View source for Far God cult

{{Organizationinfobox
|title1       = 
|image1       = Far God cult logo.png
|caption1     = 
|leader       = 
|members      = [[#Members|See list]]
|headquarters = 
|location     = [[The Sanctum]], Etain<br/>[[The Prophet]], Etain<br/>Panjabell<br/>Aranbarahun<br/>Various [[Federation|Federal]], [[Alliance|Allied]], and [[independent]] systems
|type         = Fringe religion
|purpose      = Worship the Thargoids and the Far God
|established  = 3304
|dissolved    = 
}}
The '''Order of the Far God''',<ref name="Etain">[https://imgur.com/a/UpDzdKs imgur: Elite Dangerous Etain Abandoned Settlement Logs]</ref> more commonly known as the '''Far God cult''', is a radical religious sect that formed sometime in 3304 in the [[Core Systems]]. It has no formal name, and its members openly worship the [[Thargoid]]s as heralds of a divine being they called the Far God. One of numerous fringe religions with apocalyptic beliefs that arose during the [[Second Thargoid War|second conflict]] between [[human]]s and Thargoids, the enigmatic Order of the Far God attracted a significant following across multiple systems in [[Federation]] and [[Alliance]] space. While ostensibly harmless, the cult's members garnered disdainful and violent reactions from the mainstream galactic community, and its unusual beliefs were the focus of scholarly interest.

The Far God cult reemerged in July 3307 as several chapters gathered in the Panjabell system, which was ruled by a sympathetic minor faction called the Pleiades Concordat, to construct three [[megaship]]s to spread their message and commune with the Far God. By this time, the Far God cult had quietly expanded from a fringe group to an organised, widespread religion.

==History==
===Emergence===
As the Thargoid conflict wore on in 3304, journalists and scholars began noting the phenomenon of fringe doomsayer cults proliferating throughout the Core Systems. Independent reporter [[Gethin Okonkwo]] published an article on May 19, 3304 revealing that dozens of such cults had emerged and attracted thousands of members, and while their natures varied, they were all adamant that the Thargoid conflict was a sign of an imminent apocalypse. For example, the [[Church of the Eternal Void]] taught that the war was a futile struggle for human souls, with the Thargoids taking the role of demons while the [[Guardian]]s were "beings of light who have decreed us unworthy of salvation". In contrast, Generation Omega believed that human civilization was naturally doomed to fall before a superior lifeform such as the Thargoids, and planned to build mass euthanasia centres to give humanity the opportunity to end itself with dignity. Okonkwo concluded by saying that these radical fringe religions would likely persist as long as the uncertainty caused by the Thargoid conflict continued.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/5afc3617b57fd80b460215ea GalNet: Fringe Doomsayer Cults on the Rise]</ref>

On June 16, exotheologian [[Alfred Ulyanov|Dr Alfred Ulyanov]] highlighted one unnamed cult that even worshiped the Thargoids as divine beings, and preached that only they would survive the apocalyptic arrival of an extra-dimensional, omnipotent entity called the Far God. The cult's followers gathered in hive-chapels patterned after Thargoid vessel and structure designs. The interiors were dark, with pulsing green lights, surfaces covered in a black, coral-like substance, and an overpowering stench of ammonia. Members directed their prayers at an altar shaped like a [[Thargoid Interceptor]]. The members themselves were adorned only in simple, unmarked robes with hoods. While they were intense and resolute, many also appeared unhealthy.<ref name="WTT">[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/5b23bc10e7c3870a79317183 GalNet: Worshipping the Thargoids]</ref>

===Public suspicion===
By June 30, the nameless cult had garnered hostile reactions from the public, and security officials had arrested multiple individuals for committing various misdemeanors against cult members. There were no recorded cases of worshipers retaliating, defending themselves, or seeking assistance. Local authorities such as Councillor [[Quinn Damico]] of the Aranbarahun system called for tolerance: ''"I would like to assure citizens that the Far God worshippers, while strange, are essentially harmless. Furthermore, criminal acts against them, including incitement to violence, may result in prosecution. The right to freedom of religion is protected by law in all systems where the sect has a presence."''<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/5b34b357d2702c1ea8152862 GalNet: Thargoid-Worshipping Cult Garners Hostility]</ref>

