Škriatok
(Skree-a-tōk)
Description- Škriatok were small creatures that many considered little more than a nuisance; usually keeping to themselves. They had flat faces, broad noses, pointed ears, and small, sharp fangs. Their foreheads sloped back, and their eyes varied in color from red to yellow. Their skin color ranged from yellow through any shade of green; usually, all members of the same tribe shared the same colored skin, though they also came in pale shades of blue or grey. Goblins were typically dressed in dark leathers soiled by poor hygiene and colored in a similar range of tones to their skin. Goblins usually stood between 3'4" and 3'8" and weighed about 40 to 55 pounds on average.
Lifespan- Škriatok breed extremely rapidly, due to their standard life span, accounting for their ever-growing clan sizes. They become adult at the age of 15; middle age is around 35-40; entering their prime at 60. Many do not live past their 80s.
Abilities- Škriatok are tiny agile creatures; though lacking the grace of their fey ancestry. They can move quickly and quietly; using this to sneak up onto others without notice. They use this to their advantage when seeking information not usually acquired by honest means. Their dragon guardian, after persistent advancements, has gifted them the power of teleportation; allowing them to freely move about the world unseen by others. The use of Elementanine, a more refined version of Tanite has produced for them their artificer knowledge allowing them to control their constructs from afar.
Personality-The Škriatok have such a high amount of greed that they never stop searching for that last bit of wealth. They are constantly planning out new ways to improve their status that there is never enough time in a day to stop. Because of their strong ability to multitask, they are often falsely misrepresented as two-faced. However, a Škriatok rarely has hidden agendas. Playful and intellectually curious, they are constantly juggling a variety of passions, hobbies, careers, and friend groups. They are the social butterflies of the zodiac: These quick-witted fast talkers can converse with anyone about anything.
Because of the Škriatok history and need for adaptability they are excellent at guiding change and transformation.They are terrific pioneers, using their energy to spearhead innovative projects and industrial machines. A fearless thinker, and constantly on the move, their short attention spans keep them busy with new ideas. Don’t expect a long conversation with one so busy, they are willing to share their inventions with the world but are eager to return to work. If they feel oppressed, they will let you know; not because they don’t want to work, but because the feel compensation is due.
The Škriatok express their emotions externally and are willing to tell you how they feel. They are all about communication and they require fluent streams of transmission, often talking with their hands; so much that they find it more important than what is actually being said. Škriatok must remember to be thoughtful with their words, however, are natural chameleons that can quickly recover from even the most shameful foot-in-mouth moments. They simply move too fast to pay any worry to inferior conversation and quick move on.
Society- Though leadership was often passed down through the bloodline; a Škriatok king was regularly challenged for the seat by the short temper a warrior who felt he would do a better job. This was most often at the influence of others leaving the previous king to dwell in anger; often taking great pleasure in exacting revenge on those who crossed him. Those who disagreed with these tactics walked away leaving family behind to live a life in hiding; often becoming rogues or fighters.
Škriatok society was tribal by nature. The leaders were generally the strongest, and sometimes the smartest, around. Each settlement housed multiple clans, each clan having its own home. They rarely knew a life of privacy; often sharing large common rooms for sleep. Only the king had his own private residence.
The Škriatok lived normal lives up until the raids from the Dökkâlfur, at which time they decided their best defense was a large defense. Their large population added to this effect; women were often made to birth child after child and raise them to fight, and trust no one. The rumors spread rapidly that they were fierce warriors often attacking travelers who aimlessly ventured into the wrong territory. The Dökkâlfur knew better and these talks did not keep them away.
There is a group of Škriatok living in Villtmyrkur underground of Álfurskögur who fled there after their wings were removed. The dark wet environment evolved their ways. They became pale, gangly creatures often with a camouflaged appearance from the swamp life attaching themselves to their skin. Living under the ground and without sunlight, their skin has become almost transparent. Their only desire is to reproduce and to kill.
Royalty Structure:- King/Queen: The founder and chieftain of this clan.
- Thane: Royal Advisor, keeps an eye on the Military side and discusses clan matters with the royalties based on how the clan is progressing.
- Baron: Maintains the settlement and it's people.
- Ambassador: Members of council, in charge of the clan sites, for updates/report clan battles/clan history/clan pictures.
- Hersir: Only Chosen by The High King/Queen or Thane, Leading General.
- Merkismathr: Only Chosen by the High King/Queen or Thane, Leading Commander.
- Radningar: Strong Warrior, has proven his/her loyalty and strength during raids and is respected by his/her members, Available to Train Others.
- Huskarl: Veteran Warrior, has proven his/her loyalty and skills and is considered a trusted member, can be chosen to lead raids/wars by any of the above.
- Valkyrie: Veteran, given to those who have shown an outstanding attitude, skill, dedication and is considered a trusted member. The Valkyrie are made up of female warrior who chose who lives and dies in battle.
- Marauder: Strong Raiders, given to those who are actively taking part in raids.
- Viking: Fierce Fighter who has proved himself through raids.
- Berserker: Experienced Warrior yet needs further training.
- Thrall: Initiate, those who have not yet proved themselves to the clan. New to everything and has a lot to learn.
