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REGION - BADLANDS
This location is centered in the Badlands region.
The Badlands are home to some of the Orion Spur’s most savage flora and fauna, a phenomenon that attracts only the wildest and wisest of the system’s inhabitants - xenobiologists, weapon scientists, there’s even a market for mercenaries, in the hunting of the particularly large and lethal creatures. Of course, there are also those looking to make a life for themselves, but natives aren’t known to treat settlements kindly. The majority of the People's Republic of Adhomai and the Republic of Elyra’s space finds itselves positioned in the Badlands. As well, the entire Izweski Hegemony and a small portion of the Empire of Dominia. The Badlands are accessible by a set of bluespace gates leading to and from Tau Ceti and New Ankara. Persepolis, Medina, Aemaq, Moghes, Ouerea, Tret, Adhomai, Hro'zamal, and Gakal'zaal are located in the Badlands.

Содержание

Gakal'zaal is the sixth planet in the Gakal star system with its capital city being Zikala. Originally settled by Tajara, and at one point conquered by the Izweski Hegemony, Gakal’zaal is currently under the control of the Democratic People's Republic of Adhomai. The majority of the surface is covered by hills, steppes, and forests. Temperatures are generally low, but the average climate is considered to be more moderate and warm than Adhomai - though its cold temperatures are largely intolerable to the planet’s Unathi population. Gakal’zaal is home to a large Tajara population, with an Unathi minority living primarily in the equatorial region.

The Gakal System

Gakal is a system home to six planets, with one being a gas giant. Gakal’zaal itself is the furthest planet from the star, and the only one with a life-supporting atmosphere.

• Halrrhaz: The closest planet to Gakal, Halrrhaz is an uninhabitable dwarf planet with a thin methane atmosphere. Though probes have indicated sizable mineral deposits, the scorching heat of the planet has meant that little mining has taken place there so far.

• Okesre: A large rocky planet with a nitrogen atmosphere, Okesre was largely untouched prior to the Hegemony’s arrival in the system. The Miners’ Guild rapidly set up operations on the planet, constructing dozens of outposts and stations across its surface. Some of these have since been taken over, but many remain abandoned following the uprising - often used as outposts or strongholds by the pirates and smugglers who visit the system.

• Ihkosk: A large gas giant, Ihkosk’s upper atmosphere was the planned home of a Miners’ Guild station for mass fuel extraction. The station was never completed prior to the uprising, and since then the infrastructure has remained largely abandoned, having been picked clean by scavengers. In recent years as the phoron scarcity has worsened, plans have been made by the junta to restart atmospheric mining - though so far the expense and difficulty has prevented these plans from being realized.

• Zaekul: A small, iron-rich planet with an extremely thin atmosphere, Zaekul was home to several Miners’ Guild facilities, most of which have fallen into disrepair. The largest of these, however, has since been repurposed as a training facility for the People’s Volunteer Spacer Militia, to grant them experience in operating on hostile exoplanets. Like with the facilities on Okesre, the junta has attempted to re-open the Zaekul mines, but found little success due to a lack of skilled manpower.

• Szkizus: A frigid dwarf planet covered in ice, Szkizus has largely gone ignored by both the Hegemony and the DPRA due to its lack of mineral reserves. The only notable feature of Szkizus are the unusual patterns in the planet’s ice, enormous shallow rifts that appear to make oddly geometric shapes when viewed from orbit. Some scientists have speculated that the symbols are signs of ancient alien activity on the planet, though the complete lack of any other signs of habitation mean this theory is largely dismissed as fringe. Regardless, Szkizus has developed a reputation among superstitious Unathi and Tajara as bringing bad luck, with some seasoned spacers claiming that to set foot on the surface is to lose your soul to the malignant spirits beneath the ice. A preliminary expedition was sent by the Miners’ Guild to survey the planet closer, but contact was lost as the chaos of the uprising enveloped Gakal’zaal. The expedition never returned, and their fate remains uncertain to this day.

History

Gakal'zaal was first colonized in 2452 by Tajara refugees who could not enter Tau Ceti or the Sol Alliance. The population organized themselves into semi-autonomous settlements involved in agriculture and trade with nearby worlds. These settlements were divided along political lines, with an elected mayor or groups of families serving as leaders. Due to the similar weather to Adhomai, Adhomai crops and livestock could thrive without a problem and soon replaced most of the native life. The planet was found by a band of pirates in 2455 and the locals were forced to pay protection money. Resistance among the local population soon followed but with limited success. This continued until 2457, when a new fleet of the Hegemony, commanded by Lord-Admiral Yizarus, appeared and expelled the pirates. The planet was annexed by the Izweski Hegemony after a deal with some of the local leaders, who used this to increase their own power to become nobles of the new government. The most influential of these families were the Drrawa'jur, who had themselves conquered a handful of other settlements through force of arms prior to the arrival of the pirates. Makar Yizarus, the cousin of the famed Admiral, was appointed as its overlord. The nations of Adhomai were not interested in interfering in Gakal’zaal due to the ongoing struggles of the Second Revolution.

The Unathi conquest was not well received by most of the population, civil unrest in the cities and armed resistance in the steppes continued against the new masters. The Hegemony was able to maintain control of the equatorial regions. While some Tajara became noble clans under the Hegemony they operated as glorified lower-level traders, interpreters, or civil servants under the new nobility. The Drrawa’jur were able to attain a higher rank in the Merchants’ Guild and be direct advisors to Makar Yizarus. Owing to Unathi being unaware of Tajara races, nobility was not restricted to solely the Njarir’akhran or M’sai. The Drrawa’jur themselves were Hharar. Society was reorganized in a feudal manner similar to the Hegemony, with the vast majority of non-noble Tajara being forced into serfdom. The economy was dominated by the Unathi nobility and guilds. Sk'akh priests were brought in an attempt to convert the Tajara; they only found some moderate success in the cities and among members of the Tajaran nobility. Sk’akh priests were sent to Gakal’zaal, and some tried their luck at converting the local Tajara - though with little success outside of the Tajaran nobility, who largely converted for political reasons.

The Hegemony’s control over Gakal'zaal was seriously challenged in 2461 when the Adhomai Liberation Army supplied weapons, training, and thousands of fighters to the Tajaran resistance. The low-intensity insurgency turned into open warfare when an organization known as the Gakal'zaal Liberation Front emerged to lead the fight against the Overlord in 2462. Due to the civil war on Moghes and the breakdown of relations between Not’zar and Overlord Yizarus, the Unathi forces on the planet were left to deal with the insurrection on their own. After a year of guerrilla warfare and sabotage by the Tajara population living under Hegemonic rule, the colony was liberated with the fall of Zikala in the final months of 2462. The liberation of Gakal'zaal brought sweeping changes: titles of nobility were abolished, the guild and the feudal systems were dismantled, and proselytization of the alien faith was prohibited. The planet enjoyed a short period of independence as the Free Republic of Gakal’zaal. The young Republic joined the Democratic People's Republic through a referendum at the end of 2462. Despite the supposed democratic nature of this act, foreign freedom fighters were allowed to vote and the Unathi population was excluded from this decision. The colony is currently ruled by a military junta headed by Andranik Huwaytat, the leader of the defunct Gakal'zaal Liberation Front. Under Tajara control, the planet has become a base of operations for the Liberation Army forces; weapons and DPRA citizens, usually heading to other systems, pass by Gakal'zaal daily.

