The Shepherd’s Path, Part 12: The Collapse

The fall of the Jerusalemite Church would be labeled ‘The Collapse’ by subsequent generations. Once a unified planet, New Jerusalem fractured without the centralized guidance of the Church. This led not only to a massive loss of technology, but also the creation of nations where none existed before. Many of the initial divisions formed due to geography, but the tone of the ensuing conflicts was largely religious for many decades. These nations would come to be referred to as the ‘Post-Collapse States’. During this time, personnel for Sanctuary would covertly travel across the Post-Collapse States. These missions served many purposes including fact-finding, making local connections, recruitment, and acquisition of resources. Sanctuary agents quickly developed a subtle code through careful phrasing that allowed them and their allies to communicate right under the nose of authorities. When pressed for their identities, it became common for them to reply they were simple shepherds, as many would masquerade as traders or farmers. These field agents observed and documented a number of new nations, which are listed below.

Eastridge Republic

The Eastridge Republic initially occupied much of the surviving industrial and urban areas along a mountain range called the Eastridge. This gave them a significant head start in building a new nation after the fall of the Church. A representative democracy, the Republic is viewed by Sanctuary as one of the primary sources of civilization on the planet.

Meridian Sovereignty

This nation is ruled by a feudal monarchy and borders the Eastridge Republic. The Sovereignty is outmatched by the Republic, which has caused them to look elsewhere to expand, preying upon smaller neighbors like the Vannerholm Commonwealth. Meridians believe in a manifest destiny given to them by God and see it as their duty to expand and share their prosperity, even if the recipients don’t want it.

The Collective of a New Canaan

Calling the Collective a nation is somewhat misleading. It is more accurately described as a movement or cult that happens to maintain territory. Ruled by local chiefs and warlords all beholden to a hidden council, the Collective aims to dominate those around them. The Collective is one of the primary perpetrators of major atrocities, as those who stand against them are viewed as heretics and unworthy of mercy.

Eccumenical Council of Adramaste

Adramaste is a theocratic nation ruled by a council of religious leaders. and is viewed as highly corrupt by outsiders. They are arguably the biggest offender for using religion as a means of social control and religious fervor as a weapon against their enemies. Scores of wars of faith are the source of many horror stories and archaic punishments such as stoning, burning at the stake, and excommunication are still practiced. Even by New Jerusalem standards, the quality of life in Adramaste is low. Formal education is rare, and almost no centers of higher learning exist. 

The Gerestian Combined Autonomy

The Autonomy is a religious technocracy where those with technology are viewed as holy figures sent by God. As such, they push hard to collect technology and use it to their own ends. Far from peaceful, the Autonomy has a reputation for being violent and repressive to its population and enemies.

Andrus Hegemony

The only nation that Sanctuary considers a potential ally, the Hegemony is devoted to recovering what was lost in the Collapse. They believe that they are living in a near apocalyptic situation, and view the world before the fall of the Church as a form of paradise. They seek to recreate this and take to the stars again.

Eliav double checked that his hood was up as the truck drove into the outpost. The facility had once been a collection point where regional farmers had dropped off their harvest to be sent offworld, but was now the central hub of a small settlement. He remembered this place from when he was a boy, his mind flashing with memories of the pristine structures and ordered chaos of the collection point. His family had lived in the region for generations, working the land for a farming empire that had long since outlived the man who founded it. He remembered the countless times that he, his siblings, a parent, and some farm hands would spend a day offloading crops or herding animals for the Church. As he drove by a small, heavily damaged building, his mind recalled the smells of the small restaurant that used to inhabit it. They would always stop there on the way out after a hard day’s work. 

Street preachers screamed about how the Meridian Sovereignty was made up of God’s chosen people, and how it was their holy duty to spread their light to the world by force if necessary. A handful of poorly armed but hard-looking guards patrolled the outpost. Eliav still winced a bit at both. Things like these were unheard of several decades ago, but now they were expected. His mood darkened when he saw a number of bundles hanging from the interior wall of the collection point. Signs with the word “heretic” were pinned to them, and his mind didn't need any more information to fill in what was in the bundles. Elias had to struggle not to show his anger, knowing what would happen if it was noticed.

The truck finally approached the gate to the facility proper. Eliav could hear the sounds of market long before he saw it. The old gate, emblazoned with the faded symbol of a Church that no longer existed, lay open. Around a hundred people were milling about, buying, selling, and trading their wares. A number looked over his way, probably to see if anything new to haggle over had arrived—that, or just the fact that a functioning truck was coming in. Working vehicles were something of a rarity nowadays. They expected him, though, and knew him as a semi-regular. To them, he was just a shepherd and farmer from a far out area. He guided the truck to a certain building and put it into park. Half a dozen far younger people jumped out of the back and began to unload the truck. They never knew what this place looked like before all of this, he mused.

Eliav looked around, found the owner of the building he was parked by, and began to walk toward the man. A quick handshake and a quiet greeting were exchanged before the owner motioned for him to come inside. Eliav did a quick check to make sure no guards were looking their way, and then walked inside.

“Your punctuality is always appreciated. I need a favor,” the owner said as they entered the building.

“A favor? I will do what I can,” replied Eliav, mildly suspicious. Their arrangement was one of mutual benefit, but its existence was an extreme secret. If the owner wanted Eliav to do something that might draw attention to them, it would be a hard ask. The two of them walked down a hall, and eventually stopped before a storage closet. The owner opened the door, and Eliav was surprised to see three young children, ranging from 6 to perhaps 16, huddled together in a corner. A quick look at their eyes told him they were terrified. The owner lowered his voice and moved his head closer to Eliav’s.

“I assume you saw what was hanging from the walls? Two of those were the children’s parents. The kids were with a relative at the time so they didn’t get scooped up. Please, take them with you. They don’t deserve this,” the owner begged. “I’ve dealt with you people for decades, I know you have a heart. Please.”

Eliav thought for only a split second. The owner was right. He took a slow step toward the children, and they huddled together even tighter. He took a couple more steps and knelt down in front of them. “Hello. I am here to take you somewhere safe,” he said quietly.

The oldest spoke, fear obvious in her voice. “Where are you going to take us?”.

“Home, a sanctuary. It will be a long trip, but you will be safe with us.” He looked back at the owner, who was standing in the doorway. “Yes,” was all Eliav said to the man before turning back to the children. “What’s your name?”

“Yala,” replied the scared girl, “and these are Adim and Vayta.” She indicated the smaller children in order. “Who are you?” she asked Eliav.

“I am just a humble shepherd,” Eliav replied.