The Shaikan

The Shaikan
Born from Janus Malacay's experiments with the dragon Ur's blood during the Hybernian Era, the Shaikan were a tribe of low population but of extreme fighting power and heritage alike.
However because of their lineage the other races were extremely prejudiced towards the new race as their creation had been a taboo once spoken out by the guardian gods. They were named Shaikan which roughly translates into "godless".

The Shaikan are individuals who have the blood of dragons within them. Because of this they are considered their own race and live apart from the rest of humanity and the races of light.

The Shaikan - A man-made race

They are the descendants of the alchemist Malacay, who once saved the life of the dragon Ur, receiving its eternal subservience in return. In order to seal this pact, the dragon agreed to enter into a blood pact with a person – something that had never happened before. This was nevertheless the only good deed that Malacay ever did. He became increasingly insane and met a dreadful end.

A Shaikan warrior equipped with standard armory and weapons during the Shadow Wars.

His descendants have nevertheless preserved the tradition and continue to live under the protection of the ancient dragon. Each of them enters into a blood pact with him. These dragon warriors are great fighters and commanders. Their ancestry means that they are revered by both the light people and the dark with an equal degree of fear and distrust. They therefore live between the fronts, belonging neither to the light nor the darkness.

Background information

Began a thousand years in the past with Janus Malacay, the highest alchemist at the court of the first emperor of the northern people. On the search for the power of the Materia Prima, that germ of life that can still be found in the blood of the first creatures of the world, back then Malacay joined his blood with the blood of the captured dragon named Ur.

Ur had been the patriarch of the Shaikan race ever since Janus Malacay attempted to create a new race.

Thus he created a bloodline in whose veins the blood of the dragons was mixed with the traces of the humans' ancestors and which created a substance full of vital forces. In it the original spark of life, the germ of creation, came back into being. This blood not only made Malacay’s children stronger, faster and more robust than common people, the vital forces of the dragon blood sometimes even bestowed them with the ability to resurrect others by donating some of their blood

The gods intervening

But all this sure had its price. Malacay’s spirit was corrupted by his success and with the power of this blood he set out to form the world's fate according to his will until the gods intervened and destroyed him. But his soul escaped into the blood of his children, where over centuries it hid as a whispering voice from the wrath of the gods. Along with it the curse of Malacay's evil spirit and the bad reputation about his break with the gods came over the dragonblooded. This is why they were called Shaikan, which means “godless” in the dark language. Fear, suspicion and a history mingled with treason and Malacay’s evil influence never let the Shaikan find a home, neither in the lands of the light nor of darkness. They lived with war on all sides. Their extraordinary fighting power made them popular as mercenaries, but they could never find true allies.

Malacay's death and the aftermath

Only with the destruction of Malacay’s soul by the last Soul Carrier, the Shaikan were freed from the curse of treason and able to choose their own path. Now they have found a shelter in the land of Westguard and not only do they begin to build friendships with other nations, but for the very first time they also carry their own banner with pride as one independent nation among the peoples of Fiara. Even if the number of Shaikan on the battlefield is usually small, their fighting power mostly outweighs those of other nations by far. Their shrewdness and versatility enables them to adapt their fighters and their equipment to the necessities of the battle at hand. They are the descendants of the alchemist Malacay, who once saved the life of the dragon Ur, receiving its eternal subservience in return. In order to seal this pact, the dragon agreed to enter into a blood pact with a person – something that had never happened before. This was nevertheless the only good deed that Malacay ever did. He became increasingly insane and met a dreadful end.

His descendants have nevertheless preserved the tradition and continue to live under the protection of the ancient dragon. Each of them enters into a blood pact with him. These warriors are great fighters and commanders. Their ancestry means that they are revered by both the Light People and the Dark with an equal degree of fear and distrust. They therefore live between the fronts, belonging neither to the light nor the darkness. The dark elves call them “Shaikan”, which means both “godless” and “free”. This dichotomy captures and describes the life of these dragon warriors so accurately that they adopted this description as their own name over time.

