Forging a Star

[Qual'Zyanya]

Star Fortress, Tygara.


"Consider this a test of your initiative, skill and a chance to build your own power base. Do not act rashly. Do not waste your time with petty intrigue or childish uprisings. I want you to become the new regime's friend. Cater to their prejudices, make yourself indispensable and learn their secrets. Bed Kerrigan if need be. She likes adoring girls who trip over themselves to kiss her feet. But don't underestimate her. Though she acts like an oversexed sledgehammer, she's more cunning than many realise. Do not fail me."


The parting words of Sumiko Tanaka echoed in Zyanya's voice as she gazed out of the shuttle's viewing port, while the pilot steered the craft towards the imposing Iron Mountains. Here lay the Star Fortress. Nothing had prepared the Xioquo for how...huge it was. Deep within these mountains lay cannons that could blast the Outsiders' giant, metal ships out of the void and vaporise them. Appropriately, they were called Tempest Cannons.


Her family had built the powerful citadels that guarded the path to the Underealm. Until the Twilight, these fortresses had never fell to a foreign invader. But compared to this they looked inadequate. Once upon a time, the Xioquo had been the most technologically advanced race of Tygara. By all rights, the planet should have been theirs. But internecine strife had prevented them from ever uniting and overcoming their enemies. Now the Outsiders held sway.


Starfighters patrolled the sky like vigilant hawkes, ready to pounce upon intruders and tear through them. Thousands upon thousands of elite warriors were stationed here, ready to soak the mountains with blood should the need arise. Firemane and the Eldorai had arranged a tour for 'Queen' Lia and a few selected Xioquo matriarchs. Officially, this fortress would be a strong bastion to protect all of Tygara. Never again would they be divided, instead Tygara would stand as one. The Scion of House Qual could not help feel cynical. Strong walls encased her mind, shielding her thoughts.


They speak of unity, but the world is still ruled from the Outsiders' ziggurat and the Karishzar's bedroom. The Eldorai treat us with barely concealed scorn, even after they were driven from their own world and they abandoned their brethren to foreigners' claws, she thought to herself.


Word had reached her of the First Order's conquest of Kaeshana. It had filled her with smug satisfaction, but she did her best to keep it to herself. It showed that even the infamous Destroyer was not invincible. Firemane's own propaganda can be turned against them. It creates expectations they cannot fulfil. The Eldorai will never treat us as equals. One day, their power will wane. Then would be the moment for the Xioquo to rise again. Patience was key.


She glanced towards Lia and her courtiers. The Light Side emanated from the puppet Queen. It was so bright that Zyanya felt like her eyes might burn out. Sickening. Behind a cloud of obfuscation, her black soul was filled with disgust. Zyanya could not hide that she drew her power from darkness, but that applied to most of the Gifted among her people.


You turned your back on our birthright and chose the path of weakness. Now you soil our race and dilute us all. The Apostate was more cunning than Zyanya had given her credit for, as she'd managed to obscure her true alignment for so long and convinced the Outsiders to put her on the throne. That only drove home how far her people had fallen, but that would change.


[member="Valiens Nantaris"]

 

[Anya Venari]

[member="Qual'Zyanya"]
Liavondra’s surprise and shock was no less than her associate. She had seen the technology and power of the outsiders, but nothing like this.

The Star Fortress was built atop an artificially levelled mountain plateau. Built into the very bedrock of the mountains was a fortress she could not even conceive of.

Six of the gigantic Tempest Cannons were aligned in a hexagonal pattern, bolstered by three ion cannons. Any ship coming over the fortress would risk being blasted apart.

It was dusk now, and the sun not too harsh that it burnt Xioquo skin.

Lia looked around, seeing hundreds of Eldorai and humans manning weapons of great power and destruction. Any one of them were equal to an army of her kin.

Her eyes settled upon the newest member of her inner circle.

“Qual’Zyanya,” she said, moving towards her. She spoke in basic, knowing the other woman spoke it, and spoke it better than her. It would not do to speak their own language here, it might invite suspicion.

