War in Heaven

War in Heaven
K'lax Civil War
Date: 29 March 2466 - present
Location: Xathul Xon
Result: Ongoing
Belligerents
Tupii-K'lax brood	Zkaii brood
Commanders and leaders
Za'Akaix'Gist K'lax	Za'Akaix'Xeru K'lax
Strength
Unknown	Unkown
Casualties and losses
Unknown	Unknown

For the news article arc page, see War in Heaven Arc.

The Tupii-Zkaii War, also known as the K'lax Civil War, K'lak'iek ("K'lax War"), or the War in Heaven, is an ongoing armed conflict between Queen Tupii and Queen Zkaii of the K'lax Hive. Unlike traditional armed conflicts, the K'lax Civil War utilizes Vaurca Virtual Reality technology extensively for combat. The main battleground is an intermediary realm known as Xathul Xon or The Crucible, located in the Interstice connecting both queens' domains.

The War in Heaven is fundamentally a succession war. Queen Tupii, leader of the ancient K'lax brood, claims to be the rightful heiress to the K'lax throne. This marks a historical crisis as it is the first recorded Vaurca succession war.

Background

Shortly before the Vaurca Exodus from Sedantis, a fire erupted within High Queen Mother K'lax's chambers in the Tata'kree'xt. This shameful tragedy resulted in the deaths of K'lax, her guards, and the destruction of several Cephalons. To maintain stability, the K'lax kept this event a closely guarded secret, concealing the truth, especially from the Zo'ra Hive. However, news of K'lax's death spread quickly. Mother K'lax's remains and the damaged Cephalons were taken aboard the Kloxa'xia, and significant efforts were made to recover lost data from the burnt neural sockets. Ultimately, reconstruction attempts proved futile, resulting in the permanent loss of vital information.

Queen Zkaii—a pivotal figure in the development of modern Virtual Reality—refused to acknowledge Mother K'lax's death. During the Exodus, Zkaii founded the Mother Dream religion, perpetuating the belief that High Queen K'lax remained alive. Although considered eccentric, Zkaii's skill, closeness to Mother K'lax, and leadership positioned her as a likely candidate for the next High Queen. Following initial contact with the Unathi, the K'lax Hive received a fiefdom in what is now known as Tret, with Zkaii becoming its first Overlord. This decision was marked alongside Zkaii's official coronation as High Queen.

The old K'lax brood faced neglect even before Zkaii's ascent and their once-central position in the Hive declined. However, this situation worsened significantly following her rise to power, with their treatment deteriorating to a state akin to that of the queenless. Many Vaurcae, who believed the original brood deserved respect, viewed this as deeply unjust due to its historical significance. This tension was aggravated by the stance of many K'lax brood Breeders who openly preferred allegiance to the Zo'ra Hive over their new Unathi overlords. While the rest of the K'lax Hive adapted to their circumstances, the K'lax brood defiantly refused to acknowledge their changing status. Zkaii, upholding her denial of Mother K'lax's death, remained deliberately neutral on the matter. To acknowledge the old brood's plight would be a tacit admission of Mother K'lax's demise.

During the first gathering of the new Court of Queens in Caprice, the K'lax Hive faced significant pressure to resolve the issue of the old K'lax brood. Under scrutiny, they were forced to select a formal representative for the neglected brood. This resulted in the election of Ta'Akaix'Tupii'maxk'rekxak K'lax, a former confidante of Mother K'lax, as the new brood Queen. Notably, this marked a departure from tradition, as Vaurca broods typically dissolved or faded following the death of their Queen.

Since her election, Queen Tupii has been known for stepping up in many of the Hive's affairs. She has taken a leadership role in various matters, including Tret's colonization and meeting the high demand of Vaurca Warriors in Izweski's ranks. This, in turn, has led Tupii to become the de facto face of the Hive, overshadowing the less charismatic Zkaii.

Brood Relations

It has been widely reported that High Queen Zkaii was never keen on Tupii. Shortly after Tupii's coronation, Zkaii denied any interviews with Moghresian media. The suspicions were confirmed on November 29, 2463, when the Hivenet Watch recorded High Queen Zkaii openly stating that Tupii was "the wrong choice" in a royal channel of Hivenet. This finding was reported in various tabloid newspapers across Moghes but was ultimately deemed of little interest.

