Despite everything Zakroti was half disappointed to see that the girls of the court had withdrawn, robbing him of his encounter with Evey. Perhaps he would be fortunate enough to see her again next year, or sooner depending on what the royals had in mind after today. He wondered whether they were in the business of selling if one felt it suitable-
He immediately pushed the thoughts out of his head. Why did he so dwell on her? She was nothing. It would only serve to infuriate Miry and waste his money; while he had the latter in spades, he hardly felt it appropriate. Besides, he was getting another bride today. He glanced down to the ground in a strange mixture of shame and disappointment- and anger. Keregar had been lucky, perhaps, that Zakroti had managed to maintain a mostly cool head throughout their encounter, something he hadn't been sure himself would happen, for he had longed to see red. Still, he Keregar was an old and respected Warlord and ultimately Zakroti preferred to leave an impression on him than to murder him in cold blood in some back alley. In future, perhaps, they might need to work together and in spite of his posturing in their encounter, he knew that the old warlord likely had a few tricks up his sleeve that Zakroti could learn from. He wouldn't burn all his bridges based on nothing more than emotion.
He had missed his opportunity to fight in the arena upon returning, but he knew that there would be time for more duels or sparring later that he could vent his frustration on. He was still pensive in his thoughts when the guardsman approached with his new bride; Zakroti looked up and nodded to him, opening his mouth to speak as he glanced to the girl- but no words came out and his mouth hung open for a few seconds.
He paused. Zakroti turned the same shade as his silver-white armour, his reptilian eyes widening in shock as if he had seen a ghost. Surely it could not be? For a moment he mistook the girl for Kasari herself, she certainly looked close enough. A hint of guilt leapt into his throat as he recalled the events of the previous year, the clashing of Steel and the moment Kasari had been slashed by Aery. A disaster, one which he bore guilt for as well as honour for having defeated Lugft.
"Vivarieiz varlas..." He murmured to exclamation to himself as he looked upon the ghost of his past.
But this girl was not Kasari; he picked out the differences in her appearance; She was a little younger and slightly shorter, for example, her eyes too seemed more vivid. She bore a strong resemblance to be sure, but she was definitely a different person. A relative of some kind, or else astronomical cosmic coincidence. The former was slightly unsettling as a thought; he wondered how many others of her family there were, whether it had now been deprived completely of its next generation or not. He cared not for the fortunes of minor Gem families (nor, for that matter, for many of the major ones), but he did feel that he somewhat owed this family his thoughts for having cost them the lives of one daughter and now the presence of another. He had heard that the Gems treated those who were reaped as being as good as dead, and he could understand such a position. The discomfort turned to disdain as he remembered that even if this was the case, the Gems would be too weak in spirit to try and do anything about, and too weak in body to succeed even if they did.
"Pass the message to his majesty that he has my gratitude and I am awed by his apparent sorcery." Zakroti joked with a thin smile as he approached the girl. In his surprise he reached out to place a hand against her arm, having half expected his hand to phase through her like she was some kind of ghost. But now, she was quite solid. What a replacement indeed... The Prince had done him quite the service, he would have to see it repayed in time. He did not like being indebted. But perhaps that was the point, it was no secret that the King was an old man and his sons may well come to blows at his passing. The influential lords of the realm made good allies and terrible enemies, Gaelnesh was old enough and wise enough to see this.
As the guard backed away Zakroti glanced down towards Miry, then over his shoulders towards his men, their stance steady for a fight- but this was not something that they could protect him from, the sudden difficulty and excitement of encountering someone who so resembled his lost bride. He looked back to the girl who was not Kasari. The expression on her face showed that she had all the same fire burning inside her, however, which he thought was a good thing overall. If looks could kill...
Perhaps he was getting ahead of herself, perhaps she merely looked the part. Was it within reason that the Prince had perhaps seen a girl who had resembled Kasari and had thought that she would make a suitable replacement? No, that didn't make any sense. He seriously doubted the Prince would have known what she had looked like, so no, it was almost a certainty that she was related to Kasari and had been taken based on her name and beauty.
"Let us not delay, for there is much to say. I am Zakroti Unalim, I have the honour of being your new husband." Zakroti said with an inquisitive expression sitting on his face, his brow clocked slightly and his eyes examining her carefully. She glared at him harshly enough as it was, and he hardly expected it to get any better once she learnt precisely who he was. He had ordered that the body sent back to her family, as he recalled, that they might bury her properly according to their own ways and customs and mourn her loss - although in hindsight they were just as likely to have considered such a thing a provocation or mockery as they were to consider it a remorseful gesture- and it hardly made it any better in any case, they likely blamed him all the same for what had happened. At the very least, he was sure that they rightly considered him to bare some of the responsibility for what had happened.
He felt the need to explain himself to her, almost to seek forgiveness from her on behalf of her family. He would very much have liked to get to know Kasari better, she would have been a fine addition to his household and while he had not known her well enough to truly mourn for her passing, he confessed that it had still been something of a blow to him all the same. Perhaps this was an opportunity to right those wrongs, to get to know this Gemmenite better than he had known the one to whom she had a resemblance. He wondered for a moment whether she too could dance- he never had gotten to see that before Kasari had died, and had in truth been looking forward to seeing it. The Drakken were not exactly known for their mastery of art and dance, unless it was the art of war and the dance of death.
He paused for a moment to stop his disorganised and rambling train of thought, and glanced to Miry to gauge her reaction. Then he looked back to the girl before him and asked the question which in truth he was sure he already knew the answer to. "Am I right to take it that you are of the Liesma family? What is your name?"
Zakroti spun on his heel to glare up at the old braggart. Who was this man to question him? Some fool barbarian who ought better keep his forked tongue behind his teeth- No, he recognised this one. Zakroti clocked an eyebrow and took a step in advance towards him, placing his helmet on over his head again
"Ah, yes, Keregar. They say you enjoy to lecture. Norkaan, Kree!" Zakroti barked. The warriors around him sprung forth in between the warlords with the clunk of armour and the sound of weapons being brought to bare. Kzaar, towering over the lot, drew his Warhammer from his waist and moved his shield forward. Beltam joined him holding the centre and Kilio moved to hold the left flank while Gaikus drew his blade and readied himself on guard, taking to the right flank. Narlemaewel took position behind the line, by Zakroti and Aymiria themselves, weapons in hand.
"You know history. Good. Then I can expect wise choices of you. You just made a poor one, but we all get to make a mistake or two. History is the tutor of life, no? So choose your words more wisely." Zakroti finished as he placed his hand against the hilt of his own blade, pulling the pale blue blade half out from the sheath, ready to draw it fully at a moments notice. His eyes darted swiftly around his men and then back to the warlord before him. Six armoured and experienced warriors, versus one old warlord. A powerful and experienced warlord yes, but he is only one Drakken; they bleed and die like anything else. An unclean kill, but a kill all the same.
Gods blood, it would be a good feeling to kill right now. He almost hoped the Drakken would give him cause to slay kill. Almost.
"So go on. Speak, if you have aught to say worth my listening." Zakroti grinned beneath the visor of his helmet.
Zakroti leant in towards Evey and put his lips to hers for a moment - she was good. Very good. She kept her eyes locked with his- they were lively and playful. Was she actually enjoying this? Or was she merely a good actor?
"Mm, I imagine-" Zakroti stopped short, a grin spreading across his face "Why don't you?"
"Me? Like recommending a dish? That's how you think of me?" Evey replied jokingly, with mock offence.
"Not quite the analogy I would have used- although you do look delicious." Zakroti pressed a little closer to her, pointedly kissing her again to taste. She squirmed a little and turned her head to keep her mouth free to whisper to him, letting his lips to to her neck. She was grinning but again he couldn't tell whether it was real or an act. Logic told him it was probably the latter. Almost certainly the latter. But it was more interesting to believe the former.
"Hah, wouldn't you like to try... Well you are clearly hungry for it.. and there is a table behind me. The fighting will go on for a while so I guess you'll have time to try all of me." Evey whispered, turning her face back to him and slowly backing up, guiding him with her. it
"True, very true. So-" Zakroti stopped himself short of speaking- and moving. He did not hear Miry move, but became distinctly aware of it. Through fortune, instinct or perhaps through the clink of armour as two of his bodyguards set off after her, he became aware that she was no longer by his side.
He felt a pang of guilt and at the same time, couldn't seem to pull himself away from the Gem before him. She appeared to have worked out exactly what was happening herself, for she backed away a little and watched the small Gem scamper away. Zakroti hesitated for a few moments as he stared at the Gem before him, bit finally turned and moved away to the door after his blackguard and Miry, leaving Evey by herself- not that he imagined she minded an excuse to avoid servicing a Drakken - although had that been a hint of disappointment on her face too? His mind playing tricks, most likely.
Zakroti cursed himself under his breath - although he was not sure whether he was cursing himself for infidelity, Miry for having prevented his fun or Evey for having created the mess - as he ran after his men and Miry, eventually catching up to her in the streets, mostly empty from people having been otherwise occupied with the fighting.
"Aymiria!" He called out as he ran up to her, the usually eloquent Drakken lord spluttering and tripping over his own words as he tried to apologise "I didn't- I- You know I- I'm sorry."
He cursed himself in his mind. How could he have? After she had just told him less than a day earlier that- had he no honour? No shame? No discipline and respect? And want a fool he was. Evey was one of the palace girls, it was all a routine. An act she had been trained with and put on for countless Drakken before him. He stopped himself from wondering how many others she must have seduced - and what she must have truly thought of him, despised him and sneered at him beneath her mask. To have allowed himself to fall for it and feel that desire towards her... Before his bodyguards and his bride - and two servants, no less. Such weakness. Such humiliation. Such shame.
Zakroti stepped through the door, Aymiria's hand in his own. The Blackguard flanked them on either side, shoving one drunken Drakken whelp out of the way to clear the path for them.
