Species – The Xellna’ Pre

“Empire” - The Xellnen Drifter Tribes

 Currency - Silver Dasel (da s eh l)

Languages - Common/Trade Tongue, Preyltra (Pr-eh eeltra) a very musical tongue, soft vowels and consonants, flipped Rs ( pronounced as air), filled with complex articles and multi-part adjectives. Written form is full of beautiful, connected letters. Words have a dividing mark but are interconnected.

Racial Characteristic –

• Average Height (Same for Both Genders) - ~5’ 10”
• Genders: Male and Female
• Life Span: Not known… Oldest Recorded (now deceased) 7,841
• General Appearance: The Xellnen people are a fair skinned humanoid race. They’re overall form is a fair complexion. Eye color varies widely, the most common being green (though shades of violet have been seen). Hair generally tends to be in the darker shades of brown and black, with some red and a small populace of blonde. Men typically wear their hair short or shoulder length, while females wear it down near the small of their back (generally braided and tucked away in combat). Most Xellnens are a medium build with athletic bodies and well-toned musculature, though rarely do they have bulging muscles. Xellnens are easily recognizable by how they carry themselves. All Xellnen people carry themselves with fluidic grace that seems harmonious to their surroundings, and it is almost a miracle if you ever see one shuffling their feet or hunching as they walk.
• Abilities (Characteristics of Special Note)

·        Physical –

o        Though they’re graceful, sleek forms may mask it well, Xellnens possess a great strength… nearly 1.5-2 times that of their human counterparts. Due largely to their long life and extensive physical training, they’re muscles become very well conditioned over their life, capable of generate far more sheer power per given unit of volume then that of other races. Note: Xellnen children are born only slightly stronger then their human counterparts, their extra strength is a product of life.

o       Xellnens have an excellent <blank> sense (knowing where one’s body parts are in space) as well as a keen sense of balance and wonderful flexibility. Once again, these traits are only slightly natural, but moreover a byproduct of the training they receive over their life. Along the same lines, their normal reflexes are very keen and they have extremely well honed physical sense. These traits add up to give Xellnens an uncanny gymnastic-like ability in combat; it is not uncommon to see a Xellnen pull off some rather intense gymnastic maneuvers in a fight.

·        Mental –

o       Intellect – Though not the most intelligent of all races, they once again surpass their human counterparts. Xellnens have sharp memories and are overly curious. They often try to learn as much as they can about the area around them, though they care very little for history. They have a modest interest other cultures, however, aside from their language and the common trade speech, they usually don’t bother themselves with learning others dialects.

o       Magical and “other” – Xellnens really aren’t horribly concerned or fascinated by magic, be it elemental, demonic, “white” healing magic, or other forms. They disdain it, seeing it as a deviation for the natural balance of things. They form strong spiritual bonds with the woodlands in which they prefer to dwell, gaining the trust of the plants and the animals that dwell there. They do employ a series of enchantments in their masonry, carpentry, and smith craft to both massively enhance the strength and life of the work, and to protect it from all but the most powerful of hostile spells.

·  “Sensory” Magic – The Xellnens do however possess a special, nearly racially unique, “sensory magic” that they refer to as “astral or spirit strength.” These abilities are comparable to the concept of psionics. They can feel the “life-force” of all living things near them, and generally interpret the levels of stress, the creatures health and emotions, and even get a general feel of the intention of the being (Though generally not beyond the idea of “Friendly or hostile”). More well honed members are capable of putting themselves in such a harmony with nature that it enhances their natural senses and even allows them to receive burst glances of events milliseconds before it actually happens, thus driving they’re already to superb reflexes to the pre-cognitive level (hence allowing for incredible combat reactions and wondrous block/dodging). The abilities also extent to both a telepathic and telekinetic level. Xellnens view such actions as “forming a partnership” with the person or object. Though available, such abilities are weak. Most Xellnens are capable maybe of levitating a quill pen and inkbottle towards them, sliding a bowl around, ect. The most adapt are capable of calling swords back to their hands after being thrown if the sword is no more then a meter or two away and so long as it is a relatively light sword. (Historically, the most powerful “spirit expander” (as sometimes called) was capable of directly the flight of a medium sized throwing star which she’d send in sweeping arcs at enemies and call back to her hand). The telepathic abilities extend barely beyond sending emotions, flash glimpses of an area or scene, or very, very strong urges towards an answer (IE a yes or no question). The most practical use of this is by scouts who run ahead and get glimpses of enemy armies. They in turn send a flash vision back to their handler/commander. Unfortunately, the image is lost over the distance and the commander just gets a strong gut feeling the army is roughly yea large and in yea location. Although it can be used by imprisoned soldiers to sends feelings of dread to loved ones, or by interrogators to see if their prisoner is lying or not.

