This page refers to the Sudran people. For the Sudran language, see Sudran (Language).
Description[]
The Sudrans were a race of people who populated the planet Sudra prior to the catastrophic effects of the Pathogen. No Sudrans are depicted visually in Axiom Verge aside from piles of bones found in Absu and Zi (from which we know they were bipedal and likely human-like in size and appearance), but their writings can be found in the form of Notes scattered around the explorable areas, written in their own language.
History[]
Sudran society descended from an ancient civilization capable of miraculous developments; the ancient Sudrans developed wondrous technologies such as the Rebirth Chambers and mechanisms capable of traversing the Breach. The Sudra of this time would later be known as the Land of Civilized Kings. However, they later had a sociological collapse, presumably caused by war[1], causing them to become xenophobic and superstitious of their own technology. Several of their old technologies were referred to as the Old Machines, and many of these would be feared- possibly with a religious element to it.
It's shown that the priesthood was very important to the Sudran people, and that the High Priestess- likely one of, if not the highest social status- was able to make decisions affecting all of Sudra, such as the decision to power on the Breach Attractor and surround the planet with Breach.[2] Several High Priestesses are mentioned, High Priestess Eshinimma and an unnamed High Priestess who summoned the Breach. Kings are mentioned in Sudran writing[3][4], but it is not known if Sudra had a monarchy, or if the priesthood and monarchy overlapped. Sudra is described as a kingdom,[5] but no kings are ever mentioned outside poetic idea. Part of Sudra's nobility contained Nins; priestesses or noble ladies.[6][7]. Known Nins are Nin Urunna and Nin Turri. It is implied Sudra's nobility- or perhaps simply the priesthood- was comprised solely of women, as all known noble roles are feminine ones.
The Sudrans had a deep, complex history with the Rusalki, who crossed through the Breach into Sudra. Resembling the Old Machines, the Rusalki were feared by the Sudrans. This prompted the High Priestess of the time to use the Breach Attractor and surround Sudra with Breach, contaminating the sky with it and rendering the Rusalki helpless. The Sudran priesthood then took custody of the Rusalki. It is likely that they did not treat the Rusalki with care, as evidenced by Oracca's imprisonment underground[8] and an unnamed Rusalka holding bitterness towards High Priestess Eshinimma.[9]. Some Sudrans, such as Nin Turri, recognized that the Rusalki likely hold grudges against the Sudrans, fearing what the Rusalki could do should they be released.[2]
When a plague broke out on Sudra, the Sudrans attempted to escape, but were stopped by the Breach surrounding the planet. Trapped, they ordered people to stay away from public areas in order to try and minimize the spread.[10] As the plague worsened, the Rusalki tried negotiating with the priesthood, asking for access to the Old Machines and Rebirth Chambers.[9] Reluctantly[11], the clergy allowed them access, accepting that they had no choice.[12] After most of the clergy died of plague, the remaining Sudrans fled while the Rusalki got to work reactivating the Old Machines.[5] This proved to be the end for the Sudrans, and they were wiped out.
Notable Sudrans[]
- High Priestess Eshinimma
- Nin Urunna
- Nin Turri
Speculation[]
It is possible that the Sudrans are descended, partially or fully, from the Sagiga, the native people of Kiengir. The people of Kiengir traversed to what was formerly Udug land during the Udug War, to a land they called Engur.[13] The word engur refers to the primeval sea that dwells underneath Sumer in both Sumerian and Akkadian mythology[14][15], however, it is mostly called Abzu- which bears a striking resemblance to the Sudran land of Absu. Engur (in-game) is described as a great watery cavern, suiting Absu's description as being "comprised of natural caverns"[16] and hosting much fungal life. Additionally, according to Mageshgetil, several Wielders fled Kiengir after the Udug War and traversed the Breach- though it's unknown where to, or if they were successful at all.[17]
Many elements of Sudran society are found on Kiengir, most notably the Rebirth Chambers, though this simply could be due to dwelling downstream of A'ansur.
Additional Images[]
References[]
- ↑ As mentioned in Anonymous Quote (Note).
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 The Kuliltu (Note)
- ↑ Proverb (Note)
- ↑ The Land of Civilized Kings (Note)
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Public Notice (Note)
- ↑ http://www.sumerian.org/sumcvc.htm
- ↑ https://www.sumerian.org/sumerian.pdf
- ↑ "Driven insane by long years of subterranean imprisonment, this once-formidable Rusalka wanders Sudra's large central cavern, restless and mute." -Oracca's Steam Trading Card
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 The Storm (Note)
- ↑ Security Notice (Note)
- ↑ Official Letter (Note)
- ↑ From the High Priestess (Note)
- ↑ Commemorative Speech (Note)
- ↑ Leick, D. G. (2002). A Dictionary of Ancient Near Eastern Mythology. United Kingdom: Taylor & Francis. Page 40
- ↑ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abzu
- ↑ The Art of Axiom Verge, page 6
- ↑ Beware the Patternmind (Note)