Introduction to S'Kra Anatomy (book) - Revision history

CARAAMON: moved Introduction to S'Kra Anatomy, An (book) to Introduction to S'Kra Anatomy (book)

2011-09-20T18:16:04Z

moved Introduction to S'Kra Anatomy, An (book) to Introduction to S'Kra Anatomy (book)

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CARAAMON: An Introduction to S'Kra Anatomy (book) moved to Introduction to S'Kra Anatomy, An (book)

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An Introduction to S'Kra Anatomy (book) moved to Introduction to S'Kra Anatomy, An (book)

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			[[Category:Book]][[page type is::book\| ]][[race association is::s'kra mur\| ]][[guild association is::empath\| ]]
	[[Category:Book]]

	==An Introduction to S'Kra Anatomy ==		==An Introduction to S'Kra Anatomy ==

Maintenance script at 23:05, 26 November 2007

2007-11-26T23:05:13Z

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	==An Introduction to S'Kra Anatomy ==		==An Introduction to S'Kra Anatomy ==
	'''Silmoran Tangoranae '''<br>		'''[[Silmoran]] Tangoranae '''<br>
	'''edited by Insrat'ha iird'Kortaal'''		'''edited by [[Insrat'ha]] iird'Kortaal'''



	:I, Insrat'ha iird'Kortaal, scholar of the King, His Royal Majesty Korlanis II, called Malksaanin, offer here the translated works of the Elothean Silmoran Tangoranae regarding S'Kra anatomy. It is a comprehensive work, and, such as can be verified, seems quite accurate. The reader is advised to be patient with Silmoran, who often takes some time in getting to the point -- I have left none of his rambling out. An Elothean might offer tribute to Silmoran's thoroughness -- I personally believe that he simply liked to hear himself speak.		:I, Insrat'ha iird'Kortaal, scholar of the King, His Royal Majesty [[Korlanis II]], called Malksaanin, offer here the translated works of the Elothean Silmoran Tangoranae regarding S'Kra anatomy. It is a comprehensive work, and, such as can be verified, seems quite accurate. The reader is advised to be patient with Silmoran, who often takes some time in getting to the point -- I have left none of his rambling out. An Elothean might offer tribute to Silmoran's thoroughness -- I personally believe that he simply liked to hear himself speak.

	:By my hand, <br>		:By my hand, <br>
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	been Moongated -- but results here were inconclusive. The		been Moongated -- but results here were inconclusive. The
	Moongate aspect came into play when the desert city of		Moongate aspect came into play when the desert city of
	Muspar'i was accessible, however sporadically, and trends,		[[Muspar'i]] was accessible, however sporadically, and trends,
	as they tend to, migrated there -- though of course it is		as they tend to, migrated there -- though of course it is
	much more challenging to assure freshness in sea creatures		much more challenging to assure freshness in sea creatures
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	those who have kindly offered answers to my questions and		those who have kindly offered answers to my questions and
	subjected their bodies to inspection by the Empaths.		subjected their bodies to inspection by the Empaths.
	I thank in particular Empath Saarli Irrlivas, who was able		I thank in particular Empath [[Saarli]] Irrlivas, who was able
	to share with me her extensive experience with the		to share with me her extensive experience with the
	treatment of S'Kra patients.		treatment of S'Kra patients.

Maintenance script: Book:RstSMA moved to An Introduction to S'Kra Anatomy (book)

2007-11-23T04:25:11Z

Book:RstSMA moved to An Introduction to S'Kra Anatomy (book)

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 ==An Introduction to S'Kra Anatomy ==
 '''Silmoran Tangoranae '''<br>
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 ==On the Anatomy of the S'Kra Mur: ==
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 I thank in particular Empath Saarli Irrlivas, who was able
 to share with me her extensive experience with the
 treatment of S'Kra patients.

Maintenance script: New page: ==An Introduction to S'Kra Anatomy == '''Silmoran Tangoranae '''
'''edited by Insrat'ha iird'Kortaal''' I, Insrat'ha iird'Kortaal, scholar of the King, His Royal Majesty Korl...

2007-07-10T09:43:00Z

New page: ==An Introduction to S'Kra Anatomy == '''Silmoran Tangoranae ''' '''edited by Insrat'ha iird'Kortaal''' I, Insrat'ha iird'Kortaal, scholar of the King, His Royal Majesty Korl...

