“Born of dragon
with blood of scorn,
Breathe the Skal’ah
of the early morn.
Prayer and discipline
on every tongue,
The Song of Skal’ah
no longer sung.
Pride and glamor
lust and war
The Baine of Skal’ah
brings peace no more
the trees all dead,
lay beneath the sands..
There live the Skal’ah
in the Shatteredlands.” -Simianthil the Historian

Their silk flags can be seen even miles from the main Co’isi, Tsireda, ever proclaiming a foreboding lordship over the Shatteredlands. While even the common areas of their circular city are lavish, the ghastly glow of the polished interior supersedes those looming walls of the Skal’ah Royale. Those that had dared approach the Co’isi were frightened by the stillness of the dried air and the lack of sound that it carried. While seemingly abandoned, every adventurer who happened upon Tsireda knew better… whether spirits, people or demons lived there… it was inhabited. No account has ever been recorded aside from these, for the exception of one.

A Skal’ah monk approached Nyahna, the main city of the Graelynisse, on a mount bearing only documents and food. Before this eve, neither Grae nor Skal’ah had ever taken sight of the other, no matter how much both races knew of the other. On this day, Death and Life would meet with prejudice and caution. Monk Toong Na’droy would be greeted by spear-point and encapsulated in a Druid’s Field before being brought to the elders. Being unable to use Prana or physical attacks, Na’droy sought audience of his race’s arch-enemy and was listened to with the most skeptical of ears.

“The Skal’ah was, at one time, a peace-loving people dedicated to fine arts and fighting disciplines, belonging to what was once called “The Tribe of Hand”. The race as a whole were proclaimed to be studious monks, ever learning of sciences and histories… ever praying for insight and clarity. Tsireda was born a small monastery in the Otsunumoki Plains near Gatu and The Ariai Highlands, where dragons roamed free. For hundreds of years, The Tribe of Hand would build more to the small monastery and eventually inhabit it as they furthered their studies and worship.

Despite their wealth of knowledge and stoic indoctrination, the monks of Tsireda would not be prepared for the dragon’s attack on the Abbey, which would leave the peaceful race as slaves to the Hellions. The women were ravaged and the men would learn to use weak dragon’s fire to destroy the Otsunumoki Plains. After another century, their home would become what is now known as the Shatteredlands. The appearance of the people changed also, from near human features to a twisted marriage of human and dragon. the dragon-human offspring were the first evidence of this evolution, and the original countenance of the people were forgotten. The most devastating blow to the Tribe of Hand would be the molestation of their studies, and the worship of self.

The Tribe eventually began to call themselves the Skal’ah and grew powerful from their subordinate ranks. Ultimately, they defeated their captors and reclaimed the freedom they once had. However, this was a new people now, the Skal’ah, and while they were free to grow as a race again, they would forever remain enslaved to their twisted moralities and unrelenting narcissism.”

His account would be recorded and investigated, then found to be accurate. After the Skal’ah Monk’s chronicle was confirmed, he pleaded to be put to death, no longer having honour or alliance. Toong Na’droy was given a quick poison to consume, of his own will, outside the city of Nyahna. His body was then destroyed to protect his reputation should any Skal’ah come to the Grae in search of him.

The documents that he brought with him were maps of the city and other historical accounts of the Skal’ah Hierarchy and people. Some outlined the studies of the Prana they practiced, but in no great detail. Also left behind was a letter addressed to the Graelynisse from the Magistrate of what was left of those who were still loyal to the Tribe of Hand… offering these documents as a token of peace.

Toong Na’droy -
The Skal’ah had been in captivity for fifteen Solis (days) and was given food that was most to his preference, mostly consisting of fish and plants pulled from Lyzalis Pond. The first conversation he had after this long period of silence was with Nakari the Night, member of the Purewatch, about the food.

