The creation of the species is a story shrouded in myth
and based on fact. According to the Qa're, the book
around which the Qall religious is centered, the people
of this mostly tropical world were birthed in the heard
of the Renchal Desert in the Northern Hemisphere.
"And the Great Mother suffered, and at
the end of Her suffering belched forth
her children, sacrificing the Life of Herself
for that of the Ones Born, and they
traveled the Renchal Desert under Her
diminishing Guidance until She led them
to the seas."-The Qa're
The belief that the planet gave some of its life in the
process of giving birth to the Qall derives from the
labor of love that defines a Qall mother. As the fetus
of a Qall gestates in its mother's womb, it literally
eats its way out of her body. She dies in the final
moments of labor, as the baby emerges from the dry
husk that was formerly its loving mother. The fact
that the people came from the desert further explains
this belief, since there is little worldly life in the Renchal
(Life Giving) Desert.
The Women of Qall
Because of the mortality rate of the Qall females,
evolution granted the species five females for every
male. Most men take up to three wives at a time,
saving a favorite to have children last, if at all, so
that he can maximize his time with her. The unmarried
women serve as wet nurses for the newborns, taking
hormone-rich roots and vegetables in their diet to
induce lactation. The rest of the female population
make up most of the working class, leaving the men
to tasks that require less effort-both mentally and
physically. Other worlds that have come in contact
with the Qall have been appalled by this, though
the Qall women simply explain that the males are
less capable as workers, and they are far more efficient
at the tasks assigned to them than their male
counterparts. Men are generally the heads of the
families or clans, a task that requires very little stamina.
Current ruler of the Qall, Eldocot is middle aged by Qall
standards at 30 cycles old. Known best for his temper,
the Rencha'kin is a natural negotiator, but a failure as a
diplomat. Elected to follow his father's footsteps in
leadership, his term will last until he selects either the
Rencha'lari or the Rencha'laro to take his place.
Having served Qall in the ICFW since she completed
the Transition at age 17, Qoret is well liked by her fellow
representatives in the Council and colleagues at home.
Taking every situation with grace and a smile, Senator
Qoret's easy going nature makes her a crucial part of any peace committee.
A representative of Qall, Tulorel is the brother of Eldocot
and the father of the heirs to the throne. Too old to have
taken the throne when his father abdicated, Tulorel now
backs up Representative Qoret, readying himself to replace
her when she steps down to mate.
Mistress of the Merchant's Guild, Rallo is the first female to
serve as the leader of this organization. She is Tulorel's Second Wife.
A charismatic merchant, Yuli is an aggressive pilot with a
successful fleet of freighters inherited from his uncle, the
Guild Master who preceeded Mistress Rallo.
