The Prescient Republic of the Qar

The Prescient Republic of the Qar

The Prescient Republic of the Qar (PRQ) is the official name given to a former Generation Fleet of the Nralakk Federation. Originally named after its flagship, the Qar’Jarq, the fleet was assigned to ferry Skrell to a planet marked for colonisation in the 2240’s, and suddenly disappeared halfway through its mission. When it was rediscovered, the fleet had defected from the Federation and declared itself an independent republic. The fleet follows a religion unique to itself that is accompanied by a strict theocracy led by Xoku Xoi, who acts as both the head of state and head of the fleet’s religion.

OOC Note: Only Skrell and Diona are allowed to be from the PRQ. Members from the core of the PRQ fleet living out in the Spur are rare, are expected to not divulge many details about the inner workings of the fleet, but are quite open about their background. Both current and former members of the periphery part of the PRQ will similarly be reclusive regarding what they know of the fleet, and are known to assume fake identities because of their relation to oppressed or criminal groups within the Federation such as the resistance or marauders.

History

Commissioned in late 2235 for transit between the Homeworld and a small tropical planet found within the Median region of the Spur, the Qar’Jarq was a fairly outdated design compared to contemporary generational ships deployed following the culmination of the Glorsh-Omega singularity. The ship was designed to hold more passengers than what was considered the standard for the era but otherwise lacked any new modern technology that was not considered necessary for its mission. The overcautious anxiety brought by the still-recent events of Glorsh-Omega’s rule had resulted in Federation Shipwrights to trust in designs that were known to work, with the added emphasis on communications equipment and self-sufficiency. The average vessel commissioned as part of a Generation Fleet for the period was equipped with prototype biogenerators, hydroponics bays, Nlom beacons, and even the equipment necessary for firearm and ammunition manufacture; while passengers were not allowed to store arms and ammunition, the equipment was employed by the military escort assigned for the defence of the fleet against pirates or any lingering remnants of the tyrant AI. Shipwrights that were active in this post-Glorsh period were known to boast that these Generation Ships had the potential to go a hundred years without docking, provided that regular maintenance was performed and that the fleet had total cooperation from its crew to work towards a common goal.

The majority of colonists that were assigned to travel with the Qar’Jarq fleet were common citizens of the Nralakk Federation, but the manifest had a higher than average number of astronomers and biologists who wished to study the planet. There was also a disproportionate number of Qeblak priests who signed up to colonise the planet, assigned to work in conjunction with astronomers to take advantage of the planet’s high peaks to build vast observatory complexes to study the stars. The original mission of the fleet planned for ten trips back and forth between Qerrbalak and its destination, dropping off the majority of its passengers before returning to pick up additional colonists. At some point during its third voyage in mid-2241, the Nralakk Federation lost contact with the Qar. No distress signal was launched, and there were no anomalous celestial occurrences to explain the lack of communications. The Federation feared the worst, and over the next few years, various attempts to replot the Qar's course were made, along with attempts to find and communicate with it via long-wave radio. The search for the fleet would be a success four years later in 2245 when a Federation scout vessel was able to detect radio signatures matching the fleets, and further investigation allowed it to establish visual contact with the vessel. Accounts detailing initial contact with the Qar reported that the ship’s hull was almost completely coated in bright, royal blue paint and various geometric sigils and angled shapes were drawn about the bow and the stern in a similar shade. Initial video communications revealed a similarly-coloured interior. Communication revealed that the command-staff of the Qar’s flagship, the Qar’Jarq, had been overrun by the crew who, according to a Qar representative, had been 'enlightened' by the word of Xoku Xoi, a gold-hued Axiori biologist. Xoi was reported to commune with the stars during their voyage, and gave compelling arguments in favour of a 'Great Slug', a deity they claimed would eventually bring about the end of the universe, enabling “A grand rebirth of power, psionics, and beauty.” This was the first time that anyone outside the Qar would hear of the religion that would come to be known as Univalvism.