“…Though our Co’isi is the center of the blight that is the Shatteredlands, we gather most of our food from the Westspan…” Na’droy told the guard as she was passing. His hissing stopped Nakari cold in her routined walk. She glared at him as though he became a venom elf right before her eyes. Once the Skal’ah’s conversation settled in her ears, she kneeled a few paces from the cage holding him.
“Interesting how a race so accustomed to the deserted regions feeds on food from the waters,” the confused grae tried to sound civil to her prisoner, but realized that she wasn’t doing so well.
He didn’t seem to notice at all. “Much evolution has befallen our kind… at one time, the Tribe of Hand would have fought on the side of the Graelynisse in perfect harmony, but you know nothing of this… would you..”
Nakari fell guilty to his subtle accusation, but her thirst for history would never let her be satisfied with ignorance. “No. I don’t know anything of your kind. What you might have shared upon your arrival with your captors will not reach the ears of the guard until it is seen fit by Lyenthil’s Children. Our people will also–”
“Your Hierarchy withholds information from it’s civilians?” he interrupted curiously.
“Our people have faith in Lyenthil’s Children and what they have to share with us about our enemies… and anything else that might potentially cause an uproar.”
“The fact that the Skal’ah retrieve fish from the Westspan would cause a disturbance?” Toong was now skeptical.
“Not at all. You and I are having a conversation. What we exchange will be between us. However, I am aware of your wishes to die in secret on our myne.” Facts. That’s all the Purewatch lady was interested in. She wanted to make that known. Speaking of facts, the apprehension of this conversation was making her want to continue with her patrol.
His countenance changed immediately. “I apologize for seeming critical of your system. I have no audience with you to speak of such things, as I am a traitor to my own government.”

Fall of Otsunumoki –
In Li cp.9 54, the clouds rolled in thick and heavy right above land, sparing no sight for any living thing in the Otsunumoki Plains. The Tribe of Hand braced themselves in preparation for this inevitable skirmish between the approaching dragons and themselves. Cold humidity washed over the monks like the breath one would feel right before a bear’s teeth sank into the flesh…

Last light was fast deminishing, the wall of cloud only seconds from swallowing them whole.

“Elictoi! Detu’oh!” Magistrate Haiosho yelled, near tearing his throat apart with the forced bark his words sounded like. Not a moment passed when the men closest to the inpenetrable fog blast a green energy into it steadily. The men looked frozen in concentration, but the light came consistantly, burning apart the shroud that was thought to conceal the Reptilian Lords. No dragons. Not so much as a fledgeling appeared from the wet concealment. How long would they wait just out of reach before the energy was too weak to keep the storm at bay..

Hours passed and one by one, nine of the monks collapsed, most likely dead from the exhaustion of thier life force. Only five of the green lit men were standing. The Tyrants were nowhere to be seen. “Hachai! …ha..chai..” Even Haiosho’s voice seemed to be dying as he was telling them to stand down. Morale was lowering but, under the circumstances, was still admirable. The women and children lay below in sealed catacombs… and it was they the men thought of that kept those above ground stern and ready to fend off what came out of the mist.

The monks were joining hands in circles with thier backs to the center, so as not to fight amonst themselves in the battle that preyed upon thier resolve. Combined like webs, the men’s arms were taut and outstretched, until everyone was woven into it. Every hand guarded one or two others, every mind in tune with the Whole, every throat filled with a droning hum that made the moisture around them vibrate. Thousands of low and meditative voices carried the same note, cleansing the air outside of the hive and the souls within. Firm. Alert. Calm. Ready. Hours died in the wake of every second, but the voice did not. They were locked in time, waiting like the Dragons were.

Impatience brought the first onslaught upon the tribe. While theWarm-bloods could not see in the veil, the fire-eyed dragons could. Closer and closer, they came forth until the first blast of dragon’s fire emerged from the clouds. Hums turned into screams and battle cries, some fell silently as ash to the ground. Once again, energy burned green into the now visable shadows, slaying dragons that were slow that day. Though there was no time to confirm the dead of the Scaled Ones, every tribesman who did slay one would keep those around him brave and fighting. Those affixed on thier dragon’s every movement never saw the hundreds of thier brothers die behind them. They never heard the screams until it was thier turn. In only a matter of minutes, less than one hundred and fifty men remained. When the Tyrants willed the fog away, those still standing only counted sixteen dead hellions. Walking back as slaves, they watched as the women and children were unearthed and herded amongst them. Sharp rocks would cut into thier feet on the way to Gatu, but that wasn’t what maimed the tribe-

Even they knew that, should they ever escape, they would never be the same again.

The Account of Magistrate Takami Haiosho -
While in captivity of the Reptilian Lords, I have little control of what my people may study or learn, excepting only our subtle attempts at freedom. I write this so that the Tribe of Hand will have a documented account of where our tribe comes from, as history has a way of teaching those in the present and the future. While I cannot guarantee that this historical writ will one day be in Hand’s possession, I may take steps to ensure that this document is found, either making this story widespread knowledge or a well kept secret by the magistrates within the next few generations of our Tribe.

Before the Tribe came into existence, our people were a large nation with abundant crops, prosperous silk and linen markets and vast resources for survival. Our land was kissed by the Sun God Haj, or so my predecessor of one thousand generations may have claimed. It was the year of Li cp.1 30 that Domi’San was the peaceful ruler over Junuan (Hoo-nahn), and had been for 27 years already. The temple was the pennicle of the hierarchy back then, and was devinated by Haj alone. According to T’sar Haiosho, who was but a foreman over the wheat cultivation, this year was the peak of growth for Junuan. By Li cp.1 33, Domi’San retired from the throne and was followed by Domi’Hoang, his blood-thirsty son.

The success of Junuan was razed in only two years spent in wars unwanted by the civilians, and with only Domi’Hoang and Haj to blame, the people were outraged and demanded the Throne be superceeded. Kutsutaki, San’s younger cousin began arranging a Ko, one which T’sar was associated, that would make Domi’Hoang unfit to lead the populous. The outrage that darkened the land was the merciless slaying of the Airai Natives in the plot of Junuan’s expansion. Even
some soldiers joined the Ko faction after the slaughter, renouncing their use of swords, while many others took their own lives in protest to what the nation had become. Domi’Hoang proclaimed his actions were the will of the Sun God Haj to hide his own immoral lust for war. With his council in agreement, there was no way to prove the corruption of the leader, which would expedite one designated by the people.

The Ko took on a new angle to satisfy the unrest of the citizens, which would give Kutsutaki power to overthrow Hoang. The faction, which grew large and near unstoppable, came into the light and flooded the temple with outraged citizens and ex-soldiers… denouncing followership to the Sun God. Recruitment of any interested passersby was done on the spot, soon making the protest a city-wide uproar. The soldiers still loyal to Domi’Hoang were losing morale quickly, but were given orders to slay anyone found protesting in the streets. Junuani blood covered the roads and walls of the city, and blades swung unrelenting for three days. The protest ended finally when Kutsutaki was captured and brought to the temple. The next afternoon, a rope made of black silk was tightened around his neck and his body was hurled off the walls of the main gate, displaying the gruesome outcome of anyone found committing treason against Domi’Hoang. The Ko, now under the command of Kutsutaki’s most trusted T’sar, continued to conspire secretively against the Domi until Li cp.1 42. When that year came, the band of people deserted the city during the night and traveled to the Otsunumoki Plains. T’sar Haiosho died in the harvest season of Li cp.1 57, leaving what was now known as the Tribe of Hand to his son, Sangami Haiosho.

Sangami, called Sang ‘The Blessed Hand’, fathered the Tribe into spiritual studies and unarmed fighting disciplines, should Junuan ever decide to seek them out and punish them for treason. It is recorded that, by Li cp.1 61, the Tribe of Hand was organized and successful. With only three years left before Hoang would be made to step down from the throne, the Tribe began organizing an attack against the temple of Junuan itself. To the tribesmen, it was a symbol of pride, but to Sang, a demonstration of self-empowerment to the citizens of Junuan. His only motive being that they needed not be slaves to a corrupt government, ‘The Blessed Hand’ was more interested that the civilization from which he came might experience the same freedom that he now possessed. The attack occurred the following year, a silent night interrupted by green-lit fists fighting their way to Domi’Hoang with great ease. By morning, the Domi’s unmoving body was held suspended in the air by a black silk rope where Kutsutaki’s was twenty five years ago.

The next leader of Junuan was Xaio ‘The Silent Princess’, Hoang’s only aire. From the time she was appointed to the throne until she died of consumption seventeen years later, the city of Junuan remained peaceful, prosperous and without war. The next appropriated to take the seat of power was too young yet, and that was the only documentation of Junuan before the Dragons took the kingdom for their own, renaming it Gatu in Li cp.1 79.

The Tribe of Hand continued to grow and study peacefully, enduring only occaisional dry spells and small famines, until Li cp.9 52. The dragons appeared more and more, attempting to set our crops afire. Two years later, despite our preparations for the dragon’s attack, our monastery was destroyed and we were taken captive as slaves to Gatu.

– Takami Haiosho, Magistrate of The Tribe of Hand

Si cp.1 27, Haiosho was slain by the Dragons in the act of organizing an escape from the Otsunumoki Plains. The plains are nearly destroyed now, all the trees burned to ash and crushed by the same hands that cultivated the lands. The ground is starting to crack from the constant heat it is having to endure. Our people were taught how to create a weak dragon’s fire to sear the lands and while it is too weak to harm our captors, it’s strong enough to damage oneself or another tribesman fatally. Our women are constantly ravaged and made to mate with the Hellions… which mean only to see what the child will look like and act. Some women are already with child, caged in the view of the tribesmen. Only 72 men remain, but some of our children are coming to adulthood and are being made subordinate to the whims of the Dragons.

Si cp.1 32, I have assumed the title of Magistrate by vote of all that remain. Deaths have been less and our numbers total 243, including the women. The Dragon children continue to be born, but not one of them have been seen. The fires have spread beyond the plains now and water is running out. We are allowed to eat what we kill and to drink what we find while we’re in the field, causing more living ground to burn and animals to perish at an indescribable rate.

– Magistrate Yakatu

Si cp.1 53, Not only have we seen the dragon children, they have been disposed to our ranks for the last fifteen years. They make up a little half over our numbers now and the last of our tribes women are soon to die from the constant abuse they endure from the Reptilians. The D-children listen well, like our own children, so we continue our teachings through them. Some have already learned Life Fire and most of our fighting techniques in a very short time.

– Yakatu

Si cp.1 59, The first of the dragon children have reached adulthood and have amazing capabilities. While they are all slender, their athletic abilities are far beyond any human champion we’ve ever seen. They’ve imbibed our Prana as well as most of our studies, even with as little time as our elders can afford teaching them. Counting our ranks, including the D-children, we are a strong 517. 290 of them are Dragon children.

Si cp. 1 63, Today, the last of our women died giving birth to twin dragon children. Our men, young and old, are nearly demoralized to completion. The dragon woman named Therlah claims to have a plan as to how to escape from the dragons. I do not know for certain if the dragons put her up to this or if she’s sincere. More children come into our ranks, and I’m unsure how many more are to come. At this moment, we have 604 total. Dragon men and women are imbuing the young while the remainder of our tribe has all but lost the will to train, they wish only to survive. I and two other men remain steadfast that we all will see the other side of this captivity and set the example of inner strength.

Si cp.1 84, I and five of our tribesmen remain. A group of 37 men turned on one of the Reptilian Taskmasters with the dragon’s fire in an attempt to escape. Eight of the monstrosities came to the Dragon’s aide and immobilized the men and set them on fire. We were all made to watch as they suffered slowly. This enraged even the D-Children, who are now calling themselves the Skal’ah. They tell me that Skal’ah means ‘Phoenix’ in dragon-tongue, and as the proverbial Phoenix, they mean to rise above this evil and find freedom. The Skal’ah seem to admire my strength, but they don’t see my tears wet the scorched soil. Perhaps they might be our means to salvation and the Tribe of Hand may persevere once more.

Si cp.2 14
Magistrate Yakatu along with the remainder of his men died two days ago in our successful escape from the Dragons. My name is Therlah and I, as a Skal’ah, will forever respect Tokati Yakatu for his strength and loyalty to his tribe. Though I am what I am, I wish to carry on the legend of the Tribe of Hand in secret. My brothers and sisters have become proud of their freedom… too proud… and I fear that when we go to rebuild Tsireda, it will be this pride that comes to rule over them. With that, I shall close this document and ensconce it where only I and my children may find it. Long live the Tribe of Hand….

The Building of Tsireda –
The Co’isi Tsireda was erected in haste, but meticulously fine tuned over the next 20 years. Designed especially to defend against dragon attack, most of Tsireda resides below ground like a conch shell with it’s small end buried deepest. The exposed portion is ornately etched with symbols written by dragons to warn the Reptillian lords to pass over this Skal’ah stronghold, for it will only mean death to rivals.

The only sections of the aegis that can see the sky is the military ward, which is made up of a spiral platinum shielding, bristling with crystal spires. Just below the crystals are stations in which five Skal’ah would stand and generate Life Fire into mirrored chambers that would amplify the energy and project it through the spires. Any dragons caught in the blast would burn like paper sculptures. The rest of the city, including the common areas, is beneath the platinum shielding. While this is the standard for the protective shell’s consistent state, the Skal’ah opt to expose the common areas to the sun by rolling back the shield on occasional clear mornings.

Most travel done by Skal’ah is done below ground, though on mount. The longest tunnel is the Spanway, a direct sublet that opens to Tjernakyri, a station just off the coast of the Westspan. The Spanway has two functions: Travel to the Westspan and food transportation. While some Skal’ah will use this path for leisure, it is the primary route on which divers and fishers will deliver food from the Span. Tjernakyri is lightly guarded, but is always bustling with activity. Should any dragons choose to use that path to invade the Co’isi, it is easily sealed from the inside. To ensure that no Skal’ah is stranded outside during an attack, crawl paths stem from just inside the mouth of the Spanway to underwater openings carved out of the coast.

The second longest tunnel goes to Lakoni Lake, it’s only purpose being to provide water to Tsireda. No travel occurs here. This is not to say that Lakoni is the only water source for the Skal’ah. An underground river was discovered ten years into the building of the Co’isi, becoming the main source of drinking water.

While there are seven other main tunnels for travel and surfacing, other drifts have been carved out crudely and contain secret villages, catacombs or escape routes. One law of the Skal’ah defines that any unauthorized tunnels will be sealed upon discovery, no matter their contents… including people.

Fabrics –
Centuries passed since the last of the Tribe of Hand had fallen. Tsireda came to be complete and the Co’isi expanded to become a nation. The Skal’ah thrived spiritually and industrially, becoming the world’s supplier of fine enchanted fabrics. Humans have been bartering with the cloaked traders for over three hundred years, as no other fabric was finer. What separated this textile from any other was the strength of both the sheer and the shimmering cloths. Robes and gowns made of the material lasted for generations and never seemed to age or tear. Hyuni, as the Skal’ah called the race of Man, even began making tents and protective cloth armor from the weavery. Not only was this fine fabric strong, it seemed to bring good luck in hunts and wars. The only quality that made the Skal’ah’s cloth become lower in demand was it’s tendency to corrupt forged metal weapons, jewelry and armor. As Humans became more adept at the Forge, the fabric seemed to become less and less popular. Eventually, they turned back to leather and cotton based clothing.