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====== Chorus of the Dying God ======
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| {{  unaligned_nation:flag  }} ||
| Nation Info ||
| Motto | "All are Welcome in the Dying God's Embrace" |
| {{ :nation:maplocation_unknown.png |}} ||
| Home System | n/a |
| Capital | n/a | 
| Official Language | Lingua |
| Species | Varies |
| Government | Eclestiastical Hierarchy |
| [[rules:nations#strengths_and_weaknesses|Strengths]] | Extremely powerful magic, benevolent facade |
| [[rules:nations#strengths_and_weaknesses|Weaknesses]] | Inability to complete goals, stagnant |

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~~TOC_HERE~~ 
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The Chorus of the Dying God is an ages old, sector-spanning organization that seems to claim no systems of its own, wields no fleets, and shows no outright hostility. Its power, however, is significant - the strongest of its members can erase fleets with a wave of their hand or perform miracles with a word.

Fortunately for the sector, the Chorus seems to be interested only in converting others to its faith, or their faith masquerading as another, and avoids conflict if possible. Indeed, they are explicitly interested in building good relations with others.

[[https://imgur.com/a/ADJTYTD|Chorus of the Dying God Moodboard]]

<blockquote>//The eternal cycle of death and rebirth traps us all. Cursed to go from one life to the next. Forgetting all that you know and loved. Or worse, being forced to carry the sins of a past life into the next, never knowing why your fate has been darkened.\\
\\
The hidden truth of the universe is that we are all but fragments of a dying light, yearning to return to the whole. Only together can we keep the light burning and break the tragic cycle.\\
\\
To all those who seek purpose and understanding of their place in the universe, rest assured - in the Chorus, you can find the answers you seek. Join your light to ours and find your place among eternity.//</blockquote>
===== History =====
The Chorus of the Dying God is ancient to such an extent that any telling of its history is conjecture at best. The Chorus, in its modern incarnation, was formed around the time that the Precursors fell and - they have been at odds with the remains of the Precursor civilization ever since. 

For most of the sector, the Chorus is a kind-hearted organization with a long history of helping those in need. Rumors abound that they can even grant miracles to those who offer something worthwhile. Most agree that joining the Chorus leads to a happy, healthy life - but something about them does not always feel quite right. They seem too kind, too opposed to violence, and offer too much for too little. Many suspect that the price for their gifts is much higher than it appears, but none have enough proof to make it anything more than superstition.

Few have stories about the Chorus in its more wraithful days, but any who do know that to get in the Chorus of the Dying God's way is to invite disaster upon yourself and all around you.

<note tip>**Out of Character**: The truth of their origins are darker. The first time that sentients looked up at the stars in search of meaning, the Dying God and its ilk, eldritch beings beyond comprehension one and all, looked back. Some of these seekers-of-meaning opened themselves up to these aberrant observers; in doing so, their minds were tainted, yes, but also opened up to the wonder that is the song of the universe. As they listened more, and their sanity slipped further, they learned that they could sing the song and create miracles. All they had to do was offer themselves up, body and soul, to the alien minds beyond. Thousands and more civilizations have fallen under their sway, and thousands more would, if not for the Precursor's war of the heavens.

Now, the stars keep to themselves. The Chorus of the Dying God alone maintains their connection to one of these beings, and through it harnesses the full extent of its gifts. The Chorus does not wish to keep these gifts to itself, however - all who wish to join their congregation are welcomed with open arms... so long as their heart and soul are in it.

The exact origin of the Chorus' powers are a closely guarded secret. They do not deny that they gain their strength from a higher power, nor do they conceal the name of their patron, but the manner by which their strength is derived or the specifics of the Dying God itself are a secret so closely held that only the highest ranks of the Chorus itself truly understand the bargain they have made. 

