Bone Skink

You want to know why we hate snakes?

If you look at our history, you'd be surprised that we even had a chance to be this successful. We weren't the first to develop civilization on our world, that honor belongs to the Seannathair. They saw our ancestors as primitive beasts and savages. However, they lost their dominance when they botched some attempt to make this world better suited for themselves at the expense of all other life on this world... and our ancestors rose up and seized the opportunity. They've never forgiven us for that and have been haunting us ever since. We have a living, evil enemy that wants us all dead.

That, lad, is why we hate snakes.

Ramblings of Grizzwold the Bear-Eater

The Bone Skinks are one of the original races of the Planar Council, having been members since its first incarnation and hold the honor of being the first species that Humanity encountered outside of their own plane. They are generally seen as a hard-working but carefree people which certainly can come across as contradictory to some. To them, successful and well-lived lives are one where they worked hard and enjoyed their free time as much as possible. "Work hard, play hard" is an adage that applies to most Bone Skinks, regardless of their upbringing.

While the Bone Skinks are now the primary sophonts on Sgèileàite, that was not always the case. Thousands of years before they evolved into their present form, the plane was ruled over by a sentient race of serpents the Bone Skinks refer to as the "Seannathair". If it wasn't for the actions of these serpent-men, the Laghairt-bonn wouldn't exist today.

Physiology

Anatomy

Like with nearly all sophonts found on other worlds, most aspects of Bone Skink physiology are closely homologous to corresponding aspects of animal physiology. Their body consists of the legs, the torso, the tail, the arms, the neck, and the head.

Bone Skinks are slightly sexually dimorphic with the males having larger heads while the females have slightly elongated torsos. The generally accepted theory for this has to do with their ancestors using their neck frills as a way to attract mates whereas the extra room in the torso was to assist in the carrying of eggs.

The largest deviation from their ancestors is that the Bone Skinks are mesotherms and not ectotherms like most lizards found on the planes. This allowed their ancestors to survive the colder temperatures due to an increased capability of regulating their own body heat and promoted sociable behavior. Another adaptation in this regard is a much thicker layer of scales and dermis which helps insulate Bone Skinks and further improves their capabilities of surviving in colder climes.

Though originally quadrupedal, they are now bipedal. The evolutionary move to bipedalism has changed the overall structure of the Bone Skink over time. The tail of the Bone Skink is large and muscular, its primary purpose being to provide balance, a remnant from their ancestors. Their claws have shortened and their teeth have become more adapted to an omnivorous diet.

The scales of Bone Skinks vary in color but tend to hover towards paler, bone-like colors which are the primary factor for their given xenonym. There is some variation in color in regions that would normally be associated with the underbelly, but it is not prominent enough to garner attention.

Bone Skinks tend to average 5 feet 4 inches in height, the tallest of them slightly larger than 6 feet while the shortest is under 5 feet. Females tend to be slightly taller than males on average. The average weight is around 260lbs.

Life Cycle

Reproduction starts with internal fertilization and the formation of 1 to 5 eggs, though clutches more than 3 eggs at a time are uncommon. The internal growth of the eggs is around four months, after which the female lays them for the final stretch of their development. The ancestors of the Bone Skinks would lay their eggs under decaying plant matter for warmth and protection, though in more modern times specialized furniture and coverings are used instead.

Six months later, the eggs hatch with the hatchling phase being very similar to human babies and toddlers. They continue to grow until reaching sexual maturation at around 14 to 18 years of age. Typically the Bone Skink lifespan can be broken down into several periods: egg, hatchling, childhood, adolescence, young adulthood, adulthood and old age. The lengths of these stages, however, have varied across cultures and time periods. Compared to other lizards, Bone Skinks experience an unusually rapid growth spurt during adolescence, where the body can grow 25% in size.

Diet

Ancestors to the Bone Skinks were distinctly insectivores, though as they evolved and required more energy for their growing minds their dietary needs changed. Now omnivorous, Bone Skinks can eat a wide variety of things to sustain themselves.

Primary dietary composition varies based on culture and locale with diets ranging from nearly entirely herbivorous to others being entirely insectivorous or carnivorous. Like all other sophonts, dietary restrictions can lead to deficiency diseases but Bone Skinks have adapted to many dietary patterns through both genetic specialization and cultural conventions to use nutritionally balanced food sources.