·  Farseers – An extremely rare, yet powerful ability among the Xellnens is the “Farseeing.” Only 2-3 per generation possess such an ability, so it is very rare. The “Farseer” is capable of projecting their consciousness out of their physical body and glimpsing the world like a bird. The most powerful Farseers were also able to somewhat sense some of the strong emotions of people in the area they were viewing. Though like previously stated, this is an extremely rare gift.

·        Gender Differences – Though the genders don’t vary horribly, there are a few subtle differences. Men are more physically inclined and possess greater skill in the enchantments they employ in their craft. Females are faster and more nimble then the men, and also are more skilled in the “spirit powers” of the Xellnens. OF course… such differences are extremely small and hardly visible if at all to anyone outside of the species.

Society –

• The Tribes – The Xellnen people as an empire foundered long ago. The true reason to the fall of their empire is unbeknown to all but to eldest lore masters of their society, and they wont tell a soul, save their successors. Anyways, modern Xellnen society is broken down as such. At the top is the Ruling Clan which make policy decisions and law. In turn, each Clan member heads a “Greater Tribe.” These greater tribes represent a portion of people in a given area. It is possible for several greater tribes to exist in one are, or one to exist spread across many regions. The greater tribes then have a council of elders, each eldar heads a tribe. These elders pass the policies and laws onto their tribes. The tribes are much smaller then a greater tribe. Tribes wander around independently within the boundaries of the greater tribe. Tribes are broken into “pods,” and each pod has a chief whom must attend summons to tribal meetings where policies and laws are discussed. The pods, just like the tribes above them, move around within the confines of their Tribe. The easiest way to picture how the tribal system works is to think of a mobile, each pod separate, but bound to the frame (or tribe/greater tribe) above, and all of then bound to the string (Ruling Clan) that binds them to the ceiling. Xellnen pods will move around frequently, for Xellnens are a nomadic people. They either camp in various places in wooded lands, or they wander to towns offering their services.

• The Clans – The Xellnen people are arrayed into specific castes called clans. Every clan has unique color scheme and insignia. For the most part, Xellnen’s marry within their clans. HOWEVER, unlike many models, these clans aren’t permanent. When a child is born, they are accepted as a “dependant” member of the clan that their parents belong to. However, once a child reaches adolescence, they choose a clan that they wish to join. The Clans are arranged by occupation, and hence the child will be accepted as an “apprentice” and assigned a master who will train them. Masters are permitted a maximum of 5 apprentices. Once the master thinks the training complete they present the apprentice to the Clan’s high counsel for examination. If the counsel deems the apprentice to be ready, they hail them as “come of age.” The apprentice’s parents generally then throw a banquet for their child, during which the clan elders will perform the ceremony that marks the apprentices acceptance into the Clan, and the entrance of the child into adulthood. Upon being accepted into the Clan the insignia is tattooed in the colors of the Clan on the joining member’s left upper arm, near the shoulder. The members are also required to purchase formal clothing in the color in their Clan. Additionally, unless stealth is required, the cape/cloak worn by a Xellnen will be in the colors of their Clan. Switching of Clans once a member is accepted is allowed, but it is not an easy or fast process, with the exception of the Ruling Clan, which is made up of the elders of the other Clans.
• Major Clans-
• Gris’ Te (Grizz t A) - The engineer and builder Clan. The members of the Gris’ Te are accomplished architects, smiths, masons, and carpenters. They are responsible for almost everything made in the Xellnen society. The color scheme of the Gris’ Te is solid gray with flicks of yellow and black. Their insignia is that of a masonry hammer and saw crossed over an anvil.

