Slashrim
 "Lizard-Men" |
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Slashrim |
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| Pronunciation: | SLASH-rim |
| Homeworld: | Slasheth |
Contents
History
Long ago, Slashrim culture varied somewhat by tribe, as they were not a very cohesive species. From what Humans know of Slashrim, however, their culture has always been based around warfare and battle in general. Long ago, they formed small packs and large tribes, all constantly at war. Lack of unity prevented them from gaining substantial power as a civilization, nor did they achieve considerable technological advancement. Only a few independent Slashrim tribes still exist, due to being conquered by the Mahlok. Slashrim technology is always adapted from other species or borrowed from the Mahlok, for they are believed to have only reached a kind of Iron Age before the more advanced Mahlok conquered them.
Enslavement
The early era of the planet Slasheth, called "Age of Chaos" by the faction now called Helexith after the Slashrim god, ended when the Mahlok arrived and chose a single Slashrim tribe to uplift above all others. This tribe, called the Chosen of Helexith, and its Mahlok allies ruled over nearly all Slashrim, bringing them into the Mahlok civilization as enslaved and brainwashed weapons of war. When the Mahlok first came to Slasheth, they learned of one tribe's god, the sun-god Helexith, and began perverting him to serve their own means when a Mahlok named Zuhaxellod proclaimed himself to be Helexith's prophet. All later leaders of the Helexith Coalition continue to take up the name Zuhaxellod, even going so far as to call themselves "living avatars of Helexith." The Mahlok now use the Slashrim as weapons, sending them into battle as the main soldiers of their army, and using the older, larger individuals as vehicles and siege weapons.
Religion
The original religion, or religions, of the Slashrim are all but lost to time. Today, most Slashrim worship Helexith, their supreme god of all life and a combination of three other gods: Hel, god of heat; Lex, god of liquidity; and Sith, god of light. These are the three of the most intrinsically good things, according to the Slashrim, and all are properties of life. With fire as their holiest element, the Slashrim quickly turned to worshiping the Mahlok after their arrival, thanks to their ability to create fire from their skin. To the Slashrim, anything cold, hard, and dark is evil; weapons are evil, as they are cold and hard and dead, and they take life. But the Mahlok prophets demand that the Slashrim subjucate other worlds into Helexith's dominion, so they must make use of the evil weapons to bring about greater "good." War and the taking of life is holy in Slashrim eyes: burning villages and bodies feeds the hungry god Helexith, furthering his noble goal. According to their religion, the universe will end in fire - all worlds will burn and become one with Helexith.
Society
Slashrim are considered incredibly savage by nearly every other sapient species. As a whole, Slashrim do not seem to value another individual's life at all. They see living things as competition, respecting only those with strength. Cannibalism and the eating of other sapient species is common among many but not all Slashrim. Nearly all Slashrim now speak Mahlok, with only a few simple words from their own proto-languages - which were extremely simple in nature - still in use. Other elements of their society are suitably practical: their art is never simply for decoration. It always serves a purpose, especially a religious one. Some Slashrim decorate their armor and weapons with crude cargins and drawings meant to make them look more fearsome or powerful or to appease their gods, a purpose they consider very important. However, no "art for art's sake" exists among their species.
Biology
Among the largest of the Natives in Nova Refuge, the Slashrim are perhaps most known for their "unstable" biology and constant growth. Slashrim range in size from smaller than Humans to much larger, even to almost the size of a young dragon, depending upon their age. All Slashrim have horns and sometimes spikes emerging from various parts of their body, as well as claws and sharp, predatory teeth. They have five-fingered hands, with tree fingers in the center and an opposable thumb on either side. Slashrim have thick, leathery skin like a hide that actually has no scales, contrary to their nickname of "lizardmen." Their skin is tough enough to deflect some small arms fire, but it is very susceptible to heat, such as Mahlok flame and laser or blazer tech. Slashrim vary in color from dark and often ruddy shades of tan, red, brown, green, and black, with blue Slashrim not yet observed; their skin sometimes has simple patterns, such as stripes on their backs. Their eyes are generally green, yellow, or red.
Mutations
Thanks to their strange and unstable biology, Slashrim are susceptible to strange mutations. Horn positions and colorations seem to be practically random, and some Slashrim are born with other anomalies, such as multiple heads, more limbs than normal, or extra fingers or toes. The Mahlok occasionally breed mutants together in an attempt to create more powerful warriors, with some having mutations as strange as venemous saliva.
Sex and Reproduction
Male and female Slashrim, to the naked eye, appear exactly the same, since they lack mammary glands, their genitals are well-concealed, and they seldom care for their young in any personal way. Likewise, they are treated exactly the same in Slashrim society, though Slashrim themselves can easily tell male and female apart by pheromones. Slashrim breed rapidly and in large numbers, laying dozens of eggs at once. They have no marriage system nor loyalty to their spouse, and Slashrim do not have any kind of family system or endearment to their children; all Slashrim young are used for menial labor and must raise and fend for themselves.
Growth Stages
Slashrim never stop growing at any point in their lifespan, capable of reaching immense sizes if they manage to survive to an old enough age. The lifespan of a Slashrim is generally broken down in to six distinct stages. Although intermediary stages exist and they are not always that easily defined, a Slashrim is generally grouped into the closest possible stage, as each stage of life has a particular social standing in Slashrim society. This section will include the names of each stage in both the Mahlo-Slashrim language and the usual Human slang.