Biological Variation

While no two Bone Skinks are genetically identical, there is seemingly not as much biological variation that is visibly obvious when compared to other sophonts. There is little to no color variation based on inhabiting other climates, though it can affect the stockiness of their build with Bone Skinks in color climes bulkier than their cousins in more temperate or arid conditions.

Most variation occurs in things such as cranial features, blood type, eye color, color and type of pattern on their neck frill and heights and builds being things that vary across the planes.

History

Evolutionary History

The Bone Skink's evolutionary history can be traced back to species that despite being numerous, did not make headway until the great extinction event that was caused by the Seannathair.

Before this great event, the world was predominantly filled with varieties of serpents, insects, and fungi. Reptiles, plants, and couatl also existed but were simple creatures at best. It should be noted that the difference between serpents and other reptiles was immense, existing in entirely different biological kingdoms. Though snakes would evolve later on, their biology is different and is a case of convergent evolution.

At their earliest, the Bone Skink's ancestors could be found as a variety of small quadrupedal reptiles with insectivorous diets, thriving in colder environments as the serpents and their kind found it more difficult to exist there. Even at this time, the Seannathair could only exist comfortable within the confines of the equatorial belt and a small distance beyond — a relatively small space given that the planet was warmer then.

After the climate changing event (which is known as "Aois-fuar" amongst the Laghairt-bonn), the forms of life synonymous with the warmer temperatures fell into decline with many eventually going extinct. As the planet cooled, the available range to their ancestors expanded and the newfound holes in nature provided new opportunities for them to explore.

It's fascinatin' ta think our warld used ta be sae different, dorn't ye think? Ye can still fin' ancient' crittahs 'at thrived befoh th' Aois-fuar but they ur few an' far 'atween. Ah fin' myself wonderin' what it woulds have bin lik' back when we wer' naethin' more than simple liza'ds runnin' aroond eatin' bugs.

Robaidh Mac a' Ghille Bhàin, Hemotheurgic Researcher

With new options open to them, several species found more success living out of the trees and on the forest floor. Over time, their gaits changed, their hind-limbs moving from the side of their bodies and their fore-limbs becoming larger and starting to develop grasping digits. Due to an abundance of fruit, many species changed from being primarily insectivorous to having omnivorous diets, increasing caloric intake which also led to developing more powerful brains.

Eventually, a few species of proto-Laghairt-bonn started to leave the jungles and wander the sparsely wooded savannahs. It was around this time that the primitives that would eventually become the Bone Skinks started to gain prominence, being the earliest to start developing paleolithic stone tools.

Pre-History

In their earliest days, there were several subspecies of the proto-Laghairt-bonn whom all had varying degrees of luck in the world — a greater number of them were still bound to the forests that were slowly creeping towards the equator but the most successful few resided primarily in the open stretches of plains and savannahs. One even managed to survive in the fungal forests that still maintained a presence along the equator, but their existence was short-lived and still remains shrouded in mystery.

Though these variants of the proto-Laighairt-bonn coexisted together for some time, such simultaneous existence was not meant to last. Through a combination of superior genetic features and the development of primitive tools, one species came out ahead of the others. Though there was some cross-species reproduction, their fates were ultimately sealed to become nothing more than cousins in the fossil record.

Finality of Form

With no direct competition and finding themselves in the relatively safe spot of the top of the food chain, the proto-Laghairt-bonn were able to not only survive but thrive as the climate continually got colder. As they moved from being ectotherms to mesotherms the primitive lizardfolk were able to spend more time being active which lead to the pursuit of activities beyond their basic instinctual needs.

The final evolutionary changes to the proto-Laghairt-bonn would ultimately slim them down due to better insulation and make them capable omnivores.

Society

Pre-Civilization

As with most species, before the development of sustainable food sources, the Laghairt-bonn existed as wandering hunter-gatherers.

Before the widespread development of tools and weapons, Bone Skinks would primarily collect seafood, eggs, mushrooms, nuts, and fruits — only really scavenging meat when found on carcasses of animals killed by predators or that had died of natural causes. As time progressed some of these hunter-gatherers groups began to specialize, concentrating on hunting a smaller selection of (often larger) game and gathering a smaller selection of food. This specialization of work also involved creating specialized tools, like fishing nets and hooks and bone harpoons.

