SWITHWARDIAN HISTORY
For pre-establishment information, see Ancient History - Nifid.
TIME AND DATES
For your convenience, the dates provided on this translated page are in an easy-to-understand format and reflective of your homeworld or species' timeline. In some cases, as when your species is unknown to us, the dates default to Earth Year (EY), specifically Before Common Era (BCE) and Common Era (CE) rather than Galactic Unified Time (GUT) or Convocation Standard Time (CST). The Greater Nifidium Convocation follows a unified format throughout its territories - each witherward's local time is based upon the rotation of the planet and its orbit, and is combined with CST.
PROTOHISTORY - SPOREFALL
2.9 bya SPOREFALL Sagittarius Arm
2.4 bya: SPOREFALL Orion Arm
2.1 bya: SPOREFALL Sol System
100,000 BCE: SPOREFALL Trifid Nebula and outlining territories
SPOREFALL is a naturally occurring method of cosmic-scale propagation. It is believed that the Nifidum utilizes "tatters" from SPOREFALL as beacons when penetrating new quadrants. The estimated date of SPOREFALL does not indicate the date the Nifidium arrived at that location.
2.4 bya: SPOREFALL Orion Arm
2.1 bya: SPOREFALL Sol System
100,000 BCE: SPOREFALL Trifid Nebula and outlining territories
SPOREFALL is a naturally occurring method of cosmic-scale propagation. It is believed that the Nifidum utilizes "tatters" from SPOREFALL as beacons when penetrating new quadrants. The estimated date of SPOREFALL does not indicate the date the Nifidium arrived at that location.
ESTABLISHMENT OF THREE PROVINCES, TRIFID NEBULA - NOTABLE DATES IN HISTORY
82,000 BCE: Artificial genesis of Trifid stars' planetary systems
470 - 462 BCE: Vitellary, Nacarat and Liard Provinces established in Trifid Nebula
106 CE: Vitellary Province becomes Straka Witherward
128 CE: Straka Witherward engineers C-Series constructs
144 CE: Straka Witherard produces MAB First Line
342 CE: Liard Province becomes Tego Witherward
580 CE: Nacarat Province becomes Swith Witherward
744 CE: Swith Witherward charged with continuing development of seeded Earth
784 CE: Terraforming for Earth province begins
789 CE: Straka Witherward Engineers M-Series
1162 CE: Swithwardian Vox Populi, the Wreaver Vardimin Swith, destroyed on routine flight to Earth;
Nardana Sage appointed Vox Populi
470 - 462 BCE: Vitellary, Nacarat and Liard Provinces established in Trifid Nebula
106 CE: Vitellary Province becomes Straka Witherward
128 CE: Straka Witherward engineers C-Series constructs
144 CE: Straka Witherard produces MAB First Line
342 CE: Liard Province becomes Tego Witherward
580 CE: Nacarat Province becomes Swith Witherward
744 CE: Swith Witherward charged with continuing development of seeded Earth
784 CE: Terraforming for Earth province begins
789 CE: Straka Witherward Engineers M-Series
1162 CE: Swithwardian Vox Populi, the Wreaver Vardimin Swith, destroyed on routine flight to Earth;
Nardana Sage appointed Vox Populi
AGE OF BELLICOSITY
1186 CE: Nifidium turns inward
1201 CE: Invidis ("the jealous ones") expelled from Nifidium Core 1202 CE: Nifidium heals, reforms the Greater Convocation 1204 CE: The Great Purge - Invidis routed from coreworld Collatis Mentibus holding territories within Inward 1221 CE: Contagion arrives in Trifid Nebula 1222 CE: Adomovi Trilb born in Straka. Dr. Trilb is known as one of the greatest contributors towards artificial intelligence and construct design 1240 CE: Straka engineers N-Series 1242-1246 CE: N-Series S-Strain vatted 1258 CE: Ba'a attack Straka Witherward; Adomvi Trilb dies in attack on the Triumvir Scientem Research facility, H'ruvipith 1259 CE: N-Series fully amalgamated into Exoskeleton Program. NSA 9v1 ("Nessa", GNC registry Mayhem); NSL 3v1 ("Nessle", GNC registry Grim) and NST 3v1 ("Neste", GNC registry Malice) tethered as third "Unholy Trinity" 1262 CE: Unholy Trinity reallocated for Invidis eradication effort 1410 CE: NSA 9v1 damaged during attack, removed from Trinity. Sister-Union paired with MAB CTG 1v1 (GNC registry CarTulg). CTG paired with two other MABS to form the Enneagonon 1614 CE: First Earth immigrants arrive in Swith Witherward 1732 CE: Swithwardian Vox Populi Nardana Sage refuses continuing personal eugenics 1734 CE: Swithwardian Vox Populi Nardana Sage passes quietly in her sleep; Loriis Marga appointed Vox Populi 1734 CE: Invidis contagion spreads to Swith Witherward capital planet Nacarat |
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TIMES OF OPPRESSION
The contagion remained concealed, with changes occurring so slowly that the average citizen remained unaware of them. Unknown to Vox Populi Nardana Sage, the Nifid Deducendae were subjugated and imprisoned, and replaced with Invidis Deducendae. Subtle shifts began with the appointment of wreaver Lord Loriis Marga to the position of Vox Populi following the death of Sage.
