Sic transit gloria mundi
OUT OF CHARACTER INFORMATION
Intent: Put the 'space' into 'space elf'. Expand on the Qadiri and the elf diaspora. Make use of a template I haven't utilised so far.
Image Credit: Here.
Canon: N/A.
Links: Four of a Kind, Board of Control, Communion.
SETTING INFORMATION
Starship Name: The Void Seeker.
Starship Model: Asur Class Worldship.
Classification: Exploration/Habitat Ship
Homeport: Arx Aeternae, Tygara.
Travel Route: Visits Tygara, Arkas and other free worlds on the outer rim. Also often makes stops at the Arx Aeternae, Firemane's mobile headquarters. However, the worldship has no set travel route. Its purpose is to discover new worlds to trade with and settle on. Thus it will often deviate from known hyperspace routes to explore uncharted star systems.
Affiliation: Shazora Jai Vahal, Qadiri, House Kerrigan-Alcori, Firemane.
Crew Complement: Moderately Manned. There is a lot of staff needed, but many of them are droids. The city population would be Heavy.
Notable Crew Members:
Name: Varzura Jai Anhala:
Age: 62
Species: Qadiri
Role: Garrison commander.
Description: A former Mamluk (slave-soldier) who was drilled to be a living weapon by her mistress. But she broke her chains and became one of the leaders of the Karahamori slave revolution that topppled the 'wise mistresses and masters'. She played a vital role in defending the free city against invaders that wanted to restore the ancien régime. Varzura is an experienced soldier, very dedicated to the cause and a close friend of Shazora. Initially the two were odds, as they clashed over strategy after the liberation of Karahamor. Shazora was one of the leaders who wanted to spread the cause of slave liberation to the other city-states, arguing that they could not be free as long as slavery still existed in the Northern League. However, Varzura rightly argued that this would end in debacle. However, after their army was routed, Shazora realised the soldier had been right. The two worked together to defend the free city against a Qadiri coalition.
Today, she is the highest-ranking officer and a member of the council. A literal lifetime of slavery, senseless brutality and combat training has given her stoic, even laconic demeanour. Her mistress wished to create the perfect mamluks to protect her interests and be sold to interested parties. Thus she sought to stamp out any form of independent personality. As a slave Varzura was often flogged in order to break her in. Moreover, one of her ears was mutilated at her mistress' command. She no longer remembers the name of her parents, so she calls herself Jai Anhala, which means 'of/from freedom'. It is a common name for emancipated slaves who do not name themselves after their liberator.
Varzura had to do commit more than a few acts she is not proud of in order to convince her mistress that she was loyal, including murdering a slave. The former mamluk has a no-nonsense attitude. Humans and Eldorai who dismiss Qadiri as 'sand babies' get short shrift from her. She is a Force-user who focuses on martial abilities. Varzura recognises the importance of Firemane's support, but keeps her distance to the humans and has never entered their services. Varzura supports the Void Seeker's democratic form of government in principle. However, in practice she still has to adjust to a system based on debate and compromise.
Name: Kohani Jai Hazial
Age: 65
Species: Qadiri
Role: Captain
Description: Kohani Jai Hazial: Kozani is a Khaimari and a member of the extended family of Bashani Jai Hazial, a former corsair admiral who graduated to space and is now Admiral of the Void Ocean. Kohani is younger and less renowned than her relative, but is a skilled naval officer and leader. However, her background is the cause of tension, as the Khaimari have a history of being pirates - and not the romantic type who never do anything piratical. They alternated between being peaceful farmers and ferocious raiders, depending on whether the harvest was good or not.
This also applied to her family, who made a living as raiders and slavers. Kohani is a reconstructed corsair. She participated in a number of slave raids, and was appointed manager of the slave pits for her clan. Kohani came to detest the casual cruelty, dehumanisation and selling of people. Abuse was routine and entire families were broken up. It was one thing to not really think about it, or never see it, or profit from the practice, but when the misery was in your face every day it took a special person not to turn on it. Some of her relatives came to see her as soft.
Her clan has given up slaving and raiding in order to obtain the favour of the sky people and join their ranks, but their reason for doing so is pragmatism. This makes Kohani an outsider among her family. She has made amends and claims to have reformed. When Firemane initiated a Clear Seas policy, Kohani joined their cause. She helped them track down and defeat a rogue relative, who had refused to give up slaving and had managed to acquire spaceships in order to raid other worlds. This gained her Firemane's favour, but antagonised certan members of her clan. For a while Kohani served in Firemane's surface fleet, with postings on Tygara and Arkas. Later she graduated to space. From the perspective of Firemane, giving the helm to a reformed corsair is a good PR move. However, there is friction between her and Shazora, who holds a grudge because Khaimari corsairs enslaved her when she was a child. Other residents of the worldship have also not forgotten her past. After all, while she might be remorseful now, that does not change the fact that she was guilty of many crimes. She still has to earn their trust, especially that of Shazora Jai Vahal.
Name: Karawn Amersu
Age: 36
Species: Twi'lek
Role: Advisor.
