Cult of Zamorak

Cult of Zamorak

Character Information

Founder:

Zathrak the Igniter

Prominent Members:

Zathrak the Igniter (Head Pyromancer)

Zerath the Silencer (Chief Sorcerer)

Zornak the Redeemer (Head Pyromancer)

Alignment:

Dark Side

Date Founded:

1300 BBY

Date Dissolved:

N/A

Headquarters:

Grand Temple, Zarnathis

The Cult of Zamorak is a group that worships the god Zamorak and consists of only Zarnoth individuals. It was formed by Zathrak the Igniter on the planet Zarnathis, around 1200 BBY.

History

Founding of the Cult

Around 1200 BBY, Zathrak the Igniter, a legendary Zarnoth mystic, experienced a vision of a supervolcanic eruption on Zarnathis. According to several ancient sources, Zathrak achieved contact with their god Zamorak. Zathrak led Zarnoth to become monks and worship Zamorak. Zathrak contacted Zamorak again, after which Zamorak granted them survival. The Supreme Zarnoth Temple and the cities were not hit by the volcanic eruption. In return, the Zarnoth had to keep worshipping Zamorak and preach their religion. They lit an eternal flame in the supreme Temple, which symbolised their eternal survival as long as they serve Zamorak.

The Great Schism

Around 1100 BBY, Zathrak the Igniter became a dark side force user. This led to war with the Jedi. However, the Sith did not attempt to achieve peace with the cult either. Facing both the Jedi and Sith, Zerath the Silencer, a powerful Zarnoth sorcerer, became disillusioned with the cult's open warfare. Zerath demanded that Zathrak cease the open hostility and they go into hiding. Zerath was seen as a traitor by the Zarnoth elite and imprisoned.

At approximately 900 BBY, Zerath the Silencer is freed from prison by local militia that see Zerath as their leader. Zerath the Silencer and Zathrak the Igniter both lead their own separate armies. Swiftly, Zathrak exterminated all followers of Zerath. Zerath herself was captured and thrown in the Grand Volcano as a sacrifice.

Collapse of the Zarnoth Empire

Around 500 BBY, the large Zarnoth Empire is collapsing in terms of territory. Jedi and Sith retaliation becomes so severe Zarnoth forces have to retreat and abandon several planets. However, various smaller groups remain on the planets, influencing them with their religion still. By this point, Zathrak the Igniter is growing old.

Redemption of the Zarnoth Empire

Zathrak the Igniter retires from his position as High Pyromancer around 300 BBY once his son Zornak the Redeemer was born. During his retirement, he commences a life of luxury, living in large palaces. Zathrak's son, Zornak the Redeemer, grows to become the next High Pyromancer. Under Zornak, the cult would expand their influence again. Various Jedi outposts were burnt by Zarnoth cultists. He also refined his home planet, Zarnathis. He expanded the supreme temple to surround the entire Grand Volcano. He also constructed schools for dark side education. However, the Zarnoth remained banned from most civilizations for their crimes.

Next, Zarnoth declared war on all civilizations, attacking key locations for various tribes. The Krodalyns, Neimoidians and Geonosians, who were already improving relations with each other, formed a temporary alliance to battle the Zarnoth. A large battle around Zarnathis emerged. The cities on Zarnathis were badly damaged, but continued to prosper.

The Battle of Cindercoil

Another large group, the Anacondrai Cult, was stretched thin and had no viable technology for transport such as spaceships. However, having stolen, seized and raided several spaceships, they were able to build up a large fleet. The Zarnoth had built up a large fleet as well. The forces of the Anacondrai Cult united to fight the Zarnoth fleet. The Zarnoth used fierce pyro-weapons which set fire to the entire Anacondrai fleet. The large battle spread throughout some solar systems. Most planets in those solar systems were rendered barren as the battle was commencing. The Zarnoth fleet used heavy weaponry to set fire to the habitable planets, forcing it's inhabitants to fight the Anacondrai fleet as well. The Anacondrai used their weaponry to commit genocide on those inhabitants. At the end of the battle both the Zamorak and Anacondrai cults had been reduced to local groups as the battle had destroyed both of their fleets.

Following the battle, horror struck the galaxy. Two of the three habitable planets were cracked into burning fragments, with the third being completely scorched and lifeless. Nearly 98% of both fleets were annihilated in orbital crossfire and kamikaze attacks. The Jedi High Council banned any travel to the Cindercoil systems for the reason of them "being tainted with unquantifiable darkness". The Sith openly admire the brutality, chaos and destruction both cults brought each other. They ordered some Sith agents to contact both sides. However, none of these agents returned as they either turned insane or were killed by the cultists. Following this, the Sith also agreed to classifying the Cindercoil systems as a no-navigation zone.

Some rogue travellers occasionally attempt to travel through or to the Cindercoil systems. Force-sensitive travelers report hearing agonized whispers and seeing ghostly red fires dancing across dead landscapes. Though the battle turned into a massive defeat, the Zamorak cultists attempt to continue spreading the Zamorak religion, whilst Zathrak the Igniter and Zornak the Redeemer continue their rule.