Church of Yelloman

The Church of Yelloman is a cult ran by 'Prophet' Robert Collins, associated under their god "Yelloman". They are based in the Monaska Mountains Range.
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==History==
===Battle of Kodiak and the Kodiak Citizen's Resistance=== 
Following the Soviet Invasion and subsequent occupation by the Soviet troops, a citizens resistance known as the "Kodiak Citizen's Resistance" was established as a united front for opposition against the Soviets. Among the militias that made up the KCR was a militia lead by local Priest Chuck Temple who was beloved by the religious population of Kodiak. He lead daring attacks against the Soviet occupiers and succeeded in liberating many smaller communities in the wilderness from their Soviet garrisons. 
As news of Temple's successes against the Soviets spread throughout Kodiak, many flocked to Temple not only to fight but for protection against the increasingly hostile Soviet occupiers. As the numbers of his followers grew, Temple grew increasingly radical in his religious demeanor, swearing to his followers that the Heavens had told him how and when to attack the Soviets
===Radicalization===
As the military successes of Temple, many of which are more likely attributed to his squad leaders, increased to wide reknown, his beliefs radicalized as well. Dismissing his former Christian beliefs, Temple now claimed to be receiving decrees from the Father, a god living on the sun named 'Yelloman.' 
This shift in faith would lead some of the more devoutly religious members to abandon Temple's movement, but a large majority of his followers adopted his new faith and swore their loyalties to Temple as their leader. 
This new radical and fiercely loyal faction would begin not just combating the Soviets, but exerting their influence among the other militia groups. Temple and his followers would begin attempting to recruit locals and other militias to their banner, with mixed success. 
Temple began carving out a portion of the Alaskan wilderness, extending from the Monaska mountains South to the coast of Kodiak as his own territory where he could do as he pleased.
===Fluke Creek Bus Massacre===
Temple and his radicalization reached its breaking point at the road along Fluke Creek, a section of road that crossed over into the border of what Temple claimed as his territory, where a militia was attempting to transport a bus of refugees and militia members towards a settlement.
Temple and his troops stopped the bus and its escort, explaining that the militia may not pass through the land because they were not followers of Yelloism. The militia responded with rejection of the Yelloism faith and attempted to keep the bus moving, resulting in a stand off between the two armed groups.
After a few tense minutes of the stand off, the peace was broken by a member of the militia trying to move one of Temple's soldiers out of the way of the bus. In the physical confrontation, the militia and Temple's troops exchanged fire at close distance, resulting in every member of the militia being killed, as well as every refugee inside the bus. The survivors were killed because they refused to convert to Yelloism, thinking of Temple's troops and nothing more than crazy cultists. The sole survivor of the attack was Stephen Lukes, the future founder of the Church of Yelloman's primary opponent, Only the Hated.
This confrontation prompted Temple to make his intentions official to the world, declaring the territory in Kodiak that he had carved out as the land of the Church of Yelloman, a faction that sought to gain control of all of Kodiak in order to convert them to Yelloism and save them from the wrath of Yelloman when he purged the Earth of Malthesians, or sinners in the Yelloism faith. This declaration immediately brought him into conflict not only with the militia groups, but as well as the Soviets. As the Kodiak Uprising ended in 1996, the Church of Yelloman entered a new phase of conflict.
===Kodiak Civil War===
After the events of the Kodiak Uprising and the split of the local militias into the Church of Yelloman and Only the Hated, the Church of Yelloman was once again consumed by a fierce struggle across Kodiak. Beginning in 1997, the church found itself under attack from all sides by the Kodiak Oblast as well as Only the Hated. 
Through months of bitter fighting the Church of Yelloman lost nearly all of their possessions: 
-West Kodiak lost in First Battle of Anton 
-Southwest Kodiak lost in Southwest Pocket Siege 
-East Kodiak lost in the Battles of Borough and the East Kodiak Disaster 
After these losses, the church forces were forced to fall back to the Monaska Mountains that offered protection and a defensible position. As the forces of Only the Hated and the Kodiak Oblast pursued them and attempted to stamp them out, the Monaska Expedition begun. Through nearly a decade, the Monaska Expedition saw initial failures of the church forces still led by Chuck Temple, who would meet opposition from within the church. 