History- Around 60,000 years ago a group of elves made port on the northern coast of Álfurskögur . They built a settlement on the coast and remained there for quite a long time. Many of them found the magic of the wilds to be too much and continued onward to the larger island of Osierauth , settling within the mountains there. As the lands went through a change, they were once again forced deeper underground; using the tunnels for shelter from the storms. Those that refused this way of life returned to the wilds of the island; feeling a sense of protection within its canopy.
After 30,000 years, the Pixies found these people curious and would stalk their village and lure them out into the woods where they would seduce them for pleasure. When the elves learned what was happening, angered by this they left the island, returning to Osierauth. The Pixies were disappointed by this and many of them followed; remaining invisible. It didn’t take long to make land on the coast where they made the mountains and desert their new home. The Pixies, being homesick, went south and made a new home in the wilds of Osierauth.
By 5800 BN, the Pixies began luring the elves once again into the secluded wilds of Osierauth. As time went by, because of the change in elements like the dry desert air and the lack of fey magic, the mixture of DNA altered their appearance; becoming larger grotesque looking creatures. This scared the Pixies and they disappeared into the night, returning to Álfurskögur; leaving the Škriatok on their own.
In 3214 BN, after the Pixies were attacked and their wings removed, some crossed the waters once again in search of others like them; though others were believed to go underground. They found a group that were very much like them, disgraced and left behind because they were different. They build a settlement in the mountains and lived happily for thousands of years. After learning how deep they could go into the mountain before reaching Dökkâlfur territory, they sealed up the entrances and began mining. They build up their fortification in Fjöllum and named it Cordillera Fortress; naming Skrietzilk King. As their clan grew, many of them traveled south around the island in search of additional settlement locations. The ones that went under Álfurskögur eventually evolved, losing color in their flesh and eyes, their hair turned white and their skin seemed preserved. Unlike the other creatures that dwell under Álfurskögur, this group of Škriatok was able to return to the surface, though they often refused.
By 1638 BN, the Dökkâlfur began raiding villages all over Osierauth taking prisoners. It was said that they already had around 12,000 people of various races working for them under the mountains of Osierauth and Yara . They came under the cover of the night sky, sneaking into homes and grabbing them in their sleep. Word got to Cordillera Fortress, but it was too late; they too had been attacked. The fortress was well equipped and held up to their attacks. The battle went on for a moon cycle before the Dökkâlfur returned to their home underground.
King Vidsyr, who was named king during this time, remained motionless, kneeling at the foot of his bed. As he places his head onto his interlaced fingers, preying to anyone who would listen; for his wife had been taken and she was with child, the air grows cold. A soft breeze enters the room, flickering the candlelight. Suddenly a deep voice echoes within the walls of the strong fortification. Not a word was said but the dragon guided him to a spot on the wall, urging him to walk forward. After a quick shove, King Vidsyr found himself in a small dark room, soft weeping could be heard. After recognizing the scent of his wife, he located her and returned to his original spot. He felt around the surface of the stone wall until his hand disappeared within and then moved forward; pulling his wife with him. They were suddenly back in their fortress home. He immediately built a temple to honor him, who saved his wife and was eternally faithful.
In 1481 BN Thefír was so impressed by the length of their faith that he addressed their king once again with a gift. He presented to him a vial brought from Akvatisk. Tanite had become a valuable material to the Thalassic people and very few others had access to it; many believed it to never even exist. Thefír had been so pleased that he smuggled it away and was offering it to the Škriatok. He told them how to make it work for them by mixing it with their technology. With this knowledge, they were able to control their machines from afar. The only problem they had was acquiring it from the sea folk. Thefír also had the answer for this. He pulled the King with him, grasping his arm. Placing his hand against the wall of the temple, Thefír closed his eye, visualized the realm of Akvatisk and gently pushed, his hand disappearing. The king, feeling himself being pulled toward the wall, just stared at his dragon guardian. Suddenly things went black for only a moment and then he found himself is a mall dark room. After vomiting, he righted himself and began following Thefír; letting him guide him through the dark cavern. After meeting with their Queen of the mysterious underwater world and negotiations were settled, he returned with a large supply of Tanite; their cost, knowledge of their artificer ways.
For a thousand years they refined their knowledge; traveling the world through their stone walk ability learning the ways of the others. They used their knowledge as payment for goods and services. Eventually they became known as the world's informants. If you needed information, you could always rely on the Škriatok for answers.
By 800 BN when the Dökkâlfur began raiding their settlements once again, they were better prepared; though not well enough. The Škriatok were in no position to negotiate; the Dökkâlfur could care less about information, they wanted a tunnel build. After agreeing to work with the Dvergur to build the tunnel, the Dökkâlfur stopped attacking their settlements.
By 2249 AN, the Škriatok had a strong enough army of mechanical creatures to mount an attack upon the creatures of Álfurskögur. Once they made land they gradually worked their way into the deeper forest and stealthily sent in the spiders. Making use of their artificer skills, they were able to attack them from afar, and without notice. Eventually they were over taken by the vast amount of forest creatures; still unable to locate the Čiar, they retreated back home.
In 2487 an illness brought in through the port swept the streets of Eyðimörk killing 30% of the people. For 20 years, the illness spread across Yara. By the time it hit Lairelithoniel it had wiped out 23% of the world's population. Some believed it to be a curse while others blamed it on their enemies. Those who remain were stronger for it. Either way, they all had to once again rebuild.
As of 2972 AN, the tunnel is finished and the Škriatoks are free.
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