New page

==An Introduction to S'Kra Anatomy ==
'''Silmoran Tangoranae ''' 
'''edited by Insrat'ha iird'Kortaal'''

I, Insrat'ha iird'Kortaal, scholar of the King, His Royal
Majesty Korlanis II, called Malksaanin, offer here the
translated works of the Elothean Silmoran Tangoranae
regarding S'Kra anatomy. It is a comprehensive work, and,
such as can be verified, seems quite accurate. The reader
is advised to be patient with Silmoran, who often takes
some time in getting to the point -- I have left none of
his rambling out. An Elothean might offer tribute to
Silmoran's thoroughness -- I personally believe that he
simply liked to hear himself speak.

By my hand, 
Insrat'ha iird'Kortaal 
Akroeg 254 

==On the Anatomy of the S'Kra Mur: ==
'''Five Senses '''

Early studies have led my predecessors to believe that
S'Kra are colorblind, but this could not be further from
the truth. I personally believe that this misconception
may have arisen from Elven 'studies' wherein the scholars
held a private bias that any eye not similar to that of an
Elf (or Elothean, or Human) could not possibly be as
developed as their own. For their defense I can only say
that among the creation myths of the S'Kra there is no
apparent need for the S'Kra to have full color sight, as we
have found that those creatures lacking it often have
increased night vision, and this would in fact enhance the
capabilities of a hunter as they seem to have been
originally created, if one is to believe the myth.

From studying comparisons between Elothean eyes and S'Kra
sight we now believe that S'Kra actually experience a
deeper and more varied level of color in the visible world.
However, this richness is counterbalanced by a weakness in
focus in the eyes both in the very young and the very old
-- it is not uncommon for an elderly S'Kra to be utterly
blind.

However, these new findings on the depth of an average
S'Kra's color vision shed new light (if you'll pardon the
word play) on many aspects of S'Kra culture. Could this be
why so much emphasis, for example, is placed upon color in
many of their rituals? And though their intricate,
asymmetrical designs may seem overly excessive or chaotic
to other cultures -- what glorious intricacy does the S'Kra
eye see with its perception for the many more levels of
detail in a dyed fabric?

From a practical perspective, this also may explain why
S'Kra are such efficient hunters within a certain range,
during the daylight hours -- the enhanced color vision
enables a S'Kra to pick out a fish in the sea at close
range, or separate a deer from dense autumn foliage.

We have found, though, that a S'Kra's depth perception and
indeed length of focus is not as great, compensating for
this fascinating color perception. Scholars, particularly
in the Empathic arts, continue to study the limits and
abilities of the S'Kra eye, but as entire studies can be
written on this subject alone, I will move on to other areas.

S'Kra do, of course, have ears, though they lack external
projecting flesh. Their ears are, instead, mostly internal
-- and, we have found, closely tied in with the S'Kra's
sense of touch!

By depriving a subject of one sense or another, we have
found that a S'Kra feels a detriment in hearing when their
sense of touch is lessened. Likewise, without sound, they
do not sense as much when touching things. This strange
phenomenon has led us to believe that the S'Kra actually
sense, to some degree, sound through their skin!

This theory must of course be refined, but most believe it
to be a rather simple device by which S'Kra, in their
minds, align the material effects of sound with their sense
of touch. For instance, in a small room, a terrific yell
will veritably shake the walls -- S'Kra sense this shaking
and interpret it as "hearing." Many see this to be a
defect in the construction of the S'Kra, and I must admit
it is indeed strange.

Thus it is clear that, contrary to the beliefs of some of
my contemporaries, S'Kra skin is actually quite sensitive
and complex. For this reason it gives the species a
slightly greater resistance to intense heat, but conversely
an increased sensitivity to cold, as is commonly known. It
is also this "hearing" mechanism and congruent complexity
of the skin, it is believed, that causes S'Kra scales,
though thicker than Human skin, to be unable to take much
more damage than the latter.

Scales do indeed provide increased protection, but
compensating for this -- or, as is my personal theory, due
to it -- is the delicacy of the S'Kra tactile sense. The
scales of a S'Kra are beautiful and fascinating, but I will
attend to them later, for I am still speaking on their
senses.

