Planet Kallos

The Cinnabar King

Lauberg Roebar is one of the seven upala kings on Kallos. His domain accompany the high mountain picks on the Continent of Aval and the islands that from a circle with them. Long time ago a large event produced this crater, visible from orbit. The sea covered four parts of five, in the centre of that circle. Leaving a semi-circular coast rich in natural ports and calm waters. King Roebar rules over one thousand upala, each one a lord in its own right, commanding the loyalty of a small army of inferiors.

The king ascended to the throne in Cinnabar Castle, on top of the highest mountain in his domains, nineth eight years ago. When his father was assassinated by Iron-Elves from the East, continental, land beyond his domains. Part of the preparation for a large invasion. The Cinnabar Throne conquered the due vengeance, after twelve years of war. Standing on the circle of stone, surrounded by an unborn storm, feels like moments ago.

Was not in a night like that, but in a clean, calm sky of late autumn. The news arrived to him, right here.

His father was old for the standards of his people. His magic was never particularly impressive, but his skills as a strategist was second to none. Also, he was among the most skilled shapeshifters of this people. As a prince, Lauberg was the opposite. His magic was powerful and flexible, no one of his siblings could challenge him, but he was not the best shapeshifter. Or the brightest general.

The brightest general, his elder brother, betrayed the realm, and the pride of their race, by selling himself as a puppet for the elves. High among the inferior races, but still, shameful.

Winds of tempest from the south move the clouds, suddenly, pushing it to the sea. In a moment, almost as fast as magic, the sky clears. Revealing a river of stars.

How much lost potential! That is the way of upala ruler families, since the remote Ages lost for memory. Before his dead father was born, even.

The king looks to the sky, unable to shake away this sensation. The imminence of something. Something hard to define.

Upalas are consumed master shapeshifters. Least some of them. That is their major advantage over other races on Kallos.

In the shape their natural shape they have about the same size and weight of elves and orks, approximately. Similar structure of bones, broadly speaking. Like some orcs they have no nose, but in their case the orifice is protected by a permeable membrane. Only two empty cavities on their faces. Their skin in most cases is white like milk, their eyes completely white too, or marked by a single small black dot. No hair of any kind, only the dry white skin, smooth and uniform. No ears and no nails. No lips or mouth, no orifices of any sort, except the two on their faces. They communicate to each other at distances of a few kilometres, speaking the innate racial language, directly talking mind-to-mind.

Any adult can change that appearance to look like a member of inferior races. Similar races, with about the same weight they have, is easy. They can look like anyone. Up to twice their weight, or half of it, is still easy for the good shapeshifters, nothing exceptional. And is not a mere change in appearance.

They must learn to acquire the senses, skills and advantages of every race they use as model. Male upala impregnate the best females of all inferior races in their domains. Only a few of those children are born upala, but all inherit superior genetics. Above the race of their mothers.

Upala females would be locked in the race of the father of their children for the duration of pregnancy if they reproduced that way. Most of them avoid the experience, for considering it demeaning.

In their society only kings are allowed to enjoy the pleasures of sex with members of their own specie. All other males must satisfy themselves with inferior partners.

The royals are more powerful than normal upalas. Able to assume forms 8 times larger, or 8 times smaller than their natural. To communicate at greater distances, spy and control the minds of lesser upalas. Because of those superior capacities princes must kill each other, to avoid anarchy. When a king dies, only one of his sons can survive. The daughters participate in this dispute, taking sides and manipulating their brothers, but they will not ascend to the throne. And don’t need to die, for failing in achieve that.

And here it is! Far in the south, at the very limits of his domain. King Roebar feels it, beyond the reach of his physical eyes. Above the skies, so high that only winged serpents and wind dragons can go there, and even them seldom do that.

The rift open for a fraction of instant. Leaving the dot. The living, floating vessel, above the sky. It’s alien mind agonizing in painful ****, like a fish on the dry floor of a canoe.

Inside the ship, alien minds. Millions, confuse and ****.

Some experiment, failed.

They will fall, most of them will not survive. Maybe all of them will die. Still, their tools and their weapons, will be in his territory. A gift from the sky. Things that never existed on Kallos. The king seeks his most trusted agents, directing their minds with purpose. They will be close when the ship hits the ground, and there is no reason to hurry. It will take some time.

Is good to be prepared.

There was never any human on Kallos, before the Pelican fall.