The Izin
The Izin are the first people of Isan (the name of the world is actually a mispronunciation of their ancestral name). Apart from certain nomads and travelers, most of the Izin live on Willowroot Island or on the wheat coast of Doriaa near the Breadmancer’s College and Embassy.
Visitors and traders are sometimes allowed, but tourism is highly controlled by the embassy to protect the island for the locals. Most of the Izin are complete pacifists despite their powerful mystic connection to the Umbra because the island is under the protection of a reclusive ancient dragon and a neverending dust storm called the Devil. The very best breadmancers live and work in Izin and make breads with all sorts of magical properties. The inventor of Breadmancy, an millenia-old Izin woman named Caccia still lives on Willowroot Island in Micano Village.
The Izin have many stories because they have lived many lifetimes, but even they aren’t quite sure where they come from. They say an Izin only passes when they decide it’s time. Or, because of stabbing, electrocution, choking on a piece of food that went down the wrong way, etc. Izin are immortal, not invulnerable.
The original family lines of the Izin people have lost the ability to reproduce in the last 500 years-- but the appearance of mysterious "Neoterics," new Izin children that appear from the woods every 20-30 years, have given hope to the Izin to continue their traditions should the old guard pass.
The Izin live primarily in two cities on Willowroot Island:
Micano Village is a
Micano Village is a
Basic Information
Anatomy
Izin are immortal humanoids with different shades of purple and violet skin, and long pointed ears that can slant up or down. They can have any eye color, and lack a nose. Especially with older Izin, they often have two or more long, horn-like protrusions above or around their foreheads-- these are shaped like long flower petals, but are harder like horns. Their origin and purpose is unknown.
Their bodies vary as much as any human, but some skew a bit shorter.
Genetics and Reproduction
The Izin lost the ability to reproduce about 500 years ago, which caused a huge shift in the culture to a more isolationist and conservative climate, focused on preserving old traditions. Since then, new Izin have begun appearing every 30-50 years, sometimes in groups, as toddlers. Some of these Izin grow horns like their older counterparts, and some never have, as of the present day.
Growth Rate & Stages
Izin grow and age very slowly in two stages.
Until about age 300, Izin age about 10x slower than humans.
Izin are considered full adults at about 300 years. Thereafter they physically age about 30x slower than humans, until reaching about 1200, at which point it becomes very hard to percieve any further aging.
There are living Izin that are possibly three to four times that age, but apart from a group of very few of the original Izin that are still alive, older Izin have fuzzy memory of their history and age, and the conservative cultural shift in the past 500 years has caused an anti-intellectual bent in some middle aged members of the community, despite the proximity to the Willowroot Archive.
Until about age 300, Izin age about 10x slower than humans.
Izin are considered full adults at about 300 years. Thereafter they physically age about 30x slower than humans, until reaching about 1200, at which point it becomes very hard to percieve any further aging.
There are living Izin that are possibly three to four times that age, but apart from a group of very few of the original Izin that are still alive, older Izin have fuzzy memory of their history and age, and the conservative cultural shift in the past 500 years has caused an anti-intellectual bent in some middle aged members of the community, despite the proximity to the Willowroot Archive.
Additional Information
Social Structure
The Izin don't really have a government. They are a smaller community and have committees among the populace to deal with various town issues, but everyone does something because there are so few of them who actually live there.
Eastern Doriaani Izin live in small villages and city states that essentially self govern with more human like governments that
Eastern Doriaani Izin live in small villages and city states that essentially self govern with more human like governments that
Facial characteristics
Long pointed ears that slant up or down, and no nose.
Geographic Origin and Distribution
Willowroot Island, Vaybach's Landing, and Eastern Doriaa
Perception and Sensory Capabilities
The Izin have a strong connection to the Umbra, which makes for strong mystic powers from those who are trained. The Izin also have a knack for bioalchemy, which allows breadmancers to create better and more effective recipes. Both of these talents inform the combat techniques of their military class, the Sift, who can disable enemies with highly focused strikes and use telepathy to disrupt an enemies concentration.
Civilization and Culture
Major Organizations
The Breadmancer's College
West of Willowroot Island on the eastern coast of Doriaa lies the Breadmancer's College, the top training organization for all licensed breadmancers in Izan.The Sift/Vaybach's Landing
Home to the Sift, the Izin Militrary, Vaybach's Landing is a fortress located between Willowroot Island and the eastern coast of Doriaa. A small arch under the island is the only portal past the neverending storm, the Devil.Culture and Cultural Heritage
The Izin invented breadmancy, and were pioneers in bioalchemy.
History
Not much is known about the origins of the Izin. Their recorded history starts 50 or so years after a great calamity known as the Ignition. Their people are said to have come from the Wheatstar Crater-- the old saying goes that "the Izin are older than the wheat."
Lifespan
Immortal
Average Height
3.5 ft - 6ft
Average Weight
75 lb - 200 lb
Body Tint, Colouring and Marking
Deep purples and violets to a bright hot pink.
Geographic Distribution
Related Ethnicities
Related Technologies
Comments