Desven

The K'lax Conflict: A Disastrous War Now Carried to Zo'ra Politics War in Heaven, Part Four: “The Quality of Mercy,” Article 3 The following text is the transcript of the speech recited by Dr. Seth Claasen in our new extranet video-forum, 'Skepticism in the 25th Century.' In order to gain access to this platform, we kindly invite you to subscribe to Vaurca Updates Online. Most of us have referred to the K'lax conflict as that, a "conflict," or dispute. The term "war" has been discouraged on Vaurca Updates Online, though this hasn't stopped some users from repeating it. Even pundits of the "vaursphere" on Chitter have occasionally referred to the conflict as a war, more often than not resulting in heated discussions. In June 2466, Jason Schmidt published here an article calling the K'lax conflict a "war." Despite being well-received, the rhetoric used by Dr. Schmidt was seen as hyperbolic at the time. I have a lot of respect for Dr. Schmidt—Jason has been a personal friend of mine since he entered college—but I too, didn't agree with him. However, I don't think it had a lot to do with the actual meaning of the words. A conflict, as agreed upon by many scholars, is a fight between armed troops. In contrast, a war is more official—it is a hostile declaration by the state or government. Many will explain that while conflicts are part of war, not all wars include or are limited to conflict. Governments that have declared war on nepotism or corruption can attest to this. To officially constitute the K'lax conflict as a war, you have to consider the hives as states. I know many of you don't agree with this, but it is the way the hives see themselves and operate. In fact, the K'lax are hive most "legitimized" in the Orion Spur, as they are considered entities of the feudal state. Moreover, Dr. Schmidt has also talked at length about how the declaration of war worked, and the disputes Zkaii and Tupii had for years. The debate about the hives' power and Vaurca traditions is usually what the discussions of conflict versus war amount to. Again, my reservations were never about this, and I agree with Dr. Schmidt's analysis. Instead, my reservations were more personal. It was more about the connotation of the words. The term "war" sounds lavish, official, and, most importantly, deadly. We've all heard stories coming from Vaurcae or those familiar with the hives, claiming that many are "dying" virtually. I don't know if that's true, but despite the lethality, I had my reservations. I thought that the conflict was just unglamorous, petty, and disorganized. And it is. It is unglamorous, petty, and disorganized. But that doesn't qualify it as being a war. A war can be disastrous—they often are. But I don't think the K'lax war has been this big of a mess because of the K'lax hive, as failed as they are. Rather, it's been because of various factors. Its secrecy, much owed to the Hegemon, is the main one. Why do I believe this? Because in the age of an inter-connected Orion Spur, you don't want to fight in the dark. To do so means you have no stakes. The entire Spur tried to understand just what exactly was going on, with big attempts by the Hivenet Watch to surveil and intercept the virtual reality network, but all failed. And after the Hegemony censored the news to appease the Skrellian embassy, all external interest withered. What this means is that support also vanished. Zkaii and Tupii are essentially fighting each other in a dark corner, proving their might to no one. It's nothing more than a slapfight, despite how many lives are lost, and it's eating apart their resources. Just as we usually don't think of the hives as state entities, we also ignore how they're also economic entities. No matter what rosy stories of Sedantis we hear, in the Orion Spur, the hives need credits to operate. And it looks like they're running out of ways to finance this war. This became obvious when the Tretian Guild, sponsored by the Izweski Hegemony, opened an online commerce, InstaTret. It appears that Zkaii and Tupii weren't involved at all, with all of the logistics and even promotion of the platform falling on Vedhra's metaphorical lap. It almost seems like, these days, Vedhra is the de facto "high queen." If you don't believe me, just notice how often Vedhra travels to Moghes and meets with Not'zar Izweski. And what has been Zkaii's and Tupii's response? Well, they're scrambling. They're terrified. They don't want to give up power, and now they've realized that they need to do something before Vedhra somehow beats them. They won't fight Vedhra, no—they likely think she's doing what needs to be done, for the time being. Instead, they're at a crossroads: either they go public and ask the international community for support—running the risk of