TSSArtifactBook5

Ecology and Evolution -- A Bixie's Tale

Preamble: As the Librarian of Crescent Reach, I feel it is my duty to provide a detailed history on the bixies in order to fully understand any threat that may come to Crescent Reach and our drakkin. This artifact is somewhat unique in that it has not belonged to anyone specifically but has passed through many Bixie hands. From the hands it touched, I was able to piece together an evolution of sorts.

The Forest Change

As the Battle of Bloody Kithicor drew to a close and Innoruuk opened a portal to the Plane of Hate to rescue his daughter, Lanys T'vyl, the forest around it was changed forever.

The touch of a planar realm on the ecosystem of mortal plants and flowers was faint, but would prove to be significant. Traces of magic seeped through the roots of the plants and into the seeds and over time the forest began to change. The trunks, leaves, and needles all looked the same, but beneath they were altered -- not for better or worse.

The creatures of the forest, Rivervale and Stone Hive maintained their usual routines after the blood and mayhem passed from the war. From what the preserved baneleaf visions show me, the changing of the forest and the bixies' place in world became intertwined, almost as an occurrence of what might call "perfect timing."

While there is little question from what I can ascertain that the bixies would have advanced in any case, the flora of the forest enhanced it greatly and perhaps even took them down a different path with their form and function physically.

In less than a year, the bixies showed the first signs of change. They were gradual at first and then seemed to accelerate as the queen replenished her bixies. At first the bixies simply reasoned quicker, then their bodies elongated and became elegant and leaner, their magic flowed stronger and freer, and they began to focus on efficiencies and advancement. They became more adept at planting, cultivating and harvesting jumjum, pollen, and nectar and all manner of plants -- even hybrids and new plants they created. They created tools to better aid in their unending work of collecting and delivering to the hive. It seemed the final change the bixies endured was the loss of their stingers, having other and better means to protect themselves.

Some Bixies developed an aptitude for physical fighting and were created and molded to protect their queen, named Pelza. Even the queen grew in power and acumen.