Oxine
| Oxine | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Creator | Xero |
| Information | |
| Average Height | 280cm-320cm |
| Average Lifespan | 200 years |
| Mane Colours | Black, Brown, Grey, White, Amber, Red |
| Eye Colours | No Limits |
| Fur Colours | Black, Brown, Grey, White, Amber, Red |
| Current Leader | None |
| Capital | None Gazar Mandakh (Formerly) |
| Continent | Any |
The mighty Oxine are a near-extinct race of bovine people, resembling Oxen or mountain cows. Known for their incredible size, the Oxine are formidable and fearless fighters as well as naturalist spellcasters, adapt at binding themselves with the elements.
In the Era of Prehistoria a small incursion of Demons came upon the planet of Serena to conquer it, yet theforces of the cosmos met a fierce competition in the form of the mythical Jadamida and the Stervera, stalwart natives of the land. Among the offending Demons were a high number of Minotaur brutes led by a ruthless Warlord known as Crenan Khan, known by some as the most powerful Minotaur to ever exist. His might was known throughout the ages that it became a legend that spread to the Afterworld and was etched into the annals of fate by the Gods themselves. Knowing the power that he possessed, the divine guardians of Auria knew an offense led by Crenan Khan would lead to the total destruction of Serena, a result they wished to avoid, yet they also feared a direct confrontation would lead to an escalation that would lead them down a similar path. In order for them to preserve life, an alternative solution had to be thought of.
Zurao, God of Mischief, would see to it that such a solution would happen through the use of his own cunning. The Fox God spied upon Crenan Khan to study his persona and learn what drove him and in the end the answer was simple: Power and Influence. Zurao would realize that, though he was a Demon of mythological proportions who's very existence on the corporeal plain caused much disarray and havoc, he was still a pawn of a greater power and if given the chance he would do whatever it took to free himself from the clutches of that evil that bound them in shackles. Zurao devised a plan, a straightforward one. He had the Gods create a divine structure known as the Cave of Cleansing in southern Tuurai all the while the Fox God begun manipulating the mighty Warlord with promises and whispers that would motivate his pride and lead him away from his war into the pools the followers of the Gods had made. In his vast ego he let himself be brought to the pools and with him he had his Minotaur army that he wished saw his ascension into something greater. It was there that Zurao sealed not only Crenan Khan but all his followers inside the Cave and filled it with waters blessed by the Prime Gods.
The water would serve a single purpose - to shatter the connection of the Minotaurs from the Cosmos and subsequently order them into pure physical forms devoid of chaos. Smaller, weaker yet also free from the control of their demonic overlords, the Oxine were created. Crenan Khan, once known as a fierce Demonlord, was reduced down to mortal status leaving him with none of the power he was promised. Furious of what he had become, he damned the Gods for their betrayal and promised them an eternity of his rage. Despite his loss of powers Crenan wielded the loyalty of his people, the Oxine, and used that loyalty to break free from the Caves of Cleansing and begin a new war against the denizens of Serena with the sole goal of destroying everything the Gods held dear. In the decades that followed, he warred on with ruthless vigor and posed a notorious yet more manageable threat to those he fought against, yet years of fighting would wear down the Oxine. No longer empowered by superior powers, they saw no point in fighting the fight that Crenan desired and overtime they fell to their knees in defeat and retreated to Tuurai to live lives as people of Auria. By the end, nobody stood alongside Crenan Khan, the sole Oxine Warlord fighting alone in the Supedo Hills of lower Hanayama where his blood was spilled for one final time.
No longer demons, the Oxine settled in secluded regions where they could live away from the other natives of Serena, living in villages all across the planet which rarely did business between one another. Throughout the course of their development they begun to see their cursed frail bodies as a blessing as they saw the Gods in a new light. A rich culture revering the land, heavens and underworld became prevalent among them, leading to a spiritual awakening that would serve to unite the secluded tribes in a shared peace, leading to the founding of the city of Gazar Mandakh, where the many Oxine tribes did mingling and trade together as one. Eventually the Naga would come to exist and make their home in the northern regions of Hanayama, where the Ovo Nogoon Oxine lived. Due to their desire for survival, the Naga demanded they be allowed to live in their village and when they were declined a bloody conflict between them and the Ovo Nogoon begun. The Oxine were quickly defeated by the far superior Naga, their elders killed and their youth made slaves to mine the earth for Jade to build Lady Sethris, leader of the Naga, a citadel of prestige befitting a queen.
The decimation of the Ovo Nogoon was not left unheard by the other tribes and soon they would face with the realization that they will be next. Seeking to put an end to the Oxine once and for all, the Naga gathered en masse to siege Gazar Mandakh and raze it to the ground. The Oxine would reach out to the Stervera and the Jadamida for help in the coming war yet they would refuse, still remembering what their ancestors had done in ages long past. It was then that the Oxine resorted to communion with the spirits of their forefathers for guidance and answering them was none other than Crenan Khan, the unrelenting spirit who even in death refused to bow to the Gods. Crenan appeared before them as a self-made God that spoke to inspire an undying spirit in his children, telling them to stand strong and fight for their own perseverance, that no matter what if their fire burned bright they would remain eternal.
