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Zealots are certain that their beliefs are the only truth that matters. Those who do not feel the same way are not worthy to exist in this galaxy.

- In-game description
Zealot comm backgrounds

Zealot's communication backgrounds. Background's color depends on creature's coat color.

The Zealot archetype is one of the ten archetypes in Spore.

NPC empires with this archetype have a similar personality to the Warrior empires, in that they are quite aggressive, with additional religious undertones. Although they are both suited for diplomacy and military combat, they are aggressive towards other species and often declare war on other alien races without warning. Even if the player's species are Zealots themselves, NPC Zealots will still demand tribute from them and can declare war if the requirements are not met, making them the archetype players find themselves fighting the most, alongside Warriors, as they constantly instigate hostility.

The Zealots acquire the Fanatical Frenzy unique ability. Fanatical Frenzy can be used to convert any planet to the player's empire without destroying the cities, but results in breaking the Galactic Code,

Gaining Archetype[]

Through Evolution

The Zealot archetype is awarded to species that have only Red and Green cards. An even number of each is required if starting from the Cell or Tribal stages. Two of one and one of the other is required if starting from the Creature Stage.

The recommended path is Red, Red, Green, Green.

  • Cell: To help with next card and Power Monger for Weapon efficiency
  • Creature: Prime Specimen gives more health
  • Tribal: Gracious Greeting boosts relationship points
  • Civilization: Just easier to stick with the card because starting with it, having a reduced chance of Eco Disaster is always helpful.
Behavior in the Cell Stage Behavior in the Creature Stage Behavior in the Tribal Stage Behavior in the Civilization Stage Resulting archetype
Herbivore Social Aggressive Military Zealot
Herbivore Predator Friendly Military Zealot
Herbivore Predator Aggressive Religious Zealot
Carnivore Social Friendly Military Zealot
Carnivore Social Aggressive Religious Zealot
Carnivore Predator Friendly Religious Zealot
Skipped Social Friendly Military Zealot
Skipped Social Aggressive Religious Zealot
Skipped Social Aggressive Military Zealot
Skipped Predator Friendly Religious Zealot
Skipped Predator Friendly Military Zealot
Skipped Predator Aggressive Religious Zealot
Skipped Skipped Friendly Military Zealot
Skipped Skipped Aggressive Religious Zealot


Through Mission[]

First you must ally with an empire following this philosophy with a strength factor of 4 or 5, then you may request to become 'like' them from the mission interface. After paying §5,000,000, the mission given is to create new colonies on 15 different planets. Upon completion return to claim your reward and you will change your philosophy and associated archetype, losing your old superpower and gaining the Zealot's Fanatical Frenzy power.


Note that you may not colonize 15 planets and then automatically complete the mission upon its acceptance. You must accept and pay for the mission first, and then colonize 15 planets. Acquiring another empire's existing colonies does not appear to contribute to the mission goal. You must construct colonies on 15 uninhabited planets (via the Colony Incredi-Pak) in order for the colony to count. It should count towards the mission goal if you destroy a foreign planet's existing cities or tribal huts (rendering the world uninhabited) and then colonize it.

It is also possible to destroy one of your own T0 colonies and replace it multiple times on the same planet to complete the mission.

Philosophy[]

"We the Zealot Empire follow the one, true Philosophy of Faith! Woe be to those who do not share our beliefs in the teachings of Spode, for they are wrong in the face of all that is right. If you were to repent now and admit your wrongness, we the Zealot Empire may take mercy upon you and help you to see the way of the Rightness!"


Zealot empires believe in the teachings of Spode, an as-yet unseen and unknown to exist omnipotent creature that, according to Zealot Philosophy, opposes the Grox and represents the ultimate power in the Galaxy. The exact nature of these teachings is unknown, but it can be gleaned from Zealot behavior that they are told (or have been at least misinformed) to destroy non-believers. The only thing they hate more than the Grox is "The False God That Will Come", an entity worshipped among Shaman empires. This is possibly why their main NPC enemies in certain Maxis-made adventures are shamans. Because of their aggressive nature, players often find Zealots as the first enemy empires in the space stage, and they can attack the player even if they are Zealot themselves. At first, the player will get a bonus 10 relationship if they are also a zealot but over time the small relation bonus goes away.

Trade[]

Zealots have basic ship enhancements available such as weapons and tools for interacting with primitives, as well as basic terraforming tools.

Scrolls of Faith[]

Main article: Scrolls of Faith

The questions of a million years oppress us. Who am I? Why was I made? What is my purpose? What is the purpose of the universe? Shall I survive after death? Can I be happy? Scientists can only tell us about forces and matter. Philosophers chase each other in circles. None of them can really answer the questions that we really care about.

Only Spode has the answers. Follow the Law of Spode, and all shall be clear.