One year after the liberation, the ruling junta called for a military offensive to defeat the remaining Unathi resistance on Gakal'zaal. Adhomai's attention has returned to the planet as the Al'mariist factions try to influence the campaign to gain the upper hand in Gakal'zaal's future elections.

Geography

Gakal’zaal is characterized by a colder climate, steppes, and a lack of oceans or seas. The planet’s temperatures reach into the negatives during winter and rise high in the summers. The further one gets from the temperate equator the worse this seasonal fluctuation gets. For this reason, settlements and cities are concentrated to the equator, with the rest of the planet being marked with some villages and towns. Most of the planet’s Unathi population dwells in the equatorial region, as the climate of the planet makes long-term habitation difficult for the cold-blooded Sinta. Gakal’zaal weather is infamous not for snow or rain but fog. The soil traps in heat easily, and when the warmth radiating off the soil combines with the cold air it creates a thick layer of fog across the planet. In the summer months it vanishes and it is thickest in the winter before snowfall. The fog confuses travelers and makes traversing the planet an issue. Rarely is it thin enough to see more than 12 meters ahead. In the liberation and the current anti-banditry campaign the fighting mostly occurs in the winter and summer.

Gakal’zaal’s steppes are flat expanses covered with grasses that rarely grow more than 13 centimeters high. This led to automobiles being the primary mode of transport. Highway construction was halted due to the war and never continued, so cars and trucks are fitted for off-roading in the infertile dirt. Other biomes that are present are wind-swept sand dunes leftover from ice age era glacial lakes, deep marshes where ancient river deltas once were, and some small forests that exist on the edges of the steppe. Mountains on Gakal’zaal are small compared to Moghes and Adhomai. Gakal’zaal’s most impressive geological feature is instead its ravines. From diverging continental plates, deep and enormous ravines carve out Gakal’zaal’s landscape. These provide easy access to the planet’s small mineral wealth and were of particular interest to the Mining Guild before their forced departure. The Junta currently seeks to restart mining here to help provide resources for the PVSM.

Buildings on Gakal’zaal are a mix of the Tajaran colonial style and new ones brought from the Izweski Hegemony or DPRA. The colonial style relies on simple materials, square rooms, sloped roofs, and are constructedon one story. These bungalows are made from bricks produced using local clays that has given them a red-orange tint. The usefulness of being able to see these through the foggy days led to colonists painting their houses with patterns or designs. The cities are a mix of this and the Hegemony style, which the junta seeks to cover with facades inspired by Das’nrran architecture.

Major Cities

• Zikala: located at the center of the equator, Zikala is the capital and largest city of Gakal'zaal. The city used to host the overlord's court until the liberation of the planet. Its population is evenly divided between Unathi and Tajara. Zikala is the most industrialized city on the planet and has a spaceport. The Unathi numbers have begun to dwindle as more Tajaran migrants arrive. Due to the strong presence of the Liberation Army, interspecies violence remains contained.

• Kr'yata: situated at the edge of the equator, Kr'yata has a significant Tajaran presence and a small Unathi population. During the revolt, the settlement was the site of a notable popular uprising. The city is the major transport hub on the planet; trains and roads coming from the other territories and villages converge to Kr'yata. The only industry is focused on foodstuffs and maintaining the transportation network. Because of the overwhelming Tajaran presence and lack of proper policing, the Unathi have begun to abandon the city due to growing discrimination.

• New S'th: famous for being the only city with a majority Unathi population, New S'th is the planet's commercial center. Boasting the largest spaceport in Gakal'zaal, most of the imports and exports pass by this town. The Liberation Army garrison in this settlement is known for being infamously corrupt; the remaining Unathi riches are more than enough to give them sway in their policing. Rumors claim that the Unathi community from New S'th actively contributes to the Yizarus Brigade with material support and new fighters. The city remains a thorn in the side of the planet's administration.

Culture and Society

Gakal'zaal is divided between the Tajara majority and the Unathi minority. Because of the recent conflict and social changes, there is much tension and resentment between both sides.

The Tajara of Gakal'zaal

Originally settled by refugees seeking a better life from war, the Tajara of Gakal'zaal have come from all regions of Adhomai, but over time, the culture from the regions of the Democratic People's Republic of Adhomai became dominant - priding themselves on a free life and following the ideals of Al'mariism, in spite all the challenges that they were put through. Tajaran settlements being organized along ideological lines had allowed a degree of separation between ideologies. But after population movements under Unathi rule and under the current regime, Royalist and Hadiist Tajara find themselves harassed and suppressed by the ruling junta’s authorities. Those who haven’t fled find themselves in a situation not unlike their Unathi counterparts, making them more sympathetic to the alien population.

Relations with the settlers' former overlords are strained at best, with most Tajara still retaining a vivid memory of oppression. A culture of distrust has grown in dealings between the Unathi and Tajara population, more frequently than not obstructing business dealings as the residents now seek to claw back what was taken from them, encouraging Tajara entrepreneurship independent of the Unathi living on Gakal'zaal. Regardless, most still accept that the Unathi are necessary to their current economy, and eventually find trust in each other past the initial interactions, some finding camaraderie in respect with Unathi honor values. Tajara business entrepreneurs co-operating with the now diminished guilds find more success, with many opportunities still available in the fledgling colony.

While the Tajara populace still enjoy mostly Adhomian produce and goods, the influence of Unathi guilds is evident in their culture. Under previous occupant overlordship and being forced into serfdom, the Tajara were exposed to the Unathi culture of nobles, merchants and peasants alike. Over time, what were once traditional Adhomian stews and soups turned into a mixture of Adhomian and Unathi cuisine, Adhomian vegetables and cattle meeting with Sinta blends of spices and berries became a common sight in various cities and villages during the reign of Overlord Yizarus.

Due to the warmer temperatures compared to the homeland, those living within equatorial regions of the planet tend to wear lighter clothing, preferring cloth and textiles over the traditional furs common to those from Adhomai. Fashion within Gakal'zaal varied per region, but Tajara living in equatorial regions took inspiration from both Adhomai and Unathi cultures, incorporating elements of jeweled accessories and patterns found on Sinta garbs, combining with traditional Tajara symbolism and clothing.

After proclaiming independence and reforming into the Free Republic of Gakal'zaal, Unathi influences began to diminish due to the reliance on imports of Unathi goods and foodstuffs, as these could not be grown or manufactured as easily in Gakal'zaal's circumstances, and discouraged by the harder elements of the former Liberation Front. Nevertheless, many Tajara families still enjoy spicier flavors, relying on the guilds to import spices from Moghes.

The Unathi of Gakal'zaal

Gakal’zaal was a recent acquisition of the Hegemony, and cultures from across Moghes can be seen among the settlers - with the Izweski Heartland, Tza Prairie and Southlands being the most common cultures represented among the Unathi population. Adaptation to environment and circumstances, however, has led to the formation of a fledgling yet distinct culture among the Sinta of Gakal’zaal.

