Remains of the Hska Civilization Ethnicity in Ayonerra | World Anvil

Remains of the Hska Civilization

Not much is known about the Hskaner. Despite the scarce records, traces of their ancient civilization persist all around Ayonerra.

The Ritual Pyramids

Infuriated by hskaner’s rejection, Shemokmedi sent its children, Amaars, as punishment. Hskaner created colossal armour and weapons to defended each other. To replenish their numbers, they held rituals atop towering pyramids, tore off the Sun’s flesh and created new hska souls.

War and time have eroded the structures. Only traces of the sky-high structures linger, giving a glimpse of their original scale. Nearby settlers used enormous boulders as building blocks. Many scholars visit the sites, hoping to uncover more about the long-gone civilization.

The Weapon pyramids

Hskaner forged tall and glass-like reflective pyramids from their fallen kin's armour. The weapons converted hska souls into powerful blasts, shooting down any approaching Amaar. Thanks to their soul’s enormous size, the process was safe and only tired the operating hska.
The pyramids were abandoned for centuries after the hskaner disappeared. This changed following the Rain of Amaars / Deaf Fall. People found out how to operate the weapons and opposed approaching Amaars. The pyramids took excessive energy from considerably smaller humanoids, permanently harming them. Yet, many were ready to pay the price and entered the weapons. Hskaner also joined and helped end the Rain.

But this time the weapons weren’t abandoned. K'nksh were first seen on Amaarion following the Rain of Amaars. Driven by paranoia and terror, they target settlements, abduct women and take them to the pyramids. Those who dare venture near heavily-guarded weapons can hear lamenting noises seeping through.

The Last Hand

Located in the Amaarion desert, the Last Hand is the largest intact hska armour found on the surface. The gauntlet reflects the light from the stars, allowing fingers to glow during the night.

Tonemaqi safeguard the Last Hand and let only weaponless Tonemaqi enter its perimeters. Upon entering, the bahhraym woman climbs the inner stairs, reaches one of the fingers and forges her desired weapon. Items crafted during a starry night are infused with reflected light. Tonemaqi can move these weapons with ease and use the star’s magic that gets reflected on the surface.


Hska Metal

Goddess Apor mixed dead Hskaner armours with Ayonerra's soil, creating Dharaats.
Hska armour pieces are rare and sought-after materials. Weapons forged from them surpass hardened Dharaat bodies in both durability and strength.


Cover image: by Nincho

Comments

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Aug 27, 2023 10:12 by Annie Stein

Ah man, the visuals of this world just get me! It's so good. There's something really evocative about the weapon pyramids too, how they aren't adapted to the current life and take a greater toll than they can tolerate, and yet people chose to pay it anyways, that's how desperate they got.

Creator of Solaris -— Come Explore!
Aug 27, 2023 14:07

Thank you! Needless to say, hskaner are really heartbroken to learn how the pyramids are currently used.