Iron Foundation

  The Iron Foundation is the local Machine Cult that adheres to Magos Issengrund's ethics and philosophy, as opposed to those who merely take his teachings and technology for their own gains. (c0220)

  Primarily, Aldrich Isengrund believes and teaches that the Ruinous Powers collect strength from misery. Thus, Aldrich opposes anything that causes suffering.

  For instance, Stellar Fleet and Stellar Corps servitors are always vat-born (neutral attitude) with implants and warding grown into them (no painful surgeries needed).

  The symbol of the Iron Foundation is a hammer inside a cog. Often made of platinum.

  The battle cry for the entire Stellar Fleet and Corps is, "For the Unity!" It is often used as a greeting and during meetings among the Iron Foundation members. (c0120)

  "For the Unity!" Represents the unity of Man and Machine. The Stellar Fleet and Corps work with machine spirits, giving them much more freedom than anyone else. (c0120)

  Aldrich Isengrund's insistence on compulsory confessions, meditation, service, and prayer by absolutely everyone in the Stellar Fleet and Corps leaves little room for bitterness to fester and feed insidious powers. (c0120)

  The Iron Foundation promotes specific interpretations, like unity of self, camaraderie, family, and purpose. For the Machine Cult followers, unity with machines and the blessings that come with it is especially uplifting. (c0120)

  "For some, it is pride, faith, fear, or discipline that keeps one from breaking. However, both Aldrich and I believe that love is far more effective. Isn't that romantic? Every ship in the Imperial Navy forged through the storms of hell for love. Family. Spouses. Friends. Humanity. (The Emperor. The Imperial Cult.) It matters not where their love is applied, only that it prevails." - Brigid Isengrund (c0121)

  "Magos Issengrund does not approve of the Iron Foundation, nor does he oppose it, or provide direction." - Ròsìn Paorach (c0120)

  Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings.

  "Worship of Aldrich Isengrund is absolutely forbidden." (c0220)

  "We have many members," says Ròsìn. "I believe we are the largest subfaction within the Stellar Fleet. Some do join our ranks, hoping to improve their careers. Wherever Humans gather, there will always be networking and politics, but only those who stay and help others actually benefit. By that point, they are true believers, and so the goal of the Iron Foundation is met." (c0220)

  "Owen does good work with his social programs, but he is more focused on the works of the Emperor. The Iron Foundation has subsumed similar projects for those who find their spiritual connection lies deeper with the Machine-God than the Omnissiah." (c0220)

  "Typically, we assist those who are struggling with their education or need extra help to retrain beyond what the Stellar Fleet already provides. We also have a strong volunteer presence within the creches of the Vat Born. We hold additional, open lectures, science fairs, and sponsor promising Tech-Priests with their research." (c0220)

  Aldrich believes that, to limit the Chaos Gods' actions on a mass scale and, over time, one should, in theory, be able to neuter them. Technology cannot solve this equation in isolation. One would also have to provide alternative beings to worship and create conditions where people have little incentive to stray. Fear, faith, and ignorance are just as viable as education, community, and purpose. Aldrich argues that fear, faith, and ignorance are far cheaper and easier than education, community, and purpose, but also offer a lower quality of life and reduce the capabilities of civilisation as a whole. Less technology, lower quality military, reduced commerce and industry, and so on. Over time, that can be fatal for a galaxy-wide civilisation. (sneak peek from c0275)

  Leaders:

  --- Aldrich's Primary Apprentice and Iron Foundation Leader is Cybersmith Ròsìn Paorach.

  --- Owen Broin has given up his role as leader of the Imperial Cult in the Stellar fleet to become the Head of Spiritual and Mental Health. Owen's role encompasses propaganda, granting him soft control over both the Imperial and Mechanicus Cults. He is responsible for allocating Fleet funding for community projects. Owen does not control where the cults spend their donations, though. For example, he controls the distribution of amenities in communal areas, determines which inspirational posters are placed on the trains, and sets media requirements on the noosphere. While this frees up Eire and Brigid from such details, Owen's main role is to moderate fanaticism and prevent or redirect the formation and fervour of new cults, especially the 'Iron Foundation'. (c0125)

  The Iron Foundation is spreading far beyond the Stellar Fleet and Stellar Corps thanks to the open education, community, and purpose it promotes. The wealth of the Stellar Fleet and Stellar Corps may get a lot of initial attention. Still, it is the open education by the "Owl" machine spirits that solidly influences most converts to learn and follow the rest of the Iron Foundation's message.

  Source Chapter: “(c9999)”

  Thank you for reading.

  Please leave a review, share your thoughts in a comment, or send me a note with any suggestions you may have.

  Thanks,

  Brian