Ss'akan

ss. ah-kahn

Originally dubbed 'si-akvan,' or 'the fallen' by the veran, the ss'akan have broken the word instead to mean 'the risen,' believing themselves to have been given a second chance to do better as mortals than they did as vhérga.  
Vu'akan Male and Mave'akan Female by Sehanbrel

Basic Information

Anatomy

Ss'akan are a tall, strongly-built species. They walk upright, have digitigrade legs, a long, thick tail tipped in three short spines, one pair of arms, and a long neck and torso. They possess long, mobile ears, two small horns in the middle of their forehead, and a larger horn on each side of their head above their ears. Their dedicated sex organs are internal, and there is very little sexual dimorphism, the females identifiable only by having wider hips and a different vocal pitch than males.   They have a large, four-chambered heart, unidirectional lungs, a stomach, gallbladder, spleen, kidneys, liver, pancreas, a bladder connected to a cloacal vent, and a somewhat short intestinal tract, given their primarily carnivorous diet. They have 6 additional vertebrae, totaling 32, and 24 ribs, making for short chests and long abdomens and slightly longer necks, and allowing for greater flexibility in the spine.   Like their Shadreagh cousins, they also have a limited number of fat cells, along with these fat cells unable to expand past a certain point, limiting ss'akan to gaining scarcely more than fifty pounds in excess fat.   As a carryover from their existence as vhérga, ss'akan, like their shad cousins, retain many of their markings. They are typically several shades darker or lighter than their base skin tone, and are often in splotchy or striped patterns down their backs, upper arms, thighs, and tails.

Genetics and Reproduction

Being an egg-laying species, female and males go into heat and rut, respectively, for 3-4 days once every month, but usually try to seek out a suitable partner before then to make the times easier to deal with. They will only go into a cycle if the environment is safe enough and there is plenty of food, and if the subject is currently not under stress. The cycle will end and stall indefinitely under most stressors. Once the female conceives, a gestation period of 200 Vruanhaian days (250 Terran days) begins, and then the egg, roughly as big as a melon, is passed through the birth canal, a soft, leathery shell having formed around the embryo. Being soft and not full of bones, the laying process isn't excruciating for the mother, even though her hips spread to allow for enough room.   Only one egg is ever laid at a time, though it is possible for twins to be born if the embryo split into two, however, this is a highly rare occurrence.   Once laid and the incubation is begun, the egg takes another 100 Vruanhain days (125 Terran days) to develop, and then finally hatches.

Growth Rate & Stages

Infancy lasts around 5 years, with toddlerhood lasting around 10 years, childhood around 60, and adolescence for 70. Early adulthood is reached at around 150 years of age. Middle age is at 1000, with natural ending of life being around 2000 years.

Ecology and Habitats

Warmer climates, such as deserts, or cooler climates, like cavern systems. The aquatic breed will occupy just about any sufficiently large body of water, though they prefer oceans to any lake, and then warmer waters over cool.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Largely carnivorous with some omnivorous traits.

Additional Information

Social Structure

Clan-based; alternating rulership of 3 elders + 3 youths in the ruling family
Family heads have the most power
Majority of citizens are commoners
Below them are slaves

Facial characteristics

Ss'akan have a slightly elongated jaw. They have large eyes with slit pupils, shallow, narrow noses, and thin lips. Two small horns rest in the center of their forehead, aligned vertically, and another pair of horns sits above their ears, generally sweeping back and up.  
Vu'akan Male Face by Sehanbrel

Geographic Origin and Distribution

Zekal Desert, Zekal Mountains, Ygeris Desert, Ygeris Mountains, Uran, northern Iera, and Magdonis Mountains. All oceans, with larger populations in the Viru and Avess Oceans.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Keen eyesight, hearing, sense of smell, and able to lay aura sight over their normal vision with some practice.

