Exan

Frigiexan, ferviexan, mortuexan

80 years, though mortuexans have higher mortality rates.

Exans are humanoid creatures, about the same height as Humans but skinnier and much more lightweight. Females tend to be slightly bulkier than males, but they have very similar builds on average. Skin colors come in varying shades of gray. The arms are long enough to reach past the knees, with fingers tipped by long, durable claws.

An exan's body is mostly covered by feathers. Like the skin, they appear grayscale, but are not always uniformly colored throughout the body. The feathers don't grow on or around the face or extremities, but are usually longest at the top of the head. On some exans, they may grow long enough to resemble hair. Overall, their width and thickness vary from exan to exan, but the length is what separate the species into three subspecies.

Though exans bear a passing similarity to birds, with some drawing comparisons to avin Atherians, there are several notable differences. They have no beaks or wings, and the feathers on their arms are relatively short. Their legs are also more similar to a human's, with plantigrade feet rather than a bird's digitigrade stance.

An exan's teeth are sharp, and the mouth is able to open wider than a human's. The nose is very slight and narrow, barely protruding from the exan's face. Their pointed ears are similarly hard to see, usually covered by feathers. The eyes, on the other hand, are very large and take up a sizable portion of their face. They are well adapted to darkness, and exans are able to see in incredibly low levels of light. The irises are bright and vibrant, with possible hues ranging across the rainbow.

Frigiexans

"Frigis" are the most common subspecies. They live in cooler climates, which cover most of the Civ Zone, and have longer, sleeker feathers that protect their body from the elements. Very little skin is left exposed, except in places where the feathers don't grow naturally.

Ferviexans

"Fervis" are less common than frigiexans, but more common than mortuexans. They live in the warmer climates closer to the equator, and their short, squat feathers often leave patches of skin exposed. This offers ventilation and better temperature regulation.

Mortuexans

"Mortus" are the least common subspecies, designated by a genetic mutation that causes their feathers to only grow in sparse patches or not at all. This lends them a sickly appearance and forces them into using artificial methods to protect themselves from the elements.

Though powers vary widely, there are a few common spells often seen in all three subspecies. Almost all exans have some level of skill in Dark Magic. Some dabble in the art of Soul Control, which does not have the same taboo found in many other cultures.

It's common for exans to use their eyes and mouths when casting spells, thanks to the intimidation factor.

There aren't any significant differences in the magical ability of the three subspecies, though stereotypes persist that frigiexans are the strongest and mortuexans are the weakest. Some also believe that ferviexans' magic is negatively affected by greater exposure to the sun, but this is not demonstrably true.

Exan culture is similar to that of human hunter-gatherers. They are strongly reliant on their natural, physical abilities to survive, and the head of a family will often travel to nearby forests or caves to hunt for their next meal. In a prototypical family, a mother exan rears her children with the help of the father for about fifteen years after their birth, at which point a young exan is expected to start carving out a life of their own.

The element of darkness is strongly prevalent in exan society. They are naturally more comfortable in the dark, and light has negative connotations associated with danger, oppression, and revealing things that should've been kept secret. Dark Magic is seen as a way to feel closer to their world and The Creator, as the dark energy pervading Exul's atmosphere is what separates their home from an inhospitably bright wasteland. The celebration of darkness culminates every year in the celebration of Olorna.

The stories told of Void Magic are not so positive, however, considering the element's harmful qualities. It's often seen as a corruption of the gentler dark, almost blasphemous in nature.

From a very young age, exans are told stories about the dangers of the Wild Zone and Light Zone, instilling a fear of these deadly areas as soon as possible before they understand that these places are strictly forbidden. Exans place a lot of value on laws such as this, especially those that relate to the safety of the group.

They are not known to wear clothing on a regular basis, save for mortuexans who often need it to stay warm, but accessories are seen as a status symbol. Bracelets and armlets are the most common, while necklaces and tiaras are considered especially flashy. Some exans may take to dyeing their feathers in unusual patterns; using more vibrant hues is seen as an act of rebellion.

Exposed skin is subconsciously thought of as a sign of weakness, which is why the sparse-feathered mortuexans are seen as the "weakest," with short-feathered ferviexans falling somewhere in the middle. Though the three races are starting to mingle as cultural tradition dies down in younger generations, there are still many signs of segregation. Intimate relations between classes are usually stigmatized. One should never ask an exan whether they are a frigi, fervi, or mortu, as they will be greatly offended that you can't tell.

A happy and relaxed exan will ruffle up their feathers and expose more skin, whereas a frustrated or defensive exan will clamp their feathers down. If they're feeling angry or aggressive, they have other means of making themselves look "bigger," such as taking a wider stance, raising claws, and baring teeth.

For entertainment, exans enjoy performances of music and theater, using instruments and other props hand-made by local artisans. Those with closer relationships may attend small group classes together; most exans would prefer to learn a new skill on their own, rather than admit they're lacking in something, so inviting someone they know to a lesson is a sign of great trust. Similarly, offering a favor to another exan is often taken as an insult, the implication being that they can't handle themselves.