Royalty
The Skolexari royal hierarchy is divided into two tiers: the Hidden Ones and the
Royal Family.
-
Hidden Ones
The Core Royal Family or the Hidden Ones is a secretive, near-mythic bloodline that remains hidden on the homeworld, untouched by politics or public life. Only about 6–7 members exist, and their names and appearances are unknown. The Core holds absolute authority but maintains a divine mystique at the center of Skolexari society.
Their only known public function is the occasional anonymous ceremonial message, which may be recorded years in advance.
No one actually knows anything for sure about these Skolexari, other than, they exist.
Note: They don't do anything really. Wars, government functions, all of the Empire is really ruled by a network of royal bloodlines. I'm keeping secret, currently, the true nature of the “core” royals.
My intention for the core royals is that they actually operate on the Skolexari homeworld among the normal royals but the normal royals don’t know that a royal is a core royal. It’s a secret, and they never reveal themselves. The only ones who know are the other, few, core royals.
Royals
The Royal Family is a vast aristocracy of nobles who act as the empire’s public face.
They govern solar systems, colonies, lead diplomacy, and enforce imperial will across
the galaxy. Influential and powerful, they maintain their power structures through
alliances and eugenics.
The strongest hold power, Skolexari need and idolize strength.
Royals often hold military positions or come from famous military families.
-
Royal Culture
Ritual scarification: This is required of royals and is a defining feature. All royals have a ritual facial scar.
This acts as a distinct caste marking.
The facial scar varies in size and shape, royals often decorate the scar with small jewel
studs or powdered gemstones as a popular beauty style.
Gemstones on Ears: Royals frequently encrust or paint their ears with jewels, and wearing abundant jewelry
is a sign of status and wealth, a form of peacocking.
Clothing: Royals wear traditional Skolexari tunics with pants and fancy robes.
Gold Lip: Married and betrothed members wear a gold vertical line on the bottom lip,
signifying approval for reproduction in the past. In modern times it has become a symbol
of marriage or being taken, the equivalent of a wedding ring.
Marriage:
Royals are free to choose partners but a strong desire to better their bloodline and clan
involvement often complicated this.
Due to the way Skolexari reproduce, attempts are made to “feel out” unions, otherwise,
the union is likely to produce no offspring. Royal unions may be made for other reasons,
fully aware they’re unlikely to produce children. Betterment of the colony or clan, as a
whole, often takes precedence over the individual.
Clans have traits they desire to keep strong within their family as defining features and
seek strong mates for their children who may ensure these traits continue.
Affairs are common among royals. Children born outside approved unions are outcast
if discovered, and families often conceal such facts to protect their children. These
children are often suspected but overlooked, as it’s a common problem.
Royals want offspring who will better their position and reputation.
Clans almost always are involved in unions, which may be planned years in advance.
There are still no forced marriages among Skolexari, in the end, “no” is an acceptable
statement. Clan pressure stops most royals from saying no, even if they dislike the
partner chosen for them.
Courts: Skolexari royal court are social gatherings of royals at various locations where they
have a formal meeting to express a variety of topics. These meetings tend to be chaotic
and lacking in theme but are regionally specific (a court meeting for a specific solar
system).
Courts also meet for pleasure, such as a part celebrating the New Year.
Court life among royals is notoriously cutthroat, filled with alliances and rivalries that
shape the empire’s future. It also may be almost comical to alien outsiders as Skolexari’s
glow reveals emotional states most would care to hide, there remains a bluntness and
visibility to Skolexari’s royals which obliterates royal intrigue and mind-games.
-
Royal Clans (Houses)
Unlike other Skolexari, Royals call their royal group (the bloodline they’re part of) a
royal house, but it’s a royal clan. They changed the name to separate themselves from
the commonwealth Skolexari.
Royal houses tend to be old, many tied into the unification period and originating from
the Skolexari homeworld.
A few newer royal houses exist from older colonies.
Royal houses have their own unique reputation and things they’re known for.
-
Known Royal Clans ~
Kinzhal Clan: Skolexari homeworld, cloud range territory (flatland). See Okti’nak.
-
-