QUAY – Aliens in Exile
General Information:
The Quay are a primal and bestial alien race, and they possess great physical strength. They are from 2 to 2.5 meters tall, quadrupedal and walk upright. They have a carapace that gives the appearance of body armor. Their appearance is a sharp contrast to humans, and the more elegant, lithe Shi. Humans find them creepy, even nightmarish. The Quay use their physical presence to intimidate opponents in battle. Quay have an extremely high body temperature, which they can use to expand their physical form and increase their strength and stature for short periods of time. When they do, their carapace becomes almost magma-like and they glow like molten metal. They can maintain this form for 10-15 minutes in battle, or longer when not in heavy exertion.
The Quay are resilient and highly adaptive. They survived in the harshest of conditions for hundreds of generations and they are equipped to endure. They can extract the minimum amount of gases needed for respiration from the thinnest of atmospheres and highly toxic environments. They also have a low respiration rate, which allows them to survive for hours in the vacuum of space (or under water).
Some of the Quay who have been touched by the quantum particles of the Rift have become able to create visceral fear-inducing visions in their foes. It is primarily a mind-control technique. With a culture so steeped in physical dominance and loathing of their captors, most manifestations of this ability seem to target the fear centers of the brain and memory. In many ways, these nightmares are like the Tulpas of Earth legend, creatures manifested wholly of thought.
The Quay have a raw, primal nature and generally rely upon instinct and predatory tendencies. They have a colony-like mentality and a utilitarian approach to all things. It’s common for Quay to sacrifice themselves for the good of their tribe. The Quay aggression has manifested in an “attack first, ask questions later” mentality among most of the tribes. Having experienced oppression under the Shi, the Quay’s main goal is to become strong enough to never be subservient again. Their “strike first” attitude gained them a foothold in the Solar System, as they took control of one of the largest human space stations located near where Seyal and the Quay ships emerged from the Rift. They are working towards building a series of colonies and bases to serve as a defensive front.
Quay Government:
The Quay are organized into tribal family groups. They have male and female sexes, and brood groups often number four, an important number for Quay society. Tribe members, especially warriors, are tattooed with identifying markings. They are fierce fighters, and show little mercy towards their foes. When engaged in battle, they fight with unrestrained passion. Their tribal leaders are the strongest, bravest fighters, and many of these leaders have had their aggression enhanced by the effect of the quantum particles.
The strongest among the Quay lead the individual tribes. There are hundreds of tribes, but no one is quite sure how many came through the rift. Tribes generally band together for the common good of the Quay, but they have also been known to fight amongst themselves.
A tribal chieftain rules each tribe with input from all his advisors and lobbyists. Decisions that affect all Quay though are handled in the democratic Ruling Council of Chiefs. This council existed as a secret committee formed during the early years of enslavement to develop plans to resist their Shi captors. Fables state that this council was the first to bring the Quay tribes peacefully together in generations. A common enemy unites even the contentious Quay chieftains.
The Council contains a representative from each of the five recognized tribes, either the chieftain or a chosen advisor. Like any democracy, the process is fraught with allegiances, back-room deals, skullduggery and other such arrangements.
The challenges to the Council are many, as maintaining some sense of organization over millions of bloodthirsty revenge-minded Quay is difficult enough, but to do so with no home planet or base is nearly impossible. As such, the council sees this new star system as their best chance to establish a permanent defendable foothold to rebuild their race, and subsequently wipe the Shi from existence.
Katal – This tribe has a reputation for breeding great leaders, strategic planners, and tacticians. They are investigating ways to accelerate the Quay breeding cycle.
Makal – This tribe is steeped in lore and legends, and they are leaders of spiritual and religious belief. Their shamans are proponents of ancient rituals and magics. Many Makal are storytellers, historians, and shamans. They maintain the quest for the Quay homeworld.
Luhus – This tribe is proud of their ability in combat. They provide the best special forces of the Quay. Often, the Luhus believe their prowess entitles them to run the government, in conflict with the tribal council.
Qurim – This tribe has the pilots, navigators, space scientists, and ship builders of the Quay. They are advanced scientifically due to their enslavement by the Shi. They are the newest tribe in the ruling council.
Tahka – This tribe includes the negotiators and wheeler dealers of the Quay. They believe in solving problems with back door deals and shady politics. Even assassins and spies are not beyond their tactics. Their chieftain, Sitka, is the first female chieftain in recent Quay history.
Quay History:
The Quay exist in constant survival mode. They have had no homeworld and minimal self-sustaining infrastructure since they were enslaved by the Shi. On a rift expedition a long time ago, the Shi found the Quay homeworld and decided they could make use of them. The Quay have no memory of that homeworld, which has attained nearly mythical status in their culture.
The Quay have been forced to deal with Earthers, Gongen, and Mavericks in one way or another. In many instances, that has resulted in conflict. From time to time, however, the Quay have allied themselves with one of the human groups to meet a specific need. Some of the tribes on the Council realize the need for alliances to obtain information about their new star system. However, when the Quay join forces with a human race it is usually to fight against the common enemy of the Shi.
In this new universe, for the Quay, revenge is a dish best served hot.
The Mumon Rift Wars TCG 