Avians have always existed, however on another plane of existance, before the apocalypse they resided in valleys hidden by magics of their home world, preferring to reside in large tree-homes and cliffsides. Following the rifts many of these bird-like peoples were thrown into the world of man, for the most part they kept their culture and hidden outlook. They traveled to warm continental inland areas, much like in their home-world, taking shelters in vast forests and mountains. Most avian societies were run and organized by the royals of the valley, generally being birds of prey such as eagles and hawks, with owls and nightjars acting as scholars, researchers, and mages. Below them were the guards, usually birds such as Jays, and then the commonfolk. Most common folk being sparrows, and other small seed-eaters. Specialized birds such as penguins, puffins, secretary birds, etc worked artisan jobs, or as hunters and fishers. Below all those other groups were the birds often associated with crime and thievery, such as crows, ravens, magpies, and vultures. While not all of those birds were bad, they were all perceived as such as thus it was hard to make an honest living trapped in the confines of social status and expectations.
Despite these general classes, Avian society was usually rather peaceful, as the eagles and hawks made a point to be as involved in their people as possible, and instructing all avians from a young age that the society funtions when they remain dutiful. However when the portals opened, the Avian societies found many new races invading their homes, some capable of magics much like their own, turning their society towards catastrophy. Many birds chose to fight back against the foreign races encroaching upon their valleys and many more lost their lives, including prominent families and royals.
In current times, a large portion of Avians are scattered across the world, after either the loss of their homes and villages, or from misdirection. They seek new purpose and strong leaders to unite them once more, and some simply wish to break away from the standards of their own people, seeking new opportunities and prosperity.
Avian culture is heavily structured, with many birds being born into set classes based on their breeds and size. Those with exceptional talents and skills are on occasion granted special statuses within Avian societies, such as a particularly magically inclined sparrow being able to reach the rank of Scholar, usually comprised of Owls and similar.
They value hard work, structure, laws and rarely if ever challenge those who rightfully deserve power, such as the eagles and hawks. When left to their own devices, void of interactions with other races, Avian societies generally flourish, with troublemakers and crimes being quickly stamped out. They follow mostly their rulers, but some may also worship the Dragons as of recent, and any gods relating to the sky, wind, or animals, as they greatly value nature and preserving the world. Avians are very strict when it comes to self-sufficiency in society, and many despise having to trade or barter with other races, the exception however being the commoner classes.
Avians know two languages; Common and Avian
Appearance of Avians
Avians are a diverse species, all generally taking after natural birds though humanoid in stature. Avians possess feathered arms though most are incapable of flight. Generally the most populous of Avians are the common workers and craftsmen, comprised of Avians in appearance of Sparrows, Chickadees, and other small seed-eaters.
As a whole, Avians reach maturity at 15 years old and live up to 70 years.
Examples of Acceptable Avian Traits:
- Eye Color: Blue, Green, Brown, Hazel, Grey, Silver, Gold, Red
- Feather Color: Depends on the Type of Bird
- Height Range: 3’-7’ [depends on type]
- Skills
- Light as a Feather: All Avians are far lighter than most races, while this makes them more fragile, it also means they are less susceptible to injury from falls as they can safely glide.
- Structured: Avian Society is heavily indoctrinated by class structures, it is not common to see a lower rank bird challenging authority, and most are rather happy with their positions in society.
- Low-Light vision: Avians can see amidst lower light than that of Humans. What is usually dim lighting can be considered normal to them.
- Natural Weapons: All Avians possess beaks they can attack with, and depending on type, some even possess sharp talons and claws. They take no penalties for unarmed attacks when using natural weapons.
- Weaknesses
- Frail: Most Avians find their thin frames both a blessing and a curse, as while they may be naturally light-footed and stealthy, most can hardly take many direct hits before they crumple.
- Followers: Unless of a high-class in their society, many Avians simply take what they can get, toiling away at tasks and jobs. They can also be easily persuaded to work for the wrong cause as many just wish to please.
Names:
Avians are gifted birth names which generally are nothing like the names given to them once fledged, when they attain their adult feathers. They like to borrow names from the more populous races, or keep names simple and avian related, such as a sparrow being named, Fletch or Rust. They also happen to take names based on their preferred occupations, such as a farmer naming himself Barley.
Religion:
As a race in general, Avians worship their respecting royals or rulers. In modern society, this could be even humans and others in power. They make regular offerings of their trade, such as armors, crops from their field, animals, etc. Avians are also apt to worship the many Dragons as well as gods pertaining to nature, or aspects of their daily lives.
Relations:
Most Avians are commoners and thus work rather well with other races, however many scholars, mages, and royals of Avian descent find trouble getting along with any race not of their own. They find many of the newcomers to the world as interlopers and destroyers of the peace they worked so hard to gain. The higher the rank a bird is, the more vain and condescending they tend to be, and it’s hard not finding a high-class Avian not seeking to gain power wherever they end up.