Biology: Ssashirk walk upright on two legs They walk "on their toes", giving their legs a serious bend to them..
They have rough skin and cold blood. They are vain and usually fiery tempered. They lay eggs, have long tails, and
speak with a thick accent through pointy teeth. Their muzzles are long, and they lack the secondary sexual
characteristics - so it's rather difficult for a non-ssashirk to tell the genders appart. Most Ssashirk come from the
desert. These people are called Gikashk. They usually have their rough hide in hues of reds, browns, yellows, and
greys. The less common (and more barbaric, usually associated with cannibalism) Ssashirk are from the southern
jungles and are called the Ka-tak'ash. We would not suggest playing one of those, but they are usually noted for their
rough skin of greens, blues, and blacks - if you choose to play a Ka-tak'ash, it is considered an advanced character,
and requires approval.
Common Culture: Ssashirk live in tightly-knit nomadic groups. They hold their lands dearly, but water is the most
precious and valuable resource. They will fight for it to the death. And they are good at fighting. The Ssashirk people
make great mercinaries, warriors, and generals. They also make excellent traders. They are almost always proud
and vain, and enjoy shiny objects. Though Ssashirk pride themselves on war, there's no point to war if there's nobody
you can boast to. They enjoy meeting and trading with new and interesting species... and ripping them off. Ssashirk
hold no status differnece based on gender.
Religion: Ssashirk rarely follow the mainstream religion of the "four". Instead, they tend to worship Darashne, the
clutch-mother. Mother of all Ssashirk. It is possible that Darashne was in fact at one point a Draconic who clutched
the Ssashirk people as a whole - but this is just as likely as the world growing from a single seed, as the Uthax believe.
Language: Ssashirk speak Saakash.
Common Names: Saa, Shaa, Kaam, Manaah... Names for Ssashirk are usually words in Saakash, such as
"Sandstorm"... only in Saakash it would be Shaa-kaam. Ssashirk will also be sure to add any title they have ever
earned, and remember to say it with their name. And they would never dare ruin their good name by "translating" it into
a lesser language such as Common.
Game Traits:
+1 Resistance
Has "Ssashirk Features"
Has move "Desert Dwelling"
Combat Skill Group grows at x2 the normal rate
Social Skill Group grows at x2 the normal rate
Draconomics Skill Group grows at x2 the normal rate
They have rough skin and cold blood. They are vain and usually fiery tempered. They lay eggs, have long tails, and
speak with a thick accent through pointy teeth. Their muzzles are long, and they lack the secondary sexual
characteristics - so it's rather difficult for a non-ssashirk to tell the genders appart. Most Ssashirk come from the
desert. These people are called Gikashk. They usually have their rough hide in hues of reds, browns, yellows, and
greys. The less common (and more barbaric, usually associated with cannibalism) Ssashirk are from the southern
jungles and are called the Ka-tak'ash. We would not suggest playing one of those, but they are usually noted for their
rough skin of greens, blues, and blacks - if you choose to play a Ka-tak'ash, it is considered an advanced character,
and requires approval.
Common Culture: Ssashirk live in tightly-knit nomadic groups. They hold their lands dearly, but water is the most
precious and valuable resource. They will fight for it to the death. And they are good at fighting. The Ssashirk people
make great mercinaries, warriors, and generals. They also make excellent traders. They are almost always proud
and vain, and enjoy shiny objects. Though Ssashirk pride themselves on war, there's no point to war if there's nobody
you can boast to. They enjoy meeting and trading with new and interesting species... and ripping them off. Ssashirk
hold no status differnece based on gender.
Religion: Ssashirk rarely follow the mainstream religion of the "four". Instead, they tend to worship Darashne, the
clutch-mother. Mother of all Ssashirk. It is possible that Darashne was in fact at one point a Draconic who clutched
the Ssashirk people as a whole - but this is just as likely as the world growing from a single seed, as the Uthax believe.
Language: Ssashirk speak Saakash.
Common Names: Saa, Shaa, Kaam, Manaah... Names for Ssashirk are usually words in Saakash, such as
"Sandstorm"... only in Saakash it would be Shaa-kaam. Ssashirk will also be sure to add any title they have ever
earned, and remember to say it with their name. And they would never dare ruin their good name by "translating" it into
a lesser language such as Common.
