Serious spoilers for Power of the Dark Crystal and Beneath the Dark Crystal, you have been warned. Go read 'em, I think they're good, you may disagree, but they're better not spoiled.
So, in case you forgot, SkekSil "dies" at the end of Power of the Dark Crystal. I say that in quotes because I don't think he did, he just got flashbanged.
Whatever happens, SilSol is GONE and does not go home, only seven UrSkeks are seen in the final scenes. SkekSil leaves behind no dust, clothes, or any trace. UrSol leaves nothing either, despite clearly having plenty of objects that should have been dropped if he really did die.
SkekSil and UrSol both appear in Beneath the Dark Crystal about midway through, while Kensho is dreaming. SkekSil is wearing clothes Kensho has never seen him in, and he did not die in. Kensho just doesn't know who UrSol is, so the dream is certainly magic and not just his imagination. Neither are very negative, SkekSil's actually fairly helpful, and we'll come back to the dream later.
SkekSil says they are 'in the prism where he (Kensho) fell', whatever that means. The common interpretation is the two are trapped inside the Crystal, which would be interesting, but I don't think that's the case, I think they're in Dreamspace, like when the heroes of Thra were summoned by Aughra. If this were the real SkekSil, trapped, he should have the clothes he had before.
So where's the real SkekSil, you ask? He's just nearby, watching Kensho sleep while he plays his lute; cue Dihnmor.
Dihnmor, our dark cloaked, lute-playing, brooding, strangely friendly, strangely class-conscious, incredibly tall, new friend!
Dihnmor echoes several of the points SkekSil makes throughout Kensho's dream, such as that the leaders of Thra have been corrupted, that Kensho can and should improve things by actually doing his job, and that Kensho is failing by saying he will help but never actually doing it. He also echoes one of SkekSil's lines about what makes a monster;
He even corrects them that SKEKSIL is NOT a monster! SkekSil defines a monster as something that is defeated. Dihnmor demonstrates a deep understanding of the skeksis, class, power, and what the world was like while the skeksis still lived, I'd argue he knows too much.
We know very little about Dihnmor, he claims he has eight wives, a mother, he reacts poorly to the mention of a father (not his, someone else's), we don’t know how old he is exactly, he does not react to Aughra, and he claims he once considering bring his 'third wife' to the Valley of the Mystics. He knows a lot of songs, is particularly fond of Bohrtorg (who belonged to SilSol, once), and sings a song to make crops grow faster.
Dihnmor's reaction to Kensho waking up from his dream and taking SilSol's advice is interesting-- seeing as the two have barely met by now.
By the end of the book, Dihnmor moves into the castle with Kensho, satisfied that Kensho has evenly distributed the wealth and is running his kingdom smoothly, it's not clear if he has a job, or if he's just... around? But he's in Kensho's trusted circle nonetheless.
And Beneath the Dark Crystal ends, and my first time reading, I genuinely was surprised they didn't reveal he was SkekSil all along. This makes me feel even more crazy than I already am!
What do you think? Do YOU think I am correct??? I would love to hear your input, whether you agree or think he's just happens to be like that.
Summary: SkekMir realizes that Chamberlain is becoming more involved over her duties than she feared, and unknowing that UrNah is living a similar life alongside her.
Note: posting this for the lovely @tmnt-skylanders-lover 😊
——
Before tending to the Court dinner that evening, SkekMir floundered about in her own little room to find — and better hide — her dream journal. None of her previous entries were missing or tampered with, thankfully. Still, the thought of the Chamberlain pawing about in her things riled up her temper. Wiley and tricky as ever, the bastard.
However, where else could SkekMir hide it? The Ornamentalist loved to meddle in her drawers; the Ritual Master regularly did inspections into her overall space as well, to make sure she had no contraband; and obviously, Chamberlain knew exactly where to poke around for secrets. If there was a place to hide forbidden things, then it was not her room.