The Shaikans' abilities

Shaikans can share their blood with others, saving their lives and giving them their curse by doing so. Newly bound Shaikans can use their blood as effectively as any other descendant of Malacay. Those blessed with Shaikan blood also bear a part of Malacay, newborn Shaikans could find controlling his savagery to be difficult. The blood makes creatures faster and stronger, 'burns like fire', and makes the Shaikan act aggressively. This instinct encourages its owner to slaughter the 'weaklings', those who don't have the dragonblood.

Within each generation Malacay's soul chooses one Shaikan for his soul to manifest itself in. This Shaikan is called the Soul Carrier. The blood of a Shaikan does not seem to have restrictions on who it can cause to become Shaikan. Through gameplay, a human dying of disease was given the Blood, which cured him of his ailments and changed his race. A human who recently died was given the Blood, who was healed, came back to life, and became Shaikan. This also happened with a dark elf and orc. The blood does have a minor restriction on itself though; though Shaikan can teleport to each other and bring each other back from the dead, it has a limited timeframe and effective distance.

Notable individuals

There are a few notable Shaikan appearing in the different games.

• Janus Malacay
  The creator of the race and the first Shaikan in existence
• Soul Carrier
  The last known individual that was harbouring Janus Malacay's soul
• Shaper Conqueress
  A former rune warrior that got turned into a Shaikan after the Rune Wars
• The Pilgrim
  Said unlucky one was responsible for unknowingly preparing Zazhut's return
• The Elder
  An Elder that led his people against the Nameless
• Bor, Lya, Jared, Shae and Mordecay
  The companions of the Soul Carrier during the Shadow Wars
• Whisper, Wind, Yasha Ashir, Caine and Mordecay
  The companions of the Shaper Conqueress against the Shaper
• Nightsong
  Craig Un'Shallach's daughter who was turned into a Shaikan by the Soul Carrier
• Chieftain Kor
  The leader of the Black Fangs tribe that got rescued with the Shaikan blood
• Satras
  The leader of the Hand during the Portal Crisis
• The Forgotten Hero
  The mercenary who defeated The Red God
• Ayiro
  Weapon master and successor of Satras

Shaikan units

In the games of the second SpellForce series, the Shaikan are a playable people ever since SpellForce 2: Dragon Storm. Their units and buildings will be listed below.

Blademaster

Marksman

Vanguard

Standard Bearer

Blood Mage

Author's Note: Other than most playable people there is an alteration here because all Shaikan units recruited in the Headquarters and the Barracks do have three forms! One is the basic form that is available from start. The other two forms are available through upgrades that ought to be researched before. Each upgrade affects the newly produced units but all already recruited ones remain unaffected!

