Races of Wild

PSYCHOLOGYSome outsiders who have had limited dealings with raptoransclaim they are contradictory to the point of being downrightintractable, and cautious to the point of being rude. In someways, such assessments are right on target, but those whoaccept these assertions at face value haven’t taken the timeto get to know the raptorans.When raptorans greet new people, they retreat instead ofmoving forward. This seemingly odd behavior has a foundationbased on prudence—the raptorans’ natural cautionmakes them seek distance and cover in case an encounterturns ugly, and withdrawal also allows them to judge thereactions of the other parties. Anyone who knows raptoransrealizes that the polite response is to take a step or two backwardso as to offer them greater space to move—a courtesythey appreciate.THE RAPTORAN OUTLOOKRaptorans don’t have the life span of elves or dwarves, butthey take a similarly long view in their attitude toward theirplace in the world. Because they are avid hunters who relyon game remaining plentiful across a wide swath of land,raptorans take care of the environment and avoid foulingthe places where they nest. They also take considerable timeto make up their minds about issues that do not requireinstant action. They can debate for days about whetherto allow a given group of travelers access to their lands,but should danger threaten they can mount a coordinateddefense within minutes.Raptorans espouse a “live and let live” philosophy. Othersare welcome to their own ways, so long as they don’t botherthe raptorans or despoil their lands. Raptorans respect thelives and property of other creatures and do not deprivethem of either without due consideration. The chaoticnature of these winged beings is expressed through thedeep debates that raptorans engage in over philosophicalissues and their differences in personal adornment.Raptorans cooperate with others to the extent that theyfind it practical to do so, but they do not feel the need forothers’ approval and do not allow themselves to be used byostensible allies. The typical raptoran just wants to hunt attwilight, debate philosophy late into the night, and gatherapples in the morning.Naturally, not every raptoran agrees with this sentiment,and individuals are welcome to differ with the majority.Most who feel the need to pursue more ambitious liveseventually leave the flock for realms where more opportunityexists. Such raptorans often become adventurers, at least for atime. Many begin the Walk of the Four Winds at a relativelyearly age and never return to their flock, even after theyhave learned to fly.Raptorans who choose to live away from their flock area diverse lot. Some find homes in great cities, where theyrejoice in the diversity of opinion and never-ending opportunitiesfor debate. City-dwelling raptorans typically residein tall towers, finding them an acceptable substitute for thecliff-homes of their people. Other raptorans settle in smallcommunities, especially rural ones surrounded by deep forests.They are particularly attracted to elf camps and outposts,which share the natural settings of raptoran communities.A few raptorans embrace the adventuring life so thoroughlythat they do not settle down but move from place to place insearch of new challenges.Because their way of life intentionally spurns materialacquisition, raptorans rarely display any sort of greed. Theytake what they need from the environment but no more,trusting to nature and their goddess to provide for the future.While they realize the convenience of coins as a tradingmedium, they prefer to barter with skins, carvings, andother handicrafts to gain the metals and manufactured goodsthey require.Raptorans place a high value on self-reliance. The comingof-ageritual in raptoran society, known as the Walk of theFour Winds, is a test of self-reliance. Each young raptoran isexiled from the flock and left to walk the earth alone until heor she gains the strength and prowess required to fly underhis or her own power up to the flock’s cliff dwellings. Someraptorans may wander the wilderness for months or yearsbefore gaining the ability to fly; others may travel to the citiesof humans and other races and never return to their homesafter learning flight. Even if they travel with others for a time,all raptorans know that the Walk of the Four Winds is a testof the self—with flight as the reward.Raptorans have a healthy curiosity about the world, butthis trait does not lead them to impulsive behavior, becausethey would rather debate the merits of a new situationbefore involving themselves in it. Thus, raptorans flockto investigate anything new, but they keep a wary eye outfor danger and try to observe from a distance. Raptoransexamine newcomers and give them ample chance to provetheir intentions before deciding whether to trust them.CHAPTER 3RAPTORANSpqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqrsRAPTORAN ADVENTURERS ON THE WALKsolitude, and a raptoran won’t spurn help from others duringMost low-level raptorans found away from their flocks—including the quest.almost all adventurers—will be undertaking the Walk of the Four As a practical matter, most raptoran PCs will be on the WalkWinds, bound to walk the earth until they learn to fly.of the Four Winds from 1st level (since they are eager to take advantageof the opportunity to begin the walk) through 4th level.The Walk of the Four Winds is a test all young raptorans musteventually undergo to prove they can get by in the world alone They can return to their flock—even if it’s only to visit—any timebefore rejoining the community. Still, the walk doesn’t demand after attaining 5th level.pqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqrs69