Hephsat Religious Gathering Raided [GO News Cycle][Closed]

by **Achesia** » Fri Mar 01, 2019 8:42 pm

Hephsat Religious Gathering Raided by National Landespolice
Pastor Killed by Police After Resisting Arrest, Charged With Conspiracy to Conduct Mass Orgy

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Alwin Fiedler (@OBSAlwin)
1 March 2019| Aatream, Produzland

_A Hephsat pastor was killed by the National Landespolice in the Romont district of Warezen yesterday. The incident occurred Sunday morning as the Religious Police Division executed a raid in Romont Block 52 in an occupied apartment complex. There a gathering of nearly fifty Hephsat worshipers was being held in the basement without an assembly license that legally permits gatherings of 15 non-blood relatives in a single location. Early reports indicate that upon commencement of the raid, Father Yannic Baptiste resisted attempts at detainment by authorities and was shot following what has been labeled by Achkadian officals as an assault on several officers.

In total, thirty individuals were arrested, but what is most bizarre about this instance of Warezen's crackdown on illegal religious gatherings is the charges levied against the worshipers. All fifty persons were charged with 4 counts of gathering in an unlicensed grouping, however 20 such individuals, including the deceased Father Yannic, were also charged with conspiracy to perform mass-orgy. Explanation of the charges by authorities is that seventeen individuals attending the religious gathering were licensed prostitutes, making the already illegal gathering now classified by the law as an orgy, with more than 6 prostitutes in attendance. All women charged will lose their license as a result and the two other men aside from Father Yannic will additionally be charged with Seventeen counts of lewd sexual acts with no intent of compensation.

This is not the only such gathering that has been broken up by authorities in Achkadia recently. A string of National Landespolice raids has been at the forefront of an initiative to crack down on illegal gatherings that Achkadan officials warn as a concerning trend towards radicalization and invasion of foreign cultures into the domestic tranquility of Achkadia. However, due to its unusual nature and the death of Father Yannic the Block 52 incident is the only such raid that has attracted the interest of non-government sanctioned press agencies who have classified this as yet another miscarriage of justice on behalf of the National Directorate. While laws within Achkadia prohibiting gathering in groups of 15 or more and banning non-Achkadian Church of Verro worship in groups are not new to the Armed Republic, such strict enforcement is a disturbing trend out of Warezen.

Father Yannic in 2017

As for the most unusual charges of conspiracy to perform mass orgy, The Observer through its local contacts in Warezen have learned that the congregation Father Yannic lead the worship of was particularly catered towards ministry to sex-workers who frequent Block 52 of the Romont District. It is not unusual, specially of these recent raids, for Achkadian officials to find additional charges to levy against individuals found to associate with illegal religious groups. Most persons found at these gatherings have been sentenced to 10+ years of prison and/or regulated state labor where as individuals who are charged with assembling in unlicensed non-religious groups typically see 6 months volunteer work. While Achkadian officials maintain that sentencing has been in strict compliance with the legal statutes set forth by the Assembly of Free Citizens, The Observer and its sources have noted an inconsistent application of charges when it comes to religious groups, where a far wider multitude of sentences are applied to such individuals.

With regard to the Block 52 incident, little news is being shared by the National Media with regard to the death of Father Yannic or the heavy-handed charges placed on the remaining participants. The Warezen National reporting simply “A raid against religious dissidence conspiring to distribute radical literature and performing lewd unlicensed acts has been conducted today, removing such criminals from the Romont District.” This typical glossing over of such human rights abuses by the state-run media is a normal occurrence within the Armed Republic, where the National Directorate of the Defense and Liberty of Achkadia controls all news outlets on the basis of maintaining the peace, calm, and liberty of the nation. Little foreign outlets have reported on the incident as Warezen ensures it keeps its diplomatic missions abroad running point on disruption of such news within foreign policy circles, using vast networks and relationships to control what information comes out of the Armed Republic.

In the honor of such individuals like Father Yannic who have died under the totalitarian and brutal regime, The Observer will continue to report on such information. Despite efforts by the Achkadian government we will continue to tell the story inside Achkadia, using information given to us by brave citizens who will not be intimidated by such tactics. Until a day when such information can bring change in this regime, raids like this will continue, and more will die or be forced into unjust punishment by the Achkadian legal system.

Until a new day.

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by **Produzir** » Sat Mar 02, 2019 3:39 am

by **Dacaotalamh** » Sat Mar 02, 2019 12:25 pm

Maeve slumped wearily into the plush bean bag chair propped up against her bedroom wall with a sigh that spoke much of the exhaustion that came from another day of fitting motorbike bodies on the assembly line. Tonight's dinner was a bowl of rice and fried vegetables and mince, divines be damned if she had the energy to make anything more elaborate. The sun had already set outside, and her curtains were drawn, lights dimmed as she sank into the seat, leaning across to her laptop to peruse the video content at hand. The cursor lingered for a few moments over the browser options to connect a Liran proxy server so that she could watch something outside the relatively narrow scope of Talamhain television, but she decided that poorly cobbled together Dacoian or if she was lucky, Goremian subtitles, weren't something she was up to dealing with right now. She clicked and scrolled her way through the last couple of days' content, and eventually settled on the show to start her weekend.

Welcome, welcome, welcome everyone to the show, good evening, I, am Glenn McKinnon, and this is No More News, Please. Tonight we'd like to begin by talking about a man most of you probably haven't thought about in a long while. Ottomar Baumer. A man so revolutionary he makes Lachlan Mac a' Bhàird look like a blood-doused 13th century Dama King. Ottomar Baumer, for those of you with short memories or young enough to think that the landline phone is some kind of pre-Olympic war witchcraft devised by the fey to prevent old people from being able to play Bubble Blast Saga on the toilet, is the Statevotary of Achkadia.