Similar incidents followed, including rumors by high-clearance Surrogates of both broods. On May 4, 2465, Jason Schmidt of the vaurphobic website, Vaurca Updates Online, posted an article titled "Trouble in Virtual Paradise: When Izweski's Allies Clash." Schmidt's article provided insider information on the Zkaii and Tupii's broods, alongside speculation on the Unathite economy if both factions were at war. However, the questionable reputation of Vaurca Updates Online led to the dismissal of Schmidt's report.

Important Figures

General Za'Akaix'Gist K'lax

General Gist, originally hatched around 27,488 BCE as a K'lax brood Warrior, exemplified an early strategic mind even before the advent of Virtual Reality training. Gist's interest in K'lax leadership, particularly in the ancient Queen Neiim, fueled its rapid rise through the ranks. Augmented to become a Vaurca Marshal, Gist's enhanced ability to predict complex outcomes provided significant tactical advantages against the Lii'dra. Gist played a crucial role in the Fiery Years of the Lii'dramachy, notably commanding early K'lax Warform prototypes at the Battle of Kan'koor and successfully repelling the Lii'dra from the region.

After its death in 27,465 BCE, Gist was posthumously awarded the Xakat'kl'atan rank. Its strategic contributions faded into relative obscurity during the post-Lii'dramachy recovery until the Hive Renaissance, where Gist's role in thwarting the Warladies regained notoriety. Though unverified, legend holds that Gist was banished to the Interstice, becoming a proponent of strategic finesse over brute force. Some speculate this ostracization was due to Zo'rane disapproval of Gist's views. Gist's survival following the death of Mother K'lax and the loss of her Cephalons is a subject of debate, with rumors suggesting a corrupted Gist was later recovered and sanitized. Enemies of the general use this to discredit Gist's current actions, labeling it lobotomized or "Viax Gist." However, there is no basis for these beliefs, and Gist was likely deep in the Interstice when the realm of Mother K'lax was forever lost.

During the Exodus, Gist actively supported Tupii's bid to become Queen of the K'lax brood, leveraging the reach of Virtual Reality for her campaign. It was later resleeved in 2464 in a less-augmented Myrmidon-like form, resembling Warriors of ancient. It also served as Tupii's master-at-arms. This, alongside positive portrayal in Sinta Articles, boosted Gist's popularity with the Unathi. At the time of its death, Gist was one of the most famous Warriors in the K'lax Hive.

Gist was recalled to Virtual Reality, where Tupii chose it as her general-in-chief for the K'lak'iek. While Gist's unparalleled experience in real-world warfare provides a tactical edge, it is not known for conventional Virtual Reality combat prowess. Rather, Gist intends to transform the virtual battlefield into a labyrinth of complexity. It favors strategies that rely on meticulous planning, deception, and manipulating the very fabric of the Aether itself, forcing enemies to adapt or be overwhelmed.

Exemplar Za'Akaix'Xeru K'lax

Exemplar Xeru is often regarded as the first K'lax Warrior to have converted to the Mother Dream faith. Alongside Ka'Akaix'Vhixok K'lax, Xeru is regarded as one of the key figures of the emerging religion and the very first Mother Dream missionary. Eventually, Xeru was promoted to the rank of Exemplar and is believed to have already climbed out of simulation with Mother K'lax herself, only returning to preach the faith.

Little is known about Xeru in life. It is speculated that it died shortly before the Exodus and was not known for its combat abilities. However, Exemplar Xeru grew to believe that the best way to escape the nested simulations is to challenge Virtual Reality with what it calls "the mirrored body." This mirrored body is an avatar trained to become strong enough to rip the veil of the Aether with its claws. Unbeknownst to the rest of the Hive, but with the full knowledge and likely support of Queen Zkaii, Xeru created a Mirrored Vanguard capable of making, breaking, and reshaping Virtual Reality.