upsetting the Hegemony, who wanted them to keep this on the low, but also of tarnishing their reputation—or they come to an agreement fast and wrap it up. I think that Tupii, at least, chose the first option. Why? Well, Tupii was always involved with Tret. I think she has overplayed her importance in building the factory-planet, but it's out of the question—Tupii did much, much more than Zkaii when it came to organizing Tret. Also, Tupii created the Tretian Guild and remains its guildmaster despite the promises to step down. None of this is a conspiracy theory—you can check the public records, and you can also read more about the relationship between Tupii and Vedhra. Dr. Schmidt has a great analysis, but in summary—yes, they're close, and they both don't agree with Zkaii's style of leadership. Does this mean that Vedhra is an ally of Tupii? It's hard to say because the other broods have made a great effort to steer away from all controversy. Even Vetju, who seems to despise Zkaii, has not taken a stance. The problem seems to be that the queens believe that they've been dealt with two bad choices. Zkaii is seen as incompetent, even if this might be a mischaracterization, while Tupii is seen as too cunning and impossible to read. Does she want to become a Zo'ra vassal, as many of her brood do, or does she want to turn the K'lax hive into the Tupii hive? Nobody knows for certain. But suspicions that Tupii might be warming up to Zo'ra again aren't unsubstantiated. Again, the facts are there. Just a few days ago, the Caprice Sun—who, out of all the K'lax queens, has only been favorable to Tupii, no wonder—shilled InstaTret and announced that they'll be manufacturing Vaurca Equality merchandise in Tret. This is probably the first time Vaurca Equality has seemed to care about anyone other than Zo'ra, so it is really telling. It is also true that Vedhra visited Belle Côte to receive the New Year. At the time I'm reading this, Vedhra is still there—there was a ball, sponsored by Athvur, and it is known that Vedhra attended. It is the first time a K'lax queen—or a queen other than a Zo'ra queen—attends the Zo'ra New Year's Eve Gala. There was no reason given for Vedhra's visit, and no statement was made. There are plenty of rumors that we're currently receiving, but I don't feel comfortable sharing any yet because I don't want to state something false as if it were true. Just know that Vedhra reunited with the Zo'ra queens in person. Are the Zo'ra making a mistake? Vaur makes no mistakes–no. They won't even recognize her failed VP bid as a mistake. But jokes aside, they're smart and they know what they're doing. For Vaurcae, every favor is a transaction. The queens don't interact with each other if there's nothing one party can gain. The possibilities of what Zo'ra can get out of supporting Tupii are endless, but so are the risks. Even if the war is transpiring within virtual reality, I don't think the Hegemon would like foreign factions to intervene. Only time will tell what's really going on—and we'll likely figure it out very soon. Seth Claasen is an emeritus professor at the Department of Economics at the University of Tr'ha'rem. He is also a public speaker and was one of the hundred and twelve intellectuals who signed a letter against the K'lax fiefdom.

All Your Holiday Shopping in InstaTret War in Heaven, Part Four: “The Quality of Mercy,” Article 2 This article is sponsored by the Vedhra Brood and the Izweski Hegemony. Haven’t done your holiday shopping yet? This year, InstaTret has you covered. InstaTret is the recently-launched online commerce platform by the K’lax Hive. It sells about anything and everything you can imagine, all manufactured on the planet Tret. Because you’re buying directly from them, you’re cutting out the middleman, which means prices are much cheaper than in normal retail! [Pictured: a K’lax-manufactured Christmas sweater. It costs 0.89 credits.] InstaTret has partnered this year with the Caprice Sun to offer its readers a special extra 15% discount. Just type in the promo code “HOLIDAYS” and all your seasonal shopping will be much cheaper! In addition to all the savings, InstaTret is committed to social causes. Starting in 2467, Tret will be manufacturing the official merchandise for Vaurca Equality. You can check Vaurca Equality’s shop if you want to preorder a “Vaurca Pride” water bottle or a T-shirt from their Vaurca Ally collection, with 10% of proceeds supporting Vaurca advocacy and unity initiatives. So why wait? Whether you're shopping for family, friends, or even that special someone, InstaTret has something for everyone—and at prices that won’t break the bank. Start your holiday shopping today and experience the future of online retail! Happy Holidays! Click here to visit the InstaTret website.

