Birds

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The **Birds** are the main antagonists of *Laika: Aged Through Blood*, an imperialistic and xenophobic faction that bends any area they occupy to their iron will. For a breakdown of Bird soldiers, see here.

## Background

### Early Period

Prior to the events of the game and even before the ecological calamity that is depicted, The Birds were a peaceful society much like our nations on the real world. Having not yet being militarized by their leaders and religion they traded and lived peacefully with other races.

### Founding of the Empire

The Bird Empire was founded by General Solinor before the ecological collapse depicted, during his rule the once peaceful society was militarized and turned into a xenophobic dystopia, those caught in the expansion of the empire were eliminated.

It was during this time that subordinates to Solinor achieved many feats that shaped the current world and the society of the Birds. Sciences were absorbed by the military resulting in the first mutations and gene-manipulations, with a 10 years mandatory military service imposed on every individual. The resulting overwhelming resources exploitation and predatory fishing done by Admiral Poullark, coupled with the numerous conflicts resulted in ecological collapse and the emergence of the Wastelands.

### Religion

Some time after the founding of the empire the Bird's society eventually declined into a religious following of their self-imposed superiority, utilizing The Big Tree as their religious and bureaucratic center. During this period, many cultural achievements were made, with the construction of the biggest library in the Wastelands by Pope Donoria VI as an example. This new religious ideology would remain in power for at least 600 years, with a new pope being elected approximately every 100 years.

### Decline

Due to the constant wars, internal conflicts and the apparent weakening of their genetic manipulation knowledge, the Birds would enter a period were their society would digress on a technological level with many of their critical machinery breaking down or in state of disrepair and in a religious level, with their religion weakened by the change of the main government location to the Floating City and weakened leadership. The technological disrepair of the Birds can also be linked to the xenophobia imposed by their society, leading to a lack of knowledge shared from other species.

### Fall of the Empire

After centuries of technological and religious stagnation, the Birds society and power was reduced to a shadow of its former self, with a large percentage of the Undernest population living in poverty, famine, and unemployment, forced into military service and financial debt orchestrated by predatory capitalism (manifesting as usurious loans at 300% interest, rampant gambling, and conspicuous consumerism). Religious zealotry and general bigotry directed towards "ground scum" are used as instruments of social control, to keep the Birds focused on the "other", instead of questioning the will of its insane leaders.

Laika's campaign coincides with a growing revolutionary movement inside the society, with many individuals willing to sacrifice themselves to change the status quo and oppose their government. The death of the last highly mutated bird, the self-proclaimed ''Two Beak God'', wipes out the leadership and likely results in a great power vacuum that destroyed their empire.

## Organization

The Birds are a fascist society, characterized by extreme militarization, jingoism, and hatred towards ground dwellers. While they tolerate those who willingly serve their empire, Non-Birds are treated as inferior and run a high risk of death, particularly when serving in the army. There's also a significant amount of bureaucracy: Titles like "Non-Bird Advanced Electromagnetic Radiocommunications Maintenance Technician" are not uncommon, but few give it a second thought.

The actual command structure is unclear. Personnel assignments are handled by a Central Bureau.

Opposition to the military's rule and influence is scattered and disorganized. Those who oppose unrestricted war and militarization of society are known as Pacifists to sympathizers and Renegades to their enemies. Those caught are not killed, but subjected to gruesome punishment: Their beaks are cut off, rendering them unable to lead a normal life and permanently marking them as enemies of the state.

### Genetic manipulation

As a result of General Surgeon Boqerson absorbing the sciences into the military branch in the early stages of the empire's founding, the Birds developed a deep knowledge of advanced medical procedures such as the genetic manipulation of their own race and others. This resulted in the creation of Birds with ''super-human'' feats, these exotic individuals would then lead the empire as Popes and Generals. The Birds would use this knowledge to create creatures from other species to use as bio-mechanical machines of war or tools.

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Laika: "*You had me worried! I never told anyone you were not here, in case you were disobeying the Elder's orders not to leave Where We Live."*

Shaza: "*I was already out when she gave the order. I was near the <color=#FF492E>Old Lighthouse</color>, installing a radio transmitter to hack the Birds' communications. "*

Laika: "*Oh, yeah, and you were saying you just intercepted a message?"*

Shaza: "*Here's what it says: "Non-Bird Advanced Electromagnetic Radiocommunications Maintenance Technician accidentally killed. Please send new one. Sturdier." And here's the reply from some "Central Bureau": "Expect sturdier Non-Bird Advanced Electromagnetic Radiocommunications Maintenance Technician in a few days. Please stop accidentally killing them.""*

Laika: "*Plan is I pretend to be the non-bird Advanced Whatever Technician, fingers crossed they fall for it?"*

Shaza: "*You're definitely sturdy. If you destroyed the Old Lighthouse, we'd disrupt their communications. It'd be harder for them to get organized. Plus, it'd be easier to keep Where We Live a secret."*

Shaza: "*You know your way?"*

Laika: "*East, then South to Where the Waves Die, then West."*

Shaza: "*Take care, hon."*

Laika: "*I won't."*
2. ↑ The Two-Beak God: "*As we speak, our loyal soldiers are cutting the beaks off of every Bird involved, in this piece of shit organization!*"