Description: Twi'leks have often been the victims of enslavement. Karawn is no different, but has decided to fight back. When he was a little boy, he and his sister were kidnapped and taken far from their home village, separated and sold to slave traders. After his owners changed several times, he happened to meet with his sister again, but they were separated once more. He was renamed several times while he went through various owners. One of them, a racist Imperial officer, gave him a beating when he refused to submit to a new name. Karawn tried to escape but he was caught and part of his right head-tail was severed.
One of his owners, a merchant who belonged to high society, allowed him to acquire an education. He set his slave to work on his shipping routes and in his stores. Eventually he allowed Karawn to buy his freedom. Once, shortly thereafter the manumitted slave was almost kidnapped back into enslavement. He managed to return to his home settlement, but found that it had been turned into a ghost town. Karawn became involved in the abolitionist movement, dedicating his life to ending the practive of slavery. To this end he founded a non-government organisation that would campaign against slavery and raise awarness of it. He was very fervent in the pursuit his mission. At first he largely focused on the plight of his fellow Twi'leks, but he soon branched out.
However, they were targeted by criminal organisations such as the Black Horn Buccaneers, who marketed themselves as 'bridal contractors'. Karawn earned their ire by exposing one of their front companies as sentient traffickers. In response, the mafia put out a hit on him. His campaign brought him in contact with Firemane. Realising that he could not pursue his crusade on his own, Karawn agreed to work for Firedawn, Firemane's freedman bureau. In return, Firemane provides sponsorship, a safe haven as well as education for freed slaves. He has come aboard the Void Seeker as an advisor. His right lekku has been completely severed from his head below to a certain point. He has not suffered any permanent brain damage, and functions well with a prosthetic. However, the maiming has resulted in partial memory loss, occasional cognitive impairment and difficulty communicating with other Twi'leks.
Name: Masoud Jal Behazadi
Age: 82
Species: Qadiri
Role: Captain
Description: Masoud is a merchant from Amikaron who has joined the crew of the worldship under somewhat dubious circumstances. He claims to be a victim of persecution, who was unjustly framed by his competitors. There are good grounds to doubt these claims. Nonetheless, he is useful enough to keep around. Masoud is in it for the money, not the cause. His attempts to present himself as a friend of the freed slaves who shares their desire for freedom come across as more than a little patronising. However, he has keen business sense and can supply the worldship with items it needs.
Of course, he does that for a price. Masoud considers himself a sophisticated individual and avoids violence wherever possible, though he is ready to engage in it when necessary. He treats his employees decently. Masoud is not the type to hold grudges for long. Despite - or perhaps because of this - he is perceived as calculating and mercenary by many of his peers. He maintains an information on several other Qadiri worldships. The intelligence acquired by his agents has been useful for the leadership of the Void Seeker, though they are wary of becoming reliant on him.
Name: Jaimar Jai Manal:
Age: 62
Species: Qadiri
Role: Navigator.
Description: The chief navigator of the worldship. She is a Qadiri from Khajwar. Born as a noble bastard, she was supposed to be sent to the Temple so that she could be of use to her family, but not complicate the succession. However, the life of a priestess was not for her, so she ran off to the sea. There her talent for instinctive astrogation manifested itself. She found work with smugglers, explorers and the various conflicts between the Qadiri city-states of the region. She participated in several expeditions to traverse the furthest reaches of Tygara. During one such expedition, she came across a series of ancient ruins.
These ruins possessed strange technology she did not understand, including 'ghosts' and 'mirages'. Jaimar would eventually learn that these shades had been holograms and that the metal golems that defended the ruins were droids. In truth, she and her group had discovered an ancient Rakatan ruin, for these aliens had once ruled Tygara. However, from that moment, Jaimar realised that there was more to the world than she had been taught and yearned to find out more. When the sky people came, she was one of the first Qadiri to sign up to learn how to pilot a starship. Having served with various groups, she is now a crucial part of the crew.
Jaimar is rather apolitical and does not sweat the big picture politics, though she has an anti-authoritarian streak. However, this is more because she does not like other people having power over her rather than due to a coherent libertarian ideology. She has joined the expedition due to a lust for adventure and the opportunities it offers her. The fact that she is being paid fairly well also helps. Jaimar is a powerful Force-User, but a specialised sort. She cannot use most of the powers one typically associates with space mages. For instance, her Telekinesis is negligible to the point of being useless. Instead her focus lies in Force-enhanced astrogation, precognition and farsight. She often tells stories of her adventures, though she has a penchant for embellishing a bit. She often comes across as not taking things too seriously. However, she is focused and dedicated when it matters. Jaimar owns a Forcesaber, which she found in the Rakatan ruins many years ago.
Name: Vigilance
Age: 30s
Species: Human
Role: Firemane representative.
Description: Vigilance is the Firemane resident. She has served on the General Staff and in the Diplomatic Bureau. Thus her professional background is more that of a staff officer than a warrior. Now she is responsible for all Firemane military and technical personnel aboard the Void Seeker as well as representing Firemane interests. This is a delicate position that requires a careful balance of determination, strength and diplomatic finesse. Due to Shazora's role in Firemane's diplomatic service, Vigilance is under Siobhan's personal authority and reports directly to the Lady's office.
