Xothgi

Hailing from the jungles of Xaexl, the Xothgi are an ancient race of lizard-folk. Believed to be one of the oldest races in Taeva, the Xothgi have witnessed many of the major events that shaped the world as it is in the current age, including the dominion and fall of the Dragons, and the rise of the first Mortal mages. Additionally, having existed since the arrival of magic in Taeva, the Xothgi possess a deep awareness of the flow of Magic in the world, even among non-mages, and are believed to have laid the foundations for the various Mage Empires that would rise in the wake of the Dragons. Despite the relatively isolated nature of their jungle homeland, their connection to Taevas ancient past (particularly in the form of artifacts, knowledge, and magics), as well as the bountiful resources of their home, have ensured that the Xothgi have had some influence within the wider world.

Basic Information

Anatomy

While there is some variation among the various subgroups, all Xothgi have a humanoid build, ranging from lean to muscled, with scales of various colours covering their bodies. Their legs are digitigrade, with three talons on each foot. They also have two arms, with three clawed fingers and a thumb on each hand. The head of a Xothgi is lizard-like, with two eyes with slit pupils, a snout, and fanged teeth. Finally, the Xothgi have a 3.5 foot long tail, which is somewhat prehensile.

Biological Traits

While there are a number of traits shared among their kind, the Xothgi are split into three distinct groups:

Yiaxl: The most common and numerous of the Xothgi subgroups. Typically resemble small lizards, with smooth scales, a long, semi-prehensile tail, and a colourful crest of feathers on their heads (with those of males being more vibrantly coloured than those of the females). The Yiaxl are also the most magically adept of the Xothgi subgroups, are advanced enough to have built large stone cities, and have a strong focus on acquiring knowledge.
Khuxl: The largest variety of Xothgi (standing around 6'7" on average, with females reaching 6'10"), with a more crocodilian appearance compared to their more lizardlike cousins (hard, ridged scales, more powerful jaws and tail, and a heavily muscled build). Are believed to have the closest connection to the ancient ancestors of the Xothgi, who they deeply venerate, as well as their artifacts and former habitats. While they can typically be found living in remote tribal communities, Khuxl can also be found living among the cities of their smaller, more urbanised Yiaxl cousins, often serving as warriors, hunters, or heavy labourers.
Ixlotl: A subgroup of Xothgi native to the Iruxl Isles, an island archipelago off the southeast coast of the Xaexl jungle. Compared to their mainland cousins, the Ixlotl are more amphibious in appearance (typically resembling newts and salamanders), though they still share a few physical similarities to the Yiaxl (namely build and colouration). The Ixlotl can typically be found living in small cities scattered throughout the Iruxl Isles, as well as any Yiaxl settlements near the coastline or large bodies of water, and are the most skilled among the Xothgi at shipbuilding and sailing.

Genetics and Reproduction

The Xothgi are an egg-laying species, as is typical for reptilians. It typically takes about 2-4 weeks for a Xothgi egg to develop, and another 6 months for the egg to hatch.

Growth Rate & Stages

Infant: 0-2
Child: 3-9
Adolescence: 10-15
Young adult: 16-19
Adulthood: 20-49
Elder: 50+

Ecology and Habitats

The Xothgi, like many species of lizard, prefer to live in warm and humid climates, usually tropical.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Though the Xothgi are largely carnivorous, they can also eat certain fruits.

Biological Cycle

The Xothgi are most comfortable in warm or humid environments, while colder climates make them lethargic and sickly

Additional Information

Facial characteristics

All Xothgi have reptilian faces, though the females are more "streamlined", with fewer rough edges.

Geographic Origin and Distribution

The Xothgi can be found mostly in the warmer parts of Taeva, with the jungles and marshes of their homeland of Xaexl being their preferred environment.

Average Intelligence

The Xothgi have a slightly above average intelligence, though their true intellect comes from their resourcefulness.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

The Xothgi are capable of seeing in colour like most races, and can, in fact, see colours better than most other races, even in dim lighting. The Xothgi are also able to see the Aether in the surrounding environment, and in other people, regardless of their ability to use magic. At its most basic, it allows the Xothgi to more accurately gauge a persons health/emotional state, but with practice, this ability can be honed to allow a form of reading ones memories.

