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Post by AuraGuard on Jun 23, 2016 1:12:13 GMT -6
Introductory Description: The xinthrī are an anthropomorphic avian beastfolk race descended from the golden eagles. While not the most populous of the avian beastfolk, the xinthrī make up for that with their strength, endurance, intelligence, and determination. Preferring to have their homes on the cliff ledges common in their homeland, they tolerate each other and anyone else only out of necessity. While cross-breeding with other races has occurred, it has been very rare, and very few races can boast any of their members having any kind of xinthrī ancestry. However, xinthrī cross-breeding with their subraces, while still somewhat rare, is much more common. Region: Zephrus. Common Personality Traits: Prideful, determined, patient, fierce, loyal, mostly loners outside of breeding pairs, quiet. Breeding adult pairs are often aggressive and territorial towards others of their kind and other raptorial avian beastfolk during the breeding and nesting season. Males tend to be sulkier, more temperamental, and even quieter than females. Caste Ranks: Royal guard, royal military adviser, bodyguard, military official/soldier, hunter. Juveniles often act as scouts, merchants, or messengers, due to being highly nomadic by nature. Descended From: Golden eagle. Climate and Habitat: Temperate, warm, and cold mountains/cliffs. Table of Contents:Physical AppearanceAnatomyCulturePsychologySocietyNamesLife CycleSubracesTrivia
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Post by AuraGuard on Jun 23, 2016 1:22:30 GMT -6
Physical Appearance
They gain their adult plumage at around seventeen (17) to eighteen (18) years of age, the dark brown being mostly replaced with a deep golden colour on the body, head, and tail feathers, as well as the covert feathers on the wings. The neck feathers become a soft, bright golden colour, while the primary and secondary feathers go from white to dark brown, the tail feathers go from white and black to deep golden with a dark brown band, and their feet change colour one last time from black to yellow. Their leg feathers become a pale golden colour, and the talons go from dark grey to slate grey. The feathers of the undersides of their wings turn a silvery grey, as do the feathers on their hands and inner fore-arms. Eye colour changes to a golden yellow. Regardless of age, the beaks of the xinthrī are black at the tip, bone coloured in the middle, and yellow at the base. The tail feathers are about two (2) to three (3) times the length of the head when seen from below during flight. Also, no matter what emotions or thoughts they may have, the look in their eyes is always intense. Like all avians, they have no visible ears, though they do have one earhole on each side of the head. Female xinthrī are as flat-chested as male xinthrī, no matter age or maturity. A xinthrī's feet have four (4) toes, three (3) facing forward, one (1) facing behind. Each toe has one very sharp talon growing from it, sharp enough to pierce bone. When moulting, the moult begins with the head, and flows down to the tail feathers, then goes to the base of the wings and continues down to the primaries. Moulting tends to last for about one to two months in healthy adults, but can last for up to five months in younger xinthrī. Moulting starts in late spring. Males typically fledge earlier and faster than females. There are no plumage differences between the males and females of this race. Female xinthrī are up to thirty-seven percent (37%) larger than the males of their species (this is known as reverse sexual dimorphism), with the size range of the entire race generally being from 7'04'' to 6'00'' with the females obviously being on the higher end of the scale. The xinthrī wingspan ranges from 19'03'' to 15'10'', respectively. Unlike their wild non-sentient ancestors, the xinthrī have arms as well as wings. They have a mostly humanoid appearance, though their legs are built in much the same way as a non-sentient bird's, with reverse knees. Their wings attach to their shoulder blades at the back.
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Post by AuraGuard on Jun 23, 2016 1:57:23 GMT -6
Anatomy When a xinthrī uses their talons, they clench their leg muscles, the tendons in their lower legs then causing the toes to close with a grip that can easily crush human skulls (though an individual may choose to close their talons with less force than that if they want to). The tendons then lock the toes and talons in place, making escape anywhere from extremely difficult to impossible, depending on the position of the talons and how much force the xinthrī is exerting. Known vocalizations are the aforementioned chirp, seeir, and pssa, but there are also the skonk, cluck (also known as a rattle-chirp), wip, wonk, honk, and hiss. Xinthrī are, however, capable of speaking languages other than what they inherited from their ancestors. Some parts of a xinthrī's anatomy are very flexible. Namely, their necks can bend to the point that they are capable of comfortably resting their heads on their backs, or under a wing after moving the head and neck over the shoulder. They can also comfortably position their heads and necks in any place necessary for them to be able to fully preen their feathers. The head feathers and most of the neck feathers are still unreachable; however, communal preening (with two [2] xinthrī helping each other preen their feathers) solves that problem. A xinthrī typically lays down by folding their legs up against their body, then folding the arms under the chest. If they are laying down to sleep, then they usually position the head to rest either between the shoulders or under a wing. Xinthrī normally stand while sleeping, however, and aren't bothered by standing for hours on end (and may well do so willingly without it being necessary). When sleeping while standing, the wings are folded over their arms, supporting the arms for comfort. The wings themselves can be 'locked' into place with small barbs that are on some of the feathers (it is easy for them to 'unlock' their wings rapidly, as well). Their voices are not anywhere near strong, being weak, high, and shrill (male or female). Indeed, a xinthrī's voice is often considered quite pathetic, in sharp contrast to their powerful body and intimidating, majestic appearance. But even if they had impressive voices, they would still be a very quiet race. Diet The preferred prey of the xinthrī tends to mimic that of the golden eagle: rabbits, cottontails, grouse, hares, ground squirrels, tortoise, prairie dogs, marmots, and pheasants. As such, they are quite obviously carnivorous. However, unlike their non-sentient ancestors, they have the size and power to prey on the beastfolk descended from the above mentioned prey species, and often do so when the opportunity presents itself to prey on such beastfolk legally.
They also prey on deer, chamois, ibex, condors, bovines, pigs, wild boar, hen harriers, seabirds, tree squirrels, fish, snakes (both venomous and non-venomous), monitor lizards, foxes, bobcats, turkeys (their ancestors are the only known wild predators of adult turkeys, and the xinthrī are the only known predators of the adults of the beastfolk turkey race), pronghorns (like gazelle), skunks, crows, meadowlarks, small wolves, non-sentient raptors, goats, sheep, moose, swans, cranes, herons, ospreys, caribou, seals, badgers, coyotes, and reindeer.
Xinthrī will prey on the beastfolk races of these species as well, except for the raptors, as they do not consider raptor beastfolk to be prey under normal circumstances or even most abnormal ones. On occasion, they may prey on the hume races as well. They rarely prey on domestic livestock, preferring wild prey.
