Aakacocrian Life , History, and Culture
NOTE: This is not common knowledge history, thus your characters (aside from Aarakocra characters) would not know anything more than Aarakocra claim home somewhere in the west, and that Aarakocra do not talk about their homeland."There's nothing about my home you need to know about. I left a long time ago."
Ereess
Proprietor
The Rusted Axe Tavern
Structure
There are two different Aarakocrian societies, the homeland and the travelling. Aarakocrian travelling society is identical to common society of Roshar, with the minor exception that they observe traditions of respect and honorifics depending on which tribe you were born into, age, and gender identity. This is all that is known about Aarakocrian society, as travelling Aarakocrians do not speak much about their homes.
Within Aarakocrian homeland society, they pra
Within Aarakocrian homeland society, they pra
Public Agenda
As of now, the Aarakocrian homeland society does not have a public agenda
Privately, their agenda is isolationism from the outside world, which was adopted hundreds of years ago after a historical event completely forgotten and erased from
Privately, their agenda is isolationism from the outside world, which was adopted hundreds of years ago after a historical event completely forgotten and erased from
History
Aarakocrian history begins along with all other races' history, at the beginning when humanoids escaped the Tranquiline Halls and the Voidbringers, landing on Roshar. However, their history takes a wildly divergent turn at the dawn of the current era that would forever change Aakocrian society.
At the beginning or the Era of Solitude, a great disease rocked the continent and isles of Roshar. Known in Aarakocrian history as the Feather Plague, it decimated avians of all kinds in droves. The Aarakocras turned to the Vorin church, begging for help from the Ardentia. But the Vorin church was in upheaval at the time, as the new leaders of the church (some of which would initiate the first steps that would lead to the Hierocracy) focused on consolidating their power within the church. Leaders claimed the disease--which was being carried by Rosharans, but only infecting and killing Araakocras-- that it was The Almighty’s divine will. Shocked and ostracized by the Vorin church, the remaining Araakocra who had not been infected fled the continent, finding refuge on the uninhabited lower isles of Roshar’s west coast.
The Aarakocra population was decimated, down to about 250, 12 families took up residence on the various isles, taking up a life of solitude away from Roshar life. Though it took some time, Aarakocra life recovered and began to grow, and on the continent, the plague burned itself out. Over the next 60 years, a culture of isolation began to settle in. Fearing the power of the Vorin church to control the people of Roshar, the Feather Plague, and enjoying the peace and seclusion of their isles, the Aarakocra decided it would be best to remain in isolation.
Since their Exodus before 100 EOS, the memory of the Aarakocra began to fade from both the Vorin church, and citizen’s memories, until they were considered nothing more than a race of humanoids written about in dusty scholarly tomes. And as the season’s changed, a little over 300 years would pass, until a single event would wipe the Aarakocra from the annals of history altogether. The Hierocracy gained power in 400 EOS, and began a strict campaign of censorship of all historical texts, destroying any historical accounts that depicted the Vorin Church in anything but a positive light. This would mean the Vorin church’s dismissal of the Aarakocra’s pleas for help would be erased from Roshar history. While the Hierocracy was eventually put down by a combined Alethi force, all traces of the Aarakocra beyond the mythical legends passed down orally were destroyed.
It wouldn’t be another century until an Aarakocra stepped foot in Roshar. Krarrid Goldbeak, the first Aarakocran explorer from the Goldbeak clan, would cause rippling waves of shock and wonder as the people of Roshar discovered that Aarakocra still exist. People clamored to meet him, foreign dignitaries greeted him, and soon he was whisked into a complicated world of politics, deals, ambition, and greed. He quickly left Roshar as soon as he could and returned to the isles to inform the clans of what had happened. When he returned to the isles in 520 EOS, he called for a meeting with the High Wisdom, a council of 12 Aarakocra, each one a member of their own Clan’s wisdom, which acted as a unified body for all the clans of the Aarakocra. He told the High Wisdom of what he had discovered when he traveled to Roshar and of the leaders of the countries of Alethkar, Veden, Jah Keved, and Herdaz, many of whom attempted to use him as a pawn for their own goals. He informed the High Wisdom that no Aarakocra lived in Roshar, and the Feather Plague had died out centuries ago. It was then that the High Wisdom created the “ways” of the Aarakocra, a list of rules and cultural traditions. These would be a strong binding guide that would keep most Aarakocra away from the mainland for centuries more. However, around 600-650 EOS, Aarakocra from each clan began travelling to Roshar, to explore or settle there. This was not strictly prohibited by The Ways, however the travellers were expected to uphold the ways, and never give details about their home. It was during this time that the first Aarakocra born on the main continent in more than 6 centuries were hatched. While Aarakocra expanded on the main continent, immigration from the isles themselves began to taper off, as Wisdom’s began fostering promoting that leaving the isles was hurting the clans.