I'm for this. Ideally, we would have a Vaurca smell system, but I would like to have mechanical Virtual Reality first and foremost.

Approved.

Approved.

In His Final Days In Office, Joseph Dorn Pardons Viax Driver That Killed VP During this brief transition period, Joseph Dorn has not shied away from controversy. Most recently, the President decided to pardon Ka'Viax'Nurp Zo'ra, the Vaurca Drone that killed VP Fahjil Hurk'jurl three years ago. This decision was preceded by an intense campaign sponsored by Vaurca Equality, an NGO that promotes Vaurca's civil rights. Though the campaign had its peak during Nurp's trial in 2463, the issue resurfaced recently after Congress approved the Electoral Integrity Enhancement Act, a bill that weighted Vaurca votes into an electoral college. The Electoral Integrity Enhancement Act has been cited as one of the leading factors in Dorn's surprise defeat in late September. President Dorn reiterated during the final stretch of his campaign that he found the bill to be "unconstitutional," in how it limited Vaurca rights; A species he has been a staunch supporter of since their arrival almost ten years ago. Three years ago, the decision to pardon Nurp would have been highly controversial. As politicized as the trial was, a poll showed that a majority of Biesellites believed Nurp should serve their sentence for involuntary manslaughter. Today, only 41% of Biesellites believe the sentence to be necessary, with an additional 26% finding it to be "harsh, but understandable." However, even though the numbers have dropped, some sectors of the population—including the Tajara residents of Biesel—do not agree with Dorn's decision. "Dorn is out of their mind," said Mikhail Khirr'skolv, a resident of Little Adhomai. "This one thinks he prefers the Vaurcae to the people that have helped build this country for longer." Ka'Viax'Nurp Zo'ra was released this Monday from the Tonsberg Federal Correctional Institution, a federal prison in New Gibson. They were met by their lawyer, Chadwick Tremblay, and a group of Vaurca Warriors, who shielded them from the press. According to an anonymous source present, Nurp "understood that [they were] being let go, but did not comment." Vaurca Equality spokesperson Amy Monet commented on the matter: "It's a victory not only for Vaurcae, but for the Republic of Biesel's judiciary system, that Nurp can finally be free. A Viax should have been accommodated differently, and the Zo'ra are happy to be reunited with Nurp. While the future may be uncertain for the Vaurca community and its allies, we hope that President-elect Åke Torvald is open for a conversation about how Viax should be judged in a court of law."

The Tretian Guild Presents Online Tret Store War in Heaven, Part Four: “The Quality of Mercy,” Article 1 Yesterday, the acting guildmaster of the Tretian Guild, Queen Vedhra, unveiled a new online commerce platform—Tret’skerret, known as “InstaTret” in Basic. Under the slogan “Tret Yourself,” InstaTret aims to serve extranet users looking to shop for a variety of affordable products produced on Tret, the Hegemony’s superfactory. According to statistics released by Hephaestus Industries during its second quarter of 2466, Tret produces over ten thousand different components distributed across the Orion Spur, with many products built, assembled, and finished at the superfactory itself. While Tret’s gross yearly revenue remains undisclosed, the planet has been instrumental in the recovery of the Hegemony’s economy. A spokesperson for the Tretian Guild, Ka’Akaix’Jujon K’lax, stated that InstaTret's goal is to “empower customers across the Orion Spur by cutting out the middleman, while continuing to boost the economy of the Izweski Nation.” Queen Vedhra announced the launch of InstaTret during her visit to Moghes. Rather than addressing the press directly, her recorded message was presented alongside a visual presentation at a press conference held by Hephaestus Industries, which focused on the growth of the guilds. Hegemon Not’zar Izweski also attended the event. When asked by Sinta Articles about InstaTret’s prospects, the Hegemon remarked, “It is an exciting opportunity and a necessary step for our economy. The K’lax Hive has proven to be instrumental allies during this period, and the future of the Hegemony appears bright.” The Tretian Guild is not classified as one of the guilds acquired by Hephaestus Industries. However, it is currently co-managed by Hephaestus agents and the K’lax Hive. Guildmaster Yukal T’zakal reported that the megacorporation will be “heavily involved” in the day-to-day operations of InstaTret and that Orion Express will be the primary carrier service for product deliveries. InstaTret is currently available throughout the Izweski Hegemony and the Republic of Biesel. An expansion into the Valley Hale region and parts of the Coalition of Colonies is planned for early 2467. InstaTret offers over 12 product lines, including apparel, consumer electronics, sporting goods, and furniture—all positioned to be accessible to a wide range of customers. First-time buyers can use the promo code ILOVETRET to receive an 81% discount off their entire purchase. Their website can be visited here.