As one can probably tell, the xinthrī are a race of apex predators. Overly bold xinthrī may even prey on grodil, pyreons, or amotekun (this usually results in injuries on both sides, and may result in the death of the xinthrī). They can and will eat carrion during lean times when the opportunity presents itself. They may eat their prey either cooked or raw, and aren't fussy about it.
Xinthrī may eat small, smooth pebbles found on river banks to aid with digestion. These pebbles are typically either vomited up or otherwise passed out of their system the next day, and don't normally cause problems. The digestive purpose of the pebbles is to provide the gizzard with something to grind food against, and thus important in maintaining proper digestive health. Flight The xinthrī are considered the greatest fliers of the eagle-type beastfolk. In flight, they are somewhat unique among the other eagle-type beastfolk races in that they fly in a slight dihedral – which means the wings are held in a slight, upturned V. The xinthrī are at their most laboured when engaged in flapping flight, though this method of flight is uncommon (gliding and soaring are much more common). Flapping flight tends to consist of six (6) to eight (8) wingbeats (which are slow and powerful), interspersed with two (2) to three (3) second glides. While soaring, the wings and tail are held in one plane with the primary tips spread, arms kept close to their sides. A typical, unhurried soaring speed is about twenty-nine (29) to thirty-three (33) miles per hour. When hunting, scouting, engaging in military manoeuvres, or displaying, a xinthrī is capable of very fast gliding, reaching speeds of up to one hundred twenty-five (125) miles per hour. When diving (or stooping) in the direction of prey, enemies, or during territorial or courtship displays, the individual holds their wings tight and partially closed against their body, with the wings also folded over the arms to more streamline their body. In a full stoop (steep, high-speed dive), a xinthrī can reach speeds of up to two hundred ten (210) miles per hour when diving after prey or enemies and during displays. Though they are less agile and manoeuvrable, the xinthrī are quite the equal of the kanatli's typical stooping and gliding speeds. This places the xinthrī as one (1) of the two (2) fastest races in Elemuntus. Ground Movement Walking comes awkwardly to the xinthrī, and thus they appear awkward on the ground when moving. Running is difficult for them, and they only do so when forced. Hatchlings crawl on their hands and legs, wings spread for balance. The xinthrī can jump, but it's more of a hop-jump, with the legs bent and the body nearly horizontal. Jumping is usually done by nestlings and fledglings: in nestlings, it's used to pounce so as to foot-stab practice prey or bound across the brooding area of the nest, and in fledglings it's used to leap into flight (adults crouch lower than fledglings and juveniles when doing a vertical leap into flight). They are capable of swimming, using arms and wings usually, but may also use their feet. They are weak swimmers, but can manage if they have to. Diseases Infectious diseases the xinthrī are known to get: - Ascarids (cause: the parasite known as roundworm). Symptoms: diarrhoea, malaise (general feeling of being unwell), delayed moult, weight loss, sometimes foul smelling feces.
- Aspergillosis (causes: mild or heavy spore inhalation over time, set off by stress or immunosupression). Symptoms: subtle behaviour changes, extreme thirst, dehydration (despite thirst), ruffled feathers, reduced appetite, chest pain, shredding and flicking of food and/or difficulty eating, lack of stamina, weight loss, decreased flight performance; dyspnea (breathlessness/difficulty breathing/feeling like there's not enough air), wet rales (rattling sound when breathing), change in voice (more hoarse) usually follow behavioural changes.
- An individual with this may vomit up a stinky black fluid. The xinthrī are prone to this disease, just like their non-sentient ancestors. The source of this disease is a kind of fungus which infests the lungs and sometimes other organs. This is the most lethal kind of fungal infection that a xinthrī can get. It also often causes pneumonia.
- Avian chlamydiosis (causes: inhalation of dust containing the bacteria, and/or contact with and/or ingesting of infected avians and/or mammals). Symptoms: swelling in one or both eye sockets, conjunctivitis (also known as pink eye, and is generally inflammation of the surface of the eye and the inside of the eyelid), rhinitis (inflammation and irritation of the mucus membrane in the nasal passages and nostrils [symptoms: stuffy nose, runny nose, post-nasal drip]), lime green coloured urates (the normally white part of an avian's feces).
- May cause endemics among both avian and mammalian races, as well as the tortoise beastfolk race. This is a bacteria, and may not take immediate effect in avians but remain latent until the infected avian is placed under stress. Once onset by stress, the disease will cause rapid deterioration and almost always death. Infections can be unapparent, severe, acute, or chronic, with intermittent shedding. It can be passed on in the eggs, and so one may be born with it. Even when not apparent, the disease can still be transmitted by an infected individual.
- Avian cholera (causes: eating waterfowl that died from the disease or drinking contaminated water [most common], close contact with an infected individual, biting insects such as ticks and fleas feeding on a xinthrī after feeding on an infected individual, contaminated clothing and other physical items can be used to spread the disease). Symptoms: green diarrhoea, high fever, ruffled appearance, respiratory infection (will cause chest pain in this cause), abdominal pain, lethargy, listlessness, refusal to eat or drink, drowsiness, dehydration, erratic flight, and in late stages, seizures may also occur.
- This disease can result in death in about six (6) to twelve (12) hours after exposure, though one (1) to two (2) days is more common, and it can take up to one (1) to two (2) weeks for death to occur. Survivors usually, if not always, become carriers of the disease, unless treated by a nature elemental. Major outbreaks among the xinthrī are, however, uncommon, and many xinthrī can fight it off before it becomes an infection and do not become chronic carriers. Adults are more susceptible to this than chicks.
- This disease is typically only a problem in Aqulea, some areas of Zephrus, and Natura (especially in Aqulea, which has large numbers of waterfowl and the disease has shown immunity to water elemental healing abilities, though nature elementals can still cure it [if cured by a nature elemental, the survivor{s} do not become carriers]).
- Avian influenza (causes: caught from other live avians, from some kinds of mammals [seals, felines, elves, humans], contact with a contaminated environment, or ingested by consuming infected carrion). Symptoms: feather fluffing, rhythmic side to side head movements, ataxia, head held at an angle, loss of appetite, loss of balance and motor control, tremors, rapid weight loss. Can cause endemics and pandemics. This is a virus.
- The xinthrī don't tend to get this, but they can be exposed to it by their prey. It is deadly to any avians or mammals that catch it, though it is rare outside of birds. In avians, it usually causes death in about four (4) to five (5) days. Unless healed by a nature or water elemental, the death rate is one hundred percent (100%) among avians, and at least fifty percent (50%) among mammals.