They entered and climbed the winding stairs to the upper level, breathing in the musk of the building. As they stepped out onto an balcony to look down upon the stag, they spread out and took up positions to prevent anyone coming too close.
Zakroti pulled out two chairs beside the table for himself and Aymiria and seated himself upon one, snapping his fingers and motioning to one of the two servants they had brought. The men came forth and placed a pitcher of water and two goblets down upon the table, pouring the pair a drink.
Zakroti took his goblet and drank from it lightly, watching the stage and listening to the Royals speech. He became vaguely aware of a Gemmenite girl, beautiful and lithe, approaching their number up one of the stair cases. He motioned silently for them to let her pass and stood, stepping out and turning to face her.
The girl approached them, brushing her black hair aside from her face and looking to him with doeish brown eyes. Her features were smooth and easy on the eyes. She was perhaps not a great beauty, but was beautiful all the same. Her face twisted into a smile, an empty one most likely as she spoke in a quiet and sweet voice. "Is there anything that I might so for you, my lord?"
"Your name?" Zakroti replied simply, turning his attention back to the centre stage and taking a sip of water from his goblet.
"Evey, my lord." The girl answered swiftly, doubtless having learnt not to keep a Drakken waiting on a response years ago. She took a step closer towards the short lord and continued. "Myself and the other girls are here to ensure you are not bored. Is there anything that I can provide? I can sing, dance, recite poetry, perhaps tend to-"
"I understand." Zakroti cut her off and glanced towards her, looking her up and down quickly and sizing her up. She was of average height, so slightly shorter than him- which made a welcome change in Drakka. She was something of a walking contradiction, dressed in a way to entice the male gaze but at the same time, she was careful not to carry herself in a manner that was overtly... Exciting. Wise of her, perhaps, to seek other methods to assuage the Drakken desires first.
"Then how might I be of service, my lord?" Evey replied, brushing her hair long hair aside and off her chest. He drew his eyes over her body slowly, examining her in a manner which he thought discreet. The jewelry and clothing had been used to explicitly draw attention to certain areas, and he could see enough through the fabric now her hair was out of the way to feel a slight tug of desire.
"Just the one for Duke Zakroti of the west? Not even two?" Zakroti said with a small smile and a cocked brow, toying with her a bit.
"I could fetch more of us if that would please you, if a different girl." Evey replied. She approached him a few places and her voice grew slightly more confident and more playful "Of course, while I am out there, I might be taken by another first. Then you'd have none."
"I'd have my bride." Zakroti said, his brow dropping. Not quite so discreet after all, then. He wished he could say he was disappointed, but a part of him- a certain part- was glad to see her make the offer.
"Yes, but then, you've 'had' her every night since you've taken her. You'll have someone new soon but- there's no reason you can't have some fresh air before that." She drew very close to him, leaning up a bit towards his face and places her hands on his shoulders. "It's a bit more private up here than down there. Who knows what we could get away with, hm?"
"Anything, I imagine..." Zakroti let his voice trail off. She smiled at him playfully and lowered her voice to a whisper
"So what do you imagine, lord Zakroti? I can make it happen." Evey pressed her body towards him slightly, and Zakroti felt his hands move to grasp her- involuntarily. His mind raced as he did, his graze trailing down her body- his mind found its way back to Aymiria all the same.
Miry. He knew he shouldn't. Especially not right in front of her. But... She had been less forthcoming recently, he supposed he now knew why but- why not? It was just one palace girl, it was hardly a great betrayal. He had urges to tend to. Miry had slept regularly with him, he had become used to it and felt somewhat tense now that he had been left hanging, as it were...
Zakroti eyes fluttered open and he grunted as he shifted on the bench he had taken to lying on. He listened carefully to Aymiria and glanced to the book in her hand, giving her a small smile. He wondered if she had figured it out yet, what the book was and the story it was telling. And what she thought of it.
"No, no. A good mother would not. But she was a force of nature, not a true mother. She was jealous, envious, violent and cruel, but above all greedy. After her children's children were born, she hated them and sought to see them destroyed, for she regarded it as a challenge to her power. She took to committing cosmic genocide; Drove them into the harshest lands and siced the beasts of the world on them. Murder by proxy." Zakroti said with an air of intelligence around him, enjoying the position of knowledge he had assumed on the matter. He sat up and edged closer to her, sitting beside her with a smile, placing his arm around her, reading through the passages of the book
Odzi zara epeew ad an hame, e meldew an haelia unada ad liavisia e an jaedvisia, kala nagaia. Kala an Wel a an lown, O jorlze kas, a lalyentieiz jaedgaladi arat geheiz Wel.
"'We shall speak for the land, and drive the terrible beasts from earth and the heaven, to death. To the children of the three, I offer no forgiveness, for the fathers' sins poison their son. '" Zakroti translated as he placed his fingers onto the lines, reading them aloud for Miry to hear. "See, she feared her children, so she made new gods. Here, she speaks to them and rallies them--and decrees that there shall be no mercy. She is dedicated to cleansing the world of them."
Thul vasha geheiz zyro; Haelia unadai ad an ush. Geh Mittaoz Tormoras zo an ish, kala ede an welieiz kros. Dun ma tyr e ma rof, an unaze weli mittazeoz an unadai. Geh aoz zyro.
"Dawn brought her wrath; terrible beasts from the South. She created mountains to the east, to end the children's escape. But with bravery and with strength, the young children destroyed the beasts. She was enraged." Zakroti translated again, peering to Miry out of the corner of his eye as he did, watching her reactions intently. "Here, she tries to have them destroyed, to entrap them and send monsters against them. But they are too strong and she is left in impotent rage."
One could not find a less impressive looking Drakken if they were given a lifetime to search. Easily a foot shorter than most Drakken with short, stubby horns which he commonly covers with a hood or helmet, apparently out of shame. At a glance one could be forgiven for not realising he was one of the Drakken at all and perhaps merely an extremely muscular if unusual looking Gem. However, those reptillian eyes hide a burning lust for power, supported by an expertise in military strategy and a sound grasp of how to weave his elemental powers into combat. However, this one at least we can reason with, and we should not underestimate him. - Description of Zakroti Unalim as given by a Gem Representative
Bio: Zakroti was easily identifiable as a runt upon his birth and had he been born in the East (or had the wishes of his father, Orstaki Unalim, been followed) would have likely been left out to die in the elements. But he was born in the West, where the culture is different and the traditions are extremely alien - and yet to the contrary, based off the extremely similar values. Killing one's child or father is, in the west, one of the worst offences one can commit against Gods and Drakken. And so his father was forced to keep the child, naming him "Zakroti": ball [and] chains.
Growing up, Zakroti's was routinely looked down upon by his taller siblings. Outside of his immediate family, his other relations did not care much for him; he was simply another nephew or grandson with little chance of inheriting his father's title. Were it not for his remarkably small stature making him something of a curiosity, he doubted any would even remember his name.
On his 50th Birthday Zakroti led a small force of thirty Drakken warriors across the mountain border into Northern Pratia, a foreign land. Having sent ahead spies to open the gates to a town, the thirty drakken warriors were able to enter it under cover of darkness and sack the town, returning with nearly one hundred and fifty slaves and saddlebags full of gold and jewels. The fledgling lord sent them off to his father as a gift, and gave his ageing mother some of the finest jewelry he and his men had plundered. Grudgingly, his father acknowledged the achievement and granted the boy the holding of Mu'Fanla, a small fortress situated in the otherwise barren mountains to the south of his families holdings. Although this was somewhat impressive for a first military achievement, given that few expected to see him in any form of leadership role at any point in his life time and certainly not so young, he first rose to true prominence during a conflict in the western lands with the Ptaz, the Frost Giants of the North. It was here that he saved the life of a prominent noble and was gifted the holding of Mu'Kasi, a large fortress situate overlooking the pass out of Drakka and into the neighbouring territory of Pratia. Zakroti exacted a toll on armies passing through and raised considerable funds from this, which drew the ire of several nobles.
Mu'Kasi was eventually levelled after the toll fees offended a particularly ill tempered noble, Nevun Davak. Zakroti launched a retaliatory campaign that culminated with him laying siege to Davak's Castle. After six months, Davak agreed to negotiate a surrender. The terms spared the life of Davak and his sons but would have him pay for the reconstruction of Mu'Kasi. More importantly, it would see his daughter Elium Davak married to Qeynate, one of the few siblings Zakroti liked. Zakroti has been careful to ensure that Mu'Kasi has a considerable garrison ever since.
By this point, a number of Drakken nobles and even a handful of members within his family had begun to see Zakroti's potential as an ally rather than another foe to be dealt with. His brothers loyalty bought with his latest gift, they began to plot to advance their own interests in the region...
At age 76 an opportunity presented its self that Zakroti could not ignore; His father had fallen out of favour with the family and the king and, as such, Zakroti seized the chance and met in secret with a number of family members and Drakken nobles to hatch an insidious plot. Long had his father earned the disdain of his vassals and few objected to the idea of a regime change, especially once Zakroti put forward his terms and agreed to reduce taxes severely from the excessive rates his father had set.
With all the pieces on the board set, Zakroti demanded that his father reduce the taxes. His father refused and consequently, Zakroti's and his coconspirators rose their flags in rebellion. Zakroti led a force of Drakken and mercenaries to sack his fathers estate in a hard fought battle. The young lord had his father thrown into an oubliette where he is rumoured to remain to this very day.
Zakroti claimed dominion over his fathers lands and vassals and alleged that, as his father had been a tyrant, rebellion by the local Lords was just according to land. This was upheld by the family court which ruled in favour of Zakroti, though not out of any love for the young lord himself; His father had already fallen out of favour already. Further, two key family members with positions in court had been amongst those who conspired with Zakroti to bring about his fathers downfall, and sought to strengthen the position of their new found ally.
