Lords of the Crystal / SKEKSIS

The Skeksis, also known as Lords of the Crystal or Regents of Thra, were a reptilian, bird-like race that ruled over Thra throughout the Age of Division. They originated during Thra’s second Great Conjunction, when the Fallen urSkeks attempted to purify themselves through the heat of the three suns shining on the Crystal. Instead of being cleansed of their darker natures, each urSkek was split into two beings; Skeksis and urRu, with the Skeksis being the embodiment of the violent, materialistic side of the urSkeks.

Despite the separation, there was still a spiritual link between each Skeksis and urRu counterpart, a constant reminder that they were only halves of the same being. If either was wounded, the other felt the pain and suffered an identical injury. If one died, both died.¹²³

Posing as benevolent caretakers of the Crystal, the Skeksis were in fact leeching off its power in order to prolong their lives, thus causing the spread of the Darkening. During their thousand-trine rule, the Skeksis formed the Alliance of the Crystal with the Gelflings, keeping the latter divided and subservient. Species that resisted their governance, such as the Gruenaks and Arathim, were either eradicated or evicted from their lands. When the Crystal was exhausted after a millennium of abuse, the Skeksis began to abduct Gelflings in order to drain them of their essence, which had a rejuvenating effect on them. This lead to the formation of the Gelfling resistance and the outbreak of Garthim War.