Skiltaire

2008-04-29T04:52:40Z

75.134.107.141: Undo revision 184553 by 76.173.189.136 (talk)

[[Image:PrancingSkiltaire.png|thumb|100px|right|A prancing Skiltaire.]]
The '''Skiltaire''' (or '''Skiltare''') are a [[species]] of intelligent [[weasel]]-like aliens. They were created by [[Mark Merlino]] (Sylys Sable) in the late 1970s as a non-[[human]] sentient species for a series of [[science fiction]] stories. Skiltaire have been depicted by numerous artists, and were selected as [[mascot]]s of the [[Cartoon/Fantasy Organization]] and Mark's home, [[The Prancing Skiltaire]].

== Physiology ==
Skiltaire vary in size, depending on sub-species and gender, but on average have a body length of 1 yard (0.91 m), not including a 1/2 yard (0.46 m) [[tail]]. Body weight range is 60 to 120 lbs (27.2 to 54.4 kg) for an adult. They closely resemble Earth [[mustelid]]s (weasels) and occur in two body-types. The '''aquatic''' type looks like a large [[otter]], with a short, broad [[muzzle]], small, rounded [[ears]] and a thick, tapering tail. The '''arboreal''' type resembles a [[marten]], with a more fox-like face (though the muzzle is short), and a brush tail.

The [[fur]] of skiltaire can be any color, although aquatics tend to be limited to gray, brown, light blue, tan, or cream. They often have a single wide or multiple thinner stripes that run up their back, from tail-tip to the top of their head, and darker [[paw]]s (boots) and ear-tips. The stripes can be any color, and are usually much darker or more intense.

A '''neon''' skiltaire has a stripe of highly contrasting color, darker in the middle and grading to pastel edges so that the stripe seems to glow. The neon pattern is most common in aquatics because the base fur color of aquatics tends to have less range than their stripe colors and allows the stripe to contrast more strongly.

A '''flame''' skiltaire is a color variation exclusive to arboreals where the fur colors are yellow, orange and red in any standard pattern, so that the fur looks like fire.

Skiltaire have large eyes (for better dark-vision) and 4-pointed star-shaped pupils.

An obvious characteristic on all skiltaire is a pair of 10 inch (25 cm) antennae which grow from just above the eyebrow. The antennae are the detector part of the animal's natural electrostatic field sense ability. The antennae are modified eye whiskers, and are made up of large interlocking sections that have small, back-facing barbs at the junction of each section. Aquatics possess relatively straight antennae, with a single kink at mid-length, whereas the antennae of arboreal are curled into loose spirals.

The body of a skiltaire has electro generative tissue below the skin and insulated from the internal organs, much like an electric eel. The electricity produced by the animal is typically used for precise location detection and motion sensing in air (1 to 50 yard = 0.9 to 45 m range) and under water (1 to 100 yard = 0.9 to 90 m range). The electrical effect is used as an intimate greeting between animals, for stimulation during mating (induced ovulation), and also serves as a desperate defense against an attacker (contact only).

In extreme environments skiltaire have developed features unique to their environments, such as extra-dense fur in extremely cold environments and very short, vibrantly-colored fur in tropical jungle environments.

== Psychology ==

Skiltaire are natural tele-empaths (analog telepaths), and use this ability to communicate with other skiltaire, other aliens with similar abilities, and to aid in hunting. Analog telepathy involves sending and receiving complete sense and thought 'streams' of brain-wave activity, which the sender can control. The effect is that the receiver actually "feels" and "sees" and experiences that the sender transmits, whether it is a current experience, a vivid memory, or a constructed dream.

== Culture ==

Skiltaire are true [[carnivore]]s and hunt live prey, though their diet includes much variety. Most modern skiltaire are hunter-gatherers, with some farming common in larger tribes.

In some locations skiltaire share a mutualistic relationship with other species, in some cases exchanging access to knowledge about local resources for information about their own technology through telempathic exchange. With this ability they are capable of colonizing with a greater range of species more quickly than species who depend on developing a form of extracommunicative interaction when introduced new life forms.

Because of the diversity of locations between skiltaire the level of their development in different places is varied. Some skiltaire are very basic like Earth forest creatures while some are incredibly intelligent [[relators]], each with different levels of intelligence and technology.

The "lower class" skiltaire are sometimes kept as pets by more advanced species in a symbiotic and often mutualistic relationship in which they exchange theraputic contact, telempathic abilities, attractive appearance as pets for shelter, food and protection from predators. There have even been some instances of skiltaire keeping other skiltaire as pets.

Skiltaire are shameless and most have a strong aversion to clothing of any type.

Skiltaire are highly adaptive and superb at emulating the culture of their host environment, making them prime candidates for cohabitation with advanced and emotional species.

== Media appearances ==

Artists who have produced a body of work featuring skiltaire include [[Mark Merlino]], [[Ken Pick]], [[Ken Sample]] and [[Michael Sherman]]. They are also one of the popular fur-fan created races for online role-playing ([[MUD]]s and other MU*s). The species has also made the following specific appearances:
* The original skiltaire, [[Theta]], became a logo-character for her creator and appeared in many science fiction 'zines and [[APA]]s, on event posters at science fiction and comic [[conventions]], and in commissioned art.
* [[Fanta]] is the mascot of the [[Cartoon/Fantasy Organization]].
* Skiltaire were one of the 10 sentient species (9 furry and humans) in the SF/FRP game ''[[Other Suns]]'', published in 1983.
* With approval of their original creator, Skiltaire are one of the official [[alien]] species in [[Furscape]] [[MUCK]].

