A lovely, enchanting voice that promises the riches of your heart is almost always the work of an Avius. With feathered wings for arms and feathers sprouting from their heads, some of these bird-like creatures possess a rare vocal magic. Their siren songs can lure even the hardest hearts, and as such, one must be wary when wandering their woods. They are all graceful fliers, though they’re not to be underestimated. They are vicious hunters whose taloned feet are lethally sharp.

Bird-Like Wings

Rows of large feathers make up Avius wings. They can come in a variety of colors and patterns, though males are typically more colorful than females.

Creature Archetypes

Avius are elegant and lethal, with personalities of greater variety. While some flocks focus on a Spartan form of strength, others seem to find joy in a Greek sort of philosophy and art. Though their interests differ, one thing remains the same–they are capable of vicious killings, and have no fear of using their songs for its intended purpose.

Archetypes that fit Avius characters well are:

• Patron- Typically a lover of the arts, a patron is a person who sees themselves as a generous beneficiary. They have a love for some hobby or pastime, but rarely participate. They’re gracious hosts, wonderful in social situations, and quite knowledgeable. 

• Socialite- Eager to be the center of attention, socialites know every name and every scandal. They hate feeling left out, and are the ultimate sources of gossip. They’re flattering but rarely sincere, and always try to be in the know.

• Commander- A powerful and authoritative presence, commanders seem to radiate control. They are confident, level headed, and world-weary. They’ve earned their battle scars and the respect that gives them a natural authority over others.

• Loyalist- Unwavering from their leaders, loyalists will give their lives to their cause, family, or organization. They’re dangerous in their fearless devotion, and stand with full conviction of heart. Their love for who or what they believe is unmatched.

• Trickster- Bent on causing mayhem and down for a laugh, tricksters enjoy causing the misfortune of others and reveling in the expenses of the less fortunate. Tricksters tend to be very self-interested. 

• Follower- Ready to follow whoever most appeals to their preferred traits, followers seek out powerful individuals, but are loyal only until someone better arrives. They may not agree with everything their leader believes.

• Friend- Personable if a bit plain, the friend is a character you want to know. They’re kind, gentle, and connect well with many different types of people. They think of others before themselves, and know how to bring a smile to almost any face.

• Guardian- Willing to stand up for the little guy, guardians focus on the greater good. They’re willing to sacrifice themselves to save others, and spend their lives focusing on justice for those they have promised to protect.

Anatomy and Lifestyle

Physiology

An Avius’ most prominent attribute is its feathered wings in place of arms. These dorsal appendages serve as a means of flight for the Avius, and allows them to hunt for prey, escape danger, and travel great distances. The feathers of Avius wings are long and shaped for passive soaring. The wing joints are shaped similarly to a human arm, and can be moved and angled to show emotion.

Avius feet possess talons, which are used to hunt and capture prey, as well as in combat. Unlike bird talons, however, Avius talons are shorter and also suited for walking. They maintain the basic shape of a human foot, with four talons in a Zygodactyly arrangement. These talon “toes” can spread when in use, to allow for better gripping of prey or enemies. Avius often wrap their feet when in paved locations, both for comfort, and as a sign that they will keep their talons close for the safety of others.

Avius head feathers fall into three different presentations. On females of the species, feathers are found branching off of the face and along the sides of the head. There are also some feathers interspersed throughout the hair of their heads. In males, the same facial feathers are seen, but with the addition of a crest of semiplume feathers along the tops of their heads. These serve as both a symbol of status and attractiveness within Avius culture. Avius who do not conform to either male or female genders typically have smaller, thicker crests on their heads, along with the usual facial feathers.

• Males- Feathered crests atop their heads. Feathers on the sides of their faces and scattered through their hair.

• Females- Feathers on the sides of their faces and scattered through their hair.

• Other Genders- Smaller, thicker feathered crests atop their heads. Feathers on the sides of their faces and scattered through their hair.

Diet

Avius are omnivores, and their diet consists of a variety of fruits, seeds, and meats. They’re largely a hunter-gatherer–and sometimes scavenger–society, so farming and raising livestock is uncommon. Those that live in closer proximity to towns and cities may trade their feathers and gathered goods like animal bones and fine stones for food. Their physiology affords them little use with tools, so they rely on what they can grab with their talons and mouths.

Specialized Traits

The most prominent feature of an Avius is their stunning voice. Used to charm and disorient prey, this voice appeals to a primal part of the psyche of all hearing animals. It can summon feelings of your deepest desires, and has been considered intoxicating if endured for long periods of time. When their song is sung, your end may well be near.

Birth And Young

Avius young hatch from eggs, which are laid only when fertilized by two Avius parents. The eggs contain a calorie-dense yoke, denser than in average birds, allowing for the egg to be lighter and smaller given the calories needed to grow a baby. Avius eggs are long ovals, with a circumference of approximately 14 inches and a length of between 16-18 inches. This puts Avius young at a slightly smaller size than human young when hatched.

When an Avius hatches, it does so by stretching and extending out its talons to crack and break its shell. Newly hatched Avius talons are needle-sharp and excellent at puncturing, so care must be taken when handling them. These talons dull over time. Once the shell is punctured and drained, the baby may require assistance in moving out of the eggshell. When hatched, Avius babies are similar in many respects to human babies, with the notable difference of diet. They are capable of digesting masticated food, which is supplied by the parent. 