Xeru's mirrored body is a disturbing testament to its obsession: not merely an avatar within the Aether, but a grotesque attempt to manifest an impossible form. Witnesses describe Exemplar Xeru as a topological paradox—a shifting, contorting shape that defies conventional geometry. Its body seems to fold into itself, creating warped connections and violating the very concept of inside and outside. The strain of rendering this illogical form is so extreme that even powerful Cephalons struggle, distorting Xeru's movements into a glitched and disjointed spectacle. Enemies may mock this disorienting display as sluggishness or taunt the Exemplar as "Sleepy Xeru," but they fundamentally misunderstand the profound violation of reality Xeru embodies.

In selecting a general-in-chief for the K'lak'iek conflict, High Queen Zkaii made a decisive choice: Exemplar Xeru. This fervent zealot embodies Zkaii's will, possessing a potent combination of unwavering faith and a mastery of Virtual Reality. Xeru's fanatical pursuit of transcending Cephalon limitations poses a unique and dangerous challenge to General Gist. Its unsettling abilities and unwavering devotion make it a formidable adversary.

Weavewright Ka'Akaix'Udon K'lax

Regarded as both a genius and a fool, Ka'Akaix'Udon K'lax is a Xakat'kl'atan of the Zkaii brood. It is a renowned figure in Vaurca history due to its pivotal contributions to the development of Virtual Reality Realms during the Hives Renaissance. A low-numbered member of the brood, Udon was tasked from a young age with mastering the science of Cephalons and Virtual Reality mechanics. Udon collaborated with the enigmatic Masters of the Weave—a group of Virtual Reality engineers that pushed for significant changes in how Realms operate. While in this group, Udon helped create the modern infrastructure for Realms and Subrealms that underpin Vaurca society today, earning the title of weavewright—a builder of Realms.

Despite this success, Udon eventually grew disillusioned with the limitations of Virtual Reality and sought refuge in the Interstice. There, it became a proponent of the Pilot Dream faith, developing a reputation for eccentric interpretations of its tenets. This divergence from Zkaii's beliefs led to a temporary estrangement. However, the Queen, who eventually grew interested in the Pilot Dream theory, recognized the potential of Udon's unique insights and invited it to return.

Udon was granted unprecedented access to Cephalon technology, allowing it to fully redesign Zkaii's realm in according to its new theories of realm building. What resulted was Zkaii's conceptual realm, a groundbreaking achievement in Virtual Reality design. Conceptual realms lean towards the abstract, esoteric, and multi-dimensional. They often push the boundaries of what is capable of in Virtual Reality, focusing on sensations that become ineffable. Conceptual realms would only become more popular during the Exodus, with other broods adopting similar styles.

Udon's craft invites visitors to engage with the realms it creates on multiple levels. Its approach to realm building is one of constant exploration and experimentation, pushing the very boundaries of what is considered possible within the virtual landscape. Udon views Virtual Reality not merely as the promised afterlife but as a medium for fundamentally challenging and expanding the boundaries of Vaurca perception and intellect. Each realm Udon creates is an esoteric, multi-layered experience, demanding its inhabitants to question deeply-held assumptions, adapt to utterly alien perspectives, and actively explore their surroundings to decipher hidden depths.

Despite Udon's seemingly close relationship with Zkaii, it is not a believer in the Mother Dream. Seen by the Zkaiite Surrogates as a neutral voice among the Queen's inner circle, Udon was chosen to design the Xathul Xon. Additionally, it was rumored that Udon disliked Exemplar Xeru and sought not to give the exemplar a tactical advantage in the Xathul Xon. This decision further solidified Udon's position as a respected and independent voice within the Zkaii brood, even as the conflict between Zkaii and Tupii escalated.

Xathul Xon

The Xathul Xon, also known as The Crucible, is a realm within Virtual Reality. Currently, documentation about The Crucible is limited. It is believed to have been commissioned to Ka'Akaix'Udon K'lax of the Zkaii brood, per Vaurca war traditions. If the current supposition is correct, this custom dictates that following a formal declaration of war (presumably initiated by Queen Tupii), the opposing leader (High Queen Zkaii) has the right to select and shape the battleground to their advantage. Traditionally, the declaring faction dispatches Workers to scout the chosen area prior to battle. Currently, reports from Tupii's scouting party on The Crucible's specific nature remain confidential to those directly involved in the conflict.

