Darch von Changli

A human, from Vras.

Dr. Darch von Changli was a cousin of the ruling Marquis of Vras. In 1098, he out to make a name for himself in academic circles. He decided to study Vras' native "smart animals", the aquatic kiiroka. He conceived a massive project; among other extravagances available due to his wealth, the whole study was to take place on another planet where, as von Changli put it, “all variables could be controlled”.

In 1098, the first of several thousand “wild kiiroka” were captured using chemical agents and relocated to a research station on a world in the neighbouring system, Schall. In fact, the kiiroka were a sophont people, and the abductees began desperate attempts to communicate. The sapience of the kiiroka was recognized immediately. Delighted, Dr. von Changli presented his preliminary report to his cousin the Marquis.

The meeting lasted for two days: early on the first day, the Marquis called in his chief advisors and most of the planetary nobility. Late in the second day, the servants heard shouting. Dr. von Changli was never seen alive again, though his tragic death in a lab accident wasn’t reported for a month.

See: Schalli.