S'Kra Mur Attire
Traditional S'Kra Mur prefer loose, flowing garments and lots of jewelry. The S'Kra Mur created their own style of intricate, asymmetrical ornamentation and applied it to fine jewelry and clothing, which enjoyed brief popularity with the other races.
Both males and females tend to clothe themselves from head to toe. Because S'Kra are not mammals (and therefore do not have breasts), it is not considered obscene for female S'Kra to be naked from the waist up. However, traditional S'Kra Mur would feel underdressed -- akin to wearing jeans and a T-shirt to a formal dinner.
According to An Introduction to S'Kra Anatomy, the S'Kra Mur actually experience a deeper and more varied level of color in the visible world. This may explain why the S'Kra pay great heed to the symbolic meaning of colors in their rituals. It may also explain their preference for intricate, asymmetrical designs.
Symbolism
Colors
| brown | homage to Hav'roth |
| gold | homage to Peri'el |
| grey or black | homage to Ushnish |
| red | courage in battle |
| blue | youth and boldness |
| white | peace and purity of spirit |
| orange | bad luck (at least for weddings) |
Flowers
| amaranth | love |
| baby's breath | fertility |
| chrysanthemum (white) | truth |
| daffodil (golden) | nobility |
| hibiscus (golden) | beauty |
| jasmine (white) | undying love |
| orchid | loyalty |
| silverbow | boldness |
| starflower (white) | passion |
| wood violets | homage to Hav'roth |
Unique Garments
Torso
Gamantang: The gamantang is an informal or "house" coat traditionally worn by the S'Kra Mur. Loosely cut, it features long sleeves, usually folded back to mid-forearm in a wide cuff, and a slit running up the back to allow for freedom of the wearer's tail. In recent times, the gamantang has become a popular outer garment.
For ceremonial occasions, the gamantang is specially crafted with the wearer's representational colors/icons embroidered onto it. For these occasions, gamantangs are generally layered, with a dark color beneath and a lighter color(s) on top. The fabric can vary, so long as it's soft and usually somewhat diaphanous. The top layer is almost always silk. In cold weather, the bottom layer is quilted cotton or silk. (S'Kra Mur weddings often take place in the fall.)
Head
Uaro's'sugi: This is a cloth that can be wrapped about the head, face, and neck to protect these sensitive areas from windblown sand. The uaro's'sugi is diaphanous and often contains a small pocket for storing precious items. The literal meaning of "uaro's'sugi" is "head guard."
- Sold: Imogen's Accessories
Tail
Tail Drape: This garment is cinched around the waist with a belt and drapes over the tail. These are most often worn by married S'Kra Mur women.
- Sold: Naarti'hhs'naartin
Pel'hhsmur: The "veil of pride" is an opaque, floor-length tail drape worn by S'Kra Mur brides. It usually doesn't drag behind the bride for longer than a couple of handspans, especially in warlike clans, whose members expect to be in constant martial readiness. The pel'hhsmur is cinched around the waist with a belt, usually one made out of some sort of metal -- gold discs, silver stars, etc. It can have embroidery around the edges, but it is usually very subtle. The main body of the pel'hhsmur should be all of one color, unmarked.
Unique Jewelry
Wrists and Hands
Pilonu: Like the rasha'hhsograth, the pilonu is a bracelet-ring combination that is worn on the wrist and hand. It consists of a bracelet and one or more rings of metal, which are connected to the bracelet by chains.
- Sold: Shoiya's Gems
Rasha'hhsograth: The "flower of the hand" is a bracelet-ring combination that is worn on the wrist and hand. Its design ranges from the harsh and war-like to delicate and romantic. The main framework is a bracelet of either solid metal or of multi-joined links. From the bracelet, linked chains span the length of the hand to the base of each finger, where it joins the rings. The number of chains and rings varies depending on personal choice and comfort.
The rasha'hhsograth is often decorated with gemstones and/or intricate mosaics depicting a simple image. Occasionally, usually for the more war-like clans, pseudo talons will extend from the finger-rings to the fingertips.
Ama'hhrsk Bracelet: Given as a sign of love to one's spouse during anniversaries. The ones sold at Rataraduum's Fine Jewelry are engraved with the Eth'ral'khh phrase, "tanusami ttki."
Mehath Bracelet: Worn in remembrance of a dead ru'ati. (S'Kra heroes are said to join Sraan Mehath when they die.) The ones sold at Rataraduum's Fine Jewelry are engraved with the Eth'ral'khh phrase, "kiel'parakom hi'kho."
Ru'at Bracelet: Given in close and esteemed friendship to the S'Kra Mur's ru'ati. The ru'at is a S'Kra Mur's inner circle of family, friends, and allies. A S'Kra gives his ru'ati complete trust and complete honesty and expects the same from them.
Venda: Means "ring" in S'Kra Mur. There is also a clan called Sraan Venda.
Head and Face
Aggahhpel: The name of this piece of jewelry means Dream Veil. Generally crafted from tiny links of metal, it is worn as a headdress that aligns to the edges of the scales. It can only be worn by S'Kra Mur
- Sold: Pi'botuk Pel'arsharra
Por'nidrel: Made of fine wire, the por'nidrel is shaped to fit into the spaces between the scales around a S'Kra Mur's left eye. The por'nidrel may be set with gems.
- Sold: Shoiya's Gems
Sur'nidrel Made of fine wire, the sur'nidrel is shaped to fit into the spaces between the scales around a S'Kra Mur's right eye. The sur'nidrel may be set with gems.
- Sold: Shoiya's Gems
Sharmiit'mhhg
This seems to be a style of bead embroidery that uses geometric shapes to create colorful designs. It has been used on tailbands and pendants.
Sources
- GM Ellerina (S'Kra Mur Race Champion)
- store and item descriptions
- The Wedding of Rothnar ner'hhs'Tladin and Shhneri aar'Lanth (book)
- The Ways of the S'kra Mur (book)