Aiur, Discovery and Zamara
The knowledge you possess may be the key to bringing a new golden age for my people. It is worth the risk. The life of one mare is a small price to pay.
~ Discovery
When the protoss shuttle first arrived on Equestria centuries ago, Celestia was unsure of how to respond. The robotic crew quickly began construction on a warp gate, then shut down shortly afterwards. Study of the protoss robots revealed little, as the technology didn't seem to respond to any of the ponies. Study of the gate however revealed a message for which ever race was responsible for giving off such a powerful release of energy, which referred to the ability to raise and lower the sun. The message on the gate informed the race that by activating the gate, they would open a portal to meet a race of equal psionic potential, so that they could mutually benefit from one another's knowledge.
Celestia didn't know what to think of the message. The alien race could indeed be offering them knowledge beyond their comprehension, but could also be waiting with an army to invade their country, and perhaps entire world. Celestia put the gateway under heavy guard while she deliberated whether or not it should be destroyed.
Ultimately, she found herself betrayed by two of her own unicorns, who activated the gateway they were entrusted to protect. Seeing no point in wasting perfectly good prisoners, she had ropes tied to the waste of the traitors, and thrown through the gates to see if they could come back turned inside out, or perhaps half eaten by monsters on the other side. Instead they willingly returned, and reported a lush green world, and an ancient ruined city. After imprisoning the unicorns in stone and banishing them to the moon, Celestia finally decided she would fund an expedition to explore the other side.
The expedition was composed of many archeologist and royal guard to provide protection. Many artifacts were brought back to Canterlot, including the rare khraydaren crystals, though they experienced very little luck in unlocking its secrets. As the expedition started to leave beyond the cities ruins, they immediately encountered another problem. The planet was infested with some monstrous native creatures, who were as violent as they were ugly. While they were scattered and few in number, it made any expedition outside of the city dangerous without heavy guard.
This problem would eventually be solved when a new technology was discovered of another alien origin. The technology allowed the Equestrians to develop weapons that were able to easily deal with the violent natives, later discovered to be called Zerg, and allowed for space travel. Though without any knowledge of the sector, space expedition proved slow and mostly fruitless. With the royal guard now in better control of the planet’s surface, expeditions were able to safely leave the city in search of other alien relics, but still encountered little success in reverse engineering it. Many settlements quickly began to spring up on the alien world as more and more Equestrain settlers migrated in hopes of getting a claim on some of the land.
Back in Canterlot, a young mare scholar named Discovery was making studies of her own. In particular, she believed it could be possible to read the minds of others. While she had made some minor progress, mostly in being able to detect hints of emotions from other ponies, her ideas were mostly scoffed at and seen as a pipe dream. Like many of the other scholars, she was being forced to assist in trying to unlock the secrets of the alien technology responsible for creating the warp gate in the first place.
One day Discovery was busy meditating, trying to practice her mental intrusion on the ponies in the room next door. She had a piece of an alien crystal with her that she was supposed to be studying, but ignored. However she found as she focused her magic, the crystal began to react to her and give off a strange new magic she had never encountered before. This unintentional discovery was the breakthrough that the Equestrian scholars were looking for.
Discovery studied the crystal with a new fervor, but also keeping her findings to herself. Eventually she learned how to mimic the psionic energies of the crystal, recreating them herself. With her new understanding of psionic magic, she became the first unicorn to be able to successfully use the alien technology. Discovery soon went public with her finds.
At first Celestia was overjoyed in the break through, and put the young mare in charge of all future research. Discovery began to teach the other unicorns how to use psionic magic as well, and in time, they had a hand full of experts able to reactivate the alien technology. Though many of the records they had kept stored in their computers were corrupt, they had managed to gather enough information about the sector to begin quickly settling other worlds.
Discovery's next big discovery would be when she learned to manipulate the Aiur warp gate. This would eventually lead to two new events. The first was the Discovery of Tarsonis. This world was once a capital world of another race known as the terrans. Being a former powerhouse in the sector, the planet was rich in terran artifacts which advanced the Koprulu ponies technology hundreds of years. More importantly was the discovery of Shakkuras. The planet Shakkuras itself offered little in terms of new breakthrough's, but it did give the location of a potential treasure house of knowledge; the location of the moon Ehlna.
Ehlna was used to hold memory crystals of the protoss. Discovery believed if she could get a hold of those crystals, she would have all the knowledge needed fully unlock the secrets of the protoss.
Discovery pleaded with Celestia to fund a tiny expedition to the moon, but Celestia had already invested much resources into what had so far been a fruitless venture. She was much more impressed with the advancements of the terran technology, while the protoss technology had offered few promising results. The only thing useful they had produced so far was the location of more terran technology on Tarsonis. With her request denied, Discovery decided she would continue to Ehlna on her own.
Discovery didn't know how long she spent on that moon searching for any sign of the crystals. The planet was the sight of an ancient battle, with many destroyed protoss and terran warships. When at least she discovered the temple library, she began to absorb some of the knowledge. The rush of knowledge from each crystal she received was incredible. In addition to the wealth of history, some of the crystals helped to further her understanding of psionic magic. It advanced her understanding enough that she was eventually able to hear the psychic signal of a voice calling out to her. It was a particularly red glowing crystal. When she put her hooves on it, a voice from within began to clearly speak to her.
Discovery had found a living protoss consciousness. Not just any consciousness, but a protoss preserver, who had literally thousands of life times of knowledge. The consciousness called its self Zamara, and was pleased she had been discovered by a fellow follower of the Khala’s Light, the psionic magic that she had been practicing. It explained to her that she had much of her people’s history with in her mind, and that by activating the crystal she was trapped in, it would now slowly degrade. Once her crystal had degraded, all remaining knowledge of the protoss people would be lost.
Discovery apologized for her actions, not knowing that the crystals were so fragile. She swore she would do anything in her power to prevent that from happening. First Zamara explained her situation, and how she first became trapped in the crystal. Then she wished to know what had last happened in the outside world, and how long she had been trapped. Discovery explained that they had found no signs of her people, and they were presumed to be extinct. Saddened by the horrific revelation of her people’s fate, Zamara made her an offer. Zamara didn't want to see all the knowledge of her people disappear, and asked if she would be willing to allow Zamara to temporarily inhabit her body until she could create a new memory crystal. In exchange, she would be granted access to all the remaining knowledge of her people. Discovery was hesitant at first. Allowing a foreign entity inhabit her body was a huge leap of faith. But at the same time, Discovery firmly believed that it was the protoss technology that would lead to her people’s ascension. Ultimately, she accepted Zamara’s offer.
This was not the first time Zamara had done this. When her original body had been mortally wounded and left for dead, she was forced to inhabit the body of a terran. Because the action was forced and performed quickly, her terran host developed a brain tumor that would have eventually killed him if she had stayed. Considering this new host was willing to aid her out of the kindness of her heart, Zamara wanted to be especially careful not to harm her savior. When she began to enter Discovery's mind, Discovery's body was put into a deathly still state, preserved entirely by the Khala's Light. The process took many months as Zamara slowly transferred all the memories of her people into this one being.
Tragically when the process was complete, Zamara had found that Discover's consciousness had been absorbed by Zamara. Discovery's short life was but a drop of water in the ocean of memories that was Zamara. Zamara would spend many more months scouring her mind trying to find any trace of her poor savior, but it was to no avail. Zamara knew Discovery was still somewhere in her mind, and possibly aware of anything Zamara did with her body. To repay Discovery for her kindness, Zamara would try to fulfill Discovery's final wish in helping to teach her people about protoss technology, psionics, and the Khala.
Zamara was at first very uncomfortable with her new quadrupedal body, and even more so with the unicorn magic needed to take the place of thumbs. After an embarrassing few hours, she took Discoveries starving body back to Shakkura’s she discovered the rest of Discovery's people. After being fed for the first time in months, and being allowed to sleep, Zamara began trying to master her new body, merging it with the Khala. Eventually she was able to potentially form new psychic links with other unicorns. Feeling she had regained enough of her former power, she announced herself to her new people as Zamara the Preserver.