Mistrust of the cult continued to grow, however, and on July 5, 3304, reporter [[Flint Lafosse|Flint "Firemaker" Lafosse]] stoked tensions further with speculation that the reclusive Thargoid cult was a "fifth column" of brainwashed abduction victims sent back to human systems as spies and saboteurs. Lafosse noted that the most unsettling characteristic of the cultists was their secretiveness and refusal to communicate. Dr Ulyanov refuted Lafosse's claims: ''"I can categorically answer one point: the reason the Far God worshippers are not interested in communicating is that, from their point of view, we will all be dead soon. As for the rest of this speculation, nothing in my studies has caused me to suspect this group to be a threat, despite its unsettling beliefs."''<ref name="ATFC">[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/5b3dfd1321ffd9343218451a GalNet: A Thargoid Fifth Column?]</ref>

===Holy war===
On July 11, 3304, the [[Church of the Eternal Void]] publicly denounced the Far God cult and declared a holy war against it. A spokesperson identified as Cardinal [[Hieronymous]] stated, ''"As disciples of the Guardians, we hereby declare war on those who have sold their souls to the Thargoid demons. We vow to expunge their poisonous creed and purge them from the galaxy."'' The Church immediately saw a dramatic upswing in support from local communities, especially detractors of the Thargoid cult. In response, security forces in multiple systems issued reminders that the Thargoid cult was a legally-recognized religion. Dr Ulyanov commented on the situation on the Rewired news feed: ''"It's apparent that the Church is taking advantage of animosity towards the Far God sect to promote itself. The idea of Thargoid spies in human form, although baseless, has caused much anxiety. By declaring the Cult a holy adversary, the Church validates its own existence."''<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/5b45cb098c932974af7b1815 GalNet: Fringe Religion Condemns Far God Cult]</ref>

By July 19, numerous attacks had been incited against the Far God cult by the Church of the Eternal Void across multiple systems. Several of the sect's places of worship were firebombed, resulting in dozens of deaths and hundreds of injuries. The Far God cultists offered no resistance to the aggression, and even refused to leave their burning hive-chapels. Local security forces were slow to respond to the incidents, and few arrests were made. While Church representatives and critics of the Far God cult praised the attacks, Councillor Quinn Damico of Aranbarahun called for an immediate security crackdown on vigilantism and accused the Church of openly persecuting a legally-registered religion.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/5b5049d6f04e92310f589369 GalNet: Far God Cult Attacked]</ref>

The violence continued, with the death toll among the Far God cult rising into the hundreds. On July 25, the Church of the Eternal Void was declared illegal by local authorities in every system where it operated, and the Church's leadership was arrested for inciting violence against the Far God cult. Councillor Damico praised the declaration, while critics of the Far God cult condemned it. [[Jameelah Griffin|Dr Jameelah Griffin]] of the [[Galactic Interfaith Commune]] stated, ''"The ability to distinguish between laws and beliefs is the mark of a civilised society. In this case we consider the Far God sect to be the victim rather than the aggressor, despite the controversial nature of their faith."''<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/5b584f982ee69f18c0286234 GalNet: Guardian-Worshipping Church Declared Illegal]</ref>

===FIA investigation and disappearances===
The [[Federal Intelligence Agency]] launched an investigation into the Far God cult on August 3, 3304. Several members of the sect were arrested for interrogation. FIA Senior Agent [[Micah Whitefield]] addressed the arrests: ''"Given the organisation's proclaimed interest in the Thargoids, it is vital that we confirm they are not in contact with Thargoid forces, or being influenced by them. The FIA is working with local security agencies across many systems to ascertain the truth."'' The Rewired news service broadcast footage of armed Federal troops forcing their way into the cult's hive-chapels and dragging cult members into armoured vehicles. There was no sign of resistance from the Far God adherents. Other video feeds showed groups of citizens trying to shield the Far God worshippers, while rival groups could be seen cheering on the soldiers.<ref name="FGCUI">[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/5b6424655f3a2a34d36e5af0 GalNet: Far God Cult under Investigation]</ref>

