The Meges-Roshalan, more commonly known as skarthen, are biologically enhanced hybrid clones who are made and raised on the island of Vir to be used by the Vurg as spies and servants. Many serve in the role of agents provocateur. They are predominantly human, but also contain some Vurg DNA; as such, the Vurg consider them a separate race of beings.
They are marked by extremly pale complexion, which can at times appear almost translucent, and do not have any hair on their bodies. Because of this, they are often seen fully clothed with only their faces showing, yet their faces will be partially obscured in shadow from high-collared attire. Also, they are sometimes referred to by the Vurg as "the Pale Choir." They have a shorter lifespan of around 30 years, but this is only if they consume regular doses of the drug adoxipham. If they do not get it, they experience the slow burn, but also they age at an accelerated rate until their tissue deteriorates and they die. This could be in a matter of a few weeks.
Skarthen are unable to reproduce on their own.
Indoctrination
Skarthen are indoctrinated to be completely loyal and subservient to their Vurg masters. The true number of skarthen are unknown. Skarthen also know very little about the Vurg, except for what details are made known to them. Vurg have been manufacturing and using skarthen in some capacity for at least 400 years.
Childhood
From viability, the skarthen enter into an intensive indoctrination program, to instill complete subservience and loyalty. This is reinforced with the drug adoxipham, which not only keeps them alive but can be used for compliance. They learn to speak Virian language, and are able to translate from Canderian and several other languages, depending on where the skarthen is intended to be placed. They are trained to blend in with humans seemlessly to act as spies and liaisons once they reach adulthood. Prior to the vaccine, sometimes child and a adolescent skarthen were used. They have also been acclimated to withstand a measure of pain that exceeds what the average human is capable of, in case any of them are tortured. Some of them perform under the promise of one day undergoing the Agony Ritual.
Uncolored Class
Despite their disdain for humans, the Vurg do not mistreat the skarthen, and view them as superior to true humans. Knowing their extreme value, the Vurg view them as a non-colored class among Vurg society.
Historical Uses
Skarthen have been used as spies and agents for almost four centuries. One of the most notable recent examples was a skarthen named Ebbald Marota, who infiltrated Burling & Mason in order to feed plans for advanced weapons technology. Because of his mission, he was also trained in Vurg engineering, so he was able to believably pass as the inventor. A handful of skarthen were also used to infect humans with the Curella virus from various key locations. These were taken from volunteers in the program, as they would knowingly die of the virus. Once the virus took hold, the skarthen were used to feed knowledge to Altinus Turmo for the creation of Turmocet.
Another event that involving skarthen was the Sonnerly Uprising, which ultimately led to Linmark separating from Praul.
Notable Skarthen
- Olibin, who works directly under the Ambassador Thagil, and sometimes under Commander Sleika.
- Ebbald Marota was a plant who infiltrated Burling & Mason to give weapons technology.
- Kiluna Brightsmith - inadvertently led to humans taking adoxipham