Sic transit gloria mundi
OUT OF CHARACTER INFORMATION
Intent: Codify a Qadiri group.
Image Credit: Here.
Canon: N/A.
Permissions: N/A.
Links: Tephrike, Into Darkness, After Darkness, Shahbânu Semiramis, Tygara, Firemane Industries, Jazan Jai Khalal, Vashyada, Eldorai Exodus, Twin Exiles, Eldorai, Xioquo, Shadow Knights, Qadiri, The Stardriven, Sky Caravan, Shazora Jai Vahal, Mirage Squadron.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Name: Khaimari. Often called the Khaimari Pirates or Khaimari Corsairs, which conveys the inaccurate impression that all of them are pirates.
Classification: Ethnicity, cultural group.
Origins: Tygara
Affiliation: Themselves, Jazan Jai Khalal, Qadiri, Sky Shatter Cabal.
Symbol: Crossed scimitars over a sun.
Domain: The Khaimari hail from the Khaimara Peninsula on the world of Tygara. It is a harsh, arid, rocky land with few safe harbours. The seas around the peninsula are stormy, and prone to wreaking havoc. The harsh conditions of their rocky homeland have shaped the Khaimari as a people. The peninsula is sparsely populated, and Khaimari communities tend to be comparatively small. But it's very hard to invade their home due to the deserts and reefs.
The peninsula has iron, tin and timber, but also one of Tygara's few veins of sapphires because the Khaimari live on the desert fringes. This would make their trading well worthwhile...and is also why has made sense for them to collect slaves to mine them since they are in inhospitable regions and the amount extracted previously was small. It does not produce the precious metals of the wealthier Qadiri lands such as Amikaron. Khaimari look to the sea - and now the stars - to make their fortune. Such fortune can be acquired in many ways: as raiders, mercenaries, explorers and traders. There is some manufacturing on the peninsula, and the Khaimari have a shipping industry for waterships. Relations with other Tygaran groups are very complicated due to the Khaimari's history of raiding and slaving, though this has not stopped Qadiri potentates from hiring them as mercenaries or trading with them. When the Khaimari did not engage in raiding, they farmed, fished and traded.
Under successful warleaders, the Khaimari have in the past been able to expand beyond the Khaimara Peninsula, acquiring land by force or via treaty. To put it plainly, they invaded foreign lands, subjugated the local population and claimed the best farmland for themselves. Some of their biggest conquests have been land - farming land, to be precise. If any Khaimari encountered a raiding culture that doesn't value farming at all, doesn't trade and just raidings and complains about how no likes their raiding, they would be very confounded and consider the foreigners to be idiots. After all, you cannot eat gold. A Khaimari who builds a farm, and manages to nourish, protect and raise her family despite the adverse terrain of the homeland would be respected, not scorned. To this day there are Khaimari communities on the northern continent of Ajustra. It is very far away from their ancestral homeland, and so they have diverged very significantly from their kin. However, they still speak an exotic Zandri dialect. Moreover, Khaimari have organised trading fleets to traverse the high seas. They do not have many resources, but they have good ships and excellent navigators.
Traditionally, Khaimari groups have practiced a form of martial democracy where a leader who bears the title of grand admiral is elected by all Khaimari of captain rank and above. A candidate cannot vote for themselves. There's not always a grand admiral so a prospective admiral can call a conclave...but if they fail to get the numbers it's very embarrassing. Such elections are commonly characterised by all manners of wheeling and dealing. Reflecting their close connection to the sea, senior naval ranks equate to social influence. While certain families are more prominent than others, leadership isn't directly inheritable. A grand admiral is also chosen in times of crisis if external invaders threaten.
Theoretically, the grand admiral is the leader of all, but their ability to command anyone depends on the level of fear and respect they inspire. Contrary to Amikarese propaganda, Khaimari do not pick a leader by making all candidates fight to the death and crowning the winner. They are smart enough to know that trial by combat absolute monarchy is probably the worst form of management imaginable. Indeed, violence is explicitly forbidden during gatherings. They do not subscribe to something as silly as the 'cult of the badarse'. The closest thing to a Khaimari capital is a port city called Tajurin. By Khaimari standards, it is a major city, though small by galactic standards. The grand admiral traditionally resides there, and it's a port of call for many Khaimari captains.
Estimated Population: Rare
Demographics: Overwhelmingly Qadiri, though with some scattered Vashyada, and Xioquo populations. These are generally former slaves who were manumitted and accepted among the Khaimari, as well as the occasional adoptee or people who have married into a clan. One can find the occasional non-elf for the same reasons. The Khaimari are a pragmatic people at heart and have long been a haven for outcasts on Tygara. The Khaimari population also includes elf half-breeds, such as Qadiri-Xioquo hybrids.
Description: The difference between a peaceful farmer and a ferocious pirate often comes down to whether the harvest is good or not. Desperate people will inevitably do desperate things. This is quite true for the Khaimari, a Qadiri ethnic group. Hailing from the Khairma Peninsula, they are coastal folk who have traditionally alternated between being subsistence farmers/fishers and corsairs, depending on the situation at hand. It is a hard life that leaves little room for the lazy or the faint of heart.
The Khairma Peninsula is lacking in valuable resources. Thus its inhabitants are reliant on what they can earn with their own two hands. If they cannot sow, they take what they need with fire and sword. Their martial talent, cunning and navigational talents made them feared corsairs upon the seas of Tygara. But, though this is often ignored by other Qadiri, they are also merchants and bold explorers. The Khaimari worship Iskur, the Qadiri god of the skies, and Nanshe, goddess of the seas, fishing and sailing, and Kashara, the supreme goddess of the Qadiri, along with a host of minor deities and spirits.
When a good harvest eludes them, they have prayed for safe tidings so that their sailing ships can traverse the seas, allowing them to raid more affluent communities and seize merchant ships. Other factors that have driven them to raiding are population and insufficient farmland, an abundance of landless younger daughters, trade imbalances, competition among local leaders and finally the lure of adventure and glory in foreign lands. While the Khaimari corsairs looted the cargo of ships they captured, their primary goal was to capture people for sale as slaves or for ransom.
Those who had family or friends who might ransom them were held captive, but not obliged to work. Those who could not afford a ransom were sold into slavery. Slavery was a fact of life on Tygara and practiced by all native races to varying degrees. Khaimari corsairs have also been hired by Qadiri polities as privateers to prey upon their rivals. While they have more than earned their infamous reputation as brutal pirates, the Khaimari have also used their aptitude as sailors for exploration and trade. But an ostensibly peaceful trader or explorer can also become a ruthless raider.
Romantics have idealised the Khaimari as representing freedom and resistance to heavy-handed authority. Any naive romantic who has had the misfortune of being enslaved by them was quickly disabused of such naive notions. The Khaimari tend to unite against outside forces that threatened their independence, but feuds between individual captains or clans are not uncommon. In contrast to many Qadiri groups, the Khaimari traditionally do not practice hereditary monarchy. Nor are their polities timocracies governed by the wealthy. Instead they have a tradition of what can be described as elective monarchy where leaders are chosen by gatherings of captains. Regardless, the Khaimari value boldness, skill and decisiveness in a leader.
