Scyldari

The **Scyldari** [plural form: **Scyldarians**; adjective form: **Scyldarian**] evolved from the depths of Tidal's oceans at first, but would eventually see the majority of their kind inhabit several archipelagoes (the rest would keep to the depths of the sea in smaller communities). The average height for an individual Scyldari can range from around 5'2" to 5'6" feet (~1.57m to ~1.68m) depending on local conditions.

## Biology

Scyldarians are aquatic, otter-like mammalians covered mostly with fur - save for their faces, stomachs, and webbed appendages - which range in shades of black, brown, and red. Their eating habits make them herbivores, as they primarily evolved to eat plant-based matter, and their physiology suggests that they were meant to survive the crushing depths of the deep-sea, meaning that they're relatively weak on land due to gravity playing a greater role there than at the bottom of the sea.

Such a weakness, however, would be countered by their dexterity, intelligence, and - most importantly - charisma, allowing them to safely avoid and even pacify predators alongside forming bonds with other organisms (aided through their use of sonar when underwater), providing them with extensive experience of animal husbandry-related applications. This would also lead to them being avid environmentalists and natural sociologists, which has since become the foundation for philosophical ideals with an emphasis for moderation in all things.

## Civilization

Scyldarian society is primarily built around the community - which includes not only themselves, but other organisms and the surrounding ecosystem as well. Each settlement is led by a group of elders, consisting of the oldest and wisest of the settlers, who then take on the responsibilities of leadership; however, as of some time ago, the various Scyldarian settlements gathered together in unison after the discovery of the Green Gem, which in turn led to the birth of the Scyldari Confederacy, subsequently led by a revered elder who has been tasked with the protection and prosperity of their species and that of nature.

Agriculture and animal husbandry are the current fields of interest pursued by the Scyldari, utilizing their special charisma and powers of their peoples' gem to develop themselves as an agrarian's idyllic dream; although, the discovery of iron has led Scyldarians to start branching out, and have since pursued fields in shipbuilding and metallurgy, among others.

One other key aspect of their civilization is that of the creation of two elementals: life elementals, known locally as the Maweer, and that of earth elementals, which were constructed during an invasion of fire elementals led by the Valyrians. In regards to the former, they were made decades prior, and were built to primarily negate their species' key weakness (that of being physically weak). Over time, both peoples would grow fond of one-anoe another soon enough, the Maweer had effectively been integrated into Scyldarian society as equals.

## Additional Notes

* This Scyldari species is the same one as of the pre-set Stellaris empire, the Scyldari Confederacy, and is currently being used to play the role of a peaceful, charismatic, and nature-loving mammalian race within the world of Tidal.
* The current (and only) revered elder of the Scyldari Confederacy is Dackam (again, taken from the Stellaris pre-set empire), whose affiliation with the Green Gem has managed to change her fur green and bless her with near-immortality.