Raptor's Peak
A city atop two massive mesa in the Infinite Wasteland. Home to the avian races of the Avestruzii and the Phoenixborn.
Demographics
A fairly even split between two very different avian races, both of which originate from the elemental planes.
The first of which are the warrior like Avestruzii, a long-legged and flightless avian species who are at their best on open plains where they can kick up a storm of dust as they sprint across open land. Originally from the Plane of Earth, those currently found in Raptor's Peak came to the material plane after a long war against extraplanar poachers attempting to wipe out their race. Now on the material plane, they live out their lives with their companion race, the Phoenixborn.
The Phoenixborn are considered as much flame as bird, as their various shades of red plumage give off light and heat to others around them. Originally from the Plane of Fire and blessed by the mythic phoenixes after warning the fiery birds of an impending invasion of demons, the Phoenixborn of Raptor's Peak have settled down to a simpler life on the material plane with their earth plane cousins.
Neither race has much love for the more common Aarakocra of the material plane due to their own origins from the Plane of Air, which both avian races have deep rooted hatred and resentment for. Although not hostile to them, Aarakocra are hardly welcome, and finding any place to stay would be near impossible for one in the city.
On the great Mesa of Worship, a population of around 20 Zouyu also thrive, saved from extiction by the people of Raptor's Peak over 300 years ago when their homelands were destroyed by Chaac in his rampage across the planet. These elephant sized felines have thick fur, large fangs and long tails ending in large plumage of feathers. They are considered creatures of luck and fortune, or misfortune if you happen to cross them. They are reveared by the people of the city, and have reign over the entire secondary mesa around the spiritual temple.
Government
Run by an elected diarchy of rulers, one Avestruzii and one Pheonixborn. Each is considered the voice of their species, though the direction of either populous is rarely in contradiction.
The current rulers are Tocacoatl, an Avestruzii female barbarian with a strong will, and imposing figure for an avian race. Standing over 8 feet tall, most of which being her incredibly powerful legs, and wearing thick armor made from the hide of a purple worm. Her coruler is Cinders, a male Phoenixborn sorcerer with massive feathered wings and a much less imposing figure. Cinders is known as the more thoughtful and reasoned of the two leaders, but the value of the two races leading together is the difference of point of view, which is greatly valued among the people.
Industry & Trade
Nearby inside the massive spires, mines of gold, silver and gemstones are commonly worked by Avestruzii. As this is a very dangerous practice with the various purple worms roaming the Infinite Spires, many additional Avestruzii and Pheonixborn are used are guards, along with a single Zouyu. These defense forces are very skilled at fighting the worms of the region and can easily take on one or two of the creatures at a time.
Farther to the west, near the edge of the Shattered Shards, rare deposits of Ignum are harvested by phoenixborn and flown back to the city for trade. Neither race ever venture far into the Shattered Shards as the various dangerous phenomena that occur their would likely lead to their demise.
The primary trade partner for the city are the Aasimar of Andel.
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