Valdus

Short Story Introduction

“Red Six, secure our flank. Prepare for tactical withdrawl!”

“Negative Red Leader, Red Six will go down fighting.”

“Red eagle down, red eagle is down!”

Yorvi looked at his console, and noticed the little blips fading as his pilots died around him. His head snapped to the left as an explosion took the ship on his wing. He began to feel the cold sweat of panic dripping down his back.

“I am Yorvi the Sixteenth! I command you to prepare for withdrawl!”

“You ... not... title.” Another voice crackled like static over the busy comms system, deadened by the constant chatter of pilots.

“Clear the channel!” Yorvi snapped, rotating his joystick, feeling the sleek craft begin to shift away from the battle “and begin withdrawl!”

“...title!” It came again, more loudly the beginning cut off by the scream of a dying man.

“Thane command, this is Red Leader, requesting docking permission” Yorvi stated, thumbing the channel switch to his superiors.

A stream of laser fire streamed around his ship, some pinging on the shields, causing blue electronic flashes as the energy was absorbed. Yorvi looked behind him but saw no one on his tail. Ahead of him was a solitary Valdus destroyer.

“YOU HAVE NOT EARNED YOUR TITLE!” roared in his ear, clear now on the command channel. Stunned by the accusation Yorvi failed to reply and watched in disbelief as the destroyer began to rotate towards him.

“I am Past Speaker Ingvild and I am taking control! You have been stripped of title and caste.” The voice rang through his body, causing his hands to shake uncontrollably “We are Valdus, we fight and die with honour. You are Feigingkaste, a coward and will die as such.”

Once more his shields flashed as they took the energy, but the shots this time were more accurate. Many penetrated causing the metal casing of his tiny fighter to hiss and steam. Finally they burnt through, the pressure releasing in a burst that caused his nose and ears to bleed. One final message hammered through shrieking in his mind, one final message which would damn him forever.

“This is Past Speaker Ingvild. Hear me now, we are Krigarkaste! We are Valdus! We will fight to the last and earn our names. Fight on now my brothers and may our deaths be glorious!”

Racial Overview

The Valdus are generally tall with light coloured hair, light eyes, and fairly prominent pointed ears. Although outwardly not very strong, they are imbued with very dense muscular structure, which provides for surprising fortitude and strength.

Their culture is based on a strict caste system, with their role determined at birth. Although caste is usually determined by parents, there are instances where a Past Speaker may declare a newborn to be of higher or lower caste than their parentage would suggest. This occurs more often than might be expected, particularly for those of Warrior, Ruler or Knowledge castes. The ultimate goal for all Valdus is to live and die well and thus be reborn in a higher caste. The highest caste, the Ascended, exists in a plane between mortality and immortality, their spirits returning to mortal form in times of great danger or change.

The Valdus have spread among many core worlds, both as conquerors and settlers. Historically they have built and destroyed great civilisations. Only after joining the Concordium has their constant warfare subsided.

I once had a fling with a Valdus man. Oooh that muscle tone still sends shivers down my spine!

- Eloise Quepero D'Pigens

Even Darshana would be tempted.

- Darshana

Racial Characteristics

Statistics

Racial Special Abilities

- None.

Other than their good looks, the Valdus have little in the way of special powers to set themselves apart, and must instead rely entirely on simple prowess. Do not expect any fancy tricks from these people. No laser eyes, no claws, no lightning from their finger tips. They're really a bit dull actually. Maybe that's why I broke up with Halfdan, it's not like he stopped calling me back or anything.

- Eloise Quepero D'Pigens

Appearance

General Features

• Hair
  • Blond, red or brown.
• Physique
  • Humanoid.
  • Prominent pointed ears.
• Body Art
  • Warrior caste often wear tattoos on their arms and back.

Male Features

• Physique
  • Tall, lithe and hardy.
• Hair
  • Variety of styles from bald to long braided locks, with some also sporting facial hair of various styles.

Female Features

• Physique
  • Tall, lithe and hardy.
• Hair
  • Long and braided.

Accoutrements

• Clothing
  • Varied. Fur trimmed clothes traditional, but since integration into the Concordium, different designs have come into prominence, particularly among the Middle caste.
  • Both males and females frequently wear jewels as a sign of caste.
• Weapons
  • Small hand weapons such as knives or pistols.
  • Ceremonial sceptres.

