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This article is about the protoss who follow the Khala. You may be looking for:
"The good of all. That is what defines the Aiur protoss."

- Matriarch Vorazun(src)

The Khalai (not to be confused with the Khalai Caste) are protoss which followed the Khala.[1] They are alternatively referred to as "Aiur protoss"[2] or "Templar"[3] (not to be confused with the Templar Caste), as a means of distinguishing them from other kindreds.

History[]

Main article: Protoss history

Origins[]

The Khala brought the protoss out of the Aeon of Strife and in time led to the foundation of the Protoss Empire. While the Dark Templar refused to submit to the Khala and were banished from Aiur as a result,[4] the Khalai nevertheless remained united and at relative peace.[5]

The Brood War[]

After the fall of Aiur, the Khalai, now refugees, fled the planet en masse to Shakuras, the adopted homeworld of the Dark Templar.[6] They cooperated with the Dark Templar against the zerg.[7]

Their arrival was not without conflict, however. A legion of Khalai followed Judicator Aldaris in a revolt against Matriarch Raszagal – a revolt that was swiftly put down when Dark Prelate Zeratul, Praetor Artanis and Sarah Kerrigan returned.[8] In turn, the Khalai were the subject of much hate from the Fist of Ulrezaj – a dark templar extremist group seeking to remove the Khalai from Shakuras.[9]

Interbellum[]

In the aftermath of the Brood War, Hierarch Artanis struggled to keep the protoss a unified people. However, deep rooted tensions between the Khalai and Dark Templar drove a return to tribalism.[10] While the Nerazim were welcoming of the Khalai at first, Khalai demands for resources soon stirred resentment from their hosts.[11] By 2505, Khalai culture was in a state of flux, at least in part due to the loss of their caste system.[12]

The End War[]

The reclamation of Aiur was the one common goal both Nerazim and Khalai possessed, so to this end, Hierarch Artanis led the Golden Armada in an effort to reclaim the protoss homeworld. However, the invasion was thrown into awry with the revealed presence of Amon, who corrupted the Khala and possessed all of the Khalai connected to it.[13] A number of Khalai escaped Aiur on the Spear of Adun, having severed their nerve appendages (the nerve appendages of those on board the Spear were likewise severed).[14] During the conflict, Artanis ordered the end of the Khalai's caste system.[15]

By the end of the war, the remaining Khalai were freed from Amon's corruption.[16] They returned to Aiur alongside the Nerazim, Purifiers, and some Tal'darim, working to forge a new, unified protoss society.[17]

Future Imperfect[]

"We have created an era of forgiveness. While it did not happen easily or quickly, the effort to come together as one people has rewarded us in ways we could not have imagined."

Even years after Amon's fall reconstruction proved to be a struggle. The Khalai grasped for purpose without the Khala or caste system, many finding themselves completely isolated and lacking any purpose.[18] Wanting to distract themselves from the horrors of their current era, Khalai art and culture began to look back to the Golden Age of Expansion, which could be seen in Khalai designs. However, this drew some offense from the Nerazim, who saw the changes the Khalai pushed on their designs as an offense.[19] Despite the tensions, efforts were made over time to heal the wounds between the Khalai and Nerazim.[20]

Culture[]

Templar SC2-LotV-R Cine1

Khalai warriors

The Khala was the defining trait of Khalai culture.[13] With their highly advanced technology and potent psionic abilities, the Khalai have long considered themselves the most powerful species in the known galaxy.[2]

Khalai are more demonstrative than the Nerazim in regards to the display of emotions.[21] However, their culture is more monolithic.[2] Khalai place heavy emphasis on collectivism and conformity.[22] The concept of family does not exist in Khalai culture in the same manner as terrans or the Nerazim, though warrior Khalai will often call other members of their kindred "brother," as a sign of familiarity and respect,[11] and familial units and the base concept of a family do exist among the Khalai Caste.[23] Some Khalani phrases are exclusive to the Khalai's vocabulary, while others that are also used by the Nerazim have a different meaning to the Khalai than their counterparts.[11] Because of the emotional connection provided by the Khala, Khalai found it difficult (though not impossible) to hate one another.[24]

