Beowaulf’s Guide To The Avian Race
Avems
Description: Feathered wings, crest feathers, and tail feathers of varying colors depending on the bird they take after; tufts of feathers on ears; talons on their hands and feet; two eyelids
Abilities: Heightened sight; generally strong fighters and fliers; powerful talons
Classification: Male- Rooster/cockerel; Females- Pullet/hen (but only if she has had children); Non-binary folk- Ave; Children- Chick
Goddess: Abiel
Facts:
Avems are the most common species of avians, making up around almost half of the population. Their genes are very dominant, and any children between an Avem and a different avian tend to have feathered wings.
The certain bird an avian has the wings of is not based on their parents (example: a mallard duck and a cuckoo bird could have a scarlet macaw child). It’s very rare that a child actually takes the wings of their parents.
The rarest kind of wings an Avem can have are as followed: caladrius, roc, phoenix, lightning bird, thunderbird, Quetzalcoatlus, pterodactyl, pteranodon, and any extinct bird species. Quetzalcoatlus, pterodactyl, and pteranodon are actually quite controversial in the avian community, as some Avems don’t see them as one of them and rather Hydras, while others do consider them Avems, despite lacking any feathers.
There used to be a class system among Avem communities, where the prettiest wingers would be treated better than those with more muted colors. Brown was specifically a hated color, despite a good chunk of Avems having brown somewhere in their wings. This class system has since been torn down over the years, but some feathers still consider those with prettier, brighter colors better than others.
Avems are less likely to tap into their instincts, unlike the other species of avians. They retain their humanity much better.
The bird each Avems takes after is highly worshipped between those with those kinds of wings.
No Avem eats any kind of poultry, even those with the wings of a bird of prey. The consumption of eggs usually varies from Avem to Avem.
Nesting season is a certain time of the year where Avems, specifically expecting or generally maternal hens, become ten times more anxious and aware of their surroundings. Nobody really knows why it happens, but it causes them to become supremely protective over their flock and sometimes even aggressive. Mother hens tend to be more affected by this season.
Mother hens do not sit on their chicks, although jokes are made about this anyway. Instead, they fold/hood their wings in front of themselves so their chicks will be covered at their sides. This is for protection, warmth, and comfort.
Avems are big on learning how to fly as soon as possible, as they worship the sky more than the other species of avians. Most chicks learn to fly before the age of ten.
Avems are intensely community based, everyone takes care of each other in a very genuine way, which is why flocks are a thing in the first place.
Even if you can’t fly with them, the appearance of wings is important. Grounded Avems will put extra care into making them clean/pretty to compensate for lack of flight. The Avem community is very caring towards grounded feathers and all usually pitch in to help out whenever they can.
However, the Flightless are seen as disgraces and are usually thrown out of flocks. The lack of an ability to fly and no wings is too much for them.
Baby Avems are born with fluffy down on their wings, and then grow in their flight and adult feathers as they get older.
They are praised for their vocal talents.
Birds of prey have the strongest talons, the most powerful being a harpy eagle Avem. They can grip something so tightly that they can crush certain bones.
Gifting feathers is a common form of courting.
They will also do mating dances to attract a partner. They always make sure to have their wings clean, pristine, and very shiny for the event. Two courting Avems (or one Avem and a different species) will also do a special sky dance to declare their relationship.
A large chunk of Avem culture in general puts a LOT of importance on the ability to fly. The common feather belief is that they were the original and purest avians, and that all the other species flew too low and were changed in some way (Hydras became too infatuated with the wealth and jewels in the earth, making them greedy and cunning; Cimexs flew too low and grew too attached to nature; Vespers flew too long under the moon and became addled by them; Flightless’ simply flew too little and lost their gift of wings completely), while Avems retained their true colors and flying prowess.
Hydras
Description: Scaled wings with vary colors and patterns; webbed frills behind their ears and protruding out of their skull; horns; claws on their hands and feet; scales stretching up their back and on their palms; pointed ears; two eyelids
Abilities: Heightened sense of smell; extended barbs from wingtips; firebreath or frostbreath
Classification: Male- Drake; Female- Dragoness; Non-binary folk- Draco; Children- Wyrm
Goddess: Haniel
Facts:
The color of their wings do not depend on parents, like all other avians.
