Valu'Rah have two types
Anu - Winged Vetu - Horned Anuvetu - offspring of both Valu'Rah live in the Phanis region, a grouping of small islands far off the coast of the main continent, directly opposite of King Khalij's realm Linlijwar. The closest land mass is a Quinu'Rah settlement on a large island just off Linlijwar. Highly social they enjoy lounging by watersources at lakes, rivers and large ponds, interacting with each other with the latest gossip or recipe. Greetings are an upward flick of the tail and feathers in the long train, but not a full fan as used in courtship. This is reserved for the specific locations dedicated to pursuits of the heart for more overt behavior. They have a preference or high places, so like to laze in the boughs and branches of trees, elevated lounging furniture, or the high balconies of their riverboat homes. Valu'Rah have a heavy dislike of cold and rain, which makes it fortunate that their homelands are more tropical in nature, devoid of ice and snow. They find water sacred to their lives and communities, Watching them gracefully sip water demonstrates their elegance even in simple activities. Followers of the Water and Celestial light Deity in particular, which is ironic as they dislike the rain, but know the elixir is life-giving. Also the water holds the deepest dangers, as predators lurk beneath it's serene surface. If a Valu'Rah becomes separated from the rest of the muster group, they will call until they locate the rest of the group, for there is safety in numbers. These Rah enjoy as pastime, music, singing and dance, being particularly adept at playing a lyre-like instrument, they also wear fine bracelets of tiny bells on their hind-feet which they stamp to create a rhythmic jingle. It is likely that some might dance at marketplaces, or trade in their Feathers and Sweet-smelling hair soaps. Flight for Anu, Winged Valu'Rah
While Anu do have the ability to fly, they are not known for being particularly strong or long-distance flyers. Their flight is limited and more short bursts of flapping their wings, and usually vertically, though downward gliding can carry them further. Their flight is more about getting from one point to another quickly rather than soaring through the sky. Their long tail trains do not hamper them in doing so. So, often they walk on the ground rather than flying. Vertical flight is often for access to low hanging boughs and branches for lounging on in land based social gatherings. Young Any Start Flying Training at 10-12 weeks of age The kits will start to exercise their wings and make short, low flights or glides within their immediate surroundings. These initial flights are typically short and unsteady, and they serve as practice for building up their flight muscles and coordination. The exact age at which young can achieve sustained and higher flight capabilities can vary. It generally takes several months for them to fully develop their wing muscles and feathers, allowing them to achieve longer and more proficient flights. By the time they reach 4-6 months of age, they typically have the ability to fly at a level comparable to an adult. Which is also good for safety in case of Danger. Swimming
Valu'Rah can swim short distances as long as the banks or sides are easy to climb out on. Although primarily terrestrial, they can navigate water environments with surprising agility. While they may not match aquatic creatures in proficiency, they exhibit much adaptability. Their long, slender legs enable effective paddling and maneuvering in the water. Additionally, their broad tail feather train, act as buoyant structures, ensuring stability and facilitating movement across the water’s surface. They excel in shallow bodies such as ponds or small lakes, utilizing leg movements and subtle tail adjustments for graceful gliding. Not to be confused with the Semi Aquatic lifestyle of the Cynu'Rah. Feathers
Every year just after the breeding season the Valu'Rah sheds its entire tail. Within a short period of time over two weeks all the very long tail feathers have fallen out. It is then easy to collect the feathers for keepsakes, display in the home, or gentle lining of Kit cribs. As the Vau'Rah reaches maturity the eyes on the tail feathers become larger and more layered. The tail is a strong outward signal of health and the better their health the more tail feathers they will have. The feathers are not fully waterproof, only enough for short bouts of swimming or rushing out of the rain undercover. As like the Seih'Rah on the main continent, they do what is called a dust bath. This has been developed over the years into a fine art, and some dusts have been ground from a mixture of very fine medicinal dirts and ground barks that can create a pearly or glittery sheen. Not to be mistaken for the natural genetic predisposition for a metallic-looking short fur coat. By allowing the loose dust to get in and amongst their feathers, they are able to get rid of potential lice, unwanted dirt and debris that is collecting in their feathers, and help spread their natural oils. The body fur and head hair is shampooed with sweet smelling soap bars, then very lightly conditioned with sunflower seed oils. Courtship
