The Maquixtl (pronounced Ma-kwee-still, sometimes called Maquis by the Ailor) are a Race of Elves that used the power of science to rid themselves of their Magical addiction and decadence during the fall of the Allorn Empire, but then split on their attitudes on how to transform society afterwards. They are an incredibly versatile Elven Race that uses Life Magic and genetics to enhance themselves or their lifestyles, while spreading their views on world-balance, racial-tolerance, and religious diversity. In many ways, the Maquixtl represent those Elves that desire change, to let go of the past, and to learn from mistakes made to find a better way to live. Their societies are an equal mix of knowledge and science focus, cottage core aesthetics, and the traditional forest-elf design, depending on which community is interacted with.
Subgroups
The Maquixtl are sub-divided over three distinct groups, each following a different Prophet of the Cult of Genos. These leaders, once united in their desire to rid the Elves of their dependence on Magic, all turned to different paths after they broke free from the Allorn Empire, their individual ideologies no longer able to be kept in communion. Each Maquixtl is a member of one of these subgroups, but generally speaking all Maquixtl get along very well with each other. While there is ideological differences, their common unifying rejection of the Allorn heritage overrides any animosity that could be gotten from their conflicting ideals.
The Chantli Maquixtl are Suel's followers, who traveled west to Guldar to found a formal Maquixtl state approaching an Empire, with Suel as Emperor, and their own nobility below that. The Chantli are urban Meso-American styled Elves who favor science and the natural forces of Aloria. Chantli Maquixtl that go to Regalia often seek knowledge, or explore the world, or to be in a place where all Maquixtl can exist without Allorn repression in Daendroc.
The Xotik Maquixtl are Ramvaal's followers, who traveled south to form forest communes devoid of statehood, and most aggressively rejected nationhood, autocracy, or even any form of formal government structure. They live deep in nature in harmony with the Yanar without earthly connections, acting as forest protectors reminiscing of Wood-Elves. Xotik Maquixtl traveling to Regalia often seek to encourage environmentalism, or assistance against Allorn encroachment.
The Sentli Maquixtl are Ceylenn's followers, who stayed in the Plains, believing in a rejection of Suel's autocratic principles, but believing Ramvaal went too far by rejecting all heritage and culture in favor of the forest. The Sentli live in windswept plains, building communes around vast windmills and approaching elven cottage-core aesthetics while favoring strong democracy, abolitionism, and freedom for all. They often travel to Regalia to get away from Allorn encroachment.
Gene Editing
One major aspect of Maquixtl culture (predominantly Chantli, less so for Xotic and Sentli) is their ability to use a form of Life Magic to analyze and incorporate the genetic make-up of other creatures into their own genetic source. As a result, Maquixtl can create mutations that aren't harmful (like Void or Exist mutations tend to be), and can incorporate various traits and functions of the bodies of these creatures onto themselves to make up for shortcomings in the Elven body, or just for aesthetic reasons. The list presented gives a general overview of all the individually available Genes. A person can choose to stay Default, incorporate only one type of Gene, or mix multiple Genes together. Additionally, Maquixtl can also perform Gene Splicing on other Races, taking on minute aspects of them. For example, a Maquixtl can incorporate Eronidas tusks, Isldar white hair, Qadir arm tattoos, Songaskian Dragon horns, etc, but these must always be minor and never approach a Disguise, or radically make a character no longer recognizable as Maquixtl. Maquixtl can change all of these aspects on the fly, mid-combat, and retain them for as long or short as they like. None of the Genes grant Combat Functions, though some may grant some aesthetic flairs where expressed.
Default Gene
Default Gene are the basic default appearance of the Maquixtl. The image depicts a Chantli Maquixtl, on the more muscular side, though most Gene splicing results in proportional changes that do not make a Character bigger or smaller unless specifically indicated. In Maquixtl society, Default Gene is not weaker purely because it has no Gene splicing applied to it. Most Maquixtl live their entire life without ever Gene Splicing, and a greater sense of religious fulfillment or life fulfillment can still be gained only using Default Gene.
Tlatzon Gene
Tlatzon Gene incorporates traits of the Great Jungle Stalker, a large feline predator native to the Daen Jungles which is considered the apex predator of this region. The Tlatzon gene affords the Maquixtl feline-like appearance traits, including but not limited to claws and fur, feline whiskers, cat-eyes, digitigrade legs, and a feline tail. Fur patterns occurring may follow the color theme of the Maquixtl's skin or their hair, but may also incorporate more wild variations and patterns, or the standard Jungle Stalker Black.
Tetl Gene
Tetl Gene incorporates traits of the Barroth, a large whine-like beast with scales and fur and large tusks. The Barroth is traditionally used as a war-mount for the Eronidas, but the large beast is native to Guldar, where the Maquixtl have also domesticated them for agricultural uses. The Barrot are exceptionally durable, allowing traits iuncluding but not limited to scaled skin, aggressive fur or hair growth, tusks, cloven hooves and high resistance to ingested toxins such as alcohol or other narcotics.
