Skull Raiders

The Skull Raiders were Karthan's fourth and final attempt at creating sentient life and what he deemed to be successful, Karthan held a favoritism towards the Skull Raiders compared to his other creations giving them the gift of Skull Magic.

### Origins and Culture

The Skull Raiders Were Karthan's final attempt at creating a sentient species and were one of his creations he was most fond of. It is said that Karthan tried to divide the Skull Raiders into four distinct subspecies: the Skull Warriors, the Skull Slicers, the Skull Bashers and the Skull Grinders. Although another subspecies was created by the Skull Raiders themselves through the use of Skull Magic. They once resided on the Island of Xiroae but their warring with the Serentri caused Karthan to break the island in half with them getting the northern part this also caused them to migrate west where they set up their territories. Coria Herald of the West was sent West to help the developing Skull Raiders and put into place their Caste System and set up many the structuring of the Skull Raiders. The Skull Raiders admired his devotion to his goals and his willingness to do anything to get them achieved. After his task was completed he stayed in the Western Islands of the Skull Isles for a time until he was summoned by Karthan to an unknown location and never heard from again. The Skull Raiders now had an organized a caste system of their subspecies with the highest being the Skull Grinders and the Skull Warriors being at the bottom. Each caste has a specific role and purpose in Skull Raider Society to maintain order. There are a few social aspects of Skull Raider society that most castes share such as their code of honor, which has five main laws: One any insult or challenge to authority must be answered. Two betrayal or dissertation is for cowards or the weak. Three true leaders fight alongside their followers. Four to deny a fight is dishonorable. Five any and all debts to others must be repaid as soon as possible. Skull Raiders also go on raids and attack Serentri territory but this has become less common since the Kelkori War. Despite some of the rigid structuring of the Skull Raider society, they do allow female Skull Raiders to participate in raids however the majority are left behind to prevent their island from being conquered while they are away. Skull Raiders also believe that one being should not lead a people no matter how wise and experienced the being is. The Skull Raider Territories are ruled by the High Council, a collection of representatives from the most prominent Skull Raider Clans. The Skull Raiders also have a strong military might when all the Clans work together. Skull Raiders are also the only species Karthan blessed with Skull Magic. Contrary to popular belief on Okoto Skull Raiders do need masks to survive if a mask of a Skull Raider is removed they slowly lose strength over the course of a week until they are barely strong enough to carry a weapon. They also have a love for gladiatorial combat. They are also the strongest of the civilizations in the Skull Isles. In Skull Raider Society Skull Raiders are divided into Castes each Caste has specifically colored markings on their chest area although some rouge skull raiders scratch the markings off to reveal a dark metallic surface. Each Caste is listed in order from lowest to highest with exceptions of professions that count as a Caste themselves.

### Skull Scorpios

Skull Scorpios were created by the Skull Raiders using Skull Magic and the corpses of Skull Raider Criminals and are undead creatures. Skull Scorpios are a warning to any would-be criminals about what awaits them. Typically Skull Scorpios are made from the dead bodies of the worst of the worst criminals to serve the Skull Raiders in hunting down their enemies, Skull Scorpios are adorned with yellowish markings along what was their chest. The Scorpios also retain a small part of their original personality and are overseen by Skull Tamers and typically created by a wielder of Skull Magic. This is a dark fate for any Skull Raider who commits great offenses against their own kind.

### Skull Warriors

Originally the lowest Caste of the Skull Raiders are the backbone of the Skull Raider population they are by far the most common type of Skull Raider you will ever find. They are also more free than most other Castes they can choose to leave their Clan and live out their own lives a luxury classes higher up can't afford. A common rite of passage among young Skull Warriors is to scale the peaks of the island Tario. If they complete this trial they are awarded with gifts such as new Skull Masks made of more precious metals along with new weapons and tools. If they fail and survive they are banished from the Clan and must survive on their own. However few fail the trial and most are rewarded. Skull Warriors are adaptive and able to take on stronger enemies as they use their brain to outsmart them. Skull Warriors are also the Caste that invented hook blades and use them to great effect against their enemies. Skull Warriors are adorned with light blue markings on their chests.

### Skull Slicers

There is a tale of the Skull Slicers that tells of their great ambition and thirst for power. They wanted the upper hand on their enemies and went to Karthan to get it. He said he could give them two extra arms but at a great cost. The Skull Slicers didn't even care to ask what the cost was, they accepted the deal. They grew two arms but lost half their mind. Forever strong but now they can't do anything with it because their minds are gone. The Skull Slicers were once intelligent beings but you read the tale above and know how that ended. Their minds are half what they used to be, usually they can think and talk with minimal difficulty however some of them do throw laughing fits every once in a while. The Skull Slicers from Vory were banished and were sent to Henia after most of them went on a rampage following their mutation. On Henia they live under constant watch from the Skull Raiders who along with the native Serentri have grown fond of the Skull Slicers simple and happy demeanor. Skull Slicers are adorned with green markings on their chests.