To her surprise, everyone thought she was insane. She concluded that the ponies, much like the terrans, were used to living with lies and deception, and that is why they didn't believe her. She began to demonstrate an astonishing new mastery of both psionic magic, and use of protoss technology. Not only could she use fully use the technology, but she could reproduce it as well. While they still weren't entirely convinced she was the new incarnation of a protoss prophet, many unicorns were willing to hear her out, and were especially intrigued by the idea of the Khala. Though hesitant, some unicorns eventually joined her link, and were astonished that they too were suddenly able to read each other’s minds, use the protoss technology with no effort, and even began to develop psionic powers of their own. Even the weakest of unicorns were able to reach new heights of power with this form of magic. Being able to see into her mind, they now knew that she was no longer Discovery, but was truly the protoss preserver Zamara.
A great sadness filled the Khala that day knowing the tragic fate of the young scholar who had been responsible for so many breakthroughs. But through the Khala, the unicorns also understood that she willing accepted her fate so they could all be made aware of the Khala in the first place. Discovery's sacrifice would never be forgotten.
The Khalas Light
To her royal highness Princess Celestia.
Your race is known for celebrating peace and friendship, love and tolerance. These are the things you have spent centuries of your life trying to teach your people. Your people have come a long way, and are eager to learn my teachings. Together we have achieved the paradise you've been seeking. A society where there is no death, no loneliness, no deception. I don't ask that all members of your race be forced to embrace the Khala’s Light, only that you do not deny your people the opportunity become part of something more.
~ a Letter from Zamara.
The Discovery of the Khala had not gone unnoticed by the Canterlot government. Some were fearful of its growing influence. Others, including Princess Celestia, were intrigued. She believed that if it were implemented properly, it could mean great things for her people.
Zamara was hoping to build a bridge between the New Khala and the Canterlot government. With Celestia’s permission, one of her first courses of action was to begin a mission trip to a psychiatric ward. There were a number of ponies here who were thought beyond help, yet one by one Zamara cured them of their mental illness. By forcing the unicorns into the Khala, they were able to draw on its support, and use it to regain their sanity.
After much study, Zamara found a way to bring earth ponies and pegasi into the Khala as well by making alterations to their brains. She had done so before to her previous terran host, but caused a tumor to develop because she performed the act far too quickly. Having more time to work with these ponies, she eventually perfected a safe technique. A grateful Celestia extended her thanks for helping to cure so many of her subjects.
With Celestia’s blessing, Zamara trained other Khalai unicorns in the technique, and sent missionaries to mental institutes throughout all of Equestria, curing hundreds of ponies of their illnesses, converting them to the New Khala faith. In time, Zamara’s followers swelled in number, but so long as her actions were deemed helpful to Equestria’s overall well-being, Celestia paid no heed to Zamara’s growing strength.
Aside from being used to help deal with mental Illness, linking with the Khala had other benefits as well. Many of the less magically gifted unicorns found that they were able to perform powerful psionic magic that was far stronger than the arcane magic they normally wielded. While many powerful mages continued to use the more traditional arcane arts, a number of weaker unicorns joined the Khala to learn psionic magic. In time, learning to use psionic magic would cause a unicorn to lose many of their arcane abilities, but since most unicorns had little aptitude for powerful arcane magic to begin with, most were willing to make the sacrifice.
Not only were unicorns of the Khala able to learn how to wield psionic magic, they also discovered that by joining the Khala, they would only age to a certain point effectively becoming immortal. When word of this got out, a number of unicorns flocked to the New Khala. This initially caused some concern for Celestia, as there was a finite supply of space and resources on Equestria. Fortunately the Khalai had already began rebuilding the old protoss warp network and were quickly regaining access to the lost empire. The fact there were so many words to colonize meant it would be a long time before they had to worry about it. If anything, there weren't enough ponies to settle on all the new worlds.
The Severance
I turned the other cheek when you murdered one of the greatest mind to ever come out of Equestria, just so you could save your own life. I gave you much freedom to expand your faith, and convert my people. With that freedom you have openly broken the law, and defied my rule. Aiur is still under the jurisdiction of the Equestrian government. While your intentions may have been good, you may not choose which laws you will and won't obey.
~Celestia
For a time, things between Zamara and Celestia went smoothly. Zamara had free reign throughout Equestria, and had a great admiration for the society that Celestia strove to build. Zamara believed that while she had much to teach the ponies, they too had much they could have taught her people. Perhaps much of her peoples own violent history could have been avoided.
Celestia and Zamara had a strong respect for one another. Celestia could see the strong ties she had created between many of her subjects through the Khala, while Zamara was impressed by all Celestia had accomplished without the Khala.
Unfortunately, this was not meant to last. Zamara would eventually find out about the two unicorns who had been imprisoned in stone and banished to the moon for their "betrayal." Using her technology, she would eventually pay a visit to Luna's moon, and found a depressing sight. Thousands upon thousands of ponies, all incased in stone and banished. Zamara would eventually visit the Canterlot libraries and see the records of their crimes. Indeed some were violent criminals, while others simply made a choice Celestia didn't agree with. Zamara didn't hold it against Celestia, she had to make do with the tools she had at the time. At the time, banishment seemed like the only appropriate tool for dealing with many of these criminals. But there wasn't a different way now. If Zamara could convert those ponies to the Khalas Light, they would no longer be violent or greedy. They would work towards the betterment of all of Equestria. Celestia seemed like a leader with a good heart, and a genuine love for her subjects, so surely she would see the logic in Zamara’s actions.
Zamara would return the two unicorns who had been banished for activating the gateway in the first place. If she was sure about one thing, these two unicorns didn't deserve what happened to them. After all, if it weren't for the two of them, Zamara would still be trapped in a slowly decaying memory crystal. Using Discoveries knowledge of arcane magic, Zamara was able to successfully reverse the spell using her own psionic magic. The two grateful unicorns swore loyalty to Zamara and joined in the New Khala.
Eventually Celestia discovered Zamara’s betrayal, and was less than happy about it. Celestia realized that Zamara was still new to Equestrian culture, and was simply acting out of good intention. She told Zamara she would show leniency one time, but warned her there would be consequences for any future betrayals.
Zamara didn't agree with Celestia’s methods, and tried to reason with Celestia, asking her to release her subjects from their stone imprisonment. She tried to explain that if they could be allowed to join in the Khala’s Light, they could one again be functioning members of Equestrian society, but Celestia would not give in. In her mind, if converting to the Khala could be used a means to forgive crimes, then nothing would stop ponies from committing future crimes, knowing they would be forgiven for converting later. If she allowed all of her current prisoners to convert, she would have to let all future prisoners convert as well. Unable to reach compromise, the two pony’s mutual respect had been fractured.
The strain between to the two would only worsen with Zamara’s decision to recreate the Templar. In protoss times, the Templar were a warrior cast who carried out the military will of the Empire. This decision could not have come at a worst time.
Originally Celestia had only intended on colonizing five "prime" worlds; Aiur, Umoja, Korhal, Moria and Tarsonis. These worlds were chosen for colonization because they held the most technology and remaining infrastructure. However, a number of other unsanctioned colonies were established without the permission of the Canterlot government. Because they were unsanctioned, the limited Royal Guard deployed to the Koprulu sector weren't there to protect them from the local zerg threats that seemed to inhabit almost every world. Instead, these colonies would form their own colonial militias. While militias were able to protect their own interest without interference from the government, they quickly began to turn on one another as unsanctioned colonies began fighting over territorial disputes.