== Skiltaire characters ==
=== First Skiltaire ===

A partial list of the first Skiltaire created, from the late 1970s to early 1980s.

* '''[[Theta]]''' -- "Skiltaire Prime", the first one created in the mid-to-late 1970s. Female Arboreal, overall medium blue (no backstripe or trim) with yellow belly, medium-curl antennae. Wore a pendant of the Greek letter "Theta" on a chain around her neck.

* '''[[Fanta]]''' -- Created by Merlino as mascot of [[Cartoon/Fantasy Organization]] in early 1980, and retained by the Los Angeles chapter after the breakup of the general C/FO in 1989. Female Aquatic, light grey with single magenta backstripe/ear-tips/booties/gloves, white belly. Medium-long, slightly-wavy antennae.

* '''Sy''' -- Originally Fanta's male companion, later became [[Mark Merlino]]'s fursona. Male Aquatic, light-medium grey with single purple backstripe/ear-tips/booties/gloves, white belly. Long straight antennae with a peculiar sharp "kink" halfway up their length.

* '''Ora''' -- Fursona of Linda Joy Browne, Mark's girlfriend from approx. 1980-82. Female Arboreal, two-tone gold (darker gold with lighter double backstripe & trim), white belly, medium-curled antennae. Bit of a ditz; often wore reading glasses.

* '''Midori''' -- Japanese ''Skirutaru''. Female Arboreal, two-tone green (medium green with darker dual backstripe) with white belly, medium-curled antennae. Anime fan.

* '''Nixie''' -- "Miss Skiltaire October" for abortive "Skiltaire Calendar" project circa 1979 or 1980. Female Arboreal, overall jet-black with orange belly, medium-curled antennae.

* '''Kym''' -- Fursona of one Kimberly Hartman, dating back to early 1980s. Female Arboreal, overall silver-grey (no backstripe or trim), white belly. Tightly curled antennae, to the point of coiling. Ham radio aficionado; carried remote ham radio (walkie-talkie type) with its antenna curled to match hers. Had mate "Anton", based on her RL husband; Male Aquatic, no other physical description.

* '''Kristi''' -- "Miss Skiltaire December" for Skiltaire Calendar project. Female Arboreal, overall pure white, medium-curled antennae. Drawn lounged out before a fireplace, holding a sprig of mistletoe over her head.

Other Skiltaire characters date from this time, but were mostly obscure one-shots. Skiltaire couples of the period were usually drawn with one Arboreal and the other Aquatic.

== Skiltaire Characters ==
{| border="1" cellpadding="2"
|+ Existing Characters
! Name !! Gender !! Subspecies
|-
! Sy
| Male || Aquatic
|-
! Escher
| Male || Arboreal
|-
! Firepaws
| Hermaphrodite || Aquatic
|-
! Kimo
| Male || Arboreal
|-
! Samsur
| Male || Arboreal
|-
! Jinai
| Male || Arboreal
|-
! Gatsby
| Male || Hybrid
|-
! Perion
| Male || Arboreal
|-
! Iyur
| Female || Arboreal
|-
! [[Skiltek]]
| Male || Arboreal
|-
! Thistledown
| Hermaphrodite || Arboreal
|-
! Selenia
| Female || Arboreal
|}

{| border="1" cellpadding="2"
|+ Past Characters
! Name !! Gender !! Subspecies
|-
! Opafire
| Hermaphrodite || Hybrid
|-
! Murlie
| Female || Arboreal
|-
! Argyle
| Female || Arboreal
|-
! Canby
| Female || Aquatic
|-
! Lessa
| Female || Aboreal
|}

== External links ==

* [http://skiltaire.ryzentyl.com/ Welcome to the world of the Skiltaire] - information, stories and pictures (some non-PG)
* [http://www.imverod.com/Skiltaire/ Rules] for skiltaire characters in the [[Wikipedia:Traveller (role-playing game)|Traveller]] [[RPG]] universe, and a [http://www.imverod.com/Skiltaire/About.htm general species overview]
* [http://skiltaire.ryzentyl.com/Skiltaire/racestuff/skiltrav.txt A different adaptation of Skiltaire to ''Traveller''.] This writeup uses the alternative spelling "Skiltare", and is taken from the first known ''Traveller'' adaptation by [[Ken Pick]] and [[Dave Bryant]] circa 1981.
* [http://furscape.xwiki.com/xwiki/bin/view/Main.KnowledgeBase.Species/Skiltaire Details] about skiltaire as a playable race on the [[Furscape]] [[MUCK]].
* [[Bill Grobe]]'s [http://www.dogpawz.com/roci/indexes/ADULT-series.html Kurushani stories] feature skiltaire, and introduce an additional '''savage''' subspecies resembling wolverines.
* ''The Skiltaire Mixes'' are a series of skiltaire-themed music playlists (volume 1, "Aquatic"; volume 2, "Arboreal"; and volume 3 "Arctic") mixed by [[User:Skiltek]] and detailed at his [http://www.foxcub.net/mixtapes.htm music website].

[[Category:Alien species]]
[[Category:Mustelid species]]
{{Featured article}}

WikiFur - User contributions [en]

Skiltaire