The Calla Family

## Overview

The Calla family, one of the oldest and most powerful families on the planet Callax, has played a pivotal role in the religious and political landscape of the planet for centuries. Known for their unwavering support of Stratism and the Stratum, they have maintained their influence and power through various means, including force, intimidation, and wealth.

The Calla family is technically only the lawful rulers of the autonomous New Bray'ed region, but as the leaders of the Calla family are traditionally given the honorary title of "King" or "Queen" of Tarn, their involvement in major decisions and their impact on the future of Callax is significant.

Throughout their history, other Calla family members have held high-ranking positions in Tarn's government and military, and their influence extends far beyond the borders of the New Bray'ed region.

## The Calla Complex

The Calla Complex is the ancestral home of the Calla family. A massive institution taking up many buildings, the heart of which is the palace. There is a museum there for any visitor, beautiful gardens, and many other attractions. A village-within-a-city, the Calla Complex is home to nearly four hundred full-time Zed servants, with many others coming in periodically for temporary positions.

### Li'pal Hedda

At the time of the Callaxian Civil War, Li'pal Hedda (a female Lax) is serving as head of operations for the Calla Complex. She oversees hiring, firing, taking care of the grounds and many other aspects of the Complex. Her family has been in urgury to the Callas for many generations. She takes her job seriously, as from her earliest memories she was told that this was her destiny.

## Calla Family History and Mavvril Calla

Mavvril Calla was a legendary figure who is said to have lived at the time of the Expounding and is revered by many Stratists to this day. According to the legend, Mavvril received a divine vision from the angels that established the Calla family as the protectors and champions of Stratism. There is no mention of this in The Angelic Verses, but it is a popular story that is believed by many even in the current day. Some might say the whole authority of the Calla family rests on whether or not this story is true.

Whatever their origins, the Calla family has been instrumental in maintaining and enforcing the Stratum, at times through force and intimidation. Some Calla leaders over time have used their vast wealth and influence to sway politicians and manipulate the masses. Others have gone down in history as being benevolent and working hard for the good of the continent within the structure of The Stratum. Several Calla family members currently hold high-ranking positions in Tarn's government and military, and the family's influence extends far beyond the borders New Bray'ed.

Historians and scholars have long argued about what the word "Callax" means exactly and what its etymology is, however the similarity between that and the surname "Calla" has not gone unnoticed by the Calla family, which has insinuated for centuries that the words are connected. More cynical interpretations argue it's more likely that the family changed their name to match the planet's long ago.

## Pil Calla and Pi'la Calla

At one point, the northern half of Tarn experienced a drastic decline in political stability, with the Calla Monarchy facing challenges from rebellious factions and outside non-Stratist invaders. An unpopular and rather unhinged ruler, Pil Calla, was blamed, with his cruelty and foolish policies being the focus of the decline. Despite this, the region continued to experience growth and development, with new ideas and technologies being introduced. The unpopular ruler's daughter, Pi'la, took over after the suspicious death of her father and brought stability back to the area. The Stratum became more centralized, with the bishops and priests gaining more power and influence. She is seen as one of the more capable rulers the Calla family has ever produced.

In the year A3889, Pi'la Calla began her reign.

## Trib Calla

Trib Calla was Ref Calla's father and was not a popular monarch. His missteps leading up to and including the somewhat disastrous Rayz Engagements made him seem inept and out-of-touch. His regressive views about Zeds (even when compared to most Ghals) didn't help.

Ref has sought to distance himself from his father's legacy, in part by leaving the people of Rayz alone, by engaging in many Zed relief programs, and by opening the doors of the Calla Complex to Zeds and Laxes during some holidays for feasts.

## The Modern Calla Family

For reference, the Callaxian Civil War began in the year A4550.

### Dra'rek Calla

Dra'rek Calla is the fiery leader of the rebel Shoehorns and the daughter of Ref Calla, the King of Tarn. As the older sister of the now-heir-apparent Brek Calla, she is considered a traitor by many for rebelling against her family's values and traditions. Despite this, her natural leadership skills and tactical competence have earned her the preeminent role in the resistance movement.

Dra'rek married a Lax member of the rebellion in an illegal ceremony in Rayz in the early days of the resistance, in the year A4548. They had a female child named Fin'na. Fin'na's father, Kipp, was killed in a fracas a year before the war broke out in earnest, in A4549. Dra'rek is motivated by a desire to honor Kipp's memory and make a better future for her mixed-class daughter.

If she had not rebelled against her family, she would have been the heir apparent instead of her younger brother Brek.

### Brek Calla

Brek Calla, the heir apparent of the ruling Calla family on Callax, is a young male Callaxian raised within the belief system of Stratism. As he matured, he began to harbor secret doubts about the Stratum, particularly after his sister Dra'rek's rebellion. Despite his doubts, Brek is an efficient leader and is seen as the head of the Traditionalist movement.

### Ref Calla

Ref Calla, the de facto King of Tarn and head of the Calla family, is a complex figure. Although he outwardly presents himself as a staunch Stratist Traditionalist, beneath the surface Ref does not have strong religious feelings one way or the other. His primary concern is maintaining the stability of Tarn and preserving the status quo, motivated in part by a desire to retain power.

### Go'mul Calla

Go'mul Calla, the late wife of Ref Calla and mother of Dra'rek and Brek, presented herself aa a kind and compassionate woman. She was deeply respected and loved by many on Callax. Despite her complicity in upholding the Stratum, her generosity toward the lower classes earned her admiration and respect. Her untimely death due to cancer left a significant void in the Calla family and the people of Callax. Her disease could have been cured by Mission medical technology, and Ref uses the fact that they didn't turn to the Mission for this as evidence of their determination to oppose interventionism.