It is presumed that deaths experienced within the Xathul Xon result in a true form of death known as voiding. The first logs unraveled after the war's initiation indicate that participating Warriors face the peril of permanent death, a rare consequence within Vaurca culture. This departure from typical Virtual Reality combat, where death carries less severe consequences, raises questions about the potential repercussions of The Crucible on the future of vaurkind.

Timeline

March 2466

Tensions between the Zkaii and Tupii broods reached a breaking point in March 2466. Public conflict erupted following a series of accusations and counter-accusations published in the Biesellite newspaper, Caprice Sun. While these allegations served as the immediate catalyst for war, simmering grievances and power struggles between the two broods had likely been escalating privately for some time. The true reasons behind this rift may be deeply rooted in the history of the K'lax Hive.

Following Vaurca war traditions, the declaration of war was likely done between March 20 and March 25, 2466, privately. The construction of the Xathul Xon was finished in the following days, seizing the time dilation of Virtual Reality to perfect the realm in what could be perceived as years inside.

On March 23, 2466, the Hivenet Watch issued a report to the Eye of the Hegemon, the Izweski Hegemony's intelligence service, detailing a finding uncovered as part of their ongoing project to decipher Vaurca Virtual Reality. During a test within Queen Tupii's realm, analysts encountered what they believed to be a message from the recently deceased General Gist. The message's cryptic nature led some strategists to speculate about a potential surprise attack by the K'lax Hive against the Hegemony. Following this incident, the K'lax Hive remained under close surveillance.

On March 26, reporter Emily Kaplan, known for her interview with Queen Tupii, announced her departure from the Caprice Sun via Chirper. A day later, Editor-in-Chief Melissa Wahlberg posted a resignation letter to the newspaper's website. These departures are speculated to be linked to the publication's coverage fueling a feud between Queen Tupii and Queen Zkaii. This coverage, promoting conflict between two broods within the Court of Queens, potentially undermined the Court's mission to foster Vaurca collaboration.

Emily's chirp of her departure from the Caprice Sun.

On March 30, 2466, at approximately 10:43 p.m., Mendell City Time, Chirper user @klaxgamer466 reported that the subrealms of the K'lax Hive had crashed[1]. This chirp was followed by many other K'lax users sharing a similar experience, with some claiming that the Queen's realms were lagging as well. At the time, it was thought to be a hiccup in the Virtual Reality servers of the K'lax Hive.

Circa 11:03 p.m., the official Hivenet Watch Chirper account reported an "ongoing conflict" in K'laxian realms[2]. This was followed by a thread confirming armed conflict had erupted within these realms on March 31, 2466, at approximately 1:05 a.m.[3] Queen Zkaii and Queen Tupii were confirmed to be involved. No other parties were reported to be aware of or participating in the conflict.

Rumors of the Xathul Xon's existence quickly spread among K'lax Chirper users, prompting K'lax Hive authorities to confirm its existence on the Hivenet. However, no further details were released regarding the realm's specific nature, the parameters of the conflict, or its broader purpose.

April 2466

On April 4, 2466, Xuqiliq Qu'qoq was announced as the new editor of the Caprice Sun. However, the newspaper has made no effort to address the ongoing conflict.

On April 8, 2466, the Court of Queens convened an emergency session in Caprice to address the K'lax conflict. They resolved to maintain a non-interventionist stance, prohibiting any involvement from the Hives or their respective broods, and decreed the containment of the Xathul Xon within its virtual realm.

Details surrounding subsequent events remain shrouded in secrecy. On April 13, 2466, the Hivenet Watch initiated a covert operation in Skalamar, Moghes, deploying a pseudo-Cephalon nicknamed "Larry" into the Izweski Hegemony. This operation yielded the first known image of the Xathul Xon, leaked on April 19, 2466.

The first image of the Xathul Xon, pressumably captured by "Larry." The image supposedly depicts three batallions marching to face each other, though this interpretation has been contested.

