OUR
TAN
NEX
(above written in Arcanex Square)
singular and plural: OURTNX
pronounced like "ower-TAUN-nex" in arcanex and often "oo-ER-ta-nix" by non-arcanex speakers
SPECIES TYPE: Ancient
LIFESPAN: Functionally Immortal (does not die of old age)
REGION OF ORIGIN: The Ocean
THE SPECIES
The original species on Nskanetis, Ourtnx are beings ranging from magical to omnipotent. Their culture is varied due to a long and storied history, and modern Ourtnx are far different than what they started off as - and often incredibly different from each other. As a whole, the species is heavily influenced (and, in some cases, countered by) the magic core of the planet.
APPEARANCE
Ancient Ourtnx Appearance - traits of this form can still show up in modern Ourtnx rarely.
Modern Ourtnx - Sphynx type and Bird type.
Two examples of hybrids.
The Ourtnx are a varied people with a purple pigmentation to their hair, skin, and so on - while this can be in varying intensities, shades, and saturations, a level of purple is almost always present. Ourtnx have scutes that can appear anywhere on the body (absolutely anywhere - rarely to the point that this becomes problematic, requiring intervention from doctors, magical or otherwise) but most commonly they appear on the torso and limbs. Other common traits the species as a whole shares includes typically wavy or curly hair and a humanoid upper body at least (less so in ancient Ourtnx).
Modern Ourtnx have two main types - Sphynx (occasionally called Daemons), and Birds (occasionally called Angels by humans). Sphynx look far more like the ancient Ourtnx in their stance - centaur-like, though ancient Ourtnx had fins and webbed feet, while Sphynx Ourtnx primarily still have finned wings, having paws for their quadrupedal legs and a lion-like tail. Sphynx Ourtnx often do not have eyes or have false eyes that are actually an alternate sense organ (the sense organ being under the skin in the case of an empty socket) - seeing with magic and sensing with the false eye or eye socket. They lack an eyelid in this case, and cannot blink. Birds are bipedal and appear far more human, having feathered wings. Bird Ourtnx typically do not have false eyes, having functional eyelids and human- or bird-like eyes with purple pigment. They can still see with magic if blinded, but will often be less experienced at first due to a lack of necessity. Birds will also often have 'downy' hair, fluffy or frizzy with a feathered texture. Curls will often be less pronounced.
Hybrids are common between the two types, and mutations and oddities are common in hybrids. Bipedal Sphynxes are not uncommon in hybrids (almost always called Daemons in this case), as are mixed wing types, eyeless Birds, and even rarely ancient traits showing up again - though they do increase the chances of more harmful mutations like malignantly misplaced scutes. Hybrids used to be looked down upon on the mountain of Auli'Kuriz, but with the destruction of the mountain, they have nothing to fear (other Ourtnx communities have almost always taken them in with open arms).
Ourtnx have a varied spectrum of sex characteristics, with intersex individuals showing up in all types but especially often in hybrids.
CULTURE/HISTORY
Ourtnx were the original sapient species on Nskanetis and have had a long history with a varied culture.
Ancient.
Most of the history of ancient Ourtnx is not truly on record, but what has been claimed is that they came from the sea and got their magic from the leylines below, the mountain above, and the OUR/TAN/NEX - the universe. The species lived an amphibious life, existing mostly with the aid of magic. The Arakantis developed completely separately, and the Ourtnx lived alongside them, typically peacefully. Attitudes changed when humans started to enter Nskanetis.
Pre-Phoenix Event.
The similarity between Bird Ourtnx and humans caused some rifts to form over a 'connection' and 'perfection', and a group of Ourtnx formed a small country atop the Mountain Auli'Kuris, often stealing humans from the rest of Kortha and experimenting on them. Auli'Kuris was ringed off with magic countermeasures and Kyaine, but those in the know would notice that the barrier would expand ever so slightly every day. Hybrids were treated terribly in this society, and those that could be saved were smuggled out by those who quietly disagreed with Auli'Kuris.
Outside of Auli'Kuris, Ourtnx societies were much kinder, often taking in any refugees from the mountain. Rebellions took place, and the mountain was weakened.
Post-Phoenix Event. (Current)
Ourtnx societies - still as kind as the ones outside of the mountain - are integrating with other societies well. Magic lessons with the wizards of Kortha, healing and magic-based surgery, testing in the Fogshard Mines in the Auli'Kuris Crater, and attempting to teach other species the Arcanex language are common jobs that Ourtnx take on.
There are still some tensions from the mountain, but when it was destroyed by the leylines, everything changed, and a lot of fear in Nskanetis subsided. Ourtnx have many allies now.
ARCANEX
Arcanex is the O'urtnx language, and is written in "arcanex squares":
OUR
TAN
NEX
Each syllable is individually pronounced, but said all at once as if the person speaking is singing a row with themself. It is notorious for being impossible to speak perfectly for any being with less than three sets of vocal cords (or the augmentation, magical or otherwise, to simulate this). For example, here is "NSKANETIS" simulated being said in Arcanex:
NIS
KAN
NET IS
(click)
Longer proper nouns, such as names, can be written multiple syllables per line, phrases can also be confine to a square and can be broken up into lines in a way that the square keeps its shape.
EN NI RAH
TEL XAY IN
LER REI TAUN NEX
For shorthand, Arcanex can be written out as such: OUR/TAN/NEX.