One of the major families of Io, the Hwoxin are typically characterized by an average height of 6'8 adults, having vuilenzand skin, and dark hair. Prior to the integration of the major families, mature adults also grew large horns on either side of the skull. Like their Marcwith contemporaries they were a long-lived species. Contemporary Hwoxin exhibit fewer of these ancient traits.
Biology
Hwoxin are typically characterized by an average height of 6'8 adults, having vuilenzand skin, and dark hair. Prior to the integration of the major families, mature adults also grew large horns on either side of the skull. Like the Lar Chamlek, adults' eyes occasionally lacked a distinct pupil. From skeletal remains, it is also clear that most Hwoxin stood at 8' by adulthood. Contemporary Hwoxin exhibit fewer of these ancient traits. Rarely is a child born with 'nubs' - the small bones that would one day be horns. By adulthood, most nubs will have fallen away. The longest horns to exist on a living person are 4.25". Only a few burial sights of prominent Deerless families have shown the heads of these adult horned Hwoxin to be historical fact. By studying these remains, forensic scientists believe that adult Hwoxin slowly lost eyesight with age as these hollow 'horns' created echo chambers to enhance the auditory sense. This could explain their affinity for darkness that created so many rumors of Hwoxin being cold blooded killers with supernatural ability. The event of pupil loss is less studied. The phenomenon is rare in the modern era but always results in complete blindness. If the pupil does lose shape it occurs between the ages of 45 and 55. Occasionally, a person of Hwoxin genealogy will find their pupil "dances". The term refers to the occasional shifting of the pupil that results in short terms of blurred vision but does not usually lead to permanent blindness.
History
Hwoxin hail from the northern island of Marcwith, Hwox. Various factors, namely the Hwoxin xenophobia stemming from heinous myths and their eventual extrication from the mainland, contribute to a general lack of knowledge of ancient Hwoxin culture. It is known that by the Warring Era, the inhabitants of the mainland though of the newcomers as unhygienic. Their customs were a mystery to the rest of Vinumera and thus looked down on, providing modern scholars with little information. The Hwoxin, in turn, did not appear to hold much respect for the customs of their southern neighbors.
Of the few clear historical facts one of the most compelling is Hwoxin shipbuilding. By the mid 500's every coastal population in Marcwith had sailing capabilities, but the art of open ocean sailing was lost. Uembian societies in the south had the most advanced boats meant to sail between islands, but the arrival of the Hwoxin re-introduced sea voyagers to the mainland. They arrived in groups of three in Ustsöl, long ships with sails. Each Ustsöl carried a crew of ten to fifteen with each fleet containing seven groups. Fleets arrived in quick succession with crew as well as settlers, allowing them to build instantly upon arrival. The Arnoon Family, who commanded the first Hwoxin settlers of Marcwith, immediately made a peaceful connection with the Extiez and Stormvice families with the apparent intention of selling their knowledge of shipbuilding. When the peace between the three families was shattered when the Stormvice publicly declare independence from the ruling Deerless class, the Hwoxin managed to remain neutral. However, their continued presence and assistance to each warring family frothed both parties into a rage. Eventually, the Arnoon family was either slaughtered or fled, effectively ending a cultural Hwoxin presence on the mainland.
Culture
Many inhabitants of Hwox still practice traditional beliefs. Thoxhde is the most wide-spread religion in the island and xenophobic leadership keeps many of their modern customs as secret as ancient ones. The most prominent author of the time, Githmund Extiez, has very little to discuss in terms of the Hwoxin. Possibly because the Arnoon family was an enemy of his own, he describes them only briefly. His sister Kephalei wrote of witnessing Hwoxin ceremonies after inheriting the family estate, where visiting dignitaries often held extravagant displays for their hosts, stating that "They sometimes wear ceremonial garments – long leather drapery set at the hips and falling down to the floor – and cut bloody marks into their chest and arms." To the Extiez family (as well as other prominent Deerless families) the sight of blood was abhorrent, servile, and marked a lack of grace. Displays such as this and the many scars decorating Hwoxin skin would have played a major role in the distrust between two otherwise near identical species. This distrust is still evident today.
Naming
As Hwoxin culture is often frowned upon, many coalescent living on the mainland will adopt a 'hummed' name. These are typically of human or Deerless origin depending on where the Hwoxin lives. Naming ceremonies have become a practice of Hwoxin Coalescent culture after being ostracized by outside communities. These celebrations are thrown for children as they enter their young adulthood as well as adults who have left the strict North Island as a way of celebrating not only their roots in Hwox but their life of integrated cultures on the mainland.
Coalescence
Coalescence in Hwoxin is highly dependent on the other party. Typically, Hwoxin traits are recessive. Ancient traits like pneumatic horns are uncommon for even those of the greatest percentage of Hwoxin parentage. Because these traits are lacking Hwoxin coalescent are often not accepted into the devout cultural practices of traditional population on the north island. Their resemblance is closer to human, with shorter bodies and a wider variety of hair textures and eye colors. Although they do not visually appear to be different from humans, the xenophobic nature of Hwoxin culture is somewhat retained by many traditional families despite coalescence. Notably, Calque cited that growing up as a Thoxhde unable to practice his faith in his homeland was partially what stirred him to create FoI. In others, culture is kept alive by word of mouth, passed down through generations. Those who wish to maintain a balance between their mixed ancestory are often ostracized not only by Hwoxin, but by other coalesced as well. The adoption of mainland behaviors and ideals is often called 'going hummed' in reference to the practice of adopting another name.
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