Colonization from Earth affected population during this time. The predominantly wreaver colony shifted into human majority as Marga sent more and more of his corrupted people into the Convocation's Inwards. The shift caused the Convocation to begin reconsidering the Vox Populi position, with some thought given to transferring Marga to a wreaver witherward. Marga appealed their decision and was allowed to remain in Swith.
In the third season of 1871, Marga suffered an accident while engaged in personal recreation. The Convocation considered the need for a future replacement regardless of where Marga was positioned. The selection and appointment of Drastus D'Prieg, the first human to serve as Vox Populi, came as a complete surprise to the witherward's government and to the Trifid Nebula Collatis Mentabus. Relations between Straka and Tego witherwards severed under ill-founded claims of specieism; in fact, it was because they, too, had been overtaken by contagion. The Invidis sought to keep the witherwards divided.
Drastus D'Prieg was sent to Core for augmentation and indoctrination Inward. Accompanying him was The Magister Utriusque Militiae, Sir Grundle "Bacon" Baconni, Greater Nifidium Convocation Legate for the Trifid Naltatap Sixth Iteration Proelium. A friendship blossomed between the two.
They returned to find a new MAB appointed, and policies implemented that weren't reflective standard practices formerly followed in Trifid. Baconni was called away to deal with incursion upon the borders, and D'Prieg found himself isolated. As recorded in his personal journal, "I am no more than a sane man walking in an insane parody of what once was my home. The walls have ears. My paranoia grows. I am adrift, and long to hear the reassuring laughter of my dear Bacon."
Lord Loriis Marga was assassinated by Vartoff Harg-Sage, a self-proclaimed prophet, in 1901. Lord Drastus D'Prieg assumed the Vox Populi office and met with the Deducendae in summer of that same year. There was an immediate distrust of them on his part. "They are not the same as before. Though they bear the names I remember from my childhood, their manner of behavior bespeaks that of something entirely "un-Nifid". I grow more wary, though my suspicions are based only on hunches. Call it human intuition."
Unbeknownst to all within, the Trifid Nebula fell under complete Invidis control. The Deducendae restricted all communication beyond the Trifid level. The Vox Populi found himself slowly pushed out of government process by the Deducendae, and regulated to nothing more than a head of state. It was decided that he should directly oversee projects in the witherward's Thési Érevnah Province. Left to his own devices, regulated to only diplomatic title, D'Prieg began to quietly question everything, and established ties with former foreign enemies at neutral diplomatic functions. Living conditions on the capital planet became more oppressive in his absence, reaching total citizen oppression by 1970.
It was during this time that the Deducendae banned citizens from owning property or businesses. Books came under scrutiny, with only Deducendae-approved texts used to indoctrinate offspring in schools. All youth groups were disbanded save the Kvechnith, an organization which promised the brightest students a future in the three Triumvir. Local governments were dissolved and oversight managers implemented in order to curtail any citizen activity that could be deemed inappropriate or contrary to the "new Nifid standards". Conformity was imposed, tourism ceased, and every effort was made to outwardly make the witherward appear sleek and well-heeled. Those that failed to comply were taken away for the Citizen Integration Project. It was soon discovered that this Project did little to integrate anyone; the facility was nothing but a death camp.
Swithwardians of all species attempted to organize resistance against what they thought were their Nifid oppressors, but were repeatedly met with betrayal by members of their own groups. This did not prevent them from harassing via sabotage, though their efforts were frequently met with brutal force. The resistance movement was veiled by various religious bodies. Known as the Holy Underground, it operated under the guise of helping the poor and destitute, or those unable to contribute to society. The Deducendae banned all organized religion in 1979, but it could not entirely stifle the Holy Underground's activities.
