City Relations
Avriel: Viewed positively if pro-Avriel, negatively if not.
Biqaj: Both sides consider them to be good natured and helpful.
Eidisi: Both sides consider Eidisi to be arrogant and self-important.
Ellune: Humans empathize with them, Avriel consider them whiny and ugly.
Humans: Depends on which side you are on, slaver or slave.
Ithecal: Highly regarded for physical capabilities. Tough to break though.
Lotharro Prized for strength, but rebirth factor makes them too ready to die.
Mixed Race: Depends on which race you resemble most.
Sev'ryn: Humans love them, Avriel don't believe in familiars and assume it's an espionage ploy.
Tunawa: Both sides would like them to spy for them.
The Avriel have gained an unexpected benefit, resulting from their adolescent journeys to purge themselves of the greater part of the feral wildness inherent in their young psyche. In the course of these travels, those avriel who return to Athart amass many tales of mortals and mountains, cities, seas and sights found in all corners of the world. As a result, the Avriel are very well informed of the demographics and geography of Idalos; more than most races, in fact.
However, the equally inherent - and callous - attitude of superiority has not made them very well-received in most of those cities. So their opinions of most cities are largely the same. They see grudging, envious, "inferior" beings, ill-fit to recognize true worth when it lands before them. And when they make this detail known, the responses of these foreigners strike them as rudely defensive. They find this to be a consistent response from most every race they encounter. So, most of these returnees have little of a positive nature to say of these far-flung races and cities. Many even feel that these cities would be better served by being under their rule, like Athart.
Fortunately, the current reigning Grand Aeolian, Gleneah, diplays no particular interest in empire-building, though she does not dismiss the possibility either. She is inclined to keep her own council on such matters. The subject is occasionally broached in meetings with the leaders of the other main factions of Athart, but it is generally given no priority. Perhaps it is because some of these council members are humans that she does not openly advocate such aggression. It is certainly not from any lack of this same feeling of superiority over the earth-bound mortals of Idalos. Time will tell.
In the meantime, the need to maintain reasonably good terms with those races and cities that seek to obtain slaves, keeps the Avriel from letting their passions be an obstacle to diplomacy. Most races are welcome, as long as they have money to spend, and as long as they display a deferential attitude toward their winged hosts. And dropping a few well-timed remarks about how much nicer Athart is than other cities will always go a long way toward warming up your welcome. Most mortals are considered good potential customers, unless they do something to show that they'd be much more useful as a slave.
But there are a few exceptions to this rule...
Biqaj: Both sides consider them to be good natured and helpful.
Eidisi: Both sides consider Eidisi to be arrogant and self-important.
Ellune: Humans empathize with them, Avriel consider them whiny and ugly.
Humans: Depends on which side you are on, slaver or slave.
Ithecal: Highly regarded for physical capabilities. Tough to break though.
Lotharro Prized for strength, but rebirth factor makes them too ready to die.
Mixed Race: Depends on which race you resemble most.
Sev'ryn: Humans love them, Avriel don't believe in familiars and assume it's an espionage ploy.
Tunawa: Both sides would like them to spy for them.
The Avriel have gained an unexpected benefit, resulting from their adolescent journeys to purge themselves of the greater part of the feral wildness inherent in their young psyche. In the course of these travels, those avriel who return to Athart amass many tales of mortals and mountains, cities, seas and sights found in all corners of the world. As a result, the Avriel are very well informed of the demographics and geography of Idalos; more than most races, in fact.
However, the equally inherent - and callous - attitude of superiority has not made them very well-received in most of those cities. So their opinions of most cities are largely the same. They see grudging, envious, "inferior" beings, ill-fit to recognize true worth when it lands before them. And when they make this detail known, the responses of these foreigners strike them as rudely defensive. They find this to be a consistent response from most every race they encounter. So, most of these returnees have little of a positive nature to say of these far-flung races and cities. Many even feel that these cities would be better served by being under their rule, like Athart.