• Ultaya (OO teh yah) - The academicians of the empire. The Ultaya are responsible for knowing the lore and laws of many lands. They are the ones that understand best the arts of science and math. They also are often quite capable linguists, knowing as many as 8 languages on average. The Ultaya’s also work intensively with all the other clans in joint-research projects. The Ultaya’s color is just white. Their insignia is that of a scroll and ink quill.

• Flouren (Fl oo ren) – The Flouren are the farmers, animal experts, and botanists of the Xellnen people. They are required to know the various flora and fauna of the world and grow the food for the numerous camps. They are also the ones responsible for taming and training the mighty Demond (D eh mond) cats used as mounts by the Xellnen people. The color of the Flouren’s is forest green with brown and they bear a tree with a Demond cat on the right and a stalk of grain on the left.

• Min’ Utel (m een oo teh l) – The miners and traders of the Xellnens, the Min’ Utel are responsible for acquiring the metals and lumber used by the Gris’ Te. The Min’ Utel are also responsible for selling Xellnen goods to foreign lands, and as such have strong bonds with the Mitheerium. The Min’ Utel bare yellow and dark blue. Their Insignia is that of a golden coin set over a blue mountain that has a pick leaning on it.

• Mitheerium (Me th ee ree um) - The Mitheerium are the Mariners of the Xellnen people. The one Clan that takes some work away from the Gris’ Te, the Mitheerium are responsible for crafting and maintaining their vessels. The Mitheerium’s vessels are sleek Tri-hull skimmers. The Middle hull is by far the largest and used for the cargo and transport space. The Outriggers carry the primary armament of the vessels, the fearsome Xellnen Palitones (similar to a massive crossbow), generally one per outrigger and on a swiveling mount. The larger skimmers have a high, uncovered aft deck on the middle hull that houses the fear some Double Palitone, known on land as a formation break. The double Palitone is used to fire two weights connected by a chain in an attempted to break the enemy’s mast. The Xellnen Skimmers sit low in the water and have a shallow draft. They also have low sails that cover the deck of the main hull like a tent with an opening at the back, making them extremely fast. The Mitheerium make port runs out to the settlements on the outer islands, as well as fish, escort, and even pirate. The Mitheerium are clad is sky blue and white with a depiction of a fish leaping over a Tri-Hull Skimmer.

• Avarenti (Ah va ren tee) – Now, the entire population of the Xellnen people are very well trained, experience, and drilled in the art of combat, much so that a Xellnen conscription army would surpass even some nation’s trained armies. That taken into consideration, the Avarenti are the warriors. The Avarenti are masters of every weapon known to the Xellnens, be it melee, ranged, or even foreign. They all have a Demond mount that is exclusive to them and hand picked by Flourens from only the best litters. They are expert masters of the Xellnen martial arts, a combination not only lightning paced series of blocks, strikes, and dodges, but also gymnastic elements, the ability to strike from the most unorthodox positions, total knowledge of weak points on the bodies of many creatures, the ability to deliver powerful blows with minimal effect to the stance and minimal wind up, and finally, the ability to take a hit without foundering. Another principle of Xellnen martial arts is the extreme emotion and mental control required. The Avarenti are well recognizable by their superb control of their emotions… so much that they can mask them from their own people! The Avarenti are often grim and cold, though they are capable of being warm and happy, and in the heat of battle work themselves into a cold fury, boarding on the edge of zealous, berserker rage, just barely managing to control themselves. Xellnen martial arts are extremely physically and mentally intensive, capable by only a select few. Avarenti also receive the equivalent of a master’s degree in strategy and tactics, and extensive training in the covert ops (including the art of TCS, treachery, corruption, and seduction). Aside from the extensive combat training, Avarenti are also the healers, for a true warrior must know how to care for his wounded men. The Avarenti wear the colors of Red and Black in equal proportions and bear a Xellnen Glaive (the chosen weapon of the Xellnens) crossed by a sword and a bow set over an image of flame. The Avarenti is the most feared and respect Clan, as well as the most difficult to join.