=== The April Coup ===
The April Coup, named due to it's occurrence in April of 1999, was a coup lead by newly proclaimed Prophet Robert Collins and his supporters against former leader Chuck Temple. Collins, claiming to have been chosen by Yelloman to lead the church to victory in their current fight for survival, built a movement of his followers lead by himself and his inner circle. Seeing Chuck Temple lead the church through continuous defeats throughout Kodiak and the loss of territory in the Monaska Mountains, Collins saw fit to completely reorganize the fighting forces of the church in order to make them more effective and prevent the advance of Only the Hated and the Kodiak Oblast.
Having built up his following from February 1999 leading up to April 1st, Collins began to prepare for the take over of the church. Gathering his followers before a cliff outside Fort Fides in the shadow of Mount Temple, he informed them of their mission given to them by Yelloman to remove the false followers who no longer carry out his will. From Fort Fides, Collins and his followers marched on Citadel Solis, the epicenter of Church activity in the Monaska Mountains. They were stopped by a force of church fighters who were promptly persuaded by Collins to join their side. Collins gained much credibility by telling his followers and indeed his opposition in the church that Yelloman declared that a heavy storm would cast down fog to conceal the approach of Collins followers to Citadel Solis in order to facilitate their victory. On April 12th 1999, when the storm came and the fog fell, many church followers flocked to Collins and abandoned Chuck Temple in Citadel Solis.
At the Battle of Citadel Solis, Collins and his followers stormed the citadel, defended solely by the loyal followers of Chuck Temple. Brutal fighting between the Yelloman factions raged throughout the day, spilling out from the Citadel into the surrounding forested hills and valleys. By the stroke of midnight, Robert Collins took his place in Citadel Solis, ready to begin his reformation of the church. 
In the course of the fighting, Chuck Temple would be captured and held in a 'trial' by Collins and his inner circle. This inner circle found him guilty of failing Yelloman and his followers, as well as placing blame for the loss of the near entirety of church territory solely upon him. He was sentenced to death by the inner circle, and his execution is rumored to have been carried out by Robert Collins with his bare hands. Chuck Temple's body was thrown off the peak of Mount Temple, which was renamed Mount Aprilis, named after the month of Collins' takeover.
=== Monaska Expedition under Collins ===
Collins in his new role at the head of the church brought about a fundamental switch in the efforts of the Yelloman troops resisting the advance of the Kodiak Oblast and Only the Hated. Their methods became less about firmly trying to defend the entire stretch of the Monaska Mountains to a guerilla style of fighting, splitting up into small groups that would constantly move among the mountains and catch their enemies in ambush. This fighting brought much success, causing terrible losses in the ranks of the Kodiak Oblast and Only the Hated. Several major battles were still fought, however these would be in favor of the Church of Yelloman which was better supplied in the mountains, as well as due to their enemies lacking manpower from the continual ambushes. From 1999-2007 this style of warfare would rage in the mountains until a combination of the terrible cost of the fighting, a breakdown in relations between the Kodiak Oblast and Only the Hated as well as the arrival of the United Commonwealth. After the conclusion of the fighting, the church would consolidate their holdings in the mountains. 
=== Church Split ===
In 1999 the survivors of the April Coup who remained loyal to Chuck Temple would flee from Kodiak in order to establish a "true" church settlement elsewhere. Their whereabouts are unknown to the Church of Yelloman under Robert Collins, but are widely believed to have died on their journey to find more land. Those survivors are referred to as 'Templists.'
=== End of the Kodiak Civil War ===
During the last three months of the Kodiak Civil War in 2007, many developments lead to the ultimate agreement creating peace. The arrival of the United Commonwealth would spark the White Sands Beach Agreement (see diplomacy section) between the Church of Yelloman and the United Commonwealth, guaranteeing the support of the Commonwealth in the Kodiak Civil War. From the agreement the United Commonwealth would launch attacks into Kodiak, notably at the Battle of Gibson Cove where Commonwealth troops attacked an Only the Hated and Kodiak Oblast garrison. This would scare the Kodiak Oblast into seeking peace with the Church of Yelloman, resulting in the Collins-Vardayn Pact, ending hostilities between the Kodiak Oblast and the Church of Yelloman. The now isolated Only the Hated was in a difficult position but their leader Stephen Lukes was unwilling to give in, leading Johan Basel, the right hand man of Lukes, to assemble a delegation to meet with Robert Collins and attempt to broker peace. The resulting Fort Fides Conference would result in the Fort Fides Agreement, ending hostilities between the Church of Yelloman and Only the Hated until 2012. 