This application is accepted.

I'll accept this app, but just be cautious about too much "Suit influence." We're planning an update on how C'thur Vaurcae operate in Eridani, and we don't really want it to be a carbon copy of the dominant culture, but rather a parallel culture that borrows elements. So while I think misusing some Suit slang is good, just don't act like a Suit. Hopefully I'll develop more lore regarding this in the upcoming months.

Dorn/Vaur 2466.

The Vaurca Community Reacts to Torvald's Win [Pictured: Mr. Åke Torvald addresses his supporters after his victory in the Presidential election of the Republic of Biesel.] Last night, Mr. Åke Torvald, who has faced heavy criticism for his vaurphobic rhetoric, was elected President of the Republic of Biesel, defeating the incumbent Joseph Dorn. The prospect of a Torvald administration has long been a source of concern for many in the Vaurca community and their advocates. Now that it’s a reality, that uncertainty has only grown. Immediately after the results, from the Dorn HQ, High Queen Vaur delivered a speech to the supporters of the Dorn-Vaur campaign. Her message was one of cautious hope: "In a democratic system, the people choose their representative. While we disagree with Torvald on most issues, we hope he will do his best and continue to uphold democracy. To all Vaurca and our supporters—do not view the future as a dark age, but as part of our ongoing struggle. There's still work to be done, and we will continue fighting for justice for those who need it most." Vaurca Equality, a nonprofit advocating for Vaurca rights, issued a stark warning that difficult times lie ahead. Spokesperson Sarah Alito stated: "Dark times are ahead for Vaurcae and their allies. Torvald's menace became clear this summer, especially after the undemocratic bill titled the 'Electoral Integrity Enhancement Act' passed at record speed. Now is the time to mobilize and ensure civil rights aren't stripped away further." She also stressed the need for financial support: "We need help. We're a grassroots movement, and we can't do it alone. More than ever, we need support from all Biesellites." Ta'Akaix'Nuex'ski'llhar Zo'ra, a representative of the Zo'ra Hive in Belle Côte, echoed Alito's concerns: "Vaurphobia is already a problem in New Gibson, one that’s rarely talked about but very real. Belle Côte has a large Vaurca presence, and when my Vaurcae saw Torvald signs on people’s lawns, they felt uneasy. We've increased security due to the fear of potential hate crimes." While no major incidents have been reported, three months ago, a Vaurca Gyne was photographed and mocked by a group of Torvald supporters while visiting an art museum. The incident was viewed as a troubling warning for the Athvur brood. A central issue under the Torvald administration is the fate of Caprice, a planet considered an overseas province of Biesel. In 2461, Congress established a colonial government there, with potential for increased restrictions. During Dorn’s administration, Caprice’s status was protected to prevent disenfranchisement and ensure the Vaurca population was adequately represented, but current laws allow for changes at any moment. Åke Torvald has the power to appoint a new council for Caprice, potentially replacing the current governor-general with someone more aligned with his vaurphobic ideology. Candidates for the position are already being examined, though Torvald has not yet made any public statements on the matter. "I'm deeply concerned about what Torvald could do to our community," said Melanie Dorn, mayor of New Sedantis. "His victory shocked us, but here, we're especially worried. The Republic of Biesel compromised its principles by designating Caprice as a colony. My uncle worked hard to make Caprice an inclusive place for all its residents, but I'm not confident Torvald will honor that commitment." Kevin Wright, a member of the Ve'katak Phalanx stationed on New Sedantis, shared the mayor’s concerns: "Many people, not just Vaurcae, are worried about how Torvald might shake things up across the Republic. But here, we're more concerned. We're on the fringes of Biesel, and not many will be paying attention to what happens to us—but things could go south fast." You can donate to Vaurca Equality by following this link.

