Avariel

The avariel (aril-tel-quessir, or "winged folk", in Elven) were among the first of the elf races to migrate to Faerûn. However, conflict with dragons almost wiped them out before the First Flowering and while they survived since that time, they were considered by most to be myths or legends.

Description
Avariel were more delicate than their earth-bound cousins, with hollow bones to aid their flight. They had pale skin, often porcelain white. An avariel's wings were usually white, but could be black, brown, or speckled. Avariel were also known to practice the dyeing of wing tips. Their eyes were slightly larger than normal and ranged in color from brilliant blues to green or purple. Their hair color was normally a silver-white or black.

Avariel were said to have the most beautiful voices of all the tel'quessir, and their songs were greatly sought after by bards of other races.

Society
Avariel society was split into two groups that coexisted together, labeled "warlike" and "peaceful". Young avariel spent time immersed in both cultures (this could last over a decade), so that no matter what sect they came from, they had a deep understanding and respect of how the other half lived.

Warlike Avariel
Avariel warriors were geared towards war and power, answering to war chiefs who governed avariel society equally with the religious leaders. They lived by a complex code of honor and spent their lives defending their race. In combat, these avariel showed no mercy, often using ranged attacks from above and believing that others should know better than to create an enemy of a superior foe such as themselves. They also viewed surrender to be dishonorable (for both themselves as well as their enemies), holding the idea that when a warrior drew blood, it was a promise to honor them with their combat skill, and slaying them was fulfilling that promise. To leave a defeated foe alive was to humiliate them.

Peaceful Avariel
The other side of avariel society included scholars, philosophers, and artists. Intellectuals who believed in solving problems through reason and diplomacy, these avariels spent much time researching magic and history, contemplating religion, worshiping Aerdrie Faenya, and producing art for the sheer joy of creation.

Settlements
The last known shelter for the avariels was the Aerie of the Snow Eagles, located on the eastern edge of the Great Glacier.

Languages
In addition to speaking elvish, the avariels had their own unique form of sign language based around aerial movement. Involving things such as flaps, stalls, and wind dips. It was a less subtle sign language than those of non-flying races, having been developed primarily for communication during flight.

Religion
Most revered Aerdrie Faenya, the elven goddess of air, sky, and weather, and they acknowledged the other deities of the Seldarine to a minor extent. Aerdrie Faenya was held above all as she was considered to be the one that saved them from extinction and that she intervened in their favor.

Relationships
Avariels had good relationships with other good-aligned races who lived in the sky. They had strong ties with the aarakocra, as they shared the same patron deity and had the same respect for nature. For a very long time, they nourished respectful and admiring bonds with giant eagles.

Maleficent dragons considered avariels as enemies and their magic as a threat.

History
They were one of the most ancient elven races, having arrived very early in Faerûn's history. Unfortunately, they were quickly confronted with the cruel dragons who ruled the land. They almost all died before the First Flowering. In response, the remaining avariels went into hiding before the First Crown War, preferring to stay on the ground rather than flying.

After thousands of years of keeping a low profile, by the 1370s DR they were sufficient in number to be free of the fear of extinction.

Notable Avariel

 * Aerie
 * Taegan Nightwind

Appearances

 * Adventures
 * Princes of the Apocalypse
 * Novels
 * Evermeet: Island of Elves &bull; The Rage &bull; The Rite &bull; The Ruin
 * Video Games
 * Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn &bull; Baldur's Gate II: Throne of Bhaal &bull; Neverwinter Nights: Hordes of the Underdark

Connections
Avariel