Horns vary from Hydra to Hydra.
Hydras are the most successful species in preserving their customs and culture. It’s very well documented and taught to wyrms.
Hydras have a love for tapestries, weavings, and other forms of art. They are especially fond of entertainers and theater.
They are also the most dedicated to fashion out of all the species.
The Hydra attitude is very much “protect your own”, which covers immediate neighbors. This leads to Hydras usually being hyper-aware of everyone around them, for better or for worse.
Gift giving is a pretty big part of the Hydra community. Genuinely not accepting a gift is completely unheard of, no matter how unwanted the gift is or any personal feelings between the gift-giver and the recipient.
Pawning your trash off on another avian under the guise of a gift is extremely trashy and rude, and a good way to sink your reputation.
Mother dragons tend to be the most protective out of all species, with mother hens coming in close second. Like hens, they will hood their wyrms with their wings and will flare their frills when intimidated. They are also very prone to attacking if they feel that their young are being threatened and don’t let up until the enemy is dead or far away.
When a Hydra would die, the body would be wrapped up in fine silk and coated in gemstones, favorite personal belongings, and dead prey. They do not bury their dead, but instead go to a very special ceremony site and give the body up on a flat stone as an offering to the gods, signifying that “hey, they’re dead, they’re for you now” and send up their spirits to the afterlife. The prey is to attract the spirits and gods and bring attention. Lavish memorial parties would then be thrown at sunset and can last hours into the early morning.
As the stereotype suggests, scales are very fond of treasure, but they tend to be very picky. Gold and copper are seen as cheap. Silver and quartz are highly valued. Colorful jewels like amethyst, sapphire, emerald, and ruby are commonly used in jewelry.
That’s another thing-- they LOVE jewelry. Horn bands are popular because they don’t get in the way when flying. Wing bands are also sometimes worn, but they can be heavy and make flying difficult. Most Hydras would rather use gemstone laces on their wings.
Getting tattoos and gemstones embedded in wings is quite common, although painful at first. Some scales even dye/bleach their wings, but the result can cause the scales to burn and fall off over time.
The barbs in their wingtips are made of a compound mixed from shedded scales and bone. These barbs are full of blood and marrow and break easily. They take a few days to grow back if broken off.
Hydras will gift a scale as a courting method. They will also actually put the scale of their mate underneath their tongue to let it dissolve in their mouth.
No matter where a child comes from, or even the species, all Hydras watch out for younger avians and make sure they stay safe and protected. Even the Flightless and hybrids.
Cimexes
Description: Insect wings of varying shape, sizes, and color depending on bug type; four arms; antennae; chitin along the back and on palms, but fuzz if the Cimex is a moth; short, curved claws; retractable mandibles in mouths; two eyelids
Abilities: Moth and butterfly Cimexs can spin silk from their wrists; bee, hornet, wasp, and yellowjacket Cimexs can extend stingers from their wrists to inject a nerve toxin into enemies; other Cimexs can deliver painful, itching bites like an ant
Classification: Male- Beckett; Female- Monarch; Non-binary folk- Insecta; Child- Nymphs
Goddess: Cybiel
Facts:
Their blood varies from blue, green, or yellow, but never red. This also means tongues, scabs/wounds, blushes, and insides are either blue, green, or yellow.
Cimexes are the most diverse race when it comes to appearance because of all the varying wing shapes.
The mandibles in their mouth are retractable. They grow from their bottom jaw, behind their teeth, and fold into little glands at the bottom of their mouths when not in use. These mandibles are usually quite spiky and smooth and can dig all the way down to bone.
Mandible bites itch like an ant bite because they secrete an acidic venom into the skin when in contact with it.
Mandibles are also barbed, so they do just as much damage going out as they do going in.
Moth and butterfly Cimexes are born without wings, but have two colorful bumps on their backs. When they become of age, they spin cocoons and stay inside them for seven days. During this process, their organs liquidate themselves and rearrange into a new, stronger system. Because of this, it is dangerous to disturb a cocoon during metamorphosis because it could harm the Cimex inside.
Several butterflies and moths make a living by spinning silk and making things out of it to sell.