Civilization and Culture

Naming Traditions

Xothgi names tend to be sibilant, much like a hissing reptile, with a mix of hard and soft sounds. Additionally, they don't appear to have anything in the way of family names, with all Xothgi essentially being on a first-name basis.

Male names: Vashk, Ajuax, Rahtszax, Juushk, Ithrusz, Brashk, Kev, Grishk, Erth, Yuax

Female names: Chax, Shietu, Esunzei, Yeh, Kiass, Rhix, Zess, Ikna, Acoh, Heix

Major Organizations

Xaexl

Beauty Ideals

The Xothgi are drawn to bright colours, so bright scales and feathers are considered appealing.

Gender Ideals

While both genders are viewed equally among the Xothgi, there's still the perception that females are the most ingenuitive, while males are the biggest risk takers. This perception often translates into the males serving as hunters and warriors, while the females serve as caretakers and planners, though there are exceptions.

Courtship Ideals

It generally falls to the male Xothgi to court their mate, often through the presentation of gifts that they crafted themselves.

Relationship Ideals

Due to their ability to form strong emotional bonds more quickly than most races, the Xothgi are generally monogamous. Everyone is expected to pull their weight and show the proper respect.

Average Technological Level

While the Xothgi don't make use of Magitech like many of the other races of Taeva, they do use Aetheric Architecture in much the same way, especially in their larger cities. In particular, they have access to Aether-powered stone constructs built in the image of prehistoric beasts/legendary heroes, which they often use to guard their most sacred sites, though only the Yiaxl mage-priests seem to possess the knowledge to construct and operate them.

Common Etiquette Rules

Due to their communal lifestyle, it's common to share belongings with others if they have greater need of them than you, and such acts of sharing must be repaid with a trade when possible. Additionally, any gift that was personally crafted by its giver must be received with respect, as it's believed such items contain a bit of their creators soul.

Common Dress Code

Due to the hot and humid environment they live in, the Xothgi wear light, loose clothing made from natural materials, often quite colourful in appearance.

Culture and Cultural Heritage

Xothgi culture is highly varied among the three subgroups, from the tribal hunters and warriors of the Khuxl, to the city-dwelling scholars and architects of the Yiaxl, to the island-dwelling farmers, fishers, and sailors of the Ixlotl. Despite their differences, these subcultures are united by their deep respect and veneration for their shared ancestry. This deep respect for their people, as well as the history of their home, is seen in many forms, from the reverance they hold for their sacred sites and artifacts (including caves, wall paintings, and remains), to the mythology they've built around their early ancestors.

Additionally, the Xothgi possess a deep respect for the flow of Magic in the world. As one of the oldest of the Mortal Races, the Xothgi have been exposed to magic and its effects for longer than most, leading to them developing a strong understanding of its power and the effect it has on the wider world that would be passed down through the centuries. This reverance for magic and it's role as the lifeblood of the world has persisted among the Xothgi well into the current age, with mages forming the majority of their priesthood, and a desire to maintain a balance within the flow of magic and minimise disruptions to it being one of the core tenets of their beliefs.

Interspecies Relations and Assumptions

The Xothgi have mixed opinions with outsiders due to past conflicts, though they are willing to give them a chance if they don't pose any threat to them. Interestingly, the Xothgi are eager to cultivate strong relations with the Sythssya, Drakai, and the Kobolds, who they share a sense of kinship with, due to the belief that they share a common ancestry (it's fairly common for a Xothgi to refer to a Sythssya, Drakai, or Kobold as "cousin" because of this).

Lifespan

80 years

Average Height

Male: 5'3" Female: 5'2"

Average Weight

Male: 52kg Female: 46kg

Average Physique

The average Xothgi has a lean, lightly muscled build, though some (like the larger Khuxl) can have a more muscled build.

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

The Xothgi have scales of various colours, namely green, blue, and (in a few rare instances) orange, in both light and dark shades. Additionally, the Xothgi of the Yiaxl group possess feathered crests in various colours that complement their scale colour, primarily shades blue, green, and purple, as well as (rarely) orange and red, and these colours are almost always in gradients. While the Xothgi aren't born with any markings, they can get tattoos.