A fresh wave of cultist arrests occurred on August 9, with Senior Agent Whitefield stating, ''"This operation is purely a security matter. Under Federal law, any action that undermines enemy activity during wartime is legal, including the suspension of civil liberties. We are expanding our investigation to include all members of this organisation and anyone with a connection to it."'' Media channels reported a division in public opinion regarding the FIA's actions. Some saw the arrests as illegal and tantamount to religious persecution. Others claimed that the Far God worshippers have invited suspicion upon themselves, and that their detainment was justified.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/5b6c223117176930b724e953 GalNet: Further Arrests of Far God Cultists]</ref>

The investigation entered a new stage on August 17 with the arrest of [[Alfred Ulyanov|Dr Alfred Ulyanov]] and his family at their home in the Rana system by FIA agents. Dr Ulyanov was a leading authority on the Far God cult, and his research materials and computer systems were also confiscated. Professor Siobhan Vogel of the Interstellar Association of Universities registered a formal complaint against Ulyanov's arrest. Senior Agent Whitefield elaborated on the situation: ''"When it comes to possible Thargoid allies, we cannot afford to overlook anything. Dr Ulyanov's involvement with the Far God cult makes him a valid person of interest. We are also investigating the Galactic Interfaith Commune, the Spiritual Freedom Movement and other organisations that have supported Thargoid worshippers."''<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/5b742b15f059cf715d082f11 GalNet: Ulyanov Arrested]</ref>

On August 23, the Federal Intelligence Agency reported that Far God cult members were disappearing in large numbers. Hive-chapels in Federal space raided by the FIA were found empty, and reports from independent systems stated that entire chapters of the cult were disappearing overnight. Senior Agent Whitefield believed that the cultists were attempting to leave the cult and return to normal life, and urged the galactic community to report any ex-cultists to the FIA. However, [[Jameelah Griffin|Dr Jameelah Griffin]] of the Galactic Interfaith Commune commented that there were no known cases of Far God cultists returning to their friends or family, and the disappearances remained a mystery.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/5b7ebc7cfc113a671578a7bd GalNet: Far God Cultists Vanishing]</ref>

On August 30, prominent anti-Far God cult activist [[Juanita Bishop]] announced that she would run for [[Federal Congress]] as an independent candidate. Dr Jameelah Griffin commented: ''"Juanita Bishop is building her powerbase on the fear and paranoia that she herself has invoked. As has happened before, an innocent religion is being used as a scapegoat for society's ills. We should be more concerned about the fact that Far God chapters are continuing to vanish without trace. If they are under threat, it is our duty to offer protection. These people are not aliens but citizens with legal rights, despite Bishop's efforts to dehumanise them."''<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/5b87c39a1456e7388f40ecb0 GalNet: Juanita Bishop runs for Congress]</ref>

Meanwhile, independent pilots tracking leads provided by [[Aegis]]'s [[Eagle Eye]] array uncovered vital clues explaining the disappearances of the Far God cultists. Two [[Settlement|compounds]] belonging to the cult were discovered in the Etain system: "[[The Prophet]]" at Etain 4 c, and "[[The Sanctum]]" at Etain 4 a. Both sites had recently been attacked by Thargoids, and while there was no indication of survivors, personal audio logs recorded by the cultists revealed that they had retreated from their hive-chapels elsewhere and gathered at these secluded locations to be placed into cryogenic stasis while awaiting the arrival of the Far God and their expected ascendancy. The cultists came from various walks of life, and had joined the cult for a wide range of reasons; one member, Nathan Summers, was even an undercover FIA agent who lost contact with his superiors. Given the Thargoids' penchant for abducting escape pods, it is possible that they also abducted the Far God cultists in their cryo-stasis "crypts".<ref name="Etain" />

Meanwhile, the FIA remained unable to explain the disappearances and continued to find hive-chapels empty. Arrests of possible Thargoid sympathizers expanded to the associates and family members of known Far God cultists. Independent reporter Gethin Okonkwo and Dr Jameelah Griffin were also arrested, and several religious freedom advocacy groups were shut down. Senior Agent Micah Whitefield stated, ''"We will leave no stone unturned in our mission to identify Thargoid influences. The disappearance of Far God chapters is clearly a coordinated operation of either human or alien design. We warn anyone who may be harbouring cult members that they are impeding a Federal investigation, and will face criminal charges."''<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/5b8fc05a5294596073197d1c GalNet: Thargoid-Sympathiser Arrests Increase]</ref>