Representatives of the vessel went on to explain that Qar revolutionaries had established Xoi as the absolutist head of both state and church, delegating to them all authority in determining how their vessel and the rest of the fleet functioned. Per their leader’s orders, the Qar refused any attempts at boarding, and threatened to turn turrets on Federation ships if an intervention was ever seriously attempted. Anxious over the potential for the loss of fertile Skrell in the ensuing conflict, Federation ships eventually backed off, and Federation officials decided it would not be worth the trouble, or the bad press, to retake the spacecraft. On the 23rd of Feburary 2246, what would become known to the Skrell of the Qar as Exodus Day, the advisors of the Grand Council of the Nralakk Federation had recommended to completely abandon attempts at reintegration of the fleet. Bureaucratic issues regarding the newly integrated Dionae, as well as a general reprioritisation of efforts towards colonies and Generation Fleets they still had control of, meant that the self-styled Prescient Republic of the Qar was ultimately left to its own devices. Little is known about the initial revolution that overtook the Qar, and the few remaining PRQ officials that lived through it rarely speak on the subject. A scan from Tupkala psions around the time of first contact, contrasted with a pre-voyage crew manifest revealed that most of the Fleets commanding crewmembers were killed and the fleet’s Nlom beacons were destroyed. The story of the revolution travelled quickly through the Traverse of the Nralakk Federation, and many Skrell from the younger generations took it upon themselves to fill in the gaps. Stories regarding the PRQ and its origins are a common topic of discussion within the Median region of the Traverse. This hearsay has made academic research into the fleet notably difficult for Federation scholars, and the phenomenon has become so prominent that Skrellian sociologists have begun a case study surrounding it.

Given its former status as a Federation vessel, the original ships from the fleet were still able to receive updated information regarding the galaxy at large, with their navigational computers receiving real-time updates to their maps as the Federation began to make first contact with the other species of the Spur. Today, the PRQ is a nomadic fleet that keeps to itself, and rarely trades with Skrell and Human settlements on the fringes of the Traverse. The fleet’s movement is constantly monitored by the Federation from afar, with all ships that join or leave the fleet being logged and monitored separately. Despite its isolationism, the Qar has gained a reputation as a fleet of Marauders, earning it the nickname ‘The Sea Sluggers’. A derogatory term referring to Univalvists believing in a slug-like deity and its relationship with Skrell pirates.

Organisation

The fleet is comprised of two main components: a core made up of the original Generation Ships and their military escort, and a periphery that consists of new ships wishing to join the fleet. The number of ships that have joined the PRQ has steadily increased since its declaration of independence from the Federation, with vessels from various backgrounds flocking to the relative safety of the fleet. The degree of adherence to Univalvism between these ships varies, with the core of the fleet being the most orthodox of the faith as they are the ships that were originally part of the fleet. The Qar, being the flagship of the fleet and the progenitor of the faith itself, maintains the highest level of orthodoxy; the crew of the Qar and the other ships considered part of the fleets core are expected to adhere strictly to the faith and the laws of the fleet’s theocracy, while ships in the periphery of the fleet are only required to show an ‘adequate’ amount of faith in Univalvism.

New members to the fleet consist mostly of rogue Federation vessels; would-be marauders, smugglers, and refugees are known to join the PRQ because of the safety it provides against persecution from Federation authorities and the reputation it has earned over the centuries as a haven for those wanting to be free from Federation control. There have been no recorded instances of non-Federation citizen species joining the PRQ, with the only noted species in the fleet being Skrell and a small minority of Diona. The number of vessels that have joined the fleet permanently are in the single digits, with most being turned away or expelled from the fleet for one reason or another. When pressed for answers, both by local Skrell in the Traverse and by Federation authorities, the expelled crew explain that they were ejected from the fleet mainly for their lack of faith. Further questioning revealed that tensions are high between the core of the fleet and the periphery vessels, with the core wishing to enforce strict conformity to their faith and ideals causing many potential recruits to turn away.

