Qualifa

The Qualifa are the ruling caste of the Luliwa Caliphate. Exclusively women, they are Succubi in various mythologies, though they keep themselves restrained to Luliwa in the vast majority of cases. Their true existance is a secret only avalible to themselves, and a very small amount of individuals, who are unable to reveal the secret, either for political reasons or for the fact that they serve one. The use of their powers is extremely limited, due to appropriate fears that exposure will end their operation.

### History

#### First Luliwa Caliphate

The first Luliwa Caliphate (1731 - 1872) was ruled by the caste, after the first of their ranks, Hazzel, attained power by seducing the Caliph Bosman VIII, driving the prior Yabusund Caliphate to ruin through expansive war with his neighbours, and feeding the Caliph's decadence. This led to the dissolution of the Caliphate in 1728. While this originally greatly angered the Qualifa, who had lost their primary source of food, through tributes and oppulance, though Hazzel was not yet ready to either return to hell or become nomadic, and instead pledged to return to power. Though this time, she did not wish to rule through a puppet Caliph, who, while pliant, would never allow her total power. Hazzel would later claim to her sisters, that had Bosman had shared all his secrets with her, the Yabusunds would have never fallen. Regardless, the Qualifa returned to power through civil war, establishing the Luliwa Caliphate in 1731. It was at this point, that the Qualifa adopted their name, sounding similar to 'Calipha', which they found ironic and humerous. Several rebellions were led against Qualifa rule, especially in the early periods. The first, was the Father's Rebellion, which began out of 'superstitious lies', that the Crown Princess of the time was kidnapping men and boys in the night through offers of adventure and power. The rebellion was crushed, but the Qualifa convened to demand that all of their ranks must not risk the position of the government, for they no longer needed to use deception to bewitch, and could instead do so through bureaucracy. Their powers would be constrained, used only when absolutely necersary to ensure their own survival.

Powers and Abilities

Being a Qualifa entitles one to eternal life, resurrection and the ability to change between human form. Should a Qualifa be killed, they are sent to hell, from where they must return to the human world. This process of reforging one's body depends on the trauma endured, length of the life, and souls they have ensnared in their time above. The process can also be altered through belief. Strong conviction massively impeeds their resurrection, with the exception of belief, and love in themselves. Hence, after Hazzel was killed in 1728, it merely took her three years to return, due to her status as the favoured wife of the Caliph. The shifting between human forms can be done at will, though is generally restricted to when absolutely necerssary. The Qualifa can give birth, though the process is incredibly slow, and death during incubation of young is permanant. As such, their population is low, and most Qualifa were born around the 18-19th century, with the youngest currently alive being 'born' in 1982. Directly encountering a Qualifa in the modern day is extremely rare, though they look like regular, if beautiful women, unless they chose not to be for whatever reason. Their eternal life has caused them problems, however, Hazzel ruled the first Luliwa Caliphate for seventy years, and was apparently had the appearance of being fifthteen when she entered the palace of Bosman VIII. She "died" when aged 95, though she merely stepped down, and the Qualifa picked another of their ranks to replace her, forming an elective monarchy when the natural body of a human dies, or if they were forced to resurrect. This would allow them to simulate a human dynasty. The 'Daughter' of the last Calipha would take power. To maintain an earthly form, each Qualifa must extract energy, in a manner typical of succubi. To facilitate this, the government would call for men to serve as consorts or as military advisors, who would then be 'harvested', though other slaves would be used to satisfy the needs of an individual Qualifa. Reisengonian men are much desired for this.