Maeve had to swallow down a mouthful of rice and pepper at that point to keep herself from choking as the line was punctuated with the appearance of the image of a dessicated old man with his britches around his ankles, hunched over a phone screen covered in the explosive, gaudy bright colours of the game. The audience agreed, as Glenn took a moment to wait for the laughter to simmer down before he continued.

Achkadia is deemed a cooperative state by the CIC, and as a tinderbox of explosives, tanks, and confusing sex laws by fellow Lirans. If Parthonopia is where Lirans go to start a fight, then Achkadia is where they go to finish it. Unless of course the objective of that fight is to burn a crate of overpriced wine whilst being shouted at by a crowd of elderly woman who smell of fish throwing a cat into a canal, in which case, as we all know, you go to Produzland. You just do.

This led to a derisive snort from Maeve, and a brief spark of baffled amusement from the studio audience, which the host steamrolled over, continuing.

The Statevotary is essentially the president of the so-called "Armed" Republic of Achkadia, they act as the head of government, and appoint the rest of government with the confirmation of the legislature, so far, so familiar. Of course, unlike here, the government is mostly filled with senior military staff, which is a ridiculous idea and completely devalues the entire premise of civilian authority.

This, said with the coy insincerity of somebody who means most what they're saying, but carrying an important lie that the whole audience was aware of - in this case, that Dacaotalamh, too, had a rash of senior military staff studded throughout the government, similarly appointed by the president.

This week's news, however, is why we're coming around to Baumer and Achkadia. Baumer has done a lot of things for the country, setting aside the obvious role he played in establishing its independence from Lunderfrau. That victory happened close in time to the second revolutionary war over here, and for a lot of older viewers at home, you'll know what I mean when I say that there was a time when Achkadians felt like long lost siblings separated by a continent and an ocean. Our wars were both fought against occupying, highly capitalist autocratic monarchies, and both led to rapid social reform in the aftermath, and Baumer, as a technical professional himself, championed the economic revolution that means that those phones you're playing Bubble Blast Saga on are probably made in Achkadia, and why the marines aren't just using Talamhain rifles, but Achkadian personal defense weapons too. The Peasants' Republic has a lot to gain from maintaining a strong bond with the Armed Republic, so it's a little strange that we seemed to have stopped thinking about them in the last few decades. Which is why we're going to take a closer look now, starting, with this story: -

The screen cut to an excerpt of footage recorded by the Achkadian opposition paper, The Observer, hitting the same notes as their web article, which was promptly summarised by Glenn.

To put it simply, a Hephsat priest was killed, because he was - apparently - conducting an orgy, but, the most baffling part of the story is the implication is that the biggest issue isn't that the priest wasn't under police scrutiny for simple sexual deviancy - which is fine, because that would be a pointless piece of outdated social conservatism - but instead, because he didn't have the appropriate licenses for the number of prostitutes and religious practitioners present in the building at the time. Which raises the question of what exactly the problem actually was in the first place. If I were being cynical, I'd say that the charges were invented to justify a politically motivated 'disappearance', but of course, that can't be right, the police were concerned that a man might possibly be having a lot of sex, which is, apparently, a crime in Achkadia, unless you have the proper permits. And I'm hoping that all of you, like me, are now asking - what do you have to do get those permits, and how awkward is the process? Nobody likes talking to a bleary eyed bureaucrat who has to go through the same process a thousand times a day and has ceased to care whether you, or indeed they, live or die through the application. So just imagine how bleak their life is when all the applicants are arriving with a raging hard on and desperately filling out the necessary forms whilst bumping the desk from underneath, their handwriting becoming increasingly illegible until they reach form 38c, and their penmanship has become so unreadable that they're forced to start the process again, at which point, they're presumably so frustrated they just relieve themselves on the desk as a protest, before being promptly arrested for sexual deviancy. It does rather take some of the excitement out of sex when you stop everyone at the party and ask. "Now, I know we're all about to have a lot of fun, but has everyone fully informed the government of what they're doing with their sexual organs tonight?" It's bad enough that the government wants to know, but what makes that worse is that apparently, if you don't let the government know where your penis is going to be, you might get shot.

Maeve was very much enraptured by now, grinning more than laughing in time with the audience as she shovelled the remnants of her meal into her gullet.

Now, to hear all this, you might be thinking that when you weren't looking, Baumer became a panicky autocrat inventing erratic laws to attack people who he finds distasteful, but that really isn't what this is about. Ever since the revolution, Baumer and the Armed Republic have taken an increasingly hard line against just about any activity associated with minority religious groups, and they've instituted a myriad of arcane laws specifically designed to ensnare anyone that even comes close to straying from orthodoxy there. This case, as ludicrous as the details are, is the chilling culmination so far of systemic oppression on behalf of the Achkadian government, and yes, we might not be the purest beacon of civil liberty here in the Peasants' Republic, but the Armed Republic puts the CIC to shame when it comes to invasive searches and dangerous raids. This story is an example of the Achkadia Baumer desperately doesn't want the rest of the world to see, and the fact that you haven't thought about any of this until now isn't a coincidence. Achkadian state media presents a clean, wholesome, sanitised, and, dare I say, boring image of life and government activity in the Armed Republic, and the result is that very little happens there that can be tangibly reported on that isn't what Baumer wants you to hear. And he's all the happier if you don't hear it at all. The death of Father Yannic is a tragic drop in the ocean of oppression in Achkadia, and whilst it would be naive to think we'll be taking sanctions against the Armed republic any time soon, it might be worth actually taking a moment to remember it's out there, and it's not the long lost revolutionary brother many of us remember it as. When I described it at the top of this piece as a tinderbox, that wasn't entirely a joke. Moments like this are a terse reminder that tensions throughout Lira are running high, and the oppression of religious groups, especially when it leads to deaths, could inflame those tensions both in Achkadia, and Lira as a whole. There are a lot of Hephsats scattered around the continent, and some of them have the influence to push for some kind of response to this. I'd highly recommend that you pick up your - probably Achkadian made - phones, and call your speaker soon, so that you can ask them where they stand on the suppression of civil liberties of Achkadia, and what they and the Dubbhtaighe as a whole are planning to do about this. We are an important trading partner for Achkadia, we have influence, but that starts by caring, which means if you care, actually tell your speaker, so that they can do something about it...

