Tengu
Basic Information
Anatomy
Small, crow-like humanoids, the Tengu stand mostly below 5ft tall, and are entirely shrouded in thick, dark feathers. Their limbs all end in powerful talons and their faces are dominated by broad beaks. Unlike their Nythrai kin, Tengu are unable to fly as they do not possess wings, though their iridescent feathers often confuse strangers about this. Since their origin and exile from the Nythrai, many Tengu ritualistically bleach certain feathers or patterns onto their beaks, partly to be easily identifiable by other humanoids (whom often have difficulty telling them apart), but also to proudly show off who they are.
Genetics and Reproduction
Like all avians, the Tengu lay eggs, which need to be kept at a very specific temperature in order for them to survive. In the days of old the Tengu parents would take turns keeping the eggs warm but, as civilization has continued to advance, the Tengu now utilize artificial egg warmers.
Growth Rate & Stages
Tengu grow slightly faster than Humans and other humanoids, reaching maturity at the age of fifteen, though they are considered juvenile for a large portion of this time, often from the age of seven or eight. Juveniles are expected to carry their weight in a family, often caring for the younger ones when they are not learning their own new skills.
Additional Information
Perception and Sensory Capabilities
Due to their ancestral curse, the Tengu do not posses 'Nythrions Eyes', and instead posses the eyes of crows, granting them superior low-light vision but lacking any night-vision. Despite this, their avain biology grants them the ability to learn and mimic languages effectively, making Tengu some of the greatest and most common polyglots.
Civilization and Culture
History
During the 'Summer of Bronze', in 359 BE, one of the Nythrai tribes sold out their kinsmen to the Kalurai in exchange for the secrets of Bronze working. Among these ill-fated Nythrai were a small group of Nythrion priests, whom cursed the tribe Tengu to become in flesh the bottom feeders that they truly were. After this time, the young of the tribe Tengu began to exhibit strange mutations, until the first fully avain Tengu were born. Due to this curse, the tribe were driven far east along the Stryvn peninsula, until eventually it broke apart, with small clans emigrating all across the continent. While the modern Tengu might enjoy a good scavenge here or there, they have accepted who and what they are, with some small fanatical groups worshiping Nythrion as a part of their penance of their ancestors misdeeds.
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