Civilization and Culture

Naming Traditions

They use names made up of words from their language, joined together in parts to form a whole meaning, which represents what the parents hope for or think of their child. Following below are just a few examples:   First Names
Click to show table:
First Name PrefixMeaningFirst Name SuffixMeaning
Hasairhaweair/wind
Relamberrinivarcher/arrow
Jazoambitiouslakiaartist
Vesashlerash
Zaniauranakaura
Nekaautumnsitisbearer
Uvaibeautifullakvibird
Kedibenevolentkivblade
Vedblessedysaniblessing
Lourbluerik/abrave
Gahebraveenoicharm
Ralabrightketchild
Vekerchampionhavocloud
Kunacharmingisikcrafter
Aliclearwevicreator
Lorcrafty, slykaivadagger
Faicrystallineunedark
Ziduvcunning/geniusondudefender
Zendark/blacklimdew
Shadayyoriadiviner
Sorudelicatesildreamer
Kurodevotedvrianearth
Grendignifiedkavloenchanter
Raolearthvandendure
Ilaenduringenuvfate
Zieenergeticdevafighter
Ravfairraizfire/burn
Kadafastyuziloflight/wing
Akfefierceheraflower
Nirazfire, burningsarlforest
Reakdesertvrekaforger
Lovisgenerousanorfriend
Suagiftedunirgift
Jesgold/enaretirglory
Resagracefulzirgrace
Mivagreatronguard
Zunagreenhorosharmony
Laenhappyalaihealer
Neruhardyinz/aheart
Ekshiheraldshoahelper
Lavihonestoroiherald
Iyahonoriraoshonor
Okaiceoluvhope/ful
Ovujewelarelhot
Orojoyfulkesahunter
Zhutajusticeleaskeeper
Mirotkindidirv/alance
Korlawfulriwarleader
Zharolegend/aryhirislight
Suleflifezhirlightning
Halalightkoroaluck
Lefalivelykidarlurker
Lenalovefabremessenger
Souvloyalwosmist
Hekaluckyroyomoon
Liosmightyridav/amountain
Uromystery/secretivresmusic/ian
Rivonaturetewanature
Goinewroroioath
Asenightresviocean
Nuolnoblezidavpotent
Ledooathvekalpower
Dasaorangeselurain
Jinapassion/aterokorainbow
Mekpatienthasevranger
Roetpeacenakevrider
Reshpersistentsanbririver
Lezhpowerfulovriruler
Ketopreciousazirunner
Surproudrelarsage
Siropurereslosea
Yoripurpleasirsecret
Fisrareetroseeker
Esoredsekshadow
Roereliableeranoshield
Veirshadowhirashine
Zureshininglirissilver
Vaikusilkwasirsinger/song
Kuelsilvervaesky
Ulorsincereufiaspeed
Helskyaelspirit
Maolsolitaryerisstar
Kivaspringhokresteel
Ivarstaronirstone
Trenstormyrevustorm/tempest
Kavastrongvinorstrength
Krelsummersurinsun/sunlight
Ofusweettaotreasure
Malatalentedfaivtrickster
Ferotwilightueltatwilight
Sekavigilantamvivoice
Anbriwatersaviwalker
Lekawealthynithwander/er
Sayawhitemavwarrior
Kutwildavewatcher
Tauwillfulbrevwater
Vilaswinterulavwild
Favawisezholwish
Eleswondrousisorawonder
Ijoyellowroakwood
  Surnames
Click to show table:
Surname PrefixMeaningSurname SuffixMeaning
likualone/solitarytokactor
nazoambitiouslosalchemist
avruleavrule (special metal)lerizarcher
zekaxetekartist
vuanblackukeavenger
kezbladeuojbaker
ysorblessednuatbanner
rabloodgrivbarber
lezbonegavabard
ladobrassrosibearer
halabrilliantalabell
sorcareretbetrayer
virekconfidentvarabower
eilacopperluvbracer
varlcourageousnaibreaker
saitcraftvulbrewer
vredaggersetabringer
unaidark/ shadowuktobuilder
ilerdawnjataburner
okardaynuracandler
itenudesertrivcaptain
nezhirdeterminedvurcarpenter
zhirodusksauvcarver
viraearthvekachallenger
zheroketernalheizhchampion
leroetherealverekchanneler
fehinfiercelafachanter
idafiremoichaser
evoriforcefulrayichemist
verifortressjasucleric/priest
tirifortunehukacontroller
hilafreedolucounselor
rekagardenrenucrafter
ivresgoldazhdancer
batirgrandokudefender
motgreatgolvdestroyer
zutogrey/graymulddominator
kevahiddenvorivdrafter
yosaholyorisidreamer
laohonorablesilvdweller
huozillusivefedoenchanter
stevinnovativerelvfighter
raoinspiringliuniefisher
akveintensenusfletcher
favironraksofriend
jeveshlakemuvigardener
leflefvadanuaguard
hasirlight/brightzinaguide
hirzhlightningvrekharbinger
herulockiodahealer
balloftyrekoherbalist
kurloreriovherder
razluxuryvutohorn
lezhtmeadowjaovhunter
lizememorysaliinstructor
lotamindhujeweler
larmodestohirkeeper
roemoonsualeader
vredamountainnurilinguist
hireramusicsurelover
horomystery/iouskunmaker
kuvomythicalkaismason
reznightvaimaster
lorosoathvrulismessenger
asvrooceandalmolder
jaropassionatejafmusician
selaipeacefulsugnoble
kusalplatinumgivobserver
ridapotentnurpainter
levipowerfulgospartner
shretapure/puritykerpoet
uarkquick/ fastnevirpower
sulquiet/silentlejipunisher
madarock/stoneginranger
helarsafenitorecorder
jatesecretrakorunner
zalshiningjakusseeker
kejsilverleshseer
iroyoskyutaisinger
kuossonglavoismith
ylefspiritualhoissoul
kezosteelvrospeaker
trevastorm/tempestvadspear
nazhsunsurspirit
krevswordivstar
mortalentsersteward
zoluthrivesotstorm
kuavettranscendentkinestudent
hokaundervurztailor
losorunrelentingtaotaker
gavirvaliantmaivtanner
kuorvvengefuliratrader
jezetvibrantredwalker
nuavviciousjasiwanderer
aesiwaternivwarden
latriwealthyvuavwarrior
zayiwhiterekawatcher
kriwildkedefweaver
doyowind/airvuasiwinner
lekzwisekelwriter

