Editing Skorr (section)

==Skorr Culture==
	
Skorr People are very artistic and pleasant to spend time with. They have a tendency to become attached to those around them and willing to defend them to the death if necessary. The Skorr people make a big show of holidays on every scale.  Birthdays and Anniversaries are always largely shared events.  Equinoxes and Solstices are usually celebrated by Skorr people, to commemorate friendships, renew oaths, pacts and agreements.  The Skorr have a wonderful sense of Culture as a race. They exalt art of all sorts, especially martial ones oriented around the bow or spear, while maintaining intricate works, such as glass blowing. They also love a wide variety of music, and every City on the home world has at least 3 famous museums or auditoriums. Storytellers and playwrights are among the most respected members of the race, with musicians and Artists ranking a close second.  Architecture is considered an art form, and most major cities contain several phenomenal structures to behold. A Skorr as a general rule will rarely choose not to express themselves in some form of artistic manner, most choosing music or acting. 

Because of their own rich culture, the average Skorr often chooses to embrace other cultures artistic heritage openly. This acceptance of foreign culture by the Skorr People has often resulted in a strong tie between an individual Skorr and shipmates or co-workers.  The Average Skorr is open to new experiences and individuals. They rarely choose to abstain from participating in activities or work-related tasks. They are careful to always find good in the activities and expressions of others before pointing out obvious flaws they may contain. Because of this it is supposed that the Average Skorr would serve well on most federation starships.

===The Soul of Skorr===

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| colspan="2" style="color: black; background-color: #FFA500; border: 1px outset #000033; text-align: center; font-weight: bold;" | Soul of Skorr Replica
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| colspan="3" align="center" | [[Image:Soul_Of_Skorr.png|center|350px|Soul of Skorr Replica]]
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Soul of Skorr was an extra-dimensional object that was attuned to the unique lineage of Alar. As such distance is irrelevant to it. Any Skorr attuned to the artifact is capable of depositing their memories into the device once they had achieved the necessary mental state, although only the High King can retrieve any memories so stored there.

Only the High King knows the origins of the device, since only he can see the wisdom and memories of Alar; the first Skorr to use the device.  There are speculations of course. They range from being an alien artifact found by Alar to a gift from the Ancient gods of the Skorr people. In any case, the artifact is said to protect the collected knowledge of the royal lineage and also to protect the Skorr People. How exactly that would be done was unknown, but within Skorr Society it is believed beyond all other things. It truly is considered the Soul of all that the Skorr people are.

There are only replicas on display across the Skorr Hierarchy. The actual artifact is such a valued item that only the High King and a handful of attendant priests know of it's location. Even Dralar, a member of the royal line would never know where the Soul was kept unless, by some twist of fate, he became the High King.

A replica of the Soul of Skorr rested in the outstretched hands of the Statue of Alar, located in one of the most sacred places in Skorr Culture; the great Temple of the Sky at Mozna Amar. 

The True Soul of Skorr, is a knot of unique materials that has been identified as [[indurite]]. The material in some manner bends time, space and dimensions. It was such an amazing thing that even to this day, no Skorr Scientist or priest understands how it works. They only know that it does.

===The Temple of the Sky ===

The primary religious center for the teachings of Alar. the Great Temple of the Sky at Mozna Amar is the most sacred places in Skorr Culture. 

The temple itself is situated atop a great mountain top that had been leveled in ancient times.  The mountain is known as Kelja or "The place where the world meets the Sky" In the later days of Alar, the Skorr people removed and flattened the last 300 meters of the stone mountain top. On that plateau the ancient temple had been built. 

The structures were made entirely of the stone taken from the top of the mountain. Each hand carved over the millennium by master craftsmen. 


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| colspan="2" style="color: black; background-color: #FFA500; border: 1px outset #000033; text-align: center; font-weight: bold;" | Temple of the Sky
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| colspan="3" align="center" | [[Image:Lotus_temple.jpg|center|350px|Temple of the Sky]]
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The busts of the descendants of Alar, all High Kings throughout the ages lined a broad avenue flanked by stone pillars decorated with gold leaf and intricately etched into beautiful abstract patterns.

