A'Tova
"From Leyas, birth. From Valselat, justice."
With bodies of stone and a universal consciousness, the A'Tova are unlike anything else found on Hylos - a fact which seems to support their origin myth of descent from Leyas, the Desolate Moon. Physically blind and with no means of vocalization, they rely on Psiantics from birth, communicating telepathically and empathetically, as well as using a sort of psychic echolocation to navigate their surroundings.
Generally cordial, open, and cooperative, as is required by their nature, sects of A'Tova can, regardless, form more warthirsty tribes. In combat a lone A'Tova can be dangerous, wielding Nalistic Magic and weapons alike in their four arms, but a coordinated team is incredibly lethal, sharing thoughts, tactics, and instincts instantaneously.
Similarly, civilian life is extraordinarily well structured. Cooperative Psiantics go a long way, and the A'Tova are universally renowned for their extravagant yet durable architecture and infrastructure, forming supercities extending high above and deep below the ground. Operating in synchronicity, each supercity becomes more and more specialized as the centuries wear on, performing as organs in the greater body of the nation.
At the dawn of the Fifth Era, holy conflict has erupted at long last between the A'Tova states on Nistal, warring over the choice to abandon their goddess Leyas to her doom in the maw of Sithoth, the Devourer. Borders are drawn and redrawn, tens of thousands perish week after week, and treaties and answers seem farther away every day. Deep within the bowels of the Isle of Rebirth, though, one word, one concept stands as a weak beacon of hope.
Valselat.
Retribution.
Basic Information
Anatomy
The A'Tova are unlike just about any other species on Hylos, largely due to their extraordinary heritage. Their bodies consist of overlapping, articulated rock-like segments, with more sinewy material sealing the body between these plates. Beneath the outermost layer is a web-like hex network of hardened, chitinous fiber which accounts for a sort of internal exoskeleton, providing extra support both to the external plates body as well as the internal organs.
They are quadripedal, with two major arms and an additional two minor arms as well tucked below. Their shoulders mark the top of their height, save for a head-like sensory stalk centered atop their bodies. Housed within is the core of their psiantic ability, though, unlike nearly every other species on Hylos, it [the Naliscintillum] is separate of the brain, instead taking residence within this sensory stalk with only peripheral attachment to the brain itself, which is contained within the main thorax along with most other major organs.
Additional Information
Facial characteristics
A'Tova sensory stalks house a symmetrical series of curved, sloping grooves which terminate at their outermost vertices in 'horns or 'ears' and at the bottom of the 'face' as a sort of chin. These may vary wildly in a number of ways from person to person or ethnicity to ethnicity, including severity of curvature, depth of grooves, additional ridges or frills, and so on and so forth.
Civilization and Culture
History
Molded by the very hands of the Moon Goddess Leyas and her king, the prehistoric forefathers of the A'Tova walked the moon's surface. With no air to breathe or speak through, Leyas stole the Naliscintillum from the Feylasi below to bestow upon her children, and henceforth they spoke through their minds.
Upon the arrival of Sithoth in the Hylos system, many of the ancestors were driven to madness. Those remaining sealed themselves within their ancient citadel. They prayed, day after day, as the Elder One drew near, and day after day their numbers dwindled in sanity and life,
Lifespan
200 years
Conservation Status
In inherent danger of drowning in the Epiphical Sea.
Related Myths
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