She is a native of Dahomey and experienced her people's long struggle for emancipation from warlords and foreign slavers. The years of struggle against oppression have hardened her. This helps her empathise with the Qadiri and their struggles. Vigilance is a member of the so-called Dahomian Clique, a term for an informal network of Dahomian Firemane employees. She served under General Devotion, a fellow Dahomian and Firemane's Chief of Army Staff, and was involved in the organisation and training of Firemane's Qadiri Sepoy units. Vigilance belongs to the Adegoke, an influential tribe on Dahomey. One of the greatest and cruellest warlords during Dahomey's warlord era is from this tribe. She is distant kin to Glory, a fellow Adegoke and Firemane officer. Whereas Glory is the scion of tribal nobility, Vigilance has no illustrious lineage. She has some bias against 'tribal royals'. Her parents were simple hunters and gatherers, who fought under King Ambition, the chieftain of the Adegoke. Unsurprisingly, the two are rivals. One could say they are both competing for glory.
Name: Shazora Jai Vahal:
Age: 58
Species: Qadiri
Role: High Liberator, political figurehead.
Description: The patron of the enterprise. She has the ceremonial title of High Liberator, though this is a sign of respect rather than absolute power or worship. Once a slave, then a rebel leader, and finally a respected politician and member of Siobhan's inner circle. Shazora hails from an island called Farsi. Her village was attacked by Xioquo raiders when she was very young. The drows enslaved her. En route to the Underealm, their ship was attacked by Khaimari raiders, who proceeded to take both the captured Qadiri as well as surviving Xioquo as slaves and sell them on the slave markets of Karahamor.
Shazora was purchased by one of the city's oligarchs and served as a slave scribe. However, her deferential, submissive attitude hid a cunning intellect. She became one of the brains behind a slave revolt that took control over the city. Though the freed slaves had to endure much hardship, incluidng the invasion of a hostile coalition of neighbouring city-states, they were able to weather the storm. Realising that the sky people could benefit her people and help them advance, Shazora made a pact with the humans of Firemane. In the years that followed, she became one of Siobhan's trusted agents, even joining Firemane's ruling group.
The favour Siobhan showed a 'sand baby' aroused jealousy, and so a Firemane governor tried to assassinate. But Shazora survived the attempt and was able to turn the tables on her would-be killer. However, while she has risen far, she remains modest and tactful. Shazora is a very skilled translator, negotiator and administrator with a gift for manipulation. She has Siobhan's favour and her word carries a lot of weight. Nonetheless, she is no queen. Shazora tries to be a good leader, balancing her responsibility to her people and her patron. This does not always come easy to her. She bears a grudge against Xioquo and Khaimari. The latter has complicated her interactions with the worldship's captain.
Name: Ashlon Jal Zaquir
Age: 80s
Species: Qadiri
Role: Administrator
Description: Ashlon is a male Qadiri and a former slave. He was enslaved at an early age. As a little boy, he was part of a troupe of mummers who toured the cities of the Northern League. When they gave a performance in Karahamor, one of the oligarchs was captivated by Ashlon's voice and offered a large sum of money for him. It was too tempting for the boy's mistress to refuse. To preserve Ashlon's high voice, his new owner had him turned into an eunuch. Eventually he grew bored with him and bought a different singer to entertain his friends. Instead Ashlon was trained as a scribe, as he was good with his letters and seen as obedient and meek.
Growing up as a eunuch allowed him great access to the corridors of power as he was doubly powerless since he was a slave as well and had no Force powers. Thus he was dismissed as harmless. Therefore he was able to use his skills of administration to gain favour, but also was fully on board with Shazora's rebellion. When the time came the lords of the city inexplicably found that their units were out of position, their supplies were inadequate and their defences unprepared.
The pen was indeed mightier than the sword in this case anyway. He learned a lot from this, and happily joined Firemane because he recognised that the galaxy was vast and complex, but it needed organisation. There is little difference aside from the scale between Firemane and a merchant stall in Karahamor's streets. Therefore, he adopted a system which is called the Zaquir Plan for newly settled worlds or colonies, laying them out logically and distributing supplies using a sliding scale of needs and demands. Shorn of any biological urge to mate and reproduce, he devotes himself to his work but also to helping poor of any race into gainful and educated futures. He has been entrusted with administration and bureaucracy. Ashlon is unfailingly polite and calm to everyone, except when he deploys barbed sarcasm. He has a very high-pitched voice, is good-looking and has neat hair. He despises the nobility for being, in his view, spoiled fools with too much power and too little consideration for the commoners, who are always massacred in their power struggles.
Name: Hasana Jai Anhala
Age: 64
Species: Qadiri
Role: Officer.
Description: Hasana is one of the field officers aboard the Void Seeker. Her life has been a long history of struggle against oppression. Like many of the soldiers, she used to be a Mamluk, a Qadiri slave soldier. Hasana hails from city of Golconda, located in southern Khawjar. Thus she lived far away from the Qadiri the sky people first made contact with. Born a slave, she was sold into the Mamluks at an early age. She rose through the ranks, distinguishing herself through valour and skill. After the jealous Nawab had the Mamluks' popular, ambitious mercenary commander put to death, Hasana discovered a plot to purge them and incited a revolt. She and her comrades threw off the yoke and fought a successful two year guerilla war against her former masters.