“Tell me, what do you think of this?” she asked levelly. “Do you feel this will make us safer?”

 

[Qual'Zyanya]

[member="Anya Venari"]


According to the information she'd received from her Mistress, six Tempest cannons and three ion cannons was more than all the defences that had been set up on Kaeshana before the Exodus forced the Eldorai to decommission their fortresses.


"The Eldorai? Certainly. The fortress was built by them and for them. Us? To a degree. At least no metal vessel can rain hellfire down upon the Underealm and level it. But I would safer if our warriors possessed weapons to match the Outsiders - and the ability to produce them," she spoke quietly.


Her tone was sour. "As long as we are dependent on others' self-interest and good will, we are paupers. We can take some comfort in the fact that a serious attack would be focused on the Eldorai, but they will always place themselves first."

 

[Anya Venari]

[member="Qual'Zyanya"]

Lia nodded thoughtfully. “I cannot say I blame them. We fought them and the Qadiri for many years. There are some in the Underealm who would take any such ability as the opportunity to rebel once more.”
She glanced at Qual thoughtfully. “I remember hearing about what you and your sister did during the final battle. It was a brave thing to try and stop Myrou…even if it did not end as you might have wished.”

They passed on then to the edge of a cliff from where they could see the hangers built into the mountain. Several dozen of the aircraft could be stored there and launched.

“I was pleased to hear that you asked to join me though. Many of the larger families have been understandably reluctant to assist my new style of rule. They will come around in time when they see that internecine violence accomplishes nothing but weaken our people.”

 

[Qual'Zyanya]

[member="Anya Venari"]


"Given their propensity for constantly betraying one another and starting civil wars at the slightest inconvenience, I do not think the Eldorai need us to have someone they can blame a stab in the back on," Zyanya huffed slightly.


"I do not begrudge them for placing their own race first. It is sensible, racial instinct. What I take offence against is their hypocritical notion of being above us. As for the Qadiri jackals, they still clamour for our enslavement or extermination."


She paused, giving Lia a thoughtful look. The Queen would be a fool if she did not believe that Zyanya had an agenda of her own and that her sudden conversion might have been less than sincere. Zyanya did not consider her a fool.


Deluded and misguided, yes, but not a fool. "My sister died for the good of the Xioquo nation. She could see beyond her venal self-interest. I honour her name and that of House Qual by carrying on her work. We shall not be in the shadows forever. Our people deserve a future not determined by the whims of a deluded 'demigoddess'."


That was all true, but could easily acquire a double meaning. From the edge of a cliff, they could see hangers from which aircraft could be launched. Once construction was complete, these would be camouflaged. Mag'ladroth walkers and heavily armed soldiers were on patrol, carrying bolters or blaster rifles.

 

[Anya Venari]

[member="Qual'Zyanya"]
“You’re not wrong, Qual’Zyanya. The Eldorai, the Xioquo, the Qadiri. All of them squabble for power. It is the way of power to entice and invited. I am not so naïve to think I can eliminate such rivalries from our people in a day, a year or a century. However, what I hope to show is that there is a better way to behave. Such rivalries and struggles never advance the commonwealth, they only bring misery.”

Lia glanced briefly at Qual as they stood there. “Indeed. The problem with uncertainty is that it leads to many false prophets and leaders. All of them claim to have the answers, that they would be better than the current leader.”

“But, it is clear the old ways did not work. The dark powers gave us nothing but fleeting personal strength. The Xioquo consumed themselves, and in some ways the outsiders broke a cycle by their actions which had continued for centuries.”

They passed to an area where they could see some of the many lesser weapons such as turrets, artillery emplacements and pillboxes scattered throughout. Enemy advancing on the fortress would find them funnelled into carefully constructed killing fields.

“And what do you clamour for, Qual’Zyanya? Do you seek revenge on our former enemies? Do you wish for the Xioquo to rise again through strife?”

