Vaena Askari
Lady Cadalthor
OUT OF CHARACTER INFORMATION
Intent: Expand on the Eldorai diaspora and sub a location for rp.
Image Credit: From a Doctor Who episode called ‘Bad Wolf’. One must imagine the station with a thicker cylinder shape within the outer ring.
Canon: N/A.
Links: Firemane Industries & Technology, Four of a Kind, Angelii, Eldorai Sciiac Reserve Battalions, Eldorai Exodus from Kaeshana, Inexorable, Siobhan.
SETTING INFORMATION
Space Station Name: City of the Sky Pillars. Shortened to Sky Pillar.
Station Model: Sanctuary Class Habitat.
Classification: Space Habitat.
Location: Mobile. The Sky Pillar has a hyperdrive and is not bound to a specific area. It is designed for moving vast populations and sustaining them
Affiliation: Firemane Industries & Technology, Anya Venari, Royalist Eldorai, Selene Tarai, Vaena.
Population: Heavy.
Demographics: The vast majority of the station's population is composed of Eldorai, as the habitat's main purpose is to accommodate them. There is also a Qadiri population, as the Matriarchy accept them if they swear fealty to the Queen. The Firemane technical, advisory and security staff largely consists of humans and various common alien species.
Accessibility: The Sky Pillar is not isolated from society, but is mobile and will often traverse areas beyond commonly used hyperlanes. There is a large amount of traffic of goods and people though. The Sky Pillar is heavily guarded. The Eldorai are open to trade with others. Indeed, it is an important part of the station's economy. Outsiders will be vetted though. Firemane has a stake in the station, so individuals the corporation is hostile to will not be let aboard.
Traffic: Congested. There is a vast amount of traffic coming to and from the station. This includes not just the people moving in and out and the goods coming in to supply them, but also the innumerable other ships docking at the station for other reasons. Of particular note are the hangars designated for supplies which operates every hour of every day, and there is still often a queue to enter or depart.
Description: The Sky Pillar is a Sanctuary Class Habitat, an enormous, mobile space station that is able to accommodate roughly 500 million inhabitants. It possesses the resources and materials necessary to facilitate mass migrations. The station is enormous size, but even more so in volume. Twenty-five major levels have been created in its ginormous interior. Some specialise in population, others are concerned with agriculture, engineering, defence or medicine. Thus it can not only transport a vast population, but also support them. Indeed, the Sky Pillar can act as a mobile production and manufacturing centre.
This provides the inhabitants with items to trade with people they encounter on their voyage. Each tier has a dedicated workforce selected from the population there. In the case of the Pillar, a good amount of the Eldorai who live there are engaged in technical work or manufacturing. Moreover, the tiers also have their own security forces. A large military force is held in general reserve. The total number of this force is about a twentieth of the population. The garrison includes a contingent of Angelii and a larger force drawn from the Sciiac Reserve Battalions. The Sky Pillar can maintain itself for over a year without resupply. It carries vast amounts of cargo and supplies, in addition much of the required food is grown on board where necessary. At that time though it will need to seek a friendly harbour to take on supplies it cannot produce itself. Fortunately in space junk and waste products can be safely jettisoned into a handy gas giant or star. Each level and tier has its own life support system. Decentralisation allows compartmentalisation in case something goes awry on the station. This provides protection against sabotage.
However, this is no luxury cruise. Most of the habitation areas are single or double room, four or eight to a berth. Only the wealthiest inhabitants can enjoy the luxury of exterior rooms, though even the poorest have 'windows' which show a projection of the outside. Daily life aboard the habitat is heavily regulated. Labour and movement is strictly controlled. As a result, leaving one's tier is not allowed except in special cases. This results in an authoritarian, top-down structure. Life is balanced so that everyone can be healthy and sustained, but this means that nothing can be allowed to seriously disrupt the balance. Entertainment is freely available, but food rationing is stringent. Smuggling and black market activities continue to be issues, as they are a way to circumvent the laws.
Overall, the system of government can be described as bureaucratic despotism. Citizens do not live in fear of being seized by a secret police for making a vaguely critical remark about the government, and the security force is accountable to the law. However, there are a lot of laws and even more red tape. The arkship is associated with the Eldorai Matriarchy. While it has come a long way from the totalitarian oppression of the days of Tirathana VI, it is still an absolute monarchy that postulates monarchy is the only rational form of government, provided the monarch is enlightened.
