Avani

The world is bigger than us and stronger than we can ever hope to be, and it wants to kill us. We survive by being too stubborn to die.

— Tanner Pashad, to a superior officer after the battle of Parawast Hill

The Avani are a species of birdlike creatures that cover the world of Avanima. Capable of construction, complex reasoning, flight, and magic, their abilities have allowed them to spread across the globe in spite of its ever-present dangers. They have carved out cities and empires from the hostile wilderness. Avanima itself is a word coined by them. Though they aren't the only intelligent species on Avanima, they are the most numerous and widespread.

Basic Information

Anatomy

The Avani resemble the perching songbirds they may have evolved from, but equally reflect the changes made by their ever-present threats. To allow the use of tools and weapons, they stand on two long, thin legs covered in scale-like skin (like what Earth's birds have) and have three-toed feet/claws. While they can still fly with their wings Avani also have clawed hands protruding from near their ends. These hands, with 3 fingers and 1 thumb, have a similar range of motion to humans. However, how they are placed means that an Avani cannot hold items and fly at the same time. Feathers of varying colors cover their bodies everywhere except for on their beak and legs. Tail feathers behind where the legs meet the body help to stabilize and steer during flight. Avani have distinctly bird-like heads, though their eyes are closer to the center of their face, and their beaks are triangular with almost no curves in it.

Biological Traits

Though naturally Avani can live to be over a hundred, the average life expectancy is only 32. Other than ordinary factors like diseases and natural disasters, raids by monsters and Apogees kill many unlucky souls in all but the most fortified cities. Certain subraces, particularly the Falco-Kiptrani are much larger and heavier than their companions.

Genetics and Reproduction

Avani, depending on the culture, have a variety of complex courtship rituals that take place between prospective mates. Many of these rituals are deeply tied to religion, but they almost always involve a Flight Dance or Life Song. The flight dance and life song are often also accompanied by other dances, religious ceremonies, a feast with family and friends, and even magical rituals (whether falsified or real). It can last anywhere between a single day for inhabitants of the Teutani States or the month-long celebration for the Terazin. After this courtship the male and female become life partners. Children are hatched from eggs approximately 2-3 lunas after being laid and are born nearly fully developed.

Growth Rate & Stages

Avani, born with nearly full plumage and muscles close to fully developed, closely resemble their adult selves and physically grow rapidly. They are able to fly after only a few lunas and reach complete physical maturity after around 10-12 cycles. However, their brains take much longer to develop and thus they aren't considered adults until they are nearly 17 cycles old. It is unclear how long Avani can live due to magical healing and the prevalence of premature death, though some individuals have lived over a hundred years naturally in fairly good physical condition.

Ecology and Habitats

Avani are adapters: they are confined to no single environment. With their physical abilities, but mostly mental acuity, they can live in almost any area of the world no matter how extreme. However, they do not live in harmony with this world. Most of the planet is covered with magical and natural species that regard the Avani as either enemies or prey. At numerous points in their existence the Avani have nearly been driven to extinction by the world around them. They mostly regard nature as a foe to be conquered and act accordingly. They terraform the land for agriculture, gather into settlements and cities for strength in numbers, and wield weapons and Magic against the creatures that would attack them.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Depending on the location, Avani will eat a variety of fruits, grains, berries, and meats in order to survive. They began as hunters and foragers, but after the Agricultural Revolution Avani largely became permanent farmers. They grow various plants and livestock for food, though still hunt for delicacies that cannot be domesticated.

Additional Information

Geographic Origin and Distribution

Avani are spread across the globe, but the densest population centers are found in Alvana and Kinavi. The other continents never established the populations or industry necessary to maintain large societies while safeguarding against attacks.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

The Avani, designed for flight at fairly high speeds through forests and jungles, have excellent eyes that relay information to the brain faster than many humans. They can see the whole color spectrum and even a few wavelengths of colors that we can't see, named Sola and Deepblue. Their hearing is also good to allow them to pick up on the words and songs of their allies. However, this focus on sight and sound has left them lacking in smell.

Civilization and Culture

Naming Traditions

Many first names are believed to have been imported directly from the First Pantheon Deities that created the Avani. These include names like Soren, Joann, Casey, Ali, Scott, Eli, or Callie. Others are based off locations of birth, like one born in Cadenaku being named Denak; feather-color, such as a Cyanni named Lazul; or things in the natural world said to define someone, such as one born on the winter solstice being named Halcyon. Color names are particularly popular.

Major Organizations

Through Avani history a few major civilizations have come to power, almost all of them on the continent Alvana. One of the most important of these is not a country at all. This is referring to the Treaty of Passaran, an alliance between nearly all kingdoms in the world except the Cyanni, Olaran, Altowood, Jasani, and a few minor powers. It is almost universally revered as a tool for maintaining peace and preventing a second war. The Olarans and Altowood Kriptrians, though not part of the deal, are firmly considered its noble guardians. In contrast the Cyanni are prevented from joining due to the Cyanni War, and the Jasani was recently formed through a populist-supported coup by soldiers who wanted independence from the treaty.

Gender Ideals

Though at one point there was greater distinction between gender roles, most of these distinctions have been lost by sheer necessity. The slight physical differences between male and female are irrelevant when their enemies are significantly stronger than both. Any roles they have are constantly shaken up when either can die in a monster attack or both are drafted into the militia (in most nations, it is mandatory for all adults to be weapons-trained and ready for service).

History

Avani were born to the planet at a time when Avanima was much different. The monsters that exist today weren't around, global climate was moderated by extremely benevolent deities, mysterious gifts of technology occasionally came from the heavens, and magic slumbered (with all of the good and bad that comes with it). There were some contentions and wars, but as a whole the Age of Development was peaceful and prosperous. They even attained a level of technology that allowed them to visit the heavens itself.
It all changed when magic arose. The Torrent nearly wiped out all of the Avani for good, and the effects of magic in the world almost finished the job. However, the Avani scraped by and managed to reestablish new civilizations to replace the lost ones. They now continue to defend these beacons of hope against enemies that seek to destroy it.
Though united by a common enemy, their past has not been completely peaceful. In particular the Cyanni War shook up most of the planet and sucked in nations far and wide. It has left unhealable scars and unforgettable grudges among the kingdoms that took part, and it still effects the daily lives of ordinary people even centuries later. Some even warn that the war was left unfinished, and that it is only a matter of time before another spark reignites the old conflict...

Genetic Descendants

• Apodine
• Corva-Kahdro
• Hirundine
• Primevals
• Sparalus
• Tangeri
• Upper Races

Scientific Name

Avis Illustratum

Lifespan

32 Cycles

Average Height

4-6 Spans (About 1-1.5 feet)

Average Weight

40-90 Flaps (About 1-2.25 pounds)

Average Physique

While they are intelligent and agile, compared to their foes most Avani are weak physically. Their bones are hollow and easily susceptible to breaking. In flight they can only carry themselves and so much extra weight. They have trouble with heavy weapons although polearms and lighter blades are easily used. Avani also cannot wear very heavy armor if they hope to fly, making heavy infantry effectively landlocked soldiers that have a harder time manuvering. However, Avani in flight have trouble fighting as the only weapons they can utilize are whatever they can hold in their talons. These physical restraints play heavily in strategy; a good commander must know when his maneuverable but less equipped troops are vital and when they'll get massacred doing the job of heavily-armed warriors.

Related Myths

• The Culling
• The Five Races
• The Torrent
• The Twelve Paragons