Cimex wings are the easiest to damage, but heal within hours.
They are the only avians that can hover (minus moths and butterflies).
Silk glands are located right below the hand on the wrist. They’re thin slices that sort of look like paper cuts.
Butterflies and moths need to spin silk at least once a day to keep their glands from getting clogged up. This could lead to clumping in the silk passage, swelling of the wrists, tenderness, and a lot of pain and discomfort when moving the hands.
Their antennae predict the weather and sense vibrations in the air.
They are able to twist their wings during flight. By doing so, they can preserve and even control the quantity of lift they generate.
Dragonfly Cimexes have selective attention and are able to lock onto something and eliminate everything else around that one thing.
Most wings are waterproof.
Moth and butterfly Cimexs make these bracelets called Infinity Bands with their silk. These bracelets symbolize eternal love between two mates and they’re usually made with beads and small gemstones. They’re like wedding rings of sorts, but there’s also platonic Infinity Bands.
Vespertilios
Description: Bat wings of varying size and color; large bat ears; fangs; opposable fingers on wings called dewclaws; retractable talons in their feet and hands; prehensile tongues; two eyelids
Abilities: Night vision; echolocation; blood and raw meat consumption without getting sick
Classification: Male- Sire; Female- Vixen; Non-binary folk- Fox; Child- Pup
Goddess: Valtiel
Facts:
Upon drinking a creature's blood, a Vesper’s special stomach acid will kill the bacteria, making it safe to digest. The kidney will then turn the blood into a plasma, which is excreted out of the cloaca. Plasma appears as a thick black liquid.
Bloody Marys have actual blood in them. They’re made specifically for Vespers to drink. This, however, does not stop other avians from thinking they can drink it. They usually get sick as a result, as they cannot urinate out the blood plasma like Vespers can.
Pups are born with tiny fangs that grow longer as they get older.
Most pups can’t be breastfed because they would bite their mother’s breast and drink her blood.
Vesper wings are made up entirely of skin with a thin layer of fuzz on certain Vespers. Their bones, membranes, and blood vessels are visible. Because of this, they are the only avian race capable of getting sunburned on their wings.
Bat flies are a problem for Vespers. The bugs like to cling to their wings in swarms and drink their blood. It’s kinda gross to see and it’s very painful for the poor Vesper infested with them.
Vespers enjoy hanging upside down.
Vespers feel most secure when they’re swaddled by things. It’s an instinct that they never grow out of, so it’s not just a pup trait.
They also like to suck on things. Fingers or their own dewclaws are a common thing they will suck on.
There are entire shops dedicated to selling the best bugs for Vespers to eat. They are, of course, Vesper-owned businesses because no other race would want to have such a profession.
Deaf Vespers can still use echolocation and are actually better at it than hearing Vespers because they can focus more intently on the vibrations.
Despite bats being the number one carrier of rabies, Vespers are completely immune to the disease. This, however, does not stop people from saying otherwise and still claiming they will infect others.
Like butterfly and moth Cimexs, dust and pollen tends to stick to the wings of Vespers.
Vespers have more flexibility and control over their wings compared to other avians, letting them turn more smoothly.
Vespers enjoy eating fruits, nectars, and bugs. Bugs are their favorite food. Many Cimexs don’t like them because of this.
Several Vespers wear sunglasses or simply keep their eyes closed when outside because of how sensitive they are to bright lights.
They will “wing” their ears around their face to keep themselves cool.
Vespers will catch the most colorful butterfly in the area and give the wings to their mate as a courting technique, then the two will eat the body together, since butterflies symbolize love in their culture. They may also drink each other’s blood as a marking of sorts.
Vespers have long, thick talons on their feet for hanging upside down. These talons are usually around six to seven inches in size, one and a half inches in width, and are hooked, sort of like a raptor’s claws. The curves of these claws will catch on surfaces, like bars, so they can hang. The muscles in their legs and feet bunch up to help lock themselves in place so their claws won’t instantly rip out from their body weight.
The talons are usually sheathed in the feet and can be retracted outwards when needed. When out, a leather avian becomes digitigrade and walks on their toes. It’s sort of like walking on giant toenails.