The courtship display of fanned tail-feathers shows an Interest in a potential mate, and to attract attention in their direction. When the Valu'Rah is displaying, their tail the feathers quiver, this creates a low frequency inaudible sound to the non Valu' ear. The sound depends on whether the peacock wants to attract another close up or far away, usually indicated by a coy glance or two in the intended's direction. Singing is a part of the start of courtship, the songs sung are not in words but a variation of elongated sounds in a range of notes. If interest is reciprocated a mirror dance happens, where they take turns copying the other's moves. Usually it is slow rhythmic and almost serpentine with their long elegant necks. Courting for a mate is different to actual breeding cycle which is once a year, and the only time young can be conceived. For socialites whom are interested in attracting a mate, they are found in forested areas, where they use their agility to move through trees and bushes in a flirtatious game of chase like tag. They show off their colorful feathers and perform impressive dances, all whilst playing peekaboo among the trees and foliage. Full tail train is grown by Late teens/early Adulthood and they practice flaring them before of Courting Age at their reflections in the water. They do not enter the Courting forest areas until of correct age to pursue a relationship. Birth
Birthing 'nests' are circular lowered conversation-pit style, padded and lined for the kits arrival and parent's comfort. They can fit up to four 'Rah inside the birthing nest, with plenty of room on the outside circle for the rest of the close family to rest and suppourt their beloved/s. Births usually happen at Dusk and so they worship the Deity of Celestial light. On the days that the birth is due to happen, they will get a droopy look with wings and head wings pointing downwards and often their feathers look fluffed up. Two or more Valu'Rah if in a Relationship, can communal birth together in the same Nesting pit. Litters are quite large with 5-6 kits in a single birth event. Poor nutrition in Valu'Rah cause poor fertility and a poor birth rate, with less kits reaching full cycle, or even no kits achieved. Every year just after the breeding season the Valu'Rah sheds its entire tail. Within a short period of time over two weeks all the very long tail feathers have fallen out. It is then easy to collect the feathers for keepsakes, display in the home, or gentle lining of Kit cribs. Once the tail has molted they are no longer fertile for creating offspring, and must wait till the next time to try again if need be. (copulation and coitus can happen in between breeding seasons, but the focus is not on reproduction) Young Vau'Rah Kits really love to play games, they will chase each other around a bush or along the riverbanks. They love to play with discarded feathers and will chase the one which has hold of the feather. They will also all run around in the same direction in a circle, or try overtake one another to see who is fastest. They will also play games that train their senses for predators, whats the time snappy jaws! One stands in front of the group looking away, the group has to try sneak up wile that one is looking away and freeze in place when they look back. The goal is to dodge a potential unseen attack. |
Valu'Rah: (Vaa-loo-Rah)
Height: 12-15hh (horse terms, from ground to top of wither (where wing starts) Sub-Specie: Winged Shi'Rah (Valu type, short tail) Colours: Any found in nature, combination of, including flowers/fish/reptiles/mammals/birds. Eyes: Rounded pupils that can reduce to slit-like in sunlight Friendly with: Quinu Trades with Quinu, Daid Not the nicest to: Nice to everyone Stays well away from: None Location: Phanis region Trade: Crystals, feathers from their tail plume, Horme-tree seedlings (Beautifully coloured Trees that the Quinu love to work with) Sweet scented hair soaps and oils made from the local Fruit
Dwellings: TBA
History
The Valu' used to be a Daid' type earthen Rah with long peacock-like plumes that sprout from a shortish-wide under tail. They do not posses the long leonine-like tails of the 'Rah from the main continent. A peaceful peoples, they were not ravaged or visited by the ailments of War, they being so separate from it, continued their blissful life unaware. The only contact with outsiders were the seafairing Quinu'Rah, which they happily traded with now and then, and left generally alone to their lives on the Islands. Valu' had short distance boats to travel between their Isles as their community expanded, but never had the need to travel further out across the ocean. After the simultaneous halt to the War by the Deities, these 'Rah were visited by one Deity in particular. Mai'Sha the Deity of Life wanted to bless the Valu'Rah for not participating in the Great war, but the people couldn't decide on what to wish for and they split off into two groups. One wished for Wings, the other for Horns. As they did not quarrel or fight among themselves over it, the Deity decided to bless each group instead. To this day the two groups live with each other harmoniously, happy with their choices, and even some Pairings have offspring born with both. It wasn't until well after the War had ceased and Peace Treaties fixed in place, that the Valu' decided to explore the main continent, graciously assisted by their friends the Quinu in their ships. The first landing was a Quinu settlement just off Lindlijwar. Then gradually some more confident few dared to journey further inland, it is here we meet up with the current timeline, where the Valu' are relative unknowns to the mainland. |