Strafe Witnesses

"Light was called and light became."

**Strafe Witnesses** is a global occult and military organization that combines the traits of a charismatic sect (such as, for example, the Church of Scientology) and a militarized religious group (such as ISIS). The key statement of the Witnesses’ doctrine is the ‘rebirth’ of humankind through the Crystalline. The organization is directed by its founder and all-time leader, Alan Seer, who allegedly predicted the Strafe and has been venerated as the Prophet ever since.

## History

In 2017, Alan Seer, a famous American psychic, published a prophecy about ‘the rain of brimstone and fire’ that would allegedly hit Earth in November 2027. The media never gave this prediction much attention, but Seer managed to gather a handful of followers, which started the Strafe Witnesses movement. In the early 2020s, the donations started flowing in, growing the sect’s operational budget rapidly. Following Seer’s orders, the followers invested significant amounts into arms production, short-frequency communications, developments in medicine and biochemistry.

On November 27, 2027, when fragments of Object X hit the Earth, no one except the Witnesses was ready for such a large-scale catastrophe. The next day, Seer released a video clip that became known as Directive No.1. The clip quickly went viral. With his usual felicity of phrase, Seer called on everyone to join the Witnesses, because, according to him, only they could become part of the new era of ‘reborn’ humankind. Within the next few weeks, while authorities and governments were recovering and counting casualties, the Strafe Witnesses turned into the world’s largest cult.

## Structure

The structure of the organization comprises three branches known as ‘pillars’.

**The Pillar of Faith** is the branch that deals with cult propaganda and recruitment of followers. Since the Witnesses have officially been labeled an extremist organization, the Pillar of Faith acts as autonomous undercover cells that, in their turn, create cells of the second and third order. These cells are led by Canons – spiritual mentors and conduits of the Prophet’s will.

**The Pillar of Creation** is the branch that conducts research at the secret bases. It is composed of followers with medical, scientific, or engineering background. The goal of this branch is to study the Crystalline from both scientific and mystical perspectives. The High Canon of the Pillar of Creation is Dr. Hanne-Marie Vickers, a former member of the Heidelberg Group and one of the world’s most renowned Crystalline experts.

**The Pillar of Wrath** is the combat wing of the Witnesses, an organization with a military hierarchy tasked with establishing control over Impact Zones, conducting field research, and arranging a continuous supply of Red Salt to the secret bases. Members of this branch are unofficially referred to as ‘Strafers’. The commander of this army is Jan-Gerd Pretorius, the right hand of the Prophet and his main advisor on the matters of tactics, security, and espionage.

## Occupation

The activities of the Witnesses are directed at attracting as many followers as possible and establishing control over Impact Zones. The goal of every Witness is Rebirth—modification of their body with Red Salt while preserving human will. In other words, hybridization of human and the Crystalline. To achieve Rebirth, a supplicant must pass the Trial, a ritual during which they willingly ingest a Crystalline-based concoction. Despite the fact that most supplicants do not endure the Trial, some manage to achieve control over the transformation process. Such Witnesses become the Chosen and obtain various superpowers while preserving control over their own mind.

The ultimate goal of the Witnesses is a world where only the ‘reborn’ will remain. According to the Prophet’s vision, in this world, the new ‘evolved’ humanity will take control over the Voice and will be able to command the Crystalline.

## Funding

Alan Seer started the cult in 2017, 10 years before the Strafe event. He knew it was going to happen, and he knew where the cult money needed to be invested. Biochemistry. Pharmacy. Arms production. By late 2027, the operational budget of the Witnesses accounted for billions of dollars. They were ready to deploy after the Strafe, when everyone else was shocked and counting losses.

## In-Game Appearance

For information on the in-game enemies, please visit Strafers.

Alan Seer can be seen in the Intro.