Skrell Assembly

The Skrell Assembly is a race of amphibious beings reminiscent of tadpoles, often compared to Twi'Lek from the famous Earth sci-fi series Star Wars. Deeply communitarian, the Skrell are a species entwined with technology and commonly psionic. Organized into a bafflingly complex political and legal system, they are mostly not concerned with war, instead focusing on extremely advanced sciences.

Appearance

Skrell are commonly slim, tall humanoid creatures. They are bipedal, with two segments to their legs and a simple foot without toes. Their skeletal structure is similar to humans, down to the ribcage, arms, legs and hip bones. Their arms end in a hand with five fingers that are suctioned, able to grip items very effectively. Their body is completely smooth, with no discernible human features like a belly button or hair - indeed, their skin is moderately moist at all times and Skrell usually need to bathe once a day to keep it healthy. The Skrell, being an amphibious species, can breathe both air and water, and their gills are closed when out of the water. Skrell skin is always colorful and most often green, blue and red, though other shades exist.

The biggest difference is in the head: the shape is generally the same, and so is the skull, however two semi-prehensile tentacle growths, named "tails" protrude from the hairless scalp, above where the ears are. These tails serve multiple functions: they are a way to keep their gills safe, which are placed on the neck, but they are also a means of social communication and sometimes fashion. Skrell tails are often adorned by rings and chains, especially for females (males prefer to show off their larger tails) and can be moved semi-autonomously by the Skrell. Their eyes are fully black, with no visible iris, and usually ovoid-shaped. Skrell have no real discernible gender differences, but males tend to be taller, with wider shoulders and hips, thicker tails, more pronounced jaws and a deeper voice. Due to social expectations, they are usually muscular and athletic. Females are shorter, with thinner tails, softer features and a lighter voice.

Skrell female and male. Credit: PhantasmicDream.

History

Skrell history is mostly one of survival in the face of disease and destruction. The Skrell were previously an underwater species that, upon climate change on their home planet of Nralakk, were forced to adapt to the surface. The need for survival in an extremely hostile environment bypassed any chance for infighting or conflict: Nralakk, before terraforming, was an acidic swamp planet inhabited by ravenous fauna locked in a brutal food chain, with the Skrell at the bottom. For years, Skrell tribes had to prioritized basic needs, separating into strict classes that still remain to this day, until sufficient technological advances allowed them to take control of their environment. They evolved very quickly, moving from an era of swords and shields to the combustion engine and more advanced technologies in the span of decades, eventually reaching the atomic era. The first fusion reactor brought a new age of prosperity to Skrell society, although even to this day, most major cities are enclosed in domes or protective fortifications. Previously uncared for, fields like philosophy, social sciences and literature were prioritized, as technical sciences and engineering had nearly peaked in an attempt to better the life of Skrell worldwide.

The space age only brought more chances for the advancement of science and the discovery of new worlds and places. Given the harshness of the system, no colonies were established, but orbital habitats and stations are common and dot the skies of Nralakk. Notable events in more recent history include clashes with a nearby alien species, now extinct, the Hitari. The Skrell-Hitari conflict began, apparently, by mistake, due to a mistranslation of a Skrell message by a Hitari ship. The following war lasted roughly a decade, and was mostly fought in space with minimal ground engagements. It lead to a victory of the Skrell and a total destruction of the Hitari home planet via chemical weapons and space bombardment, a brutal doctrine that has since been abandoned. What the war highlighted was the uncertainty that the Skrell Assembly, the governing structure of Nralakk, held in its decisions: most Skrell considered themselves artists, scientists or engineers, and refused the violent nature of the warrior class. Viceversa, the warrior classes believe that violence is necessary to Skrell survival, and that it always has been. To this day, the dilemma remains.

The latest historical event was the discovery of a probe by a research ship north of the home system of the Skrell, Rotfront Trinary. This probe held images, text and audio, and provided the location of an alien civilization further to the galactic north. The Assembly, after lengthy discussions, approved a mission, fielded by both the warrior classes and the worker classes. In 2154, the Stellar Armada Fleet "Tranquil Resolution" of the Skrell Assembly met with the United Nations Navy 2nd Fleet at the edge of the Barnard's Star system, and first contact was established. Since then, the Skrell have assisted in human scientific development in a fruitful cooperative relationship, in which humans share with the Skrell the vast cultural knowledge of Earth.

Culture

The Skrell generally speak a single, unified language established generation after generation, Common Skrell Tongue, CST. To a human, CST mostly sounds like creaking, clicking, trilling and chirping. This is due to the reliance on body language, low-effort telepathy and a condensed language structure that is able to convey entire sentences in a single word. Due to their flexible vocal chords, Skrell have no trouble speaking English effectively, and often have a flat manner of speaking. Despite this, Skrellian vocalizations often tend to the musical, something that those who work with humans have to suppress manually. If not, even a simple sentence can sound as if sung (in a very pleasant pitch, nonetheless).

Rights are generally well developed in the Skrellian Assembly, though conversative movements are still prevalent in society and tend to advocate for past social roles. Skrellians are generally not emotionally driven, in part due to the conditions their species evolved in, which required stoicism and, at times, cynicism. Issues like discrimination exist, mostly related to the class division. Skrell culture is based on contribution to the Assembly and one's community, so competitiveness and the drive for achievement are paramount for a successful Skrell. There is a lot of pressure on young ones to succeed from an early age, which has lead some Skrells to abandon Nralakk in favor of the more liberal Earth and Sol System.

Technology is very advanced, with the regular use of nanotechnology and a solid understanding of how to manipulate the very basis of the body and the environment. The Assembly hasn't made efforts to engage in complicated engineering projects, aside from the pacification of some hostile fauna on Nralakk via genetic modification and the stabilization of the planet's atmosphere. The most large-scale project has been the construction of a series of orbital structures to lower the brightness of the trinary star system that Nralakk orbits. AI in Skrell society is deeply rooted and operates physically, virtually, and also psionically.

Religion is not practiced widely among Skrellians, although some small religions exist based around astronomy. What Nralakk lacks in religion, it makes up for in near-religious practices and customs. Some of them include the Coming of Age, a celebration of a Skrell's 30 year birthday, after which they are considered an adult, or the Coupling, a "wedding" between two Skrell. Less human-like rituals involve hunting and physical combat, or psychic practices.

A handy guide made by the Skrell government to interpret the usually stoic Skrell expression.

Class System

The Skrell are divided in classes, assigned to each citizen at their 30th birthday based on their skills, family history and ideals. Classes are divided in Warrior classes, Worker classes and Thinker classes.

Warrior Classes

Flaklass, roughly translated to Class of the Boat, are warriors who serve in the Stellar Armada's fleets, with high aptitude towards strategy and leadership.
Sparklass, translated to Class of the Lance, are soldiers and troops who usually serve on the ground or as part of a ship's security team.
Furhklass, meaning Class of the Flag, are generals and officers that serve to organize military campaigns and defense projects.

Worker Classes

Aggaklass, Class of the Fixers, are engineers, architects and repairmen, who work on maintaining society and keeping it fixed.
Mideklass, Class of the Healers, are medics, doctors and surgeons, those who keep Nralakk and Skrell healthy.
Starreklass, Class of the Watchers, are scientists, researchers and those who push society forward.

Thinker Classes

Ruhleklass, Class of Soul, are artists: singers, painters, writers, those who provide nourishment to the soul.
Gunneklass, Class of Speech, are politicians and diplomats who lead society, the most auspicious and sought after class.

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