Bone Skinks would stay together as family units with some more numerous ones forming entire clans. This change of priority from a more individualistic lifestyle to a collectivist one helped the early Bone Skinks protect themselves against the Seannathair to ensure continued existence.

Transition to Civilization

It is commonly believed that it was the pastoral lifestyle that led to the first progress of civilization developing versus agricultural ones found elsewhere. Tending to grazing animals, early Bone Skinks found that they had more success when they were able to have several close pastures instead of following their animals on sometimes lengthy migrations.

While the pastoral lifestyle led to settling down in areas instead of constantly wandering, the Bone Skinks developed fungiculture and mycoforestry long before they started dabbling in agriculture and agroforestry. Though the tropical bands were receding, the surviving species of various fungi there were hearty and found to be easily grown and harvestable. It was the trading of resources between different regions that facilitated the creation of early cities and nations — some of the greatest cities were centers of trade, people bringing species of fungi from the tropical regions to trade for meat, skins and other trade goods produced in the more temperate and colder regions.

Agriculture wasn't nearly as widespread until the discovery of various plants on other continents on Sgèileàite was made. It's not that agriculture didn't exist, but the known cereals were seen primarily as feed for animals and the available vegetables were seen as more of a novelty than a staple. The majority of the discovered crops were more suited for growth outside of the equatorial belt so they spread quickly which had a considerable effect on Sgèileàiten population levels. Newly available cereals, vegetables, and fruits also improved general levels of health and led to the development of alcohol.

Though at a severe disadvantage against the remaining Seannathair, this also led to the Bone Skinks having something to unify against which nearly eliminated the types of early violence you tend to find in burgeoning sophont societies. It is generally theorized that the constant fear of the Seannathair also prompted an early interest in various forms of entertainment and why alcoholic beverages were so quickly integrated into society.

The early focus on trade to help spread valuable resources, entertainment to delight people normally having to live in fear and the need to defend against the Seannathair led to major city centers developing and helped usher in the transition into modern society.

Well sure, a large piece of feòil-buachrach will fill me up, but where's the ale?!

Overheard in a random Bone Skink tavern

Ethnicities

Though there are a variety of other ethnic groups that originated on other worlds, there are a few that are known to have developed originally on Sgèileàite and thus hold a special, historical status to the Laghairt-bonn as a people.

<xh3> Daoine Le Casan </xh3>

The most numerous of all the Bone Skink ethnic groups, the Daoine Le Casan can almost be considered to be the default cultural group unless otherwise stated.

<xh3> Balg-bhuachair Laghairtean </xh3>

One of the groups of Laghairt-bonn that developed in the fungal forests that are constrained to the tropical regions, the Balg-bhuachair Laghairtean are known for their work ethic and focus to more land-based enterprises.

Balg-bhuachair Laghairtean are known to be slightly taller and slimmer than other Bone Skinks, with their scales running paler than normal. Having lived in areas that are warmer and more humid has made their faces more broad and flat to allow them to more easily retain moisture.

Their environment being an important part of their cultural identity leads to them having respect for the land and the bounty it can provide.

<xh3> Tobhta Mhuinntir </xh3>

There are entire regions where Seannathairic ruins litter the landscape, long abandoned by their old ophidian creators and left to rot. The Laghairt-bonn who developed here are known as Tobhta Mhuinntir and have a deeper respect and understanding for the Seannathair than most.

Tobhta Mhuinntir have stocky, shorter builds and tend to have larger eyes. The areas they lived in ran the gamut between desolate and pleasant as there were numerous Seannathair ruins everywhere. The ruins could be anything from old farmland to massive, dead cities.

As a cultural whole, they tend to have a fascination with serpents instead of an aversion.

<xh3> Tràigh Laghairtean </xh3>

Along the coasts, numerous fishing cultures developed as they do on many worlds. The Tràigh Laghairtean as a people have a far deeper connection to the sea than others.

Tràigh Laghairtean tend to have darker scales and webbed digits are more commonly found amongst their lineage. Short but thin, they have chests that are more broad to fit their larger lungs. They also are found to have narrower, longer skulls. Given the number of venomous sea serpents and snakes, they are more averse to encounters with said creatures.

