The Skrell are the oldest and most advanced known species present on the galactic stage, whose passion lies in the combined sciences. They evolved on Qerrbalak, a planet covered in vast swamps and freshwater seas, hence their amphibious qualities. These include moist, pliant, and nearly translucent skin, as well as their internal gills allowing them to breathe underwater.
Although humans have fractured heavily in their expansion, the Skrell remain largely unified under a singular government through the strict reinforcement of education and laws, working as a democratic meritocracy - at least on the surface. Social media is maintained by the Nralakk Federation government, who gag unacceptable discussions or thoughts and instead encourages people to be like the idols that they reward with credits, high-quality housing, and fine living.
Introducing the SkrellTip™
Look out for words and phrases with a green dotted underlineDon't tug on their headtails! You wouldn't want your hair pulled by a total stranger, would you? ⓘ See the Skrell Glossary for more definitions. - you can hover over these to see the definitions of Skrell and Skrell-related terms which might not have an obvious meaning!
In-Game
These mechanics apply to all Skrell.
Skrell have their own language that can be used by typing ,k before anything you say, and can also be used over the radio.
Skrell can use a variety of different psionic abilities.
Skrell can enter Srom with other Skrell when they sleep, allowing communication and lucid dreaming.
Slimes are naturally passive to skrell for a mysterious reason science has yet to find out.
Skrell have the ability to breathe underwater due to them being amphibious.
Due to their advanced vestibular system, Skrell maintain a good balance and never slip.
Skrell have large heads with protruding headtails and due to this, they cannot wear normal EVA helmets but instead need to wear Skrell helmets (found in EVA or by using a suit cycler). Their headtails also make it uncomfortable or even impossible to wear normal headwear such as hats so most Skrell opt-out of that.
Skrell have a hemocyanin-based circulatory system, meaning that their blood is instead bound to copper atoms and not iron atoms. Skrell require copper supplements to alleviate blood loss symptoms.
These mechanics apply only to Axiori.
Axiori take increased burn damage due to their natural habitat being colder.
Axiori take decreased oxygen and brute damage due to the increased pressure of their natural habitat.
Axiori must drink fluids more regularly when out of water.
Axiori sprint slower due to their larger, webbed feet.
Axiori have a naturally higher pulse due to their increased circulatory needs.
These are the Heads of Staff occupations that Skrell may hold.
Depiction of a nude Skrell, approximately 140 years old with artificially elongated headtails. Genitalia not pictured.
Skrell typically stand at heights between 4'5" (1.35m) and 5'5" (1.65m).
Having negligible evolutionary pressure to lose their aquatic anatomic features after terrestrialization, they are fully amphibious, capable of breathing and seeing underwater. Notably, they lack nails but have strong webbing between the digits of their extremities, and lack teeth - rather, they have hardened gums which facilitate chewing on soft feeds, grinding harder foods into more digestible forms, and even swallowing some foods whole. Skrell do not have protruding noses, instead housing two nostril slits on a fleshy mound in the middle of their faces. Their eyes are wholly black due to a pigment produced in their tear ducts.
Skrell possess tentacle-like headtails which typically hang down over their shoulders, used to keep collar and neck skin damp for the incubation of eggs. These headtails typically contain hundreds or thousands of micromuscles which allow an an individual to raise, wiggle, and generally position them, though without fine control. They grow throughout the entirety of an individual's life and naturally signify one's age, though they can be lengthened or shortened with Spa treatmentsMedical procedures undertaken at Spa clinics, typically for cosmetic purposes. ⓘ See the Skrell Glossary for more definitions. - it is not uncommon to do so, whether for fashion, personal taste, or to appear older and wiser to others. Headtails can be 'tied back', which may seem uncomfortable or painful, though as long as they are not tied too tight, it is roughly equivalent to a Human crossing their arms. Often, they are adorned with jewels, cloths, chains, or bands for fashion, but sometimes to hide symptoms of disorders such as X'Lu'oa DisorderThe most notable lingering effect of X'Lu'oa manifested as a dark, pigmented acne of the headtails causing sensitivity to touch and pain. ⓘ See the Skrell Glossary for more definitions..
Lacking significant facial muscles, Skrell can seem rather cold and unaffected to other species who are unable to discern their emotion. In reality, Skrell use a variety of methods to display their emotions, including the general movement of their heads, gesturing of their headtails, and an array of vocalizations.
Skrell are cold-blooded, meaning an individual's body temperature will match the air or water around them. They will seek warmth when cold and vice versa, though have a much higher tolerance for both cold and heat than most other species within the Orion Spur provided a satisfactory humidity. Their blood transports oxygen using freely flowing hemacyanins (copper-based), as opposed to hemoglobins (iron-based) attached to red blood cells in Humans - it appears blue when oxygenated and colourless otherwise.