And now, this...

by **Zanaro** » Sun Mar 03, 2019 7:56 pm

SPECIAL REPORT
By: Torinaka Ayaka, third writer of the Imperial Informer

The Hand of Kairi, leader of a large portion of the Soriven faith, has recently broken her silence in regards to foreign affairs and the the actions of foreign nations. We are honored by the opportunity to record her words not only for the Soriven faithful, but for all peoples to read and meditate upon.

"Recently in the nation of Achkedia a religious minority group known as the Hephsat had one of its priest murdered by the police after they raided a religious service. These attacks upon those of differing faiths show just how violent and aggressive the doctrines of that nation have become. The people of Achkedia deserve the freedoms to worship as they see fit, so long as it harms no one. As a religious leader I am heart broken by the death of Father Yannic who was only seeking to help those people who are at the greatest risk. I wish to offer up prayers to the Gods to bring guidance to the leaders of Achkedia, that one day they may open their hearts again and show compassion to their people's needs.

"I also am hereby condemning the acts of the Achkedian police not just for the murder, but for their heavy handed treatment of the Hephsat parishioners. I understand that even practitioners of the Soriven faith in Achkedia are greatly restricted, even unable to create a shrine to create an area of sacred nature. These are direct attacks against Soriven beliefs and practices, and if we are having these effect us then it should be noted that other smaller religions are likely in even worse positions. I pray that the people of Achkedia can guide their leaders to better serve them."

by **Attanai** » Fri Mar 08, 2019 5:53 am

Respected Director Yumjaagiin Ochirbat receives praise from proud Uulmüüs citizens:
'The Yumjaagiinian-Hongbaatarian People’s Party and its continuous battle against religion has ensured prosperity and progress for all!'
As seen on Medleg national intranet service

The Unified Attanai Collective of Socialist States is known throughout the world for its progressive and prosperous socialist society, some would even go so far as to call our proud nation a true utopia. A paradise that was only able through the hard work done by the Yumjaagiinian-Hongbaatarian People's Party, the DIrectorate for the Continuation of the Yumjaagiinian-Hongbaatarian Ideals and the hard work of all our patriotic citizens. One important part of maintaining this progressive and prosperous utopia is the continued battle against religion, this continuous battle to liberate the masses oppressed by this scourge currently being led by Our Respected Director Yumjaagiin Orchirbat.

Providing some of the proud citizens of Workers' DIstrict 543 with his personal guidance, Our Respected Director received the praises from many of the residents; most notably from highly-respected elder Battulga Bayarmaa. Even though this patriotic woman has been able to enjoy her retirement for more than forty years, she has continued to serve her community through her Patriotic People's Unit; helping so many through her Citizen Farm and countless volunteer work. She thanked and praised both Eternal President Yumjaagiin Choibalsan and Eternal Premier Hongbaatar for their relentless struggle to remove the scourge of religion from the nation during her youth and thanked and praised the glorious YHPP, the Directorate and Our Respected Director Yumjaagiin Orchirbat for continuing that struggle today.

Respected elder Battulga Bayarmaa, age 103
Former elementary school teacher

Battulga Bayarmaa says:
''In my youth, we had nothing. We had to pay tribute to the khan, we had to donate to the monks. Even after the worst harvests, barely making enough to feed ourselves, they would come. The khan with his men, the monks with their faith. You have to donate or you will go to hell, they would say. Everyone would do it, my parents too. Thankfully Eternal President Yumjaagiin Choibalsan and Eternal Premier Hongbaatar showed the people the truth and revealed the monks for the charlatans that they were. I remember the wealth that they liberated from the local monasteries when the Ministry of Patriotism arrested them. Enough food for the whole village to eat for a year, cloth and other valuables enough to build new homes for everyone. People cried in the streets from gratitude as the VEP members began to divide the food between the families.

Thanks to the efforts of the YHPP, the Eternal President and the Eternal Premier, the village prospered. Everyone who needed it received a new home, no one had to die from hunger or the cold during the winter. We were blessed with education, a generous retirement, proper healthcare. Truly the Party has managed to create a socialist paradise here by removing the scourge of religion. I truly believe that monks and truly anyone that works for and believes in any religion beyond the miracles that the united determination of a socialist people can bring are traitors to the struggle, traitors wanting to see the people be oppressed again under the murderous yoke of charlatans.

Before, the monastery was the embodiment of greed, a pest on the people. Now, it serves the people. Our local one has been transformed into a store for the people, a treasure trove of socialist prosperity showing off the many fruits of labor that our glorious utopia bestows upon the hardworking people of this federation. I know another one that has been transformed to house the hardworking officials that work tirelessly for our people every single day.

I want to thank the YHPP, the Eternal President, the Eternal Premier and Our Beloved Director for their sacrifices that enable us all to live in unrivaled prosperity. My words fail to truly express the love and trust that is felt by the loving embrace of the party and Our Beloved Director. I hope that my story inspires my fellow people to devote themselves even further to the nation and to the eradication of religion.''

