Syrik

All Syrik resemble humanoid reptiles/amphibians, typically possessing two arms anding five fingered, clawed hands, two legs ending in three toed, clawed feet, a tail, and a reptilian/amphibian face. Beyond this basic framework, each Clade possesses a number of variations in their physical traits and appearance, including a flexible skeleton, hardened scales, adhesive hands/feet, a tail in place of legs, etc.

While the Syrik all resemble various reptiles/amphibians, they are further divided into one of several Clades:

Ophidïte: Resemble various snakes, possessing a long tail in place of legs. While not the most numerous, they are highly influential among the Syrik.

Uroda: Resemble Salamanders, alolotls, and newts.

Varan: Resemble monitor lizards, and are thephysically largest of the Syrik.

Iguai: Resemble iguanas, chameleons, and agamids.

Salen: Resemble various frogs and toads.

Archosaur: Resemble various crocodiles and alligators. Due to being considered the closest of the Syrik to their Saurekan ancestors, they occupy highly influential among their bretheren.

The Syrik are an egg laying species.

The Syrik prefer warm, humid environments.

While the Syrik are mostly carnivorous, they are capable of eating some fruits and vetegables.

The Syrik have facial structures resembling various reptiles and amphibians, including horns among some subgroups.

The Syrik are most commonly seen within the Broken Band, with the majority of them residing in the continent of Zoria.

The Syrik possess a strong ability to see by heat, and can see colour more vividly than others.

Syrik names tend to be filled with hard, sibilant sounds.

Goroth: The largest of the two kingdoms of Zoria. They have a long history of conflict with the Arun of Aelor and Eulan to the north, driven by a desire to "reclaim" the world they believe was entrusted to them.

Iaxa: A smaller kingdom east of Goroth. Unlike their Gorothi cousins, the Syrik of Iaxa seek more amicable relations with outsiders, and are allied to the bird-like Vyndikai.

The Syrik make limited use of Machina, and possess great mastery over the art of enchantment.

Syrik clothing tends to be light and colourfull, and designed for ease of movement.

All Syrik are united by their common ancestors, the Saurekan. According to legend, the dinosaur-like Saurekan were the first beings to inhabit Altera, long before the rise of the Alteans, who were said to have driven them southward. The effects of this ancient conflict are still felt by the Syrik centuries later, and forms the basis of much of their interactions with the wider world, particularly their rivalry with the Arun and their desire to claim the world they believe was left to them as inheritance.

The Legacy of the Saurekan

According to legend, the first beings to inhabit Altera before The Fracturing were the Saurekan, the dinosaur-like ancestors of the Syrik. At the height of their power, the Saurekan were said to have established dominion over nearly the whole world, until the rise of the Alteans, which resulted in the loss of much of their former lands and themselves being driven into the south. Even after the world broke apart, the Syrik continue to hold onto their ambition of reestablishing the glory of their ancestors, an ambition that has brought them into multiple conflicts with the Arun, whom they believe had "stolen" their birthright from them.

Arun: The Syrik and Arun share a mutual wariness of each other, due to the long history of conflict between themselves. While this is most greatly seen among the Syrik of Goroth, the Iaxan Syrik have been slowly making strides in bettering relations between themselves and outsiders.

Vyndikai: The Syrik generally have a neutral relationship with the Vyndikai, though the Syrik of Iaxa have forged an alliance with those of the southern isles.