Avari
| Avari | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Creator | Xero |
| Information | |
| Average Height | 180cm-220cm |
| Average Lifespan | 200 years |
| Hair Colours | No Limits |
| Eye Colours | No Limits |
| Skin Colours | No Limits |
| Current Leader | The Etanan Vow |
| Capital | Whitewind Rise |
| Continent | Wyrmeron |
Calling the pinewoods of the Frostfire isles their ancestral home, the Avari are an ancient race of birdfolk unrivalled in the ways of the bow and song. Existing in small, peaceful tribes all across the islands, the Avari are brought together by the Etanan Vow.
The Song of Etana
"Long, long ago there walked a man with golden plumes and eyes of blue fire. Fantastic was his wrath and beautiful was his gaze, for with his arrows he did banish evil from our homeland and sealed a friendship everlasting with the Urson so that we could see a future bright and hopeful in each of us. Our first leader he is, a true and just one at that. It is in our arrows his fury shall sting for he is our Immortal Son of the Skies - Etana!"
The Song of Etana is famously sung by both adults and fledglings alike in Avari culture which retells the tale of the first (and only) Vaga'rai, the mythological figure known as Etana. He is said to have brought the tribes of that time together into a single united faction that stood valiantly against a great shadow. With Etana as not only a wise and charismatic leader but also a fierce combatant and strategic general, the Avari and the Urson would manage to stand tall against the storm and enter an era of peace that would last for many long centuries to come.
"Through storm unyielding and shadows merciless, our Vaga'rai did lead us into victory. Mighty is his bow-arm and powerful is his voice, his holy song did bring back the dawn and cast away demons. Oh he sang, sang so much the mountains and the oceans shook! Sang to his very last breath he did, and when his song ended, we his children shall sing instead! It is in our voices that he shall live on forevermore, for he is our Immortal Son of the Skies - Etana!"
When Etana inevitably perished, the Avari did not grieve for him and instead celebrated his life with oral tradition - songs and storytelling becoming their way of upholding their cultures. His bowmanship would also inspire a mastery in archery for future generations to come, leading to Auria's finest bowiers to be bred in their nation. To remember him as the only Vaga'rai of the Avari, a group of elders came together and signed the Etanan Vow, a promise to Etana to keep his people prospering.
Etana would remain the recognised Vaga'rai of the Avari to this day and though he cannot be there in person, his spirit is said to watch over the allied tribes through thick and thin.
Shadow, Anguish and the Storm
Between the Ages of the Shargazi and Darkness, the Avari would exist as an isolated force that fought against all foreign influence, protecting their borders with extreme prejudice. Even the Shargazi empire, which spanned multiple planets, did not succeed in settling into Frostfire. The Etanan Vow would see to it that their nation would remain pure, ready to stand the test of time.
Yet in Etana's absence not everything would come to be perfect. Over the generations, differences within the Etanan Vow have caused turmoil and splintering. What once were many Avari tribes united under one banner once more became splintered into different, quarelling tribes each seeing a different way of living up to the legacy of the Vaga'rai. While the Whitewind remained on the foot of Etana's Perch practicing his mastery over the bow and arrow, the Great Rock would emerge to the north led not by agility and wit but by brute strength and a warrior culture. To the west, rivalling sister tribes would emerge in the Istico and the Estria, two tribes that practiced ancient magics. There would also be the Jeroky of the west, who believed in not being rooted in the past and instead forging a path to the future through cultural development. Lastly, the Stormcrows of the south would become occult masters of the unknown, their chieftains cursed with a dark omen.
Wars would be fought on the sacred lands of the Avari people over clashes in ideology and cultural differences, the Jeroky being the earliest to fall apart as they were targeted by both the Whitewind and the Great Rock in a decisive, but accidental, coordinated attack. Survivors of the Jeroky would flee the planet in time, settling in distant lands. A similar fate befell the Estria, who's use of elemental magics clashed often with the Istico's mysticism and more spiritual magic, leading to the scattering of the Estria. Yet the Istico, following their attack against their rival, would fall prey to the Stormcrows who saw an opportunity to scatter them following an exhausting conflict. For a time the greatest threat to the Avari would be the Stormcrows, who were empowered by the visage of a dark Raven god Aethon, an Archdevil who served as a harbinger for an apocalypse that would affect not only Wyrmeron, but the entirety of Auria. It was in the shadow of the calamity that the other tribes finally saw unity.
