Basic History
Xodians are said to be the race of the gods. It has always been believed among their race that they are the shepherds of the other races. Throughout history many xodians have taken this belief to mean they should look after other races and help them achieve greatness, however there are those who follow the ways of Zodo and believe other races are there for the harvest and are nothing more than domesticated animals meant to be used as slaves. Throughout history some xodians have even proclaimed to be Zodo in flesh.
Xodians were originally created from other races during the end of the First Era and the Great Magic War. These people had developed unfortunate life-threatening conditions that have no cure. Most of the time it is a cancer that afflicts them, those sometimes it could be some other issue such as a crushed body or radiation sickness. The scientist of the time were able to extract DNA from the mummified xodians found in the ancient impact creators from the Chalcedon Event when bits of a destroyed world fell upon Nor'Ova. The leading genetic scientists hoped that they would be able to transform and restore these bodies with reactivated xodian DNA.
For the most part, it worked. Their bodies did reconstruct themselves and the illnesses did seem to disappear. Their bodies all took on the similar xodian look and structure as recorded in ancient texts, though often times were older in appearance. The largest issue though is that their brains also attempted to transform with the xodian DNA, only failing to fully do so leaving them all with brain injuries of some form. They also have developed, perhaps due to the brain injuries, cracked psyches developing a wide variety of psychosis and psychosis like mental ailments. Despite this, they have developed immortality and their brains do seem able to understand and grasp things better during moments of clarity.
Xodians have since reproduced, though not nearly as rapidly as other races. Having immortality and dealing with their own inner demons has greatly diminished their need or desire for reproduction. Furthermore of those that do mate, many of the males seem to have a complete psychotic break during the process making it even more unattractive for xodians. Still, xodians are a proud race and want to have heirs to their name, While later generations have become slightly more mentally stable, they still suffer from the mental instability of their ancestors.
Xodians are indeed an intelligent and powerful race. They fare better than others in most trades, especially in the sciences trade. Plus they are able to travel though the shadow realm. However xodian’s beliefs have often alienated them against other races. Other races either do not trust them, or despise being treated as inferiors. Because of this xodians often have a more difficult time gaining other’s trust, and even being treated fairly by other races.
Xodians also have varying degrees of psychosis, and experience things like hallucinations (auditory, visual, or both), panic attacks, mental breakdowns, and feelings of displacement from one's body. Some xodians also go through periods of uncontrollable rage.
Xodians have incredible mental abilities and can shadow walk, making them great as runic mages, scholars, and rogues.
Racial Skills & Talents
Xodians start with the following racial skills:
| Skill | Stat Cost | Range & Area | Duration | Check Roll | Effects | Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Magic Sense | N/A | self | instant | Easy Arcana |
Allows you to sense magic and its element. You can sense the magic in a room or 100x100 square foot area. |
N/A |
| Shadow Spy | 2 Soul | a 100x100 square area around the xodian | 10 minutes | Normal Insight -1 |
The xodian can enter into a meditative state and for 10 minutes peer through the shadows to scope the area around him or her. |
N/A |
| Shadow Walk | 2 Soul | movement rate | instant | Normal Focus |
Allows the user to disappear into and navigate the area through the shadows at normal movement rates, and reappear from the shadows when their movement is complete. A normal Mental Balance check must be made upon leaving the shadows. |
N/A |
Xodians also have the following talents:
| Talent | Effects | Requirements | Handicap Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elemental Summoning |
Xodians have a deep connection with their runic element and can randomly cast a spell. Unfortunately, they have no control over the magic they cause to happen, only that it is magic of their element. With a successful Normal Arcana -3 check, they can cause a random spell of their element decided by a 1d% roll. |
Must be a xodian |
Magical Berserk: You must make a Normal Mental Balance check, if failed your runic energy doubles but you are unable to do anything but use this talent or runic spells for the next 1d6 rounds. |
| Moments of Clarity |
During a moment of clarity, a Xodian may add their Arcana bonus to any non-magical skill check. |
Must be a xodian |
However, they must immediately follow this with a Normal Mental Balance -2 check to avoid a psychotic lapse. |
| Regenerative Immortality |
Xodians do not age and are immune to natural diseases. If reduced to 0 Vitality by poison or disease, they do not die but enter a regenerative sleep for 1d8 days while their body restores itself back to 10% of max vitality. A xodian can still be killed however, just not by natural means or anythings like poisons or diseases. |
Must be a xodian |
Psychosis: Upon waking up the xodian will be in psychosis for 1d6 days. During this time a xodian must make a Normal Insight -2 check to determine who is friend, who is foe, what is real, and what is fake. Nothing can protect against this psychotic break. |
| Telekinesis |
Powers of the mind that are unique to Xodians. With this you can speak into other's minds, search a location you know of, or cause things to move.
|
Must be a xodian |
Increases Mental Balance penalty by 1d6 for the next hour. |
Lifespan
Xodians have only two cycles of life. The first cycle is known as the growing cycle, which last from birth until 25. During this cycle the xodian learns how to survive and begins to form in appearance. A xodian will live with their mother until he or she is 15 years old. When the xodian reaches 15, he or she will then be required to go out and find another home.
When a xodian reaches 25, their body ceases aging and changing. A xodian will never age past 25 years, however their body may appear older. A xodian never faces death from old age.
Appearance
Xodians typically appear human. Their hair color is usually in shades of brown or black, though there have been some dark blonds They have either red, purple, silver or yellow eyes that have pupils which are 30% larger than normal. They are usually a small or medium build, never really buff nor fat. Xodians have no real ways in which they have their hair, some have it long, some have it short. Xodians are incapable of growing bodily or facial hair. Xodian women all bear a certain enchanting glow about them and are said to have youthful beauty. Xodians may appear aged in the face or may present with gray hair, but still have the body of a mid twenties human.
Living Habitat
Xodians usually are found in large cities or in academies.
Food & Sleeping Requirements
Xodians do not require sleep, but do usually sleep a full night cycle to recover spent energy. Xodians enjoy and require a variety of diets that are not high in fat, consisting of a little meat, lots of grains, vegetables and fruits, and plenty of water. Xodians typically will not be found drinking anything but water.
Culture
Xodians as a whole do not have a one defined culture. Instead Xodians typically act accordingly to their upbringing and the environment they live in. Xodians living in areas that are mainly human (or other races) typically are more considerate towards the other races and will usually attempt to be helpful, even if only to prove they are not bad people. Xodians living in only xodian societies tend to be disdainful towards other races, viewing them like domesticated farm animals. Xodians see no need in celebrations or festivals, and if a xodian is religious, they tend to be monotheistic in their beliefs. Many xodians are atheist.
Xodians greatly value the family name and place a great deal of importance on it. The family name for a xodian is to be honored. First names often are passed down through the family, skipping generations to provide for some variety. Sometimes xodians are named after great heroes of the past or those that their parents greatly admired and respected – which typically is another xodian.
Racial Relations
For the xodian, racial relations are often very difficult. Those that feel they are the protectors of others strive hard to overcome racial boundaries with little or no success. Most of this problem is because of those xodians who are in the mind-set that other races are nothing more than domesticated farm animals. The shepherd/protector type will often willingly work with any race as long as they feel those they are trying to help are sincere. The other type of xodian could care less what other races or other people think of him, for he would see them as nothing more than farm animals after all. A xodian's mental instability also strains their relationships with other races.