At the end of the long avenue of colonnades was the temple building. An Acropolis like structure ringed with more columns reminiscent of those found on earth during the Greco-Roman period. Large lintel pieces spanned the columns and their carvings were enhanced with precious metals and jewels. They represented the life of Alar, the single most important figure in Skorr history. It was his wisdom that united the once warring clans of the Skorr people into a single purpose. It was his legacy that turned the Skorr into a star faring people. It was his desire and teachings that allowed them to reach out to other species with peace and understanding without sacrificing their strong martial traditions.

At the end of the Avenue there are wide steps, purposely designed to be uncomfortable to Skorr physiology. Visiting Skorr are not permitted to use their wings to aid them when climbing these stairs. These were the only steps found anywhere on the planet and they were here to remind the royal family of humility.

At the top of the steps there is a broad open area of the temple where a group of priest wait for Royal visitors.  In that open space a replica of the Soul of Skorr rests in the outstretched hands of the Statue of Alar. A representation of his gift to the Skorr people.

===The Ritual of Ahk'kan===

The ritual of Ahk'kan is a religious ceremony presided over by the High Priests charged with the welfare of the Soul of Skorr. The ritual can only be performed upon a member of the Skorr species who is a direct descendant of Alar. On Stardate 2407.07.04, Dralar the 45th Prince of Skoria undertook the ritual. below are excerpts showing the stages of the ritual.



''Dralar was wearing his full regalia as was befitting a Skorr of his stature.'' 

''The uniform was a rich orange and gold and was made of a fabric the allowed the light to cause the colors to appear to shimmer as it reacted with the fabric. The symbolism of the colors was that of Sunset. The ending of the day just as there could be a potential ending to Dralar's life in the coming days of the battle.''

''He wore his princely Brocade that clearly announced his heritage to the trained eye. His badges of office and right of lineage were pinned to his breast for all to see.  His foot  talons were tipped with Golden  caps, a ceremonial version of the claw blades that his people still wore into battle.  Rich elaborate ribbons made of the same material as his formal attire wrapped around his lower legs below the feather line.''

''His royal feather crown had been coated with a light dusting of gold and orange fleck. The only special indicator of his lineage. Even if he were complete stripped of all other affairs of state, his head feathers would immediately identify him as a member of the royal lineage. It was a genetic disposition that only the members of his bloodline carried. It had been that way for millennium and dated back to the time of Alar the greatest member of their people. He was first High King and savior of the Skorr species. It was his collected wisdom as well as that of every member of the Royal lineage that resided inside the Soul of Skorr.  It in turn was accessible only to the High King of Skoria. In this manner all experiences and knowledge could be saved and reviewed as needed for Generations to come.''

''That was why he was here. To ensure that his memories would not be lost.'' 

''It had been explained to him as a child that the Soul of Skorr was an extra-dimensional object that was attuned to his particular lineage. As such distance was irrelevant to it. Any Skorr attuned to the artifact could deposit their memories into the device once they had achieved the necessary state, although only the high King could retrieve any memories so stored there.''

''The scene was one of the most sacred places in Skorr Culture; the great Temple of the Sky at Mozna Amar.'' 

''Dralar strode up the long avenue facing each of the 600 Skorr High Kings, his ancestors and reciting their names in turn. Once that was finished, he strode up the wide steps, purposely designed to be uncomfortable to Skorr physiology.  He climbed them slowly and with difficulty. He understood well enough that he was not permitted to use his wings to aid him. These were the only steps found anywhere on the planet and they were here to remind the royal family of humility.''

''Once he had defeated the steps he moved into the broad open area of the temple where a group of priest stood waiting for him.'' 

''"Halt, Skorr Prince." The voice of the high priest commanded, and Dralar stopped were he was.'' 

''"Since the times of the ancients, Alar has given us his wisdom. Why do you now come to this, our most sacred place?"'' 

''"I come to impart my experience to the Soul of Skorr, that all those of my lineage shall know of my deeds and my experiences. I come to deposit my Ahk'kan so that in the coming days my contribution to my people shall not be lost." he replied.''

''The priest regarded him down the length of his long jagged beak.'' 

''"What do you have to contribute that shall be stored for all time, prince of Skoria?"''

''I have intimate knowledge of our Allies, great priest. I have seen things that shows that there are those among the stars that we should count among our friends. I wish to share their struggle so that the people of Skoria shall understand their plight and our role in the galaxy. I serve the blood of Alar and I serve the Skorr people. I seek no glory nor self aggrandizement. I seek only to impart my experiences so that our people do not lose them for all eternity as was the way before the time of Alar. Should you deem that I am deceitful in this, may you shatter my wings and throw me from this high place so that my spirit will forever walk the world unable to ride the winds for all eternity."''