=== Postwar Church of Yelloman ===
The Church of Yelloman was devastated by the events of the Kodiak Civil War, losing nearly 80% of their manpower and a majority of their holdings in Kodiak. The years of war had also depleted their munitions and arsenal, but this was lessened by material support from the United Commonwealth. The Monaska Mountains themselves were scarred by the nearly 9 years of warfare taking place among them, with the foliage taking the brunt of the damage. Damage from combat was only a small portion of the factors responsible for the loss of the tree population, with the largest factor being the use of lumber from the trees for construction of fortifications. In light of the heavy cost upon the Church of Yelloman, Robert Collins emphasized the need to rebuild the Church forces and rebuild the infrastructure of the Monaska Mountains. Bound by the Fort Fides Agreement preventing conflict for another 5 years, Collins could focus on building up the Church's power rather than fighting against Only the Hated.
=== The Savior Expedition ===
Created by Robert Collins, the Savior Expedition was a program beginning in 2009 that would see operatives from Yelloman's Missionaries kidnap local civilians and bring them back to the Monaska Mountains where they would be converted to Yelloism. This was in an effort to increase the manpower of the Church of Yelloman after the heavy losses during the civil war. These attacks would largely be conducted in 'neutral' territory so as not to provoke Only the Hated or the Kodiak Oblast, however on some occasions the kidnappings would be from citizens under the protection of either of the factions. Apart from these expeditions, the Church of Yelloman would remain focused on their holdings in the Monaska Mountains, staying relatively isolated until 2012.
=== Renewal of Conflict in 2012 ===
In 2012, at the expiration of the no hostility agreement, Robert Collins plans for efforts to be made to mitigate the power of Only the Hated. In cooperation with the United Commonwealth, the Church of Yelloman would launch a limited offensive against Only the Hated. In the Second Battle of Anton, a joint Commonwealth-Yelloman force attacked Anton but were ultimately driven off. After the battle, when Only the Hated attempted to gain control of territory around the Buskin river, forces from the Church of Yelloman and United Commonwealth attacked the Only the Hated forces, encircling them and besieging the town of Buskin. The Buskin Disaster would see the Commonwealth-Yelloman force annihilate the Only the Hated garrison as well as the Buskin Massacre perpetrated by the Church of Yelloman forces.
== Diplomacy ==
The diplomatic relations of the Church of Yelloman have spanned a majority of its history, becoming especially prominent at the ending of the Kodiak Civil War when hostilities ceased. The major agreements will be outlined below.