Celestia believed her people were expanding too quickly. She also believed her people were not yet ready to deal with this new technology, and that only the royal guard should have access the new technologically advanced weapons. Believing she could save more lives in the long run, she began the largest military mobilization in Equestrian history. More guardsman than ever before were trained, and for the first time, a dedicated Royal Navy was commissioned to help the struggling Royal Guard maintain peace in the sector. Under the guidance of Commander Steel Wing, the majority of the Equestrian military was deployed to the Koprulu sector in order to bring the wayward colonies back into the fold. One of the first things Commander Steel Wing did was disband all standing colonial militias. This included the New Khala Templar. The pacification campaign was a difficult one, as many insurgents did take up arms against the Commander Steelwings forces..
Zamara was not pleased with Celestia’s decision to attempt to disband the Templar. While Celestia viewed Zamaras actions as a hostel military buildup, Zamara viewed Celestia’s actions as a hostile invasion, as the Royal Navy now occupied the skies of Aiur. To make matters worse, Zamara had also planned on rebuilding the Golden Armada. Zamara believed she could demonstrate that the Khalai ponies were still loyal to the Canterlot government, and hoped to assist the struggling Royal Navy in helping to secure the sector with ships of their own. Commander Steel Wing argued that this build up was an act of aggression, that no one outside the Equestrian government should be allowed to have a fleet, and that the Khalai ponies could eventually use their fleet to succeed from Equestrian rule. Ultimately Celestia sided with Steel Wing, and gave him permission to dismantle the construction yards on Aiur.
While Zamara did not deny she had turned the construction yard to military production in hopes of bettering the Equestrian governments hold on the sector, she also pointed out that the construction yards were also used to produce many of their transport and exploratory vessels. The yards were a corner stone of Aiur’s industry, and she could not allow the Royal Guard to simply dismantle them. When Zamara refused to submit to Steel Wings orders, Steel Wing deployed Guardsman to the surface to take the construction yards by force. Once the construction yards were cleared out, Steel Wing had them bombarded from orbit. Steel Wing believed that by destroying the construction yards on Aiur, he would cripple the Khalai pony’s ability to rebel, ending a war before it could start. To his credit, no one was killed in the legally sanctioned raid, and the Canterlot government reimbursed Khalai citizens for any loss of property. Regardless this only caused tensions to further increase. In the minds of many Khalai ponies, the invasion of Aiur soil and the destruction of their most important industrial center was an act of war. To add insult to injury, the Royal Guard also seized control of the Warp Gate back to Equestria. They even went so far as to demand the Khalai build additional warp gates on Equestria, to prevent Khalai from simply destroying the only warp gate available.
Having reached the end of her patients with Celestia, Zamara decided it was time to fight back. Fortunately Steel Wing wasn't aware of the construction yards hidden on other planets. Patiently Zamara would rebuild the Golden Armada, and retrain the Templar. Additionally Zamara secretly teleported all the banished moon ponies to their hidden words where they would be freed from their stone imprisonment. Given the choice to either convert or return to their stone imprisonment, all the freed ponies converted to the New Khala faith. Many of them still held a vendetta against the Equestrian government and Celestia, and were more than willing to join in the coming fight against their Equestrian oppressors.
After almost a decade of secretly training her army and building her fleet, Zamara felt ready to retaliate against Steel Wings forces. All of the Khalai ponies living on Equestria had already returned to Aiur. Celestia hadn't had a major incident with the Khalai for almost a decade, and was certain the Khalai had finally fallen in line. Steel Wing was also convinced his stratagems has succeeded in securing the sector, and believed Aiur posed no threat.
With all the pieces in place, highly trained infiltrators called "Dark Templar" crossed over to Equestria. Using their stealth to their advantage, the Dark Templar dispatched the Guardsmen protecting the Equestrian warp gates, planted explosives, and then crossed over again. Contact with all the Equestrian Warp gate was lost shortly after. The Koprulu sector was now officially cut off from the Equestrian government.
The Khalai Rebellion
Celestia trusted you. She gave you free reign in her country, and showed you far more leniency than you deserved! This is the way you repay her trust? You have doomed everyponey in the sector! If we all have to die out here, I promise you'll be among the first. Celestia isn't here to stick her neck out for you anymore Zamara.
~Commander Steel Wing
With their link to Equestria severed, the Khalai ponies no longer had to fear Celestia’s power directly. Unfortunately, there were still a number of fanatics in the sector who were more than willing to start a pointless war in the name of their so called God Princess. Particularly Commander Steel Wing's Royal Guard and Royal Navy.
It didn't take long for Commander Steel Wing to declare Zamara an enemy of the state, even though said state was no longer relevant. Within hours, the blockade over Aiur sent detachments of Royal Guard to arrest Zamara so she could be executed for her crimes. This was exactly what Zamara was waiting for.
In her mind, the Equestrian government no longer had any power in the Koprulu sector. Everyone was now their own sovereign nation. That meant that Commander Steel Wing was no longer acting on Celestia’s interest, as much as he wanted to cling to that belief, but they were instead acting in the interest of an entirely new government. Just as she wasn't the aggressor in her war against Canterlot when they invaded and bombarded her world, she would not be the aggressor here.
Zamara’s loyal Templar defended her Nexus and refused to let a single Guardsman enter, despite their threats to open fire. The instant the Guardsman fired their first shot, Steel Wing's new government had now officially declared war. Within minutes, Golden Armada ships and Templar warriors began warping in across Aiur and its skies. Steel Wing's blockade was quickly shattered, and the Golden Armada set its plan in motion to attack as many of the other blockaded colonies as possible. Because many of the originally unsanctioned colonies never welcomed the Royal Guards military occupation in the first place, when they saw the Golden Armada attacking the Royal Navy in orbit, many colonist took up arms against the Guardsman forces on the ground.
Zamara had caught Steel Wing completely off guard. With his forces spread throughout the sector, individual fleets were easy prey to the Golden Armadas onslaught. To no one’s surprise, the Royal Navy quickly withdrew its forces, leaving many of the Royal Guard stranded. Zamara knew that even with the very successful preemptive strike, Steel Wing's Royal Navy was still significantly larger than hers. Even without the Royal Navy to support them, the stranded Royal Guard units would still gladly fight to the death in the name of a Goddess who could no longer hear them. But she had planned for this.
It was no secret that Aiur wasn't the only colony unhappy about Celestia’s policies. Governor Stone Hooves of the prime world Korhal had the largest industrial center under his control. Zamara made a deal with him. He would persuade a number of fleet commanders to join him in an insurrection against Steel Wing's forces, and in return he would be offered a place of power within the New Khala. The Governor agreed. When Zamara launched her preemptive attack, she purposely avoided attacking Stone Hooves forces. His fleet commanders would purposely avoid confrontation while she ate away at Steel Wing's loyal forces. When the time was right, he would defect.
The good governor didn't keep his word entirely. While he did eventually abandon the campaign, he waited much longer than he was supposed to, making sure that Zamara’s Golden Armada was beaten to a pulp before finally defecting. While his betrayal came much later that she would have preferred, the plan had worked. Stone Hooves defection caused a large number of governors and fleet commanders to finally see what Zamara saw, that the Equestrian government no longer held any relevance. One after another, colonies once again declared independence, while fleet commanders abandoned the campaign and conquered independent colonies, becoming petty sovereigns in their own right. With the entire sector now in disarray, Commander Steel Wing was now faced with many far greater threats on the home front. Believing he had finally seen the reality of his situation, Zamara extended a peace offering to the Commander who reluctantly agreed.
With the war over, and the entire sector was plunged into a dark of age zealots, warlords, corporate empires and self-proclaimed monarchs. Zamara was confident her people at least could finally breathe easy.
Aftermath of the Khalai Rebellion
Do you honestly believe that piece of paper will protect you from Celestia’s justice? The stallion who signed that treaty was a coward and a traitor. The true sons and daughters of Equestria will never rest until we stand victorious over your charred and broken body! Not even death will stop our righteous crusade!