To combat the great evil, Avaron, chief of Whitewind, would come to be in the possession of a blessed feather - the Phoenix Plume. With it, he would shine brightly as the beacon of hope for his race as he did battle with Aethon and his followers, ultimately cleansing his evil from the lands. He would be named Ta'yra, "Phoenix Harbinger", and his bloodline would continue on the legacy of the Ta'yra by passing the Phoenix Plume onto the next generation of the bloodline so that hope may last eternally. The apocalypse, now known as the 3rd Calamity, would end with the Avari living on, even in the face of so much death and destruction.
The third age of saw uncertainty for the Avari. During this time descendants of the now-extinct Istico and the Estria tribes re-emerged in the western lands, two new tribes known as the Nightwake and the Gorra respectively. While the Nightwake continued on the legacy of mysticism, the Gorra would be known as mere bandits and troublemakers, taking on lessons from the occult as well. The Stormcrows were reduced in number, but thanks to the action of the Ta'yra they were able to find new purpose as lorekeepers and visionaries, dedicating their new lives to a service to preserving history through art, song and storytelling so that the mistakes of the past would not be repeated again.
The Stormcrows would find allies in the Whitewind and the Nightwake both and together reform the Etanan Vow as it was meant to be. Conflicts still brewed with the Great Rock, who allied themselves with the neighbouring Urson forgoing the ancient promise of the Avari to remain pure, as well as the Gorra, who sought to regain lost magics by tormenting the elements around them and forcing them to their will. They would live off of a essence of coalescent anguish siphoned from the elements and lead conflicts with the other tribes for generations until they would be defeated and scattered.
By the age of Renewal, the Avari would be fully united once more but conflicts would arise on the foreign stage as the Urson and the Enrali were at each others' throats. Only by the 4th Calamity would the Enrali, in their wisdom, bring them all together to stand against a new global threat - Pi'Aur. In the coming war, the Enrali would be completely wiped out and the Avari, wishing to honour their legacy, forged an even closer bond with the Urson who they saw as blood brothers in arms now.
The Age of Now
Since Etana's age, the Avari have lived a life striving to follow in the footsteps of their Vaga'rai. Their dedication to their aerial superiority meant they were one of the first to take up the schematics of the Fenik-made Skyships and begun to engineer their own, invoking a new age of innovation in the birdfolk under the wisdom of Elder Carus. They would develop a sky fleet so superior some would fear the United Tribes for their potential for conquest, especially when partnered up with the mighty Urson, but the Avari have always shown themselves as pacifists who only wield their weapons for the defence of their homeland.
Their fleet would come to be important when High King Edward Greymoore IV sought to launch an attack on them in 2360, sending his Luxfordian Royal Fleet to invade Wyrmeron full-force only to suffer a pathetic loss against Elder Kura's own fleet. The Luxfordians were tossed off-course and driven into the raging tempest of Voi'Runil where they would eventually become the Fordun.
The Black Comet
The end of the Era of Wars saw the start of Auria's fiercest war in generations - The Grand War. It was during this time that Luxfordia managed to bypass the defences of the Avari and begin a ground assault from the west, leading to the rampant deforestation of the Avari homeland. Still, the Avari and the Urson where confident in their unity and stood their ground against the Human armies.
Then the Dragons made their entrance and with raging flames their destroyed the legendary Avari air fleet and the Urson sea fleet without cease or care, greatly hindering the defensive capabilities of the Avari which would lead to a swift loss of Whitewind Rise, capital of the Avari. Furthermore, murmurrings of a shadowy demon slaughtering the stalwart defenders of Frostfire started to spread during this time, breeding a sense of unease and uncertainty.
Worst of all, the mystical and wise Stormcrow tribes was completely eradicated by a black comet originating from the tip of Whitewind Rise and crashing into the heart of Stormcrow lands to the south. This would result in a complete decimation of their numbers, leaving only a fraction of their population alive.