 

[Qual'Zyanya]

[member="Anya Venari"]


"I believe you may be...a bit too eager to dismiss all of the old ways, Majesty. They were flawed, deeply so. But tradition is the bedrock of our society. Our foundation. What are we without it? The dark gives us great power. But it was selfishly squandered. That was our failing."


Of course the obvious counterargument was that the dark side was all about selfishness. "The Eldorai are not devotees of the light, after all. Nor are their Firemane mistresses," she pointed out.


She paused before responding to Lia's query. She could not help wonder whether it might be a trick question. Her eyes fell upon the formidable array of turrets, heavy artillery and bunkers. She took in the rotary shattercannons, heavy bolters and shatterbolters that had been arrayed against possible intruders. A withering amount of fire would greet any attacker. This was the sort of power the Xioquo would need.


"I would have our people rise from the ashes and become mistresses of their own destiny. Do I seek warfare? As much as it vexes me, we would not win a war and it would probably be the doom of our people. I have more sense than the council that embraced racial suicide out of misplaced pride. But I believe our voice must be heard on Tygara. We can do better than be the Eldorai's cat's paws and Firemane's charity case. And I cannot see either treating us anything other than a colony. To be heard, we need power and strength."

 

[Anya Venari]

[member="Qual'Zyanya"]
“Tradition? What are we with it?” Lia countered. “Just because something has been repeated for twenty generations, does not make it a good course of action. The Underealm was a trap from the very beginning. It was a small space with limited resources and we could have either found a way to overcome it or fought like starving beasts. We chose the latter, and kept on repeating the cycle. We tried to channel that aggression outwards to fight and enslave our neighbours in hopes that this would dissipate the desperation and fear, but it did not. Every century a new generation embarked on the same fruitless, bloody series of purges, wars and destruction. Tell me, Qual’Zyanya, how great is this power you speak of when we hid in the shadows like spiteful rodents?”
Her passion for the discussion had been unleashed, but with a sigh she settled herself.

“I am not an evangelist or a prophet. I follow the Light because it gives me a way to call on the spirits without having to resort to the futility of inflicting suffering on others. That strikes a little too close to home. What the Eldorai and Firemane does concerns me not at all. They at least can be rational and think ahead more than their petty inward struggles.”

As if to bely this more hopeful picture, an Eldorai officer approached. She was of quite senior rank, and her once pretty face had been marred by burns.
“You there, what are you two doing, poking around?” she demanded.
“Lady Liavondra of the Xioquo, and this is my assistant Qual’Zyanya. We are here on the orders of Countess Kerrigan to find suitable positions for our soldiers.”
The woman’s face darkened. “Countess Kerrigan is not in charge here, Dashdae Eldorai. I give orders as to who goes where, and I have no position for you. Your kind cannot even stand in the light, how can we trust you to stand in a fight?”
Lia turned to Qual, her face oddly calm, speaking in Xioquo. “We do not need power and strength to be heard, Qual’Zyanya. We must show that we are capable as any Eldorai, any human. Only by showing this will we earn respect. We will not earn respect through fighting them. That will only invite their fear. We must earn their respect by earning it.”
“What are you saying?” the Eldorai asked suspiciously.
“I was saying, Captain, that you should check with your superiors. Our arrival was ordered and scheduled, and we will not depart without orders.”

The Captain glared. “We’ll see about that,” she said and stormed off.

They continued their tour to the massive hexagonal position where the Tempest cannons with the Ion cannons towered above then.

 

[Qual'Zyanya]

[member="Anya Venari"]


Zyanya was taken aback by the passion in Lia's words. She wanted to protest, but held her tongue, for she could not expose herself too openly. She resented being lectured, but the fact that Lia had actually cared to discuss matters with her instead of simply shutting her down and choking her did not escape the Xioquo Renegade.


You could do great things if you opened your eyes, she thought to herself. Then before words could leave her tongue, the angry Eldorai officer confronted them. Rage and disgust roiled off her.


