Skrell

The Skrell (pronounced as it is) are a species of amphibious humanoids, distinctive for their green-blue gelatinous appearance and head tentacles. Skrell come from the world of Jargon 4, or as they call it, Qerrbalak, a planet with a humid atmosphere, featuring plenty of swamps and jungles. Currently more technologically advanced than humanity, they emphasise the study of the mind above all else.

Additional Information: Jargon 4

Mechanics

• Skrell have their own language which can be used in game by typing say ":k

• Headwear can be uncomfortable, but their head tails do not prevent them from wearing most equipment on their head. However, they are not able to wear non-Skrell hardsuit helmets.

• Skrell are similar to humans in most ways, and have little physical disadvantages or advantages compared to them.

• Skrell are able to breathe underwater. However, this is not usually used in space.

Overview

Naming

Skrell names either consist of chosen human names or rough translations, due to their language being something humans cannot vocalize. The translations appear to vary widly when converted to english, so there is a wide variety of names possible.

Biology

Skrell appear gelatinous, but are opaque, with moist pliant skin covered in a layer of slime. Skin is generally a green-blue colour, also described as aqua. Where a nose would be on a human are slits.

Their eyes are completely black making judging emotion by the eyes alone very difficult. They are able to see better underwater, and slightly better in darkness. Their hands and feet are similar to humans, with five fingers and toes, however, they are slightly webbed.

The main distinction of the Skrell are their three large head tails. They are are limp tails, not tentacles, meaning they cannot control them. Essentially, they act like hair that is fleshy. They serve two purposes, one of which is exclusive to females.

The first is that the spaces in between each tail is used as an area to store egg sacs, due to the fact it is dark and moist in that area. Wise females often find another area to store their eggs during mating season, due to the fact that if a tadpole were to hatch, they would fall from the tails and land on the floor, leaving the tadpole unable to move unless in water. It is advised by NT for a Skrell crew member to either obtain a bucket of water or to acquire the use of an unused Hydroponics tray, as the toilets are unsanitary.

The second use is one that is used by both males and females, in that they are used to impress, often through various paints and jewellery applied to the tails. These tails are usually the same colour as the skin, and are translucent.

Their brains are similar to frog or salamander brains evolved to the same level as human brains, and are compatible with most Nanotrasen technology.

Average height of Skrell range from 5'10" to 6'0" for males and 6'0" to 6'2" for females.

Birth and Reproduction

Skell have no external reproductive organs and fertilisation is done by males on eggs.

After fertilisation, a single Skrell usually gives birth to around 50 tadpoles at one time. Due to their weak immune systems, only five usually make it to maturity.

While these tadpoles are not officially considered children, most Skrell find the idea of killing them deliberately offensive.

Gender Differences

It is extremely difficult for most non-Skrell to tell the gender of a Skrell from appearance alone, as body shape and general appearance does not change between them. Female Skrell usually talk in a higher register, though this is not a fool-proof way of telling.

The most noticeable difference is that a females head tails are longer than a males, though the difference can be difficult to tell for non-Skrell crew.

To Skrell, gender has no real meaning, except for the process of reproduction.

Lifespan

Normal life expectancy for most Skrell is 100 human years. Through technological enchancements, some may live till about 135 years old. 20 years old is considered an adult. A Skrellian year is 1.5 human years.

Language

The Skrell language can be best described as a series of hums, warbles, or croaks, while they would not make sense to other species it can display a wide variety of emotion and meaning that English cannot.

With other languages such as English, Skrell take on the accent of the person who taught them the language.

Skrell have trouble expressing emotion through simple words and body language when speaking in English, but are capable of expressing emotion better then a human would if they were to sing or play an instrument due to their use of tone when speaking their native language. However, how different emotions are expressed between different species often differ.

Racial Slurs towards Skrell include 'Frog', 'Salamander', 'Squid head', and various other amphibious creatures. Skrell are typically not very offended by such remarks.

