Rasker
The Rasker are a strong and tough species that often live in tribes near mountains. They are accustomed to the harsh climate there, but some have moved to cities because of the threat of the Decay. The structure of their skin and hair resembles that of marble and is almost as hard, and in general they are built noticeably stronger than humans. They are the only race on Alkumeri with four arms and hands, which makes them excellent fighters or workers. Rasker are often outcasts outside of their tribe, as they have a hard time getting used to a new group of people and their grim appearance is a major contributing factor.
Basic Information
Anatomy
Rasker are usually larger than humans and also significantly heavier. They are the only race on Alkumeri with four arms and hands that make it easy for them to carry or move objects. Their skin has a marble-like structure that is similarly hard and protects them effectively from injuries. Their body temperature is much lower than that of the other races on Alkumeri, so the cold doesn't bother them much as much, but in return heat causes them some discomfort.
Biological Traits
Raskers age at the same rate as humans but live a little longer than them, and their almost stony skin prevents them from getting wrinkles.
Rasker can see well at night, but like many others, need eight hours of sleep daily to be rested.
Rasker can see well at night, but like many others, need eight hours of sleep daily to be rested.
Civilization and Culture
History
Rasker once inhabited large parts of Kraatteri before the Decay broke out at the beginning of the 3 era. Their settlements were spread across the continent and were even bigger than human cities are today. They have built many buildings and statues, some of which are still intact, although they no longer live at those places. The great deserts of Kraatteri for example, inhabited once flourishing cities of the Rasker, that have either been lost over time or repurposed since the decay eradicated almost their population. If they hadn't worked so much with marble or stone in general, many of their accomplishments would have already been destroyed.
The Rasker provided some of the finest and most distinctive buildings from the time before the decay, most of which are temples, baths, theaters and stadia. They were robust, just like the Rasker themselves and they were build to last, on sand as well as high up in the mountains. Although their building might seem to be built in a quite simple manner, Rasker are anything but. Their structures all consist of geometric shapes, arranged either symmetrical or in a special proportion to one another. All of those structures had to be planned to perfection, as there was no room for margin if everything had to blend seemingless into each other. The people that now inhabit their ancient cities often have problems maintaining their buildings, as they lack the knowledge to do so.
Many of those buildings follow a remarkably similar plan: That they are rectangular or peripheral on their exterior, and the sides and façades consisted of rows of columns. The roof was usually raised along the central ridge and was apart from the floor the only other solid piece of the structure. Public places were almost always build openly with just the columns supporting the roof with no unnecessary walls. Rasker always seem to build or create everything so that it is in harmony with another and for most of them, walls disrupt this harmony, which is why none of their cities were surrounded by stone walls, like they are required today. Although, this might have been one of the main reasons the decay quickly spread across their cities, they still refuse to use them to this day. They still hold on to their traditions and rules, although they have become cautious of others that try to enter one of their sparsely scattered settlements.
Today, as well as in the past, many Rasker are particularly skilled in craftsmanship, such as painters, smiths or sculptors. In ancient times, many sculptors and builders were needed to build and maintain their cities, most of which were entirely built out of stone. Not any kind of stone however, but marble. This type of stone had a remarkable resemblance to their actual skin appearance and was just as hard. Many believe the reason why they almost exclusively used marble is, that they would perpetuate themselves for all eternity and be able to reach the afterlife with all their descendants in this way.
Ancient Rasker believed that they would only enter the afterlife if they had done something heroic or impactful during their lifetime. However, this didn't necessarily mean fighting and winning battles until death, but rather leaving something of value for their descendants behind, which is why many chose an artistic direction. Sculpting was one of the most popular form of art as they would be able to express themselves in all kinds of ways while reliably preserving it for the posterity. Many sculptures, chiseling work and buildings were created that can still be admired today. Many stories or languages would not have been handed down to other generations if it weren't for the Rasker that immortalized everything into stone.
There is strong evidence that the Rasker once worked together with the Reth, long before the decay. Both were once the dominating species on Kraatteri and shared knowledge and wealth amongst each other, while others were sill nothing more than barbarians. They cultivated land and build magnificent cities and although they lived in harmony, the Rasker were humbler about their achievements than the Reth. Although sometimes their architecture mixed at times, cities that were controlled by the Reth always had stone walls while the Rasker had none. Where now nothing more than the decay resides. It is said that this bond lasted for centuries until the Reth vanished one day without a trace.
This event hit the Rasker hard and although they seemed to have experienced the disappearance of the Reth themselves, there are little to no records about it. Despite some of their cities losing up to half of their population, they managed to maintain order for the most part. Cities that were controlled by the Reth however were not as lucky as they now lay exposed and were soon raided by bandits and alike. Over the years, humans were able to claim some of the once shining cities of the Reth and slowly spread across the continent. They weren't the only ones, as the knowledge and valuables of the Reth became common trading good, others began to build their own cities and settlements. Soon after, the Rasker became more and more involved into many battles, despite being peaceful people. Many attempts were made to negotiate peacefully, but do to the frequent change of power it was near to impossible for the Rasker to keep up. While most Rasker were excellent fighters, the were soon surrounded and outnumbered by their countless enemies and were driven back into the Ravoure mountain range. They had to endure many losses even before the decay but as it finally started to spread it delivered the final blow to their crumbling society.
