Bolmor
The Bolmor are a an humanoid avian species native to the extensive forests of middle Sammerden, which now bear their name ('the Bolmor Forests'). Most Bolmor grow to between 5 and 6 feet tall (taller than a Tetran, shorter than the average Weld). Their bodies are covered in feathers - different ethnic lineages having different colours and arrangements of feathers - but they walk upright on two feet, and have two powerful arms ending in manipulative talons with opposable digits. Most Bolmor have vestigial wings, though none are now capable of unassisted flight - indeed Bolmor fashion has come to ignore these small wings, encasing them with the back inside garments, and eschewing holes for them to be displayed.
Bolmor culture, across ethnicities, is closely connected to the woods and forests they originate from - many of their settlements are built around, within, and attached to the trees. Their talons on both feet and arms make them powerful climbers, and Bolmor communities who have settled outside the forests generally cultivate their own trees to carry on their cultures.
Basic Information
Anatomy
All Bolmor share similar physiology, with ethnic differences based on the extent, colour, and texture of their plumage - as well as facial differences on the eyes, ears, and beaks.
Their shared characteristics consist of a frame between five and six feet high, almost no visible neck under the plumage, a wide upper body and chest, muscular arms ending in hands which consist of three straight talons and an opposable talon, and thin bony legs culminating similarly in a talon of three digits (with the fourth pointing behind for stability when walking). Most Bolmor have vestigial wings - but none powerful enough to fly unaided. Among those Bolmor who do retain some wings, the greatest effect achievable is an extra powerful jump, whether in shock or joy
While the texture and colour of Bolmor feathering differs across the population, it is uniformly soft but strong (and Bolmor think little of wearing/using their own "hair" for day-to-day purposes). It is strongly water resistant - but the natural oils which cause this also make the Bolmor particularly vulnerable to fire. While they share this vulnerability with their woodland habitat, their limited night vision also reduces the need for large fires or powerful candles.
Male and female Bolmor vary primarily in their plumage within ethnic groupings, and the fact that females tend to have thinner upper bodies and more slender arms.
Additional Information
Geographic Origin and Distribution
By far the most dense population of Bolmor (comprising possibly 70% of the Bolmor population) remain the the traditional Bolmor lands of the central forests (including the hiller, less wooded lands to the east of the forests, successfully claimed by the Redfern Commonwealth after the Reconquest.
However, they have found themselves adaptable to many climates, and most Bolmor share a close affinity with Welds and their homelands (while confused by the relative lack of trees). Thus there are large Bolmor populations south of their forests, particularly in northern Weldic Duxia. With their plumage well suited to the cold, Bolmor also successfully live in smaller numbers in both Tetran and Alder lands. Only a few hardy and adventurous Bolmor have ventured into the heat of Jellnev - and often while practicing bespoke pruning and shaving programmes to survive the desert temperatures while thickly feathered.
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