The coming of the sky people has brought changes to the Khaimari way of life, but also new opportunities. As part of its bid to exert control over Tygara, Firemane has been enforcing a 'Clear Seas' policy to rid the seas and oceans of piracy. Some Khaimari have resisted the the outsiders' meddling and continue to do so to this day. One early Firemane incursion was defeated outright, but another caused grave losses among the Khaimari pirates. A few have taken to the stars to continue their corsair ways, trading waterships for starships. And naturally there are those who seek to peacefully explore and trade, but wish to reach for the stars on their terms instead of being under foreign dominion. Some have found their rank into the ranks of the Shadow Knights. Others have settled down or even joined the ranks of the sky people as pilots and sailors. There are Khaimari who have been born and spent most of their lives on the sea, and now it is likely there will be Khaimari who grow up and live most of their lives on starships.
For all their moralising, the humans and aliens of Firemane have proved quite willing to coopt former corsairs and slavers who claim to have turned a new leaf because they have valuable skills. Besides, at the end of the day the megacorp is motivated by naught but profit. One of them is Jazan Jai Khalal, a daring pirate captain who now commands an elite force of Firemane pilots, all sons and daughters of the sea like her.
Tygara's oceans play a huge role in trade and transport, and Khaimari take advantage of this by hiring out ships as transport vessels, using them to ferry troops and supplies for foreign conflicts and hiring themselves out for expeditions. As technology advances, they have made efforts to export this practice to space, and acquire more sophisticated vessels to make sure their business model remains viable.
Some Khaimari have joined the Sky Caravan, a Qadiri mercantile flotilla that has moved into space. Some of its backers are former slaves, so they tend to be Khaimari who did not do anything too heinous and focused more on smuggling, exploration and general mercenary work than slaving and reaving. They make good pilots and, it is hoped, will strengthen the hand of progressive Khaimari. By now some Khaimari have become influential shareholders and investors in the merchant fleet. The canny ones use the wealth accrued from its ventures to bring back more advanced technology home and increase the status of their clan. In battle, Khaimari favour the use of firearms and melee weapons, preferring to board rather than destroy ships.
PHYSICAL INFORMATION
Distinctions: Most of the Khaimari are Qadiri and thus resemble their parent species - tall and slender stature, pointed ears, bronze skin, dark hair. However, they tend to be physically tough and hardy, regardless of gender. Khaimari clothing is colourful, often with lots of bold primary colours. Khaimari wear blue a lot. Blue silk, cotton and dyed hair. Jewellery made of blue stones of course, but just gold and silver too. They are quite flamboyant and show off with fashions from across the world. So a jaunty hat from Khajwar and shoes from Kophar. Khaimari men and women alike love bling. They adorn themselves with jewellery made from precious metals, but also wood, leather, and bone.
Khaimari men favour long hair as much as many women do. Both men and women like to dress to impress their partners, favouring clean and brightly coloured garments instead of drab colours. Aside from looking nice, it shows you have the means to provide for your family.
Force Sensitivity: High. The Khaimari are composed primarily of Qadiri, a race with a high rate of natural Force affinity. Of course, not all Force-Sensitive Khaimari manifest abilities which can be trained and put into conscious, controlled use as opposed to unconscious and instinctual, but it is beneficial for survival in their harsh homeland regardless. Many Force-Users manifest abilities such as weather sense, or even weather-alteration powers, especially when it relates to the skill to the manipulation of wind and water.
Some are even able to use the Force to instinctively find their way in the most treacherous of conditions, which is very helpful for navigation on both the sea, in space and the sky. Their Force-Users also often manifest skills that improve their skills as swimmers and divers, enabling them to, for example, hold their breath longer underwater. Those Force-Sensitive Khaimari who manifest abilities like plant surge that help them grow crops are actually valued because the Khaimari do in fact sow. This is not to say that all Force-Sensitive Khaimari specialise in the aforementioned abilities or are limited to them.
SOCIAL INFORMATION
Membership: Typically, one will be born into the group, as the Khaimari are a distinct ethnic group among the Qadiri. However, as is typical for the Asuran races, they also practice adoption and one can join a clan through marriage. As is common for Asurans, Khaimari do not really distinguish between biological and adopted children. A child is yours if you raise it as such. Moreover, slaves who were manumitted by their Khaimari owner are considered part of their people. All in all, the Khaimari are quite willing to accept outsiders who prove themselves in battle and by providing useful resources. However, the ranks at the very top are limited to natives. But if a foreigner has children with a Khaimari and they are raised the Khaimari way, they will be considered Khaimari, even if they are half-breeds.
Climate: They love absurd titles, mostly self insulting or joking. Like Captain Nazaha the Masterfully Magnificent Marauder. But they take actual ship ranks like captain very seriously. Climate is closed at upper ranks to natives and those who prove their worth. They mingle freely with outsiders but like the mafia only a native can become Captain or Admiral. They have a code of conduct but protect their own above all. Khaimari have developed a code which is a slang derived from Zandri which they use to transmit messages between each other. It incorporates all manners of foreign loanwords. Amikarese consider it incredibly coarse and uncouth.
Trade is no frivolous luxurry to the Khaimari, but a necessary economic system. Trading and raiding are simply different means to accomplish the same end. Khaimari tend to go out as mercenaries and traders when young to other regions and return. Those with a fortune use that to hire on a crew and then work for the family. Prominent Khaimari merchants and admirals may be brought on as investors for expeditions, entitling them to a share of the profits. Later when they retire they settle down and the local admiral rules a town or group of them.
A grand admiral is theoretically the leader of all but has no power other than the fear and power they have already. Broadly speaking, the grand admiral is mainly a warleader. The title gets a lot of respect and exercises overal command in times of war, but has limited ability to do much in peacetime. They have the title, but it is not hereditary and long times go without one strong enough to unite the Khaimari. There is a logic to this, because it means the grand admiral cannot use their position to become a tyrant. Rather their authority rests on their prestige and ability to act fairly, arbitrate disputes between clans and build a consensus. A grand admiral seen to be partisan or unduly favouring their clan will rapidly have a coalition formed against them and be replaced by someone more acceptable.
It is a job for a diplomat as well as a military commander. In times of peace, the grand admiral must perform duties that build legitimacy among the Khaimari elites and commoners. A key role is that of chief judge and arbiter, adjudicating disputes over matters such as over land, inheritance, taxation and fishing rights, plunder or petitions from commoners for protection. Personally hearing the case and disputes is a chance for the grand admiral to establish legitimacy and build a personal connection with local stakeholders. This requires resolving disputes in line with cultural norms and expectations.
