Atavian

Atavian
An Atavian Luminary.
Population	approx 250
Distribution	Vashnar mountains
Strengths	Talent to fight, quick learners.
Weaknesses	Atavians are disdained upon many parts of the continent.
A humanoid race, with lightweight bones and magnificent, feathered wings

The Atavians are a humanoid race, with lightweight bones and magnificent, feathered wings, descended from an ancient, bird-like people known as the Atav. They are visually very similar to humans, coming in all shapes and sizes, and their wings are seen in a wide range of hues, with the most traditional coloration being ivory or brilliant white. The racial home of the Atavians is the Aerie, a remote village tucked away in the Vashnar mountain range.

With their powerful feathery-white wings, the race of Atavians lift themselves high into the sky. The freedom of this avian race is unmatched in the Midnight age, as is their talent for flight. They stand otherwise nearly identical to their Human cousins, though they view them with some measure of disdain.

Far-flung descendants of the birdlike Atav, the Atavians are Human-like creatures, distinguished from Humans by their possession of powerful, feathery wings that manifest in a wide and striking array of hues, much like their hair, skin, and eyes. In spite of their mastery of the skies and their slight, delicate builds, the Atavians are disdained upon many parts of the continent owing to stereotypes about their licentious, untrustworthy characters. There is little in the way of unified Atavian culture, as they are far distanced from their Atav ancestors and have often been called upon to surrender their heritage in favor of winning acceptance and approval.

Origins

As told by Orechnai:

In the time of ignorance and of harsh lessons we did not think, but to know our bodies and our world better, imitated the world around us. Like animals did we live, and like animals did we die. In our ten thousand imitations, there was one that changed history forever.

They saw the blue of the sky and could not comprehend it, but could see the feathered creatures that wheeled, dark against the sun and moon. Together, five sat upon the cliffs, well-fed and well-rested yet dissatisfied. They watched the birds of dawn flit and flutter among the clouds, and a longing filled them that they could not understand. Without knowing what he did, one among them walked to the edge of the cliff, looking down the leagues.

The most learned of the five came to him and indicated his position was precarious, that there was hidden danger in the empty air beyond the cliff. She tugged at him, urging him wordlessly to return to safety with the others. Yet still he stared, entranced by the sky-wandering birds.

As he gazed, forlorn without knowing truly the nature of his longing, a Divine-borne breeze stirred his hair. He felt the winds, soft and cool, and saw it play upon the birds he watched. Without thought or hesitation, he moved his arms as if they were wings and leapt daringly from the top of the cliff in imitation. The four he had left on the cliff-face were puzzled, but they heard the laughter of their companion, rising from where he had fallen.

We cannot know why the wisest of the five leapt after him, then. She followed the sound of his laughter, though she knew it would mean her death. Being the creatures of imitation we were then, the final three of the five followed. All of the companions threw themselves from the cliff, finding laughter as they fell.

To them all whispered a Divine Voice in the winds. "You have loved Me and My creatures, and so too shall I reward you. You may dart among the clouds and sing upon the breezes forevermore, for you are the children of the winds. You are the flock."

Painless was the transformation, or so they say. With the grace and splendour of a sunrise did they gain plumage and hard, curved beaks, and wings with which to soar. The five flew together as one, diving and gliding upon the currents and inseparable from them.