A number his siblings refused to accept the leadership of their runt brother and openly rebelled against him. Even with the nominal support of his grandfather and the de facto support of key political allies, the balance of power was constantly shifting. This power struggle resulted in several wars, drawn out by repeated outside interference as many Drakken nobles joined the war on various sides simply for the joy of fighting or in order to further their own ambitions. The struggle ended with the Sack of his brother Lalika's estate, crushing the final credible threat to his rule.
Zakroti executing these rebellious brothers. Lalika himself was sewn into a bag along alongside various venomous serpents and diseased animals before being tossed into the river; His body was later found washed up on northern shores, shrivelled up like a prune.
Zakroti had planned to attainder the nobles who had supported his brothers cause, however the Grand Duke objected and put a stop to it. Thus, he passed down an edit which officially declared Zakroti to be the rightful successor of his father by right of conflict and both sides reluctantly backed down, neither willing to incur the ire of the Grand Duke. His Grandfather, however, did not address the issue of whether the young boy would assume his father's seat on the council, and as such hiw enemies blocked it with archaic rules stated it must de jure belonged to his living father.
Regardless, resistance had been crushed and many had been sent to meet Krenta during those dark days. Any siblings that still harboured misgivings about his position wisely fell silent after this. With his position finally secured, Zakroti spent his 91st birthday plotting out reconstruction efforts and rebuilding his power base. He improved the defences of the newly named Mu'Jupostat and expanded the infrastructure and economic potential of his Duchy. Now surrounded by blackclad bodyguards where ever he went, the young Lord was constantly vigilant - paranoid, even- for assassins and plots.
Towards the end of his 131st year, Zakroti pledged his armies to his families cause to quell an invasion from the Giants of the North. Assigned directly to serve his grandfather, his performance was exceptional and his grandfather saw fit to elevate him at last, finally being allowed to claim his fathers seat on the family council. With his new station came the privilege (and indeed, the obligation) of taking a bride or several. Zakroti was ordered to take at least one Gem Bride from the next group of selectees, a decision the lord reluctantly obeyed and found Miry...
One could not find a less impressive looking Drakken if they were given a lifetime to search. Easily a foot shorter than most Drakken with short, stubby horns which he commonly covers with a hood or helmet, apparently out of shame. At a glance one could be forgiven for not realising he was one of the Drakken at all and perhaps merely an extremely muscular if unusual looking Gem. However, those reptillian eyes hide a burning lust for power, supported by an expertise in military strategy and a sound grasp of how to weave his elemental powers into combat. However, this one at least we can reason with, and we should not underestimate him. - Description of Zakroti Unalim as given by a Gem Representative
Bio: Zakroti was easily identifiable as a runt upon his birth and had he been born in the East (or had the wishes of his father, Orstaki Unalim, been followed) would have likely been left out to die in the elements. But he was born in the West, where the culture is different and the traditions are extremely alien - and yet to the contrary, based off the extremely similar values. Killing one's child or father is, in the west, one of the worst offences one can commit against Gods and Drakken. And so his father was forced to keep the child, naming him "Zakroti": ball [and] chains.
Growing up, Zakroti's was routinely looked down upon by his taller siblings. Outside of his immediate family, his other relations did not care much for him; he was simply another nephew or grandson with little chance of inheriting his father's title. Were it not for his remarkably small stature making him something of a curiosity, he doubted any would even remember his name.
On his 50th Birthday Zakroti led a small force of thirty Drakken warriors across the mountain border into Northern Pratia, a foreign land. Having sent ahead spies to open the gates to a town, the thirty drakken warriors were able to enter it under cover of darkness and sack the town, returning with nearly one hundred and fifty slaves and saddlebags full of gold and jewels. The fledgling lord sent them off to his father as a gift, and gave his ageing mother some of the finest jewelry he and his men had plundered. Grudgingly, his father acknowledged the achievement and granted the boy the holding of Mu'Fanla, a small fortress situated in the otherwise barren mountains to the south of his families holdings. Although this was somewhat impressive for a first military achievement, given that few expected to see him in any form of leadership role at any point in his life time and certainly not so young, he first rose to true prominence during a conflict in the western lands with the Ptaz, the Frost Giants of the North. It was here that he saved the life of a prominent noble and was gifted the holding of Mu'Kasi, a large fortress situate overlooking the pass out of Drakka and into the neighbouring territory of Pratia. Zakroti exacted a toll on armies passing through and raised considerable funds from this, which drew the ire of several nobles.
Mu'Kasi was eventually levelled after the toll fees offended a particularly ill tempered noble, Nevun Davak. Zakroti launched a retaliatory campaign that culminated with him laying siege to Davak's Castle. After six months, Davak agreed to negotiate a surrender. The terms spared the life of Davak and his sons but would have him pay for the reconstruction of Mu'Kasi. More importantly, it would see his daughter Elium Davak married to Qeynate, one of the few siblings Zakroti liked. Zakroti has been careful to ensure that Mu'Kasi has a considerable garrison ever since.
By this point, a number of Drakken nobles and even a handful of members within his family had begun to see Zakroti's potential as an ally rather than another foe to be dealt with. His brothers loyalty bought with his latest gift, they began to plot to advance their own interests in the region...
At age 76 an opportunity presented its self that Zakroti could not ignore; His father had fallen out of favour with the family and the king and, as such, Zakroti seized the chance and met in secret with a number of family members and Drakken nobles to hatch an insidious plot. Long had his father earned the disdain of his vassals and few objected to the idea of a regime change, especially once Zakroti put forward his terms and agreed to reduce taxes severely from the excessive rates his father had set.
With all the pieces on the board set, Zakroti demanded that his father reduce the taxes. His father refused and consequently, Zakroti's and his coconspirators rose their flags in rebellion. Zakroti led a force of Drakken and mercenaries to sack his fathers estate in a hard fought battle. The young lord had his father thrown into an oubliette where he is rumoured to remain to this very day.
Zakroti claimed dominion over his fathers lands and vassals and alleged that, as his father had been a tyrant, rebellion by the local Lords was just according to land. This was upheld by the family court which ruled in favour of Zakroti, though not out of any love for the young lord himself; His father had already fallen out of favour already. Further, two key family members with positions in court had been amongst those who conspired with Zakroti to bring about his fathers downfall, and sought to strengthen the position of their new found ally.
A number his siblings refused to accept the leadership of their runt brother and openly rebelled against him. Even with the nominal support of his grandfather and the de facto support of key political allies, the balance of power was constantly shifting. This power struggle resulted in several wars, drawn out by repeated outside interference as many Drakken nobles joined the war on various sides simply for the joy of fighting or in order to further their own ambitions. The struggle ended with the Sack of his brother Lalika's estate, crushing the final credible threat to his rule.
Zakroti executing these rebellious brothers. Lalika himself was sewn into a bag along alongside various venomous serpents and diseased animals before being tossed into the river; His body was later found washed up on northern shores, shrivelled up like a prune.
Zakroti had planned to attainder the nobles who had supported his brothers cause, however the Grand Duke objected and put a stop to it. Thus, he passed down an edit which officially declared Zakroti to be the rightful successor of his father by right of conflict and both sides reluctantly backed down, neither willing to incur the ire of the Grand Duke. His Grandfather, however, did not address the issue of whether the young boy would assume his father's seat on the council, and as such hiw enemies blocked it with archaic rules stated it must de jure belonged to his living father.
Regardless, resistance had been crushed and many had been sent to meet Krenta during those dark days. Any siblings that still harboured misgivings about his position wisely fell silent after this. With his position finally secured, Zakroti spent his 91st birthday plotting out reconstruction efforts and rebuilding his power base. He improved the defences of the newly named Mu'Jupostat and expanded the infrastructure and economic potential of his Duchy. Now surrounded by blackclad bodyguards where ever he went, the young Lord was constantly vigilant - paranoid, even- for assassins and plots.
Towards the end of his 131st year, Zakroti pledged his armies to his families cause to quell an invasion from the Giants of the North. Assigned directly to serve his grandfather, his performance was exceptional and his grandfather saw fit to elevate him at last, finally being allowed to claim his fathers seat on the family council. With his new station came the privilege (and indeed, the obligation) of taking a bride or several. Zakroti was ordered to take at least one Gem Bride from the next group of selectees, a decision the lord reluctantly obeyed and found Miry...
One could not find a less impressive looking Drakken if they were given a lifetime to search. Easily a foot shorter than most Drakken with short, stubby horns which he commonly covers with a hood or helmet, apparently out of shame. At a glance one could be forgiven for not realising he was one of the Drakken and perhaps merely an extremely muscular if unusual looking Gem. However, those reptillian eyes hide a burning lust for power, supported by an expertise in military strategy and a sound grasp of how to weave his elemental powers into combat. However, this one at least we can reason with, and we should not underestimate him. - Description of Zakroti Unalim as given by a Gem Representative
Bio: Zakroti was easily identifiable as a runt upon his birth and had he been born in the East (or had the wishes of his father, Orstaki Unalim, been followed) would have likely beenn left out to die in the elements. But he was born in the West, where the culture is different and the traditions are extremely alien - and yet to the contrary, based off the extremely similar values. His father abhorred him growing up and he was routinely looked down upon by his taller siblings, indeed Zakroti existed as a blot in his immediate families gaze. Outside of his immediate family, his other relations did not care much for him as he was simply another nephew or grandson and were it not for his remarkably small stature he doubted any would even remember his name.
His small size was and in many ways still is a source of humiliation for him and as a child he was only able to take solace in his mothers presence. She was one of the very few members of his family to show him any kindness and he was understandably devastated by her death.