Game Traits:
+1 Resistance
Has "Ssashirk Features"
Has move "Desert Dwelling"
Combat Skill Group grows at x2 the normal rate
Social Skill Group grows at x2 the normal rate
Draconomics Skill Group grows at x2 the normal rate
Ssashirk Features are purchased using Ssashirk Feature Points (you start with 8 to spend if you are a Ssashirk)...
Each feature has a different cost. You must purchase a minimum of 1 ability from each category except "extra".
Unless the feature states otherwise (or in the "extra" category), you can only purchase one feature from each category.
You do not have to spend all your points. Below is a list of common features.
SKIN TYPES
Rough, Cost 0. +1 resistance. Your skin is rough, like an iguana's.
Scaled, Cost 0. +1 resistance. Your skin is covered in scales, like a snake's.
Pebbled, Cost 1. +2 resistance. Your skin is pebbled with thickness, like an aligator's.
Thorny, Cost 2. +2 resistance. Gives you the ability "thorny body".
Dragon-Hide, Cost 2. +2 resistance. Gives you the ability "fire resistance".
JAW TYPES
Toad Smile, Cost 0.
Gecko Mouth, Cost 0.
Moniter's Maw, Cost 1. Gives you the move "nip".
Serpent's Fangs, Cost 1. Gives you the move "poison sting".
Aligator Teeth, Cost 3. Gives you the move "bite".
Dragon Snout, Cost 3. Gives you the move "bite".
TAIL TYPES
Whiptail, Cost 0.
Thick Tail, Cost 2. Gives you the move "tail slap".
Leaf Tail, Cost 2. +1 Charm.
Croc Swimmer, Cost 4. Gives you the move "tail slap". Gives you the ability to swim twice as fast as other men.
Twin Tails, Cost 4. You have not one whiptail, but two!
Gorgon, Cost 5. You do not have a tail. You do not have legs. Your legs are your tail. You sir, are half serpent! Like
the great gorgon (medusa) of old!
CLAW TYPES
Claws, Cost 0. Gives the move "scratch". Your fingernails are replaced with small claws.
Talons, Cost 2. Gives you the move "claw". Your fingers end in thick claws - the true mark of a predator.
COOL EXTRAS
Hood, Cost 2. +1 Charm. You have a cobra-like hood.
Frill, Cost 2. +1 Charm. You have a frill like a frilled lizard.
Bright-Throat, Cost 2. +1 Charm. Your throat-pouch can expand, and turn the brightest of colors.
Water-Lung, Cost 4. Gives you the ability "amphibious".
Spines, Cost 1. You have thorny spines along your... well.. spine.
Dragon-Ridge, Cost 1. You have a crested ridge along your back, neck, and tail.
Wingsies, Cost 4. You have small and useless dragon-like wings.
Horns, Cost 2. Gives you the move "headbutt".
Each feature has a different cost. You must purchase a minimum of 1 ability from each category except "extra".
Unless the feature states otherwise (or in the "extra" category), you can only purchase one feature from each category.
You do not have to spend all your points. Below is a list of common features.
SKIN TYPES
Rough, Cost 0. +1 resistance. Your skin is rough, like an iguana's.
Scaled, Cost 0. +1 resistance. Your skin is covered in scales, like a snake's.
Pebbled, Cost 1. +2 resistance. Your skin is pebbled with thickness, like an aligator's.
Thorny, Cost 2. +2 resistance. Gives you the ability "thorny body".
Dragon-Hide, Cost 2. +2 resistance. Gives you the ability "fire resistance".
JAW TYPES
Toad Smile, Cost 0.
Gecko Mouth, Cost 0.
Moniter's Maw, Cost 1. Gives you the move "nip".
Serpent's Fangs, Cost 1. Gives you the move "poison sting".
Aligator Teeth, Cost 3. Gives you the move "bite".
Dragon Snout, Cost 3. Gives you the move "bite".
TAIL TYPES
Whiptail, Cost 0.
Thick Tail, Cost 2. Gives you the move "tail slap".
Leaf Tail, Cost 2. +1 Charm.
Croc Swimmer, Cost 4. Gives you the move "tail slap". Gives you the ability to swim twice as fast as other men.
Twin Tails, Cost 4. You have not one whiptail, but two!
Gorgon, Cost 5. You do not have a tail. You do not have legs. Your legs are your tail. You sir, are half serpent! Like
the great gorgon (medusa) of old!
