Avions

**Avions** are a subspecies of Elytrian. Not to be mistaken with Avians.

## Description

Semi bipedal, semi quadrupedal bird people of a secretive, high up place in the Overworld. Tall, over 7 feet on average. Six limbs. Reminiscent of raptorial birds of prey; eagles, falcons, hawks and owls. Omnivorous but most inclined to meat, with a high protein requirement to sustain them. 20-30 foot wingspan, depending on height and weight.

Skull is humanoid with the exception of two pairs of large and impressive looking canines as a replacement to a regular raptorial bird’s sharp beak. Face is the only area of the body with bare ‘human’ skin, the rest is either feathered or a tougher, scaled bird-like hide (specifically on arms and legs). The rest of the body is less humanoid, though easily capable of bipedalism as well as quadrupedalism, the same way a bear is.

"Hair" is made up entirely of fine feathers. All Avions develop facial feathering, akin to facial hair in humans.

Hands and feet are equally prehensile to each other and both feature large talons. Appearance varies greatly between individuals.

Few in numbers; nearing extinction.

## History

Avions are a secretive people, split off from the rest of the Overworld following the fallout of the Apocalypse. They lived in isolation, high up, beyond reach of any other people, eventually so isolated as to not know of any others themselves. Despite this, certain Overworld legends bear striking resemblance to their homeland.

Their wings, lungs and size became adjusted for high altitudes and long flights. Following a disaster in their main homeland, the vast majority of Avions died off and only a few descended from the height, rendering them on the brink of extinction.

## Species History; Volucris, Proto-Avions, Anthro-Ornis and Swan Maidens

Avions come from a long, divided evolutionary tree of bird folk, collectively known as **Volucris** or **Anthrovolucris.**

Their species began with the existence of the **Swan Maidens** - Pre-apocalyptic, large mythical birds with the ability to transform into humans by shedding their feathers or skin. Swan maidens came into existence from intelligent mythical birds who got their hands on magic.

Along the way, the bird and human properties of swan maidens became mixed into one form, different individuals splitting into different features. These included the **Proto-Avions** and **Anthro-Ornis**.

**Proto-Avions** were an early ancestor of modern Avions, although their appearance was not yet altered by what would become their homeland. They bore resemblance to a wide range of birds as opposed to only raptors, although beginning to lean into meat-preferring omnivorism. They also lacked many of the features of modern avions - size and strength being the most obvious, as Proto-Avions rarely broke over 5'8, with less well muscled limbs. Their legs were also not as birdlike.

**Anthro-Ornis** on the other hand are a separate branch of the evolutionary tree - most commonly six limbed and with full bird heads. Not much is known of them as of now, but it can be surmised that some might have blended in with usual anthropomorphic villagers and flown under the radar as being any different.

## Notable Avions & Other Volucris

* Leif, Avion and leader of The Valley
* Morrigan, Proto-Avion (deceased in Dust SMP)
* Róża, Swan Maiden (deceased in Ashes SMP)

## Trivia

* The name "Avion" was inspired by the bird colossus from Shadow of the Colossus