The Queendom of Sezk-Hakh

The Queendom's Flag.

Situated across Moghes’ eastern hemisphere, within the Guzan region amid the Tzuszah Wastes, the Queendom of Sezk-Hakh has managed to survive and develop in spite of the instability caused by the consequences of the Contact War. Isolated from its enemies thanks to the extensive, growing Wasteland, it is led by the elderly Lazak Szek-Hakh alongside her daughters, Zasza and Tzansa. Though the encroachment of the wastes has made resources within the previously lush province somewhat scarce, the region manages to teeter between thriving and languishing thanks to the extensive aquaculture industry that exists within the capital of Yu’kal – expanded upon by Szekzir Lazak following the death of her husband during the war. Unfortunately due to the continued growth of the wastes, distrust from more conservative Unathi, and the isolationist stance of the Szek-Hakh leadership, the future of the area is uncertain.

A note on Etymology:
The term Queendom was originally something of a misnomer borne from human mistranslation, but it was quickly adopted by enemies of Clan Szek-Hakh as well as those who see the region’s cultural shift as dangerous or degenerate. Originally intended to be an insult related to what its detractors considered insufficient strength of rulership in the region, Lazak Szek-Hakh instead embraced the human-centric term as her own. By 2468 the name was in widespread colloquial use when it was officially changed in collaboration with the structuring of the Karszekani. The area is now officially known as the Szekziran. Literally translated as “Domain of the Ruler of Rivers”, the name was chosen to highlight the region’s continued distance and contrast from the more common Szekanan or “Domain of the Ruler of the Land”. Given the changes in gender identity described below, the association to rivers was applicable as rivers are more closely associated with Taa (Healers) due to their adaptable nature, whereas the firm and solid land is more closely related to Saa (Warriors). Going forward the colloquial term and the official name will be used interchangeably.

Culture & History

Prior to the Contact War, Yu’kal was a centre of the eastern hemisphere’s aquaculture industry, with the city nestled among the coasts. It was only after the death of Lord Jzsan Szeh-Hakn, Lazak’s spouse, that the realm’s reality shifted, and they were confronted with circumstances that most thought would result in the region’s collapse. However, Lady Lazak took critical steps to maintain the realm – in particular instituting widespread and extensive reformation of the aquacultural industry, mandating larger quotas, the creation of emergency provision stockpiles, and a focus on longevity. Increased enlistment and training in the city guard or militia was also instituted, irrespective of previous roles or abilities. Her quick thinking allowed many of the local cities to survive those first years, and they were even able to assist more distant neighbors, such as Mudki. These first crucial steps by Lazak allowed Yu’kal to weather the storm and serve as a beacon for clans fleeing their homes as a result of the roiling uncertainty of war. Quickly, the foundations of the Queendom began to form.

By the end of the Contact War, the Szekziran was a well-established political entity within the Wasteland, with Lazak claiming her late husband’s title sometime during the climax of the nuclear cataclysm. When the dust had settled, the domain was intact but the toll of the war would yet be felt. Between the dead, chronically wounded, and others who fled or were lost, the saa population of the region was reduced by sixty eight percent. Less conservative estimates put the number closer to eighty. Changes to the aquaculture infrastructure proved key to the Queendom’s survival, but the work would grind on as the truth of the wastes became apparent. With the staggering loss of warriors in battle and the constant need for fishers to keep mouths fed and industry running, more and more healers found themselves pressed into positions outside their experience. Raiders from the wastes, lawlessness, and a number of robberies from food stockpiles necessitated the creation of an effective security force. The initial edict which allowed for anyone to work in the city guard or military became a requirement. Mandatory service was expected of all citizens, but in reality, most fishers were fully tasked and given an exception.The result was a peacekeeping force composed primarily of taa that were hastily trained and had not been steeped in warrior philosophy as many saa had been. Healers also found themselves thrust into positions of vacated leadership. Lazak had no hesitation in taking the reins of the realm and proved to be extremely competent, but change would not come as easily to the myriad lesser offices. Many were still held by old and conventional unathi, and not all of the healers available to take on the responsibility were as willing to upend warrior dominated tradition. In the end, however, necessity won out in most cases and in others Lazak was able to find taa of like-mindedness and appoint them to most crucial positions.