On his 15th Birthday Zakroti led a small force of thirty Drakken warriors across the mountain border into Northern Pratia, a foreign land. Having sent ahead spies to open the gates to a town, the thirty drakken warriors were able to enter it under cover of darkness and sack the town, returning with nearly one hundred and fifty slaves and saddlebags full of gold and jewels. The fledgling lord sent them off to his father as a gift. Grudgingly, his father acknowledged the achievement and granted the boy the holding of Mu'Fanla, a small fortress situated in the otherwise barren mountains to the south of his families holdings. Although this was somewhat impressive for a first military achievement, given that few expected to see him in any form of leadership role at any point in his life time and certainly not so young, he first rose to true prominence during a conflict in the western lands with the Welebak, the Frost Giants of the North. It was here that he saved the life of a prominent noble and was gifted the holding of Mu'Kasi, a large fortress situate overlooking the pass out of Drakka and into the neighbouring territory of Pratia. Zakroti exacted a toll on armies passing through and raised considerable funds from this, which drew the ire of several nobles.
Mu'Kasi was eventually levelled after the toll fees offended a particularly ill tempered noble, which resulted in a retaliatory campaign that culminated in a six month siege; The lord agreed to pay for the reconstruction of Mu'Kasi and Zakroti has been careful to ensure that it has a considerable garrison at any given time. By this point, a number of Drakken nobles and even a handful of members within his family had begun to see Zakroti's potential as an ally rather than another foe to be dealt with.
At age 50 an opportunity presented its self that Zakroti could not ignore; His father had fallen out of favour with the family and the king and, as such, Zakroti seized the chance and met in secret with a number of family members and Drakken nobles to hatch an insidious plot. Long had his father earned the disdain of his vassals and few objected to the idea of a regime change, especially once Zakroti put forward his terms and agreed to reduce taxes severely from the excessive rates his father had set.
With all the pieces on the board set, Zakroti challenged his father to honourable combat. As expected, his father refused; Consequently, Zakroti led a force of Drakken and mercenaries to sack his fathers estate, culminating in a bloody battle. The young lord had his father thrown into an oubliette where he is rumoured to remain to this very day.
Zakroti claimed dominion over his fathers lands and vassals by right of conquest and alleged that his father had refused to fight him out of cowardice. This was upheld by the family court which ruled in favour of Zakroti, though not out of any love for the young lord himself but rather for political reasons; His father had already fallen out of favour after refusing to commit his forces to a war effort two years prior and so this was considered to be an acceptable trade. Further, two key family members with positions in court had been amongst those who conspired with Zakroti to bring about his fathers downfall.
A considerable number his siblings refused to accept the leadership of their runt brother and openly rebelled against him - and by extent the ruling of the family. As such, Zakroti engaged in a half decade long internal war of stabilisation with the nominal support of his grandfather. This war was drawn out by repeated outside interference as many Drakken nobles joined the war on various sides simply for the joy of fighting or in order to further their own ambitions. The war ended with the Sack of his brother Lalika's estate, crushing the final credible threat to his rule.
The consolidation that followed this infighting resulted in Zakroti executing several of his brothers. Lalika himself was sewn into a bag along with various venomous serpents and diseased animals before being tossed into the river and washing off downstream into the ocean; His body was later found washed up on Gemminite shores, shrivelled up like a prune. Initially, Zakroti had planned to attainder the nobles who had supported his brothers cause, however the Drakken king had been planning a major offensive and did not wish to see his vassals numbers decreased by the infighting. Thus, he passed down an official order to prevent further escalation. This edict officially declared Zakroti to be the rightful successor of his father by right of conflict and both sides reluctantly backed down, neither willing to incur the ire of the Grand Duke or King, knowing that they would be all too willing to crush the weakened lords if given an excuse. The King, however, did not force the family to accept Zakroti onto its internal council and as such Zakroti was not allowed to claim his fathers seat under the pretence that it still de jure belonged to his living father. This humiliation proved intolerable.
Regardless, resistance had been crushed and many had been sent to meet Krenta during those dark days. Any siblings that still harboured misgivings about his position wisely fell silent after this; After all, the strong rule in Drakka and the West was, for now, a de facto part of Drakka. With his position finally secured, Zakroti spent his 55th birthday plotting out reconstruction efforts and rebuilding his power base in preparation for another conflict, greatly improving the defences of the newly named Mu'Jupostat and improving the infrastructure and economic potential of his duchy.
Towards the end of his 71st year, Zakroti pledged his armies to his families cause to quell an invasion from the Giants of the North. Assigned directly to serve his grandfather, his performance was exceptional and his grandfather saw fit to elevate him at last, finally being allowed to claim his fathers seat on the family council. With his new station came the privilege (and indeed, the obligation) of taking a bride or several. Zakroti was ordered to take at least one Gem Bride from the next group of selectees, a decision the lord reluctantly obeyed and found Miry...
The space of the Zorrozakiris is as expansive as it is inconsistent. Enter one part and the ruling clan may throw you a feast to welcome you and shower you in gems, enter another part and a different clan may demand you pay tribute for the rights to use their space. These great houses, often at each others throats and locked in a political, social and economic struggle for power, are kept in line only by the Temple Orders to which all clans owe their spiritual allegiance.
The central power of the temple comes from the unity of the Cholokah'zu and the Hrahakan species. The Hrahakan uplifted the Cholokah'zu and to the early Cholokah'zu, their technology seemed like magic. So it came to pass that the Cholokah'zu make little distinction between magic and technology; Indeed, the word for scientist in Yutan was originally a word that roughly meant "sorcerer".
You don't outright require to make these but they are fun so here's a good example.
Official Name: Kru Zorrozakiris j kru Ada a kru Hurota Common Name: Zorrozakiris, Zakiris, The Hrahakan Temple Government: De jure Dual Directorial System, de facto Techno-theocratic Oligarchy Dominant Species: Cholokah'zu and Hrahakan Capital: Cevik, Daeveris Systems Owned: 126 Planets Owned: 192 Population: Unknown, estimated to be roughly a trillion
History
It was the year 525 of the Fifth Era of the Hahis Calendar when the first UFO crash landed in Darrasan, a small town in the country of Yundun. By this point, the Cholokah'zu had just begun to explore steam power and were amazed - and slightly scared- by this strange alien contraption from the heavens. By the next morning, the King, Yagijuv and his councillors had arrived to investigate this discovery. Ignoring his councillors advice for caution and in an action most unbecoming of the usually cautious Cholokah'zu, he ordered it opened up to which the towns people semi-reluctantly obeyed. Inside there were nothing but skeletons and dust, the space shuttle was truly nothing more than a life-pod that had been adrift for decades at least. In opening it up, they had inadvertently released a plague on their people. This alien bug ravaged across Hahis and spread to Mistay and Aldgurgan before eventually being transmitted to Raver. Countless died and many villages were wiped out in their entirety.
It is little wonder that the Cholokah'zu considered it divine intervention when, just a year later when a meteorite that had landed in the Aldgurgan nation of Sothis contained strange alien life. At first, the jaded Sothis attempted to eradicated this new life form but a local priest, Jubin, allowed one of these alien symbiotes to merge with him. The Hrahakan that merged with Jubin took the name Arnos and the combined being dubbed itself Jubin-Arnos, who would eventually become the first Adabhutay of the Adakoras J Kru Syfhendaris.
Jubin-Arnos brought knowledge from an alien civilisation that, to the Cholokah'zu, seemed like magic. He instructed the people on sanitation and medicine, healing the sick and bringing comfort to the dying. Before long he had accrued a large following of men who believed him to be a divine saviour.
The Sothis Koras, who followed the pantheon that would later become the pantheon of the Johan, demanded that the king have Jubin-Arnos killed as a heretic- the king was intrigued by this holy man however and had him brought before him first. In the throne room of King Lakun, Jubin-Arnos offered to prove his 'divinity' by allowing the priest to stab him through the stomach, telling the King to leave his body alone in the dungeon afterwards. The Priest eagerly accepted and ran Jubin-Arnos through with his blade thrice before dumping the 'dead' man into the dungeon, thinking little more in the matter that evening.
That night, the jailor came to the kings chambers with a face as white as death itself. In a trembling voice, he declared the impossible; Jubin-Arnos had risen from the dead and was requesting an audience. The King took this as proof of the mans divinity for how else could one so mortally wounded and yet risen once more?
The Koras were not so easily swayed and declared Jubin-Arnos a foul sorcerer while branding the King a heretic. This schism erupted into a brief but violent civil war followed. Jubin-Arnos granted his knowledge to the kings knights, arming them with exotic weapons that the men at arms swore harnessed the winds of death themselves.
Jubin-Arnos arose the new living God at the centre of a new religion. He brought his three most dedicated followers to the meteorite he had rode in on and granted them the gift of 'enlightenment.' They joined with the eldest and most knowledgeable of the symbiotes and became another three divine prophets. The four spread out to the infected continents of the world, dedicated to curing the plague on each and winning the adoration of the people. Their tales are documented in separate scriptures; The 42 Parables of Jubin-Arnos, the 21 Sermons of Hayun-Ornis and the Homilies of Nhuzak-Tyun. Kulan-Mylin, who went to Raver, wrote no books personally although his right hand man wrote the "Blessed Perseverance of Kulan-Mylin" which documented his many struggles to convert the Raver people - and the many attempts on his life.
Once the plague was cured and the people saved, the three Adabhutay set about restructuring society. They set up many institutes of learning through their new temple, promising that enlightenment lay through wisdom and knowledge. They shared technology beyond the wildest dreams of the most daring Cholokah'zu; where once a journey would have taken a dozen days it now took a few hours by the might steel Alit and shorter still by the fantastical flying machines. Where once a Cholokah'zu farmer had ploughed using an Alit, he now ploughed using a Motorised Carriage. Truly, the prophets gifts were great and they grew greater and greater with each passing decade - to document the developments of those decades would be a herculean task in and of itself, both a miraculous leap into the future and a painful overhaul of society. Within a lifetime, the world was so much changed from what it once was that it was difficult for some to even comprehend.
