Zephyr

The Zephyr are a winged humanoid people whose homeland is Mu, the dark continent, along with a few remote corners of Lemuria. They were never many, and since the first cataclysm their numbers have fallen to what may be only a few hundred.

Everything about them is shaped for quick, nimble flight: they are slightly built, with hollow bones. Skin varies from gold to a coppery brown, and hair from yellow to bright red. Their vision is as keen as a hawk's, able to make out small details up to a mile off. An adult's wingspan exceeds 20 ft, and a Zephyr can remain airborne for as long as one hour per level of ability before needing rest. The wings are flexible enough to fold almost flat against the body, so that beneath a large cloak they are 95% undetectable, but spreading them and getting airborne takes a full round.

Most Zephyr would rather live in aeries, carefully woven nests of grass and reeds, well away from crowded human towns. Their lifespans are shockingly short, although they reach adulthood young, and a pair generally raises only one child.

Nervous and sensitive by nature, the Zephyr hold no prejudice toward other peoples, who in turn admire their grace, beauty and singing. They feel an odd revulsion for snakes and reptiles, and these, along with the serpent people known as Naga, are their bitterest foes.

Zephyr can wear no armor at all, yet they are renowned fighters, above all with sling, javelin and short bow. Their priests serve the old god Vania, the Dove, whom they hold to be their maker; beyond that they have no knowledge of magic. In game terms they fly at double SPD and get +1 to hit with all missile weapons and +1 on saves vs PER and CHA, but a Zephyr wounded beyond two-thirds of its hit points can no longer fly. They carry just 5 lb for each point of STR, halved while in flight.