Khaimari are very focused on clan, crew and locality and do not like to be commanded by those who haven't earned their respect. From the Khaimari perspective, their system is superior to that of their fellow Qadiri in absolute monarchies such as Amikaron because it is based on merit. Of course, over time certain families have managed to acquire an outsized degree of influence due to wealth accrued as a result of their success as pirates and traders. They are able to use it to essentially buy votes. However, Khaimari are a very independent-minded people who are loath to bow and scrape before someone. And an incompetent or cruel captain or admiral will soon be removed by their crew. Khaimari quarrel and bicker a lot and disputes between clans can erupt into low-intensity violence and blood feuds, but they also recognise an overarching kinship. Strong clan bonds ensure families stick by each other in times of need.
It is a culture that rewards initiative, self-reliance, boldness and audacity. But a Khaimari who wants to achieve success as a captain or more also needs prudence, calculation and cunning. There are many Khaimari who have achieved glory and wealth in foreign lands, but also many whose bodies drowned in the seas long before their time. Qadiri culture is very matriarchal, but the Khaimari are mostly equal gender wise. Skill is what is considered most important. However, there are no male priests, only female priestesses. Captured slave-soldiers are freed if they fight with them.
Reputation: It runs the gamut from outright loathing to wariness to guarded cooperation. The common view of many Qadiri and Vashyada of the Khaimari is that of brutal raiders and reavers. This applies in particular to those whose people were victims of their brutal slave raids. However, other Qadiri polities have also traded with Khaimari or hired them as mercenaries...sometimes not long after fighting them. Khaimari warriors also made good bodyguards for Mirzas and 'Wise Mistresses' because they could be relied upon. It is to be observed that slaves taken by the Khaimari were always welcome in the slave markets of great Qadiri cities such as Zeheb and Suqua. Successful Khaimari privateers have become satraps and admirals for Amikarese and Khajwari potentates. Their prowess as sailors and mariners is generally respected. Groups of former slaves such as the Stardriven are particularly suspicious, for they remember a time when the Khaimari held the whip and treated them like chattel.
Relations with Xioquo are variable. Khaimari and Xioquo corsairs were often rivals, after all. Fighting the 'Dark Ones' by raiding Xioquo ships and settlements was always a good way for Khaimari to not just acquire booty, but also improve their standing among fellow Qadiri. Nonetheless, some Xioquo outcasts found their way to the Khaimari ranks or became their allies. The same applies to Qadiri exiles. The humans and aliens of Firemane view them useful due to their martial skill and talent as mariners and navigators...if they can be controlled.
Curios: Tattoos are common among Khaimari. Explorers, warriors and the like typically receive a tattoo to mark a great event in their life. Referencing their background as people of a sea, tattoos often resemble the waves of the ocean or have similar nautical themes. Talismans and good-luck-charms meant to ward off evil spirits are also common. They are fond of flamboyant jewellery.
Philosophy: The Khaimari acknowledge the Force, but don't share the dualistic beliefs of the Jedi and Sith. This is only natural since their people evolved in isolation on the remote world of Tygara, and thus their theological viewpoints were not influenced by galactic beliefs. This applies to Qadiri in general. Thus they not see the Force as an omnipresent energy field that binds all life together. They would be mystified by Jedi beliefs. The Sith mind set is a lot closer to the Khaimari philosophies. After all, Khaimari have committed all manners of cruelties. But they typically find Sith doctrine short-sighted and self-defeating. Khaimari culture is warlike and often brutal, but has certain rules it abides by. They value strength greatly and believe the strong should rule, but understand strength is to be found in unity and cooperation, not in backstabbing your way to the top or mere martial might. The strong should lead not by ensuring that no one else can be strong, but by example
For the Qadiri the Force - or Zari as they call it, literally spirit or soul - is a gift of the goddesses. They regard it as a tool to be used, and sometimes it backfires when one falls and uses their powers for their own ends. To many Khaimari, Zari is a neutral aspect to reality. They liken it to an element: A strong wind will ensure good fortune for sailors on the sea, but a raging storm can destroy ships and settlements. Darkness is simply the result of an individual succumbing to the tempting power of the storm. Thus one can find both light and dark side adepts among them in large numbers. In keeping with this, they treat Zari as a source of strength instead of a as a mystical energy field that controls their life. They acknowledge that Force-Sensitivity grants power, but do not treat 'spirit-touched' as inherently anyone better than anyone. A Force-Sensitive who joins the crew needs to prove themselves like anyone else, and have conventional skills, too.
The Khaimari would consider overly bloodthirsty or plain insane Sith such as Jadus, Exar Kun or Zhorrid to be inherently weak. In Khaimari philosophy, people who are 'spirit touched' need to remain in control, regardless of a spirit's intent. 'Good' or 'evil' is irrelevant in that regard. If a Force-User is not in control of themselves, they have proved themselves to lack the strength of will to wield such powers and must be killed or banished for the good of everyone.
As a result, if a Force-User is acting for undeniably selfish reasons that hurt allies, or being a jerk to their own people, they are allowing whichever spirits have empowered them to act through them directly. In short, they have become a puppet to otherworldly forces instead of simply using the power as a tool to achieve certain ends. At the same time, if a Force-User has become so emotionless and detached that they blatantly ignore the emotional and material needs of their friends and allies in the name of their 'code' and has become so obsessed with their own moral righteousness that they can justify anything done to enemies, they are also inherently weak. A Force user who fully embraces the Dark Side and uses it dishonestly or against their own clan will often be turned on. A Force user who attempts to call for pacifism, harmony and such will usually meet a similar fate.
Khaimari culture is religious, and indeed somewhat superstitious. It is common to make offerings to the gods and ancestral spirits in return for favourable winds before embarking on a big venture. Likewise, they consult priestesses and oracles. The Khaimari worship Iskur, the Qadiri god of the skies, and Nanshe, goddess of the seas, fishing and sailing, and Kashara, the supreme goddess of the Qadiri, along with a host of minor deities and spirits. Their scriptures proclaim that Nanshe nourished the Khaimari and gave them dominion over the seas. The Khaimari are fond of saying the sea goddess wakes when the sea becomes rough. Their world view is polytheistic, which means they accept the existence of many deities instead of just those they happen to pray to.
It would not be out of character for a Khaimari to make offerings to a foreign deity who is worshipped by the natives of a planet they happen to be visiting. To them it's a practical investment to make sure the native deity will not bring misfortune to them. Overall, their religiosity is sincere, but has a heavy dose of pragmatism. After all, being devoted to Kashara did not stop them from preying on Krolian treasure ships and killing or holding her clerics and worshippers for ransom or enslaving them, even though Krolis is the residence of her high priestess. If asked about it, a Khaimari raider would say that she was clearly favoured by the goddess since otherwise she would not have attained gold and glory.
Nonetheless, oaths sworn upon the deities and one's ancestors are taken seriously because honour is the glue that holds their society together. Messengers and guests are scrupulously protected and treated well, even if it is a hated enemy. In contrast to many Qadiri groups, Khaimari bury their dead at sea. Such burials are communal affairs for the whole clan.
