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Nealuchi Naesala's attendant, who's known him since he was a child. He loves the herons and Naesala both with an equally intense passion. Though good-hearted, he's too weak-willed to do more than protest when Naesala's acting wicked. |
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Seeker One of Naesala's pirates. He carries a band that allows him to stay permanently shifted if he needs to, at the cost of slowing and weakening him. He's afraid of beast-laguz and enjoys making fun of his opponents. |
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Raven Soldier A generic soldier. |
- Bird Laguz hatch from eggs according to Nealuchi and Janaff. However, Janaff states this has been out of practice for several generations (though Naesala was born this way - a hint to his age, or just the Ravens doing it differently?)
- As shown with Ena, pregnant dragons can shift forms without hurting the child.
- Other than royals, most Laguz cannot stay transformed for prolonged periods. Half-shifting removes that strain but lowers their power.
- The Laguz's respect sign is to bring the right arm up in front of them, flat, at around mid-chest level.
- Ravens fall in the middle of the bird tribes - they have more magic resistance, but much less strength than the hawks, though enough to be a threat to humans. However, their speed is much higher than the herons. Naesala's own strength is an exception; it is naturally high, though not as high as Tibarn's.
- The ravens are born with a natural trend towards being manipulative and concerned with their own interests.
- Like the hawks, a raven laguz who is fully levelled will gain the skill Tear, which triples their strength.
- Though ravens are weak to bows and wind magic, they are capable of using a weak wind-based skill called Vortex. Naesala has this skill.
- A single average raven can't kill a human at full hp with less than three strikes.
Humans versus Beorc
'Human', to Laguz, is an insult - and a heavy one. It is a term that contains absolute scorn, and almost no Laguz would ever use it to insult their own kind as that would be considered a horrifically vicious insult. Only the most ultimate of betrayers could come in for that level of anger.
This is due to the origin story of the Laguz kingdoms. Initially humans and Laguz lived together with relative peace, aside for the dragons of Goldoa. However, the ruler of what was then the complete Begnion Empire decided to subjugate them and attempted to completely enslave them. Most Laguz lived in this state of slavery for years before some of them managed to escape and eventually founded the Laguz nations after much fighting for the right to be acknowledged. Though Laguz slavery is no longer commonly accepted and some parts of the Empire have split off, many Laguz still hold onto the memory of their past betrayal. With the fear of the common folk and the massacre of the herons at Serenes Forest to tip off the iceberg, 'human' is a term of pure loathing.
The tell of a Laguz who is at least willing to put aside their differences is the use of the term 'beorc'. Implied to have come from the ancient language that is no longer spoken outside of some of the bird tribes and some dragons, it's the original term for what now call themselves human.
'Sub-Human's and 'Halfbreeds'
Used only by Beorc, 'sub-human' and 'halfbreed' are derogatory terms towards Laguz. Though they're highly insulting, even peaceful Crimea uses 'sub-human' to refer to them without thinking of it as an insult. The term 'Laguz' is unknown to anyone who has had no dealings with them. However, in Daein, where hatred of Laguz is taught to the smallest child, they cannot be said to have such an innocent meaning. The fact that the Laguz are a separate race to the Beorc is not taught and it's implied that some the simpler people consider them the result of beast-human breeding.
On the use of the term 'crow'.
'Crow', when used in game, seems to be used as a derogatory comment. However, this is not considered to be highly insulting. It's almost synonymous with 'bastard' to outsiders and used to deride someone who is underhanded. However some crows have adopted it to refer to themselves in a friendly manner.
'Parentless'
The term for Beorc-Laguz children. This is not used in Hatari, as those children live as normally as purebloods. However, in the other parts of Tellius, an unexplained curse strikes those interbred. The parent loses their Laguz powers and the child is marked with a brand that is similar to those who have made pacts with spirits. This brand is usually feared among Laguz and most will not even recognize their existence - hence the title.
Children of Strength
The term given to Laguz from the ancient times. The counterpoint for Beorc is the 'Children of Wisdom'.
Royal Titles
Generally, the term goes "title country". So "King Kilvas", "Prince Serenes". However, descriptive terms such as "Black Dragon King" are also common. "Title 'of' race" is also used - "King of Hawks", for instance. As shown by Naesala, the term 'House' is used in preference to 'Family' when refering to the royals, i.e. House Serenes. Many of the royals also have individual terms such as Reyson's "White Prince".
Laguz and Crow-Specific terms
Buzzard - contemptuous term towards a bird laguz. It's not very insulting - it's the kind of term that a youngster might use if he's irritated. (see "you old goat", as an example of real life terms)
Carrion birds - an insulting form of 'scavengers', a contemptuous term towards ravens
Clan - those of a particular race who remain loyal to the kingdom and stay within its' borders (or with the survivors, if the actual kingdom is gone)
Darkwings - a friendly term for ravens
Egg-Stealing Snake - A term used for someone who would betray even their kin.
'Fell a little far from the nest' - An idiot who hasn't been taught properly.
Feral - a laguz who's lost their mind completely
Flock - Slang term for a group.
Greywings - A raven who's so old their feathers have turned grey.
Ground-Bound - a term occasionally utilized to refer to Beorc
Nestling - a newborn or very young child
Roost - the place where you rest. Reyson uses "at your roost" to mean the equivalent of "at your feet".