===Request for Thargoid materials===
On August 30, the Far God cult contracted the LHS 2541 Alliance Combine to manage an open order for various Thargoid materials, which the cult insisted would only be revered as objects of worship and not used in xenobiological experiments. The Far God cult used a middleman to maintain their privacy and avoid further persecution, and the LHS 2541 Alliance Combine agreed to help the cult in the interests of religious freedom. Pilots were asked to deliver the Thargoid materials to Wheelock Ring in the Zavijah system.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/5b880228cd5d084f0d0366fe GalNet: Far God Campaign]</ref> The campaign concluded in success on September 6, 3304. The LHS 2541 Alliance Combine took the opportunity to thank contributors and reiterate that rumors that the Far God cult was experimenting on willing test subjects in the hopes of ascending to a higher form of life had no factual basis.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/5b913adb982338334c197068 GalNet: Far God Campaign Concludes]</ref>

===Investigation concludes===
On September 13, anti-Thargoid campaigner and independent Federal Congressional candidate [[Juanita Bishop]] called on [[Federal Congress]] to make Thargoid worship a capital crime, and for all members of the Far God cult to be executed without trial. Political analysts noted that Bishop's statement triggered considerable debate in Congress and polarized [[Congressmen]], with some aligning with Bishop to appear "tough on Thargoids" and others decrying her "inhuman rhetoric" and her proposal to execute Federal citizens without due process. With the FIA continuing to arrest Far God cultists and those in contact with them, and casualties from the Thargoid war mounting, the Far God cult appeared on the verge of extinction.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/5b98e81850289c5c1a45f084 GalNet: Calls to Execute Far God Worshippers]</ref>

Independent reporter [[Gethin Okonkwo]], who was previously thought missing, revealed that he had been living undercover within the Far God cult for the past three months. In an op-ed piece, Mr. Okonkwo shared his experiences: ''"I was fascinated by Dr Ulyanov's research and I desperately wanted to understand this doomsayer cult further, so I decided to covertly study the Far God sect by posing as an adherent. During this time, I visited hive-chapels in several different systems, narrowly escaping death when one was attacked by the Church of Eternal Void. On many occasions, I was physically and verbally abused by members of the public, including Juanita Bishop's campaign followers. At no point did I see evidence of actual contact with the Thargoids, bar the occasional use of alien material as holy artefacts. Most worshippers are essentially fatalists, attracted to the idea of an apocalypse. Some are convinced that they alone will survive the Far God's manifestation. It is a strange and often contradictory faith, but no less so than other religions. I recorded my experiences within the sect using concealed micro-cameras. I am voluntarily sharing this data with the Federal Intelligence Agency to prove that the Far God sect is not dangerous, and with the hope of ending its persecution."''<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/5ba49ce2faf85007e0123362 GalNet: Inside the Far God Cult]</ref>

Senior Agent [[Micah Whitefield]] announced on September 29 that the FIA had closed its investigation of the Far God cult. Whitefield told the media, ''"The information provided by Gethin Okonkwo on the inner workings of the Far God sect has been verified as genuine. In the absence of any evidence regarding communication with the Thargoids, our investigation is concluded. All worshippers who were detained have now been released. We are indebted to Mr Okonkwo for his highly detailed report. We had hoped to gain similar insights via our own undercover agent, who infiltrated the sect, but we are still awaiting his report."'' [[Alfred Ulyanov|Dr Alfred Ulyanov]] commented: ''"I offer the highest praise to Gethin Okonkwo, whose dedication has confirmed the innocuous nature of the Far God faith. Sadly, this experience illustrates that intolerance and fear of the 'other' remain deeply embedded in human nature, no matter how advanced our species becomes."''<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/5bae3c27d0ca185dd716530a GalNet: Far God Cult Investigation Ends]</ref>