Taa soon found themselves in roles previously associated with saa across the Szekziran. Eventually the boundaries between the genders began to erode, and healers in martial roles began to be referred to as Taa’an; healer as of the land. Their unique background and lack of a traditional warrior mindset led to unconventional tactics and strategies in combat. Advanced anatomical and medical knowledge coupled with the willingness to fight in “less than honorable” ways resulted in a glut of early victories, boosting confidence in Lazak’s methods and ejecting a number of raiding bands that had been encroaching on her lands during the initial chaos. A semblance of order returned to the Queendom and many held the Taa’an in high esteem while the doubters were robbed of their footing. These successes led to permanent changes in training and enlistment which, over time, caused the fusion of healer and warrior to be entrenched in local culture as a healer-protector.

A number of those outside the Queendom’s influence saw the intertwining of warrior and healer as abominable, and Lazak’s continuing success as heretical. Several attempts to silence Lazak have been made since the end of the war, with the most notable culminating with the capture and exile of a would-be assassin. The Lord responsible was openly challenged by a Taa’an champion. Underestimating his challenger he sent his Saa firstborn to answer in a duel to first blood. Both the lord and his champion were humbled when the strike to draw first blood was so deft and exact that it took the hand off at the wrist before the first drops hit the ground. Though already accepted by thousands within her realm, this brought publicity to the Queen, allowing her to rise as a public and notable figure in Moghes and the greater Izweski Hegemony.

Szekzir Lazak now leads the Szekziran in a precarious situation, with those aligning themselves to the Karszekani’s warrior-dominated customs calling for her exile due to her heretical twisting of Saa and Taa, making it harder for the aging ruler to find allies. Walking a delicate tightrope balancing the relations of the Sk'akh Church and other political rivals as part of the Karszekani, only with the coming of the future will the legend of the Queendom see itself either rise or fall.

Taa’an - Cutting out the Rot

Taa’an as a term has been used to describe the new gender paradigm in the Szekziran since its inception but the ethos of its members has been refined over time. The mixing of a warrior’s insight with a healer’s precision has led to a guiding belief that destruction is necessary to the process of healing, and by contrast an avoidance of injury can cause greater harm. For example, killing a dangerous criminal can save lives tomorrow. By attempting to heal a plague ridden patient, you risk infection to others. A common axiom took root; you must cut out the rot of disease to save the body. To many, the methods of Taa’an seem bloodthirsty and show a sickness of soul that comes from the confusion of roles in the Queendom. Outsiders sometimes report ruthless measures taken by Taa’an in the execution of their duties and, as they were in the past, healer-protectors are not hesitant to use what some consider to be “honorless” tactics to achieve victory. Often this takes the form of ambush and guerilla warfare, but there are also rumors that they coat their reserve melee weapons in sedatives or poison to level the playing field; substances many are familiar with from the training they receive as healers. Veteran Taa’an who have proven their aptitude and dedication are known as Exemplars. They are often found in positions of leadership, directing their troops or officers with meticulous precision.

Unfortunately, shouldering the burden of both warrior and healer can become overwhelming. In the field, Taa’an often experience a doubling of expectations; for example, they may be expected to charge the enemy one minute and then triage the wounded the next with no rest until duty is done. The continued exposure to adrenaline, trauma, and suffering in the majority of aspects of their role leads to a condition similar to what humans call “compassion fatigue”. As time goes by Taa’an become unwilling or unable to connect empathically with others. They become irritable and isolate socially as much as they are able and their duty allows. This can sometimes lead to a mental break or crisis, but over time the culturally accepted answer has become silent endurance. Known in the Queendom as “Honed Soul”, this isolating coping strategy is seen as strength of character and actively encouraged. So long as they don’t suffer a nervous breakdown, the longer one serves as Taa’an the more normalized this state of mind becomes. Exemplars often exhibit this as extreme vigilance and a cool detachment from their subordinates. They are “always on”, ready to move to action, either to attack or administer aid, but unable to express negative emotions or find regular catharsis. As elected positions are often chosen from veteran Taa’an ranks this affect can impact their relations with visitors and dignitaries. The result is a perception of the Queendom in general, and Taa’an specifically, of cold, calculating, and ruthless enigmas who stand outside of normal unathi culture.