=== The White Sands Beach Agreement ===
The White Sands Beach Agreement, a treaty between the Church of Yelloman and the United Commonwealth was signed in January of 2007. The treaty guaranteed the following:
* Mutual support between the Church of Yelloman and the United Commonwealth
* United Commonwealth given freedom to expand in Southern Kodiak
* Material support for the Church of Yelloman provided by the United Commonwealth
* Joint operations between the Church of Yelloman and the United Commonwealth
* A Church of Yelloman false flag operation that would give the United Commonwealth cause for war against Only the Hated
=== The Collins-Vardayn Pact ===
The Collins-Vardayn Pact was an agreement signed between the Kodiak Oblast and the Church of Yelloman in February of 2007 in order to end hostilities between the Church and the Oblast. Robert Collins and Anton Vardayn met at Borough in order to discuss the details of the pact. The pact guaranteed that:
* Hostilities between the Church of Yelloman and the Kodiak Oblast end immediately
* The safe return of the isolated Sazanov Company back to Kodiak City
* No further conflict between the Church of Yelloman and the Kodiak Oblast
* Kodiak Oblast prisoners returned
* Church of Yelloman prisoners returned
=== The Fort Fides Agreement ===
The Fort Fides Agreement was the agreement responsible for ending the Kodiak Civil War. Beginning on the 8th of March, delegates from Only the Hated lead by Daunt Werry met with Robert Collins and his council, mediated by representatives from the Kodiak Oblast and the United Commonwealth. In the days of negotiation over territory and agreements, the following was decided:
* Church of Yelloman extends South to Pillar Creek, West to the base of the Monaska Mountains and East to Monaska Bay
* Hostilities between the Church of Yelloman and Only the Hated suspended for 5 years
* Only the Hated prisoners returned (agreed to, however there were no living prisoners to be given back)
* Church of Yelloman would not attempt to seize further territory
* Only the Hated given control over Anton, Bear Valley Golf Course and Death Road
* Upon the expiration of agreement to end hostilities in 2012, delegates reconvene to negotiate future of Kodiak
* Alliance between the Church of Yelloman and United Commonwealth formally declared
==Religious Beliefs==
The fundamental beliefs of the Church of Yelloman (Yelloism) are centered around the figure of Yelloman, a sun deity believed in by all Church of Yelloman members. The Church believes that they are the people who have been chosen to lead the cleansing of the earth by Yelloman in order to turn it into their kingdom. They view anyone outside of the Church who doesn't believe in Yelloman as Malthesians, or a non believer. In their religion, these Malthesians are to be killed whenever the chance is available. 
=== The Great Collapse ===
The Great Collapse is the name given to the events of the Great War of 1987 in the Yelloism faith. Chuck Temple and Robert Collins believe this to be the moment where humanity abandoned Yelloman and attempted to destroy his kingdom, spurring Yelloman to take action and lead Chuck Temple to start the Church of Yelloman. They view the collapse of world order as an opportunity for Yelloism to take root and save the population.
===Yelloman's Crusade===
A core tenant of Yelloism is the belief that in time, Yelloman will call upon his children to sweep down from the mountains and purge the earth of all Malthesians, claiming the land for those who deserve it. Yelloman's Crusade includes tearing down any structures not built by the Church in order to return the land to how Yelloman says it should be. In addition to this, anyone who does not convert to Yelloism is killed on the spot, with their bodies said to enrich the soil.
===The Dirge===
In Yelloism, the underworld where any Malthesian or Church member who strays from the path goes is known as the Dirge. It is believed to be a world made up of lakes of fire and rocky cliffs, where Malthesians are locked in a continual war amongst themselves, caught in a cycle of slaughter and rebirth for all eternity. Yelloman arrives once every decade to offer a few sinners a second chance, taking them back to the surface and allowing them to join the Church. It is believed that babies born usually take the redeemed soul of someone in the Dirge. The concept of the Dirge compels Church members to slaughter non believers, because they believe it gives them a chance for redemption.
=== Yelloman's Decrees ===
There are several decrees that are core tenets of the Church of Yelloman (Kodiak Chapter) that are accepted as facts of life, they are claimed by Robert Collins to have been told to him by Yelloman himself.
# You shall not kill a Child of the Sun, your blade may only end a Malthesian's life.
# You shall not give any respect or mercy to a Malthesian. 
# No Malthesian is lost, one must attempt to bring them to the light before the final solution may be administered. 
# Love all Children of the Sun.
=== Robert Collins' Contingency Plan ===
A plan outlined by Prophet Robert Collins requires that if Prophet Robert Collins is to be killed by any outside force, all members of the Church are to take their own life so as to join him in in Yelloman's Kingdom and prepare for the crusade. Yelloman's Missionaries however are to leave the Monaska Mountains and camp out in groups of 5, devoting their lives to acts of terror against the outside world. 
== Church Structure ==
The structure of the Church of Yelloman largely consist of divisions under members of Prophet Robert Collins' Inner Circle. This section will explore the various organizations under the Church of Yelloman, as well as who is in charge of them.