Religion

The basis of Valdus faith, is to be remembered. Those who have come before deserve to be remembered for their actions, while those still alive wish to achieve something worthwhile so that they too are remembered by subsequent generations. Although each ancestor is venerated, only those who achieve truly great things can hope to be worshiped for centuries.

While two religions are mentioned below, in practice they are one and the same but differ in which aspect of the religion is emphasized.

Primary : Ancestor Worship: 65% : Those who came before are of utmost importance to Valdus society, because it is ultimately their great deeds that must be emulated and exceeded. From birth, the Valdus are taught that the greatest thing they can achieve is to be remembered. Their lives revolve around this central tenent. Only those who do great deeds are remembered, and only those who are remembered can hope to spend eternity with the heroes of Valdus lore; those who have earned eternal fame.

Secondary : Reincarnation: 45% : While all Valdus ancestors are important, there are those who attach increased meaning to the true heroes of the race. Those who died with great deeds attached to their name can reincarnate as a new living being and of a higher caste. They are able to improve their mortal lives, and being given greater opportunity to reach the coveted Evigcaste, who live on for eternity in the Valdus consciousness. There are even rumours that members of the ascended Evigcaste could return to aid the Valdus during times of great turmoil.

Valdus Caste System

Valdus Vinkaste (by Lloyd Smith)

The Valdus are highly caste orientated. Once born into a caste, you are stuck in it for that lifetime. The ultimate goal, is to diligently uphold the ideals of that caste. When the Valdus die, their spirits goes before the Evigkaste who judge their lives and determine which caste they are reborn into.

No-one knows for sure how the Caste System was started, but it seems to be as ancient as the people themselves. Legend has it that the first Evigkaste came to live among the Valdus, and showed them that their true potential could only be unlocked through diligence and living good lives. This has since evolved to become the reincarnation system they know today.

– Conleth, Historian to the Concordium.

The castes employ several techniques to distinguish themselves to those who do not know them. The most visual differences are separate styles of clothing, tattoos and the right to bear arms. Most unique however is their use of callings, names and titles. The castes are as follows;

Evigkaste - "Eternal Caste"; also known as the Ascended. They have become gods, and live among them as equals. Only those who have performed great deeds may ascend and join their brethren in eternity. It is possible for Evigkaste to attain mortal form once again, although this is exceptionally rare and tends only to occur during great strife or conflict. Such occurrences are the subject of Valdus myth and legend.
Official Style : Titled; "the Great, the Just, the Powerful"

Harskaste - "Ruler Caste". Those who have proven themselves capable of rule or kingship rise to the Ruler Caste, and only those of this caste are permitted to lead the Valdus both in battle and in government. Many Harskaste will attain the name of an ancestor, and are expected to uphold that name in their deeds. Failure to do so is to risk damnation as a Feigingkaste.
Official Style : Named; "the First, the Fifth, XII, XVII"

Tekaste - "Knowledge Caste". Not really a hierarchical caste, however those of the Tekaste are very highly respected even by higher castes. The Tekcaste are the gatherers of knowledge, and custodians of Valdus lore. It is the Tekaste who name newborn children, and decide the caste of new offspring. They record the lives of the great and are able to take from memory the deeds of the ancestors. Known in society as Past Speakers, the highest of this caste rises to be an Ancient Speaker who speaks at the very highest echelons and with absolute authority. Essentially the Tekaste are a combination of librarians and priests. Their duty is to inspire the Valdus to perform in their Caste as diligently as possible. Only a Tekaste may declare someone risen from Feigingkaste.
Official Style : Special; Past Speaker, Ancient Speaker

Krigarkaste - "Warrior Caste". The goal of most Valdus is to become Krigarkaste, and so prove themselves worthy of bearing arms in the name of the Valdus people, and thus start to earn a name for themselves. Only the greatest of the Krigarkaste may become Harskaste, while legendary Krigarkaste may directly ascend to the Evigkaste.
Official Style : Placed; "of Valdor, of Nordry"

