User:Stripes

Skrell Biology

Species Overview

Skrell are a species of amphibious, hairless, bipedal sophonts who originated from the planet Qerrbalak. Having evolved from an originally fully aquatic species, skrell have gills, webbing between their digits on their hands and feet, and large eyes for improved vision while submerged. Skrell have copper-based blood, or hermocyanin, in lieu of iron-based blood found in most other sophonts in the Spur. Large portions of skrell, particularly in the Axiori and Xiori subspecies, have tails of varying sizes and form, allowing them better movement underwater.

Skrell have two layers of skin, with a transparent layer protecting the pigmented layer beneath it. Mucus is excreted as a protective layer over their skin to prevent it from drying out and cracking, as well as to regulate their temperature. This layer depletes after extended periods on land, and is usually replenished through submersion or applying fresh water through other means. Their skin also more readily absorbs substances, and are more sensitive to the contents of their physical surroundings. Along with their unique skin structure, skrell have particularly sensitive tactile senses in being able to feel textures, and tend to have a reduced pain tolerance due to this. Skrell, similar to other bipedal species in the Spur, have proportionately large heads, which are adorned with muscular extremities known as headtails.

Headtails’ primary functions were to keep the head insulated, hold their eggs, and for emotional displays. Notably, headtails lack fine motor control, but still utilize their intricate musculature to move and position themselves for contextual displays of emotion and intent. These headtails will grow through the average skrell’s life, being originally no longer than a few centimeters at hatching, to knee-length or lower towards their advanced age. Originally, the species only had a total of three headtails atop their head, but regularly have much more due to the effects of #X’lu’oa, and their resulting extraneous headtails known as tuux, which can express atop the head and around the face and jaw. Skrell do not have as many facial muscles as other species have in order to manipulate their faces to express with them, and instead use verbalized cues and headtails in order to express instead.

Beyond their headtails, skrells’ heads lack a bony nasal structure, instead having slits on a raised portion of their faces. Skrell lack robust olfactory sense when on land, lacking finer details and subtler detection of scents unless underwater. Inversely, a skrell’s sense of hearing is very acute, with hearing ranges capable of hearing into infrasound and ultrasound ranges. The skrell vestibular system within their ears is also robust, having developed heavily in order to improve orientation while underwater, and manifests in most skrell developing a strong sense of balance while on land.

Skrell vision is relatively equal to the average human’s, and have an equal range of color perception beyond some ultraviolet perception, but are primarily adapted for improved sight underwater and in darker regions. Notably, the surrounding skin around the eyes are capable of secreting a dark ink when an individual skrell is under extreme stress, though the reason behind this mechanism’s evolution isn’t fully understood. The ink release mechanism is generally considered a vestigial organ function, having either been used to reduce glare when on the surface, or originally releasing much higher quantities as an escape mechanism. This ink, when released frequently over long periods of time, will eventually stain the surrounding skin.

Within the average skrell’s mouth are hardened gum pads, which function similarly to teeth to chew food. Lacking hard teeth, skrell have great difficulty and discomfort when chewing hard foods, and will prefer softer foods where available. Notably, some skrell have expressed an alternative chewing structure in the form of an internal, beak-like bony plate structure, known as Xibus. Skrell tongues, similar to the rest of their inner tissue, are blue, and measure an average of twenty centimeters in length from oropharynx to tip.

Skrell Subspecies

Skrell are divided into three different subspecies, having evolved for divergent environments. Axiori skrell are more visibly aquatic, having larger tails, eyes, and more prominently webbed feet in order to improve their ability to swim underwater. The average Axiori skrell is shorter, heavier, and usually have darker-colored skin colorations than the other two subspecies. Notably, Axiori tend to be more psionically capable as well, which is presumed to originate from using it underwater to detect prey, avoid predators, and maintain contact with other skrell while separated across larger regions.

Xiialt skrell, having adapted to primarily live on land, are usually taller and leaner than Axiori. Proportionately, Xiialt skrell also possess longer, more developed legs, but usually have much smaller tails, or lack them entirely. Psionically, this subspecies trend towards being weaker in their capabilities, being theorized to be from land-based skrell communities being in closer physical contact with another. Xiialt skrell also trend towards brighter skin coloration, generally being more vibrantly colored than the other subspecies.

Lastly, Xiori skrell are a hybrid between Xiialt and Axiori skrell interbreeding, and possess multiple traits from either group. Axiori features maintain slight prominence in Xiori skrell, and have the range of colorations, sizes, and heights of both of their parents.

Examples of natural skin colorations in skrell, along with an example of a skrell who underwent spa treatments to modify their skin color.