• The Ruling Clan - The Ruling clan is not really a clan per say. The members are picked of the eldest and most knowledgeable of the other clans, and once in a brilliant purple box is added around you’re Clan Tattoo. They are also permitted to add a hemming of Silver and purple to their garments. The Ruling Clan form a counsel that convenes in an area that is only known inside Xellnen society and as such, shall not be given here. When the counsel convenes, they send the notice via a Farseer. While in session they discuss laws, major Clan news, and assess the growth of other nations. The rulings are then carried back by each member to be carried out by they’re assorted “greater tribe.”

·        Families – Xellnen society is very close knit. A typical Xellnen family consists of 2 people, a husband and a wife. The husband and wife are VERY much tied to one another and deeply in love. Xellnens are an extremely passionate people, and as such form strong bonds. Emphasis in Xellnen society is placed more on spouses then offspring. Xellnens always travel in their marital pairs (you’ll never find a lone Xellnen) and the mourning process that one must go through after loosing a spouse is so emotionally intensive that few survive. The society also places a stronger protective emphasis on females. None are quite sure why, but for one reason or another, males are deathly protective of their wives, a protectiveness that rivals even that of a mother animal to her offspring (though that is also present in Xellnens). Hence, any crime, if committed to a female, is twice as intolerable. If not for the female members of the Ruling council, even theft of a females affects would be punishable by death. The females are almost as strongly protective of their husbands, but they just don’t show it as much or let it cloud their judgment as strongly.

·        Habitat – As you most likely deduced by now, Xellnens prefer woodlands. While most Xellnen Settlements are strong, durable tents, the more permanent structures are a series of tree houses joined by bridges and rope ladders. It is also not uncommon to see a swinging rope or two used both for rapid transit and entertainment. The more permanent settlements also have roosts for the Tribes Demond Cats.

·        Arts – Xellnens, due to their nomadic nature, generally don’t put much stock into painted/drawing and sculpting as other races do, but prefer to elaborately decorate their garments, dwellings, and tools. Xellnen weapons are generally very elaborate and beautiful. Xellnens are also a very anal retentive people. Everything they do they do to a certain amount of perfection. All of their weapons and tool are smithed with a level of precision found only among royal hordes or dwarven kingdoms. As such, it take many times longer to forge weapons and armor then other cultures, though it is of a much higher quality. Xellnens are also very skilled in story and song. Singing is a favorite past time of the Xellnen people, for they have a song for every occasion/job! Xellnens stock a lot of their art in music. Be it solo songs, ballads, choir compositions, or even instruments.

·        Warfare – Now, since Xellnen populations are small and slow to grow, warring is not a daily routine. However, when needed, they can be a force to be reckoned with. Due to the past crumble of their empire, every Xellnen is trained in the arts of combat and ready to bear arms if their land needs it (yes, all people, males and females alike). The standard outfit of a Xellnen Footmen would be as Follows:

o       Armor – The average Xellnen will wear a full shirt of small interlocking rings called ringmail. Their ring mails are always crafted of the finest, strongest metals and enchanted to reach the maximum in protection. Under the mail they wear a thin layer of cotton to pad them slightly. Over the top is wore a doublet of thick, quilted forest fibers, hard and tough, yet light and flexible. Some even add a layer of hide or plate mail, though Xellnens generally disdain such heavy armor since it limits their movements. They’re armor is quite capable of taking most sword blows… it takes a real hard hit to penetrate the to the mail. Head covering varies from Xellnen to Xellnen, some wear full helms while others only put on a circlet for decoration.

