Zaedyn (Avians)

Here's where to discuss world information. Questions? Comments? Suggestions? Post them on this board. Many articles have a corresponding discussion thread, so if you want more information on a race or nation find the index stickied at the top of the board. Otherwise, feel free to post new topics for questions and such.
Forum rules
Rules of Development
  1. Keep in mind that this world may be published in one way or another. I encourage you not to integrate any concepts of a story or RPG world that you are creating and intend to publish independent of Aserra.
  2. Any ideas you use must be original, as if I publish this game, I would not like to get slapped with copyright infringement suit for a rip-off I didn't catch.
  3. Do not model any nations or cultures entirely after existing nations and cultures in the real world. You may use aspects of any existing cultures, though, and it would be best to mix things up too.
  4. There is a need to be reasonable with cultures, abilities, and the like that are created for Aserra. I don't want nations that are the epitome of perfection, or an entirely unreasonable set of abilities that causes them to be sensationally over powered compared to others of their race.
  5. I must give approval for anything major created by other players, so until I tell you that I'm ok with that, don't automatically assume that it'll be canon.
Locked
World of Aserra
Zaedyn (Avians)

Post by World of Aserra » Wed Aug 20, 2008 10:13 pm

Zaedyn
Pronunciation: ZAY-dihn. Grammatically Zaedyn can be used as both the plural and singular, but the collective is Zaedynian (such as Zaedynian culture, or Zaedynian fashion).

Created by Zelan, the God of Air, the Zaedyn were granted wings upon their backs and dominion over Aserra’s skies through the Sylph spirits they are incarnated with.
Locations and Abodes
The Zaedyn make their homes in the mountains of Aserra, living in cities carved out of the mountaintops with their Air Elementalism. The construction is graceful and sweeping, home to hundreds of Zaedyn. Each mountaintop city exists as a city state, independently ruled by either a council of elders, a monarchy, or elected official depending on the customs of the city state.

Appearance and Garb
ImageImageImageImage
The Zaedyn are a slender and lithe people, both genders are light of build for the sake of their ability to fly, but are still of comparable height to humans. The average male Zaedyn stands between 5’10” and 6’ tall (1.778-1.828m), while females range between 5’3” and 5’5” (1.6-1.651m).

Most notable about their appearance is of course, their avian wings. The wingspan of the Zaedyn is twice their height, mostly around 10 to 12 feet (around 3 meters). Their wings are situated at the center of the back (not the shoulder blades), just below the shoulder blades and above the waist on the lower half of the ribcage for stability. Their wings fold upwards, but the pinions of their wings are long enough to drag on the ground when they walk—which is corrected by a yearly molting cycle to repair damaged feathers. Plumage colors can vary and are often homogenous through a city or region. Zaedyn of the Ideil Mountain Range of eastern Thiskel are typically white or silver-winged, while others across Aserra often have wing colors and patterns that are not unlike of birds of prey.

Originally, the Zaedyn came into the world with fair features; pale skin, silvery hair, blue eyes, and silvery wings, but as the race spread across the world, they began to develop more variety to their appearance. Now, the Zaedyn come in many different colors. Those in cooler and temperate regions still have fair skin, but those in more tropical regions may have bronzed complexions. Hair colors range through colors more common in other races such as black, brown, red, and blonde, but also some more unique shades seen in the original populations in the Ideil Mountains including white, silver, silvery-blue, or silvery-violet. Zaedyn eye color covers the same range as humans, except for shades of red and orange. Like other elemental races, they have long, tapered ears and tend to be rather attractive to human standards.

Out of necessity, the Zaedyn favor light weight and non-binding clothing—though when not expecting flight they may wear heavier clothes for warmth, but they tend to have a high tolerance for cold weather. They are fond of jewelry, but their tastes are toward delicate pieces.

Lifespan and Reproduction
The Zaedyn have a lifespan of around five hundred years. They mature at the same rate as humans until the age of twenty-five, at which point apparent aging ceases until around the age of 450. Apparent aging then gradually continues until eventual death. Young Zaedyn are not capable of flight until their teenage years when their wings grow large enough to support them in flight.

Female Zaedyn are only fertile for one year out of every five years, and on average bear only two to three children throughout their lives. Their relationships are monogamous, though infidelities occasionally occur, and youths may experiment with relationships before eventually settling down with a partner for life.

Zaedyn can reproduce with other races, but there are many complications and most interracial pregnancies end in miscarriage. Viable pregnancies typically produce offspring with deformed wings, or at best, stunted wings that cannot be relied on for flight.

Diet, Agriculture, and Hunting
The Zaedyn have an omnivorous diet, but their main sources of meat are poultry and fish. They often keep fowl in their cities for eggs and meat, as well as keep gardens for vegetables and herbs that can grow at high altitudes. Zaedyn in the northern hemisphere usually rely on Brech’mar farms in the valleys to supply them with food they cannot grow themselves, but those in the southern hemisphere must be more self-reliant and instead hunt and gather for more food in the lowlands.

Religion
The Zaedyn serve Zelan, the God of Air, their patron god. They do not worship him in the same ways that humans worship their gods, but honor him by following his teachings, honing their abilities in Air Elementalism, and tending to their community.

Magic and Abilities
The Zaedyn have the ability of Air Elementalism through their Sylph souls. This allows them mastery over the wind, and they can apply their magic in many ways as a means for combat, or simple day-to-day activities.

Their sense of hearing is greater than that of humans, like other elemental races. Their vision over distance is far greater than that of humans, much like birds of prey, as it allows them to see more detail on the ground while in flight. Their other skills are on par with humans. On the ground, their perception and movement is hindered by their wings. Though they tend to be light on their feet, they are quite awkward, especially in human establishments.

