Aqua-xax

Deep in the swirling quagmires of the Abyss, a mad cult of unnamable creatures vied for power. Their chants and gibbers rose to a violent cacophony when the swirling portal opened. When black clusters of tentacles, eyes, and maws erupted from the conjured gateway, nearly half of the group was forced to end their ritualistic wailing — they were devoured by the pre-primordial forces emanating from the portal. Fierce winds roared up against the encroaching madness. In a moment, the two realities merged—absolute chaos mingled howling and frenzied with ageless insanity.

The scene twisted into something no words could ever describe, and no mortal could witness and survive. Then, with a sudden explosion, the portal closed. What seemed like shrapnel at first, later turned out to be countless small, grey creatures jettisoned in every direction. Appearing as twisted and alien as any creature native to the Abyss or the dark tapestry between the stars, one could only imagine their dark intentions, warped minds, or depraved desires.

However, no one would ever imagine that the product of the two most unfathomable realms in existence would gaze upon the twisted landscape of the Abyss and exclaim, “We do not belong here!” This was our birth, the creation of the xax, which was immediately followed by our exodus to other realms of existence. In these realms, we communed with their nature and their people. Our realities blended with their realities. I have no doubt that in the countless other worlds of dry land, we absorbed a little of the sun elves of old, the infamous humans, and even the stalwart dwarves, all merely legends in our own realm of shores and sea. While I am quite sure these xax became different things than us, we adapted well to aquatic life.

And though we may have originated from two mostly parched dominions, the aquatic xax (or aqua-xax as we are known among the planars) thrive here.

Our beginnings here were not without pain. During our adaption process, we were hunted as both rogue drylanders and as invading extraplanars. Many of us drowned outright, unable to tread water long enough for our skin to adapt. Those of us who found safe shores or claimed ships were in for an arduous adaptation process. The sheer diversity of the Cerulean Seas in both form and spirit was a task that our essence struggled to absorb. It took a decade of struggle for our ancestors to become who we are today. Even then, our forms were unpredictably mercurial for nearly a century afterwards. We count it as a blessing that the sunrise measures us now.

The xax, despite our origins, have strictly ordered minds. Out of madness and pandemonium arose a race that gravitates towards logic, reason, and philosophy. We are introspective creatures, who seem at odds with our many forms. In mind, we relate well to mortal folk, even feeling a sense of morals and honor. We do not bring with us new religions or philosophies to compete with your own. In fact, we offer a new perspective on your existing dogmas. Our adaptations have made us representatives of all of you; the magical feykith, the proud merfolk, the humble anthromorphs, the enigmatic planars, and even the majestic trueforms. We are a reflection of you in the space between the stars, and deserve no less than full citizenship in all the Cerulean Seas.

−**Viscosity Blackstar, Aqua-xax Chief Representative, regarding petition for racial citizenship.**

**PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION:** Aqua-xax are a bit more difficult to describe as each new day may bring about one of five different forms, each representing a different category of racial subtypes including feykith (Pygmy form), anthromorph (Primordial form), merfolk (Pelagic form), planar (Paragon form), and trueform (Pseudosaur form).

However, there are some similarities common to all their forms that mark them as unmistakably aqua-xax. All aqua-xax forms completely lack a neck, though do have a bony ridges atop their heads that are suggestive of one. Its face, if one can call it that, is near the middle of its torso. Two eyes, one slightly larger than the other, rest on top of each other right above a vertical tooth-filled mouth. They lack discernable ears and noses. Bulbous musculature dominates the creature’s back and shoulders, covered by hairless, smooth grey skin that fades to a bluish tinge around its face, often with pinkish splotches. It has four pointy tongues that wriggle forth from its mouth when it eats.

Despite its appearance, aqua-xax have an uncannily clear and intellectual sounding voice.

Each day at sunrise, the typical aqua-xax undergoes what looks like a painful transformation into a new form. This transformation is strictly a function of their unique biology and thus far sages and mages alike are unable to affect it. The new form becomes their natural form for all intents and purposes until the dawn of the next day.