Due to the planet’s temperatures, the Sinta of Gakal’zaal dress much more warmly than those from Moghes or Ouerea might - with thick fur, wool or leather coats and cloaks being a common item of clothing among the species. Often, these will use Adhomian or Gakal’zaal materials, the former brought by the Tajaran settlers - and while it would be erroneous to say the Unathi have adopted Tajaran fashion, their dress is an odd blend of Sinta style and Tajaran practical adaptation. For venturing outside the equatorial region, human-made heat packs imported by Unathi merchants are recommended for prolonged journeys. With regards to food, native fish are the most common foodstuff of Gakal’zaal,

Unathi on Gakal’zaal exist in an odd limbo - they are not citizens of the DPRA, and have their rights strictly curtailed. Unathi on Gakal’zaal lack the right to vote, and are forbidden from carrying weapons outside their homes, from gathering after certain times and from traveling offworld without governmental approval - though if one knows the right people and has enough money, many of these regulations are negotiable. However, many of them have connections, wealth or expertise that has allowed them to maintain something of a position of privilege among the Tajaran-ruled society of Gakal’zaal. Despite being removed from their previous positions of authority, they exercise their influence through their economic power. Traditional Unathi clans and family structures on Gakal'zaal remain virtually unchanged since the liberation.

Most Gakal’zaal Unathi, particularly those formerly affiliated with guilds or the nobility, have a resentment for the Tajara who now rule what they had come to see as their world - viewing them as upstart usurpers. While few are willing to put their lives on the line for this and join a group such as the Yizarus Brigade, a majority of the planet’s Unathi hold at the very least supportive sentiments towards the rebels, and the Yizarus Brigade can often find aid or shelter among the Unathi population. However, there is a strange exception to this rule - that of the Guwan. A decent number of Guwan were brought with the initial wave of settlers, acting as cheap labor for the Guilds - and more would be named Guwan for various crimes during the Hegemonic rule of the planet. When the uprising came, many Guwan found themselves in a strange position where, though still oppressed for their species, they were not treated as being below other Unathi by the Tajaran government - a position the DPRA was quick to exploit with the creation of the all-Unathi Sinta Volunteer Forces.

The Guwandi of Gakal'zaal

Traditionally, the Unathi known as Guwandi have wandered wherever they may find honorable death. In the modern age, this largely consists of the Wasteland of Moghes - but not exclusively. Those from far-flung colonies who have chosen to become Guwandi can often be found traveling the Spur in search of redemption through blood and battle, and it is perhaps unsurprising that several of these have found their way to Gakal’zaal.

The Guwandi of Gakal’zaal consist of both wanderers from further afield and those settlers who chose to take the mantle - wandering the Unathi-habitable regions of the planet in search of battle and death, regardless of its source. Though most Unathi warriors will indulge a Guwandi’s desire for battle, the soldiers of the Sinta Volunteer Forces largely ignore the ancient code binding the doom-driven warriors.

However, Gakal’zaal is a place where the codes of a warrior’s honor can bend and twist easily - which has led to a strange and new violation of ancient custom. Several Guwandi warriors have pledged their service to Drokzisz Yizarus - to serve him until their deaths, and gain redemption for their dishonor through the restoration of Unathi rule to the planet. While they are unquestionably skilled, and still hold to the strict honor of Guwandi, their actions are viewed as an abandonment of their status by many - including their fellow Guwandi.

An odd commonality has also been found between the Guwandi and the Amohdan Tajara of Gakal’zaal - though vastly different species and cultures, their practice of seeking death in honorable duels is respected by the swordsmen of the island, and those few with such training on Gakal’zaal will usually acknowledge a Guwandi’s request for an honorable and clean death.

The Legacy of the Guilds

Many of the Unathi guilds saw an opportunity on Gakal’zaal - a planet with an untapped labor force and away from the fierce competition provided by Hephaestus Industries. The Miners’ Guild was the first to set up on Gakal’zaal, but far from the last, with nearly every major Unathi guild having a presence on the isolated world at some point.

Of particular note is the now-defunct Merchants’ Guild, which had near-complete control of the Gakal’zaal economy, being responsible for the vast majority of imports and exports. Gakal’zaal was tied into the interstellar economy by the claws of the Merchants, and this fact was leveraged mercilessly - many Tajara wound up working for the Guild in disadvantageous contracts, for barely-sustainable wages. However, as the Liberation Front seized control of the planet, a problem emerged - it was through the Guild that Gakal’zaal had any connections to the interstellar economy, and with the Adhomian powers at war none of them would be able to make up for that. And so, a revolution came and went, and the Merchants found themselves in an odd position - able to hold onto much of their wealth and influence, in exchange for their continued operations. Though those Tajara working for guildsmen received better pay and conditions, much is still the same - even with the wider Guild’s bankruptcy, the Merchants still keep Gakal’zaal’s place in the Spur’s economy. The DPRA is attempting to dismantle this status quo, encouraging Tajaran citizens to open their own businesses and arranging for government buyouts of Unathi-controlled shares - but for now, at least, the remains of the Merchants’ Guild on Gakal’zaal are here to stay.

The Miners’ Guild also had significant holdings on Gakal’zaal, seeking to exploit its untapped mineral reserves. Through generous contracts with the Unathi nobility of Gakal’zaal, the Guild was able to secure the cheap labor of Tajaran serfs, and used it to great effect - though the Tajara would disagree. Conditions in the mines were poor, wages were barely livable, and many Tajara would lose their lives toiling for the Guild’s profit. The Liberation Front had much more success in seizing this guild, however, with many of the higher-ranking officials having perished during the uprising. Regulations were put in place for pay, conditions and benefits for the mine workers of Gakal’zaal, and though some of the Guild’s Unathi members have managed to retain positions, mining operations on Gakal’zaal are very much run by Tajara, compared to the Merchants’ Guild. With the buyout of the Miners by Hephaestus Industries, some have grown concerned that Hephaestus may view the Gakal’zaal mines as its property, and attempt to extort the planet for it - but so far, the megacorporation has remained silent.

The third Unathi guild of note on Gakal’zaal, and something of an oddity, is the House of Medicine - with several guild healers having come to Gakal’zaal with the initial wave of settlers. Several hospitals were set up in the planet’s major cities, and though the guild charged extortionate prices for the Tajaran citizens, there was generally less ill will towards the physicians of the House than towards the other Guilds. Due to the extreme lack of trained physicians among the initial Tajaran colonists, and the Guild’s access to advanced alien medicines and equipment, the healers of the House of Medicine have been the least impacted by the uprising, allowed to continue their practice - though required to offer their services for far, far cheaper to the Tajaran population of the planet, as well as to train those Tajara who wish to study the medical sciences. While some Tajaran doctors have since arrived as volunteers from Adhomai, or further afield, the majority of the planet’s medical industry is still Unathi-run, though forced into acting as far more of a public healthcare service than the guild would prefer. With the House having been acquired by Hephaestus, speculation abounds about what this means for Gakal’zaal’s physicians - but so far, aside from continuing to pay their guild dues to Moghes, the House on Gakal’zaal seems to be operating smoothly.

Faith

Most of the initial Unathi colonists were Sk’akh, with the former High Priest Unzi sending a contingent of priests and Iron Masks with the settlers to ensure the newfound colony’s spiritual well-being would not be led astray by the presence of alien religions. Their primary goal was not the conversion of Tajara - as Sk’akh doctrine holds that other species have their own gods and spirits for them, as Sk’akh is for Sinta. However, some of these priests did try their luck in converting the locals, with little success - though some of the Tajaran collaborators on the planet did opt to convert for political reasons.

