Avion Culture

Bird Wylderkyn that hail from New Zenith such as from House Aviary call themselves Avions. They have a deep rich culture that stems from a thousand years of cultivation and growth as a society. Avions as a culture are notorious for having a superiority complex. This stems from their pride of literally rising New Zenith from Bastion and creating a veritable paradise in the clouds.

## Avion Families

#### Bouquet

**Matriarch:** Bouquet Genevieve Lucius Mary of Featherfall the 1st [Ptarmigan-kyn]

Game Birds families found largely in the Rookery, Featherfall, and various "ridge" districts. Most commonly found in Second and Third Estate classes. Bouquets are known for their flashy displays, yet reserved demeanors.

#### Cotillion

**Matriarch:** Cotillion Victoria Edmund Guinevere of Skyhaven the 1st [Dove-kyn]

Dove/Pigeon families that make their nests in Zephyr Court, Keel Hallow, Zanorum, Rookery, and Cranbourne. Dove-kin are found almost entirely in the First Estate, while Pigeon-kin in the Third Estate. In recent decades, the two families joined together to strengthen their claims in the Senate, although certain Cotillion members still cling to their original family names. Regardless, all Cotillions tend to be cautious and analytical, with an inclination for non-violence.

#### Fletcher

**Matriarch:** Fletcher Cassandra Fabian Theodora of Keel Hollow the 1st. [Jackdaw-kyn]

Corvids families that can be found in Featherfall, Rookery, Keel Hollow, and Gilderncage. They can be seen in every Estate, but especially the Second. Covids are commonly cunning and fast talking. The value wealth higher than other families, but risk it just as quickly. Many go into magical studies.

#### Flotilla

**Matriarch:** Flotilla Maria Fernando Gabriela of Roost the 1st (Macaw-kyn)

Tropical bird families found almost exclusively in The Roost and Featherfall, with a small pocket of renown chefs in Kestral's Ridge. Flotillas are highly social and look for high engagement activities. Flotilla's value the latest fashions more than any other New Zenith family and will aggressively seek out the most popular look for any gathering.

#### Kettle

**Matriarch:** Kettle Mabel Torval Corvanette of the Zephyr Court the 1st (Gyrfalcon Wylderkin)

The Birds of Prey families are a dominant force in New Zenith culture. Found commonly in Gilderncage, Keel Hollow, and the Zephyr Court, Kettles tend to have very dominant personalities. Kettle Knights are considered the most highly trained soldiers in all of New Zenith. Kettle Senators are infamous for their outspoken speeches on the floors of Skyhaven.

#### Knot

**Matriarch:** Knot Carmen Antonio Marcella of Gilderncage the 1st

Songbird families are the most common Avions on New Zenith. You can find them in every class and every district. Famous Knot families include House Columbary is a traveling minstrel group that tour around the Rookery. A Knots are known for their hardworking attitude and ability to adjust to any situation.

#### Parliament

**Matriarch:** Parliament Candy Robert Charlene of Vidalia the 1st [Great Horned Owl]

The Owl families are the most reclusive in all of New Zenith. They live almost entirely in the district of Vedalia. Parliament families claim to have been the first society of Avions to guide New Zenith in its infancy and allow it to take flight. Additionally, Talon Legionnaires are ferocious and particularly cruel in battle. Parliament Avions are known for the cold detached natures, but brilliant insights.

#### Raft

**Matriarch:** Raft Priscilla Kenneth Brigette of the Roost the 1st (Sandhill Crane Wylderkin)

The waterfowl and crane families that make up house Raft are some of the best planners of all of New Zentih. Any city project, anniversary party, or wedding would not happen without the workings of the Raft houses. Their close knit nature and willingness to go above and beyond have ingratiated them to nearly every other house. The members of house Raft tend to flock to the waterside properties in Zenorum and the Roost.