The rebel commander fought an epic battle against a Coalition of Qadiri states. It was won with support from a Firemane Gunship brought in by Shazora Jai Vahal, who had been dispatched by Siobhan to gather allies. Hasana agreed to join Firemane's Qadiri forces, but on her terms. She would not kneel, call anyone Mistress or Lady. The Qadiri soldier distinguished herself fighting Xioquo and Qadiri opposition to Firemane's new order and helped liberate enslaves Qadiri. Hasana is strong-willed and immensely strong, both physically and mentally. She is driven by a strong determination to be in control of her life and for her fellow Qadiri to the same. Thus she donates a lot of her net income for charitable causes and often visits emancipated groups to encourage independence and self-reliance.
Whilst many Qadiri look to Firemane and its leaders as also messianic saviours, Hasana does not. She is thankful of their aid – especially as it was literally saving her life – but she sees them and all the other ‘sky people’ as beings just like her. She respects their strength, but aspires to be like them. Shazora and Hasana have a strong bond. One is the diplomat and the politician, the other the warrior. The two are in a relationship, though they keep it private.
Name: Farhad Jal Saoban
Age: 59
Species: Qadiri
Role: Male Qadiri and former Mamluk. He was part of Hasana's rebellion and participated in the final battle against the coalition of Qadiri states that sought to bring the rebellious slaves to heel. He fought bravely and survived the last stand, but lost a leg. The survivors of the battle were evacuated by Shazora and Tegaea Alcori. Like Hasana, he decided to join the sky people, but as a free man, not a slave or a serf.
Firemane medics tended to his injuries and gave him a bionic leg. It took a while for him to get used to the mechanical replacement, but it is better than being one-armed. He is an autodidact who attended classes at Firedawn in order to catch up on his education and learn about the technology of the outsiders. He also changed his name to Jal Saoban. It literally means 'of Siobhan'. It is a sign of respect for the 'Skyqueen', who granted him and his people safe haven and forced the nobles to set their slaves free. The name claim is unofficial, as is the case with most of the Jai/Jal Saobanas, but Siobhan clearly does not mind and maybe she will legitimise it one day.
Aside from his martial prowess, he is a decent mechanic, which is helpful for maintaining his robotic limb and other pieces of machinery. He used these skills to repair a broken astromech droid that was supposed to cannibalised for scrap parts. Farhad is loyal, but a bit bummed about how the nobles have not been toppled yet. Slavery may have been abolished in theory, but that does not mean that the practice has been stamped out entirely. He holds a grudge against the aristocracy, Farhad is a Force-User with the skill level of an experienced Knight. He is a capable aeromancer, but also has some stealthy abilities. He assists with Force training aboard the worldship. This is quite important since the Qadiri have a higher proportion of Force-Sensitives than say humans.
Name: Anahita Jai Myrkashi.
Age: 61
Species: Qadiri
Role: Priestess.
Description: Anahita is a key religious figure aboard the worldship. However, she has not been formally ordained by the Qadiri clergy. Instead she used to be the slave of a corrupt cleric. Anahita grew up in a family of poor peasants. A bad harvest and the demands of exploitative tax collectors incurred a heavy debt. To pay for a loan, she had to be sold into slavery. Her mistress was a high-ranking priestess of Myrkash, the Qadiri goddess of healing and compassion. However, the priestess fell far short of the example she was supposed to set. Rather than selflessly minister to the wounded and sick, she exploited the plight of those in need. She sold healing talismans at exorbitant prices, and if they did not achieve the desired effect, that was due to a moral failing on the patient's part.
Anahita participated in the great revolt against the wise mistresses and masters of Karahamor. However, rather than becoming an atheist, she has embraced the faith, but in a different way than the Temple. Thus Anahita espouses a Qadiri form of what one might call liberation theology. It is a synthesis of Qadiri theology and socio-economic analysis. Her faith emphasises social concern for the poor, and political liberation for oppressed people. She believes that the clergy has a moral obligation to be an advocate for the poor, the disadvantaged and the oppressed, and that priestesses should live modest, simple lives, lest greed corrupt them.
She preaches peace to the villages, and war on the palaces. This might seem surprisingly militant for someone who serves a goddess of healing, but Anahita maintains that any remedy that does not address the root causes of the malaise is inadequate. A healer who only heals the wounded and the sick, but closes her eyes to systemic evils is shirking her duty. Her passion and dedication have made her an important community leader. Anahita is passionate, but not particularly diplomatic. Her sermons are dramatic events where she stirs the passions of the flock. She works with Shazora, but has at times also been a hindrance for her since her views are more radical than those of the High Liberator. Anahita has potent healing and persuasive Force abilities. This includes abilities such as Malacia, Hibernation Trance and Force Slow as well common Force Healing.
Accessibility: The Void Seeker is not closed off from the rest of society. The Qadiri aboard are eager to trade and learn about other worlds. However, it is heavily guarded. Those aboard subscribe to the principle that vigilance is the price of freedom. Outsiders are treated politely, but there are security checks. Slavers, Sith and the like are treated as hostile. The colony ship can be found traversing known hyperlanes, but many of its ventures will take it beyond known space. It is pertinent to note that a good number of the inhabitants do not speak Basic or only with a heavy accent. This especially applies to low class residents. This can impede communications with foreigners. However, translation software and protocol droids are available to help overcome linguistic barriers.
