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Crux are a race of elves on Sol' Dennai. They are gifted with genetic memory meaning they are born knowing their peoples' history as seen through the eyes of their ancestors.
The Crux posses technology which allows the alchemical creation of the material Tambuvar (heavy, shadow wood) which they use for architecture. The Crux posses in-depth mathematical and problem solving skills. This is likely a result of their genetic memory combined with exceptional longevity, as it is not uncommon for a true Crux elf to exceed four or five centuries of living. Despite their past relationships, the Crux are closely associated with the dragons. This is primarily due to the fact that the Crux share their mountain homeland with only the dragons who are feared by most, hence the name Dire Tribe Mountains.
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Advantages: Genetic Memory, Longevity
Disadvantages: Small size, Non-confrontational
Quirks: Very Traditional, Superstitious
Innate Skills:
Resist Fear: Because of Trennivars brave confrontation with the Blue Dragon, all Crux have the benefit of tapping into that memory and overcoming any great fear they encounter for a limited amount of time. Unfortunately, Trennivars memory ends with his own death and thus the resistance may dissipate if not replaced with another memory of great courage in time.
Sovereign Wish: As Trennivar bestowed the gift of genetic memory on his kind, all Crux are granted one request of grand proportions in their lifetime. The "wish" may only affect the Crux as a whole, and upon it's utterance, all the Ja'gai is drawn from the one making the request in order to create the desired effect. Being that this is the case, Crux save their Sovereign Wish for their time of death.
Height: 41/2 to 5 1/2 feet tall
Weight: about 90 to 140 lb..
Age:
young = up to 60
adult = 85-110
mature = 111-250
elder = 251-400
ancient = above 400 (the oldest Crux was 587yrs old)
Appearance:
skin = pale grey to light apricot
eyes = any color but always a dark hue
hair: young to adult = white or greyish
mature to ancient = more grey and dyed in streaks to represent placement in tribe
dress = modest, and traditionally handcrafted from natural materials
Loyalties: The Crux are dedicated to preventing a repeat of the destruction that brought their world to it's present state of disarray. They will provide support for any faction who strives for this cause as well but make efforts at all costs to remain loyal to the Government of the common folk as well as their own Traditions.
Languages: Common, Crux, Dragon
Natural Enemies: ???
Tradition: The Crux are ruled by the females of their race. It is believed that Aeuyti gives the wisest of the Crux a form like her own to distinguish them from the lesser of the Crux who are subsequently given the form of male.
History:
Creation
Before mortals, before dragons or the world there were only the Lords. These Lords; Gaeas, Sasoud and Aueyti, reigned over the void creating and destroying life as they saw fit by shaping the energies which embody all living things, called Ja'gai. They warred through eternity against one another in a furious display of power. Each in turn knew temporary defeated but never would any two fall at once and thus no winner was declared. Instead, they agreed to rest and continue the battle thereafter. As they slept, they dreamed. The fury of battle had brought their deepest desires to the forefront of their conscious and it was this from which their dreams bore shape.
As Gaeas dreamed, he envisioned himself illuminated, throbbing with life and pride. He held in his hand a bow which burned with fire and laughed heartily as he fired one bolt after the other of fire and light into the void creating his own image and telling of his power. And as he slept, about the three of them, the void cracked loudly and a searing light appeared to envelop their still sound forms in the luminescence of Gaesas' dream.
Aueyti, unaware of her brothers' dreams, let herself imagine all things wrapped in the inky darkness of the void itself. She longed to be where there was no life. Where Ja'gia as she knew it, with it's destructive desire; wearing it's vessel as carelessly as a charm, was dark and worked at it's own whim at times. It was in that onyx shroud she dreamed as Aueyti drifted into her own fantasy. And again, the void pushed back, challenging the light and the two merged, exposing shadow and intensifying into a roar caused by the opposing principals.
The three continued to sleep, to dream and Aueyti smiled softly in the maelstrom of potential destruction. In her mind there was a place, the very same place which had always been in her mind. It was a green and vibrant place and in it were as many forms of life as she had imagined in the eternity of dreams she had already accumulated. And this too made itself material within the light and the darkness and the roar faded to a soft hum that created the Song of Ja'gai.
