Skeksis

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Skeksis (specifically skekUng the General) on permanent display at The Center for Puppetry Arts in Atlanta, GA

The Skeksis are the corrupt rulers of the planet Thra in the film The Dark Crystal. The base of the characters is that they are the selfish and wicked halves of the former ruling UrSkeks. The word "Skeksis" serves as both singular and plural form for this species, with the singular being pronounced /skɛk.sɪs/ and the plural pronounced /skɛk.siz/. The Skeksis culture favors repetitive flamboyance, emotional pettiness, and a carnivorous attitude toward life. Power lines are laid out from their castle to channel energy to them and then feed back noxious pulses in a form of planetary acupuncture. They have created creatures such as the huge, crab-like Garthim and the Crystal Bats to act as their eyes, ears and fists throughout Thra.

In the film, the Skeksis are represented by puppets engineered under the direction of Jim Henson. They are described by concept artist Brian Froud as, "... part reptile, part predatory bird, part dragon." They have sinister, decaying bodies under elaborate robes of lace, velvet, and brocade. The faces of the Skeksis have hooded, uneasy eyes and beaklike jaws. Arched talons and long necks are held poised as if to strike.

At the film's beginning, there are ten Skeksis:

• the Emperor skekSo
• the Ritual Master skekZok
• the General skekUng
• the Chamberlain skekSil
• the Scientist skekTek
• the Gourmand skekAyuk
• the Slave Master skekNa
• the Treasurer skekShod
• the Scroll Keeper skekOk
• the Ornamentalist skekEkt

Skesis is also a song made by a Canadian metal band Strapping Young Lad