Zyanya gave the woman a cold look. Anger rose inside her stomach like bile. How dare she speak to them like that? The Iron Mountains were Xioquo territory by right. Disgusting cur. I'd brand you and let my manling slaves have their way with you. It made her blood boil that she could not inflict punishment upon the Eldorai.


You were saying something about the outsiders being rational and looking beyond petty struggles? she thought to herself. She glanced at Lia when she spoke, but said nothing. The gears were moving inside her mind.


"I see all outsiders possess rationality in excess. But perhaps you have a point, Majesty," she spoke finally, seemingly conceding the issue with an appropriate degree of reluctance. "If we appear a barbaric menace, they will have all the excuse they need to eradicate or enslave us."


But if we appear helpful and indispensable and gain their trust, we can rise in their shadow. This 'Alliance' will not last forever. "It is just difficult for me to adjust to the new reality, but I shall attempt for the good of the Xioquo. We're at zero hour. So much was squandered by our predecessors. After the Underealm fell and I was adrift, I spent some time travelling the stars. It was...illuminating. Though the outsiders deny it, their souls are little different from ours. I saw their star fortresses, metal ships that traverse the void and their cities."

 

[Anya Venari]

[member="Qual'Zyanya"]
Lia smiled slightly. “I think any Eldorai or human who claims their spirit is different from ours. Those who say otherwise are deluding themselves or trying to delude you. You are quite correct though, we must take on the appearance of civility and culture, but never lose sight of our own needs.”

“Despite what others may think, I do not want to be the lackeys of any others, outsiders or Qadiri alike. What I want is for the Xioquo to be proud of themselves, independent in their rule and prosperous in their lives. That is what most would claim they want for our people, but I differ in what methods I would use. Think on it, Qual’Zyanya.”

They reached the final areas of the massive base. Here the shield generators, as big as a mountain, could project a near-invisible curtain of energy over hundreds of kilometres. They were not active now, but could be activated with great rapidity.

Lia reached out her hand and touched the cool metal of the projector.

A sound made her turn. The Eldorai was back, this time with an even more senior officer in tow. They did not look pleased.

“Lady Liavondra, I am Exarch Sadih. My Captain here has said you’ve been refusing to comply with orders.”
“Exarch, I told the Captain that I am fully prepared to follow her orders, but she told me that we were not permitted to stay here, that she had no role for us.”
The Captain shifted. “I had heard nothing of their arrival, and I debate the wisdom of deploying these…sepoys…in defence of so vital an installation.”
“Their arrival was ordered by high command,” the Exarch said.
“Exarch, we want the same thing. We want to aid you in protecting your new home. However, if we are treated as outsiders, little better than spies, we cannot be of any use.”
“Yes, yes, your people are valued allies,” the Exarch said quickly, though not entirely sincerely. “I want you to deploy in the lower trenches in Sector C1. You will be shielded from the sun there in the afternoons.”
“Thank you, Exarch, we will move there at once. Come along, Qual’Zyanya.”

 

[Qual'Zyanya]

[member="Anya Venari"]


No, she did not agree with Lia. She was not deceived by her words. However, Zyanya felt a sharp pang of regret about the fact that ultimately they were opposed to one another. The Light was an aberration, a corruption of all the Xioquo stood for. It was a perversion, for darkness had always preceded it. To coddle the weak weakened the entire race. Life was struggle; anger and passion were a natural part of growth. They gave you focus. They made you strong.


Her people could learn from their mistakes, embrace the true power of the Dark Side and throw off the yoke. If Lia continued to remain obstinate, she would have to perish. But perhaps she could be compelled to see the light, no pun intended. After all, the 'Queen' clearly cared about the Xioquo, though she was blinded by her adherence to a false faith. Inevitably, her foreign allies would refuse to see the Xioquo as anything other than lackeys and sub-elves.


Then Qual would be there to show her the truth. I need to keep you around, for now, Zyanya thought to herself. You're right to suspect that many of the great houses plot against you. But the repercussions would be severe if someone poisoned you. You're a pleasant face to the outsiders.


