Mantali Incident
People act like we executed harmless monks. If that were the case, how did two of our guards get stabbed?The Mantali Incident was a disastrous conflict between a small missionary group and a Mantali coast guard unit. Mantalos, its coast guard, and its leadership have faced heavy criticism since the incident. Many from Salaris and Torverath claim the Mantalos military slaughtered innocent monks trying to spread the Divine Teachings of Torva, a message of love, while Mantalos argues the missionaries attacked Mantali Coast Guard while illegally on Mantali shores.
Magistrate: Tell us in your own words what happened. Coast Guard officer: We were patrolling the southwestern quadrant, and we spotted a dinghy rowing into {piratey-sounding name} Cove. We've had issues with this area before, with smugglers, and the craft looked suspicious. Magistrate: Suspicious how? Coast Guard Officer: It was unmarked and did not look to be Mantali-made. So we pulled up closer to investigate. Upon seeing us, the four men in the craft rowed faster and ignored our commands for them to stop. Magistrate: Did you or your fellow guards identify yourself? Coast Guard Officer: Of course. Several times. Magistrate: What happened next? Coast Guard Officer: We followed them to shore, where they tried to run. I tackled one man to the ground. Another immediately went to his knees with his hands raised in surrender. I thought they would cooperate. Before I could see what was happening with the others, Jensen screamed. Next thing I know, it's complete chaos.
Had they cooperated, they would have been fined and sent home.Many from Torverath and Salaris claim this testimony to be unreliable, little more than an attempt to rationalize the murder of devout followers of Torva.
The Conflict
Prelude
In 970 DE, Ariadne became High Priestess of Torverath, and brought a renewed zealous energy to the Temple. She began an aggressive campaign against non-followers, and this lit a religious fervor throughout Torverath and Salaris. As a result, "missions" abroad to "bring lost souls to Torva's light" increased in frequency and intensity, despite the fact that the majority of Mantali people were not receptive. Angered by the increasingly aggressive manner of these "missions," the disrespect to the Mantali people and culture, and the dismissal of their own goddess, Mantali leadership banned further Torvae missions, beginning in early 978 DE. Mantalos issued warnings, and turned away religious missionaries at the ports. By mid-year, Mantali leadership began dealing with this trespassing more harshly, specifically through arrests and heavy fines, increased port inspections and coast guard activiites.
Outcome
Aftermath
Belligerents
Strength
Casualties
Objectives
Rumors & Conspiracies
If they were simple missionaries, why were they armed? Why'd they attack? It makes no sense.Many Mantali citizens question the real motive behind the incident and why the missionaries did not yield to arrest, why they were armed, and why they were really there. Were they simply religious fanatics? Or were there some ulterior motive to foment war?
I like the fact that there's no way to know if the coast guards are telling the truth or not - the only people who could dispute it are dead. I'm not surprised this incident increased tensions. I love the inclusion of the transcript.
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Thank you :)