	Constructor
Building the strong and sturdy bases and holds of the Shaikan requires extraordinary proficiency in the arts of architecture. The constructors do possess said knowledge and are eager to gather the required materials at a fast pace to construct a base, that would hold out even the most fierce attacks.
Unit Type:		Unit Costs:
Resource gatherer and builder		20 - 60 , 0 , 0
Recruited at:		Requirements:
Headquarters		None
Offensive Stats:		Defensive Stats:
5 - 15 every 1,3s at melee range		100 Health, 100 Mana, 0 Armor
Additional information:
Gathers resources and constructs the Shaikan buildings. Recruiting costs increase the more constructors are already recruited.
	Blademaster
To thank them for saving them the dwarven forges of Winterlight Peak taught the Shaikan how to make the scales armor that soon were to become the emblem of the soldiers under the dragon banner. Fine scales made of wind steel keep all blades safely away from the flesh of the carrier, but their weight is almost imperceptible and their dense pattern coats the body of the fighter almost like a second skin. With this light scales armor of the Shaikan for the first time fast and agile fighting arts can be used without the fighter having to sacrifice armor protection for flexibility. Thus Ayiro, the Shaikan Weapons Master from far away Kathai, could introduce the young female fighters of the dragon banner to the art of the Desert Storm Blade; a very agile and lethal art of fighting which requires the double blade of the Kathai. If the battle requires it, the Blade Master can also fight with a common shield and sword. This gives her a little more protection against attacks, but also deprives her of the destructive power of her double blade.
Unit Type:		Unit Costs:
Melee Fighter		80 , 0 , 2
Recruited at:		Requirements:
Headquarters, Barracks		Practice Ground
Basic Unit
Offensive Stats:		Defensive Stats:
7 - 44 every 2s at melee range		260 Health, 220 Mana, 8 Armor
Upgrade #1: Twinblade
Offensive Stats:		Defensive Stats:
9 - 48 every 2s at melee range		260 Health, 220 Mana, 7 Armor
Upgrade #2: Shield and Sword
Offensive Stats:		Defensive Stats:
5 - 26 every 1,6s at melee range		260 Health, 220 Mana, 14 Armor
	Marksman
The friendship the Soul Carrier built up with the Morhir, the fighting elves from Dun Mora, gave the Shaikan the opportunity to learn some of their arts of archery. Taught by Ylia, the ambassadress of the Morhir, the marksmen of the Shaikan do not use inaccurate arrow clouds to force their enemies into cover. Even if their number on the battle field seems ridiculously small, each of their arrows will reach its target and demand its price in the ranks of the enemy. Equipped with special bows the marksmen even master the art of the multiple shot, an archery technique that enables them to take out several enemies with just one shot of their bow.
Unit Type:		Unit Costs:
Ranged Fighter		120 , 0 , 2
Recruited at:		Requirements:
Headquarters, Barracks		Weapons' Master
Basic Unit
Offensive Stats:		Defensive Stats:
10 - 50 every 2,4s at up to 15 meters		300 Health, 300 Mana, 5 Armor
Additional information:
Can attack flying units
Upgrade #1: Fire Arrow
Offensive Stats:		Defensive Stats:
10 - 35 and 10 - 25 fire every 2,4s at up to 18 meter		300 Health, 300 Mana, 5 Armor
Additional information:
Can attack flying units Deals additional fire-based damage on each attack
Upgrade #2: Salvo Shot
Offensive Stats:		Defensive Stats:
3x 10 - 35 every 2,4s at up to 18 meters		300 Health, 300 Mana, 5 Armor
Additional information:
Can attack flying units Can attack up to three different enemy targets at the same time
	Vanguard
When the Shaikan had resettled from the rough lands of the Iron Fields to the green pastures of the Westguard, they started to breed their own horses. Only a calm and strong animal that has lived with the Shaikan since birth will be able to resist its natural fear of the dragonblood in the veins of the Shaikan. The Vanguards are the spearhead of the Shaikan troops. They are fast armored riders breaking up the ranks of the enemy or rushing into the flanks to pave a way for the advancing Blade Masters into the opponent's formation. But the Shaikan are well aware that the Vanguards are too precious to just let them gallop against the enemy’s blade wall. Now and then the Shaikan make especially light javelins for them, according to the Kathai way that they can use to weaken an enemy army from a safe distance.
Unit Type:		Unit Costs:
Cavalry Unit, Melee Fighter		120 , 100 , 4
Recruited at:		Requirements:
Barracks		None
Basic Unit
Offensive Stats:		Defensive Stats:
34 - 54 every 2,5s at melee range		550 Health, 0 Mana, 10 Armor
Additional information:
Very fast movement
Upgrade #1: Slowdown
Offensive Stats:		Defensive Stats:
34 - 54 every 2,5s at melee range		550 Health, 0 Mana, 10 Armor
