Ixen
The Ixen are a race of tall, thin humanoids built for the extreme temperatures of the volcanic slopes.
Ixen are considered a draconic race.
Personality
The Ixen are known as an intelligent race, yet vain and prone to irritability. They take great pride in their culture, and view other humanoid cultures as bland and uninteresting. Most Ixen view individuals from other races with indifference, bordering on suspicion. These individuals must earn respect from the Ixen – it will not be given based on reputation, or bought with gifts. Respect, once earned, is not easily lost, and those lucky enough to be befriended by a Ixen find themselves with a loyal and true companion for the remainder of their years.
Physical Description
Their slight frame and membrane connecting the limbs to the torso are efficient at dispersing heat into the air, which is crucial when in their native habitats of the volcanic regions of Merisyl. Their pebbled, lizard-like orange skin is tougher than it appears, contributing to their natural armor class and granting resistance to heat and fire. Their bodies are hairless with the exception of a wiry mane-like crop of hair from the top of the head to their shoulder blades.
The large surface area created by the tall stature and membranous skin of the Ixen gives them the ability to glide from great heights, and in their native regions they can ride updrafts from the volcanic vents. Unfortunately, that same surface area makes them susceptible to low temperatures and cold-based attacks.
Their fine features are almost Elvish in appearance, but their reptilian skin and taloned hands look draconic. Academics who postulate a Dragon-Elf heritage are dismissed by the Ixen as fools.
The average height range for both male and female Ixen is 6’2” to 7’6”.
Relations
Historically the Ixen have always lived in close proximity with Red Dragons. They have cultivated a working relationship with these vain and ferocious marauders, and as a result have come to make cultural choices which ease those relationships.
As a culture the Ixen are typically organized into monogamous life-long relationships responsible for rearing children. Most Ixen families raise one or two children and no more, but in rare cases families have been known to have as many as 12 children.
Alignment
Ixen may be any alignment, but those who remain in exclusively Ixen-populated areas tend towards Neutral Evil (at least as perceived by other races). This is due to the importance their culture places on self-sufficiency and the stigma associated with dependence on others. They are sometimes mistakenly characterized as an Evil race, but even the evil ones among them are quick to point out that they are a free-willed race and choose their path rather than being forced to it by birth or divine will.
Ixen Lands
Ixen are comfortable in any region where the temperature does not frequently dip below freezing. They can tolerate extreme heat (up to the boiling point of water) with no penalties or ill effects. Their preferred lands are volcanic regions with active volcanic vents, which allow them to glide.
Religion
Most Ixen worship Nuvria, Goddess of Solitude.
Language
Ixen speak Ixenic as their native tongue, and most also speak Draconic and Trade Common. The Ixenic tongue sounds somewhat Draconic, but with softer vowels and fewer hard consonants. The written form of Ixenic uses the Draconic alphabet.
Names
Ixen typically have three names. Their first name identifies their city or region of birth, their second name identifies their family, and their last name is given by their parents. By friends they are called only by their given name. Acquaintances from other races also frequently call Ixen by only their given name, which the Ixen find mildly offensive and a sign of barbarism.
Examples: Tyrn Usil Noach, Tyrn Raash Athear, Tyrn Viri Martiv
In each case “Tyrn” is the city of birth, “Usil”, “Raash” and “Viri” are family names, and “Noach”, “Athear” and “Martiv” are given names, by which they would be known to their friends and family.
Adventurers
As young adventurers Ixen can make frustrating and obnoxious companions and their distrust of other races and vanity cause tensions. However, groups that adventure with a Ixen over long periods of time find themselves relying on their keen minds, and developing an unshakable bond of trust and respect.
Standard Racial Traits
Ability Score Modifiers: Ixen are studious and delicately built. They gain +2 Dex, +2 Int, and -2 Str.
Size: Ixen are Medium creatures and thus receive no bonuses or penalties due to their size.
Type: Ixen are humanoids with the draconic subtype.
Base Speed: Ixen have a base speed of 30 ft.
Languages: Ixen begin play speaking Common and Ixenic. Morphics with high intelligence scores can choose from the following: Draconic, Dwarven, Elven, Gnome, Halfling, Giant, Orc.
Defense Racial Traits:
Dual-Minded (1 RP): Ixen get a +2 racial bonus on all Will saving throws.
Mountain-Born (1 RP): Ixen are drawn to volcanic mountain ranges, and as such are experienced in mountainous environments. They gain a +2 racial bonus on Acrobatics checks made to cross narrow ledges and on saving throws against altitude fatigue and sickness.
Feat and Skill Racial Traits:
Gifted Linguist (2 RP): Ixen gain a +4 racial bonus on Linguistics checks, and learn one additional language every time they put a rank in the Linguistics skill.
Skill Training (1 RP): Ixen gain Linguistics and a Knowledge skill of their choice to be treated as class skills.
Movement Racial Traits:
Gliding Wings (3 RP): Ixen take no damage from falling (as if subject to a constant non-magical feather fall spell). While in midair, they can move up to 5 feet in any horizontal direction for every 1 foot they fall, at a speed of 60 feet per round. Ixen cannot gain height with these wings alone; they merely coast in other directions as they fall. If subjected to a strong wind or any other effect that causes them to rise, they can take advantage of the updraft to increase the distance they can glide. Additionally, these wings grant the Ixen a +2 racial bonus on Fly checks.
Magic Racial Traits:
Arcane Focus (1 RP): Most Ixen are adept and cautious spellcasters, gaining a +2 racial bonus on concentration checks made to cast arcane spells defensively.
Magical Linguist (2 RP): Ixen gain a +1 bonus to the DC of spells they cast that have the language-dependent descriptor or that create glyphs, symbols, or other magical writings. They also gain a +2 racial bonus on saving throws against such spells. Ixen with a Charisma score of 11 or higher also gain the following spell-like abilities (the caster level is equal to the user’s character level):
1/day—arcane mark, comprehend languages, message, read magic.
Senses Racial Traits:
Low-Light Vision (1 RP): Ixen can see twice as far as a race with normal vision in conditions of dim light.
Alternate Racial Traits:
Focused Study (4 RP): Some Ixen are less naturally inclined toward linguistic studies. Instead, they often choose to focus their studies on other subjects. At 1st, 8th, and 16th level, these Ixen gain Skill Focus in a skill of their choice as a bonus feat.