Race: Scori

Surt

Overview

The Scori are the native inhabitants of KT-943, known more commonly as Surt. Much of their people’s history has been lost, save for rare sandstone slabs and cave paintings recovered on archaeological digs organized by NanoTrasen. The Scori are an insular people, and possess some xenophobic tendencies as a culture. Until recently, the Scori were believed go have died out somewhere around ten to thirty thousand years ago. This extinction event coincides with a period of time during which Surt experienced a Cataclysm, which scientists believe lead to its current geologic state. In the wake of the expedition to Kristen's Harmony, NanoTrasen Pathfinding teams patrolling the area have since confirmed the presence of at least one active Scori tribe.

Biology

Scori follow the same baseline humanoid configuration that many forms of intelligent life have developed into. Although direct study has been limited, current sample sizes and recovered archaeological evidence suggest little distinct biodiversity in the Scori as a race. Scori seem to typically possess pointed ears and dark skin, varying in hue from desaturated grey to darker tones with faint blue or purple hues.

Coarse, darker flesh akin to scales protect Scori hands and feet from the harsh temperatures and terrain of their home environment. These rough patches most usually terminate around the midpoint of the forearm and calf, although in some cases the scales have been observed terminating as far up as the joint of the limb. Most Scori have white hair, although black and brown-headed specimens have been observed first-hand. All Scori possess striking red eyes, which stand out against their black sclera.

It is currently theorized that many of these external traits are indicative of Scorian society’s shift underground some many thousands of years ago. However, recovered cave art and a precious few painted carvings seem to confirm that all of these morphological traits existed prior to the Cataclysm. This may suggest that the Scori, like Goliaths and other surviving fauna, were simply the life-form best suited to survive the apocalyptic destruction of Surt’s environment, instead of being produced by it.

Surt’s atypical atmospheric composition makes it inhospitable to most life. It is therefore even more of a mystery how Scori came to adjust to its low atmosphere. As mentioned above, it is now suggested that Pre-Cataclysm Surt was not so different from its modern day state - in terms of atmosphere, at least.

Scori appear to be adept climbers and cave delvers, with many of their adaptations supporting these behaviors. Scori also possess natural night vision. As a result, the usage of external lighting is rare in Scorian habitations. Their bodies are hardy and shaped by the environment, with all observed Scori exhibiting a better than average resilience to damage and a near-immunity to otherwise debilitating temperatures. Perhaps due to the nature of their environment, Scori do not require as much water intake as humans.

Curiously, the Scorian genetic makeup is incredibly brittle. In all experiments with living or dead specimens, the introduction of radiation resulted in either the rapid breakdown of tissue or the development of life-threatening tumorous growths. Due to at least two recorded attempts at medically repairing Scorian injures with cybernetics, it has also been confirmed that all Scori most likely suffer from Cybernetic Rejection Syndrome, and are incompatible with current medical understandings of organic-to-synthetic interfacing.

Culture

Scorian society seems to exist at a largely primitive stage. Although Scori are obviously capable farmers and well versed in animal husbandry, the inhospitable nature of their environment and the ever-present threat of ash storms has led to the perpetuation of a primarily nomadic way of life. Scorian structures are typically designed to break down quickly for easy transit, but are notably hardy when erected. Before their return to the surface, the only permanent structures discovered by archaeologists appeared to be religious in nature - and were almost always subterranean.

Now, with Scorian villages on the surface becoming a more frequent sight, several quirks of Scori life have been confirmed. Scori construct temples and other religious structures inside the bones of gigantic beasts - most usually skulls. When a specimen is lacking, Scori have been observed dismantling it into shards and - through an as yet unknown process - melting the bone and fusing it into solid plates of ossified material. These plates of shaped bone are then used in the construction or repair of similar structures. Beyond this curious method of construction and tool-forging, Scori craftsmen also make significant use of sandstone brick, generally for non-religious buildings such as storehouses and forges.

To this day, direct communication with Scori natives has produced limited results. Scori are clearly intelligent and capable of speech, possessing a distinct language of their own. They seem physically capable of speaking Galactic Common, albeit with some difficulty. Whether or not they attempt to learn Galactic Common varies from person to person. They are able to identify common items in their tongue and recognize when a foreigner is speaking about the same item. Anthropologists surmise that the speaking of alien tongues may still be taboo in Scorian society, and attempts to communicate verbally may not always provide consistent results. Most successful interactions to date have relied heavily on pantomime and facial expression (in races capable of such a thing), rather than direct speech. It is recommended that Station crew avoid casually inquiring about Scorian religious rites or life below the surface, as these topics in particular may trigger undesirable reactions.

