Khalai

The Khalai (not to be confused with the Khalai Caste) are protoss which follow the Khala. They are alternatively referred to as "Aiur protoss" or "Templar" (not to be confused with the Templar Caste), as a means of distinguishing them from other protoss kindreds: the Nerazim, the Tal'darim, and the Purifiers.

History
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, the Khalai nevertheless remained united and at relative peace.

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

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. 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.

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. By 2505, Khalai culture was in a state of flux, at least in part due to the loss of their caste system.

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.

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

Khalai are more demonstrative than the Nerazim in regards to the display of emotions. However, their culture is more monolithic.

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

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

If the Khalai have a weakness, it's their difficulty in accepting change. The tenets of the Khala form a rigid path, and the Khalai are 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.

Khalai Religious Principles

 * Dae'Uhl ("Great Stewardship")
 * Khala ("Path of Ascension")

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.

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, this appears to be the kindred's symbol.