Free Wings

Free Wings is a district of Lokmare, on the very northwest edge of the city, bordering Coast Edge Forest. It is home to the largest avrath ghetto in Alterra, though many avraths live elsewhere in Lokmare and beyond, and the district has had non-avrath residents for decades now. It was originally founded as a small village settlement on the edge of the forest, before Lokmere spread as far west. The name Free Wings was chosen by the avrath community, in recognition that--at the time, before it was outlawed--they could fly freely over the forest without being spotted by the native humans. Since restrictions were placed on displays of magical and non-human abilities, it's become normal for avraths to grow up without ever flying at all. While Free Wings remains the largest community of avraths in Lokmare, the name now rings hollow in a world where they're not allowed to fly.

Demographics

Free Wings is still dominated by avraths, with them--or avrath hybrids--making up at least 60% of the population. The remaining 40% are mostly human, including spouses of avraths, hybrids, and humans with similar magical conditions who feel an affinity with the species, and around 15% are vargon or henuu.

Architecture

As traditionally avrath lived in trees, the original buildings in Free Wings were treehouses with balconies for taking off and landing and no access from the ground. When flying became forbidden, however, they were forced to adapt. The oldest buildings that survive today were built around strong solid trees, with several storeys, on stilts with ground access--normally steps, but public buildings now have lifts.