Zarak Uraz

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Zarak of House Uraz was a Yeharene Diasee (Prophet) and founding father of Sofalssian religion, as well as the first theocratic leader in Sofalss. His leadership and charisma were decisive in defeat of House Öz in the civil war of northern Yeharene tribal confederacy.
==Early priesthood==
Temple of Sofalss was ordered built by the Dia (chief) Beljuk Öz of Terafalssian-Sofalssian confederacy to honour the twelve Yeharene gods and display Rukh's mask, the strange object that was discovered on an Inner sea island after the Dharukh. This mask of Syanese origin was thought by the Yeharenes to belong to Rukh, the god that had fallen from heavens to the sea in the cataclysm. New temple soon became a centre for pilgrims from near and far, which encouraged growth of the town. The man who had preached of mask's divine origin and head of local priests, Zarak, was a strong and ambitious leader who was almost killed by a childhood disease that turned his eyes white and blind, and half of the left half of his face charred and reddish, filled with blisters and scars. He was seen as repulsive, but he had a wise voice and a good memory. His voice was very deep and strong, and he spoke slowly and in parables.
To increase his influence, Zarak started to talk about prophecies, of angels coming forth to bow in reverence before mysterious mask, and that the angels would come with gifts to him, to show that he - Zarak Uraz - was chosen to lead the Yehar. The dominant Öz family did not like him, seeing him as an instigator and a demagogue, but they tolerated him due to the fear of his followers. Zarak also started to make symbols on wood tablets, to make the novices remember his teachings.
==Civil war==
One year after Zarak's revelation, a Syanese ship from the northern city of Talmoä appeared near the Yehari coast. Locals were amazed by the ship with a pillar which had wings (sails), making it "fly on the water". Several men and women with masks, guarded by muscular bodyguards, made their way to the Temple of Sofalss while a huge gathering of foreign and domestic followers of Zarak formed a procession for the "angels" who wanted the mask retrieved. As Zarak made his appearance, the Syanese bowed for him, and he gave them back the mask to be retrieved for Rukh and invited them. As soldiers loyal to the confederation attempted to stop the mask theft, Zarak's followers attacked them, leading to the killing of 33 warriors and 100 Zarakene followers. This led to an all-out civil war amongst the local Yeharenes who aligned them either with Öz confederacy or Zarak's theocratic faction.
The war begun with Zarak taking over in Sofalss, with confederate army reacting and moving from old capital settlement Terafalss to stomp out the rebellion. It managed to defeat the rebel militia outside of the town, but with major losses. Taking most of the town, a battle erupted in the middle of the city but Zarak's followers managed to drive out the enemy from the very gates of the temple. The army retreated and called up new recruits. The rebels meanwhile mobilised a lightly equipped army which consisted of peasants, townspeople and foreign adventurers. After a period of raids and skirmishing, the Temple's army met the Öz army outside of a hill named Amalss, where they had taken position. Despite heavy attacks from the Öz Army, the battle was inconclusive and strategically a victory for rebels, whose ranks were constantly growing. About one year after that, the rebellion had engulfed most of the confederate territory. After a final attack, the remnants of the confederacy dissipated, leaving the theocracy victorious and approximately 30,000 dead in a decade of fighting. Zarak was hailed as a saviour, but his message in the near abroad was received with great suspicion amongst the local chiefs.
==Leader of Sofalss and death==
Following the war, the food surplus drew migrants - relieved rural labourers - to Sofalss, where they would like to have a chance to see the Diasee. Meanwhile, more contacts was estabalished with Syanese world and the Sofalssians learned from a few Talmoän Sarszas who had been forced by Zarak's command to stay behind as advisors and teachers. Plow, calendar and (Syanese) alphabet were all first adopted from Syan to Yehar during Zarak's rule as the Diasee. Priests Umak and Amran sent by Zarak to prosetylize made successful inroads in the north-east towards the Kapafurun straits, and small communities of followers sprang up there.
Zarak chose a lowborn priest called Enneak as his successor and gave him a title of Disinia. The Prophet subsequently gained pneumonia and died in year 77 after Dharukh (after the Beïveï), to be replaced by Enneak who estabalished the Supreme Council to collectively lead the Temple. Zarak was buried below the stone floor of his temple.
Category:Yeharene people
Category:Yeharenes
Category:Prophets
Category:Religious leaders
Category:Heads of state