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  An Axiori with green colouration.

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  An Axiori with red colouration.

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  A Xiialt with blue colouration.

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  A Xiialt with yellow colouration.

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  A Xiiori Skrell with purple colouration.

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  A Xiialt Skrell after a spa treatment.

Being one of the shorter species within the Orion Spur, the median height range for skrell range between 134cm (4’5”) to 165cm (5’5”). The average weight for skrell varies on a number of factors, generally ranging between 35 kg (78 lbs.) to 58 kg (130 lbs.). Skin coloration also varies heavily, primarily being inherited from their genetic parents, with Axiori trending towards darker pigments compared to Xiialt. Portions of differently colored skin are common, with patterns and clusters of splotches being the most common expression across their bodies. Dietary habits can also slowly change the pigmentation of a skrell’s skin, with a diet of primarily a single color eventually expressing in a shift of tones around the stomach and markings on their skin.

Skrell Development

Skrell live for considerably longer than humans, with a natural life expectancy within three centuries, and up to five hundred years with life-extending technology and modern medicine. This extensive lifespan coincides with a proportionately longer development and adolescent period, and most skrell have memories that can only retain memories for up to one and a half centuries.

Being ovoviviparous, skrell begin life in large, gelatinous eggs that are hatched after a year of incubation once laid. Newly developing skrell within these eggs being psionically stimulated (referred to as Aqi’qa, or “tethering”) through their assigned mentor before hatching. Upon hatching from these eggs, newly hatched skrell are altricial and helpless, requiring their surrounding quya to raise them for roughly fifteen years before becoming capable of supporting themselves physically.

Adolescent skrell will continue their development until fifty years of age, where they are considered physically mature. However, modern Nralakk Federation culture will only perceive skrell as having achieved adulthood after achieving the equivalent of a degree in college education, which is usually achieved at sixty to eighty years of age. Young adulthood from this point is defined as lasting until their first century of age, where skrell up until their second century are of average adult age. Skrell enter their advanced age and senescence in the remaining fifty years of their second century, though medical technology allows skrell to live up to three centuries, and youth serums allow them up to five centuries total.

Skrell are simultaneously capable of siring and carrying offspring during conception, being simultaneous hermaphrodites. No forms of sexual dimorphism are present in the species, and lack any secondary sexual characteristics. Sexual maturity is reached at fifty years of age.

Psionic Development

A Zrose graph, which is the basis of measuring a skrell’s psionic capabilities, sensitivity, and what defines a Receiver and Listener.

The Zona Bovinae, a small sensory center of the brain within all life within the Orion Spur, is significantly larger within skrell. Through this region in the brain, skrell are capable of stimulating this portion of the brain in order to transmit an as-of-yet unknown mechanism to utilize psionics. Psionic activity is present throughout a skrell’s entire life, usually being stimulated before birth out of traditional belief in improving its growth. Psionic capabilities vary across each skrell, with psionic sensitivity and natural receptiveness to outside psionic interaction differing between each individual. Most psionics are expressed through a passive, constant release of subconscious emotions and thoughts in a radius around them. This field is referred to as a Nlom, or Psionic Wake, and will constantly interact with individuals’ subconscious within its radius. Skrell who more readily mentally accept and adapt to these fields are called Receivers, while those who subconsciously resist or experience less urges to adapt their thoughts are Listeners. Skrell typically are born into either field at birth, though attunement and receptiveness to the Nlom will shift and change throughout their entire life despite these assignments.

Skrell will experience higher psionic activity when in periods of deep sleep, experiencing an out-of-body connection to a shared subconscious that multiple skrell will connect to in a radius that will vary based on the density of skrell in an area. This shared instance of consciousness is known as the Srom, or the Dream. While in this conscious instance, skrell experience a level of mental clarity that is credited for improved mental capacity and creativity, as well as a lack of social inhibitions. Skrell who avoid entering the Dream will instead prevent themselves from having deep sleep, develop a restful trance state to achieve physical rest, or use aluminium shielding to block their psionic connection entirely.

Outside of the Nlom and Srom, skrell regularly utilize psionics for direct communication between one another. Telepathy, being the direct communication of thoughts and emotions, is done between two parties who engage in active conversation through psionics as a medium. This form of communication allows for sentences, mental images, sensations, and other mental projections are commonly used, though direct emotional transplants are generally considered rude. Concentrated use of psionics also allow particularly psionically capable skrell to interface with others while in physical contact from them, ranging from being able to transmit direct inquiries, diagnose physical conditions, and cause pain through psionic-neurological interactions.