Stage 1
Mahlo-Slashrim term: Yillik
'Human slang: "Goblin"
'Age: From birth to 6-12 TSCs
'Height: About 1 meter
'Caste: Worker Caste
The first stage of Slashrim development begins immediately after emergence from the egg. Yillik are relatively small and have no horns or tails. Since Slashrim breed in large numbers, Yillik are the most numerous of all stages in Slashrim society and are used as slaves and workers by the larger Slashrim. Generally, they do not serve as soldiers until they grow larger, but they are still remarkably capable in battle; they are fast, vicious, and difficult to control while still being intelligent enough to understand simple machines and construct buildings. At this stage, a Slashrim must be clever, strong, and tough to survive. Slashrim generally remain in this stage for about five Earth-years.
Stage 2
Mahlo-Slashrim term: Grommuk
Human slang: "Orc"
Age: From 6-12 to 20-25 TSCs
Height: About 2 m
Caste: Soldier Caste
The "Grommuk" stage begins when the Slashrim grow their first horns and begin developing larger muscles, as well as a stub of a tail. Most Grommuk are about the size of the average Human and are used as the primary soldiers of a Slashrim army due to their large numbers and ability to use the armor and weapons of enemy species with relative ease. Although oddly-shaped, even their legs can be contorted to fit the armor of most other species, as well as their vehicles. A Grommuk's intelligence has not increased significantly, but they can operate complex machinery, even if they likely do not understand how it works. Most Slashrim remain in this stage for around twenty years, if they survive to grow beyond it. Due to its relatively low intelligence and use in front-line warfare, the second stage of a Slashrim's life has the highest death rate.
Stage 3
Mahlo-Slashrim term: Zrillak
Human term: "Lizardman"
Age: From 20-25 to 60-70 TSCs
Height: 2.5 m or more, when standing erect
Caste: Leader Caste
Often considered the "adult" stage of Slashrim development, the Zrillak stage begins around age twenty or twenty-five, when the Slashrim grows a short tail, longer horns, and an elongated snout. This is also the primary breeding stage, when Slashrim begin to mate and the females give birth. Zrillak are the most intelligent of all Slashrim growth stages and thus are considered the highest socially, operating as commanders of Slashrim armies. Regardless, Slashrim of this stage remain just as vicious and warlike as ever, so many of them do not live long enough to grow out of this stage despite their great size and capability.
Stage 4
Mahlo-Slashrim term: Buyok
Human term: "Troll"
Age: From 60-70 to 80-100 TSCs
Height: 3 m or more
Caste: Machine Caste
If a Slashrim lives long enough to enter the Buyok stage, which is rare in itself, the Slashrim's mind begins to slowly become weaker again until it starts reverting back to the intelligence level of a Grommuk (stage 2). With the decreased intelligence comes a wider jaw, making the snout "shrink" comparatively, as well as an even greater height, heavier muscle mass, and a sluggish gait. Some Buyok can be seen moving more like an ape, using their knuckles to aid them in moving their muscular bulk, though this is not a preferred method of travel. Buyok are still intelligent enough to use their hands and operate tools, guns, and machinery. Being less intelligent at this point, they also garner less respect than a Zrillak in Slashrim society, and Buyok are usually used as living siege engines and heavy lifters, often serving a role in Slashrim society that Humans generally fill with machines. Buyok are often used as enforcers by the Zrillak, keeping the Grommuk soldiers in line.
Stage 5
Mahlo-Slashrim term: Wogrok
Human term: "Ogre"
Age: From 80-100 to circa 150 TSCs
Height: Up to around 8 m when standing, but usually walk on all fours (around 4-5 meters tall)
Caste: Vehicle Caste
The fifth stage of Slashrim growth begins as the Slashrim becomes practically an animal: their intelligence is just enough for the Slashrim to understand basic orders in their language. Their size becomes so great they find it impossible to stand erect for an extended period of time, always walking on all fours. The Wogrok are often used as mounts by the Zrillak, who ride them into battle; often, some horns must be sawed off the Wogrok before a saddle can be strapped onto them. The only respect offered to a Wogrok is that only great leaders are allowed to ride them, in respect for the fact that the Wogrok was once a great leader, as well. Extremely few Slashrim ever grow to a Wogrok stage.
Stage 6
Mahlo-Slashrim term: Sovalok
Human term: "Pseudodragon"
Age: From circa 150 to more than 200 TSCs
Height: Around 6 or more meters
Length: Up to around 20 meters
Caste: "Great One"
All but legendary among the Slashrim is the final growth stage, the Sovalok. Humans refer to this stage as the false dragon or pseudodragon. Sovalok may reach incredible sizes, but they do not have the intelligence of a dragon. At this point, the Slashrim's mind has all but faded entirely, making them little more than giant, destructive animals. They do not understand language, only orders reinforced by pain. They are still occasionally used by Zrillak as mounts, who will saw off their horns and ride in howdahs on their backs. An armed and armored Sovalok is a match even for the highest-grade millitary walkers. However, as the Sovalok continues to age, it will become gradually harder to control, until the Slashrim are forced to release it into a reserve. Even the saveage Slashrim will not permit an elder so powerful and revered to be "put down" like a beast. Eventually, the Slashrim's mind fades away entirely, and the individual passes away. This generally occurs when a Slashrim reaches an age of 200 years or more.
