|
Qera
"While we all look in the mirror, we do not all see the source of our forms. And the truth: the form is always an illusion...unstable and changing."
— Azrikam, Herald for the Council of the Qeran Union
From the Bedrock...
A crystalline, genderless life form which began on a sun-bleached planet, their early evolution was slow and laboured. But the spark of sentience, once realised in the Qera, drove them relentlessly to explore and expand. Mastering their desolate, thin-atmosphere planet proved to be a small challenge, and technological innovation came relatively quickly. Wars were infrequent but extremely brutal; the Qeran penchant for straightforward, open communication left only the deepest rifts unbridgeable. Their homeworld grew upward and outward with alacrity as they constructed massive glittering towers - great spires reaching towards the stars. Soon they set out to colonize nearby systems and entered into a galaxy shortly after the First War ended.
When the Qera first contacted the Humans, Jur, and
Ajira, they were amazed to find that their wildest theories about what shapes other species might take were more or less correct. The Qera, however, were shocked that the two-armed, two-legged look was, in fact, quite popular in the galaxy, leaving them the odd race out. Not only this, but communication was difficult, as the Humans
and all their acquaintances seemed to use a very odd sort of vibration to talk amongst themselves. The solution was obvious: the more uniform but malleable Qeran shape would have to be modified to be familiar enough for these anthropomorphs.
Facing the Mirror...
The Qeran government decided that a number of the next generation would undergo a modified development, which would result in a hominid form. These Qera would have sensory and communicative faculties compatible with the world that the Humans, Jur, and
Ajira experienced. These Qera would serve as ambassadors, neither frightening nor incomprehensibly alien to the anthropomorphs, but still thoroughly Qeran and able to transcend the barrier between the races. These Heralds were initially a smashing success; it was a watershed time for Qeran culture as they advanced their understanding of the anthropomorphic way of life, and established ties with the remnants of the First Republic.
As more and more Heralds were engineered, relations grew somewhat strained between the Qera and the anthropomorphs. The fleshy species were frustrated with the Qerans' manners, while the Qerans found their time speaking to the other races to be unproductive. Misunderstandings or straightforward insults were frequent, and wars periodically broke out.
At the root of the problem, the Qera had quickly realised, was the simple truth that the Humans, Jur, and
Ajira were too certain in life. They knew without doubt that they would live for decades, while the Qera had no such assurance. The Qera lived with a sharp need to achieve because of the wild variation in their species' life span: one might live for a hundred years, or might suddenly cease at fifteen. They take no time for conversation, pleasantries, or guile, and refuse to waste any listening to them. They also refuse to spend their potentially short lives without achieving and experiencing as much as possible. A deeply ingrained ideal of Qeran culture is the urgency every day demands.
Their abrupt and straightforward manner has been instrumental to their very democratic government; most Qera could not stand to have their opinion ignored, but would not waste time discussing anything other than that which is important. This rational and honest approach was a great success when dealing amongst themselves, but proved catastrophic to race relations where too much is said and too little is meant.
Short wars persisted between the Qeran Union and most of the other races; only the
Ajiran System managed acceptably abrupt negotiations with the Qera, and they kept a relatively stable peace. In the chaotic inter-Republic period, the Qera managed to acquire a reputation as a fearsome, ruthless, and unorthodox foe, their fast and unpredictable strategies keeping most races on their heels. Meanwhile, the industrious among the Qera continued to explore and colonise planets that other species had not thought habitable. The Qeran Union stretched far when the Shorem reawakened the Ke'Ras.
The Living Statues...
After the Second War with the Ke'Ras, the Qera by and large were excited to throw in with the Second Republic. Realising that in a more cosmopolitan galaxy, they would have to be more accessible, Qera worlds increasingly chose the bipedal form for the proceeding generations. As the Second Republic grows, nearly a third of Qera are anthropomorphic. With the popularisation of this shape, a number of variations have begun to occur. The commonest Qera are bulky, faceted, with sharp crystalline edges to their features. Some are more creature than humanoid, with horns or wings or claws - called gargoyles, the Qera of this form took somewhat after the
Jur, and usually have a bellicose disposition to match. Then there are the Adonises: statuesque, smooth and beautiful. These charming Qera are the best liaisons to the Humans, Ajira, and
Tumba. There are as many forms of the Qera as one might suppose, though the heads of government and Ancients among them remain in their natural rock-like shape; in this sense, anthropomorphic Qera in the highest echelons of the Republic are usually still little more than Heralds for their enigmatic superiors.
The Republic has benefited greatly from Qeran honesty from time to time. The Qera, once committed to the Republic, were tireless in finding ways to persuade system after system that the Republic was the only way forward. Nor did the Qeran diplomats fail to learn from the experience: softened by better manners, many Qera envoys have embodied the species' trademark clarity and uncompromising desire in forging alliances. A democratic Republic suits the Qera perfectly, given their history. But this is not to say that all Qera are of one mind as to which policies are best for the galaxy. They are as divided as any about which ideology is best, and a Qera will work passionately for whichever party it chooses.
"To leave your life with unfinished work is a crime against the universe which gave that life to you. This is the Great Struggle; we have no time to waste."
— Tzedek, Republic Field Marshall (retired)summary | return to top
|
|