All castes of the Khalai are taught to dominate their emotions even in times of great stress, as when they made use of the Khala, emotional instability could cause the Khala to grow unruly.[25]

Protoss SCR Art1

Khalai architecture

The caste system once ensured that a Khalai was fated to remain in the caste to which they were born into. With the end of the system, Artanis declared that a Khalai could aspire to whatever position they desired, and be judged by their deeds rather than their standing.[15] However, many fell back onto the ways they had grown up with in the wake of the caste system's dismantling.[18]

Prior to the Great War, Khalai under 300 years rarely had any significant political positions. Artanis, who was 262 years old during the Brood War, was considered young, despite his powerful military position.[26]

Female Khalai rarely attain positions of power. They are rare among the Templar Caste and were never part of the Conclave.[23]

Prior to the loss of the Khala, the Khalai believed that the fallen continued to live on within their psionic gestalt. After its dismantling, a mythology formed around the spirits of the fallen returning to the stars and finding a wider purpose in the universe.[18]

HighTemplar SC-FL3 Art1

A Khalai high templar

If the Khalai have a weakness, it's their difficulty in accepting change. The tenets of the Khala formed a rigid path, and the Khalai were loath to deviate from it in fear of losing all they have built. Since the disbandment of the Conclave and formation of the Hierarchy, some Khalai have accepted the Nerazim as their kin, but old hatreds still remain beneath the surface.[2]

Khalai predominantly possess blue eyes.[22]

Khalai Religious Principles[]

Other Information[]

The following section contains information from StarCraft beta that is ambiguously canonical.

Khalai have referred to the "Seven Winds" within their culture.[27]

Trivia[]

It has been commented that, from a development perspective, the Khalai are "baseline protoss," and are the branch people generally associate with the protoss race as a whole.[12]

The Khalai logo is labeled as "Templar" in its corresponding artwork. However, as it differs from the StarCraft II Templar Caste decal, and a correspondent design document uses "Templar" as a synonym for the Khalai,[2] this appears to be the kindred's symbol.

References[]

