Note on dating:

     IK, or Iset Krekaru, the Year of the Revolution. Expressed as the number of years following the siege of Najolrecht (Earth) by the Herjonin, combined with the date as measured on the day cycle of Najolrecht. There are five periods of 73 days in each year. The date 58, 62-4 IK, then, would be the 62nd day of the 4th period in the 58th year following the revolution.
     Year Zero marks the beginning of the siege.
     MK, or Mal'ent Krekaru, is the mark of any date before the revolution and is expressed similarly, coming forward. 108, 9-1 MK would be the 9th day of the 1st period on Najolrecht, 108 years before the revolution.
     For reference, the siege of Najolrecht (0 IK) took place around 4120 BC.

EVENTS LEADING TO THE SIEGE OF NAJOLRECHT

[398 MK]

     The Voorqhac, a rapidly expanding interstellar race, begin strategies for the next phase of the extension of their realm. In thirteen thousand years since first launching into space the Voorqhac have laid claim to two of the spiral arms of our galaxy. The densely populated Core Worlds of their republic, encompassing 8,000 cubic parsecs, are comprised of a thousand heavily populated planets, artificial belt worlds or stations. Beyond that are a thousand more colonies or major worlds, spread among the stars of the two Arms they control.
     Throughout their expansion the Voorqhac have discovered an anomaly: on disparate and far flung worlds they've found, now and again, a genetically connected species for which no such connection can be explained. The Nitket (Humans), so named for the first race of them discovered by the Voorqhac, have been found regularly, though none advanced enough to account for such wide dispersal, isolation and frequency.
     Genetically the Nitket, though varied in marked ways from group to group, share common gene sequences that indicate a common ancestor; probably even a common point of origin. To explain this anomaly Voorqhac anthropologists have put forth what they call the Nitket Hypothesis, suggesting that a large scale Nitket migration occurred at some point in the past, between eighty and forty million years ago. This hypothesis is based on isolated mutations of the gene.
     The Hypothesis requires that the Nitket either traveled broadly among the stars over long spans of time during that period, or that a great, possibly galactic, Nitket civilization once existed, long since fallen to ruin. While the Voorqhac have found evidence of rudimentary space travel among the known Nitket societies, they have not found evidence of any past civilization of galactic scope.

[373, 17-2 MK]

     During explorations of the Third Arm the Voorqhac scout group Eksent R, deep space fleet, makes contact with a previously unknown Nitket race. Usual protocols are followed, assessing the new race as no threat. They are a fusion-based society, traveling among scattered worlds at sub-light speeds. They call themselves the Osieranai.
     Over the next several years their rim colonies are assimilated.

[348 MK]

     Following standard anthropologic procedure the routes of the Osieranai are tracked. During these routine mappings Najolrecht (Earth) is discovered and with it the satellite of one of the outer planets (Charon, Pluto's moon), which is in fact a derelict base. The base fills the hollow core of the moon, deep beneath the surface.

[299 MK]

     Investigations of the base world uncover clues supporting the Nitket Hypothesis. The base, called Nachok, was built by the last race of a long line of races known as the Goyle — extinct now for over 70 million years — which flourished within the predicted window for wide distribution of the Nitket race. They were known as the Goyle Notkhae, they were humanoid, and they once populated the entirety of the galaxy. The Osieranai pilgrims, the Nitket and all other humans discovered by the Voorqhac, it is determined, are fallout from this ancient society.
     More importantly, the Voorqhac discover that the Goyle had achieved tremendous technological advancement before the civil war that signaled their end. Most of the artifacts of the base, including records, have been pillaged by other spacefaring races over time, but the Voorqhac are able to piece together enough of a picture of the Goyle to learn that before their collapse a single world was saved from ruin. That world was called Visnia, or Tombworld, and it is believed to have contained all knowledge the Goyle had attained.
     It would contain knowledge far beyond the Voorqhac's current level.

[290 - 105 MK]

     Remnants of the Goyle republic are discovered on other worlds in the Osieranai sphere as exploration of the emptied Nachok base continues in earnest. The Voorqhac are able to piece together a reliable history of the Goyle, in addition to gleaning knowledge regarding materials science and a few other, simple technologies, but in all no thorough reconstruction of Goyle data is possible.
     Visnia is made an objective, collection of the full Goyle technology a priority on the Voorqhac political agenda.

[104 MK]

     Ongoing investigations yield clues that a single stronghold was established in the Nachok system on the world of Najolrecht, during the Goyle civil war, and may have been overlooked in the various pillaging raids. The stronghold would have long since been buried by tectonic plate movement on the planet, but its basic structure would not have been destroyed as the material science of the Goyle was advanced enough to have withstood such forces.
     The Voorqhac set about the exploration of Najolrecht.

[91 - 89 MK]

     Descendants of the Osieranai race are still on Najolrecht, left there after the last wave of Osieranai colonization. The Osieranai had swept through the Najolrecht system for the last time some thousands of years before, at the end of a great period of continental shift and environmental catastrophe. The abandoned society has since become degraded, reverting to a basic tool-building stage. The Voorqhac ignore them, setting up a single ground installation on the subcontinent of Naget (India). This is the base-city Kalet Lethong.

[88 - 45 MK]

     Peak of Voorqhac activity on Najolrecht. Crystal Resonance scans are used to search the surface, identifying Goyle materials. Some pieces of the ancient stronghold are discovered, a bio-engineering unit employed long ago by the Goyle revolutionaries to turn out armies using the native fauna of the time. Not much new data is gathered.