Our Respected Director graciously accepted the truthful and loving words from the former elementary teacher and returned praise to her, mentioning her many years of service educating the new generations of Attanaians. Visibly moved by her moving story of hardship and perseverance through socialism and trust in the party, Our Respected Director personally promised her that religion would never return to our utopia for as long as the YHPP remains the guiding light for our proud people.

Staying within the subject of religion, Yumjaagiin Ochirbat was quick to note that the relentless struggle by the Yumjaagiinian-Hongbaatarian People’s Party against religion was seeing successes in foreign lands; these lands obviously seeing and seeking to copy the glorious progress that the UACSS has made without religion plaguing it. In one of the most recent events, one of the charlatans remained resistant against common sense and did not surrender when faced by the will of the people to remove his poison from existence; requiring an embrace of a lead embodiment of the people's will to finally quit his lies.

Our Beloved Director praised the usage of armed forces to bring down these charlatans, a move that was also obviously copied from our glorious history, but took the time to remind foreigners that their will to remove religion should go further and expand into the will to remove all forms of oppression and turn to the true path, the guiding light for all people, Yumjaagiin-Hongbaatarinism and the socialist utopia it brings forth.

Praise be to our Eternal President, our Eternal Premier and the Yumjaagiinian-Hongbaatarian People's Party.

Additional CItizen Farms are always needed. Seek out your local Patriotic People's Unit official for information.
Help out your neighbors and the vanguard of the people! Seek out your local Patriotic People's Unit to enroll in a work program!
Remember to claim your new Allocation Booklet!

by **Winst** » Fri Mar 08, 2019 5:57 pm

Father Hamil dawned his practiced patient smile as his congregation shuffled into the small octagonal church. The sound of rain hitting the roof of the building and murmurs of small conversations echoed throughout the quiet room. Glimpses of sunlight pierced through the waterlogged clouds, illuminating the ornate stained glass covering the dome’s oculus. The central pyre burned calmly, a censer resting above the fire was slowly releasing magnesium sulfate onto the fire turning the flames white, the symbol of mourning. The Hephsat community in Kingsbridge had been growing smaller with each passing year. There was nothing dramatic behind the shrinking congregation it was simply the effects of time. People moved out of the region, children stopped attending, and people died, such was the nature of things.

Father Hamil gave small greetings to those taking their seats tending in particular to the older parishioners who sat closest to the fires warm embrace. A younger aide set up a video camera so those who could not attend would be able to watch the Sermon. Hamil’s eyes lit up as an elderly woman hunched over a walker entered the church. Safiyya, one of the oldest members, was a first generation migrant from Al-Meriq, Hamil himself had grown up hearing her stories of protesting in Silvus and the mass of people who took to the streets after the bomb was dropped. It was a somewhat rare occasion for Safiyya to come to a service, due to her deteriorating health but news of Father Yannic’s murder had necessitated a trip to the church. Her eyes burned with gods flame at the damage done to the Liran Hephsat community.

Father Hamil retook his place behind the pulpit, as the crowd of people continued to pour in. Many members of the Faith who had not been to the church in years were standing among one another, the loss of a Father felt by all through the community.

“As I am sure you all know we have lost a member of our greater congregation in Achkadia. Father Yannic in his death (by the prophets’ lights) was returned to god. Let his death remind us that the practice of faith is not easy even in these most peaceful of modern times. I have been told by community members that they are attempting to recover his body to ensure proper funeral rights are performed. Father Salin of Iré has offered to perform the ritual on Wintonian soil if the rites cannot be performed properly in Achkadia. Our community requires strength in this time of crisis and I hope you all can join in a community meeting later today.”

Father Hamil paused allowing the conversation to flow before continuing onto the opening call.

“Through Gods Grace we receive”

“Through the Twin Prophets, we shall prevail” the congregation responded

“Let us now begin the service”

by **Golidamanzi** » Sun Mar 10, 2019 11:57 am

"And so you see, my friends, the Lirans, they are at each other's throats, now and forever!" Uuka explained to the gaggle of fellow Ukulala gathered around him at the periphery of the bar's garden canopy, most intent on hearing the news he had deigned to read but not actually buy and bring back from Insikaphezulu. "The Lirans, you see, they have their God, but it is not enough that they all worship this one god, oh no. They must all perform the same rituals, worship the same way, or else the government!-..." He raised his hands, miming fear at some great looming spectre overshadowing him, before continuing. "They will come to your house, and claim you are a pervert! They take you away, and nobody ever see you again, and if you tell them no! You are no pervert, then they shoot you! Kill you dead for making the wrong sacrifices. They cannot keep order, these Lirans, their kings are weak, they fear men who worship the same god in different ways." A haze of broadly approving murmuring rushed through the congregation, before a middle aged woman spoke up. "Isn't Achkadia one of the places that does not even have a king?"

"Aha! The lady knows a thing or two!" Uuka responded with a coy smile on his face. "What then, madam, is the man who rules whilst all others do as he says? A man who holds that power at the end of a gun. He is a king, of course!" Again, some amusement, some approval, albeit less.

"A king, whose mother was not queen, whose father was not king. A king who steals his crown and claims he wears it because the people wish him to do so." This, however, solicits a couple of cheers. "The Lirans, they think us, people like us, little better than slaves, you know." Numerous nods of affirmation confirm this truth, along with one young voice speculating in the back 'Really?'. "Their kings, they meddle in their lives, tell them who is their god and how they must be followed. They tell you who you can have sex with, and when, but then they think us the ones who are slaves!" This brings up a more thorough round of laughter. "The emperor, he does not care what we do, or if we live or die!" This, in turn, greeted with more laughter, along with some more solemn affirmative nods.

