Rakshaan

The Rakshaan, sometimes known as Birdfolk, Featherfolk, or Beakfolk, are one of the key races in El'Rakar. They are an incredibly diverse race, varying wildly in shape, coloration, and ability, but are almost universally recognized as a fanciful race of music-loving magicians and golden-tongued diplomats.

Basic Information

Anatomy

^{Rough concept sketch of an average male and female Talraaki(?) Rakshaan with a six-foot-tall human for comparison.}

The Rakshaan are a race of avian Beasts that are moderately humanoid with a multitude of avian features. Though both historical and fictional records seem to indicate that Rakshaan could at one point transform into a more fully-avian form akin to the Dai'Moru, they now possess only a single form that is believed to be a blend of their ancestral forms.

^{Rough concept image of an average male Talraaki(?) Rakshaan from both the front and back, illustrating the form underneath the feathers.}

They stand on two digitigrade legs, possessing both a pair of arms and a large pair of feathered wings, and most individuals have light builds that are more fragile than those of typical humans due to their thin and hollow bone structure (though there are exceptions). A significant percentage of a Rakshaan's body mass is allocated to the structures necessary for flight, lending to a slightly top-heavy appearance as the the torso is not only elongated to accommodate all of the wings' bones and muscles in addition to those of the arms, but also enlarged to allow for the large and powerful heart and lungs required.
Similarly to humans, males are typically taller, heavier, and more muscular than females, and females generally have wider hips than males. It is important to note that unlike humans, female Rakshaan do not have mammalian breasts (though some females have been known to stuff their clothing when living with races whose females do possess them, as it makes their gender easier to identify).
Their bodies are mostly covered in feathers that commonly give way to scaled skin on the lower arms and legs. They have long and flexible necks, which commonly appear to be shorter than they actually are due to curved posture in addition to the thick feather covering, and their short tails sport highly mobile fans of feathers that are key to maintaining control during flight. The main portion of the spine is somewhat stiff in comparison to the neck and tail, however, making it easier to keep the rear aloft during flight.
The hands of a Rakshaan feature three fingers and a thumb and their feet similarly sport four toes, three forward-facing and one backward-facing (anisodactyl), with all digits ending in claws of varying length and sharpness. Most individuals have very flexible feet that can be used to grasp objects with precision not too far removed from their hands, and in fact have a stronger grip with their feet, essentially providing an additional pair of limbs to manipulate objects with.

^{Rough concept image illustrating the different wing shapes possible on a Rakshaan.}

Rakshaan wings have been categorized into five general types, very similar to those sported by their feral counterparts (though many individuals sport wings that are a blend between different wing types):

• Soaring: Defined by a broad shape and slotted primary feathers, these wings are beneficial for larger individuals due to the way the gaps between the primaries reduce drag. They also have the potential to be incredibly silent, making their user that much more deadly.
• Gliding: Long and thin, gliding wings are best at slow flights. This wing type is optimal for taking advantage of wind currents (such as those found on the ocean) to achieve lift, but are the poorest at the initial takeoff as they require a running start or a dive from a high place to be the most energy-efficient.
• Elliptical: These short and rounded wings are excellent for achieving quick liftoff and for deftly maneuvering through tight spaces. Though an average flight on these wings is slow and energy-consuming due to high amounts of flapping, they can provide short bursts of speed.
• High-Speed: Notable for their solid and pointed shape, high-speed wings make for the fastest flyers. Though they use a great amount of energy due to the rapid flapping required to maintain their speed, they are more than capable of outpacing each of the other wing types. These wings are also notable for being the best for use when swimming, being the most flipper-like of the wing types.
• Hovering: These wings are by far the rarest type, and are unique to the members of the Taasha Clan (see next section). Hovering wings are highly maneuverable and flap at such an incredible speed that the owner is able to perform feats impossible for other Rakshaan, including hovering in place, flying backwards, and flying upside down.

Clans

Rakshaan are divided into number of clans:

• The Kusaak (Forest) Clan is the most widespread (taking up residence in forests as their name implies), often serving as the "baseline" for outsiders to compare the other clans to. Its members tend to be fairly average amongst Rakshaan, as they are somewhat predisposed towards Magic and their Fighters typically are better suited to less direct methods of combat such as archery and hit-and-run tactics. They are on average about 5* feet tall with about a 15* foot wingspan, and possess hollow bones that give them light but frail bodies. Both drab and bright coloration can be commonly found amongst the Kusaak, but decorative display plumage tends to be on the less common side. (These Rakshaan draw their appearances from songbirds, doves and pigeons, turkeys, quail, crows and jays, woodpeckers, etc.)
• The Taasha (Flower) Clan is a "sub-clan" of the Kusaak, and incredibly rare in comparison to all of the other clans. The key identifying feature of these Rakshaan is the possession of hovering wings, and they can also be identified by beautiful, iridescent feathers in addition to very diminutive size (about 3.5* feet tall with about a 6* foot wingspan) and an exceptionally frail form. The members of this clan are strongly attuned to their Elements and have the potential to be among the most skilled of all the races with Magic, but they very commonly suffer from significant health issues that hold them back. They have unusually high metabolisms that give them ravenous appetites, and require a very heavy amount of sugar in addition to a standard diet in order to sustain their overactive bodies. They have the shortest life expectancies of all Rakshaan, often dying of health complications by the age of forty. (These Rakshaan draw their appearances from hummingbirds.)
• The Shaasfa (Jungle) Clan is likely the most popular clan in the collective minds of outsiders, no doubt a result of its members' fantastic plumage. Bright colors, beautiful patterning, and enrapturing display feathers are this clan's hallmark, varying wildly from individual to individual to create a spectacular show of diversity. Though rather similar to the Kusaak Clan in terms of its members' size and their preference for heavily-wooded homes (though much hotter and more humid), there is a slightly higher proportion of Magicians to Fighters in this clan (though it is uncertain whether this is innate or a cultural preference). (These Rakshaan draw their appearances from parrots, birds of paradise, peafowl, etc.)
• The Suaasi (Ocean) Clan takes up residence on the world’s coasts (though some have moved inland to the lakes, rivers, and wetlands), creating an affinity for water that is unusual amongst Rakshaan: while many Rakshaan are poor swimmers and as such have a deep seated fear of the water, the Suasi possess water-proof feathers enable them to “fly” through the water just as well as they can through the air (or at the very least allow them to float on the surface without fear of drowning due to waterlogged wings). The Suaasi are generally slightly smaller than the Kusaak and the Shaasfa (about 4.5* feet tall with about a 12* foot wingspan), though there are a noticeably large number of exceptionally tall individuals compared to the other clans, and the proportion of Magicians to Fighters is near even with a slight favorability to Magic. This clan is often associated with down-to-earth practicality as drab coloration is predominant and many individuals sport more maneuverable webbed feet instead of talons. (These Rakshaan draw their appearances from ducks and geese, swans, cranes and storks, terns, puffins, pelicans, etc.)
• The Asiik (Ice) Clan is a "sub-clan" of the Suaasi, and similarly to the Taasha is notably rare (though not as rare as the Taasha). Somewhat ostracized by the other clans, these Rakshaan have abandoned their ancestors' warm skies in favor of the far north's icy waters. As a result, their wings have fully transformed into flightless flippers and their feathers have condensed into a thick, insulating coat. Known for their highly contrasting coloration and incredible resilience to hardship, the Assik are possibly the group with the most even split between Magicians and Fighters. (These Rakshaan draw their appearances from penguins.)
• The Talraaki (Mountain) Clan are oftentimes seen by outsiders as the most mysterious and unsettling clan of Rakshaan. Its members are the second-largest in size (about 6* feet tall with about a 18* foot wingspan), and can understandably be quite intimidating with their long and sharp talons, hooked beaks, intense gazes, and sometimes hauntingly silent flight. Many a naughty child has thus been terrorized into obedience by threats of being swept up and devoured in the dark of night by a Talraaki, a reputation that was earned through historical records of the clan's more underhanded (and frighteningly successful) warfare tactics. The Talraaki are one of only two clans to have a higher proportion of Fighters to Magicians, though those Fighters still are better suited to less direct combat. (These Rakshaan draw their appearances from eagles, falcons, hawks, owls, vultures, etc.)
• The Chalhaath (Plains) Clan is the one whose members spend most of their time on the ground, hailing from areas predominantly covered in grasslands, deserts, and other hot, dry, and open terrains. The clan in fact has a significant portion of individuals who are flightless (though some of them retain some gliding ability), as these Rakshaan have traded their wings in for powerful legs and heavy feet. They still move with all the speed and grace of the wind, however, as they run and jump far better than any human. The Chalhaath are the largest of all Rakshaan (about 7* feet tall with variable wingspans), with the biggest individuals possessing great durability and strength unusual for the species. The Chalhaath are a clan of warriors with little need for bright and flashy colors, and they have the smallest percentage of Magicians of the clan. The most powerful members are the only Rakshaan  considered to be truly well-suited suited to direct combat, though the slighter members still tend to rely upon more traditional Rakshaani methods. (These Rakshaan draw their appearances from ostriches, emus, cassowaries, roadrunners, secretary birds, etc.)

*Loose starting estimate, not officially calculated.

