Releks

Releks are a fascinating species. A race so physically strong that the males outmatch even the giants and goliaths.
Though they look like monsters and are physically imposing their society is built on intellectual advancement and self-improvement. By achieving this they can better serve others. They are a familial species with a large focus on loyalty.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Releks are a sturdy thick hided bipedals. Their internal skeletons are thick and dense. The males’ spines and horns protrude from their skin. The skin, while thick, is not only protected by its callus--it is also covered in scales. They have tufts of fur on their head and on the ends of their tails.

Genetics and Reproduction

Releks are by nearly all standards a reptilian species, they still give live birth. The male and the female will mingle their souls. After this the female will carry the offspring for nearly six months. Then the child will be born. Unless the female is an ash eater the process is an easy one. The offspring will then finish its matureing in a warm underground chamber known as a nest often among other maturing Releks.

Growth Rate & Stages

Relek’s have three stages of growth, after conception and birth. The Nesting stage goes on for a complete year. Then there’s the Learning stage which will last until they’ve reached the age of fourteen years. Finally there’s the hunter stage. This will last them until death.

Ecology and Habitats

Relek’s are most at home on the coasts of the green Seihs that cover the surface of Sengveil. There they can hunt and come back to the green fields where they are able to build their homes. Unfortunately in recent years they have been driven deep into the seihs. Hunted by humans they’ve become nomadic, only staying in places long enough for a new batch of Releks to grow out of the nest.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Releks have hard stomachs that allow them to eat dangerous and even poisonous plants, as well as meats. Products of animals are considered vile and some are even dangerous for them to consume, such as Yak milk.

Biological Cycle

Releks are coldblooded, therefore it is imperative that they have underground retreats to keep them alive through the winter. They also hav Basks set up as a central location in their settlements. It is often higher up off the ground and has fires built around it day and night.

Additional Information

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

The average Relek has four basic senses, Sight, Hearing, Taste, and Smell. In some rare cases the ability of taste can be replaced with an ability to feel. Those that can feel but not taste are named ash eaters and serve as healers and way finders.

Civilization and Culture

Naming Traditions

A Relek in the nesting stage will be given a name by its mother, it shall be called by the name of it's mother until it has passed the Meditative Cycle. Then it shall be given a new name by it's father, if there is no father it shall be named by the patriarch. They are celebrated yearly based on the date of receiving the name of their father.

Major Organizations

There are two major religious sects in Relek Culture. Those that believe that Esrasil is God and will one day walk among the races of Sengveil. And those that believe that Esrasil is a union of many godds, come together to make the world whole again after the corruption of the daemons.

Beauty Ideals

The females in Relek Culture are often smaller than the males. They still have horns but they are normally more ram-like rather than antler-esque as is the case with males. Women with hair that swishes and eyes that burn like rum on fire, are considered very attractive. Men that are rough and blunt, but gentle around their potential interests are highly desired in Relek culture.

Gender Ideals

Men and women are treated as equals in this culture. As far as work and leading roles are considered there are standards that must be met, and whether male or female if they are not met then the position cannot be filled.

It is my experience that with male Releks being the strongest race on earth, work such as mining, fighting, harvesting, and butchering often are positions filled by the male. Whilst hunting, studies of science and religion, and care for the Nesting Releks often are fields filled by women. This is not to say that there aren't crossovers, but they are certainly not commonplace.

_{Ryou A. Taerun}

Courtship Ideals

Releks mate for life. Releks wait to mingle their souls until after they share the same tent. They form a deep and powerful bond with one their counterpart after that can only be broken by death.

Relationship Ideals

Because of the finality of their relationships most Releks will refuse to look for a partner until after they have succeeded in accomplishing their goals and aspirations. This accounts for many mature adults being parents and even some of the Nest Releks being raised by a new family rather than the parents that conceived them.

Average Technological Level

Because they have been chased and hunted, their nomadic lifestyle has made it very difficult for their tech to advance. However they have stolen technology from other races, and work tirelessly not only to replicate it, but improve it. Were they given enough time and were they ambitious enough for it, they could truly become a powerful race of war.

Major Language Groups and Dialects

All Releks speak a common tongue that is nearly universal and spoken by many of the other races. The Releks speak their own language however, which they can teach humans to understand but it would be impossible for a human to replicate the language. Releks not only have two vocal chambers but they also have gill like structures behind their lower jaws. This allows for there to be extra vibrations in their layered speech. Thus it is impossible for most races to speak their tongue.

Common Etiquette Rules

Others are to be treated with respect, if a fellow were to harm or steal or slander his/her countryman then a duel may take place to restore honor to both parties. Should the crime truly be grevious the victim or the victims family may hold a death parade through the camp, if the parade reaches the offenders tent without being stopped by the elders, then the family will have the right to execute the offender before the entire village the next day.

Common Dress Code

The style of clothing vary, however many emulate what is popular in other cultures. The important thing to Releks is that the feet loins and breasts must be covered in public settings. Even the males cover their chests. If a male wishes to remain single he will cut off his horns and fasten them on his belt. often they will have to be trimmed down so that they do not drag along the ground.

Common Taboos

One may never speak of how their ancestors died. It is a common superstition that doing this will invite the same fate upon yourself, and your household.

History

Releks are offspring of the Felled Ones from the south. When Sengveil became a battleground for titans and daemons the Felled Ones mixed their race with that of different daemon and guardian races, in order that their offspring might survive the oncoming storm. For this reason, when Esrasil laid waste to the Arch Daemons and their followers the Felled ones of the north, south, east, and west were destroyed for defiling themselves.
But Esrasil had mercy on their offspring. He told them that while they walked the face of Sengveil their lives would be hard and they would be made to fear their fellow races. However, this curse came with the promise that one-day Esrasil would walk among all the races of Sengveil.
Though many Releks believe this to be a story, there are still others who pass it from one generation to the next, believing it to be their history, and indeed it is the oldest recording they have to date that is still legible and it continues to be copied and translated today.

Common Myths and Legends

Because they do not share their chronicles with other races, many of their myth and legends remain a mystery. One, however, is renown in in several parts of the known world. Greyn the Mystac. An epic saga that tells of a great Relek Klan leader, who not only braved the unknown parts of the world but also discovered a body of water that existed above ground. One so vast that he could not see the other side of it. It was much like the Seihs back home but water rather than trees. He called it the Great Bolu. Many discredit such stories. How could it remain hidden if it is truly as vast as it has been claimed in the tales. The Mystery of the Great Bolu has been past down throughout the ages, and still fills the hearts of young wanderers with a lust for adventure.

Interspecies Relations and Assumptions

Releks are not against interspecies relationships. It is very uncommon, due to the general hate they a shown in other societies. There have been half human and goliath Releks however. These offspring if brought up under the protection of the Releks would often grow to become champions of their Klans.

Genetic Ancestor(s)

• The Felled Ones

Origin/Ancestry

Releks are a race that came about during the age of daemons. They are the product of the Felled Ones. Their race was given the strength to survive the dying world until the Arch Daemons were defeated.

Conservation Status

There are no protections for this race. They are hunted and hated, and no man can be held accountable for what he does to them. By human laws they are not even suitable payment for a human slave.