Aaxte
Basic Information
Anatomy
The Aaxte are bipedal, fur-covered humanoids with bovine features. They have an unguligrade stance on cloven hooves, split into two equally sized claws. Their hands have four digits, consisting of three thick fingers and an opposable thumb, capped with hooflike nails. Aaxta possess long, rope-like tails ending in a brush of tufted fur. The heads of the Aaxte resemble those of cows, with broad, long muzzles and large ears.
Aaxte are typically larger than the average Bediz, with large, muscular frames. Males are typically larger than females. Both males and females possess horns, but the horns of male Aaxte are typically larger and longer. Female Aaxte possess two sets of breasts on their upper chests.
Genetics and Reproduction
Aaxte reproduce sexually, producing a single calf with each successful gestation, which typically lasts six months. Aaxte typically seek secluded, quiet area with high food quality to give birth and raise their young for the first year of life.
Ecology and Habitats
The Aaxte live in shallow caves dug into the hillsides, commonly consisting of between one and three rooms. Aaxte dwellings blend in with their surroundings, keeping environmental impact to a minimum. The Aaxte frequently reuse dwellings where possible, and select sites naturally able to support these dwellings. As a result, Aaxte communities can either be tightly packed in hilly valleys or widely spread out along great distances.
Behaviour
The Aaxte view themselves as community guardians, taking the protection and safety of their homes and neighbors upon themselves. During heavy storms, they will emerge from their hillside caves to circulate along nearby roads to watch for stranded and endangered travelers. They keep watch for bandits, looters and other malevolent actors, maintaining the boundary stones and bridges. Before a storm, they will knock on the doors of their neighbors to warn them to remainin indoors until the danger has past. Along coastlines, the Aaxte often keep watch over the shores for ships in distress, forming the bulk of lifelines to wrecked vessels.
Additional Information
Geographic Origin and Distribution
The Aaxte originally were found throughout Vasconia, the Southern half of the Grand-Duchy of Akitania, as well as Asturias and the Kingdom of Navarre. In recent centuries, they have spread along the Silvercoast and the rivers of Akitania.
The Aaxte, a hearty and resilient people, have spread as far as the Fortunate Isles and The Sea of Wine, as well as Pharos, but most remain in their Vasconian homeland.
Perception and Sensory Capabilities
The Aaxte possess excellent peripheral and motion vision, giving them wide field of vision. However, they have poor depth perception and are ill-suited to focusing on fine details. Most Aaxte are red-green colourblind.
Aaxte have a powerful sense of smell, capable of picking up scents from long distances away. They are sensitive to touch, and often communicate and bond tactiley. The Aaxte possess sophisticated senses of taste, and have acquired reputations for complex palates.
Civilization and Culture
Naming Traditions
The Aaxte refer to themselves as the Etsai.
Culture and Cultural Heritage
The Aaxte often decorate their cave dwellings with simple drawings, often representing momentous events, weather patterns or abstract designs. Red ochres and black pigments are commonly used for this decoration.
Common Customs, Traditions and Rituals
Most Aaxte are devoted to the "Red-Goddess" Emari, a cloud-dwelling weather goddess also seen as the protector of caves. Outside of the Southlands, many identify Emari with Surouas, the Avatar of the Redwind.
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