Avians

A seldom seen race, the avians of Rune are often a surprising sight for many out in the world. They are one of, if not the least populous sentient race on the planet, with communities limited to small towns and villages tucked away from civilization. Like the harpies they are distantly related to, many avians craft communities in rocky cliff faces and high up in the mountains, forming remote aeries that are nearly impossible to reach without flight. Unlike their relatives, however, avians possess both normal humanoid arms as well as a pair of large, feathered wings, rather than simply the latter. These wings are fully capable of flight when unfolded, thanks to the hollowness of avian bones as well as their naturally slender builds. Flight is also slightly aided by their small stature, with males seldom passing 5'6" in height and females often remaining near the 5' mark.

These wings do not lend themselves well to especially great agility in the air, however, and it may be for this reason that many avian societies strive to avoid altercation with each other, other races, and even dangerous beasts such as the harpies. Avian society is, and has been for some time, mostly peaceful. They are a race with a great fondness for the natural world and the spirits, and many have a great propensity towards some magical talent. They are not completely defenseless, though! Avian archers are known to be some of the greatest in the world, and their bows are of the highest craftsmanship. With their weak frames, it is rare that any avian warrior will take up a blade and fight in close range, though it is certainly possible that some may use their natural grace as a method of staying out of harm's way even in close quarters.

Curiously, despite this tendency to stay out of harm's way and their proclivity towards keeping communities away from prying eyes, avians are much more curious in general than other solitary races, such as the varana or some aquarial tribes. Avians with an interest in civilization come and go from their aeries as they please, and while they're still seen much less often than almost any other race, it certainly wouldn't be a once-in-a-lifetime sighting. One key thing to remember when confronting an avian, however, is to never think oddly of their names. Many, especially those born in their own communities, take simple names related to a concept in nature...Rain, Pebble, even things like Branch or Leaf. These names, while plain and odd to most others, often have some significance to the avian that chose it, and it would be deeply offending to have their choice looked down upon!