratic constitutional monarchy, in which there is a monarch whose executive power is tempered by a parliament which holds legislative power, and national policy is primarily dictated by religious belief. The Divine Regent is the monarch of the Church as well as the religious leader of the Pazu'Mir, elected by the ecclesiastical officials of the Church. The Magistrata Council acts as the parliamentary body of the Church, being comprised of democratically-elected representatives from the regional sub-states of the Church, called sovereignties, which are further divided into the representative units called palizada.
While the GSC still maintains recognition of individual member species nation-states for the purpose of planetary-level governance, sociopolitical organization in the GSC is largely based on Sovereignty divisions instead of the species nation-states. While Sovereignty and Palizada lines do not cut across species states, the species state does not hold much power in the GSC as their influence beyond their constituent palizada is mostly subsumed by Sovereignty and federal bodies.
Individuals are elected to the Divine Regency by the Clericarchal Assembly, the leading ecclesiastical body of the Church which is comprised of regional religious leaders from within the Church's borders as well as independent Spodist states who associate with the Pazu'Mir Church but not the Church state. Divine Regents are elected for life from the Assembly's members, and rule until they die or abdicate. As the Regency is not hereditary, the GSC does not have a "royal family" like other monarchies, but the immediate family of ruling and past Regents are often elevated to a status equivalent thereof.
The Magistrata Council is a democratic legislative body consisting of Magistrata, who are elected to represent palizada (usually a major world and its minor neighbors, or a grouping of multiple minor planets outside of interstellar "metropolises"). Palizada are usually awarded Magistrata proportional to their population, ranging from one Magistrata for a sparsely populated region to three Magistrata for an extremely dense metropolitan zone. Magistrata Council politics are heavily characterized by rampant political maneuvering and regionalism, largely a reflection of the intense economic rivalries between regions at the Sovereignty and even the Palizada levels. However, despite the Council's chaotic and seemingly uncooperative nature, the Magistrata can be surprisingly solidary when dealing with imperative issues on a national scale.
Demographics
The GSC is primarily composed of Kereo and Odwalla Sector species, many of which come from former nation-states that agreed to politically join with the Church. While newer member states of the Church retain much of their sovereignty as nation-states, most older members of the Church have largely integrated their state governments with their respective Sovereignty governments. The older, integrated governments still exist, but only continue to function primarily to provide policy direction and to decide the appointment of planetary-level officials, as most older worlds still operate under colonial charters and require nominal oversight from their parent state.
Member states of the Church are required to declare themselves as members of the Pazu'Mir Church, though GSC religious authorities are typically very accommodating towards other Bunsen Spodist strains that do not consider themselves Pazumiri and will generally treat them as if they were Pazumiri. This acceptance and fraternity with non-Pazumiri Spodists is also extended to the more distant relatives of Pazu'Mir and Bunsen Spodism, such as Masaari Spodism. They are not quite as keen on non-Spodist denominations, however, and while usually tolerant of non-Spodists, they will make a concerted effort to convert them.
A fiercely passionate and devout people, and the founders of the Pazumiri faith. The Precathora were the pioneers of the Church, both politically and religiously.
A wise and shrewd race of traders and innovators, and far-flung relatives of the TIAF Lustergan in the Larson Core Rim.
A warrior race that places great emphasis on loyalty and honor. The Bogadani formed the military arm of the early GSC and remain major contributors to modern GSC military power.
A friendly, refined species that enjoys meeting and exploring new cultures. Nausikae tend to be the most socially adept individuals of the Church.
Typically calm, the Sphenisci can be frighteningly vicious defenders of their faith despite their appearance. They are renowned as some of the best shipbuilders in the Church.
An intellectual race that values both religious tradition and scientific progress. Breante scholars have been important contributors to many major GSC universities and theological institutions.
Industrious and hard-working, the Valaro are often described as no-nonsense workaholics. Their devotion to their labor makes them valuable to any Church business or industry.
A festive, fun-loving species characterized by their perkiness and energy. Their hedonistic tendencies are matched only by their signature hospitality and devotion to Spode.
A militant species with a strong sense of justice and a distinctive reverence for order, all derived from their Spodist faith. Helioco worlds are often noted for their low crime rates.
A rare Essence-sensitive species, Illideans always seem to have a serene, soothing air about them. Despite their benevolent aura, they can be quite haughty at times.
The Yoshrini are a proud, diligent species with a long history in the Merna Core Rim. They were an influential economic power of Odwalla before joining the Church.
Relations
Allies
“You are welcome to enjoy Spode's saving grace alongside us.”
- Tybusen Intergalactic Allied Federation - We might not always see eye to eye, but one thing we can always agree on is the mutual respect of our people.
- Allied Bunsen Galaxy - The perfect platform upon which to carry out Spode's mission.
- Argexantine Warrior Alliance - What has passed has passed. We are more than happy to be friends rather than foes.
- Bunsen Grox Republic - They have done well to rehabilitate the shameful legacy left by their ancestors.
- Uniate League - We hope some day that all of Spode's family may live under the same heaven.
- The Divinarium - It is only natural that we should aim to be close friends with those who originally brought us Spode's holy word.
Friends
“May Spode smile upon you.”
- None
Neutral
“We pray you are walking on the path of righteousness.”
- French Empire - Mind your own business and we'll be fine, Terrans.
- Levisala Confederacy - Your support is appreciated, but do not think this makes us friends or anything.
Disliked
“We have no patience for heathens.”
- Vespan Federation of Planets - We won't stop you from reconciling with your brothers in the TIAF, though we would really appreciate it if you stopped helping those pirates.
Enemies
“You insult and disgust Spode himself; we shall gladly leave you to perish in the valley of death!”
- Eldarisian Empire - Your worlds will be bathed in the flames of justice.
- Adriana Commerce League - Even in that bright nebula, raiders and criminals such as yourselves will never know the light of Spode.
Quotes
Trivia
In-Universe
- Official first contact between the GSC and the Church of Spode in the 2760s (mid-1700s SY) caused a brief period of linguistic turmoil in the Bunsen Galaxy, as prior to Intergalactic Contact, there had been a multitude of colloquial nicknames for the GSC, including "Grand Church of Spode". This led to an official decree from the Divine Regent stating that the phrasing "Church of Spode" should strictly be used only for the Radeon Church, while any official reference to the Pazumiri Church would need to use the form "Spodist Church".
Meta
- The GSC is primarily based on Spain and Italy, with some inspiration also taken from other strongly-religious cultures in the Christian and Islamic worlds.
- CaptainTybusen originally created the GSC with the idea of subverting the personality of in-game Zealots and presenting a more peaceful counterpart to Imperios' Radeon (who were organized into the militant, aggressive Dei'Ar Theocracy when the GSC was first conceived), though they have since evolved from that mold into a more independent idea.
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