As the war passes into history and the planet tries to heal, some have endeavored to revert the Szekziran back to more traditional practices and un-entangle the warrior and healer from one another. These attempts have largely met with abject failure due to Lazak’s influence and the rigorous adherence to the new paradigm by Taa’an of every rank. Very few traditionally recognized saa exist as the ones who survived the war pass and the young are folded into Taa’an training and development. The success of the Szekziran and the prowess of its healer-protectors is lauded as proof of the failings of Saa and the dominance of Taa’an. Opposition to the Queen or her policies is somewhat tolerated but significant agitators often find themselves seen as the rot needing to be cut and the majority are exiled.

Religion

The majority of the Queendom subscribes to Th'akh, with Yu’kal containing within it a massive temple – easily compared to a cathedral – expressly giving homage to the realm’s alignment to the religion, constructed by Szekzir Lazak following the Contact War. Despite the realm’s majority-Th’akh following populace, Lazak has granted asylum to many journeying across the Wasteland regardless of which faith they subscribe to, and until recently even allowed Si'akh within her realm. After swearing fealty to the Izweski and joining the Karszekani, Lazak agreed to publicly denounce the religion. Those who choose to follow it are officially barred from her realm, yet an open secret of the Queen’s court is that she allows its adherents travelling through the Wasteland to reside within her borders – to varying degrees of permanence. While Si’akh is officially suppressed, it has nonetheless found fertile soil for its beliefs in the Szekziran. A significant number of Taa’an equate the cleansing and purification of Si’akh with their own beliefs of healing primarily through excision and debridement, and the Queen’s official denouncement, while arguably necessary, has become a catalyst for discontent and disagreement in an otherwise unified community.

Though the Szekziran’s tolerance for other religions is great, Aut'akh is fiercely denounced and even despised. It is not unheard of for those within the confines of her realm that follow the heresy to find their prosthetic augments looted, or proselytisers lynched in the streets.

Major Cities

Yu’kal

The capital of the Queendom, Yu’kal has been reigned over for centuries by Clan Szek-Hakh. It had long been established, even prior to the Contact War, as a major population centre of great importance; mostly owing to trading structured around aquaculture. Though the nuclear cataclysm into which Moghes was plunged almost destroyed the city, Szekzir Lazak reigns diligently to ensure that her people and her husband’s lineage survive the perilous circumstances with which they’ve been confronted. Though initially aligning with the Izweski Hegemony during the outbreak of the Contract War, Yu’kal eventually saw itself shifting to becoming neutral to the conflict as it developed into the foundation of the Queendom. Recently however, it has pledged fealty to the Karszekani and its borders and provisional duties have been expanded to all Guzan.

Gzusz

One of the newer cities to join the Queendom, Gzusz has become a refugee haven. On the outskirts of the realm’s eastern border, many displaced unathi fleeing west arrive greeted by the rapidly growing city, which only decades before had a population of less than two-hundred. Though the Contact War has made it difficult to expand fast enough to accommodate those fleeing the Wasteland, Gzusz still maintains great importance to the Szekziran, acting as a “buffer” between the Gawgaryn and Reclaimers and the interior of the Queendom. The majority of the newly arrived are inducted into the city’s guards, fighting off those that wish to question the Queendom’s ability to protect itself and its people. The influx of refugees means that Gzusz is rarely without round-the-clock protection. It is officially split between Sk’akh and Th’akh, though a growing undercurrent of Si’akh is evident. It is ruled by Lady Zasza Szek-Hakh, Szekzir Lazak’s daughter.

Arch’ozal

Named after the Th’akh Spirit-God Archozmi, Arch’ozal prides itself as being keeper and distributor of knowledge. Having sided with the Queendom since its inception, it has become a place of great academic advancements – at least in terms of the Wasteland. Prior to the Contact War, Arch’ozal was the centre of academia within Moghes’ eastern hemisphere; with Clan Ghzakal reigning over it. The destruction brought on by the nuclear war, and the lack of means to sustain itself, Clan Ghzakal fled from the city – leaving it and its populace having to fend for themselves. It was only after the radioactive ashes began to set that Lazak sent emissaries towards the city, eventually persuading them to follow her custom doctrines. She appointed her daughter, Tzansa Szek-Hakh, as Lady-Regent until another with a rightful claim to Arch’ozal returned. It is majority Sk’akh, however, the population of Th’akh has slowly been growing over the years.