Hey all.
here is the next lore article, this time detailing the Clanship of Lai'kairis. Here you will learn of it's founding during the Dark Times of the visionary who created it and it's current place in galactic politics, along with it's darker side.
As with all these lore segments, expect it to be updated at a later date when more ideas pop in my head.
Lai'kairis
The Lai'kairis Clan, one of the largest clans of all the Yautja, was of the Late Founding, those clans founded at the end of the Age of Founding and leading up to the Dark Times. Unique among clans as it was more of a conglomeration of multiple clans then one large group that take their current name from the great vessel that houses them. Lai'kairis is an Old Tongue word, rarely used except by the priesthood caste, that roughly translates to 'Sanctuary', and an apt name considering that Lai'kairis was a refuge during the Dark Times.
If one were to look for a founding father figure, as most clans possessed during their founding, then that would undoubtedly belong to Kai'rys the Builder. Kai'rys, the creator of the colony ship, was widely credited with the formation of the Lai'Kairis clan after allowing refugees and remnants of destroyed clans fleeing their deaths at the hand of the Xenomorph Primarchs to settle on his ship. Despite being born as a low caste yautja from an insignificant clan, he proved to be a wise and just ruler. When he tragically died before the centenary of Lai'kiris' founding, some say assassinated because he was too popular and because of his low birth, he was mourned deeply by the people and was giving a burial to rival even the greatest of hunters. In Kai'rys Square, located in the main hub of Lai'kairis, there is a statue of him that is said to allow him to continue watching over his people. Whether or not this is truth or mere superstition is up to debate but there is none who doesn't feel like they are being watched.
Lai'kairis itself is a Mega-Class colony vessel that is roughly the size of Earth's moon, about a fifth larger then the former. It is so vast that it does indeed act as a moon to the planet it orbits, leading to terms such as 'Lai'kairis dawn' for those yautja who live on the planet. In terms of appearance, Lai'kairis resembles the tribal avian-like vessels that the Yautja are known for but with many deviations. Instead of the traditional tribal curves and arcs, the ship was more spherical, comprised of two large shallow hemisphere domes connected by a massive central column and eight smaller columns. Multiple towers and spires, similar to those on medieval castles in human history, dot it's surface. Such locations were usually reserved for the higher ranking elders and above. The middle class is situated in the main hubs and the lower class personnel is situated in the lower decks where space itself is rarely if not at all visible.
The central pylon acts as the main dock for the Yautja Motherships that travel to and from the clan worlds and other vessels that range in size over that of frigates. Smaller ships dock in hangers situated in the upper and lower hemispheres, typically scout ships and the like as hunters arrive and depart. The eight other columns are simply stylised elevators to allow transfers between the hemispheres.
Lai'kairis ruled by a council of twelve Elders, itself led by a High Elder that is elected to the position. The twelve council elders include the High Priest or Priestess, traditionally always a female though there are exceptions, the spiritual leader. The Master of the Hunt, who oversees all significant hunting expeditions and sanctions which may be initiated. The Lord of Ships, who oversees the fleet and other ship related issues. The Lord Arbitrator who commands the Arbitrators and is also the de facto law master. The 'Loremaster' who is in charge of the historical archives. The Arch Healer of the Medical Caste. Other Elders fill out the various roles in running the sectors they oversee.
In regards to the political climate of Lai'kairis, there is a great conflict between those that lean towards an isolationist stance, believing that they could sustain themselves from outside influences. There are those who like a more open view on galactic affairs, in regards to inter-clan relations. And there are a few who would like interaction with other races, though those who openly support this are derided either as eccentrics, lunatics or race traitors by the more purist groups.
The planet that Lai'kairis orbits is one that is ideally suited for yautja, that of a vast tropical rainforest, much like the Amazon rainforest on earth, though the poles are more of a European climate. According to legend, this very planet served as inspiration for Kai'rys the builder who having left his clan searched the stars for the world that would be the bedrock of his dream. It was also said that his drive and ambition caught the attention of The Architects. Little is known of this long extinct race, but it is said that the last few of this race of builders aided Kai'rys as their last contribution before fading into myth, seeing him as a spiritual successor of sorts. Kai'rys was humble enough to include a memorial to their passing. Though, unfortunately, this memorial has long since fallen into neglect as later generations, led by racial supremacists, ignored it's value. Only a very select few even know of it's existence. As far most are concerned, Lai'akiris was built by the Yautja alone.
Inside Lai'kairis, in what was one of the greatest accomplishments in terraforming, a whole viable ecosystem was established within the colony-ship's hull. Many botanical gardens, filled with lush vegetation, crops and livestock from many corners of the galaxy, sustain the population in terms of food and air. Whole cities have been built in both the north and south hemispheres, almost like nations in their size. As Kai'rys himself once envisioned: a planet that could navigate the stars. However, he knew that to sustain such a biosphere would be of great cost so he carefully planned out the colony so as to put the vital gardens in areas where vacuum exposure was minimal. And as such, and much to his disappointment if he were still alive, only the most affluent could visit them.
