Surturi Profile

SURTURI (Demons)

Certainly the most primal of the seven and strong willed; the Surturi are a warlike race of raiders who ravage the land of Tian. Most that inhabits their mind is concerned with survival or security. Surturi originate from a heavily volcanic region but continue to colonize many areas that they have conquered. Some of their positive qualities are in their thirst for honor and high level of courage. But their warrior society has not made them popular with other Deva, especially since they usually have a good chance of winning any confrontation.

COURAGE (SURVIVAL/FEAR) “I AM”

Appearance and Clothing: They closely resemble demons and devils in their biological appearance. Their species is based on amphibians such as salamanders and frogs having velvety smooth skin and protruding bumps or warts to help retain moisture. At various times depending on their environment, this soft skin can be hardened into a rougher surface to combat an intense lack of moisture. The most striking and shared phenotype of their race is a vibrant blood red skin pigment with a pair of jutting horns and spikes atop their heads. They display no hair but the keratin horns they grow can be attributed as such which many have taken to customizing through trimming with some even growing them on chins. Some subraces display throat sacs, fins, spikes and whiskers that differentiate between individuals. Brighter skin colorations and various patterns can be especially common among females. Although any of these traits are common, due to their ability to somewhat mold their physiology these properties are subject to change with many having no such protrusions or having skin that could be seen as albinism or melanism. The typical specimen is stocky and well built having almost no body fat to burn, although it would certainly be possible. The clothing of the Surturi can largely be ceremonial or has no other function if not for sheer protection in war. Most of the time that Surturi are creative is when they are adorning their weapons and armor. They will decorate them with their clan colors or crest emblazoned. Anything that would identify their prowess is important to their pride. They pillage armor and cloth from dead foes and weld creations to make a style unique to their own that shows off their skills. Most of their fashion is influenced if not derived from other civilizations and heavily inspired by their own religion. Most younger Surturi are bald or shave parts of their head and face, while older Surturi will let their hair and horns grow and fall. They will even adorn them with beads and bands. Their clothes are likewise typically adorned with furs and hides of other creatures but not modified too heavily so as to leave a pelt unrecognizable. Chainmail is common as well as metal plates but when they wear cloth and leather they will wear long tunics and hoods. 

Occupations: As far as merchants and artisans go they value smiths and outfitters for their importance in martial areas. Few regard culinary endeavors although successful hunters can run butchers and tanning shops. However, hunting is a way of life for each individual as any agriculture is nearly nonexistent. However, the hunt will always translate into battle for them. They don’t have traditional markets but some setup stalls where they sell what they’ve pillaged, these stalls and shops all operate on a barter system of some kind even promising favors to each other. Surprisingly, science can be valued for contributions to war yet, most are just eager for battle. Likewise, their priesthood is important but not necessary for war and so relegate it to a minor position in society, but they do have the honor of educating youth and inspiring them. They don’t generally have a need for healers and doctors either as can be imagined. Because of their intense consumption for minerals a common job for those who aren’t fit or trained for battle is to work in mines and search for veins, but slaves are capable of doing this as well. Such is why mining is considered one of the lowest rungs of society.

Most commonly, adults either form their own bands of roving barbarians that prey on the weak or enlist in larger clans as soldiers of fortune and war. At the highest ranks of power and wealth they become Warlords with many followers and much influence behind them. These individuals are like royalty to other Surturi for their legendary prowess in not just direct combat but in the art of war. Tactically, Warlords have no equal and in battle their knowledge of weapons and even technology makes them elitist. They command respect and will often be physically strong enough to take whatever they want. Becoming a Warlord is also somewhat of a title and gaining it has to be earned either through defeat of another Warlord or by attaining a great number of impressive victories. It is not something easily attainable however as there are only ever a handful, yet that doesn’t stop many from trying to emulate them. They maintain a balance in Surturi society that connects all other clans and factions. Warlords keep each other in check and will often reign in others under their banner, but cooperation among them is not likely. They are conquerors by nature, but only because they desperately require the necessary resources to survive. 