~ Grand Archmage Spell Storm. First Grand Arch Mage of the New Canterlot Vatican
With the war finally over, the entire sector was in a state of ruin. Without Celestia’s leadership, conflicts quickly broke out all over the Koprulu sector. For many Koprulu ponies, joining with the New Khala seemed like the safest choice. Zamara was proud to say her nation was the light in the darkness. Many pilgrims throughout the sector made their way to the relative safety of her borders. While the Golden Armada had been crippled in the fighting, the fact that the once unstoppable Royal Navy had fallen apart at its seams meant that the Golden Armada was still one of the largest fleets in the sector.
For the next couple of decades, the New Khala enjoyed a time of peace and prosperity in a sector filled with violence and discord. The Golden Armada had grown powerful once again, and their Templar warriors were better trained than ever. The petty struggles of the other factions seemed distant and not worthy of worry. The peace was not meant to last.
While Zamara was pleased that most Koprulu ponies had finally gotten it through their heads that Celestia was a nothing more than a memory, there were still some zealots left who refused to let go of the past. Calling themselves the New Canterlot Vatican, these fanatical mages had gathered every misguided and desperate soul in the sector and forged them into an unholy army, which was ironically called "the Holy Navy."
Biding their time to build a fleet of their own, the Holy Navy launched a preemptive attack into New Khala space. With the element of surprise, they successfully conquered a number of worlds within days. Quick to respond, the Golden Armada mobilized, and launched a counter attack, successfully reclaiming some of their worlds, but were unable to fully drive out the Holy Navy.
To make matters worse, the Holy Navy's soldiers, who referred to themselves as crusaders, seemed to have an endless supply of reinforcements. While poorly trained compared to the mighty warriors of the Templar, the crusaders never seemed to stay dead. No matter how many times the Templar would kill a crusader, he would show up again on the battle field days later, but this time as a phantom in empty suit of armor.
This was a mystery that Zamara was never able to crack. She had a strong understanding of protoss technology, terran technology, and a deep understanding of zerg as well, but this was clearly a form of a dark Equestrian magic; one she didn't think could ever exist. Whatever the reason, the Vatican claimed its holy warriors would never rest until she was dead. Apparently death and rest were one and the same to them.
Relation with Other Factions
The Khalai Unicorns were the ones who caused the severance, the event that cut off all communication and transportation with Equestria. This act was viewed as an act of aggression by the Equestrian forces in the sector, which initiated the Khalai rebellion, the first pony war to break out in the Koprulu Sector since their arrival. The Khalai however never viewed it as an act of aggression, but of self-defense. In their eyes, Celestia started the war when she sent Commander Steel Wing to place a blockade around Aiur. This act has had mixed results with their relationship towards the other factions.
Everybody needs money. You might think you don't need it, but trust me you do. How else do you expect to get anywhere in part of space?
The Khalai maintain a relation of mutual trade with the Kel-Morian Consortium. Mostly the Khalai trade processed Khaydaren power cells in exchange for metals and other building material. The power cells are sought after goods by the other factions, as they can provide a large amount of energy and have a long life span. More importantly, only the Khalai have the technology to produce the cells, giving the Khala a monopoly on a prized export. The Kel-Morians have number of mining guilds, and an ample amount of raw material to trade, so both factions have mutual benefit.
The biggest issue the Khala have the Consortium is their state of near lawlessness. The Consortiums problems tend to spill across the border. While they rarely target Golden Armada Vessels, pirate raids do occasionally happen near Khala border worlds. While the Golden Armada would love to deal with these incursions, with the majority of their fleet usually locked in combat against the Holy Navy, Khala border words are never truly safe.
It's really quite simple. Stay out of our way, and we may just decide to do the same.
The Dominion owes its entire existence to the severance. While they may have acted out of personal interest, the Dominions actions also helped to save the New Khala from Commander Steel Wing’s forces. While both sides owe a great deal to the other, neither faction has been on particularly friendly terms.
The Khalai's relation with the Dominion is tense at best. Each faction is already in a state of war with another neighbor, so for the most part the Dominion and Khala keep to themselves. While elements of the Dominion Armada and Golden Armada have occasionally found themselves working together against pirate raiders, the fact each side has renowned infiltrators makes each faction distrustful of one another. Both sides rightfully suspect each other of espionage. Assassinations of high ranking officials from both sides are quite common. While both sides have little to fear from the other faction’s laughable intelligences agencies, every time an act of successful intrigue happens with in their border, they both know who is to blame.
The Dominion likes to sneak around; stab people in the back. The Confederacy doesn't play those games. We catch one of your ships in our space, expect to find one hundred of our ships in yours.
The Khalai and the Confederates will probably never see eye to eye. Even though it’s been centuries since the severance, the Confederacy has never forgiven the New Khala. They still blame the Khalai for the state the Koprulu sector is in. Although the Confederacy may not like the New Khala, the Confederacy is too busy contending with the Dominions constant border disputes to focus its efforts on the Khala. Since the Khala and the Confederacy share no borders, there is little reason for the two sides to ever come to blows, provided the Khalai do nothing to provoke them. Being largely descendants of Equestrian Royal Guardsmen, the Confederates remain very war like in their attitude towards other factions.
It doesn't matter how far you think she is. No one is out of reach from Celestia's judgment. Not even in this forsaken sector of space.
The New Canterlot Vatican is the New Khala's greatest contender. The Vatican remain fanatically loyal to Celestia, and view the Khala as heresy against their god princess. Since the end of the Khala Rebellion, the Golden Armada and Holy Navy have both grown powerful, and to this day are locked in a bitter stalemate. The Khalai have a population that never ages, and advanced robotics to help crew their ships, while the Vatican have created soldiers that can return from the dead. Neither side has given any quarter. Spanning over two centuries, it is currently the longest ongoing pony conflict in both Koprulu history, and Equestrian history.
The Templar Order
I know not fear, for the Khala is my strength. I know not death, for the Khala is my salvation.
~Templar battle prayer
The Templar Order is descended from the Templar Cast from protoss times. During protoss times, Khalai citizens were born into a certain cast, and that would be the role they were expected to play in life. Zamara for the most part did away with the cast system, though it was never completely possible, due to the nature of ponies and their cutie marks. Unlike the old cast system, the Templar Order is made up mostly of unicorn volunteers, though drafting has been used from time to time. With the ongoing war against the Vatican, the Templar Order is always looking to expand.
While all three species of ponies can be found within the Khala ranks, the majority are going to be unicorns. Unlike the other factions whose primary soldier is the Pegasus, due to a natural born aggression possibly left over from their warrior heritage, the Templar soldiers are comprised of unicorns. Because protoss military grade technology requires the use of psionics, and because only unicorns can use pisonics, there are very few opportunities for non-unicorns to serve, particularly in combat roles.
When a unicorn becomes a Templar, he will quickly be declared either a warrior, a pilot, or a crewman, depending on his skills. The vast majority of fighting is done in space, so most Templar will never get to experience the glory of pony to pony combat, but most unicorns will still aspire to become pilots or warriors.
The Templars greatest strength is simultaneously their greatest weakness. Templar fight with an unyielding sense of honor and courage that dictates their actions in battle. This has been the cause of many victories, as well as pointless loss of life and military resources. Templar will almost never stand down from a fight, and instead choose to meet death head on, even when there is nothing to be gained from their sacrifice. Against any other enemy, the Templar would be a horrifying foe. Unfortunately, they currently face an enemy who would gladly die several times just to end the life of one Templar.
While many Templar will eventually throw their lives away in some pointless show of bravado, the ones who are fortunate enough to survive are among the greatest veterans in the Sector. Some of them have fought the Vatican for the entirety of the war, and a few even fought the Royal Guard and Royal Navy during the Khalai Rebellion. Having access to veterans with centuries of experience, the Templar have been able to hold the line against an endless barrage of crusaders.
While the warriors of the Templar order are primarily males, many females will still join the Golden Armada as pilots or crewmen. However, due to traditions with in the civilian hierarchy, mare Templar never advance past the rank of overseer. Instead, mare Templar who show exemplary leadership have one of two fates. Either they are eventually killed in battle against the Vatican (the most common fate), or they are discharged and made into matriarchs tasked with governing worlds on the home front.
