Strix

Strix's life was never meant to be a long one.

He was created by scientists in the Empire of Rekhassa, deep within the ancient capital of Narawen, which had been built into the oldest pine tree of the Grand Forest. Their goal was ambitious: to create the first human-made soldier with Olde magic permanently imbued into his soul.

Rekhassa was one of the three great Empires of Man and the only one to embrace magic in its traditional, natural form. Its cities grew around forests, lakes, and caverns rather than reshaping them, while alchemy and potions were used to guide nature rather than conquer it. The scientists hoped to harness this ancient magic for their own purposes, allowing Rekhassa to survive the growing threat of the conquering Grym Empire.

But Strix was not what they expected.

His appearance was strange, his connection to nature seemed almost nonexistent, and his appetite was enormous. It was as though his body demanded the resources of an entire forest just to survive. The scientists considered the experiment a failure.

Rekhassians were naturally peaceful and compassionate, but even they had no place for a failed creation in the capital. Strix was therefore sent south toward the edge of the Grand Forest, to a small settlement called Mistokun.

The journey changed him.

As he travelled, something inside him slowly awakened. Trees seemed to bend toward him, plants grew along his path, and the forest itself appeared to accompany him toward his new home.

Mistokun was small compared to anything Strix had seen before, but its people welcomed him without hesitation. They prepared enormous feasts for his arrival and even gave him a home.

For the first time, Strix felt wanted.

He soon discovered why.

Almost everyone in Mistokun was like him — another failed experiment discarded by Rekhassa's scientists. But Strix was different. His dormant connection to nature finally began to emerge, and when the forest started growing around Mistokun, he discovered that he possessed druidic powers.

New plants appeared. Crops flourished. Vegetables grew where nothing had been planted.

Strix was happy.

But he was also hungry.

The new resources helped, yet Strix continued eating far more than he could contribute. In such a peaceful village, there was little need for a warrior, and eventually the frustration became too much.

One night, overwhelmed by anger, Strix destroyed his own house with his bare hands.

His friends were frightened.

For the first time, Strix realized that simply being useful was not enough. He needed a purpose.

So he left Mistokun behind, determined to find somewhere where he could eat as much as he wanted, share what he found with his fellow failures, and perhaps discover what he had truly been created to become.

While researching the world's natural wonders, he found an answer in an unlikely place: a children's book.

It spoke of a mysterious island where wishes could supposedly be granted, a place filled with plants and creatures unlike anything else in the world.

Its name was Lumeria.

The island was absent from every map Strix had seen.

That only made it more interesting.

He travelled south until he reached a small port town, where he discovered that someone was searching for Lumeria and hiring adventurers to make the journey.

Strix did not hesitate.

When asked for his name, he simply gave them the name Owl, inspired by his ragged appearance. The adventurers were reluctant to accept him, but eventually agreed.

And so, Strix boarded the ship.

He does not know what awaits him in Lumeria. Perhaps he will find the perfect home. Perhaps he will discover a place where nature can finally satisfy his endless hunger.

Or perhaps, somewhere on that forgotten island, he will finally discover what he really is.