Awyran

Awyran

Basic Information

Anatomy

Their faces are marked with sharp, angular features. They possess pneumatized bones, which hold little strength but give a supernatural lightness to them, allowing flight.
Though avian in appearance, they possess strong, carnivorous teeth. They have no hair, but sharp, coarse feathers form on their heads and bodies. When provoked, a dense collar of feathers around their neck rise and extend to intimidate enemies. From their neck, a thin layer of plumage coats their shoulders and continues down to their pectorals.
The upper appendages of the Awyran act both as their arms and their wings. Their hands possess long, talon like claws. A sixth digit, attached at the wrist below the pinkie finger, forms the remige which holds the primary feathers and therefore enables their ability to fly. This appendage folds at the wrist, meeting against the arm and poking out above the elbow. Its feathers fold together to hide its true size.
The legs of the Awyran are narrow and bony with scaled skin which extends from their upper thighs to their feet. From their thighs, their legs extend to forward facing knees. From the knees, long hollow bones extend to backwards joints which are believed to be the ankles. From their ankles, a third bone reaches their feet which appear to be standing on their three taloned toes. A fourth toe extends backwards from the other three for balance.

— Journal of the New World, The Awyran Folk

Sexual Dimorphism

Females are the larger of the two sexes, possessing greater muscle definition with darker colored feathers than their male counterparts. Their vocal range is low, within the alto range. Fat is stored around their hips, thighs, buttocks, and chest which gives them curvier appearance than the typical male.

In comparison, Awyran males are smaller in size and possess a more rounded body appearance. Unlike the females, males have large, brightly colored feathers but smaller talons on their hands and feet. Males also have a higher, soprano tone of voice which is naturally more harmonic than their female counterparts.

Genetics and Reproduction

The Awyran utilize physical intercourse for sexual reproduction. Once achieved, the eggs are internally fertilized and begin to form within the female of the species. Unlike with mammals, the egg is left unconnected and the unborn young is nourished by the egg yolk. The egg is made of a soft shell that will remain within the mother's body for six months. During this time, the mother will eat less as the egg grows inside them over time until the laying.

Roughly three days before hatching, the mother will "lay" the egg by forcing it from their body. Immediately, the soft outer membrane hardens into a shell. The act will leave the mother physically weak and unable to move for several days. It is during this time that family are expected to aid in the hatching process by feeding and taking care of the mother to prepare for the hatching and to gather her strength for the feeding. Those who are without family are taken care of by neighbors and friends. It is believed that without this tight-knit community, the mother could die shortly after the hatching from starvation.

After three to five days, the hardened shell will begin to crack and a new Awyran child is born from the egg. The birth of a new hatchling is considered a momentous occasion as it is only done a few times in a mother's life.

Growth Rate & Stages

Awyran children, when hatched, have the same abilities as a human toddler. These chicklings are already covered in a coating of downy feathers but do not have their wings fully formed yet. Throughout their lives, they will go through three moults which are used in the place of birthdays.

They grow up quickly, having their first moult within two years from hatching. It is from here that the chickling begins training in certain life skills and speech by their parent.

The second moult happens after seven to eight years from hatching. It is from here that the child is trained in fighting abilities, as well as begin the process to find their place in the greater society in the community.

Their third, and final, moult happens after thirteen to fifteen years from hatching. From here, Awyran children are finally taught to fly as well as seek apprenticeship under a master within their community and prepare to begin their own family and create their own home. At this point, the chickling is considered to officially be an adult.

Ecology and Habitats

The Awyran live in dense forests of Ardoc trees. The trees are roughly 100 feet wide and over two hundred feet tall.
The Awyran build nests from large sticks that are woven together using mud and clays. Their homes are tear drops in shape, hanging from the thick branches. However, more prominent members of society live in more spherical homes that are attached to the sides of the tree and are much larger than the usual tear-drop homes.
Most normal houses are fit for a standard Awyran family, which contains about four people with two adults and two children.

Lifespan

50 to 70 years

Average Height

Female (Adult)
6' feet to 6' 5" feet
Male (Adult)
5' 7" feet to 6' feet

Average Weight

Females (adult)
140 lbs to 160 lbs Males (adult)
125 lbs to 145 lbs

Average Length

Wingspan
7 feet to 8 feet