Character: Chax

Chax is an Oistrem, one of a race of beings determined to try their skill in warfare and bold deeds. Chax is smart and can be friendly, but he is sometimes overwhelmed by fierce urges (the “Craisht”).

Oistrem appreciate beauty, boldness and rigor. Borne from Susekho, they strive to protect the distant plateau of Botaram from defilement by the Strasmin.

Unlike Strasmin, Oistrem have no immaterial part that survives their bodily death. They are not strict materialists, for they know that Strasmin spirits exist. Even so, the facts of Oistrem existence has led them to a certain stoicism, and even pride.

Oistrem are not named at birth, but at death; their names are constructed from the deeds they performed throughout their lives, whether good or ill. For sake of convenience, Oistrem sometimes use tags to identify themselves, but they usually allow only those they respect to use these tags. Chax was feeling low when he tagged himself to Aun as “Chuaxid Daistem,” which means “broken-armed, shameful coward.” To avoid reference to this in further conversation with Aun, he shortened it to Chax.

Like Strasmin, Oistrem are asexual and gender specific pronouns have no intrinsic meaning to them.