So, those in scouts and intelligence are a very present minority. These are often called Warlocks and by nature will independently sell their services to other Surturi. Warlocks are master infiltrators and saboteurs that work as mercenaries, usually gaining information on rival clans or potential targets. They can also sell their services to non Surturi, but their skills work best within their society and other Deva seem to value their other skills anyway. Warlocks are curious as they are not to be trusted even by those who hire them and are almost treated as non Surturi themselves. Warlocks will likewise not hold themselves to the same rules and standards as a typical warrior, often working in the shadows with taboos. Their skills lay in their perception and value of science, chemistry in particular. Warlocks utilize their control of thermodynamics and personal metabolism to produce various chemical reactions. They tend to carry with them many different substances and materials that can be combined or ingested to produce effects that only they could elicit such as foams, explosives, acids, combustibles, adhesives, crystallization, super fluids, oils, gels, napalms, gases, and other more specific oxidizers or exothermic reactions. Some of these reactions are particularly violent but many are fundamentally about wreathing their bodies with the properties of elements. This can give them a degree of resistance to radiation, flight through chemical propulsion, and the creation of various forms of energy like pure plasma.

Language: Because of their usually poor relations with other Deva, most Surturi speak their ancestral tongue. Most are barely educated and so don’t know how to speak even a fraction of the common tongue. Even Surturi living in cities tend not to speak it at least very well. This is not to say that most of them are unintelligent, they just often don’t care enough to try and learn. If anything they only know enough to trade the bare minimum of items. The Surturi language itself could be deemed underdeveloped, this is due to their sense of smell and pheromones that take a large part in communication between them. It sounds guttural and harsh. They don’t have words to describe things like love or family and many tend to be gender neutral. This is mostly due to their communication through smell that lets them express deeper concepts and emotions more intimately and clearly. Their writing is the least developed though as there's very little to write on or with in their homeland. Many of their traditions are oral in nature because of this.

Religion: The Surturi worship a vast pantheon of all female goddesses that center on iron, stone, and war. Curiously they all resemble extant species of dragon that died off ages ago. These dragon goddesses are said to have taught them how to breath fire and shape the earth. They firmly believe that their death is predetermined by the gods after which they will go to the afterlife to be reborn as mighty dragons for a good death. This helped to fuel their cultural beliefs towards battle and honor where they continually seek the cold resting arms of fate and destiny. Some seek their own deaths fervently on and off the battlefield, others do it only to feel the sick thrill of action and blood. However, there is a good portion that merely engage in shows of honorable strength and sport. Fate plays a huge part in their faith and sacrifices are heavily included in their practice. Throughout the year ritual combat takes place in ancient battlegrounds, these can have various rules and obstacles and are used to showcase the prowess of individuals and their war clans. For example, sometimes they are hunts where it could be more akin to a race against time. At the very end of these large scale conflicts, both sides are expected to count their dead and spoils, then give them rest through cremation and burial rites. Through this way, their religion diffuses the fear of death and this tends to startle and horrify many who face them in battle or otherwise. In mythology their goddesses are antagonistic towards another and compete just as the Surturi do.

Goddess of death and honor, she teaches that one should seek honor in their death but more importantly honor in life before death. Ironically, many Surturi can forget this fact and only act honorably when it is convenient for them. You can also see it as there being an honor in sacrifice or any death being some sort of sacrifice for another being or creature. She is the main proponent for the belief that in the afterlife they are honored and for any ritual sacrifices. She is the great judge at the end of anyone's life, it is because of her they believe anybody can fall, even gods.  

Goddess of stone and creation, she teaches that through the minerals and rocks of the earth we are gifted with life. We come from the stones and one day we will be returned as them. The earth gives life to all Surturi who consume them and they are what allow us to live comfortably. She is a mostly silent harmonious figure and one of the few examples of compassion in their culture even if they don’t completely understand it. 

