Skathari Unified Tribe

The Skathari Unified Tribe is a scattered people, existing on many worlds, all  baren and nearly uninhabitable by other races. They are hardy and strong, however, and have built a large, if not primitive, space navy to defend themselves from the Covenant. They prefer primitve technologies to magic answers, though they will employ magic when neccesary. They prefer melee weapons like swords and axes over blasters, and it has often been said that a Skathari will chose their own hands over blasters when going into battle. They do not have any centralized leadership, they will listen to the oldest Skathari within communication range (This person being called a Judge). If a fleet of Skathari go into battle, the eldest Skathari will be the leader, and it is seen as a sacred duty for the old to lead. This, however, has its limits- if a Skathari is so old that they prove that they cannot lead, they will be challenged to mortal combat by the second oldest. This had lead to many acts of gerontice- the killing of the elderly- in situations were the oldest people in villages were too old to lead the village into battle, causing a younger person to purge the older people, allowing a fit leader to do the job. This isn't considered a crime, as the oldest Skathari in any given area counts as the ruling body, able to hand out punishment and reward as they see fit.