''"You must show that your desire is pure." the priest replied. "You shall now partake of the Misact Essence and prove that your heritage is true."''

''Dralar nodded.'' 

''A second group of priests came forward bearing a gold box. In it was a vial of poison. This was the only aspect of the ritual that was not replicated. It was the actual elixir that his people used in this very ritual.''

''Dralar knew from experience that the poison was painful, as it would attack the pain receptors throughout his body. He also knew that the same genetic disposition that made him a prince of Skoria would not allow the poison to kill him. It would be excruciating, but he would not die.''

''This part of the ritual was designed to ensure that no impostor could ever influence the Soul of Skorr for personal gain.''

''The golden box was opened and a junior priest removed the crystal vial from the container.'' 

''He held it out to Dralar. A second junior priest removed the cut crystal stopper.'' 

''Dralar reached out and took the bottle in his right hand.'' 

''"Recite the words." The high priest ordered.'' 

''I am Dralar 45th Prince of Skoria, Keeper of the Great Sky Key of Harridan. I trace my lineage back through the ages calling all of my ancestors to recognize my worth. I descend from the blood of Alar and declare my heritage pure. Should I be deceitful, may the poison of the Misact claim my pathetic life and may my name be forever stricken from the history of the Skorr peoples and all my descendants made outcasts for all time."''

''"You may prove your worth, Dralar, 45th Prince of Skoria for all to bear witness here." The priest intoned.'' 

''Dralar turned up the small crystal bottle, emptying his contents down his gullet. As expected the pain started immediately as the poison went to work.''

''It began as a knotting and cramping of muscles deep in his body The pain and convulsions followed soon after and his feathers shook with spasms as the muscles at the base of the feathers began to spasm. Dralar doubled over as a cry of pure agony escaped from his beak. He lost his balance and pitched forward. The priests did not move to aid him. He rested on his hands and knees as the poison coursed through his body, sending wave after wave of unimaginable pain through him.''

''His body reacted. Glands in his body began pouring a hormone unique to his bloodline into his body before the poison could stop his heart or make it impossible to breath.''

''Slowly the pain and spasms receded. After a short time, Dralar pulled himself back to his feet. He straightened his formal attire and held his head high.''

''"I have shown my lineage to be true and pure. I claim as my right the ritual of the Ahk'kan transfer, that my contribution to my people not be lost or forgotten. I call on you now priest and keepers of the Soul of Skoria to grant me my blood right."''

''The priest looked down at Dralar.'' 

''"Come great prince and give your contribution to the greatness of your people. Your knowledge shall become one with the Soul of Skorr that you shall never be forgotten and your knowledge shall be always there to guide the High King in his stewardship of the Skorr race."''

''Dralar moved forward to the stand before the outstretched hands of the statue of Alar.'' 

''The three attendant priests moved forward surrounding him. The eldest priest spoke directly to the statue of Alar.'' 

''"Our great ancestor, most beloved and celebrated of our peoples. I present before you Dralar, of your lineage. The 45th Prince of Skoria and Keeper of the Great Sky Key of Harridan. He claims the blood right of the Ahk'kan transfer, that his contributions may be used for the benevolence of the Skorr people and that his experiences not be forgotten."''

''"Alar, grant his request," all three Priests repeated simultaneously.'' 

''Dralar's body suddenly went rigid as he felt the presence of the Soul of Skorr come over him. He had experienced it before and still found it an amazing experience. He was in a state of sublime ecstasy as the Soul overcame him. He knew that his entire life was being recorded, and that the process of recording would continue for several standard weeks, or until he died whichever came first. Only at this very moment, when the soul accessed his entire history would he be aware of it. Later as the days progressed, he would instinctively know it was being recorded, but he would be unable to detect the presence of the process.'' 

''It would not be until later, when the affects of the connection finally ended that Dralar would be consciously aware that the process had stopped.''

''Dralar could never tell how long the process of the transfer spanned, he only guessed that it was minutes before he felt the ecstasy subside.''

''"It is done, Dralar, Prince of Skoria." The high priest chimed.'' 

''"Know that your actions now bear the scrutiny of your people, so that you may always act with honor, duty and in glory. May you fly high and true, great prince and may you always find favorable winds." he concluded.''

"''May the wings of Alar guide me in all things." Dralar replied.''