Colonization from Earth affected population during this time. The predominantly wreaver colony shifted into human majority as Marga sent more and more of his corrupted people into the Convocation's Inwards. The shift caused the Convocation to begin reconsidering the Vox Populi position, with some thought given to transferring Marga to a wreaver witherward. Marga appealed their decision and was allowed to remain in Swith.
In the third season of 1871, Marga suffered an accident while engaged in personal recreation. The Convocation considered the need for a future replacement regardless of where Marga was positioned. The selection and appointment of Drastus D'Prieg, the first human to serve as Vox Populi, came as a complete surprise to the witherward's government and to the Trifid Nebula Collatis Mentabus. Relations between Straka and Tego witherwards severed under ill-founded claims of specieism; in fact, it was because they, too, had been overtaken by contagion. The Invidis sought to keep the witherwards divided.
Drastus D'Prieg was sent to Core for augmentation and indoctrination Inward. Accompanying him was The Magister Utriusque Militiae, Sir Grundle "Bacon" Baconni, Greater Nifidium Convocation Legate for the Trifid Naltatap Sixth Iteration Proelium. A friendship blossomed between the two.
They returned to find a new MAB appointed, and policies implemented that weren't reflective standard practices formerly followed in Trifid. Baconni was called away to deal with incursion upon the borders, and D'Prieg found himself isolated. As recorded in his personal journal, "I am no more than a sane man walking in an insane parody of what once was my home. The walls have ears. My paranoia grows. I am adrift, and long to hear the reassuring laughter of my dear Bacon."
Lord Loriis Marga was assassinated by Vartoff Harg-Sage, a self-proclaimed prophet, in 1901. Lord Drastus D'Prieg assumed the Vox Populi office and met with the Deducendae in summer of that same year. There was an immediate distrust of them on his part. "They are not the same as before. Though they bear the names I remember from my childhood, their manner of behavior bespeaks that of something entirely "un-Nifid". I grow more wary, though my suspicions are based only on hunches. Call it human intuition."
Unbeknownst to all within, the Trifid Nebula fell under complete Invidis control. The Deducendae restricted all communication beyond the Trifid level. The Vox Populi found himself slowly pushed out of government process by the Deducendae, and regulated to nothing more than a head of state. It was decided that he should directly oversee projects in the witherward's Thési Érevnah Province. Left to his own devices, regulated to only diplomatic title, D'Prieg began to quietly question everything, and established ties with former foreign enemies at neutral diplomatic functions. Living conditions on the capital planet became more oppressive in his absence, reaching total citizen oppression by 1970.
It was during this time that the Deducendae banned citizens from owning property or businesses. Books came under scrutiny, with only Deducendae-approved texts used to indoctrinate offspring in schools. All youth groups were disbanded save the Kvechnith, an organization which promised the brightest students a future in the three Triumvir. Local governments were dissolved and oversight managers implemented in order to curtail any citizen activity that could be deemed inappropriate or contrary to the "new Nifid standards". Conformity was imposed, tourism ceased, and every effort was made to outwardly make the witherward appear sleek and well-heeled. Those that failed to comply were taken away for the Citizen Integration Project. It was soon discovered that this Project did little to integrate anyone; the facility was nothing but a death camp.
Swithwardians of all species attempted to organize resistance against what they thought were their Nifid oppressors, but were repeatedly met with betrayal by members of their own groups. This did not prevent them from harassing via sabotage, though their efforts were frequently met with brutal force. The resistance movement was veiled by various religious bodies. Known as the Holy Underground, it operated under the guise of helping the poor and destitute, or those unable to contribute to society. The Deducendae banned all organized religion in 1979, but it could not entirely stifle the Holy Underground's activities.
ENNEAGONON
In the autumn of 1979, the Trifid Naltatap's corrupted Collatis Mentibus was able to reroute a a transport in order to surreptitiously procure the fabled Enneagonon 437. The Naltatap's Migister Utriusque Militiae, Sir Grundle Baconni, attempted to contact the Greater Convocation to express his concerns; the Enneagonon's purpose is solely system invasion and not for maintaining civil order. The Collatis Mentibus intercepted the message, arrested Baconni for treason, and divided Enneagonon 437 into three units, each headed by its respective MAB. Each unit was dispatched to a Trifid witheward and placed under direct control of each witherward's Deducendae.
