Xyloxi

**Xyloxi** (Sylvatica intelligentius) are a humanoid species endemic to the planet Xyl'Arath in Galaxy 45-974. They are highly intelligent, with a level of intelligence similar to the Humans that inhabit much of Galaxy 45-974 although their technology is similar to that of the Humans during the 'Victorian Era'.

**Xyloxi** live within the vast forests of Xyl'Arath in houses carved into the trees and built on the forest floor, the leader of a **Xyloxi** gral'yr (the Zarvylth) lives in a luxurious house built on the top of the highest tree in the xyl’vyrkyl.

## Physical Features

### Appearance

**Xyloxi** are between 1.8 and 2.4 metres tall, aiding them in moving efficiently through the tall trees of Xyl'Arath. They have an earthly skin tone that allows them to blend in with their environment. They have expressive, almond-shaped eyes giving them very good vision, allowing them to discern even the subtlest difference in colour.

### Diet

**Xyloxi** are omnivorous; their diet usually consists of crops grown in the trees (such as Canopy Berries, Greenspines, Barkfruit, and Timberfruit), berries and small plants found on the forest floor (such as Fiddlefern, Roofnettle, Forestblooms, and Fernpetal Berries), and small animals called Grovepaws that resemble the Earthly genus Rattus.

## Culture and Society

**Xyloxi** culture is highly complex and revolves around the idea of 'Ylva’arth' which is the idea that the forest is above all and the people must treat it with respect and kindness.

### Social Hierarchy

The **Xyloxi** have a strict social hierarchy. People at the bottom of the hierarchy are called Shal'tern, they do most of the manual labour farming crops and hunting Grovepaws; next the people in the middle of the hierarchy are called Ol'kryss, they do a lot of administrative work and ensure that the Shal'tern are doing their jobs; next are the Yl'arlyn, they are similar to the Human idea of a 'clergy', ensuring all people are treating the forest with respect and morality as well as ensuring the forest is not over-farmed and over-hunted; finally the leader of the Yl'arlyn is called the Zarvylth, they live on the top of the tallest tree in the city, is appointed by the Yl'arlyn, and rules for life or until impeachment.

### Architecture

Architecture is an important part of **Xyloxi** culture, they build large bridges connecting treetops and statues to honour the forest. Their architecture is often integrated with the forest and nature rather than in place of it like most other civilisations. **Xyloxi** homes are often interconnected, giving them a larger sense of community than other species found within Galaxy 45-974. Important motifs in **Xyloxi** architecture includes leaves, vines, and ferns.

### Language

The **Xyloxi** have a single language used in all of their civilisations. Their languages is characterised by being vowel-right, using a lot of 'hard consonants', being very melodic, and being intertwined with the forest (for example they often refer to forests and trees in everyday speech).

## Interactions with Other Species

### Humans

The **Xyloxi** are yet to discover the existence of Humans, although Humans have come into contact with a few **Xyloxi** vyrkyl.

### Xyl'Arathi Species

The **Xyloxi** have a peaceful coexistence with other species on Xyl'Arath, sometimes farming them for food (particularly Grovepaws) and other purposes, but mostly leaving each other alone. There are no other intelligent species on Xyl'Arath