===Moving on===
In the wake of Okonkwo's investigation confirming there was no connection between the Far God cult and the Thargoids, Juanita Bishop's congressional campaign collapsed and she lost her election. Many members of Federal Congress also turned against Bishop and began blaming her for causing civil unrest and violating the Federation's principles of religious freedom. In a defiant statement to the media, Bishop doubled-down on her rhetoric against the cult and renewed her call for its members to be summarily executed.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/5bb5f6c203248e4a6b21a7b4 GalNet: Bishop’s Congressional Bid Collapses]</ref>

On October 10, [[Gethin Okonkwo]] shared more details about his time with the Far God cult: ''"After three months of living as a Far God worshipper, I'm now acclimatising to life as an ordinary citizen. There, I was known only as Third Witness of the Tenth Chapter, although that was more of a title than a name. Identical in our robes, we were all nameless servants of the commune. That may sound despotic, but there was a strangely seductive aspect to surrendering one's identity. At times I almost experienced the tranquillity that true adherents seemed to feel. I'm relieved to see Far God believers returning to their hive-chapels, having survived weeks of persecution. This has been a baptism of fire for the sect, with hundreds dead and several chapters still missing. Many other doomsayer cults have since faded away or, like the Church of Eternal Void, been outlawed. But it seems that the Far God faith will endure, perhaps even beyond our conflict with the Thargoids. I have been contacted by the exotheologian Dr Alfred Ulyanov with a view to combining our research. Together we hope to produce the definitive account of this tenacious religion."''<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/5bbdd6427efaeb22b65b17fe GalNet: Survivors of the Far God]</ref>

On November 28, [[Alfred Ulyanov|Dr Alfred Ulyanov]] commented on the discovery of the Far God cult outposts in the Etain system back in August, noting that both settlements provided surprising insights into the motivations of the cult members. Ulyanov also asserted that while it was clear that the two settlements had been attacked, it was not certain that Thargoids were the perpetrators and the attacks may have been carried out by humans instead. Ulyanov thanked the explorers who discovered the settlements and revealed that the information would be used in a book about the cult that he was co-writing with Gethin Okonkwo.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/5bfe75215c9edc159958e7dc GalNet: Ulyanov Discusses Far God Outposts]</ref> Okonkwo teased the book on December 8, claiming that it would reveal new details on the nature of the Far God religion, but that the discovery of the Etain sites proved that many of the cult's mysteries had yet to be uncovered.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/5c05434935b45a7dbf00ab32 GalNet: Mysteries of the Far God]</ref>

===Survivor found at "The Prophet"===
On March 23, 3305, freelance reporter [[Alexei Keel]] broke the news that the [[Federal Intelligence Agency]] had recovered an intact cryogenic pod from the rubble of the abandoned Far God cult compound called "[[The Prophet]]" on Etain 4 c. The discovery was made as the FIA conducted intensive scanning of the site in search of missing undercover agent Nathan Summers. The pod's occupant was rushed to a medical facility for treatment, but his or her identity was not disclosed. It was considered likely that the survivor was one of the cultists who recorded audio logs at the site, prior to entering suspended animation to await the Far God.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/galnet/uid/5c93b44ed081f4663d2d1025 GalNet: Survivor Found at Far God Outpost]</ref> On March 30, the survivor was formally identified as Kiona O'Connor, a 17-year old runaway who had been accepted and sheltered by the cultists. Following a debriefing, the FIA contacted her father, John O'Connor, and arranged for her to be sent home.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/galnet/uid/5c9ca247b51eec6cee31913f GalNet: Far God Survivor Revived]</ref>

===Gathering in Panjabell===
After years of apparent inactivity, the Far God cult returned to galactic headlines on July 19, 3307 in a report compiled by [[Erik Gunnarson]] of the [[Wallglass Investigations Agency]]. Rather than fading away, the Far God cult had quietly expanded its reach and become a widespread religion. Several chapters of the cult were observed arriving in the Panjabell system, which was controlled by a sympathetic theocratic faction called the Pleiades Concordat, but the purpose behind this gathering was unknown.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/galnet/uid/60f5813b401bf1637a043458 GalNet: Galactic Mysteries: The Far God Cult]</ref> The Pleiades Concordat unveiled an initiative to construct up to five [[megaship]]s for the Far God cult on July 22. A senior member of the cult identified only as the First Herald of the Fifty-Eighth Chapter explained in a broadcast that the first megaship, the Testament, would be used as a missionary vessel in human territory, while the other four would be sent into deep space to commune with the Far God.<ref name="Far God Megaships">[https://community.elitedangerous.com/galnet/uid/60f9781aaf58be51a97f2e83 GalNet: Initiative to Outfit Far God Megaships]</ref>