Kort Was Culled and I'm Unravelling the Truth War in Heaven, Part Three: “Hail horrors,” Article 5 By Ahklu Zkazos Our forum members have marked this article as a 'Quality Contribution.' Subscribe to Vaurca Updates Online to receive more articles like this directly in your inbox. DISCLAIMER: I initially planned to add this information as a small update to my previous article. However, the story has evolved into a mystery of its own. For those who have been waiting for this second part—sorry for the delay. There is A LOT to uncover here. I haven't had a proper rest for weeks because of it. DISCLAIMER 2: At the request of Vaurca Updates Online staff, all Sinta mentioned in this story have been given aliases. We wish to protect the privacy of everyone who participated in this investigation. In late August, Kort—the Vaurca who allegedly participated in the K'lax conflict—stopped showing up at work again. By early September, Kort appeared to have been "voided." On September 10, it was confirmed that Kort was culled. This is the follow-up to my previous story, which reported on the details we had on Kort at the time. Since much has happened, I no longer feel I can remain impartial. That being said, civil discussion is still expected. As always, the comment section will be monitored by Vaurca Updates Online staff. Chronology of Events: July 19 — early August Vaurca Updates Online posted my deep dive into Kort's case on July 19. Shortly after, it was featured on the front page as a quality contribution. Articles marked as such are usually exempt from any paywall and easily accessible to all. According to Vaurca Updates Online staff, my article received the most views in July and is the second most-visited story of 2466, only surpassed by Nriq Duququ's deep dive into C'thur's health. Needless to say, the article attracted many readers, including some who are not regular forum members. On July 23, two Unathi teenagers, local to Baandr, visited the Baandr Fish Market and harassed Kort. According to eyewitnesses, the teenagers recorded themselves disrespecting the vendors. When they eventually found the custodian, one of them reportedly sneered, "Here's that Xsain [sic] idiot!" The teenagers then approached Kort and insulted them. They also placed their handheld camera close to the Vaurca's face and turned on the flash, temporarily blinding Kort. The teenagers were swiftly arrested, and their clan elders were informed. Biesellite media was quick to label the incident as a "hate crime," attempting to hold Vaurca Updates Online—and by extension, me—responsible for it. This is a good time to remind everyone that Vaurca Updates Online does not endorse violence. Additionally, Kort's story was reported by local media, and it's far more likely that the teenagers learned about Kort through The Baandr Post than through this website. Whatever their motivation, the attack sparked a reaction from the K'lax hive. The following day, two Vaurca warriors appeared at the Baandr Fish Market. While they didn't approach Kort directly, it was clear to everyone that they were there to guard the Vaurca. Once again, I interviewed Kimzula, the fishersinta who greatly aided me during my first story. Kimzula has tried to keep a low profile around the Fish Market ever since our initial conversation, but they noticed the Vaurca warriors immediately. In their words: "[Kort] was suddenly protected by [Vaurcae] we had never seen. [The warriors] wouldn't get close to [Kort], but they kept an eye on them at all times." Kimzula also mentioned that the bodyguards tried to stop anyone from approaching Kort: "If you tried to get close to [the janitor], even relatively close, [the warriors] would jump in and block your way." According to Kimzula, the bodyguards did not interact with anyone directly; they simply blocked access. In late July, Sinta social media user @shmo42 posted a video where she claimed the two Vaurca warriors stopped her while shopping. The video claims that the warriors said, "You can't get near the janitor," before violently shoving her. While Kimzula wasn't present during the incident, their friends agree that @shmo42 is misrepresenting what happened. According to other Fish Market workers, the healer actively tried to approach Kort before being stopped. They also agree that the Vaurca warriors never pushed @shmo42. Chronology of Events: August - early September Despite the dubious validity of @shmo42's claim, the Vaurca warriors