Templar Rank Structure
Unlike the other factions who usually use a rank system of both enlisted and officer, the Templar Order only uses one rank structure with only eight ranks.
Every Templar will start with the rank of an initiate. They will remain this rank until they have logged in a certain amount of combat or training time.
Most Templar are the rank of disciple. Many Templar will never leave this rank. A Templar will usually leave this rank only after they have shown a mastery of skill in either martial or psionic prowess. The rank of disciple is broken down into further rank to fill certain role. For example, first in command disciple, second in command disciple, etc.
The next rank is sub overseer. Typically in order to be declared a sub overseer, one must first earn the title of High Templar, or Templar Champion. A title isn't a rank, but an acknowledgement of a Templars mastery over a certain skill. A Templar who has shown extraordinary mental discipline and mastery over his psionic powers will be granted the title of High Templar. A Templar who has shown impressive martial prowess in raw combat ability, whether on the ground or in a star fighter, is granted the title of Templar Champion (think Fenix and Artanis). It is possible for a disciple to earn the rank of sub overseer simply through leadership potential alone, though it isn't very common. On ships, they act as captains on frigate sized vessels, second in commands on cruiser sized vessels, and sometimes as second in command of a portion of a capital ship.
The rank of overseer is usually used to fill the rank of ship captains for cruiser sized ships. Often time dangerous in their own right, due to their already proven battle tested skills, a Templar who has achieved the rank of an Overseer has shown complete mastery in at least one form of combat. There have been exceptions from time to time of less than experienced sub overseers becoming overseers to fill less than vital leadership roles.
Sub executors are called to be captains of capital sized ships, and may lead smaller ships alongside their capital ship as a battle group.
Executors lead groups of capital ships, and their respective battle groups as well.
High Executors command a planets entire fleets, and planetary garrisons. They are typically tasked with defending or invading entire worlds.
Praetor is the highest rank in the Templar order one can achieve without direct promotion from the Grand Matriarch herself. Praetors command multiple fleets, and multiple planetary garrisons. They are called upon to command several words at once. They are typically placed in direct control of one world’s military, but also dictate the military actions of the High Executors under them.
A ninth rank can exist that is given from outside of the Templar Order. The Supreme Matriarch can declare a Praetor "Steward of the Templar (Fenix was considered made Steward of the Templar when Aiur was invaded)" who receives complete control over the entire Golden Armada. This rank appears and disappears depending on the severity of the Vatican Crusade. It is never a permanent rank, because leaving a single Templar with that much power for to long may cause an insurrection.
The Dark Order
What some call dishonorable, we call efficient.
Zamara quickly found she was surrounded on all sides by deception, betrayal and espionage. If she wanted to keep up with her enemies, she would need warriors capable of playing by the same rules. While the Templar Order fought honorably as they held the line against the Vaticans Crusade, she knew the Khalai would need warriors free of the restraints of honor. Her answer was to resurrect the teaching of the Natherzim, and create the Dark Order.
While the vast majority of Templar serve the Templar Order, some will instead choose the path of the Dark Templar. This path is a very unpopular choice, as a Dark Templar must operate outside of the Khala, something most Khalai find unsettling. Due to the sensitive information Dark Templar may one day hold, becoming a Dark Templar is an eternal commitment that ends only with death.
Instead of using the psionic powers of the Khalas Light, they learn to wield the powers of the void. Through the void, a Dark Templar could actually do many of the same things a Khala Templar could do, though to a significantly lessor extent. The true power of the void is not used in direct confrontation, but in infiltration instead.
While the Templar Order serves with a deep sense of honor and zeal, the Dark Order doesn't hold itself to such a standard. While there are plenty of Dark Templar who do try to walk the path of honor, Dark Order isn't usually called upon to do honorable things. It is called upon to get things done, by any means necessary.
Dark Templar don't operate in armies, instead they operate solo, or in small groups. Like their Imperial counter parts (Dominion Intelligence), the Dark Templar will be called upon to spy, steal, observe, sabotage and assassinate. Through the efforts of the Dark Order, the New Khala intelligence network is second only to that of the Dominions.
The Dark Order of the New Khala is significantly different than the Dark Templar of the protoss. While a number of those Natherzim eventually learned to value effectiveness over fair play, many within the old order still favored honor over deception. A mistake that cost their people dearly. While still a young order compared to the original Dark Templar, the new Dark Order has proven to be far more effective, largely because they have taken to the techniques employed by Dominion Intelligence.
While the Dark Templar still carry the old ceremonial warp blades, they have become a last resort weapon, and are considered archaic by most professions. Instead, the new Dark Templar Order has taken a liking to poisons, planted explosives, well timed sabotage leading to unfortunate accidents, sniping from long distances, and any other underhanded method one could think of. While the warp blades might be the more traditional weapon, and remains a favored choice in close quarter situations, it's a particularly horrible assassination weapon. It’s not hard to tell which faction is responsible for the death of a high ranking official when he is sliced in half with a beam weapon that simultaneously cauterized the wound. As a result, the Dark Order have taken a liking to more subtle approaches. The best kind of assassination is the kind where no foul play is suspected in the first place.
Unlike the life of a Dominion Intelligence operative, which is often considered a thrilling life of constant danger and excitement serving behind enemy lines, the early life of a new Dark Templar is actually quite boring most days of the week. While many young unicorns join the order believing they'll be spending the majority of their time cheating death in the kill or be killed world of espionage, the reality is usually the furthest thing from. A large role of the Dark Templar is negotiation, paperwork and bureaucracy, particularly with the Consortium. Because Khalai ponies will grow up without a life of deception, and don't even know how to tell a lie, they are bad businessmen and ambassadors. The Dark Templar, being the only ones trained in such things, are instead often called upon to negotiate business transactions to make sure their people aren't getting a bad deal. While they all strive to one day be the assassin's they always dreamed of being, most will spend their early days as businessmen and bureaucrats. They are also often used as ambassadors to consortium politicians and businessmen because they're valued for their dishonesty.
This has also earned them the distrust of their own people. When dealing with other Khalai ponies, a Khalai pony will always know what he or she is thinking. When dealing with a Dark Templar, one never knows if they are telling the truth, especially given the fact that they are trained to be liars. The truth is that Dark Templar are every bit as loyal and honest to one another as the next Khalai pony, but it's a difficult truth for most to accept.
Many new Dark Templar will spend much of their time learning how to act like a normal non-Khalai pony would before they get involved in any real espionage. While unfortunately boring, this is a necessary part of training. In the early days, many Dark Templar had their covers blown simply because they could not fit in. While Dark Templar do have the ability to stay invisible at all times if they wanted too, it turns out hiding in plain sight can be more effective way to gather information. As sad as it seems, when the Dark Order was first established, early Dark Templar learned the proper art of espionage from watching spy movies; fortunately they have come a long way since then. Despite their humble origins, the Dark Order is many times more successful than the old Dark Templar, and the shadow of a Dark Templar is every bit as feared as that of a Dominion Ghost.
Unlike Dominion Intelligence, who typically answer to no one, the Dark Order is considered an off shoot branch of the Templar Order, and still fall within the jurisdiction of the Templar overseers and above. Most Dark Templar will continue to serve the Templar Order directly.