The Eldorai's freedom of action is limited by the fact that Firemane retains a stake in the space habitat. However, the Firemane advisory staff adheres to the principle of indirect rule. This is considered more suitable for the Eldorai than direct dominion. It is cheaper, simpler, less wounding to their self-esteem, gives them more careers as public officials, and spares them of unnecessary contact with non-Eldorai. Moreover, it requires fewer Firemane administrators. However, it requires reliable collaborators that are still acceptable to the native population.
The Sky Pillar is administrated by an Eldorai viceroy appointed by the Star Queen of the Eldorai. This governor is assisted by a council that is drawn from the tiers and supposed to represent the estates of the realm, as well as an executive council. The latter roughly corresponds to the cabinet of a head of government. The Viceroy has significant authority, but the Queen must be consulted for major changes. Moreover, given the sheer size of the population, in practice many decisions have to be delegated to lower-level leaders. The different tiers have councils, which act as a local government and represent their interests.
However, the Viceroy and her cabinet are responsible for all big picture issues. Local assemblies can bring grievances to the court's attention, but not force them to undertake or refrain from a certain policy decision. The present Viceroy is Countess Selene Tarai, a long-time ally of the Queen. Selene lacks the xenophobic and prejudiced view of so many of them. She is a close associate of Firemane and Queen Tirathana, and shares their agendas for opening up to the galaxy. As the Queen’s top diplomat, and with good relations with Firemane, the Countess is a major player in Eldorai politics.
Each tier has a Prefect, who is appointed by the Viceroy. The government is not democratic, but the Eldorai have only recently changed their form of government from totalitarian, theocratic monarchy to enlightened despotism. Much to the dismay of conservatives, Eldorai males receive representation in the organs of government and the security force. However, they still face a strong glass ceiling. Plenty of stones have been thrown at it, but it seems to be made out of glasteel. Women often get paid more for doing the same job. The Masculine Anti-Defamation League continues to protest these discriminatory practices and has accused the government of tokenism. Firemane has appointed a resident to represent its interests and very influential in the economic sphere.
Traditionally, Eldorai society has been dominated by the tripartite alliance of crown, temple and nobility. Merchants were held in low regard and technical innovation was scorned, as it would imply that the Matriarchy was not perfect. However, the recent calamities have undermined the old order. Today, the Eldorai are scattered. Moreover, maintaining the station requires a large technical class that has been educated in the use of off-worlder technology. Trade is essential to maintain prosperity. This has led to the rise of a middle class that demands influence. Moreover, several of the most reactionary noble houses have left the Matriarchy in order to build their own utopias.
POINTS OF INTEREST: Aside from the usual, such as bridge, armoury, reactor, and navigation suite, the station has extensive residential areas, greenhouses and manufacturing facilities. Moreover, the following areas are of particular interest:
The Queen's Park: A central plaza. It is the main gathering place aboard the station and thus used for parades. It also serves as the centre of administration, as the palace, government buildings and the court are located here. There is a statue of Tassaria the Liberator, the first Star Queen of the Eldorai. Tassaria came to power in a period of anarchy. In the past the Eldorai had been divided into many city-states, but this system collapsed under the onslaught of the Kar'zun. The last Queen of Santaissa was killed in the sack of the city, which left a power vacuum. It was filled by Tassaria Cytani, the High Priestess. Her armies drove the Kar'zun back and she was acclaimed both Queen and High Priestess.
It is probably convenient that Tassaria lived a very long time ago, which means that her life can be tweaked to fit almost any political narrative. Even some republican Shadow Knights have tried to appropriate her, no matter how ridiculous that is. In the past, the Eldorai Matriarchy celebrated her as the Kar'zun Slayer who established a despotic, theocratic monarchy. Today, they choose to deempathise that. Instead it is a simple statue of a crowned Eldorai with a scroll in one hand, and the other hand raised in blessing. A sword is at her side, resting inside a scabbard instead of being drawn. She is clad in limited armour and a robe. The Matriarchy chooses to stress her role as a uniter, defender and lawgiver. Tassaria apparently believed in the social contract before any Eldorai had heard about it. Initially, Siobhan wanted to have her own statue, but fortunately she could be convinced not to force the issue. She was a bit grumpy about this.
Cenotaph of the Lost: This building is both a museum and a memorial. There is a black stone obelisk there and a wall with the names of all the known Eldorai who died in the various ills which befell Kaeshana. The atmopshere in the museum is somber and reflective. The Eldorai have endured many hardships, some of them inflicted by themselves, others by foreign oppressors. There is a good deal of focus on the Exodus, the occupation of Kaeshana by the First Order and the planet's final desolation. The message of the museum follows the values of the Venari Restoration; enlightened despotism, toleration of religious non-conformists and integration with the Eldorai's Tygaran cousins. Moreover, the area includes the Tomb of the Unknown Angelii memorial. It features a kneeling Angelii statue with her eyes upraised to the sky. The memorial has an Angelii honour guard.
