Khalruka

The Khalruka of Kryllos

Khalruka - a sentient avian species with a human torso, beaked bird-of-prey head, feather hair, thin tapered wings attached to their arms, and taloned feet.  They are called Khalruka, which means 'Wind-singer' in their language. Humans call them "The Flock", which is the nickname most people in the world call them.

They are said to have originated from a once-human tribe, transformed by Corvus into Khalruka.

There are two dominant races within the species: 

• Falkarae - assume their origin was a blessing to adapt to life in high mountains and sky-isles.  They are generally good - decent and moral.   However, the Falkarae are as complex as humans.  While some have high-minded ideals and pursue education and philosophy, others commit crimes, steal, and deceive. 
• Corvethae - assume their origin was a punishment.  They are more often evil-aligned. They are commonly barbaric and lawless, attacking others and one another with little provocation.  The Corvethae value strength above all else, so their lives are often a ruthless struggle for dominance. 

The Khalruka are famous for rescuing sailors who tumble from airships during maritime battles, plucking them from freefall (much like dolphins aiding drowning mariners.) The fate of those rescued varies greatly depending on the race that finds them. The Falkarae often deposit their charges safely on nearby sky-isles, offering temporary sanctuary (or marooning) the fallen. In contrast, the Corvethae see such rescues as an opportunity to feast, and do so with little hesitation.

Habitat
Khalruka are typically found in mountainous areas or among the tallest trees of woodlands (Sentinel Tree) along the coastlines of the Expanse / Veil, giving them access to wide open sky and its updrafts and wind currents. This allows them to hunt other birds for sustenance while avoiding predation by Griffons. They live in nearly all climates, preferring tropical to temperate while avoiding colder climes (which require more clothing. Khalruka prefer to travel lightly with limited garb restricting their movement.)

They build cylindrical nest-like homes, typically two to three stories tall, with entry from above. The lowest area of these nests are for preening and sleeping, with the upper spaces for feeding and storage. Ceilings are typically lower, given the Khalruka range in height from four to six feet.

The nests are composed of timber, moss, grass, plant stalks, lichens, and/or sod. The exterior of their nests are often covered in evergreen branches acting as camouflage, which also signals to others the nest is occupied. They defend their nests against Hivedrax, who infiltrate to steal their eggs, and predation by Griffons. They do not build settlements with other species, and only live in communities of their own design unless traveling.

General Description
Khalruka are fond of (and known for) producing lightweight but durable weapons, commonly glaives, from Windreed - a flexible yet sturdy plant that grows on high altitude, sheer cliff faces, which is hardened through a special treatment and curing process. These weapons, which they refer to as Kenkul, are individualized to their owner.

They are humanoid, below average human height at between four to six feet tall, slender built and thin-boned, making them quick and agile in the air. They are typically neat, with bird of prey heads and raptor beaks, large eyes ranging in hue from deep brown to black, and feathers that are slate-blue or bluish-black, with lighter anterior plumage (becoming their underside in flight, blending in with the clouds.) Their chest may have streaks of color or spotting, denoting their maturity, and their wingtips may have brighter colors which fade as they age. A crest of feathers on their head may rise or flatten, conveying mood - rising when alert or agitated or lowering when relaxed or submissive. They rarely blink, favoring long, steady stares. They frequently swivel their heads or turn them at sharp angles for a complete field of vision. Subtle wing shifts or flicks accompany hand gestures, emphasizing points or showing impatience. They have human-like bony hands with elongated fingers and four-toed taloned feet. Their toes are longer, designed to penetrate and grasp.

They wear limited apparel, preferring lighter weight, flexible, and breathable attire that doesn't restrict their movement or slow them down. Clothing is functional and plain, and they do not wear shoes, sandals, or other footwear.

Khalruka have hyperacute vision, able to see three to four times as far as humans with a wider field of view leading to phrases such as "eyes like a Falkarae" in the common vernacular. Eye colors range from dark browns to amber. They inherently sense shifts in the wind and barometric pressure or temperature changes, but have a lower pain tolerance/threshold than humans. They have a poorly developed sense of smell, relying more on eyesight and hearing.

Their vocalizations are sharp and succinct, often resembling bird-like trills, clicks, or whistles when not speaking in a common language. Their tone may range from commanding and harsh during serious discussions to quick and excited when sharing crucial information.

Khalruka Social classes

• Vethrain - the highest order, made up of hunters and warriors, who have the right to carry Kenkul (glaive-like, personalized weapons)

• Myrvalis - priests, mediums, exorcists, and diviners who speak with ancestors

• Draikenar - commoners, those who build and fashion. Vethrain have the legal right to kill rude Draikenar

• Noltharics - nobodies and non-persons, outcasts or exiles, slaves, and those whose jobs involve contact with the dead or injured, entertainers

The instinctive reaction of an embarrassed Khalruka is to kill the person who shamed them or kill themselves in shame. Anything that offends or shows the Khalruka to be less than perfect could provoke violence, including speaking without the proper deference. They are said to have hot tempers which can only be cooled by blood.

Syrpuku (honorable suicide) - a way to apologize for failure, considered neither shameful nor frightening; when the offender goes to his ancestors, his willingness to end his own life atones in full for any crimes or embarrassments he may have committed. Syrpuku is an accepted solution to an unendurable problem, and spares the family from legal punishment

They refer to themselves as "Free Folk" though many among them find the term reductive and laden with condescension when used by outsiders.