Axex
Realm: Kemet
Typical Height Ranges: 4' to 6' at shoulder
Typical Weight Ranges: 600 to 1500
Center of population: Former Eritrea and Matruh region
Estimated population: 100,000 native / 320,000 former human
Axex are effectively wingless gryphons, adapted to desert life. They range in size and colouration considerably, but average about 1000 pounds and are most often "mixed browns". Their large body is feline in general build and disposition, their structure most closely echoing that of a lion or panther.
The axex head features a large sharp beak, set in an overall shape that is a blend of feline and aquiline features. A pair of large, mobile, and pointed ears is always prominent, and sometimes a crest-like mane, or mane-like crest runs down the head and neck. Axex "fur" is a combination of relatively long, fine fur, in tandem with thin feathers, forming a "fluffy" mixture that is able to shed heat effectively when hot, and insulate when cool. Consequently, axex can be comfortable in temperatures ranging from 5 to 40C out of realms, and 5 to 50C inrealm.
The axex body, hind leg, and tail structure is almost completely feline, though adjusted for size. There is nothing to suggest any former presence of wings. Notably, some weight-saving measures exist in the bone structure, and consequently axex weigh approximately 15 to 20% less than mammalian counterparts of similar size.
Axex forelegs resemble thickened versions of aquiline talons, with three forward digits, and one that swivels from side to reverse, acting as a thumb of sorts for fine (comparatively) manipulation. Axex two-legged mobility is extremely poor, so carrying things in this way is clumsy and awkward.
After a six month gestation, Axex give live birth to between one and three offspring, the usual litter being two. Said offspring are initially fed crop milk produced by parents. While young are relatively well-developed, there is a long juvenile phase in order to reach the size required, adulthood is at approximately 15 years old, and lifespan is currently estimated at 60 to 70 years.
Their sense of smell is poor, and they instead rely on very keen hearing and vision. They have nictitating membranes despite no flight capability. Their diet is carnivorous, but they can digest starches, but generally have a distaste for greens.
The axex do not live communally, instead preferring to disperse and live in small clusters or alone amongst other races, and it is not difficult to find a few in every mountain village inrealm, or even a few outside the realms. Consequently, axex have taken very readily to modern human culture and are often seen attempting to modify human or other realmies' activities to suit themselves. One might find the local axex involved in a theatrical production, or game of football, or taking courses in accounting, or employed by a sculptor, or anything.
Their size, tendency to disperse, natural calm stubbornness, good relations with most other races, and difficulty finding elegant work has, oddly enough, made axex imams relatively successful in Kemet, amongst the many muslims who prefer to preserve their religion even in the face of the old pantheon, and the radical change of body that many have undergone.
Axex do have a tendency towards large open spaces and are natural climbers. They're also keen to use their minds. Consequently, any orienteering contests will always draw a number of natural-born axex, and perhaps some marks besides.
They have a habit for rapid and calm analysis and choices under pressure, they don't panic easily. They're generally crepescular, but have flexibility in that schedule. Some have a distaste for being in water.
Their average food requirement is 3 to 6 times that of a human depending on activity levels and metabolism. Able to sustain very long travel, they are particularly inclined to and capable of climbing. In a sprint, they can reach 60kph, and are extremely agile despite their size.
Forcemarked axex are often challenged by the logistics of feeding themselves when unable to hunt large game. The riddle of what, if anything, to wear is constant for those that eschew nudism. Those that end up mildly hydrophobic can often offend noses when travelling outside of kemet, and many humans from the scientific domain are not at all used to being around pointy creatures of the half-ton range. Many have remarked that since becoming axex, they find themselves less lazy, more eager to do things, looking forward with great anticipation to upcoming events, and able to turn their curiousities into knowledge more readily than they did as humans.
Realm: Kemet
Typical Height Ranges: 4' to 6' at shoulder
Typical Weight Ranges: 600 to 1500
Center of population: Former Eritrea and Matruh region
Estimated population: 100,000 native / 320,000 former human
Physiology
Axex are effectively wingless gryphons, adapted to desert life. They range in size and colouration considerably, but average about 1000 pounds and are most often "mixed browns". Their large body is feline in general build and disposition, their structure most closely echoing that of a lion or panther.
The axex head features a large sharp beak, set in an overall shape that is a blend of feline and aquiline features. A pair of large, mobile, and pointed ears is always prominent, and sometimes a crest-like mane, or mane-like crest runs down the head and neck. Axex "fur" is a combination of relatively long, fine fur, in tandem with thin feathers, forming a "fluffy" mixture that is able to shed heat effectively when hot, and insulate when cool. Consequently, axex can be comfortable in temperatures ranging from 5 to 40C out of realms, and 5 to 50C inrealm.
The axex body, hind leg, and tail structure is almost completely feline, though adjusted for size. There is nothing to suggest any former presence of wings. Notably, some weight-saving measures exist in the bone structure, and consequently axex weigh approximately 15 to 20% less than mammalian counterparts of similar size.
Axex forelegs resemble thickened versions of aquiline talons, with three forward digits, and one that swivels from side to reverse, acting as a thumb of sorts for fine (comparatively) manipulation. Axex two-legged mobility is extremely poor, so carrying things in this way is clumsy and awkward.
After a six month gestation, Axex give live birth to between one and three offspring, the usual litter being two. Said offspring are initially fed crop milk produced by parents. While young are relatively well-developed, there is a long juvenile phase in order to reach the size required, adulthood is at approximately 15 years old, and lifespan is currently estimated at 60 to 70 years.
Their sense of smell is poor, and they instead rely on very keen hearing and vision. They have nictitating membranes despite no flight capability. Their diet is carnivorous, but they can digest starches, but generally have a distaste for greens.
Natural Magics
-Axex have a natural magic which allows them to shed additional heat through their feathers and breath, enabling them to run or climb long distances even in extreme heat.Culture
The axex do not live communally, instead preferring to disperse and live in small clusters or alone amongst other races, and it is not difficult to find a few in every mountain village inrealm, or even a few outside the realms. Consequently, axex have taken very readily to modern human culture and are often seen attempting to modify human or other realmies' activities to suit themselves. One might find the local axex involved in a theatrical production, or game of football, or taking courses in accounting, or employed by a sculptor, or anything.
Their size, tendency to disperse, natural calm stubbornness, good relations with most other races, and difficulty finding elegant work has, oddly enough, made axex imams relatively successful in Kemet, amongst the many muslims who prefer to preserve their religion even in the face of the old pantheon, and the radical change of body that many have undergone.
Axex do have a tendency towards large open spaces and are natural climbers. They're also keen to use their minds. Consequently, any orienteering contests will always draw a number of natural-born axex, and perhaps some marks besides.
Roleplay Notes
They have a habit for rapid and calm analysis and choices under pressure, they don't panic easily. They're generally crepescular, but have flexibility in that schedule. Some have a distaste for being in water.
Their average food requirement is 3 to 6 times that of a human depending on activity levels and metabolism. Able to sustain very long travel, they are particularly inclined to and capable of climbing. In a sprint, they can reach 60kph, and are extremely agile despite their size.
Forcemarked axex are often challenged by the logistics of feeding themselves when unable to hunt large game. The riddle of what, if anything, to wear is constant for those that eschew nudism. Those that end up mildly hydrophobic can often offend noses when travelling outside of kemet, and many humans from the scientific domain are not at all used to being around pointy creatures of the half-ton range. Many have remarked that since becoming axex, they find themselves less lazy, more eager to do things, looking forward with great anticipation to upcoming events, and able to turn their curiousities into knowledge more readily than they did as humans.
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