With an innate love of swimming and boating, they fall into roles of exploration and mercantilism.

<xh3> Slugaidh Nathraichean </xh3>

A far more basic and primitive people known for their aggressiveness and loathed for their acceptance of eating other intelligent beings, the Slugaidh Nathraichean have come to also be known as the "Snake Eaters".

Slugaidh Nathraichean are definitely amongst the most hearty of the Laghairt-bonn, having more muscular, bulky bodies. They seem to have a harder time with the cold in comparison to other Bone Skinks, which may be due to them being slightly more primitive evolutionarily-wise.

Compared to other planes, they can be seen to fill the niche of primitive barbarians, in this case also being cannibalistic.

<xh3> Fhàsach Cinnidhean </xh3>

Though they are small in size, certain Laghairt-bonn gathered and developed societies in the deserts of Sgèileàite. The Fhàsach Cinnidhean are a hardy people who are often seen with darker scales than other ethnic groups.

Fhàsach Cinnidhean are small in number due to the amount of warmer deserts found on Sgèileàite, as they culturally are known to be rather isolationist. They are known for persistence hunting, using their endurance and will to chase down prey to the point of them being too tired to run any longer. They are slimmer than other ethnicities but still hardy.

Family and clan have been extremely important to the Fhàsach Cinnidhean throughout the years, and they place a lot of value on family and those they decide to trust.

<xh3> Dorcha Cnàmhan </xh3>

Some primitive societies embraced magic far before it had become more widespread and understood. The Dorcha Cnàmhan are a scarred people with an interesting anatomical distinction — their bones are black.

One of the smallest of the Laghairt-bonn ethnicities, the Dorcha Cnàmhan are known for their sickly, blistered looking skin that albeit being healthy gives them a wan and ghastly appearance. Generally looked down upon, the Dorcha Cnàmhan have had to historically fight to keep themselves in existence. Though accepted now, they still face stigma in modern times.

Given their nature, it should come to no surprise that they excel in many magical arts, some even picking up divine and psionic craft easily.

<xh3> Dh'itheas Gual </xh3>

In the southern most regions, sprawling mountains are covered with snow and hidden temples. The Dh'itheas Gual are known as a shorter, hardier people when compared to other Bone Skinks.

Dh'itheas Gual are an odd reclusive group of Laghairt-bonn, having found their existence in the higher, now cold regions of Sgèileàite. Riddled with ancient abandoned Seannathair temples led the Dh'itheas Gual to develop a more curiosity based look at the ancient serpentine creators than the fear that was common amongst their kind.

Hearty, large and having an easier time in higher altitudes, the Dh'itheas Gual earned their name for eating charcoal which helped them survive with the abundance of low-level toxic plants that grow in those climates.

<xh3> Ciste-cadail </xh3>

Before interacting with Humanity directly, a similar condition to what Humanity refers to as "vampirism" developed in an isolated community, spreading too close but equally isolated towns and villages. Eventually the disease passed, but the Ciste-cadail are the remnants of those who were changed and formed their own societies.

Ciste-cadail are the least numerous of the Laghairt-bonn, still existing primarily in tight-knit enclaves over mingling with the rest of their kind. This gives the darker skinned and pupil-less Ciste-cadail a very mysterious reputation even if it is one born of ignorance.

Though their ancestors had conquered the disease that changed them, the Ciste-cadail still tend to enjoy fresh meat and have a far keener sense of smell than others amongst their kind. With a natural sense of celerity, they are known for being quick on their feet.

Culture

Language

Body Language

Physical Contact

As mesotherms, Laghairt-bonn aren't fully dependant on the environment for their body heat like other reptiles. Due to this, culturally they are known to be fond of physical contact, especially hugs and full body embraces where they can enjoy the warmth of the other person they are interacting with. Physical contact is common when a Laghairt-bonn is comfortable with their surroundings.

Gestures

Given that the Seannathair are capable of detecting movement in a manner similar to serpents and snakes, it would make sense that the Laghairt-bonn developed language in a way that tried to minimize body language and movement. Those raised around Laghairt-bonn tend to develop this trait as well and people who are unaware of it can sometimes find Bone Skink's lack of gestures "creepy" in a sense.