=== Prophet Robert Collins - Church Leader ===
Prophet Robert Collins has acted as the leader of the Church of Yelloman since the April Coup in 1999. Every division answers to him and he largely delegates duty to others, however he will personally manage projects and operations if need be. Collins often accompanies the armed forces in their major engagements, especially if he feels the conflict is incredibly important. He is also heavily involved within the religious services, delivering sermons more often than Samuel Murdoch, the official church preacher (note: this was prior to the death of Murdoch).
Largely, Collins manages his inner circle and their operations with their respective divisions. They meet together very often in Citadel Solis, with circle members reporting how their operations are going, and discussing with Collins on what to do next.
=== Annette - Commander of Armed Forces ===
Annette, one of Collins closest friends, is in charge of the operations of the Church's armed forces, known as the Army of the Sun. Interesting, despite Annette being the one placed in charge of the Army of the Sun, for important campaigns other members of the inner circle are brought in to lead divisions of the army. Annette is in charge of the arming, training and organizing the Army of the Sun, taking part in the appointing of officers, personally training combat commanders and managing the equipping of new recruits. Having been in charge of the Army of the Sun since the April Coup, Annette was largely responsible for the complete reorganization of the army to facilitate guerrilla warfare. This took form in the column system, in which the organizational level of the column is made up of around 10 soldiers, likely those who are very familiar with one another, who are able to operate independently but also join together for a larger formation. These columns spent a majority of their time constantly moving among the forests and mountains, remaining nomadic and attacking opponents when the opportunity presents itself. 
Annette, prior to Robert Collins' ascension to power in the April Coup, was a squad leader during the Kodiak Civil War, being one of the few successful enough to stick around. Her close relationship to Collins in this period leader her to be the most experienced and seasoned combat leader within the Church. Her experience as an on the ground leader influences her personal touches into the Army of the Sun, such as her insistence on training officers in the field to fully prepare them. She has also appointed several seasoned commanders to more senior leadership commands, being in charge of the regional sections of the army. She also remains in control of the Army of the South, the most important leadership position amongst the divisions.
==== Gordon Winthroder - Commander of the Army of the West ====
Winthroder is a senior officer whom was appointed by Annette in the early 2000s to manage the troops located in the Western Monaska Mountains, which were reorganized into the Army of the West. As this was still during the period of the Monaska Expedition, the Army of the West is made up of 7 columns, in total numbering about 70 troops in 2007. The Army of the West was responsible for the victory at Van Dyke Pass, stopping a joint Only the Hated and Kodiak Oblast force from reaching the interior of the Monaska Mountains. 
==== Patrick O'Connell - Commander of the Army of the East ====
O'Connell is the senior officer appointed by Annette after the harsh battle of Virginia Creek in 2002, in order to put the region under control. He organized the remaining Church forces in the region into the Army of the East, the smallest force at the time, being only 5 columns. They would see little further action for the remainder of the Kodiak Civil War, apart from skirmishes and ambushes in the region. 
=== Samuel Murdoch (Deceased) - Religious Services ===
Samuel Murdoch was formerly in charge of the religious services of the Church of Yelloman up until October 12th. He would deliver sermons in various Church outposts, mostly Fort Fides and Citadel Solis, but would visit smaller encampments in order to encourage the troops. He gained a great deal of loyalty among Church members during the Kodiak Civil War when Robert Collins was largely too busy to deliver sermons to the followers. It is speculated that this loyalty is what caused him to be assassinated by Yelloman's Missionaries.
=== Leon Mariana - Commander of Yelloman's Missionaries ===
Leon Mariana is among the most controversial members of Collins' inner circle, thanks in large part to his role as the commander of Yelloman's Missionaries. The numerous atrocities committed by the missionaries have caused him to be feared within the church, with Collins often leaving him out of meetings and choosing to deal with him personally. Still the missionaries perform a vital service for the Church, special operations as well as providing new recruits or manpower for labor. 
=== Jacob Lee - Chief of Construction ===
Jacob Lee is the coordinator for all Church construction projects, notably the massive rebuilding and improving of infrastructure after the conclusion of the Kodiak Civil War. However during the Monaska Expedition, Lee was responsible for the construction of smaller encampments, such as those found in Van Dyke Pass and Virginia Creek, both of which were sites of pivotal battles. 