Then perhaps the Butler had to become her own secret-hider. Her dress was not made with pockets, as her apron did the job, but SkekMir had sewn in little side pockets not long ago. No one knew about them, as far as she knew, so they were her best bet. She slipped her journal into one of them and sighed in relief. Chamberlain knew about her secrets, but that didn’t mean he could prove they existed -- for now.
In the Courtroom, where the table was now arranged, SkekMir overlooked the Podlings rushing here and there to set everything perfectly. She smiled a little in pride. Her implemented routines were still working perfectly. Of course that did not mean that her work was far from over. SkekMir carefully plated and added cutlery at every seat, as well as fluffing the cushions and setting up bowls of sour water for washing up.
As usual, SkekMir had no place at the grand table. Her only place was to stand to the side and serve drink and other necessities until the Crystal Lords dismissed themselves for the evening. That also meant enduring their little pranks and jabs with a strained smile on her face.
In fact, the first thing the General did once dinner began was to make the poor skek jump and spill her jug of wine. She had begun walking away after serving the Ritual Master and he slammed a very heavy and empty bowl onto the floor right behind her. He and everyone else laughed loudly at her squeak and at how high she jumped forward.
“Ha…that was a good one, my Lord General.” SkekMir forced out. “Allow me to clean this up.”
“You need better training! When was your last trial?” The General snorted, taking another bite of his wriggling meal.
“It was with you, just this last season. I was made the Butler shortly after.” She explained evenly as she began to kneel and tidy up. The Scientist scoffed.
“Who cares if her resilience to sudden noise is less optimal than our own? All she does is serve our chambers and food anyway.”
SkekMir grumbled as she mopped up the spill in the floor with a rag. She just finished as the others laughed over his comment. A few others added their own jabs (“Let us hope a Gelfling guard does not scare her during their rounds!”) before the Emperor silenced them.
“These are all bold assertions about our loyal Butler. But what does she have to say about it?”
The Emperor, as always, sounded half-bored while managing the pettiness of his Court. SkekMir cleared her throat and stood as quickly as possible, tripping a little over her skirts as she did so and making the others smother their cackles.
“If I am weak, then it is better to acknowledge the truth than to be harmed from its ignorance.” She answered plainly and with eyes downcasted. The Collector was less than impressed.
“Bah! What a suck up.”
“Do you have a point also, Collector?” The Emporer acknowledged. She threw down her soiled doily pointed a finger at the Butler.
“I do! This pathetic skek is in our chambers, our food, our bathhouse — so why should we let her? She clearly can’t be counted on for jack squat!”
“She is fairly vulnerable, I admit.” The Scroll Keeper threw in with a smirk. SkekMir wanted to scream until the Emperor raised his hand for silence. The others did quiet down, if out of surprise.
“Then perhaps one of you will volunteer for further training?”
Dead silence. SkekMir dared to glance up and saw the others humming and hawing. What a load of hot air they could spout out. But then, the Chamberlain stood. He had been watching the exchanges carefully and only then did he choose to interject.
“Allow me, sire. Chamberlain always invested in strengthening Skeksis power. If weakest link is not strong enough, then whole chain crumbles, yes?”
The General snorted again. “You?”
“Why not Chamberlain?“
SkekMir brought up her head, flustered. “Please, my Lords, none of this is necessary! I wouldn’t wish to waste anyone’s time—“
“No, is very necessary!” Chamberlain corrected with a tone of assurance. “Butler trusted with Emperor's care, yes? Knows many things, can be harmed or captured by enemies…”
The other Skeksis gasped loudly at the possibility, not realizing that SkekMir could be weak enough to spill their Court’s most protected secrets. Secrets that could threaten their hold over Thra. Even the Emperor reacted strongly, jumping up from his seat and shaking his staff. He snorted a little from the effort, as if the strain of it was too much for his lungs.
“Enough, Chamberlain! I will not have fearmongering over our meal! But you are not wrong — our Butler is well trained, but not as strong as she needs to be. Butler!”
