The Winged People of Sothoryos The Aerieborn
🌿 Origins & Myth
The Aerieborn claim they were shaped by the Great Eagle, a sky‑god older than Valyria, older than the Ghiscari, older than the First Men. According to their lore, the Great Eagle plucked feathers from every bird in the world and breathed life into them, creating the first Aerieborn.
Whether that's true or not, one thing is certain:
they existed long before Old Valyria ever set foot in Sothoryos.
🪽 Biology & Wing Types
Aerieborn wings are fully functional, muscular, and adapted to real flight. Their wings determine their size, build, and even temperament.
Common Wing Types
| Wing Type | Resembles | Typical Height | Traits |
| Highland Eagle | Giant eagles | 6'8"–7'2" | Strong, long‑distance flyers, stoic |
| Desert Eagle | Essosi steppe eagles | 6'0"–6'6" | Heat‑resistant, sharp vision |
| Ice Hawk | Northern hawks (Westeros) | 5'8"–6'2" | Cold‑adapted, silent flyers |
| Jungle Hawk | Sothoryi raptors | 5'1"–5'4" | Agile, fast, maneuverable |
| Storm Kite | Sea‑kites | 5'5"–5'10" | Excellent in storms, fearless |
Height Rule
- Small wings → small body (5'1"–5'4")
- Large wings → large body (6'8"–7'2")
This applies to all genders.
Their bones are dense but hollow‑cored, giving them strength without sacrificing lift.
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🏔️ Homeland — The Sky‑Mountains of Sothoryos
The Aerieborn live on the highest mountains in all Sothoryos, peaks so tall that clouds cling to them like veils.
Their capital, Aeriehome, sits atop the tallest peak — a natural spire carved by wind and time. No ladder, no road, no path leads to it. Only wings.
They rarely descend into the jungles except to hunt or gather rare herbs.
🛠️ Craftsmanship & Weapons
The Aerieborn are not smiths of plate armor it's too heavy for flight
but their metalwork is legendary.
Sky‑Steel
Their metal, called Sky‑Steel, is:
- forged in thin mountain air
- quenched in glacial water
- folded with powdered gemstones
It is said to be second only to Valyrian steel.
Signature Weapons
Sky‑Crossbows
Their most feared weapon:
- fully metal frame
- reinforced limbs
- capable of punching through full plate
- bolts leave fist‑sized holes
Even dragonlords respected these weapons.
Featherblades
Lightweight swords designed for aerial combat.
🛖 Culture & Society
A Trading Culture of Favors
They don't use coins among themselves.
Instead, they trade in favors, skill, and reputation.
If you need:
- a new crossbow
- a wing‑salve
- a carved gemstone
You go to the person known for it and offer a favor in return.
Leaving the Mountain
Only a rare few leave the Sky‑Mountains.
Those who do carry:
- bags of gemstones
- raw Sky‑Steel
- silver feathers (shed naturally)
They use these to pay for ship passage, since they cannot fly across oceans.
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🐉 History With Old Valyria
Before Valyria fell, some Aerieborn were captured and kept as exotic slaves or trophies. Their feathers were prized for:
- cloaks
- quills
- magical rituals
- bedding for dragons
But then came the story whispered across Essos:
The Great Eagle's Wrath
It's said the Great Eagle descended in a storm of lightning and wind, tearing apart a Valyrian sky‑ship and killing a dragon that tried to hunt the Aerieborn.
After that, several powerful dragonlord families refused to keep them as slaves.
Some out of fear.
Some out of respect.
Some because they believed the Aerieborn were kin to the sky itself.
Whether the story is true or not, the Aerieborn never forgot it.