Pirig
“While I may still be ihan at heart, Cathquoile will remain my home. Pirigs are a noble group. Look to the sky when you see a shadow – and you’ll see wings larger than you’ve ever seen soaring the sky! Even if the tribe does tend to run on the shorter side.” - - Matija Saša Lučić, a spiritologist from Cathqouile university, nervously elaborating on the lack of valia inclusion in his memoir Hidden Corners.The pirigs are an unusual race in Alkgnir, being the only ones who can take to the skies. Their bodies are permanently altered to be capable of flight – many possessing wings of scale, skin, and feathers. Linked with the Ingrithid spirit, a formerly wide spanning spirit but has recently seen its territory limited severely. Pirigs vary dramatically in appearance: some appearing more akin to harpies, while others look almost draconic. Many have scales and feathers decorated across their skin, or bird feet and claws instead of hands and feet. Pirigs also have a not insignificant affinity for the wind: most have a very good sense for the wind currents and pressure, making them very effective at telling the weather. A very small select have perfected this affinity into full control of the wind – although it’s often argued this taps into another spirit, Boreas – the spirit of wind. The most common show of their spirit is in their morphology. Not only are pirigs capable of flight, but they’re also able to withstand the conditions this brings. Some pirigs can cope with extreme temperatures – happily flying in the cold heights of troposphere. Others have learnt to cope with the oxygen deprivation, or the G forces created during dive bombs. Others have found ways of adjusting themselves for long haul flights, able to make the whole thing without any stops for food. What pirig bodies can with stand is largely up to the pirig themselves, but all with have an ability to pull through what many can’t. And this power is often utilised well by pirig hunters, copying falcons and other birds of prey tactics. Peregrine like dive bombs is common, while others have figured out fly-by attacks or repeated tern like attacks. Pirigs are also well-known travellers, as others have put that durability into spreading across the continent. It’s not unusual to find a pirig outside of Carth, commonly becoming postal carriers, messengers, and delivers. Pirigs have the smallest territory – being kept mainly to a small island in the east of Alkgnir. This island is Carth – notable for two main things. One, is the unusual formation of Carth. Many suspect that the central “eye” of the island was once a storm in of itself – the working theory being one that emerged during the Dawning. The other is two-fold: the central capital, called Cathquoile, and its unusual population of dinosaurs. Historical records show that dinosaurs reused to be commonplace in Alkgnir, but their numbers retreated as the Ingrithid’s territory did also. Often being cut and chiselled straight from limestone: Cathquoile is a settlement that has not kicked out their scaley neighbours, instead living alongside them. Dinosaurs are commonly used like cows or horses – larger ones like triceratops have become transport for people and carts. Bipedal tyrannosaurs became the head of expeditions, being treated like 10ft tall guard dogs. Raptors, micro raptors, and other smaller varieties are often kept as pets and helpers. Many roam the streets freely: treated with as much respect as the pirigs themselves. None more is this shown in the central street: a 200m wide street cutting the city in two. Normally, this becomes a market: business from all over the city will make good of the central point to trade and perform. However, once a year, this becomes the destination for The Parade of Giants – where this central avenue is used on the path of several giant sauropod migration routes. For this week, everything is cleared from this avenue as the animals make their migration (and then usually the week after is spent repairing the cobblestone street). Cathquoile, notably, also seems to enjoy almost always perfect weather for flights. Light breezes, sun, clear visibility are all common place for Cathquoile. This is not the same for the rest of Carth, however, who enjoy the same chaotic weather patterns of any island high in latitude. The Ingrithid spirit seems to be one of the two who come back to the Dawning itself. In Carth, no other spirit has ever occupied the space. However, this is not to be said the same for other areas. The Igrithid used to occupy as far as Relka in the Innihan territory, engulfing what was the Vulaeun territory. It’s believed the Vulaeun emergence was what ultimately doomed the Ingrithid’s time in the central island. The emergence triggered a storm now called the Droning, where pirigs in the area found themselves unable to fly at all. Many felt dizzy, like they weighed so much more than usual, and others also commented on this change. While there were no visible changes, many were suddenly difficult to pick up. Like many storms before it, many started to die. The symptoms lined up with that of blood poisoning, but none of the traditional cures seemed to work. The condition seemed to line up perfectly with a low droning note that was held for weeks on end – seemingly by the wind itself. Despite the Ingrithid’s rocky past, the spirit currently enjoys a stable existence within Carth. So much so, interactions with minor spirits are common. The Boreas spirit is used often as previously mentioned in flight. It’s the spirit of wind – it’s even theorised that a well-crafted spell using the boreas spirit is what’s keeping Cathquoile at such a stable climate. Although its caster remains the subject of fevered debate. Other spirits include the spirit of mountains, water, and even oil.
Basic Information
Anatomy
“The gift of flight is one we truly cherish. It’s lead to advancements that so many people have benefited from, and ones that would not have been possible without it. Geological surveys are a lot easier with an ariel perspective, let me tell you!” – Vita Stolo, professor of geology at Cathquoile UniversityPirigs tend to be smaller and lighter than the other tribes – ranging between 3ft and 5ft, depending on what bird species wings they’ve inherited. Chicks are born with the wings and arms fused, a process that usually unfused between ages 1 and 3. By 4, most pirigs have learnt to at least glide, and normally flight lessons will be taught soon after. There have been a few reports of this process failing – but those reports are few and far between, and usually dismissed by medical professionals. Adult pirigs will have two pronounced wings, extending from ~1-2m. Their wing span will usually be slightly larger then their total height, and they can tuck in very neatly behind their back when not in use.
Civilization and Culture
Naming Traditions
Pirigs tend to follow [First Name] / [Surename] - although it's not uncommon to double barrel. Many families will choose a surename based on popularity or earning, so many double barrel as a sign of respect.
In instances where one surename was chosen, this is not automatically a sign of disrepect. Family is a very important matter to the pirigs - agreeing on a surename is often seen as a sign of unity. Sometimes, this surename is new entirely, not from either family - symbolising a new family.
Beauty Ideals
Pirigs take a lot of pride within their wings. All pirigs - those heavily scaled, those heavily feathered, those both or neither - are very prideful of their wings. Jewlwery for wings are common, and during festivals many will decorated.
Feathers form a very large large of beauty ideals as well. This tends to over rule scales, feathers often seen as more beautiful and more appealing. Many people will use feathers during descorative pieces.
"Ahead of the Parade of Giants - by far the largest - my, do feathers reign. Even more then usual. I have the most beautiful feathered head dress for the occasion. Cirllio is even more luxurious, a cape flung across his shoulders." - Adelaide Hall, wife of Cirillo, describing her fashion for the coming months. Adelaide is well known for her fashion - within Cathquoile she's a bonified trend setter.
Cultural Hints
Pirigs borrow from Greek, Roman, and pre-Greek cultures like the Mycenaean
Lifespan
60 years
Average Height
0.5 - 3m
Average Weight
25 kg - 58kg
Comments