- Avian malaria (cause: parasite transmitted by mosquito bites). Symptoms: listlessness, puffy, almond-shaped eyes, difficulty with balance and/or eyesight, anemia (low levels of oxygen in the blood, causing fatigue), vomiting, high fever, dull jade green urates. Those affected usually die within hours of displaying symptoms. Treatment outside of healing by a nature or water elemental has a low success rate.
- Avian pox (causes: contact with infected individuals, consuming contaminated food, contact with a contaminated environment). Symptoms: itch, possible loss of dexterity with talons and fingers (can be permanent), possible damage to the nostrils and nasal bridge (can be permanent), superficial lesions, scabbing (scabbing can occur on the base of the beak, resulting in breathing problems if the scab is not removed).
- This is a non-fatal illness which typically resolves itself on its own, though not pleasant. It is most common during the spring. It is best to cauterize (medically burn) the skin lesions before they can form scabs, as the scabs cause the most damage.
- Clostridial enterotoxemia (causes: infected carrion, poor handling of food before and after freezing it). Symptoms: general depression, reduced appetite, abdominal pain, vomiting, soft brown feces rapidly progressing to reddish and hemorrhagic (a hemorrhage is basically internal bleeding), pastel green coloured urates, laying down (even in individuals who normally never do so).
- This is caused by a bacteria in the digestive tract that creates lethal toxins that are then absorbed into the body. It can cause death as swiftly as in one (1) day, but many can survive for a bit longer (max known survival length without recovery or treatment is unknown).
- Coccidiosis (cause: parasite). Symptoms: lack of energy, diarrhoea, dehydration, weight loss or odd changes in weight, lethargy, flecks of red in feces, food flicking, foul smelling castings, and poor appetite leading to complete lack of appetite.
- Feather lice (type of parasite) – Eat away at the white or lightly coloured areas of the feathers, causing the feathers to look ruffled and making them less effective. Can also cause irritation to the individual. Albino or leukistic individuals are more negatively affected by this than those with darker plumage. (Leukism causes random white feathers to grow in among normal plumage, regardless of age.)
- Mange (cause: a skin borrowing mite called knemidecoptes [mites are a kind of parasite]). Symptoms: severe feather loss on the head, neck, legs, and lower abdomen, with poor general feather condition on the rest of the body, severe scabbing around the eyes and on the feet and legs, large skin lesions (wounds/cuts), itch.
- A rarity, but often fatal (a lone victim usually starves to death, due to not being able to hunt properly), and is spread by contact. Feather loss inhibits ability to regulate body temperature and makes flying difficult to impossible (which inhibits hunting).
- Newcastle disease (causes: being around infected individuals, consuming contaminated food or water). Symptoms: gastrointestinal distress (in the early stages), ataxia (loss of voluntary muscle movement), impaired eyesight, difficulty breathing, head tics, tremors, paralysis of the wings, arms, and legs. This is a highly infectious virus that affects a wide array of avian species and can be caught anywhere in Elemuntus.
- It has a high morbidity and a high mortality rate. It can be passed on in the egg (eggs lain while the mother is suffering from this disease are small, soft-shelled, off-coloured, and irregular-shaped), and individuals who have it must be isolated. Avian paramyxovirus (type 1) is the virus that causes this disease. Outside of healing by nature or water elementals, there is no treatment, and death is usually sudden.
- Pseudomoniasis (causes: infected injuries combined with stress). Symptoms: small circular or irregular white-yellow caseous (dead, cheese-like) masses distributed across near the back of the roof of the mouth, numerous masses of the same type distributed across the top and sides of the tongue resulting in a gross enlargement of it to the extent that the xinthrī can't close its beak, reduced appetite, progressive weight loss, sinusitis.
- Raptor herpesvirus (causes: ingestion of infected prey or carrion). Symptoms: loss of appetite, lethargy, general depression. Those infected with this disease always die within two (2) to three (3) days after first showing symptoms. Death is often sudden, with few or no symptoms shown, and typically occurs in about twenty-four (24) hours after infection. Can be treated, but unless directly healed by a nature or water elemental, the prognosis is not good. Death rate approaches one hundred percent (100%) from this disease.
- Salmonella (causes: consuming infected carrion or prey, young chicks may be infected by inhaling dust containing the disease). Symptoms: diarrhoea, gastrointestinal distress, abdominal pain, general food/blood poisoning, respiratory distress (if inhaled), and hepatosplenomegaly (simultaneous enlargement of both the liver [hepatomegaly] and the spleen [splenomegaly]).
- All symptoms depend on strain, not all symptoms may be present. This disease can be passed on in the egg, and seemingly unaffected individuals who have the disease become chronic carriers (healing by a nature or water elemental gets rid of the condition).
- Sarcocystis (cause: parasite). Symptoms: None in the xinthrī. This parasite has two hosts: the definite (or final) host is a predator, and the intermittent (or temporary) host is a prey species. The definitive host does not show any symptoms, however the intermittent host does. It resides in the intestine of the definitive host, and in the muscle of the intermittent host. Mammals known to be infested by this parasite include sheep, horses, deer, camels, goats, bovines, dogs, humans, rats, mice, and pigs, and thus consumption of these species may result in a xinthrī being infested with the parasite.
- Prey species of avians may also become infested by this parasite. This parasite may also infest reptiles (which may be treated as both the intermittent and final hosts). Infestation may be prevented by cooking the meat before consuming it. Freezing the meat at -5ºC (23ºF) for several days before consumption will kill the parasite.
- Thrush, also known as Candidiasis (causes: opportunistic yeast). Symptoms: whitish grey to grey-green coloured membranes in the crop without a defined form, reduced appetite, shredding and flicking of food, vomiting, progressive weight loss. This disease is caused by a fungus. It is always set off by something compromising the individual's immune system.
- Tuberculosis (causes: eating meat infected by the disease, close proximity with infected individuals). Symptoms: pain, malaise, other symptoms depend on location of the disease. Tuberculosis may affect the liver, spleen, gastrointestinal tract, and bones. It can be fatal, but recovery is not as uncommon as with some illnesses. This disease is caused by a bacteria.
- West Nile virus (causes: consuming prey that died from the disease, mosquitoes also spread it). Symptoms: loss of interest in food, weight loss, listlessness, weakness, fever, squinting (one [1] or both eyes), head tilt, staggering, shuffling, inability to focus, nasal discharge, voice change (due to paralysis setting in the throat), body tremors, paralysis in wings, arms, and legs, progressive seizures. Misshapen or pinched feathers may occur in individuals who've recovered from the virus.