Fortunately, the current reigning Grand Aeolian, Gleneah, diplays no particular interest in empire-building, though she does not dismiss the possibility either. She is inclined to keep her own council on such matters. The subject is occasionally broached in meetings with the leaders of the other main factions of Athart, but it is generally given no priority. Perhaps it is because some of these council members are humans that she does not openly advocate such aggression. It is certainly not from any lack of this same feeling of superiority over the earth-bound mortals of Idalos. Time will tell.
In the meantime, the need to maintain reasonably good terms with those races and cities that seek to obtain slaves, keeps the Avriel from letting their passions be an obstacle to diplomacy. Most races are welcome, as long as they have money to spend, and as long as they display a deferential attitude toward their winged hosts. And dropping a few well-timed remarks about how much nicer Athart is than other cities will always go a long way toward warming up your welcome. Most mortals are considered good potential customers, unless they do something to show that they'd be much more useful as a slave.
But there are a few exceptions to this rule...
The Naerikk & The City of Augiery
The fact that the Immortals, Audrae and Syroa, are on fairly good terms has no bearing on the hostilities between Athart and Augiery. This is not only because the Avriel do not acknowledge Syroa to have been largely involved in their creation, and thus, any alliance between the two would be irrelevant from a devotion basis. It stems much more from the fact that they are in direct competition for the acquisition of slaves.
Even the humans of Athart see the approach of any Naerikk ship as a sign of trouble. There are more than a few former citizens of Athart now wearing slave chains in the hidden city of Augiery. The reverse is also true, but no captive Naer has yet been driven to reveal the location of their city. Both cities accuse the denizens of the other of having ambushed slaver teams, stolen slave crews and sunk ships.
And while both cities' accusations are entirely true, it stands as a sore point with the Avriel that the Naerikk know the location of Athart, but none of their questing young have ever returned with a confirmed lead on the location of the Naerikk city. And so many leave in so many directions that charting the paths of those that do not ever return offers no clues either. Any that did come across the Naerikk city were most likely either shot down or taken prisoner.
So, while both the Avriel and the humans of Athart would love to welcome a few Naer to their city, it would not be a warm welcome. It would only be to carve the location of Augiery out of their flesh. After which, they would be happy to include the warrior women in their slave baby breeding program. Because in spite of the existing hostilities, the Avriel recognize the women of Augiery to be a cut above the rest.
Even the humans of Athart see the approach of any Naerikk ship as a sign of trouble. There are more than a few former citizens of Athart now wearing slave chains in the hidden city of Augiery. The reverse is also true, but no captive Naer has yet been driven to reveal the location of their city. Both cities accuse the denizens of the other of having ambushed slaver teams, stolen slave crews and sunk ships.
And while both cities' accusations are entirely true, it stands as a sore point with the Avriel that the Naerikk know the location of Athart, but none of their questing young have ever returned with a confirmed lead on the location of the Naerikk city. And so many leave in so many directions that charting the paths of those that do not ever return offers no clues either. Any that did come across the Naerikk city were most likely either shot down or taken prisoner.
So, while both the Avriel and the humans of Athart would love to welcome a few Naer to their city, it would not be a warm welcome. It would only be to carve the location of Augiery out of their flesh. After which, they would be happy to include the warrior women in their slave baby breeding program. Because in spite of the existing hostilities, the Avriel recognize the women of Augiery to be a cut above the rest.
The Mer
The citizens of Athart would be hard pressed to find any practical slave use for a member of any of the savage Mer tribes below the waves of the Orm'del or Crescent Seas. As a result, they would prefer that the marine warriors make themselves scarce, and take whatever steps they can to bring this about. This is not to say that they go out in fishing fleets hoping to net a few captives. It is more that they keep harpoons and crossbows on hand, to drive home the point that the Mer are not welcome anywhere near Athart, or the sea lanes that Athartian vessels are likely to ply.