Providence Quarter: A shopping and commercial area, filled with shops, markets, restaurants, bars and clubs. This is a trade hub and thus the most multicultural part of the station. A police force keeps order and ensures civilians are safe from harm.
Basilica of the Mother's Children: A temple dedicated to the Great Goddess Ashira and her children - the children being the other deities of the Eldorai pantheon and the Eldorai themselves. The Eldorai believe that Ashira fashioned heaven and earth, and that she is their heavenly mother. Officially the Star Queen is her emissary and viceroy in the mortal world, though the modern monarchy prefers to present itself in a more secular guise.
Chamber of the Defenders: A barracks and Angelii training area. Here soldiers reside, train and drill. This is the location of the main garrison. It has its own armoury, medbay and other essential facilities. Under Eldorai law, it is mandatory that all Force-Sensitives receive training to control their powers. Most return to civilian lives after their time is up, but the best are recruited by the army.
Exarchate Palace: A palace for the Star Queen, if she visits, and the seat of government. In the absence of the Queen, the Viceroy holds court here. Exarch is an old Eldorai title, which was adopted by the Omega Protectorate. Tirathana VII, then known as Anya Venari, claims credit for this, as she was the personal assistant of Tegaea Alcori. Citizens can address petitions to the court. The palace is heavily guarded.
Firemane Residency: As with the various worldships that it has given to its allies, Firemane maintains an interest in the Sky Pillar. Thus a resident has been appointed by Firemane's Diplomatic Service. They represent Firemane's interests and provide advice to the Viceroy and her court. The residency has its own guard contingent and a large advisory staff of technical experts and diplomats.
The Silaqui Memorial Gardens: A beautiful garden for families to take their children to and see some green, giving them a respite from all the metal and machines. They are named after Silaqui III, the present Queen's sister and predecessor on the throne. Silaqui was assassinated by traitorous Angelii during a failed coup attempt. Plants and flowers from Kaeshana abound. Since the Eldorai homeworld is now an uninhabited tomb world, the memorial gardens are one of the few places where these plants still grow. However, plant life from other worlds can also be found here.
Ferrano's Fields: A major agricultural area. The station will often venture deep into uncharted space, so it needs to be able to grow its own food. Ferrano's Field is one of several areas dedicated to agriculture, but the largest. Advanced biodomes have been built. They are kept running by both organic and droid labour. This ensures that the inhabitants will not starve if trade is disrupted.
Foundry of the Scarlet Iron: A somewhat fancy name for the main manufacturing area of the station. It is a truly enormous complex that contains a variety of factories, workshops and the like. They manufacture items not just for the upkeep of the station, but also to trade. Many of the Eldorai who live on the station are engaged in technical and manufacturing work, so the Foundry is a major economic hub.
SECURITY
Maximum
- External armaments are low. Like all Sanctuary Class Habitats, the Sky Pillar has many quad laser/point defence/flak cannon batteries. Thus while it lacks capital weapons, the Pillar has many batteries of defence guns to shoot down enemy attack craft. The defence systems are considerable. The station has heavy armour plating, redundant shield generators, and heavy internal security, including a garrison. It also features ray shields, auto-turrets and other standard security systems.
- Each tier has its own security force, and there is a large military force held in general reserve. The total number of this force is about a twentieth of the population. Aside from regular Eldorai soldiers, the garrison includes a contingent of Angelii and a larger force drawn from the Eldorai Sciiac Reserve Battalions. A few squads of the elite Valora's Fist unit are also often stationed here. Firemane has stationed its own, smaller garrison, including a small force of warriors from the Order of Fire. Truthseekers are present to ferret out spies and infiltrators. Thus boarding the station will not be easy.
The Eldorai are a proud people - often to a fault. For centuries they were convinced that they were the only form of intelligent life in the Galaxy. When they encountered non-Eldorai, they dismissed them as barbarians. Humans might be more technologically advanced, but they were soulless. Eldorai had pure souls, for they were the children of the Great Goddess Ashira, who had fashioned heaven and earth. Their arrogance bred complacency. And so the Eldorai fell behind while most of the Galaxy advanced. Past Star Queens isolated the Eldorai, rightly fearing that contact with the outside world would undermine the ancien régime.