Most remarkable of all for the Cholokah'zu, the Hrahakan took them beyond the sky and into the cosmos that they had formerly considered heaven. They showed them that the stars in the sky they had once thought holes into the spirit world were in fact distant suns with planets of their own - and some, the Hrahakan promised, bore life of their own. The Hrahakan told them tales of the ancients who had come before, who had mastered the universe and their destiny and eventually ascended into state that can only be described as godhood. What happened to them after that, the Hrahakan could not divine. Yet together, the Hrahakan assured them, they would spread across the galaxy and reach the same enlightenment, remaking worlds as their saw fit and seeding life where there was death.
The Cholokah'zu were captivated and pledged themselves whole heartedly to the cause, following their holy seers into the stars...
Starmap Information
Galactic Location
(This is for the galaxy map with your location highlighted somehow. The galaxy is gigantic so even a small dot can mean a lot. Don't be discouraged by your size!)
Major Holdings
Daeveris System: The Capital System of the Zorrozakiris and although a heavily industrialised system as a result, its importance comes more from its status, central position to the empire and financial functions (The Vrundinis system is more heavily industrialised, Daeveris status as holy space has resulted in the preservation of much of the natural environment of the system.) Vrundinis: The Vrundinish system is the most heavily industrialised system in Zorrozakiris space, it is here that the most ambitious project to date is underway; The slow and painstaking construction of a Dyson Bubble around the systems star. This bubble draws energy and matter from the star and supplies it to the Shipyards and foundries throughout the system. While there are many such shipyards and foundries within the Zorrozakiris, none are as efficient as those of the Vrundinis system and the Order of War guards it zealously.
Social Information
Demographics
The Cholokah'Zu are a grey skinned race of four legged aliens hailing from the world of Hahis. Their two arms evolved out of a third pair of legs and combined allow them greater stability while climbing along walls and ceilings. The ends of their limbs are covered in countless hairs which are both small and flexible so that they can make contact with as much of the surface as needed, 'sticking' them to it while allowing the Cholokah'zu to loosen its grip with minimal effort. For this to work, of course, they need to be relatively light; Whereas a healthy human male might come in at around 160 pounds, the average Cholokah'zu weighs only 90 pounds, making the Cholokah'zu weaker in terms of pure strength. As such, they are not as effective in close combat as one would initially believe. They make up for this in speed and agility, however, with most able to move at speeds of up to 65 Mph and jump around eight meters. Their short claws are connected to poison glands in their hands and secrete paralytic venom when threatened, making them dangerous to exposed foes in spite of their physical weakness This speed and versatility over terrain make a trained Cholokah'zu soldier a stealthy, swift and agile foe who is especially adept at ambushing and mobile warfare. As a notable aside, their natural set up is less energy efficient over long distances than the bipedal human set up; they were primarily a sedentary and territorial species, sticking to hunting and gathering within a small distance of their den where they would store any uneaten prey for later consumption, avoiding unnecessary travel. As such few of their societies were ever nomadic and those which were often failed in the long term. Interestingly, Cholokah'zu are facultative hibernators and can induce the state at will. They do not 'dream' in this state, there is no sleep or REM sleep, but rather are semiconscious and perceive the world around them as if through a strange filter - Likely to allow them to wake up at the approach of a dangerous animal. Regardless, this has allowed some Cholokah'zu, particularly those of the Raver continent, to attach a spiritual meaning to their torpor and thus some Cholokah'zu use this as a meditative state during religious festivals and sermons or simply to 'commune with the spirits.' Today this is a relatively unimportant distinction so long as the supply lines hold but historically it caused a lot of grief for empire builders, making the logistical problems with feeding an army over a long distance that much worse.
The Hrahakan are a 4cm long wormlike symbiotic alien that can infect a wide variety of species. It's body has a series of small hook like appendages that extend out once it has found a suitable host. These appendages 'plug' into the victims nervous system to allow for control. Outside of a host, a Hrahakan is weak and easily physically disabled, although it is surprisingly quick and can enter through almost any part of the body. Once inside the body, it swiftly makes its way to the nervous system and bonds with the host. In this wormlike state, the Hrahakan lacks much of its intelligence; It still has much of its knowledge and memories, but these are stored almost like a compressed computer file and are thus inaccessible. Once the Hrahakan takes a host, however, it has access to the hosts mental faculties and uses them to great effect. Hrahakan can also act without the victim even realising that the creature is present; due to their control over the hosts nervous system and brain, they are able to manipulate their hosts into thinking that an idea of the Hrahakan is the idea of the host. Naturally, this action has to be something that the host considers logically sound or at the least consistent with their usual behaviour or the dissonance may tip off the host. The Hrahakan can be symbiotic rather than parasitic; a Hrahakan can greatly increase the regenerative capabilities of its host, somewhat mitigating otherwise serious wounds and greatly increasing the creatures lifespan span. Additionally, Hrahakan who have had several hosts can transfer knowledge to their new host. Even on occasions where the Hrahakan has not revealed itself, it may benefit the host by reminding them of important information, boosting their mental faculties, immune system and healing processes. The Hrahakan on these occasions will subtly aid hosts in rising to positions of wealth and security within a society, thus increasing the hosts available supplies and subsequently the food intake of the Hrahakan. Although physical weak, the creature is resilient to environmental factors such as temperature and pressure and can survive both the vacuum of space and passing through the atmosphere of a planet. The former of these capabilities can be extended to their hosts, through means unknown. Being so small, they can hide away on crevices on ships or inside equipment and be transported unknowingly to a new world.
Society
The official language of the Zorrozakiris is Yutan which has supplanted most other languages to the point where it is the primary language on the Hahis, Aldgurgan and Mistay continents although many other languages exist and are still spoken prominently in some regions. The other important language is the tongue of the Raver peoples, an amalgamation of old tribal languages mixed with influence from the now dead Aldgurgan languages. They prefer their tongue over Titan and although many are at least capable of understanding it, they may pretend they can not simply to avoid outsiders.
The majority of the Cholokah'zu consider wisdom to be the primary characteristic of a good person. In their fairy tales, heroes spend much of the story planning and consulting with wise elders to decide upon the correct course of action. The villains in these stories instead act rashly and fail as a result of an oversight. The largest religion is the state religion of the Adakoras J Kru Syfhendaris (Holy Temple of the Ancients), but there are two other important religions factions within the Zorrozakiris; The first is the Jogah while the second is the traditional ancestor worship of the Cholokah'zu tribes of the south eastern continent of Raver.
The Jogah are the most controversial of the religious organisations in Zorrozakiris as they believe that, contrary to the claims of the Adakoras, godhood is unobtainable and that the Ancients were never gods. The Jogah believe in a pantheon of four gods; Deh (God of Love and Peace), Gallahakir (God of Death and the Afterlife), Ornothex (God of Wisdom and Nature) and Jubidak (God of War and Honour). They believe that these gods smited the ancient ones because they were arrogant and viewed themselves as being above religion. They believe that the teachings of the Adakoras temple will inevitably lead to the same state of affairs and thus stand in direct opposition to them. The beliefs of the Jogah are fundamentalist and its members believe wholeheartedly in absolute morality.
The Tribal Ancestor Worship is still held as the religion of a number of Clans descended from the Raver and these clans are the biggest force against absolute temple dominance. The Adakoras simply holds that these beliefs are not incompatible with the faith of the Syfhendaris and continues to try and convert these tribes to their faith. There is a great degree of overlap with the two faiths due to the Adakoras J Kru Syfhendaris effectively supplanting ancestor worship in many Cholokah'zu societies, and bastardised fusions of the two religions have become the norm among Raver Clans. The main point of contention between the two is that while the tribes believe that all of their ancestors have become part of the spirit world and influence the mortal plane, the Adakoras J Kru Syfhendaris teaches that only souls who achieve enlightenment ascend into this state with all others being reincarnated instead.
Some Cholokah'zu believe that their hibernation/torpor is actually a meditative state that they can enter for various religious reasons. Adakoras J Kru Syfhendaris faithful will typically enter this state in the hopes of making progress towards enlightenment while Raver ancestor worshippers believe it is capable of allowing one to communicate with the spirits of the dead. As such, these Raver typically enter the catacombs of their ancestors and enter the state to communicate with their ancestors and some take hallucinogenics before doing so. The Temple has issued many proclamations against this practice and tried to stamp out. In fairness, hallucinogenic meditating has historically resulted in more than a few -bad trips- where a Raver tribesmen believes they have been contacted by some long dead ancestor and ordered to drive out the 'imperialist scum'. One can hardly blame the temple for disliking this practice, as they are often among the targets of these psychosis induced killing sprees. Media stories covering these events have led the Jogah fundamentalists into thinking that hibernation is more likely to result in communication with and possession by some unspecified demons.
While religion plays an important role in Zorrozakiris society, it is naturally not the be all and end all. The Cholokah'zu have many literary icons such as Grungis Hruma who wrote countless plays and poems and is considered something of a literary genius by many Cholokah'zu. Those on the Raver continent typically prefer the works of their own writers like Zharanana Gkiz who compiled the poetic traditions of many tribes and added many of her own in her magnum opus Ancestor Hymms, or the (possibly apocryphal) writings of Zozumiralpachar Yeherradad, the first 'Zruti-jyo-Zrutit' (Chief of Chiefs in the tongue of the Raver people) who united the Raver tribes during the Aldgurgan colonisation. He was eventually betrayed by the Tribe of Ahalkalun who led him into an ambush in exchange for wealth, territory and power in the Sothis Empire (An Aldgurgan trading nation that was in ascendancy during this period, the Sothis would maintain its empire for 230 years before it finally crumbled to infighting. Many Ahalkalun choose to fled to Sothis after the Empire crumbled rather than remain behind to face retribution from the other tribes. Those who have Ahalkalun ancestors are still distrusted and disliked to this day by the other tribes and were very much rewarded as a traitor should be, having failed to gain any considerable political power since).
