Xik

The Xik are a vaguely humanoid, shapeshifting species of average to very high intelligence. They are detritivores, passing large amounts of sand, soil, and snow through their systems to filter out decaying matter and nutrients. They live on average for 250-500 years, and their base form averages 14 feet in height. The Xik are also able to induce cryptobiosis during harsh winters on the Kinsik Xirik (Frozen Sands), Tankaga Ikka (Tankaga Glaciers), and Biktak Kitak (Biktak Isles), as well as during periods of famine.

The Xik are nomadic and built to withstand extreme cold. They spend most of their time foraging and wandering, and do not build structures or use tools of any kind. The Xik are non-religious and non-spiritual but are very ritualistic in a manner that, if not fully magical, draws a strong parallel to it; they are very structured beings who go about life in a very particular way and do not stray from their paths. The most major and complex Xikani rituals are their funerals; the Xik will spend up to six months waiting for the bodies of their fallen tribesmen to mummify in the extreme cold while performing round-the-clock rites, before finally burying them under elaborately constructed mounds formed out of snow, ice, sand, or rock.

The Xik are very social amongst themselves, but are slow to trust other species. They have come to tolerate the Brìgdoell, coexisting with them along the southernmost reaches of their roaming territory; this trust was built upon the barter of rich soil from Bor and Rídham in exchange for welcome at outposts along the Màrcland Range and the chance to study Xik biology and culture. The Xik have an oral language called Xikani but no written language, and as of yet are not able to communicate very clearly with other species due to anatomical differences; however, most are generally able to understand basic Brìgdoen and use context clues, inference from vocal tone, and body language analysis to fill in any gaps in understanding. Some Xik have even begun attempts to compile a Xikani-Brìgdoen dictionary.