Borgerkaste - "Middle Caste". A reltively new concept among the Valdus, those of the Middle Caste are charged with being the patrons of industry and they are masters of capital. Only the Borgerkaste truly care about material gain, and they believe that to become rich is the only way to be worthy of the caste. Many Valdus despair of the Borgerkaste considering them a bastardisation of Valdus society. However they have gained acceptance among the Harskaste and Tekaste who have come to realise their importance in modern Valdus life. Most Borgerkaste are merchants, traders and managers. The exceptional do rise to become captains of industry whose power rivals that of the Harskaste. In exceptional circumstances, there are examples of Borgerkaste rising to become Harskaste themselves, entirely skipping the Krigarkaste and Tekaste levels.
Official Style : Called; Leif, Gudrun, Bjorn

Vinkaste – “Worker Caste”. The vast majority of Valdus are Vinkaste taking up jobs from farmers to miners to insurance salesmen. The Vinkaste are generalists and do virtually any job required of them, although they tend to favour manual labour. Many aspire to become Krigarkaste and voluntarily sign up for their local militia, though none receive the training and equipment of their warrior caste superiors. The slogan often voiced by the Tekaste is “A Vinkaste who dies with calloused hands, dies well”.
Official Style : Called; Leif, Gudrun, Bjorn

Feigingkaste – “Coward Caste”. The untouchables of the Valdus, they are the Valdus who have run in battle, kinslayers or who have failed to uphold the principles of their caste in some massive way. Officially the caste is banned throughout the Concordium thanks to laws introduced by Ursians which gave them the basic rights of the Vinkaste. However within Valdus society, this is often ignored in practice. Traditionally, they are forbidden material goods and employment, and are forced to scavenge what they can to survive without aid from the rest of the Valdus people. Feigingkaste are damned to an eternity of rebirth in this caste, unless they are declared risen by a Tekaste. This is however virtually impossible given the restrictions imposed on them, and the deeds required being almost worthy of ascension in itself (and there are some very famous examples of Feigingkaste rising directly to Evigkaste!).
Official Style : None; to be declared Feigingkaste is to be nameless and forgotten.

This is a saying taught to young Valdus to teach them the proper styles for the castes. As you can see for one to be Named, or even Titled is an important goal for the Valdus people.

"To be Called is to be recognized, to be Named is to be remembered, to be Titled is to be revered".

- Eloise Quepero D'Pigens

Starting Ships

(Designs by James Goudie)

Racial History

To be added

The Valdus Thanejard

No single person speaks for the Valdus race as a whole; there is no high king or emperor. Many have tried to elevate themselves to this position of power, some have even succeeded in taking the galactic throne, but their dynasties have never lasted. Valdus society is simply too individualistic and proud to suffer central rule for long.

Jarls and thanes enjoy absolute rule over family units or townships. They sometimes band together out of necessity or politics to a single king thereby uniting a system. This is not done unless the ruler truly is exceptional.

In the past, severe civil wars have threatened to tear the Valdus apart. While establishing stable political union to prevent this is unlikely, the Valdus came up with another system of arbitration instead; the Thanejard. This body is composed of all free men or their representitives who have an interest in the affair. With the guidance of the Past Speakers the Thanejard is able to decide on disputes and settle grievances.

This system of governance does cause problems, particularly when the more centralised empires expect to be able to deal with a central authority, but even in the Concordium assembly, the Valdus jarls and kings speak for themselves only.

Even now Valdus society is extremely tribal, with a complete lack of a central authority. Bands of their people joining together in groups of varying sizes ranging from small familial jarls, to great kings ruling entire systems.

– Conleth, Historian to the Concordium.

Traveller's Log Entries

Halfdan's Stand

(by Gareth Kay)

“Thou be not permitted here, turn back,” the husky voice growled.

Halfdan scuffed the ground with the tip of his boot, his movement dislodging a stone hidden in the gravel. Taking a deep breath, he looked up at the hulking bear-man who towered over him and met the black eyes staring down the long brown snout.

“It’s been a month since we heard anything from Jorviken,” Halfdan stated. He glanced over his shoulder at the mass of Valdus who had followed him here, seeking the comfort of their numbers.

“A month! With no word, no supplies, no food!” snapped a weathered old man shuffling up beside Halfdan.

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