Univalvism

The core tenets of Univalvist belief and the defining traits of Univalvist morality can be found in a short series of written principles called the Communes of Trust. The Communes are claimed to have originated from a series of dialogues between Xoi and the Great Slug itself, occurring both in and out of the Srom over the course of the month preceding the revolution against the Qar fleet command. During these discussions, Xoi claims to have been instructed by a manifestation of the Slug in their responsibilities as a follower, and as the head of the faith. Adherence to the Slug’s orders were made out to Xoi to not be the predetermined duty of the faithful, but a responsibility entrusted to them by their creator; there would be no spiritual punishment for failure to live morally, the Slug simply trusted its creations to live lives in accordance with its system of morals. The Communes are as follows:

The Communes of Trust

• I trust that you will place these tenets before all else as your guide.
• I trust that you will do all in your power to enlighten others, remind them of their past lives, and bring them back beneath the light of my stars.
• I trust that you will acknowledge your shortcomings as your own, and not the fault of forces beyond, I am all that there is beyond perceptible reality; foist not onto anybody else the blame for your faults.
• I trust that you understand the necessity of violence, and will treat it only as a chore like any other, a duty to be taken up in defence of the faithful.
• I trust that you will not take up arms against nor harm your fellow faithful
• I trust that you will maintain the beauty of your blessed forms, disgrace not with neglect nor over-mechanization the glory of my creations. Maintain yourself in beauty of mind, beauty of body, beauty of language, and beauty of morals.
  • The highest of my clergy are additionally upheld to maintain beauty of soul, and beauty of psionics. Gaze not into their bare eyes, lest the moral decay of their lessers seep into them through the windows to their soul.
• I trust that you will take to the role assigned to you; divinity necessitates solidarity. Find sublimity in submission.
• I trust that pursuit of virtue will remain eternally your indefatigable purpose, fall not into nihilism, lest you inhibit the divinity of all others blessed with sentience.
• I trust that you carry my icons with you in all that you do, be it in your art, your dress, or as idols worn on your person.
• I trust that you will aspire to asceticism, there is divinity in restraint.
• I trust that you will poison yourself not with indulgent activities nor substances, refrain forever from the temptation of intoxicants.
• I trust that you will ascribe exaltation to no figures before me.
• I trust that you will carry yourself with honesty. to lie is to quicken the decay of morality.
• I trust that you will conduct yourself selflessly.
• I trust that when you offer me prayer, your words will be guided by nobody but yourself.

Univalvists additionally hold a firm belief in reincarnation, and a cyclical universe, holding staunchly to the belief that in a past life, or past universe, everybody was once a Skrellian Univalvist, and that their current beliefs are formed from improperly interpreted memories and/or visions of their past lives. Salt is seen as a symbol of immorality in Univalvism, and salting a corpse is seen as a way of halting reincarnation and causing a complete cessation of consciousness. The view on salt is to the point where ‘wishing salt upon you’ is considered the gravest insult within the Qar’s core-vessels.

According to the works of Xoku Xoi, the only unchanging event across the many cycles of the universe is the presence and development of the Skrellian species, and the emergence of Univalvist faith through whatever means enable its growth in a particular universe, with the stipulation that with each passing cycle, the Spur’s sapient species will be created with a greater capacity for beauty, psionic ability, and Univalvist virtue. Cycles are claimed by Xoi to end upon the arrival of a galaxy-spanning extinction event referred to by believers as the Great Flood, or simply the Flood. The Flood is prophesied to occur once the Great Slug, travelling through the Srom, arrives at the geographical centre of the universe, subsequently flooding it with mucus, and eradicating all life before beginning again in a new universe. The Slug’s movements across the Srom are believed to be spurred on by the deaths of sufficiently virtuous individuals, except those that died by suicide. Upon natural death, or death in specifically defensive combat, it is believed that the immortal soul of the departed catalyzes the creation of a brand-new star, the light of which assists in guiding the Slug through the Srom towards its destination at the centre of the universe, the more virtuous a life one lived, the brighter their star will be.

Traditionalist, orthodox, and supremely virtuous Univalvists are believed to be rewarded upon death with the unique opportunity to commune directly with the Slug itself through astral projection within a secluded section of the Srom, concluding with the death of their consciousness. Those granted this honour are rewarded for their service in life with a subtle physical mark believed to carry over into their next life. This mark, simply called ‘the mark’ by believers, is claimed to manifest a noticeable boost to one’s psionic potential and physical strength. Skrell born with an aura tinted gold or royal blue – the colours claimed by Xoi to match the Slug’s psionic aura when they spoke, are believed to be reincarnated versions of a past cycle’s Univalvist paradigms, and as such have a significantly easier time rising the ranks of the clergy and amassing political or ecclesiastical power. Those with an aura tinted gold are assigned from birth to duties pertaining to vessel defense, while those with a blue tint are born and raised to perform strictly as Oculars.