Sk’akh priests are permitted to continue their sermons and religious duties under the DPRA - though these sermons are often indiscreetly watched by informers to make sure that they are not concealing revolutionary plots. Despite Overlord Yizarus holding the theoretical power to do so, he never appointed an Archpriest during his reign over the colony, and with his position dissolved there will likely never be a formally recognised Archpriest of Gakal’zaal.

Some Sk’akh Priests of the Warrior have joined the Yizarus Brigade, viewing their struggle as a holy war to reclaim rightful Unathi territory from the ‘dark gods’ of the Tajaran populace. While it has never been confirmed, it is suspected that a significant number of the Maraziite Order fled to Gakal’zaal following their dissolution, and have since joined in this crusade to return Gakal’zaal to its rightful rulers.

Tajaran religion on Gakal’zaal is split half and half between the faith of the Twin Suns and the Ma’ta’ke pantheon. Atheists are more uncommon on Gakal’zaal than in other Tajaran populations barring the New Kingdom of Adhomai. The harsh and simpler living gave way to greater importance of faith as a means to cope with conditions on the planet. Murals, carvings, and other art of the Tajaran religions are common on Gakal’zaal. These had to be hidden during Unathi rule, but the current junta has allowed Gakal’zaal religious art to flourish.

Members of the Parivara are a recent arrival on Gakal’zaal. The organization only reached out after it had become independent, establishing official temples after the planet joined the DPRA. Prior to this, adherents of S’rendarr and Messa met in congregations to sing hymns, worship the suns, and engage in communal practices. The Parivara have taken note of this trend and actively encourage the same practices, albeit now staying closer to orthodoxy and led by priests. The largest of the temples is in Zikala. It is made from the former central Sk’akh church and has a controversial mural depicting Messa as a Liberation Front soldier piercing a defeated three-headed Unathi in a breacher suit as it lays on the steppe floor, defeated. Drokzisz Yizarius has pledged to destroy the temple for this and to one day rebuild the Sk’akh church.

The Ma’ta’ke worshippers had suffered greatly under Unathi rule. The priests and priestesses of the gods were easily identified by Unathi authorities and were subject to harassment and imprisonment. This contributed to unrest across the planet. When the Liberation Front appeared, many priests began to collaborate with them to end Unathi rule. Now Ma’ta’ke worship is free to continue on, largely unchanged from its traditions.

The superstitions of Tajara made a strong comeback in the early years of Gakal’zaal. Children are told of Yaba Sarra to keep them from venturing into the steppe alone, S’Mara became a figure who would reap those who betrayed the Tajaran people, and some even say that the Tajani had come with the Tajara to help them in this new world. And in spite of the Rhaza-Akhran’s claims to the contrary, it was not just worship of the Gods and Twin Suns that came to Gakal’zaal. The Raskariim have come in waves of immigrants, smugglers, and the extranet’s spread. Punks using occultist imagery meet in city dive bars while true believers practice their craft in all sorts of places.

The Huwaytat Junta

As Gakal’zaal’s current ruling government, the Huwaytat Junta has absolute control over the planet - at least, in theory. In practice, its control extends as far as its troops do. Headed by its namesake Andranik Huwaytat, the junta is led by officers of the Gakal’zaal ALA with advisors from the DPRA civilian government, the Adhomaian ALA, and influential Unathi. The Junta seeks to project strength to the Tajara of Gakal’zaal with marches and propaganda on the radio and billboards. Behind the curtains however it is a mess of a government. Cliques of officers are competing to influence Huwaytat for their own ends while civilian government party members push for a continuation of the democratic transition. The Unathi largely seek to promote their species’ interests. The hold Unathi still have on Gakal’zaal’s economy and station allows them to have some sort of power within the junta. But, this power is limited due to a lack of military force. Huwaytat for now wishes to maintain military rule for the anti–banditry campaign to establish a peace on Gakal’zaal, regardless of the methods used. Blackbagging, sudden executions, and imprisonments without trial are all too common for those suspected to be involved with rival nations or the Yizarus Brigade. Governmental services are held up by overworked clerks both Unathi and Tajara. Time will tell if Huwayat will stay true to his word and work towards a democratic Gakal’zaal once the Yizarus Brigade will be defeated. But if he cannot maintain his power or promises, a new leader may have to take the reins of the world.

Armed Forces

Yizarus Brigade

The Yizarus Brigade is a group of Unathi guerillas, led by the son and heir of the former Overlord - an Unathi by the name of Drokzisz Yizarus. Claiming the planet as his birthright, Drokzisz has formed a band of former Yizarus soldiers, mercenaries, pirates and offworld volunteers, who engage in an insurgency not dissimilar to that the Gakal’zaal Liberation Front waged against his father - an irony which is not lost on many.

The Yizarus Brigade seems to have abandoned the traditional notion of Unathi honor in war entirely, using guerilla tactics to strike at the infrastructure of Gakal’zaal in the hopes of crippling his enemies. While some have speculated that foreign powers have funded the Brigade, either the Izweski Hegemony or even the other nations of Adhomai - no concrete proof of this has ever been found.

The Brigade makes use of an odd mixture of equipment - smuggled human weaponry, remnants of Unathi equipment and stolen Tajaran firearms can all be seen wielded by its fighters. They primarily strike in the equatorial region, but have been known to carry out bombings, assassinations and other assaults in the normally inhospitable colder regions of the planet. Unathi collaborators such as those in the Sinta Volunteer Forces are viewed with particular hatred by the warriors of the Yizarus Brigade, and those few who have been captured have often had their corpses mutilated and left in pubic or easily discoverable locations - a warning to those Sinta who would lend their aid to the DPRA forces on the planet.

The Yizarus Brigade is an odd collection of Sinta - soldiers stationed on Gakal’zaal, mercenaries, pirates, former Iron Masks and any number of Unathi warriors from across the Spur. Whether their motley alliance is capable of defeating the DPRA is often questioned - but the question that some among the Brigade worry more about is whether they will be able to hold that alliance together on their victory. Yizarus has promised gold, land and titles to every man who helps him reclaim his birthright - but whether this could be fulfilled in the unlikely event of a victory remains to be seen.

Returnal Society

The victory over Unathi rule did not satisfy all Tajara on Gakal’zaal. Some Tajara had come to appreciate the previous government for their own reasons. Whether it was a wish for a romanticized era of stability, anger towards the junta for personal or political reasons, personal wealth, or even a dream to return to when one could express their gender and sexuality without legal repercussions, Tajara of the Returnal Society plot and fight to return Gakal’zaal back to Yizarus rule. Their reasons are many, which leads to an eclectic mix of Tajara working together as saboteurs, spies, or even fighters within the Yizarius Brigade itself. Those who work behind the scenes to support the Yizarius Brigade are organized into cells while those who fight alongside the Yizarius Brigade are put into their own squads.

The cell-based loyalists are organized into different cells that specialize in a certain task. Drokzsis Yizarus retains a shadowy spymaster who is responsible for leading the different groupings. Those who focus on spying usually embed themselves in locales that junta-allied forces go to in order to gather and steal information. Disguises, secret identities, and good acting are used to trick fighters into giving up information that can be collected into useful intel by the Yizarus spymaster. Saboteurs utilize various explosives - usually repurposed Miners’ Guild equipment - to destroy infrastructure. These go in tandem with Yizarus Brigade attacks, such as destroying radio equipment before a raid in the area. Those who fight with the brigade itself tend to be scouts and are armed with long-range rifles gathered from Unathi and Tajaran sources, hand-made camouflage, and whatever other useful equipment is found.