Lai'kairis is also unique among the clans in that, due to the large population that stands in the hundreds of thousands, it actually has a standing army. Though more accurately a citizen army similar to the ancient Greek city states, in which all able men and women gather for the defence of the ship. Leading this army are a dedicated cadre of professional warriors, mostly comprised of the law enforcing arbitrators and the elite hunters. As with the hunt, all hunters are responsible for procuring and maintaining their gear and equipment. As such, any assembled force can have a ragtag appearance, but each have their own duty when battle came. Those more skilled at melee combat served as front-line warriors while those with an eye for ranged warfare serve in support roles. However, Lai'kairis has never been invaded and as such this army has never been put into practice.
On the other hand, Lai'kairis also boasts a strong navy that regularly patrols it's territory. It is not for want of reason that Lai'kairis is considered one of the safest ports in the galaxy, barring the Trade Confederation Enclaves of course (And that is stretching it, considering what makes up the Trade Confederation).
Lai'kairis sports a great amount of diversity among it's populace, with individuals from many yautja subspecies calling it home. Indeed, members of many prestigious clans have come to settle on Lai'kairis. Clans such as the fabled Dark Blades, the Swift Spears and the Tree Striders. That being said, there are also members of the more... unsavoury sort. Super Predators, larger hard-line devotees to the god of death Cetanu, are one prominent minority group (Not that they care). The Black Yautja, Killers as they're known, on the other hand are not welcome. And not even Black Yautja would willingly attack Lai'kairis if it can be helped.
As with their culture, the Hunt is of great importance to their way of life. As such, they boast a massive temple complex dedicated to the gods. Also, Lai'kairis is one of the few places that holds a shrine dedicated to the First Hunter, whose name was long lost to history and is remembered simply as 'Lord of Hunters' for founding the hunter lifestyle of the Yautja. The Dark Blades have the distinction of being his descendants, or at least known descendants. As such, he could be regarded a saint in human terms along with other legendary hunters whose hunts have gone down in legend. Cetanu the Black Warrior, and the god of death, has a smaller and modest shrine located near the burial catacombs, where as mythology tells he watches over the dead and devours the unworthy with his many maws. Paya the Warrior god on the other hand has a rather substantial warrior lodge and shrine to go with it.
During Lai'kairis' heyday, it controlled quite a substantial, though sparsely populated, swathe of territory in the galactic west. But following the Clan Wars, a period of civil strife that wracked the Yautja race as larger clans strove to assimilate or eradicate other clans, Lai'kairis consolidated it's position in a more defensible manner, abandoning planets on the outskirts in favour of a more concentrated cluster of systems. Easier to maintain and defend then having an easily targeted supply line for remote colonies. As such there are ruins of former habitation within reach of humanity in the Orion's Arm. Other clans stubbornly tried to hold on to their territory of similar size and were crippled or conquered as a result.
In the present time, Lai'kairis may not be the most powerful of the yautja clans but it is far from helpless. And in these turbulent times, Lai'kairis will stand as it had done since the Dark Times. And, they will endure.
Lai'kairis landmarks:
Kai'rys Square- Located in the main hub of Lai'kairis, Kai'rys square is a massive memorial to Kai'rys the Builder, dominated by a massive statue in the centre. Decorative walls in the inner rim of the square details the life of Kai'rys, the building of Lai'kairis and his unfortunate death. His birthday is a national holiday which often involves a great festival in the square itself.
The Arena- The Arena is the largest fighting ring on Lai'kairis and is normally used for special occasion, such as when aspiring hunter initiates prove their worth to be allowed on their first hunt or a dual between two hunters when a dispute falls to trail by combat. The premise for initiates is that one must be able to defeat their own race to show they can survive others.
The Catacombs- The great burial chambers of the Catacombs house Lai'kairis' dead beneath the great temple. Most of the dead are interred as to their status with the most prestigious having their own crypts while the lowest are simply cremated. Also houses the shrine Dedicated to Cetanu, the Black Warrior and god of death.
The Temple district- The Temple District is the main religious centre of Lai'karis, housing the great temple of the gods and also their shrines. It is also houses the Catacombs on it's lower levels. Each sanctum is dedicated to a single god or goddess, with the largest dedicated to the Mother Goddess and the All Father.
Paya's Lodge- Without doubt the largest warrior guild on Lai'kairis, Paya's Lodge is often comparable to the religious military orders of earth such as the Knights Templar or the Eagle Knights of the Aztecs. Rigorous trials and oaths of loyalty are the bedrock of the Lodge, beneath a towering statue of Paya himself. However, critics say that Paya's lodge lack actual understanding of battle and is seen merely as a pampered elite.
Hunter's Academy- the largest hunter school on Lai'kairis. Found by the esteemed huntress Zel'tyr of the Swift Spears, her student's have the highest standards of training and the highest success rate of all the schools.
The Column Docks- the central column that joins the north and south hemispheres, the Column it also the main docks where largest ships beyond the size of frigates can safely berth. A hundred kilometres in circumference and hundreds in height, it has enough bays to house a large fleet, not counting the docks that line the hemispheres.
The Architect's Monument- this lonely monument situated at the heart of Lai'kairis is one of the last remaining reminders of the Precursor race known as the Architects. Unfortunately, this monument fashioned after them by Kai'rys himself had fallen into disarray after Pro-Yautja supremacists came to power centuries after Lai'kairis' founding. Neglected and in ruins, only those with knowledge of it or have stumbled across it in the bowels of the ship even know it exists and even less know who it is dedicated to.