Goddess of knowledge and freedom, she is commonly overlooked by worshipers as unimportant but in the past she was relegated to the same noble status as the others. Surturi feel that in some way there is a freedom in knowledge, and this usually relates to the intelligence one has on one's enemy. She teaches that to master our destiny we must take full control of what we know and never stop learning. Out of all the goddesses she is one of the most peaceful but also a bit of a trickster. 

 

Goddess of fire and willpower, she teaches that fire holds the tendency to be chaotic and willful and should be admired. The fire within them is what gives Surturi the right to be conquerors and anyone with a large fire is to be followed.

Goddess of blood and iron

 

Goddess of the hunt and respect

Goddess of battle and courage

Homelands: Though Surturi make their homes wherever they conquer, they originate to the southwest in a land of fire and brimstone reminiscent of hell called Muspel. This hostile cradle for their race left them craving for a more stable and fertile environment. Many of its inhabitants are some of the most vicious creatures on the planet, including their distant ancestors that were the great dragons. This environment forced the Surturi to adopt a very aggressive territorial lifestyle. The ancient Surturi cities were located in dormant volcanoes on lakes of molten lava where no one could approach them. On the surface was a barren rocky desert clouded by plumes of ash. Everything that lives here has adapted to the heat and evolved to survive. Due to the volcanic activity of the area, much of this place has developed precious minerals and metals of untold quality. The stones range from lustrous and hardy to malleable and reactive. The iron in particular is an important part of society and a Surturi diet. Much of the life here relies on the nutrients from the earth and forms the foundation for the ecological pyramid. There are two main seasons in the area being the winter and summer. Though they can’t be traditionally compared to Earth, as when plumes of volcanic ash peak and rise to the surface they blot out the sun and the flames fizzle throughout the land. The magma chambers cool and any water in the area is dried out. Food is scarce and eventually soot falls like snow. Beginning in the summer when the skies clear, the volcanoes burst and pressure is vented from the ground. This is one of the only times of the year when water is reliable and abundant in ponds and lakes or geysers and wells from the ground, if only for a short time. This is when the land switches from arid and cold to hot and humid which is also usually the prime breeding season for Surturi as well.

Resources: The Surturi hold large amounts of minerals and ore in their possession as well as an immense knowledge of geology and earth sciences. In some cases this applies to geophysics, chemistry, and even bleeds into biology with a particular interest in abiogenesis. The process of metallurgy for them is likewise effortless so they are never without material for their weapons technology and crafting. Unfortunately, soft fibers for clothes and linens are hard for them to acquire in their homelands for lack of vegetation and fur bearing species. Architecture and the arts are also quite uncommon in Surturi society. Their level of science and technology has mainly made advances in categories related to or inspired by war. So, they hold surprisingly high knowledge of things like particle physics in addition to things like weapons tech. Their knowledge of biology and medicine is not necessarily absent but not needed because of their powers, but mostly concerns things like their specific prey and the dangers of their environment. Research into said categories is mostly futile as seen by them. Though their general education and knowledge into science and the arts is low, there are those in positions of power that feel it is important to be at least familiar with such subjects. It is curious that they have access to things such as nuclear power and holograms, but things such as the internet or musical instruments confound them.  

Diet: Generally, they don’t consume vegetation and are reduced to eating animal flesh for energy. They supplement their nutritional intake with minerals they find in their molten homeland. The naturally occurring complex vitamins are ingested and melted down in their heat producing throats and stomachs serving as the common foundation for the local food chain. In a complex societal group, they don’t normally engage in agriculture as it is too costly in their home environment. Yet, outside of their homelands they may engage in shepherding but this is limited to groups that don’t find their food through pillaging and hunting. Outside the homeland they may partake in vegetation and can safely digest it in smaller amounts. Metabolising it is easily done but only if they modify their body to a degree. Surturi require a sufficient diet for any intense metabolic change. This includes high protein for building new cells and repair, high fat for energy needed to undergo the changes, and sugars to help facilitate mundane bodily operation. They get most of their vitamins and minerals from the sediment in the ground and most fat, protein, and carbs from animal tissue. They have bacteria in their stomach that help break down normally poisonous compounds such as nitrogen, hydrogen sulfide, and even lactic acid. 