It is vehemently argued whether the S'Kra sense of taste is
more or less sensitive than those of the other races.
Based on food preference in general, evidence seems to
point toward the latter -- most S'Kra, for instance, cannot
appreciate the intricate tastes in Elothean tea cakes, much
to their loss. Most tend not to prefer sweets or heavily
prepared foods in general. However, is this an indicator
of increased or decreased sense of taste? Those subjects I
have spoken to find cakes and such "too sugary" yet
"bland." So perhaps there is no indicator here. Certainly
S'Kra tend to prefer a heaviness of spice in their foods
that most confounds the delicate senses of this Elothean,
but there is some indication that S'Kra can perceive a
depth to such strong tastes, as well as a breadth of mere
spice power.

A tradition in the island-dwelling cities has arisen
sometime during the past one hundred years -- that of
eating fish raw! I am told that this is to verify
freshness, and indeed, I have had the chance to interview
and test a number of these connoisseurs.

Most of my subjects accurately gauged the freshness of a
fish past the ability of an Elothean, Elf, and Human,
signifying a definitely increased sensitivity. These S'Kra
also claimed to be able to discern whether the fish had
been Moongated -- but results here were inconclusive. The
Moongate aspect came into play when the desert city of
Muspar'i was accessible, however sporadically, and trends,
as they tend to, migrated there -- though of course it is
much more challenging to assure freshness in sea creatures
so far from the coast. Most S'Kra who favor this rather
strange cultural variation will not sample fish beyond a
certain distance from its sea origin.

The same tests would have been conducted with other raw
meats, but the S'Kra refused. It is generally understood,
though, that the fish sensitivity would translate to many
varieties of meat -- perhaps providing "wilder" S'Kra a
useful ability to tell when meat has turned.

Thus we have found that S'Kra have, rather than a "better"
or "worse" sense of taste, one geared in a different
direction. This direction may also contribute to their
preference for highly spiced -- but not sweet! -- foods,
though this does of course vary between individuals.

==On the Anatomy of the S'Kra Mur: ==
'''Physical Attributes '''

Though they are clearly omnivores, the teeth of a S'Kra
reflect a carnivorous origin. Between the two primary
fangs in the front of the mouth are four identical, slender
incisors. Behind each fang are four more interlocking
demi-fangs. With the exception of the two primary fangs,
all of these teeth are matched on the lower jaw. All of
the teeth are -exceptionally- sharp -- and it is a good
thing that the forked S'Kra tongue is slender and highly
maneuverable, rather than thick like a Human's, or the
creatures would constantly cut it on their sharp -- but
relatively delicate -- front teeth.

Behind these teeth is a gap, followed by a row of molars,
also interlocking. These molars, like the rest of the
teeth, are proportionately more slender and sharp than
those of the other races.

S'Kra most certainly are not venomous, despite some of the
wilder legends circulating among the Humans. And, save for
in the case of certain rituals in the Drum Clan, they are
just as susceptible to poison as any other race. But I
digress.

S'Kra shed their teeth four times over the course of their
lives. It is postulated that this serves to maintain the
intense sharpness of the teeth. However, the process by
which the teeth are replaced is slightly different from,
say, that of a Human. Except in exceptionally rare cases,
teeth -always- come in directly behind the departing tooth.
And the departing tooth does not leave -- and in fact
retains almost all of its strength -- until the new tooth
has come in. Thus S'Kra teeth, barring injury, are never
"loose".

This is due to a notch on one side of each tooth. When a
new tooth is fully developed, it last grows the piece that
fills this notch, triggering the release of the old tooth.
Not surprisingly, their scales have a similar device --
really quite ingenious, but I suppose these are gods we
speak of when discussing their creation.

I will take a slight detour now to discuss the structure of
the S'Kra tail. I must admit to some puzzlement regarding
the discomfiture of those S'Kra I petitioned for
information about this -- only the Empaths were of any help
at all, and even they seemed positively squeamish with
regard to this appendage. Strange for such a proud race.
The tail, of course, has enormous personal significance and
is considered a S'Kra's most private part of the body.
Therefore I would assure any S'Kra to read this document
that I have no offense in mind with my following
discussion.