CLAW TYPES
Claws, Cost 0. Gives the move "scratch". Your fingernails are replaced with small claws.
Talons, Cost 2. Gives you the move "claw". Your fingers end in thick claws - the true mark of a predator.
COOL EXTRAS
Hood, Cost 2. +1 Charm. You have a cobra-like hood.
Frill, Cost 2. +1 Charm. You have a frill like a frilled lizard.
Bright-Throat, Cost 2. +1 Charm. Your throat-pouch can expand, and turn the brightest of colors.
Water-Lung, Cost 4. Gives you the ability "amphibious".
Spines, Cost 1. You have thorny spines along your... well.. spine.
Dragon-Ridge, Cost 1. You have a crested ridge along your back, neck, and tail.
Wingsies, Cost 4. You have small and useless dragon-like wings.
Horns, Cost 2. Gives you the move "headbutt".
Dass'arakaz'eth (often called "Dass" for short) had spent many long years with her instructor, Kashaam. She found him to be
wretchedly old, and quite bitter - but a good instructor. He taught her of other cultures, of language, and writing, and reading the
stars. She was most interested in the trade, so he taught her as much as he could about the counting. She left him three months
ago, and right now, as bitter as he was, she sorely missed his company.
The sun was hot, the sand was harsh, the water was scarce, and the company was non-existant. With the sun beating down on her scales, she was forced to open her mouth to cool herself - and felt like a savage for doing so. All that she owned she carried at her waist, and though she hoped to make good trade of it, she had yet to find a single customer... more importantly, she had yet to find water. At least fortune still smiled upon her, for she had yet to be devoured by a Tak-kaam, a deadly beast of the sands.
Oh, what she wouldn't give for a single drop of Manaah! She was beginning to look like a begger, the bottoms of her robes were fraying and tattering with every passing day, and she hadn't enough water to wash them, so they began to smell. Her skin was darkening beneth the harsh glares of the shadeless sun, and she was certain she would die. But no. She was Ssashirk! Daughter of the Darashe'ne Mother! The desert could not defeat her! She refused!
Suddenly, in her solitude of the seemingly endless sand, she heard a sudden burst of shouting and screaming - the sound of steel clashing on steel, and the sound of a dozen great beasts bellowing into the sky above. She flinched briefly - and then raced toward the sound - peaking over a dune to see the commotion happening at the oasis below.
An oasis! Water! Water and shade! Clearly a village was here, she could see the rubble of the once great town that grew around the water - a source so precious that whole tribes would kill each other for it, which is what seemed to be happening now. From her possition of upon the hill where she could watch out of relative danger, she gathered the battle-scene below her.
A Tumai human, and a band of a dozen Ssashirk people mounted upon beasts had their sabres brandished, and were slaying the group of Tumai poor-blooded that had taken up home in the Oasis ruins. It was a very one-sided battle. Though the poor-blooded were fierce, holding weapons in their hands, they only managed to injure a few of the mounted Ssashirk, and only kill one. A single Ssashirk stood out to Dass the most - a mighty warrior, the mightiest of mightiest!
When the fighting died down, it was because all the poor-blooded were slain - almost three dozen bodies lie in the sands - and those few that remained fled into the waterless ocean of the desert. There was no victory cry. This was a mercenary-like conquest. Cold killers, likely hired by the Tumai human. And that's when they saw her. Damn! How could she have been so stupid as to be seen!? Instead of ducking down into the sand (which would only show that that she had been trying to be sneaky, like a theif) - she decided to make herself as known as possible, and stood boldly at the top of the dune so that all could see her. They rode to her quickly, their expressions grim, and formed a circle around her, their swords still drawn.
The greatest of the Ssashirk was the one who spoke, her voice harsh and graveled, "This is Mndume's water." - she was the tongue for Mndume, whom Dass assumed was the Tumai.
"Yes." she agreed.
There was a moment of contemplation, and then Mndume decided to speak for himself, a smile playing across his flat and dark face, "You may drink from it."
In return, she offered her new friend a humble gift of eleven gold pieces - one for each survivor of the battle that they had won here today. Ah, water - Manaah. The greatest gift the mother could ever bestow.
Later that day, as the entire party drank and cleaned at the Oasis, she learned that the greatest of warriors in this party was named Gikashk. It was a name she recongized. She was the favored general of the Tumai armies - the mightiest of warriors in all the sands. It was little wonder at why she had been so impressed by her. Kashaam was a good teacher, he truely was - but it was Gikashk that could teach her more. And a Ssashirk with many skills is one that sees the tomorrow.
