Ashee

The Ashee, proud bird-like humanoids native to Soj'itt. Known for their fierce devotion to tradition and their gods. Their warriors are known to be strong, agile, and hold finesse with a blade unparalleled by outsiders.

Biology
The Ashee are a race of cold-blooded avian humaniods well suited to the hot and humid conditions of their homeland. They possess tall, slender bodies typically standing 2-2.4 metres tall and weighing 55-65 Kilograms. The most notable feature of an Ashee is the elaborate head structure bearing a long sturdy beak with 2-3 ridges (depending on gender) along its length, and forward facing eyesockets, complimenting their carnivorous nature. They sport large arrangements of feathers on the head and shoulders, and maintain a smooth coat of feathers encasing the body, helping shield it from the, at times, overbearing heat of the twin suns.

The differences between genders is the number of crests along the beak, males having 3, and females 2. Females generally sport a much larger arrangement of head plumage than males, with it even growing so as much to cascade down to their upper lumbar region. Males bear more pronounced head plumage, with it often stricking upwards and out from the head at a multitude of different angles. As opposed to the smooth backward flow of female plumage. The variation of feather shapes and sizes vary from each individual, with males having the most variety in styles.

Spindly and long quills protruding out towards the back is the most common form present among both females. Broad-leaf like feathers are generally associated to males and males only; females rarely, if at all generate short fat feathers. Broadleaf feathers offer more control than longer ones, allowing a user to become more expressive with subtle or fervent movement of their plumage corresponding to their expression. Western warriors often forgo helmets for the potential intimidation of erect broad feathers.

Almost the entierity of their bodies are covered with feathers, and what little is exposed in the areas around the hands and feet are made from a very calloused, scale-like skin. The beak and eyesockets are part of the bone structure of the skull, and their ears, while long and delicate, are sheltered by the head plumage.

The behind the eye sockets lives a set if very long feathers that extend behind the sockets. They generally stay uniform with the rest of the head plumage, but Ashee exhibit great control over these expressive feathers, more so than normal head plumage. They can extend out to the sides, above or below the head. They are used to portray emotion on an almost emotionless face. The eyes, head plumage, and expressive feathers are the medium for showing emotion through facial features. An Ashin smile consists of somewhat squinted eyes, expresser feathers lowers slightly and protruding out to the sides and the head plumage lying low and uniform with the head.

They stand upon strong legs suited for both rough terrain of the jungle and impressive bursts of speed, however, since being native to the rough jungles, they have poor stamina for long periods of exertion, instead relying on superior agility to out maneuver predators and hunt. Even when primitive, Ashee used tactics to bolster their pack-hunting to levels beyond that of a normal animal, e.g chasing an animal into an ambush of talon and beak, and leading predators to the same fate.

Males sport thinker necks and somewhat broader shoulders compared to females. Females naturally have a more pronounced pelvic region and upper thighs to aid in oviparous development and incubation. The broad and iconic shoulder plumage of Ashee remain present on both sexes, with the male plumage extending far outward and upward to add to their imposing presence. Female shoulder plumage contains the same amount of feathers overall, but peak at the shoulders and dissolve in a gradient along the outside upper arm, giving their arms a fuller appearance.

Being native to the jungle didn't stop them from inhabiting the dry plains and desert of their homeland. While they are certainly more suited for humid conditions normally, these off-shoots have adapted to their environment to better cope with the dry heat. These castes sport beige feathers in the plains, and dusty yellow in the desert for natural camouflage.

Diet
Ashee are carnivorous by nature, but in recent times developed omnivore traits to better survive in more barren locations. As such, plains and desert dwelling Ashee cultivate crops of mushrooms in large tunnels below their settlements, relying on farming more than hunting; especially in the desert. Jungle Ashee diet consists of raw and salted meats from domesticated and hunted animals, and fish caught from the ocean and inlets. It is considered taboo to kill and eat birds in most Ashin cultures. Eating fruits and vegetables is considered a novelty of the higher class for jungle dwellers. Cooking meat is also considered a nobleman's oddity.

Myth
In ages long past, the Ashee lived as scattered tribes dotting the jungles and great plains of their homeland, Soj'itt. In the Ashin creation myths, Trimej, the Mother of All, created the Ashee in her own image, and soon she wanted unity between the waring ashee tribes. The Father of War, Tarlo, created an avatar to crusade across the land, uniting and stomping out tribes alike. Under the rule of Tarlo's harbinger, Rejonalk, the Ashee prospered and advanced greatly, building huge stone keeps, cities, temples, and mining the rescources of the world.

With Rejonalk's death, their empire soon crumbled. Without the overwhelming presense of a Demigod, the tribes, now fully fledged clans owning vast tracts of land and cities, went back to their old ways, now more advanced than ever. Ashee are known to be stubborn, they were when Rejonalk united them, and they still are today.

Western Unrest & Tekalsj's Conquests
With the advent of the First Ashin Empire, any sembalence of peace was void, both inside and outside clans; Hire Diu especially so. With the entirety of the Clan fragmented, most saw ruin and despair, but, Hire Diu Tekalsj, a warlord from a forgotten fortress in the Gaux Tail Mountains, saw opportunity.

Being charismatic, a great tactician, and having confidence in his ideals, Tekalsj began his conquest by gathering supporters in the Gaux Tail Mountains and the Jol Mir Plains with ease. With any opposition being crushed underfoot as he blazed through the land.

