Natuzans

Content Warning: Small descriptions of prejudice and racism

"Natuzans? They're always hiding. They are very afraid of what's outside their circle of islands, even if they pretend they are not."

— A traveller from a nearby land

The Natuzans are a species of winged humanoids that live in the Floating Isles in the Old World. They are quite isolated from the rest of the world, preferring to stay in their homeland above. Natuzans are seen by others as very traditional, to the point where they can be prejudiced against other species and cultures.
They are known for their long-running feud against the Orcs, their neighbours in the south. Although they sorted the conflict just before the Ice Age, there is still some animosity between the Orcs and the Natuzans that hasn't been fully resolved.

Location

The Natuzans live on the Floating Isles, which is in the north of the main archipelago. Although they have lived there for hundreds of years, they do not plan to stay there. In the past, they used to live further north, close to the Equator. Natza legends say that the lands were cursed by the Gods, who had their sights on a better home for the Natuzans. So the Natuzans started travelling from their original home to the new one that the Gods had sought out for them. However, flying an entire population took a lot longer than expected, and the waters of the Old World meant that it was unsafe to travel for such long periods.
Eventually, they came across a safer region in the sky to wait out the storms in the area. The storms went on for many months and showed no signs of stopping, so the Natuzans eventually made that rest stop their home. This land was plentiful and was in contrast to the droughts that plagued their old home. They took it as their sign to remain on the lands for the time being, eventually making it their homeland. They called their new home Nazuteca, which means "land of the skies".

Anatomy

Physiology

Natuzans are like other humanoids, in that they are bipedal and have a similar body structure. They are close with the Alopari of the Red Desert, because they descended from the same ancestor. However, while Alopari have tails, Natuzans have large foldable wings. They use their wings to fly and glide when travelling. Younger Natuzans will only be able to glide, as their wings are smaller and they cannot flap them as fast. When they reach full adulthood, most are able to flap their wings fast enough to keep them in the air for long periods of time.
Living close to the Equator means Natuzans have darker skin tones. Those with the darkest tones live on Ignosi Island, which is often said to be underneath the sun and has the element of fire. Natuzans of Akuzo Island also have dark skin because their island is very close to Ignosi Island.

Powers

"It is our Arcanis that has made us strong. It's what protects us. We cannot let our protection fall."

— Ignosi Elder to Tahoma Dasotuni

Natuzans are very strong in Elemental Arcanis. They are so strong in it that they have based their entire culture around the Elements. Each island is linked with one Element, and each island has one tribe also linked with that Element. Natuzans value the Elements so highly, that they are known for banning intercultural marriage to keep their powers going strong.
Arcanis also differs by age, like in other species. Young Natuzans have less control over their powers, so the effects from the Elements tend to be wide-ranging. They fight or use their powers in powerful bursts and can create many forms with their powers. When they get older, the effects are more localised and are weaker. However, they do have more control over their powers and can target their opponents easier.

Other Names

Natza (what Natuzans call themselves), Otleni (an old name)

Lifespan

200 years

Geographic Distribution

• Floating Isles
• Old World

Related Organizations

• First Ocotlan Elders