Abruptly, a sharp crack cut through the torrential downpour pummelling the green woven canopy overhead and the jeering of the Ukulala, as the Tavern owner approached with a scowl on his face and an armed guard at his side. "I've told you scum!" She cried out, the words spat out with all the venom of the jungle's deadliest underfoot creatures. "No pay, no stay. Get back to work, wherever that is."

There was a moment of seething tension between the thirty or so Ukulala and the pair of Ufudu, but slowly, gradually, the crowd trickled away sullenly, trudging out onto the rain-churned road to home, or whatever work they had yet to do for the day, leaving Uuka to stand glaring at the Ufudu along for several long moments. Eventually, the tavern owner inclined her head, and the guard took a step forwards, the rifle rising, and a moment later, Uuka too, was walking away.

by **Parthonopia** » Sun Mar 10, 2019 2:08 pm

Vox in excelso

Aeterni Patris

BOLLETTINO
SALA STAMPA DELLA SANTO POSTO

03.03.2019

[B0172] Le Udienze
[B0173] Rinunce e nomine
[B0174] Avviso di Conferenza Stampa
[B0175] Le parole del Magi alla recita dell’Angelus
[B0176] Il cordoglio del Santo Padre per le vittime del la razzia di Warazena

by **Parthonopia** » Fri Mar 15, 2019 9:00 pm

March 5, 2019

International News
Article by
Pepi Panforte

His Holiness Magi Patisar III

Holds Press Conference,

Calls for Verro Unity

And Interfaith Tolerance

"It is about marshalling the moral force of religion behind the implementation of goals of peace..." - Magi Patisar III in his opening statement of the press conference for the International Conference "Religions and the Goals of Sustainable Liran Peace"

Magi Patisar III (left) embracing Cardinal Paolo Bagnasci (right),
fellow conference speaker and Prefect of the Congregation for Bishops.

Yesterday a major press conference for the head of the Verro faith was held at his residence, the Dimora di Profeta, in Santo Fluviattà. Attendees, mostly journalists and clergy, witnessed talks from several key speakers, most notably the Magi himself, Patisar III. His Holiness opened the discussion of the Religions and the Goals of Sustainable Liran Peace press conference with a short speech, which he began with a question. The Magi rhetorically asked the audience whether or not an impending doom for the peoples of Lira was predetermined.

Magi Patisar III went on to insist that nothing was predetermined and that crisis may be averted if the religious communities throughout Lira were to cooperate. The Magi warned that war on the scale of the Olympic War would have disastrous and apocalyptic effects today, urging that solidarity among the Liran people and states could avoid that outcome. "We need to work together; for no source of wisdom can be left out, just as no one can be left behind!”

Using the opening address to deliver a homily, the Magi quoted scripture from the Book of Repercussions. Retelling the story of Meridicus and the origins of the Meridiq dessert. According to the Canon of Beo, it is explained that the arid and dry lands in the north of the continent of Merdiq were once very fertile and bountiful. The chapter Repercussions was God's answer to man's wickedness at the time; the land was salted and the rivers and streams dried up as punishment. Meridicus and his clan, devout followers of Beo, survived the ensuing famine as a reward for their faith. Meridicus would go on to use his pardon to spread the word of Beo and convert the local tribes.

Magi Patisar III compared the many wars being waged in today’s world to the Canonical famine and drought of the time of Meridicus. He said the golden lining to this comparison is that there are methods to avoid the damnnation; "through faith in Beo and in solidarity with one's neighbors."

After the conclusion of the short sermon each of the other four speakers gave brief introduction. The guests of the Magi included Cardinal Paolo Bagnasci, Card. Alberico Saturnino Costa, Reverend Bruno Bartaletta, and Duke Valerio di Giambattista. Cardinal Bagnasci was the first to speak, the newly appointed Prefect of the Congregation for Bishops as of March 3, 2019. The Prefect reiterated the Magi's call for peace in Lira and spoke of a need for solidarity among all practitioners of the Verro faith. As the nature of his position, he would work with the special council of the Congregation for Bishops to promote this school of thought. Stressing that unity is a major factor in any possible stabilty, Bagnasci reasoned, "[When we] all return to Beo, he does not look upon you and see the flag you flew. He cares not your nationality but only if you accepted and lived by his truths."

Card. Alberico Saturnino Costa, Prefect of the Department for the Magi Council for the Integral Human Development, addressed next, followed by Rev. Bruno Bartaletta, Secretary of the Department for Apostate Reconciliation. Both speakers shared points on how critical the human element of the church truly is, as well as the importance for interfaith tolerance, especially within the Beoin divisions. Reverend Bartaletta, the head of an agency within the Church having the sole purpose of converting and reintegrating followers of the other Beoin faiths as well as former believers. They justified the importance of interfaith tolerance and cooperation as the "Intentions of Beo", statistically, current or former practitioners of Beoin faiths are more likely to convert to Verroism. Rev. Bartaletta compared these type of conversions to correcting a child that has made a mistake, saying, "As mortals we are destined to fail, God recognizes this and does not punish those who seek to reconcile."

After all of the speakers had gone through and made a statement the floor was opened to the many journalists present to ask questions. A range of topics were raised, all related in some way to the overall topic of the influence religion has on peaceful resolutions to the current toxic political situation in Lira.

