Creature:Garuda

Garuda
A species of bird-folk named after the Hindu divine entity.

Personality
Garuda are generally good natured, sociable, and friendly. They equally like to be around each other and to be in the company of members of other races. They are very devoted, and apply this devotion to their friendships. They also have very long memories, and remember both friends and enemies for decades. Garuda are very traditional, and they believe in a code of ethics, which they firmly uphold as the answer to the strife and terror that still plague the world. Being very traditional folk, they are known to become closed-minded, but this is not always so – many have varying and sophisticated tastes in entertainment, art forms, and even cuisine.

Garuda are highly devoted to their families, a trait reflected in their tendency to keep long records of family histories. A Garuda typically makes a point of at least becoming acquainted with a large number of his or her relatives. In ancient times, it was essential for families to be tightly knit, because Garuda faced many threats and it was important to band together to overcome them. Though Garuda now prefer the diplomatic approach, members of a Garuda family will still fight and die for one another's sake, especially for that of younger family members.

Physical Description
Garuda are tall and gaunt. Standing from 5-½ to 6-½ feet tall, they weigh only 85-180 pounds, due to their very light bones and almost complete lack of body fat. Females, on average, stand about two inches taller than males, but are the same weight for their height – indeed, they can look so similar that the only way to tell the two apart without looking anywhere private is by behavior, minor differences in proportion, and voice. Large wings, like those of an eagle, sprout from a garuda’s back between the shoulders. A garuda of average size has a wingspan of a little over 11 feet. The body of a garuda is covered in feathers ranging in color from dirty blonde to buff brown to dark rusty red. The only parts not covered by feathers are the lower legs and forearms – these are covered by yellow scales. A garuda’s eyes are always a shade of yellow. A garuda’s hands and feet each have opposable digits, and each digit is tipped by a talon. A garuda has a crest of feathers that can be raised to make the bearer look even bigger.

Garuda age slowly compared to humans. Though they are mature at the young age of twenty, they may live to be 180 years old.

Garuda Lands
Garuda build their aeries in grasslands on the edges of forests. Depending on the number of occupants and the purpose to be served, they may build small nesting villages or elaborate fortresses. Outsiders are welcomed into these aeries, and new nests are built to suit them. Garuda are prepared at all times to defend these aeries with their lives. Garuda found outside of their aeries are usually ambassadors, but sometimes they are members of military organizations.

Religion
"And then came Shining Eagle, eyes ablaze with fury as he flew up to confront his enemy. He nocked an arrow to his bow, pulled, and let it fly and lo! it did hit its mark. The silver snake turned, bested, and once again scurried back into the ground from whence it came." -The Rising Sun and Setting Moon, a passage from an ancient garuda epic

The garuda have a dualistic religion that focuses on the fight between good and evil. The good god in this religion is Shining Eagle. His titles are the Sun Phoenix, the Bane of Snakes, and the Ruler of the Sky. The garuda believe that Shining Eagle hatched from the Cosmic Egg of the Sun with his bow at the beginning of time and created the world with the remains of his eggshell. Wherever he goes, he mercilessly fights the forces of King Death, the snakelike demon who hatched from the Cosmic Egg of the Moon. Shining Eagle is usually represented as a gold-feathered harpy eagle with wings outstretched and a nocked bow held in his talons. Sometimes he is represented as perching and killing a snake rather than holding his bow. As it is important in their religion, archery is a proud tradition among garuda, and all are trained in the art from an early age.

Language
The garuda language is a complex one with intricate grammar. The syrinx (vocal organ) of a garuda is particularly complex, more similar to a parrot's or lyrebird's than a bird of prey's. Thus, a garuda is able to produce a wider range of sounds, including the 'p' sound (hard to do when you have no lips). Garuda tell great epics about Shining Eagle and his exploits, and also have many songs and sagas of great heroes. As garuda often become diplomats, it is important for them to know the languages of their friends, enemies, and neighbor races.

Pictures of Garuda
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