Scorpia

The Scorpia are a minor race, classified as a species of Taur, similar to the Centaur. This race has a lower half resembling the body of a scorpion, while their upper body is that of a humanoid species. They live in the desert of Tierra Del Leon though used to have land in a small section of Avernus and based on some historical texts a small population in Mashara. Their upper bodies resemble those of Drider, but with hardened segments of shell across their body and hands.

## Overview

The Scorpia are often a hostile race, like the Kito'an they primarily live in Tierra Del Leon though view the Kito'an as the lesser species in the region. Rumours claim that this race is descended from a group of Drider that travelled to the desert very early throughout history, though questions have been raised as to how this change may have occurred. Scorpia are naturally connected to more primal forms of Fortune and Toxic magic, though do not have the ability to directly utilise either gate.

Many factions of Scorpia exist in the desert, they have a culture more like that of the Wolvians. Unlike Wolvians, their culture does include concepts of currency and is not quite as primitive, though they do not form large civilisations. It is considered acceptable in Scorpia culture to capture and sell those they deem inferior, either in terms of strength or otherwise. The Kito'an are viewed as an inferior race to the Scorpia, while many other races are judged based on their strength.

## Religion

The Scorpia hold varied religious beliefs due to being split across many tribes, a common factor to many of these beliefs is the idea of Belle as a snake deity. It is believed that this may be linked to an artefact of unknown origin which curses the holder, changing them into a snake type being that has been dubbed a Lamia by researchers.

## Abilities

### Magic

This race does not utilise magic in ways similar to the Gate Races or Wolvians, instead their magic extends mostly to inherent traits. Natural magical traits for Scorpia are more focused on physical protection or enhancement.

**Shell Enhancement:** The Scorpia can turn metals into part of their lower bodies exoskeleton and their upper bodies protruding shell segments.

**Minor Form Change:** Scorpia can turn their hands into pincers, this uses the small amounts of mana they take in to turn their hands into the same metallic shell substance as that which covers their body.

**Toxin Resistance:** Scorpia bodies utilise small amounts of Toxic mana to neutralise toxins that enter their own system, making them practically immune to poison.

### Physical

**Stinger:** Scorpia have a large stinger on their lower half, this can be used as a natural weapon by stabbing it into enemies and injecting poisons with it.

**Heightened Strength:** Most Scorpia bodies are very large and heavy, this means they can put a lot of force into attacks. Scorpia strength can be used to carry even notably large individuals, ram even some stone walls with force to break them or cut through even some hard metals with their pincers.

**Extreme Speed:** Scorpia are capable of speeds up to 80km/h in short bursts, or 50km/h for longer periods. Their speed is caused by their eight legs. They can seem even faster due to their ability to reach these speeds in desert terrain where many races are slowed down due to the sand.

## Venom

Scorpia venom can vary between individual Scorpia, tribes or through some other more minor factors. The venom used by this species can vary between relatively harmless or completely fatal. Many of these types of venom can be fought by particularly strong individuals, though the more fatal they are the harder this gets.

The venom in a Scorpia's stinger can be used for a variety of reasons, these include uses for attacking enemies, punishing captured slaves, keeping slaves obedient or even in some mating rituals. Some of these venoms include:

* **Docility Venom:** This venom has calming effects, though tends to also make the victim more suggestible.
* **Irritant Venom:** A venom that causes a painful sensation of both constant burning and itching.
* **Silence Venom:** A type of venom that completely shuts down the victims ability to speak, in modern times ways to reverse this toxin have been found however without a cure the effect will last indefinitely.
* **Paralysis Venom:** Shuts down the victims motor functions, leaving them unable to move for a period of time.
* **Estrus Venom:** A mostly harmless type of venom that for some reason is not neutralised by a Scorpia's toxin resistance. This venom induces a state similar to Estrus (heat/rut) in those it is used on, this works on anyone, regardless of their reproductive organs (unless directly resisted with magic).
* **Lethal Venom:** A potentially deadly type of venom that if left untreated can eventually kill those infected with it. This is used more rarely by Scorpia as it can be difficult to produce and doesn't always benefit them or their tribes as much.