Slurs

Cultural Laghairt-bonn slurs tend to involve serpents and snake-like qualities. Common terms for people themselves or their actions include "anguilline", "anguine", "aspine", "colubrine", "crotaline", "elapine", "serpentine", or "viperine". "Ophidian" is seen as generally crueller than the latter collection.

You and your aspine works aren't worth my time.

A Bone Skink scribe overheard quitting their job

Volume and Tone of Voice

Saying Laghairt-bonn are loud typically is an understatement. Boisterous and wild, even when they need to quiet they tend to fall on the louder side.

Accent

Picked up from their native languages, the best comparison to their Allspeak accent would that of the residents of Scotland.

Religion

Explanation Myths

Being more familiar with their past than other sophonts, the Laghairt-bonn never developed extensive creation myths. Serpents have always had an extensive connection with fear, evil and the past — most likely due to the Seannathair.

Food

Taboos

As one could expect of the Laghairt-bonn, most of them, including ones not raised in their culture, will not eat snakes.

Economics

Amenities

A proper Bone Skink will tell you that life without alcohol isn't worth living.

Perception of Ownership

The Laghairt-bonn have a harder time with the idea of "individual" ownership, as Sgèileàiten Bone Skinks view things belonging to them on a family and clan level before an individual one. Metropolitan Laghairt-bonn view this as a sign of naivety and the worst of them will use it to take advantage of their more rustic brethren.

Cultural Norms

Important Values

Laghairt-bonn take immense pride in a successful day of hard work as well as the capability of being able to relax with no attached burdens. Those seen without a proper work ethic or capability to enjoy themselves are seen as odd and troubled.

As part of their important values of being able workers, Bone Skinks believe that forming solid and lasting relationships with those that they work with is important.

Popular Culture

Counter Culture

In a variety of places, Laghairt-bonn are born where they are not able to experience the Seannathair first hand and only hear stories, some of which have started to drift into the realm of fairy tale and myth. At the extreme, some of these feel that the hatred and fear of all things serpentine is an overreaction and instead try to view them with interest and sometimes worship. These beliefs aren't widespread at all, but are common enough that Laghairt-bonn know some of their kind are like this.

Careers

Work Ethic

Us Laghairt-bonn have been extremely lucky wit' the fact that we've never 'ad to take ourselves too seriously.

Councillor Effie Dòmhnullach

It is a core tenet of Bone Skink society that you work as hard as you can so that you can enjoy your free time with no feelings of guilt. Those who don't have a solid work ethic and spend a lot of their time relaxing are looked down upon. This can sometimes make culturally raised Bone Skinks difficult to work with when working with other sophonts.

Attitudes Towards

Children and Elders

Families and clans have been part of the Laghairt-bonn existence since before even some of the proto-Laghairt-bonn walked on Sgèileàite. As this is a genetic trait for all Bone Skinks, in places where clans may not exist, communities or even entire towns may take their place. Children and elders are seen as needing to be protected, with children being encouraged to help adults work or watch to learn skills and the elderly being able to enjoy their last years free of worry or care.

Undesirables

One of the downsides of a clan based social structure is that if you are an outcast, the entire clan will generally treat you as one.

Nature

The Laghairt-bonn don't have as strong a reverence for nature in their culture as one may expect, but this due to them treating it with more of a respectful, cautionary way.

Econatural versus Supernatural Creatures

As Sgèileàite doesn't have any supernatural creatures beyond iconic, individual beings, the Laghairt-bonn evolved in a world were the flora and fauna came about naturally. Due to this, they have an instinctive distrust of supernatural beings.

Amongst the Planes

General Acceptance

Bone Skinks are generally beloved and venerated across the worlds of Planar Council as people have an easy time relating to dichotomy that is inherent to their kind — working hard and playing hard. Most can appreciate one side, but those who can embrace the dualistic nature that most Bone Skinks have find them as wonderful friends, workers and allies.

As they were one of the species that contributed to the formation of the Planar Alliance during the First Age, many of the newer races see their kind as a core component to the Planar Council which leads them to have an aura of respect in certain instances.

Racism

Like any species, there are some that view their kind with disdain. Common criticism and insults generally focus on hyperbole with their carefree attitude or determined work ethic and the common slurs regarding their physical form. Insults regarding scales, tails, laying eggs and their "oddly shaped heads" are common.

Summary