Afavi

Basic Information

Anatomy

The Afavi are an avian species with long beaks and semi-waterproof feathers covering most of their body. Their arms double as primitive wings which can be used to glide for long periods, or fly for short periods. They have four fingers on their hands and four toes on their feet.

Genetics and Reproduction

Afavi reproduce sexually, requiring a male and a female to produce viable offspring. After fertilization, an egg develops inside the body of the female for a standard month, and develops after being laid for another six standard months. Traditionally, the father keeps the egg incubated by carrying or sitting on it, but in modern times an artificial incubator is often used, allowing both parents a bit more freedom.

Growth Rate & Stages

Afavi infants (hatchlings) are able to walk a few hours after they are born. However, it is not until they reach puberty and their flight feathers grow in that they can learn to fly. This happens when the Afavi is approximately 16 Standard Years of age. Once an Afavi learns to fly (a step determined by taking the yearly Ornisiason) and finishes their education, they are considered an independent adult, able to vote and own property.

Dietary Needs and Habits

The Afavi are an omnivorous species, able to absorb nutrients from both meat and plants. Since Afavi mostly live near the coast, they mostly eat fish and aquatic plants, as well as a few terrestrial nuts and animals. They also have the curious ability to hydrate themselves using seawater by using an organ called the notron, which filters out most of the salt.

Additional Information

Geographic Origin and Distribution

Afavi originate from the planet Heli, which orbits the F type star Apohel. They tend to prefer living in warmer climates, especially by the seaside. At temperatures below 32 degrees (Fahrenheit), they start experiencing symptoms of hypothermia without proper clothing.

Civilization and Culture

Naming Traditions

Names ending in “o”, “i”, or “s” are usually male, while names ending in “e” or “r” are usually female. Names ending in “a” are gender neutral.
Male Names: Ado, Aeriwi, Etrali, Hretres, Jinelin, Tan, Ynhti
Female Names: Aerie, Bemyr, Deme, Erae, Hlie, Jole, Tnhte
Unisex Names: Netmra, Tyba

Last Names: Aetenlab, Daer, Dagon, Datro, Isielab, Lato, Sorate, Tlalab

Common Dress Code

Due to their warm native climate as well as their wings, sleeves are almost never seen on Afavi clothing, save for protective clothing such as hazmat suits. Even then, the sleeves are not very tight, usually flaring out before tightening about the wrists. Afavi also do not usually wear pants outside of chilly temperatures or protection, instead preferring tunics, skirts, and dresses.

Culture and Cultural Heritage

For the Afavi, the most important skill tends to be that of oration. Speeches about politics and philosophy are considered the most "pure", but even comedy and theater, considered "lower" forms of oration, attract huge audiences (comparable to crowds at football games for humans).

Interspecies Relations and Assumptions

Afavi have mostly neutral to positive relationships with the rest of the galaxy, with one notable exception. Tensions between Scyll  and Afavi are better than they used to be, but still mostly on the negetive side.
The main reason cited for this is that the Afavi-run Leheli Empire waged a long siege against the Scyll and their home planet, known to most as The Nimbus Siege or The Six Years of Fire. The siege caused much lasting damage to the planet and the home mountains of the Scyll, much of which is still being repaired.
Because of the damage, there are still some Scyll even in the present day who view all Afavi as xenophobic, short-tempered war mongers, while some Afavi view Scyll as unnatural and vain beings, derisively calling them "mrabexa".

A young adult Afavi

Scientific Name

Avianos afavi

Lifespan

105 Standard Years

Average Height

5'10"(Male) 6'2"(Female)

Average Weight

30 lbs. (Male) 35 lbs. (Female)

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

Skin Colors:

Ruddy blue

Dark blue

Black

Feather Colors: Females are usually one solid color, whereas males are white with colored wingtips

• Brown
• Grey
• Blue-black
• Red (rare)

Eye Colors:

• Brown
• Black
• Gold
• Grey (rare)