With the support of the Highlanders, Tekalsj led his armies over the mountains and into the jungles of the native Hire Diu territory, fighting against forces comparable to farmer millitia, easily crushing warlords and occupying the southern lands before shooting north. With the amount of support already at his beck and call, taking Valrah was a trivial task, and with Valrah in his grasp, Tekalsj became the new Battlemaster of the Hire Diu, the first since Rejonalk's empire. Of course, talk of a crusader uniting a land in turmoil gets around, the Gy Ohn, who have managed to come to terms with their internal struggles, exhibited shows of aggression towards Tekalsj's new Hire Diu. Not long after, the first attack was mounted, but the attackers were met with strong resistance, but time and time again they tried to puncture the shell of the Hire Diu, and eventually began gaining territory.

Sjodis Tekalsj ruled that they were to not attack the Gy Ohn in full force for fear of the Froe Dalk and Hul Ui jumping at the chance to attack. When word of war between the Froe Dalk and Hul Ui reached the Hire Diu, a green light was given to mount a full scale counter attack. The result was similar to when Tekalsj moved upon Valrah, a total massacre. However, Tekalsj was not a warmongering Battlemaster, when his armies arrived at Kyoti, he offered his conditions for peace, in which entailed: ''To live through this, the people of Gy Ohn must relinquish any and all aggressions towards the Hire Diu and their allies, and the last say in all matters regarding conflict and expansion must belong to the Hire Diu Council. If these conditions are met and maintained, the Gy Ohn may keep practicing their ancient traditions as well as keep the name, Gy Ohn.'' Faced with no other alternative, the Gy Ohn accepted and effectively became a state in a Federation in the making.

Tekalsj soon moved against the squabbles in the north, and quickly ended them with the very same conditions. Join the New Ashin Federation, or be exterminated. The Froe Dalk reluctantly accepted the terms, while the Hul Ui didn't, and were promptly wiped out.

Southern Movement and Federal Collapse
While Tekalsj organized and solidified his new working federation, the fragmented and unruly tribal southern clans of the Jio Marshes began putting an end to their struggles The south had long been rivals and bitter enemies with Clan Gy Ohn, and a long history of rape and pillaging was present between them and the outlying southerners  With that much known, it was to be expected tensions and Hostilities skyrocketed with the new entity known as Joki  This moment in time was of particular misfortune for the Gy Ohn, as their reluctance to follow Hire Diu instruction, their high command had been replaced with chancellors, leaving the militaristic nation up in arms over the development. Coupled with a minor pandemic having recently swept Saath, the many misfortunes made for the perfect openings for underhanded attacks and guerrilla warfare to chip at the powerful nation

The Vi Tal Koli
Following the rise and internal collapse of Tekalsj's unmatched federation, a force was stirring in the east, over the dunes, and accross the savannahs.

A growing cult of fanatics dedicated to the first Harnlu, Rejonalk, were exiled from the city of Foramnak, controlled by the tyrannical Vi Tal. This group followed the whispers and words from their wise women, claiming that they hear the voice of the Gods across the nigh inhospitable Soj'itt desert, which later became known as the Ascended Dune.

Their journey ended a the site which bore a utterly massive block of sandstone on the western side of the desert. The voices instructed them to carve out the sandstone; to delve secure lodgings with stout labour. It is said that their faith alone fuled the construction of the great temple city, however accounts vary greatly. Nevertheless, one this is certain: the great temple city of Sauknah exists, and is here to stay.

It is unkown how much time the exiles spent building Sauknah before setting out into the rest of the world, but when they adorned themselves with the name, Vi Tal Koli - Koli meaning ascended in ashin tounge- embarked on their righteous mission instructed by the Gods to gather women possessing the same talent of hearing the Gods from across the world. Their companies of soldiers possessing divine finesse in the art of combat crusaded over the lands, the hardy west, savage north, the waring east and the bogged down south, with only the intent to collect Unacli, or Oracles, as they've taken to calling them. Most faught, and lost to the unnatural might of Vi Tal Koli Vanguards and Sentinels, and when they felt their mission was complete; they withdrew back to their desert oasis, only ever seen in a matter of religious importance.

It would be hundreds of generations before the Vi Tal Koli were to open their borders to outsiders seeking enlightenment and trade.

Western
Western Ashee culture is largely based around militaristic and religious beliefs. Clans and nations considered Western are: Hire Diu, Gy Ohn, Froe Dalk, Froe Das, and the broken nations and petty clans of the Jio Marshes. Essentially anything west of the desert.

A practice introduced to the Western clans long ago is now perhaps what they are most known for: men and women are heavily segregated from each other. Many foreigners believe a common misconception that men are only drafted into the military, and women are left to preform all other jobs in their absence. While this is true, in actuality, most prominently in clan Gy Ohn and Hire Diu, family-less men both in and relived of military service (bachelors especially) are separated from women in towns and cities, often having different quarters for each gender. Families and businesses are the only instances where both men and women are seen living together.

The practice was preformed largely for population control in dire ages, as an Ashee woman can produce clutches of up to 6 eggs, safe cities and towns ran the risk of over population. An earlier method of such population control was of course culling the newly laid eggs or hatchlings. As tribes and primitive clans became nations, this practice fell out of favour quickly with more civilized methods and mannerisms seeping into the dense jungles, from the far desert of the east. The current system allows major holds to control the population with greater ease, during peace time are a period of expansion, the limitations of interaction between the genders would be lifted, allowing more births than normal. And of course, all populations booms can be controlled in times of famine or natural disaster. As clans grew larger in size (and cities by extension) this method of population control became a primary piece of western culture, and an eventual permanent law.

Times when the segregation is lessened are often referred to as the breeding phase, allowing the population to rebound from a heavy loss or to expand. Clan must practice careful planning and consideration regarding opening the levies of sex, as going for too long can rise tensions and frustrations in the populace.