Skarbniks

> "It was then that Amirani, son of Dæl, stood over the hills and plains where the Edari-folk dwelt, and he brought with him iron and nickel, so he could show his possessions to them, and soon enough, the Edari-folk, having become curious, followed Amirani wherever he went. Then, in the caves of the mountains of Vatumits'a, he taught Tamaz the Stonehearted the ways of metal and stone, and with hammer and pickaxe, Tamaz led the Edari-folk to craft their first cities, in the deep caverns of the mountain ranges, where life's treasures awaited them."
>
> Of Amirani and Tamaz, the First of the Poems of the Edari

## Status

Living

The **Skarbniks** (Stanislavan: "Treasurer"; Oratio Ecclesiastica: *Homines Brevis*), scientifically designated as **Khomosapiyen Brevis**, are a scion of the Chelovekk. The Skarbniks are an Extradite race of people who are most notable for originating from heavy-gravity worlds, hence their shorter stature but higher muscle density. Due to their height or lack thereof, they have been pejoratively referred to as the **Stunts**. In truth however, the true and proper name for the Skarbniks is **Edari**.

Aside from their short but brawny physiology, the Skarbniks are notoriously known for their affinity of wealth, especially in the form of mineral resources. The Skarbniks have been known to dwell in mines, underground workings, and even the cores of many planets and other such cosmic objects. As such, the Skarbniks have been given the nickname **Core-dwellers**, a title which the Skarbniks themselves have embraced with pride. The Skarbniks also tend to base their social structure on control over resource extraction industries. Some have proposed that the Skarbniks are an entirely different species, but most consider themselves to be a sub-faction of the Domain of Humanity. The Skarbniks do not have much relations with Nezemenites, but when they do, they are usually those species of kseno which shares the same affinity for wealth.

The Skarbniks place lots of emphasis on royalty, as they have lines of monarchs known as the Skarbnarch. The Skarbnarch is the title of the King of one of the many Skarben-realms. A Skarbnarch who is highly respected, even amongst other Skarbnarch, are called Magh-Skarbnarch, which translates to 'Supreme King' or 'High King'. To disrespect the Skarbnarch, is to disrespect his entire Skarben-realm.

As of the 10th Millennium of the Third Epoch, the most powerful Skarben-realm is the Kingdom of Vatumi, located in the Scutum-Centaurus Arm. Vatumi is led by the strongest and most wealthy Magh-Skarbnarch, Tamaz X, and his dynastic heir, Tamazhvele. The Kingdom of Vatumi appears to be the main representative of all Skarb-kin to the Chelovayyan Empire, though other Kingdoms exist in distant regions of space across the Milky Way Galaxy.

## Nomenclature

The term Skarbnik originates from Slavanene Mythology, as one of the many sub-races of the Leyudanne, who were the children of the God Velyes and the Goddess Devyana. The Skarbniks were the guardians of gems and precious metals. They are those who isolated themselves from other Leyudanne, and who tended to the deepest depths of the mountains, rarely if ever seen by outsiders. The Skarbniks were unlike other Leyudanne, as they had no love for the forests and the trees, but instead had love for caves and stone.

During the First Epoch and Second Epoch, the Chelovayyans sent many colonists to explore vast regions of space, usually within potentially resource-rich areas. The original plan was for them to develop their own societies, and be later incorporated into the Empire. Unfortunately, the Agones and many other conflicts and wars led them to abandon many of their colonies, leaving them isolated from the Empire for thousands of years to come.

When the Chelovayyan Empire rediscovered many of their old, previously isolated colonies, they had found stubby but sturdy men, women, and children dwelling within them. Due to their familiarity with Slavanene myths and stories, they likened them to the Skarbniks, and as such, the stubby peoples adopted the term for themselves, though they already had a name for themselves, the Edari, which means 'wealthy' in their own language.

## Physiology and Anatomy

In standard Imperial science, all types of "Cheloveyyans" in terms of physiology and anatomy are compared to the ancient humans. It is generally accepted that the average height of Ancient Men was 176.5cm (5'9"ft), whilst the average height of Ancient Women was 163cm (5'4"ft). The Chelovayyans of the present day have an average height of 215cm (7'0"ft) for men, and 200cm (6'6"ft) for women. In comparison, the Skarbniks have an average height of 145cm (4'9"ft) for men, and 135cm (4'5"ft) for women. Some Skarbniks however, are said to be even smaller than regular Skarbniks, and often reach heights of the 120cm range (4ft) and below. The Skarbnarchs and their royal lines average at around 160cm (5'3"ft) for both men and women.

Although Skarb-kin are short, they are known for being exceptionally wide, which is enough to make up for their lack of overall mass in terms of strength capabilities. Their stature is not to be mistaken for weakness, as the Skarbniks are people who can punch through stone and metal without feeling pain. Their hands never tire, as they mine endlessly in the deep, dark layers of asteroid belts and planetoids. Through this, they are able to wield the heaviest armor and equipment without losing much energy.

Aside from their surprising strength, the Skarb-kin are able to inhale all types of smoke, even smog which would normally kill any humans. Their respiratory systems are said to equal or even surpass that of the Chelovayyans. They are able to do this, as they have been inhaling the fumes and exhausts of volcanic systems for thousands of years. After dwelling near such areas of cloud and vapour, their eyes can even see through any type of smoke. As such, they are essentially immune to smoke grenades, smoke weapons, and even natural areas emitting smoke. Unfortunately, this has led to many Skarbniks having Smog Breath, a type of breath that is both hot and smoke-y. This has led to the stereotype of Skarb-kin having notoriously bad breath.

The Skarb-kin are also able to withstand extremely high temperatures, to such ridiculous extents. Their skin is highly resistant to flame, and scorching objects. They have evolved this way due to the fact that the underground tends to go hotter the deeper one goes. Aside from this, they have also been known to live near stars, which have further boosted their resilience against blazing amounts of heat.

The Skarb-kin are also known for their sense of hearing when within deep and complex networks. As such, they are able to traverse labyrinths and mazes with ease, and identify where a hallway would lead to just by attuning to their Edari Instinct. The fact that they are able to thrive in such complex networks underground are a testament to this ability.

## Culture

### Values

The Skarb-kin have a sense of brotherhood like no other. They are extremely stubborn, but also extremely curious. Though they are outwardly respectful, they tend to distrust other species and even other human races, even going so far as to see them as always plotting and scheming, perceiving them as jealous of the Edari's wealth. The Skarb-kin see each other as brethren and have a sense of honor, loyalty, and respect that few peoples, except the Chelovayyans, would understand. Though many call themselves Skarbniks, some who are fiercely patriotic prefer to call themselves by their own endonym, the Edari.

In relation to other species, those who wish to interact with the Edari are to remember the Three Golden Rules of Skarb-kind. One, thou shall not steal that which belongs to an Edari. Two, thou shall not disrespect an Edari's authority. Three, thou shall not make rude comments to an Edari. Any who violate these three golden rules, are to be remembered with scorn and contempt. A Skarbnik does not forgive easily, nor does he ever forget such violations.

### Kingship

The Skarbniks are wholly devoted to their monarchs, the Skarbnarchs, who represents the pinnacle of wealth and glory in Skarb-kin society. The Skarbnarch, however, is not simply just the King, but also the Lord-Protector of the Realm. As such, he is directly tasked with command over the Skarben-realm's military. Aside from having vast amounts of wealth, having vast combat skills and leadership traits in the battlefield is one of the most important traits that a Skarbnarch must possess. To suffer defeat, and worse, to lose vast amounts of resource-rich areas, is considered one of the greatest dishonors to all Skarben-kind. As such, most royal lines of Edari devote their time and effort to mastering military strategy and tactics.

In recent years, the Edari monarchs have been eyeing the E.M.I.L.Y. interface system and other Omni-Artificer systems that the Chelovayyan Empire possess. By successfully gaining access to these systems, they will be able to further enhance their mode of warfare, drastically changing Skarbnik military thought for the better. Tamazhvele, heir of Tamaz X, has made it his life's duty to retrieve one of these prized machineries. If successful, he will bring glory to the Line of Tamaz, and become a worthy successor to his ancestors' throne.

### Architecture

The Edari have built countless halls and super-structures which in their minds, exudes absolute power and glory. It is said that their architecture rivals that of even the works of the greatest of Chelovayyan architects. Their vast wonders include but are not limited to Vatumits'a, Kvarelits'a, Dzhimara, Ushba, Shkhara, Varsk'brilian, and Varsk'rubi. The Edari have also been seen working as architects, engineers, and construction workers by the Chelovayyan Empire to construct many of its technological wonders. The Skarbniks who work on these projects, then bring back the skills and knowledge they've learned to their respective Skarben-realms.

The Skarb-kin tend to dwell deep within all types of planets, dwarf planets, asteroids, and the like. Rarely, if ever, are they to be found on the surface of many of these planetary objects and non-planetary objects. Due to their Edari Instinct which they have developed over their time, they have constructed vast labyrinths and deep underground networks of cities, villages, and towns. In many such cases, they mine so deep that they reach the core of their respective planets. Perhaps the most impressive feat of the Edari, is of their mastery of the ability to create massively complex structures that would otherwise require Omni-Artificer planning in order to work flawlessly.

Skarbnik architecture is also known for being decorated with all types of jewels, crystals, exotic minerals, and valuable stones. It is even said that some Skarbnik cities are as valuable as a single rocky planet due to the sheer amount of wealthy materials that they are made of. Despite being stereotyped as greedy, theft, including vandalism, is one of the greatest offenses one could commit against another Skarbnik.