o       Weapons – The standard Xellnen out load is quite extensive. Every Xellnen carries a “Reinforced Bow” be it long or short. The Reinforced bows are generally crafted of strong wood, like oak. They are then treated and have metal plates and various other devices added that double the pull of the bow, making it so that no creature with less strength then a Xellnen can knock it, also giving the arrows a longer range, high velocity, and a more dangerous attack. Next, the signature and preferred melee weapon of the Xellnen people, the Xellnen Glaive. Xellnen Glaives resemble sort of a quarterstaff mixed with a Glaive (a spear that has a cutting edge). They are approximately 6 to 8 feet long and bear doubled edged cutting blades, generally in a leaf of teardrop shape, on both ends. The Glaive can be used like a spear, thrusting and jabbing, excellent for anti-mounted work. It is more commonly used like a quarterstaff though, one uses the ends to strike at their opponents, often in fluid, sweeping circular strokes that whip the deadly sharp ends around delivering blow after blow. The attack generally gains momentum, leading up to a whirling dance of death in which the blades revolve with such strength and vigor that no enemy blade may pass to harm the wielder, and the whirling blades will make short work of any foolish enough to get in its path. The wooden shaft is well treated, but also it is hollow and bears a metal core. The length of the shaft is then ringed in metal to prevent sword and axe blows from cleaving it when the user blocks. As a back up, most Xellnens carry at least one, if not two, 24” arming swords, a dagger, and a boot knife. Though Xellnens, especially Avarenti, will employ a very large array of weapons. Some Avarenti martial art specialists have been know to employ claw like katars, and the favored weapon of legendary Avarenti warrior, Sarah Spirit Dart  (mention above for her powerful control of objects), favors a 5 point throwing star which she can hurl out, gently guiding it to cut the throats of her opponents, in a broad arc and sweep back to her to be thrown again.

o       Mounts – The Xellnen people have but one creature that they will mount, the mighty Demond Cat. The Demond cat is roughly a horse-sized cat; entirely black, and possessing vicious teeth and claws, as well as thick fur that will help protect them from weapon blows. Due to the sheer mechanics of how a cat sprints, riding one is very difficult. The rider sits high up on the cats shoulders and grips onto a collar, though the cat isn’t quite as swift as it would be unburdened. The large cat animal is capable of blistering speeds, easily leaving horses in their wake, as well as the best acceleration seen among riding beasts. Unfortunately, they’re endurance is low and can only sprint over short distances, being forced to walk the rest of the time (making mounted units no faster then footmen as far as distance traveling goes). The cats are also able to leap at least 15-20 feet vertically and can climb, especially trees. When used in combat, the cats are generally driven into the enemy divisions where they bash enemies away with their massive clawed paws, generally sending 2 – 3 men flying in one swipe. The rider usually employs a Reinforced bow, as the cats paws suffice for melee weapons, though it is not uncommon to see the rider’s using their Glaives. Xellnens generally armor their cats in wide, chicken wire like mail the protect from sword swipes. The neck is protected by a thick collar the rider holds, and most don face plates and helms. Some of the more… free thinking members of the Avarenti have even been known to mail the cats tail and add a spiked ball to the tip, though this generally unbalances the cat slightly, making them very irritable… though this also causes them to be more fierce in battle. The Xellnen riders are capable of sending basic messages through their thought bonding that allow them to give direction, attack, and retreat command without need to signals or audible commands. Note: If Demond riders are on the battlefield, do not retreat into tree… Demonds are at home in trees and will massacre your men. Additionally, never follow a Demond division into a wood, unless you want massive cat raining on you.

·  Siege Engines – The Xellnen people also have powerful siege engines at their disposal. The most common is the massive, crossbow-like Palitone. The Xellnens use these monstrous machines to assault strongholds and to hold their forts (though it is not known where the last remaining forts are located). The most fearsome of this breed of war machine is the Double Palitone. The Double Palitone, or formation breaker, is merely two palitones turned on their sides so that their loading trays face one another. Then, 2 large and heavy weights interconnected by a razor chain are loaded, and the engines are triggered by a joint mechanism. The Chain between the weights will “clothesline” many enemy footman, carving nice lines in enemy divisions, or when used at sea, they will shatter the mast of enemy vessels.