Unlike the Templar Order that is mostly males, the Dark Templar order is largely open to males and females alike. While physical strength is an important factor for Templar warriors on the battlefield, keen wits and creative thinking is what keeps a Dark Templar alive off the battle field. While typically not as effective in direct combat as their High Templar and Templar Champion overlords, the Dark Templar have proven time and time again proven to be far more deadly in other was compared to their Templar Order masters. A single drop of poison left behind by a Dark Templar has been known to do more damage to a rival faction’s stability than an entire fleet of warships
Shadows
There are certain Dark Templar who earn the favor of powerful matriarchs, and leave the Dark Order to become Shadows. Becoming a Matriarchs Shadow is usually voluntary, and once the oath is taken, the Shadow is forever bound to that Matriarchs will. The Supreme Matriarch may assign shadows to personal of the upmost importance. These Shadows are called upon to handle a matriarch’s personal bidding, sometimes even the bidding of the supreme matriarch herself. Shadows do not answer to the Templar Order or Dark Order, and are completely under the command of the individual Matriarch. During missions, they are granted acting ranks, and the matriarch will provide the Dark Templar with all the soldiers and resources the he or she may need. Many High and Grand Matriarchs, while they may not agree with their methods, have come to appreciate the results they can deliver that rest of the honor bound Templar Order can't. Despite sometimes committing some rather questionable acts, such as sacrificing Templar and civilian lives alike, much of what the Dark Templar do they do with a Matriarchs blessing, and under her protections. Even though a special honor guard is often formed to protect matriarchs, many Matriarchs will often choose to keep a favored Dark Templar operative for themselves as a personal bodyguard, usually a stallion. Should a Shadows Matriarch ever be killed, many Matriarchs leave a final order that their Shadow is to be executed. This is to help prevent any betrayals.
Because Shadows are effectively untouchable, they are viewed with much contempt from their Templar Order brethren who believe all should be held accountable for their actions. Even though they are typically disliked by the Templar Order, and even the Dark Order, many High Executors and Praetors have come to rely on their talents. They are viewed as a way to break the bureaucracy of the military, and sent on off the chart missions. Like matriarchs, Higher Executors and Praetors may also take a favored Dark Templar as a personal shadow, usually a mare. Dominion Intelligence are known for having the best intelligence network in the sector, and have used that network to assassinate many Executors. While Templar Honor Guard are among the more fierce warriors in the Templar Order, and will gladly give their lives to protect an Executor against a threat who challenges them directly, they are often ineffective against Dominion assassins as they tend not to seek confrontation in the first place. Executors have learned that the best way to stop an assassin, is have an assassin of your own.
Matriarchal Hierarchy
It is a stallion’s duty to defend the land. It is a mares duty to make sure that land is still worth defending.
In ancient protoss society, the Judicator cast were called upon to lead the Conclave (the empires governing body). The Conclave was mostly ran by males at all but the lowest levels. The New Khala started in much the same way, where stallions were expected to run the military, government and industry. This was short lived due to the majority of strong male leaders being called upon to lead the Templar Order in the fight against the Vatican. As a result, many mares were expected to fill the empty government leadership roles left behind. In time, this became the norm in Khala government. Stallions became executors leading a planets fleets and armies, mares became matriarch's who rule the planets land and run the government.
While early matriarchs were chosen from civilians in the first few years of the Vatican Crusade, all current matriarchs have had a military background at one point or another. Because they have shown they are capable leaders, and risked their lives in defense of the Khala, they are rewarded by being granted dominion over large portions of land and even entire planets. With the exception of Dark Templar, High Executors and Praetors, matriarchs may take any unmarried stallion they wish as a husband, typically choosing stallions with limited life spans.
There are five levels of the matriarch hierarchy. The Low Matriarchs are called upon to rule large portions of land on a planet’s surface, or civilian space platforms that belongs to a colony. Some colonies only have a handful of Low Matriarchs, while a heavily populated colony may include hundreds of Low Matriarchs to govern the land. Their level of power is considered on par with that of a sub executor. Low Matriarchs are promoted directly out of the Golden Armada.
A Middle Matriarch rules over groups of Low Matriarchs, usually over massive portions of a colony. They are considered on par with an executor. Middle Matriarchs are tasked with the selection of Low Matriarchs. Because Low Matriarchs are promoted directly out of the Golden Armada, Middle Matriarchs will usually confer to the guidance of an Executor for a list of potential candidates.
A High Matriarch is used to rule an entire planet, and are on par with High Executors. While technically civilians, High Matriarchs play a large role in military logistics. It is up to the High Matriarch to provide her High Executor with the soldiers, ships, and other resources necessary to wage war. A High Matriarch will also assign Middle Matriarchs to govern massive portions of their colonies. Typically they will choose from the oldest and most experienced Low Matriarchs to promote.
Grand Matriarchs are on par with a Praetor in terms of power, and will govern multiple worlds. They still directly control one world of their own, along with that worlds Low and Middle Matriarchs, but also hold dominion over their neighboring High Matriarchs. The Praetor charged with protecting her region has control over all that regions Executors and their fleets and garrisons. However, the Praetor also maintains his own person fleet and garrison. Just like it is up to a High Matriarch to provide her High Executor with the resources to wage war, a Praetor is also reliant on a Grand Matriarchs world for his personal forces. Should a High Matriarch die, the Grand Matriarch will select a new High Matriarch from the Middle Matriarchs who served under her. If an entirely new colony in her region of Khala Space is established, she will choose a Middle Matriarch that serves directly under her, and elevate her to the rank of High Matriarch to rule over the newly established colony.
The title of Supreme Matriarch falls only on Zamara herself, who rules over the Khalai as a whole. It is her job to assign the role of roles of Grand Matriarchs, Praetors, and Steward.
While technically civilian, High and Grand Matriarchs have very powerful authority in the Templar ranks, because without them, the High Executors and Praetors would not be able to field their armies. This has created an expectation within the Khalai Matriarchal and Military hierarchy. While it is not a law, when an unmarried (usually the case) Templar reaches the rank of High Executor and is placed in charge of a planets defense, he is expected to take that worlds High Matriarch as his wife. Most Executors will submit the Matriarchs expectation. This has an unofficial role in determining promotions with in the Templar Order. In order to maintain good relations with that world’s civilian government, Praetors will typically choose to promote an unmarried Templar to the rank of High Executor. This power in marriage works both ways. If an Executor marries a Middle Matriarch, and if one of them advances in rank, the spouse’s opportunity for advancement is significantly stronger, and will usually get the promotion should it ever become available. Though due to the frequent deaths of Templar, it is a rare occurrence for either of them to be married long enough for this to happen.
As Templar are more frequently killed than matriarchs, a matriarch will often go through multiple husbands. Marriage among the hierarchy has become more of a political procedure than a joining of two ponies, and it’s not uncommon for a matriarch to go months or years without ever seeing her husband. Sometimes she may never see her husband at all, being married over a view screen through a brief ceremony, only to find out he was killed days later in a campaign.
Middle, High and Grand Matriarchs are usually only killed via assassination. When the deed is done sloppily with evidence left all over the place, it's almost always leads back to the Vatican, or a hired assassin from the Consortium, typically compliments of the Vatican. When the job is done right, leaving no hint as to who the true killer is, it is assumed, though never proven, that it was the work of Dominion Intelligence. Low Matriarchs, while given a relatively safe job, seem to experience frequent deaths. While a Middle Matriarch or above has been away from the battlefield for years or decades by the time she is assigned her position, a newly appointed Low Matriarch will come fresh from the Golden Armada. Many of these mares initially don't fully accept their new responsibility or role in life, and still cling to their devotion to the Templar Order. They will sometimes use their political influence to put themselves back on the front lines. It’s not uncommon for a Low Matriarch to marry a Sub Executor simply for the sake of returning to the front lines alongside him. This kind of behavior is frowned upon, and punishable with revocation of their matriarch status. However it's been found that if they revoke every Low Matriarch who returns to the battle field for some final moments of glory, they would quickly run out of Low Matriarchs to revoke. While many will die from this behavior, it’s been found it's best to just let them get it out of their systems. All Matriarchs were Templar at one point, and can still remember how hard it was to leave behind their brothers and sister in arms.
That said, every Matriarch is still a capable warrior in her own right. They all have years or decades of combat experience, and often times still train fiercely, often times alongside a personal shadow, with their honor guard. They are rarely ever a pushover in direct combat.
Preservers
Your duty is to remember what others would rather forget.
The role of a preserver is the most sacred roles any Khalai can hold. A preserver’s duty is to store the memories of the dead. Every time a member of the Khala dies, all of his or her life memories are transferred to the preservers. Most preservers reside on Aiur, or a world belonging to a High or Grand Matriarch, usually using his or her wealth of knowledge to act as an adviser.