The Pleiades Concordat initiative concluded on July 29, after receiving enough resources to outfit three megaships: the [[Testament]], the [[Perdition]], and the [[Sacrosanct]]. The vessels were expected to launch from Panjabell on August 5. It was explained by the Eighty-Ninth Adherent of the Sixtieth Chapter, a new convert name Leonard Yates, that the Perdition and Sacrosanct would carry thousands of cultists commune with the Far God in an effort to hasten its arrival.<ref name="Far God Concludes">[https://community.elitedangerous.com/galnet/uid/61027dc2b3c5254ea8259812 GalNet: Far God Megaship Initiative Concludes]</ref> Cultists began boarding the completed megaships on August 6. Dr Alfred Ulyanov commented that the Far God cult had achieved a surprising level of organisation in a short time to be able to manage three megaships carrying thousands on pilgrims.<ref name="Cultists Voyages">[https://community.elitedangerous.com/galnet/uid/610d242dfdc64465f07c4f85 GalNet: Thargoid Cultists Prepare for Religious Voyages]</ref>

===NMLA hijacks the Sacrosanct===
What the cultists were unaware of, however, was that [[Theta Seven]], the de facto leader of the [[Neo-Marlinist Liberation Army]], had fled to Panjabell on July 31, infiltrated the Far God cult, and boarded one of their megaships with multiple weapons. The [[Affiliated Counter-Terrorism unit]] confirmed that the notorious terrorist had gone into hiding among the Far God cult on November 16, 3307. ACT believed that Theta Seven was most likely on one of the three megaships, but was unable to determine which, and attempts to warn the vessels were not well received by the cultists, who insisted the Perdition, Sacrosanct, and Testament were sanctuaries from ''"hostile security services"''.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/galnet/uid/6193ad413c83f442f35d1d5b GalNet: Theta Seven Traced to Panjabell System]</ref>

Theta Seven revealed himself on November 24, when he and his inner circle hijacked the Sacrosanct and diverted it to Mudhrid to rendezvous with the [[Steel Majesty]], another megaship recently seized by Neo-Marlinists. He threatened to kill all of the cultists on the Sacrosanct if authorities made any attempt to reclaim the ship. Due to the Far God cultists' fatalistic beliefs, it was assumed that they had done little to resist the terrorist takeover and accepted their situation as hostages.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/galnet/uid/619e36cf0dcedc556623f329 GalNet: Far God Megaship Hijacked by Theta Seven]</ref> It was estimated that thousands of cultists were aboard the Sacrosanct. When Margrave [[Corentin Delacroix]] of the Neo-Marlinist Order of Mudhrid declared war on the Epsilon Fornacis Empire Group on November 25, ACT assumed that the battle was an attempt to provide Theta Seven with an opening to safely transfer from the Sacrosanct to the more defensible Steel Majesty and escape, a scenario that would likely mark the start of a new wave of NMLA terrorism.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/galnet/uid/619f87b6ec2baf12582da95a GalNet: The Battle of Mudhrid]</ref> Fortunately, Theta Seven was denied rescue when ACT covertly boarded and recaptured the Steel Majesty on December 2, 3307, but the Sacrosanct and its Far God cultists remained under the terrorist's control.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/galnet/uid/61a8b6928debb451f45185cf GalNet: Battle of Mudhrid Ends in NMLA Defeat]</ref>

By December 7, ACT's attempts to open negotiations with Theta Seven and board the Sacrosanct had met with failure, the latter case a consequence of the Sacrosanct's design, which had been intended by the cultists to prevent external access and provide them with a sanctified environment. Fortunately, the Sacrosanct had not yet left the Mudhrid system due to internal power failues within the ship's [[hyperdrive]], which ACT believed to be the result of sabotage committed by the cultists. It was speculated that the sabotage could be a way for the cultists to avenge the many victims of Theta Seven's bombs, which the cult possibly viewed as a sacrilegious misuse of "holy" Thargoid enzymes.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/galnet/uid/61af800ed4083d23054b0374 GalNet: Standoff for ACT and Theta Seven]</ref>

