A skeksis magi.
The Skeksis, also known in the Elvish tongue as Araakkoa, are an ancient, brilliant, imperialistic, and arrogant race of avian humanoid creatures originating on the continent of Araak in Velous. The Skeksis were one of the oldest mortal civilizations on Earth, next to the Elves. Arguably one of the strongest races on Earth, the Skeksis have since fallen from their golden age, and have gone into obscurity.
The Skeksis race rose to power immediately after the Fall of the Dragons, and began an aggressive campaign of expansion across the planet, known as the Skeksis Wars. They conquered or destroyed everything that stood in their way for around a hundred and twenty years, until they were pushed off of Terra by a joint army of Greeks and Romans under the command of King Antroklis the Bright-Helmeted. Their Empire eventually came to an end in the late 3rd century C.E., and they were forced to return to their homeland.
In terms of warfare, the Skeksis had one of the largest, most powerful militaries in history, possessing both warriors, magi, and many arcane technologies for war, such as giant magical suits of living armor known as Gardiim, which acted as servants and soldiers. The Skeksis were known to enslave every single race that they came across and deemed as "lesser". The Skeksis were the sole cause for the collapse of the Merethi Empire, the Dynasties and Empires of Asia, and the Egyptian Empire. It is believed by historians that the Skeksis would have conquered the entire planet were it not for King Antroklis of Macedon. However, the Skeksis are reclusive now, and their homeland of Araak is a place of great mystery to this day, and Skeksis are very rarely seen outside of Araak nowadays.
All known expeditions to Araak crossing the Eastern Sea of Velous have failed, ships and people vanishing at sea without a trace. Some say that the home of the Skeksis is shrouded by mist that travelers become lost in, or that the Skeksis surround their land with arcane storms that destroy outsiders who get too close. Nonetheless, traveling to Araak has become essentially an impossibility, and no one knows what exactly the Skeksis are doing in their isolation.
History[]
Ancient History[]
Since the Skeksis are such an ancient race, predating humanity and nearly coming into existence alongside the elves, Skeksis history is mostly the stuff of mythology.
In Skeksis legends, it is said that during the waking days of Earth, a great raven-god named T'ash descended from the heavens and poured out his breath onto the barren lands of ancient Araak. The raven-god's breath seeped into the soil of the land, and gave rise to mighty forests. Next, T'ash spilled some of his own blood onto the newly born land. The dust of the land mixed with his blood, which created the first Skeksis, which T'ash named the "Skeksis" (which means "children of divinity" in Araak'esh, the Skeksis language). The raven-god then returned to the heavens, allowing his creations to live on their own.
It's said in the Skeksis legends that in the millenia after T'ash's departure, their population continued increasing, and they thrived. However, later on, several Skeksis priests arose, each with different ideas of how to glorify T'ash, and some even claimed to have the direct word of the raven god. These priests gained many followers, and over time, grew more and more distant from each other. Eventually, the priests divided completely from each other, forming nine great kingdoms of Araak, each separate from the other. The priests grew gluttonous with power, and became seen as gods. In what culminated as the War for Araak, the nine priests made war against each other, each attempting to seize the whole land of Araak for themselves. The land was devastated, and many lives were lost. It seemed that the Skeksis would surely wipe themselves out from existence.
However, a lone Skeksis appeared on the scene, one who vowed to end the war, and to restore the Skeksis people to their former glory. His name was Terokk, a brilliant and mighty warrior who seemingly came from nowhere; literally no one knew who he was prior to his rise. Terokk traveled the lands of Araak, slaying the nine priests as he went and preaching about unity and the power of the Skeksis people. The people of Araak gravitated to him and became his followers. Eventually, he was able to reunite the Skeksis people, and formed the first Skeksis Empire. Terokk came through on his promise; his people rose to great heights, going through a renaissance and revolution of culture and technology, and great wealth spread across the land. The lands of Araak were transformed, great palaces and structures were built in honor of Terokk, who they now believed to be the second coming of T'ash. Terokk even called the nine children of the priests of the past kingdoms, and called them to serve his empire. They agreed, and formed the first Imperial Council. Since then, the legends say, the descendants of Terokk have ruled the lands of Araak.
The Rise of the Empire[]
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The Skeksis Wars[]
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Culture and Physiology[]
Elder skeksis magi, the sorcerer caste, crafters of war-golems, and the political leadership of the race.
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Younger skeksis Pteryxes, a more, agile, combat-built caste of skeksis that function as ground forces, warriors, and air support.