Tezeka

## Overview

The Tezeka are a species of bird//humanoid creatures that can be found throughout almost all of Razhai. They are a result of **Opa** fusing together the spirit of birds and the spirits of humans to create an entirely new species. Their bird ancestry has granted them an extensive list of physical benefits while their human side has allowed them a vast intelligence and ingenuity. They actually share a close connection with **Yavek** due to birds and reptiles having similar DNA. Unlike Yavek however, the Tezeka were formed using Opa instead of being the result of mutated evolution like the Yavek were.

The biology of the Tezeka has quite a bit of influence on their history due to the unique advantages and disadvantages they naturally posses. Sometimes in Razhai Tezeka are seen as weak and cowardly due to their nature and culture but they are some of the hardiest survivors on the planet.

### **Biology**

* **Basic Biology-**The Biology of the Tezeka are among the most interesting yet most straight forward for any species in Razhai. Most of the Physical aspects come from their avian heritage. Their bodies are covered in feathers, that can range drastically in color mostly coming from the different species of birds they are descendants from. They have two digitigrade legs that they use to walk upright like humans with bird like feet at the end usually having sharp talons. Their legs are the heaviest and most muscular part about them leading to the few styles of combat the Tezeka have to be based around kicks and use of their talons. The upper body of a Tezeka is covered in feathers and instead of having tradition arms like a human they have large wings. These wings are special because they actually have a joint that allows the wing to function like a human arm but will also lock into place creating a traditional wing like structure. The body is very lean due to the fact that Tezeka must be very light weight in order to takeoff and maintain flight. A distinct lack of muscle means that they lack a lot of raw power and brute physical strength. A common Tezeka is around 4 to 5 feet tall, again to conserve weight for maintaining flight. This lack of strength and size is one of the main reasons that Tezeka don't idolize combat like some other races in Razhai do. For the head of a Tezeka, they usually possess bird like beaks that can be used to eat and even attack with.
* **Light, Flexible bones-** The bones of a Tezeka are very distinct because like regular bird bones they are hollow to conserve weight. While regular birds are fragile due to this feature, the Tezeka evolved a distinct work around for this flaw. While they have very thin hollow bones, their bones are also very flexible for bone standards. They can endure a much greater flex before snapping with helps in the overall durability for their physical health while still allowing them to stay light, agility and able to fly. A distinctive flexible bone does compensate somewhat for having hollow bones, it doesn't completely mitigate the problem which leaves the Tezeka a very vulnerable race.
* **Chattery voices-** The Tezeka voice is a combination of a human voice and linguistics combined with the sing-song chirps. Tezeka often sound very similar to one and other to another race but to each other they sound wildly different, almost like how accents can sound wildly different.
* **Flight Time-** The amount of flight time each sub species of Tekeza has is a very important part of their culture but it mainly stems from their heritage. Smaller species of Tekeza like the common birds can fly anywhere from 1-3 hours at a time if they are in heathy condition. Bigger Tekeza like the predatory kind have a much shorter flight time due to being bigger. Bigger Tekaza can only fly for around 45 minutes to an hour.

### **Culture**

The culture of the Tekeza can vary a lot from species to species but they all have underlying themes that run throughout any member of the race.

* **Love of Exploration-** With a natural ability to explore and observe the land, a large amount of culture is based upon a love of exploration. One of the most respected professions a Tekeza can have is a cartographer or a map maker. A Tekeza that is the first to map out an unexplored territory is hailed as a celebrity and is ranked very highly on the social status. Many Tezeka will devote their lives to exploring uncharted and dangerous territories. This is mainly why Tezeka are found throughout the world of Razhai. Sometimes a Tezeka explorer will be the most common thing that connects the strange and distinct lands of Razhai. Even the less brave Tezeka will still strive to see a great variety of areas even if they are already well documented and explored.
* **Respect for song-** The Tekeza have a great deal of love and respect for song. Almost every species of Tekeza has a very distinct song that belongs solely to that species, with variations even down to the separate families in a species. When flying together, a flock of Tekeza will sing together in perfect harmony. Song is a large part of their culture and the majority of their history has been recorded as oral songs passed down from generation to generation. These songs can be long epic tales that every Tekeza big and small knows, or it can be a personal song just between a mother and child. Like their language, an outsider may perceive these songs as incoherent chirps and squeaks but within their culture and understanding, these songs are extremely complex and intricate.
* **Aversion from combat-** A lightweight frame and lean muscle may help the Tekeza take to the skies and fly, but it is not good for the brutality of combat. Many Tekeza will try to avoid combat at all costs due to battle not being a focus of their biology or culture. In Tekeza culture, combat is seen only as a means to an end or a last possible solution. When they do have to fight, they use a very defensive fighting style that focus on range and extremely sharp, light blades. The main form of defensive a Tekeza will use is a bow. They ultimately prefer bows over guns because bows are always much lighter in weight and can be used in the air. The light frame of a Tekeza is shaken even at the recoil of the smallest caliber fire arms, along with guns being heavy metal objects. This weight issue is why Tekeza don't wear armor due to the heavy and restricting nature it imposes on the light and free Tekeza. Tekezan archers usually find a high, safe vantage point and rain down accurate arrows from a distance. When combat doesn't allow for long ranged combat a Tekezan warrior will then use an assortment of throwable weapons. These weapons are always extremely light weight and razor sharp such as needles, knives, throwing stars and chakrams. A throwing knife may not be as destructive as a gun, in the right hands it is an extremely lethal, silent and reusable weapon. When hand to hand combat is unavoidable, some Tekeza carry around extremely thin rapiers or estoc swords. These long thin swords are very light and focus mainly on creating space between fighters instead of being up close. Weapons like spears may be better at creating range between opponents, thin swords allows them maximum mobility in confined spaces. Chances are, if a Tekeza has to resort to using a close quarters weapon they aren't in a good position to use a spear either. A special weapon that is extremely common among Tekeza are wingsticks. A wing stick is a tribladed boomerang that many Tekeza strive to master.
* **Brains over brawn-** Due to the Tekeza's love for sophistication and more fragile biology has lead to a cultural respect for fast and smart thinking instead of strong bodies. In Tekeza cities and societies their is a much greater respect for a smart leader than a strong leader. Some races in Razhai choose leaders based on strength and power, the Tekeza have a sophisticated governmental system that has a lot of rules, laws and rights for their citizens.
* **Friendly Feathers-** The feathers of a Tekeza are very sacred to them. To them, their feathers are something that makes them beautiful and elegant as well as aiding their flight. If a Tekeza gifts you one of their feathers, that is one of the highest forms of trust they can put into another person.