The saga of the Sacrosanct concluded in tragedy on December 13, 3307. Likely recognizing that he had no hope of escaping Mudhrid, Theta Seven broadcast a short video stating, ''"The future will remember us,"'' immediately before detonating the enzyme bombs aboard the megaship. The terrorist leader, his inner circle, and thousands of Far God cultists perished as caustic Thargoid enzymes flooded the vessel and the explosions split it in two. The wreckage of the megaship remained in orbit of Mudhrid 2 a.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/galnet/uid/61b22be2043a8c1f9e7ae20c GalNet: The Death of Theta Seven]</ref>

=== Deportation from the Federation ===
On June 12, 3309, Federation President Zachary Hudson agreed to deport all Far God Cultists to Alliance space. Those following the more radical splinter group True Chapters were prioritized. Deportation is to be performed using the True Chapters ship Dedican''t''.<ref>[https://www.elitedangerous.com/en-us/news/galnet/far-god-deportation-programme-approved GalNet: Far God Deportation Programme Approved]</ref>

==Beliefs==
Followers of the Far God cult primarily worship a divine being called the Far God, who is both unknowable and omnipotent. To the followers, the Thargoids are messengers or "dark angels" sent to this universe to prepare humanity for the Far God's impending arrival from another universe, and only those who believe in the Far God will be spared from the apocalyptic effects of its manifestation. The cultists gather in so-called "hive-chapels" to pray to the Far God, and avoid contact with non-followers.<ref name="WTT" /><ref name="ATFC" />

==Fleet==
In August 3307, the Far God cult launched three [[megaship]]s from Panjabell to carry out missionary duties and cult rituals.

*[[Testament]]
*[[Perdition]]
*[[Sacrosanct]] (destroyed)

==Members==
Members of the Far God cult are required to give up their names and take up a title that indicates their rank and the chapter of the cult that they have joined. New converts appear to be called "adherents", while senior members are "heralds". Other ranks include "disciple" and "witness". Chapters are presumably numbered in the order in which they were founded.

*[[The Prophet|Second Witness of the First Chapter]] (Noah Whiteleaf)
*[[The Sanctum|First Herald of the Second Chapter]] (Thaddeus MacRaith)
*[[The Sanctum|Third Herald of the Second Chapter]] (Vanya Hargrave)
*[[The Prophet|Adherent of the Fourth Chapter]] (Corinne de la Torre)
*[[The Prophet|Adherent of the Fifth Chapter]] (Kiona O'Connor)
*[[The Prophet|Second Disciple of the Fifth Chapter]] (Nash Severin)
*[[The Sanctum|First Witness of the Sixth Chapter]] (Dr Hester Dolmayne)
*[[The Sanctum|Adherent of the Seventh Chapter]] (Reuben Delgado)
*[[Gethin Okonkwo|Third Witness of the Tenth Chapter]] (undercover journalist Gethin Okonkwo)
*[[The Prophet|Adherent of the Sixteenth Chapter]] (undercover [[Federal Intelligence Agency|FIA]] agent Nathan Summers)
*First Herald of the Fifty-Eighth Chapter<ref name="Far God Megaships" />
*Eighty-Ninth Adherent of the Sixtieth Chapter (Leonard Yates)<ref name="Far God Concludes" />
*Second Witness of the Seventieth Chapter<ref name="Cultists Voyages" />

==Gallery==
<gallery>
The Sanctum.png|The Sanctum, a void-temple in Etain
The Prophet.png|The Prophet, a void-temple in Etain
Far God cult CG promo.png|Promo for the Far God cult's megaship CG in Panjabell
Testament.png|The Testament, a Sagan-Class Tourist Ship
Perdition.png|The Perdition, a Freedom-Class Survey Vessel
Sacrosanct.png|The Sacrosanct, a Freedom-Class Survey Vessel
Sacrosanct destroyed.png|The Sacrosanct's wreckage, orbiting Mudhrid 2 a
</gallery>

==References==
<references/>

[[Category:Religions]]
[[ru:Орден Дальнего Бога]]
[[zh:Far God cult]]