Anglic term used to describe a quasi-religious Galactic
grouping that believes in the existence of ancient ethereal races that occasionally take physical form and
undergo regular Uplift procedures, without ever revealing their true nature. It is thought that these
races --known as Great Ghosts --intervene during Galactic emergencies, with the
Progenitors being the eldest, most aloof, and powerful of
them. This belief system dates back to the time of the Tarseuh, more than 600 million years ago. The races
subscribing to this belief system formed a temporary alliance with the Transcendor
forces above Kithrup.
Superficially similar to the Inheritors, the Awaiters think that the
Progenitors will one day return bringing wisdom and justice back to the Galaxies for a
species-lifetime. This doctrine is particularly popular with weaker species and those interested in
reform. (Note that not all Awaiters want what Terragens would
consider progressive reforms.) Some of its followers are prone to occasional chilialistic excesses and
participation in violent movements resembling the Peasants Crusade or
Anabaptism in Earth
history. However, in quieter times, most adherents are tolerant, and even socially
pro-active. It is disparaged by Inheritors as a subversive, weaklings' philosophy.
believe that when the Progenitors return they will
be chosen to rid the universe of all unworthy species. Members of this "alliance" not
infrequently tend toward social Darwinism or xenophobia. Others are
retiring, largely non-violent, survivalists.
Inheritors are not noted for cooperation among themselves,
and "alliance" is something of a misnomer.
The Obeyers have often met the Abdicator Alliance in ritual battle. The
Jophur belong to this alliance. Abdicator and Obeyer
doctrines are quite similar, and both are rooted in the Tarseuh Alliance.
The essential difference seems to be that Obeyers believe not only in the principle of
"abdication," but also insist that the Traditions of the Great Ghosts
must be rigorously (and usually rigidly) followed. A plurality of Obeyers believe that when a
Great Ghost "incarnates" as a savior race (like the
Tarseuh), the wicked (non-Obeyer races, especially
Abdicators) will be scourged, and the righteous (the True Obeyer races)
will inherit the Galaxies for the next mega-cycle. Many Obeyer races who hold this doctrine of
"redemption" have developed puritanical and exclusive ethical systems that converge with those of
many Inheritors.
Both Obeyers and Abdicators see the other
"alliance" as corrupting the memory of the Great Ghosts, hence the periodic warfare between these
two groups.
This group believes that sapience evolved naturally early in the history of the
Galaxies. However, this happened once, or at most a handful of times. ALL subsequent
(starfaring) sapience has resulted from the infinitely more productive procedures of uplift.
Consequently, almost all members of this "alliance" see Human claims to self-uplift as either egregious arrogance or
pitiable superstition, or (most frequently) both. The most charitable members of this group regard
the Human self- (or spontaneous-) uplift story as "most improbable
indeed."
Transcendors (as a rule) believe that self-improvement and
self-enlightenment are the meaning of life, both on a species and civilizational level.
The Transcendors formed a brief tactical alliance with the
Abdicator forces in the battle of Kithrup.
(See also "Spontaneous Uplift".)
e3v5r1