Volo
The Volo (singular: Volo) are a vulture-like Eyriefolk race which are commonly found all throughout Howl Basin. They are somewhat isolationist, even among the other Eyriefolk races, and have become subject to some stigma as a result. When found in other communities, they tend to be associated with the fringes of society and positions otherwise seen as undersirable, but they are of course a complex and multi-faceted people in their own right. They are an imposing and enduring people, physically larger than even the Adler, and by most accounts should be considered the strongest fliers in the Eyriefolk, with some caveats. They have their own unique cultural traditions and hold to them dearly.
History
The Volo are native to Howl Basin, and have occupied it since prehistory. Their legends and traditions place the birth of their people in the Castle Badlands, and they have a tradition known as Soaring which involves a pilgrimage-by-wing from there to the Proctor Erg. Though they have been aware of the other Eyriefolk for centuries, their settlement in the Howling Herald Mountains is relatively new, driven more by the expansion of non-flying folk into their traditional territories than any desire fo rexpansion.
Culture
Art and Architecture
The Volo tend to adopt the fashion of regions they live in, to within a point. The culture has a strong tradition of leatherwork, and they favour lighter overall garments. They have less shame in nakedness than other cultures (at least, those who aren't strongly assimilated into other cultures), but dress as serves utility - including the utility of blending in with their surroundings, physically or socially.
Volo architecture favours height and sometimes seems ramshackle, but is sufficiently sturdy. They are known for cliffhouses, built high up on the sides or tops of Mesas, which they favour to avoid dust storms.
Language
The Volo language is harsh and gutteral, considered by some to be difficult to learn. It has no pure written form, but can be (and in modernity, often is) represented in Adlish characters. Volo collect other languages relatively easily, albiet with an accent. It's rare to meet one that isn't at least familiar with Lagosi.
Food
"The right way to rob a movin' train is to stop it first."
- Anonymous Lagos Bandit
This article or section alludes to information that is under active development and subject to change.
The Volo are carnivorous species, eating meats exclusively. They have a fantastic resistance to spoilage and disease as a result of cultural practices of scavenging, which some Volo still indulge in.
Religion and Spirituality
Unlike the more syncretic Corvados, the Volo have kept their religion and traditions relatively pure of the influence of the other Folks. They have an animist religion specific to their culture, which places emphasis on life and death as a continuum of renewal and incorporates its own explanations for Strangeness.
Science and Technology
The Volo have been slow to adopt many of the latest technologies, and view Steam Power especially narrowly. They are much more constrained for water and often inappropriately situated for ease of transportation, making such technologies inconvenient for their baseline population. Volo who do enter into general community throughout the Howl Basin don't deride modern technologies, and will of course take advantage of them as appropriate, but will not adopt practices that conflict with their beliefs or impair their movement.
Entertainment
"Wut in... I'm not entirely sure what you're tryin' to do here, kid."
- Unknown Varki Prospector
This section is a placeholder; the information that goes there is missing or relies on Gameplay Mechanics yet to be developed.
Society
The Volo have an insular streak, and most Volo who live in Proctor Erg or Castle Badlands do so in small volo communities that predate the expansion of the Frontier by the Federation's government. That said, many Volo (especially younger Volo) have begun to settle in other areas, especially those along the Great Lattitude Line linking Golden Pass and Parson's Crossing. Many Volo occupy low-wage jobs or undesirable social positions in assimilated communities. A reputation for service as undertakers is developing.
Physiology
General Body Plan
Volo are an anthropoid species, on average between 1.6 to 2.1 metres tall, with fully feathered bodies and heads like those of Turkey Vultures - featherless and red, with sharp, hooked beaks. Their plumage coloration varies subtly between jet black and charcoal grey or chestnut brown.
Their arms double as wings and they have long tails appropriate to suit the needs of flight. While not especially agile fliers and not usually capable of flying with much weight - merely gliding similar to other Eyriefolk - a lightly-equipped Volo in good physical condition is genuinely capable of overland, gliding flight for considerable distances, relying on favourable winds and air currents to sustain their soaring flight.
Gameplay Mechanics
"The right way to rob a movin' train is to stop it first."
- Anonymous Lagos Bandit
This article or section alludes to information that is under active development and subject to change.
Base Attributes
The Volo character begins play with +2 Hardiness and -2 to Strength.
Heritage Trait
All Volo have the Iron Gut (Heritage Trait) property.
Lagos may also select any one of the following secondary heritage traits:
- Wings of the Sun and Moon (Heritage Trait) - Volo who have dedicated themselves appropriately to their training and physical conditioning are capable of soaring flight.
- Second Sight (Heritage Trait) - Rarely, some Volo are born with a peculiar form of Strangeness having been implied upon them. Such Volo recover Presence-derived pools at double the normal rate.
- Visage of Death (Heritage Trait) - Many volo specialize in making use of their fearful appearance in order to capitalize on Intimidation checks when they're visible to the target; these individuals always have a boon on each such check.