The Scori Pantheon

Scorian society is heavily religious, with a formal priesthood operating as an apparent ruling class. Very little is known about these figures, as they are generally found at the heart of Scorian encampments and do not often directly interact with Outsiders. Although they are generally hesitant to discuss such matters with Outsiders, it has been determined that they are polytheistic and that the term for the Scorian pantheon most closely translates to "Buried Ones" or "Deep Beings". As interactions between amicable Scori and members of NanoTrasen mining teams continue to accrue, some information on Scori religion has become more clear to NanoTrasen anthropological teams.

The Mother: Traded Scori artwork and recorded cultural rites make repeated references to one chief deity - The Mother. This goddess appears to rule over the Scori pantheon, which is not unheard of in similar matriarchal societies. Primarily a god of nature and fertility, blessings to the Mother are invoked during harvest and cultivation festivals. On the barren surface of Surt - and the presumably equally harsh environment of the caverns below - the ability to bring life is seen as the ultimate expression of magical potency. The Mother is believed by the Scori to be the origin point for all life on Surt, from the lowly Gutshank to the Scori themselves. How literal they believe this to be is unknown at this time. Curiously, the Mother appears to also embody a destructive force via the affliction of 'the Mother's blood'; believed to be a euphemistic term for unexpected pyroclastic flows and sidereal eruptions in the caverns below the surface. This reference to magma as the Mother's blood, as well as her overall similarity to Old Earth goddesses like Gaea, suggest that perhaps the Mother is an anthropomorphic personification of Surt itself. It is clear from the verbiage and sampled text that this name is a title, and that the Priesthood refers to her internally by a different, sacred appellation. Attempts to ascertain this true name have been met with contempt and sometimes hostility. It is therefore advised that assigned NanoTrasen crew do not press the issue of the Mother's true name.

Pre-Cataclysm Surt

Known History

Based on data collected at multiple archaeological dig sites around Surt, NanoTrasen has concluded that Scorian society attained a level of sophistication akin to the late Babylonian empire prior to its destruction. In an event dubbed ‘the Cataclysm’ by researchers, the supervolcano Samarkand erupted, drastically altering the climate of Surt. Although in theory this disruption could have eventually resolved after a period of years, Samarkand had formed along a volcanically active fault line which ran atop Surt’s equator. The massive disruption the eruption caused along the fault line triggered a chain reaction of further volcanic activity. To this day, magma bleeds up through the unstable crust into active chambers and erupts frequently, perpetuating the current climate and forming the devastatingly powerful superstorms which ravage Surt’s surface.

While it is unclear exactly how expansive the observed Scorian empire was, or whether there were any competing nations, what can be determined is that only the Scori who belonged to this particular kingdom were spared. Driven underground by the hostile changes to the environment, Scorian society achieved a level of stasis in the tunnels below. Massive tubes and caverns formed by the constant geologic upheaval became the new home for these surviving Scori. Due to the unending volcanic instability, it is posited that the Scori might have developed their nomadic lifestyle as a way of avoiding collapse and changes in lava flow within the cave networks. It is further theorized that the recent artificial disruption in this cycle observed at Kristen’s Harmony may have triggered the Scorian people’s return to the surface. Largely sticking to their tribes, Scori now freely roam the surface of Surt in nomadic caravans, although there is much evidence that the subterranean aspects of their society remain largely unchanged.

Gameplay Guide

Scori are known colloquially by their nickname: Ashlanders. Although the role itself isn’t too complex on the surface level, it has many features and quirks that require more careful thought and preparation.

Adhering to the Aesthetic

Ashlanders have an explicit look and level of mental sophistication. They exhibit a relatively unified appearance when put next to each other. Although they may ritualistically or aesthetically paint their skin and faces, they do not have the means nor social inclination to do things like dye their hair neon pink.

Although they are not ‘’dumb’’, Ashlanders do not have technology on par with the Station’s, and many of the advanced tools an Ashlander might encounter should be treated as incomprehensible, or difficult to operate. For instance, an Ashlander may recognize that a phaser is similar to a musket, but they should not understand what a safety is, or how to recharge such a weapon.

Furthermore, Ashlanders are almost uniformly devout. To them, their gods are very real and the Priesthood speaks for these deities. Interlopers may be treated kindly, but striving to develop better-than-functional communication with them is still considered mildly heretical, and worthy of censure.