As mentioned, slavery was a fact of life among the Khaimari, as was the case with Qadiri in general. The Khaimari have achieved infamy on Tygara for their ruthless slave raids. Many slaves were sold on the slave markets of more 'civilised' Qadiri states, but they also kept some to perform menial labour in their homeland or serve as status symbols. Khaimari aren't wedded to slaving and raiding. Mainstream Khaimari society simply doesn't see such practices as unethical.
Tygara's new rulers have forced them to officially do away with these practices, though nonetheless more remote Khaimari groups have found ways to obfuscate it. It is to be noted that abolition of slavery, where it has been enforced, has been enacted more due to pragmatism than epiphany. Fact is that many, though by no means all, Khaimari have spent at least part of their life as raiders. To Khaimari culture, war is not just a necessity for survival, freedom or resources, but also a test of character. It is a culture that despises wasteful use of resources and carelessly throwing away lives, but doesn't understand or like pacifism. Their stories praise audacity paired with cunning. A captain must be daring and brave, but she must also fulfil her responsibilities to her crew, or else she is not worthy of being a captain.
Outward Views: Neither rabid xenophobes nor xenophiles. While, of course, individuals will vary because they are not a hive mind, Khaimari culture largely sees the world in different groups: friends, enemies, assets, and everything else. They care little about foreign people who are not threats or assets. A foreigner who manages to integrate into the culture and prove their merit will be accepted and may even marry into a clan, but they must actively become part of if. The Force - or Zari, as they would call it- is a gift but not a free pass to rulership. This has not changed much since they have moved into space.
The Khaimari acknowledge that the space people possess superior technology, but they just treat this as an incentive to acquire their own so that they can protect clan, home and hearth better from alien threats, as well as keep up with other Tygaran realms that are modernising their tech basis.
Khaimari culture can be very ruthless, brutal and cruel. It has been responsible for manifold atrocities, but they are confounded and even shocked by the practice of certain space empires to randomly blow up planets to make a point. They would agree that it's better to rob people once a year by taking just enough they are still there next year. Destroying everything is just wasteful.
They are deeply mystified by Jedi and Sith philosophies for different reasons, albeit for different reasons. Jedi pacifism thoroughly clashes with their values. Sith ideology is closer due to its ruthlessness, but is also Forcer supremacist, illogical and pointlessly sadistic, which is at odds with Khaimari beliefs. Khaimari are ruthless against enemies and those they target for raiding. Their corsairs have committed vile atrocities. But they value their allegiance to clan and crew.
The Arts: All Tygaran and Eldorai groups enjoy theatrical performances, and the Khaimari are no different. Such plays can range from epic dramas and ballads to more ribald comedies. The big performances can last for hours. It is a mark of pride for a Khaimari to be able to recite the deeds of their ancestors, and they will be taught the songs of their people from early on. Khaimari folk music is comprised of village music, ritual music and music performed by professional singers. Village music features collective dancing. Professional singers often travel from settlement to settlement, using instruments such as drums, lutes and a one-stringed fiddle while one of their own recites a poem.
In regards to traditional visual arts, Khaimari weave tapestry-woven carpets, whose look and design reflects the distinct origins of each clan. They are called kilims. The plain weave textile designs has a plethora of stripes, and, in some cases, geometrical patterns such as triangles and diamonds. Khaimari jewellery possesses elaborate geometrical patterns and pins.
Architecture: Khaimari favour sturdy and reliable, especially due to storms and all that, but this doesn't mean austere. Indeed, they actually love flamboyant furnishings to show off their wealth and success. This also extends to the way their ship cabins look.
Habits: Outdoors games and sports in general are very popular. The Khaimari are avid swimmers, and divers. Other games include wrestling, archery and marksmanship competitions, stone throwing and sparring. They also play ball games. Both men and women participate in these games.
Moreover, they are fond of drinking games where two teams try to best in each other in a game of liquor, rhymes and insults. Khaimari celebrations feature plenty of dancing, liquor, games and challenges of sport. Songs and oral storytelling are popular across the Qadiri realms, and the Khaimari are no different. Such performances are communal affairs. A whole village may come together to listen to a storyteller recite an epic ballad of triumph, loss and woe, or enjoy a more ribald comedy. Khaimari also carve wooden dolls and toys for their children, and are avid players of board games.
Lifestyle: There are Khaimari who are born and spend practically their whole lives on ships traversing the high seas. As they move into space, it is likely that there will be generations of Khaimari who are born and live as spacers. However, they are a communal people. Those who live in their homeland or return to it value a good, sturdy homestead with a farm.
Large family units live together, and multiple generations often share the same household. The structures are simple by galactic standards and unless the family is wealthy privacy and space are very limited. However, the Khaimari will decorate them lavishly if they can afford it with decorative wall hangings, paintings, carvings and elegant furnishings.
Laws: The most important laws and social norms relate to keeping faith with one's clan and crew. Khaimari honour makes them follow complex codes of respect. Messengers and guests are scrupulously protected and treated well, even if it is a hated enemy. Those who make a promise or oath but then break it without due cause are viewed as the most underhanded and despicable of scum who will never be trusted again.
It is to be observed that Khaimari honour is very internal. Their culture sees nothing inherently wrong with killing, robbing and enslaving foreigners...unless they have been granted guestright or recognised as allies. Khaimari leaders cannot rely on force to compel allegiance from their people, but use power and that power is largely produced through personal relationships built on respect, and mutual benefit. That is to say, the system relies on trust and reputation, and that goes both ways.
Khaimari corsairs have traditionally drawn up a code of code of conduct, which codify rules in regards to discipline, division of spoils and compensation for injured or maimed crew members. Similar articles are also drawn up by the crews and leaders of Khaimari merchant ships and mercenaries. Every member of the crew is expected to sign or otherwise provide a mark on the articles that signifies agreements, then swear an oath on the goddess and their ancestors or their honour.
Through this act, one formally becomes a member of the crew and is thue entitled to a share of any spoils acquired during the expedition. Once everyone has signed them, the articles will be displayed on the door to the captain's cabin or a similar place that is easily visible for everyone. New recruits who join the crew once the expedition is already in progress will also be required to sign the articles. One's share of the spoils is determined on the basis of an individual crew member's skills and duties. Thus a captain and a quartermaster receive a larger share than a gunner or a doctor, who in turn are entitled to a larger share than normal crew members.
Some of the spoils are allocated to a common fund to provide for severely injured crew members. If the value of the spoils is questionable, a Khaimari crew will sell it before splitting the currency among themselves. This prevents both infighting and hoarding. The articles also codify punishments for crimes against the crew, and rules for general safety aboard a ship. The articles must be drawn up before an expedition begins and be transparent for all. A captain who violates the articles, displays cowardice or poor judgement or abuses subordinates can be voted out of office by their crew. On the ship, the quartermaster imposes a check on a captain's authority, watching out for the well-being of the crew, settles conflicts between crew members and manages supplies.