It is impossible for characters to know the Chorus' eldritch ties, though they are free to take issue with the concept of higher powers, in general.</note>
===== Demographics =====
Drawing its membership from all of the sector's species, the Chorus of the Dying God is perhaps one of the most diverse organizations within the sector. They care little for where you come from, how you identify, or what your history is - all are welcome.

Dedicated members of the Chorus seem to live a very long time, with some civilizations reporting contact with the same member for hundreds or thousands of years.

Claims of their other-worldliness or divinity largely stem from a combination of their powers and appearances that don't match those of the native population.

===== Government and Politics =====
The Chorus has no official government as it does not hold territory. Leadership is primarily dictated by seniority within the Chorus.

**High Messengers** seem to be the most senior of these individuals, commanding considerable power both personally and within the Chorus itself. **Messengers** are the next rung down, typically concerning themselves with a particular region of space.

The majority of others within the Chorus are simply **Adherents**. They may have some amount of power that they can wield to cause 'small miracles', such as healing untreatable diseases/wounds.

People who worship the Dying God, but are not part of the Chorus itself, are simply known as **Followers**.
===== Economy =====
The Chorus has no economy of its own, though it seems to have more than sufficient wealth for any of its plans.

===== Culture =====
With a preference for inspirational beauty and acceptance, the Chorus tends to present themselves as whatever would be the most appealing form of religion for those that they are interacting with. Failing that, they prefer pure white garments with orange and black details.

Religious motifs, such as crowns of wings or halo-like structures made of golden rectangles, are somewhat common among choristers above the Adherent rank. As with much of what the Chorus does, their clothes are designed to instill awe, respect, and, ultimately, compliance.
==== Naming ====

Many in the Chorus consider themselves((and in some cases, actually are)) reborn. Hand-in-hand with this rebirth, whether it be actual or metaphorical, is the notion of discarding their old identity and taking on a new one, so that they might better serve the needs of the Dying God.

The diverse background of the Chorus' members means that they pull from many names, but they always choose names that have impact, religious significance, or an appropriately dignified sound. Accordingly, Greek and Roman names are well suited for those in the Chorus. More senior members of the Choir may even hold the names of Gods- though whether the name was attached to a God //before// or //after// the Choir member took it up is sometimes up for debate.

  * [[https://www.fantasynamegenerators.com/roman_names.php|Roman Name Generator]]
  * [[https://www.fantasynamegenerators.com/greek_names.php|Greek Name Generator]]

Avoid common names as a general practice.

Some among the Chorus who have experienced rebirth multiple times will add a number to the end of their name representing what incarnation they are on. This is less used for those with only a few incarnations, but some - especially those who have been around for a very long time - use it as a way to show just how long they have been in service. The form of the number varies from Arabic Notation to Roman Numerals, and beyond, as that chorister seems fit.
===== Strengths and Weaknesses =====

<blockquote>//Listen for the call of the distant skies. Chimes and voices, chords and bells, all calling out to you. Do you feel them beckoning you? Their siren call wearing away at the fringes of your sanity? Others would tell you to turn away before it's too late; the Chorus knows better. Listen, drink deeply, until your voice is added to theirs. In each note, each lilt, every pause for breath, the glory of the entire universe is laid bare. Your vision swims, your grasp of what is real and what is not fades, and then, ever so carefully, sing your song into the greater music. Therein lies power, the truth of miracles, for when your song is joined into the choir of truth, reality is yours to bend.//</blockquote>

The Chorus' powers come from its ability to listen to and sing parts of the 'song of the universe'. The longer one has been part of the Chorus, the more of the song they can hear - and, in turn, the greater their powers. Often, shows of their power can seem outright divine in scale, which they are happy to take advantage of.

The majority of the Chorus presents themselves as kind and caring individuals who only want what's best for those they speak with. Those who pledge themselves to the Chorus and its God, or earn their favor, can receive significant boons in exchange.