Creating the Ashlander Look

Recommended Markings

Recommended Species Info

Ashlanders can have any hairstyle they please, with the following colors: Red, Brown, Black, or White. White is the typical Ashlander hair color.
Ashlanders have very desaturated skintones, to the point of being almost entirely gray. There are three tints available for Ashlander skin, but it is recommended to avoid heavy saturation: Red, Blue, or Purple. Untinted Gray is the typical Ashlander skin color.
Ashlanders have scaly hands and feet. There are a variety of markings you can use to express this, but the recommended markings are listed in "Recommended Markings" on the right. Scales should be several shades darker than the established skintone, for contrast. The hex code for claws being used in the recommendation is: BDAF87
Ashlanders have pointed ears matching their skintone, and should select Cybernetic Rejection Syndrome as a neutral trait. The recommended species adjustments are listed in "Recommended Species Info" on the right.
Ashlander blood is a dull green. The recommended hex code is: 3C6D45
You may create a Scori slot for your pre-made Ashlander character. Until slot loading for spawners is sorted out, please Ahelp or Pray to request an Admin's help in loading the slot onto your current spawn.

Ashlander Naming Conventions

Scori tend to use single, multisyllabic names. Sampled names are not especially long, and tend to follow an as-yet-undetermined structure. Examples of common Ashlander names include: Halrith, Hlavorathi, Indrele, and Telvara.

Purpose of the Role

Ashlanders are designed to function as a Bronze Age culture on Surt. You should generally want to play this role if you’re interested in a (mostly) relaxing round of farming and potentially interesting roleplay with shaft miners. Although Ashlanders are not overtly hostile to the station or its crew, they are not meant to be overly friendly either. You should ideally roleplay some difficulty communicating with non-Ashlanders. There are certain topics - such as religious rituals and life below the surface of Surt - that you are completely unwilling to discuss with an outsider. You can be anything from a simple disinterested farmer, to a merchant actively trying to peddle your wares past the language barrier, to an angry sentry out to find and destroy the source of all those loud explosions.

Tools At Your Disposal

The Primitive Press: This boxy contraption is used to harvest the seeds from blooming plants. Ashlanders simply feed the fruits into the top of the press, and the internal rollers will mash the fruit or vegetable down when cranked by hand, rendering fresh seeds out for reuse.
The Tying Post: Shanks make excellent mounts, but when not being ridden they have a mind of their own. Tying posts are useful ways to anchor a Shank down in one place, so you can go about your business without worrying about chasing your mount down afterwards.
Blessed Boats and Oars: Traversing the Sunlight Sea is a perilous task. Blessed boats and the oars which propel them have been specially treated by trained craftsmen and the priesthood to withstand the crushing heat of flowing lava. Although Ashlanders may use these vessels to travel unharmed, they should be careful about exactly where they attempt to board and disembark from these vessels.
The Magma Forge: Although the Ashlanders are a primitive people, they are not complete savages. The Scori have retained much of their Pre-Cataclysm metalworking knowledge. Magma forges are used primarily to turn lead and copper ore into ingots. Lead most commonly goes on to be reduced into musket balls, which are always in demand. Copper, however, serves as both the Ashlander’s primary currency and the source of bronze tools, when treated properly (bronze tools are WIP). Although Ashlander smiths cannot forge iron effectively yet, they can render iron down and extrude it into thin metal rods, which serve a variety of purposes. Even further, craftsmen occasionally feed these forges raw sand to produce slag - a liquid rock which can be shaped into purpose-built containers.
The Brick Press: When it’s not being rendered down into slag, Ashlanders use sand to make sandstone. Not only does sandstone brick serve to create a hardy shelter for more important points of industry, but it can also be carved down into tiling. These tiles help to protect Scorians from the scorching heat of Surt’s sand, but they may also - in sufficient quantities - be used as the primary material in forming the intricate bridges Ashlanders build across lava.
The Basic Alchemical Station: This station lacks more advanced implements like an alembic or calcinator. However, the simple mortar and pestle cannot be underestimated, serving as the backbone of alchemical production.
The Calcinator: Calcination is the act of reducing an alchemical component to ash, thereby freeing its contained properties, and sometimes activating them. On Surt, calcinators are frequently used to reduce bones to ashes, as this substance is a common component for alchemical production.
Stone Mortars: A key component in Alchemical Stations, stone mortars are also adequate cups. They can be used to collect water, or gunpowder, and hold any other number of powders or liquids Ashlanders come into contact with.

Alchemy

Developing cultures often see the foundational disciplines of Science as studies more akin to magic. The modern word Pharmacy derives from the ancient Greek term "pharmakeia", which meant sorcery. From classical depictions of witches' potions to the Old Earth alchemists, the art of Chemistry has been treated as magic for thousands of years across as many cultures. The Scori currently view chemistry through this same lens. Working only with the limited components available to them, Scori alchemists are true sorcerers.

