Lankinos Skylitzes was a Videssian officer who served on the steppe and could speak both the Khamorth and Arshaum tongues fluently. Unusually for a Videssian, he was laconic and dour. He enjoyed bickering with and making fun of Pikridios Goudeles as the two of them participated in the Videssian embassy to the Arshaum.
He was intolerant in matters of religion, showing unease at trusting the magic of a heathen shaman.