Average Life Expectancy: They can live in excess of 2,000 years in their prime form due to an enhanced regeneration of which they may crudely control. But, through occupational hazards this number can be severely reduced.

Physiology and Abilities: Through the ingestion of minerals, they can supplement their tissue and hormones with the chemical properties of elements therefore giving way to the flame resistance and generation of their species. From a young age, a steady diet of mineralized nutrients found embedded in rock and clay have an important role of supplying them with necessary components for essential biological processes not found in the flesh of their prey. While transition metals such as iron, osmium, tungsten, and tantalum find their way into bones, skin, and organs they attach to the cells microscopically, drastically increasing the level of heat resistance and strength of the affected tissue. Before regular ingestion of such minerals, symbiotic bacteria protect the infantile stages from heat, but children can still require cooler areas to situate themselves in. Eventually, a healthy adult should have no problem withstanding temperatures of upwards of 3000 degrees Fahrenheit. They have a small bladder that retains static metals and minerals. A chemical is made from this bladder and then sent to specialized ducts under the skin that operate like sweat glands. The pores in their body act as secondary vents to release chemical hormones holding the minerals. The chemical is a largely flammable compound that when released into the atmosphere rub together generating a spark. They can raise their internal core temperature and even direct the heat using air pockets in their cells and blood vessels. The superheated air creates a dry and explosive oxygen cloud that ignites into flame. Controlling the spray path of their pheromones controls the direction of the flame making it possible for their entire body to exude fire. Because of the chemical reaction with their natural enzymes, this flame has a tendency to ignite with powerful force akin to a stick of dynamite. They have adapted to maintain their oxygen supply when engulfed or surrounded by flames. They have an extremely efficient cellular respiration system.

Active control over their chemical and other endocrine functions allows them to breakdown and convert energy in their body to manipulate physical attributes. They can regulate and alter hormones in their bodies to forcibly manipulate muscle growth, undergo hibernation, rearrange internal organs, reproduction including switching genders, and overall cell activity. This often requires a lot of supplemental energy, which can be taken from other systems and can be vital or not, such as the ability to process sugars. Their highly adaptable body can sometimes make any changes permanent but any extreme variations can also be extremely taxing and usually results in intense fatigue, atrophy, or even death. However, their metabolism actively adapts to whatever atmosphere or substances they take in. This means they can function under normally toxic conditions but how quickly they adapt and for how long can be varied. This ensures they can utilize whatever they need to fuel their bodily functions. Their metabolism also gives them a handy regeneration that is constantly reverting them to a healthy and fit condition ignoring various factors such as injury or disease. Their natural regeneration can rapidly recreate lost or damaged tissues, organs and limbs, and they display a slowed aging. Total healing can be done in a matter of minutes but their central nervous system must not be completely destroyed. Their peak augmented strength is able to lift 5 tons when taking into account adrenal activation, mineral augmentations, and other muscle enhancers.

They have over 300 million smell receptors allowing them to smell their prey through smoke, fire, and solid rock. They can detect specific persons, objects, substances or even places, and track with nothing but their nose. Some may even be able to detect lying, sicknesses or tumors by which hormones/smells they excrete of course this requires the recognition of certain chemicals. They can smell through three feet of solid ice or water and track from 100 miles away. They adapted their sense of smell to find their way in their rocky and smoke filled habitat and use this smell to communicate with their ability to produce different hormones. A vestigial throwback is their long and partially prehensile tongue that they used to hunt with. It is spring loaded and can be projected with great force. Nitrogen is one element that has a strange effect on their chemistry as when taken it gives them explosive, energetic, and powerful abilities. Many of their enhancement drugs are nitrogen based, yet have some weaknesses as many display lowered neuronal ability, muscle spasms, strong ammonia smells, and organ failure characterised by changes to the kidneys. Symptoms are similar to gout however, it is a powerful steroid to be used.

