Icari

Bird People (Beeple)

The Icari, often called Bird-Folk by others, are a race of nomadic hunters and gatherers that primarily live on the island nation of Baruq. They have a delicate appearance, with slender limbs and feathers for hair and pointed, fey-like ears. However, mistaking an Icarin opponent for an easy target is a mistake; what the Icari don't have in raw strength they make up for with speed and sharpened senses. The Icari tribes are close-knit and extremely wary of outsiders, preferring to stay in their homeland and live a peaceful life among their own. However, some Icari do leave Baruq-- loners who have been exiled from their tribe, Icari mage-scholars seeking wisdom of the world, and even some tribes that have split off from their homeland to travel other places, especially Samaran. The few who live in Teios have more limited opportunities, as they are seen by Teians as weak and uneducated, and the majority of Teian Icari either end up joining a Paladin order where all are welcome or turning to prostitution, where they are seen as exotic.

Naming Traditions

Feminine names

Silpha, Paoma, Sonquin, Kaina

Masculine names

Silphin, Amm, Karuq, Jaraal

Family names

Barawi, Shouga, Hoqua, Bhati

Culture

Shared customary codes and values

The Icari of their home island, Baruq, practice a shared religion called Bajma. Bajma emphasizes detachment and rising above earthly pain. To do this, Bajma says that you must 1) fulfill your obligations towards family, friends, and tribal leaders 2) Shun material possessions and separate yourself from unhealthy attachments. What the meaning of “unhealthy attachments” is can mean different things to different people. Some few take the second rule very seriously and become monks, living in monasteries or in the wilderness and denying themselves both of familial and personal attachments and material goods.

Ideals

Gender Ideals

The Icari are a very strict, traditional society that often expects each person to conform to their role in life. Women are expected to manage the homestead and raise children, while men are expected to hunt or tend the flock. Marriages are expected to be both monogamous and child-bearing.

Courtship Ideals

Icari are married through their parents or a matchmaker for the benefit of both their families. They tend to meet only once or twice before marriage.

Relationship Ideals

Icari are expected to remain with the partner they are married to and to be a dutiful husband or wife. There are mechanisms for divorce, but it must be overseen by their elders to determine which parties get what property and if one partner should be exiled, in cases of abuse or other extreme circumstances.

Related Organizations

• Teios