[Shuell]

Iskirami Chronicle
Through Tradition Comes Strength

20th Anniversary of the Decimation Comes to Pass

Candles and trinkets decorated shrines to the dead today as men and women of the Sultanate remembered those lost in the Nuclear Decimation. On this day, 156 thousand people had their vessels annihilated when the Old Coalition detonated a nuclear bomb in the great city of Foujil. The muharib of the Royal Army honored their 32,000 dead today when a mass ceremony was held by priests of Oze’uis, as they attempted to pacify the turbulent spirits of the dead tormenting the souls of veteran warriors.

After the end of the Unification Wars and the eradication of the Houses that lead the Old Coalition, Sultan Ahmad III declared that February 3rd would be “remembered in history as the Day of Martyrdom.” Although Sultan Ahmad III continues to be in a state of incapability and is being treated by multiple skilled apothecaries, Lord Regent Uzida has seen fit to organize a remembrance of the fallen in Sahiyat, where great stone monoliths are to be engraved with the names of the dead.

The Academy of Natural Philosophy has yet to declare Foujil fit for rehabilitation, citing the fact that “atomic affliction” still lingers in the ruins and has taken ahold of many who enter the boundaries of the city. The Akhaniite Order and the Fruits of the Vine are currently the largest groups that hold expeditions to these ruins, in order to lay the dead to rest and plant holy vegetation in the city.

Watch Reports Flame-Worshippers in Slums

City Watchmen in the city of Halarus have reported a recent uptake in flame-worshippers present in their exile slums, to the alarm of many. During an interview by Chronicle transcribers, the Watch stated that they found multiple pamphlets in the homes of multiple manafaa during a cleansing, that declared that the world was soon to end in a nuclear war and doom our race to a cycle of suffering. The Organization of the Prophet of the Flame, denounced by the Oze’uis Church to be a doomsday cult led by a madman, has increased its efforts in proselytizing those exiled from their House, presumably due to the fact that only exiles would stoop so low to join their movement.

In response to this, the Akhaniite Order sect in Halarus has declared that they would root out this heresy as soon as the Order of Divination declared it advantageous. Although some state fears that the so-called “Guardians of the Cleansing Flame” would be present in Halarus, the Steel Mask interviewed stated that “their ramshackle weaponry and cloth robes would do little against the sword and armor of our faith.”

Lord Naim VI to Duel Pretender

Lord Naim VI of Khasireb has publicly arranged a duel between himself and a pretender to his claim, declaring it a “matter of honor” after he was slandered. Lord Tufail Ibn-Faisal Amer claims that Lord Naim Ibn-Naim Usman the Fourth’s claim to the beylik of Meqshabis is illegitimate and rightfully his own, being de jure a title of House Amer. 

Due to conflicting records in the Royal Archives on the beylik of Meqshabis, Lord Amer and Lord Naim IV have both agreed to duel to first blood for the title, to be held two days from now in at the banks of the River Thueban. The River Thueban has been commonly used as a field of honor throughout the ages, at least since the start of the Sharaf Sultanate. Lord Amer, age 57, is the founder of the Eternal Lion Dueling Guild and active in multiple fencing leagues.

“Respect and honor the enemy until they prove themselves undeserving of it, and in all cases prove that your cause is righteous and that you are the better man.” - Lord Arkaan II, Treatise on Iskirami Honor

[Shuell]

Iskirami Chronicle

Through Tradition Comes Strength

Priestly Tribunal of Oze'uis Ends
4/15

A week-long Priestly Tribunal on the cause of soul-wounding has come to an end after a majority consensus was reached. Ordered by Lord Regent Uzida after multiple letters from the wives of veterans were brought to his attention, 100 priests of high status gathered in Sahiyat to determine a unified cause of the mental disease that affects many of those who fought in the Unification Wars. Victims describe themselves as being beset by nightmares, anger, bouts of guilt and paranoia, often feeling that "nature itself plotted against them."

Cases of soul-wounding rose exponentially in the direct aftermath of the Unification Wars and the Decimation, being able to strike down even the most hardened veterans and highest-ranking officer, with Sultan Ahmad III himself being one of many who fell to it. Fear itself has been able to claim many, with multiple prominent generals falling into despair and taking their lives following the Decimation.

In a public announcement, High Priest Yasin Abboud declared that it was not an imperfection of birth similar to children born of atomic affliction, but something that was inflicted through conflict and suffering, persisting long after the wounds such as a scar does.

"Many, many angry spirits of the dead wander the deserts, from both sides of the war. The sickness many of our warriors and levies have are from a kind of unseen wounding caused by these spirits lashing out at their souls long after their passing, and this unseen wound can be just as deadly as any physical injury. "

As for a cure, High Priest Yasin said that both counselings by the Church and medicines provided by apothecaries could assist, though there are no true guarantees that they will assist. It was suggested that to aid in its prevention, soldiers should fight for a "good and just cause" to steel themselves against the wandering spirits of the fallen.