  1. Elder, Josh and Ramanda Kamarga. "Why We Fight." In StarCraft: Frontline: Volume 1, pp. 6–47. Tokyopop, August 1, 2008. ISBN 1427-80721-3.
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2015-09-13, Protoss Faction Lore. Blizzard Press Center, accessed on 2015-10-10
  3. Brooks, Robert. "Ascension." (Oct. 1, 2015). Blizzard Entertainment. StarCraft Lore: Ascension Accessed 2015-10-02.
  4. Underwood, Peter, Bill Roper, Chris Metzen and Jeffrey Vaughn. StarCraft (Manual). Irvine, Calif.: Blizzard Entertainment, 1998.
  5. Golden, Christie (November 27, 2007). StarCraft: The Dark Templar Saga #2: Shadow Hunters. Simon & Schuster (Pocket Star). ISBN 978-0-7434-7126-8.
  6. Blizzard Entertainment. StarCraft: Brood War. Vivendi Games. Mission: Escape from Aiur (in English). 1998.
  7. Blizzard Entertainment. StarCraft: Brood War. Vivendi Games. Mission: Dunes of Shakuras (in English). 1998.
  8. Raszagal: "Congratulations, Executor. Your success has brought us the promise of hope against the Zerg. However, we face a new threat within our own ranks. In your absence, Judicator Aldaris and an entire legion of Khalai survivors from Aiur have begun an open revolt against us."
    Zeratul: "By the gods, this is ill news indeed! Why would Aldaris betray us so?"
    Raszagal: "He and his ilk believe that it was wrong to have abandoned Aiur and consorted with our people. Their prejudices have driven them to perpetuate the Conclave's sins against us! Even now, Aldaris and his loyalist templar forces are preparing to attack our Citadel."
    Artanis: "I can scarcely believe this. As if the Zerg were not enough! Matriarch, are you certain of this?"
    Raszagal: "All too certain, young templar. Executor, as Matriarch of the Dark Templar and custodian of this world, I hereby order you to terminate Judicator Aldaris, and quell this untimely uprising without delay! There will be no dissent among us while the Zerg are poised to strike!" StarCraft: Brood War. Vivendi Games. Level/area: The Insurgent (in English). 1998.
  9. StarCraft: Brood War. Vivendi Games. Mission: Enslavers: Dark Vengeance bonus campaign, episode II: "Hung Jury" (in English). 1999-03-05. StarCraft Map Archives
  10. Metzen, Chris; Chambers, Andy; StarCraft Legacy staff. 2009-04-03. BlizzCon 2007 StarCraft Lore Panel Editorial. StarCraft Legacy. Accessed 2009-05-18.
  11. 11.0 11.1 11.2 2012-12-05, Community Lore Discussion BlizzCon 2015. StarCraft Legacy, accessed on 2015-12-28
  12. 12.0 12.1 2014-12-01, BlizzCon 2014 LotV Lore Community Corner Discussion with James Waugh. YouTube, accessed on 2015-04-03
  13. 13.0 13.1 2014-11-07, StarCraft II Legacy of the Void Campaign Overview. YouTube, accessed on 2014-11-13
  14. Blizzard Entertainment. StarCraft II: Legacy of the Void. (Activision Blizzard). PC. Cinematic: Arkship. (in English). 2015.
  15. 15.0 15.1 Blizzard Entertainment. StarCraft II: Legacy of the Void. (Activision Blizzard). PC. Cutscene after Templar's Charge (in English). 2015-11-10.
  16. Blizzard Entertainment. StarCraft II: Legacy of the Void. (Activision Blizzard). PC. Cinematic: Liberation and Legacy. (in English). 2015.
  17. Blizzard Entertainment. StarCraft II: Legacy of the Void. (Activision Blizzard). PC. Cinematic: Homecoming. (in English). 2015.
  18. 18.0 18.1 18.2 Acks, Alex. "One People, One Purpose." (July 28, 2020). Blizzard Entertainment. One People, One Purpose Accessed 2020-07-28.
  19. Blizzard Entertainment. StarCraft II: Legacy of the Void. Collections Tab: Skins. July 19, 2017
  20. Brian Alexander, Akex Acks (w), Carlos Rodríguez (i) and Sandra Molina (c). (April 2, 2022). StarCraft II: Nature of the Beast - The Complete Collection. Blizzard Entertainment. ISBN 978-1950366866
  21. Todd, Hugh. "“Lens of the Void”." (April 25, 2013). Blizzard Entertainment. StarCraft Lore: Lens of the Void Accessed 2013-04-26.
  22. 22.0 22.1 Burns, Matt. "Children of the Void." (Oct. 13, 2015). Blizzard Entertainment. StarCraft Lore: Children of the Void Accessed 2015-10-13.
  23. 23.0 23.1 Golden, Christie (June 30, 2009). StarCraft: The Dark Templar Saga #3: Twilight. Simon & Schuster (Pocket Star). ISBN 978-0-7434-7129-9. Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name "SC:DkTempSaga3" defined multiple times with different content
  24. Barba, Rick. StarCraft Field Manual (hardcover). Insight Editions, November 17, 2015.
  25. Brooks, Robert. "It Will End in Fire." (Nov 3, 2015). Blizzard Entertainment. StarCraft Lore: It Will End in Fire Accessed 2015-11-03.
  26. Underwood, Peter, Chris Metzen and Bill Roper. StarCraft: Brood War (Manual). Irvine, Calif.: Blizzard Entertainment, 1998.
  27. 1998, Consul Report: Templar Census. Droppages.com, accessed on 2020-03-17
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