Univalvists believe that synthetics are soulless, and are considered a breach of the Great Slug’s trust, going so far as to refuse mechanical augmentation or prosthetics unless absolutely necessary for them to continue their duties. Prosthetics and other modifications to the body are only allowed to be done with Printmaster approved parts made aboard PRQ vessels. Compared to the Skrell’s general view on synthetics, Univalvists are more sympathetic towards them as they had no say in their creation.

The Univalvist approach to spirituality would be considered strange by most in the Spur; Univalvist faithful purport their faith to be an enlightened adaptation of every faith found across the galaxy. Believers consider all the Spur’s Gods and Goddesses, along with the morals that characterize worship of them, to be only small pieces of a greater whole. They believe the other faiths and figures of worship in the Spur originated from the misconstrued visions of reincarnated faithful’s past lives, interpreted incorrectly in ignorance of the missing pieces. Unsurprisingly, this is one of the most commonly critiqued aspects of the belief system and has made Univalvism incredibly unpopular with the small number of outsiders that are familiar with the facets of their beliefs. Orthodox Univalvists follow a faith they believe to be defined by the virtues that are truly universal, the divine puzzle of morality put neatly together. Believers do not, however, claim actual adherence to any of the religions that stem from the Slug, and many see practitioners of other faiths as ignorant, needing assistance in reaching enlightenment, and moving past their ‘narrow-minded’ belief in only a small part of the galaxy’s true Godhead. Some Dionae have noted that broadly speaking, there are some similarities to the Eternal faith in Univalvism, primarily in the belief of a cyclical universe. In academic settings the Diona in the Federation on the topic of Univalvism have reached a consensus; based on what can be gleaned from outside the Qar, they do not believe that Univalvism offers anything new to the species that they didn’t already follow through the Eternal faith.

Government

The PRQ is governed by a strict theocracy headed by First Apex Xoku Xoi, who is in charge of both the state and the religion practised by the fleet. Members of the fleet have limited agency, with heavy restrictions placed on religious and governing autonomy. Ships within the fleet risk ejection for failing to follow the basic tenets of the Univalvist faith, and are threatened with destruction if they refuse to be exiled. The Univalvist clergy are responsible for the general governance of the fleet, with all Qar-born Skrell being given the opportunity to take on at least a minor role in the management of both the faith and how the ships within the fleet are governed. Only Qar-born Skrell are given this opportunity, with outsiders not being trusted to join the clergy as they were not raised as Univalvists. The fleet assigns social and spiritual responsibilities to its members in ascending order of importance, with the names of these roles based on the biological classifications that Xoi studied as a biologist. The lowest rank within the PRQ Government is the Domain Worker, who is responsible for the upkeep of the fleet and production of food. At the very top of the hierarchy is the Species Apex, a rank that is occupied by the PRQ founder Xoku Xoi.

A member’s starting rank in this hierarchy is assigned to them at a group coming of age ceremony, overseen by the Species Apex and their immediate subordinates. Following a psionic reading, Skrell are assigned a rank and role to fill aboard the vessel. In accordance with the Communes of Trust - specifically commune six, these Skrell are given brightly coloured blue or yellow accessories and markings throughout their youth that represent professions that they have displayed proficiency or enthusiasm for. This partly determines what role they are given during the ceremony, but it will mostly depend on what the fleet requires at the time. As one goes up the clergy’s hierarchy, their responsibilities and workload increase; each rank is required to manage or assist in the work of all ranks below them in addition to their own duties. Most will choose to perform a minor managerial role in fields that they are proficient in, but even members of the Genus council are known to work alongside Domain Workers for a few hours out of the week. Extensive knowledge of skillsets outside of a Skrell’s assigned role or hobbies is very rare, meaning that direct assistance is usually done with unskilled labour. A high-ranking Skrell may offer managerial support for a doctor, but will typically not interfere with their work unless they have a medical background.