An aqua-xax’s Paragon form is heavily reminiscent of their drylanders version, although Medium-sized rather than Small. Standing at five and a half feet tall, the Paragon form aqua-xax is a somewhat ape-like creature, with long arms that end in three-fingered hands that can drag along the ground as it walks on haunched legs terminating in long, two-toed feet. Aside from its permeable skin, aqua-xax in this form only seem vaguely aquatic and are better suited to moving on land than swimming in water. Still, with their ability to breathe water and swim innately, they are better off under the waves than the typical land dweller.

In contrast, the aqua-xax’s Pelagic form is on-par with merfolk in both their ability to swim and their likeness to aquatic life. Appearing much like a bulbous 3-foot-long fish with long arms sprouting from its sides terminating in the typical xax-like hands, the Pelagic form is superb at both underwave maneuverability and manual tasks.

The smallest form, the Pygmy form, appears as the shriveled equivalent of the Paragon form. This Tiny-sized aquatic humanoid has a large “face” and miniscule webbed hands and feet. Despite its rather degenerative appearance, an aqua-xax in Pygmy form is more agile than any other form, and is actually quite quick and well-suited among both land and sea.

Another form well-suited to both land and sea is the Primordial form. An aqua-xax in this form is so decidedly ranarian that it is often mistaken for a Small-sized mogogol from a distance. It’s powerful froglike legs aid in swimming and moving on land.

Lastly the aqua-xax might assume the Pseudosaur form, which many aqua-xax feel is the equivalent to a “bad hair day,” though it does have some advantages. Appearing somewhat plesiosaurian in body-type, the Small-sized Pseudosaur has four powerful flippers in place of arms and legs. In addition, it has a massive fan-like tail that looks like it came from a strange blend of goldfish and whale. Though it must rely on trueform-like force manipulation to use tools, the pseudosaur is by far the fastest swimmer of the aqua-xax forms.

**ECOLOGY & SOCIETY:** Aqua-xax do not have gender and reproduce through a form of budding. An aqua-xax will randomly develop a large tumor on its back, which will eventually erupt into a youngling xax. These younglings grow to maturity in about a week, and are ready for adventure within a month. They are born with the common knowledge of the area they were born into. For example, if a youngling aqua-xax starts life in a fishing community, it will begin with a basic knowledge of angling and aquaculture. Aqua-xax have a lifespan comparable to seafolk, though they become extremely wrinkled as they age, and the bluish tinge of the face eventually expands to encompass their entire body as the creature enters its venerable years.

Aqua-xax are omnivores who enjoy a wide variety of food and drink. Their blood is a purplish tar, and their organs are all squirming tentacles that writhe from open wounds. The unique physiology of an aqua-xax demands strange nutrients. They will often consume large quantities of substances that other races would not find palatable at such a scale.

Aqua-xax are often devout philosophers with dizzying intellects. They have a fondness for finding patterns in seeming chaos, discovering connections between unrelated things, and generally solving mysteries that most fear to fathom. Aqua-xax are seldom selfish creatures, subscribing to the belief that we are all part of the great cosmic consciousness.

As one could imagine, keeping up with an aqua-xax’s rationale can be quite confusing. On one hand, they are peaceful philosophers who tote the virtues of brotherhood and “oneness,” and on the other they are brutal combatants capable of grisly acts of carnage and destruction. Only one thing can be said for certain; the aqua-xax will always have a rational explanation for everything they do, and that explanation will likely be convoluted.

**RELATIONS TO CORE RACES:** Most races find the xax to be more than a little creepy. Even if one could get past the mutable-but-always-alien physical appearance of an xax, their intellectual nature and strange rationale might make some uneasy. Seafolk and planars seem to get along best with the xax. Sea elves, nommos, and cindarians often find them repulsive on all fronts. Aqua-xax view all races as equals.