The law dictates that the grand admiral serves as overall leader, but in practice they rely strongly on far-flung networks of warleaders, ship captains, admirals, local matriarchs and patriarchs, and tribal councils for advice, consensus-building and power projection. The grand admiral is elected by all of captain rank or above. Priestesses are barred from voting...but unofficially exercise a good deal of influence behind the scenes.
Significantly, Khaimari common law and custom spells out rather explicitly one cannot take the boss' job by killing them. Strength is important, but so is the ability to build a consensus among stakeholders. Khaimari laws are rather tolerant of fair duels and consensual fights though, even if someone is hurt. The key words are fair and consensual. It is the law that all Force-Users must be trained to control their powers. Those who display an aptitude for combat are pushed into military roles. This is the norm among the Qadiri realms.
Customs & Traditions: It is tradition to bury a dead Khaimari at sea. As of late, some Khaimari who have moved into space have adopted the custom of a space burial, giving one of their own to the 'sky-ocean'. This is a matter of debate though. In any event, burials are communal affairs. Traditionally, the scion of a fallen hero is expected to recite the deeds of a fallen relative at the funeral.
One Khamari custom that strikes outsiders, both other Qadiri and non-Qadiri, as particularly strange is that of ritualised drowning and then resuscitating them with the kiss of life. Contrary to some rumours, this is something people choose to do rather than something all Khaimari are required to do. It is something priestesses of Nanshe undergo as a show of their devotion to and trust in the goddess of the sea. For them it is part of being elevated to join the sisterhood. Priestesses often claim to receive visions from Nanshe in the moment of drowning.
Other Khaimari may submit to the ritual, but aren't required. An example would be a Khaimari captain undergoing ritualised drowning and revival before embarking on a dangerous expedition to seek the blessing of the deity. This applies in particular to a young and unproven one who has yet to accomplish any great deeds and thus has yet to earn the full confidence of the crew. Sometimes a Khaimari who has lost their honour but is still considered somewhat redeemable may ask to undergo the drowning to be reborn again from the sea. The sea is the domain of Nanshe, so anyone who undergoes the drowning temporarily enters her queendom, and emerges with a new understanding of their purpose in life.
The priestesses of Nanshe know how to drown someone and bring them back to life. The ritual blesses the drowned person in the name of the goddess. While this takes place, acolytes and family members pray around them. Not all drowned are successfully revived, but deaths are rare. If a priestess keeps failing at reviving people, her people will start wondering whether she's impure in some way...which gives her incentive to do the job properly. Foreign Qadiri allege that the Khaimari ritually drown and revive their new-born, but in truth the child is only dipped into a tub of seawater to wet the baby's head. The rare Khaimari who does actually ritually drown their child is viewed as insane and frankly unworthy of being a parent.
Traditionally, Khaimari prisons are small and compact, and usually only serve as holding cells until a sentence has been decided. There is limited free space in their homeland, and Khaimari consider long-term imprisonment wasteful. If a Khaimari is convicted of an offence, usually a wergild or blood money is imposed. In some cases or if a defendant cannot pay they are indentured to the victim's family for a set period of time to work off the debt.
Other punishments for serious crimes are exile or execution. Interestingly, the Khaimari do not drown someone who has been sentenced to death. The sea is the domain of Nanshe and ritualised drowning is a sacred rite, so giving her someone who is unworthy is considered blasphemous. Instead they do the opposite by hanging them in the air. In the case of really bad crimes or enemies, the execution victim is flogged while they're over the water so their blood falls into the sea as tribute. The body is hung out in the air for carrion.
In Khaimari culture, the one sibling inherits everything. This is based on merit rather than direct inheritance. Because this means younger siblings don't inherit any land to farm, younger sons and daughters must look for other ways to make a living. This has been a factor for them to pursue raiding as well as exploring and conquering. Inheritance is matrilineal because there can never be any doubt of maternity, but paternity can become murky. Children take the name of the mother.
Khaimari people tend to marry young. The parents of both partners make a formal contract that codifies their respective financial and moral obligations. Marriage doesn't just bind two people together, but two clans and can thus serve as a way to end feuds. A groom may be offered as a peace offering to improve troubled relations between two rival families. The prospective couple can offer an opinion. This is not binding, but typically Khaimari families do make an attempt to at least match people who will get along with each other. Khaimari bathe regularly and take personal hygiene seriously.
The Khaimari lack the obsession certain cultures have with female virginity. As a result, a woman is not expected to be chaste before marriage. Remaining unmarried in Khaimari society is viewed poorly though. Men and women alike who shun wedlock are viewed as cowardly because they are foregoing doing their duty. As with the Eldorai and mainstream Qadiri, Khaimari culture is accepting of same-sex unions. It is assumed that Qadiri should produce children, but also understood that a formal union is not necessarily the one where someone's heart lies. Amusingly, there are events where a noble woman chooses to essentially have a one-night stand with a male agreed on by both families with the intent of producing a child. The father in this case is given substantial gifts when the child is born, but has no custody rights.
One curious - and indeed very progressive - aspect of their culture is their treatment of transgender people. Broadly speaking, Khaimari follow beliefs that are shared by the mainstream Qadiri and the Vashyada by adhering to the belief of 'right spirit, wrong body'. In a nutshell this principle postulates that, for example, a being might be born with a male's body but a female's spirit or vice versa.
Because the Khaimari lack the medical technology for physical changes, the standard tradition is for a trans man or woman to explain their situation to the clan assembly. If accepted, they may choose a new name, and are referred to by their new pronouns, and treated in accordance with their identity. Acceptance varies depending on clan. Some are more close-minded, others more progressive and understanding, and none of this rules out individual bigotry. But on the whole acceptance is ironically higher than in some more technologically advanced societies. The Khaimari find the bigotry amongst the Eldorai, Xioquo and certain human cultures illogical and harmful. Perhaps it helps that while men and women are viewed as better at certain jobs than the other, they do not have any ironclad gender roles.
Education & Training: The Khaimari place a particular emphasis not only on martial vigour, but also farming, sailing, cartography, fishing and navigation. This should come as no surprise given their origins. Martial prowess is important, but in their view does little good without knowledge of the sea. As their people become more and connected to space, learning the skills to pilot starships has assumed a high degree of importance.
Ownership of a starship is still rare, and thus a mark of social prestige. Moreover, a Qadiri's inherent navigational talent lends itself to space travel just as well as to traversing the seas of Tygara. This means that those who have the means will often seek to learn astrogation. Still, a Khaimari is not considered a full Khaimari until they have proved themselves on the sea. Carpentry is also a highly valued skill because so much of the Khaimari's way of life depends on the quality of their ships. Furthermore, Khaimari are taught about trade and many of them become canny traders.
