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Geography of Ixinos

• Location & Physical Dimensions
• Terrain
• Climate & Weather
• Flora & Fauna
• Crops & Natural Resources
• Map of Ixinos
• The Southern Uplands
• The Central Lowlands
• The Northern Highlands

The Ixinians have perhaps the most sport-loving culture in the Realms. Both men and women participate (separately), but the women are far more avid about it, and their competitions generate far more interest. All track and field events, swimming, and equestrian sports are hugely popular. Tournaments are held on a weekly basis, and each sport has a grand championship tournament each year. Annually, one Genifar is chosen by popular vote to be the island's "Queen of Athletes."

The islanders are also immensely fond of a team sport called chalkaya, which resembles a hybrid of field hockey, basketball, and full-contact golf. There are seven players to a side, and they play on a field 150 feet [45 m] long and 50 feet [15 m] wide, with a horizontal goal, raised six feet [1 m] off the ground, at either end. The players are armed with implements that resemble field hockey sticks, the blades angled upward like a pitching wedge in golf. The idea is to hit a small, leather-covered ball into either one of the goals. The ball may only be manipulated with the stick (no hands or feet) and can only rise above waist level when being shot at a goal. Body-checking is allowed (but no tackling, tripping, hitting with the stick, or holding), so the games can get quite rough. The game's name is a mild obscenity in the Chondathian tongue: it is said to be the traditional cry of the player who fights her way the entire length of the field, sustaining numerous bruises along the way, only to miss her shot.

Ixinians are fond of music. Wind instruments of the flute family are the most popular. Percussion instruments, such as bells and the tamik, a wooden instrument similar to the Indian tabla, are also widespread. Stringed instruments are uncommon. As far as choral music is concerned, they prefer songs that involve intricate harmony or a capella solos.

Sirhala and Holymount are the centers of artistic life on the island. Sculpture is the favored visual art, and Genifari artists produce some magnificent pieces in clay, terra cotta, marble, and wood. Painting on canvas is virtually unknown, but there is a demand for fresco, stencil, trompe l'oeil and mosaic for the decoration of buildings and homes.

The composition of music and poetry are perhaps the most highly valued artistic skills in Ixinian society.