She rushed over to the front to curtsy again, at his seat, where he still stood. “My liege?”
“You will serve me as always, but also receive further mentorship from the Chamberlain. I expect your weakness to not only lessen, but to disappear entirely.”
Tall orders. SkekMir had no choice but to accept them.
“Yes, my Lord Emporer.”
——
Mirnah floated about in the gardens. Outwardly, she was collecting flowers for decoration and for medicine. She was careful to pick petals and leaves with specific number patterns, knowing their values would more properly heal or nourish as needed. But in her mind’s eye, she replayed the previous night spent with Sosu. She sighed with a smile and played with a chirping fly trap, purring after its meal was caught.
“Someday.” Mirnah said quietly, petting the sentient plant with her finger. Someday she could simply kiss him good morning and run his manor as a wife, not a servant. She could perhaps even travel with him, if Thra proved to be as fruitful as he expected. She continued her gardening with less whimsy than before when someone transported in.
“Mirnah! You take too long!” A voice laughed loudly.
“And you are too impatient, my Varma!” Mirnah replied with a smile. She turned to face him, her twinkling basket of goods floating just beside her. “Are you that desperate for a soup?”
“Always for your wares! Just don’t tell Ayukamaj.” Varma said. “Oh! And don’t forget the spar today! Gragoh is still convinced he can pin down Malva in under a minute. We’ll need all the numbing paste we can get for his downfall.”
Mirnah gestured to her basket, which twirled lightly in response to her acknowledgement. “All done! I suppose I should do it now. Gragoh has even less patience than you when it comes to a challenge.”
They went together towards the open air gymnasium, speaking about which herb or paste would be made first, when Silsol made his appearance.
“A moment of your time, good servant.” He asked with a playful flourish, and managed to wrangle her away from an annoyed Varma. Mirnah rose a brow.
“What now?”
Silsol’s eyes were alight with glee. “I know about Thra!”
“Well, that spread quicker than I thought. What about it?”
“You should come with us — ah ah! I know you’re denying the chance, but I know you too well! You love drooling over Sosu’s maps. Why else would you sneak in there?”
“Ugh! I do not sneak. I happen to work here. Besides, it matters little if I wish to go. Sosu is the one with the final say.”
Silsol grinned. “Who says you need his permission?”
Mirnah blinked. “You mean I should just…sneak away?”
“More like tag along, just behind us. Perhaps wait a day or so before following our path. I mean it! I hate seeing you mope about the day we leave. You’re a dear friend to us all, even to Sasan. She’d never admit it, but she adores you. Our adventures never feel complete without you.”
Jokester he could be, Silsol was no liar. And in that moment, Mirnah knew he was genuine. Still, she looked down bashfully at her floating basket of fresh flowers and leaves, eventually reaching out to hold it. Sosu was adamant about the importance of this new journey to Thra. It could give him the tools he needed to change not just their own lives, but of all Urskeks -- especially the "lesser" class of them. Mirnah had some training in their mystical arts, but even she thought her presence could complicate such an important expenditure. Was it truly worth the risk, to finally traverse the universe and see the beauty that inspired her beloved master so much?
“Sosu could be angry with me, even if the plan worked out…” Mirnah finally admitted, choosing obedience as her excuse. Silsol gave a half-grin, but though his eyes were a little sad. His tone was genuine with the years of companionship they shared.
“And I will speak on your behalf, if it gets you in trouble! Sosu can’t be angry with us for too long, can he?”
Mirnah’s heart ached for her friend, knowing he was clueless about her and Sosu’s relationship. It hurt so badly to never share it with anyone she cared about, knowing how she broke their trust every day just to hide it. She wondered what Silsol’s reaction would be, should he one day learn why Sosu was so protective over their little urskek servant. He could be temperamental when pushed and often chose the extreme when he was. No doubt he would be greatly offended that neither felt safe in sharing this development with him. Losing his friendship would hurt all involved.