were forced to leave the premises. According to a source close to the Fish Market's administration, the local Fishing League chapter had no interest in drawing more attention to Kort. However, an agreement between the K'lax hive and the Fishing League made it impossible to fire the Vaurca. As a result, the Baandr Fish Market decided to dismiss Kort's bodyguards instead. Additionally, Kort was transferred to the docks and assigned the task of cleaning up fishing vessels as a deckhand. For those unfamiliar with Moghresian geography, Baandr is not a coastal city but is situated near the sea. The city's center has always been near the mountainside, though Baandr once controlled most of the coast, which has since been lost to the rivaling S'th. Baandr still maintains one major dock in the region, though most of the surrounding settlements have been destroyed. In short, Kort was relegated to a solitary job, far from the spotlight. One member of Kimzula's clan, Zarrakhet, worked as a winch operator on the trawler to which Kort was assigned. According to Zarrakhet, they had no prior knowledge of Kort. Fishersinta at sea do not keep up with the news or gossip from the firmland. Kort's trawler, The Kha'ssitz, was a medium-sized operation. One deckhand was always on board during fishing trips, while another (Kort) remained on the docks, maintaining the hull. Occasionally, Kort was tasked with filleting fish for the market, a practice that became popular after first contact with humanity. Zarrakhet first encountered Kort on the Vaurca's second day on the job. According to Zarrakhet: "I had never seen a [Vaurca] before. I had no idea what they looked like. It took me by surprise." Zarrakhet saw Kort struggling to fillet a fish, as the Vaurca wasn't used to handling a knife. "I just went ahead, saw them with the knife, and told them, 'No, you have to grab it like this.' That's when I noticed that [Vaurcae] have two thumbs. I had never heard of that before. Two thumbs on each hand." That small interaction sparked an unusual friendship. According to Zarrakhet, "I didn't know anything about [Vaurcae], but Kort took me by surprise. They were friendly. They seemed happy to have someone to talk to about anything. Now that I know the full story, I think [Kort] was just trying to escape the pressure. [Kort] liked that I treated them like any other person." Kort quickly earned the nickname “Thumbtacks.” Although their interactions with the crew were mostly brief, everyone remembers Kort in good spirits. Zarrakhet recalled that just a few days after Kort joined the trawler, they began participating in friendly banter with the rest of the fishersinta. These exchanges mostly occurred whenever Kort was tasked with unloading The Kha'ssitz. Zarrakhet only learned about Kort's backstory after a conversation with Kimzula. They had informed their relative that a Vaurca had joined the trawler. Surprised, Kimzula asked for more details, and Zarrakhet quickly realized they were talking about Kort. According to Kimzula, they had no idea where Kort had been relocated after leaving the market. This new information shocked Zarrakhet. "I was intrigued by everything, but also cautious. I didn't want to treat Kort like someone who didn't belong because of it," Zarrakhet said. The Sinta also mentioned that they never suspected Kort had had a "mental breakdown" just weeks earlier: "They were sharp and witty. They had brains, which is not something I can say about everyone." Furthermore, Zarrakhet noted that they never questioned Kort about the incident at the Fish Market. Zarrakhet quickly earned Kort's trust. One day, after unloading the trawler, all the fishersinta left the ship except for Zarrakhet, who stayed behind to untangle the nets while Kort cleaned. At some point, Kort began talking about their plans in life, mentioning a desire to learn how to draw. They also expressed admiration for the Hegemon, who had drawn illustrated stories while at university. Eventually, the conversation shifted towards "[Vaurcae] and life in general." At that moment, Kort began sharing their experience at the Baandr Fish Market, recounting a meltdown they had and the conflict involving the K'lax. Zarrakhet said: "They told me all about it, or at least as much as they could. Kort seemed somewhat confused about the events, but they were very clear that they'd had some kind of meltdown related to 'repressed memories.' I didn't push further. I just chuffed while