Skrell Illnesses and Disorders

Physical illness in skrell are common, and affect multiple regions of their bodies. Mandatory vaccinations and the Nralakk Federation’s robust public healthcare system allows most skrell to live relatively sickness-free lives, though genetically expressed disorders are persistent, with multiple X’lu’oa-induced disorders having no known cure.

Diseases

In the modern era of the Nralakk Federation, most infectious diseases are easily treatable without concern in the metropolitan regions through inoculation and robust public healthcare. Beyond the Core, Elemental, and Contingent systems, illness remains a fact of life within the Traverse. The Starlight Zone—being primarily mismanaged and poorly maintained through refugee oversight and the Republic of Biesel’s political distance—regularly has breakouts of disease through its populace. Pa’nar Blisters is a bacterial disease that affects the production of skin-protecting mucus within skrell bodies, causing excessive dryness where blisters form and eventually drain or burst. Pa’nar is primarily infectious during its asymptomatic period, where physical contact is its primary vector even after symptoms appear. Common symptoms also include coughing, sneezing, fatigue, weight loss, with infection and scarring common around blistering sites. Vaccinations for this disease are mandated in order to reduce its severity and grant immunity to the disease, while treatment involves mitigating permanent scarring of the skin where blisters have burst through medicinal ointments. Yuxin’s Rash is a skin disease affecting the webbing of a skrell’s hands and feet, causing severe dryness and irritation. While primarily only an annoyance, severe rash symptoms can render the hands to lose function due to the intensity of the cracked, dry skin sites. The rash will also occasionally migrate to other parts of the body in advanced cases, being connected to consistent irritation and scratching of the initially infected sites. Environmental factors will also cause the rash’s irritation to worsen, primarily dependent on temperature fluctuations and humidity. Red Spotted Fever refers to the bacterial infection caused by improperly prepared Fjylozyn, which initially presents itself as sudden, increased bloodflow around the abdominal skin. Full-body infection progresses after, visibly appearing as red pustules across the chest and abdomen of the infected, which may burst if agitated. Without treatment, severe fever and abscesses of the skin will progress, usually proving fatal over the course of the following weeks. Being extremely infectious, those infected are usually held in quarantine while going through their treatment of antibiotics. Red Spotted Fever has a vaccine that is mandatory for all skrell, though those pre-Radiant Era are usually unvaccinated due to its more recent creation. Black-Blood is a severe bloodborne illness originating from the Zeiqi-Trqn region in the Traverse. Those infected will slowly become increasingly anemic as their blood cells are deprived of their ability to bind copper. Symptoms of the illness consist of progressively worsening lethargy, shortness of breath, and a visible darkening of the veins that form the namesake of the disease. Black-Blood is eventually fatal in all cases through asphyxiation from blood-related complications, and there are no known cures for the disease. Due to its fatality and potential for infection through exposure to infected fluids, the Zeiqi-Trqn region remains under quarantine due to the risk of transmission. Vessels that are suspected of carrying those infected or unsterilized cargo are regularly detained, and offending vessels are regularly scuttled if the quarantine was bypassed illegally. Black-Blood’s origins within the Zeiqi-Trqn remain unknown, with popular rumors of its existence as a bioweapon made during the Glorsh-Omega period remaining a popular theory. No substantial evidence of this theory has ever been found, though anti-Federation groups and the Lyukal regularly use this theory as a point of accusation towards the Nralakk Federation purposefully allowing its transmission in the region to reduce independent states being formed pre-reunification.