Another important cultural icon is the Arum, a wooden ball of nested concentric spheres. Hidden in its core is a message that can only be removed when the player works out the complex alignment of spheres. To reach the core, each sphere has to be operated in turn to activate the next. No sphere can act without the next one moving. A Cholokah'zu is traditionally gifted four Arums at birth; One from his father, one from his mother, one from the local Makayada and one from his godparents. Each of these messages is supposed to impart both wisdom and love for the child, which the child will uncover throughout his life as he solves the Arumis in any order he chooses.
The most popular sport in the Zorrozakiris is a form of honourable fighting that is held in arenas and broadcast around the worlds. Many of these duels involving melee weapons are usually done until first blood and blows to the head and neck are strictly prohibited, although some arenas prefer fights that go on until one party yields or collapses from exhaustion. Safer still are the duels involving 'ranged weapons'; Typically, these are done in specialised suits using laser weapons that cause the suit to freeze up if hit and are often held between teams of several dozen combatants vying for glory. Many of these are professional arena fighters, although the Order of War often trains soldiers in combat in the Arenas. Finally, however, are the 'blood rounds'. These fights are to the death and typically involve convicted murderers, rapists, traitors and other such violent criminals. A criminal who survives 20 of these battles has his sentence commuted to banishment- but few survive 20 of these fights.
With the Hrahakan having effectively pulled the Cholokah'zu past several stages of development, communism or its equivalent idea never developed in Zorrozakiris, the closest they have come is the Temple itself. Democracy, too, is not a familiar idea to the average Cholokah'zu; although local regions might hold elections for their officials or clans might hold elections for their councillor, this is neither universal nor the norm. Their idea of the perfect ruler might come closest to the idea of a philosopher kings; a highly educated ruler with a love of knowledge, intellect and wisdom. The Adabhutay are said to be all these things and to love their people unconditionally. Some Adabhutay are selective with their appearances, inviting only a select few great people to discuss with them. Others are more open, frequently travelling their province and speaking with the people, sometimes with fantastic and extravagant processions.
Wredru Zak (Layman; Literally, Ritual Person): Typically a young girl or boy who has been taken in by the Temple or who assists in religious rituals in exchange for education.
Nhu'ko (Novice; Literally, little/less learned/educated): Someone who has undertaken religious education at the Temple. One must join the Temple as a Nhu'ko if one wishes to join the Clergy or enlist with the Order of War but the Temple accepts any who wish to learn more about the faith and its history, even unbelievers.
Nhu (Adept; Literally, Learned/Educated): A person who has finished their religious education and is able to commit to joining the Order of War or the Clergy. At this point, the individual has not taken any vows and is not considered to have sealed a sacred pact. As such, they are perfectly free to choose a separate career path and many devout Cholokah'zu have attained this rank in the Temple simply out of a desire to understand their faith better or to continue down the path to enlightenment. Nhu could be considered a title rather than an actual rank, a degree in theology if you will. As such, unbelievers can be considered Nhu without holding any official position in the Temple. To advance to Acolyte or to join the Order of War, they must take sacred vows and forever be sworn to them.
Clergy: Juhuada (Acolyte: Literally, Helpful Holy): A Juhuada is an a fledgling clergyman who has taken their vows and has entered into service. They are usually young and will spend their time as an Acolyte assisting the Makayada before being apprenticed to a Makayada as a Kopada. Kopada (Curate: Literally, Lesser Holy): A Kopada is effectively the most Senior Acolyte, the apprentice of a Makayada who is being prepared as his successor. Makayada (Priest; Literally, Teacher Holy): A Makayada is the priest in charge of a Adakoras (Temple/Church/Shrine). They will have a Kopada as their apprentice and eventual successor and may also be in charge of some Acolytes. Makayada'te (Bishop; Literally, Great Teacher Holy): A Makayada’te is the religious authority for a Province, having two or more Makayada as their subordinates. Adabhutay (Prophet; Literally, Holy Seer): An Adabhutay is the highest position one can attain within the Temple. An Adabhutay is the religious figure head for the continent on a developed world and can be considered nothing less than a living god - or at least the closest one can get without ascension - to the Cholokah'zu people. The four original Adabhutay are considered to be senior and greater than the others, holding more importance and influence.
Government
Zakir Ada (Council Spiritual) and the Zakir Hurota (Council Temporal) are the two main political bodies of the Zorrozakiris. The Zakir Hurota is mostly an administrative and legislative body and although nominally equal to the Zakir Ada, it is de facto subordinate and has some policies outright dictated to it. This is mostly due to the Zakir Hurota being a divided body composed of the Cholokah'zu tribes and clans which control their own parts of each world. These clans are always manoeuvring against each other though outright wars are rare; when this occurs, the Zakir Ada typically deploys the Order of War to police the offending clans and restore order. The Zakir Ada is governed by the Adabhutay. Although there is no formal distinction in rank between the Adabhutay, they show deference to the four Adabhutay of Cevik; Hayun-Ornis, Jubin-Arnos, Nhuzak-Tyun and Kulan-Mylin
Although there are innumerable clans and houses in this space age, the Great Clans are the truly influential ones. Most clans tend to rally around alliances with each other and at the head of these alliances are the Great Clans. Lymier: Occasionally known to the galactic community at large as the Banking Clan, Lymier is the clan outsiders will likely have the most knowledge off. Lymier has grown fat off of trade and commerce, controlling important hyperspace routes through Zorrozakiris space and conducting mining operations and trading throughout the galaxy. With this wealth, it established itself as a major international bank where possible. They tend to be more cynical than the other clans and, although still religious, sometimes openly disregard the temples wishes in favour of profit. Lrumah: One of the two major militaristic clans of the Zorrozakiris, Lrumah maintains a well equipped and well trained army and navy. The Lrumah has a quota for military recruits each year and on the rare occasion this is not met, they will conscript young able bodied cholokah'zu into service. Although the Temple officially frowns upon mercenary work, Lrumah openly leases army and naval forces to other nations on mercenary contracts in the war against the Daisan. This flaunting of the Temples wishes is a strange anomaly in the Lrumah's extreme devotion to the Temple. Deele: The second of the major militaristic clans of the Zorrozakiris, Deele emphasises defence to a greater degree than Lrumah. Deele builds multiple surface-to-space weapons around its forts and palaces and launches many defensive orbital platforms- and yet Deele is often entangled in arguments over authority and jurisdiction with frustrated planetary defence force officers, who are supposed to be consulted before changes to the defence grid are made. Grunda: The least of the great clans, Grunda is a recent addition to the Great Clans having supplanted Clan Veton 31 years ago. Grunda controls some of the most fertile farmlands and rural worlds in Zorrozakiris space and as such is a very important and influential clan. Although it is sometimes not afforded the respect it deserves from older great clans such as Lrumah, even they now begrudgingly admit its importance. It is not a militarily powerful clan itself, but Grunda maintains close ties to the Temple and as such its major planets have an Order of War Battleship permanently stationed above them. Yeherradad: Yeherradad is unique among the Great Clans in being the only one descended from the Raver clans, specifially claiming lineage from the great Zozumiralpachar Yeherradad. They were among the first clans to fuse the traditional ancestor worship with the doctrines of the Adakoras J Kru Syfhendaris and popularised the trend. Although the Adakoras J Kru Syfhendaris continues to try and convert the Raver fully to their doctrine, the current stability on the continent is well appreciated by all parties. Yeherradad is thus the Great Clan least affiliated with the temple and the Adabhutay in these territories find themselves constantly busy attempting to spread their philosophies.
Technological Information
Technology Overview
(Describe your civilization's technology in general)
Major Techs
Regeneration Chamber: The Regeneration Chamber is a metallic tube which injured organics are placed into. The chambers interior is lined in a strange seemingly synthetic tissue that is actually a large network of the regenerative hormone glands the Hrahakan produce within their hosts. This tissue closes around the person and they are merged with it temporarily as they are connected to the Regeneration Chamber. Hormones are rekeyed for their genetics and delivered directly too them along with appropriate medication. They later awaken free of the fleshy embrace and find their injuries healed and their bodies repaired.
Nanite Fabricators: The Fabricator uses nano-machine fabrication lances to quickly construct ships, vehicles, satellites and other such large scale constructions. These fabricators are commonplace technology within factories and even aboard larger sships.
Quantum Energy Field Manipulator: The manipulator is used as a sort of 'gravitational' device and there are a number of common variants, such as the ship mounted tractor beam or a handheld industrial device. This device draws a specific object towards it or pelt it away with considerable force. Variants of this technology are used for heavy lifting, handling dangerous materials and minor utility functions. A powerful variant of the QEFM exists known as the energy gauntlet; Although an expensive item, most richer Cholokah'zu will own one and many military and law enforcement personnel will have a variant built into their armour. The Energy Gauntlet is powerful enough to manipulate people at range, lifting them from the ground and tossing them or holding them in place and can also be used to block ballistic weapon fire by generating a continuous field..
Industry
(Again, kinda optional. Do you wish to share with us how amazing your industry can be? This is the section for it! Major industrial methods, complexes and such can be also mentioned here.)
Military Information
Military Overview
(Describe your military in general. For a select few types of civs this might be alone enough.)
Space Forces
"Glory and honour guide our ascension."
Akulxixas (Carrier): At just over 2410 meters long and 2140 wide from its furthest points, the Akulxixas carrier is vastly larger than the other space craft of the Zorrozakiris. Carrying 150 Tucahay'ko and a thousand fighter/bombers internally spread over eight hangars as well as 72 Orhnak Zak and 36 Inbukhtuay attached to its exterior, the Akulxixas is the true capital ship of the Zorrozakiris. The Akulxixas has 64 point defence lasers and 30 twin-linked laser cannons, 32 heavy missile pods as well as 16 ion cannons, 16 heavy laser cannon batteries, 6 plasma torpedo launchers, six heavy ion cannons as well as a pair of plasma lances. In addition to their standard complement of star craft, the Akulxixas is often used to transport large numbers of soldiers and ground vehicles for invasion purposes as well as vast amounts of cargo to maintain supply lines.