Enneagonon 437-1 was assigned to Swith. Commanded by MAB CTG 1v1 (GNC registry CarTulg), and containing the Sister-Union NSL 3v1 ("Nessle", GNC registry Grim) and NST 3v1 ("Neste", GNC registry Malice), it was directly responsible for the systemic capture, torture and purging of Holy Underground members.
By winter of 1979, nearly all Holy Underground cells had disbanded, either by force or through fear. Only one cell remained active - Liberty. Based out of the capital city itself, Liberty had curtailed the majority of its operations before year's end, though it maintained the underground railroad and continued its efforts to spread propaganda within the city in the hope of gaining Academy-based sympathizers.
In the spring of 1980, Grundle Baconni's aid, Jarat Nighsha, sent an encoded message to Drastus D'Prieg warning him of Nifid plans to use Enneagonon 437-1 and other means to destroy Tulgivuld It was hoped that such drastic measures would finally shatter the morale of all resistors. The message, delayed by the MAB, did not reach the Vox Populi in time.
Easter Sunday, 1980, marked the beginning of witherward citizenry annihilation. The story is best recounted by Madam Aubrey DeStephano, who witnessed it directly.
"It began, for me, the night they took my father away. Religion had been banned the previous year. He was conducting an illegal Easter service in an old warehouse before dawn when they rolled in. Enneagonon 437-1. The N-Series are mindless war machines when they're amalgamated in their exos. Massive, quick monsters that run along like bitter spiders. I was awoken from my bed by the vibration of their steps, and I poked a finger through my blind slats to see the warehouses on fire in the distance. They slaughtered the congregation, to the last, and then worked their way outwards in a kill zone a half mile in radius. I was only twelve. My mother took me from our room and fled to the Holy Underground."
Two hours later, the corrupted Trifid Nebula Collatis Mentibus ordered Enneagonon 437-1 to fall back, and then it released a directed energy blast on Tulgivuld. The total death count numbered over 2.5 million citizens, and 1.1 million constructs.
Enneagonon 437-1 was assigned to Swith. Commanded by MAB CTG 1v1 (GNC registry CarTulg), and containing the Sister-Union NSL 3v1 ("Nessle", GNC registry Grim) and NST 3v1 ("Neste", GNC registry Malice), it was directly responsible for the systemic capture, torture and purging of Holy Underground members.
By winter of 1979, nearly all Holy Underground cells had disbanded, either by force or through fear. Only one cell remained active - Liberty. Based out of the capital city itself, Liberty had curtailed the majority of its operations before year's end, though it maintained the underground railroad and continued its efforts to spread propaganda within the city in the hope of gaining Academy-based sympathizers.
In the spring of 1980, Grundle Baconni's aid, Jarat Nighsha, sent an encoded message to Drastus D'Prieg warning him of Nifid plans to use Enneagonon 437-1 and other means to destroy Tulgivuld It was hoped that such drastic measures would finally shatter the morale of all resistors. The message, delayed by the MAB, did not reach the Vox Populi in time.
Easter Sunday, 1980, marked the beginning of witherward citizenry annihilation. The story is best recounted by Madam Aubrey DeStephano, who witnessed it directly.
"It began, for me, the night they took my father away. Religion had been banned the previous year. He was conducting an illegal Easter service in an old warehouse before dawn when they rolled in. Enneagonon 437-1. The N-Series are mindless war machines when they're amalgamated in their exos. Massive, quick monsters that run along like bitter spiders. I was awoken from my bed by the vibration of their steps, and I poked a finger through my blind slats to see the warehouses on fire in the distance. They slaughtered the congregation, to the last, and then worked their way outwards in a kill zone a half mile in radius. I was only twelve. My mother took me from our room and fled to the Holy Underground."
Two hours later, the corrupted Trifid Nebula Collatis Mentibus ordered Enneagonon 437-1 to fall back, and then it released a directed energy blast on Tulgivuld. The total death count numbered over 2.5 million citizens, and 1.1 million constructs.
FREEDOM'S CRUCIBLE
D'Prieg returned to the capital planet only to find his former home in a state of near-devastation. He was met by what was left of Liberty, and taken to their last remaining stronghold: Pallata Station. In the early morning hours of Monday, 8th of April 1980, he spoke to the remnants of Liberty and the survived gathered by them.
