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 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.