Information on Suloinen Tuulta's race, the Taivaskas!

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The Taivaskas are an Alanéan race resembling anthro hippogriffs, and are one of the most long lived of all the mortal races. Inhabiting the mountainous northern regions of Alané, this species enforces a long emplaced isolationist policy upon themselves after the last Great Alanéan War, roughly a millennium ago, vowing to remove themselves from the politics and squabbles of the other races. Due to this, information on their society and customs is limited due to such a tiny number of Taivaskas willing to leave their homeland, so strong is this ingrained sense of detachment from the world outside there borders.

Physically, they stand at roughly 9 to 10 feet in height, for males, and 7 to 8 feet in females, although as the Taivaskas race is as diverse in breed due to the many species of bird-horse making up their numbers, smaller, or even larger specimens aren’t too uncommon. All members of the race share the same features however, and those are beaks, large, powerful feathered wings on their backs, and hoofed feet. Hands are usually black or yellow skinned bird like talons. Despite their avian traits, they have equine ears and long fur on the legs, the rest of their body’s covering is fine, downy feathers. Body shapes are varied but usually lean towards toned, muscular physiques, though skinny or softly shaped Taivaskas are known, particularly in the smaller breeds.

Breeds of Taivaskas vary, some resemble the blue tit, some resemble the majestic golden eagle, though the most common breed resemble brown feathered hawks, of no major breed specification. However some breeds are different in many ways, those belonging to the owl and corvid breeds are known for their high intelligence, with owl based Taivaskas serving as sages and priests for their worship of Air and Storm Elementals, and corvid Taivaskas serving as spies, scouts and assassins for them.

Religion wise, the Taivaskas revere the Air and Storm Elementals, building shrines and temples to them atop the mountains they call home. The oldest and most elaborate of these places of worship is the Kaavanteja Monastery, a place where those attuned to the element of air may study and practice their craft alongside the Wind Monks who inhabit the ancient stone building. Taivaskas princess and Hero of Air Suloinen Tuulta was a member of this Elementalist order for near 90 years before leaving, their top student and the most powerful Air Elementalist in Taivaskas history.

This race does not build prisons to hold their criminals. If a Taivaskas feels wronged by another it is usually settled with a violent duel to quell the dispute. Those caught in the act are usually shown no mercy as they have a strong mob rule mentality around crime. Those deemed to have committed acts too terrible to settle by blood are exiled from Taivaska for life, condemned to forever wander the outside world until the day death takes them.

Unlike many other races, it is the female who initiates courtship, by challenging a male they are interested in to a wrestling match, and will become engaged to them should they tie or be bested. If the male loses they merely express disappointment and move on, searching for a stronger mate. Egg layers, they raise their young in communal hatcheries, the eggs hatching after roughly 120-140 days of incubation, and the young are told apart by their parents via scent. A newborn Taivaskas is a hatchling, a youngster is a chick, one between the ages of 8 and 12 is a nestling, teenagers are fledglings, and adult males are bulls, females are hens. All are born with white, fluffy feathers that become their adult coating at around 16 years of age, and the average lifespan of a Taivaskas can reach well in excess of 400 years!

Their military, though not needed to repel external threats for a long time, is efficient and powerful. Taivaskas favor the war hammer and war axe as weapons, feeling that only instruments that can crush and cleave foes apart fit their size and strength. Expert blacksmiths and wood workers, Taivaskas produced weapons are known for their intricate, ornate designs as well as practicality and power. Taivaskas armor usually covers all of the body except for the wings, making those the only target, albeit not an easy one. Hooves are often reinforced with boots to add even more force to their crushing kicks. Ranged weapons are typically javelins thrown from the air by less armored skirmishers. Battle mages known as Windcallers support the troops by summoning powerful storms and lightning strikes upon targets, or blowing them away with hurricane force winds.

All Taivaskas are omnivores, even the smaller breeds who resemble non-predatory birds. Their diet includes honey, meat, fish, grains, and large helpings of locally brewed mead. Rumors of swallowing smaller sentients whole are often disregarded, though they persist. Fashion is usually simple leather garments or robes, depending on occupation. Farming villages are built within the valleys while the major settlements are built into and onto the mountains, the capital city of Taivaska is Raumajen, or “Honey Roast” in the Taivaskan language.