#### Ratite

The lowest tier of New Zenith, second only to outsiders, Ratite are the parentless bastards of the Avion. Whether removed from the clutch by circumstance or disgrace, Ratite do not claim either a family or their parents' name. One can find birds of all variety among their number, as fate feels pity for neither station nor innocence. Some are later eggs cast out from the family as too much burden, or denied the family name by weight of their own misdeeds. Others, are eggs left on the hospital doorstep as the unexcusable offspring of a SkyHaven Lord and a Zenorum Cuckoo, left to fend for themselves as best possible. Eggs born from Ratite parents retain the name, and declare no parents.

Ratite find work as servants, porters, sailors, and other menials, allowed to live only as a constant reminder to other avion that life could be worse. While life is grim, most Ratite accept their place and live their life without too much complaint.

The glimmering hope for all Ratite is the potential to marry up into a family name, be accepted into a family as a reward for extended service or honour, or to earn a commission in the Avion Navy and have a family name bestowed by the Lord Admiral Byrd.

## Name Structure

*(Title) (Family name) (Mother's name) (Father's name) (Given name) (Birth place) (Egg order)*

#### Title

Avions hold formality and tradition in high regard. An Avion's dedicated role in New Zenith society is an important step into adulthood. As such, simply addressing one with only their title is often adequate and accepted in casual conversation. It's viewed as an acknowledgment of their time and dedication to their skills.

#### Family Names

Family are the most valued aspect of Avion culture, something that is represented with the family name always presented first in the name order. As a matriarchal society, the Avion's mother's name is the next to be respected in name order. She was the one to lay your eggs and tend to them. Her respect is demonstrated before all except family. An Avion's father's name comes after the mother's. Both parents names as respected before an Avion's given name. An Avion would not exist without their family or parents, so their importance is stressed in the name order.

#### Given Names

An Avion's given name can vary depended on the family. Fletchers tend to use grandparent names. Knots traditionally decide given names based on the seasons. Flotillas are known to venerate flowers for given names. Regardless, depending on the family, a given name can be a very personal name to use, and some Avions will forbid all but the closes in their lives from using it openly.

#### Birth Place

An Avion's place of birth can speak volumes to their background and upbringing. A Kettle from the Rookery will be viewed differently than one introduced from the Roost. There are 13 districts in New Zenith to be born in. Any Avion born outside the city simply uses "New Zenith," although they are highly looked down on, often colloquially referred to as "Mudfeathers". Some Avion born on New Zenith proper will also use New Zenith in place of their actual birthplace name to signify their commitment to the city as a whole.

#### Egg Order

An Avion's egg order represents when a specific Avion hatched in their nest. Avion's that hatch first are believed to show the most promise and initiative and are given more status in Avion society. "A first impression is a lasting one" and nothing is more emblematic of this ideal than how Avion's respect egg order.

* **1st Egg**: Will receive a majority of the inheritance, but is expected to carry on the family line. Often becomes the "face" of the family and/or the political representative.
* **2nd Egg**: Is responsible for maintaining the family house/members. Is viewed to be the most maternal of the family line. Will receive the second highest inheritance.
* **3rd Egg**: Is expected to grow the family power and influence. Will gain inheritance equal with 4th through 10th.
* **4th - 10th Egg**: Is expected to take on roles to support the family. Only at this rank are they allowed to marry outside of the family. Unlike 1st - 3rd eggs, their inheritance does not contain land inheritance.

## New Zenith Class System

#### First Estate (High Politicians)

Avions that work out of Zephyr Courts and Skyhaven. Composed of mainly judges, senators, councilavians, and ambassadors.

#### Second Estate (Nobles)

Avions that reside mainly in The Roost, Feathfall, Vadalia, Gilderncare, and Cranbourne. Composed of largely doctors, lawyers, military, scientist, magic scholars, professors, and courtiers.

#### Third Estate (Servants)

Avions that live in the Rookery, Zenoram, Kestral's Ridge, and Congar. Composed of sailors, guards, laborers, butlers, craftsmen, and artists.