PEOPLE OF THE AIR Created as proud masters of the air and explorers of the North, the people of the air built a network of cities across the untouched Northern steppes and mountains, and were admired for their intelligence and strength as much as for their grace and speed. Now their proudest cities are fallen, their few remaining enclaves hidden, and thousands of them live in slavery across Creation. Where they once prided themselves on helping hold the border against the Wyld, they must now conceal themselves on the very Bordermarches. While they would once have walked in Creation among the human throngs and been admired for the splendor of their white wings, they must now hide those wings if they are to move freely. Otherwise, they risk being slain as Wyld mutants or captured as slaves. But they endure. They preserve ancient pieces of First Age technology and lost artifacts from their high cities, they train their young in combat as well as hunting, and they remember the Lawgivers who were once their masters, dreaming that they will come again and return the air folk to their rightful place. Clothing and Weapons: The most important thing about air folk clothing is that it should not hinder fl ying. Therefore, people of the air wear an assortment of items such as tunics, loincloths, belts and scarves—anything that will not get in the way of their wings. Air folk wear cloaks or robes only if they are ill, and they never conceal their wings unless they are deliberately disguising themselves. While they carry swords or long knives for use at close quarters, they favor javelins or deliberately disguising themselves. While they carry swords or long knives for use at close quarters, they favor javelins or deliberately disguising themselves. While they carry swords or long knives for use at close quarters, they favor javelins or tridents for use at a distance. Bows are not popular, as it is diffi cult to fi re them while in midair. tridents for use at a distance. Bows are not popular, as it is diffi cult to fi re them while in midair. Mutations: All people of the air possess the Enhanced Sight and Longevity poxes, and the Mutations: All people of the air possess the Enhanced Sight and Longevity poxes, and the Wings abomination. Wings abomination. Associations: the color white, winds, birds, the Northern direction Associations: the color white, winds, birds, the Northern direction Sobriquets: Air Folk, Birdmen, Blessed of the Air, Sobriquets: Air Folk, Birdmen, Blessed of the Air, Flyers, Winged Ones Flyers, Winged Ones Concepts: innocent explorer, proud war- Concepts: innocent explorer, proud war- rior, seeker of ancient cities, spy with hidden rior, seeker of ancient cities, spy with hidden wings