Additional information:
Very fast movement Hitting an enemy will reduce its movement and attacking speed massively for a short time
Upgrade #2: Javelins
Offensive Stats:		Defensive Stats:
34 - 54 every 2,5s at melee range 15 - 45 every 2,5s at 5 - 15 meters		550 Health, 0 Mana, 10 Armor
Additional information:
Very fast movement Ranged attacks can attack flying units and deal double damage against them
	Standard Bearer
The small Shaikan army would soon be defeated if they only relied on the power of their dragon blood. And even their good equipment and adaptability do not decide each battle. The real strength of the Shaikan is the cohesion of their units, the closeness with which they operate their quickness to act and their readiness never to leave behind one of their small number on the field. Standard bearers always march with each Shaikan unit. They do not only pass on the orders of the commander to the troops, but more importantly carry the blood red dragon banner high over the heads of the troops for everyone to see. These banners keep reminding each Shaikan of what he is fighting for, and in the thick of the battle for them it represents the blood red sun of hope. As long as the banner is visible up in the sky, there are still Shaikan fighting. Experienced Standard Bearers even have the possibility to learn the Call of the Dragon in the Halls of Teaching. It kindles the fire of the dragon blood and thus multiplies the fighting power of the Shaikan hearing it.
Unit Type:		Unit Costs:
Cavalry Unit, Supporter		60 , 180 , 4
Recruited at:		Requirements:
Barracks		Garrison
Basic Unit
Offensive Stats:		Defensive Stats:
8 - 40 every 2s at melee range		300 Health, 500 Mana, 5 Armor
Additional information:
Very fast movement Can see and uncloak enemy shadows nearby. Passively applies Battle Cry to nearby allied units without using mana.
Upgrade #1: Manafrost
Offensive Stats:		Defensive Stats:
8 - 40 every 2s at melee range		300 Health, 500 Mana, 5 Armor
Additional information:
Very fast movement Can see and uncloak enemy shadows nearby. Instead of Battle Cry the unit now lowers nearby enemy unit's mana regeneration considerably.
Upgrade #2: Battle Chant
Offensive Stats:		Defensive Stats:
8 - 40 every 2s at melee range		300 Health, 500 Mana, 5 Armor
Additional information:
Very fast movement Can see and uncloak enemy shadows nearby. Passively applies a strong Battle Cry effect to nearby allied units without using mana.
	Blood Mage
The germ of life slumbering in the blood of the Shaikan can be the origin for a very special kind of magic. Only very few and very experienced Shaikan can trigger the special ability of this blood magic, the ability to give life. With a bloodmage ritual a Shaikan can use the germ of creation in his blood to rekindle the spark of life in a fallen Shaikan. This art, which up to know could only be used by the most powerful Shaikan, is now being studied by the Bloodmages. Because as long as the Shaikan haven’t found a dragon for a new blood bond, the death of one of them will thin out the bloodline until it has disappeared completely. To reduce the price for the battle the Shaikan blood has to pay again and again, this is why the Bloodmages were created. But not all Bloodmages are capable of resurrecting their blood siblings. Most of the ones coming straight from training at first only know how to heal. Only with the additional studies at the Halls of Teaching the Bloodmages acquire the ability to resurrect, which is what makes the humans among the Shaikan so special.
Unit Type:		Unit Costs:
Magic Caster		50 , 200 , 2
Recruited at:		Requirements:
Barracks		Dragon Keep
Basic Unit
Offensive Stats:		Defensive Stats:
8 - 25 every 1,4s at melee range		200 Health, 600 Mana, 4 Armor
Additional information:
Casts Healing spells onto allied targets
Upgrade #1: Resurrection
Offensive Stats:		Defensive Stats:
8 - 25 every 1,4s at melee range		200 Health, 600 Mana, 4 Armor
Additional information:
Casts Healing spells onto allied targets Revives a single fallen Shaikan unit back to full health every few seconds.
Upgrade #2: Soul Link
Offensive Stats:		Defensive Stats:
8 - 25 every 1,4s at melee range		200 Health, 600 Mana, 4 Armor
Additional information:
Casts Healing spells onto allied targets Turns a single fallen Shaikan unit into a Wyrm with a limited fighting time every few seconds
	Blade Minion
Yasha's attempts in recreating her father's Blades were first full of failures and anyone less determinant would have faltered already. But when Yasha had discovered the secrets of the Shaikan's dragonblood and saw the power sleeping within, she finally found a solution. By using blood gems made from magic crystals imbued with Shaikan blood, the blade minions are the core unit of the blade army made by Yasha.
Unit Type:		Unit Costs:
Melee Fighter		140 , 80 , 2
Recruited at:		Requirements:
