Anexo

Anexo are tall, dark feathered creatures, who have mask-like shells that make up their face. They currently inhabit Bisyl, on which they are known as an apex species.

## Description

### Appearance

Anexo are some of the strangest creatures in the Cold Lands, compared to the other apex species. They are feathered bipedals, usually measuring at around 6ft (1.8m) tall. They generally have shorter legs and small feet, with three short talons on each toe. Anexo have a tall torso and long arms, which usually have smaller feathers than the neck and feet. They have five talons on each hand, with one thumb-talon similar to humans.

Each anexo is born with a set of wings, attached at the shoulders. Though they may have once attained flight using these, anexo have since lost the ability through evolution, and these wings now hang limp on their back. These wings very large, almost as large as the anexo themselves, and tend to be used as insulation against the elements and, less occasionally, as shields against oncoming arrows.

There is a mutation in some anexo called **glider’s claws**, where the wings are directly attached at the anexo’s wrist. Though this does not give them flight, they are able to glide for short distances. However, the heavy wings are known to put a large strain on the arms, and are generally cut at the wrist, leaving the anexo’s wings to remain attached solely at the neck.

An anexo's neck is fairly long, leading into a small face completely obscured by a hard shell. This shell acts as a mask, which grows from the anexo’s forehead. This, though limiting the two a bit, protects their eyes and nose while allowing them to still eat. These masks-shells are made of marrow, similar to bone, so they are fairly durable. However, they can be broken, exposing the anexo’s small face beneath. After a mask is broken, it usually takes three to four weeks to regrow, and it tends to become a bit crooked or misshapen.

Directly behind an anexo’s mask are their ears, which stand tall to pick up all sound around them. Due to the restricted vision and sense of smell, the anexo rely a lot on their hearing to hunt and protect themselves.

#### Coloring

Anexo feathers tend to have dark coloring and are usually shades of black or brown. Specific feathers, such as ones on the back or neck, will fade into whiter colors.

Uncommon anexo colors include dark shades of green or blue. Anexo are rarely warm or light-colored. Albinistic anexo will have bright white feathers, and their eyes are a bit more noticeable beneath the mask, since they have a reddish color that stands out in the dark.

### Characteristics

#### Strengths

**Taloned Hands -** As noted before, anexo have five talons on each hand, which provides them with a natural weapon at all times. While not as sharp as blades, these talons can work easily as a backup option for when they are attacked, or just hunting.

**Great Hearing -** Due to the limited use of their eyes, the anexo's ears have evolved to become extremely powerful. They are able to hear on average 1,000ft (304.8m) away in quiet environments, and 300ft (91.44m) in louder ones.

**Natural Armor -** The anexo have natural protection from harm through their masks, which defend their face, and their wings, which are known to be used to stop arrows from hitting the body.

#### Weaknesses

**Anosmia -** Anexo have anosmia, meaning they cannot detect any sort of smell. This hinders their hunting and tracking abilities.

**Restricted Vision -** Anexo have restricted vision beneath the mask and are more prone to blindness. This is why they’ve evolved to rely on hearing more than anything, for hunting and protection.

### Other Notes

- Anexo don’t really have a tail. It’s pretty much just a nub with a bunch of feathers sticking out of it.

- Anexo have a very long, tentacle-like tongue which sometimes hangs out of their mask.

### Mask Etching

okay so essentially anxeo etch things into their masks like tattoos (ill come up with a better sounding desc later)