Rann’Kell, the newest in the long line of Ta'yra, would also perish in the defence of Whitewind Rise. Stories of his heroism, like a lot of Avari folklore, have begun to fade into ambiguity as the new generation has grown bitter of the past.
Religion and Culture
Avari celebrate the existence of the God of Skies Caelus and his daughters of the four seasons. Though direct prayers are rarely attended to, the Avari regard Caelus with utmost importance and utter his name in many powerful circumstances whether it be of shock, terror or wonder. Avari sing songs and hold grand festivals to celebrate the change of seasons every year to celebrate what Caelus' four daughters gift them with every year.
The Avari also celebrate the existence of Etana, their Immortal king who is said to be the avatar of Caelus himself, through their oral traditions. He has ascended beyond mortalhood and has become a God of sorts for the birdfolk.
Etana is not the only exclusive figure of the divine. There is also the twins Samapati, the Summer's Wrath, and Yatayu, the Winter's Fury, who's story is that of notoriety. Long ago, Yatayu, child of the God of Winter, wished to eradicate the benevolent warmth on Wyrmeron and bring onto it an eternal winter but Samapati, the child of the God of Summer, stood against his brother which led to a great duel in which Samapati lost and Yatayu became victorious. Wyrmeron was afflicted by a great winter across the whole planet but with his waning strength Samapati blessed the isles of Frostfire with his warmth, creating a sanctuary from the biting cold of Yatayu's fury. Samapati is hailed with grief by the Avari, titling him a protector deity who gives them solace in an otherwise merciless world.
Lastly there is the Sage Sura. A hermit that lived on the outskirts of Frostfire, she wielded the sun's radiance against evil. She healed the sick and cured a mysterious sickness that spread the lands at that time. She dedicated her whole life to healing the weak and injured with a magical fire until she herself perished and was laid to rest atop a mountain-top tomb known now as Sura's Peak.
Archery and Naturalism are held in high regard in the culture of the Avari with no birdfolk growing up knowing not how to nock an arrow and let it fly a great distance. While archery is a tradition practiced and trained in by the Avari, naturalism is something of an unwritten form of tradition which they follow throughout their lives as Avari are keenly connected to the wilderness around them and honour it with great fixation. Despite this, Druidism is practiced by few of them due to the Masomo being the only ones who truly knew how to before their decimation, leaving the few survivors of their tribe's destruction with the duty of restoring their people's knowledge of the world.
Avari women are said to be great singers and as such their girls are taught early on how to sing songs of their people, their mythos, the wilds they honour and the Gods they worship. Male Avari are capable of strong singing voices but many do not get the chance to improve it. Avari practice magic through song and music, which is primarily taught by the Nightwake.
Avari craftsmen are renowned across the Galaxy for creating their own form of Engineering in creating vehicles and their Skyships are second best running behind only the Fenik's own models. Avari are the only people in Auria apart from the Veryn who are able to safely travel to and from Voi'Runil by the use of a sacred latern using Frostfire however the use of the latern is harshly restricted to the hands of the Great Rangers themselves who keep its location hidden.
Avari families typically sleep in one united bed known as an Aa'ke, a large hammock-like nest that is hung from the ceiling or wall above the main floor. Aa'kes are stuffed with the feathers of its family members, both current and past, granting both warmth and a sense of bonding with one's bloodline.
The name of an individual is very important in Avari culture. Family members of the deceased often do not share the name of who the dead they honour with people they deem unworthy of knowing.
Society and its Structure
The Avari empire is referred to as the United Tribes. It is a collective term to describe a spiritual link between all Avari tribes, whether near or far.
The highest authority in the United Tribes is a group called the Etanan Vow, which is a collective of the four Elders of the Avari. Much like the House of Dukes in Luxfordia, each individual elder represents a region of Frostfire as well as all the tribes that settle beneath them. These regions typically have a shared ideal and a unique expression of culture and tradition. The current four Elders and their respective regions are as follows:
Elder Zai of Whitewind, eagle-like in appearance and stoic in spirit - they are the military and the government of the Avari tribes. They are the largest of the tribes and most developed too with their city of Whitewind Rise having become their people's capital. The Whitewind tribes are the beating heart of the United Tribes as it is through them that all trade and communication moves.
