Sculpers are an offshoot race of the ape-like creatures that were taken from the dying Star Home by a group of High Ones aboard their crystal vessel.
The Sculpers were latter rediscovered by Skywise and Petalwing who were aimlessly searching space for the source of his forgotten memories. He stumbled upon the ruined crystal ship and was found by the Sculpers maintaining the air vent. They immediately recognized him to be a High One and thought he was a survivor of their former vessel. Joyous at a returned High One, the Sculpers brought Skywise and Petalwing to their underground sanctuary.
Background[]
The Sculpers were descended from the burrowers that were rescued from the Star Home by one of the departing crystal vessels that were manned by groups of High Ones who left the homeworld to lessen the planet’s overpopulation.
Overtime the Sculpers evolved into sentience due to their exposure to the magics of the High Ones. Originally the Sculpers were treated as pets like their counterparts on the Palace of the High Ones that crashed on Abode. However as they gained sentience, their High Ones rather than keep them under servitude instead treated them as equals. Together they explored the universe seeking to wonders to record and experience.
The travels of the two races brought them to a new world that was inhabited by a highly technological race. Their crystal vessel landed on the desert region of the planet, however unknown to the extraterrestrials the planet was in the midst of a global war. A day after they landed on the planet a nuclear explosion ripped in the distance. The conflagration threatened to destroy both High Ones and their Sculpers. The scene of death caused the High Ones great distress and thus were unable to fly their vessel to escape. Using the last of their power the High Ones created an underground shelter beneath their vessel. In their love for their Sculper comrades, the High Ones urged them to escape first.
Before they High Ones could descend to safety as well, another nuclear explosion ripped across the planet, melting the crystal vessel and killing all of the High Ones in the Crystal vessel. Despite their deaths, the High Ones saved the Sculpers from extinction, for which their actions are forever remembered by the latter.
Culture[]
The Sculpers unlike their kin on Abode, do not aspire in toiling in soil and stone. Having been inspired by their High Ones to take an interest in all things, the Sculpers are a people of scholars and teachers that desire to learn and explore the cosmos just as the High Ones.
Due to the benevolent actions of their High Ones who acted teachers and friends to them in their travels, the Sculpers hold a deep reverence, honoring them in their artwork and ceremonies.
They are more culturally advanced their troll cousins, being more civilized and intellectually sophisticated. The desire for gold and gems being replaced by the craving for wisdom and knowledge to add to their libraries. They take great pride in occupations that contribute to the community, such as makers, teachers and leaders.
The Sculpers though are naturally a subterranean people as their ancestors. In contrast to the post-apocalyptic surface, the Sculphera have built a underground kingdom of incredible technological and artistic development that surpasses even the trolls of Abode and is comparable to the early Classical Age.
Characteristics[]
Sculpers are short in stature similar in height to trolls on Abode. Though their skin pigmentation is more yellow than green. Rather than stocky and barrel chest like their troll cousins, Sculpers are leaner and more muscular in build.