Content:Zalkey
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| Creator | Thedoctor44 – More content by Thedoctor44 |
| Locomotion | The Zalkey utilised powerful fins and a tail to menouver themselves and swim |
| Environment | Water, corral, deep-sea |
| Diet | Carnivore; Piscivore |
| Size | 9 - 12ft in height/length(male), 10 - 11ft in height/length(female) |
| Lifespan | Average 110 years, record of 141 years |
| Personality | N/A |
Contents |
[edit] Core Info
[edit] Physical Description
The Zalkey(prenounced: Zal - se)are a race of aquatic lizard-like creatures. They are the dominant species on their homeworld, Zalkon(prenounced: Zal - cone) and the only species to achieve such sentience. They are an unpredictable race and shun outsiders - despite this, they prefer peaceful solutions to violence. They hold a great respect for the natrual environment.
The Zalkey are a lengthly, serpent based race. Their upper bodies have taken on a moderately humanoid view, mostly to adapt to the use technology. Four arms expand out from the body. The upper two, upon the shoulders of the creature, are strong and powerful. These are designed mainly for manual labour and other varieties of tasks. The lower set of arms are weaker. The upper sets hands are clumsy for small tasks, where as the lower sets hands are ideal for tasks that require delicate care. In modern society, the lower sets are used commonly. The lower arms are typicaly used in expressions, however, the upper set are often used as displays of strenght and intimidation.
The lower half of the body is a lengthly, powerful tail. The tail ends by splitting off into two fins, similar to the Human mythological Mermaid. From about half way up the tail, a lengthly fin begins to form. The fin spreads all the way across the back of the creature, reaching up onto it's head.
Most Zalkey have a very square head that extends forward a great distance. They do not grow beards of hair but instead a fleshly sort of beard - an extension of the chin that grows into two strands over time. There are methods of cutting this but they are very uncommon - a lengthly beard is a sign of wisdom and power to many. Eyes are one of the crucial things to a Zalkey. They have two eyes situated on opposite sides of the nose and one on the forehead. The eyes are often one of the things that help distinquish Zalkey from each other - every third eye atleast is completely unique, containing tiny strands visible only to Zalkey and a few other beasts. Their nose is a series of 4 slits, with other gills along the sides of the upper body. Every Zalkey has two fangs, capeable of injecting lethal venom(see Body Workings)
All Zalkey have a very scaly texture to their skin - commonly it is very smooth. With age, the texture becomes more and more distorted. Most Zalkey are coloured a deep blue or green. Some are textured in lighter blues or greens. There are two extremely rare skin colours also - purple and grey. Those born with these skin colours are shunned by some and welcomed by others. One of the distinquishing marks of a Zalkey are marks along the body, typicaly matching the full body colour. For example, a dark blue Zalkey will usually have a light green set of markings.
In Zalkey mythology, there exist red Zalkey. Acording to a legend, these Zalkey are take away by the Brotherhood of Fire, whom are a sect of Red Zalkey and seek to protect them. Many people view Red Zalkey with fear and are the equivilent of ghosts on Zalkon. They are rumoured to haunt coral reifs were the early Zalkey dwelled.
Both men and women are extremely similar and both grow beards. Females tend to be thinner and smaller than the average male.
[edit] Body Workings
Zalkey, despite their fish-like breathing methods, are a special form of lizard(see Evolutionary Process for details). They are cold-blooded and as a result, move to diferent sea levels for diferent temperatures. In the summer cycles of Zalkon(Jih and Kju), the average Zalkey dwells at cooler depths of their ocean home. Diferent Zalkey have adapted to diferent regions - for example, coral Zalkey generate less of their own body heat because they stay closer to the surface. Deep sea Zalkey generate more due to their lower temperature.
Zalkey, unlike most reptiles known on Earth, have a unique five chambered heart. On the opposing side of the chest, they have a three chambered heart - if the first heart fails, the second heart activates to sustain the creature for a short period of time. Zalkey have a natrual blood colour of grey, which reacts with the water to make purple. Zalkey blood can become highly toxic if exposed to certain substances. Such substances include Kyvh and Jyvh - two potent liquids found with raw Zjin.