Nexus		None
Offensive Stats:		Defensive Stats:
20 - 55 every 2s at melee range		600 Health, 100 Mana, 7 Armor
Additional information:
Takes 25% less damage from projectile-based attacks.
	Blade Spellbreaker
After the first minions were created by Yasha, she then discovered the potential of the blood crystals were not fully used by these lesser blades. She concentrated the amount of dragonblood on the blood gems and was able to create a blade able to use magic. The Spellbreakers however were still artificial beings and required the mana from their enemies to fuel their magic but once they have filled themselves, their attack will strike like a thunderstorm.
Unit Type:		Unit Costs:
Magic Caster		100 , 150 , 3
Recruited at:		Requirements:
Nexus		Soulforge
Offensive Stats:		Defensive Stats:
15 - 40 every 1,5s at melee range		500 Health, 300 Mana, 6 Armor
Additional information:
Takes 50% less damage from black-, fire-, ice-, projectiles and blood-based attacks and spells Casts Manatap and Thunderstorm onto enemy targets. Does not posess an innate mana regeneration
	Blade Destroyer
Yasha's last creation was made when facing the huge bulwarks of the other races. These huge blades are powered by multiple blood gems and their steel body is able to withstand even the most fierce attacks with ease. When striking down the steel claws into enemy buildings the Destroyers will rip the enemy buildings to shreds with only a few determining strikes.
Unit Type:		Unit Costs:
Siege Unit, Melee Fighter		500 , 100 , 4
Recruited at:		Requirements:
Nexus		Black Anvil
Offensive Stats:		Defensive Stats:
20 - 55 every 3s at melee range		800 Health, 0 Mana, 14 Armor
Additional information:
Slow movement Takes 50% less damage from black-, fire-, ice-, projectiles and blood-based attacks and spells Deals 400% damage against enemy buildings
	Wyrm
These lizard-like creatures do possess the blood of the dragons but only in a weak concentration. Their inner fire is burning low but still the Wyrms are a extremely dangerous force to be reckoned with. When facing a Wyrm in combat, one has to be wary of the sharp dragon claws and the dangerous fire breath of the Wyrm's throat.
Unit Type:		Unit Costs:
Melee Fighter, Magic Caster		300 , 0 , 3
Recruited at:		Requirements:
Den		None
Offensive Stats:		Defensive Stats:
20 - 60 every 2s at melee range		460 Health, 300 Mana, 13 Armor
Additional information:
Takes 25% less damage from fire-based attacks and spells Damages enemy units and buildings in a cone with a fire-based breathing attack
	Fire Drake
Hovering over the battlefields, the fire drakes are extremely dangerous since their massive bodies can take lots of damage and they do have strong superiority in air combat due to their strong physique. However even when fighting ground units their fire breath rains death onto them and could easily obliterate entire bases and armies with several attacks only.
Unit Type:		Unit Costs:
Melee Fighter, Flying Unit, Magic Caster		400 , 150 , 4
Recruited at:		Requirements:
Den		Fire Mountain
Offensive Stats:		Defensive Stats:
30 - 65 every 2s at melee range		900 Health, 600 Mana, 12 Armor
Additional information:
Fast movement Takes 75% less damage from fire-based attacks and spells. Damages enemy units and buildings in a cone with a wide fire-based breathing attack
	Crystal Drake
Being a dragon does not necessarily mean strong physique and being a force of nature. The Crystal Drakes seem fragile but their mind is their greatest weapon. They are able to directly attack the enemies' consciousness with their own mind. Even the most sturdy warrior would collapse upon having their brain disrupted by the drake's mental attacks.
Unit Type:		Unit Costs:
Flying Unit, Magic Caster		200 , 200 , 4
Recruited at:		Requirements:
Den		Stone of Eternity
Offensive Stats:		Defensive Stats:
8 - 25 every 2s at melee range		600 Health, 600 Mana, 8 Armor
Additional information:
Fast movement Takes 50% less damage from ice-, mental- and black-based attacks and spells Casts Mind Scream onto enemy targets.
	Dragonbeast
Born from the combination of dragon and beast blood, the Dragonbeast is one of the most fierce dragons available to the Shaikan people. It cannot fly due to its massive body but its claws would easily shred any enemy into shreds and when breathing fire, the massive fireblast would strike down like a meteor and destroy entire armies in one go.
Unit Type:		Unit Costs:
Titan		1000 , 1200 , 5
Recruited at:		Requirements:
Headquarters		Shaikan, Blades and Dragon upgrade
Offensive Stats:		Defensive Stats:
20 - 50 every 3s at melee range		2200 Health, 1500 Mana, 8 Armor
Additional information:
Can attack multiple enemies in melee range at once with each attack. The primary attack is hit three times upon each attack. Casts Conflagration on an enemy target to deal massive fire-damage in an area