---------------
It had been twelve years ago when she met Gikashk. And in twelve years, Dass had learned a lot.
She had seen the city of Tumai, and watched the gladiator's games where Ssashirk happily fought each other to the death for the entertainment of the Tumai, and the coin it would provide. She had seen the many clutches and tribes of Ssashirk wandering the desert - and had come to know each one's territories, Oasis, ruins where they set up their summer and winter camps, and even their wells (which she made sure to never drink from without an honorable trade). She had seen war and battle, and was herself a fierce warrior of the twin daggers. She had known of raiders, and defended her caravan. She had aquired herself a Duma'koon, a Shovel-Tusk to pull her cart of goods she had amassed. She had learned of the best places to find and steal young Duma'koon, and where to find the wild Sarane eggs.
When she learned of the lush and green lands with more water than one could hope to drink in a lifetime, she set out toward the east. There was good trade there. She had established her own trade-routes, and learned to read the land by memory alone.
After she learned to trade there, it was another five years before she and her new found friend, a human by the name of Barthew had decided to travel south. That was when they met the Ka-tak'ash. Those people were different from the Ssashirk - but Barthew couldn't tell the difference. Foolish human. He offered to trade with them, and Dass couldn't refuse. While they traded well (an event that took two days and one night) with the more experienced of the two, they butchered and devoured Barthew. She didn't know until the trading was complete and she tried to find him - flesh-eaters, all of them!
She would never venture so far south again. It's no wonder that the Ka-tak'ash and the Ssashirk are considered different people, it's not just becuase of the differnence in the color of their scales, but their cruel mannerisms. She regretted most of all the greatest deal she made with them. It was a good deal, but their cruelty to Barthew left her feeling tainted. Ever since then she stayed to her own trade-route between the city of Tumai, and the city of the "Labs" - in the land of rolling hills.
This was her trade-route. Hers, and her egg's. She knew it was a boy, she could smell it. After he hatched, three years after, she would name him for his favored trait. She would teach him well - the trader's skill. The honorable trader's skill, not the trader's skill of the raiders who would sell back to you what they stole. No. The good kind. She would never tell him of his father in the south, for her shame was too great.
The sun was hot, the sand was harsh, the water was scarce, and the company was non-existant. With the sun beating down on her scales, she was forced to open her mouth to cool herself - and felt like a savage for doing so. All that she owned she carried at her waist, and though she hoped to make good trade of it, she had yet to find a single customer... more importantly, she had yet to find water. At least fortune still smiled upon her, for she had yet to be devoured by a Tak-kaam, a deadly beast of the sands.
Oh, what she wouldn't give for a single drop of Manaah! She was beginning to look like a begger, the bottoms of her robes were fraying and tattering with every passing day, and she hadn't enough water to wash them, so they began to smell. Her skin was darkening beneth the harsh glares of the shadeless sun, and she was certain she would die. But no. She was Ssashirk! Daughter of the Darashe'ne Mother! The desert could not defeat her! She refused!
Suddenly, in her solitude of the seemingly endless sand, she heard a sudden burst of shouting and screaming - the sound of steel clashing on steel, and the sound of a dozen great beasts bellowing into the sky above. She flinched briefly - and then raced toward the sound - peaking over a dune to see the commotion happening at the oasis below.
An oasis! Water! Water and shade! Clearly a village was here, she could see the rubble of the once great town that grew around the water - a source so precious that whole tribes would kill each other for it, which is what seemed to be happening now. From her possition of upon the hill where she could watch out of relative danger, she gathered the battle-scene below her.
A Tumai human, and a band of a dozen Ssashirk people mounted upon beasts had their sabres brandished, and were slaying the group of Tumai poor-blooded that had taken up home in the Oasis ruins. It was a very one-sided battle. Though the poor-blooded were fierce, holding weapons in their hands, they only managed to injure a few of the mounted Ssashirk, and only kill one. A single Ssashirk stood out to Dass the most - a mighty warrior, the mightiest of mightiest!
