Parasite Gods

1: Introduction

Dear Reader,

I, Meghan Renar, being of sound mind, am compiling this manuscript because some events, which must never be lost, are being erased. I am employed as an investigator for the Office of Spiritual Safety at Holset Prison, a noble name and a lie, as the office primarily serves to protect the interests of the Temple authorities. I am also a heretic. If this document is discovered during my lifetime, I will likely live out the short remainder of my life insane, possessed, and hidden away in Holset after being interrogated by my current friends and colleagues. Nevertheless, the view of history presented here must, in my mind, never be forgotten, and as such I am taking this risk. It is the culmination of fifteen years of research, both in my official capacity and covertly. Some of my information comes from interrogations I have performed with my own hand, and I fear I will never be free of the shame for what I have done. Others have not been identified by the temple, and I have changed their names as needed, so that if I am discovered, only I will pay the price.

My purpose is twofold. Firstly, I wish to preserve an accurate record of the events leading up to the Great Revolution to counteract the lies of the Temple, which deny the role that we have played in the atrocities of this era. Secondly, I may hope that, if this document is found by the right hands, perhaps you, the reader, can learn from the mistakes of the past, and perhaps a second revolution can succeed where the first has failed*. I will attempt to show not only the sins of the Temple, but also where the revolution went wrong and insert my own opinions, with the benefit of hindsight, as to how it could have succeeded.

*Editor's commentary: While I feel blessed that it was I who received this document, and I cannot deny that my career has benefited thereby, it seems clear that Meghan expected this document to be found earlier. Obviously, the Second Revolution did occur, and succeeded without her assistance, but I cannot help but wonder how much loss of life could have been avoided had the right people had access to these words.

In my mind, while unrest had, to some degree, been brewing for some years, the Revolution took root with the publication of the leaflet entitled "Parasite Gods" of unknown authorship. The words of this leaflet, as well as the Temple's draconian response thereto, led directly to the organization of the antitheists and the wave of violence that followed. From its publication in the year 557 through at least the year 568, when this manuscript was completed, mere possession of a copy of "Parasite Gods" was grounds for immediate imprisonment in Holset. To demonstrate my earnestness in writing this document, as well as to preserve these important words for future generations, I will copy the leaflet, in its entirety, here. If I am discovered, this alone, regardless of my other words, will condemn me. Thus, I am free to speak my mind.*

*Editor's commentary: This bold statement provided us with several meaningful pieces of information. Firstly, the Temple response to heresy was as severe as rumors made it. Summary imprisonment in Holset was in essence a condemnation, without trial, to a short, miserable life in prison, followed by inevitable possession by one of the less beneficial Skaroq, which we must remember were treated as demons at the time of writing, and which were imprisoned in the bodies of Holset inmates. Such possession nearly always results in untreatable insanity. Secondly, it verifies the date of writing of both this manuscript and "Parasite Gods" to the years 557 and 568, respectively. The fact that the time between "Parasite Gods" and full-blown rebellion was less than three years demonstrates the inflammatory nature of the text. Thirdly, while other copies of "Parasite Gods" are in existence, this hand-copied version from the original time period validates the other copies remaining, as the text matches nearly exactly to the printed leaflet. 

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