[Kite's Nest] Head of Khar’Shan Ascendancy to Step Down

Head of Khar’Shan Ascendancy to Step Down

Alesh Bahk’dal - Khar’Shan News Network

According to the traditions of Abiy’an Tar’isia, the position of Esiv is a lifetime appointment. In a surprising announcement by the Seshat Temple in Khaljah, that tradition will be broken within the next fortnight, as Esiv Kirna Seshat has announced her intentions to step down as Elder of Elders.

“It is with great sadness that I announce that, after many months of prayer and meditation, that my health is deteriorating in such manners counterproductive to the leadership of the People,” the Elder stated earlier today, speaking to a mass of followers, priests, and journalists. “Therefore, as it is my Duty to do what is right for the People, I have found the Courage to break with Tradition, and step down from my position. I intend to stay active within the Faith, but, for the sake of my People, I cannot allow them to blindly follow decisions that may be based out of lack of clear Sight.”

Esiv Kirna has held her position for the past ninety-four years. A member of the Taherach since the age of twelve, she was granted the title Elder of Elders at the young age of forty-two, and was personally responsible for the inspiration, mentoring, and ascendancy of thousands of young priests and priestesses during her tenure as Esiv.

Rumor within the religious caste says that she has been battling Nahkib Syndrome for the past several years, a disease which progressively deteriorates higher-brain functions and can lead to visual impairment and death.

Her successor has not yet been announced, and already, there are currents within the political spectrum that suggest a split in the higher tiers of the caste.

Unfortunate, Kirna has been a wise and capable leader for our people since the war. Her leadership will be missed.

This talk of a potential schism amongst the clergy is of great concern, I will pray that a successor is nominated soon.

So long as Kirna remained as Esiv, her subordinates would be gunning to replace her on grounds of ill-health; any succession would have been hostile. By voluntarily stepping aside, she can play a broker role in the ensuing leadership contest, ensuring that any candidate for the succession shall have to court her approval. She will stay on behind the scenes, until Nakhib has her ingesting nutrients via enema.

I'm not so sure about the last part. Yes, she can play queen or king maker rather neatly with the prestige of her former position, but theocracies (I must confess I'm not quoting from knowledge of batarian ones here) in the past tended to enjoy dropping accusations of heresy around people they didn't like encroaching on their power base. I can't help but think once the new incumbent is secure Ms. Kirna might be advised to be very cautious indeed.