Avian Rituals and Society
Keywords:
AVIAN-SOCIETY, AVIAN-FEATHER, AVIAN-PRACTICES, AVIAN-RITUAL
Category:
race
On the Importance of Feathers
Due to their spiritual connection to the winds and skies of Tirradyn, avians hold their own feathers greatly sacred. To touch an avian's wings, as a result, is sexual. Doing so unexpected or without permission is sexual harassment and can cause anger or fear. Forcefully plucking an avian or intentionally destroying or damaging an avian's feather is the gravest insult one can give. They consider this desecration of their very soul and it's not uncommon for an avian to react to this violently as if you tried to murder them. Feathers that are stolen are fervently sought after by the owner, so keeping a stolen avian feather can be dangerous even if you were not the one who originally took it.
Because of a feather's extreme importance it is also considered the greatest honor for an avian to willingly gift you one of their own. It's a symbol of extreme trust and love (platonic or otherwise). They are, in essence, telling you they trust you with their life as they give a piece of themselves to you. They expect the feather to be taken care of as if it is still attached to their body. If it's not, they can become extremely offended and many will leave friendships and relationships in this case.
On Avian Relationships and Mating Rituals
Avian feathers, when plucked and placed in a garment, are also used to propose. Avians do not marry in a traditional sense after this. They simply wear a garment that has their partner's feather unless they are integrated into another society and don't wish to be traditional. Upon the death of a partner, this garment is placed upon a shrine to them and never worn again. Traditional avians are monogamous, partner for life, and don't seek a second partner if one dies. However, upon a breakup, they still might.
Avians that lose too many feathers to fly enter an incredibly dangerous spot. While most find this temporary situation benign, an avian won't because of their innate spirituality. Their situation causes extreme mental distress, which can result in very unhealthy coping mechanisms while they grow back more feathers. Unsupported, an avian could die in this situation. Not because they are helpless on the ground, but because they are so hardwired to be able to fly that the distress could easily lead to self-harm or worse.
Due to their spiritual connection to the winds and skies of Tirradyn, avians hold their own feathers greatly sacred. To touch an avian's wings, as a result, is sexual. Doing so unexpected or without permission is sexual harassment and can cause anger or fear. Forcefully plucking an avian or intentionally destroying or damaging an avian's feather is the gravest insult one can give. They consider this desecration of their very soul and it's not uncommon for an avian to react to this violently as if you tried to murder them. Feathers that are stolen are fervently sought after by the owner, so keeping a stolen avian feather can be dangerous even if you were not the one who originally took it.
Because of a feather's extreme importance it is also considered the greatest honor for an avian to willingly gift you one of their own. It's a symbol of extreme trust and love (platonic or otherwise). They are, in essence, telling you they trust you with their life as they give a piece of themselves to you. They expect the feather to be taken care of as if it is still attached to their body. If it's not, they can become extremely offended and many will leave friendships and relationships in this case.
On Avian Relationships and Mating Rituals
Avian feathers, when plucked and placed in a garment, are also used to propose. Avians do not marry in a traditional sense after this. They simply wear a garment that has their partner's feather unless they are integrated into another society and don't wish to be traditional. Upon the death of a partner, this garment is placed upon a shrine to them and never worn again. Traditional avians are monogamous, partner for life, and don't seek a second partner if one dies. However, upon a breakup, they still might.
Avians that lose too many feathers to fly enter an incredibly dangerous spot. While most find this temporary situation benign, an avian won't because of their innate spirituality. Their situation causes extreme mental distress, which can result in very unhealthy coping mechanisms while they grow back more feathers. Unsupported, an avian could die in this situation. Not because they are helpless on the ground, but because they are so hardwired to be able to fly that the distress could easily lead to self-harm or worse.