they kept talking; it must have gone on for minutes." When it came to the K'lax conflict, Kort described the war as "chaotic" and mentioned that both sides had suffered "many losses and devastation." Zarrakhet didn't ask for more details, as they didn't fully understand what Kort was referring to. I asked Zarrakhet if they recalled Kort mentioning Zkaii or Tupii, but the Sinta said they didn't recognize those words. According to Zarrakhet, after that conversation, Kort seemed uneasy and "jittery." Zarrakhet offered to walk Kort home, but Kort refused, reassuring their friend that everything would be fine. This was the last time Zarrakhet saw Kort. "I didn't know it would be the last time. It felt like a farewell, in a way, but I didn't realize it at the time." The next morning, Kort didn't show up for work, and the captain informed the crew that Kort wouldn't be returning. Two days later, Kort reappeared at the Baandr Fish Market, once again working as a janitor. Kimzula recalled their reaction upon seeing the Vaurca: "I knew it was Kort—they looked just like them. But they didn't act like themselves." I interviewed two other Fish Market workers who confirmed they had seen Kort in early September. They, too, agreed that Kort seemed "absent." Kimzula informed me as the situation unfolded. Although I didn't encourage them to approach Kort, they felt compelled to check if they were okay. According to Kimzula, Kort looked "off." The Vaurca gave them a "deadpan look, even more so than other Vaurcae" and had "beady, lifeless eyes, like a taxidermy exhibit." Terrified, Kimzula greeted Kort, but received no response. They stared into each other's eyes for what felt like an eternity, though Kimzula believes Kort wasn't really looking back. After that, Kimzula retreated. Two days later, Kort disappeared from the Baandr Fish Market and never returned. Chronology of events: September 10 - today Since Kimzula reported this to me, I've believed that Kort was "voided"—a process where an undesirable Vaurca has their memories completely wiped, effectively rendering them into a blank state. While the process of voiding isn't fully understood, it has been well-documented by Vaurca Updates Online members. Although this hasn't been officially confirmed, Kort exhibits several common signs of being voided, including the characteristic beady eyes. A former collaborator—someone I no longer work with—leaked the idea that Kort had been voided in early August, shortly after being reassigned to the Baandr docks. This rumor was later disproved by me and other Vaurca Updates Online contributors, but it continued to circulate. Because of this, I realize that some may view the idea of Kort being voided with skepticism. Nevertheless, I trust what Kimzula relayed to me. While investigating any signs of Kort's potential voiding, I reached out to one of my most reliable sources for insider information. I won't disclose his identity, but this source has a proven track record, so I trust the information he shared. On September 10, my source informed me that Kort had been culled "just a day or two prior." For those unfamiliar, culling is exactly what it sounds like—Kort was killed, discarded by the hive because they were no longer considered useful. This was a massive shock, as Kort had become one of the most widely known Vaurcae, making their culling all the more significant. After learning this news, I immediately headed to the Heartlands. I intend to dig deeper into this story, to uncover the full truth about Kort's culling, and to verify whatever they may have revealed about the K'lax conflict. However, I need your support. Independent journalism is costly, and while I have the full backing of Vaurca Updates Online, the reality is that we need additional funds. Once this investigation is complete, I will publish a comprehensive report detailing everything I've discovered. Ahklu Zkazos is a Unathi independent journalist from Moghes. He currently lives in Mictlan. Zkazos considers himself as a "Vaurca-skeptic skeptic," seeking to promote healthy debate among the Vaurca Updates Online community.

My question is mainly regarding Vaurca lore. Both the Vaurca and Dionae teams have had other priorities lately, so we haven't really interacted. However, Vaurca lore is always in constant communcation with LTA because Zo'ra and Biesel. What would you like to see develop more between these two factions, and how would you expect us to work together?

