The Voice of the Ancestors Returns

Celestial / Cosmic

By 1269 DR, the Radiant Citadel was flourishing politically and economically, but its spiritual foundation remained fragile. The Speakers for the Ancestors were still adapting to their growing responsibilities, with conflicts between Akharin Sangar’s structured governance and Siabsungkoh’s fluid mercantile influence shaping the city’s policies.   Amid this uncertainty, the Turquoise Lion, the Dawn Incarnate of Akharin Sangar, sent forth a vision to its Speaker—a powerful dream of shifting sands, a coastline of obsidian-black cliffs, and the deep, resounding echoes of voices carried on the wind.   The vision was interpreted as a call to seek out Djaynai, a civilization renowned in ancient times for its oral traditions, music, and deep reverence for ancestral spirits.

Rediscovery of Djaynai
By 1269 DR, the Radiant Citadel was flourishing politically and economically, but its spiritual foundation remained fragile. The Speakers for the Ancestors were still adapting to their growing responsibilities, with conflicts between Akharin Sangar’s structured governance and Siabsungkoh’s fluid mercantile influence shaping the city’s policies.   Amid this uncertainty, the Turquoise Lion, the Dawn Incarnate of Akharin Sangar, sent forth a vision to its Speaker—a powerful dream of shifting sands, a coastline of obsidian-black cliffs, and the deep, resounding echoes of voices carried on the wind.   The vision was interpreted as a call to seek out Djaynai, a civilization renowned in ancient times for its oral traditions, music, and deep reverence for ancestral spirits.   Unlike other rediscoveries, Djaynai did not require a grand expedition. The Simurgh Eternal’s call had already been received by Djaynai’s own spiritual leaders, who had long believed their people were destined to return to something lost.   Led by a delegation of Griots—storykeepers and mystic historians—they traveled through ancient trade routes, guided by their ancestral rites, eventually arriving at the Auroral Diamond.   The moment a Djaynai descendant stepped onto the Citadel, the Water Opal Saltwater Salamander—Djaynai’s Dawn Incarnate—awakened in the Preserve of the Ancestors, its translucent body reflecting a thousand shimmering colors, as if carrying the voices of the past within it.   With Djaynai’s return, the Citadel gained its first true spiritual compass.   Immediate Impact & Political Shifts
1. The Rise of Ancestral Worship & Ritualized History
Djaynai brought a profound reverence for history, memory, and the role of the ancestors. Their traditions dictated that knowledge was not merely recorded—it was spoken, performed, and lived through generations.   The Speakers for the Ancestors were fundamentally altered by this perspective. Previously, Speakers had functioned purely as representatives—now, they were seen as living extensions of their civilization’s history, bearers of memory as much as political leaders. The Preserve of the Ancestors became a sacred space, where Speakers consulted the Dawn Incarnates through ritualized oral ceremonies rather than written decrees. This solidified the Citadel’s identity as not just a trade hub but a cultural and spiritual sanctuary.   2. The First Conflict Over the Role of Religion in Governance
Djaynai’s belief in ancestral reverence and the power of spoken tradition clashed with Akharin Sangar’s structured, law-driven policies.   The Speakers for the Ancestors debated whether faith and spirituality should influence governance. Sensa Empire’s faction sided with Akharin Sangar, arguing that leadership should remain secular and focused on trade. San Citlán and Shankhabhumi, inspired by Djaynai’s reverence for the past, pushed for a spiritual framework in decision-making. This philosophical debate led to the formation of the Citadel’s first formalized religious councils, distinct from governance but holding significant advisory power—a system that remained influential even as more civilizations arrived.   3. The Cultural Expansion of the Citadel
Djaynai’s arrival introduced performative storytelling, ritualized history, and the belief that knowledge should be experienced, not merely studied.   Musical traditions flourished, with entire districts transforming into centers of art and oral performance. The Festival of Echoing Voices was established—a grand gathering where history was sung, acted, and woven into the present. Djaynai’s arrival also reignited interest in finding other lost civilizations, as they believed that no culture should be left unheard. This directly influenced the next great discovery—Yeonido (1274 DR), whose supernatural heritage aligned with Djaynai’s vision of ancestral bonds and spirit guardianship.   Contributions & Lasting Changes
The Recognition of the Speakers as Living Histories
No longer just political figures, Speakers became guardians of their civilization’s ancestral knowledge. This led to the first official archiving of oral traditions within the Citadel.   Introduction of Performative Governance & Ritualistic Debate
Djaynai’s traditions led to the adoption of public storytelling and poetic oration in political decision-making. This later influenced Yongjing’s structured philosophical discourse (1309 DR).   Spiritual & Artistic Renaissance
Djaynai reinforced the Citadel’s role as a sanctuary of cultural preservation. Their influence ensured that future civilizations, like Atagua and Tayyib, would integrate religious and historical knowledge into policy-making.   Connections to Other Civilizations

• Akharin Sangar (1250 DR): The Simurgh Eternal’s visions led to Djaynai’s rediscovery, but their structured governance clashed with Djaynai’s spiritual philosophy.
• San Citlán (1284 DR): Their shared appreciation for artistic and faith-driven governance created a powerful cultural alliance.
• Yeonido (1274 DR): Djaynai’s arrival directly inspired the Citadel’s scholars to track supernatural anomalies, leading to Yeonido’s rediscovery.

• Djaynai was rediscovered not through exploration but through divine visions sent by the Simurgh Eternal.
• The Water Opal Saltwater Salamander awakened upon their arrival, signifying the return of ancestral voices.
• Their oral traditions reshaped the Citadel’s perception of history, identity, and the role of the Speakers.
• Their presence sparked the first major debate over religion’s role in governance, leading to the formation of religious advisory councils.
• Their cultural emphasis on performative storytelling, memory, and ritual debate permanently shaped the Citadel’s political and artistic landscape.
• Their rediscovery led directly to the pursuit and eventual return of Yeonido (1274 DR).