Despite their gills, Zalkey still rely on complex respitory systems to breathe via the use of lungs. Using both the two nose slits and the gills, Zalkey have evolved a well functioning system of inhaling their required gases. On Zalkon, there are three crucial gases. Jhykk is the most common gas and bares resemblance to the properties of Carbon Monoxide. Suprisingly, Jhykk is the most crucial gas to most lifeforms on the planet. Like Oxygen is crucial on Earth, most things could not survive with Jhykk. Second, there is Yhkjj - a form of Carbon Dioxide. This gas isn't harmful in anyway to most lifeforms and due to the lack of a Land-based presence, there is very little in the air. Finaly, there is Jkhhkjy - a gas similar to Nitrogen. Like Nitrogen, it is useless, but can be used to make Nitrates.
The average Zalkey inhales...
79% Jhykk
14% Jkhhjy
7% Yhkjj
And then exhales...
52% Jhykk
11% Jkhhyj
5% Yhkjj
[edit] Diet
All Zalkey are Piscivores, which means they survive on a diet of fish primarily. Despite this, the average Zalkey also consumes certain forms of underwater plant life. Due to their size, Zalkey are required to eat a certain amount of sea food every day. In modern culture(see Culture), many Zalkey devour food based on asthetic preferences.
[edit] Reproduction
When two Zalkey engage in mating, they typicaly undergo a gestation period of 4 months. After this, the male of the species lays 2-5 eggs on average. The male and the female will then guard the eggs for up to 3 months before hatching. In Zalkey culture, it is the males who bare the young/become pregnant.
[edit] Mating
In Zalkey culture, it is the female of the species who initiates the mating process. Biologicaly, the female releases a potent sent through a special gland. In general, the female can control when or if she wishes this gland to activate. The scent then attracts the male. Since the time of the first tribes however, the gland has become a secondary function. Instead, the female typicaly decorates herself in a luxurious fashion. If the female succeeds in securing a mate in modern society, the two typicaly see each other for a period of a year before marrying(ofcourse, this varies between diferent people).
[edit] Wedding and Marriage
At the most common form of wedding, there is no priest. Instead, the two invite family and friends into an open, Circular space with benches and food. The guests are seated while the couple 'stand' in the middle of the circle and anounce their love for on another and their intention to marry. Both parents must then give their blessing by making an offering of money to the couple. Upon this, the marriage is complete and the guests may celebrate.
When married, the male and female both traditionaly share responsibilities in the household. In modern society, it is more common for the female to go work while the male stays behind and cares for the child(ren). When the child reaches 15, it is generaly considered an adult. Then, it may be left behind in the housing of the family while the male returns to his work. Most Zalkey live in the same household for generations. Those who are eager to go off on their own however, usually leave by age 34.
[edit] Children
As mentioned above, Zalkey children are generaly adults at 15. Children are guarded insanely well by the male. Due to their increased maturation rate, young Zalkey are able to learn at incredible speeds. From the age of 4, young are learning at school - they completely skip any Nursery(kindergarden)period, jumping straight into their learning. Usually, they learn both physical and mental activites. Every day, they work on buildling the strength of their upper arms. Most decent schools teach Zalkein Qujyh(Common language), Mathmatics, Science, Geography, Nature, History and Astrology on a regular baisis.
Alot of males from the age of 12 are also taught the basics of caring for their own children in the future.
Religion is no longer taught under the Universalist government - instead, diferent religious groups recieve funding to build their own education centers.
[edit] Clothing and Decoration
Being underwater, Zalkey have a very limited selection of garments. Most common articles are clothing are made from a material called Zjin(literally, covers). The material originates as a liquid trapped within pockets under the water. The liquid begins as a very thick, purple substance. The substance is harvested carefuly - it is a very toxic material and most nations now use automated harvesters. After been harvested and placed in tubes, it is ported to Processing Facilities. At these facilities, the material undergoes a careful filtering process. Over the course of several hours, water is filtered out, leaving pure Zjin. It is then flooded through waterless tubes to a facility that solidfies the material.