- While often deadly, an individual may contract it and survive it without showing any substantial symptoms, only to later show impact from it after recovery (often in the loss of fine motor skills, which may be permanent). Aside from healing by nature- or water-users, the only treatment is supportive, with plenty of fluids, good nutrition, and warmth.
Non-infectious diseases and ailments the xinthrī are known to get: - Amyloidosis – This disorder mainly afflicts the liver, though it can afflict the kidneys, spleen, and even the brain. “The condition is characterized by the deposition of amyloid [insoluble fibrous protein aggregates] within the parenchyma [the functional part, as opposed to the structural] of the liver, engulfing and obliterating the hepatocytes [cells of the main parenchymal tissue of the liver, which make up 70-85% of the liver's mass].” (-quotation from here, page 942.)
- It can be caused by a previous disease (such as tuberculosis), or by dietary changes resulting in nutritional deficiencies, but other causes are unknown. Aside from healing by nature elementals, typically the only thing that can be done is support therapy.
- Bumblefoot (cause: cut on the foot where the skin healed over, but bacteria ended up sealed inside). Symptoms: begins as a small, hardened corn (spot on the foot) which develops into a fevered hot spot or open sore, unwillingness to put weight on the foot, pain in the affected foot, laying down even by individuals who don't normally do so. The skin may continue to heal over the bacteria colony, and this can develop into blood poisoning. It can be fatal, but it can also be treated.
- Cancer (causes: numerous, from genetic factors to toxins to certain kinds of viruses). Symptoms: vary, but usually only occur in late stages, pain is common. Unless healed by a nature or water elemental, this is usually fatal, but can take years to kill.
- Delayed moult – On occasion, a xinthrī's moulting may be delayed. If this continues on for more than a week, then consuming the thyroid gland of a bovine or sheep usually induces the moult, however it also causes a voracious appetite in the xinthrī individual for the first few days after being treated this way. Caution must be used by those close to the individual to keep them from over-feeding and subsequently developing sour crop. The xinthrī individual should be kept in a safe, clean, warm, enclosed environment until the induced moult is complete.
- Gastrointestinal foreign bodies – Often cause digestive problems, but only in large amounts, can be anything from sand, to grass, to anything else indigestible like bits of metal.
- Osteoporosis – Loss of calcium in the bones. Usually happens in old age, but can happen in egg-laying females. Lack of calcium in the diet can also cause it. Causes fragile bones, making them easily breakable. If severe enough, flying may be impossible due to the wing bones being too brittle to support weight or withstand the force necessary for takeoff.
- Sinusitis – Inflammation of the sinuses, typically by invading bacteria.
- Sour crop – When food decomposes in the crop and poisons the individual, this is usually caused by simple over-feeding, but can also be caused by dehydration, rotten food, parasitic infections, crop burns, crop lacerations (cuts), even high temperatures or bright lights. Symptoms: vomiting of the crop contents, foul smelling breath, loss of appetite, increase in thirst. Affected individuals need to be kept warm, clean, and dry, and full recovery can take several weeks.
- Sprattling – Typically only affects really young chicks (as they cannot regulate their body temperature, and thus are dependant on their parents for warmth), this is caused by the individual becoming too cold, which kills the gut flora (the good bacteria that aid digestion). If the individual still has gut motility, then the food passes through almost undigested, and if gut motility has ceased, then the food sits in the gut and spoils (poisoning the individual). Chilling causes muscle spams (shivering) in an attempt to warm the body, which inhibits their ability to process calcium.
- Toxicosis (aka, poisoning) – This can be caused by a number of different things, from heavy metals (like lead) to other poisons. Mild toxicosis is treatable, moderate possible to treat in most cases, but severe is often fatal to the point that only nature or water elementals can heal the afflicted individual. Symptoms vary depending on the poison. The most typical symptoms for chronic poisoning are paralysis, thin-shelled eggs, breeding disorders, and general nest failure, as well as decreased or absent appetite. Convulsions (seizures) are common with some kinds of poisoning.
- Uropygial gland impaction – “The uropygial gland, also known as preen or oil gland, is a bilobed [two {2} lobed] gland located near the base of the tail. The gland secretes a lipoid [fatlike] sebaceous [oily or waxy] liquid, thick and transparent in appearance and with a characteristic light musky smell. The oil is spread on the plumage by the birds during preening to provide waterproofing. The secretion is carried by a number of ducts to an external papilla [opening] covered by a tuft of down feathers forming what is commonly known as the wick.
- One of the most common disorders affecting the uropygial gland is impaction. This is usually characterized by moderate to severe bilateral [both sides affected] enlargement of the gland and a dry wick. Often the ducts of the wick are obstructed with hardened secretion forming a plug. The application of hot water compresses over the area and a gentle milking massage usually resolves the obstruction.” (-quotation from here, page 946.)
- This affects the xinthrī in much the same way it affects non-sentient birds.