Moving up the ranks within the clergy requires an appeal and a demonstration of skill to a patron that is at least two tiers ahead of them. Domain Workers would have to petition Kingdom Artisans as an example, but could also petition Phylum Scholars or higher if given the opportunity. It is incredibly difficult for lower-ranking members of the clergy to successfully petition for a promotion in rank as they are typically too busy with their assigned duties to go through the process quickly. An increase in rank comes with an increased workload, but also increased authority, and opportunities open up for further advancement the higher a Skrell’s rank is. Members of the fleet found on ships classed as part of the fleet’s periphery are not counted as part of the clergy, and as a result, do not have any sort of power within the fleet. The only interaction these members will have with the PRQ’s Government is through the Oculars, a high rank in PRQ society that are responsible for proselytising and ensuring Univalvist doctrines are followed on periphery vessels. Those who are able to pay for services, or show an ability to one day join the core of the PRQ, are allowed to request maintenance for their ships, medical care, and other services. The cost is relatively low, but as most who join the fleet are usually from the poorer, more ostracised groups of the Federation this is usually a point of contention.

Ranks

As mentioned previously, the names of the ranks within the Univalvist clergy are influenced by Xoi’s work as a biologist, and are named after taxonomic classifications. Ranks are further divided into titles, which will have different responsibilities and in some cases differing levels of authority within the fleet.

Domain Workers

The Qar’s working class, Domain Workers are responsible for the general upkeep of the fleet. Most Domain Workers are responsible for food growing, general service, and engineering. Domain Workers are almost always working to keep the fleet functional, and as a result, will have a difficult time petitioning for a promotion within the clergy. As most Domain Workers have a small knowledge base that in most cases is only relevant for their job, their petitions are usually rejected due to a lack of specialised skill sets. This group is considered the majority group within the PRQ’s structure.

Kingdom Artisans

The intellectuals and artists of the fleet. Artisans are responsible for the development of culture through music, art, performances, and literary works. Kingdom Artisans manage the PRQ’s fleet-wide news magazine ‘The Holy Herald’ and are also responsible for some of the accessories that are considered necessary to wear as part of the Univalvist faith. In addition, they are responsible for the creation of art related to the Great Slug and transcribing the teachings of Xoi.

Phylum Scholars

Those holding this rank are the teachers, researchers, and specialist workers of the PRQ. Phylum Scholars have responsibilities according to their skillset; scientists are tasked with research and development of new technologies, as well as scrutinising any outside technology found while trading before approving its use, while those with the tile of Machinist are responsible for the manufacture of equipment and munitions used by the fleet. The older Skrell of this rank are assigned to be teachers in the PRQs schools, while those who show exceptional aptitude are given the title of Printmaster. The Printmaster title stems from ‘blueprint’, and can be considered the chief engineers or research directors of the PRQ; Printmasters will focus on their respective field, and those holding the title are the only ones who are allowed to approve of adjustments of old and the adoption of new technology developed by the Phylum Scholars. Phylum Scholars who show a high psionic aptitude are assigned the role of Psions, who are responsible for training children to use their psionic abilities in accordance with the Communes teachings of the beauty of mind.

Class Healers

The rank responsible for the physical, spiritual, and mental well-being of those living within the PRQ. As the medical knowledge as part of their duties is highly specialised, this rank is usually left to its own devices by the higher ranks. The managing of this rank and its responsibilities typically falls to those assigned the role of Spirit Healer, an administrative role that assigns postings and has the final say on all medical matters. The final role within this rank is the Fogcrafter, who is responsible for the synthesis of medicinal drugs used by the PRQ. Fogcrafters are also responsible for the creation and distribution of a narcotic substance known as ‘Fog’, which is used in certain Univalvist rituals and causes a feeling of ‘mind-fogging’ in its users.

