Avian
Some see them as strange, winged abominations, while others see them less as humanoid and more as creatures. But whatever their perception, the reality is that Avians - also known as Aarakocra - are a broad race of bird-like, winged humanoids with a distinct life and culture all their own.
Basic Information
Anatomy
Avians are humanoids with birdlike characteristics. These come in many different forms, depending on the purity of Avian blood in their genetics.
- Galeguided: Pureblooded Avians, these are those most commonly referred by their traditional name as Aarakocra. They take the form of birdlike humanoids in all ways. They have pronounced beaks and birdlike faces and eyes, with plumage across their entire body. Some have wings with hands at their ends, but most feature independent hands and wings. Their hands have distinct fingers, but large claws, while their feet are broad, birdlike, and taloned. Many are seen as the superior to other forms of Avians.
- Zephyrfaired: These Avians represent the majority of the race. They are individuals with wings in place of their arms, giving them a vast wingspan for their smaller humanoid body. Most feature a talon at the end of their wings which can be used as a thumb; some do not have a talon, while others may feature full hands that are clawed. All Zephyrfaired Avians have bird-like feet with claws and talons. Their skin is mostly humanoid, but often with distinct scaling or plumage across their body. Some of these Avians also feature humanoid arms and hands with fingers and nails, but will always have this countered with wings that grow off the back of the arm, which spread out in flight.
- Windswept: These Avians appear as a mix of Zephyrfaired and Wispborn Avians. They are largely humanoid, but with distinct and unmistakable wings upon their backs, spreading to great wingspans ideal for flight. They sometimes feature birdlike feet and hands, but most frequently are seen with these human characteristics forming into clawed variants; others will have more traditional taloned hands and feet. They are direct descendants of Avariel, but are frequently not respected by the majority of Avians, seen more as humanoid than Avian.
- Wispborn: These Avians might easily be mistaken for winged humans or Aasimar. They tend to feature pronounced wings growing from their back, with a significantly reduced wingspan. These Avians result from generations of interbreeding with other humanoid races, allowing for the loss of their more animalistic qualities. They have reduced flight speed due to their reduced wingspan, and are frequently ostracized or disregarded in Avian culture, and tend to have hands and feet instead of talons and claws.
Dietary Needs and Habits
Avians are carnivorous by nature. Although vegetables and fruit can sustain an Avian, this is mostly eaten for pleasure rather than sustenance. Avians require meat for their main source of calories, and a reduction in the amount of meat an Avian is able to eat will quickly begin to weaken them.
Biological Cycle
The majority of Avians are viviparious, and reproduce with an embryo kept inside the body of their parent. Avians birth in broods, also known as clutches or litters. This means almost all Avians have multiple birth siblings. The average Avian usually gives birth to a brood of 5 quintuplets on average, but mothers who bear decaplets are not entirely uncommon.
When a female Avian becomes pregnant, they begin their "brooding" stage, and are expected to become flightless for a time with the exception of short trips, usually in and around the immediate colony where they live. The rest of the time, they are lavished with care and attention in their nest. Despite this care and attention, most female Avians become deeply frustrated during this period, as they are effectively bedridden; even those that wish to play a more active role are constrained by the new weight they carry, and the great degree of difficulty movement causes, especially in the later stages of pregnancy.
Because of these multiple births, Avian pregnancy is very disruptive and painful compared to most other races, and is generally seen as unpleasant and dangerous. Maternal and infant mortality is also extremely high at the time of birth, which explains why so much pampering is given to brooding mothers. Gestation typically occurs within 5-6 months.
Many children are born underdeveloped, making the immediate time after birth absolutely critical for care. Traditionally, mothers are brought back to health and cared for so they do not lose their life during or after birth, and then attention is paid to the children. In larger colonies, a mother's birth is usually a community project, and the community will care for the children while the mother recovers. This is especially important if the mother dies, as all the children will be orphaned from their primary caregiver.