### Skull Bashers

Skull Bashers are the second highest Caste in the Skull Raiders. Skull Bashers are known for their strength and wisdom. They are one of the rarer Castes second only to the Skull Grinders whom they serve. A Skull Basher typically receives training on the island of Wevi where they are taught the ways of the Old Warriors, a group of Skull Bashers from ages long ago. Once their training is complete, Skull Bashers then choose a Skull Grinder to serve for a ranging amount of time. They are sworn to serve and protect the Skull Grinder until either the Skull Grinder's demise or until they have completed their service then they may choose to leave or stay by their Skull Grinder. As a rite of passage Skull Bashers are tasked with finding and slaying the most vicious Koakao they could find when the returned their training is declared complete. Skull Bashers have purple markings on their chests.

### Skull Grinders

The highest Caste of the Skull Raiders the Skull Grinders. Skull Grinders are the peak of the Skull Raiders being the strongest, and smartest of them all. A group of Skull Grinders lead each Clan. Skull Grinders also hold many positions of high authority such as Commanders which oversees large parts of the Skull Raider Military. The High Council is made entirely of Skull Grinder representatives of the most prominent Clans. Skull Grinders are also known to make pledges of service to beings they deem worthy; these pledges last until either the Skull Grinder or the one they serve is killed or until the one they serve deems them unworthy and leaves them. Skull Grinders are also trained to be able to resist Skull Magic, at the end of their training they are put against a Skull Acolyte in a fight if they prevail then they are granted many rewards if they fail there is no real penalty and they can attempt the duel again after some time. Skull Grinders are adorned with reddish orange markings on their chests.

### Profession Castes

Skull Tamers, Skull Mages, and Skull Acolytes are all professions not genetic Castes however they technically count as parts of the hierarchy Skull Tamers are around the Skull Warrior's level in the social hierarchy as they look after the Skull Scorpios they are known to be slightly stronger than the normal Skull Warrior but they are indistinguishable from a Skull Warrior other than the darker blue marking on their chests. Skull Mages are practitioners of Skull Magic like the Skull Acolytes however the Skull Mages are not bound to the Skull Isles and the service of Karthan. Skull Mages are made from all castes however they are mostly Skull Warriors. Skull Mages wear cloaks and hoods hiding their Skull Masks behind a small illusion of darkness created by Skull Magic. Skull Mages are also warriors who serve the High Council and fight against enemies of the Skull Raiders. Skull Mages can be identified by the black markings adorned on their chests. Skull Acolytes are also practitioners of Skull Magic however unlike the Skull Mages they do not serve the High Council but instead Karthan himself, they have many gathering places such as Kel and Yormel. Skull Mages often seek out Skull Acolytes to learn more Skull Magic. Despite not being loyal to the High Council the Skull Acolytes are willing to go to battle for the Skull Raider's behalf. The Orders of Skull Acolytes usually have a Grandmaster as a leader. The Skull Acolytes are made of Skull Raiders of each Caste however the most common are the Skull Warriors. Skull Acolytes are adorned with white markings on their chests and wear ornate headdresses shaped in resemblance to Mask Snatchers.

### Clans

Skull Raider Clans are made up of a small group of Skull Grinders who lead the Clan with one of them being a representative of that Clan to the High Council. Below them are their Skull Basher Lieutenants who oversee the safety of the Skull Grinders. Below them are the Skull Mages and Skull Slicers, the Skull Mages maintain order while the Skull Slicers keep fights from breaking out among the groups. Below them are the Skull Warriors who act as the military force of the Clan followed by the Skull Tamers who oversee any and all creatures in service to the Clan primarily any Skull Scorpios. Each Clan is charged with overseeing at least one Island in the Skull Raider Territories. A list of the Clans and which Island(s) they oversee below each of these Clans have a seat on the High Council.

Clan Mekora: Vroy

Clan Sarnin: Mokka

Clan Tenti: Prift

Clan Fobok: Henia

Clan Lentrif: Sila

Clan Erni: Ika

Clan Alako: Ania

Clan Zioak: Izaki

Clan Korvi: Beko

Clan Jarvin: Nouar

Clan Urokn: Yormel

Clan Okria: Wevi

Clan Cailbre: Callif

Clan Netria: Tario

Clan Racrania: Xiros

Clan Prokkon: Wahea

Clan Gronia: Lakada

### Myths

Legends of Lathos and Onaz were told to the Skull Raiders by the Herald of the West Coria to help keep them in line, Onaz is a winged Skull Raider-like being who wields a sword and whip and commands swarms of batlike creatures he torments those who cheat and deceive others said to drag them off to a far off island with no hope of escape he is also nicknamed the Battle Bat. Lathos is a hulking brute with one large eye on his face; he hunts down traitors and those who kill their own soldiers intentionally; he has a large hammer that splits in half to form two smaller hammers he is also known as the Skull Crusher a name the Regional Commander Axato took on due to his similar personality to the fabled giant. There is the slightest chance however that Karthan could have created Onaz and Lathos, however it is extremely unlikely.