Information about the loyalists was covered up until 2465, when the reports of Tajara being found in Yizarus Brigade camps and extranet footage of Tajara detonating bridges became too out of hand. While these loyalists are rare, they still present a problem to the junta’s legitimacy and are a valuable support to the Yizarus Brigade. Those who are caught are pushed right into Redemption Battalions if they’re not summarily executed.

Redemption Battalions

During the liberation of Gakal’zaal, the Liberation Front captured a sizable number of Tajaran collaborators. These people included civil servants, former nobility, and levied troops who had not defected earlier in the fighting. Disturbingly, there exist allegations that some of these prisoners were mistaken for collaborators or had simply angered a local Liberation Front officer. They were imprisoned under extreme suspicion and remained so until 2464. As the Anti-Bandit Offensive began, the “traitors” were given a choice: Join the fight or leave the planet to never return. Those who remained were organized into the Redemption Battalions, which are comprised solely of these collaborators. After three years of service, the battalions will be dissolved and survivors will have their crimes forgiven.

The Redemption Battalions are a mixed bag in quality. Those who do have prior fighting experience are nearly half of the total force and even then their experiences vary from being freshly levied troops to being veteran fighters under Yizarus rule. The battalions are often given the most exhaustive and dangerous tasks. These include disarming mine fields, probing areas for Yizarius Brigade members, and searching suspected hideouts. These already small units have seen their numbers whittled down due to attrition thanks to this. The equipment given to them is holdover melee weaponry and poor-quality armor. Power and energy weapons are prized items among these fighters as it is the best they’ll receive.

Injury is no excuse for an early release. Those maimed in the fight are given simple prosthetics and sent back to the field. Scorned by other Tajara, and hated by the Yizarus Brigade, to be a member of the Redemption Battalions is to be in the worst position in this war. Most members seek to try and survive or make a dangerous attempt to flee. The leadership of the battalion rests in the hands of the Military Police who oversee it. These officers hold the right to punish members however they see fit. Stories persist of members who had successfully smuggled themselves off-world.

Sinta Volunteer Forces

When the uprising came to an end, the Gakal’zaal Liberation Front had seized the planet from its former Unathi overlords - a situation that provided an odd opportunity for the planet’s Guwan. Contrary to most Unathi, they had acquired seemingly more opportunity with Tajaran rule of the planet - faced with a society that still discriminated against them, but couldn't care less about the crimes they had committed to earn their names. The DPRA quickly capitalized on this, with the formation of the all-Unathi Sinta Volunteer Forces - made exclusively from Guwan, who were granted privileges greater than the other Unathi of Gakal’zaal. The Volunteers have the right to bear weapons, and to assemble freely - and there has even been some discussion of granting them the right to vote if and when Gakal’zaal holds elections. This proposition seems unlikely, however, as both Unathi and Tajara are united in opposition to the idea.

Though they are forbidden from using firearms, the Volunteers are equipped instead with ‘thermal spears’ - fearsome weapons made from adapted industrial equipment, capable of creating a high-temperature plasma arc. The Volunteers are deployed in close-combat encounters, and often sent against the Yizarus Brigade - a task which many of the former Guwan relish, getting to strike back at the Hegemonic system that had treated them so poorly. Among Unathi, the Volunteers are doubly despised - for their Guwan status and their collaboration with the DPRA. To date, the Volunteer Forces have not been used to police Unathi neighborhoods for fear of tensions erupting, though the idea has often been proposed.

These Guwan have forged something of a caste of their own - despised by their own people and untrusted by the Tajara, and one of the rare organizations on Gakal’zaal that is solely formed from and led by Unathi, though with some level of Tajaran oversight. The creation of the Volunteer Forces has driven a wedge between some of the more prominent Unathi and the DPRA government, but so far they have proved a useful tool for maintaining control of the planet, and it is unlikely their special status will change.

Interestingly, some of the Volunteers have found an odd sense of camaraderie with the Tajara they fight beside - seeing parallels between the tales of the nobility who once ruled Adhomai and the current state of the Hegemony. Some of these Guwan are reported to have taken an interest in reading Al’mariist theory - though whether this is genuine support for the ideology or simply an attempt to gain further influence among the new society is hard to determine.

Spearhead Chosen

Created by Maksym Razin in 2462 and funded by the Followers of Nated, the Spearhead Chosen is a unit of Religious Tajara fighting as volunteers in Gakal’zaal. The Spearhead Chosen are taken mostly from Ma’ta’ke followers with some S’rendarr and Messa worshippers. These fighters view the fight against the Yizarus Brigade as a holy war against alien religion. They see no distinction between the different faiths of the Unathi. To the Chosen, all religions that are not of the Tajara are to be put to the torch.

These men and women are equipped with gear purchased on Adhomai. This is typically equipment from the Liberation Army there, such as bolt action rifles, pistols, and uniforms modified to be in the colors of the Followers of Nated party. Priests are an integral component of the Spearhead Chosen’s operations. They bless their weapons, lead daily prayers and worship, and are sometimes the first in the fray when the Chosen go to fight. Priests of the Ma’ta’ke pantheon who join the Spearhead Chosen take on roles relating to their gods. The Parivara maintains neutrality, so no official Sun Priests are allowed to join the Chosen. Instead, sympathetic priests work secretly to provide assistance while laymen theologists keep the spirits of the Twin Suns worshiping members high. The Kin of S’rendarr have taken note of the usefulness of the Chosen’s members for their own goals, and recruit viable candidates that are willing to join the society.

To the ALA officers in charge of the anti-banditry campaign, the Spearhead Chosen are a mixed bag. While their fanaticism and willingness to fight make them determined troops, they often struggle to coordinate properly with other troops on the ground. This is to say nothing of the conflict that can arise when members decide to tear down a Unathi place of worship or harass Unathi instead of following orders. They’re often kept to the cities and bases until it is time to march out on a campaign. Most concerning however is that the Spearhead Chosen are more loyal to Razin himself than Huwaytat. Some fear that the Chosen will not be disbanded after the insurgency as promised.

Notable Individuals

Drokzsiz Yizarus

About the leader of the Yizarus Brigade himself, not much is known. He is reported to be a passionate and short-tempered man, though one who clearly has some degree of tactical knowledge which he certainly did not inherit from his father. It is known that he served a brief tenure as a junior officer in the Izweski Navy, serving under his distant relative - the famed Lord-Admiral Trazarial Yizarus, who may have imparted some of his aptitude for command onto the young warrior. Regardless of where he learned from, however, Drokzsiz Yizarus has proved a skilled leader, capable of operating an insurgency far outside the traditional bounds of Unathi warfare, and proving a significant thorn in the side of the Democratic People’s Republic.

Yizarus is a charismatic leader, having brought many off-world Unathi to his cause with the promise of land, wealth and glory - claiming that every man who fights for him would have a lordship when his birthright is restored. Whether he will keep this promise in the unlikely event of his victory remains unseen. The Hegemon himself has made no comment on the Yizarus Brigade, or the struggle for Gakal’zaal in general, since his formal stripping of Overlord Makar Yizarus’s title - and similarly, the Brigade has not issued any statements on the Hegemony itself. Likely, this is because Yizarus does not wish to alienate a potential ally - even if he is able to retake Gakal’zaal, he knows that he will need the Hegemon’s backing to hold it.