"Good morning. There are no words to describe the depth of my despair. I don't need them. Not when I see my grief mirrored upon the faces of you standing before me. We who have assembled here do so at the darkest period of our history. To the west is what little remains of Tulgivuld. To the east - to the east lies the dawn. In less than an hour, the first rays of light will pierce this present darkness. We will peer out upon the blackened ground to witness the brutal degree of our loss. Some will falter in spirit. Others will be overcome entirely. Know this: our pain is the genesis of our resolve. We will welcome that dawn. We - we who stand here united by circumstance, shall rise together in unity of spirit. We will not let them annihilate us. We will not succumb to their wont. We, united, are drawing a line in the sand and proclaiming our independence. This is our crucible. From it we claim the purity of our freedom. Embrace the dawn, and let this be our mantra: 'Oderint dum metuant. Astra inclinant, sed non obligant!'"
Vox Populi Drastus D'Prieg
April 8th, 1980
The movement became known as Freedom's Crucible. D'Prieg himself joined the ranks of fearless resistance fighters. The first order of business was to free Grundle Baconni from Foxwald internment camp. The mission, dubbed Operation: Rose, was successfully completed on 12 May, 1980. Operation: Rose was pivotal in bolstering the resistance movement's resolve and in gaining supporters. By it, D'Prieg had done what no one else had dared to - take on Greater Construct forces and win.
[list of important battles]
Oppression increased in response to each new attack but the efforts did little to sway the hearts of those fighting so desperately to exist. Though it was in the Trifid Collatis Mentibus' power to destroy the planet itself, such extreme measure would gain the attention of the Greater Convocation. Unwilling to expose its operations and reveal the contagion, it pressed onward using ground forces to beat back D'Prieg's forces. Oddly, it sequestered the Enneagonon 437-1, and this unit saw no action after July of 2001. The witherward's Freedom's Crucible movement slowly spread to its sister witherwards, giving the Trifid Collatis Mentibus more than they had bargained for.
Freedom's Crucible lasted well into the autumn of 2009. It was during this time that Aubrey DeStephano and her small guerrilla band were able to infiltrate Enneagonon 437-1's creche, whereby they discovered that the unit itself had long ago grown suspicious and thus were kept imprisoned by the Deducendae. MAB CTG 1v1 expressed his concerns about a possible contagion regarding the Deducendae at the Triumviri Tier, and the Nifid at Trifid Nebula level. This message was related to D'Preig. DeStehano's band returned the the creche a second time in order to liberate Enneagonon 437-1 itself. For the first time since the Times of Oppression, the freedom fighters finally had Nifid technology on their side.
"Good morning. There are no words to describe the depth of my despair. I don't need them. Not when I see my grief mirrored upon the faces of you standing before me. We who have assembled here do so at the darkest period of our history. To the west is what little remains of Tulgivuld. To the east - to the east lies the dawn. In less than an hour, the first rays of light will pierce this present darkness. We will peer out upon the blackened ground to witness the brutal degree of our loss. Some will falter in spirit. Others will be overcome entirely. Know this: our pain is the genesis of our resolve. We will welcome that dawn. We - we who stand here united by circumstance, shall rise together in unity of spirit. We will not let them annihilate us. We will not succumb to their wont. We, united, are drawing a line in the sand and proclaiming our independence. This is our crucible. From it we claim the purity of our freedom. Embrace the dawn, and let this be our mantra: 'Oderint dum metuant. Astra inclinant, sed non obligant!'"
Vox Populi Drastus D'Prieg
April 8th, 1980
The movement became known as Freedom's Crucible. D'Prieg himself joined the ranks of fearless resistance fighters. The first order of business was to free Grundle Baconni from Foxwald internment camp. The mission, dubbed Operation: Rose, was successfully completed on 12 May, 1980. Operation: Rose was pivotal in bolstering the resistance movement's resolve and in gaining supporters. By it, D'Prieg had done what no one else had dared to - take on Greater Construct forces and win.
[list of important battles]
Oppression increased in response to each new attack but the efforts did little to sway the hearts of those fighting so desperately to exist. Though it was in the Trifid Collatis Mentibus' power to destroy the planet itself, such extreme measure would gain the attention of the Greater Convocation. Unwilling to expose its operations and reveal the contagion, it pressed onward using ground forces to beat back D'Prieg's forces. Oddly, it sequestered the Enneagonon 437-1, and this unit saw no action after July of 2001. The witherward's Freedom's Crucible movement slowly spread to its sister witherwards, giving the Trifid Collatis Mentibus more than they had bargained for.
