*Soaring high above the mountain peaks, a flock of Avians dive gracefully through the air. In the blink of an eye they snap in a different direction; they have found their prey. Unbeknownst to it, a mountain goat is about to breathe its last breath. With deadly precision, the group of hunters shoot down their quarry and snatch the cadaver up before its body rolls of the mountain side. With the flap of their wings they are gone again, moving towards a new target.* Avians are a humanoid species originating from the western continent of Duagar. They live in large flocks of ever-growing families gliding through the cliffs and valleys, always moving from place to place. They make temporary houses from crude wicker and stone. Avians are a communal people who enjoy the company of their extended families. However, they strive to be as self-sufficient as possible and not let their weaknesses slow the flock down. #### Supple and Varied The body of an average avian is quite slender and small. Their feathers are thinly packed as to not drag on the wind. Avians come in a plethora of colors and patterns. The most common colors range between gray and a copper brown. The feathers often have black tips or are dotted with darker spots. Some avians have a colorful wreath of more fluffy feathers around their necks. The northern variants of the avians on Duagar have incredible colors ranging from vibrant reds and greens to subdued blues and purples. Their patterns are often more varied and sporadic. The plumage of the southern birds are more of a white mixed with ice blues and granite grays to better blend into the frozen environment. #### Born Acrobats Avians have lived within the rocky crags and steep cliffs of mountain ranges for as long as time can remember. Their bodies have slowly adapted to the rugged environment by becoming more compact and agile. They can dodge sudden outcrops and nimbly squeeze through stone cracks. This swift movement also helps them in their hunt against the other mountainous fauna. Most avians long to be free in the wind and dislike long stays on land, often moving around in a nomadic style. Over time the avians have made a true art of their flight, decorating their trips with twirls, flourishes, and dead drops. These beautiful displays are used as pass time, duels, and as a courting ritual between love interests. #### A Family Focus The concept of the flock is very important to the avians. When a new avian is hatched, the whole flock comes by the nest to visit and pay respect to the parents. The flock consist of the full extended family of an elder bloodline, also known as the Root. Usually the male leaves the flock when they pair up to join the flock of their partner. However, this is an old tradition which more modern avians put less stock into. Instead the couple chooses which flock to join. In the case that two direct descendants of the root bloodline pair up, the two flocks will merge into a new one. Most avians have multiple children and put a lot of emphasis on parental duties. Caring for your children and educating the children of the flock often has presidence over an avians other tasks and jobs. #### Celestial Punishment It is said that long ago the avians were far larger creatures, much akin to the legendary _Rocs_. The beat of their wings could summon hurricanes and their shadow could block out the sun when flying by. As children of the wind, many powerful flocks of avians honored the call to battle when _Vespen_ joined in the God Slaying. Even after The Windstorm changed sides to help the celestial forces, many avians resented the decision and fought on in the Thunder Leagues of _Lighthammer_. After the God Slaying, the avian population was punished. Their immense size was cut and their direct connection to The Windstorm was severed. #### Avian Names An avian is granted two names at birth. One is their root name, which is chosen by one of the flocks elders. This name holds the family lineage of the flock. Their second name is their given name, which is chosen by the parents at birth. This is done by one of the parents holding the hatchling whilst flying up as high as they can. They then drop down into a dead drop looking downwards to the earth below. The hatchling is named after the first thing that catches the parent’s eye. _**Male Names.**_ *Asckall, Buvit, Brari, Cecal, Duvit, Grascl, Kekit, Macri, Oriv, Quatat, Scerall, Uruu, Zuscall* _**Female Names.**_ *Alikan, Aaki, Bacan, Cikiri, Duali, Ilkri, Jarlin, Liskar, Mori, Nisckan, Riscki, Soran, Uscri* #### Avian Traits Your avian character has a collection of abilities, passed on through the flocks generations. _**Ability Score Increase.**_ Your Dexterity score increases by 2. _**Age.**_ Avians reach maturity around the age of 10, although it is expected from them to be self-sufficient from the age of 6. Avians can live to around 60 years old. _**Alignment.**_ Avians have a strong connection to the wind and rock of their homeland. As such they often tend more towards the chaotic side. Though Avians are usually kind and social, there is a lingering resentment against the celestial powers originating from their role in the God Slaying. This can sometimes pull them more towards an evil alignment. _**Size.**_ Avians are around 5 feet tall. They have smaller, lightweight bodies that weight between 80 and 100 pounds. Your size is Medium. _**Speed.**_ Your base walking speed is 25 feet. _**Flight.**_ You have a flying speed of 40 feet. To use this speed, you can’t be wearing medium or heavy armor. _**Talons.**_ You are proficient with your unarmed strikes, which deal 1d4 slashing damage on a hit. _**Languages.**_ You can speak, read, and write Common and Avian. _**Subrace.**_ Though there are a multitude of Avian flocks with different cultures, most Avians can be divided in roughly two types of subraces: Soaring and Hunter Avians. ###### Soaring Avian As a soaring avian, you’re fast and nimble. Trained to act as scouts, sentries, and surveyors, you can fly for larger distances than most. Your raptor eyes can easily focus on even the tiniest movement within sight. You’re more likely to be on the slender side, even for other avians. _**Ability Score Increase.**_ Your Wisdom score increases by 1. _**Aerial Ace.**_ Your flying speed is 50 feet instead of 40 feet. _**Keen Senses.**_ You have proficiency in the Perception skill. ###### Hunter Avian As a hunter avian, you have been raised in the ways of aerial combat. You know your way around military gear and are a polished marksman. Hunter avians are usually slightly taller than the average avians. _**Ability Score Increase.**_ Your Strength score increases by 1. _**Aerial Soldier.**_ You can wear medium armor and still use your flying speed. _**Avian Weapon Training.**_ You have proficiency with Simple and Martial Ranged Weapons.