Avian

The Avians are a race of demi-humans whose appearance is a blend of human and bird. Avians live in a pocket of Underhill analogous to the peak of Akibimi-san, and because of this, very little in known about their manner of life. Avians resemble humans in shape, although they may have prominent birdlike characteristics, such as beaks, lack of visible ears, or talons. As with all native Yuribans, all Avians are female.

Amanohara is considered by the Avians to be their patron goddess. Avian worship is a closely guarded secret, and little is known about their rituals or ceremonies to honor their goddess.

The majority of native Yuribans consider Avians to be at best highly eccentric due to their culture's unusual emphasis on destructive magic and personal combat. Their martial interests are a unique oddity among Yuriban sub-societies.

Physiology

Avians are flightless, as they lack light enough bones and sufficient feathers to fly, although a few Avians are known to possess magic allowing them the gift of flight. Avians muscle structure is very similar to humans, although they have very strong shoulder muscles, a remnant from their days of flight. Although their bones are not as light as a birds, they are substantially less then that of an average human.

Most Avians lack hair on their heads; instead they have a large plume of feathers. Like human hair, an Avians feathers are determined by the genetics of their parents. Some Avians have feathery plumes that stick up, like a cardinal, while others are smooth, like a dove. Color is also determined by genetics.

An Avians feathers change size and color over the span of their life, generally growing larger, and more vibrant in color. Avians have been known to style their feathers to achieve different looks, much like with humans.

Even though an Avian's body is very similar to that of a human, although their bone structure may be slightly different, allowing for a bow legged look, or disproportionate arm size. Some Avians have more birdlike bone structuring, and others could almost pass as humans.

Avian Magic

Avian magic is a rare talent, even among Avians, and is often passed down by parents through genetics and family teaching. Their special brand of magic is called “Fujin”, combining wind and people. Although all Avians have the potential to use Fujin, few achieve it.

For those few Avians that have control over it, it can vary from the ability to control small gusts of wind, capable of pushing around paper, to stronger gusts, capable of causing damage to homes, to masters of Avian magic, capable of wreaking terrible damage, with fully fledged storms.

Avians that do have control over Fujin never use it to harm others unless they are directly threatened. In the spirit of Amanohara, they may use it playfully, but never to harm unless provoked.