Saqlire
(Sack-Liar)
Life span
Around 95 years on average, however, each year for them is about five years for a human.
Anatomy
This species is very humanoid, but there are several distinguishing features that set it far apart from humanity. Saqlirians are well known for the horns on their head. These horns are the most sensitive organs in their bodies and serve as a means of echolocation. These horns are dull at the end, to prevent the species from accIdental self-harm. The horns on the females go downward, while the male's horns are curved upward.
This species has sharp teeth in the front and flatter teeth in the back that can be compared to diamonds in terms of durability. In color, they are typically white, much like a hygienic human. Their teeth are designed to crunch gemstones, jewels and minerals. The Saqlirians are capable of changing their diets to anything edible, but it takes an average time of four weeks to change from one diet to another. Unlike humans, the lining of their stomachs is just about as durably as three inch thick leather, essential to hold the sharp stones they digest.
Although this species has a highly flexible diet, there are a few foods that Saqlirians cannot ingest, and in some cases, can't touch. One of these foods/drinks is alcohol, as in beers, wines, margaritas, ect.. This things are highly toxic to Saqlirians and when too much is ingested, it can prove fatal. This species also must avoid citric fruits. While apples and bananas are safe, oranges, lemons and limes are dangerous. They don't do much harm, just damage the bowels a bit. A third (to some species) edible and toxic item is copper. Copper can be highly toxic to this species. Small doses can cause nausea, unconsciousness, hazy memory, but in any dose over three grams (Half a teaspoon), amnesia and even death. Copper cannot cause fatality unless ingested, otherwise it simply causes sores and mild injuries.
On a more happily themed note, there is a popular old wives tale among this species that supposedly states, "any Saqlirian who finds their 'one' will have a sudden and permanent change of eye color." Theoretically, this species releases a hormone that changes their eye color when the fall into love. Again, theoretically, It is very highly debated.
Saqlirians also have a strangely adorable tendency to vibrate their horns when pleased. Due to the hyper sensitivity of the horns, they often get flustered at the sensation of vibrations in their horns. Often times they use this as a way to express gratitude and joy towards others of their kind. 'Buzzing' as they call it, is a general sign of acceptance, hospitality and happiness. It is unique for a Saqlire to display this technique to another species, making it even more of an honor when a Saqlire 'buzzes' at a foreigner.
Typical Skills
Saqlirians are very skilled in combat. Due to the echo-locative horns, Saqlire are extraordinary hunters. It takes a Saqlire a matter of seconds to identify a target that is less than a few meters away, even if there are obstacles between them and their target.
Saqlire also tend to be highly capable in terms of hand to hand combat. They can sense a strike about a full second before it hits, giving them just enough time to react. Even though their combat techniques make them great mercenary material, this kind tends to stay away from that type of job.
Religion
The saqlire don't necessarily worship a deity, more their ancestors. This species believes that their are three places you can end up in the after life, and it all depends on how your family views you. There is Chibo, Skali, and Drakmin.
Chibo is a land of peace and beauty that Saqlirians go to in the after life if they have pleased their ancestors. The ancestors look down upon their children and decided who is or is not worthy of this place. They search for people of honor and virtue to live here.
Secondly, Skali, a place for those whose families have forgotten or neglected them. It is not necessarily a bad place, it is just dull as compared to Chibo. This is a place of neither suffering nor blessing, just existence.
To finish, those who have truly disgraced the ancestors are sent to Drakmin. Drakmin is not a land, but an abyss. Those who have no dignity, honor or sensibility are destroyed for eternity in this realm.
The Saqlirian people believe that your motives, not your actions, are what get one to Chibo. If a person has spent their life doing what they thought to be the greater good, then they have earned a place in Chibo, so long as the ancestors agree.
Saqlire kind believes in fate. It is against all laws to cause physical harm to another saqlire because 'the ancestors decided punishment and fate, not us.' Not only it is not allowed for saqlire to hurt each other, but to heal each other is also forbidden. If a saqlire is permitted to live, then the ancestors will heal them.
Traditions
Salirians have very few traditions, but what they do have, the treasure dearly. All of their traditions remain very quiet and unspoken of. No other species knows exactly what the Saqlire do to honor holidays and such, but the Saqlire are happy to have it that way.
History
Since the very beginning of this species, there has been visible tension between the Saqlire and the Kajunji (basically an anthro hellhound type species). The violence all started with the Kajunji wishing for the Salqirian lands. The saqlirians refused to simply give up their land, but offered to trade resources. The kajunji were a greedy people, unwilling to trade, wanting all of the land and resources for themselves. With that, the Saqlirians and Kajunji began a long lasting war.
The war continued until a few years ago, when a Saqlirian gave her life in order to kill the general of the Kujunji. Because of her sacrifice, the Saqlirians were able to succeed in the war ridding their land of the Kujunji for good.
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