Faith in Spode quiets all doubt. Spode tells you why you exist, assures you that you have a purpose, tells you how to behave, and assures you of eternal happiness. Those opposed to Spode say that there is no evidence for any of these assertions. But what evidence is needed, beyond the joy in the hearts of those who follow Spode?

It is natural for the followers of Spode to wish to spread this joy. This is why we engage in missionary work and in conquest, so that more of Spode's creatures can be brought to Spode's Truth.

That is why we are vigilant against those who do not accept the Truth. If false doctrine causes a follower to doubt, that person's eternal happiness is in jeopardy! In order to free ourselves from doubt, we strive to eliminate all who reject Spode's Word.

Spode's greatest enemies are the Grox and those who believe in the false God That Will Come.

The Grox are a machine race incapable of understanding the Word of Spode. They are a blasphemy in machine form.

The Grox prevent us from shining the light of Spode on the center of the galaxy. On the Day of Reckoning, we shall destroy them in Spode's holy name!

The God That Will Come is a false deity. If this god exists at all, it is a demon bent on preventing Spode's worship. Whenever you encounter his followers, you should know you have encountered an enemy!

Love Spode and follow his Truth! Otherwise, your life is meaningless.


Beliefs[]

The Zealots follow the being known as Spode. They are, as their names suggests, very zealous of their beliefs. Spode's appearance isn't mentioned much, but it is said he has tentacles. The Zealots also speak of the Eye of Spode. This is likely to be the center of the Galaxy, which could mean the spiral arms are the tentacles, which could mean that Spode is the Galaxy. However, the Zealots refer to Spode in such a way that it would be more likely that Spode created the Galaxy in his image.

Spode's true power is unknown, but in a Maxis-made adventure, when a Spode Priest finishes his prayers, lightning falls from the sky and kills all the enemies and destroys their boats.

In some missions, the Zealots mention that Spode has a pet, and they ask you to retrieve one of its species.

Zealots also believe in demons. In some eradication mission where creatures must be eradicated, the Zealots will claim that these creatures must be eradicated due to them being demonic entities. And mentioned in the Scrolls of Faith, they also believe that the God That Will Come, if it exists, must also be a demon.

Leadership[]

Most people who ponder on this tend to assume that Zealots are probably a Theocracy. They are led by their god, Spode, and priests and/or nuns who claim they are prophets.

Galactic Adventures[]

Zealot tools

Zealot tools in Galactic Adventures.

Ranks[]

  1. - Believer
  2. - Worshipper
  3. - Acolyte
  4. - Monk
  5. - Chaplain
  6. - Priest
  7. - Abbot
  8. - Bishop
  9. - Prophet
  10. - Holy

Campaign Adventure[]

The Zealot campaign adventure is Temple of Spode where the player has to escort Falloha, a Priest of Spode, to the titular location, fighting off assailants from a group known as the Black Claw along the way. According to the dialogue from the Black Claw attackers as well as from the Zealot empire from which the player accepted the adventure mission, the Temple of Spode, and presumably the Spode-worshipping Blaharan village around it, was built by Zealots on territory that formerly belonged to the Black Claw, hence their enmity.

Captain Accessories[]

Defensive Accessories (the Tier 1 reward, Protecto-Shell, grants slight damage reduction at no energy cost; the Tier 2 reward, Danger Reductor, gives more damage reduction at a slight energy cost proportional to damage taken; the Tier 3 reward, Power Shield, completely negates damage at a very high energy cost proportional to the damage that would have been taken; and the Tier 4 reward, Regen-Deflector, slightly reduces incoming damage while granting the player energy upon being hit).

In-game dialogue[]

Neutral[]

Angry[]

Happy[]

Laugh[]

Gasp[]

Urgent[]

Sad[]

Afraid[]

Trivia[]

  • Some people believe that the eye that appears on the Zealot card is a symbol for religion itself, not a symbol of Spode. This is based on, as the above statement says, the fact that Zealot empires will still treat you like a non-Zealot, and the fact that the same eye is used for religious civilizations in the Civilization Stage, as they worship The Source.
  • Some fans call the zealot religion "Spodology"; some others "Spodism".
  • Shamans mention The God That Will Come.
  • The religion is represented by an eye, but in a Maxis Adventure, Spode is represented by a symbol that resembles the top of a needle with a star.
  • The Zealot philosophy contains several references to real-life religions and their teachings. For example in the communications screen, the zealots will mention "reject not ye traveler". This could be a reference to Hebrews 13:2 from the Bible, which says "Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it."
  • When a Zealot empire requests the player to get artifacts, they say that records of that planet were destroyed in the "War of Spodification", possibly referring to the abilities of a Zealot empire to conquer neighbors using militant conversion tactics like Fanatical Frenzy.
  • Empires following the Zealot philosophy will pay more for the Scrolls of Faith than empires following other philosophies.
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