Preservers are the rarest breed of Khalai. Ponies born with the potential to be a preserver are typically born less than one in every generation. Finding preservers is a very difficult process. Usually any pony who has the potential to be a preserver will experience symptoms at an early age. Initially it starts with reliving other pony’s lives in the form of dreams. Eventually it'll turn in uncontrollable emotions that aren't his or hers, follow by hearing the voices of several ponies at once, typically as they die. Fortunately the symptoms are very minor in their youth, and only get worse as their psionic abilities mature. If anyone is suspected of being a preserver, there are powerful Khalai who can test them.
If a child test positive for being a preserver, they are taken away to the capital and placed into a special isolated nexus for much of their youth, which will sever their connection to the Khala so long as they remain inside. The child will spend their youth training to prepare for the mental and emotional trauma that will come with their ability. Unlike unicorn ponies who can leave and join the Khala at will, a preserver has a very difficult time separating from the Khala. This is because they are connected to it on a much higher level, and can only disconnect after years or decades of expereince.
The training of a preserver is an extremely important task, and has at times even been carried out by the Supreme Matriarch herself. It is imperative that the student receives the proper training. Preservers not prepared to deal with the strain of witnessing hundreds of deaths continuously have been known to occasionally lose their sanity to the Khala. An ironic fate considering it is suppose to the thing that helps ponies keep their sanity in the worst of times.
Once fully trained, a preserver is held to the highest stature in Khala society. They often have the ears of Matriarchs, who often times turn to them for advice. Many Grand Matriarch have a preserver to help act as her adviser, since he holds much of her world’s collective knowledge. There are also some High Matriarchs fortunate enough to have a preserver on their world. They act as historians and scientist, as well as artist and philosophers. As long as a single preserver lives, no knowledge held by a Khalai can truly be lost.
Preservers however are often considered High Value targets by the other factions. For this reason, they rarely leave Khala space, and only travel in massive fleets. If a Matriarch wishes to keep one as an advisor, she must maintain the highest levels of security. For this reason, life for a preserver can sometimes be akin to that of a prison, even if a luxurious one. Even so, occasionally a preserver is successfully assassinated which is always a great loss to the Khalai people. With the rare birth rate of potential preservers, the loss of any preserver is always mourned throughout the Khala. Should it be discovered that a preserver under a Matriarchs care was killed due to her negligence, she risk losing her status as matriarch, and most atone for her failure by serving and dying in the Templar Order.
One of the greatest honors a Templar can receive is to be an honor guard to a preserver. Should their preserver ever die, it is customary, though not necessary required nor encouraged, that all honor guard take their own lives.
Khalai Society
Spending their entire lives in the Khala, most Khalai ponies have no concept of deception, and are usually incapable of lying. The exception of course being the Dark Templar, who are encouraged to practice such things.
Because the Khala helps to provide emotional stability, Khalai ponies have strong self-control. While Templar warriors are considered raging berserkers by outsiders, they actually maintain a very stable state of mind, even in the most stressful conditions, and rarely ever let rage and passion blind their judgment. It has more to do with a sense of honor and tradition that causes them to behave the way they do on the battlefield.
Marriage with in the Khala is often arranged between powerful families, or political groups. Marriage among common citizens is usually more lenient. Because the Khala helps to maintain a near constant state of self-control, the Khalai ponies don't often give into their cardinal desires, though are still encouraged to produce as many children as possible. The exception to this are the Dark Templar who don't rely on the Khalas emotional control; they are renowned for being sexual deviants.
Crime within the Khala is almost nonexistent since everyone knows when anyone else is lying. Combined with the Khalas emotional control, very few Khalai ponies ever feel the need to use violence against their brethren.
The majority of the Khalai ponies will always be unicorns. The augmentations performed on non-unicorns ponies that allow them to join with the Khala in the first place create powerful psionic potential for their offspring. While the father and mother will never develop psionic powers of their own, if either parent has even the slightest hint of unicorn blood in them, the child will almost always come out as a unicorn. This caused some Khalai ponies born of a Pegasus and unicorn decent to be born with an alicorn appearance. While they have both wings and horn, they do not have the God like powers of a true Alicorn. When this happens, the wings may or may not be passed on to future offspring. Ponies born of an alicorn appearance are considered to be especially blessed with beauty and are considered a good omen.
While the unicorn ponies graciously accept their pegasi and earth pony brethren into the Khalas Light, there are few opportunities to raise to political power for anyone who doesn't serve the Templar at one point or another. Because non unicorn ponies are unable to use the Templar weapons of war, they tend not to get to far ahead in life from within the Khala. Non-unicorn ponies also don't benefit from the eternal youth the Khala provides unicorns, which is a large contributor as to why non-unicorns are such a massive minority. This has had some mixed results with interracial marriages. Some unicorns prefer not to let themselves get attached to a pony they know will not be around forever. Others see past it and instead choose to cherish the time they have. Some prefer a spouse with a limited life spawn, because they can't envision themselves spending an eternity with one pony.
Unicorn Khalai mares may not age, but they still only have a limited window to reproduce. Like the mares of the other factions, they will eventually reach the end of their fertility and be unable to bare offspring. In order to keep the population high, and to keep a steady flow of fresh young mares and stallions joining the Templar Ranks, fertile mares are encouraged to bare children while they still have the opportunity. On some of the lower populated colonies, it is a requirement. Since the Khala almost guarantees unicorn offspring, any fertile mare of any race is considered a prized catch, and Khalai unicorn stallions will go to great lengths in hopes of courting one.
It is the pegasi who are most valued, since children born with an alicorn appearance are considered a good omen. Many Low Matriarchs who are still fertile often taken pegasi stallion husbands in hopes of producing alicorn offspring. In the long run the marriage won't matter since the pegasus will eventually grow old and die. Many simply view it as seizing the moment.
The Khalai earth pony stallion is a bit disadvantaged when it comes to Khalai love life. Having no physical features of remarkable beauty to offer, like a Pegasus's wings, nor any psionic potential, the Khalai earth pony brings little to the table. Despite their disadvantages, they have little trouble finding a mate, especially among older unicorn mares. In a strange way they are actually valued for by older unicorn mares for their short life span. Some unicorns don't like the idea of being tied down to one stallion for all eternity. Many Low and Middle Matriarchs past their fertile state have taken earth pony stallions as husbands. (Keep in mind that since they only age to the point of appearing "middle aged", a hundred year old unicorn mare would look no different than say a thirty-five year old).
Unicorn mares past their fertility have the most trouble finding a mate. Many of these mares were married at one point or another, but often see their husbands die serving the Templar. Stallions who have not yet had children will often look for a younger fertile spouse. While that they can no longer serve the Khala by baring children, they will devote themselves to the Khalas service in other ways, usually through means of military service. Like many stallions, the vast majority will die, but some will prove to be of extraordinary potential, and go on to become candidates for matriarchy. Should that happen, they will usually never have trouble finding a stallion again.
Motherhood in the Khala is considered one of the most important roles for a mare, and is viewed as equally important as a stallion’s military service. Khala society views it as a mare sacred duty to bare and care for many foals as possible. There is a certain stigma towards mares who bare no children. Just like a unicorn who has not served time in the Templar Order, a mare who bore no children during her period of fertility is seen as a mare who did not perform her duty to the Khala. Because it is mandatory on some worlds for a mare to produce at least one child, regardless of marital status, it's uncommon to see a mare be childless, though there are ways around it. The easiest way to avoid motherhood is for a mare to join the Templar. Any mare who spends her fertile years serving the Khala is still considered a mare who has performed her duties. Serving in the Khalas defense is a common option for many mares who doesn't feel ready for motherhood. Should she decided to bare children later on, she is eligible for an early discharge so she may be allowed to safely raise the child. Fortunately, children born of the Khala tend to be more well tempered and well behaved than children of normal Koprulu society. The link between a mother and her offspring in the Khala is said to be stronger than most. While the idea is generally accepted as a truth, there is no proof of this one way or another. A mother is expected to raise all children by herself, and often does so with children from multiple stallions. Because the mother plays the larger more direct role in Khala society, it is the last name of the mother that is passed onto the child, as opposed to most Koprulu cultures that pass on the name of the father.
