Avians

Avians are generally lithe, though by no means frail. They have beaks in place of mouths and are covered head to toe with varying kinds of feathers. They also have tail feathers to aid them in flying. Up to this point, they are basically bird-people. But unlike some representations of bird-people, their arms double as wings much like bat wings. Because of this all Avians have 4 fingers, including their thumbs. Though if you count their “wing fingers” they have 6 fingers. 'As an avian, trying to use your hands while flying is basically really, really hard to do, not to mention you’re flapping your wings at the same time which shakes whatever you’re holding up and down. The most one could do is hold onto a small object tightly while flying.

Though that doesn’t mean there aren’t weapons one can use while flying, among the various avian cultures of the world there are weapons that are worn on the talons and sometimes experimental weapons that are worn on the wings (that have never really caught on). The weapons that go on the talons either have blades or a nasty set of spikes and/or barbs. Most of them require the user to walk a funny way on the ground to avoid ruining the weapons or the floor they’re standing on.

In Lu’Arla, there are hints here and there Avians used to be a proud warrior culture, though most of those hints lie in the territory of the Krynn nation... suggesting that all the proud warrior Avians got wiped out or displaced to what land they still hold and that most traces of their old culture has been destroyed where possible.

The older Avians are only respectful because they’re the only ones still alive of their generation, sadly. The younger generations of Avians seem to have no interest in being respectful, or even nice, only interested in fame, fortune, and good times. In fact the general attitude of the Avian population is “screw you, I’m being awesome and I can fly!” The only way to gain an Avian’s respect nowadays seems to prove yourself a bonafide badass, beating them in combat, or saving their life. The elders weep for this generation.

Additional Information
Most Avian-run civilization is found in the wilderness - usually forested or mountainous areas - and far from the cities of other races. Life in Avian towns has become strongly focused on surviving, keeping away from outsiders, and trying to stay strong. Younger Avians who have grown fed up with the simplistic hunter/gatherer lifestyle that's common among the villages and towns end up searching for opportunities in various territories. These individuals (and sometimes small groups) are usually hired by those in need of their specific skills, but they'll do almost anything if it pays well enough. Whatever they end up doing, Avians are strongly motivated by food, coin, and other items they want - usually in that order.

The average Avian is an omnivore, but tends strongly towards meat and fish, only eating plant matter when they must or there's no other alternative. How they prefer their food varies between individuals, but it's not uncommon to see the more 'uncivilized' groups keep their choices simple and fresh, while those who spend more time around other races will adjust to what's avaliable. Some give up on it, but most Avians that grow up around their own kind are taught to hunt and prepare food for themselves, as well as how to navigate in wilderness areas, defend themselves, and make maps.

Since it can be tricky for them to carry a large number of items on their person without preventing their ability to fly, most Avians travel light and stick to durable clothing that can stand up to the trip they're taking. Some do like small items or accessories though, whether they're small objects from nature or fancy jewelry. Plumage color varies among them, but shades of brown, black, white, and grey are common; brighter colors often blend well with natural surroundings like forests, rocky hills, or the sky.

All avians are capable of using weaponry while not flying. They are very good shots with ranged weapons due to their strong distance sight, but most bows aren't generally designed for their hands and need alterations done before they can be used well. Light blades and other weapons used with a single hand are more common. Because of how their wings function, Avians and shields don't mix well, and without training the weight of human-scale two handed weapons will tire or aggrevate them. Those who are able will augment their talons or other natural weapons with blades, along with whatever other weapons they may use. While they can wear various types of armor, weight and wing clearance can be concerns.

There's stories that say Avians once spoke their own language, with their wisest members also writing it. In recent years it's largely fallen out of use, as records were destroyed and most of Avians never learned how to read. Some will take the time to learn the language of the race they work with the most, but others don't really care about it and focus on the common tongue. They don't have any substancial culture remaining to them, so traditional practices or beliefs don't come into play as they're interacting with other races. (This isn't the case with elderly Avians, but they're rarely seen outside of their hidden villages in the wilderness.) Whether they adopt the beliefs of other races varies between individuals.

Among the current generation of Avians, nobody's given respect by default, not even other Avians. Those who can fly can sometimes catch their interest, but this usually turns into a challenge. Two Avians who meet one another are likely to end up competing in something - acrobatics, speed flight, navigation, singing, drinking, battle, eating, theivery, fishing, foot races...anything where the other party might be able to bring a challenge. While things usually calm down after a while, these rivalries might persist until the two have gained enough respect for each oher for their bragging to become more like friendly banter. It's said that some Avians are poor winners and even worse losers, and that might be right.