Unguis Cornu

The Unguis Cornu are a clan of Accipita, birdfolk, who live in the Talons of the Sky. Despite the region's treacherous conditions, they are able to survive and even thrive in their homeland.

Heritage

Like the other Accipita, the Unguis Cornu claim their heritage from birds of prey. In their mythos, their ancestors, the first Accipita, were given the gift of language by an unknown deity. It is said that several mages later polymorphed into a bird themselves to observe these gifted birds up close, and fell in love with them. Some of these mages birthed the first Accipita, who were part-bird and part-human, and went on to proliferate in the mountains and open stretches of Galactus.

The Unguis Cornu, populating the Talons of the Sky in northern Qopith, claim to have lived in the mountains since the demon king Iuz was vanquished, even before the Kruilna settled in the expanse below the foothills. Like the Kruilna, they claim heritage from Judera, hailing from the Araumorndin to the east.

Surviving the Winter

Unlike the other fauna inhabiting the Talons of the Sky, the Unguis Cornu do not move to lower elevations or go into torpor during hibernation. Instead, they bundle up inside their cloth homes and stay sheltered when the storms arrive.

The Unguis Cornu are fairly good at observing and predicting weather, so they often have ample notice of when a storm will arrive. In the hours before the storm hits, all of the inhabitants of a village work together to secure the cloth drapes to the wooden frames so that the winds will stay out. They often add oilskins atop the wool to prevent moisture leaking inside each frame. After the cloths are all secured, the blankets and pillows are gathered from the outermost homes and brought to those closest to the mountain face, but only enough to fit all of the inhabitants of the village within. The storms can last for days, so plenty of food, water, and herb supplies are brought to these homes to feed those taking shelter inside. Before the storm hits, all the inhabitants enter the prepared spaces to take shelter together, sharing warmth and staying out of the roaring winds outside. After the storm dies down, they redistribute the cushions and blankets to their previous locations, although in colder winters many families choose to share dwellings with neighboring families for comfort and warmth.

Culture

Culture and cultural heritage

Art & Architecture

Unguis Cornu homes are built on the higher slopes of the talons, generally on high, rocky ledges. They are built from branches and scrap wood from the lower slopes of the mountains, where trees grow in abundance. The wood is used to build large, circular platforms with tall, rounded roof supports. The roofs are covered by thick cloth, usually wool, dyed in bright shades and geometric patterns, which are shared amongst all inhabitants of a village. This thick cloth keeps out the cold, biting winds of the higher elevations, and in summer they can be lifted to allow the cool breezes to drift through the homes. To supplement their insulating powers, homes are filled with woolen blankets and down cushions with which the Unguis Cornu wrap themselves in winter to stay warm. Despite the harsh weather outside, in winter the homes remain at tolerable temperatures. Each building is attached to the next, either directly or by a short pathway, such that all the homes in each village are connected. These villages also usually have a communal eating space with a fire out on the open stone to eliminate the risk of the village catching fire.

Common Customs, traditions and rituals

Life in Unguis Cornu villages is divided into several strict roles based on each adult's strengths:

• Guards take shifts patrolling the village and the surrounding area. They are usually the larger and stronger adults in the village, able to neutralize any possible threats. They are trained in both ranged, sword, and unarmed combat, although many will favor one particular combat style over the others.
• Hunters, as their name suggests, spend their time searching the Talons for sources of food. In contrast to guards, hunters are usually smaller and more lithe, and are usually some of the fastest fliers in each village. They know how to hunt and kill game as well as how to identify some of the edible plants on the lower slopes.
• Healers are experienced in the healing arts, using herbal remedies to cure disease and heal injuries. They are seen as bastions of calm and wisdom among the village and others often go to them for advice. They gather herbs from the valleys and slopes, preparing and storing them as needed.
• Caretakers care for the younglings while their parents are away taking care of their own responsibilities. They are generally kind and very patient, and cycle in shifts regularly to prevent burnout. For orphaned younglings, they provide full care and companionship with the help of the other adults in the village.
• Cooks are responsible for preparing meals and treating food for storage. They begin by learning simple recipes but soon graduate to more complex dishes and some even begin to experiment with their own recipes.
• Elders are the leaders of each village. Unlike the other roles, the role of elder is given to an older member of the village when the previous elder is about to retire. The elder is responsible for making bigger decisions that affect the whole village, including assigning roles to the younglings in the future. They are treated with great respect by the other members of the village.

Coming of Age Rites

Each year, the oldest of each village's younglings are brought forth for the Winging Ceremony. Each one has been observed by parents and caretakers from hatchling to nestling to fledgling, and in the months before this ceremony occurs, they make recommendations to the village's elder as to the youngling's skills and interests. During the Winging Ceremony, each youngling is given a role in the village based on these skills and interests. They are presented with the uniform or tools of that role, and greeted by their fellows.

Encompassed species

• Alpine Muskroot

Related Locations

• Talons of the Sky