Only a very situational capture would enable the Athartians to make use of an intelligent marine creature. Perhaps if they could catch an entire family at once, they could use the child to coerce the adults into policing the harbor against other intruders. But other than this, there is little to be gained from a slave that cannot work on land. Any work at Windshear Harbor would come with concerns of sabotage, which happens occasionally anyway. And it would not be cost effective to modify a vessel to keep a Mer on hand for any commercial or diplomatic purpose. There was once a thought of keeping one in a tank as a curiosity for tourists, but it never happened.
But attacks against Athartian vessels, by Mer warriors, happen regularly. They are marked early by sudden leaks developing in the hull, or inexplicable losses of speed. If the crew of the vessel is inexperienced or undermanned, the Mer can quickly gain an edge and possibly sink it. But a skilled and determined defense will usually prevail. Even the galley slaves will help in the defense, since their only option is drowning. But there has been more than one instance of these same slaves then capitalizing on key personnel losses among their masters, to take the ship themselves. The Athartians tend to hold the Mer to blame for these events.
Only a very situational capture would enable the Athartians to make use of an intelligent marine creature. Perhaps if they could catch an entire family at once, they could use the child to coerce the adults into policing the harbor against other intruders. But other than this, there is little to be gained from a slave that cannot work on land. Any work at Windshear Harbor would come with concerns of sabotage, which happens occasionally anyway. And it would not be cost effective to modify a vessel to keep a Mer on hand for any commercial or diplomatic purpose. There was once a thought of keeping one in a tank as a curiosity for tourists, but it never happened.
But attacks against Athartian vessels, by Mer warriors, happen regularly. They are marked early by sudden leaks developing in the hull, or inexplicable losses of speed. If the crew of the vessel is inexperienced or undermanned, the Mer can quickly gain an edge and possibly sink it. But a skilled and determined defense will usually prevail. Even the galley slaves will help in the defense, since their only option is drowning. But there has been more than one instance of these same slaves then capitalizing on key personnel losses among their masters, to take the ship themselves. The Athartians tend to hold the Mer to blame for these events.
Qi'ora & Nashaki
There are two primary reasons why the Avriel are uncharacteristically willing to give "undue" respect to the people of Nashaki, particularly the Qi'ora. The first is that the winged humanoids have always had a legitimate appreciation for fine artistic craft work. Though there is a stubborn refusal to fully admit it, they silently acknowledge that the Qi'ora "have the capacity" to equal their own fine crafting quality - on an exceptionally good day. Most of the rest of Idalosian cultures would say that the Qi'ora easily surpass them. This is undoubtedly one of the many "rude injustices" - as they see it - that the Avriel so frequently come to blows over with other cultures. They see it as entirely fair and necessary to put such insult in its place.
The Qi'ora are one of the few races that are not in likely jeopardy of being enslaved if they visit Athart. The Avriel consider themselves to be going out of their way to extend this courtesy to this race of craftsmen. Although they have "secreted a few away" at times, it is done with great care, as they do not want to give the desert people any cause to break diplomatic relations with them.
Besides the appreciation of fine craftsmanship, the Avriel also see the Qi'ora, their great city, Nashaki, and the massive stretch of the imposing Hotlands, as a buffer against the growing dominion of Korlasir, and its "Eternal Empire". If the Qi'ora were ever to develop a serious animosity towards Athart, the threat of the Ithecal nation would double in significance, in both strategic intelligence and proximity.
Nashaki is one of the few cultures where the Avriel do not show disdain for the general equality extended to humans. They keep their mouths shut about it, and assume that the Qi'ora are unaware of their general contempt for most other races. When any party of Qi'ora come to visit Athart, slavery-related restrictions are temporarily reduced, to give a good impression to the Hotlands diplomats. Naturally, any slaves that overly exploit this brief latitude are taken note of, and are usually given cause to regret it later.
The Qi'ora are one of the few races that are not in likely jeopardy of being enslaved if they visit Athart. The Avriel consider themselves to be going out of their way to extend this courtesy to this race of craftsmen. Although they have "secreted a few away" at times, it is done with great care, as they do not want to give the desert people any cause to break diplomatic relations with them.