“You are too kind to think of my happiness.” Mirnah said, looking up again. “I’ll know what to do when the time comes.”
Silsol’s smile grew as he said his good bye and left. She could only shake her head, and think of what she should do when she was finally alone in the manor.
——
UrNah dusted continuously and daydreamed just as much. She thought of the dreams she had of the Lovers; she wondered if her other half knew of them too; she sometimes hoped that she was not the only Urru in the world with dreams of seeing the world.
The leader of the Mystics, UrSu, was gentle but firm when he instructed her about their need to stay in the Valley, to keep away from their Skeksis counterparts.
Overtime, as she learned more from him and he grew to welcome her friendship, UrNah wondered whether he would be upset with her for nursing such sentiments still. It ached at her chest to wonder if he would turn her away with great sadness, as he had done to UrGoh, UrSan, and UrVa many a trine ago. The Maid had grown fond of her Master, more fond than she would ever dare admit, and going over the dreams of the Lovers only heightened her conflicting emotions of admiration and fear.
So much to ponder, so little she could do about it. She wiped down another trinket and sighed. Behind her, heavy footsteps plodded into the room. There was no need to turn around to see who it was, or to wait and hear his voice, for her to know him.
“Our evening meal is almost ready.” UrSu rumbled in his quiet way, walking over to the Maid. “Have you dusted to your heart’s content?”
“Now you sound like UrSol.” UrNah chuckled. She did stop dusting, however. There would always be more tomorrow. The Master placed a hand on her shoulder, and that warm feeling crept into her cheeks as he held it with surety.
“Don’t admit that to him or else he’ll write a song about it.” UrSu sighed, making UrNah chuckle again.
“Why shouldn’t he? I love when we create. I love when we sing.”
UrSu gave her a warm smile, his eyes bright, and again her cheeks warmed.
“If it pleases you, then perhaps we should sing at dinner. Come soon, UrNah.”
“Of course, Master.” UrNah answered. He smiled with a nod and left for the evening meal after that. For the brief moment that the Maid was left alone, she took a little longer than usual to put away her homemaking supplies. She withdrew her little pocket journal and a stubby pencil, writing down a note to herself to consider at a later time. UrNah’s cheeks flushed a final time.
So fam, I’ve been working really hard on the Twice-Nine, and it’s winding up being less of a survey of their crimes against UrSkekdom than it is a survey of UrSkekdom’s crimes against them. XD
SoSu the Philosopher: Was an incredibly psychically-strong and headstrong (probably not unrelated) young UrSkek whose passions often got the better of them, and while this was generally more disruptive than harmful, as we know, UrSkek society tends to consider disruption itself a form of harm. So at an unconscionably young age, they were forced to choose between Exile and Purgation (the editing of their personality and erasure of ‘problem’ memories), and while the therapy certainly seemed to have took, it must not’ve took that well, because they continued over their career (which was in all other aspects illustrious) to maintain a suspect interest in the reconciliation of their society with its discontents, which theories eventually developed into their infamous Heresy…and the Heresy itself committed the incredibly awful crime of proving attractive to a number of UrSkeks, particularly the young ones. Whom SoSu was accused of deliberately corrupting. Oops.
ZokZah the Presbyter: Their ‘crime’ was coming out of the Chorion (the UrSkek-spawning chamber, basically) with a natural tendency toward sadism [with a touch of masochism included] -- which a more tolerant society might have been able to help them better sublimate into their spiritual work, and/or channel into safe/sane/consensual activities; but Homeworld was not that society. As a result, their entire life story was one of ice-cold self-repression and flawless hypocrisy. They thought the Heresy might be their compassionate answer at long last. And it might have been, but obviously we can’t have that.