[42 MK]

     The Speerana, a priesthood dating to the Voorqhac's earliest history, gain a seat in the Voorqhac senate. A largely token religion for thousands of years, the Speerana have been regaining popular approval. Combinations of an easy social order, little external challenge, slowing growth, both technologically and territorially, a failure of Voorqhac science to handle the issue of mortality, along with an increasing concern that what technology the ancient Goyle possessed did not prevent their own destruction and might therefore, in the end, be more dangerous than helpful — a sentiment fomented by the Speerana themselves — has yielded an environment where the priesthood and their ideas begin to thrive.
     The Speerana use their seat to lobby for the reduction of the Goyle objective, suggesting Voorqhac research has stagnated as they all wait instead for the discovery of a forgotten technology that may never be found.

[42 - 30 MK]

     Support for the Speerana grows among the wealthier classes, along with general support for their position regarding the Goyle. The Speerana fill nine more seats in the senate, forming the Innovation Party, whose stated purpose is to revitalize the expansion and technological innovation of the Voorqhac.

[29 MK]

     The Voorqhac division in charge of the Nachok/Najolrecht project issues an official statement that the discovery of clues that will lead them to the Goyle world Visnia may not be likely. Their position is backed by the Voorqhac Science Bureau, along with many independent scientists.

[28 - 22 MK]

     The Speerana suggest that, if expectation of a Goyle discovery is not reduced in the general populace, the Voorqhac risk social decline. Continuing the search for the Goyle, they say, even in cursory fashion, feeds the underlying belief that salvation may come from some other source, not through self realization. Old Speerana philosophies — rejection of temptation, focus on individual strength and other tenets — have found their way back into the public awareness.
     Meanwhile an independent has been gaining a following outside the senate among many worlds and especially throughout the Voorqhac client states, arguing against the direction in which the Speerana are taking them. He insists that the Voorqhac must continue their search for the Goyle legacy in addition to anything else they pursue as a race. Higher understanding and knowledge should be their goal, attained through the best means possible. This is his ideal, and he begins to gain wide support. His name is Herjonin, and he is soon branded a revolutionary by many in power.

[20 MK]

     Support for Herjonin has grown throughout the client states and many worlds outside the Core Worlds, while adherence to the Speerana ideal among the senate and ruling parties has also strengthened, creating a mounting disparity across the republic. In an effort to cement their position the Speerana call for and hold the Philosophical Conference of Rodo Koom, inviting representatives from all regions of the Republic to the Core World of Rodo Koom. The stated purpose of the Conference is to determine once and for all, through open forums, the course of action the Voorqhac should take with regard to the pursuit of the Goyle.
     The Conference lasts ten weeks. Accusations are made that, though attendees represent all regions, their opinion does not represent popular sentiment. Most have been chosen for their specific affiliation.
     On 20, 18-5 MK the head Speerana cleric announces the Rodo Koom Accord. The Accord, not unexpectedly, bans the further search for Goyle technology, specifying interim actions to be taken with existing Goyle knowledge and artifacts. It is additionally comprised of several Removal Edicts, which outline steps to extract operations from key Goyle sites, most notably Najolrecht and Nachok, and cordon off those areas.
     The Accord and Edicts are sent to the senate.

[20, 40-5 MK]

     The Rodo Koom Accord passes senate vote, along with each of the Removal Edicts. All search for the Goyle is ordered stopped. The Najolrecht system is ordered closed.

[20, 43-5 MK]

     In response to the Accord the independent Herjonin issues his own document, the somewhat mocking Freedom Manifesto, outlining officially the position of those who seek to pursue higher understanding without restrictions — and the condemnation of those who would impose such restrictions. He encourages resistance to the Accord.

[20, 45-5 MK]

     A holding detachment is left on Najolrecht at the base-city Kalet Lethong. The system itself is blockaded.

[19 MK]

     Talks begin in the senate as to what permanent actions to take with existing Goyle artifacts and any future artifacts discovered. Unrest among elements of the Voorqhac desiring to continue the pursuit of the Goyle legacy reaches its highest level yet. Various insurrections are put down on rim colonies and several of the client states. Many begin to band together behind the Herjonin ideal, unifying in a revolutionary undercurrent which Herjonin himself reinforces. He demands the reopening of Najolrecht for continued independent exploration.
     The republic continues to destabilize. Herjonin advocates non-violent pressure. The Quiet Revolution begins.

[10 MK]

     Voorqhac response to the demands of Herjonin's Quiet Revolution become increasingly reactionary, leading to violent skirmishes. Herjonin himself is called a heretic by the Speerana, a brazen statement that serves to clear the fog of uncertainty from some. Many of those of neutral disposition begin to doubt the intentions of the Speerana, whose Innovation Party has gained a majority representation in the senate.

[8, 18-2 MK]

     Herjonin is assassinated. Whether through inept Speerana planning or independent effort is never determined. The effect, however, is far worse for the Speerana led Voorqhac than if Herjonin had remained alive. His martyrdom fuels the worsening unrest.
     By now the Quiet Revolution operates through a comprehensive communications network. Upon the death of their central figure a decision is made. They elect to call themselves the Herjonin and under that banner begin forming a solid separatist movement. Plans are devised, leaders are chosen, military collaborators are named.

[0, 40-3 through 46-3 IK]

     Najolrecht is raided and retaken by the Herjonin. The entirety of their military arm falls upon the Voorqhac blockade and within six days they have claimed the entire system, including Najolrecht, the base world Nachok and Kalet Lethong in the name of the Herjonin.
     Timed with this action various worlds and groupings of worlds rise up throughout the Voorqhac republic. These uprisings serve to disperse the Voorqhac response, allowing the Herjonin to secure the Najolrecht system solidly against their efforts to retake it.

     Events from this point are referenced or explained in the book Priestess. Priestess takes place immediately before, and leads into, the Human Wars.