The tail of a S'Kra is an immensely flexible, sensitive
organ. It is the seat (no pun intended) of many virtues in
S'Kra culture, I believe, precisely because its movement is
so closely tied in with a S'Kra's emotion. Certainly a
S'Kra's tail will never "wag" like a mammal's, but many a
diplomatic endeavor has failed for the outsider's lack of
proper observational skill of a S'Kra's tail posture.
Granted, S'Kra work diligently to control the degree to
which they express this emotion -- and S'Kra children are
much more likely to be possessed of more dramatic tail
movements.

I say that the tail is more sensitive, and this is due not
only to the natural result of avoiding contact with the
area, but to, I believe, a concentration of sensory
receptors in certain parts of the tail. Again, my evidence
has been hard-won, as it is an exceptionally rare S'Kra who
will so much as discuss this with me, to say nothing of
participating in experiments.

As the tail is increasingly sensitive -- the scales, one
will note, are slightly smaller on the tail than the much
larger scales that protect the spine -- the ritual of
removing the tail in the 'smozh' ceremony is not only
humiliating but intensely painful. In this process the
tail is detached as close to the base as possible (this is
enacted by an elder Empath, as to cut the tail any closer
to its base would result in bleeding death) and magically
cauterized so as to never grow back. The tail, if cropped
closer to the tip or in some cases near the titled "smozh
barrier", will slowly regrow over time, though the S'Kra in
question will most likely endure a period of intense
mortification until it does.

In some cases it is said that, as an act of mercy, the tail
is "accidentally" cut too close to the primary arterial
node just below the pelvis, allowing the S'Kra an agonizing
but honor-saving death. There are certain minor and little
spoken rituals involved in the family's treatment of the
blood that issues forth in such a death, but I am afraid
that the whole issue is too grotesque for my own
sensibilities, and I have not researched it.

Ah, I did mention that I would speak on the scales of the
S'Kra. As with the teeth, they employ the trigger-
detachment method. A S'Kra's skin therefore does not
"shed" into strips in the manner of a lizard, but rather
the scales themselves flake away in whole during grooming.

There is no "molting" period -- the S'Kra undergo a sort of
constant regeneration of their scales. In an unhealthy
S'Kra the new scales will not grow as quickly as the old
ones deteriorate, leading to a patchy appearance of skin.

The care of the skin is one meticulously undertaken by the
S'Kra elite. They routinely apply scented oils to their
skin, rubbing it into the scales (which possess tiny pores
so tiny as to make the surface of the scale seem shiningly
smooth) with a certain type of soft cloth. Prior to the
application of this oil, a coarse brush is passed roughly
over the scales, sanding away any imperfections on the
edges of each individual scale and causing the entire
scale pattern to lay properly into place.

The scales vary in size. The largest by far surround the
spine, though those that actually cover it are quite tiny
-- and noticeably harder than those covering the rest of
the body. The smallest cover the face, as might be
obvious, allowing for a full range of facial expressions
and movement.

I will speak briefly on the S'Kra's claws before I close.
Formed of a relatively soft but quite dense substance, the
healthy S'Kra claw is dark black and glossy. If chipped,
the impacted edge cracks white, and "dead" spots flake away
over time. S'Kra in fact keep these claws blunted as to
grow them out too far is not only considered uncouth, but
also causes the older claw material to be increasingly
subject to chipping or snapping, which can be quite
painful. If too much of the claw snaps away at once,
the blood vessel at the end of the fingertip can be bared,
resulting in quite profuse bleeding. Thus the sanding of
the claws is not only aesthetic, but quite practical.

==On the Anatomy of the S'Kra Mur: ==
'''Concluding '''

I find the S'Kra Mur to be quite fascinating creatures from
an anatomical perspective. I do not pretend to understand
the intricacies of their culture and language, though my
competency in both is, I would say, perhaps superior to
many of my peers'. As with most species, it is clear
that an understanding of their culture can at least in part
be determined from their physical structure. My studies of
the S'Kra will continue, allowing for the cooperation of
those who have kindly offered answers to my questions and
subjected their bodies to inspection by the Empaths.
I thank in particular Empath Saarli Irrlivas, who was able
to share with me her extensive experience with the
treatment of S'Kra patients.

== END ==