SilSol the Musician: Wasn’t spawned with anything especially wrong with them, except for being astonishingly talented which arguably is a bit of a flaw; but somewhere along the way they twigged to the fact that their perfect classless harmonious society that totally didn’t have power relations, totally DID have them. So they started studying this interestingly contradictory phenomenon the way most very intelligent people would have, with comparative sociology, which unfortunately involved a lot of consumption of ::whispers:: foreign cultural material from more primitive societies. And while yes we do study primitive societies, we’re not supposed to do it like THAT, and we’re definitely not supposed to put stuff we’re learning from them about how to influence and persuade other people into PRACTICE. And Crystal itself help you if you turn out to be good at it…even when you’re doing it for what you consider the best cause ever, like OH SAY A REVOLUTIONARY HERESY. (SilSol also had quite a fan base as a composer and performing artist, which did kind of the opposite of helping their case when trial time rolled around.)
GraGoh the Explorer: Was an unfortunate case of incorrigible juvenile delinquency, and Crystal knows the Eldest did what they could. When the young former Rigger from the outer colonies proved to be too rough-hewn and jostling for the refined precincts of Homeworld (they thought practical jokes were actually funny, for one thing), the Council decided to spare the rod and try to educate them in the graces by sending them to the Academy, where they were supposed to finally learn to be a proper UrSkek. And what did they learn instead? Heresy! Honestly. They didn’t even try to resist the slide into depravity; indeed, quite the contrary, they decided to become one of SoSu’s most prominent and enthusiastic disciples. So really, what else was there to do?
AyukAmaj and EktUtt: Fell in love. This may seem fearfully pedestrian to the savage likes of the Gelfling (and let’s not even talk humans), but in UrSkek society this is both an incredibly alien, hard-to-imagine aberration, and a crime against the ironclad obligation to love all one’s fellow UrSkeks fairly and equally. Like…absolutely fairly and equally. No matter what. No playing favorites. Yes OF COURSE love and friendship are high virtues among UrSkek, but again -- just not like -- that. What do you two think you’re doing, seriously, you don’t even have physical bodies to conventionally sin with but I guess where there’s a will, etc?
NaNol the Botanist: Was a spy. Not that they knew they were a spy, mind: UrSkeks don’t have spies, and if they did have them, what they were doing would not be spying. In fact the Botanist’s whole problem was they didn’t have any actual name or conceptual box to put the thing in that a few naughty Eldest were making them do -- especially to the plant-stored planetary-memory records they were supposed to be nurturing and protecting. I mean, it must be all right somehow, because it was Eldest asking; but then why did it have to be such a secret; but then why was it even their business, since it was records about stuff that happened eons before anyone they knew was spawned; but then if it didn’t really matter because it was all so long ago, why were they still being asked to -- **melts into quiet gibbering noises** But in any case…such a pity that it was their fellow Heretics that they eventually decided to confess their nameless burning sins to. More normal UrSkeks would have known enough to just shut up and do what they were told.
HakHom the Architect and YiYa the Builder: Didn’t know that the technical term for what they were was frenemies; they thought they were just friends. Who competed for the same non-virtual architectural gigs, which HakHom just happened to win more often than YiYa, which was also why HakHom ended up outranking YiYa. But of course there was never any trouble putting that behind them when it came time for them to work together hand-in-glove on the winning projects; Homeworld is a place of harmony after all, with architecture being one of a very, very few fields where there even was still anything resembling competition. Nor did YiYa carry any grudges against HakHom for dragging them out to these crazy salons and forums this weird Professor SoSu kept holding. As a friend, they were simply looking out for their friend’s mental and spiritual cultivation, and after all these were merely dialogues about how everyone, even the most erring UrSkek, could better be brought back to the bosom of the Crystal and the collective soul of their people through the transforming power of compassion and honesty. What was there to object to? And later, when the Eldest were investigating because apparently there was something to object to -- and they needed someone to infiltrate and report on the increasingly worryingly Heretical gatherings -- who would blame YiYa for assisting them with that high-minded work? Certainly not HakHom, who understood and deeply regretted their grievous sin in doing…well, there must have been something terribly wrong with the whole thing. Even if Professor SoSu did have both a sterling reputation and the high permissions as a Councilmember needed to access the Crystal for experimental rites if they deemed fit! And just because even after giving the Council all that help, YiYa still found themselves exiled right alongside all the unrepentant criminals, that was no reason to take out any frustrations on their old partner, who hadn’t exactly been in control of the proceedings either after all. Surely the Eldest had their good reasons…so…yeah. Definitely nothing there for either the Architect or the Builder to hold against one another in the immediate aftermath of their souls being torn asunder to set all the Twice-Nine’s ids free.