When the fighting died down, it was because all the poor-blooded were slain - almost three dozen bodies lie in the sands - and those few that remained fled into the waterless ocean of the desert. There was no victory cry. This was a mercenary-like conquest. Cold killers, likely hired by the Tumai human. And that's when they saw her. Damn! How could she have been so stupid as to be seen!? Instead of ducking down into the sand (which would only show that that she had been trying to be sneaky, like a theif) - she decided to make herself as known as possible, and stood boldly at the top of the dune so that all could see her. They rode to her quickly, their expressions grim, and formed a circle around her, their swords still drawn.
The greatest of the Ssashirk was the one who spoke, her voice harsh and graveled, "This is Mndume's water." - she was the tongue for Mndume, whom Dass assumed was the Tumai.
"Yes." she agreed.
There was a moment of contemplation, and then Mndume decided to speak for himself, a smile playing across his flat and dark face, "You may drink from it."
In return, she offered her new friend a humble gift of eleven gold pieces - one for each survivor of the battle that they had won here today. Ah, water - Manaah. The greatest gift the mother could ever bestow.
Later that day, as the entire party drank and cleaned at the Oasis, she learned that the greatest of warriors in this party was named Gikashk. It was a name she recongized. She was the favored general of the Tumai armies - the mightiest of warriors in all the sands. It was little wonder at why she had been so impressed by her. Kashaam was a good teacher, he truely was - but it was Gikashk that could teach her more. And a Ssashirk with many skills is one that sees the tomorrow.
---------------
It had been twelve years ago when she met Gikashk. And in twelve years, Dass had learned a lot.
She had seen the city of Tumai, and watched the gladiator's games where Ssashirk happily fought each other to the death for the entertainment of the Tumai, and the coin it would provide. She had seen the many clutches and tribes of Ssashirk wandering the desert - and had come to know each one's territories, Oasis, ruins where they set up their summer and winter camps, and even their wells (which she made sure to never drink from without an honorable trade). She had seen war and battle, and was herself a fierce warrior of the twin daggers. She had known of raiders, and defended her caravan. She had aquired herself a Duma'koon, a Shovel-Tusk to pull her cart of goods she had amassed. She had learned of the best places to find and steal young Duma'koon, and where to find the wild Sarane eggs.
When she learned of the lush and green lands with more water than one could hope to drink in a lifetime, she set out toward the east. There was good trade there. She had established her own trade-routes, and learned to read the land by memory alone.
After she learned to trade there, it was another five years before she and her new found friend, a human by the name of Barthew had decided to travel south. That was when they met the Ka-tak'ash. Those people were different from the Ssashirk - but Barthew couldn't tell the difference. Foolish human. He offered to trade with them, and Dass couldn't refuse. While they traded well (an event that took two days and one night) with the more experienced of the two, they butchered and devoured Barthew. She didn't know until the trading was complete and she tried to find him - flesh-eaters, all of them!
She would never venture so far south again. It's no wonder that the Ka-tak'ash and the Ssashirk are considered different people, it's not just becuase of the differnence in the color of their scales, but their cruel mannerisms. She regretted most of all the greatest deal she made with them. It was a good deal, but their cruelty to Barthew left her feeling tainted. Ever since then she stayed to her own trade-route between the city of Tumai, and the city of the "Labs" - in the land of rolling hills.
This was her trade-route. Hers, and her egg's. She knew it was a boy, she could smell it. After he hatched, three years after, she would name him for his favored trait. She would teach him well - the trader's skill. The honorable trader's skill, not the trader's skill of the raiders who would sell back to you what they stole. No. The good kind. She would never tell him of his father in the south, for her shame was too great.
Ssashirk items will go here.
In addition to all that, the Ssashirk (and only the Ssashirk) may choose from ONE of the following listed below. To
take your choice of one from below, simply copy and paste the appropriate code provided for you - we suggest you
put it somewhere like your character profile once you sign up with the roleplay site. Until you sign up however, you
could save it to a word-file.
take your choice of one from below, simply copy and paste the appropriate code provided for you - we suggest you
put it somewhere like your character profile once you sign up with the roleplay site. Until you sign up however, you
could save it to a word-file.
Common mistakes when making a Ssashirk character include:
1. People tend to give them human faces (wrong, they have lizard faces), human legs (their legs have the extra bend in
them), or human-only features (such as boobs... which ssashirk do NOT have).
1. People tend to give them human faces (wrong, they have lizard faces), human legs (their legs have the extra bend in
them), or human-only features (such as boobs... which ssashirk do NOT have).