Beauty Ideals

Ss'akan will look for good hygiene and health first, followed by muscular form. They tend to prefer angular faces over softer or rounder ones, because to them it represents more strength, either mentally or physically, though it's not unknown for a fair deal of ss'akan to prefer otherwise.

Gender Ideals

Females are preferred with wide, shapely hips, and males are preferred to be broad through the shoulders. In both, strength is admired, so lean, muscular bodies are sought after more often than not.

Courtship Ideals

A male will grab a female's attention first, either by flaunting his appearance or showing off in some physical feat, and if the female likes what she sees, either she may approach, or beckon the male over. From there, if they get along, the actual courting begins, usually with dating, and eventually introducing eachother to their respective families.   Depending on one's gender preference, this can be done the same way with two males or two females, with slight variations depending on how the one trying to grab the prospective partner's attention perceives said potential partner. It could be flaunting, or it could be with words of admiration and praise.

Relationship Ideals

Generally, the agreement is that one partner will do most of the work; hunting, physical labor, and protecting their home, among other similarly themed tasks.   The other will mostly remain in the home as a housekeeper, but also may hold a more mentally-focused job, and focus on neighborly relationships and other social endeavors that might earn themselves and their partner greater status within the community.   Within the home, the tasks are divvied up close to equal, especially regarding child-rearing. Both take turns in maintaining their home and taking good physical and mental care of each other.   Neither can demand something the other is unwilling to give, and that includes their time spent in the bedroom.   While these are the ideals, it's not uncommon for relationships to go differently, dependent entirely on the desires of both partners.

Major Language Groups and Dialects

They share one language across their entire species, that being Efvrega, having never had a reason to diverge from it. That said, there are some dialectal differences depending on location. Zekal ss'akan have some different slang and idioms from Ygeris ss'akan, and both of them differ greatly from their more aquatic counterparts.

