Zacrid

A Race of Cursed Crows, damned by a Dead God. Mortals tend to reffer to Zacrid as Crows or Ravens.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Zacrid have two legs and arms that end with three sharp talons. Large eyes and a sharp powerful beak. Zacrid are born with vestigial wings that appear weak and frail, unable to carry a Zacrid for flight though they can still move the limbs.

Biological Traits

Zacrid are typically smaller than humans but larger than Dwarves, their hallow bones make them significantly lighter than both. Zacrid have the ability to mimic sounds they hear, and can spot details from a greater distance than other Mortals.

Genetics and Reproduction

Zacrid reproduce sexually, Females produce a fertilized egg within two weeks of insemination that they keep warm and safe for 9 months.

Growth Rate & Stages

Zacrid infants emerge from an egg and are dependent on their parents for nourishment and safety for a year while they develop the means to speak and walk. A year old Zacrid is roughly the equivalent of a four or five year old Human. following this the Zacrid ages similar to Humans, reaching sexual maturity around their 16th winter, and living to be as old as 80.

Ecology and Habitats

Zacrid enjoy warmer weather but often find themselves in environments that are colder.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Zacrid survive on smaller insects, vermin, and small fruit. as they grow older and larger they can eat nearly everything a Human or Dwarf can.

Biological Cycle

Zacrid molt their feathers over the course of their life as they become frayed and damaged.

Additional Information

Social Structure

Zacrid have lived as nomadic tribes for longer than anyone can remember, most Zacrid live as advisers or spies for Highgate and Vathrius, others wander as merchants or bards using their mimicry abilities to entertain the masses.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Zacrid has acute eyesight, able to spot faint details from a great distance, and a strange ability to mimic sounds they hear.

Civilization and Culture

Naming Traditions

Zacrid Shamans will inhale a strong hallucinogenic to 'interpret' the rune on the back of young Zacrid children to bestow their names. These names are private and only spoken among family members, otherwise the Zacrid go by nicknames their friends bestow upon them.

Major Organizations

Zacrid have a number of tribes who have made a name for themselves in Vathrius and Highgate serving as informants and Bards.

Beauty Ideals

Zacrid enjoy bright colors and shiny objects, often adorning their clothing in outlandish styles that catch the eye.

Courtship Ideals

Because of their avian features Zacrid tend to only be attracted to other Zacrid, though on very rare occasion Zacrid will pair with other Species.

Relationship Ideals

When a Zacrid commits their lives to another, they remove one of the White feathers from their backs to present to their partner as a sign of trust, and often times reveal their true name.

Major Language Groups and Dialects

Zacrid have a hidden language that they speak only to themselves, this language has no written form or if it does it is closely guarded.

Common Etiquette Rules

Zacrid have a difficult time seeing what is directly in front of them, so they tend to have conversations facing side to side or at least with their heads tilted in a way they can better see.

Common Customs, Traditions and Rituals

Zacrid will exchange small gifts of little value when meeting new people, often times this is simply a small token such as a smooth pebble or a feather with a string tied around its quill.

History

Zacrid were created by the Firstborn much as the Giants,Dwarves, and Elves were made that much is clear from the fragmented records of the Elves. At one point the Zacrid had the ability to fly, when they held the favor of their God Narasis. At some point the Zacrid lost the Favor of Narasis who punished them by stripping them of their Immortality and their Flight. Stories on how and why this happened vary greatly from the High Priest of Narasis attempting to steal power from his God, or the God striking them down in a fit of madness. Not all of the Zacrid lost the ability of flight however, which led to a short but bloody civil war between the two new factions which led to the extinction of the Zacrid who retained the ability of flight.This war lasted a short time, but both sides were decimated by the infighting as well as their infrastructure. most of the history the Zacrid has recorded and their cultural heritage was destroyed or lost during this time, the survivors fled as Orcs and Trolls swarmed over the post war Zacrid lands. Zacrid have since wandered the lands looking for a way to regain their lost flight, some have given up and gone so far as to have their wings removed so they no longer have to be reminded of what they've lost.

Common Myths and Legends

Zacrid have a tradition of story telling that often centers around a hero, who's name varies from storyteller to story teller, who attempted to end the curse of the Zacrid. This hero begged both Gods and Fiends, even Demons to their plight and in the end found himself lost in the Plane of Air where he could ride the currents of the clouds without his wings.

Lifespan

65 years

Average Height

1.3-1.9m

Average Weight

34-54kg

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

Zacrid have brown or black feathers, though the feathers on their back have a spiral formation of white feathers in a specific rune that even the Zacrid no longer know the meaning of.