Besides the appreciation of fine craftsmanship, the Avriel also see the Qi'ora, their great city, Nashaki, and the massive stretch of the imposing Hotlands, as a buffer against the growing dominion of Korlasir, and its "Eternal Empire". If the Qi'ora were ever to develop a serious animosity towards Athart, the threat of the Ithecal nation would double in significance, in both strategic intelligence and proximity.
Nashaki is one of the few cultures where the Avriel do not show disdain for the general equality extended to humans. They keep their mouths shut about it, and assume that the Qi'ora are unaware of their general contempt for most other races. When any party of Qi'ora come to visit Athart, slavery-related restrictions are temporarily reduced, to give a good impression to the Hotlands diplomats. Naturally, any slaves that overly exploit this brief latitude are taken note of, and are usually given cause to regret it later.
The Eternal Empire and the Ithecal
There is little or no effort made to suggest the possibility of good relations with this eastern aggressor. With the reptilian humanoids making up a significant portion of the forces invading the Hotlands, trade is not an option. The avriel know that Korlasir is aware of the military treaty Athart shares with Nashaki. Many wounded ithecal soldiers are taken as slaves after skirmishes over the eastern sands.
It has long been considered pointless to worry about how Raskalarn's empire will react to the taking of such slaves from her ranks. These relations are already a lost cause. Those ithecal hailing from Ythiral and its capital city of Ivorian are a different matter, though not by much. Athart has a capable navy should the island nation seek to bring retribution upon them for claiming those victims that the avriel will say were intruding upon Athart's waters and are suspected of espionage.
In such a case, the avriel will always offer to "sell" the offending ithecal back to Ivorian, as compensation for having been so 'victimized" by the islanders' scheming. This does not amount to a situation much different from selling them as slaves. No doubt the denizens of Ythiral remember it this way as well.
It has long been considered pointless to worry about how Raskalarn's empire will react to the taking of such slaves from her ranks. These relations are already a lost cause. Those ithecal hailing from Ythiral and its capital city of Ivorian are a different matter, though not by much. Athart has a capable navy should the island nation seek to bring retribution upon them for claiming those victims that the avriel will say were intruding upon Athart's waters and are suspected of espionage.
In such a case, the avriel will always offer to "sell" the offending ithecal back to Ivorian, as compensation for having been so 'victimized" by the islanders' scheming. This does not amount to a situation much different from selling them as slaves. No doubt the denizens of Ythiral remember it this way as well.
Aukari & Sirothelle
Little detailed knowledge of the city of Sirothelle has reached all the way back to Athart. Not much beyond it being a city of stone, a city near a volcano, a city where devotion to Faldrun is the be-all, end-all of life's purpose, and the city where the cursed Aukari madmen originate. In such a city, where Avriel arrogance is cut shorter than in any other city on Idalos, the winged travelers bring back nothing but accounts of swift anger and flaming retribution. The Avriel realize there is no point in swearing to destroy such a distant city, but they would certainly celebrate such an event.
Plenty of details about the Aukari themselves have come back to Athart though. There is some contradiction in those reports and sightings, though. In some cases, the redheads seem to oppose Faldrun's interests, and attempt to live in peace with other indigenous peoples. The humans and avriel of Athart will confront any approaching Aukari, that seem peaceful, at the first opportunity and escort them to the Windshear Bastion, as it is constructed entirely of stone.
There they will make plain to the visitors that the reputation of their race prevents them from being granted the freedom they would extend to others. They have no objection to doing business with them, as they would any other, but they will be restricted to areas of town where stone construction is predominant. Usually this means the Athartian will appoint a representative who will conduct the business affairs of the Aukari for them. In the meantime, the actual Aukari will be accommodated as well as can be arranged, while remaining under a sort of "house-arrest".
Naturally, the Aukari are unhappy with this treatment, but it is the best they will get until such turns of events establish a greater degree of trust on each individual's level. There are a few Aukari citizens in Athart. And though they are not restricted in their comings and goings, they are a little more closely monitored than members of other races. It is not so much the fear of setting the town aflame, as much of the town features stone construction, and the river gives quick means for the winged Avriel to quench any flames that should arise.
