Paxan

The paxan people originally hail from the island of Mindor, a continent northwest of Koth across the Sea of Strife, east of Kentogen. In addition, there are large paxan populations on Koth, the Barrier Arc and the Shattered Isles. Since the time of the Adamant Reign of Maximillian I, there has been conflict between the Empire and the Qualia of Mindor.   At first glance, paxan can be startling with their distinctive third eye in the center of their foreheads. While the eye is generally vestigial organ, it still grants the paxan people tremendous powers of the mind. The Mind Touch or Clairpsyche, as it is known, allows the paxan to communicate with others who are in physical contact with the paxan or looking directly into their eyes. Through this communication, a paxan can interact with what is called the mindscape, the manifestation of person’s mind. The mindscape is different for everyone and is more strange, symbolic, and dangerous the farther one travels through it, though the conscious level is often relatively safe. Through training and the need to keep sane, paxan have developed an unusual resistance to mental attacks.   Although most paxan's third eyes are closed, occasionally one can be seen with the eye open and functioning as a normal eye. Those who have an opened third eye, the mind’s eye, are rare. The Qualia gather and protect such people, while the Empire grants those who manifest this trait a choice according to the Decree of the Open Eye: submit to the Vexarum, a mark to regulate their power, or cleansing by the mindhounds of the Imperial Hunters.   It is because of their extraordinary mental gifts that paxan are viewed with great suspicion by other peoples. Their unique skill at entering and affecting the minds of other people also makes many uncomfortable around them. The Qualia of Mindor have overtly outlawed the use of the Mind Touch to influence the free will or modify the memories of another. In Mindor, only a collective Mind Touch can be used in courts. Such a Knowing is rarely employed for it is an extremely taxing and personal experience. Imperial Censors are permitted to use their gifts in legal proceedings, no other use of a Mind Touch is accepted as evidence in imperial courts.   As one might expect, three is a number that is significant to a paxan culture.   Through their three eyes, paxans acknowledge and celebrate the three basic mediums: the physical, the spiritual and the mental. These are exemplified in the three Ways that a paxan may travel through their life:   • Ke is the Way of the Body, representing the physical aspects of life. • Pa is the Way of the Spirit, representing the spiritual aspect of life. • Nu is the Way of the Mind, representing the mental aspect of life. Through their three eyes, paxans acknowledge and celebrate the three realms of time: the past, the present and the future. These are exemplified in the three Visions that a paxan may follow through their life: • Be is the Vision of the Past • Iz is the Vision of the Present • Wi is the Vision of the Future   Through their three eyes, paxans acknowledge and celebrate the three basic deeds: battle, discovery and making. These are exemplified in the three Castes to which a paxan may devote their labor:   • The Quaecadi is the caste of the warriors who favor the Might and Guile Approaches. • The Agyrwren is the caste of scholars who favor the Wit and Tough Approaches. • The Horugari is the caste of makers who favor the Flair and Agile Approaches.   When a paxan reaches majority, they choose an Opus. This is the search for the perfection of a single thing. The act of laboring on their Opus focuses the paxan’s mind, granting them a measure of peace and productivity when not actively working on other tasks. This is the focus of a paxan’s meditative endeavors. Due to their access to other minds, paxan can mentally drift and are in danger of becoming lost in the thoughts, emotions, and dreams of others, losing themselves. Additionally, many paxan believe that the achievement of the Opus can open the paxan’s third eye.   Paxan typically live twice as long as kin and remain vital into their second century of life.