Freedom's Crucible lasted well into the autumn of 2009. It was during this time that Aubrey DeStephano and her small guerrilla band were able to infiltrate Enneagonon 437-1's creche, whereby they discovered that the unit itself had long ago grown suspicious and thus were kept imprisoned by the Deducendae. MAB CTG 1v1 expressed his concerns about a possible contagion regarding the Deducendae at the Triumviri Tier, and the Nifid at Trifid Nebula level. This message was related to D'Preig. DeStehano's band returned the the creche a second time in order to liberate Enneagonon 437-1 itself. For the first time since the Times of Oppression, the freedom fighters finally had Nifid technology on their side.
DAY OF RECKONING
On 6 January 2010, D'Prieg launched the largest resistance operation to date. Comprised of not only his own freedom fighters, but also Ba'a and Thade forces, it was a final stand against the contagion. They took the battle to the Collatis Mentibus, arriving in ships to the Null where the Trifid's governing body had entrenched itself.
A small suicide cell breached the Trifid MAB's creche. Lead by Major Fiona Gualtier, their role was to distract the MAB in order to quickly shut down the Construct Thoughtwash. That distraction came at great personal sacrifice for Gualtier, but her actions were enough to buy the others time.
Captain Aubrey DeStephano pressed on. Accompanied by Enneagonon 437-1, DeStephano's forces were able to break through the outer barrier. Grim was utilized in blocking the Wash and scrambling signals, while Malice conveyed beyond the barrier. It was she that reached the Convocation proper, and through her Drastus D'Prieg was able to finally convey their plight.
In the early morning hours of 7 January, the Greater Convocation arrived. Enneagonon 437-1 joined with several other units in order to annihiliate the Null and everything else within the sector. Nothing remained of Invidis Collatis Mentibus. Death trailed in the Convocation's wake as it made its return to Swith. D'Prieg was reinstated as Vox Populi, and the imprisoned Nifid Deducendae liberated and restored to power. The Invidis were ferreted out and purged over the course of the year.
A small suicide cell breached the Trifid MAB's creche. Lead by Major Fiona Gualtier, their role was to distract the MAB in order to quickly shut down the Construct Thoughtwash. That distraction came at great personal sacrifice for Gualtier, but her actions were enough to buy the others time.
Captain Aubrey DeStephano pressed on. Accompanied by Enneagonon 437-1, DeStephano's forces were able to break through the outer barrier. Grim was utilized in blocking the Wash and scrambling signals, while Malice conveyed beyond the barrier. It was she that reached the Convocation proper, and through her Drastus D'Prieg was able to finally convey their plight.
In the early morning hours of 7 January, the Greater Convocation arrived. Enneagonon 437-1 joined with several other units in order to annihiliate the Null and everything else within the sector. Nothing remained of Invidis Collatis Mentibus. Death trailed in the Convocation's wake as it made its return to Swith. D'Prieg was reinstated as Vox Populi, and the imprisoned Nifid Deducendae liberated and restored to power. The Invidis were ferreted out and purged over the course of the year.
LIBERTY
In the summer of 2011, the Greater Convocation forces departed Swith in order to focus more on Straka and Tego witherwards, where the contageon ran much deeper. The Swithwardian government and the Nacarat population temporarily relocated to Earth in order for the Convocation to cleans Nacarat of infection. Many of the freedom fighters became leaders within that government.
In the absence of direct Convocation rule, and recognizing their needs to stand strong as a nation, the people moved to become liberated. The Convocation agreed, but insisted upon protectorate status rather than turning the witherward completely independent.
The rise of the citizen's liberties came at the cost of the Constructs'. Hatred and mistrust of them remained. Aubrey DeStephano fought to have Enneagonon 437-1's N-Series pardoned (its MAB had already been installed as the witherward's MAB, and renamed Tulg). Malice and Grim were sent to the Triumvir Scientem where, unbeknownst to her and to other leadership, the pair were tortured and reprogrammed. They remained abandoned, regulated to menial work.
