Tomb of the Courageous
True courage is selfless. Emperor Ahraz died to demand liberation for the orcs of the Empire, in the face of great opposition, risking his position and reputation to do what he knew was right. Our world was changed forever by that courageous act. His tomb should be a beacon to all those who fight for their convictions, Ashborn Osso among them. Her bones will join the guardians of this holy ground. We have the true liao: Ashborn Trosk will provide it. "Do not fear to act; only be shamed by inaction."
Basil Goodbeard, Courage Assembly, Spring 388YE, Vote: Upheld with a Greater Majority 312-0Overview
At the Spring Equinox, the Courage Assembly decided that now was the time to consecrate the tomb of Emperor Ahraz to become a true inspirational place of pilgrimage. To say he was a controversial figure of Imperial history would be an understatement, but none could deny that he cleaved to what he knew to be true.
Since his death the Emperor's reputation has steadily improved, buttressed most recently by a piece of historical research published by the Lepidean Library. That work provided a detailed investigation of the life of Emperor Ahraz with a thorough account of the unfortunate events that led to him being deposed. With all the important details of Ahraz' life now firmly in the public domain, the Assembly can move forwards with creating an inspirational memorial to this important figure of Courage.
Truth
- Consecrating Ahraz's Tomb to his true Virtue will raise the spirits of citizens all across the Empire
- If everything goes well with the consecration it will increase the total number of armies and navies a nation can support by one
In many ways, this consecration is much easier than some of the others proposed by the Synod recently. Simply put, Ahraz already has a well-maintained tomb in the Necropolis that has all the necessary infrastructure around it to welcome throngs of pilgrims wishing to visit. Hundreds of pilgrims, especially Freeborn and Imperial Orc, make the journey every year. If the consecration goes ahead then those numbers will only swell further, but nothing that the experienced caretakers of Necropolis cannot deal with.
The main question before the general assembly is about how to frame the consecration. As such there are two mandates available for consideration, which are considered to be in competition with one another.
Cleave to what you know to be true! We send (named individual) with a dose of true liao to consecrate the Ahraz's tomb to remind all faithful to pursue what they know to be right in the face of any and all opposition.
Synod Mandate, General Assembly
If this mandate is passed, it will focus the thoughts of pilgrims visiting the site on Ahraz' pivotal role in helping the forebears of the Unshackled achieve their freedom and ultimately become the tenth nation of the Empire. It will further bolster spirits of those orcs fighting to maintain their grip on Mareave against the Grendel, and seeking to free other orcs from enslavement. This will increase the number of armies or navies the Imperial Orcs can support by one, to a total of four.
Cleave to what you know to be true! We send (named individual) with a dose of true liao to consecrate the Ahraz's tomb to remind all faithful to cleave to what they know to be true, even when others wish you to doubt.
Synod Mandate, General Assembly
If this mandate is upheld, it will focus the thoughts of pilgrims on the importance of understanding their own hearts, and exploring what they believe to be right, as Ahraz did throughout his life. It will raise spirits all across the Brass Coast, reminding the Freeborn that one of their own sat the Throne - and recently - and that he was one of the most inspirational and important figures to do so in Imperial history. The nation has suffered greatly in recent years with the predations of Governor Rahab in Feroz, the depredations of the Dry Patricians in Madruga, and the oen-two punch of the Children of Wrecks and the Suranni. This version of the mandate will increase the number of armies or navies the Brass Coast can support by one, also to a total of four.
Worth
Although Arhaz was Freeborn, he was an inspiration to us all. In conjunction with the writ of consecration and judgement raised by Ehud, we call for the unsealing of his tomb and invite the Imperial Orcs to add items of worth to his tomb, alongside the Honour Guard.
Diemos, Highborn Assembly, Spring 388YE, Vote: 258-0- If the consecration goes ahead then a steward for the dead will attend Anvil at the Autumn Equinox
- They will meet with any Freeborn or Imperial Orcs who wish to provide items of worth to be placed in the tomb
There has long been a great deal of interest regarding the honour guard of Ahraz who are buried alongside him in the Necropolis. Should the General Assembly assent, one of the stewards of the dead responsible for maintaining his tomb will take the opportunity to attend Anvil at the Autumn Equinox to collect any items of worth to be placed reverently alongside the relics already there. Some may have concern over handing off such items, but it is important to remember that these priests are specially trained in the funeral traditions of each of the ten nations of the empire (and often other cultures as a matter of personal interest) and will appreciate the importance of such items and with how much care they need to be treated.