Force training is largely organised on a clan level, with a master taking on an apprentice. If the clan doesn't have a master, a contract will be made with another clan that does or they will ask the local admiral to provide assistance. The priestesses provide a neophyte Force-User with spiritual grounding, and may take on part of their Force training.
Diet: No specific dietary restrictions. But they prefer fish and meat, so the farming they do is mainly pastoralism. So Ghoush and other prey herd animals.
Language: Verbal, written. They speak a peculiar dialect of Zandri, the main Qadiri language, with special loan words and slang. Many other Qadiri consider their dialect 'coarse'.
Strengths:
- Highly talented mariners, explorers and navigators. While they are sons and daughters of the sea and new to spaceflight, these traits lend themselves well to piloting in space and the sky. All Qadiri possess a form of internal compass, and the Khaimari do all they can to hone this inherent talent.
- Hard to infiltrate or subvert. Strong clan bonds ensure families stick by each other.
- Relatively small numbers.
- Decentralised. Divisions between clans can impede a unifying response. In theory there is an overall leader, but the grand admiral has no power other than the fear and respect they already inspired and the power they alread had. In short, the office itself does not have any meaningful institutional power that is inherent to it. In general, Khaimari institutions are rather weak, which makes coordination difficult unless someone has the qualities to get the clans on board.
The origins of the Khaimari have been deeply mythologised over the centuries Khaimari storytellers say that they used to live among the Amikarese, but were betrayed by their tyrannical Mirzas and forced to flee. When all hope seemed lost, a storm came up and consumed their pursuers, but Nanshe guided them to the new land ever bordered by the sea as a gift…and an obligation to remember her worship. The actual historical record on this indicates that around 7,000 years ago settlers from Amikaron settled on the peninsula after a series of droughts and survived on fishing and trading.
The Khaimari a made living in this harsh, mountainous, arid land. There was fish, and tin, timber and sapphires gave them goods to trade. But the land was not rich. It produced a hardy people who were reliant on what they could earn with their own two hands. If they could not sow, they would pay the iron price and take what they needed with fire and blood. When a good harvest eluded them, they prayed for safe tidings so that their sailing ships could traverse the seas, allowing them to raid more affluent communities and seize merchant ships.
While the Khaimari corsairs looted the cargo of ships they captured, their primary goal was to capture people for sale as slaves or for ransom. Those who had family or friends who might ransom them were held captive, but not obliged to work. Those who could not afford a ransom were sold into slavery. Slavery was a fact of life on Tygara and practiced by all native races to varying degrees. Slaves who were not sold on foreign markets were often put to work in the sapphire mines on the peninsula. However, the Khaimari also granted mamluks freedom if they fought alongside them against their former mistresses.
When it came to their choice in targets, the Khaimari were not squeamish. They paid lip service to being good Qadiri following the Great Goddess Kashara, but Krolian ships tended to be loaded with gold, so they saw no contradiction in attacking vessels that belonged to the supreme deity's holy city. Here and there, the Qadiri states launched campaigns to stamp out piracy. For a while Khaimar was brought to heel. But while the Khaimari could be beaten on the high seas and their coastal cities could be occupied, they could never be brought to heel, for the mountainous terrain was very difficult for anyone to hold.
Moreover, the Qadiri were a very decentralised, fractured race without a single sovereign all owe allegiance to. Indeed, they were a hodgepodge of monarchies, theocracies and republics. Warfare between the Qadiri states was endemic. Thus Qadiri rulers often issued letters of marque, hiring corsairs to attack and capture the vessels of their rivals or raid their settlements. The Khaimari exploited eagerly on this. Depending on the season, they would be explorers, traders, mercenaries or raiders. A Khaimari captain called Touran Jai Tahmasba successfully circumnavigated the world of Tygara looking for the mythical 'Land of Silver Shores'. She didn't find it, but did find that the world was round and a way to get to Khajwar without going through Amikarese lands or seas.
And soon they began to conquer. In their first flush of expeditions, a Khaimari group ended up with territory on the northern continent of Ajustra, which lay on the other side of the world. Though they came as conquerors, they eventually turned into farmers. To this day they use a strange form of Zandri for their names and words.
The Khaimari achieved the height of their power under the leadership of a ferocious Grand Admiral named Mazara Jai Nanshe. Famously brave, ruthless and charismatic, she was beloved by the Khaimari and feared by their foes. She reigned approximately two thousand years ago. Before her ascent, she had spent more almost twenty years as a mercenary commander in foreign lands due to being exiled after a failed bid to seize power. During this time, she served many Qadiri potentates. But she didn't only acquire treasures and glory on the battlefield, but unparalleled insights into their politics, rivalries and tactics.
She put all this knowledge to good use when she returned to her homeland, and successfully made a bid for the position of Grand Admiral. Upon taking control, she led the Khaimari on an aggressive course of expansion. They would not just raid, they would conquer and establish dominion over the seas. Neighbouring Qadiri lands were subjugated or forced into a tributary system. Mazara used the prestige accumulated by these victories to weaken clan loyalties in favour of binding the Khaimari to a united cause. Having spent such a long time abroad, she sought to adopt Krolian and Amikarese bureaucracy to Khaimari conditions.
One of her most audacious campaigns was an assault on the holy city of Krolis. The city was too well-fortified, so rather than waste manpower and ships the Khaimari blockaded it and launched raids to burn and loot the hinterland. In doing so they not only threatened to cut the city's supply lines, but drove tens of thousands of refugees into Krolis. This further exacerbated its supply situation. However, this situation could not continue indefinitely. When a bastard son of the Saoshyant was captured, Mazara made sure he was treated with courtesy and used him as an intermediary. She used spies to spread false intelligence about Amikarese movements and intentions, because the one thing the Krolians loathed more than pirates was Amikarese rescuing them...and never leaving. The Krolians got the Khaimari to leave by paying tribute and ceding land for them to settle on.
Throughout her campaigns, Mazara committed manifold atrocities, though none of them were atypical in the world she lived in. However, cities that surrendered and agreed to pay tribute before first blood was drawn would be spared. And whenever her troops sacked a city, she was careful to spare those who could be useful to her. This applied especially to engineers, craftsman and artists. They were sent back to Khaimar Peninsula along with the war booty. It was under her command that Tajurin took shape as a mercantile centre. The Grand Admiral initiated a building programme to immortalise her conquests and show the wealth the Khaimari had acquired. She was as relentless a builder as she was a conqueror, erecting major works such a massive, fortified shipyard, a temple and an observatory in quick succession. From the observatory, scientists created star charts that were used for centuries across Tygara.
Rumours abounded that she would declare herself Queen. They were no doubt nurtured when she took the Goddess' name after smashing the 'Five Nation Fleet' despite being badly outnumbered, using not only her prowess as a naval commander, but also artefacts she is rumoured to have discovered in a cursed land devastated by the 'War in Heaven'. Today, it is suspected that they might have been Rakata in origin. Mazara was the only Qadiri to raid the Underealm and return alive. To do so she used allied Xio to pretend to take 'slaves' into the gates using captured ships. Once there they attacked the harbours where the Xio were unaware and made off with slaves, treasure and ships.
