Baga Fravarti

The Baga Fravati, or simply Fravati to most, are the famous guardians of Mountain fortress Dahyu Vaišhta in the Northern reaches of the Armosian Empire. They guard the North from incursions of the Ischyros from the East and the Athanasian Dryads from the West.

Born of Elfennol of the Sky and mountains these winged creatures are well known both for their artistry in music and their warrior prowess on the battlefield. Though not known for fighting in large numbers, these "flights" of stone-skinned birdmen are a fearful sight to any soldier on first appearance. They take their artistry to the battlefield with complex ariel maneuvers to confuse missile troops before swooping in for the deadly dance in melee. When on the ground they are fierce individual fighters, capable of dealing with several enemies at once, before swooping off into the air to recover and reengage.

Such is the capability of these beings that, far from attempting to conquer or subdue these people the Aremosian Empire forged a treaty rather than fight to claim the ore and gem rich mountain city. In return for minor subsidies of material and the guardianship of the North, the Aremosians promised to aid them in times of war. In this way, the Northern entrance to the heartlands of the Aremosian Empire are protected both in the West by the desert and then in the North by these mighty paragons of martial and artistic prowess.

Far from being merely guardians, the Fravarti also are a major cultural influence in the Empire. Most music comes from a basis in the music heard from the Fravarti. In return the Aremosians introduced the Fravarti to drawing and painting, together weaving both arts into some of the most awe-inspiring tapestries and mosaics telling the greatest tales to be found anywhere else in either the East or West of the Empire.

The Fravarti themselves are creatures that prize both the martial and the artistic in the fullest. A subject of this city must be adept at both and specialize in either one or both in order to be accepted. Unlike most other fillii Elfennol (minor races) the Fravarti travel far and wide, though only in small numbers, seeking to learn all that they can about the art and skills of other peoples to bring it back to their great and mighty fortress city of Dahyu Vaišhta. Thus does one find the unusual combination of impregnable and asthetically pleasing city state of this mighty people.

As with all other filii Elfennol, this race is the spawn of two Elfennol, one of air and the other of the mountain. The spirit of the air, known as the Pharnurvān is known by many as a benevolent creature. It too travels far seeking to aid travellers with its wisdom and gifts once it observes them as worthy. Such traits that it deems good are those of liberty, respect of others and their goods and property, martial prowess and artisanship. To these will it grant guidance through the mountain pass and restrain its children from assaulting the travellers, for truly very few but the most powerful have ever travelled those lands without the guidance of Pharnurvān.

Of the mountain spirit there is little known. One can presume that it is from this spirit that the Fravarti gain their stone-like skin and territorial nature, as well as their love of gems and other beautiful stones.

Excerpt from "Fabulis Animantium", by Favonius Justinianus.