At the soldifiying core, the material is permited to soldify partialy. Once soldified to an extent, it is run through Refiners - large, mighty machines that crush and stretch and eventualy refine the Zjin into a rough fabric. This fabric typicaly comes out purple - however, dyes(such as Ijyk, Kln and Rlj) may be applied during the soldification to make the material change colour. During the soldification, the material also looses all of its toxcitiy.
Once complete, the material is sold to Tailor/esses who weave and refine the material into common clothes. Most common styles are very regular, often featuring a coat-like effect. More expensive garments are also shaped in similar forms to robes.
More elegant clothes are made from Ijzon - a close relative to Zjin. Ijzon however, is much more silky then Zjin. The garment is often used by priests and rich wo/men. There is much more variety in Ijzon clothing.
Jewlrey is a very popular item amongst the Zalkey. Alot of Men choose to place silver rings on their beards, which often prove difficult to remove. Unlike most cultures, Silver is a colour valued more than Gold. The material itself is Hjol, something similar to silver on Earth. Women often elect to wear golden bracelets and necklaces - and thanks to their great respect for nature, gems to decorate such items are in abundance. Many women elect to have a necklance featuring a red ruby at it's center or end - a symbol of power.
Some Zalkey use ancient materials to decorate their bodies - similar to tatoos.
[edit] Personality
The Zalkey are a very social race. Alot of their society revolves around social gatherings. In Zalkj Qyto(Home Grotto) - the captial city - there is a large Parliment building. Surrounding Parliment are the Coral Gardens - it is at the heart of these gardens people may come to freely suggest ideas and speak with GSs(Grotto Speakers). Many ideas reach the floor of Parliment through this way, giving the people genuine control over their government.
Most Zalkey are very polite and well mannered and have very lengthly attention spans. They enjoy conversations about politics, nature and local affairs. Many Zalkey have a great love of debates and friendly arguements, even to the extent where every park has a Pillar of Truth, around which people argue in a friendly manner. Almost every Zalkey has a love of traditional tribal music and tastes have changed little since the first instruments were invented. Traditional tribal dances are often held in towns.
Despite their friendly social manners, many Zalkey are weary of outsiders. In general, the Zalkey can be devided into three groups: Universalists, Xenophobics and Darkeners.
[edit] Universalists
Most Zalkey belong this category. They generaly accept anyone of their own species yet are cautious of aliens. Still, the Universalists paved the way forward for civilization, responsiblle for expanding onto land and into space.
[edit] Xenophobics
Xenophobics are, as the name suggests, very Xenophobic. They were responsible for the Interstellar Propoganda War and as a result, were shunned by Universalists and Darkeners alike. They now reside in their own nation, staying clear of others. The UCC(United City Council)has denied them several times permission to build a UFO.
[edit] Darkeners
Darkeners are a group of people who believe in complete facism - they are brutal, merciless and originated in the state of Jlkj(prenounced: Jelkin), responsible for starting the GIW(Great International War). They have little power left in the world anymore and reside in small political parties and sects.
[edit] Calendar
The main calendar of the Zalkey has precisely 444 days in it. As a result, 444 days equals a year. The calendar has 17 months, each month having 26 days. These are divided into 5 weeks, each with 5 days in it.
The months of the main calendar are...
1 - Hju
2 - Hji
3 - Hjl
4 - Joj
5 - Jjk
6 - Jny
7 - Yjl
8 - Ylo
9 - Ypj
10 - Vji
11 - Viy
12 - Vnu
13 - Vjy
14 - Vhj
15 - Vhyj
As you can see, the year is divided by cycles. Each cycle has three months to it - the finale, the month of union(Vhyj) is the only month to have four eltters, for it brings all the months together in its name. In the modern calendar, there have benn 11,549 years - dating back to the very first calendar in the Year 00,001. The original calendar was discovered to have but 5 months with 88 days per month, 2 weeks of 44 days per month and no cycles. Somewhere around the year 04,972 the natrualist(see religion)power is believed to of altered the calender to make 444(their holy number) the focus, divided into their various holy periods of 15 and 3.
[edit] Holidays
NOTEABLE HOLIDAYS
Hour of Rebirth - Takes place on the 1st day of every cycle. Celebrates the unification of the Zalkey tribes and nations under one banner.
