The Arkesh are a barely affiliated and scattered species struggling to survive in the empty spaces of the Southern Reaches. Once hailing from the stars and now stuck living in the dilapidated wrecks of their starships, the arkesh life is a deeply difficult one as they survive primarily by raiding for supplies. Their ships are haphazard messes of rusted metal, canvas strips and makeshift additions of scrap that have been left to rot where they lay when their leadership caste was exterminated by unknown assailants. Deeply hierarchical, arkesh society is a vicious cycle where power leads to a bigger target on one's back, always seeking to exceed the caste one is currently assigned.

Not being native to the world makes arkesh survival in the Southern Reaches even more precarious, requiring an environment suit to survive. Despite their ramshackle appearance the deft hands of arkesh artisans make fine work and the breathing apparatus is surprisingly resilient. Arkesh naturally have 4 arms though members of their species low in the caste system almost always have their lower arms bound or docked until rising sufficiently through the ranks or otherwise proving themselves. Though the suits make it difficult to discern many physical details of an arkesh they are known to have an insectoid appearance and position in the hierarchy can be roughly guessed based on body size, with lower caste being somewhat smaller than a human, a middle caste being similarly sized and those with the power and influence to become warlords often standing 10-14 feet tall.

Arkesh lack a priesthood caste of their own, but rarely take on the religious practices of the other races, instead tending toward animism or ancestor worship. Arkesh tend toward martial roles like Fighters and Rogues but make capable Rangers and Paladins.