"An honorable cause should be one willed by Oze'uis - a war for a higher and just cause, to reinstate law and order - not for personal gain in the form of money or satisfaction. It is by these means that one may protect both their mind and their soul while in the act of shedding blood. "

While it was acknowledged that other forms of soul-wounding existed, it was stated that the treatment for both was medicament and therapeutics.

[Shuell]

Iskirami Chronicle

Through Tradition Comes Strength

Lord-Governors Pledge Support for Xiomeran Junta
7/5

Lord-Governors Sarbani, Atmar, and Karadeniz have expressed their support for Emperor Xochiuhue's claim on the Xiomera throne today, following a meeting with the Lord-Regent to discuss the situation abroad. Talking to a gathering of commoners in front of his estate, Lord-Governor Sarbani XII of the Khashtul Mintaqa explained his decision.

"This Empress, Yauhmi - she has no respect for the culture and traditions of her people. She wishes to do away with this, for what? For the gathering of riches! She has no honor. I spit on her! The actions of this Provisional Government, and the actions of General Xōchhuitl - they are ultimately necessary in preserving their heritage and traditions. Could they be interpreted as dishonorable? Yes, of course. But it is needed for the good of their country."

It was soon announced by Lord-Governor Atmar IV of the Maharakh Mintaqa that he would be sending his personal levy to Xiomera in order to assist Emperor Xochiuhue's efforts along with Sarbani, and that any commoners wishing to volunteer to fight abroad would be welcome to join. While Lord-Governor Karadeniz of Walathi has condoned the actions of the Xiomeran Junta, he publicly stated that he did not have enough men to spare, due to his efforts in ridding the countryside of the Exile House's bandits. Many unlanded members of local warrior houses, eager to show their martial prowess, have already began to claim positions as officers in the "Grand Xiomeran Expeditionary Brigade."

[Shuell]

Iskirami Chronicle

Through Tradition Comes Strength

Serial Killings Continue in Akçanar
1/25

Paranoia and fear spread through the town of Akçanar in the wake of a string of murders. Just this morning, the local city watch has uncovered the seventh victim of the self-titled "Akçanar Iblis" after local exiles stumbled across the body underneath a bridge. Similar to the other deaths attributed to the Iblis, the victim was missing a large amount of blood and appeared to have been subject to crude surgery. The victim, one Sevil Gozubuyuk, was exiled in 2018 following repeated drug-related offenses before being reported missing two weeks ago. Although the City Watch had little cause to investigate the case prior, the Head Watchman of Akçanar stated that "even though they were an exile and lacking in dignity, such a fate should not be wished on anyone." 

Preying almost exclusively on exiles and those of lower status, the Akçanar Iblis has been rumored to be a gulyabani, or ghoul - a shapeshifting demon that lures victims into its den before drinking their blood and devouring them. In a televised broadcast, the Chapter Master of the Akçanar Branch of the Order announced that due to the nature of the killer, the Steel Masks would be investigating the nature of the Iblis further and conscripting the help of local commoners in order to assist them. The Chapter Master was quoted saying "Let it be known that the Order will not rest until the demon responsible for these slayings is found and purified by the light of Oze'uis themself!" and it is expected that if he fails in this quest, he will likely take up the title of an almasarie, or gladiator-wanderer, and partake in ritual suicide as penance.

[Shuell]

Iskirami Chronicle

Through Tradition Comes Strength

Prominent Priest Denounces Foreign Holidays
2/14

High Priest Yasin Abboud, the leader of the Church of Oze'uis, has officially denounced the celebration of foreign holidays in the Sultanate from his seat in the holy city. Many other members of the Church have followed suit in his wake, condemning the act of celebrating any foreign holidays and reminding the faithful to stay loyal to their native culture. Elder Abboud had released a statement earlier this day, explaining the Church's position:

"The blessings of Oze'uis fall upon all of you, children. As we adjust to our new place in the world stage, we face many challenges to our culture and faith. Although it is tempting to join our guests in their celebration of holidays, we must remember that these are religious in nature, and reflect the beliefs of foreign cultures. I seek to warn you of the danger inherent in these celebrations, for many of these beliefs come in conflict with our society and traditions. With the holy authority vested in me and my knowledge and understanding of the divine texts of Oze'uis, I denounce the celebration of these festivities and order the faithful to avoid them as much as possible, even if outside the lands of the Sultanate. I must remind you, however, to not refuse acts of giving and kindness, but to remain loyal to Oze'uis and the traditions of our people. 

 

The Lord-Regent has yet to speak on this matter, although many of those in positions of power, such as Lord-Governor Sarbani, have publicly approved of the Church's stance.