Unfortunately, for all their power and attempts at good will, their goal is simply not one that they can achieve with force or urgency. History has shown them again and again that forcing others to convert does not give them the results they want, nor does flexing their physical might. Effectively, this means that others have to //want// to join their faith - which means they have to maintain a positive impression on those they come in contact with.

The Chorus has largely been stuck in a loop of attempting to meet their goals since their inception. They are sure that, if they continue to work at it, they will //one day// achieve their ambitions - but that day is certainly not soon.
===== Threat =====

Mild to Extreme. The Chorus of the Dying God could be one of the most significant threats in the sector if they wished to, but it would be completely counter to all of their goals. For the majority of the people they encounter will consider them to be interesting, but harmless.

For the few who present themselves as an actual threat to their long-term goals, the Chorus can be an incredibly difficult enemy to face. A single one of their High Missionaries can defeat entire systems on their own. However, they haven't done this in so long, and are so unlikely to do so again, that it's barely a legend.

The most likely threat that the Chorus presents is in the form of their various schemes to get into others' good graces. They can grant 'miracles', form new religions (that are just a branch of their own faith), and manipulate cultures for hundreds or thousands of years to meet their goals.

===== Rumors and Quests =====

==== Quests ====
  * The Chorus is always on the look out for objects of interest and readily issues quests to retrieve them. Anyone is able to use the Choir as their employer when creating archaeology, treasure hunting, or other item acquisition plots.
  * The Chorus pays top credit for corpses in good condition so that they can perform their last rites.

==== Common Rumors ====
  * Members of the Chorus refer to a person, and their soul, as a "fragment of the dying light".
  * Those who join the Chorus or its faith lead healthier, more successful lives.
  * Members of the Chorus are pacifistic in nature and prefer to avoid conflict if at all possible.
  * If you see someone with faintly glowing orange eyes, they've likely been a part of the Chorus for over two hundred years.

==== Uncommon Rumors ====
  * Members of the Chorus have attained immortality by taking over new bodies from time to time.
  * A number of systems are fully in the thrall of the Chorus, but they rarely show themselves and the civilizations seem no worse for it.
  * Certain members of the Chorus will grant you some miracle or boon in exchange for a service done or the pledge of your eternal soul. Larger rewards require greater payments, but the Chorus always delivers on its promises.
  * The Chorus is not fully unified and is divided into three major groups.
    * The Hymnal Choir - Mostly concerned with converting others by peaceful means.
    * The Gospel Choir - Grant miracles to those who pledge their fragment or do significant deeds for the Chorus.
    * The Dirge Choir - Seek out more extreme ways to gather fragments. The most likely group to work from the shadows or try violence as a way to directly collect fragments.
  * The Chorus may - or may not - be behind any number of religions within the sector. It is possible that they created them whole cloth or simply took them over later on.
  * The average member of the Chorus' religion(s), and many of their lower-level Followers, don't know the true goals of the Chorus. They simply enjoy the benefits that come with being part of it.

==== Rare/Unsubstantiated Rumors ====
  * The reason the Chorus is so motivated to have others join their faith is that it allows them to claim the souls of their members upon their death.
  * The Chorus' God is actually an Eldritch horror that their highest ranking officials worship in secret. It has been dying for millennia and will continue to do so until the Chorus has collected enough 'fragments' that it can be reborn.
  * The civilizations under the Chorus' thrall are actually effective farms for fragments. As generation after generation dies, their fragments are collected. Eventually, the fragments in that area of space will 'dry up' and cause the civilization to collapse as birthrates decline.

===== OOC =====

  * **Player** [[user:whisper]] created this on 2021/07/15 14:53.

==== Usage ====
This content adheres to Project Multiverse's [[rules:setting_contribution|submission and usage rules.]]
  * This Nation can be used by anyone, though they should only provide a problem for player Nations when those Nations wish it.
  * In the event that the Nation's managers are no longer available, the Chorus can be adopted by anyone in good standing, with the understanding that the most extreme displays of its power are not available to normal player characters.