Hour of the Fallen - Takes place on the last day of every cycle. Is a time of mourning and reflection, for people to look back on disasters and deaths in their family. Every year, millions of Juyhk(currency)s are donated to a memorial fund.
Day of Joy - Takes place on the final day of Vhyj and the first day of Hju. Celebrates creation in all theories.
Day of Caring - A holiday used primarily by natrualists(see Religions), but has been adopted in universal government. Universaly, it is a day of giving. People exchange gifts. Natrualists(see religions) use this day to tend the coral reefs end masse.
[edit] Religion
Unlike many races, the belief in Deities is not a very common thing on Zalkon. Indeed, amongst the Zalkey, there are very few religions. The most common religion if Zalkonianity - a religion that has no God. The two other common religions are Darkism and Jklw(prenounced: Juk - lou)
[edit] Zalkonianity
Zalkonianity is, the primary religion of Zalkon. Named after the Zalkey homeworld, it literally means "Planetism". It is the equivilent of Natrualist beliefs, and has no God/ess. Instead, Zalkonianites believe that Zalkon is a living breathing thing. They believe it is their duty as the dominant race to care for the Oceans of the world and, in modern times, even care for the land through sophisticated technology.
Zalkonianity is the oldest religion that still exists. It is believed to of been started by a tribe known as the Mjki(Mih - jick - eee)as early as the year 04,153. This force quickly became the major world religion, and eventualy an entire nation(the Aq Mjki)used it to justify their actions.
Jj Aq Mjki(literally, New Power Mjki)is a vast coral city, which thousnads make pilgrimages to every year. It is entirely a city dedicated to the tending of the Coral Reefs, and the Tenders(Priests) of the city journey out every day with followers of the religion to tend the reefs. Many followers of this religion make it a goal of their life to tend coral before they die - many people retire to help the Tenders.
[edit] Darkism
From the state of Jlkj, Darkism arose. It was a religion dedicated entirely to brutality. They worshipped the Godess, QuinjANlk(literally, Naga of Fire), a vast demon who they believe rose the sea level to make land. Many followers painted themsevles with red stripes to signal themsevles as followers of her. The Darkeners believe that under QuinjANlk, there will arise a new world order. This wolrd order would destroy the Zalkonianites entirely and unite the world from Jlkj. The Darkeners tried once in the GIW to bring about this new world order. In the aftermath, practise of Darkism was forbidden. Recently however, the Universalist government has lifted the ban.
Jj Jlkj(New Jlkj)is now home to the Darkeners and they are once again migrating en masse there, with plans to move offworld.
[edit] Jklw
The third major religion of the world, Jklw teaches complete neutrality. Many of it's followers worship Quinj(literaly, Naga) or AN'j(literaly, Tide). Both teach complete neutrality and serenity and all its priests, monks etc spend their lives in distant water caves, striving to achieve a higher mental state.
There is no home city, however many make makeshift homes in the Quinan'j caves, where most monks worship.
[edit] Heaven
Suprisingly, many Zalkey believe in the same Heaven. Jklwists and Zalkonianites both traditionaly believe that heaven lies above the tides of the sea, and that the spirits of the dead fly around the world before ascending to rest for eternity within the sun.
After the first submergance onto land, many grew skeptical of this theory and there were many riots in the Holy Cities. Soon however, things settled down. Many maintain the belief Heaven resides within the sun.
Both Jklwists and Zalkonianites have built great ramps throughout history, which a dead corpse is usually laid at the bottom of. The corpse is then gradually pulled up the ramp and mourners throw seaweed and other flora on the corpse. Eventualy, they reach a large cynlinder which has a flat roof. The corpse is then left to rest for an hour, before being burried properly. It is believed this journey and rest gives the spirit strength to run up the runway and ascend to heaven.
[edit] Evolutionary Process
Throughout the history, the evolution of the Zalkey has taken on some bizzare and curious forms. In this section, we explore the diferent periods of time and describe(in chronological order)the Zalkey ancestors.