Galeguided Avians' unique biology allows them to choose whether to birth via viviparity, or via oviparity, by laying eggs. Egg-laying takes several days for a female, and is a very painful process, similar to that of a traumatic bowel movement or passing a kidney stone. When the process is complete, however, an egg is produced which can be hatched similar to that of other avian creatures. This is often seen as the ideal form of birth in Avian society. Frequently, to-be mothers will sync up their egg-laying so that they can communally share their nesting, brooding, and children.
Avian egg-births can result in any form of Avian being born from the process. The egg-birthing process encourages the growth of Galeguided Avians, but it also factors in the genetic purity of the mother and father. Usually a brood will have a mixture of all types of Avians, but with a higher preponderance of Galeguided Avians.
Additional Information
Social Structure
Avian social structure is highly stratified and normally tribalistic. Smaller colonies feature a male dominated clan leader surrounded by their Clan Circle; for larger colonies, they will feature a group of men from various noble families. Most clan leaders are Galeguided Avians, and are usually strict and conservative. Each of any amount of clan leaders is bolstered by the noble families within their clan. Which families are chosen as nobility are dictated by a variety of factors, such as: racial purity, usefulness to the clan, political infighting, and heroic deeds performed.
Clan leaders rule with executive authority for the entire clan, while Clan Circles act on smaller affairs either under the guidance of their leader or of their own accord. This makes clans very versatile, but also prone to conflicts of interest with the clan leader's goals through the fractured nature of the politics. Infighting and jockeying for position is frequent.
Outside of politics, families hold large amounts of power. Noble families reside above common families, and commoners are expected to respect their noble peers. Within families, all families have a matriarch and patriarch, and all of the related and extended family. Families are deeply communal, and will typically live in multigenerational dwellings for their entire lives.
Orphan broods usually occupy the lowest strata of society. If an orphan is not claimed by a family, they are an thralls of the clan, and can be used as dictated by the Clan Circle, regardless of their desires. They are effectively a chattel slaves. Orphaned individuals are often seen as indentured servants for clans, in order to avoid less more compromising positions. Others are raised exclusively as soldiers for the Clan. Many Orphans are neutered, unless they are Galeguided, to prevent interference and sexual relations (also referred to as "pollution") between citizens of the clan and orphans.
Civilization and Culture
Gender Ideals
Men are deeply revered in Avian society. They are seen as heads of state and heads of house, and all decisions are with their guidance and authority. Aggression and quick-wittedness are prized among men, and encouraged in young boys. Young boys are also given the best education, and also generally more prominent roles in society. For non aggressive or military based roles, men have very few options. Academics, druids, and artists are the most frequent progressions. Domestic work is strictly forbidden for men beyond simple chores and young boys, as it is seen as too effeminate.
Women are revered in a different way. They are seen as delicate and emotional, if also a bit rash and stupid. Although many women reject these notions in their youth, they are encouraged to conform to clan ideals. For this, they are lavished with praise from men in the community. Women are allowed domestic roles, and need not labor unless the clan requests it. Pregnant women in particularly are lavished with praise, gifts, and favors as they work toward childbirth.
For those of a third-gender, androgyny is encouraged. Androgynous individuals are usually treated as men, and raised with the same ideals. Third-gender individuals are encouraged to not choose a gender identity, and are essentially forced into a masculine role against their will, even those who are physiologically female.
Soldiers are unique in their acceptance in Avian society. All soldiers are accepted as genderless; if one wishes to fight and battle for the clan, then their gender is irrelevant until their retirement. Sexual activity by and among soldiers is strictly forbidden, and those seen as disobeying are chosen for neutering, regardless of sexuality. This makes soldiering a promising career for women who do not favor domestic work.
Courtship Ideals
Courting is not an individual choice, and is rather one made by the mother and father of an individual. Arranged marriages are exceptionally common, and subsequently, elopement is also very common. Those who elope are usually ostracized from the family and clan for their disobedience. For those who do not elope, but choose a partner outside of their parent's wishes, they must negotiate with their clan leader and clan circle for permission.
Interspecies Relations and Assumptions
Avians romantic interactions between other races are strictly impermissible. Those who form romantic relations with non-Avians are usually ostracized and exiled from their clans. These Avians are most commonly seen living among other cultures rather than their own, and similarly, these romantic exiles are often some of the loudest opponents of Avian culture.
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