The revolt of Thaliost

Revolution

Emboldened by Aundair’s action the prior year and led to believe that magical support might arrive to strengthen their hand, the commoners of Thaliost revolted.

The soldiers of Thrane moved to suppress the revolt, but the Diet of Cardinals demanded softer methods be applied first: They decreed that no food would be supplied to the city until the rebels surrendered. The Cardinals misjudged the commoners, who found ways to smuggle food and supplies into the city and resisted the siege.   When the “gentler hand” failed, the Diet unleashed the knights. The city was pacified, show trials were held, and the captured instigators were burned alive as an example. Thrane–Thaliost attitudes, unpleasant previously, became even more bitter. A large garrison called the Flame’s Anointed was assigned to the city from 928 forward, and relations between the city’s people and its occupiers remain tainted even years after the war’s end.  

Thrane’s actions in Thaliost mark the darkest point in Keeper Serrain’s reign. It cannot be questioned that the Church of the Silver Flame was in complete control of the Northern Crusade, and that all the measures taken to pacify Thaliost were approved by the Diet of Cardinals. Although the lycanthropic crusade has long been a warning of the potential for Silver Flame excesses, Thaliost is truly the most “evil” of church-sponsored activities.   Given the fervor of the nation at the time, it could be argued that the church rulers had little choice when faced with intractable opposition, but that is a circular claim. After all, the mood of Thrane was in no small part a product of the Keeper‘s and the Cardinals’ exhortations. Some have described the Keeper as a weak individual overwhelmed by the passions of his time. Others point to his preascension writings and deem all Thrane’s actions to be part of his long term plans.   Certain Silver Flame commentators have suggested that the long-denied Voice of Darkness in the Flame was responsible. Whatever the cause of this tragic chapter of history, many in the Church of the Silver Flame have spent the last three-quarters of a century seeking redemption. Given all the good the church has created and all the true evil it has vanquished over the years, we can only hope young Keeper Daran continues the virtuous path she has laid before the faithful. - Renowned Zil librarian Augusta Wainwocket