Elder Bronwin of Great Rock, represented by their bulkier people who act as the builders and harvesters of wood and mineral in the Avari Union, also known as deadly fighters in melee combat. Their tribes practices rituals and challenges of raw physical strength which they hold as a high regard among their numbers. In unity with the other tribes, the Great Rocks aid in constructing both buildings and machine as well as forging their armies with the best armaments and weapons they can make. Avari Phalanxes are trained by the Great Rock, powerful warriors wielding bladed wings to become storms of iron fury.
Elder Selah of Nightwake, taking on the appearance of owl-like Avari that are known for their sorcerers, wielding Arcane in their favour. They were the first to master the wielding of Frostfire and to this day are known as the masters of it, though they openly teach it to anyone they see fit. They provide their united people with spellcraft, teaching any who wish the art of magic through the expression of song. The Nightwake were the first Avari to start practicing Magic when its knowledge was given to them by the Urson two millennia ago with their culture ever revolving around the existence of musical spellcraft.
Elder Vaagu of Stormcrow. They are the followers of Nature as well as the historians of the Avari, known for their Raven-like appearances and knack for cultural history. Though they've recently been decimated by the black comet, survivors of the tribe still exist even if they are very few in number now and many have disappeared into the four winds, many of them have gone to Whitewind seeking sanctuary so they may one day rebuild their broken tribe. They act as scholars and historians for their united people, providing knowledge of the world as well as being the only remaining people who still practice druidism among the Avari. The Stormcrows dedicate much of their time to recovering and restoring the knowledge that was lost when their tribes were razed to the ground and their people slaughtered.
The Tribes
Each individual tribe is led by a Ranger-Chief, a title bestowed to those who have proven themselves in slaying a powerful and dangerous creature, master the powers of Frostfire and recognised by their peers as a worthy leader. Only then may one gain the honours of being called a Ranger-Chief and given the chance to settle their own tribe.
The four tribes of Wyrmeron are Whitewind, Great Rock, Nightwake and Stormcrow.
The process of a Ranger-Chief settling their own tribe involves bringing folk from their current tribe to a new location where they would build new homes in unsettled land. A tribe lasts only as long as the life of the Ranger-Chief leading them, thus should the Ranger-Chief perish, so does the tribe end to make room for new tribes. Thus is the cycle of the Avari tribes, an unending process that has seen countless settlements come and go, leaving naught a trace where they once existed.
Other Factions
In the Seiryu Skylands of Serena there is a secluded faction of Avari known as the Chojin. They are said to be the descendants of the ancient Jeroky.
In Grukoor the remnants of the Gorra now dwell in the Gorra Kettle, a subterranean magma chamber. These vulture-like Avari have a culture of violence and cannibalism, making them fierce outlaws. They still practice the occult magics of eld to torment the elements around them, twisting and subjugating ether to their will.
In the year 2840, the Avari founded the Ritori Postal League (RPL for short) which acts as the favoured means of delivering mail and packages for many throughout the Galaxy. Many Avari take pride in their postal work and dedicate much of their time to keeping messages rolling even at times of war and uncertainty.
Physical Appearance and Behaviour
Avari are a diverse race of bird-like humanoids with their appearances changing rapidly based on what tribe they are from. Generally all Avari are covered in vibrant feathers with beaks for their mouths and winged arms to aid them in taking flight. Their legs starting from their knees are that of talons. Most Avari have long, plumed ears on the sides of their heads.
Those of the Whitewind Tribe take on the appearance of generic bird-species, Great Rock Avari are larger and more muscular in size and generally take the appearance of Eagles, Nightwake are shorter and stockier than Whitewinds and take on the appearance of Owls and lastly Stormcrows take the appearance of ravens and crows, often possessing taller but thinner frames.
Avari are generally joyful and open though they are also prideful towards their own culture and ways of life. They dislike closed-off, stuffy places and prefer to stay out in the open somewhere where they can spread their wings and fly. Many Avari love to sing or play music even on a casual level, oft humming and chirping tunes when doing other activities. Avari are fiercely loyal to their friends and loved ones.
Avari have horrible nightvision and avoid dark areas when possible. The Nightwake Avari have remedied this with permanent magical augmentations.