Most notably a question was asked by La Nazione, open to be answered by any of the speakers as to comment on the recent religious crackdowns in Achkadia. The Magi chose to address the question and did so by saying some of the same talking points about interfaith tolerance as well as going farther as to say, "[the Achkadians] are devout, without question, but the motive to their faith is in question. Religion, the teachings of Beo, should not be used for the justification of force on the pacifistic, rather to their defense much like the late Father Yannic. I express my deepest condolences to any family of the Father, as well as to his congregation and all those in the State of Achkadia that are persecuted for their faith."

by **Lunderfrau** » Sat Mar 16, 2019 3:45 pm

Lunderfrausian Officials Condemn Hephstat Raid, "All options on table"

Laubenhugel, Lunderfrau March 2nd 2019,

Less than 24 hours after Achkadian police forces raided a peaceful gathering of Hephstat practicioners, killing one priest in the process; the Matriarchy of Lunderfrau has issued a formal condemnation of the raid. Calling the raid a "blatant attack on religious liberty" as well as a "sad sight in 21st century Lira", the condemnation however offered little in terms of repercussions for the paranoid police state. Relations between Achkadia and have been non-existant ever since Lunderfrau's failed campaign to liberate the Achkadia from its opressive government in the mid 20th century. Since then, the relationship has been limited to border skirmishes and condemnations. Yesterdays events do not appear to break that mold.

Questions remain as to how the Matriarchy plans to respond to such blatant disregard of religous freedom. "The Kaiserin has informed me that all options are still on the table at this time, rest assured we are working to bring repercussions down on Achkadia", said Felicility Brohm, Minister of Foreign Affairs. However, without an embessy or official diplomatic channels the options available to the Matriarchy are limited. Lindsey Kraus, Professor of International Affairs at Salzewinde State University suggests that the Kaiserin may resort to unconventional methods to reign in Achkadia. Officials from the Office of Foreign Intelligence as well as the Kaiserin's Special Service have denounced such statements as "mere speculation". Further requests for comments and records from OFI and the KSS have been denied on grounds of "national security and confidentiality".

by **Riscelnia** » Sat Mar 16, 2019 4:25 pm

Religious gathering shut down in Achkadia
March 4, 2019 | Warezen, Achkadia | 08:55
On March 1st, The Observer, an Achkadian newspaper based in Aatréam, Produzland (due to the fact that they would be banned and likely imprisoned in Achkadia), reported that police officers raided the basement in an apartment in downtown Warezen in order to shut down a religious gathering of around 50 people being hosted without a so-called "assembly license". The supposed host of the gathering, a pastor named Father Yannic, was killed during the raid after resisting arrest, and all 50 people gathered were charged with gathering more than 15 people in a single location without the assembly license. 20 of the people charged with illegal assembly were also charged with intent to perform a mass orgy.

The Achkadian authorities cracking down on people is part of their initiative to crack down on "dissenters" and "radical elements", which is the Achkadian government's way of saying "slightly upset people" and "different people", in an attempt at holding on to power. As part of that initiative, most/all foreign newspapers have been banned from entering Achkadia, National Beholder included. Travel restrictions against Achkadia have not been implemented, but in line with the Travel Safety Bill, signed into law a week after the terrorist attacks in Dacaotalamh a little over a month ago, citizens are strongly encouraged not to travel to areas deemed as "security risks", in which Achkadia is included, and to stay as short as possible whilst engaging as little as possible with the local population to avoid becoming a target. The A.R.N government has not yet made a comment on this incident, and no press conference is planned to be held over it, according to a spokesperson.

by **Achesia** » Tue Mar 19, 2019 5:40 am

Cult Gathering Busted, Child Abuse Ring Uncovered
8 Children freed from deviant bondage cult, forced to wear BDSM gear.

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Rachel Pfaff (@WNPfaff)
19 March 2019| Warezen, Achkadia

Warezen, Achkadia- In a stunning scene of bravery by National Police agents today, a cult of twenty persons was foiled, leading to the capture and punishment of 6 deviants in Block 25 of Warezen. These deviants who have been named in a report by the National Police have been charged with (among other heinous crimes) performing bondage acts on children as young as 13. Sewing needles, barbs, and spikes placed on the inside of their everyday clothing for some 8 minors. These children were reportedly relations of the deviants, making this the most shocking example of child abuse rings uncovered in Achkadia since the 1999 bust of the Lunderfrau Sex Trafficking Tunnel where young boys were being smuggled to the degenerate northern Monarchy to work as slaves.

They belong to a cult known as Revisionists, ones who believe in Beo, but according to the Arch-Bishop of Warezen, are completely without god:

“These heinous acts are far from the Grace of Beo. The abuse of children is of the most principle criminal sins imaginable in the eyes of our Lord. Those who practice such sickening things on children are destined for damnation.”

The children themselves have been taken into custody by the state and are recovering from malnutrition, exposure, abrasions, and several other internal injuries. Thankfully all will be able to make full recoveries and hopefully leave this horrific past behind them as wards of the state. There they will be afforded the best in care and opportunity to assimilate with the rest of Achkadian society.

As for the deviants, the so called Revisionists, who perpetrated such a perverse crime, they have been executed on the spot by order of the local magistrate. Thus this cult of sexual and religious deviancy is at an end. In a statement from the National Directorate for the Liberty and Freedom of Achkadia, Minister-General Bair outlined new provisions that are being set into place in Achkadian law to ban such sickening practices such as Revisionism. This form of heretical religion will join the Ardalites and others which have previously been banned for immoral practices.

It is our hope that the children and innocents affected by this crime will be able to recover and lead normal lives. Minister-General Bair had strong words of condemnation at the end of his statement:

“We in Achkadia do not subscribe to the hate, sin, and sickening nature of the rest of the world. As a nation we will continue to strive for a purer society in which all will live in peace and liberty without fear of such grave perversions treating Achkadian children in such a fashion.”