When it’s cold, Vesper ears and wings are more susceptible to frostbite because the skin tends to be thinner than the skin on a regular avian’s.
Vespers are the most discriminated pureblooded avian race. Several avians don’t like them because of their ability to drink blood and so they see them as demons.
The Flightless
Description: Tightly curled wingbuds extending from their shoulder blades, which can unfurl outwards
Abilities: N/A
Classification: N/A
Goddess: N/A
Facts:
Wingbuds are tightly curled membranes that extend from the shoulder blades, which vary in size from Flightless to Flightless, but they’re usually the size of a regular book. However, they can unfurl and form a vague wing-like shape.
Sometimes hints of color can be seen under the skin if the complexion is light enough.
They molt every two months, which consists of the top layer of skin on their back peeling off.
Flightless aren’t just wingless avians, but also avians who have one wing, a lame wing, or wings that don’t work at all. “Purebred” Flightless are the ones with the wingbuds, while “half-bloods” are the others. Purebreds do not like half-bloods because “at least they have wings.”
Most Flightless hate when people touch or try to touch their wingbuds, which is quite common, especially in children. The flesh on the wingbuds are extremely sensitive and the sensation of it being touched is like running your nails over the skin of a body part that fell asleep.
Forcefully unfurling a Flightless’ wingbuds is painful and extremely uncomfortable.
Skin infections are common with the Flightless because of how tender the skin on their back is. It isn’t unnatural to see one with long slices and cuts marring their back from the flesh breaking open.
“No-Wings”, “Bareback”, “LameWings”, and “Wingless” are slurs to the Flightless. They don’t even like being called “the Flightless”, they would prefer to actually be called “Smooth Skins” because of their smooth backs. Of course, nobody ever respects these wishes.
They have the highest depression and suicide rate out of all avian species.
Hybrids
Description: Appearances vary depending on parents
Abilities: Abilities vary depending on parents
Classification: N/A
Goddess: Depends on crossbreed
Facts:
Hybrids are as rare Flightless and are about as discriminated against as they are, too, if not more.
Hybrids happen when the genes of two different species mutate into each other instead of one dominating the other, so the resulting child will be a mix of both parents.
Most of them don’t even survive past childhood. They either die because their body is unstable or are killed because they’re viewed as a freak of nature by all species. They’re also very sickly and susceptible to illnesses.
If crossed with a Cimex, a hybrid’s blood will be a different color. Yellow bug blood + normal avian blood = orange blood; Blue bug blood + normal avian blood = purple blood; Green bug blood + normal avian blood = A brown-grey blood.
Normal hybrid blood is usually a darker red than normal blood, almost black when it first comes out.
Avems used to kill hybrids to keep the genes from spreading. This has since been outlawed--or is at least done behind closed doors so nobody will ever know.
A lot of Vesper hybrids usually die from drinking blood because they are unable to urinate out the plasma (because they didn’t get that ability), so the bacteria kills them.
Several butterfly/moth Cimexes die during metamorphosis because their already-grown-in pair of wings don’t stop moving and rip the cocoon open. The result is very messy, as their body will essentially be liquidated.
If they do live, the strain of giant butterfly/moth wings have a chance of ripping their back open.
Some hybrids are born with more than one pair of wings, causing difficulties and back problems as their life progresses.
Hybrids used to be enslaved and used for show. Several nobles would keep hybrids as “pets” of sorts and would show them off at parties.
Hybrids are incredibly infertile and cannot reproduce, as the resulting child would be a tribrid.
Medical issues run rampant in hybrids, such as muscle deterioration, breathing issues, and brittle bones. As stated before, they are also very sickly and get ill very easily. As a result, almost all of them are frail and scrawny.
Some hybrids can’t even fly because of how weak their bodies are. They just aren’t strong enough to get off the ground, so their wings will sometimes just drag behind them.
Hybrids have a hard time molting because of conflicting pelt types. Assistance is most likely needed, but most avians usually don’t want to go near hybrids.
Hybrids aren’t wanted by pureblooded avians OR the Flightless. The purebloods see them as screw ups and monsters and freaks, while the Flightless see them as glorified show pets and consider them lucky to even have wings. As a result, many hybrids spend their lives alone and are discriminated against.