LachSen the Gnostic: Was an ex-cultist. No, I’m not joking. Although they’re scattered and vanishingly few, there are places even yet on Homeworld where some UrSkeks practice Heresies in the much more old-fashioned sense -- that is to say, disapproved spiritual rites and disciplines, which are generally holdovers from pre-Ascension cultures. Young LachSen’s group was no exception: indeed, it dated from that supremely turbulent era just pre-Ascension, when some UrSkeks fervently believed that through the practice of radical enough asceticism and self-lessness, their kind could attain a permanent ecstatic group consciousness, such as they had heard group minds from other worlds speak of with such reverence and serenity. (No wonder SkekLach wasn’t so keen on the Ascendancy…) This belief turned out to be more a denial of the UrSkeks’ own nature than even the ancestors of the Council of Eldest could tolerate. But LachSen’s group still stubbornly clung to this more-or-less impossible ideal, and to an ancient sub-Crystal of their own which gave barely enough energy for them to subsist on; but since privation was what they craved, that was fine. As they matured, LachSen found themselves questioning the group’s ways and eventually ran far away to Crystalgate City on the great peninsula, blending in with the other UrSkeks as best they could. But it was more difficult than they could ever have imagined, blending in with people from so different a worldview -- and they remained always torn in their feelings toward their old kin, their penitent, self-denying monkish side and their newly-discovered love of plenty and peace among the Crystalgaters. Thus, they were prime and easy ‘prey’ for a new Heresy, particularly one that claimed to embrace the lost and lonely, even the strangest of Deviancies…
ShodYod the Mathematician: TBD
SaSan the Marine Biologist: TBD. I’m not sure that Heresy was something she came into in the course of her work. She’s just such a strong personality at base. I expect her to be tricky.
VarMa the Seal-Bearer: TBD, but however they came to it, they definitely they would have been SoSu’s #1 fan and most loyal acolyte.
MalVa the Guide: TBD, although they would have been exposed to a lot of ‘foreign ideas’ in the course of their work, so that may be how they first got into trouble. :-) I have a tiny inkling they may even have been a bit of an anti-colonialist, which would be a problem for other UrSkeks even though other UrSkeks will swear up and down that they’re not even sort of colonialists. ;oP
TekTih the Inventor: TBD. TekTih was an Inventor, which kind of by definition meant they were a bit more ‘interferey’ than the average UrSkek, but that in itself isn’t quite enough to push a sib into Heresy, so I’m going to have to think about it some more.
UngIm the Restorer: TBD. However, there wouldn’t be much call for actual restoring work on other UrSkeks on Homeworld, the species having long since left death, disease and war behind. Therefore, they were likely either more of a veterinarian, or else had a history of traveling around on colony worlds, where again as noted, an UrSkek can run not only into disturbing concepts, but into disturbing events of the sort that flesh-and-blood beings are all too easily prey to. Which provides restoring work, of course, but not only that.
OkAc the Scholar: TBD, though it’s harder to think of places a Scholar couldn’t get themselves into doctrinal trouble than places they could. XD
LiLii: TBD. But – yanno – I mean, it’s LiLii. I have a feeling that like GraGoh, they may just have an unfortunate habit of annoying others, particularly with blurted-out inconvenient truths, and certainly they had a mischievous turn for an UrSkek.