Psionic Disorders

Psionic disorders are considered both a disorder of both mental and neurological health, having intertwined effects due to the Zona Bovinae interfacing with a skrell’s personality and consciousness. ‘’’Psionic Echoes’’’ is a psionic condition that forms from repeated telepathic messaging, which forms repetitive messages in the psyche. Psionic Echoes is only present in psionically weak skrell, or non-skrell without psionic receivers to safely receive psionic interactions. These imprinted messages will repetitively repeat in the afflicted’s conscious thoughts, which ranges from being heard once daily, to multiple times every hour. While considered incurable, these echoes can be managed and mitigated through psionic counseling. Purposefully inflicting this condition is a very serious offense, and is considered assault within the Nralakk Federation. Using psionics against an individual with existing echoes is also punishable as assault, as it exacerbates the afflicted’s condition. Notably, attempting to read the minds of those with psionic echoes will cause the echoes to obscure their thoughts, due to clouding conscious thought with the message. A ‘’’Psionic Stutter’’’ is a psionic-speech impediment, which forms in skrell who are psionically weak. Telepathic messages sent by skrell afflicted by this syndrome stutter in their messages, with the severity varying per person. Psionic therapy is the main form of treatment, and is most effective in younger skrell who exhibit a stutter. As a skrell ages, however, their stutter will become more prevalent and severe, as well as more difficult to remedy. ‘’’Psionic Sleep Disorders’’’ are categorized as a psionic disorder with their relationship with the Srom. Psionic Oversleeping is classified as an addiction to the Srom, with periods of sleep beyond hibernation for four or more hours a day being considered oversleeping. This is a deductive behavior under the Social Compatibility Index system, due to being an antisocial behavior with a dependence on the Srom for varying reasons. Whether for the lack of shedding of inhibitions within the Srom, or for the intense mental clarity and creativity within it, treatment for oversleepers involves temporary isolation into aluminium-lined rooms during sleep. This isolation results in a duller, unpopulated dreamscape, which is considered most effective in breaking a dependence. Psionic Undersleeping, being the inverse, is categorized as a psionic social disorder, with periods of deep sleep falling under thirty minutes a day considered undersleeping. Undersleepers are considered socially avoidant or anxious, or treated with suspicion due to the perception of undersleepers hiding secrets. Undersleeping is registered as a deductive behavior due to it being a purposeful, unhealthy withdrawal from social environments. Treatment for undersleeping involves the prescription of sleeping aids, anti-anxiety medication, and counseling, should they express fears over entering the Srom. ‘’’Brenaii Syndrome’’’ is a neurological disorder that causes the degradation of the synapses, progressive immunodeficiency, and atrophy of the endocrine system. Disruption of the Zona Bovinae’s neuroelectrical impulses is the primary mechanism of Brenaii Syndrome, which then becomes the primary transmission. Due to being uniquely psionically infectious, skrell with the syndrome are socially isolated and ostracized. Taril’kow Brenaii, a prominent Starkeeper during 450 BCE, was the first known case of the disorder due to their position leading to constant psionic interaction with their fellow religious followers. The resulting spread of Brenaii was considered a pandemic, with no known cure, or treatment. Little progress has been made into treatment for those afflicted, and most care comes in the form of symptom management. Many skrell with Brenaii Syndrome will voluntarily self-isolate out of fear of harming others, eventually forming Brenaii colonies in the frontier consisting of those affected. Due to their remote nature and sickened populace, most Brenaii colonies will remain unmapped due to their brief existences. ‘’Progressive Low Tide Syndrome’’, more colliqually known as ‘’’Insanity of the Tide’’’, is the general term for a cluster of progressive social and mental symptoms, most similar to dementia in definition. Usually manifesting with difficulties with memories and appropriate emotional responses, which eventually progresses into difficulty with physical and psionic speech. Skrell with Tide Syndrome are typically in their advanced age, with the earliest onset being in their second century. Insanity of the Tide derives itself from the collective terms from the multiple languages pre-Nral’malic, with the shared term for the syndrome referring to those affected as “going insane as quick as the tides,” and was perceived as a sign of acceptance for elder skrell to move on from their physical lives. Tide Syndrome has no cure, and most treatment consists of cognitive therapy and psionic meditation. Particularly, the psionic meditation of “shifting” memories from imagined parts of the mind that were unhealthy to portions not yet afflicted is referred to as Ron’tuk’mol, or the “transfer of the mind”. Notably, Tide Syndrome shares multiple clusters of symptoms with Europan Sea-Blindness, and are classified under the same disorder by the Nralakk Federation’s medical system, despite the separate classification by Europa. Both disorders, in sharing progressive symptoms with the Zona Bovinae, are considered similar enough to not warrant the differentiation.