The full Council of Ten gathered a massive warfleet to destroy this insolent challenger but she skilfully led them into the peninsula's shallows and many Xio ships were wrecked. However, at the moment of victory a Xio assassin struck her down with a poison dart. The coalition she had gathered dispersed and the Xio raided Khaimari ships for many years in retaliation. Without Mazara at the helm, the Khaimari's ambitions foundered. Her sons and daughters vied for power, admirals and clan leaders who desired greater independence threw off the strong central authority she had established. As a result, her heirs gradually drifted apart and the united realm was lost. The Amikarese struck back, conquering many lands that had been claimed by her.
Mirza Adhira of Mansura, an ancestor of Shahbânu Semiramis, inflicted a devastating defeat on the Khaimari upon the Plain of Zaltaxa. Ruthlessly she let the Khaimari raid a rival's city and then attacked them as they returned to their ships, not just crushing them but also seizing the loot for her own. Many Khaimari were slain in battle or taken captive, among them many prominent leaders. Adhira had one of Mazara's daughters paraded around in chains during the victory procession. The victory would help propel her family to power and eventual queenship.
The Khaimari went through a period of weak grand admirals. Sometimes there was no grand admiral at all. However, though the Khaimari did not regain their former heights, they were still a force to be reckoned with. This was proved a century and a half ago when the Mirza of Kajad tried to 'rid the seas of the pirate menace' once and for all using a fleet of eighty ships and nearly 30,000 soldiers and sailors. However it came to grief when supposed Khaimari "traitors" led them into reefs. The smaller and more nimble galleys hit the large but ponderous galleys when they were becalmed. Eventually they broke free but a storm and subsequent attacks battered them. Only twelve ships returned safely.
One example for a famous Khaimari war band was the Sky Shatter Cabal. The Cabal traced its origins back to a great sea battle with the Imperial forces of the Amikarese Empire. A group of the raiders were caught and the situation was dire. But then a storm blew up and the leader of the corsairs Caspara Jai Alizada called on her power and harnessed the storm to scatter and destroy the enemy. This allowed the raiders to turn the tables on their foes. Engaging them in melee, they were able to strike down many of their foes and escape with prizes.
However, Caspara gave up her life in the process. Her comrades did not forget her sacrifice though. The Cabal declared that she had been ascended by Kashara and composed ballads that celebrated her valour. Even today the head of the council table is reserved for the noble First Captain. The Cabal would go on to achieve infamy as mercenaries, gaining a reputation as loose cannons. Sometimes they would rally for holy crusades against the Xioquo, the avowed enemy of the Qadiri and their rival for dominance over Tygara. At other times they would raid Qadiri settlements and ships. They were useful to have in your corner, but difficult to control. They eventually became rivals to the Celestial Dragons, a knightly order of aeromancers sworn to defend the Kashari faith.
The Qasimi tribe assumed a position of influence in the modern era. Led by Darya Jai Khalal, they staged a raid on Sestos, a well-defended coastal town in the territory of the Mirza of Jakai. Several corsairs volunteered their services and so the clan matriarch was able to muster a notable force. The raid was backed by the Mirza of Lakish, whose fiefdom was a rival of Jakai. Although they lost contact with one of their ships due to averse weather conditions, the flotilla reached its target. At the head was a Jakai ship, previously captured by Darya in an unrelated engagement, designed to fool the townsfolk into thinking that the flotilla was a Jakai one.
While the flotilla anchored offshore, a small force of pirates that included Darya's daughter Jazan were landed some distance from the town and waited until early the following morning. While most of the town's militia were sleeping, the corsairs scaled the town's walls and disabled its fortifications. This allowed Darya and a larger force of corsairs, who had marched overland, to enter the city and overcome the remaining defences. Nonetheless, the fighting was fierce, as the defenders used the high ground provided by flat-roofed stone houses to their advantage. The pirates sacked the town and took a large number of captives including the town's satrap.
The surviving members of the town's administration agreed to terms of surrender. Realising that an organised sack was more profitable than wild looting, Darya had trustworthy warriors guard the mansions of rich citizens who were willing to pay ransom. The citizens under her 'protection' were 'persuaded' to hand over valuables, lest they suffer the fate of their unlucky brethren. However, on the third day of plundering, a Jakai fleet, composed of a number of warships, appeared on the horizon.
Alerted by their scouts, the corsairs retreated with hostages to a nearby island and waited for ransoms. Impatient when it did not arrive, Darya ordered the mutilation of a few hostages and had their ears sent to Sestos as a warning. However, one of her co-captains, Arezu, was angered by this. The two argued and then fought a duel. Arezu received a slash across the wrist and was returned to her ship in shackles. The wound soon turned gangrenous and she died shortly thereafter.
Despite being pursued by the enemy, the corsairs were able to get through the blockade. To create a breach, they repurposed a captured vessel into a fire ship and fooled their enemies into thinking it was fully crewed. The Mirza of Jakai repudiated the agreement the corsairs had made with the local officials. Thus the captives were sold into slavery. It did not take long her mother decided to embark on a more audacious venture. This time their target was a treasure ship loaded with gold and other tribute and bound for Krolis, centre of the Kashari faith and residence of the Saoshyant, high priestess of Kashara. The Saoshyant had incredible moral and spiritual power over the faithful, but in practice the Qadiri nations often conspired to prevent her from becoming too powerful. Unsurprisingly, these treasure ships were very well-guarded by escorts. While the Qasimi paid lip service to Kashara, the riches of the Goddess' servants were too tempting a prize.
The promise of riches motivated many of the Khaimari to join. It helped that the harvest had been a poor one. The Krolian ship and its escorts were intercepted by the pirates. Overall, the battle was a victory for the raiders. Some of the smaller vessels managed to escape, but several were seized. When the Kashari clerics cursed their attackers and promised them fire and brimstone, many of the pirates were dismissive, for success proved that the goddess favoured them. Nonetheless, time was of the essence and so the corsairs moved quickly, retreating with their plunder, captives and stolen ships. However, pride comes before the fall. Contrary to all their predictions, the pirate fleet ended up running into a terrible storm. The main ship of the fleet was wrecked by the storm and sank. Darya and her oldest daughter were among the casualties. Most of the stolen treasure had been loaded on it.
Her younger daughter Jazan could do nothing to intervene, for she had been stationed on one of the ships they had stolen. Taking the helm, the Force guided Jazan through the storm, directing her around rocks and sandbars and past the worst of the storm. She was able to navigate the safely at night through some rocks and shoals. Some of her crew regarded her as blessed, others believed her mother's actions had cursed them. When the ship limped their home port, it was a less than triumphant return. What had started as a promising, highly lucrative raid had turned into a disaster. The captains convened a Majiles, where a new leader was chosen. Jazan contested the election, but lost to her aunt Azar.