Common Dress Code

Usually in varying states of nudity, considering their climates are anywhere from very hot, to relatively cool, to mild, or they've adapted to the temperatures of the oceans. Those of high status will decorate themselves in gaudy jewelry to show their status, so long as it does not hinder their mobility, but some will wear tailored pants, shirts, shoes, or even robes or gowns if they're feeling especially secure in their safety.   Citizens of lower birth can wear whatever they choose, so long as they don't pretend to be of a higher status than they really are.

History

Being a divergent of the shadreagh, descendants of the vhérga, the ss'akan retain more of their ancestry appearance-wise at the cost of a strong connection to the planet itself, resulting broadly in weaker lefvada-channeling capability. Why this is, no one is certain, but historians tend to agree that ss'akan descend from a relatively small group of long-term highly rebellious vhérga, and so were more strongly punished by the ysai after the failed attempt at overthrowing said ysai.   This particular group of vhérga was known to harry others of their own kind, and tended towards violence more often than not, either instigating it for kicks or deciding on it for resolving just about any disagreement - very much of a "might is right" mentality. Having been bred by an ysai whose domain largely involved violence in all its forms, it is no wonder these vhérga were troublesome from the start. This ysai was also one of the first to be killed in the vhérgan takeover attempt, and was later replaced by a vhérga who was ascended into the position by other ysai - one of similar violent bent, but with a wiser head on her shoulders, knowing when to back down when situations called for it.   The violence demonstrated by this breed of vhérga was most commonly physical, for to them it felt more real, more visceral, to be claws-on rather than manipulate lefvada alone to cause pain.   While highly aggressive, this breed was not without its positives, trending frequently towards steadfast loyalty, pursuits to learn all they could about the world and section of galaxy they were tasked with overseeing, compassion (if a little paradoxical), and a sense of responsibility and a near family-like bond with eachother.   This belligerence created a sort of divide between this breed and other vhérga, which, while it didn't make a significant impact on them while they were still guardians of Vruanhai, after the war and their subsequent downfall, the Shadreagh remembered. The breed was transformed into the Ss'akan, who took to mountains, deserts, and warmer climes, and were largely unwelcome in Shadreagh civilizations due to the past memories.   This divide slowly widened, and the Ss'akan remained shunned in all but a few very open-minded places where the citizens were willing to forgive their past so long as they did not cause problems. Over time, more and more Ss'akan proved themselves to be altogether different from their origins, and were welcomed more frequently by their Shadreagh cousins.   They continued in this fashion for a great many years, up until the War of Divergence took place. When the Feythis threat came to them, they joined in the war to fend them of. They proved invaluable, offering their might as foot soldiers and shock troops, and thanks to their weaker connection to the planet, they could not be as strongly affected by the Feythis tainting of lefvada.   In a way, this was an advantage, as they could fight harder and for longer than their more lefvada-inclined counterparts, and therefor send more Feyth back into Feythis.   After the war, the Shadreagh realized how different they were becoming, divided by their beliefs, and split into three: The Eleshad, the Foreshad, and the Maveshad. (Light-children, nature-children, and sun-children, respectively.) Peace reigned for some decades as everyone focused on rebuilding.
Genetic Ancestor(s)
Origin/Ancestry
Vhérga
Lifespan
2000 years
Average Height
7'0" - 8'2"
Average Weight
280 lbs - 520 lbs
Average Physique
Lean to bulky.
Body Tint, Colouring and Marking
The cavern-dwelling breeds tend to be darker and less saturated in color, to better blend in with their environment, while breeds who see more sunlight are brighter and more colorful, frequently seen in such hues as red, blue, green, and yellow. In the aquatic breed, it depends on where they were hatched. If the egg developed in darkness, the ss'akan's skin will be darker to better blend in with their environment. If the egg developed where there is more light, their skin will be brighter, with more colorful markings.
Related Ethnicities

Articles under Ss'akan



Cover image: Etherium Logo by Sehanbrel