Avian

History

One of the most elusive of the races, the avian people existed for the longest
time without gaining the notice of most denizens of the realms. Loosely cut
clothing combined with their ability to fold their wings behind their backs
enabled them to remain secretive and hidden about their actual features for
quite some time. Upon discovery, the avian people initially fled back to the
Airia, their origin high atop Mount Khorand. However, given time, brave
explorers sought them out and asked them to return to the world, seeking to
utilize their unique abilities.

From that point onward, many of the avian people left the Airia and sought out
greater opportunities in the world at large. As a direct result, their hometown
fell into significant disrepair and, embarrassed by the appearance of their
land, the avians sealed themselves off from the world of men for a time.

It was several centuries later that the Airia was reopened to the general
populace of Aabahran, with the renewed pride of its winged inhabitants giving
it a great luster and leading to the success of many businesses (most notably,
the Combined Defense Company).

Many avians still walk (or fly) throughout the realms, but as a people they
have vowed to never let their homeland or their race fall into such shambles
again.

Usual Height

Approximately the same as humans; about 5 - 7 feet

Hometown

The Airia

Religion

Avians, like their wing-lacking counterparts, humans, are an exceedingly
diverse species. As a result, they are not particularly concentrated in one
field of expertise or religion. Avians are notable for practicing many
different beliefs as a people; the one exception being their fondness for
those who believe strongly in nature, as they are very much in tune with the
atmosphere.

Physical Features

With wings folded, some avians appear to simply be regular humans, with a
slight hump on their back. However, with their wings outstretched, they have

often been mistaken for angels, or in some cases, demonic beings. Avians
are typically very lithe and graceful, as their bodies must be conducive to
flying. Very few, if any avians have ever been known to have any sort of
paunch. Because of their dependence on the wind for propulsion, they have
become sensitive to disturbances in wind speed and pressure. Avians often
have sharper features - especially their noses are often hawk-like - than
the average human. Some grow soft feathers instead of hair, in rare cases
these feathers even cover them completely, which has been argued to be an
evolutionary back development by some scholars. If this really is the case
remains arguable. Otherwise, they are very much like the other humanoids
races of Aabahran.

Society

Avians, on the whole, have a very strong link to each other. Most especially
after the downfall of the Airia, and the subsequent rebuilding, they have
been known to have a very strong connection to their fellow people. It is not
very often that an avian will act maliciously toward others of their kin.

As far as governance, the Airia has no true ruling body, and since the avian
people are so spread out across Aabahran, they often simply find themselves
governed by the leadership of their new homes - typically the major cities of
the realm.

Relationships with Other Races

In addition to a great fondness for each other, avians are also especially fond
of anyone else who shares their affinity for the air; namely faeries and other
sprites. They also have a great love for the human people, who have shown
tolerance to their kind for many centuries, and were the ones who drew them
back out into the world - in addition, of course, to being the most similar
physically. Otherwise, avians on the whole have no particularly notable
relations with other races, and merely get along on a personal level.