Axex
One of three species of gryphon native to Alkelbulan, particularly favoring the Shamsi Desert, Kemet and Birit Narim. Axex actually prefer to live amongst humans and are incredibly intelligent. They are in fact a favorite of and symbolic beast for Kanilwyr. She granted them their famed sentience and instilled a love for knowledge, cleverness and riddles. These beasts were tasked by Lithmor to safeguard knowledge, protecting her libraries, royal palaces and temples. The mightiest and cleverest among them were even tasked with guarding permanant portals into her Elemental Planes!
In Quiris myth, Axex are trecherous, merciless and ruthless beasts who challenge foes with riddles and quizzes, slaying and eating those who answer incorrectly. They are viewed with more reverence in Kemet, the Masriyyin viewing them as benevolent guardians. A pair of Axex lounging before the doors of a temple or within libraries is a common sight in Kemet, allowing only those who can prove the sharpness of their mind into their private collections. Whether this is tested by quiz, riddle or by offering a new piece for their library differs by Axex!
In Quiris myth, Axex are trecherous, merciless and ruthless beasts who challenge foes with riddles and quizzes, slaying and eating those who answer incorrectly. They are viewed with more reverence in Kemet, the Masriyyin viewing them as benevolent guardians. A pair of Axex lounging before the doors of a temple or within libraries is a common sight in Kemet, allowing only those who can prove the sharpness of their mind into their private collections. Whether this is tested by quiz, riddle or by offering a new piece for their library differs by Axex!
Racial Magic
First Ability
Second Ability
Besida's Form
Their magic form has features of a Bennu Phoenix incorporated into it, gaining a weaker version of Rithaldis' Rebirth or, most often, Form. They can manifest certain characteristics of this bird including wings, feathers, beak, talons and tailfeathers, the exact features differing by individual.
Kanilwyr's Shadow
Kanilwyr's Binding
Kanilwyr's Vision
Able to induce or craft visions, illusions or hallucinations from Kanilwyr's Plane. They don't have control over what is seen, simply tapping into random memories or knowledge stored in the plane. Mostly used to test the knoweledge of those challenging an Axex, creating riddles, puzzles or trivia.
Kanilwyr's Binding
Able to bind all facts, knowledge and memories to their mind endlessly, remembering everything perfectly at will. They can also bind information or a memory to the mind of others.
Kanilwyr's Vision
Able to peer into or enter a meditative state in which the caster can explore and peek through portals or windows within Kanilwyr's Plane. Kanilwyr is the aspect of knowledge and her plane is home to an inconceivable quantity of knowledge, memories and information. While this ability allows one to access this information and peruse it, Kanilwyr does not allow the caster to access memories of other beings without permission. Axex most often use this ability to generate riddles and obscure trivia!
Anatomy
Original Ancestor
Sabertooth Tiger
Size
Height: 4 ft (120 cm)
Fangs: 11 in (28 cm)
Coloration
These are strong, ferocious Hadje Sabertooth with features of a Bennu Phoenix. The solar crest of a bennu curls and spirals down their neck. While most have the entire head and beak of a bennu there are those who retain the head of a hadje, including their long saber teeth. Otherwise, Axex possess the muscular body and white stripes of a Hadje and its front legs are the rosy talons of a bennu. All Axex have brilliant red, gold and white feathers across their upper body and peackock-like tailfeathers with azure eyespots of the bennu.
Behavior
Axex mate for life and will refuse another mate even after their partner passes away. They spend almost all of their time side by side, exchanging riddles or bickering over academia and not always in the human tongues! They hunt for themselves but will accept offerings of meat -especially fish- in exchange for their services—duties they will fulfill whether or not they are wanted. Aside from earning their respect or adding to their collections, they are also fond of gold and gemstones, squirreling away treasures in their nests alongside their eggs. Yet one should never make the mistake of looting an Axex nest! While logical, laid back and intelligent, their ferocity when defending their ward and especially their nest is legendary!
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