Origin: Calamian
Magical maturity: 16
Maximum age: 120
The Scathi, or sometimes referred to as Scathi by humans, are a race of lizard-like humanoids. Although not as numerous as humans, they are cunning survivors, intelligent, and more closely tied to the natural world. They are a proud race, protective of their own kind, and extremely observant of the world around them.
Most Scathi stand between 5'6" and 7' tall. They walk upright on their hind legs while manipulating weapons and objects with their forelimbs. Males and females can be any size, with females often being slightly larger than males. They are, in all aspects, reptilian, resembling giant lizards with scaled skin, clawed hands and feet, and long tails. Their heads are reptilian in every aspect. The shape and appearance vary depending on the family, but are very similar to those of anole, monitor, and basilisk-type reptiles. They have no visible ears, and their nostrils are located at the top of their muzzles. Inside their mouths, their front top and bottom teeth are sharp incisors, with a short row of molars in the back for chewing. They are a versatile race, with some individuals being thin and wiry, while others are large and bulky. They range in hide varieties as well, some possessing fine, smooth-scaled skin, while others have heavily scaled skin with thick, rough plates. Regardless of the scale type, their skin is thick and durable, far more so than that of humans, requiring more than minor incidents to break their tough hides. Some possess very little in the way of markings, often leaning toward one shade and slight variations of that shade all over their body. Others have patterns, rings, spots, patches, and flecks of varying colors. Their scales can come in a variety of colorations. They also possess a strong tail. This tail can be thick or thin and whiplike. A Scathi can regrow its tail if they were to lose it, but it can take several years for it to reach the size it once was.
Their genitals are hidden in an inverted pouch under their skin (for both male and female). So, amidst their society, it is not rare to see individuals walking around as humans would say, naked. Even so, it is common for them to wear some form of clothing, favoring loose, sturdy fabrics that don’t catch in their scales, leathers, ropes, light robes, togas, loincloths, or girths with belts, chains, and sashes. Females do not have breasts, for they are egg layers, and so also wear similar attire to males.
Although their views on love differ from those of humans, the concept is not lost to them. They enjoy the closeness of another, and although they do not kiss due to their physical makeup, they find great pleasure in touch, nuzzling, and licking. The Scathi may have monogamous relationships or even polygamous relationships. Females can lay clutches with multiple paternity. This is why females determine lineage in Scathii society, with all noble lines tracing back to a woman. Males will often announce their name, followed by their mother’s name, in society.
Scathi women go through two mating seasons per year and can lay up to four eggs per season. These eggs are grapefruit-sized eggs that have leathery, flexible shells. Once laid, the eggs double in size to that of a watermelon and hatch about a month later. Scathi newborns are able to walk upright on their legs within twenty-four hours of hatching. They can't speak, however, for several years, and so emit small chirping, clicks, and whines. Women are fiercely protective of their young. Orphaned Scathi children are adopted by other females who typically have problems laying, and are given their new mother’s name regardless. It's said that a Scathi female's parental instincts are so strong that they have even been known to adopt abandoned human children, which is how some Scathi societies have humans living amongst them.
Scathi reaches adulthood and magical maturity at the age of sixteen. On average, a Scathi can live up to 120 years.
Scathi are by far one of the best swimmers of all the Calamian races. They can swim quickly and see underwater perfectly due to their second clear eyelid, which acts as a protective covering for the eye. They can also hold their breath for an exceedingly long amount of time, as they do not need as much oxygen to filter through their body as other races do. It has been recorded that a scathi held their breath underwater for up to two hours. They can’t do extreme depths, however, as the pressure can harm them. Scathi are also sensitive to cold and do not handle severe drops in temperature well.
The Scathi live off the land in harmony, feeding on what their habitat provides. They are cultivists and enjoy growing plants that can withstand their watery habitats. Many are omnivores, enjoying diets that include both plants and animals. They favor wild rice, tubers, reeds, and berries, along with staples of fish, shellfish, and meats.
The Scathi people are artisans, renowned for their distinctive pottery, tilework, beadwork, glass, jewelry, and art. Much of their work relies heavily on readily available material, such as stone, bone, shell, wood, lacquer, pearl, silver, and gold.
Scathi live in scattered settlements in Auraton's wetlands, though their major cities are in the Mothendar region. It is not uncommon to see Scathi in cities, although only those with an abundance of water are suitable. Some Scathi who have lost their homelands over the ages, or aided humans in the past during the aftermath of the Demon Wars, have adapted to life in cities and established communities there. Some scathi leave their homelands to explore he world as they see fit.