After being reunited once the Crystal of Truth was healed by Jen, the gelfling, the UrSkeks were surprised to find that they weren't the same they once had been. Now, each one of them, being an individual UrSkek (as shown by their vibrant colors, a huge contrast with the white of their kind), the group knows that they cannot go back to their Homeworld. So, instead, they start living in Thra, dealing with all the consequences of the actions of their evil sides.
Do you guys wanna see my urskeks? Well, even if you said no, here we go!
I guess you guys can guess who is who (looking down at the tags don’t count! lol).
Also, yes, i added my ocxcanon ship~
Since I've been working on the background and history of the canon urskeks for a good while, yet I have done nothing to publish this setting for others to use, here is my urskek headcanon post.
WARNING: The society I'm describing is extremely flawed and includes a lot of things that are traumatic in real life. Please take care.
Some of these headcanons come from conversations between @bogprincess-kira and me. So credit to her.
The Society
Society in Urskekia is best described as a recovering theocratic communistic state. While most current urskeks have grown in the collectivist society, many older ones still remember the old nobility.
Though the planet is now ruled by a council of urskeks of great renown, the old noble houses still have seats. The council is hoping the nobility will soon die out.
To replace the old monarchy and totalitarianism, the council has instituted mandatory orgies to produce new urskeks. This method ensures that family lines get mixed and the noble caste's blood purity is lost. This is why most of the noble houses still standing have resorted to more insular methods.
Outside the higher up politics, urskeks' are divided into castes. Though everyone, in theory, has equal treatment, there are distinct lower and middle classes born from the remnants of the old monarchy. This divide goes into the castes as well, with the Religious and Governmental castes being the highest. The vast majority of urskeks are in the Worker caste and are thus middle-class. There is no pariah caste officially, but Expendable Soldiers and Explorers often fill that role. Though everyone can in theory join any caste, the lower class rarely rise above the worker caste.
Though the urskek society prides itself on equality, it is only equal for those of able body. As the urskek ideal is collectivist, there is a strong push for unified looks and behaviours. The Great Crystal shines the same for everyone, so everyone must mirror its perfection. The urskek society practises eugenics as a matter of course, this practice dates to the days of the old monarchs. Being born disabled or becoming disabled are both markers of the Great Crystal's disfavour. There can not be a dissenting chord in the harmony and so many young urskeks are either culled or exiled.
Exile in general has become an alternative to the death penalty. Most exiles are expected to die, but those who survive or even thrive on new planets serve as canaries for society at large. Many formerly untamed worlds have become colonies of the urskeks. If the local aliens prove hostile, the army is sent. Though some noble families boast trained warriors, the bulk of the urskek army is made up of expendable soldiers thrown into the grinder. The modern urskek society considers itself above violence, thus most who fight in the armies are criminals or those with no other option.
As a theocracy, the urskek society reveres the Great Crystal which is the heart of their home planet. The Priest caste is seen as the voice of the Great Crystal and so holds a lot of political power. Many on the council are of the Priest caste. Any deviation from this faith is naturally seen as heresy and punished harshly.
Even though the society is harsh and there are many pitfalls, the vast majority of the urskeks live in relative comfort and keep their heads down.
The Education System
(Ages listed are equivalent to human ages.)
Urskeks spend most of their childhood with their parent(s), before being sent to learn a profession at a guild at age 7-10. Some youths go through entrance exams, while others are sponsored. Those who fail at exams or are seen as unfit for finer work are sent to become explorers or soldiers.
Regardless of the path, most young urskeks have a mentor they learn from. Only those in the designer or sustenance guilds learn from a collection of teachers.
At age 14, most urskeks are considered old enough to go into the workforce. The Priest caste remains acolytes until there is a need for another Priest.
After age 14, an urskek is generally expected to be self-sufficient and learn on their own. Though they are not considered adults until age 20, the graduate urskeks are not barred from most vices or events.
The Twice-Nine
Exiled 1950 trine ago from the capital city, the Twice-Nine are an eclectic bunch of urskeks from all walks of life and ages. What unites them, aside from their division and connection to the planet Thra, is that these exiles have formed a close-knit family with each other.