**ALIGNMENT & RELIGION:** While aqua-xax revere chaos as a force of nature, most shy away from this outlook. Their minds are structured, perhaps insanely so, but enough to create a large percentage of lawful individuals. Most aqua-xax favor the side of good, as that seems to mesh best with their innate philosophy. Evil aqua-xax do exist, but often act as if they are acting a part in a play—over dramatic, stereotypical, and with very simple motivations.

Aqua-xax worship a variety of deities, though favor none in particular. They will not subscribe to any faith that is not congruent with xax philosophy, however.

**ADVENTURERS:** Bordering on ascetic, the aqua-xax rarely adventure for wealth, greed, fame, or glory. They will adventure to gain knowledge, test theories, restore balance, explore, and protect the innocent. Unlike most benevolent or peaceful creatures, they are not repulsed by creatures of evil or chaos. Instead, they see these beings as a necessary element in the universe. While many with such a philosophy would become pacifists, aqua-xax do not consign to that either. To an aqua-xax, violence can be a positive agent of change, and they are quite willing to destroy anything that they feel needs to be rebuilt.

Aqua-xax take a large variety of professions. They revere the creative side of magic, so they can be natural wizards and sirens. Aqua-xax wizards often construct insanely multifarious devices that help to solve some obscure mystery. Aqua-xax can also be very spiritual, taking up the cleric or even kahuna class. A variety of other classes can be found among their race, though not nearly as commonly. Among those, those favoring martial arts are most prevalent, due to the aqua-xax’s enduring forms and exotic weapon skills.

**NAMES:** The modern fad among aqua-xax is to use scientific terms as their first names, especially if these terms relate to water in some way. Though traditionally, they chose ominous sounding names, and this is still reflected in their surnames.

Common first names include: Amphoteric, Capillary, Density, Hydrostatic, Miscibility, Paradox, Polarity, Redox, Refraction, Solipsism, Sonar, and Viscosity.

Common surnames include: Blackstar, Darkpool, Deepfall, Dreadsink, Fatespinner, Lostsoul, Shadowshoal, Voidjumper, and Warpdelver.

## Aqua-xax Racial Traits

* **+2 Constitution, +2 Intelligence, -2 Charisma:** Aqua-xax have iron constitutions and dizzying intellects, but their alien nature often hinders social interactions.
* **Racial Buoyancy:** -30, **Depth Tolerance:** 1000 feet.
* **Darkvision**: 60 feet.
* **Variably Sized:** While most of their daily forms are Small-sized (+1 size bonus to their AC, a +1 size bonus on attack rolls, a –1 penalty on combat maneuver checks and to their CMD, and a +4 size bonus on Stealth checks), their Paragon form is Medium-sized (no bonus or penalties), and their Pygmy form is Tiny-sized. In their Pygmy form, an aqua-xax gain a +2 size bonus to Dexterity and a –2 size penalty to Strength. They also gain a +2 size bonus to their AC, a +2 size bonus on attack rolls, a –2 penalty on combat maneuver checks and to their CMD, and a +8 size bonus on Stealth checks. They take up a space of 2-1/2 feet by 2-1/2 feet and have a natural reach of 0 feet, meaning they can’t reach into adjacent squares. They must enter an opponent’s square to attack it in melee and do not threaten the squares around them.
* **Variable Speed:** Aqua-xax base swim and land speeds vary by their daily form as follows [Form (Base Land Speed / Swim Speed)]: Paragon (30 ft. / 20 ft.), Pelagic (5 ft. / 40 ft.), Pygmy (20 ft. / 20 ft.), Primordial (20 ft. / 30 ft.), Pseudosaur (5 ft. / 50 ft.)
* **Aberration:** Despite their extraplanar origins, aqua-xax are treated as aberrations for the purposes of all spells and effects.
* **Cutaneous Respiration:** An aqua-xax “breathes” through its skin both in and out of water equally well.
* **Memory of Conflict:** At character creation, an aqua-xax gains proficiency in one exotic weapon of his choice.
* **Skill Tuning:** After an 8-hour rest, an aqua-xax may choose one skill to gain a +2 racial bonus with for 24 hours.
* **Daily Form:** Once per day, at sunrise, as a full-round action that provokes an attack of opportunity, the aqua-xax involuntarily rolls randomly on the list below to change form and become endowed with a temporary racial trait that lasts until the aqua-xax changes into a different form. Many of these racial trait have multiple options. These options are usually chosen (or rolled) once per transformation. Roll on the **Daily Form Table** below.
* **Languages:** Aqua-xax begin play speaking Common. Aqua-xax with high Intelligence scores can choose from any standard language available to the Cerulean Seas core races.

