Skaln

The Skaln are a race of stone people who are native to Centrum. They were formerly considered the rulers of the world, save for the yet-unconquered beastfolk and the elusive Loveks. Though they are now on equal ground to the other races, they are considered invaluable to the Empire for their unique traits and loyalty to the cause of unifying the world.

Biology & Appearance
The Skaln are typically humanoid with gray or brown bodies reflective of the material they were born from. Though they appear to carry out normal biological functions, their rules of existence are different from the typical being. With their stone bodies, they are incapable of eating; rather when they consume something they will drain it of energy before removing a clay-like remnant of what once was, either through regurgitation (the typical method) or less savory means. Because of this method, it is fairly common practice to consume a small, live animal and deliver food to it while draining it for extended sustenance.

Because there is no flesh, Skaln are nearly immune to poisons and diseases. However, because water is required for the flow of energy in the body, these pollutants can still cause adverse effects until the host is purified. Skaln do not sleep, but rather return to a state of stone in which they actively consolidate and organize their thoughts. In this way, they are effectively always conscious, the only difference is it is outward or inward.

They can be born of a variety of materials. However, the quality of the materials determines the quality of the Skaln. Inner-mountain stone is the standard for the average citizen while precious metals typically result in an individual with a particular talent for magic or politics. In the same way, when poor stone or even mud is used, the result is a barely-cognitive individual with a mental state more like an animal.

Culture & Religion
The Skaln are deeply devoted to craft and art, each being a living embodiment of it; even talented magi and military commanders may feel a twinge of jealousy for a neighbor charged with becoming the next major architect for their city or their people. Because of the potential for a "bad" Skaln being born from poor practice, only the most skilled "man-crafter" are permitted to create more.

The Skaln follow their ancestor's pantheon, which is also followed officially by the Empire.

Addendum: The Colossi
Long before the rule of the Draconians, the Colossi ruled most of the known world. Towering beings with incredible magical powers, the greatest among them were seen by many as rivaling gods. They also had the potential to forge themselves from materials still out of the reach of the modern Skaln, such as sand or even mineral-infused ice. When the Draconians descended onto the world, the majority of the Colossi were slain, with the only known survivors being the Ice Colossi of the North Continent, and the Molten Colossi of the Ashlands.