And so, when the three woke from their slumber, they saw that there was a great light and a great darkness and in it was the place of the life forms. The Lords looked upon it and found the creatures curious and interesting and laid their struggle aside to watch.
It was then that Gaeas spoke and said, "I will warm them with my light and they will look upon em as almighty."
Sasoud sneered and challenged the claim, "I shall comfort them with the darkness and show them powers the light cannot posses." And the two faced one another and again took up the struggle while Aueyti sighed and shook her head.
"All this we created is imbued with Ja'gai and none can command it for it is of itself. To ensure no one of us becomes too powerful, I remove myself to become one with this place we have made. As such, neither of you amy defeat me and defeating one another will only give me absolute reign. Let this place be forever known as Sol' Dennai, meaning Balance of the Lords." With this vow, Aueyti was gone and Sol' Dennai became vibrant as the two merged. In that instant the wind was formed and Aueytis' voice softly took up the Song of Ja'gai from within it.
Gaeas and Sasoud create the Wyrms
[Crux Elves: Resist Fear, Sovereign Wish*, Genetic Memory explained]
[Dragons: Breath Weapons, The Four Breeds]
Gaeas and Sasoud were enraged by Aueyti and plotted together to destroy Sol' Dennai and their sister along with it. For the first time ever, the two combined their wills to summon great wyrms from realms beyond their own. The wyrms possessed intellect and an understanding of Ja'gai which far surpassed that of any of the life forms below. They descended from the Place of the Lords, called Senschad and set about destroying Sol' Dennai.
With their knowledge of Ja'gai they unleashed fire, ice, acid, and poison gasses upon the inhabitants of Sol' Dennai. Their shrieks rose and fell as their leathery wings carried them in to devour and up again to prepare the next assault. Their reds, greens, blues, and blacks filled the sky. In hopes to reason with the creatures, one of the life forms stepped forward. He was only a fraction of the size of even the smallest wyrm and stood upright on two legs. His slender form defiantly lifted its chin to lock gazes with a one of the ice breathing blue dragons. The frost-wielding beast asked of the life form, "Who are you to defy us when it is obvious all you see shall be destroyed?" The life form swelled his chest proudly and set his chin.
"I am Trennivar, speaker for we which are the elves, sentinels of Aueyti and I bid you turn a deaf ear to those which summoned you. Can you not see that there is much to be had by you and yours as well. Why allow yourselves to be used for the benefit of others when you can preserve all you see and reap your own benefit?"
The dragon laughed and without a word consumed Trennivar, but with his last breath, the Elven speaker called upon Ja'gai as he was granted through Aueyti and he spoke a blessing on is people. That all those born of his lineage, being all the Crux Elves of Sol' Dennai, know the events which shape their world from it's conception to their birth so that this desecration would never be repeated.
Hearing this curse and seeing the slaughter taking place, Aueyti drew her Ja'gai unto herself and emerged from the world as a great white dragon. She flew above the murder of wyrms and called to them all to hear her.
"Listen to me for I am Aueyti, Sister of those who command you and Mistress of Sol' Dennai. Cease this ravaging of Sol' Dennai or face me in her stead." With this, the flight of dragons turned on Aueyti and the skies rolled with the booming of Gaeas and Sasouds' mocking.
Aueyti unleashed one great burst of magic after another and even the combined force of her siblings was not enough to scathe her for all life forms on Sol' Dennai were united in this cause and thus all the Ja'gai of Sol' Dennai was focused on Aueyti and channeled through her, and one by one, the wyrms fell. And when there remained only four, Aueyti stopped her onslaught and spoke again.
"I have spared you that you might rebuild your kind and I welcome you to do so here on Sol' Dennai," she began, "but it is my command that in so much as you are granted peace, you return it likewise."
When the four remaining dragons had agreed, Aueytis' voice rose and echoed for all to hear.
"Insomuch as you have been commanded of Lords, I will not strip you of your gifts, but this shall forever be your curse, that whatever you bring on another shall first pass through your own being. Your Ja'gai will fall from your mouths to remind you that whatever is brought into existence affects all that which exists. Now go into your own place for there is much to heal with those whom you have beset with chaos."
Thereafter, Aueyti returned to her haven within Sol' Dennai and again the Song of Ja'gai was heard in the wind.
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