Ecology of the Xixchil part one

We are currently developing a secondary (low level) campaign set on the Rock
of Bral, coexistent with our main game. One of the players will be playing a
Xixchil and has submitted the following which I have added to our cannon.

Loki, DM
Warriors of the Balance: The Rise of Dukagsh Campaign
New Orleans, La



The Ecology of the Xixchil Part I by RadiantArchangelus



Xixchil live in nests.  Each nest, depending upon size, is ruled by 1 to 4
queens.  A nest of 40 individuals or smaller would probably only have one
queen.  In larger nests, those of up to 2,000 to 3,000 individuals, a ruling
council of queens (1 of whom was at the top - the others serving to keep the
rest of the population under control) would determine policy for their nest.
Individual Xixchil form into Surgerys (Surgerys can be found in Nests), of
4-6 Xixchil who work together on their various research projects.  Xixchil
who leave the nest to adventure together will also refer to their group as a
Surgery.



Xixchil queens are the only females allowed to mate within the nest.  When
females are born, they are raised, trained and then driven from the nest to
seek their fortunes elsewhere.  Occasionally, a female may return to her
birth-nest and battle for position or, the female (if renowned and wealthy
enough) may opt to start her own rival nest.  Not all Xixchil feel compelled
to return home or even to start their own nests.  However,  ranking and
prestige are very important to Xixchil and when two strange Xixchil meet, a
pecking order will be established between them based on several factors
(level of experience, home nest, amount of body modification/decoration,
wealth).  This pecking order may or may not be obvious to members of the
party (most likely not - except to the most observant) as it is a subtle
relationship.



Males often leave the nest after extensive training to seek their fortunes
and sometimes, (depending on their abilities and prestige) to attempt to
assist a queen in establishing a nest.  Every three years, the Xixchil hold
gladiatorial style battles in which male Xixchil display their talents at
body modification, arcane magic and martial prowess.  Over the years, the
end result of these combats is often submission rather than death, though
sometimes death does happen.  The winners of the combat are then chosen by
the queens for mating that year.  In larger nests, the primary queen will
mate during her yearly cycle, while any subordinate queens are forced to
wait for the three year combat (called The  Tcha'tok.  Obviously, the
primary queen has first choice of the winners.  However, even placing or
being allowed the opportunity to appear in the Tcha'tok before the queens
has immense societal prestige value for a male Xixchil - regardless of the
outcome.



Because the Xixchil have focused their racial development on their
development of alchemy and arcane skills to enhance themselves physically
through body modification it is important to note that Intelligence and
ability are more prized than sheer martial prowess.  Visitors to the Xixchil
(few, but not unwelcome. Usually visiting dignitaries and the like) are
usually amazed at what is termed "gladiatorial" combat among Xixchil.  These
competitions range from displays of martial prowess to complicated games of
strategy similar to Oeridian Dragon Chess as well as the truly bizarre body
modification competitions.



Prestige - The Xixchil are a practical, accomplishment driven society.  The
warrior who creates a new spell or discovers a better way to perform a
modification achieves prestige.the sharing of knowledge among the nest
members is accomplished by a rigorous training program all young Xixchil are
subjected to.  This program helps the elders to asses the relatives
strengths and weaknesses of the young.  Xixchil will share information with
other nests, when that information is deemed to be of immense value to all
of Xixchil society.  This occurs at conclaves attended by the most powerful
(in this sense, this is a magical prowess and ability at body modification)
male representatives a queen has to send.  Typically, because the power
structure between the queens is so delicate, the conclaves will be held in a
neutral space and are only held when it is determined that important new
information must be shared among a full conclave.  These are extremely
rare.the last one was 200 years ago when a leading Xixchil Body Modifier &
Mage - Quicksilver (so-called because of his fondness for coating internal
bones with quicksilver to make them unbreakable) finally finished his
complete diagram of the human nervous system.  His book on the subject is
highly prized.



Note: Queens do not attend the conclaves for fear of 1) having their home
nest overtaken when they have left it.2) the threat of attack from other
queens even if in a neutral space.Also, female Xixchil who meet while in
space will establish the traditional pecking order but DO NOT feel compelled
to attack one another (This is because non-reproducing females have not
developed the hormonal aggression levels of breeding queens).



Keep in mind that to be a Queen requires that the female in question has
become 1) extremely powerful and an extremely adept at body modifications,
2) taken leadership and improved leadership feats, 3) have a fair amount of
personal wealth.



Tattoos: The young Xixchil's earliest training in body modification is
tattooing.  Xixchil tattoos are extremely prized among outsiders for their
intricate and delicate artwork (all of which is done freehand), the
brilliance of the coloring, and the virtually overnight healing of the
tattoo.  Races with exoskeletons particularly prize Xixchil tattoos as the
Xixchil are the only race to have perfected the method of tattooing an
exoskeleton.  Xixchils also often will tattoo themselves or one another -
these tattoos (think very tribal but colorful) are indicators to other
Xixchil of Nest and Queen Mother as well as being displays of their skill
and ability.  Not infrequently, those Xixchil who have proven themselves
martially (either as warriors or warmages) will have the tale of their most
triumphant deeds tattooed on their body.  Queens are virtually tattooed from
head to toe (including on their rather extensive body modifications), both
for artistic effect and as advertising of their own accomplishments.