Avius young tend to grow more quickly than human children, requiring a considerable amount of food for the first six years. The typical “teenage years” of an Avius fall in the 8-14 year window, and an Avius reaches full adult maturity at 16 years. 

Avius feather coloring follows traditional genetics, and are inherited from either or both parents. With the large array of feather color combinations, though, it suggests that there are multiple colors that can be passed on genetically per parent. A blue parent and a red parent could produce a blue child, a red child, a blue and red child, a purple child, a purple and blue child, a purple and red child, or even other colors that came from further up the family line recessively. 

Age

Avius grow faster than a standard human. Infancy and childhood is from hatching to age 8, teenage years range from 8 to 14, and full adult maturity is reached at 16 years. This quickened lifespan also translates to living a slightly shorter life than a standard human. Avius middle age is roughly 30 years, and they’d be considered elderly in the range of 50-60 years. 70 years old for an Avius would be equivalent to 100 years old in a standard human. 

Avius Lore & Magic

Born of the Wind

Long ago, longer than written records would remember, a Fae race was formed when the Primal Wind whistled and sang through the newly formed Whispering Fells. The dangerous, craggy mountain range, where the winds swelled through canyons and howled through peaks wildly, allowed them to soar high and lurk low. The Fae Avius were known to sing their praises through the mountains, a song so powerful with magic that it could control all who heard it. Little else is known of their origin, other than the myths of their magical flight capabilities.

The Fae of the Fells

The Avius Fae lived a partially-nomadic lifestyle, travelling throughout the year between several different towns built into the cliff-sides. 

Three siblings of the same nest volleyed for power and split the Flock of the Wind–the name the Avius gave themselves–into three distinct Flocks. Time brought these enemy Flocks together again, in a way. One ruling Flock, the largest, and two subordinate flocks in the northern and southern ranges of the Whispering Fells. 

The First Flock is today led by the Kingbird of the Fells, a title given as a representation of leadership, whether the leader is male or female. The subordinate Flocks are led by a Princeps of the Fells. These names are translations into common, as the Flock of the Fells speak in a bird-tongue. 

The Flocks of the Fells themselves are largely cut off from the outside world, and are known to be deadly-dangerous. Should you choose to pass through the twisted peaks, take care to walk quickly under cover of night and shield your ears. Few ever survive long enough in the Whispering Fells to tell their tale. 

The Avius of Greater Miscuri

The Avius beyond the Fells are as varied as humans and elves. The Avius who have traveled outside of the Fells have brighter colors than their brown-and-grey ancestors. Evolution and selected traits began to result in brighter birds. The colors of their feathers seem limited only by the colors of the imagination. In the time that they spread, however, they seemed to lose the magical abilities of their siren song. Only the Avius of the Fells can control with their voices.

Avius have not integrated as much as Elves, and can mostly be found in Alf Aurindor, Aaviksavain, southern Lorengard, and the southern tip of the continent. It is rare to see Avius farther north. Most people living in Draile, Mykeria, and Frostcrown will not have seen one in person.

Avius Culture

Whispering Fells

A mountain range in the south-western of the known world is the original home of the Avius. Now, it is home only to the three Flocks of the Wind. Though other Avius do speak of their Kingbird with some reverence–or perhaps, fear–it is only the Flocks in the Whispering Fells that serve under their authority. 

Many Avius from outside the Whispering Fells avoid the place just as any other traveler might. Birds of prey have no fear of taking down other birds for their lunch, and a foreign Avius is not safe from or immune to the siren song.

Artistic Pursuits

Music and dance seems natural to an Avius, despite their unusual physiology. Perhaps a remnant of their siren-singing past, Avius are drawn to bardic lives, often singing and dancing for entertainment. With the ability to fly and travel great distances, the life of a wandering bard can be appealing for those who enjoy a bit of adventure and exploration.

Societal Roles

Due to a lack of hands (and thumbs), it is difficult for an Avius to pursue typical work such as farming. They have some skill in tending animals, and can help in some textile creations, though not all. In most towns, an Avius is reliant on their neighbors for food and shelter. 

Choosing to live in close-knit communities, Avius serve in other ways, flying and defending animals and crops, delivering packages and letters, and performing as artists and storytellers. The race is omnivorous, and hardy against most weather depending on the climate they were raised in. 

Relationships

Avius in the Whispering Fells follow a leader-subordinate hierarchy, where the Kingbird acts as a leader of the Flock in all matters, including spiritual. Outside of the Fells, Avius tend to form small family Flocks of their own by nature, though a lone bird is not unheard of. 

Avius typically form close bonds with friends of any race, but are more likely to form familial relationships with other Avius. There are no known Avius hybrids, which suggests that they cannot produce children with outside species. While an interracial relationship would be possible, it would not produce children. 

Language

Avius outside of the Fells speak common, though some may have been taught a few words or phrases in the bird-tongue of the Fells. Those who still live in a Flock of the Fells speak only in an Avius bird tongue, and translations don’t seem to exist for the squawks and screeches. 

Naming Conventions

While most Avius first names have a more airy quality to them, often relating to the sky, wind, flight, and other elements of a bird, they’re not restricted to them. Avius do not take surnames, instead referring to themselves by their current flock association as their family. Lineage matters less to them than flocks and flock culture.