Cōzca Gene
Cōzca Gene incorporates traits of the Guldar Paradise Bird, a large flightless bird that forages in the low canopies of the jungles of Guldar, but has beautifully vibrant feathers and a long feathered tail. The Cōzca gene affords the Maquixtl bird-like appearance traits, including but not limited to feathers, a more hawkish build, bird legs and arms with talons, and a long feathered tail reminiscing of a peacock. The Cōzca gene is favored due to the high alertness and sharp eye sight of the Cōzca which can see great detail.
Ātl Gene
Tlatzon Gene incorporates traits of the Moloq, a near-sentient aquatic creature that lives in small communities and preys on smaller fish with great waterborne speed and precision. The Ātl gene affords the Maquixtl fish-like appearance traits, including but not limited to gills, webbed feet and hands, fins, and notably the Moloq tendrils that replace their hair. Manifesting Moloq Gene Splicing causes the Maquixtl to be able to breathe underwater (but not gain Arcana Oceana equivalent mechanics otherwise).
Nāhuī Gene
Nāhuī gene incorporates traits of the Fire-Salamander (called Nāhuī in Maquixtl language), a large salamander-like creature native to the volcanic caves of Guldar that can breathe fire. The Nāhuī gene affords the Maquixtl dragon or salamander-like traits, including but not limited to scaled or leathery skin, claws or webbed hands and feet, draon or salamander tail, horns, and the ability to breathe fire from their mouth (although not to such a degree that it can be used to harm people, unless used as combat aesthetic).
Mazatl Gene
Mazatl gene incorporates traits of Springbok, a goat-like animal that is famous for its exceptional balance and capacity to jump up high ledges and scale steep mountains. The Mazatl gene affords the Maquixtl faun or deer-like appearance traits, including but not limited to antlers, fur, digitgrade legs with cloven hooves, a deer-like tail, and a more lithe appearance. The Springbok is favored because of their extreme sense of balance and reaction time, giving great sleight of hand capacity.
Ichtli Gene
Ichtli gene incorporates traits of the Broadback Gorilla (called Ichtli in Maquixtl language), a large and immensely powerful gorilla-like animal living in the Guldar forests and posing a risk to anyone encroaching on its territory. The Ichtli gene affords the Maquixtl gorilla or beast-like appearance traits, including but not limited to larger size and muscularity, larger proportional forearms used to support their frame, fur, and the optional blue fur color that the Ichtli have.
Tlohtli Gene
Tlohtli gene incorporates traits of the Tlohtli Barnacle native to the swamps of Guldar. The Tlohtli is a mixture between a barnacle and an octopus, particularly noteworthy for its psychic abilities to project nightmare visions on anyone encroaching its territory. The Tlohtli gene affords the Maquixtl squid or octopus-like appearance traits wish a dash of deep-sea horror, including but not limited to tentacles for a face, sunken dark eyes, spikes and scales, and a haunting appearance.
History
The Maquixtl descend from Allorn Teledden and Fin'ullen who rejected the decadence and corruption of Magic in the Allorn Empire, and joined forces with the Cult of Genos, an Elven Cult dedicated to research genetics and Life Magic. When the Allorn Empire fell, the Maquixtl underwent an event called The Siphoning, during which hundreds of thousands of Elves, researchers and their families who were members of the Cult of Genos, agreed to evolve to rid themselves of the Magical infection that had destroyed their Empire. The Cult of Genos was led by Suel, his wife Ceylenn, and their husband Ramvaal, all three immensely powerful Life Magic Mages (making them also exceedingly rare). The three leaders of the Cult of Genos used their considerable Magical powers to change the bodies of their followers, allowing them to focus more on their own capabilities than having to rely on Magic, while also siphoning much of their Magic away from them. While The Siphoning was a great success, the rapid decline and collapse of the Allorn Empire had rushed the plans of the three leaders of the Maquixtl, meaning they had not yet agreed on what to do after The Siphoning. The urgency of departing from the ruins of the Allorn Empire where civil war and barbarism was quickly becoming a daily occurrence, forced Suel on a quick departure west, where his followers would found the Maquixtl State on Guldar. His spouses Ceylenn and Ramvaal disagreed with Suel's intentions to maintain aristocracy and autocracy, believing Suel did not take The Siphoning far enough, and kept the same corrupt aristocratic systems of the old Empire alive, and thus they and their followers were left behind. Ceylenn and Ramvaal would initially work together, but the arrival of the Yanar complicated their relation as well. Ceylenn had in the meantime founded the Sentli Communes, small villages and townlets built around windmills that were centers of communal care and hospitality, bringing for the first time abolitionism and democracy to the Elves, but refusing to let go of Allorn history of culture beyond governance and Magic, and more importantly honesty and observance of all religious gods of Estelley. Ramvaal instead agreed with the Yanar that the only way to fully purge the rot of the Allorn Empire from themselves, was to leave all remnants of Allorn history behind, including all the art, the language, the traditions and customs, but most importantly, the lessons of Cemaan the Goddess of the Teledden. Ramvaal and his followers left the Sentli Communes, and traveled far south to the Lessarion forests on the border of the Selevaan nation, where they would build communes in the forest where they lived with the Yanar around Mana Trees, eventually attracting other Elves who abandoned their urban lifestyle to live in the forest in harmony with nature. This represents the present three-way split between the Maquixtl. While they are physically all the same, their cultures and thoughts on the world around them differ.