Twice-Nine in reverse order of age (given in human years);
YiYa (age of exile: 71)- YiYa was a high-ranking member of the council who was rumoured to be of old noble blood, though no house claimed him. YiYa was thoroughly corrupt and obsessed with his lineage. He was exiled when his crimes were brought to the public by SilSol.
GraGoh (age of exile:57)- A renowned explorer who grew jaded with the constant expansion of the urskeks. Never feeling part of the society, he took part in the resistance movement started by SoSu. GraGoh was exiled with his apprentices for the crime of heresy.
UngIm: (age of exile: 53)- A jaded field medic tired of the eternal war and wounds, UngIm joined GraGoh in heresy. He and his apprentice VarMa were exiled for this.
NaNol (age of exile: 41)- Already a sketchy figure as a sanitation worker, NaNol's poor impulse control caused him to 'accidentally' murder a friend. Seeing the signs of a serial killer, NaNol was promptly exiled.
ShodYod (age of exile:32)- A mild-mannered math teacher who ended up in a money-laundering racket. Mostly to feed his family. This was enough for an exile.
SaSan (age of exile; 20-ish)- One of GraGoh's apprentices, specializing in water planets. SaSan has deemed an acceptable loss due to her rebellious nature.
MalVa (age of exile:19)- the other apprentice of GraGoh, MalVa was deemed a lost cause due to his love of nature and feral behaviour.
ZokZah (age of exile:18)- A lower-class born acolyte, ZokZah was the second-in-command of SoSu's little resistance. Generally a sardonic and rebellious youth, ZokZah clawed his way up to the Priest caste by sheer determination. Harbouring a deep dislike of the noble class, ZokZha still stayed loyal to the highborn SoSu.
SoSu (age of exile:17)- A highborn child of an old noble house, SoSu's life was predetermined for him. That is until he and ZokZha butted heads and earned each other's respect. Being essentially a nothing to his parents and house, SoSu started espousing a philosophy of personal freedom. This led to his exile as a heretic.
LiLii (age of exile: 15)- One of YiYa's offspring, LiLii earned his exile by insulting one of the councillors to their face. During a mass.
SilSol (age of exile: 14-ish)- A war orphan who grew up in a 'naturalistic' orphanage outside the capital, SilSol was a gifted performer that took part in many religious masses as the head composer. An unfortunate encounter with YiYa and his public exposing of the councillor led SilSol to exile to quiet him.
EktUtt (age of exile: 14)- EktUtt was sent early to a prestigious school for designers and tailors. Though he was gifted in practical arts, he lacked a strong magic ability. Thus his education took much longer, long enough that EktUtt saw his more magical fellows burn out before graduating. EktUtt started to tutor these classmates in practical arts and was caught. For daring to think better than his teachers, EktUtt was exiled.
AyukAmaj (age of exile:14)- A rather average sustenance worker, AyukAmaj was exiled when he fed the poor more than their allotted amount.
VarMa (age of exile:13)- VarMa was seen as a dumb but strong idiot long before his exile. Thus he was tasked with helping UngIm on the field. He was exiled along with UngIm.
HakHom (age of exile: 13)- A young potential lawyer, HakHom was seen as too iconoclastic and rebellious to serve her role. Her interest in SoSu's resistance did not help. Grew up in the same orphanage as SilSol.
OkAc (age of exile:12)- OkAc was not only born a runt but also with a severely flawed vision. His parent tried to hide him, but he was eventually found out and exiled due to his disability.
TekTih (age of exile: 12)- Born a runt and after failing to put up muscle, was exiled for his disability.
LachSen (age of exile: 11)- LachSen suffered severe skin conditions and a weakened immune system. Once it was clear they failed to kick off the diseases, they were exiled.
(OC-CelLoy (age of exile: 5)- SoSu's younger brother. Raised solely by SoSu. Exiled for leuticism as no creature that baulked from light could be an urskek.)