Description: The Void Seeker is an Asur Class Worldship. Built by Firemane at the request of Star Queen Tirathana VII, this type of vessel is a large, safe non-combat worldship for exploration, colonisation, and migration. It is a non-combat ship with limited weapons, but plenty of defence systems, an impressive amount of cargo space and the ability to provide living space for a huge amount of passengers and their families. It is essentially a city on the move, carrying millions of people in a fully self-sufficient environment. It has the people, materials and supplies to establish a new permanent colony.
Rather than transport Eldorai, the Void Seeker serves as a colony ship for a population of Qadiri. To the Qadiri, as with many Tygarans, space is the vast sky-ocean and each planet is an island in it. Though they have only recently been opened up to space, the Eldorai's cousins have taken to it well and are eager to catch up. Thus with the help of Firemane, the Qadiri states and free cities have launched initiatives to move into the stars. It helps that Qadiri have an inherent knack for navigation. One can compare it to a form of internal compass. This makes them great sailors and explorers and also lends itself to space travel. Some are even able to use the Force to instinctively find their way in the most treacherous of conditions. The leadership of the worldship has made an effort to attract such individuals with the promise of good pay and adventure.
The worldship has residential areas, shops, places of religious worship and so on. Efficiency is the key of the design, and so no space has been wasted. Buildings five hundred metres high tower above the streets, monorails circle and pierce the layout and each 6th of the city has its own suite of amenities. Every building has recreation areas and many have parks on top of them, as no space can be spared at ground level. Getting used to this takes time, but it is not a bad way to live. The manufacturing capabilities of an Asur worldship are limited, so it is accompanied by some factory ships.
The most radical design of an Asur worldship is the dome of the ‘sky’. With huge glasteel plates tessellated together, those on the ground and every apartment get a view of space in all its glory. It is a sight worthy of the project and prevents the citizens getting claustrophobic. The Qadiri are unused to ecumenopolises and do not like them, finding them inelegant and a bit ugly. Thus space has been set aside for green areas and sections that simulate the landscape of their homes. An Asur worldship has enough space to accommodate five million people. This means it must offload population into colonies at regular intervals in order to prevent overcrowding. This is particularly pertinent for the Qadiri since they are quick to breed compared to the Eldorai. A Qadiri female can have, on average, twice the children of an Eldorai female without suffering serious medical consequences, though still less than a human.
In terms of leadership, the ship has a two tiered structure. On the one hand there is the captain and crew of the ship which directs and administers the outside of the ship and the course. Parallel and sometimes in conflict are the rulers of the people and the internals of the ship. This sphere is governed by a council. It is elected by all citizens of the community. Shazora has been awarded the title of High Liberator for her efforts. However, this does not make her a monarch. The dual leadership structure can cause friction, especially due to historical grievances between different Qadiri groups. An Enlightenment Quantum Communicator gives the Void Seeker a direct line to Firemane's HQ.
The Void Seeker is crewed by some of the most adventurous of the Qadiri, who are eager to traverse the 'sky-ocean'. It operates independently of the colony ships that have been launched by Qadiri monarchs such as Shahbânu Semiramis III, the ruler of the Amikarese Empire. Firemane maintains a controlling interest in the arkships. The megacorporation provides technical support, escorts and advisors. The vessel is associated with Shazora Jai Vahal, a former slave, rebel leader, politician and a new member of Firemane's ruling group. The group that runs the worldship call themselves the Sky-Ocean Venturers. Shazora is heavily involved with the Void Seeker and the population regards her as their patron. Thus although she is not the ostentatious type, she is treated with a notable degree of deference and respect by them. It helps that she is one of Siobhan Kerrigan's counsellors. However, she is no queen or princess and thus does not always get her way.
A large portion of the population is composed of freed slaves, who have used the chance to seek a new home in the stars now that their chains are broken. Many of the inhabitants are from Karahamor or other cities located on the Tygaran continent of Ajustra, which is located in the north of the planet. Qadiri from other areas on Tygara can also be found among the inhabitants. Regional rivalries are one reason, as they continue to persist despite the official cessation of large-scale warfare. Linguistic obstacles are another because the Qadiri have a large variety of languages based on location and dialect. The main language of Amikaron, the largest Qadiri state, is called Zandri, but over 130 variations exist.
The makeup of the population as well as the more egalitarian, democratic leadership structure of the Void Seeker stands in stark contrast to that of the Jewel of the Void, the worldship of Shahbânu Semiramis. Shazora and Semiramis dislike one another. To Shazora, the Shahânu is a hypocritical tyrant who is now pretending to be progressive in order to curry favour with the humans of Firemane. The Jewel of the Void's community is wealthier than that the Void Seeker, but it also has a greater class disparity. Unsurprisingly, relations between the two worldships are poor.
However, the Void Seeker has reached out to other worldships, such as the Vashyada's Light of Yarkul and the Arz'alor, the Kar'zun vessel. There is a history of enmity between Qadiri and Vashyada, with the former being the aggressor, but the Void Seeker is not tied to the old establishment. Moreover, both worldships are quite close in ideology. Relations with the Caverns of the Overealm, the Xioquo worldship, are complicated. Shazora holds a grudge against the drows because she was enslaved by Xioquo raiders many decades ago. The Xioquo are under new management and their queen has broken with the old ways, but old wounds take time to heal. However, the Queen's followers have worked together with some of her people, such as Hasana Jai Anhala. As a result, relations are distant, but cordial enough.