As with much of Ashlander society, the true secrets and extent of this art were lost during the Cataclysm, and modern alchemists seek to reclaim whatever knowledge they can, either by experimentation or questing. Utilizing tools like calcinators in conjunction with a mortar and pestle, alchemists can produce a wide array of potions, poultices, and poisons.

Almost every alchemical recipe requires the utilization of Alchemical Base, a 'magical' paste which works as something of a catalyzing agent for transformation. This powerful concoction is derived from the ground up pulp of the cersut leaf - a deadly acidic plant cultivated by the Scori for its alchemical purposes alone.

Recipe	Components	Result
Alchemical Base	1 part Sulphuric Acid, 1 part Ash	1 unit Alchemical Base
Tallow	1 part Triglyceride (Fat), 1 part Protein, 1 part Alchemical Base	3 units Tallow
Fertilizer	1 part Tallow, 1 part Ash, 1 part Alchemical Base	3 units Fertilizer
Soap	1 part Tallow, 1 part Ash, 1 part Water	1 bar of Primitive Soap
Charcoal Stick	1 part Tallow, 1 part Ash, 1 part Sulphuric Acid	1 Charcoal Stick
Phlogiston	2 parts Gunpowder, 1 part Alchemical Base	3 units Phlogiston
Condensed Phlogiston	1 part Phlogiston, 1 part Ash, 1 part Alchemical Base	1 brick of Condensed Phlogiston
Bitter Ash	1 part Nicotine, 1 part Ash, 1 part Alchemical Base	Poultice (Bitter Ash)
Poultice (Juhtak)	10 units Bicaridine, 10 units Alchemical Base	Poultice (Juhtak)
Poultice (Pyrrhlea)	10 units Kelotane, 10 units Alchemical Base	Poultice (Pyrrhlea)

Tips and Tricks

You can farm the various animals of Surt for your own benefit!
- Gutshanks naturally produce water from the blood that they drink. This is an automated process - you do not need to feed the gutshanks. You can collect this water from gutshanks using a bucket or stone mortar. This is useful for farming.
  - Gutshanks do not mate, but they do have a mature form. Unlike Goliath calves, which mature naturally, Gutshank maturation must be artificially induced, as it takes years otherwise. By feeding a Gutshank seeds, you encourage its molting process. After a fair amount of time for it to develop under its exoskeleton, a molting Gutshank will develop into a Shank.
- Shanks are tall and hardy parasites. On their own they provide very little utility to an Ashlander. However, Shanks are also relatively passive creatures who can easily be trained as mounts. If an Ashlander saddles a Shank, they will be able to ride it across the ash wastes, allowing for more efficient travel. Once saddled, Shanks may be given a custom name if a charcoal stick is used on them.
  - Shanks are tall, and their chitinous exoskeleton protects them from the heat. In a dire emergency, an Ashlander can safely run their Shank through lava - burning the creature instead of themselves. Shanks cannot survive in lava for too long, however, and riders should be cautious not to be caught deep in the middle of a lava lake when their mount expires.
- Goliaths are the bison of Surt - Ashlanders have learned to use every part. Goliaths are your primary source of sinew, bone, meat, and hide, all of which are necessary for more advanced crafting and survival.
  - Goliaths feed on volcanic ash and rock, and naturally process a lot of sulfur and saltpeter. These minerals are intrinsic to gunpowder. Goliaths can be milked - again using buckets, stone mortars, or powder horns - to collect processed gunpowder for primitive weaponry.
  - Goliaths breed and produce offspring very quickly. An attentive farmer can exploit the Goliath life cycle to farm the beasts more efficiently by increasing the size of their herd. Goliaths are compelled to breed upon feeding seeds. Although this happens only rarely in the wild (resulting in a more manageable population outside of captivity), Ashlanders can induce fertility in a Goliath whenever they wish - as long as it isn’t already pregnant.
    - Goliath calves mature relatively quickly, and produce less resources when butchered. It is recommended you let a calf reach maturity before attempting to harvest it.
You can farm fruit as well!
- The hardy fruits and flowers of Surt do not require much attention, but it is still good practice to water and weed them regularly.
  - These fruits are also extremely rare and don’t grow anywhere else in the galaxy! Ashlanders have been seen selling these fruits and seeds to Station miners for hefty sums!
- Juhtak is a brown gourd-like vegetable. Well known for its medicinal properties, the pulp inside a Juhtak accelerates the healing processes of organic lifeforms - exactly how is not well understood. If Scorians encounter traumatic injuries which cause cuts, bruising, or bleeding, they are often fed Juhtak to recover.
- Pyrrhlea is the only flower that blooms both on Surt’s surface and in the caverns below. Scorian alchemists know that if you eat the flower, or grind its petals down into a powder, you can create a remedy for burns and infection. Although Ashlanders are resistant to heat and flame, they are still vulnerable to burns, making these flowers a common sight in Ashlander villages.
- Bentars are bitter berries. Their seeds are favored by Goliaths, making them a common vector for encouraging the beast’s breeding cycles. However, the fruit itself is known to assist in the healing of a more ephemeral sickness. Although the exact malady is not known to Ashlanders, Bentars are effective at healing radiation sickness.
- Cersut is a fibrous green leaf, similar to Old Earth aloe. It leeches sulphur out of the volcanic soil and processes it with its narrow, tapering leaves. Each length contains a hazardous amount of sulphuric acid as a byproduct of this natural process. It has no known medicinal purposes when consumed directly. In spite of this, fully developed cersut leaves are prized by Scori trained in alchemy.
- Shimash is a very curious looking dark green fruit. The long fibers covering its rind give the shimash its recognizable 'hairy' appearance. The fibrous interior of the shimash is edible, if bitter. Scori have found that the plant functions as a powerful painkiller, and will frequently provide this fruit to their injured or ill.
- Pokalea leaves are thin, waxy, and a very deep brown. Seeds from these plants were recently brought to the surface by traveling merchants. Pokalea is a popular money crop for Scori below the surface. Although it lacks any apparent utility, Scori have found that when the leaves of the pokalea leaf are dried and shredded, they produce a pleasing smoke. Modern Scori will occasionally indulge in smoking pokalea from hand crafted pipes made of bone. Its closest human equivalent is tobacco.
If you don’t have access to a certain tool, make sure to check your crafting menu! Ashlanders have access to unique recipes that no one else does! Many of the items you have access to are valuable or rare, and may be excellent items to use for trade!
Elder Stones are an incredibly valuable crafting material! Beyond their intrinsic religious significance in Ashlander culture, they are used to make some of the more powerful tools and weapons available to an Ashlander. Although the temple has some by default, using all of them for personal gain is frowned upon. Elder Stones emit a constant, audible chime similar to the hum of a tuning fork or a resonating bell. Rumor has it that rare outcrops found in the wild produce this same faint chime, as if ringing from within…