=== Michael Reed - Agricultural Coordinator ===
Michael Reed, a farmer before the periods of conflict in Kodiak, was appointed by Robert Collins to begin turning the Monaska mountains into a self sufficient territory. He created many small crop fields and through introducing smaller gardens very nearly succeeded in making the Church self sufficient. During the Monaska Expedition he was more involved in the acquisition of food, an act that he controversially accomplished through theft and hunting of local wildlife.
== Prominent Church Locations ==
=== Citadel Solis ===
Citadel Solis is the capital of the Church of Yelloman, a fortress made up of earthworks reinforced by wood, as well as a stone building at its center. It was the site of an engagement between Robert Collins and Chuck Temple during the April Coup, where Collins seized power of the Church from Temple. It is where Robert Collins and the inner council live during times of peace, and conduct much of Church action from there.
=== Fort Fides ===
Fort Fides is a small fort located near Mount Aprilis. It functions as a checkpoint from the only known road leading into the Monaska Mountains. It was also the place where Robert Collins began his movement to remove Chuck Temple during the April Coup. Now it functions as the unofficial headquarters of Annette and where Yelloman offensive operations begin.
=== Mount Aprilis ===
Mount Aprilis, formerly Mount Temple is the highest peak in all of Kodiak, atop which a wooden statue of Yelloman has been placed. It was renamed Mount Aprilis after the events of the April Coup, where Chuck Temple for whom the mountain was named was killed and lost favor in the Church, so it was decided to rename the peak to Mount Aprilis, after the name of month the coup took place during. It also features Judgement Point, a prominent religious location.
=== Judgement Point ===
Judgement point is a ledge on Mount Aprilis that juts out over the mountain and is a lethal fall. In Yelloism it is believed this is the point where one can speak to Yelloman, or Yelloman can interfere directly with the world, believed due to it being the highest easily accessible point and therefor closest to the sun. In a more infamous use, for which the point earned its name, it is an execution point from which prisoners or church dissidents are thrown off the ledge. It is said that if the party is innocent and a true believer Yelloman will intervene and save their life, while if they are a Malthesian they will die. None are known to have survived the fall.
=== The Hole ===
The Hole is a cave system utilized by Yelloman's Missionaries for their torture and conversion of captured prisoners. Little is known about the cave system, other than the speculation that there is a dumping ground for bodies is inside, a fact believed due to the smell of rotting flesh coming from the cave. It is rumored that Leon Mariana has a private abode in the cave, but it has never been confirmed. 
=== Eastern Reach ===
Eastern Reach is a fortified area in the Eastern reaches of the Monaska Mountains, utilized as a point of influence and as a staging point for attacks. It was also the site of the Battle of Eastern Reach in the Kodiak Civil War. 
=== Salvation Trail ===
Salvation Trail is the name given to a dirt road leading from Kodiak City all the way to the entrance to the Monaska Mountains at Fort Fides. It has been travelled by many who have been recruited by the Church of Yelloman, but also by Yelloman's Missionaries when bringing back kidnapped citizens. 
== Chapters of the Church of Yelloman ==
=== The Kodiak Chapter ===
The Kodiak Chapter is the primary chapter of the Church of Yelloman, the chapter this article describes. It was initially founded by Chuck Temple but is currently headed by Prophet Robert Collins. 
=== The Montana Chapter ===
The Montana Chapter is headed by Daniel Brodrick and occupies a large expanse of territory in Montana. It is at war with multiple citizen militia groups and now the United Commonwealth, who intervened against the Montana Chapter at Robert Collins' request. Their religious beliefs differ from the Kodiak Chapter in that they apply racist ideology to Yelloism, which advocates the belief that only Celtic and Germanic peoples, such as the Anglo-Saxon, Nordic nations, or Aryan people and people of kindred blood, belong to Yelloism. Similar to Christian Identity
=== The Massachusetts Chapter ===
The Massachusetts Chapter is lead by Joseph Valera and occupies a territory inside of the New England Republic, with whom they are at war. Their religious beliefs differ in their acceptance of modern technology, a fact that has lead them to be very successful militarily, continually fighting off forces of the New England Republic.
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