Fire and Glass
| Statue of Emperor Ahraz |
| Commission Type: Edifice |
| Location: Any region, Kahraman |
| Cost: Up to a dozen white granite and three times as many crowns |
| Time: three months |
| Availability: One year, until the start of the Summer Solstice 389YE |
Effects:
|
- The Senate could commission a monument to Ahraz as a Firebrand or as a Scrivener
- The monument will help to promote the prominence of whichever aspect of Ahraz' life is celebrated
There has never been a grand monument to Ahraz in the Brass Coast. After his death he was interred with all due ceremony in the Necropolis, but there were few on the Coast who were eager to celebrate their fallen Emperor at the time. There is nothing to consecrate in the Brass Coast, one of the Freeborn criticisms of the Emperor at the time, was that he spent more time and attention outside the Coast than at home.
So nobody is surprised at the suggestion that it is his tomb that will be consecrated - where else could it be? Still it would be something to have at least one statue somewhere on the Coast, to commemorate the life of the only Freeborn ever to site the Throne.
In serendipitous timing, the firebrand movement that was so intertwined with the rule of Ahraz is also on the rise. While they may only partway to achieving the political prominence they once had, their affection for the Emperor remains and they are keen to make sure they are involved in tending the flame of his inspiration. They have asked that the Senate have an edifice built in the mountains of Kahraman where Ahraz spent the last few years of his life. Ideally something that celebrates his burning desire to confront the inequalities of Imperial life, his passion to confront the Empire he ruled and tear everything down to try to improve the lot of the lowest.
However, there is an alternative - Ahraz was also a keen scrivener, and many of that profession are determined that this history should not be lost. Ahraz was not just a firebrand, he was a man of deep and abiding principles, someone who kept his faith and his bond. When he made an agreement with someone he stuck to it. He embodied a deep commitment to honesty, to dealing with people fairly. The Freeborn scriveners would like everyone to remember that Ahraz was one of their own and ask that any edifice that is erected celebrate that heritage.
It can't really be both, so someone will have to make a decision, assuming a status is to be erected. It wouldn't have to take a senate motion, surely this is exactly what the Mistress of Monuments was created for? If the statue were 9 wains of white granite or less, then they the Mistress could announce it.
If a statue is built, it could reflect Ahraz' humble beginnings as a scrivener or his embrace of conflict as a firebrand. Whichever it is, is likely to raise the profile of that archetype still further, promoting its role and importance in Freeborn life.
Doubts
- Not everyone is convinced this consecration is a good idea
- If evidence emerged that Ahraz was a heretic after the consecration of an inspirational location it would trigger a spiritual crisis
The Synod has spoken and named Emperor Ahraz as an exemplar of Courage. This is an important step in the rehabilitation of the Freeborn Emperor. He only narrowly survived a vote by the Synod to veto his appointment to the Throne due to persistent rumours that he was a heretic. His habit of employing a Shackle of Freedom to hide his aura from insight caused many to question his dedication during his life. His refusal to condemn those involved with the Freedom Heresy caused his rivals to question where his true devotion lay. In modern times, such a thing could not happen. The Empire has outlawed almost anything that will conceal a person's aura (it's not hard to imagine how passionately the Emperor would have disagreed with that decision!). Even sixty years ago, it was enough to cause the Emperor to face inquisition.
Provided the General Assembly are absolutely certain that they have this matter right, then there is nothing to worry about. But there are people who still argue that the Emperor was associated with a false Virtue. If that is the case, then it is just possible that the Empire is marching blindly into a disaster to rival that surrounding the revelations about the former paragon Vardas.
It's undeniably true that in his time, Ahraz split the Empire in two, so determined was he to emancipate everyone. In doing that he created a stronger Empire, but he also created a lot of enemies and people who do that draw these kind of vile accusations like flies to honey. Fortunately there's absolutely no evidence to support those questioning the wisdom of Ahraz' recognition - provided it stays that way then everything will be fine.
Further Reading
- Emperor Ahraz
- The Orc Rebellion
- The Courage of Ahraz - Historical research by the lepidean Librarian into the history of Ahraz
- The Honour Guard of Ahraz - Historical research by the Minister of Historical Research into the orc honour guard of the dead Emperor