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Post by AuraGuard on Jun 23, 2016 2:22:47 GMT -6
Culture The kind of clothing the xinthrī wear is the same between males and females, and is little more than a long piece of cloth with a headhole, a strap to go around the lower back above the tail feathers, and a strap that goes around either the right or the left leg. This is because the wings and the tail feathers don't lend themselves to clothing that covers the back at all, and pants are also out thanks again to the tail feathers. Also, fluttering cloth gets in the way when flying and adds unwanted weight. Many xinthrī don't even bother with clothing most days and just rely on their feathers. Among the hume, xinthrī feathers have become a fashion statement in some areas, and religious/spiritual items in others. This has resulted in some attempts to hunt xinthrī for their feathers, though these attempts often fail unless made by highly trained groups. The xinthrī themselves are willing to give away molted feathers for free, and so just waiting for one to molt is typically the better tactic. Combat The xinthrī have much the same hunting tactics as their non-sentient ancestors, and have adapted a few of these tactics for wartime applications: two (2) examples would be the contour flight and the high soar glide attack. The contour flight is where the xinthrī individual flies only sixteen (16) to forty-nine (49) feet from the ground in a kind of quartering flight, hugging the contours of the earth below in order to avoid breaking the skyline when viewed from the ground. This is used mainly by scouts and any xinthrī wishing to fly unseen by those below. The high soar glide attack is more dramatically altered from its hunting application in wartime. While it can still be used the same as when hunting, its main purpose is to help act as a shock-and-awe tactic, as when the xinthrī snaps open their wings at the end of it, it creates a loud sonic boom even without the aid of elemental powers. As such, the soaring part is much shorter, and the glide is steeper (though still not quite a dive). Preferred weaponry for the xinthrī are spears, composite bows, crossbows, and javelins, though swords, clubs, and other weaponry are not unheard of. A xinthrī solider is taught to use a weapon in their hands, usually a bow or crossbow, while also using a weapon in their feet at the same time, usually a spear. As such, soldiers of their race can use two (2) two-handed weapons at the same time. Quad-wielding one-handed weapons is also not unheard of, though it is a skill that takes a lot of time to master. They must be flying in order to use a weapon in their feet. Xinthrī are also trained in using their talons in combat, and their grip can easily crush an enemy's airway or, as mentioned previously, human skulls. Their hands don't have near the same level of power, but are much more dexterous. Hunting The xinthrī have many of the same hunting tactics as their ancestors, though individuals may make variants of the traditional tactics or make their own. When up against intelligent beastfolk; however, they will alter their hunting tactics according to how well the prey defends itself. The hunting tactics listed below, however, are the traditional ones (and thus, the hunting tactics that golden eagles also use): - High soar with glide – The xinthrī individual in question soars at least one hundred sixty (160) feet above the ground. Once they find their prey target, the individual partially closes their wings against their sides (over the shoulders and arms to help reduce drag) and enters a long, low-angled glide which can carry them over distances of over half a mile, with the speed increasing as the wings close more. Moments before impact, the wings are opened, the tail spread and feet thrust forwards to grab the prey.
- The opening of the wings in this tactic creates a booming sound as they whip against the wind, and the instant before the strike it sounds like a thunderclap. This tactic is used for solitary or widely dispersed prey found in openings, such as hares or pheasants. Sometimes, a variation of this with a high perch is used instead of soaring flight.
- High soar with vertical stoop – This hunting tactic is used to attack other avians in flight. Since they are out-manoeuvred by swift-flying avians, they can normally only attack slower-flying species such as geese, cranes, and their beastfolk descendants. The xinthrī individual in question also requires a height advantage over their prey for this tactic to work. How it works is exactly as its title suggests: the same high soar as before, only with a steep, high-speed dive as the end part, instead of a high-speed low glide.
- Contour flight with short glide – This is the most commonly used hunting tactic by both xinthrī and their non-sentient ancestors. It consists of a low-level flight that is at a fifteen to forty degree angle to the wind (this is known as 'quartering flight'), often only at sixteen (16) to forty-nine (49) feet above the ground so that the individual does not break the sky-line when seen from the ground and so they can hug the contours of the earth below.
- This hunting tactic is most useful for hunting colonial (usually borrowing) prey such as ground squirrels or birds found in concentrations such as breeding grouse or even seabirds. The particular prey individual is selected mere seconds before the strike. If the first attempt fails, the xinthrī may fly around and attempt to ambush the prey again.
- Glide attack with tail-chase – This commences with a low-angled stoop some distance from the prey. Said prey is then chased closely, whether a hare running evasively or a grouse in flight. The key to success with this hunting tactic is the xinthrī individual's agility and the prey being unable to find cover.
- Low flight with slow decent – With this hunting tactic, the xinthrī individual quarters low to the ground, and then gradually swoops down on the prey. This is used for slow-moving prey, such as tortoises and the like, or any prey that has a general lack of escape behaviour. This includes any potentially dangerous prey, like rattlesnakes and foxes. When hunting carnivores that are faster than your average turtle, the individual may hover for some time and not press the attack until the prey looks down.
- Low flight with sustained grip – This is used for hunting prey such as deer and bovines. With this hunting tactic, the xinthrī flies over the herd (which often huddles or breaks into a run). The individual then selects their prey (usually young ones, though the infirm or even exceptionally healthy grown ones may be selected) and lands on the prey's back, using their talons to grip as firmly as possible in an attempt to pierce vital organs or cause shock via a crushing grip to bone (or via causing internal bleeding).
- The xinthrī typically rides their prey for several minutes with wings and arms outstretched, wings flapping, to maintain balance until the prey collapses: either as a result of exhaustion, shock, or internal injury.
- Walk and grab – The xinthrī individual simply walks on whatever surface is stable enough and attempts to pull their prey out of its cover. This is usually used for pulling jackrabbits out of brush, but may also be used to grab the young of larger prey (such as deer, sheep, and badgers) literally right from under the legs of the young one's mother.
Tandem hunting may be done regularly among mated or sibling pairs, especially with larger prey (such as bison, or the beastfolk versions of deer or bovines). Almost always, the male xinthrī flies in front and at a higher elevation than the female does, and usually initiates the attack.
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Post by AuraGuard on Jun 23, 2016 3:16:38 GMT -6
Psychology The xinthrī are mostly loners, though mating pairs stay together for life, and sibling pairs do occasionally stick together for a number of years after leaving the nest. Xinthrī have a strong tendency towards silence, even during breeding. They are at their most vocal during the nesting period, when they communicate with and teach their young (speech between breeding pairs is rare). Even then, they are typically much more quiet than most other races (avian or non-avian) in the same or similar situation. Courtship A xinthrī's courtship flight is always a very impressive, undulating display. When a male wishes for a female to become his mate, he will take her to a large, open area, then take to the skies and do a courtship fight for her. Courtship flights would seem rollercoaster-like in modern times, with the individual gliding up and down via steep ascents and descents in a wavelike pattern interspersed with dives, stoops, and other daring manoeuvres such as temporary freefalling.
The undulating part may be repeated up to twenty (20) times continuously, before using another manoeuvre. If a female approves of him as a mate, she will join him in the courtship flight, flying beside him, mimicking his movements, and matching his speed.
When both are flying as such, they may lock talons in a more friendly way than is used in combat, and cartwheel over each other for several revolutions before breaking away and continuing the courtship flight. Length of time tends to vary, as the flight lasts for as long as both mates have stamina. A xinthrī pair are considered mates the moment the female joins the courtship flight. If the female doesn't want the male as a mate, she will simply ignore the flight and the male will eventually give up.
No hard feelings are usually felt by a refusal, though strong disappointment and sorrow are very common. A xinthrī's courtship flight is always done at top, or at least close to top, speed: making for a rather breathtaking display for other races, considering the speeds any xinthrī is capable of.