In approximately 800 EOS (about 10 hatchings since the creation of the ways) one of the light eye clans of the Aarakocra began integrating itself into Roshar culture (specifically in Kharbranth). The Redfeather clan spent years building up rapport with the nobles, their ultimate goal to become more powerful than any other clan, but especially more than their rival and co-inhabitant of their island, the Whitefeather clan. By doing this, the Redfeathers broke the first of the ways, “Never work with non-avian nobles, nor participate in their politics.”
By 880 EOS, the Redfeather’s (now a prominent noble family in the Kharbranthian court) had ownership of 4 of the 6 isle’s inhabited by the Aarakocra, claiming dominion over the 6 dark eyed clans, including the Whitefeather’s. Most of the other 6 clans (who are light eyed) did not stop the Redfeather clan from claiming the other isles. The Redfeather’s (being nobles of Roshar) were apprehensive to even consider subjugating other light eyes to their will, but they wanted to be the only clan in control of the isles. Afraid of attempting to take on 4 light eyed clans at once who inhabited the largest of the Aarakocra isle’s, they instead decided to focus on the loudest dissenters of their operations. The Goldbeak clan, residing in the northernmost isle, were very outspoken against the Redfeather’s conquest. The Goldbeak’s, a heavily traditionalist clan known for sending out explorers to Roshar and strictly upholding the ways, threatened the Redfeather’s with violence should they continue their conquest. This would keep the Redfeather’s at bay, for a time.
In a surprise move in 920 AD, the Redfeather’s initiated the first ever Aarakocran war with a surprise attack on the Goldbeak clans isle. While almost meaningless to the rest of Roshar (war happens constantly afterall) this was shocking for Aarakocran society. Never before had Aarakocra attacked each other in open warfare. There had been many fights between individual members of clans, and plenty of disputes, but never war. But, as the Redfeather’s flew down to the Goldbeak clan's island, they were rebutted by arrows firing from the ground. Alethi arrows. The Goldbeak’s (for all their insistence on maintaining the ways) had broken the second way “Never reveal the clan’s location to non-avians.” While the Redfeather’s had danced around the second way, never revealing any clan’s exact location by saying their dominion were all the other isles, and were not interested in visitors or trade with Roshar, they had never revealed the true locations of other clans. However, with the aid of soldiers from House Thanadal, the Goldbeak’s easily defeated their would be conquerors. The Redfeather’s would attempt another assault on the Goldbeak’s, but this would also fail despite its covert nature. The Goldbeak’s (through High Lord Thanadal) then sued for peace, bringing the two clans together to negotiate an end to the hostilities. The treaty between them (known as the Sky Treaty) gave the Redfeather’s the rights to the islands it had already claimed, but prevented them from attempting to take the other islands by granting them to the Goldbeak’s. The Redfeather’s and the Goldbeak’s agreed they would also adhere to the remaining ways, including the second (but not the first). Further, it established a trade route for the isles, the Goldbeak clan and the other light eye clans would trade with Savalashi, while the Redfeather’s lands would trade with Kharbranth. The treaty also acted as a magic contract with non-avian humanoids, magically altering their minds so they have no interest in the lower isles, and will turn around should any attempt to travel there without the aid or lead of an Aarakocra. If a non-avian is somehow able to resist and land on the isles, the Aarakocra are legally allowed to kill them.
Since the War of Beak and Feather, and the signing of the Sky Treaty, both territories of the Aarakocra isle’s (controlled by the Redfeather’s and Goldbeak’s) have remained peaceful. While both trade with their respective allies, they maintain their coveted isolation. Thanks to the treaty, over the next 250 years knowledge of the Aarakocra’s home location faded from memory. Today, Aarakocra travel to (and even live in) Roshar, but all the non-avians know is that the Aarakocra live somewhere to the west, in the mysterious Alagos Ocean.