Fatherhood in the Khala plays very little role for most stallions in terms of directly raising the child, as most stallions will be on distant worlds serving the Templar Order during their child's youth. However, fatherhood and military service are considered to go hand in hand. The greatest act of fatherhood with in the Khala society is not actually helping to raise the child, but to serve, and if necessary, to die in that child's defense. Any unicorn stallion who fathers a child is immediately required to serve the Templar until the child is of age to strike out on his own. Fortunately thanks to the Khala warp network, it’s not a difficult task for a Templar to frequently visit his family off duty. Such visits are encouraged; they not only give the stallion and mare more opportunities to produce more offspring, but it's been found Templar who occasionally see the child they are fighting to protect tend to fight much harder that those who don't.
While there is no official currency with in Khala society, status does play a factor in terms of land and resource distribution, as well as earning administrative positions in nonmilitary/matriarchal government organizations. Higher education is considered an important next step in life once a Khalai pony has earned Elder status. While many Khalai do aspire to be scholars in either the arts or sciences, a Khalai citizens queue to get into universities is heavily reliant on his or her status. Most unicorn stallions will spend their entire lives in the Templar Order, so it is mostly the mares who move on to receive higher education; most artist and scientist with in the Khala are female. Status for a stallion is usually measured in military service. Status for a mare is measured either in military service, or in the amount of children she raised that went on to become Templar or mothers themselves. For this reason, most mares will not began higher education until they are past their fertile years, as it is very difficult to gain entry to Khala universities without high status. Some of the more ambitious mares will opt for military service after they have reached the end of their fertile state in hopes of achieving matriarchy. Her status as a mother will usually factor in when promotions for Low Matriarchs become available. It's possible to achieve matriarchy at a younger age if they can advance the ranks fast enough to reach overseer while still in the fertile stage of their life. They can still easily have children later in life, as matriarchs are allowed to take any unmarried stallion they wish as a husband, provided he isn't a Templar whose military rank out ranks her matriarchal rank. Mares past fertility who never bore children but reached the rank of overseer still can become matriarchs, as their military service has granted them much status. They are however heavily disadvantaged against a mare who bore children, and matched her military record.
A Khalai becomes an elder once their basic duty to the Khala is considered fulfilled. Reaching Elder status for a mare is the most straight forward; there usually two criteria to be met. The first is that she must be past her fertile stage. As long as she is still capable of baring children, it is still considered her duty to continue to bare children if possible. The second is that all of her living children are now considered adults themselves. Once a mare has completed the task of motherhood expected of her, she is considered an elder, and is free to spend the rest of her life to explore the arts and sciences as she wishes, continue to serve by joining the Templar in hopes of earning matriarchy, or simply enjoy herself and see what life has to offer. It is far more difficult for a stallion to achieve Elder status. A mare can only bare children up to a certain point in her life, a healthy stallion however is always considered able to fight, and so his duty to the Khala can technically be never ending. Fatherhood is the main means of earning elder status. If a stallion ever fathers a child, that child is now a direct representation of his remaining time of military service. Once all the children that a stallion fathers grow up and eventually joins the Templar themselves, or become mothers themselves, the father has now completed his duty in furthering Khala society. The Templar alongside his wife both earn elder status, and are free to spend the rest of their lives together. Divorce is allowed, but it almost never happens in the Khala. Another less fortunate means of earning elder status is to become crippled in battle. This is seen as the equivalent of performing your duty to the death, so discharge and elder status follows; this is not a preferred means of military discharge.
Failing to complete ones duty to the Khala can be considered a crime. While there is no currency within Khala society, everyone is still expected to earn their keep. A pony does not have to enter military service or motherhood, and can instead choose to pursue civilian labor. However because they are considered to be able to work forever, their duty is never ending, and can’t earn Elder status this way. A stallion however can still earn elder status by becoming a father, since stallions are always fertile; fatherhood will bring military service with it. Many stallions will initially choose a civilian craft, and later join the Templar after finding their special some pony. A mare in a civilian craft must be more careful with her choice. If she goes through her entire fertile years without ever baring children, she will never be able to achieve elder status, except through matriarchy, which is not an easy task. Still, many mares will choose to wait, and instead meet a stallion as a civilian before choosing to begin motherhood. The only exception to this are mares who have a medical condition preventing them from baring children. Fortunately Khalai medical technology is very advanced, making this uncommon. Should it happen though, a mare who reaches the rank of overseer within the Templar Order can be discharged with Elder status once she serves an additional 10 years as that rank, though she may reach matriarch status before then.
The Khala instills a deep sense of duty in all Khalai ponies, so it’s very unlikely that anyone ever fails to perform their duty. But every now and then, an individual might come along in life that does not want to conform to societies standards. As extremely rare as this is (the Khala usually prevents this from happening), when it happens, that pony is arrested, dehorned (severing his or her link to the Khala), and exiled from Khala space.
Progression outside the military is difficult but possible. There are many political positions below the level of a Matriarch, and are equally available to both mare and stallions. Because there is no currency used within Khala society, there is little hope of becoming a powerful industrial entity. All industry is owned by the government, and all leadership positions with in industry are also chosen by the government. Individual status factors into such leadership positions.
Since there is little individual ambition with in the Khala, most ponies don't worry themselves with dreams of raising to power. Instead they mainly focus on what they can do to better the Khala way of life. Besides the Dark Templar, ambition can still be found, particularly among the Matriarchs, who are often vying to raise to greater power. While they do often compete with each other to prove their worth to their superiors as to why they should receive the next promotion, they do typically accept the decisions of their superiors and their own role in the grand scheme of things. There was never been an insurrection from within the Khalas own ranks at the hands of a rogue Matriarch.
Since Khalai robotics has reached the point where robots can perform most remedial task with in Khala industry, and because the Khalai don't use any form of currency, many Khalai who earn elder status pursue arts. The Khalai are known for making excellent music, painting, dance and song. Great artist are highly revered throughout the Khala. While most must earn elder status before they can pursue those goals, there are occasionally Khalai born with enough raw talent to bypass the motherly or military duties necessary to earn elder status. Others instead pursue administrative goals, hoping to serve by running lower levels of government. This life style has had a great appeal to many immigrants of the Consortium and Dominion who seek a new life. Particularly among Dominion clones. Unicorn Stallions are the least likely to convert to the Khala as they would be expected to fight and die, but pegasi, earth ponies and unicorn mares find much appeal to the Khalai life style. Much is expected from non-unicorn immigrant mares. The only way for them to gain citizen ship is to agree to raise children if they haven't already. Immigrant non unicorn stallions don't have such expectations, but are still encouraged to father children. They are actually valued by unicorn mares seeking motherhood, because unlike unicorn stallions who will be sent away to the front lines, non-unicorn stallions are free to stay home, and serve the Khala by using their limited lifespans to help raise children directly. It’s very easy for an immigrant stallion to find a mate for this reason, especially pegasi. Because they are there to help raise the children directly, their unicorn spouse is much more likely to be willing to bare additional children, which will greatly help her status in her later years.
The greatest deterrent is fear of losing individuality to the Khala. Many believe that their thoughts will never again be their own, or don't want other ponies knowing what they are thinking at all times. There is a misconception that the Khalas emotional control will turn Khalai ponies into emotionless husk. The truth is that Khalai ponies experience all the same emotions, joys and fears that any other pony does. The only difference is that the Khala helps them to maintain control of their emotions, rather than letting their emotions control them. Even with the fear that comes with initially joining the Khala, when ponies are desperate enough, they are willing to make that sacrifice in search of a supposedly better life.