Order Sentries

Filling the role of the PRQ’s military and police, Order Sentries are responsible for the protection of the fleet from external and internal threats. When not assigned to a civilian vessel, members of this rank are found on the fleet’s military escort. The primary duty of the Order Sentries not assigned to policing is overwatch; Sentries are expected to be constantly monitoring for potential threats to the fleet and are usually the ones to make first contact with ships who wish to join the Qar. The rank has two roles: Chaplain and Ocular. Chaplains are the standard member of the Order Sentries, being tasked with the general responsibilities given to those belonging to the rank, as well as protecting Oculars while they are aboard non-core vessels. Oculars are responsible for religious enforcement and are typically seen on periphery vessels, where they ensure that the Univalvist faith is followed properly. While unorthodoxy is tolerated, doctrines that are considered antithetical to the Communes of Trust and the Univalvist faith as a whole are not. Oculars are given the duty of deciding if a vessel should be admitted into the PRQ core, or should be ejected from the fleet for failing to adhere to Univalvism.

OOC Note: the rank of Order Sentries is the highest rank that is playable.

Family Directors

Functionally synonymous with the Order Sentries, Directors serve as the administrative heads of the sentries, as well as the figureheads within the Qar’s judicial system. Senior Chaplains solely consist of Chaplains that have shown noteworthy conduct and are responsible for trials and sentencing, management of the PRQ’s prison, and the training of new Chaplains within the Order Sentries. Similarly, Senior Oculars act as handlers for Oculars, and are expected to receive and respond to reports made by Oculars while on duty aboard the periphery vessels of the PRQ. Senior Oculars are also responsible for the training of new Oculars within the Order Sentries, with special importance made for those who have been born with ‘the mark’ as they are thought to be blessed by the Great Slug.

Genus Councillors

A rank occupied by very few Skrell, with only two dozen members. The Genus Councillors concern themselves with managing the broader aspects of the ship’s day-to-day operations such as assigning rations to different ships or deciding production quotas. Decisions made by the Councillors are decided by majority vote once discussions are finalised, but these decisions can be overruled by the Species Apex.

Species Apex

The absolute head of both the Qar fleet and Univalvism, the rank of Species Apex is only held by one Skrell. The current Species Apex is First Apex Xoku Xoi, the prophet of Univalvism. The Apex holds irrefutable authority over all aspects of the PRQ, and their word is considered divine law. There are no stated rules regarding who is eligible to join this rank once the current Apex dies, and it can be safely assumed that when Xoi passes away there will be a sustained period of instability within the PRQ.

Culture and Life Aboard Core-Vessels

The Univalvist faith emphasises asceticism, selflessness, community, and cooperation, ideals that have had a significant impact on the way of life that can be observed within the core of the Qar fleet. Living conditions closely resemble that of communes, where each ship is its own close-knit community with a large emphasis on solidarity and collective responsibility. From birth, Univalvist ideals are reinforced into Qar-born Skrell. Children are raised collectively, with the burden being shared by every Skrell within the community who is not occupied with their duties, with the child's quya typically having little personal contact with their children due to work responsibilities. Children are educated by the scholars, fed by the workers, clothed by the artisans, and kept healthy by the healers. The only exception to this is Qar-born Skrell who have ‘the mark’, who are kept isolated from the wider Skrell community, receiving care primarily from the Senior Oculars of the Family Directors. Personal relationships are not frowned upon in PRQ society, but it is expected that members of a quya do not allow the relationship to interfere with their obligations to the greater community. Members of the Order Sentries and higher ranks are barred from romantic relationships as part of additional beauty standards that they are expected to adhere to.

The emphasis on community combined with dozens of Skrell sleeping together in cramped dormitories means that keeping secrets in the Srom is noticeably more taxing on the individual compared to Skrell in the Federation. Most Skrell within the PRQ would need to make a considerable effort to keep secrets while sleeping - but depending on their susceptibility to the Nlom, this may not even cross their minds; the Univalvist faith preaches honesty and having no barriers between you and your peers, resulting in members of the PRQ being honest and upfront in all aspects of life. While PRQ society would appeal to most Skrell in theory, in practice it is quite easy to be ostracised by your peers for even the smallest of deviations. The PRQ takes the Federation’s ideal of conformity and takes it to the extreme, with members of the core being quick to separate themselves from an individual over small disputes, resulting in an individual becoming a social outcast for a considerable amount of time until they are able to make amends for their ‘deviation’.