As always thank you for reading Warezen National… In Faith, Defense.

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by **Parthonopia** » Wed Mar 20, 2019 5:56 pm

Magi at Audience: Warezan Archbishop Sanctioned

Article by Emiliana Zunino
06 March 2019

During his weekly General Audience, Magi Patisar III commented on the recent military crackdown on religion in Acadia, as well as the 'Beoin Revivalism' sect.

“God is not ambiguous, He is not hidden behind riddles, He has not planned the future of the world in an indecipherable manner.” In his homily on the 'M'kadesh Parable', Magi Patisar III said that we can see the will of God expressed in the words of Beo: God wills “to seek and to save that which was lost”. This, the Magi said, “without any shadow of doubt, is the will of God: the salvation of all human beings”, of each one of us individually.

The lesson learned from the Parable, described in the Canon of Beo, explains the great fire that had destroyed the city of M'kadesh, "expunged from the earth and all existance" was an answer to the actions of the M'kadesh. In order to draw us to His light, to lead us forward along the path of salvation, the Lord is capable of all things. God, the Magi said, “is close to each one of us with His love, in order to lead us by the hand to salvation”.

"Thus one must receive God," the Magi implored, "which can only be done through acceptance of the word of the Canon of Beo." The Holy Father ensured, however to differentiate between faith in Beo or extreme zealousness. Comparing Mauzi, the sole survivor of the great fire and bearer of the Lord's moral, to the Archbishop of Warezan, Most Reverend Em. Card. Baptiste Groß.

Mauzi, the Magi said, "feels God's all powerful love and turns from the ashes of his city, to the words of Beo." He went on to warn that the actors for evil may appear hidden in a unimposing form, just as in the parable. While Mauzi professed to be faithful to the holy words of Beo, he had used his faith as cover to commit violence upon peaceful "non believers of Beo inclined faiths"; the Archbishop of Warezen, the Magi said, is walking along the same strayed path which, for Mauzi in the Parable, ended in damnation.

"God will present himself and is of the power to enforce His will on his own. Of the apostles of Beo, what is expected is the giving of our love while the Lord may do what is necessary to enlighten those who have not accepted the truth."

“And we, in prayer, ask that God’s seeking might come to a good end, that His universal plan of salvation should be accomplished,” Magi Patisar III continued, “first, in each one of us, and then in the whole world.”

Taking a moment, after the conclusion of the retelling of from the holy book, to comment on the renunciation announced today, "because Beo wills it, I justify and carry out what must be done in His name." In response to the recent attacks perpetrated in Beo's name in the Statocracy of Acadia, the Magi has stripped the Em. Card Baptiste Groß of the official title Warden of Beo's Light, an honorary position designating the high ranking status of its holder. Historically the title was bestowed upon church and other leaders who proved to possess exceptional moral fortitude and allegiance to the defense of the faith. The act of the removal holds in perpetuity, therefore no future Archbishop of Warezan could bare the title until decreed by a Magi.

"Make no doubt, the true believers of Beo in the Verro light will not be damned, in Acadia or beyond. There is still time realign to the true and righteous path."

*****
Santo Fluviattà News, the voice of the Holy Seat.

by **Achesia** » Thu Mar 21, 2019 9:16 pm

Parthnopian Magi Calls for the Destruction of the Achkadian People
Fallen religious leader inspires violence against the Armed Republic

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Rachel Pfaff (@WNPfaff)
21 March 2019| Warezen, Achkadia

Warezen, Achkadia -"Expunged from the earth and all existence"

The words of the Magi yesterday as he openly condemned Warezen for its crackdown on child abuse rings in the capitol. The Magi of the Verro faith making strong statements about the destruction of the Armed Republic of the Achkadia while detailing his support for heretical faiths in the nation that openly subject children to torture. Within his statement he also announces he has sanctioned our own Arch-Bishop of Warezen and stripped him of his title “Warden of Beo's” light.

Many of the faithful in all parts of Achkadia woke up to this shocking news of a Magi openly supporting such degenerate acts while persecuting the Achkadians striving the rid the world of such evil. Calls for the destruction of the republic while not uncommon in the divisive times we share living in Lira, but stunning coming from one considered a religious leader of our nation.

"because Beo wills it, I justify and carry out what must be done in His name."

The disturbing words of the Magi as he preached destruction of Achkadia to those within Parthonopia, a nation known for its hatred of our freedoms.

During an address today, a visibly shaken Arch-Bishop of Warezen conveyed encouragement to the faithful outside the Tabernacle of Warezen.

“For such a strong man whom I have known to be of great faith it is disturbing to see him fall.” He remarked about his relationship with the Magi whom he visited a few short weeks ago. “I know not how such a man should succumb to the sin of this world and become a puppet of a corrupt government's earthly plan of destruction.” The Arch-Bishop referring to a report by the Directorate that Pathnopian Commonwealth officials have been seeking ways of undermining Achkadian culture by using religious leaders as cultural weapons to destroy the unity of our nation.

“time realign to the true and righteous path."

Fears are now that this Magi sanctioned violence and terrorism could soon rear its ugly head within our nation, the Directorate ordering National Police and the military to step up security both along the border and within cities to counter.

“This man is not the Magi, he is not of Beo.”

The Arch-Bishop concluded his address by saying for now, until a true vicar of Beo can be found, the Achkadia Church of Verro will be separating from the corrupted devil in Parthnopia. Many are mournful for the lost faithful who follow this earthly and sinful man, praying for the salvation of Lira in such dark times that even those who appear to be most faithful to us, could inspire such hatred.

But if there is one thing Achkadia always will have it is: In Faith, Defense.