The aim of the Void Seeker is to explore, find worlds to settle on or trade with. A substantial contingent of soldiers is stationed aboard the city-ship to provide security and protect it against boarders. It is supplemented by a militia of all adult civilians, many of whom are former soldiers themselves. A significant number of the Qadiri used to be Mamluks, in other words slave-soldiers beholden to a noble. Though all Asur worldships have a standardised design, the occupants have customised their vessel to reflect Qadiri aesthetics. In doing so they honour the heritage and make it look a bit more like home. The inhabitants are not above making money in various ways. As a habitat ship it has certain hotels and areas set aside for visitors. Being accompanied by mining and trading vessels also helps raise funds and acquire resources.
POINTS OF INTEREST
Broadly speaking, the ship consists of two areas: the facilities that pertain to running it, such as hangars, engine room, infirmary, reactor, bridge, quarters and so on, and the city within the ship, where the general population lives. It also has greenhouses to grow its own food. Aside from these standard areas, the following locations are of particular interest:
Mural of Progress: A musem dedicated to the evils of slavery. It focuses on the history and legacy of slavery among the Tygarans, especially the Qadiri. Until recently, slavery was a fact of life among the elves. Firemane pressure and the fact that it has become uneconomical in a high-tech Galaxy has largely led to its gradual abolition. Many of the inhabitants of the worldship are freed slaves. Shazora, who was one of the instigators of a slave revolt that toppled the wise mistressea and masters of Karahamor, was also one. The mural consists of galleries that focus on the daily lives of slaves, resistance and emancipation. Future generations are supposed to know where the parents came from, what they endured, fought against and overcame. It also features artwork and songs created by slaves. The institution focuses on the experiences of the victims, using the narrative of the enslaved. Recently an initiative has been started to create a digital archive. The slave revolt of Karahamor is a big part of the institution. However, others are covered as well. An example is the uprising led by Hasana Jai Anhala against the Nawab of Golconda. There is a small dignified shrine at the museum. It is a simple memorial of the names of the slaves known to have perished unjustly. It is surmounted by a tasteful monument of two Qadiri - one male, one female - holding hands and looking up at the sky while their chains are at their feet. It is meant to honour the victims of slavery and serves as a quiet area of reflection and contemplation.
Statue of Saobana the Redeemer: A grand statue of Siobhan Kerrigan located in the main square. It shows her in a martial pose as a liberator and protector of the emancipated. It is a very militaristic, full on Pharaonic statue, with Saoban the Daughter of Kashara wearing a sun crown and smiting the wicked with the radiant sword. Siobhan has indeed been responsible for the abolition of slavery, but the erection of the statue is also a canny move that strokes her considerable ego. Siobhan has been taken as a last name by many freed slaves and orphans. Jai/Jal Saobana or Saobal is a popular surname.
Firemane Residency: The office building of Firemane's resident and her staff. It has a direct line to Firemane headquarters. Appointed by the megacorp's Diplomatic Bureau, the Firemane resident performs the duties of an ambassador and advisor to the worldship's leadership. The building is guarded by Firemane soldiers and a cadre of Order of Fire warriors. Proficiency in Zandri is essential for posting. Firemane's intelligence service is also present.
Liberty's Gate: Built in white stone with a statement inscribed which reads 'any slaves who passes through this gate is declared free'. The inhabitants of the Void Seeker maintain a policy of not returning emancipated slaves to their owners. Escaped slaves who who happen to come across the ship will be granted safe haven.
The Shrine of Many Mothers: A multi-denominated shrine for the deities of the Qadiri. Kashara has the biggest, as she is widely acknowledged by the Qadiri as the supreme goddess. The inhabitants are particularly reverential toward Kashara Arcitrax. This is an aspect of Kashara in her role as the great goddess of the sky and stars. However, there is also space for other gods and goddesses of the Qadiri, such as Myrkash, goddess of healing, and Azali, goddess of fire, the desert and forging. Naming ceremonies are often held here.
Oasis: A large garden oasis with a simulated sky for those who want to get out from under the eternal stars. It is a big change for a lot of them, after all. Here they can experience some green, see a 'real' sky and stay connected to their roots. Regulations are in place to make sure the oasis remains unspoiled.
Bazaar: Deliberately set up to resemble a Qadiri marketplace. Here the inhabitants of the Void Seeker and outsiders allowed aboard can exchange or sell goods and services. Due to the mobile nature of the city-ship and the fact that it traverses the more remote corners of space, some rather exotic wares may be found here. It is the beating heart of the city. Haggling skills are very important.
Barracks of the Free: A place for soldiers. There are dormitories, training facilities, and an area for soldiers and members of the militia to drill and parade. Warriors sensitive to the Force are also billetted here and learn how to harness their powers. The name of the facility is a thinly-veiled 'take-that' to the 'Barracks of the Faithful' of the Jewel of the Void. The soldiers of the Void Seeker are supposed to be citizen-soldiers, not the janissaries of the aristocratic elite.