At the beginning or the Era of Solitude, a great disease rocked the continent and isles of Roshar. Known in Aarakocrian history as the Feather Plague, it decimated avians of all kinds in droves. The Aarakocras turned to the Vorin church, begging for help from the Ardentia. But the Vorin church was in upheaval at the time, as the new leaders of the church (some of which would initiate the first steps that would lead to the Hierocracy) focused on consolidating their power within the church. Leaders claimed the disease--which was being carried by Rosharans, but only infecting and killing Araakocras-- that it was The Almighty’s divine will. Shocked and ostracized by the Vorin church, the remaining Araakocra who had not been infected fled the continent, finding refuge on the uninhabited lower isles of Roshar’s west coast.
The Aarakocra population was decimated, down to about 250, 12 families took up residence on the various isles, taking up a life of solitude away from Roshar life. Though it took some time, Aarakocra life recovered and began to grow, and on the continent, the plague burned itself out. Over the next 60 years, a culture of isolation began to settle in. Fearing the power of the Vorin church to control the people of Roshar, the Feather Plague, and enjoying the peace and seclusion of their isles, the Aarakocra decided it would be best to remain in isolation.
Since their Exodus before 100 EOS, the memory of the Aarakocra began to fade from both the Vorin church, and citizen’s memories, until they were considered nothing more than a race of humanoids written about in dusty scholarly tomes. And as the season’s changed, a little over 300 years would pass, until a single event would wipe the Aarakocra from the annals of history altogether. The Hierocracy gained power in 400 EOS, and began a strict campaign of censorship of all historical texts, destroying any historical accounts that depicted the Vorin Church in anything but a positive light. This would mean the Vorin church’s dismissal of the Aarakocra’s pleas for help would be erased from Roshar history. While the Hierocracy was eventually put down by a combined Alethi force, all traces of the Aarakocra beyond the mythical legends passed down orally were destroyed.
It wouldn’t be another century until an Aarakocra stepped foot in Roshar. Krarrid Goldbeak, the first Aarakocran explorer from the Goldbeak clan, would cause rippling waves of shock and wonder as the people of Roshar discovered that Aarakocra still exist. People clamored to meet him, foreign dignitaries greeted him, and soon he was whisked into a complicated world of politics, deals, ambition, and greed. He quickly left Roshar as soon as he could and returned to the isles to inform the clans of what had happened. When he returned to the isles in 520 EOS, he called for a meeting with the High Wisdom, a council of 12 Aarakocra, each one a member of their own Clan’s wisdom, which acted as a unified body for all the clans of the Aarakocra. He told the High Wisdom of what he had discovered when he traveled to Roshar and of the leaders of the countries of Alethkar, Veden, Jah Keved, and Herdaz, many of whom attempted to use him as a pawn for their own goals. He informed the High Wisdom that no Aarakocra lived in Roshar, and the Feather Plague had died out centuries ago. It was then that the High Wisdom created the “ways” of the Aarakocra, a list of rules and cultural traditions. These would be a strong binding guide that would keep most Aarakocra away from the mainland for centuries more. However, around 600-650 EOS, Aarakocra from each clan began travelling to Roshar, to explore or settle there. This was not strictly prohibited by The Ways, however the travellers were expected to uphold the ways, and never give details about their home. It was during this time that the first Aarakocra born on the main continent in more than 6 centuries were hatched. While Aarakocra expanded on the main continent, immigration from the isles themselves began to taper off, as Wisdom’s began fostering promoting that leaving the isles was hurting the clans.
In approximately 800 EOS (about 10 hatchings since the creation of the ways) one of the light eye clans of the Aarakocra began integrating itself into Roshar culture (specifically in Kharbranth). The Redfeather clan spent years building up rapport with the nobles, their ultimate goal to become more powerful than any other clan, but especially more than their rival and co-inhabitant of their island, the Whitefeather clan. By doing this, the Redfeathers broke the first of the ways, “Never work with non-avian nobles, nor participate in their politics.”
By 880 EOS, the Redfeather’s (now a prominent noble family in the Kharbranthian court) had ownership of 4 of the 6 isle’s inhabited by the Aarakocra, claiming dominion over the 6 dark eyed clans, including the Whitefeather’s. Most of the other 6 clans (who are light eyed) did not stop the Redfeather clan from claiming the other isles. The Redfeather’s (being nobles of Roshar) were apprehensive to even consider subjugating other light eyes to their will, but they wanted to be the only clan in control of the isles. Afraid of attempting to take on 4 light eyed clans at once who inhabited the largest of the Aarakocra isle’s, they instead decided to focus on the loudest dissenters of their operations. The Goldbeak clan, residing in the northernmost isle, were very outspoken against the Redfeather’s conquest. The Goldbeak’s, a heavily traditionalist clan known for sending out explorers to Roshar and strictly upholding the ways, threatened the Redfeather’s with violence should they continue their conquest. This would keep the Redfeather’s at bay, for a time.