Most xinthrī practice their courtship flight several times a year, after their fifteenth (15th) birthday, until they get a mate, after which they usually do not use that particular display again. Indeed, mates will not do their courtship flight again after becoming mates, unlike most raptorial species who'll do their courtship flight annually (once a year) or more often. Courtship flights only occur during the spring, shortly before the nesting season. Other aspects of courtship include mutual soaring and circling, chases, dives, and mock attacks.
The avian (not just xinthrī) version of a kiss is for one mate to brush the side of their beak against the side of the beak of their mate. How long the two let their beaks remain such denotes the 'depth' and passion of the 'kiss,' and due to the fact that it does not interfere with breathing, they do not need to 'come up for air.' Often times, mates will touch foreheads while beak kissing.
If a xinthrī's mate dies, the survivor will grieve for a few years, but once they recover they may start practising their courtship flight again. Indeed, while this race mates for life, the survivor of a pair where one member dies will readily take another mate, after they recover from the grief of losing their first one. However, they will never forget their previous mate.
An interesting fact is that the courtship display, while requiring practice, is instinctual - even a xinthrī raised away from any other member of their species will begin to practice the flight at around the age of fifteen (15). Territory The xinthrī are very territorial to each other and to other raptors, especially during the breeding and nesting season (which is from February to May in most areas, though in Verime it is from April to June), particularly right before egg laying. However, they will tolerate juveniles in their territories so long as the juveniles don't stick around. When in a territory they've claimed as their own, they are very aggressive towards most intruders of their own race (even more so than most avian races).
A territorial adult will dive steeply towards an intruder, then chase them out of the territory, though physical confrontation is rare between them (actual fights between xinthrī are fierce and difficult to retreat from, so entering one is basically a 'no going back' situation). Talon locking is thus rare, but it does occur in physical aggressive encounters. When talon locking, the two xinthrī will tumble through the air for several revolutions, or even until both of them hit the ground. Actual all-out fights between xinthrī, while very rare, almost always result in fatalities, usually on both sides.
The xinthrī territorial display is undulating (wavelike), with plenty of swoops and short dives. This flight pattern is most often done at the edge of a pair's territory, and more often done by the female, though the male may also use territorial displays. It is different from the courtship flight in that there is no freefalling, stoops, or other such manoeuvres, though it is still often quite impressive. Like the courtship flight, the territorial display takes plenty of practice to truly get right.
While 'sky dancing' (the common name for the undulating display) is very common, another territorial flight pattern is the pendulum display, where the individual dives, climbs back to their original height, turns over, and then repeats the same manoeuvre. Fratricide Also known as siblicide or cainism, this is when one (1) chick, usually the eldest, picks on and tries to kill off its younger siblings. This is an instinctive thing inherited from the xinthrī's golden eagle ancestors, and while the parents are aware of this, they do not do anything to prevent it. Xinthrī parents are; however, otherwise renown for their level of parental care. Fratricide may start as early as the day the younger sibling(s) hatch, typically being shown in aggressive behaviour towards them.
Within two (2) weeks, this usually escalates into 'beak-stabbing' – where the older chick pecks the neck or main body of their younger sibling until a gaping, often fatal wound is created. Punching and kicking is also common. If not directly killed, the younger sibling often stops begging for food, and the parents won't feed a chick unless it begs, as they otherwise cannot tell if the chick is truly hungry or not – in which case, the chick often starves to death. Occasionally, the older chick may push the younger sibling out of the nest entirely.
Fratricide typically ceases altogether after about two (2) months after the aggressor hatched, with the aggression dying away entirely in about another month after that. If it does continue by that particular chick for longer, then the parents will finally step in and take disciplinary measures. Fratricide is only considered legal by the xinthrī during the first two (2) months of the chick's life, afterwards the parents can be arrested if they allow the chick to continue it for longer than that.
If a third chick hatches, and the second chick is still under two (2) months of age, then the second chick may start fratricide itself. Same thing if a fourth chick is also hatched. Aggression may increase again shortly before fledging, though it does not escalate into physical violence.
The mortality rate among xinthrī chicks due to fratricide is about fifty percent (50%), though it raises and lowers with the supply of available food. However, even with abundant food, fratricide still occurs in about no less than twenty percent (20%) of nests. Despite this, sibling bonds can be surprisingly strong when they become juveniles. It may help that they never remember being subjected to fratricide by the older sibling(s).
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Post by AuraGuard on Jun 23, 2016 3:28:24 GMT -6
Society
The xinthrī lean towards traditionalism, with the behaviours of the golden eagles from which they are descended as the traditions. However, they are at least somewhat civilized, and do draw lines between tradition and what goes too far. The xinthrī do not tend to build villages of their own, but many do live around the main palace of Zephrus and serve the royal lineages in some capacity. They make good soldiers and guards, and many Zephrese royals have a xinthrī as a personal bodyguard. While the xinthrī are very solitary individuals, there are a few points at which they engage in social behaviours outside of the bonds between mates, siblings, and parents/young. One such behaviour is where they may bathe in groups if there's a nice, clean lake or pond. There is little communication, as is typical of the race. Another social behaviour is that in very cold weather, they will roost communally, and juvenile xinthrī may associate with each other during the winter. The only other behaviours that could really be seen as social outside of familial or friendship bonds are when those who are guards, bodyguards, or soldiers spar together. One playful behaviour among adult xinthrī includes picking up a decently-sized stick, carrying it a ways, dropping it, then diving to catch it before carrying it further up and dropping it again. They've also been known to play around with stones, arranging and rearranging them on the ground, or doing the pickup-carry-drop thing that they do with sticks with the stones. Xinthrī may also chase colts and calves without intent to hunt or harm, and juveniles may play dive each other. Breeding pairs may fly alongside and around each other purely for fun, without any purpose behind it (most flights done by xinthrī usually have a purpose behind it, whether hunting, territorial, or something else). Preening is typically done after a flight, after a battle, soon after waking, and soon before sleep, as well as occasionally done after a ground hunt (when a xinthrī hunts without flying). The purpose preening serves is to smooth and straighten out feathers, remove damaged ones, and to upkeep general feather condition. Oil from a gland at the base of the tail is used to waterproof the feathers during preening. It is also a pleasurable, sometimes social activity, often done communally between parents and chicks, siblings, friends, and mates.
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Post by AuraGuard on Jun 23, 2016 3:33:11 GMT -6
Names
Tend towards multiple-word, tribal-like names. Mainly, the chick is named after whatever the father saw at the moment the chick fully broke its egg, with the father having gone out to fly around the region the moment the chick starts to break out of the shell. The mother is kept updated on what the father sees through a wind elemental spell that allows her to see what her mate sees. An example of a typical xinthrī name would be 'Rolling Boulders Down Cliff' or 'Northern Star In Night Sky.' Often, a xinthrī's name is shortened to one word when used in everyday speaking (for the above, an example would be 'Cliff' or 'Night'). These names are often not translated from their native language, though a nickname derived from one part of the name usually is.