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by **Essexia** » Fri Mar 22, 2019 11:30 am

Essexia Renews Achkadian Travel Advisory
Citizens Recommended to “Avoid All Non-Essential Travel”

By The United Press
09 March 2019

SALEM — The Essexian government has issued a new warning for travel to Achkadia, telling citizens to “avoid all non-essential travel.” This warning was issued several days after the Block 52 Incident, where dozens were arrested in the Achkadian capital Warezen on charges of “illegal religious acts” and “lewd sexual acts.” While Achkadia has been under a travel advisory for years, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs previously only instructed Essexians to “exercise increased caution.” While not explicitly referring to the Block 52 Incident by name, the travel advisory mentioned recent “extreme restrictions on personal freedoms,” including religious and sexual freedoms. The advisory warned Essexian citizens may “be subject to harassment and arbitrary detention without access to Essexian consular services.”

by **Dacaotalamh** » Tue Mar 26, 2019 5:43 pm

Siobhan clicked through the link to the next page, her eyes watering slightly at the long list of grievances and concerns now listed under the increasingly severe travel advisory that the Tourist Advisory Board had listed as pertinent concerns for those determined to travel to Achkadia. She'd been vaguely aware of the increasing hostilities in Lira, but this was a new degree of insanity.

"It is the opinion of the CIC that all those of any non-orthodox Achkadian Verro practising faith and background should avoid travelling to the Armed Republic of Achkadia for any reason, for fear of unwarranted prosecution , and danger of extended incarceration or, in extreme cases, severe bodily harm or summary execution.

All those not of Achkadian background can expect general hostility, especially from local security forces and intense scrutiny at all times, leading to potential of unwarranted prosecution, and danger of extended incarceration or, in extreme cases, severe bodily harm or summary execution.

Achkadia has been deemed 'susceptible to revolution', and is considered to be a potential region of breakout civil unrest or civil war, travellers should avoid the region at all costs, for fear of mortal danger as a result of unpredictable changing local political circumstances.

Achkadia has been deemed 'susceptible to foreign intervention', and is considered to be a potential region of sudden escalation of interstate force, resulting in rapid deterioration of international relations and the onset of war. Travellers should avoid the region at all costs, for fear of mortal danger as a result of unpredictable changing local political and diplomatic circumstances..."

The list went on and on, to the point where she was sure the list was starting to repeat itself - until she realised it was, albeit with Parthonopia. It looked like her tour of Lira would have to wait a few more years...

by **Lykens** » Thu Apr 04, 2019 11:00 pm

State Counselor delivers powerful rebuke of Achkadian Government in response to human rights abuses
03/24/2019

- Jimeno Chaves

Today State Counselor Kenneth Diaz of the Association of Ranchers and Planters gave a fiery speech decrying the abuses of the Hephsat minority by the Achkadian government. He took to the floor in the early evening to a packed house, all 650 members were in attendance and the visitor and press galleries were filled, and began by explaining the situation and finishing by announcing a change in Lykensburgish foreign policy.

Numerous government raids in Achkadia have been alleged to be a government crackdown on dissent and the proliferation of the Hephsat minority, which is a small sect of Beoism. Religious authorities in Achkadia have been universal in their condemnations of this sect, and religious authorities throughout Lira have been very forceful in their condemnations of the raids and subsequent government actions. Religious authorities in Achkadia have even accused the Magi in Parthonopia of calling for the destruction of the Achkadian people.

Tensions have risen between the two dueling religious authorities and some have even whispered of possible investment of an Anti-Magi to challenge the Parthonopian religious leader. For now, there is evidence that the Achkadian Verro church, one of the largest denominations of Beoism, plans to separate from the global church.

A full transcript of the State Counselors speech can be found below:

“Madame Speaker and Members of the Grand Assembly, I come before you today to announce, although I doubt anyone here has yet to hear of it, several acts of human rights violations in the Armed Republic of Achkadia. Earlier this month on several occasions the government of Achkadia has raided religious gatherings and harshly punished or even killed adherents of a denomination that is not recognized by the government. The charges range from unlawful gatherings to intent to commit mass orgies with unlicensed prostitutes. Yes, I said intent to commit mass orgies. Later raids have alleged that child sex rings have been broken up and found to be in connection with this religious group.

Freedom of and freedom from religion, the freedom of expression, and the freedom to speak one’s mind are the very bedrock of a thriving society. One that embraces diversity, accepts and celebrates the differences that make every individual unique and important. Nations should celebrate the many diverse talents and individualities of their citizens, not oppress and isolate those that choose to go against the grain. The government of Achkadia has done its share of good deeds, I will grant it that. It liberated the masses from an oppressive monarchical regime which pulled the strings of a sham puppet government. That time has long passed, and the government has continued to use the fear of invasion to continue policies of oppression and stifling of any opinions that are not sanctioned by the government. I am not here to commend an authoritarian regime or to condemn and demand a regime change, but it falls on those who are willing to speak to do so. Today I have decided that my government will be the one to do so, because when those who do wrong are allowed to do so without consequence, the innocent suffer. And we will not do that today, Madame Speaker, no we will not.

Today several pieces of legislation will be brought to the floor for debate by this august body to ban travel to Achkadia and begin the process of sanctioning specific government officials and companies that do business with the country. Achkadia is a massive arms producer and many critics will come forward to argue that human rights violations are not as important as burning bridges to potential suppliers for the military or any future endeavors. But by introducing this legislation, my government will show that we will stand for what is right, even if it can cause future inconveniences. No longer will Lykens stand in the shadows and allow injustices to occur, we will stand up and take our place at the table of international affairs.

Thank you, Madame Speaker.”

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