This left the Eldorai Matriarchy vulnerable to outside incursions. Most of their weapons were outdated and their starships were primitive. When it finally tried to catch up, it became dependent on the humans it had once scorned. This fuelled resentment and nationalistic sentiment, further weakening the Eldorai by diving them against one another. It remains a matter of speculation what would have happened if the Eldorai had embraced the Galaxy centuries earlier instead of hiding behind the willow pallisade of isolation. Perhaps they would have been able to become a middle power similar to the Chiss, Mon Cala or Hapes. Perhaps they would have been destroyed by the Empire or the Sith. Regardless, their isolation had forcibly come to an end.
In order to gain protection from outside threats, Kaeshana entered the Omega Protectorate as a member state. At the time the Protectorate was a great power. Star Queen Silaqui III and her successor Tirathana VII built close ties with Tegaea Alcori and Siobhan Kerrigan, both senior leaders of the Protectorate. This working relationship endured when Tegaea stepped down as Lady Protector after suffering near-fatal injuries at the hands of a Sith Assassin. The power couple's new company, Firemane Industries, set up its headquarters on Kaeshana and helped the Eldorai advance.
The royal army received more modern weapons, fortresses were built to deter invaders and Eldorai were sent abroad to learn from the off-worlders. For a while, things went well. However, then the Protectorate crumbled during the Netherworld Event. Eldorai troops were deployed to various hot spots such as Sullust and Eriadu, serving alongside Firemane and Protectorate troops. However, the nation dissolved. Moreover, the Eldorai learned that within a year, a huge asteroid would devastate Kaeshana. It was too large to be destroyed, so they turned to Firemane. The corporation directed considerable resources to building a massive exodus fleet. Most Eldorai could be evacuated to the lost world of Tygara before Kaeshana's destruction. However, some had to be left behind and were forced to eke out a primitive existence in a post-apocalyptic wasteland. Moreover, the calamity dramatically increased the Eldorai's dependence on their foreign patron.
Today, the Eldorai find themselves adrift in the Galaxy. They have been thrust onto an infinitely greater stage than they could have possibly imagined, having lost their homeworld and realised that they are outnumbered and outgunned by the rest of the Galaxy. Their homeworld Kaeshana is now an in inhospitable, uninhabited tomb world. First it was destroyed by an asteroid, then it a war zone and occupied by the First Order, before finally being turned into a literal hellscape by being dragged through the Netherworld. In short, it has been a period of - largely self-inflicted - humiliations.
Moreover, the once ironclad unity of the Eldorai has come to an end. The first destruction of Kaeshana was the catalyst for the scattering of the Eldorai. The planet's desolation is a gnawing wound that has yet to heal. As a result, the Eldorai are divided into different factions. Some still obey the Star Queen or pay lip service to her, others have put a different queen in power and others again reject the ancien régime entirely, such as the Shadow Knights and the Aspirants. As a consequence, the Eldorai have been forced to adapt. The Eldorai Matriarchy is still in the best position in terms of resources due to its alliance with Firemane and the simple fact that it has the largest population.
However, this has come at a price, as it is a vassal of the human-led corporation. A few individual Eldorai have outright joined Firemane, choosing it over their allegiance to the Queen in order to pursue their own goals. Two are members of its ruling group. One of the fruits of the Matriarchy's cooperation with the humans is the City of Sky Pillars. Never wanting to be caught out again by an event like the cataclysm at Kaeshana, the Eldorai commissioned large Asur worldships as soon as they were settled on Tygara. However, these could only accommodate a limited number of people. A cabal of reactionaries who wanted to bring back the old ways departed the Matriarchy to claim a 'virgin paradise' called Raevana. Here, they would make the Matriarchy great again. Unfortunately for them, the tropical forests turned out to be a death trap.
The fall of several galactic powers motivated the major rulers of the various elf races to convene aboard the Arx Aeternae. There, House Kerrigan-Alcori hosted a summit to decide the future of the people under its protection. It was decided that the elves would go off into space to seek out new colonies in the stars. Firemane expressed its willingness to support these ventures through the construction of new worldships and massive space habitats, the Sanctuary Class Habitats.
The Sky Pillar would be the first of its class. It was designed to be a self-sufficient habitat, containing all the resources and materials necessary for 500 million civilians to live on board without needing replenishment for a year at a time. Countess Tarai, a close ally of the Queen, was appointed as viceroy. Vaena Cadalthor, a conservative nationalist and noble bastard, was made minister of expansion and exploration. Amidst pressure from elf nationalists, the Eldorai Matriarchy now seeks to gain greater freedom of action, find places to settle on and establish itself as the legitimate Eldorai government.