Diet

The preferred food of the Skrell is fungi, although they are capable of eating any plantlike substance they come across, where as meat does not agree with their bodies. Due to this, hallucinogenics derived from such plants have a lesser effect on Skrell.

They are vegetarians, and like most, they can eat meat, but with some consequences afterwards. They do not gain anything from eating meat.

Skrell do not handle alcohol well. At best they get drunk very quickly, and at worst they get very very sick.

Relations

Generally Skrell are accepting of other species, although they do tend to treat Tajaran and Unathi as though they are children due to their lack of advanced technology. Most Skrell are agnostic or atheist, preferring to put science before religion, despite this they still accept the faiths of those around them, especially if they are of another species.

Open relationships are common and accepted in Skrell culture, often with multiple sexual partners with the intent to create children.

Job Preferences

Due to their scientific nature and study of the brain, Skrell are more likely to adopt Medical or Science jobs. However, they are perfectly capable of filling all job roles, including command roles, but are less likely to.

Background

The Skrell are a race of amphibious humanoids that are focused culturally in the sciences, attempting science in the name of self improvement in lue of science for money or war.

Culture

Though a mainly scientific species, Skrell have interest in other forms of culture. Artists are fairly prevelant, as well unique fighting styles from the more physical. Skrellian arts often(but not always) focus on the mind. A recent movement focuses on how the mind interacts with the world around them.

Home Planet

The main article for this section is Jargon 4

Skrell come from the world of Jargon 4, or as they call it, Qerrbalak, a planet with a humid atmosphere, featuring plenty of swamps and jungles. The world is filled with Skrellian cities which often sit on stilts.

History

Skrell do not have any outstanding history, they have their wars and their large events that have happened over time but nothing that is overly life-changing. Despite their strive to better themselves with science the meaning of this is often skewed from one Skrell to another, which has led to more recent wars in which one nation disagrees with another on the ways to use science. Within the last ten years there has not been any major conflicts that have arisen within the Skrell nations and a good number of Skrell scientists and doctors have gone to work for human companies and governments, some working alongside them while others use their time as scientists amongst humans to not only research new technologies, but to also observe human culture and biology.

Despite their current state of technology, they move slowly in terms of science, being at the state they are currently in since around the earth year 1950, only making slight advances(humans made the same amount of advancement in 50 years). The reasoning for this is that Skrell scientists have their products go through extensive testing and observations, not to mention that a large portion of their scientists decided that once they got the ability to travel from star system to star system that it was time to focus on the mind and so they started to move their studies into the fields of neurology and psychology. When the Skrell finally met humans in space, they started to study the human mind as well, along with other species that traveled with humans, which in turn gave the Skrell much more to work on.

Research and Technology

In 2556 there was a rise in Skrellian scientists taking an interest in using technology to turn the dead into labour very much akin to cyborgs, but without the need to build a whole new metal body. The obsession had a final goal which was described as being a full revival of the dead host, memories and all, without the use of cloning but instead jump starting the organs within the body so that they become functional again. While all the other organs had been shown to be redeemable, the brain proved to be a challenge to the scientists.

Within Skrell society the practice is thought to be immoral, so most scientists who practice this form of technological necromancy, have often kept it to themselves and others with similar views. The Skrellian media has dubbed them, in rough translation, "Soul Thieves". The hosts turn out to be mindless creatures, unlike those normally produced by cloning or cyborgification.

Military

Skrell have a very Tau-esque military with various castes within it. Each has it's own function and together are a very powerful military. However, they are more fond of doing things in a tactical manner which lessens losses on both sides if possible. They have capable warships and military fract.

Relations With NanoTrasen

Through a series of peace treaties the Skrell have become close friends with the human race, sharing their technology with human governments. As part of these treaties, Skrell have been slowly moving out of their own corporations and started working for human corporations, both for the money(even Skrell have to feed their families) and in an attempt of good will.

Species on Paradise Station

Dionae

Grey

Humans

Kida

IPC

Plasmamen

Skrell

Slime People

Tajara

Unathi

Vox

Vulpkanin

Drask

Nian