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Post by AuraGuard on Jun 23, 2016 4:08:39 GMT -6
Life cycle Xinthrī are not usually capable of producing young until they reach about seventeen (17) to eighteen (18) years of age, about the time their adult plumage comes in. However, some as young as sixteen (16) may be able to successfully produce and raise one (1) or two (2) chicks.
Nest building begins one (1) to three (3) months before egg-laying, and about three (3) or more alternative nests are maintained (it is uncommon for a pair to use the same nest twice in a row). Each nest is added to each time it is used, resulting in some really old nests being very large. Unlike with their non-sentient ancestors, a xinthrī nest has a few different areas. Most of the nest is left open to the elements, but the brooding area is sheltered with some simple wooden walls and roof.
Other areas include a landing and takeoff point, a place to put kills and carrion, and a place for the mated pair to sleep when they do not have young to look after (and for the male to sleep while the female is brooding).
Xinthrī females lay clutches of eggs ranging from one (1) to four (4) eggs per clutch, the most common number being two (2). Eggs of the same clutch are laid within ten (10) days of each other. Female xinthrī usually lay only one (1) clutch once every seven (7) or so years, though some wait until their last clutch leaves the nest before breeding again. The eggs are either entirely white or white with cinnamon or brown splotches and/or blots, and are about the size of the eggs of non-sentient ostriches.
They incubate for about two (2) months, and a chick can be heard chirping about fifteen (15) hours before hatching starts. The female does the majority of the incubating, with the male being the one to provide the food.
A female xinthrī has some amount of control over her own reproductive system, though she cannot choose how many eggs to lay. She can, however, choose how much of her body's resources to allocate to her eggs, thus choosing how much her young have to start with in life. Therefore, the healthier the female, the healthier her chicks when they hatch. In the case of males, their immune system is tied to their genetics, and so the healthier the male, the better the immune systems of his offspring.
As such, general healthiness is one of the most major aspects of choosing a mate for the xinthrī. This is, in fact, also a common thing among avians in general.
Hatching takes about the same amount of time as it does in normal golden eagles: there is typically no activity for about twenty-seven (27) hours after the first chip is broken off the egg, as the chick inside gathers its strength. Then the hatching accelerates, with the egg becoming completely broken apart in about thirty-five (35) hours, the hatchling becoming entirely free from the shell in about two (2) hours after that if unaided.
Xinthrī hatchlings cannot stand during their first month of life, laying down on their fronts. They can, however, lift their heads just fine, and are usually capable of moving around a small bit about the nest. They can preen on their own within about four (4) days of their hatching, but are thermoregulated via brooding by their parents (usually by the mother) for about two (2) months. Heat rocks brought from Pyren are also used, but many xinthrī prefer the more traditional method used by their non-sentient ancestors.
Within about twenty (20) days, a xinthrī chick will have grown to five (5) times its birth weight. After the first two (2) months of life, the chicks begin to stand and start learning how to walk, though they to not become proficient at this for about six (6) more months. At about four (4) months of age, standing becomes the main position for xinthrī chicks.
Male xinthrī mostly stay away from the main brooding area for the first year after the chicks hatch, though they will move to brood the clutch whenever the female needs to exercise her wings, while the females continue to brood their chicks for about the same amount of time. All in all, the males brood the young about only fourteen percent (14%) of the day, and only the females brood at night. Although both parents bring food to the nest (the female after the chicks are able to regulate their own body temperatures), only the female directly feeds the young.
Xinthrī parents will ball their feet when walking around the brooding area of the nest, or whenever there are nestlings underfoot in general. Thus, while nestlings are occasionally stepped on, the balling of the adults' feet means that the likelihood of a puncture injury from a talon is dramatically reduced. Xinthrī usually have enough balance that this doesn't inconvenience them much, and those who are clumsy on the ground simply spread their wings a bit for balance.
The nestlings start 'mantling' over their food in about two (2) months after hatching – when given food, they stand over it, wings partially open, arms spread, tail fanned and head bowed, covering the food item completely. This is a competitive behaviour used to defend their food from their siblings, and is only seen in nests with more than one (1) chick. Mantling is also seen in the non-sentient ancestors of the xinthrī.
For the first six (6) months, the nestlings are entirely dependent on their parents for food, but afterwards start standing at the edge of the main brooding area of the nest and begin to practice food tearing. The mother generally only stays on the outer edge of the brooding area of the nest after six (6) months, then only briefly visits the brooding area when the chicks are about six (6) years old.
The chicks start leaving the brooding area at about the age of four (4), though usually for only a few minutes a day at the beginning, then longer and longer until six (6) years of age, at which time the chicks typically are old enough to leave the brooding area for the entire day.
When the chicks are about four (4) months of age, their wings develop enough for them to begin to start flapping, though wing flapping does not become a major activity until about seven (7) years of age, when they leave the brooding area of the nest. When a xinthrī fledgling does wing flapping, they grip the nest with their talons. Wing flapping helps them strengthen their wings, develop coordination, and get a feel for the wind.
Nestlings may mock attack their parents, who willingly put up with it and may even give pointers. This is a fun activity for the chicks, and also helps them develop skills that can be used in hunting and combat later on in life. They may initiate mock attacks up until the age of about nine (9), and start at around two (2) years of age.
Nineteen (19) to twenty-four (24) days after fledging, the fledglings start their first short flight, though their true first flight may have occurred earlier with either getting blown out of the nest while wing flapping, or with an impatient fledgling deciding to jump and try flying as soon as three (3) days after fully fledging (or earlier).
In about one (1) month after fledging, the young will take their first circling flight, though they won't be able to gain height as efficiently or as quickly as their parents until about twenty (20) days after that. At about one (1) and a half months after fledging, a young xinthrī may be able to bring down large prey such as non-sentient deer.
Parent xinthrī may mock attack their fledglings, both to start a fun game of roughhousing and to prepare their young for dealing with combat encounters. This is typically the only time an adult xinthrī will fully engage in this kind of roughhousing, without intent to spar or drive away intruders but rather to teach. Once the fledglings truly become juveniles, however, the mock attacks cease, so this occurs for only a small amount of time.
