History
Evolution of the Avyloci
Many thousands of years ago, the Avyloci had no Symphylux, they would live in small familial groups of around five to ten members. These groups would often have their own dialects though would meet up with other groups they'd see on their nomadic travels. It was a little later when some Avyloci were born with a genetic mutation that made them hermaphrodites and evolution favoured them as this feature enabled them to reproduce with anyone of the same gender thus expanding the gene-pool and possibilities to mate. Eventually the favoured genes began to spread through the population and a couple of any gender would be able to continue on their race. Some thousand years later the first Avyloci bonded with a symphylux. The parasite had originally intended to kill the host by taking it's mental energy and feeding off it, the Avyloci bonded however they did not die, their higher mental capacity allowed them to feed the symphylux without detriment to themselves. Eventually the Avyloci learned to use the Symphylux's limbs as their own and while initially they used those wings only to glide, as the two species evolved into a symbiotic relationship, the wings became being enough to support the weight whole weight and the Avyloci evolved a physiology better suited to life in the air.
This eventually led to the general physiology of the Avyloci known today as hermaphrodites who are capable of flight. In addition, when the Avyloci formed tribes, each one began to adapt to their environment in small ways. For example, those in the Lennik tribe are often stockier and slightly shorter to deal with the slightly colder climate. However these differences have become less noticable as the Avyloci bred between tribes, those traits are still more common in the tribe to which they belong.
Known History
It's pure speculation as to what life was like before the Avyloci began to record their history and much of it remains a mystery. They know for a fact that they lived outside the great Tribal Towers for the recorded history began a little while after they settled into the towers. The thing they know for sure is that they have always been hunted by the Rasharrn, and that there were other dominant species whom used to live in the forests with the Avyloci. These other species have all been driven to extinction by the Rasharrn, leaving the Avyloci as the only other surviving intelligent race besides the Rasharrn themselves. The move into the great Tribal Towers was a mostly gradual thing. It's unknown exactly how these towers were made, but the Avyloci took shelter there often. Eventually moving in entirely when they learned the Rasharrn could not breach the walls of the towers. This enabled them to live in relative safety, though there was one significant problem, there was no way to grow food within these towers. It is unknown why this is, and it has baffled the Avyloci for centuries, but both plants and livestock cannot be kept within the walls of the great cities. It is for this reason that the Avyloci are still at war with the Rasharrn.
Eventually the Avyloci went from flocks with little hierarchy among them, to the seven tribes, with order and peace. It took several years for the ranks to be well established and accepted. Once they were, however, the Avyloci entered an age of relative peace between each other and each tribe. This peace has been maintained up to the current date, the main factor in keeping the peace is the unbiased Elders whom keep everything in check.
The Tribes
Since finding the great cities, the Avyloci race has always lived in tribes for protection, there are currently seven tribes, all containing roughly two-hundred Avyloci. The tribes are as follows:
The Leniik Tribe | (Len-ik)
The Autovex Tribe | (Ort-oh-vex)
The Santis Tribe | (Sun-tis)
The Venton Tribe | (Ven-ton)
The Tanvos Tribe | (Tan-vos)
The Obneyis Tribe | (Ob-nay-is)
The Revonbet | (Rev-on-bet)
Each tribe is housed by a group of large towers, resembling Earth's skyscrapers. Each of these are made up of Fosneth (or Foth), a substance unique to Vael, it is very similar to some types of metal on earth, though it's produced organically by a specific species of tree. The tree will excrete a sap like substance through its roots which then form into beads of Fosneth.
This can then be harvested and used for almost anything. However the Avyloci don't do this often as it takes a significant amount of time to draw Fosneth from around the roots of the tree, this is extremely dangerous because of the constant threat from the Rasharrn. The towers themselves can be anywhere from ten to fifty stories high, enough to comfortably house the whole tribe.
Each city has a whole floor dedicated to meal times in which the whole tribe will come together. Usually this is in the form of a large platform on the roof, though the tribe has been known to use a large enough room within the complex when the weather does not permit meals outside.
The Symphylux and the Avyloci
The mutual relationship between the Avyloci and the Symphylux began before recorded history, however, evidence has been found to suggest that the Symphylux used to be parasites. The original Symphylux has been said to have had far smaller wings and tail feathers, used for flying to their prey or dropping down on them without harm, the tail was a similar length and was used for extra grip on the prey.
The Symphylux feeds off mental energy, and would once roam the forests, looking for other organisms to prey upon. When the Symphylux found an organism, it would use its wings to fly to its prey and latch on with tail. It would then attach itself to its hosts back and begin to feed off the energy of the host. However, over time, the host would slowly die from degeneration of the brain. Despite this, when the Symphylux would attach itself to an Avyloci, the self awareness of the host would give off a different type of energy, one that the Symphylux could safely feed off without harming the host. As the species evolved, the Symphylux and the Avyloci formed a symbiotic relationship.
The Symphylux would attach itself more firmly to its host. In return, the Avyloci would make use of the Symphylux's no longer needed appendages. Through evolution, the wings and tail feathers of the Symphylux have grown long enough to support the Avyloci. In return, the Avyloci have developed a lighter skeletal structure, a larger heart and overall, a body more adapted to flying. The most noticeable trait being the large set of muscles below their Pectoralis Majors, these take more of the strain off the Symphylux when moving the wings.
The Symphylux, for their part, lost all the now unneeded traits, they lost all mobility and some senses like sight, smell, taste and hearing. They also lost their base animal instincts so they can no longer move without the assistance of the Avyloci.
The Rasharrn
As far back as the Avyloci know, there has always been the Rasharrn. The Rasharrn and the Avyloci are the two dominant species on the planet, both always locked in a constant war for superiority.
Both species have adapted over the many years to both defend against and attack each other. The Avyloci use their wings, speed and numbers in order to survive attacks, they have made use of the endless uses the flora provides, mostly using poisons to gain an advantage.
For their part, the Rasharrn have evolved, able to climb quickly and quietly, using their noses and ears to find the Avyloci and biting with incredibly strong jaws, taking advantage of the lighter bone structure of the Avyloci. They have developed tough skin to defend against arrows and are developing a steady resistance to the poison. Through the years, the upper hand has been switched between the two sides many times, however, the Avyloci have held the advantage for a great many years since they began to live in the towers. However, in recent times, the Rasharrn have slowly but surely regaining back the advantage, they are becoming resistant to the poison the Avyloci use. In desperation, the Avyloci have turned to neighboring planets, seeking the technology needed to end the war once and for all. For the first time, the groups of Avyloci are leaving their home planet to seek out new weapons to win the war.
Technological Advancements
Due to the great diversity of flora on the planet of Vael, and the diversity of uses. It has enabled the Avyloci race to develop without the use of technology, they have developed in some aspects, using the Fosneth to create food storage, heating and cooking devices. However, for the most part, the communist-like culture of the Avyloci have ensured little need for the advancements the human race has made. In terms of weaponry, the Avyloci are always looking for new ways to fight off the Rasharrn, however, they have not yet found anything that works as well as the traditional bow.
The neighboring planet has given the Avolci guns and other weapons, however, they found them to be too loud for realistic combat and even so, the power sourse the Jezzec use does not work on Vael. When the Avyloci decided to sent people off-world in order to find more advanced weaponry, the neighboring planet gave them ships in return for a hefty supply of their plants with medicinal uses.