The Madrasa of Enlightenment: A large school with classes for adults and children alike. There is a strong focus on practical skills, literacy and teaching the students about the outside Galaxy and its technology. The Qadiri want to be self-reliant, so teaching skills needed to keep the community afloat, such as engineering, starship maintenance, botany and agri-farming, is very important. They are also educated about subjects such as history.
Wellspring of Prosperity: Farms and agri-plants for self-sustaining. Hydroponic gardens can be found here. The worldship spends long periods of time on voyages and it has to be able to grow its own food. Hence the farms.
Majles: Qadiri term meaning "a place of sitting", used in the context of "council", to describe various types of special gatherings among common interest groups be it administrative, social or religious. In this case, it refers to the council that governs the population of the Void Seeker. Here the council convenes, debates matters of state and passes laws. Office spaces are located adjacent to the council chambers, allowing councillors and their staff to work.
House of Reflection: A somewhat flowery name for a prison. Space is everything aboard a city-ship and the inhabitants lack both the capacity and the desire to accommodate a large number of prisoners. Many also consider long-term incarceration to be cruel. As a result, they prefer alternative measures. The judicial system operates on the basis of a three strikes system. First minor crime; fine. Second; penal servitude. Third; expulsion or exile. For serious crimes they skip the first, and if they try to return they get the chop.
The Chamber of the Four Essences: Compared with humans, Qadiri have high rates of natural Force affinity. This makes it paramount to have a place for Force-Users aboard the vessel to congregate, train and learn how to control their powers. For the Qadiri the Force (or Zari as they call it, literally spirit or soul) is a gift of the goddesses. This power is never neglected and is very important for them. It is the law that all Force-Users must be taken in to be trained as soon as their abilities manifest. An armoury, a forge, medical facilities, meditation areas, and a gymnasium can be found here. Lightsabres were unknown to the Qadiri until first contact with Firemane and are still exceptionally rare. However, the Qadiri are exceptionally advanced in using the Force to imbue weapons.
Grand Tekyeh Theatre: One thing all elf races have in common is a love of oral poetry and performance. Many Qadiri begin young and learn to sing the epic songs of their ancestors by heart. This is a place for Qadiri to come together for them to recite and listen to songs, epic ballads and stories of war, love and loss. In addition to classics such as the Tale of the Six Hundred, the stories of the rising of the slaves of Karahamor and of the heroic stand of Hasana's army have also become popular. They also sing songs about the Skyqueen Saoban.
SECURITY
High.
- The external armaments are low. The vessel has some fast-mount turbolasers, few ion cannons and turbolasers. These weapons are mounted on the front/rim area.
- However, the defences are very extensive. They include heavy redundant shield generators, heavy armour plating, quad lasers and point defences distributed evenly around the rim and front/rear. It also has few flak cannons. Against attack craft the vessel can unleash a veritable storm of flak fire. Internally, it has extensive on board security forces and defences. These include ray shields, auto-turrets etc.
- A force of ten thousand soldiers is permanently stationed aboard the ship. Most of the soldiers are Qadiri. The hard core of them is composed of former Mamluks - slave-soldiers. They have been equipped and trained by Firemane. A number of them are Force-using warriors who specialise in elemental Force abilities. A ontingent of Firemane soldiers and advisors is also aboard. Many of the Firemane military personnel are Dahomians. The garrison includes Qadiri Sepoys and a unit of the Ascended. The regular soldiers are supplemented by a militia composed of all adult civilians. Many of them are former soldiers themselves. Each family is required to keep a weapon at their home and participate in regular drills to ensure they are fit to use if need be.
Historically Tygara has been completely isolated from the outside galaxy. The Qadiri, interestingly, had a long tradition that there were other people living out amongst the stars. However, their image of solar beings was nothing like what they actually got when slavers from the sky came down upon them. The first slave raid caught the Qadiri off-guard. Having not progressed beyond what one could call Renaissance level, their weapons were no match for blasters. Shahbânu Semiramis of the Amikarese Empire tried to fight them, but the starships and blaster weapons of the corsairs mowed down several hundred warriors. However, then the slavers made the mistake of letting down their guard, believing the natives to be primitives who could not possibly be a threat to them. Unfortunately for them, they were wrong.
Semiramis led a stealthy night attack, overwhelmed the sentries and attacked the Corsairs whilst they were unprepared. Proving themselves quick to adapt, Semiramis’ troops knew enough about their own firearms and from watching the slavers to know how to use a blaster. This, combined with arrows and knives against unarmoured enemies led to a slaughter. Only one Corsair ship escaped and eighty of the slavers were killed or captured. Semiramis was hailed as a hero, but she knew that next time the invaders from the sky would not underestimate her, and she had little chance of standing against them without aid.
The arrival of Fireman was a bit of a shock for the Qadiri. However, both sides soon realised that they had much to offer each other. Using a system of indirect rule, Firemane established a protectorate. It helped the Qadiri protect themselves against foreign raiders and defeated the Xioquo. Gradually the Qadiri got access to more advanced technology. For its part, Firemane realised the utility of Qadiri soldiers, navigators and pilots.