"Well, that went well. Maybe the spirits will favour us and spare us from dealing with more numbskulls ere the day is over," Zyanya remarked dryly as she followed Lia into the direction of the lower trenches. Here, the Xioquo Sepoys would be stationed. The Qual matriarch suspected that they'd still receive less advanced gear than the Qadiri.


"Our vulnerability to the sunlight puts us at a disadvantage and makes us the subject of scorn and derision. It has kept us trapped in the Underealm for millennia. Neither Myrou nor the old matriarchs had any interest in changing that. I have often wondered if there might be some way to overcome it," she added thoughtfully.

 

[Kaida Taldir]

[member="Anya Venari"]


Two Angelii officers watched the brief dialogue between Lia and Exarch Sadih. Kaida and Askari had been inspecting the fortifications, specifically the placement of a new type of land mine to bolster the fortress' defences, when the commotion occured.

"I see the 'Queen' is getting the scenic tour," Kaida said tersely. She did not make air quotes because that was not an Ice Queen thing to do, but they were implied. There was a reason you didn't send her on diplomatic missions. Most of the time she was not even nice to people she liked.

"Intercultural relations at their finest," Askari remarked dryly, watching as Lia and Qual departed. "I believe I recognise her companion. Supposedly she tried to prevent Mystra from rising. Then vanished without a trace for several months. Now she's part of the council."

"The revolving alignment door policy in action again. How convenient that she's suddenly part of the hierarchy."

"Your cynicism is as thick as an icy glacier."

"And well-justified. I still question the wisdom of arming the sepoys."

"You still think they'll stab us in the back the moment we turn around? The Underealm was a horrible battle and I have no doubt that most of those who swear they opposed Mystra from the start are doing so to save their skin, but we have to move foward. The natives have souls like ours. They are our blood...but still like children, not fully formed by the Goddess. It's up to us to show our cousins a better way."

"Askari, cut the preaching. I don't distrust them because I think they're inferior to us. I distrust them because they're exactly like us. Frankly, I prefer the Xioquo to the Qadiri. We're in control of the Underealm, we run their army and we've gotten rid of slavery. Most of their old guard is dead. With the Qadiri, we have to deal with dozens of deluded, slaveholding potentates who try to drag us into their idiotic political games."

"We had great success turning that game to our advantage in Khawjar. If all under the heavens was under the reign of the Star Queen, that would be for the best, but it is not so. Tygara is full of untapped strength we must make our own. If we stonewall them, we drive them to rebellion or into the arms of the humans. Countess Kerrigan already has more power than any other noble."

Kaida raised an eyebrow. "I thought you were the one prattling about unity?"

"You know what I mean!" A note of exasperation entered Askari's tone. "Firemane has done us a great service. We should not forget that. But they have their own agenda and, ultimately, can do without us. I'm simply smart enough not to act foolishly like my birth family, who cannot see beyond their own lust for power and call it Ashira's will."

"Speaking of that nest of snakes, has your mother called you lately?"

Askari was quiet for a moment, then nodded. "Yes," she said with a huff. "I suppose you can imagine the topic of conversation. Suffice to say I declined, though your grumpiness makes it tempting sometimes!"

"Good. I'd put you in chains and flog you till you came to your senses if you agreed."

"Is that your slightly crude, moderately disturbing way of saying that you'd miss me, Lady Seraph?"

"Shut up. And don't think for a second I don't know about those love letters you get from a certain Nawab. I would not have thought you loved sappy poetry."

"Shut up. You're just jealous."

"Of 'luminous blue eyes' and 'smooth ivory skin'?""

"Precisely! It's obvious I'm the prettier one, which is why fair ladies flock to me. I also know how to smile."

"Smiling is overrated."

 

[Anya Venari]

[member="Qual'Zyanya"]
Lia was silent as they walked. Finally she nodded thoughtfully.
“I believe it is something which we can fix in time,” she said. “I know now it is no mystical curse put upon us, but a condition of biology and science. For now the long uniforms and goggles issued to our soldiers should be enough, but I am in talks with some of the Eldorai about a more permanent remedy.”