In a surprise move in 920 AD, the Redfeather’s initiated the first ever Aarakocran war with a surprise attack on the Goldbeak clans isle. While almost meaningless to the rest of Roshar (war happens constantly afterall) this was shocking for Aarakocran society. Never before had Aarakocra attacked each other in open warfare. There had been many fights between individual members of clans, and plenty of disputes, but never war. But, as the Redfeather’s flew down to the Goldbeak clan's island, they were rebutted by arrows firing from the ground. Alethi arrows. The Goldbeak’s (for all their insistence on maintaining the ways) had broken the second way “Never reveal the clan’s location to non-avians.” While the Redfeather’s had danced around the second way, never revealing any clan’s exact location by saying their dominion were all the other isles, and were not interested in visitors or trade with Roshar, they had never revealed the true locations of other clans. However, with the aid of soldiers from House Thanadal, the Goldbeak’s easily defeated their would be conquerors. The Redfeather’s would attempt another assault on the Goldbeak’s, but this would also fail despite its covert nature. The Goldbeak’s (through High Lord Thanadal) then sued for peace, bringing the two clans together to negotiate an end to the hostilities. The treaty between them (known as the Sky Treaty) gave the Redfeather’s the rights to the islands it had already claimed, but prevented them from attempting to take the other islands by granting them to the Goldbeak’s. The Redfeather’s and the Goldbeak’s agreed they would also adhere to the remaining ways, including the second (but not the first). Further, it established a trade route for the isles, the Goldbeak clan and the other light eye clans would trade with Savalashi, while the Redfeather’s lands would trade with Kharbranth. The treaty also acted as a magic contract with non-avian humanoids, magically altering their minds so they have no interest in the lower isles, and will turn around should any attempt to travel there without the aid or lead of an Aarakocra. If a non-avian is somehow able to resist and land on the isles, the Aarakocra are legally allowed to kill them.
Since the War of Beak and Feather, and the signing of the Sky Treaty, both territories of the Aarakocra isle’s (controlled by the Redfeather’s and Goldbeak’s) have remained peaceful. While both trade with their respective allies, they maintain their coveted isolation. Thanks to the treaty, over the next 250 years knowledge of the Aarakocra’s home location faded from memory. Today, Aarakocra travel to (and even live in) Roshar, but all the non-avians know is that the Aarakocra live somewhere to the west, in the mysterious Alagos Ocean.
Territories
The territory of the Aarakocra is divided into 2 territory's over 6 islands. 4 are controlled by the Redfeather's, meanwhile the norther most island, and the largest island are both controlled by the Goldbeak's.
Foreign Relations
Because the Aarakocra society is divided into two sections of control (by the Goldbeaks and Redfeathers) foreign relations vary depending on which side you're on. With Redfeather territory, they have relations with Kharbranth, while the Goldbeak territory has relations with House Thanadal in Roshar.
Divine Origins
The Culture of The Aarakocra:
Current Aarakocran culture is a slightly adjusted form of the old culture of the Aarakocra. As of now, the ways are respected, though the first has been removed.
The Ways:
The First Way: Never work with non-avian nobles, nor participate in their politics.
The Second Way: Never reveal the clan’s location to non-avians.
The Third Way: Obey the Wisdom of the clan.
The Fourth Way: Never abandon or leave the clan territory when during the time chicks are hatching
The Fifth Way: Never betray your fellow clans members.
The Sixth Way: All property belongs to the clan, not the individual.
Current Aarakocran culture is a slightly adjusted form of the old culture of the Aarakocra. As of now, the ways are respected, though the first has been removed.
The Ways:
The Second Way: Never reveal the clan’s location to non-avians.
The Third Way: Obey the Wisdom of the clan.
The Fourth Way: Never abandon or leave the clan territory when during the time chicks are hatching
The Fifth Way: Never betray your fellow clans members.
The Sixth Way: All property belongs to the clan, not the individual.
Type
Geopolitical, Tribe
Alternative Names
The Lower Isles
Demonym
Aarakocrian
Government System
Tribalism
Power Structure
Autonomous area
Economic System
Barter system
Deities
Comments