A powerful Corsair commander called Tanaz Jai Kushal had heard about how the young Qadiri had managed to navigate through a storm, and Jazan under her wing. The commander mustered a large fleet of corsairs to take a well fortified but rich city in the domain of the Mirza of Lakish. Not so long ago this ruler had been a business partner, but their alliance had ended. Jazan was tasked by Tanaz with finding a solution to getting past a harbour chain covered by heavy guns. So what Jazan did was send forth a ship to break the chain. It failed in its task, but this was part of the plan. While enemy guns put the ship under fire, they were distracted. Meanwhile, handpicked force disabled some of the cannons, allowing the main force to enter the city. Unfortunately, in the hour of victory many of the corsairs ran amok, looted and burnt the city. They destroyed much of the wealth in the process.
Ironically, the Khaimari would end up fighting on the side of the Krolians. The Xioquo, hereditary enemy of the Qadiri, amassed a large force to sack the holy city of Krolis. The timing for a raid appeared fortunate. The Amikarese Empire, the most powerful Qadiri state, was embroiled in a civil war over the royal succession, so no aid could be expected from them. Moreover, the Saoshyant's position was uncertain, for she had antagonised some rulers by claiming that she alone possessed the right to invest Kashari clerics. Sacking Krolis would send a powerful message - and elevate the position of the houses that had backed it. Thus a large force equipped with some of the finest weapons the Xioquo knew was assembled for this undertaking. After deploying scouts in advance, the Xioquo traversed the seas in steamships. Their priestesses drew upon the Dark Side to blacken the skies, allowing their comrades to fight without fear of the sun.
However, instead of despairing, the Saoshyant rallied the defenders of the city. She entrusted command to Sahali Jai Bysara, High Mistress of the Sistren of the Eternal Flame. Her charismatic, fiery presence gave the defenders heart. Tanaz decided to throw in her lot with Krolis and offer her services. With some reluctance, Sahali accepted the corsairs' aid. Tanaz was in command of the relief fleet, aided by her protege Jazan. The Xioquo possessed more advanced technology than the Qadiri. Instead of sailing ships, they used steam-powered ironclads. However, though tougher and superior in firepower, these ships were slow and unwieldgy.
To counter this menace, Jazan and a force of crack corsairs used small boats to get in and behind the Xioquo ships. A boarding attempt was repulsed, she used explosives to set off some of their ammunition and sink them. Fire ships dispatched from Krolis threw the vanguard of the Xioquo fleet into disarray. However, large numbers of Xioquo were still able to land on the shores. The dark elves penetrated the city's defence, but were ultimately repulsed by the Fire Sisters and the warriors of Krolis. When the Krolian sorceresses undid the Xioquo's dark ritual, the drows were burnt by the sun and forced to flee. This made them easy pickings for the corsairs, who had opportunistically refrained from intervening in the ground battle until its outcome was clear. Several Xioquo were captured and enslaved.
The Khaimari also targeted Amikarese treasure ships, for they were too tempting a prize. From the perspective of the Khaimari, these were good years. To avoid being raided, many settlements and rich merchants paid tribute. Indeed, in many ways running protection rackets and providing mercenary services was more profitable than outright raiding. However, the times were changing. Tygara's long period of isolation was coming to an end. People from beyond the stars came, encroaching on Tygara. Some were slavers, others were both like and unlike the Qadiri. The natives were uncertain what to make of these strangers. Some proclaimed them to be sky gods, others saw them as demons and others concluded that they were just people from other worlds with advanced tech.
The confrontation with the sky people was an unfriendly one. When Jazan led a raid on the Amikarese Empire, she was surprised when Semiramis' soldiers not only possessed more advanced weapons, but were backed by foreigners. Her forces suffered heavy casualties and were repulsed. Deciding that survival mattered more than her pride, Jazan ordered a retreat. While recovering from injuries she had suffered in the battle, she pondered what these developments meant for the future. The sky people possessed war machines and metal ships she had never seen before. However, they were not invincible. When Firemane sent two surface corvettes for some gunboat diplomacy, the Khaimari were able to take the ships with cunning, the Force and numbers. It was a humiliating defeat for the humans of Firemane, and bolstered the prestige of partisans of the war party, such as Azar.
But Firemane was determined to enforce a 'Clear Seas' policy, especially after the fall of the Underealm. Anti-piracy and anti-slavery campaigns encroached upon the Khaimari's business model, as Firemane and the Eldorai tried to enforce 'global peace'. In effect, this meant they expected the local rulers to do as they said and bend the knee. Firemane bombarded Khaimari coastal cities before landing ground troops. The Khaimari were defeated in the open field, and weakend by slave revolts. Entire clans were decimated by the brutal fighting. They had no answer to the sky people's firepower. However, while it was easy enough to subjugate the settlements on the coast...the vast interior of the peninsula was a different matter altogether. Arid and mountainous, it was hard to control.
The Khaimari had patience and knowledge of the terrain. The land was difficult to hold without vast numbers, which Firemane didn't want or have available to commit. As mission creep set in, Firemane officials sought an exit strategy. Thus the megacorp resorted to a strategy of divide and conquer, tempting 'moderate' Khaimari to its side. This was done in full awareness of the fact that many of said moderates had been engaged in piractical ventures, and were only willing to cease raiding and slaving because it was no longer practical for them. In effect, Firemane coopted Khaimari warlords to police the rest. One of these realists was Tanaz, who put down the sword and retired, living in luxury. In an ironic twist of fate, she became an advisor of Shahbânu Semiramis and was made a governor. Another was her protege Jazan, who had supported the sky people in their campaign against the Xioquo. Her aunt had died fighting the sky people. Jazan eventually became the commander of an elite Firemane fighter squadron.
As Tygara opened up to the galaxy, and its natives began their first tentative steps into space, the Khaimari would not be left behind. Some of the genuinely moderate Khaimari joined the Sky Caravan, a Qadiri trading guild. One of the backers of the guild was Shazora Jai Vahal, the leader of a slave rebellion. Khaimari who had been notorious slavers were turned away, but those who were less compromised were accepted, albeit warily. Nonetheless, several Khaimari were successful as merchants, cartographers and pilots, becoming major investors.
Naturally, there were also modern freebooters. A wife and husband team of Jayana and Andakol Jal Varkana joined Firemane with their crew, and learned what they could. Then at a common signal they seized control of ships in drydock and fled with their people. They didn't kill the Firemane guards or crew, just put them in escape pods and then used a solar storm to escape. They have since plied their trade far afield in space, becoming minor irritations for both sides of the 'Great' Hyperspace War. The warriors of the Sky Shatter Cabal moved into space as well, seeking employment with the Shadow Knights. Meanwhile, Jazan Jai Khahal became a local hero when she distinguished herself during Firemane's campaign against the Dominion of Light on Tephrike. For her deeds, she was awarded Firemane's most prestigious medal.
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