Kull (Battleship): Coming in at 1004 meters long and 720 meters wide, the most noteworthy design feature is an expansive series of internal cross bracings and redundant systems built in honeycombs sectioned off from each other by bulkheads. This makes the ship surprisingly durable to damage and hull breaches, with some Kull having continued to fight despite losing 80% of their armour and suffering breaches to all decks. With 56 point defence lasers, 32 heavy missile pods, 24 twin-linked Laser Cannons/ion cannons (varies as to how many are laser cannons and how many are ion cannons), two 'heavy' railguns, four 'light' railguns, twelve heavy laser/ion cannon batteries (again, varies.) four plasma torpedo launchers, a tractor beam and a plasma lance, the devastation this ship can wreak with a single salvo is as considerable as the punishment it can take. The plasma cannon is a recent development and has a long cooldown time compared to their other weaponry, firing a continuous beam of energy for eight seconds that is extremely effective when used against unshielded craft, especially if said craft is also held in place by the tractor beam. It is significantly less effective against shields and so is typically used as the final knock out punch against an enemy ship once their shields have been dropped. This has led to some commanders adjusting the configuration of their ships ion and laser cannons and refitting them; while the Order of War usually keeps to the standard one to one configuration for versatility, the PDF and Clans typically prefer to have more ion cannons to lower the shields of enemy capital ships as fast as possible. For this reason, PDF, Clan and Order of War admirals alike often insist that one or two of their Adadun battlecruiser captains switch out some of their laser cannons for additional ion cannons. Such altered Adadun battlecruisers are usually referred to as the Adadun-Inbukthu to distinguish them. The Kill Battleship has two large hangers for a total compliment of 100 fighter/bombers, 20 dropships with 24 Orhnak Zak and 8 Inbukhtuay ships carried externally
Adadun (Battlecruiser): At 713 meters long, 410 meters wide and 247 meters in depth the Adadun cruiser js a major step up from it's smaller brethren and sometimes acts as a flagship for small fleets or strike groups. The Adaduns armaments are 42 point defence lasers, 20 heavy missile pods, 16 twin-linked Laser Cannons, 6 ion cannons, 1 heavy railgun, 2 light railguns, 8 heavy laser cannon batteries, four plasma torpedo launchers, 2 heavy ion cannons and a tractor beam. A variant of the Adadun known as the Adadun-Inbukthu class is also used to support Kull battleships and each Kull battleship will be accompanied by an Adadun-Inbukthu. This ship has only 8 twin-linked Laser Cannons and 2 heavy laser cannon batteries as opposed to the usual 16 and 8 respectively, but has 14 ion cannons and 6 heavy ion cannon batteries. Both variants have two hangers capable of carrying 2 dozen fighter/bombers each and both variants carry 12 Orhnk Zak and 4 Inbukhtuay externally.
Tucahay (Raider Carrier) A 376 meter long and 332 meters wide ship with a depth of 310 meters, the Tucahay fufills a special role. Although it carriers a small complement of space ships for a carrier, the extra space is taken up by two parralel FTL drives. One of these drives is a hyperdrive and the other is a slipspace drive, allowing the ship to perform a hit and run technique. It is designed to make precision hyperspace jump into an enemy system and deploy it's fighter bombers close to a strategic target; The craft then deliver their payload and return to the ship, after which it makes its slipspace jump out of the system to safety before the enemy can mount an organised response, working its way to another nearby hyperspace lane and then using that lane to return to its fleet. Such raids have a hard time limit set by the commander and if a craft has not returned to the carrier by that time it will be left behind. Although the damage of such a raid is typically light and insignificant in the grand scheme of things, it can misdirect enemies and delay repairs or construction of ships by raiding shipyards, disrupt trade and damage strategic targets. It is equipped with a considerable 40 point defence lasers, ten laser cannon batteries and six ion cannons but no main guns. It carries 34 Fighter/Bombers and Four Dropships split between two hangers. On its exterior, the Tucahay carriers two Inbukhtuay Corvettes and six Orhnak Zak patrol vessels. The Tucahay also possesses an ablative stealth coating and a stealth field generator (although it is unable to carry exterior craft that do not possess these features while making effective use of either of them, though occassionally Orhnak Zak patrol vessels will replace some dropships within the Tucahay) making it capable of long range and quiet expeditionary operations or special forces work.
Fargothay (Destroyer): The Fargothay is roughly the size of Imalah frigate and follows a similar design, although it trades most of the frigates point defence weapons for additional weapons and carries a pair of heavy railguns, 16 heavy guided Missile pods, four ion cannons, eight heavy laser cannons and two plasma torpedo launchers. It is surprisingly highly manouvreable and nimble, more so than the frigate. For defence against starfighters, the Fargothay carries a mere six point defence lasers and thus is reliant on other vessels for point defence and thankfully carries four Orhnak Zak patrol vessels for this purpose.
Imalah (Frigate) The 473 meter long, 320 meters wide and 190 meters in depth the Imalah is a significant step up from the Corvette. Designed as a mainline warship, capable of engaging in a protracted fight and typically used to support a destroyer, the Imalah frigate is the first ship to carry a proper punch. Attached to its 'underside', the Imahlah carries six Orhnak Zak patrol vessels and two Inbukhtuay Corvettes for FTL travel. The Imahalah is equipped with 20 point defence lasers, 14 heavy guided missile pods, 10 laser cannons, 4 heavy laser cannons and 2 ion cannons and a railgun.
Inbukhtuay (Corvette): At a little under 100 meters long and 51 meters across, the Inbukhtuay is an extremely humble warcraft designed to be deployed in large numbers for support purposes. Sporting ten point defence lasers, six laser cannons, two guided missile pods and with its main gun being simply heavy laser cannon, the Corvette is best suited for defence action, dealing with enemy fighters/ballistic missiles and providing support for larger vessels during engagements. It's hyperdrive is a short range model only capable of travelling up to a fifty light years at a time. While this is perfectly adequate for defensive work, this leaves the Corvette with a very small force projection range. To solve this problem while keeping the ship small and cheap, it possesses the ability of the Orhnak Zak to attach to the exterior of a ship and many of these are carried by larger capital ships for deployment across large distances
Orhnak Zak(Patrol Vessel): The 34 meter by 18 meter Orhnak Zak is in many ways a dropship with its troop bay removed replaced with more weaponry. In addition to the laser cannons, it has a point defence laser on it's other four faces with its gravity lift being modified so that it can double as a tractor beam. It is thus suited for dealing with enemy fighters and ballistic missiles and patrolling solar systems. Both the Orhnak Zak and it's brother the Tucahay'ko dropshipp possess the ability to attach themselves to spacecraft using electromagnets. While the Tucahay'ko most often uses this to board enemy ships, the Orhnak Zak instead tends to be attached to larger FTL capable ships via dedicated attachment ports. This was used as a cost effective way to increase the amount of ships that can be brought to a battle- as well as acting as acting as additional turrets and weapon hardpoints whiles attached. Lagailok Daril (Bomber): The Lagailok Daril is a 32 meter wide and 21 meter long 'bomber' designed to deliver conventional and nuclear payloads. Aside from being used for strategic strikes on ground targets, it is capable of causing considerable damage to other ships if equipped with a nuclear payload. Tucahay'ko (Dropship): The 34 meter by 18 meter dropship is a triangular design equipped with a single gravity lift for dropping and retrieving troops. It has three laser cannons in a triangle around the gravity lift, used to lay down suppressing fire while it deploys its troops. Some Tucahay'ko possess stealth coating and stealth field generators as well as cloaking devices and these are often used in Tucahay raider carriers for special operations purposes Quarra (Space Fighter): At 11 meters long, 16 meters wide and 7 meters tall, the Quarra is an agile fast attack craft designed to endure dogfighting with its two laser cannons and two missile pods while being capable of delivering both conventional and nuclear payloads
Ground Forces
The City Watch: The City Watch is the secular police force of the Zorrozakiris that maintain order in the capital city. They are typically armed with electroshock batons and stunguns but may be issued ballistic weapons or laser pistols in times of conflict or civil strife. Senior City Watch Officers are equipped with Energy Gauntlets. Unlike the Order of the Watch, unbelievers are accepted into the city watch.
Planetary Defence Force: The closest the Zakir Hurota has to a proper military force, the Planetary Defence Forces are a well-equipped and well-trained military force that are ready to launch into action should the planet be threatened. They typically have a strong armoured division and run the planetary defence grids, orbital fortifications and surface-to-space weaponry and thus on larger and more developed worlds the PDF can inflict significant casualties on invaders. Born from the need of the Zakir Hurota for an impartial military arm, the PDF were one of the few things the Zakir Hurota has ever managed to agree on after word of the Daisan appeared on the rim. In the decades since, the PDF has been transformed from the defensive garrison of the planetary defence weapons and orbital platform into a full blown military force, operating warships and participating in boarding actions of enemy or suspect vessels.
Clan Armies and Guards; Each Clan maintains its own fighting force that varies in quality and commitment; Some of the Great Clan armies like that of Lrumah are as well equipped and trained as the Order of War while others, such as those of the Gkiz clan, only have a ceremonial household guard. Likewise, recruitment policies vary with more religiously devout clams only accepting believers and the quality of recruits varying wildly. While the PDF is the official force of the Zakir Hurota and the Order of War is the most illustrious of the Zorrozakiris armed forces, clan retainers are still a common sight on the battlefield.