### Daily Form Table

**Roll 1d10:**

**1-2. *Paragon***

* **Chaotic Resistance:** When an aqua-xax assumes Paragon form, roll a d10, and gain resistance 5 to the corresponding energy type. 1-2: acid, 3-4: cold, 5-6: electricity, 7-8: steam, 9-10: sonic.

**3-4. *Pelagic***

* **Mutable Bonus Feat:** Upon changing into Pelagic form, the aqua-xax gains temporary access to one feat of his choice that he meets the prerequisites for.

**5-6. *Pygmy***

* **Variable Magic:** Upon changing into Pygmy form, the aqua-xax gains the temporary spell-like ability to cast one 0-level sorcerer spell up to three times per day (the caster level is equal to the user’s character level).

**7-8. *Primordial***

* **Skill Mutation:** Upon changing into Primordial form, the aqua-xax chooses one skill with a Strength, Dexterity, or Constitution key ability score to gain a temporary +4 racial bonus to while in this form. This skill will stack with the Skill Tuning racial ability but not with other racial bonuses.

**9-10. *Pseudosaur***

* **Flexible Force Manipulation:** Upon changing into Pseudosaur form, the aqua-xax gains the Force Manipulation ability as if it were a trueform (see REMARKABLE RACES SUBMERGED: TRUEFORMS for details). The energy used in this force manipulation varies each time this form is obtained. Roll a d4, **1:** Sonic, **2:** Magic, **3:** Psionic, or **4:** Hydrothermal current.
* **Pseudo-Trueform:** In pseudosaur form, the aqua-xax may treat any weapon with the "trueform" quality as a martial weapon. As a consequence of form, a pseudosaur cannot effectively wield manufactured weapons without this quality.

## Aqua**-**xax in Your Game

In an ocean where sinister-looking nommo can be accepted as a player race, the aqua-xax may fit in very well. In many ways, most of their forms appear much less threatening than nommo or carchardians because they are of Small or Tiny size. In other ways, the aqua-xax are much more hideous and alien. Not only do they have a rather distorted view of the world, but they lack many of the biological similarities that tie other races together.

However, this can be an advantage. One can never be certain what to expect from an aqua-xax. With their multiple forms, complex philosophies and sweeping paradigms, the aqua-xax could potentially justify just about any action. Without love, romance, or a familiar sense of family the aqua-xax are far from predictable.

Aqua-xax in this text are presented as a fairly fresh race to the Cerulean Seas setting. The exact date of their creation was purposefully left out so the Game Master can introduce them as needed.

They do not need to be intertwined with your existing campaign history. This allows them to be placed in virtually any aquatic campaign setting with little work. As is, they require almost no adjustment to your world to begin play immediately.

However, if the back story will not work with your campaign, there are alternatives. In games with a different cosmology, the outer planes can easily be replaced by other alien or chaotic worlds. If other planes of existence or worlds are absent entirely, the aqua-xax could be the product of intense chaos or wild magic. Perhaps they are the direct result of tampering with the universal fabric; a terrible side-affect for those who dare delve into the more eldritch facets of reality.

Whatever the case, the aqua-xax will make a welcome addition to any ocean-based game as a the strangest character in the group, an unusual option for a player seeking to play an extremely mutable or random character, a challenge for the player who likes to play everything, or even a fun alternative for those who like to roll lots of dice.