She frowned, then probably surprised Qual by continuing. “Though I do not expect them to offer much in the way of solutions. I am not so naïve as to think the Eldorai would welcome an opportunity to help remove one of our weaknesses. We must be their allies for our good and for theirs – but we must never rely so much on them that we neglect our own welfare.”

 

[Qual'Zyanya]

[member="Anya Venari"]


Zyanya raised an eyebrow. "You mean like the Eldorai rely on the humans to the point that they are incapable of getting anything done without their patrons holding their hand?" she asked rhetorically, disdain creeping into her tone. It amused her that the Eldorai considered themselves the uncontested, absolute rulers of Tygara.


"No, they would not give us the tools to uplift ourselves in such a manner. They want us peaceful, but docile. We must look to our own welfare and become self-reliant over time. The Galaxy is a vast ocean of worlds. It is far greater than just Tygara, the Eldorai and Firemane." Of course, the cynic in her believed that it was in the Outsiders' interest to minimise the Xioquo's contact with the outside world.


It ensured that many of her people looked upon the Outsiders with awe. It was ridiculous enough that some Xioquo had nothing better to do than to put 'The Karishzar' on a pedestal and deify her, as if they'd learned nothing from Myrou's rampage.


There was a pause before she spoke again. "It must have been...hard for you. I refer to concealing your alignment and beliefs for so long, back when the old ways held sway. Always afraid of being detected and purged."

 

[Anya Venari]

[member="Qual'Zyanya"]
“Yes, it was the most difficult thing I could imagine doing. Lying every day, hiding my ambitions, my beliefs, my very spirit. It became harder over time, the conflict between what you knew to be right and what you were forced to do. The looming shadow of expectations towered over me, drowned me. It was only when I decided that I had suffered enough being tormented and forced to hide that I acted.”

Lia sighed. “It’s been very enlightening to discuss this with you, Qual’Zyanya. I won’t keep you from your tasks. I will see my warriors are positioned and then meet further with the Eldorai commanders. If you wish to accompany me you may or remain here. I shall return later.”

 

[Qual'Zyanya]

[member="Anya Venari"]


"Think nothing of it, my Lady. I would like to accompany you further. I shall swallow my...distaste when dealing with Eldorai officers," she said dryly, then took another step forward, getting closer to Lia. Gently, she took one of her hands and ran her thumb over it.

"Perhaps you and I can spend some time together when the inspection is over. It would be my pleasure...and there is much I can learn from you." Her eyes sparkled, while her tone was demure. It was probably not rocket science to figure out what she meant. She craved some Light Drow booty.

 

[Anya Venari]

[member="Qual'Zyanya"]
Lia, alone of all versions of her in the multiverse, looked surprised.
“Oh…that would be nice. Thank you. I am sure we can learn much together. I can teach you some techniques to contact the spirits stronger,” she said.

She did not look attracted to Qual though. As if to gently let the other woman down though she patted her on the shoulder.
“I do appreciate your feelings though. I just have to maintain some distance from any emotional entanglements. I hope you understand.”

 

[Qual'Zyanya]

[member="Anya Venari"]

​

​

Qual had come on hard to Lia, but was shot down! Now she was stuck in that horrible place called the friend zone. Admittedly she was secretly evil and kind of wanted to kill/convert Liavondra, but that did not make her desires any less real! Verily, she was the most trustworthy Xioquo matriarch in the entire Underealm.


Fortunatey, she had plenty of slaves...err, personal attendants who could see to her needs. To her credit, Qual maintained her diplomatic facade, looking appropriately sheepish but composed. Fortunately, her dark grey complexion had the advantage of hiding a blush rather well.


"Of course, Lady. My apologies if I came on too strongly. You are a beautiful woman and have insights I never considered before. I did not mean to make you uncomfortable," she said diplomatically, giving the Light Side Drow a polite smile. "I would be honoured to learn anything you're willing to teach me."