Averian

A race of humanoid birds native to Akreaus that range wildly in appearances and cultures, though after their first encounters with the humans, unified as a single Kingdom to provide mutual protections. Though they have exerted a cultural influence over each other, the individual cultures do still remain quite distinct.

Appearance
Feathered, beaked, with large eyes and taloned "3 toes forward, 1 toe back" feet as is typical of birds on most worlds are the prevailing characteristics among most varieties of Averians. Beyond that, appearances can vary quite wildly. Most Averian species have their wing feathers adorning their arm, though the Raptorial Averians have wings growing separately of their arms from their back, owing to their historical need to carry weapons or other tools whilst in flight. As a result of the tools needed quickly exceeded their ability to fly with them, Averians have slowly lost the ability to maintain powered flight.

Culture
The individual sub-groups have varied cultures and traditions along with appearances, though they all presently answer to the Matriarch; a supreme ruler above all other Averians. After initial contact with the ground dwelling humans, the Raptorial tribes sought to compete with the humans over territory, these early campaigns went disastrously and invited the humans to invade Averian territories, even those not belonging to the aggressive tribes that initiated the conflict. Among the Raptorials of the Owl Tribes, known for their intelligence, a leader arose and sent emissaries to as many of the other tribes as was possible. A unified force was created and the Humans as a result were turned back. As a result of their victories, more of the Averian Tribes united under the first Patriarch. Since then, national leadership of the Averian has fallen under the Owl Tribe and the Patriarch's lineage while individual Tribes retained significant autonomy in regards to local matters. Most Raptorials are unified as a single integrated military rather than as separate tribes. Over time, many mixed communities have sprouted up throughout the Averian Domain.

Tribal System
The Averians have great variety in appearance and culture, and though their peoples increasingly mingle with one another, creating a sort of class system, they do retain tribal identities. These are the most notable among them:

Raptorial
In ancient times, hunters and gatherers, in modern times, they are the athletes, the warriors, peace keepers and heavy lifters of the maturing society. They represent the smallest portion of the Averian population, a testament to the casualties suffered in several wars against the humans. They are strong, swift, and have arms and wings that function separately of one another. They possess particularly large talons on their feet and hands.

Appearances include - Eagles, Hawks, Falcons

Tropian
Historically vegetarian, more laid back than most other Averian. They tend to be tall and slender with great variety of color in any individual. Wing feathers for most Tropian Averians grow from their arm and reach down beyond their knees, a handful even grow past their feet. Tail feathers tend to be extremely long reaching well beyond their feet and tend to be fancier than their fellow Averian. They are most often associated with most forms of visual entertainment and are no strangers of singing. Unlike real life counterparts, the femals can be every bit as colorful as the males among th Tropian.

Appearances include - Birds of Paradise, Peacocks, Parrots

Corvidan
The most common Averian group, their appearances are varied from the straight black of the Crows to the blues of their jays as well as the fancier appearances of the Magpies of the group. Crows and Magpies especially are known for their intelligence and have led the Averians in scientific research and more recently research into newly discovered magic.

Appearances include - Jays, Crows, Magpies

Columsian
Another major group within the Averians, they often handle the more menial tasks within their society, such as farming, factory labor, as well as accountant roles.

Appearances include - Pidgeons, Dove

Notable Individuals:
Grand Ambassador Sokolniki -Age 28 - Acting Ambassador of Nexulai. An Eagle-Falcon cross of Averian; most would describe him as somehow being aggressively friendly as he makes no small effort to charm strangers and friends alike. His friendly demeanor won him rapid support with the Human Prime Minister and resulted in his selection as Ambassador to be unusually quick. Intrigued with flight, his people having lost the capability for it millions of years ago; he takes great interest in the pioneering efforts of some inventors within the city to make possible "Powered Flight" and made a significant investment of his personal fortune into funding these efforts. In addition to being the Ambassador of Nexulai, he is also acting CEO of a railroad company that owns roughly 35% of the tracks in Averian territories in addition to the Nexulai-Herkak Tunnel. It has recently been rumored he fancies the daughter of the Ainl'yer Sea Shipping Company that handles most of the shipping of goods from and to Herkak'Lon