New Sedantis Marks Vaurca Holiday with Parade; High Queen Vaur Holds Town Hall Last night, the Vaurca residents of New Sedantis, Caprice, held a vibrant parade to celebrate Hive War Commemoration Day, a significant holiday in Vaurca culture. The idea of a parade on August 23 is relatively new, first introduced in Mendell City to attract human spectators. However, since last year, the celebrations have been moved to New Sedantis, drawing increasing attention, with at least three networks streaming the festivities live on the extranet. The Zo’ra Hive has been organizing a military parade for the past eight years, with the introduction of a balloon display in 2463 adding a festive flair. In Mendell City, the celebrations were supported by the local police and Zo’ra volunteers. In Caprice, however, the situation is more complex. While the Zo’ra still volunteer to ensure the parade runs smoothly, the Governorate of Caprice—the planet’s colonial government—takes a more hands-on approach for gatherings exceeding 350 Vaurcae. Given the Governorate’s limited manpower, coordinating a large-scale parade proved challenging. For this reason, New Sedantis city hall opened over 700 volunteer positions for the event—offering free housing, food, and travel expenses. It was all covered by the city’s annual budget. The parade’s balloon display has captured public interest since its inception. In 2463, a large balloon resembling a Diona nymph went viral. This year, the floats included characters from Witchfire and other pop culture icons, drawing considerable attention. You can watch the full segment here. Following the parade, High Queen Vaur hosted a town hall at the Vaurca Community Center. She was introduced by Melanie Dorn, niece of President Joseph Dorn and the current mayor of New Sedantis. In her opening remarks, Ms. Dorn formally endorsed the Dorn-Vaur campaign, declaring, “Here’s the woman who’s going to make a real difference in office, and someone I’m very proud to stand behind today.” High Queen Vaur appeared in her usual form for this election cycle: a delicate, humanoid Vaurca Worker, standing around 5’3” tall. Her “avatar” is equipped with expressive eyes, capable of conveying a range of emotions—spectators could easily discern whether she was serious, sarcastic, or even irritated just by her expressions. The town hall was moderated by Marissa Johnson, a reporter for the Times. The Zo’ra leader addressed questions about her campaign and policies in detail. At one point, she mentioned her willingness to participate in a VP debate, should one be held this cycle. Vaur also responded to inquiries about the status of Caprice and the restrictions imposed by the Governorate. When asked if she agreed with the limitations placed on the parade, Vaur stated, “I believe the current agreement can be refined, but it has been beneficial for both our people and the Republic.” Some questions were selected from Chirper. Marissa Johnson read a question from @emilyk166, a self-identified Phoenixport resident, who asked, “The Zo’ra Hive has recently shown interest in uplifting the Queenless community. What prompted this change?” The High Queen replied, “We have always championed the rights of all Vaurcae, regardless of their Hive. All Vaurcae across the Orion Spur face similar challenges, and they must be addressed. This August, we have provided forums for various Vaurca groups, including the Queenless, so the broader Spur community can hear their voices.” Isaac Mann, an attendee and volunteer with the Vaurca-run NGO Vaurca Equality, shared his experience with Vaur, discussing his participation in fundraisers for Vaurca civil rights. He asked the High Queen what the next milestone for Vaurca liberties would be and her stance on the recently-passed Electoral Integrity Enhancement Act, which significantly limited Vaurca voting rights. “I believe we still have a long journey ahead,” Vaur responded. “Vaurcae are industrious people, yet they still face discrimination in smaller businesses. A Vaurca server, for instance, is less likely to receive tips.” Vaur elaborated on her plans to improve employment opportunities for Vaurcae, emphasizing, “They are all willing and capable.” She then addressed the Electoral Integrity Enhancement Act, noting, “There are some biological differences we need to consider. However, the extreme proposal to entirely curtail Vaurca voting rights is an affront to democracy. The bill will be remembered as part of a dark chapter in the Republic’s history.” High Queen Vaur answered questions for nearly two hours. In her closing statement, she said, “I’m grateful to have celebrated this important day in Vaurca history with all of you. My greatest hope is that those watching at home will become passionate about Vaurca history and rights.”