Raptor
Fierce, proud, and born to rule the skies, the Raptors are an offshoot of the Birdfolk who embody the keen eyes and sharp talons of hawks, eagles, and other great raptors. With plumage ranging from russet browns to stormy grays, golds, and snowy whites, they are creatures of altitude and vigilance, soaring on powerful wings that cut through the air with precision and grace.
Created by Vaeril, the God of Birds, during an age of upheaval, the Raptors were forged to be guardians, warriors, and sovereigns of the sky. They are the talons of justice, the winds of war, and the steely voice that speaks when diplomacy fails. While many Birdfolk look to peace and song, the Raptors look to the horizon—for threats, for purpose, for something greater to protect.
Raptors are most commonly found in high-altitude eyries, perched along the crags of wind-scarred mountains or atop the ancient spires of forgotten ruins. These roosts, known as Skyholds, are austere yet regal, built from carved stone and sun-bleached bone, where every chamber opens to the wind. Raptors live by a strict code of merit and honor, where strength is respected but never abused, and service to the flock is paramount.
Possessing a sharp sense of justice and unwavering focus, Raptors often serve as aerial sentinels, skymarch generals, or wardens of the wilds. Their eyes can track movement from miles away, and their minds are equally sharp, trained to think strategically and swiftly. A single Raptor can dive from the clouds like a bolt of thunder, strike with terrifying speed, and be gone before an enemy can even react.
Though naturally solitary by instinct, Raptors form fierce bonds with those they respect. Loyalty is absolute, and betrayal is the greatest shame one can bear. Among their kind, duels of honor are sacred and rare—but when they happen, they are swift, silent, and final. Outsiders often view Raptors as cold or aloof, but within their close-knit kinbands, they are passionate, protective, and willing to lay down their lives for one another.
Raptors revere winds, heights, and storms, which they see as sacred trials. They train their young in sky rites, rites of passage that involve leaping from cliffs to master the wind or facing a thunderstorm unshielded. Their shamans are known as storm-callers, who speak to the winds and read omens in cloud patterns and the flight of other birds. To the Raptors, the sky is not merely terrain—it is a living, divine force they must earn the right to master.
Their fighting style reflects this philosophy—blinding speed, focused power, and unmatched precision. Raptors often wield spears, bladed talons, or aerodynamic throwing blades, diving into battle from above with controlled fury. They are not berserkers but tacticians, and every strike is calculated for maximum efficiency.
Above all, the Raptors are seekers of purpose. They do not wage war for glory, but to protect the balance, defend their skies, or uphold the vows they have made. Many Raptors leave their Skyholds on windquests—pilgrimages to serve a greater cause, protect the innocent, or pursue justice in distant lands. Their reputation precedes them, and the sight of a Raptor taking wing stirs both awe and fear in equal measure.