X’Lu’oa

X'Lu'oa is a term used for a cluster of symptoms and genetic disorders stemming from the genetic modifications administered by Glorsh-Omega, as well as the term for the modification itself. X’Lu’oa has multiple severities due to the method the AI used in administering it to the populace, with skrell collaborators receiving a less severe variant that renders them less infertile. The total number of symptoms and disorders under the term is still being researched and is non-exhaustive, with the most common symptoms consisting of infertility, X'Lu'oa Disorder, Tuux growths, and other, rarer conditions. ‘’’Tuux Growths’’’ are the most prominent genetic disorder from X’Lu’oa, which are tentacle formations that grow around the head and face of those affected. These growths are medically anomalous, usually being darker or lighter than the surrounding skin color of the individual, but are otherwise not considered alarming or unattractive. These growths grow similarly to natural headtails, though some growths can develop rapidly. Cosmetic correction of these growths is commonly done, usually through cosmetic genetic modification, or spa treatments. Some growths are sensitive to the touch and can be easily irritated, and usually require consistent moisturization. Despite being primarily benign, Tuux Growths are considered an early symptom of future X’Lu’oa conditions, with multiple growths warranting further medical screening. Some Tuux can become malignant growths, usually becoming dark with an excess of fluids and bloodflow to the site. Damage to these malignant Tuux will cause severe bleeding, due to a depletion of platelets in the blood gathering in the growth, which can prove fatal. These growths are usually surgically removed, though the complexity of this procedure is difficult to perform outside of the Nralakk Federation. ‘’’X'Lu'oa Disorder’’’ is a chronic condition that causes the formation of dark-pigmented, painful acne of on the headtails, which will form from the surface of the skin to its interior. Those afflicted usually cover their headtails to avoid agitation of these sites, being ubiquitous due to being hidden. While currently incurable, symptom management comes in the form of topical creams to numb the acne, which is referred to as ‘’X'oa'wai cream’’. X’Lu’oa Disorder is also an early symptom of more severe disorders, much like Tuux Growths are. ‘’’X’Lu’oa infertility’’’ is the general term for a spectrum of reproductive issues stemming from X’Lu’oa, which ranges from eggs failing to come to term, to full sterility of those afflicted. Being the most common and severe condition of the genetic disorders, the induced infertility is the leading cause of falling birth rates within the species as a whole, with most skrell being unable to conceive any offspring in their lifetime. Being incurable, multiple fertility-enhancing procedures and modifications vary widely in their effects, though some skrell are rendered permanently infertile despite all the efforts taken.

Genetic Disorders

‘’’Acute Hemoaerisis Disorder’’’, or AHD, is a genetic disorder that causes the body to overstore copper within the body, causing damage to the heart, liver, and kidneys, eventually resulting in heart failure and liver cirrhosis. Acute Hemoaerisis Disorder is commonly referred to as Dark Pyrexia, named after the rapid darkening of the skin, joint inflammation, pain, and high fever as the disorder advanced. AHD was originally incurable and always fatal within newborns, being considered a sign of the soul within the body having been reborn too early, and denying their physical form. Treatment involves symptom management through blood transfusions, dialysis, and experimental genetic modification, though no known cure currently exists. Medical research behind the cure of the disease is growing, however, as more medical researchers dedicate themselves towards more successful treatment and a cure. ‘’’Tu'Maqala’’’, or ‘’Glass Skin’’, is a congenital disorder of the skin, which causes portions of the skin to become transparent due to a loss of melanin. These portions of the skin lack any pain or touch reception, effectively being completely numb. Treatment consists of electric pulses in the affected area, which temporarily removes the region and stops growth. Glass Skin will, if not treated regularly, eventually grow to cover entire portions of the body, with some cases resulting in total coverage. This disease is hereditary and originates from the X’Lu’oa cluster of genetic disorders, which is comorbid with X’Lu’oa-induced infertility. Notably, skrell offspring can manifest Glass Skin despite neither parent expressing the disorder, which is still being researched to understand its source. ‘’’Volvuunt Qixqalau’’’, or ‘’Inverted Gills’’, is a genetic, congenital disorder that results in a skrell’s gills being inverted outwards, facing the air while hanging free from under the jaw. Most skrell with inverted gills suffer relatively mild complications due to the exposed gills being sensitive and prone to infection. Corrective surgery is considered high-risk due to the delicate gill structure being modified, with most instead opting for gill covers. Gill covers are an adaptive, water-cycling device worn around that neck that keeps their gills hydrated and protected.

Skrell with Xibus can consume foods otherwise unavailable for most skrell. For example, this skrell is eating a hamburger, and could chew the ice in their drink if desired.

‘’’Xibus’’’, or ‘’Beakmouth’’, is a genetic disorder consisting of the formation of interlocking, bony plates in the mouth in lieu of the typical hardened gum pads. These plates, similar to a squid’s beak, are exceptionally sharp and dense, allowing beaked skrell to eat food otherwise unavailable to them. However, Xibus causes a noticeable speech impediment, developing a lisp that increases in severity as the plates grow, which becomes particularly audible when speaking in Tau Ceti Basic. Some Xibus-bearing skrell will prefer psionic communication, which causes a perception of the condition being relatively rare, despite being somewhat prevalent in the Axiori populace. Treatment for Xibus is surgical removal of the bony plates at an early age, though this grows in risk as the patient grows older. Alternatively, these bony plates can be shaved down to a preferred length to avoid severe speech issues, as well as preventing accidental biting of the inner cheek. Despite its classification as a genetic disorder, debate within the medical research boards have led to a growing sentiment that Xibus is not a disorder, and instead an evolutionary development due to its clear advantages in being able to consume food that would previously be unavailable to skrell. A consensus, however, is still forthcoming.