Personality
Zaedyn, like the other elemental races, are set into a certain mindset due to their alignment with the element of Air. While there is still room for individuality, many personality traits are shared by nearly all Zaedyn. They are often quick witted and intelligent, but also tend to be flighty and day-dreamers. Air elementals despise confinement and routine, seeking freedom. They are also typically friendly and sociable, but at times unreliable.

Relations
As per the friendly and sociable aspects of their personalities, Zaedyn tend to have good relations with their neighbors, which often include the Brech’mar (whom many Zaedyn cities rely upon for food), Ochae’nafod, and Idayn in the Ideil Mountains. They are often out of reach of humanity, but they will do their best to keep open and friendly relations with any race neighboring them.

Play-ability
Zaedyn rarely leave their mountain ranges, but it is in the nature of many young Zaedyn to travel a bit. They should be rather rare, but not improbable to see outside of their environment. However, these young Zaedyn can often encounter threats from humans wishing to capture them, so they can be wary or discouraged.
Last edited by J. M. Vincent on Mon Feb 13, 2012 10:04 pm, edited 6 times in total.
Reason: Revised from Adun to Aserra
User avatar
J. M. Vincent
Site Admin
Posts:1632
Joined:Tue Jul 22, 2008 11:29 am
Location:Salem, OR
Contact:

Zaedyn (Avians) (Revised)

Post by J. M. Vincent » Tue Apr 07, 2009 1:00 pm

Zuku Ari-Ari Kika wrote:Stats
Zaedyn stats are held against human standards. Their agility in the air is much higher than on land, as their large wings can be quite an encumbrance--however, their bodies are built to be light and agile.
  • Strength: 9
  • Agility: 13
  • Dexterity: 12
  • Stamina: 15
  • Intelligence: 12
  • Wisdom: 14
  • Willpower: 6
  • Charisma: 8
  • Luck: 10
  • Physical Beauty: 13
World of Aserra

Zaedyn Cities

Post by World of Aserra » Fri Jun 25, 2010 7:06 pm

The Zaedyn do not unite in nations, but instead form cities on single mountaintops. They may have several cities scattered throughout a mountain range, each one independent, though they may share trade and social ties.

Ideil Mountains
  • Mount Lorine
World of Aserra

Zaedyn Cities (Kalesten)

Post by World of Aserra » Fri Jun 25, 2010 7:08 pm

The Zaedyn do not unite in nations, but instead form cities on single mountaintops. They may have several cities scattered throughout a mountain range, each one independent, though they may share trade and social ties.

Gayntos Mountains
  • Aldinal Mountain
Perdraser Mountains
  • Mount Shiral
  • Eristad Mountain
User avatar
J. M. Vincent
Site Admin
Posts:1632
Joined:Tue Jul 22, 2008 11:29 am
Location:Salem, OR
Contact:

Discussion for Zaedyn

Post by J. M. Vincent » Sun May 01, 2011 10:20 am

Any questions, comments, or corrections regarding the Zaedyn race should be posted here.
World of Aserra

Zaedyn Ethnicities

Post by World of Aserra » Fri Mar 09, 2012 7:37 pm

Zaedyn Ethnicities
As the race spread across Aserra, many differences arose between one group of Zaedyn and another. They share the same language, though with different accents and dialects. There are also differences in coloration and other superficial traits, though there is little room for differences in frame and basic biology.

Ideilian
From the Ideil Range of northeast Thiskel. The Ideil Mountains are a massive range both in length and height. They lay between the Eldir and Itray Forests, which are home to the Idayn. The mountains themselves are also home to Brech’mar, Ochae’nafod tribes, Iengi, and Kuzo. There are many Zaedyn cities up and down the length of the mountain range.

The Zaedyn in this region are closest to their original form; exceptionally fair with white wings. This is the Motherland of the Zaedyn, from here they spread across the world. As such, they also speak the purest form of the Zaedyn dialect of the Ancient Tongue. Skin color is typically very fair with silver or white hair being common. Eye color is usually blue or violet.
  • Cities: Mount Lorine
Gayntosan
From the Gayntos mountains of northern Kalesten.

Perdraser
From the Perdraser range of interior Kalesten.

Kaian
From the Kaius Mountains of northern Kalesten.
Last edited by J. M. Vincent on Thu Jul 21, 2011 10:02 pm, edited 3 times in total.
Reason: Revised from Adun to Aserra
User avatar
J. M. Vincent
Site Admin
Posts:1632
Joined:Tue Jul 22, 2008 11:29 am
Location:Salem, OR
Contact:

Re: Discussion for Zaedyn

Post by J. M. Vincent » Fri Jun 24, 2016 8:53 pm

For reference: wing ideas

Thiskel
Maris' Chasm - based on Stellar's sea eagle
Image
Image

Ourem - based on harrier
Image
Image
Image

Zirja Island - Based on Osprey
Image

Siasusti Mountains - Based on griffin vulture
Image
Image

Lisr & N. Tephiztia Mountains - Based on African crowned eagle
Image

s. Tephiztia Mountains - Based on Martial eagle
Image
User avatar
J. M. Vincent
Site Admin
Posts:1632
Joined:Tue Jul 22, 2008 11:29 am
Location:Salem, OR
Contact:

Re: Discussion for Zaedyn

Post by J. M. Vincent » Sat Jun 25, 2016 12:24 pm

Kalesten
Gayntos & Perdrasers
Based on Golden and Bald eagles
Image
Image

Ertian Plateau
Red-tailed hawk
Image
Image

South Kalesten
Based on harpy eagle
Image
Image
Locked