The Affected Birdfolk

Ever since your hatching, there has been something different about you. Misfortune seems attracted to you, and yet - more often than not - it seems to leave you unscathed. Others have noticed this as well, and as a result, you have been marked as one of the Affected.

Cultural History

The establishment of the Affected Birdfolk culture was not due to any migration or conscious choice of lifestyle. Those of the Affected Culture are who they are by the will of the gods, or an accident of birth (just like those of the Gifted and Truthseer cultures). Some say that the Affected are born to parents who were exposed to more danger and adversity than other Birdfolk, or to those whose families faced extended hardships, whether in the home city of the race or out in the wider world. This belief assumes that bad luck can be inadvertently concentrated into the young, and when this happens, the result is an Affected.

The Affected are referred to by Birdfolk of other cultures as "the Unlucky", "the Jinxed", or "the Hexed", but the fact is that the Affected have become somewhat hardened to the adverse situations that they seem to be attracted to. Bad things happen to them - and they survive. The Waveriders often try to recruit an Affected into their crew as a "good luck charm" -- somewhat ironic because the 'good luck' refers to bad things always happening to the Affected rather than any of the other crew!

Geographic Distribution

The Affected can be found anywhere Birdfolk can be found. They do not form cultural enclaves; they live among whatever culture their parents belonged to.

Role-Playing an Affected Birdfolk

Interacting with Other Birdfolk

Your relationship with other Birdfolk cultures is a bit complicated. Typically, there is little or no friction among Birdfolk cultures - to an outsider, it would appear that the Birdfolk do not even recognize cultural differences among their own kind. This is to some extent true. Unlike some of the other races, there are no Birdfolk cultures that deem themselves superior or 'purer' than others. Despite being quite different in practices and preferences, all Birdfolk cultures accept the validity - and even necessity - of other cultures to improve the lot of Birdfolk everywhere.

Birdfolk of other cultures may look upon you with a bit of pity since you are the brunt of more than your share of bad luck. At the same time, they are appreciative that with you around, it isn't them suffering. A rare few may fear having you too close; they don't want to be caught in your 'blast zone'. But most Awkwana never express these feelings or concerns, and the famed Birdfolk lack of body language and facial expression means you don't have to worry about seeing it everywhere you go.

Interacting with Folk of Other Races

Awkwana do not have any deep seated prejudices against other races, except perhaps Kobolds. Your people have been aware from their very Awakening that Cartyrion is peopled by many races; almost all of which had thousands of years to spread around the world before the appearance of the Birdfolk. The Awkwana are remarkably tolerant - perhaps the most tolerant race on Cartyrion. Those of other cultures are welcomed within Birdfolk society as long as they are willing to respect the rights and customs of the Birdfolk and any others around them. Temples or shrines to deities of other races are commonplace in the larger Awkwana cities.

You will not be put off by the customs, traditions, or attitudes of others even if they run counter to the norms you were taught in your youth. The most important tenet of your Birdfolk upbringing was tolerance, so as long as another's actions or beliefs are not a direct threat to you or your family and friends, then they are none of your business.