Lo'Oix

The Lo'Oix are an ethnic group and species of near-human* located primarily across Eastern Eldham. They are distantly related to other hominid groups like the contemporary Humans and Elves. Historically, they were most dominant in arid regions across Serrona such as savannas, plains, and mesas. Most Lo'Oix individuals were historically grouped into familial groups called clans. When classified by scientists, they have been prescribed the taxonomic name 'Homo rofulucus ' but such naming is controversial.

Technically, because the Lo'Oix are their own taxonomic group of people, not all members are functionally part of the Lo'Oix ethnic group. For this reason, sometimes the ethnic group is specifically called 'Losa Lo'Oix ' to differentiate from the overall term. Some examples of other - but not all - Lo'Oix ethnic groups include the Garxoix, Manz, Axadi, Atkitians, and more. These other ethnic groups are often colloquially called the 'diaspora peoples'.

While many languages are spoken and with variation by the Lo'Oix, the most historically prominent language of the group is Lo'Oi and its numerous dialects.

The various cults and spiritual beliefs of the Lo'Oix people historically is typically collected into folk religions like Oxinto.

Appearance
Lo'Oix people tend to have rather broad set of common phenotypical traits, similar to their relatives. Their skin typically features an olive undertone but can be either dark or pale in complexion. This is sometimes corresponding to the biomes certain Lo'Oix societies lived in; those in frigid regions often having lighter skin tones.

Their eyes are often their most identifiable traits, with most being some variation of red and/or orange. Some rarely are known to have pink or yellow eyes however. Lo'Oix hair is almost always naturally black or brown and tends to be curly or wavy in texture. Traditionally, long hair tends to be bound in loose braids and buns. Facial hair is common among men and among many Lo'Oix was traditionally kept sharp and angular; with long beards being disfavored in many early Lo'Oix societies.

Scientists have notably analyzed that the Lo'Oix have proportionally long legs and boast significantly higher concentrations of sudoriferous glands which are both notable adaptations for living in hot climates and running over long distances. For this, the Lo'Oix were notorious for their hunting abilities of chasing down fast game and prey until they collapse from exhaustion.

Clothing
Lo'Oix clothing historically tended to be loose and wavy, with numerous straps for support. It would often be made from sheep wool and various plant-based fabrics. Woman's gowns would often have busts to support the breasts that had lining of chicken - or in the case of the extraordinarily wealth, dolphin - bone. Golden accents and jewelry are a common motif in traditional Lo'Oix garb, sometimes copper is used. The exposure of the chest in both men and women is historically disfavored in most Lo'Oix societies. Men historically would also wear flowing garments, sometimes cut at the mid-thigh.

Clothing was typically dyed with grinded lapis lazuli to make vibrant blue fabrics, red dyes were typically made with berries, yellow dyes were typically made with various leaves and flowers, and green dyes were typically made by crushed and dried cactus. Early Lo'Oix society had limited use of dyes, though as time marched on more vibrant dyes became available and in particular were prized by the immensely wealthy. In particular, black and orange dyes were prized; being made from squid ink sacs and rare orange tulips respectively.

Mythology and Oxinto
Lo'Oix mythology is incredibly well known, and is sometimes a fundamental part of the folk religion called Oxinto.


 * Perhaps the single best known myth from Lo'Oix mythology is that of Doxolas (often called 'Doug'), a cow that once lived in the Isle of Kiurtrog. The cow is featured on numerous flags and is even the national animal of nations like the United Socialist States of Eldham; being featured on their national emblem. It was a cow that had both male and female features that lived on the island was used by the island's populace for curing the symptoms of drug use and alcohol. It is said that the cow was smited by the gods (most commonly the Oxinto god 'Ogano' is blamed) for being overused and abused by the people, but another god (typically identified as Xéloré) reincarnated the cow as an egg and it was said that the egg would hatch when the people of the world needed it most.
 * Another very common myth in Lo'Oix mythology is that of the Oáxémak. It is said that an ancient people of Serrona, presumably Lo'Oix, were in a desperate war against another clan on the mainland and so they attempted to conjure a spirit that could assist them in warfare. The king of this ancient clan contacted the spirits, and adversely ended up conjuring the spirits of the hundreds of people he had killed, and the spirits chose to curse the despotic king. It was then that from within, a demonic creature called the Oáxémak (lit. 'he-who-mimics in Lo'Oi), brutally burst out of the king and tore him from within. To this day it is said that the creature roams the taigas of Serrona and hunts people, taking the form of an animal before bursting out of the animal in a bloody screech before brutally killing the people it encounters. It is commonly used as a myth against despotism and tyranny.

"I saw the pits where its eyes should be emerge from the skin of the lamb. Its wool swelled before making the most horrifying or tearing noises as it unfurled showing at first what appeared to be a skeletal bull elk of some kind. Those more knowledgeable immediately recognized the beast and fled, those who didn't run made a sorrowful mistake as the humanoid flesh prodded out from the poor lamb and stepped out of its skin. In a matter of seconds the Oáxémak darted at the two watching huntsmen and shredded them; I watched as it tore into one of them and swatted away the other with a mere flick of its wrist. The swatting alone must've caused ribs to be broken as an ungodly amount of blood was present. As for his peer, his face had been mutilated and eaten away. -Lo'Oix folk legend: 'Oáxémak vo Kroskogado'"

Marriage ceremonies
The Lo'Oix are renowned for their marriage ceremony, which involves both partners planting and growing three stalks of wheat respectively before baking it into bread. At the wedding, both partners eat the other's loaf of bread. The phenomena of wedding rings is only a recent introduction into Lo'Oix society, and instead this bread ritual was seen as a historic binding between lovers.

Evolutionary History
It is believed from paleontological and archeological evidence that the Lo'Oix people did not originate from the modern Humans (Homo sapiens sapiens), but instead from a different ancient (now extinct) species called Homo erectus, of which the last members died around 90,000~ years ago. We know that the first Homo erectus came to inhabit the near entirety of Northern and Eastern Serrona uninterupted beginning around 150,000~ years ago.

90,000~ years ago, mass ecological catastrophe began to take place on Eldham, which had created the die off of the remainder of Homo erectus. The small populations that were left over following this ecological disaster resulted in the creation of various people groups such as the Lo'Oix, Durn, and Eternyri. This means that the origins of the Lo'Oix have no relation to modern Homo sapiens sapiens. This ecological disaster involved a glaciation period which caused a mass die-off of the many rainforests that used to cover the entirety of Serrona. Because of the decrease in air moisture, many places became drier. This is what triggered many of the unique features the Lo'Oix have today to evolve. This diversification event is believed to be the root origin of species such as not only the Lo'Oix, but also possibly the Khazad, Catulum, and even the Lemurfolk.

Around 3,800-4,000~ years ago, the first migrations of modern Homo sapiens sapiens began to migrate into Serrona. These people would have been sea-faring and are believed to have originated in Onthukhan. These people are retroactively called the 'Syrokonso'. It is believed that the introduction of disease and likely surplus war resulted in chaos with the original Lo'Oix populations and the Syrokonso. Ultimately, after this it is believed the modern Lo'Oi language was born from the Lo'Oix people that were in contact with the Syrokonso. It is also believed that most modern Lo'Oix populations get at least 30% of their genome from the original Syrokonso.

The Syrokonso would later become the various modern human ethnic groups that are native to Serrona including - but not limited to - the Mari, Kolssons, Batus, Erikis, Haziki, and the Maharians. These various Human ethnic groups and the Lo'Oix have lived often alongside one another ever since.