Snippet #1935684

Like many reptilian species the Zakar and Talun never ceased growing until they died. Though they ceased to grow rapidly after a year when they hit puberty. This none the less meant they grew quite large during their extraordinary long life span.

It always pleased Slaan to see his children return upon the day of the mating ritual and see just how much they'd grown. The thin blood grew very little, while the Zakar and Brutes were another matter. After nearly twenty years after their creation, the first Brutes and Zakar now dwarfed the stature they'd once held.

This was as much of a trophy as the bones they wore as decoration, or the scars on their bodies. The lager you were, the longer it meant you had managed to survive, which by itself often spoke of your abilities as a hunter or warrior.

With age the Zakar's scales grew thicker, and they grew physically stronger. Add the fact that their experience made them quite skilled in combat and the older generation rarely lost out to the newer ones. Luckily for them there was plenty of females to go around.

Slaan continued to encourage his people to improve upon their martial arts. At this time he thought they fought far to much like humans would. The use of ones teeth and claws were obvious. But their clawed feet could also be used to slash, or even grapple parts of their opponent. Like wise the tail was a extremely deadly weapon. Indeed, like many reptiles it was one of their most devastating means of attack. A fully grown Zakar was capable of crushing a man’s insides with a single whip of his tail.

However Slaan knew he would need more than strong individuals in the days to come.

Which was why he taught them that the need of a individual was less important, than the needs of the group. To emphasize that fact, the Zakar and Talun did not have names. Naming a individual was the same as setting it apart from the group, rather than being a inextricable part of it. As such names would more often than not be a sign of shame or dishonour. The exception being the various clan leaders and the priests of Slaan.

While equality was important, Slaan knew certain races were best suited to for fill a role.

So to the Zakar, Slaan taught tactics and military strategy. He encouraged the various Clans to practice these against one and another. Though he made it very clear he did not wish for them to kill anyone while doing so. Its purpose was only to improve their ability to work in groups, not to further any Clan's power or influence.

To the Talun he taught the art of simple construction, as it was them who were working on his temple and dug the nests for the females to lay their eggs.

The Brutes he had start digging tunnels into the earth. Partly because Slaan liked caves, but also to mine the earth’s precious minerals, for the Talun to make armour out of. These tunnels could also be potentially used as a means of transportation at some point. However the construction of Slaan's temple was far more important and even so the Humans worshipping his siblings had no doubt advanced well beyond his people.

That of course did not cure them of their weakness, but it did make things difficult.

Slaan had kept his ear close to the ground, trying to interpret his siblings intent. He could feel his brother Njaarh grow closer. That it self made Slaan nervous, but soon Slaan began to feel the scent of creation from his brother. It was decided that Njaarh had finally gone to far when Slaan felt him move towards Aedre. Normally that fact would not have bothered him. Let him advance to the east, away from Slaans borders. But that was not what Njaarh was doing. No he had only sent a small number there, small enough to barely register, but there none the less. This could only mean one thing. They were allying themselves against Slaan.

The distance between Aedre and Slaan was almost the Same to Njaarh. So if this was anything other than his siblings conspiring against him, why had Slaan not been addressed? He discussed this with his fellow priests within his champers. Which was really Clan Slaan's breeding chambers. Here the Zakar females lay their many dozen eggs, and basked in the presence of their god, blessing them with increased fertility and the assurance of strong healthy offspring.

Slaan liked to dwell here, where the future of his people took their first steps into the world.

His priests were all of equal minds on this matter. The humans were a weak, cowardly lot and could not be trusted. Still there was some doubts within the chamber. They were not dealing with ordinary men any more, but men backed up by gods.

While Slaan's superiority was without question in their minds, there was two of them while Slaan stood alone. Slaan acknowledged their concerns and had decided for a course of action. In time this world would be made in Slaan's image. But until then certain compromises had to be made. Dismissing the priests Slaan summoned a small fire into the middle of the room.

“Greetings, sister...” Slaan said calmly, calling forth Azrah. Like his other siblings, Azrah seemed to have favoured the humans. Why he may never truly understand. Still as far as humans went, those under Azrah's rule was about as good as they came. They were a strong, resilient lot... They still suffered the basic human flaws, but if Slaan was to ally himself with anyone, it may as well be her.

He complimented her strength, passion and that of her people. He also congratulated her for her discovery of the ancient Golem. He then causally moved onto the matter of their siblings. They both agreed that Aedre and Njaarh's people were weak, and it was disgraceful that they actually seemed to encourage this in their worshippers. Slaan then told Azrah of the people of Njaarh approaching Aedre.

Clearly they were conspiring against either Slaan or Azrah if not both. As such it only made sense for the two of them to do the same. Slaan proposed that shrines would be built for them both within their lands to help both of them grow in power quicker. He also asked for her to deliver armor for his Zakar warrior to use in the coming conflict. Sadly he had nothing to offer in return. His people were still new to this world and required more time to grow. Also the distance which separated the two was immense. But he still promised that if it was within his power to help in the future, he'd do so. Further more if the urge to attack Aedre came to Azrah, Slaan promised he would keep Njaarh to occupied to send aid.

Once they had come to a mutual understanding, Slaan stepped out of the chambers to meet up with his priests who had finished gathering the finest hunters Slaan had to offer. “Prepare my children...” Slaan said with a icy tone. “We are going hunting...”

Within the hour, Slaan took flight along side the high priests and their Voren. A small group of hunters followed on his back, as they departed to the south, towards Njaarh's borders. Each night in the coming week he would descend on the villages there and burn them to the ground. The Voren would fly up above at a safe distance, allowing their riders to behold their gods wrath.

Many would attempt to flee and that did not matter to Slaan. This was not the prelude to a invasion, but a warning.


“If your god truly cares for your pitiful life.” One of the mighty Zakar hissed as he held a man up by the throat. The man struggled in the Zakar's grip tough it was no use. The Zakar was nearly three times his size, and only laughed at the human's pitiful effort. “He will leave these lands... The north and western lands belongs to Slaan...”

His teeth began dripping with thick green blood, as he slowly raised a clawed hand, dipping the tip of a single talon in the substance. “Remember that. For we shall not be so merciful a second time.” The Zakar said, drilling his talon into the man's flesh. The man shrieked and as he was dropped onto the cold ground, where he instantly began clawing away from the fearsome Zakar. Eventually the man managed to get back on his feet and started running for his life.

The veil of night hid little from the eyes of a Zakar and he enjoyed watching the human stumble and fall around in the shadows before finally disappearing from sight.

Scenes like this would play out many times in the coming week, as every night Slaan attacked a village and the Zakar picked off some who would attempt to flee.