Ruffled Feathers - someone who's ticked off can be said to have these
Walker - a term occasionally utilized to refer to Beorc
White Prince - Reyson
Wingless - more slang for humans
Worm - someone weak and lowly; as low as dirt
'Worth less than a dead snake' - Worthless. At least a dead snake can be eaten, but it still has next to no value in commerce.
'Human', to Laguz, is an insult - and a heavy one. It is a term that contains absolute scorn, and almost no Laguz would ever use it to insult their own kind as that would be considered a horrifically vicious insult. Only the most ultimate of betrayers could come in for that level of anger.
This is due to the origin story of the Laguz kingdoms. Initially humans and Laguz lived together with relative peace, aside for the dragons of Goldoa. However, the ruler of what was then the complete Begnion Empire decided to subjugate them and attempted to completely enslave them. Most Laguz lived in this state of slavery for years before some of them managed to escape and eventually founded the Laguz nations after much fighting for the right to be acknowledged. Though Laguz slavery is no longer commonly accepted and some parts of the Empire have split off, many Laguz still hold onto the memory of their past betrayal. With the fear of the common folk and the massacre of the herons at Serenes Forest to tip off the iceberg, 'human' is a term of pure loathing.
The tell of a Laguz who is at least willing to put aside their differences is the use of the term 'beorc'. Implied to have come from the ancient language that is no longer spoken outside of some of the bird tribes and some dragons, it's the original term for what now call themselves human.
'Sub-Human's and 'Halfbreeds'
Used only by Beorc, 'sub-human' and 'halfbreed' are derogatory terms towards Laguz. Though they're highly insulting, even peaceful Crimea uses 'sub-human' to refer to them without thinking of it as an insult. The term 'Laguz' is unknown to anyone who has had no dealings with them. However, in Daein, where hatred of Laguz is taught to the smallest child, they cannot be said to have such an innocent meaning. The fact that the Laguz are a separate race to the Beorc is not taught and it's implied that some the simpler people consider them the result of beast-human breeding.
On the use of the term 'crow'.
'Crow', when used in game, seems to be used as a derogatory comment. However, this is not considered to be highly insulting. It's almost synonymous with 'bastard' to outsiders and used to deride someone who is underhanded. However some crows have adopted it to refer to themselves in a friendly manner.
'Parentless'
The term for Beorc-Laguz children. This is not used in Hatari, as those children live as normally as purebloods. However, in the other parts of Tellius, an unexplained curse strikes those interbred. The parent loses their Laguz powers and the child is marked with a brand that is similar to those who have made pacts with spirits. This brand is usually feared among Laguz and most will not even recognize their existence - hence the title.
Children of Strength
The term given to Laguz from the ancient times. The counterpoint for Beorc is the 'Children of Wisdom'.
Royal Titles
Generally, the term goes "title country". So "King Kilvas", "Prince Serenes". However, descriptive terms such as "Black Dragon King" are also common. "Title 'of' race" is also used - "King of Hawks", for instance. As shown by Naesala, the term 'House' is used in preference to 'Family' when refering to the royals, i.e. House Serenes. Many of the royals also have individual terms such as Reyson's "White Prince".
Laguz and Crow-Specific terms
Buzzard - contemptuous term towards a bird laguz. It's not very insulting - it's the kind of term that a youngster might use if he's irritated. (see "you old goat", as an example of real life terms)
Carrion birds - an insulting form of 'scavengers', a contemptuous term towards ravens
Clan - those of a particular race who remain loyal to the kingdom and stay within its' borders (or with the survivors, if the actual kingdom is gone)
Darkwings - a friendly term for ravens
Egg-Stealing Snake - A term used for someone who would betray even their kin.
'Fell a little far from the nest' - An idiot who hasn't been taught properly.
Feral - a laguz who's lost their mind completely
Flock - Slang term for a group.
Greywings - A raven who's so old their feathers have turned grey.
Ground-Bound - a term occasionally utilized to refer to Beorc
Nestling - a newborn or very young child
Roost - the place where you rest. Reyson uses "at your roost" to mean the equivalent of "at your feet".
Ruffled Feathers - someone who's ticked off can be said to have these
Walker - a term occasionally utilized to refer to Beorc
White Prince - Reyson
Wingless - more slang for humans
Worm - someone weak and lowly; as low as dirt
'Worth less than a dead snake' - Worthless. At least a dead snake can be eaten, but it still has next to no value in commerce.
Government: Absolute Monarchy
Ruler: Naesala (later Tibarn)
Ruler's Title: King Kilvas
Ruler's Residence: Castle Kilvas
Inhabitants: Ravens, Leanne (heron)
Description: An island nation, mostly consisting of high mountains, with the lower parts shrouded in fog and likely marsh-filled. The land is very barren and rocky. Kilvas is either the smallest or second smallest actual territory.
Location: Dead south on the map, east of Phoenicis. At least a few hours' journey away for birds, but much less than the several days it would take for humans.
Population: Around 6,0001
Religion: Same as rest of Tellius - they follow the goddess Ashera. They don't really go in for it as much as humans do, though.
Main Export: Stolen properties.
Main Import: Money.
1. Assuming there were something over 10,000 before the mass deaths prior to game, as there were 5,050 deaths and this was estimated to be half their population. Several years, possibly even a few decades have passed, so the remaining birds will have likely bred further. Nobody outside has noticed the population decrease. Actual ravens have a fairly fast reproduction rate (at least one nest per year), while even if they stick to the average rates of humans (around 1-2% growth per year at time of writing), they'd still be growing by about 100 babies per year, so even if there's a bias towards males, the population would still be rising steadily.