"Comfort is given, justice is taken." The Order of the Watch is the police force of the Temple; They supplant the City Watch and local clan guards on Temple Property and protect holy relics and are sworn to uphold both secular and religious law (when on temple property, outside of temple property religious law is not legally binding.) Its members are expected and encouraged to be highly devout and pious but unlike the soldiers of the Order of War, the Watch have had no further mental conditioning or indoctrination. They take special care to maintain a positive public opinion and members of the Order of the Watch often donate an amount of their wage to charity (although this is not as selfless as it might first appear, as the temple provides 'free' sustenance and board to Watchmen who donate more than 20% of their wage. In big cities, this is often cheaper than renting and buying food themselves for many younger and lower paid members of the order.) The Order of the Watch uses a wider range of equipment than the city watch and wear the ornate armour of the Order of the Watch. While junior members of the watch are still equipped with electroshock batons and stunguns like their secular counterparts, senior watchmen are equipped with Shock Lances that combine the abilities of an electroshock baton and a stungun into a single weapon that appear similar to an energy staff. All members of the Order of the Watch are equipped with Energy Gauntlets.
Order of War "Their hands." The Order of War is by far the largest of the branches of the Temples Military, encompassing both the army and the navy. It's soldiers are extremely zealous, with many willing to fight for the death even if the orders seem senseless. Many members of the Order of War are bonded with Hrahakan youth, allowing them to recover from grevious injuries and remain combat ready long after they should have passed on.
"Their hands."
The typical small unit structure of the Order of War in battle is as follows Battle Twins: Two Soldiers. A temporary or informal unit with two soldiers working together to advance through bounding overwatch. That said, it has also been applied to a unit with one shield bearer providing mobile cover for a soldier with a squad automatic weapon. Snipers are the only type of unit to have this as a permenant, official unit size. Lance: Four Men (One Soldier with a Shield and a Staff Weapon, One Soldier with a Staff Weapon, One Soldier with a Light Machine Gun, One Soldier with a Staff Weapon and a Missile Launcher) Pod: two+ Lances + any attached support units such as Snipers Battletwins or armoured support.
The Military Technology of the Zorrozakiris is primarily energy based in origin. One of their primary weapons is the energy Staff; The energy stave is, as the name would suggest, shaped like a traditional staff with an ornate headpiece. Its shaft is actually a disguised capacitor and the crest a finely tuned focusing device. This allows the wielder to unleash searing, powerful bolts of plasma graded for anti-infantry work towards the enemy, perfect for blasting through heavily armoured enemy infantry or even lightly armoured vehicles. The 'spike' like focusing components at the head of the staff are resilient enough to double as a melee weapon at closer range, and can be super heated specifically for melee combat. In case a target calls for a more explosive solution, one Order of War soldier per group will also carry a plasma missile launcher. Another will carry the teams dedicated squad automatic weapon which spit out relatively weak energy blasts at an alarming rate, providing an excellent suppression weapon. The weapon is powered by battery pack the soldier carries on his back, making him less agile than his comrades and making him very vulnerable to attacks from the rear, as damage to the battery pack may render the weapon completely useless- or detonate the user himself. In addition to their standard personal energy shields, some soldiers opt to carry an additional energy shield in the form of- a shield. This shield is much stronger than that protected by their breast plate, however it naturally only covers one angle of attack. The shield projects an field around the shield that is visible to the naked eye as a faint bluish glow. The shield can be planted into the ground and the dimensions of this shield can be expanded to turn it into deplorable cover for the soldiers. These are generally used to deflect incoming enemy fire using the generators built into the device, preventing the force of the kinetic energy from impacting the soldier. If there are any nearby enemy units, the bearer may try to position the shield so as to deflect this firepower towards them instead. Their armour is made from two layers. The first is a flexible undersuit made out of flexible cloth padded graphene while the second layer is a hardened carbon nanotube plating. The generator for the soldiers personal shield is housed in the centerpiece of the chest plate and this is where the shield is strongest. The shield can be altered by the unit to response to circumstances - for example, to disable the shielding at the feet. Shielding would prevent the Cholokah'zu warrior from climbing vertical surfaces during battle, a tactic the Order of War takes great pride in considering their emphasis on movement and agility, allowing to take foes by surprise, organise elaborate ambushes and reach vantage points. Armour also varies based on squad position; the squad machine gunner has a sort of semipower armour exoskeleton to allow him to manoeuvre efficiently while carrying the heavy weapon and its power pack. Specialist squads may also have jump packs or stealth fields. All soldiers carry a vibration combat knife that uses ultrasonic vibrations to carve through flesh, bone and some forms of light armour alike. They also carry a laser pistol as their siderm; this small energy weapon lacks the power to reliably penetrate modern military armour but is serviceable as a light backup weapon. The leader of each Lance will have an integrated command and control system as well as providing direct audio-visual feeds to the COs. Sniper weapons are also energy based, using a highly focused beam of energy to cause a small explosion at the point of impact. These snipers are sometimes deployed to support an ambushing pod. There are naturally specialist weapons for special duties but the aforementioned equipment is by far a more common sight.
Not strictly a vehicle, this this drone is fast and agile but lacking in both armour and firepower, the combat drone and thus useful for scouting and distracting the enemy as well as for providing support to heavy vehicles. Technical repair drones also exist and are often deployed to support heavy vehicles. The lightest and fastest of their vehicle is a fast attack/scout single man speeder. They use a repulsion plate to skim a planet's gravitational field, simulating the effect of flight, and enabling them to perform low-altitude manoeuvres, it skims over otherwise impassable terrain as if it were nothing and is capable of limited flight. It bears a dual pair of autocannons, suitable for anti-infantry use but all but useless against armoured tanks. Suited for harrassment and raiding, it is aptly named the Pulut, after a farmyard pest known for killing poultry and stealing food. In addition to a pair of under slung laser weapons suited to anti-infantry work, this alien craft possesses what is effectively a scaled up version of the energy staff, possessing much more power. It is for a good reason that this tank got the name Daril Ukhulay, which translates into "Demon Killer". The Daril Ukhulay is designed for taking out large targets, enemy positions or clumps of tightly packed enemy soldiers. Like all Order of War vehicles, it is constructed with reasonably thin and light Armour, resistant to small arms fire but like paper-mache to a railgun or staff weapon. Equipped with a repulsion plate, these overgrown cannons are surprisingly swift moving and provide a meaty punch in an Order of War strike. A very strange alien device that is an odd amalgamation of organic parts and metal. It does not have a pilot in the traditional sense; organic nerves were threaded through this vehicle by a Hrahakan. The vehicle is piloted by one of these symbiotes which 'plugs' itself into the nervous system and operates the vehicle from deep within as if it were a host body. It's fast moving turret fires a continuous laser beam that is well suited to bringing down enemy aircraft or missiles but can also be put to work on other enemies provided they do not get within its minimum range. The Ruhkt possesses no other weapons. The Ukhulay walker is, like the Ruhkt, often piloted by a Hrahakan (although remotely controlled variants and autonomous variants do exist and are occasionally deployed). With thick armour, a powerful focus beam and shielding, the Ukhulay makes an excellent assault vehicle when properly supported The Myzhax walker is a 6' mechanical soldier designed to operate in dangerous conditions and fulfil a brute force role. Often piloted by a Hrahakan symbiote, the Myzhax walker is equipped with a variable plasma weapon that can fire a flurry of weaker low powered rounds for anti-infantry work or fire high energy blasts to engage enemy light vehicles. The bipedal design is a curiosity amongst the usually quadrupedal designs, having been constructed to mirror the design of a bipedal species a group of Hrahakan symbiotes once bound with The Zakir Zo is a heavy, slow moving artillery piece capable of raining down death from long distances and firing at any space ships which have entered the atmosphere. Aside from its two anti-infantry weapons, any opponent too close for the Zakir Zo to bring it's main weapon to bear will find little resistance.
"Better broken in body than corrupt in mind" Those who watch the watchers, the Order of the Inquisition is effectively the military police of the Order of War, ensuring that soldiers do not neglect their duties or breach conduct. Despite its name, the Inquisition is one of the organisations that has the least religious duties, dealing in the letter of the law rather than matters of faith.
"Her reflected glory." Elite Veterans of many battles, the Lagailok Orhnak have been reborn through the seven trials on the death world of Jiguzhakir, named after an ancestral god of the underworld. Bound with an elder Hrahakan and armed with the finest equipment available to them, the Solemn Guard often carry out special operations or espionage work, slipping past enemy lines to assassinate commanders and disrupt enemy operations and then disappearing without a trace. The Solemn Guards cloaking armour is the closest the Zorrozakiris have get to 'invisibility' for moving organic beings, adapting to the scenery around them to provide the illusion of invisibility. This isn't perfect by any stretch of the imagination; while extremely difficult to discern while the object is stationary, moving greatly harms the illusion to the point where it will be obvious to any close observer and as such the Lagailok Orhnak still prefer to operate under cover of darkness. They are formally in service to Hayun-Ornis.
"His Hands of Healing" The Order of Holy Restoration is not an exclusively military organisation - in fact, it is mostly a civilian organisation. Still, the members of the Order of the Holy Restoration make up the doctors and medical staff of Order of War fleets and battle groups and so for the convenience of this list it has been categorised as such. It's members also make up many of the Temple Healers and Doctors of Zorrozakiris society and they are sworn to help any who come to them for aid free of charge. Their patron is Jubin-Arnos.
"His Guard against terror." Handpicked to be the bodyguards of Kulan-Mylin from recruits of the Order of War and the Order of the Watch, the Order of the Learned Warrior are excellent at surveillance, security work and detective work. Kulan-Mylin being a powerful Psionic himeslf, it is perhaps only natural that the Nhu Kull have an unusually high amount of Psionic members and this is put to great effect in their work.
"Wisdom and Knowledge are the birth of the sun." The Order of the Book is primarily a civilian organisation but, as the engineers and technicians of the Order of War come from the Order of the Book, it has been listed here for convenience. The Order of the Book is effectively the academic and intellectual centre of the Zorrozakiris, sending the knowledge back and forth between the academic institutions of its planets, let alone its continents. It's main institution is on the continent of Mistay and its patron is Nhuzak-Tyun.
There are a number of smaller special orders and chapters as well, but these are not important enough militarily to be described in detail here
Member
Hyperdrive
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