Culture and History: Since the dawn of the Surturi Empire, they have conquered Tian’s villages and cities nonstop. But since, the once united force that defeated scores of armies has broken into various warring clans. History will always remember a burning ferocity and flame, for Surturi command fire with conviction. In a Surturi society, the children of two parents are given up to the community to be raised collectively. Curiously enough, the Surturi develop a strong sense of individualism born from a large generation of peers they call Brood Brothers/Sisters. A union of marriage is only temporary and is terminated upon conception or birth of a child. Their similarities to amphibians also relate to their reproduction which is primarily in moist and wet environments. Without ample water, they cannot provide for their young or even birth them. Though adult Surturi can easily weather arid and dry times, their young cannot. This is also one of the reasons they are conquerors by nature and why they seek to control Sujan lands. But they are one of the only Deva that retain mating seasons in relation to their environment coinciding with their rainy season. Just like amphibians they will also frequently have multiple children sometimes dozens that will be expected to survive the dryness, famine, beasts, and warlike traditions common to their lands. However, when typically only 1 percent survive, they are usually the strongest among their people. Surturi rarely entertain the idea of love but believe more in a form of respect. Gender roles are flexible and men and women are expected to both be strong and powerful, generally a Surturi is as free as they wish to be. Surturi society does not revolve around a family dynamic but instead on a warrior to chief relationship. Anyone who is not a chief to a warrior and a warrior to a chief is seen as strange and unorthodox. A chief is not necessarily a recognized commander to a party but a respected leader in the eyes of the individual. Likewise, a warrior is a trusted confidante. If one does not have any warrior to follow them they are seen as weak. One chief could have hundreds of warriors to follow them but no Surturi can have more than one named chief. Surturi are urged to decide on their chief by the time of adolescence. When a warrior pledges themselves to a chief they are swearing to never lie to them, never cause them harm, and to fight on their behalf. Likewise, a chief holds the life of a warrior in their hands. Failing to adhere to these and more rules are the only widely accepted laws in Surturi society. Picking a chief should not just be based on physical strength but also their inner strength and sometimes even their ideals. The Surturi are famed for their skill at metal working, utilizing their knowledge of fire and resistance to heat to make some of the strongest steel. They will commonly play blood sports to occupy their time, these will often incorporate some form of combat. During the long winter months and years, their society evolves more towards a Cold War where things are still tense but any fighting is done by espionage and smaller political proxy wars. This is done to better survive the conditions of their homeland, but they are no less brutal. Still, it is the closest they come to any peace. During the summer however, things escalate into full scale battalions and armies meeting in open combat. This is also where soldiers and military actions are carried out with zeal seeing as how they enjoy such times. Only during the summer are raiding parties sent out from clans to wage war upon the rest of the world. A majority of the common folk have limited control over fire and heat with most adults capable of igniting and sustaining small balls of fire and younger individuals capable of generating lower levels of heat. Most of the folk have limited or no control over their metabolism, most of it being subconsciously adaptive. Yet, they all share an exceptional sense of smell. Their culture is reminiscent of Scandinavia such as Norway, Iceland, and Finland.