It is basically "only" the human sector that is at risk from spreading flames, being mostly wooden construction; and the Avriel are not greatly concerned over that. It is more the harbor, the farmlands and the orchards that are vulnerable. Some increased security is common everywhere during an Aukari visit, but greatly so in these areas.
Plenty of details about the Aukari themselves have come back to Athart though. There is some contradiction in those reports and sightings, though. In some cases, the redheads seem to oppose Faldrun's interests, and attempt to live in peace with other indigenous peoples. The humans and avriel of Athart will confront any approaching Aukari, that seem peaceful, at the first opportunity and escort them to the Windshear Bastion, as it is constructed entirely of stone.
There they will make plain to the visitors that the reputation of their race prevents them from being granted the freedom they would extend to others. They have no objection to doing business with them, as they would any other, but they will be restricted to areas of town where stone construction is predominant. Usually this means the Athartian will appoint a representative who will conduct the business affairs of the Aukari for them. In the meantime, the actual Aukari will be accommodated as well as can be arranged, while remaining under a sort of "house-arrest".
Naturally, the Aukari are unhappy with this treatment, but it is the best they will get until such turns of events establish a greater degree of trust on each individual's level. There are a few Aukari citizens in Athart. And though they are not restricted in their comings and goings, they are a little more closely monitored than members of other races. It is not so much the fear of setting the town aflame, as much of the town features stone construction, and the river gives quick means for the winged Avriel to quench any flames that should arise.
It is basically "only" the human sector that is at risk from spreading flames, being mostly wooden construction; and the Avriel are not greatly concerned over that. It is more the harbor, the farmlands and the orchards that are vulnerable. Some increased security is common everywhere during an Aukari visit, but greatly so in these areas.
The Yludih
Though many citizens of various cities are not even sure this race truly exists, or block out and deny the possibility out of fear, the population of Athart does not doubt it. Tales of shape-shifters do not scare the Avriel. They are not so foolish as to fail to recognize the danger such an ability represents, but they figure that every shape-shifter must ultimately aspire to copy an Avriel. And while the threat of such infiltration is acknowledged, it is largely dismissed, since "only a true Avriel can be a true Avriel." They have no doubts they will be able to discern a copy by its very clumsiness and inability to "see" air the way they can, and that such subtleties will give away the pretender.
Also, they assume the race to be completely the product of Syroa's influence. And since they, as a race, are on better terms with the Immortal of Transformation than any other, it is perhaps not such a surprise after all that the Yludih are not as feared here as in most other locations. The fact is, the Avriel would welcome the bearers of such abilities into their fold. But do not kid yourself, it is not from some benevolent sense of like mind and fellowship; or general feelings of shared superiority over the rest of the mortal races. It is that they would like to have a few such agents to infiltrate the ranks of the humans of their city.
As for these same humans, they too are not so terribly afraid of the concept of shape-shifters as citizens of many other towns might be. They have been dealing with Syroa's gifts of transforming artifacts to the Avriel for decades now. A race that can do it naturally is not so terribly much worse, and like their Avriel oppressors, the humans of Athart would welcome such a gifted individual into their rebellious ranks. But refusal to help their cause would have the reverse effect.
Also, they assume the race to be completely the product of Syroa's influence. And since they, as a race, are on better terms with the Immortal of Transformation than any other, it is perhaps not such a surprise after all that the Yludih are not as feared here as in most other locations. The fact is, the Avriel would welcome the bearers of such abilities into their fold. But do not kid yourself, it is not from some benevolent sense of like mind and fellowship; or general feelings of shared superiority over the rest of the mortal races. It is that they would like to have a few such agents to infiltrate the ranks of the humans of their city.
As for these same humans, they too are not so terribly afraid of the concept of shape-shifters as citizens of many other towns might be. They have been dealing with Syroa's gifts of transforming artifacts to the Avriel for decades now. A race that can do it naturally is not so terribly much worse, and like their Avriel oppressors, the humans of Athart would welcome such a gifted individual into their rebellious ranks. But refusal to help their cause would have the reverse effect.