Since then, the Rasker are majorly found in and around the Ravoure mountain range but some have been driven out of their homes by the decay and have to live in other cities than their own. While still some Rasker believe in the old ways, many have adapted to the common beliefs that are present on Alkumeri today. Yet, not everything is cast aside from their remarkable past. They are still taught to be marvelous fighter and are naturally gifted artists, given their complex yet beautiful way of writing in their native tongue.
The Rasker provided some of the finest and most distinctive buildings from the time before the decay, most of which are temples, baths, theaters and stadia. They were robust, just like the Rasker themselves and they were build to last, on sand as well as high up in the mountains. Although their building might seem to be built in a quite simple manner, Rasker are anything but. Their structures all consist of geometric shapes, arranged either symmetrical or in a special proportion to one another. All of those structures had to be planned to perfection, as there was no room for margin if everything had to blend seemingless into each other. The people that now inhabit their ancient cities often have problems maintaining their buildings, as they lack the knowledge to do so.
Many of those buildings follow a remarkably similar plan: That they are rectangular or peripheral on their exterior, and the sides and façades consisted of rows of columns. The roof was usually raised along the central ridge and was apart from the floor the only other solid piece of the structure. Public places were almost always build openly with just the columns supporting the roof with no unnecessary walls. Rasker always seem to build or create everything so that it is in harmony with another and for most of them, walls disrupt this harmony, which is why none of their cities were surrounded by stone walls, like they are required today. Although, this might have been one of the main reasons the decay quickly spread across their cities, they still refuse to use them to this day. They still hold on to their traditions and rules, although they have become cautious of others that try to enter one of their sparsely scattered settlements.
Today, as well as in the past, many Rasker are particularly skilled in craftsmanship, such as painters, smiths or sculptors. In ancient times, many sculptors and builders were needed to build and maintain their cities, most of which were entirely built out of stone. Not any kind of stone however, but marble. This type of stone had a remarkable resemblance to their actual skin appearance and was just as hard. Many believe the reason why they almost exclusively used marble is, that they would perpetuate themselves for all eternity and be able to reach the afterlife with all their descendants in this way.
Ancient Rasker believed that they would only enter the afterlife if they had done something heroic or impactful during their lifetime. However, this didn't necessarily mean fighting and winning battles until death, but rather leaving something of value for their descendants behind, which is why many chose an artistic direction. Sculpting was one of the most popular form of art as they would be able to express themselves in all kinds of ways while reliably preserving it for the posterity. Many sculptures, chiseling work and buildings were created that can still be admired today. Many stories or languages would not have been handed down to other generations if it weren't for the Rasker that immortalized everything into stone.
There is strong evidence that the Rasker once worked together with the Reth, long before the decay. Both were once the dominating species on Kraatteri and shared knowledge and wealth amongst each other, while others were sill nothing more than barbarians. They cultivated land and build magnificent cities and although they lived in harmony, the Rasker were humbler about their achievements than the Reth. Although sometimes their architecture mixed at times, cities that were controlled by the Reth always had stone walls while the Rasker had none. Where now nothing more than the decay resides. It is said that this bond lasted for centuries until the Reth vanished one day without a trace.
This event hit the Rasker hard and although they seemed to have experienced the disappearance of the Reth themselves, there are little to no records about it. Despite some of their cities losing up to half of their population, they managed to maintain order for the most part. Cities that were controlled by the Reth however were not as lucky as they now lay exposed and were soon raided by bandits and alike. Over the years, humans were able to claim some of the once shining cities of the Reth and slowly spread across the continent. They weren't the only ones, as the knowledge and valuables of the Reth became common trading good, others began to build their own cities and settlements. Soon after, the Rasker became more and more involved into many battles, despite being peaceful people. Many attempts were made to negotiate peacefully, but do to the frequent change of power it was near to impossible for the Rasker to keep up. While most Rasker were excellent fighters, the were soon surrounded and outnumbered by their countless enemies and were driven back into the Ravoure mountain range. They had to endure many losses even before the decay but as it finally started to spread it delivered the final blow to their crumbling society.
Since then, the Rasker are majorly found in and around the Ravoure mountain range but some have been driven out of their homes by the decay and have to live in other cities than their own. While still some Rasker believe in the old ways, many have adapted to the common beliefs that are present on Alkumeri today. Yet, not everything is cast aside from their remarkable past. They are still taught to be marvelous fighter and are naturally gifted artists, given their complex yet beautiful way of writing in their native tongue.
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