Yizarus is known to possess several translations of the Manual of the Adhomian Guerilla - a book which is considered to contain the core of the ALA strategy during the Second Revolution, and likely one which has influenced the Brigade’s strategy, as several of the improvised bombs and firearms used by their warriors are originally of Tajaran design. What his personal views are on the dishonorable tactics used by his forces is an enigma, but he has shown no signs of hesitation in adopting the tactics of an insurgent.

Ershe Hasuzohi

Former planetary chapter-master of the Merchants’ Guild, Ershe Hasuzohi made her fortune from Gakal’zaal - nearly every piece of the planet’s interstellar trade paid its dues to her prior to the uprising. When the Gakal’zaal Liberation Front seized control of the planet, Hasuzohi became the unofficial leader of the planet’s Unathi following the Overlord’s death. Through this position, she was able to work out an effective deal that saw her and her fellow merchants remain a key part of the Gakal’zaal economy - allowing her to maintain a great deal of influence over the world she had made her own.

Under the DPRA’s rule, Hasuzohi acts as an intermediary for disputes between Unathi and Tajara communities, helping to keep the delicate peace between the two populations. This fact has not made her popular among Sinta outside of the guilds, having earned her a nickname among the planet’s Unathi - “The Bowing Queen”. Despite this status, Hasuzohi has never been a direct target of the Yizarus Brigade’s attacks - leading some to suspect she is a clandestine supporter of the rebel group.

Her relationship with Andranik Huwaytat is an amicable one, with the two having formed something of a friendship in the years since the uprising - albeit one that was shaken deeply by the creation of the Sinta Volunteer Forces. In a rare case, Hasuzohi was unable to sway the government on the issue, and she views the all-Guwan militia as a mistake that will inevitably bring ruin to Tajara and Sinta alike.

Following the bankruptcy of the Merchants’ Guild, Hasuzohi has happily discarded the remnants of her former affiliation, though she is known to maintain ties to the smuggling syndicate known as the Silver Scales. Though she does not make it publicly known, the bankruptcy has cost her a great deal, forcing her to rely increasingly on Tajaran employees rather than Unathi guildsmen for the transportation of goods.

Leziuz Guwan

A former soldier from the Zazalai Mountains, Leziuz was made Guwan for the murder of a clanmate in a drunken brawl. Through the use of forged papers, he stowed away as a settler towards Gakal’zaal, hoping to gain wealth and influence that a Guwan could not possibly acquire on Moghes itself. Arriving in New S’th, Leziuz was drawn in by the criminal underground, and quickly made a name for himself as first an enforcer, then a leader in one of the city’s gangs.

When the uprising came, Leziuz saw an opportunity - joining the Sinta Volunteer Forces offered him both a chance at wealth and power, and an opportunity to get some payback on the Hegemony that gave him his Guwan name in the first place. He turned his coat happily and without regret, and his aptitude for both battle and leadership brought him to the attention of Andranik Huwaytat, who placed him in command of the Volunteer Forces.

Leziuz is known to be a vicious, greedy and cruel man - often taking advantage of his newfound authority to extort the Sinta of Gakal’zaal, and delighting in the chance the Volunteer Forces give him to indulge his grudge against the nobility for naming him Guwan in the first place. His name is synonymous with traitor and collaborator among the Unathi population, and that suits him just fine. After all, he cannot stop his fellow Unathi from hating him for what he is - but he can make sure that they fear him, too. This reputation is part of why he was chosen as the unit’s commander - he can lead his men and bring them into line effectively, but very few of the Volunteers have any love for the man, or would choose to be loyal to him should he come into conflict with the DPRA.

Both Unathi and Tajara are wary of Leziuz’s future ambitions - the man is, after all, a thug and a criminal. Ershe Hasuzohi believes his greed will lead him to attempt a coup against the Tajaran government, and has criticized Andranik for allowing such a wretched individual any measure of power. Whether these beliefs are founded remains uncertain - but for now, it seems, Leziuz Guwan remains loyal to the new masters of Gakal’zaal, kept in line by the promises of plunder and revenge.

Uezak Ahzasa

Born a rural peasant in the Southlands of Moghes, Uezak Ahzasa was a well-off guildsman of the Construction Coalition, having risen through the ranks and overseen the construction of Makar Castle at the behest of the new Overlord. As the guild continued to build much of Gakal’zaal’s modern infrastructure, Ahzasa stayed on, with Overlord Yizarus appointing them as the space station’s Chief Engineer shortly after its completion - a highly prestigious position for a commoner to reach. When the uprising began, however, Ahzasa saw the writing on the wall, despite Yizarus’s belief that Makar Castle was unassailable. Following the Overlord’s death, Ahzasa surrendered on behalf of the station and its Unathi workers, hoping that the victorious revolutionaries would realize the importance of being able to maintain the Castle.

Now, Ahzasa leads the Makar Guild - a union of the Free Gakal’zaal Station’s Unathi crew. The Guild plays an invaluable role in keeping the station running, undertaking much of the skilled work required to keep it operational. Though the junta has attempted to gain more power over the station, collective action on the Guild’s part has largely kept them secure in their positions. Ahzasa themself is reported to be a rather blunt and straightforward individual, not particularly fond of small talk or negotiation - but generally well-liked by members of the Makar Guild. They are reportedly very personally attached to the station, having been on board since the earliest days of its construction, and have allegedly dismissed the possibility of returning to Hegemony space, as it would require them to abandon their greatest project.

Politically, Ahzasa is in a difficult situation, with the junta pushing for greater control of the station’s systems, with prior attempts having been made to suppress the Makar Guild. Threats of shutting off station power, communications and atmospherics have dissuaded these conflicts from ever escalating into open violence, but social unrest between the Guild, the Tajaran workers, and the DPRA militia aboard remains a seething undercurrent, ready to boil over at the slightest provocation. In spite of this, and their active role in the politics of the station, Ahzasa is reportedly dismissive of it - whether a Tajaran junta or an Unathi lord, what matters to them is the safety of their workers and the chance to continue working on their beloved station.

Andranik Huwaytat

Rhaza-Akhran of Gakal’zaal, Huwaytat is the most powerful individual on the planet. His junta controls the levers of power and rules the government of the planet. Huwaytat himself hails from Adhomai’s Harr’nrr region. He had been part of the ALA partisan activity there during the Second Revolution and distinguished himself as a competent cell leader. After the truce with the New Kingdom, Huwaytat effectively disappeared from DPRA and NKA records. He appeared the same year in reports of rabble-rousers to Lord Yizarus.

Huwaytat’s ideology can be sufficiently described as pro-Huwaytat. From his years leading a liberator cell to his rule over Gakal’zaal, Huwaytat has always sought to circle himself tightly with allies and keep a vigilant eye on enemies within and without. A learned experience from his time combating spies in the cells of Harr’nrr. For now he ensures his personal clique is dominant in the junta while trying to play the other factions against each other. His primary concern is finishing the job of securing Gakal’zaal while also building up the PVSM.

Huwaytat’s path is unclear, and that is how he prefers to keep it. His propaganda presents him as the righteous hand of rulership, his ceremonies and speeches praise the civilian government, his cronies meet with ALA generals, his material donations go to both of these sides. These are all acts to obscure his intentions to anyone trying to pry into his next move.