"Larry" officially commenced operations on April 28, 2466, as announced on the Hivenet Watch's Chirper account[4]. Most information about the Xathul Xon comes from the Hivenet Watch's attempts to decipher its nature, supplemented by anecdotal reports from Vaurcae claiming knowledge of the events transpiring within the realm.

May 2466

Following the outbreak of the K'lax Civil War, information from the Hivenet Watch became increasingly scarce. Updates from their pseudo-Cephalon, "Larry," were often speculative, with little concrete evidence of significant developments. The early days of May 2466 saw a series of uneventful chirps, interspersed with occasional unsubstantiated rumors of troop movements.

On May 4, 2466, diplomatic talks between the Skrell and Unathi on Ouerea included a K'lax delegation led by Queen Vedhra. This fueled speculation that she might assume an interim leadership role during the conflict. However, the following day, Hegemon Not'zar Izweski announced that he and his wife were expecting three hatchlings. Both Queens Zkaii and Tupii attended this joyous occasion. Their amicable interaction and silence on the ongoing war further deepened the conflict's mystery.

Ideologies

As the idea of Vaurca succession is still novel, the ideologies behind it have recently formed. There are two major ideologies, followed by each combatant Queen. Variations and offshoots of these ideologies are prevalent, especially among K'lax who are not directly involved in conflict or spectating from afar.

Hive Restorationism

Hive restorationists believe the K'lax Hive must be led by Mother K'lax or a direct successor to maintain its identity and legacy. This ideology emerged after the Celis conflict and separation from the Zo'ra, fueled by a sense that the Hive was straying from its traditions without Mother K'lax's guidance. The misfortunes during the Exodus further intensified this sentiment, as many believed that the K'lax had a better chance of survival if remaining close to the Zo'rane Hiveships.

The K'lax brood remained the most staunch proponent of the restorationist ideology even after the Hive's integration into the Izweski Hegemony. However, the gradual adoption of Unathi culture has led to the fragmentation of the restorationist ideology.

Zo'raphile Restorationism

Zo'raphile restorationists believe the K'lax Hive should return to Zo'ra dominion. This stance is particularly prevalent within the Tupii-K'lax brood, who benefited significantly under Zo'ra rule. Zo'raphile Restorationists often display strong opposition to Hegemony rule and culture, and in some radical instances, they may also reject Hephaestus Industries. Some Zo'raphiles believe in a future where Mother K'lax and Empress Zo'ra will return to restore order to K'lax society.

Moderate Restorationism

Moderate restorationists believe that Hegemony integration is still possible. However, they are adamant in that only a director successor of Mother K'lax, or Mother K'lax herself, can rule the K'lax Hive and oversee this new vassaldom. This position is held by younger Tupii-K'lax subjects, particularly those that were hatched after the first contact with the Unathi.

Radical Restorationism

Some restorationists believe that the K'lax Hive would be better if straying from feudal and tributary systems, instead becoming an independent political entity. While enticing to some Vaurcae, radical restorationism is largely seen as idealistic, especially because the Hive has been historically described as a client state. In order to maintain the status quo, this belief is not endorsed by any K'lax brood. Instead, it is held by some Queenless K'lax who believe in Mother K'lax's rule.

Tupiic Restorationism

During her campaign to become brood queen, Tupii fostered the belief that she was the only viable candidate to lead the K'lax Hive. This sentiment intensified within her realm, where eager Xol'raii'kl'ox knights actively seek to join her army. Following her election as Surrogate Queen, support for Tupiic restorationism grew. As Tupii has done her best to gain influence over all sectors of the Tupii-K'lax brood, some Tupiic restorationists may held Zo'raphile or moderate views.

Non-Tupiic Restorationisms

Non-Tupiic restorationisms is a catch-all term for those restorationists who believe another Surrogate, rather than Tupii, should serve as the queen of the K'lax brood. After the election of Queen Tupii, these beliefs have become fringe. They are now explicitly forbidden inside the brood.

