In the winter of the first cycle of Jena Year 2552, the government of the Zoraï for the first time began accepting new Zoraï Initiates into the ranks of the Awakened. (See player governments.)
The other nations had been accepting new citizens into their governments for years, but the Zoraï had lagged behind, as they were waiting for the right time. As the Zoraï citizen guilds became impatient with their lack of influence in the government, and began organising protests, that time finally came. Before the first Initiates could reach Awakening though, they had to embark on a long journey of learning through the Jungle.
This event officially introduced the Zoraï player government; the Awakened.
Prelude
While Fyros citizens had been able to become Akenak since the 4th cycle of 2547, and Tryker citizens had been able to become Taliari since the 1st cycle of 2548, and Matis citizens had been able to become Nobles since the 2nd cycle of 2548, Zoraï citizens still had no way of obtaining official functions within their government by 2551.
But during Jena Year 2251, the Zoraï guilds started calling for more influence in their government. At first it was just individual guilds sending petitions and protests. Then as the fourth cycle of the year came around, the Zoraï guilds banded together into the Zoraï Coalition to make their voices heard as one. They secured the support of the 3 existing governments, and in the autumn of the cycle they culminated their protest in a Silent Sit In on the temple hall in Zora.
“Silent Sit In to be Held in Temple Hall District in Protest of Lack of Player Government in the Witherings
The Zoraï Coalition is hosting a Silent Sit In on Sunday, August 1st, at 0:00.
The Zoraï Coalition member guilds are ready and waiting to participate in a player run government. We feel it is time the Witherings had representation as the other civilizations do, and are joining in protest to show our solidarity.
We invite any and all concerned citizens to join us in our protest.
Official Forums[1]
Almost exactly a cycle after this Silent Sit In, in the autumn of the first cycle of Jena Year 2552, they received the announcement they had been hoping and waiting for.
Official announcement
“Mingled with a sense of frustration and satisfaction, Mabreka Cho read the last minutes of the assemblies of Zoraï Circles. He was pleased to see the Zoraï Circles form, but it has now been many years and it is clear that they would prosper more if they were no longer guided. Heralding his calling, he decided it was time to do his duty towards these Initiates ... No, these Awakened who had worked towards enlightenment for the Witherings.
- Zoraï'i! Since nearly 20 years of Jena the Zoraï Circles were formed by simple refugees wishing to take things in hand for their people and advance in the paths of wisdom. It is time now to awaken to their true place as guides of our people and for the Zoraï Circles to flourish in the light of Ma-Duk. For me, the rights conferred by the Grand Sage, I shall summon the Initiates to a special meeting of the Zoraï Circles on Tria, Pluvia 21, 1st AC 2552(JY) to reveal to all that the Initiates, in fact, have always been the Zoraï Circles.
- O Atys'o Mayumi, Kami tseu'ito sok Myan ayumi.
Official Website[2]
Event Summary
- This event started at 19:00 GMT, Saturday, 21 August, 2010.
The interested Zoraï Initiates gathered at the Temple Hall in Zora, where they were met by Wan Fai-Du, one of the current Zoraï Awakened. He explained to them that the path to become Awakened was a long one, and as part of this journey, they all would walk throughout the Witherings and talk with various wise Zoraï. Each one would offer them words of wisdom to contemplate, and by understanding those words they would become closer to Awakening.
Thus Wan Fai-Du Du led the entire party as they walked calmly from pond to pond. At each pond they met a wise Zoraï, each one representing one of the five Circles of Zoraï government, and with each one they spent some time contemplating wisdom before moving onto the next. They met Chan Ji-Cian at Still Waters and learned about the Construction Circle, Kiei Xuan at Mektoub Waterhole told them of the Dynastic Circle, Me-Quong Dangi at Maiden Pond represented the Exploration Circle, and Lian Dao of the Defense Circle awaited them at the unnamed lake at the border of Haven of Purity and Maiden Grove.
Then for the last leg of the journey, they decided to run to Fowling Lake to meet the famous Zoraï Sage known as Sorrow. Sorrow gave them their final words of wisdom to consider, introduced them to the Spirituality Circle, and then led them to the top of the Great Boulder Tunnel. There, the equally famous Zoraï Sage known as Season awaited along with Grand Sage Mabreka Cho. Mabreka Cho told the Initiates that they had all shown great understanding, but that only one of them was ready to be Awakened.
After the Awakening of this Initiate, Mabreka Cho told the others that though they were not ready yet, if they continued on their path they too would become Awakened one day. After the Sages had all departed, Wan Fai-Du explained that from now on there would be regular meetings of the Awakened, during which all Zoraï Initiates would also be welcome to attend and have their voice heard.
Before the year was over, the first Awakened would be joined by 4 more, and they would receive an unusual welcoming gift.
See also
Eye of the Tyrancha News, Volume 2, Issue 04 - The Eye of the Tyrancha issue about this event.
The Awakening and Awakened - Report of the event on the Zoraï Coalition forums.
Eye of the Tyrancha News, Volume 2, Issue 01 - The Eye of the Tyrancha issue about the Silent Sit In.