As they are the sole Skrell to have communed with the Great Slug, Xoku Xoi is regarded with awe by Univalvists and is routinely portrayed along with the Great Slug in Univalvist media. It is common to see images of Xoi and the Great Slug in art, the Holy Herald magazine, and both make regular appearances during theatre acts. Whenever the Great Slug is portrayed in media, they are represented by an abstract shape with a gold and blue aura surrounding it, considering it taboo to attempt to recreate the Great Slug’s likeness. A regular topic discussed in Univalvist art is the revolution that established the PRQ, where Xoi is portrayed as a brave, stoic hero that enlightened the passengers and crew of the Qar’Jarq. Little fuss is made regarding Xoi and their demands as their word is believed to be divine law. A well-known example of this even outside of the PRQ is the banning of extranet use in 2280, with Xoi stating that it is a superfluous distraction from one’s obligations to their community. It was generally accepted that this act was an extension of the Communes of Trust, as recreation and hobbies are seen as something that is meant to improve and expand on someone's skills, rather than pastimes. Woodworking, weightlifting, archery, tailoring, cosmetology, and playing music are all popular hobbies for Univalvists as they enable them to keep to the tenets of the faith regarding physical and intellectual beautification.

First contact with humanity and subsequently the rest of the Spur’s sapient species enabled a massive interest in xeno culture and religion within the PRQ, with the fleet’s first instance of trading with outsiders mostly focusing on human literature. The Qar shows a particular interest in anything related to the religions of the Spur, valuing volumes of academic study on the subject and religious texts almost as much as it values essential ship parts and fuel; with that said Univalvists still consider these religions to be largely ignorant and being blind to the bigger picture. This interest in foreign cultures has had an impact on the PRQ’s visual aesthetic, with fashion and art seeing human influences. The typical uniform of someone from the core-vessels is hand-made from natural fabric, described by outsiders as being a strange mix of Skrellian and Human styles. The uniform consists of a tight bodysuit, accompanied by intricately designed overwear resembling a kaftan or tunic coloured blue and yellow. Along with this uniform, accessories such as necklaces, bracelets, and headtail bands are worn to denote ones skills and aptitudes shown since childhood, acting as a portfolio of their virtues. The style and colour of these accessories is up to the individual, but symmetry is emphasised just as it is with painted or sculpted art. The number of accessories worn corresponds directly to their skills, and by extension how much respect they are considered worthy of.

Culture and Life Aboard Periphery-Vessels

Life within the core of the PRQ is sharply contrasted by the quality of life that can be seen in vessels that are part of the fleet’s periphery. Most ships joining the fleet are from heavily oppressed or criminal groups within the Federation and typically join the PRQ for lack of better options in Federation space, or because they were inspired by the stories told that the PRQ was a haven for anti-Federation groups wishing to be free from its persecution. Living within the fleet’s periphery, compared to the fantasy that some resistance members and refugees have of it, is completely different from expectations. Life on a periphery-vessel comes with constant anxiety as they are pressed by the PRQ to embrace the Univalvist faith. The constant monitoring by Oculars, the members of the Univalvist clergy responsible for ensuring that Univalvist doctrine is followed, contribute to this anxiety. Members of these ships are known to follow the basic tenets of Univalvism, showing faux piety while in actuality doing the bare minimum to avoid being ejected from the fleet.

Those who were ejected from the fleet or otherwise left it after being intercepted by Federation authorities went into detail describing their living conditions. Periphery-vessels are mostly left to their own devices, with their main point of contact with the core of the fleet being the Ocular assigned to their vessel. The only regular support provided was in the form of food shipments and weekly updates from the Holy Herald, and crew were forced to pay the core-vessels to access services such as healthcare or ship maintenance unless they proved themselves to be pious enough to their assigned Ocular. Outsiders are forbidden from entering ships belonging to the core of the PRQ outside of criminal trials or ecclesiastical hearings which involved one or all members of the periphery-vessel. Interestingly, the Diona gestalts that were interviewed described their reception by the PRQ as warm, with Oculars being notably friendlier towards Diona crewmembers. There are no known instances of gestalts being offered permanent residence within the core of the fleet, however.

Outside of the constant tension and anxiety experienced by this group, life aboard periphery-vessels is unique from ship to ship, with the only other constant being that these ships were fleeing the Federation due to their criminal background or ties to the resistance.