Clans: for the Surturi, clans have been split up by leading chiefs and make up warring parties so there tends to be two co chiefs based on the warrior/chief dynamic. Many of them were established in ancient times and have survived in some form to this day. They can have much pride in their respective clans and attempt to honor them in any way they can. Most Surturi have many children that don't all make it to adulthood, with many clans having multiple trials that test their progeny for greatness. Considering how hostile and aggressive they can be, most Surturi prefer large social groups and so clans will often already be quite large. Because of their sense of honor and thirst for glory, clans will attempt to differentiate themselves from each other even to a point of ostentatiousness. However, these differences will usually only be noticed when within the homeland or around many others of their kind. Clans may not always be separated simply by family groups but also by tactical preferences, combat styles, ideals, and even by just how advantageous their teamwork would be. In terms of actual cultural or ethnic groupings, there could be a mix of groups with exclusive racial traits or blended groups depending on their views of how it affects war. Family has a different concept for Surturi not only because of their brood mates, but also the structure of their clans where almost no one could be blood related. The history of their race as well as their physiological variability has bred numerous physical and cultural differences. Some clans have chosen to display hardened scales while others forgo their blood red skin color for a deep black or chalky white. 

Some outsider clans have creatively taken up aquatic residencies like in the sea near geothermal vents. Though these particular clans aim to take advantage of Sujan influence, they are not particularly adept at adapting to their environment. Still, their variable metabolism and hormonal manipulation suggest they are able to survive off the chemicals emitted by the volcanic structures not to mention the immense pressure of the deep and its other terrors. Some clans underwater have taken to completely and permanently change their respiration styles while others have formed stronger apparatus to keep oxygenized. Such clans have radically different perspectives and culture compared to mainland Surturi. For the clans that have not chosen to develop gills, they most often live aboard titanic metal ships that use steam, combustion, and even nuclear energy. These sea raiders will usually engage in piracy towards other ships, harbors, and the deep water towns of the Sujan. Underwater combat for Surturi is quite different than normal because they cannot use most of their flame generation effectively. While the Sujan can control currents, tactics have required Surturi to adapt through thermoregulation to: generate and absorb heat to boil or freeze water around them, release various pyroclastic and cryogenic chemicals, 

Architecture: their homes typically appear as short triangles hiding the base of the building underground. The reason for this is to create a cooly insulated home for child rearing and to weather certain extreme environments. They are usually made of stone for their cheapness and hardiness but metal can be used to protect those who can afford to shape it. Housing can be large with most being group homes measuring 100 ft long. These homes also house dining halls and tables with a giant hearth at the center for metalworking and cooking. It remains the symbol of the Surturi will and religion being used in many aspects of their day. Houses are typically divided into two parts, one for sleeping and storage, and the other for activity and eating. Their settlements are composed inside rings of walls with defensive constructions and various shacks or kiosks for military and hunting operations. At the center of their settlements can usually be seen a church of worship where sacrifices are seen on the steps before wartime and at the top a burning pyre that is never permitted to go out. Outside of settlements, buildings are covered with earth and mud to mask them from predators and marauders. Toilets are usually found outside and behind buildings. Most buildings and settlements are not used for agriculture, and animals even domesticated ones are usually not found besides some war dogs. 

Relationships With:

Lilin- Poor, the Surturi haven’t exactly ignored the Lilin but the Lilin aren’t exactly defenseless. Their isolated environment simply makes a war effort nearly impossible, reducing attention between the two

Indara- Poor, although not directly on good terms, both groups stay out of each other’s way for they even operate on different altitudes. Besides, Indara have no homes or possessions to conquer.

Prometheans- Bad, the Surturi were the first to discover the race hidden in the trees and burned down their homes. Needless to say, the Prometheans still hold a grudge.

Cernians- Poor, many ages ago both races met on the battlefield as rivals but now can hardly find a reason to fight with one another.

Sujan- Bad, their oldest enemy is that of the Sujan who made it their mission to impede the Surturi for ages. Although bitter enemies, they hold much respect for each other as skilled warriors

Annu- Bad, the Annu have highly developed cities and numerous villages across the countryside and the Surturi are always determined to take them.

Common Names: Cadmus, Samael, Azazel, Fafnir, Kur, Jormungandr, Ladon, Lucifer, Nergal, Pele, Kratos, Agni, Hephaestus, Hestia, Vulcan, Vesta, Ares, Mars