Mother Restorationism

Mother restorationism is an eccentric ideology in the K'lax Hive. Its proponents follow the Mother Dream religion and believe that true restoration of the K'lax Hive is possible only after escaping the simulation. Mother restorationists oppose Queen Tupii, particularly due to her stance against the Mother Dream. Tupii has voided advocates of this ideology, considering them defective souls. As a result, they have in turn become martyrs of the Mother Dream, believed to be connected to Mother K'lax now.

Hive Integrationism

Hive integrationism is considered a broad term encompassing the belief that one of the four remaining K'lax Queens, besides Tupii, has the right to rule the Hive. Integrationism ideology surged shortly after Mother K'lax's death, becoming the main ideology in the K'lax Hive during the Celis conflict. Most K'lax broods have accepted integrationism.

In recent years, integrationist ideology has incorporated the idea of being a Hegemony fief, though it is not a necessary tenet of integrationism ideology. Hive integrationism was championed by High Queen Zkaii, who oversaw the integration of the K'lax into the Izweski Hegemony.

Historically, integrationists have avoided addressing Mother K'lax's demise directly. Instead, they promote the belief that she ascended to a higher plane of existence or continues to exist as an emeritus Queen, guiding the K'lax from the shadows. This purposeful avoidance of her death has led to a proliferation of speculative theories, which opponents of the ideology often exploit to portray integrationists as detached from reality.

Pious Integrationism

Pious Integrationists believe Mother K'lax divinely selected Queen Zkaii to lead the K'lax Hive and that joining the Izweski Hegemony was a mandate from Mother K'lax herself. This ideology is deeply intertwined with the Mother Dream religion. Although the Mother Dream emphasizes escaping simulations, most followers interpret Zkaii's rule as a crucial stage in the Hive's eventual escape from nested simulations as a whole. Some radical pious integrationists have gone as far as to believe that the Izweski Hegemony is a Virtual Reality realm and that the simulation is a training ground for the K'lax. Most subjects of High Queen Zkaii subscribe to the pious integrationism ideology.

Secular Integrationism

Secular integrationism, also known as meritocratic integrationism, is the belief that Queen Zkaii gained her place in the K'lax Hive due to her tenacity and valor during the Exodus. This is a common belief held by many of the other K'lax broods and was the de facto ideology of the Hive until the resurgence of the Tupii-K'lax brood. Proponents believe that is unjust of Tupii to challenge the right of High Queen Zkaii and fear that the Hegemon would not allow for a new Overlord of Tret.

Non-Zkaiic Integrationisms

Though rare, some small factions of the K'lax Hive believe that another queen, such as Vedhra or Leto, could have become High Queen instead. These beliefs are not persecuted and were prevalent at a point. However, Non-Zkaiic integrationism has fallen due to the relative prosperity of the K'lax Hive in recent years.

Anti-Hegemony Integrationism

Anti-Hegemony integrationists believe that Queen Zkaii has a legitimate claim to lead the K'lax Hive but see the decision to become a fiefdom of the Izweski Hegemony as a mistake. They advocate for alternative paths, such as establishing an independent Tret and Pid state or occupying the Moghresian Wasteland. On rare occasions, some anti-Hegemony integrationists may even be considered Zo'raphiles. This ideology is prevalent among the Mi'kuetz but less common within the K'lax Hive's broods. Anti-Hegemony integrationists are not hired by megacorporations and are considered as potential unionists by Hephaestus Industries.

Council Integrationism

Council integrationists advocate for a radical departure from the traditional K'lax power structure. They believe the Hive should be governed by a council comprised of all five brood queens, rather than a single High Queen. While this ideology did not historically oppose Tupii, her declaration of war has led many council integrationists to propose replacing her with another Surrogate of the K'lax brood. Council integrationism is considered subversive and has recently faced persecution, including the use of pheromone manipulation tactics to reinforce the concept of a sole High Queen. Consequently, some council integrationists are labeled as defective and face the threat of voiding.

Virtual Reality Report Findings

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  Virtual Reality Report Cover Sheet

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  Virtual Reality Report Memorandum 1

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  Virtual Reality Report Memorandum 2

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  Virtual Reality Report Findings