Xahli
You know what it's like to be a Mage, sending your conjured minions to do battle against your opponents. But what's it like to be one of those minions? What happens when you find yourself in the midst of a blood battle on an alien world?
Find out in "Keep Your Enemies Closer", a brand new, original story written by Ian M. Clark.
The Xahli
are a fierce race commonly used by Mages. They are divided into
four clans: Earth, Air, Fire and Water.
While each clan has its own unique attributes, they all have
some things in common: Warriors, Chiefs, Shamans and Gods.
Warriors and Chiefs are used by Mages in the early stages of
warfare for they are relatively simple to create. Shamans, while
not as physically strong, have special abilities and items that
make them invaluable. But the Gods are extremely powerful -
albeit costly - beings that turn the tide of a battle.
Earth Clan
The tribes of the Earth Clan live on the
plains and foothills and worship a Mountain God. Through a series
of rituals conducted by the Shamans, the Warriors have their
weapons and armor grafted onto their bodies.
Air Clan
These people live in treetops and high
on mountains. From an early age, they have "wings" grafted onto
them, so that by adulthood, they can glide quite well. The wings
are basically a form of webbing from animal skins that is attached
to the inside of their arms and their backs.
They tend to be very thin and tall, when compared to other Xahli.
Fire Clan
The people of the Fire Clan worship the
Volcano Gods. The warriors dye their hair bright red, let it
grow long and shave off the top so that the remaining hair looks
like flames. They wear tattoos on their scalps to signify their
specific tribes.
They are resistant to heat and fire because from an early age,
their skin is carefully burned so that they build up permanent
scar tissue over most of their bodies.
Water Clan
They are essentially amphibious; not anatomically,
but through rigorous training beginning from birth. Water Clan
Xahli are always born under water and are only brought up when
necessary. They have developed a symbiotic relationship with
a certain fish that attaches to their mouth and nose and allows
them to breathe. The two grow together. The fish is kind of
like a pet.
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