Ambitious Qadiri leaders understand that their people had to expand into space in order to assure their prosperity. The fall of several galactic powers supported this realisation. Thus at the instigation of Tylania, Paragon of the Vashyada, a summit was convened to decide the future of the planet. It was the first time that the queens of all four Eldorai races had met in one place. It was also noteworthy for the lack of bloodshed. It was hosted by Firemane aboard the Arx Aeternae. At the summit it was decided that the elves would move into space. Firemane would provide the means and technological know-how to uplift the elves and enable them to go off, explore and colonise other words. In return, the Tygarans would abolish slavery at a sustainable pace.
This led to the construction of the Void Seeker, one of many Asur Class Worldships that would be put at the disposal of the elf diaspora. It is closely tied to Shazora Jai Vahal, one of Siobhan Kerrigan's Qadiri counsellors. Shazora was enslaved at an early age and served one of the oligarchs of the city-state of Karahamor as a scribe. However, she and a cabal of slaves broke their chains by instigating a revolt and toppling the mistresses and masters. Against all odds, they were able to protect their social against incursions from other Qadiri states that could not abide the idea of a free city. When Firemane arrived, Shazora sought out Siobhan Kerrigan and bent the knee to her, appealing to the 'Skyqueen's inner abolitionist.
This forged a close alliance between the two. Emancipated slaves received support so that they could learn skills and would not be left destitute. Shazora became an important advisor for Siobhan on Qadiri matters. She eventually joined the Board of Control, Firemane's ruling group, but continued to wield significant influence among her people. The commissioning of the Void Seeker occured at her initiative. It was not merely intended to be a home for her people, but for emancipated slaves from elsewhere across the realm of the Qadiri. There was a strong presence of Qadiri from Ajustra, but Shazora also recruited inhabitants of her home island Farsi, from where she had been abducted by Xioquo raiders many decades ago.
Ironically, some of the merchants and nobles who had conspired against her and free Karahamor in the past made financial contributions to the project. Their intent was obviously to curry favour now that she had joined the elite. Shazora saw it for what it was, but responsibility had taught her the value of pragmatism and playing the long game. The project gained the support of Siobhan, who was happy to see 'her' Qadiri stretch their wings.
A dual leadership system was introduced to direct the course of the ship and govern the people that lived within it. This was a somewhat uneasy combination, but was deemed necessary. Thus the captain and crew would direct and administer the outside of the ship and its course, while a council would govern the residents inside the ship and pass laws affecting them. The search for a captain proved to be a bit difficult, as it became a highly politicsed issue. The choice fell upon a Khaimari corsair who had apparently genuinely reformed and disassociated herself from reavers who still bragged about the 'good old days' and mourned their end.
Shazora was not that happy about the choice, agreed in the end out of pragmatism. The inclusion of several veterans of the slave revolt against the Qadiri city-state of Golconda was more pleasant. Hasana Jai Anhala had led an uprising of the Nawab's Mamluks against the oppressors. Faced with a hostile coalition of Qadiri city-states, the rebels had waged a successful guerrilla campaign. Dispatched by Siobhan, Shazora had come to recruit on the eve of the final battle. Hasana refused to leave her people, and so Shazora stayed, aiding the rebels with a Firemane gunship. Even with this support, the battle was a bloody one and casualties were high, but the rebels prevailed. Many years later, the Nawab had to agree to the abolition of slavery. To ensure that this edict was carried out in fact as well as in name, Shazora and Hasana travelled to the city. Any former slave who wanted to leave and start a new life far away from the mistresses and masters was allowed to go with them. A number of them settled on the worldship.
A contingent of Firemane advisors, technical experts and soldiers was assigned to the vessel. After all, it was an investment for Firemane. The intention was to eventually phase out non-Qadiri technical personnel and just leave a small staff of advisors and soldiers. Firemane members assigned to the Void Seeker were expected to be able to communicate in at least one Qadiri language. Zandri was the usual one since it is the most common.
Many of the Firemane functionaries and soldiers were Dahomians. This was no coincidence since Dahomey used to be a low tech planet that had been characterised by endemic warfare and the attempts of foreigners to exploit the natives as slave labourers. While they lacked modern tech, the natives fought back, proving to be tenacious fighters. Finally the slavers were overthrown by an Omega Pyre liberation force led by Tegaea and Siobhan. The couple built a strong bond with the planet and several natives attained high positions in Firemane. Since they have had similar experiences to those of the Qadiri, Firemane used them in a mentoring role.
Thus the Void Seeker set its metaphorical sails, seeking a brighter future in the stars. Recently, it faced a first test. A group of Qadiri scouts were captured by raiders. Taken to an asteroid mining facility at Kriselist, they were used as forced labourers. Their owners supplied weapons for a First Order remnant group. Upon learning of this, Semiramis lobbied for their rescue - and for her involvement - as she wished to present herself as their true protector in order to score political points. However, Shazora and Hasana approached Firemane. Elpsis Kerrigan-Alcori, who had been recovering from her ordeal on Tephrike, was assigned to the mission with her Order of Fire squad. She was placed under the command of Hasana, who deployed a squad of her Qadiri soldiers. There was an added complication, as the Qadiri captives had implants that would kill them if any escape was attempted. However, the task force was able to infiltrate the facility, eliminate the slavers and liberate the captives.