Ashlander Specific Terminology

Surt-nar-Vel'la: The official name for the surface of Surt in the Ashlander language.
Surt-nar-Cthardamz: The official name for the underground, also known as the Warrens, in the Ashlander language.
Water Kin: A term of endearment. The sharing of water is seen as a sign of romantic intimacy. This term is similar to 'spouse' in Common.
Storm: The Ashlander metric by which days are measured, the term "storm" may refer either to an active weather event or the larger storms which cycle in patterns following Surt's rotational cycle. To an outlander the difference in storms may be too nuanced to understand the reliability of this metric.

OOC Rules

Intentionally ignoring the established look of the species - or simply neglecting to read the information regarding such - will result in your character being destroyed and respawned, if observed. Repeated failure to adhere to the aesthetic of the race may result in you being blacklisted from the role.
Finding ways to work around the language barrier in bad faith - such as miraculously being taught Galactic Common in one round and thus using it every time afterwards, or using emotes to speak in Galactic Common - are considered violations of Server Rule 3 and may result in your being blacklisted from the Ashlander role.
Ashlanders are considered permadeath characters. Outside of accidents and genuine mistakes - which you should ahelp about - the death of an Ashlander is considered to be final, and that specific character should no longer be played.
Although you are allowed to be hostile to shaft miners, remember not to be antagonistic just for the sake of it.
Furthermore, do not break into the Mining Outpost to access their medical supplies, weapons, or tools. Ashlanders should not know about these resources, or how to utilize them effectively. It will be considered powergaming if you are caught using Station tools or material that you looted from the outpost, and may result in your being blacklisted from the role.

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Author: Captain277

Galactic Species
Common Species	Humans, Synthetics, Skrell, Tajara, Teshari, Unathi
Uncommon Species	Akula, Alraune, Auril, Dremachir, Naramadi, Zaddat, Dnin-Nepids
Whitelisted Species	Adherent, Dionea, Phoronids, Proteans, Shadekin, Vox, Xenochimera, Xenohybrids
Misc Species & Data	Minor Races, Scori, Changelings