Appearance: Close in relation to that of humans, the only real difference between themselves and humans is their large wings that have grown out of their backs. More often than not they are bird like, feathers, assorted colors, and other such items, but that hasn't stopped winglies from having other types of wings. Some are known to have had bat-like wings, even a rare reptilian wing. Due to the intense hunting, though, most Winglies born, are born on Sohar, where feathers reign supreme. The wings can fold up fairly well along their back, and are about 1.5 times the size of their bodies. (6ft tall Winglie = 18 foot wingspan)
Abilities: Legend states that they made powerful sorcerers and mages. However, it is only legend, and since they are so numberless now, no one can really tell for sure. However, due to their likeness to humans, they’ve grown to adapt, and so, they tend to excel in either combat, or sorcery, but usually not both, like practically all people and races.
They can also fly for a good length of time using their wings. However, after extended use, their wings do tire out. And, they have an amazingly strong immune system since they’ve built up antibodies to many kinds of infections, sicknesses, and diseases.
History: The Winglies are a cursed race, and have been for millennia. The reason for this is not known, but deeply instilled in every being is an inherent weak hatred for Winglies. Also poisons seemed to have been created solely for their destruction, as such the Winged folk have lived rough lives.
The Acharta' No'urgt were a peaceful race that lived on the small archipelago, Sohar, south of where the city of Sha-Liden would later be built. They lived quite peacefully there, however, as their numbers grew, space diminished. So, many began moving on to other lands and such in search of new homes.
Unfortunately the wings on their backs soon prompted the other races to become quite jealous, humans especially. They began looking down at this winged race, ignoring their rightful name and for the first time bestowing the name of "Winglie" to the people. That name was used too much that even the Acharta' No'urgt had forgotten their true names.
They were commonly enslaved or hunted for their wings by the wealthy and by hunters. Many of those who left the island fled back in fear of the other races. However, because they fled back, many brought strange sicknesses and diseases that no one knew how to treat. Because of that, many of the Winglies on the island became sick and died. Those who have survived have built up a fairly strong immune system; however, the price for it was costly as only 5% of the race exists now in the world of Fou Lu...
Transportation: Most commonly, they fly from spot to spot, making good use of the large wings on their backs. The distances they fly are usually not very far, as even though they can fly for hours at a time, it can cause fatigue of the muscles in their wings, and so they prefer to just glide through the air. After that, they can always walk, or take one of the many kinds of transportations across Fou Lu.
Religion: Since they live just south of Sha-Liden, they are most commonly water elementals. They worship the goddess Aidon because she is a kind and gentle god, as opposed to that of Mercu, or a seemingly uncaring god Volkain. They’re also known for worshipping Althena, however, not quite as frequently, and most Winglies that do, are fanatics of sorts.
Language: Winglies, having been Human at one point, simply speak Common. The dialect of Pharn has a bit of Goblin, while the dialect of Aero has some Elven in the mix. Feitro has a smattering of Dwarf. Overall they are Common, however.
Society: Winglies formerly had a system when they were thriving, which consisted of tribes, and a kind of "everyone does their part" ideal.
But since their cursing, and their lowering of civilization, all that is left is one very interlinked culture on their home island, Sohar.
All winglies born on this are under control of the Winglie government, which has elected officials and a very civilized way of running. The whole island is overseen by the Winglie Council, which is headed by the Grand Winglie, whom is elected for the position until the day he dies, whereupon there is much fight over succession.
This system has worked for the past thousand years, give or take.
In the World: Winglies are very rarely seen in the world. So rarely seen, that most people won’t encounter one in their life times. When they do, many give mixed reactions towards them. There are few who actually hold any kind of seat of power in Fou Lu, mainly because they’re that rare. The only time you’ll really ever see them practicing their religious belief is in private and usually only on their island. Thankfully for the Winglies, their island is surrounded by very sharp rocks with estranged whirlpools and powerful waves all about. The island isn’t that far off land either, so they could fly the distance there and back easily. It is believed that they all gathered together in a massive prayer and asked Aidon for a defense for their island. Many have tried to invade the island for hunting purposes, but few have ever made it over and none have returned.
In more recent times Winglies have been actually sent from the island in order to seek out more diplomatic relations with assorted cities, though hostilities are still high, some cities do recognize the Winglies as a fair culture, and have even gone so far as to offer embassies to the race with the long forgotten name.
