Pax-Viribus Theocracy

## Overview

The Pax-Viribus Theocracy is a religiously driven society that currently resides on the eastern half of the Primus Territory, and are the primary antagonist of the Iron Coalition in the current era. Ultimately driven into exile in Y4050 by the IC, they developed a parallel society, eventually rivaling the military and economic strength of their former persecutors. Paganistic in nature, members of the PVT worship lakes, mountains, and other sacred features that allowed them to germinate and expand across the territory over the millennia. They employ a communal system of society, with senior members called Seers divining the allocation of their resources and labor from perceived ancient entities called the Gods Of The Passage. PVT doctrine dictates that every year, families send their daughters of proper age to the Voortrekker Temple in the city of Ziggurat, to be supernaturally impregnated with the next generation of acolytes in a process known as Allimana's Bounty. In this way they claim to maintain a genetically pure and superior stock that provides them social and military advantages. The modern interpretation of the religion can be attributed to historical figure Matriarch Ingrid RooiKraal, a PVT faithful who was instrumental in uniting the splintered sects in Y2134 from across the western lands of the Primus Territory.

### History

#### Early History

Theologists say early iterations of the religion formed sometime in the early 1,000's as factions split off from the early groups of Havanites. While the majority of the Havanite migration was atheistic, small groups performed rudimentary prayers and rituals on their crops and dwellings. These persons were feared by their communities and many were cast out. However, fertile land at the time was not in short supply, and these outcasts eventually banded together and founded communities of their own. This cycle of segregation seemed to have continued for hundreds of years, until there was a well defined distinction between Havanite and PVT cultures. Havanite culture tended to be more individualistically driven, where as the PVT culture was far more communal and of course religiously oriented.

#### Pax-Viribus Ascendancy

For many years the Havanites and the PVT grew alongside one another with varying degrees of tension. While Havanite kingdoms quarreled amongst each other and went through a revolving door of regime changes, the PVT remained resolute, biding their time maintaining a decisive hold on their territory region. Early settlements like Messiah and Lexington slowly but surely emptied out, as many desired to emigrate to a more stable PVT society. Despite this marked shift in demographics the PVT largely refrained from engaging the Havanites, adhering to their core pacifist beliefs. It was indeed the case that no single Havanite kingdom alone could challenge their power as they were far too divided, and busy warring amongst themselves.

#### Pax-Viribus Decline and Subjugation

This theologically driven advantage though would not last forever, as technological advances within the Havanite empire inched them closer to achieving regional superiority. Advances in communications and trade networks brought the fractured Havanite society closer together, while the PVT largely eschewed such technologies. As the Havanite sphere of influence grew, its leaders itched to conquer new lands. in Y2453, they began a war against the PVT in earnest, making a full assault on their holdings in the region.

This offensive did not work in the Havanites' favor initially. Long-standing PVT fortresses Such as Fort Salamar and Fort Sable repelled initial Havanite assaults with ease. It was not until Y2489 at the battle of Cossack Pass that a decisive shift in the balance of power between the two forces was achieved. However, rather than a systematic routing of the PVT from the region by the Havanite hordes, a lowly pilgrim named St.Magnus Bothan The Meek managed to successfully plead clemency in Y2491 for the bedraggled remnants of the PVT. Their cities and citizens were absorbed into the Havanite empire, and were allowed to practice their religion provided that they pay tithe and swear their fealty.

This arrangement continued for many years, with the two societies exchanging cultures and customs. Many citizens of the empire preferred the social stability provided by the doctrines of the PVT, and cities such as Tiber Gracchus were constructed and flourished as a result.

#### Pax-Viribus Civil Unrest

Unfortunately such peace never lasts, and members of the Havanite political class began to fear the growing popularity of the PVT as a threat to their power. In Y3164 a flurry of dictates were passed that attacked the very roots of PVT society. Known to the empire as "Stemming Measures", PVT land and farms were expropriated, idolatry and temples destroyed, and PVT dignitaries publicly executed. Much of the Havanite empire in fact condemned such a brutal attack by the political class on what was generally agreed to be a peaceful peoples, but the smoldering seeds of disdain had been sewn. The humiliated PVT citizens strengthened their resolve and quietly plotted revenge against the tyrannical empire.

While battered and bruised, PVT worship continued where it could. Places like Broadchapel and Tiber Gracchus still held a significant amount of PVT worship, and trade between them and the empire eked out a tenuous existence. Understandably this state of affairs infuriated members of the PVT, who quickly took to fomenting an underground rebellion. Many arms and materiel were smuggled in through port harbors at Tiber Gracchus, proliferating across the empire by way of Thresh Fiber shipments and other city exports. slowly but surely the social temperature of the empire began to rise as administrative buildings and posts were sporadically vandalized and attacked. The empire increasingly clamped down on PVT activity, virtually eradicating public worship and encouraging citizens to turn in anyone found to be a member of the PVT. Educational institutions began comprehensive propaganda campaigns to program and tune public opinions.

#### Genocide and Exile

Tensions literally exploded in Y4050 when PVT militant Daght Solari detonated a large explosive device during an imperial senate hearing, killing 7 senators and wounding 23 others. This attack shook the empire to its core and obliterated whatever relations the PVT and the Havanites had left. A brutal campaign of subsequent internment and extermination by the empire followed in its wake. The genocide culminated in the razing of Tiber Gracchus, and the expulsion of remaining PVT groups from the empire in the event known as Allimana's Tears.

After the massacre at Tiber Gracchus and the subsequent exile, the remaining PVT members were resigned to wither away under the blistering sun of the Synovian Desert. With no navigation equipment and very little supplies for sustenance, the ragged group of exiles wandered blindly into the desert, their numbers dwindling with the passing months. For two years the last of PVT peoples struggled to find their way, until they stumbled upon the city of Messer. It was there that they met the Sacred Wanderers, who took pity on them and their plight. At Messer the PVT was replenished in body, mind and spirit: They were taught and shown new technologies and ways of life by the ancient Jennanites, and tools to aid them in their exodus.

#### Building of a Parallel Society

After learning the secrets taught to them by the Sacred Wanderers, the rejuvenated PVT peoples quickly spread across the eastern lands, creating city after city. Within but a few generations the PVT managed to create an economy as well as an army that could challenge the coalition's iron grip over the land.