Yesenia Ivanyutina

Born in a family of First Revolution veterans from Northern Ras'nrr, Yesenia Ivanyutina joined the Liberation Army at a young age. In her time as a guerilla, she was infamous for murdering Hadiist personnel while they were off-duty or defenseless. In one of her daring operations, she killed an officer by hiding a bomb inside his pillow; that day, his children's victims were visiting their father. Thanks to her skill and ruthlessness, she quickly attracted the attention of Commander Kyff Hotak. Yesenia was recruited into the commandos and continued to act in her homeland until the end of the Second Revolution.

After the war, Ivanyutina remained in Northern Ras'nrr. Due to the isolation of the junta, little is known about her time there; it is speculated she acted as Hotak's eye over Ahem. At some point during the revolt at Gakal'zaal, she moved to the planet as a volunteer. Ivanyutina continued her campaigns of infiltration and terror at the colony. She would frequently attack Unathi and Tajaran civilian targets. Because of her actions during the rebellion, it is rumored that she has a collection of Unathi skins and horns.

With the liberation of Gakal'zaal, Yesenia remained on the planet as part of the local Liberation Army garrison. Shortly after the creation of the Redemption Brigades, Ivanyutina was given control of the unit by Andranik Huwaytat. It is suspected that her appointed as part of a secret deal with Commander Hotak, who wanted to expand his influence on the planet. At the command of the brigades, she makes extensive use of their status as dispensable soldiers. Her fearsome reputation and draconian punishments help in maintaining a semblance of order among the forces' ranks.

In Gaka'zaal, Yesenia aligns herself with the more xenophobic and authoritarian elements. In her opinion, the planet would be better off without the Unathi and under the direct control of the military. While her influence and power are far from rivaling Andranik, she has a growing net of informants and supporters. Even if some consider Ivanyutina another pawn in the struggle between Hotak and Hro'rammhad for the control of the ALA, Yesenia certainly has a vision for the colony. If she is to ever reach the status of Rhaza-Akhran, the more extreme wing of the Liberation Army would have a planet's worth of resources under their control.

Milonkar Parzzinov

Milonkar Parzzinov was the fifth child in a family of urban workers in Dolor, born in 2433. His family at this time had been struggling to adapt to their new lifestyles after being moved off their land because of collectivizing measures in Southern Harr’masir. Parzzinov began a life of crime at a young age, stealing goods to sell for a black market mafia as a child. He was eventually caught and sent to a reform school by the state. By age sixteen he had left for Das’nrra to pursue a career as a truck driver. Two years later, the Second Revolution began. Parzzinov returned to crime as a getaway driver for robbers who often used their gains to support ALA cells. Eventually he had the opportunity to assist members of the Hro'rammhad Tank Corps’ mechanized infantry. Pazzinov proved himself to have steel nerves behind the wheel and was inducted into the ranks.

In the peace after the Second Revolution Parzzinov worked with the DPRA’s researchers to help test new vehicle designs and tactics. His assistance in developing mechanized warfare tactics allowed him to get into Commander Kahan Hro’rammhad’s good graces. When the Gakal’zaal conflict began Pazzinov led other members of the corps to Gakal’zaal in order to assist with gunwagons in the conflict. Parzzinov took Hro’rammhad’s tuteluge to heart. He stressed the winning of hearts and minds to his men, preventing them from abusing any population Unathi or Tajara. Since the victory on the planet he continues to lead the gunwagon fleets and co-ordinates operations that involve them during the anti-banditry campaign.

Parzzinov’s clique seeks to establish a lasting peace on Gakal’zaal through unity between the two species and a democracy beholden to the citizenry. These lofty goals have seen him make overtures to the Unathi in the Huwaytat junta in the hopes that concessions could create a path to his goals. However, Parzzinov remains a driven Al’mariist. To him Republican and Monarchist influences must be taken out through re-education, and the Unathi are no exception to this. It is widely believed that Hro’rammhad actively communicates with Parzzinov to limit Hotak and Yesenia’s influence over the junta. Regardless, his hopes for the colony are utterly opposed to Yesenia’s views.

Vahzirhalrr Drrawa'jur

Vahzirhalrr Drrawa’jur was born on Gakal’zaal to the Drrawa’jur, a powerful Hharar family which ruled over several of the Tajaran settlements on the planet. During the Hegemony rule of Gakal’zaal, the Drrwa’jur were prominent collaborators, being raised to position of minor nobility by the Overlord and growing wealthy from their connections to the guilds. Vahzirhalrr was roughly of an age with the Overlord’s son and heir Drokzsiz Yizarus, and the two were reportedly close friends during the Hegemony’s occupation. When the uprising came, several of the Drrwa’jur were executed by Makar Yizarus despite their loyalty to the Hegemony - and the survivors fared little better, with nearly the entire family being either killed or forced into Redemption Battalions for their collaboration.

During the occupation, it was commonly gossiped that Vahzirhalrr had a secret lover - a male secret lover. While Tajaran society frowns on homosexuality, the Unathi masters of the planet did not share this sentiment, and few were willing to risk angering a personal friend of the Overlord’s son by accusing him of such things to his face. Both the Hegemony’s approval of homosexuality and the authority his family had found themselves wielding appealed to Vahzirhalrr, who reportedly became quite taken with learning about Unathi society and culture. After the uprising, and the establishment of the Huwaytat junta, evidence was found that Vahzirhalrr had carried on a clandestine relationship with Valeriy El-Regorova, a Tajaran worker with the Merchants’ Guild. El-Regorova was imprisoned as a degenerate and a Hegemony collaborator, and later drafted into a Redemption Battalion. His service there would be short, as he was killed during the clearing of a minefield in 2464.

Of Vahzirhalrr himself, however, no trace could be found. He was suspected to have fled alongside Drokzsiz Yizarus, and perhaps aided in the Yizarus heir’s escape - but no trace of the last Drrawa’jur could be found. While the junta did not declare him dead, and wanted posters bearing his likeness could be seen across their territory, he was largely suspected to be another unidentified casualty of the uprising. This would change in 2465, when information was leaked about the existence of the Returnal Society, with sources indicating that Vahzirhlrr was not only alive, but had been acting as the Society’s spymaster for years. Since then, a large bounty has been placed on his head - second only to that placed on Drokzsiz Yizarus himself.

Personally, Vahzirhalrr was reported to be quite taken with Unathi culture, particularly romanticized ideals of Unathi honor and martial culture - reportedly having gone as far as to study Unathi sword techniques during the occupation. He is known to have booked a trip to Moghes in the company of several minor Unathi nobles, though the uprising prevented him from departing the planet. Those who met him prior to the uprising described him as being cordial and well-spoken, though quick to disparage the “backwards ways” of Adhomai. Intelligence on him now is considerably rarer, though the fragmented information gained from prisoners and junta spies indicate that he holds a bitter and personal grudge against the DPRA, and has sworn to kill Andranik Huwaytat.

Flora & Fauna

Gakal’zaal has a rich biosphere, home to many indigenous species of flora and fauna. Some difficulties have emerged with the importing of both Adhomian and Moghresian lifeforms - though so far this has been small-scale enough to have a limited impact on the planet's ecosystem.