The combined force of the Oxine led by the redeemed spirit of Crenan Khan stood a last stand against the Naga on the outskirts of their united city, ready to protect their land despite the odds stacked against them. They would show a strong spirit in the face of certain demise and this would be seen not only by the Naga that perceived them as an enemy but also the other races of Serena who had believed them as nothing more than demons and warmongers. Even as their city was laid to waste by the superior forces of the Naga they chose not to stand down and surrender. In the aftermath of the battle a majority of their race had died but not all - Small villages of Oxine were spared thanks to a turn of heart by the Jadamida and Stervera who were convinced of their redemption and chose to protect the villages. Thanks to this, the Oxine would prevail and be given a chance to flourish even at diminished numbers.
When the Naga Empire of Hebi fell to infighting and ultimately was taken over by the Oni, a few Oxine saw an opportunity to escape the planet using Jad'ir's Skyport, taking their homes with them onto other planets to thrive on them as a nomadic race. To this day they remain like so. The spirit of Crenan Khan would inspire the folklore of his people for centuries to come, with a strange phenomenon occurring where male Oxine are in fewer number than female and intersex. Because of this, when a male is born they are hailed as a reincarnation of Crenan Khan and is championed with luxury and respect.
Religion and Culture
Since they first days living as mortals of creation, the Oxine have lived tribal lives throughout the lush planet of Serena, taking refuge in every corner of the land. In their time living one with nature, the Oxine picked up a shamanistic belief akin to the Trolls and Sark which would revolve around the cycle of life and death, though the burning rage of Crenan Khan would also introduce the element of fire into the mix. Beginning with the redemption of Crenan Khan, the Oxine begun to believe in the three mystical flames of creation that they believed he possessed: The Green Flame of Life, the Blue Flame of the Heavens and the Red Flame of the Underworld. These flames supposedly inhabit all living creatures equally and when a living being dies, the three heavenly flames return to their realms so that one day they may rejoin to give rebirth to the soul of their carrier. This belief would be given the name of "Gurval Gal".
Each flame has a purpose and meaning in the mythology of the Oxine:
The Green Flame of Life represents existence in the corporeal realm and the physical form one takes throughout their life. It provides healing and fertility when called upon.
The Blue Flame of the Heavens represents the good will and love each soul carries with them throughout their life. It provides protection from evil and invokes the justices of the Oxine when called upon.
The Red Flame of the Underworld represents the wickedness and independent nature of each soul throughout their life. It provides wealth and strength when called upon.
With the advent of Gurval Gal, the culture of the Oxine would begin to revolve a lot more around the element of fire, introducing them to the worship of the Prime God of Fire Incendius. The practice of Pyromancy would become rampant in the early stages of their civilization where the act of creating weapons bathed in flames and hailing their Khans as Avatars to the God of Fire were widespread traditions. With Magic, the Oxine realized their use of flames with their Pyromancers, spellcasters specialized in calling forth fire. Those who would do battle with the Oxine tribes, including other tribes of their own kin, would also fall victim to the ritualistic sacrifice the Oxine practiced through different forms of burning the victim alive, though such rituals were saved for enemies of the highest degree.
Society and its Structure
The Oxine have always been splintered into different tribes called Ovo. Some of the more notable Ovos would be Ovo Nogoon of northern Hanayama who were conquered and enslaved by the Naga, Ovo Tegsh-Tal of Tuurai, who exist to this day as nomadic people traveling Auria, Ovo Aalz of Eoduun-Sup, a tribe of Oxine who exist in Serena in secrecy, worshiping a dark faith, Ovo Kharever, a war-like tribe that also travels the world in search of conquest and rebuilding their people's place in the world through force, and Ovo Shoroo, a tribe that has made a permanent home within the ashen mountains of Emberos, who have sought mastery over the element of fire.
Most tribes are led by a male Khan, a chieftain-like figure that is hailed to be an reincarnation of Crenan Khan and an Avatar of the God of Fire. Though far and wide apart, the tribes communicate with each other through recurring meetings between the Khans that take place every few months.
After the battle of Gazar Mandakh, a phenomenon begun to take place that caused male Oxine to be born a lot less frequently than females and intersexes. Due to this, males are seen as superior figures destined to rule their tribes when they are born. However some tribes, like Ovo Erk'cholo, have forsaken this belief believing that Crenan would have doomed their race if he had not been killed.
An Oxine carries the name of their tribe as a surname. Those without a surname are viewed as exiles.
Physical Description
Oxine are a large race, commonly standing around 3 meters tall. They have thick skin and a light layer of fur on top, large three-fingered hands and even larger hooves as feet. Their heads resemble that of a cow or ox, down to the lush manes that run down their necks and massive horns that stick out their skulls that may resemble bovine horns. They have small eyes relative to their body and large bovine noses.
Male Oxine are heavily muscular, known for being able to lift boulders or even small Dragons. Female Oxine are also capable of being large and relatively strong.
