Strix
From PathfinderWiki
| Strix | |
|---|---|
| (Creature) | |
| Type | Humanoid (strix) |
| CR | By class level |
| Environment | Temperate mountains |
| Alignment | |
| Source: The Inner Sea World Guide, pg(s). 313 | |
Strix are a race of dark-winged humanoids who live in only a single community in all Avistan: the forsaken rocky spires on Cheliax's west coast known as the Devil's Perch.[1] Grisly tales told by the local human population has made them the target of much hatred and fear; in truth, the strix wish mainly to be left alone.[2]
Contents |
Appearance
Strix resemble humans in size and build, but are distinguished by their jet black skin, their 12-foot raven-like wingspan, and their strange facial features. Strix have pointed ears, slitted nostrils, and eyes without pupils which, due to their large size, appear to glow in the half-light of the evening. Their eyes are fixed within their head, so to look around they have to move their entire head making them look either slow and sombre or jerky and skittish depending on how fast they move. Strix stand just over six feet tall, but considering their size, are quite light, weighing around 170 pounds.[1]
Habitat & Ecology
Devil's Perch is the only place in all of Avistan that the strange strix can be found. Their presence has given the area a dark reputation with surrounding human communities. The strix consider all the land they can see from their largest settlement at Ciricskree (the so-called Shrieking Spire) as their own, and they are fiercely territorial. Strix are not particularly fecund creatures, leading them to value every member of their society. Strix normally live to around forty years old, though if they are lucky, they can reach sixty. Strix are also nocturnal creatures, their big eyes helping them to see better in the dark, while their black colouring makes them virtually invisible against the night sky.[1]
Society
Strix society is small and isolationist, and as a result is very tight knit. While the strix would like nothing more than to dwell peacefully amongst the rocky heights of Devil's Perch, centuries of bloodshed and superstitious hatred from the neighbors in Cheliax have created a species-wide siege mentality. Strix have developed a deep hatred of humans; the precise origin of this hate is uncertain, but it is known that they deeply resent human intrusions and besiegement. Due to their limited numbers, strix have a very close-knight family structure; effectively, all belonging to a single extended tribe. Within this tribe all work together to ensure the species' survival. Murder is unknown except when committed by outsiders. The strix respond to these occasional murders in kind, but as humans outnumber them so greatly, they don't hesitate to take dozens, even hundreds of lives in revenge for the death of one of their own. Their isolationist nature has led them to assume that human society is as tight-knit as their own, so they take vengeance indiscriminately.
Language
The strix language is a strange creole of Azlanti and Infernal, and can be understood by those who speak both languages, adding further to the mystery of their origin and the possibility of some sort of supernatural punishment.[1]
Origin myths
According to their own legends (ones never told to outsiders), the strix do not believe Devil's Perch to be their homeland. Legends claim the strix were delivered to their current home in a terrible green storm that sent the vicious and undeserving far from their original home. Here they were to suffer until the end of the sun. Of course with the coming of the Age of Darkness the sun did seem to end, and the creatures thought that this freed from their previous punishment. During the Age of Darkness the strix lived as beasts not men. This lasted until they found a fortress of stone next to the fish-filled ocean which was tall enough to be safe from the beasts of the land. These legends still stain the strix's perspective, and most belie they are still cursed for some ancient misdeed. While some would dismiss these legends as mere myth, images on scrolls in the library of Iadara in Kyonin have led to speculation of a relationship with winged humanoids among the men of Azlant and the elves of Adarshavir.[3]
History
During the Even-Tongued Conquest of 4081 AR, Aspex was able to convince the strix to join in his insurrection against the Taldan Empire. After he won independence, however, the strix rejected his offer to join his newly-established nation, preferring to be left alone.[4]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Mike Ferguson, Sean K Reynolds, and F. Wesley Schneider. (2009). Bestiary.The Bastards of Erebus, p. 82. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-190-9
- ↑ James Jacobs et al. (2011). The Inner Sea World Guide, p. 11. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-269-2
- ↑ Mike Ferguson, Sean K Reynolds, and F. Wesley Schneider. (2009). Bestiary.The Bastards of Erebus, p. 83. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-190-9
- ↑ Jonathan H. Keith, Colin McComb, Steven E. Schend, Leandra Christine Schneider, and Amber E. Scott. (2009). Cheliax, Empire of Devils, p. 4. Paizo Publishing, LLC.