Flora

• Dyr'shaan (Glowing Tree): A medium-sized tree found in the forest of Gaka'zaal. Its most notable feature is its fruits which have a glowing substance. When ripe, its berries emit a strong blue light to attract insects. The Dyr'shaan's fruit is harvested by the locals to produce luminescent paint and handcrafted lanterns. The pigment continues to emit light for up to three months after it is extracted. The berries are frequently used for the rural Tajara in remote locations without access to electricity for illumination. Unathi in the city uses the juice to paint the billboard of their shops and ornament their horns.

• Shujir (River Cloth): A grass found in the bank of the rivers and lakes of Gaka'zaal. Its most notable use is clothmaking and thatching roofs. Its fiber is waterproof and very durable. Before the Unathi conquest, it was collected by the Tajara to produce garments. Under the Hegemony, Shujir farming became a profitable business controlled by the guilds. Following the nationalization of the Unathi business, the rural Tajara now controls the production but must still sell their product to the Sinta population in the city for exportation.

Fauna

• Kramazhyr (Tallest Bird): A flightless bird standing at roughly three meters tall. Native to the steppes of the equator, this creature preys unopposed on all other animals in the region. Its beak is notoriously strong and capable of cutting off limbs with a single bite. Due to the Kramazhyr's aggressive nature, they have become an issue to the settlers in the countryside. The Liberation Army frequently sends raids with Gun Wagons to thin down their numbers when needed. A favorite sport of the local Unathi population is to sneak into its nest to steal its eggs and then try to outrun the angry bird as it chases the thief.

• Dramathir (Armored Serpent): A legless creature with its body covered by hard keratin scales. The Dramathir lives in holes in the ground and usually leaves its burrows to feed. It curls up into a ball to protect its soft abdomen when threatened. Its scales are frequently used by the Yizarus Brigade to craft armor due to the shortage of better material. Its meat is also appreciated by the Tajara for its strong taste.

• Bur'ryr (River Axe): A semi-aquatic creature known for its prized fur. The bur'ryr is a medium-sized creature with its body covered by a thick, light brown pelt. One of its most notable features is its tail which has an axe-shaped, keratinous claw at its end. This natural blade is used to chop down trees so that it might use the logs to build nests in Gakal'zaal's rivers and lakes. The bur'ryr is hunted for its fur by the Tajaran community. Some Unathi prefer to fashion weapons out of the creature's blade.

• Zhakhi (Prowler): A small-to-moderate sized, furred, four-legged animal found scavenging in Gakal'zaal's tundra forests and hilly steppes. It is known for its vividly coloured furs, intricate patterns and long protruding teeth. Many different types of Zhakhi exist, varying in size and color depending on the region it is in - those from tundras exhibit blue or white furs, and those in steppes have a mixture of brown, yellow and black. Considered a difficult hunt owing to the Zhakhi's skittish nature, challenging natural habitat terrain and agility, the followers of Mata'ke consider Zhakhi furs as highly prized possessions. Owning or incorporating Zhakhi furs into one's clothing is a symbol of good luck. More traditionally minded Unathi see value in the animal’s carcass - the animal's teeth and bones are frequently incorporated in medicinal salves and traditional ointments.

Free Gakal'zaal Station

When Overlord Makar Yizarus was granted control of Gakal’zaal, he hired the Construction Coalition to create an unassailable seat of power in orbit of the planet. The space station, named “Makar Castle”, acted as the center of the Hegemony’s power during their rule of the planet. At the end of the uprising, the Castle was assaulted using stolen Merchants’ Guild transports, allowing the Liberation Front to capture the station and decapitate the Unathi command structure.

The station was occupied by Tajaran revolutionaries, and with the planet’s decision to join the Democratic People’s Republic the repurposing of the station became a high priority due to the lack of interstellar infrastructure in the DPRA’s territory on Adhomai. However, a problem was rapidly encountered - very few of the Tajara on Gakal’zaal had any kind of knowledge that would be suited to operating a space station. Reluctantly, many of the surviving Unathi crew of the station were granted pardons as some of the few with the requisite training to operate and maintain the newly designated Free Gakal’zaal Station.

The station is slowly becoming an eclectic mix of the original design and arbitrary additions. These ramshackle additions are matched by modifications made to the rooms within the station. What were once Unathi dining halls are now privately-owned restaurants, the barracks become hotels, and the former throne room of the Yizarus clan is now the Rrhaza-Akhran’s command room. Curiously, a fair number of rooms and sections not noted on the blueprints have been found.

The DPRA has taken full advantage of the infrastructure on Free Gakal’zaal Station, reactivating the dockyards and beginning to create their own space fleet. While it is still in its infancy, the People’s Volunteer Spacer Militia has grown rapidly, and the shipyards of Free Gakal’zal Station have become one of the DPRA’s critical military assets. Some officials, perhaps speaking dramatically, have talked of transforming the station into the first Tajaran space city - though so far, these proposals have led nowhere. The station’s population is a fairly even mix of Unathi and Tajara, with many having worked there since before the uprising. The Unathi tend to be former guildsmen working in engineering roles, taking advantage of their skills and knowledge to maintain relevance and higher pay. The Tajara, on the other hand, tend to work in less skilled roles such as janitors or guards.

The Unathi hold their own union in the form of the Makar Guild. Regular protests and the shutting off of the station’s power whenever the local authorities attempt to suppress the group have allowed the Unathi workers to keep their positions and steadily work with the government for better pay and benefits. One particular point of contention has been the station’s temperature. Whereas Tajara prefer it at 15 degrees celsius, the Unathi prefer 22. Most protests are held over the station overseers turning it to 15 before the Unathi shut off the power and demand it be flicked back up. Tajaran workers from the Free Gakal’zaal Station identify themselves with armbands or bandanas that are black with white stripes while Unathi identify themselves with red and orange armbands, traditions that both species carry off-work.

The station has become a key point in Gakal’zaal’s connection to the interstellar economy, with most trade vessels stopping there for fuel and supplies. This has turned the station into a hotbed of smuggling and other illegal activities, with many Tajaran smugglers having set up shop there following the uprising. This has brought new customers, in the form of Unathi pirates - with the station having become acknowledged as something of a neutral ground between fleets. So long as the right bribes are paid to the Spacer Militia, pirates are able to sell their ill-gotten gains and enjoy a relatively safe port in the chaos of the Badlands - and the DPRA is able to conduct trade in the region with minimal risk of pirate attacks. Though tensions remain high between the Unathi and Tajara populations, many of the smugglers and pirates who operate there have formed close business ties - though fights are not uncommon between visiting pirates and the more law-abiding Sinta of the Makar Guild.

Some of these pirates and smugglers are known to do business with the Yizarus Brigade, and while the Spacer Militia ignores most illegal activity on the station they will crack down with brutal force on those suspected of supplying the Brigade. In spite of the government’s efforts to stamp it out, this trade persists, with weapons and supplies being smuggled through the planet’s spaceports and placed in the hands of the guerillas.

Not all pirate fleets respect the station’s status as a neutral ground, however. Some fleets continue to raid traffic going into and out of the system, with some ships of Izharshan’s Raiders having been reported attacking Tajaran cargo vessels leaving Gakal. Though the Raiders have not yet taken this beyond small-time harassment, both the Spacer Militia and other fleets fear that these attacks could be the precursor to a full-scale assault on the system.