The Flame Reawoken: The Restoration of Zoroastrian Persia

Mental_Wizard

Mental_Wizard

"In bygone days, all the lands had submitted to the Shah. It came to pass that Eranshahr went to war with the kingdom of the Romans. At first there was complete and total victory, and then chaos. Both kingdoms ended up devastated. The beneficiary was the Arabs. Coming out of the southern lands like a tidal wave, they swept aside all before them. Their new heresy threatened to exterminate the flame of the Zoroastrian faith. They very nearly succeeded too: but for the intercession of a great warrior. Now known to be a fraudulent claimant in spite of his merits, it was "Ardashir III," resurrected from his untimely death that proved the savior of Persia. It was Year 23 of the Yazdegerdi era, and 1223 years since the birth of the prophet Zoroaster. Ardashir was likely a minor general in the Sassanid armies, who was able to achieve prominence thanks to loyal soldiers."
-The Persian Chronicle


1)- Eranshahr was the self-given name for the Sassanid Empire.
2)- Ardashir III reigned very briefly, being killed in a coup at the age of nine in 630.
3)- the year attested is 655 AD. Calculations for Zoroaster's birth at the time were inaccurate, and this is reflected. Additionally, time was usually told by the regnal era. For the purposes of this TL, a new calendar will be introduced starting from this year, commemorating the reign of the usurper Ardashir.

this is just a preview really... more is to come.
 
Mental_Wizard

Mental_Wizard

I apologize for the delay in posting another part. I wasn't expecting this much attention... Now I have pressure to make this better than my usual writing quality :coldsweat:

Hopefully the extra time considering what to do pays off. I really appreciate all the interest after literally one paragraph.
 

RogueTraderEnthusiast

Mental_Wizard said:
I apologize for the delay in posting another part. I wasn't expecting this much attention... Now I have pressure to make this better than my usual writing quality :coldsweat:

Hopefully the extra time considering what to do pays off. I really appreciate all the interest after literally one paragraph.
Click to expand...
آتش همیشه سوزانده می شود

EDIT : Translation -
Fire always burned, or the intention, "The Fire Shall always burn". Free Translations be dodgy.
 
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Mental_Wizard

Mental_Wizard

the flame reawoken
i

The sun beat down upon the brow of the weary soldier. The Arab forces marched through Aspahan towards the east. There were rumors from the east of resistance to the invaders in the mountains, but that would hardly help anyone here. The people toiled under the weight of this oppression. Yet, the sun still shone. Ahura Mazda had not abandoned the people. It would be by his will that the invaders would be smote. Dripping with sweat, the soldier bent his knee down onto a rock next to him, pondering this consideration. If he fought not in the name of his ambition, but for freedom and the faith of the land, he could rule. Even the mighty Arab armies would fall at his feet before the anger of the people roused. Tears began to well up in his eyes. It had been nearly four years since the death of the Shahanshah had been reported. For four years, there had been no hope. Only faith in Ahura Mazda would be the salvation of Eranshahr. The man stood, determined to change the way things were.

Sneaking into Aspahan was easier than he had expected. There were few Arabs left in the town after the depature of the main army eastward. This gave him an idea: the Arab army was marching into unfamiliar territory. If he could rally the townspeople, they could trap the army in the mountains to the east. Trapped, the army would be at a severe disadvantage. They might just be able to win a battle! There was a village near there that he had visited recently: the people were very resistant to the Arab rule. Additionally, this particular Arab army was fresh from the west. They dd not know the lay of the land to the east.

The soldier strode to the center of the town, and waved to many of the passing citizens.
"People of Aspahan! I have brought you here today in our common hatred of the Arab oppressors! We need not choke under their tyranny. It is time that the rule of Ahura Mazda be restored to all of Eranshahr! The Arabs are rich and skilled in the ways of war, indeed, but Ahura Mazda is with us! Look at the portends this day has brought! The sun burns with a ferocity unmatched, and the Arabs have forsaken their garrison of this town! We must follow that army, and ambush them in the foothills. We will fall upon them in vengenace for the Shahanshah, and all our kin and friends who they have butchered! Eranshahr can yet be free: if you will follow me. With your support, we can make Eranshahr great again! The land cries out for freedom: would you let it go unanswered? I served in the armies of the Shahanshah, and I call any fellow veterans to me, to strike at the invaders once again! If any of you truly love your homeland and your faith, you will follow me. I bid you stand, men of Eranshahr!" He roared.

The effect was seismic in its intensity.

All across the town, shouts of anger flared up in the crowds. Citizens rushed against the few remaining Arab soldiers, and tore them to pieces in their fury. The weapons of the city still remaining were quickly set out in the center of the town, and distributed to all the eager men who answered the call to arms. Women too, some of whom knew the passages in the mountains as well came, as the whole city was united against the Arab menace. The toil of the citizens lasted only a few hours, as they were intent on catching the Arab army before they could escape their reach and extend the grip of tyranny further across the land. Looking at the dedication of the people of the town, the soldier slowly broke into a smile. These people would be his road to power. Through them, he would posture himself as the liberator and savior of Eranshahr, and gain dominion over the land for himself.

"We leave in three hours to start after the Arabs!" He shouted.



1)-Aspahan is today called Isfahan
2)- Yes, I appropriated a Trump-ism, a LOTR phrase, and some Shakespeare all in one speech. :p

I need feedback on whether this was good or not. I suspect the story will be easier to write later, but this opening setup of the plot isn't exactly my strong suit.
 

CalBear

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RogueTraderEnthusiast said:
آتش همیشه سوزانده می شود
Click to expand...
Please do not post ONLY in a language other than English.

It is sort of important to provide an English translation since, as this now stands, if someone claimed this post violated Board rules the Mods would have no option but to accept the statement as fact and take action based solely on the report.
 

RogueTraderEnthusiast

CalBear said:
Please do not post ONLY in a language other than English.

It is sort of important to provide an English translation since, as this now stands, if someone claimed this post violated Board rules the Mods would have no option but to accept the statement as fact and take action based solely on the report.
Click to expand...

Oh. Uh. I'll go Edit that and provide the English then.
 

John7755 يوحنا

@Mental_Wizard What year is this set? I’m assuming Umar Ibn al-Khattab has not been assassinated. If not, I would advise seeing Piruz Nahavandi still assassinate Umar and then be granted a saintly position in this new Empire.

I will be watching.

EDIT: It seems your date is past Umar Ibn al-Khattab. Thus, the idea of saintly Piruz Nahavandi stands.
 
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