Genetics and Reproduction

During the fall months, nearly all Rakshaan experience something known as saath sutiik, or "the brood calling": an intense desire to be with their mate (or to seek a mate if the individual doesn't have one), to put together a clean and comfortable nest, and, of course, to copulate. The only Rakshaan who do not experience it are those too young or old to reproduce and those who are currently gestating or raising offspring, and the drive will go away mid-season if a pair conceives or takes in young (sometimes leading to cases of "temporary adoption" by childless Rakshaan, in which they care for a spare chick or fledgling of a friend or relative during the fall and return it afterwards (though there have been cases of kidnapping, sometimes with and sometimes without returning the child)).
Despite the presence of a "breeding season", however, Rakshaan are still capable of conceiving offspring year round with females having regular menstrual cycles of about half a month in length. The menstrual cycles of Rakshaan do not result in a gradual shed of bloody waste, but instead end in the deposit of a much quicker and neater (if even less comfortable to pass) "menstrual packet" that resembles a soft-shelled egg. When experiencing saath sutiik, females will have a single "paused" menstrual cycle for the entire length of the fall that ends with the arrival of winter.
Rakshaan bear live young after a gestation period of six months to anywhere between one and six chicks (though the more chicks there are in a brood, the smaller and more helpless they will be at birth). The chicks are very dependent upon their parents for the first year of their life, and both parents take nearly equal part in their care. They are born with weak digestive systems, soft beaks, and poor strength and coordination and thus cannot eat on their own for their first few months. Because Rakshaan do not have breasts and thus do not produce milk, traditional chick-feeding involves parents regurgitating partially-digested food. It is much more common nowadays, however, for chicks to be fed a mushy paste made from water and crushed food.

Growth Rate & Stages

^{Rough concept image of a newborn (left) and toddler (right) Rakshaan.}

Rakshaan infants, called chicks, spend the first year of their life highly dependent upon their parents. They are born naked and remain so until their second year, by which time the now-toddlers (still referred to as chicks) will have grown in a covering of soft (and generally dully-colored) down feathers. They will normally master speaking and walking by the age of three, at which point they are considered nestlings (young children). Eight years marks the beginning of adolescence and the growth of mature plumage to replace the soft down. As they are now able to begin practicing flight, they are referred to as fledglings.
Sexual maturity and young adulthood are reached at the age of 15, marking the point where it becomes distinctly clear how much faster Rakshaan age than humans. A Rakshaan becomes a fully-mature adult at around 30 years of age, a senior at around 70, and an elder at 80.

^{Rough concept image illustrating an average male Talraaki(?) Rakshaan at various stages of his life.}

Dietary Needs and Habits

A Rakshaan’s diet is highly diverse, including meat, bugs, eggs, fruits, vegetables, grains, nuts, honey, and nectar. Their diet may vary in terms of preference from clan to clan however, such as the Suaasi and Asiik clans primarily living off of fish. Eating raw food is much less problematic for Rakshaan than for humans, but cooked food is usually still considered preferable. Rakshaan are lactose intolerant, and consequently avoid dairy products; it is usually not a lethal allergy, but it is enough to give a Rakshaan very painful indigestion and diarrhea.

Biological Cycle

All Rakshaan molt their entire body of feathers at least once a year, growing a fresh new body of feathers over the end of summer. Rakshaan from environments with more extreme changes between seasons can molt even more often and grow distinct patterns specific to certain seasons, such as having unique winter plumage.

Additional Information

Facial characteristics

^{Rough concept image of various Rakshaan heads to illustrate how varied their designs can be.}

Geographic Origin and Distribution

Rakshaan are very widespread, having a presence on every continent on El'Rakar, though they technically originate from the continent of Sa'Firal.

Average Intelligence

Rakshaan are a very intelligent and social race, typically preferring to talk their way out of a problem if they are unable to fly away from it.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Rakshaan are strongly sound-focused. They are blessed with the gift of gab, most commonly possessing a love for talking and singing; to ignore a speaking Rakshaan is considered quite rude, and to interrupt them is even more insulting. Because of how revered sound is in Rakshaani culture, any impairment to one’s speaking or hearing ability is viewed as very humiliating; being mute or deaf is nothing short of a tragedy, which has driven an unfortunate number of afflicted Rakshaan to suicide.
Rakshaan possess amazingly flexible vocal chords, and as such are very skilled at the imitation of noises ranging from sounds of objects to animal calls to the speech of others. As a result, they are one of the best races when it comes to learning new languages. Rakshaan are also typically very skilled musicians, with a significant number possessing perfect pitch and often taking up multiple instruments in addition to singing.

Civilization and Culture

Relationship Ideals

Rakshaan are monogamous beings, generally spending a great amount of time carefully considering any and all potential mates before finally deciding to settle down with one of them for life in marriage. It is very common for individuals to be at least thirty before marrying. To dive headfirst into a marriage with little time spent deliberating is considered a very foolhardy action, and taken as sign of a relationship doomed to fail (and a failed marriage is an immense disgrace that is nearly impossible for a Rakshaan to live down). Arranged marriage is all but unheard of in Rakshaani culture, while the concept of reincarnated soulmates is very deeply-rooted into Rakshaani tradition and religious practice.

Lifespan

~80 Years

Average Height

3.5-7 Feet

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

Rakshaan are incredibly diverse in terms of appearance, displaying many different colors, patterns, and plumage shapes that can vary wildly from individual to individual. While Rakshaan of both sexes are equally capable of possessing vibrant colors and display features such as crests, tail fans, etc., it is slightly more common for male Rakshaan to have larger displays and more complex color patterns than females.