Both were discovered by DeStephano in spring of 2012. She promptly concealed their registry callsigns and renamed them according to their original designation lettering. Nessle was sent to Madam Gualtier, and Neste reassigned to Ambassador Greven Sage. It is said that neither creature was entirely happy after their reprogramming, and Neste went missing in late summer of 2012 (it is believed she was destroyed while assigned as a diplomat to the Confedration of Agymnum). Sadly for her, not more than a year later the Convocation granted all remaining enneagonon freedom to return to their former glory, a process known as doxi which requires physical death in order to purge them from prior programming.
Swithwardians soon found themselves in a state of malcontent. They longed to see Nacarat again. Earth, while pretty, wasn't something that charmed them. The people grew more restless as the years dragged on. Finally, Lord D'Prieg put their current state to vote, and the people spoke loudly.
In the absence of direct Convocation rule, and recognizing their needs to stand strong as a nation, the people moved to become liberated. The Convocation agreed, but insisted upon protectorate status rather than turning the witherward completely independent.
The rise of the citizen's liberties came at the cost of the Constructs'. Hatred and mistrust of them remained. Aubrey DeStephano fought to have Enneagonon 437-1's N-Series pardoned (its MAB had already been installed as the witherward's MAB, and renamed Tulg). Malice and Grim were sent to the Triumvir Scientem where, unbeknownst to her and to other leadership, the pair were tortured and reprogrammed. They remained abandoned, regulated to menial work.
Both were discovered by DeStephano in spring of 2012. She promptly concealed their registry callsigns and renamed them according to their original designation lettering. Nessle was sent to Madam Gualtier, and Neste reassigned to Ambassador Greven Sage. It is said that neither creature was entirely happy after their reprogramming, and Neste went missing in late summer of 2012 (it is believed she was destroyed while assigned as a diplomat to the Confedration of Agymnum). Sadly for her, not more than a year later the Convocation granted all remaining enneagonon freedom to return to their former glory, a process known as doxi which requires physical death in order to purge them from prior programming.
Swithwardians soon found themselves in a state of malcontent. They longed to see Nacarat again. Earth, while pretty, wasn't something that charmed them. The people grew more restless as the years dragged on. Finally, Lord D'Prieg put their current state to vote, and the people spoke loudly.
ASCENDANCY OF RAPPROCHEMENT (OR THE WELCOMED RETURN)
In 2016, the Greater Convocation returned in full force to reclaim Swith witherward. Their return, while anticipated, was not expected to occur for another year. However the people, overjoyed to have full support again and a reason to return home, welcomed them with open arms, though they knew their prejudices against Constructs would need to be put aside.
It was not all without a hitch, however. The Convocation's sudden return meant a complete shutdown of existing government, and this came at a time when Lord D'Prieg and Madam Aubrey DeStephano were away. In fact, Sir Grundle Baconni, the Legate for the Trifid Naltatap, and the Tulg MAB were with them. All communication with the plane had been lost only hours before. Records indicated that it was a holiday trip of sorts to a small Earth country known as Highfort. A quick check of the news feeds indicated that the tiny nation had fallen from within. Her former government had gone underground, and possibly brought the Swithwardiand with them. Further digging revealed an order for agri-equipment to be shipped. As it was already underway, and seeing no reason to hamper it, the Convocation officials paused in their daily routine in order to quietly observe.
This was, after all, the same crew that had brazenly taken down a variant of their own species.
It was not all without a hitch, however. The Convocation's sudden return meant a complete shutdown of existing government, and this came at a time when Lord D'Prieg and Madam Aubrey DeStephano were away. In fact, Sir Grundle Baconni, the Legate for the Trifid Naltatap, and the Tulg MAB were with them. All communication with the plane had been lost only hours before. Records indicated that it was a holiday trip of sorts to a small Earth country known as Highfort. A quick check of the news feeds indicated that the tiny nation had fallen from within. Her former government had gone underground, and possibly brought the Swithwardiand with them. Further digging revealed an order for agri-equipment to be shipped. As it was already underway, and seeing no reason to hamper it, the Convocation officials paused in their daily routine in order to quietly observe.
This was, after all, the same crew that had brazenly taken down a variant of their own species.
UNOFFICIAL ANTHEM
"Oh Freedom", by Odetta, is a Swithwardian patriotic song reflective of this particular witherward's struggle to during Freedom's Crucible. There was much debate over adapting it as a new national anthem. "Oh Freedom" rose to popularity thanks to Miss Audrey Banks. Aged 9, she began singing it to comfort citizens; she later adopted it as her Freedom Cell's anthem, there are versions of it on various media sharing sites. A popular rendition is sung by Joan Baez on Earth.