ERAS
Quin - literaly, Era of the Gods. In modern society, most call it Jnuyh(Creation).
Jhyqqqqqik - From a forgotten language, this literaly means Era of Pain.
Jhyllllllnj - From a forgotten language, this literaly means Era of Regrowth.
Ykhjj - literaly, Finale.
Yhjjknquin - literaly, Afermath.
[edit] Quin Era
[edit] Quinjjyk
MEANING: Gods first.
The Quinjjyk is the first known ancestor of the Zalkey. A small, fish like creature, the Quinjjyk reproduced en masse. They ruled the oceans and were one of the first creatures to evolve. Inevitably, more and more carnivores evolved and the Quinjjyk were forced to evolve with them.
[edit] Quinjjhy
MEANING: Gods spawn.
The Quinjjhy was the result of a swift evolution over a course of a few million years. Quinjjhy were fish about 3/4 the size of a dolphin, with a very thick skin. They began to bare resemblance to piranahs, beginning to grow small teeth. Still, predators were getting dangerously powerful and species count was dropping. Despite their new offensive weapon, Quinjjhy were the universal prey of the world.
[edit] Quinkkyjhh
MEANING: Gods planned.
The Quinkkyjhh took more time to evolve than the Quinjjhy. They were smaller by about 1/2 than their predecessors and had the ability to generate greater body heat. They moved down to the deeper depths of the ocean, close to the blackness. By now, their teeth had grown and were a considerable threat. They began to kill larger prey, by attacking in swarms. Despite this, larger predators still took them out with ease.
[edit] Quinyyyyj
MEANING: Brain of Gods.
The Quinyyyyj underwent little physical change other than a small size increase. It seems however, their brain power had increased considerably. They were now smarter and more cunning - the population as a result, went to higher levels. Their fins had evolved to make them faster also.
[edit] Quinkkkjhhy
MEANING: Gods finale.
The last of the Quin, Quinkkkjhhy were the first to gradually abandon their fish like shape. They became smaller in height, greater in weight and much longer in length. They now reached about 4ft in length and were gradualy abandoning their fish forms. More teeth grew in their mouth.
[edit] Jjyyyyyhk
MEANING: Brain spawn.
Jiyyyyyhk were the first to take on a distinquishingly unique head shape. They now reached an average of 5ft in length, and grew thinner again yet wider and rounder. The fish hand was expanding sdeways and becoming very gaunt, to the extent where it had a nearly visible neck. The teeth were now fully developed.
[edit] Hjjykjhhy
MEANING: Biter.
Hjjykjhhy were the first clear lizards. They now resembled serpents greatly and even produced a mildly toxic venom. They traveled in small packs and used coordinated attack methods to sieze and kill their prey. Again, brain power was increased and the beasts became even more cunning. They were loosing the last of their fins.
[edit] Hjjykkjjyh
MEANING: Venom.
Hjjykkjjyh were the first actual lizards. Their system of breathing was gradualy changing to include small but powerful lungs and they had lost their fins. Their venom evolved to become lethal in most cases. The serpent grew larger, twice the size of its predecesors. A curious, circular marking could be found on the region where the third eye would later develop.
[edit] Hjjy
Meaning: (to)Bite.
Hjjy were fatter versions of their predecesors. Their teeth were larger and their venom grew more potent - rather than killing, it now caused a painful reaction in a creature, killing it slowly. The reaction left a clear smell for the Hyyj to follow. Brains increased once more.
[edit] Hjjyl
Meaning: (to)Bite back.
Hjjyl are the second most famous beast in Zalkey history. They were about 2/3 the size of an elephant and equaly as long. They weighed a ton and their teeth were of colosal proportions. They became, at the time, the second most dominant predator.
[edit] Jhyqqqqqik Era
[edit] DISASTER
As this era dawned, a colosal asteroid struck the northen continent. It shattered the icecaps and sea levels rose incredibly. Almost 89% of all life on the planet was whiped out. Every lifeform from the equator up was pulverised(northwise). Mostly, only the southern artic remained almost entirely intact. Many land species were whiped out.
[edit] Jhyllllllnj
[edit] Ykhjj
[edit] Yhjjknquin
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