Pre-teen and teenage xinthrī are termed 'juveniles,' and typically start shunning their parents' attention at about twelve (12) years of age, even if offered shelter from the rain, though this can vary between individuals. Three (3) months after its twelfth birthday, the juvenile is typically completely independent from its parents for food.
Juveniles typically leave their parents' territory at around thirteen (13) to fourteen (14) years of age, though they may leave at as early an age as twelve (12) or as late an age as sixteen (16). By the time they leave the nest, they have been taught extensive wilderness survival skills, basic math, advanced geography, basic history, general first aid, intermediate combat tactics and manoeuvres, and intermediate flight manoeuvres. Anything else taught during chickhood depends on the individual and his/her parents. The mind of a xinthrī matures about one (1) year faster than the mind of a human of the same age. Physically, males mature at a slightly faster rate than females, despite being smaller Juvenile xinthrī are almost always highly nomadic by nature, only settling down as adults at about seventeen (17) to nineteen (19) years of age. During this time, they tend to fly all over their home region, and may even go to other regions nearby. In some cases, they may find a mate in a region not their home one and settle down there. The xinthrī do, however, have a strong homing ability that they can use when necessary (inherited from their non-sentient ancestors). As such, no matter how far away from home they travel, they can always find their way back. Female xinthrī tend to journey further than the males. Xinthrī and their subraces are long-lived, and thus can live for about four to five centuries (400 to 500 years), though some individuals have been known to live for about six centuries, eight decades (680 years); however, this is rather rare. Appearance Changes When they hatch, the chicks are covered in fluffy white down, which also grows on their legs all the way down to the ankle, with flesh-coloured feet, dark grey talons (claws), and dark brown eyes. They remain like this for their first five (5) years of life, then very dark brown feathers gradually grown in among the chick down, giving them a general piebald appearance (the process is gradual, and the feathers grow in randomly). During this time, the feet turn grey in colour. At around this age, the voice begins to change from a soft chirp to a slightly clearer seeir sound, but the change only finishes at the age of eight (8). They fledge at around eleven (11) years of age, their feathers mostly dark brown, with extensive amounts of white on the tail feathers, which also end in a thick black band. They have some very dark golden feathers around their necks, and their primaries, secondaries, and underside coverts are white, though the primaries have black tips. During fledging, their feet change colour from grey to black, and their eyes lighten to either an amber or a light brown colour. This is their juvenile plumage. The voice changes from a seeir to a louder, much clearer, and noticeably harsher psaa call. Said change ends at about thirteen (13) years of age, and is the final voice change (outside of being afflicted with certain illnesses).
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Post by AuraGuard on Jun 23, 2016 4:20:50 GMT -6
Subraces All the subraces can be found in Zephrus, but tend to be most common in other regions. The regions in question are noted in each subrace's entry. - Berkut – live mostly in Kaovina, though a number are found in Zephrus as well. They are by far the largest subrace, with the height range being from 8'00'' to 7'01''. They are also the second darkest subrace, with their main plumage being more of a dark brown than a gold, the head feathers being black, and the neck feathers being a darkish golden colour. The leg feathers, however, are a very bright gold. Wing sizes also tend to be larger than usual for their size, with the range being from 21'07'' to 19'01''. But aside from these differences, there is little else to tell them apart from their xinthrī cousins. Pronunciation: bur-kut.
- Kamætos – are a subrace that lives in Verime, but can also be found in Zephrus near the Zephrus/Kaovina border. They have almost the exact same plumage as the sérydæn – except for the neck and leg feathers being more of a yellowish white and the inside wing, inside forearm, and hand feathers being a pale silver-white – but are larger, almost as large as the berkut. Height range goes from 7'09'' to 6'11'', with a wingspan from 20'05'' to 18'03''. They tend to migrate from Verime to Zephrus during the winter, due to dropping levels of abundant prey, but some do stay year-round.
- The young of the kamætos become independent earlier than the young of the xinthrī or other subraces, usually being able to hunt and fend for themselves in about one (1) to two (2) months after fledging, which itself occurs about a year or two (2) earlier. Typical migratory speeds are thirty-three (33) to thirty-six (36) miles per hour. In the autumn, the juveniles leave earlier than the adults, while the adults leave earlier than the juveniles in the spring. During migration, the kamætos hunt frequently. Aside from the mentioned variations, there is little to differentiate their culture from that of the xinthrī. Pronunciation: kam-may-toss.
- Meyeri – mainly live in Natura, but again, a number are also found in Zephrus. They have slightly darker plumage than the xinthrī do, with a slightly darker gold covering the majority of their bodies and the neck feathers being a much deeper gold, along with the leg feathers being a slightly more saturated colour. They are also somewhat smaller, with the height range being from 7'01'' to 5'10'', with a wingspan that goes from 18'09'' to 15'07''. There are few other differences, however. Pronunciation: may-yer-ee.
- Sérydæn – are another subrace that live mainly in Natura, though they tend to be mostly concentrated near the Pyren/Natura border, and a number are found in Zephrus. Their height tends to range from 7'02'' to 5'11'', and their wingspan goes from 18'11'' to 15'08''. Their plumage is dark brown on the back, with it being a deep gold on the sides, wings, and front. Their neck feathers are by contrast a pale diluted golden colour, while their leg feathers are a rich, soft gold in colour. Some individuals keep the amber eye colour they had as juveniles instead of developing the golden eye colour of most adults. There are no other differences, however. Pronunciation: say-rie-dane.
- Sevonica – mainly live in Necross, but yet again, there are a number of families found in Zephrus. They are the smallest and darkest coloured of the subraces. Their height range goes from 6'09'' to 5'05'' and the wingspan from 17'10'' to 14'05''. Their plumage is black on the back, and a very dark brown on the sides, wings, and front, with the head feathers and primaries also being black. The very long and loose neck feathers are a rusty gold in colour, their tail feathers keep the white in adulthood that is only seen in juveniles in other subraces, and their leg feathers are a deep gold. The feathers on the inside wings, hands, and inside forearms are a slate grey colour. Their personalities and culture are, however, very similar to those of the xinthrī. Pronunciation: sev-von-ick-cah.
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Post by AuraGuard on Jun 23, 2016 4:25:29 GMT -6
Trivia
- Pronunciation: zin-thrie.
- Thirty (30) feathers weigh about as much as one (1) copper penny. The skeleton of the species weighs only less than half as much as the feathers, about only 1% of the total body weight of an individual.
- SoulCrystal created the xinthrī, and combed the internet for all the information she could find on the golden eagle when doing research for them.
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