Description[]
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Old Birds are the second-to-last surviving species of the genus Novolavem, just behind the Novis Noctua. Usually measuring 8 feet 4, Old Birds are bird-like, specifically owl-styled, beings characterized by their bipedalism, high intelligence, and their complex language. Old Birds were predicted to become the dominant species of the Backrooms due to their unique Backrooms-centric evolution, weren't it be for human settlement in the Backrooms.
Old Birds are pseudo-humanoid, as previously stated, bird-like beings with their bodies being covered in feathers, which are longer along the arms, resembling wings in spite of their inability to fly, and having a short, squarish tail. They weigh 100 to 130 kg, though exceptional instances can reach up to 158.8 kg. The feathers of adult and young males are dark colored, with some having white primaries and white tails; females are more grey and white in color. The head and hands of Old Birds are bare, with their skin being a pure white; the skin in the head of Old Birds is considerably more sturdy than other parts, and it has been described as "bone-like."
Old Birds have continuously been nomadic hunter-gatherers since their discovery, with permanent residence having only been reported as late as 2003. Human-Old Bird interactions have kickstarted a period of continuous (and ongoing) technological change and cultural revolution for the species, with assumptions of behavioral assimilations being made as Old Birds strive to reach the "greatness of human civilization".
Behavior, Culture and Society[]
Old Birds normally live in nomadic groups ranging from tens to thousands (led by a "Leader Old Bird" or, in bigger, more organized groups, one of the Novis Noctuas) that travel in search of resources. Old Birds are both diurnal and nocturnal. Despite their intimidating appearance, which they evolved to have to scare off potential predators, they are generally docile towards humans and don't mind them being near them or their settlements, say, in exception, during the worshipping of the Novis Noctua, during which human entrance is usually forbidden.
Old Birds are efficient travelers of the Backrooms and have heavy environmental tolerance to the plethora of environments present within the space. Due to the longevity of their presence within the levels, they have been used for a variety of tasks, the most important of which are the relaying of information on a level's characteristics, vaccine creation, understanding how life naturally progresses, and the physics of the Backrooms.
Old Bird culture has been historically (and still is) influenced by human cultures within the Backrooms, the most prominent of which is the Ncipetherazi one. Noin4chmeʔ (transliteration[1] of "my people" in the Noekali script) is inspired by the Ncipetherazi practice of "human recycling"; it's employed mostly all settlements used by the Old Birds, especially among the newer, permanent residence ones. It involves keeping the bones of a deceased or loved one to be used as talismans, and the body is gifted to Groups or as a gift towards the Novis Noctua; however, unlike traditional human recycling, it is strictly forbidden to cannibalize them.
Old Birds are not confrontational and choose to ambush their prey when hunting, though the advent of firearms has allowed them to move to a more straightforward and exposed way of hunting. Otherwise, they choose to scare away predators through loud screeches. The species does not communicate through screeching or audible sounds but rather visually with the Kali-Estof.
Sharing similarities with sign languages, the Kali-Estof is a language entirely spoken through motions; it takes into account the spatial modulation, arm-feather prominence, opening-middle-end "wing" section location, and many other things possessed by the Old Birds; the discovery of writing by ancient Old Bird groups has allowed for the creation of the Noekali script, a written, logographic adaptation of the Kali-Estof used today by the species.
Old Birds always had a system of government since their divergence from the Novolavem Isideum, who themselves had made the basis for such to be formed. "Alphalises" were the pack leaders of early groups of Old Birds; they generally assigned the roles of each composing member of the group. Throughout the years, as the population of the birds grew, so did their groups, and the development of larger governments within communities started, surprisingly beginning with a democratic-styled foundation, with leaders chosen by the people ruling the lands. Ever since then, the rise of other styles of government has developed, with the ʃulb𐱈?waːe being the most notable. Authoritarianism within Old Bird communities has never existed, even after human communication; the closest is the Twaint͡si, though even that has some form of regulation.
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Most communities, regardless of system of government, have their leader directly report to the Novis Noctua. Individual Old Birds may suggest the proposition of ideas, technologies, and the such to the ten Noctuas for wider implementation among all applicable communities, thus why many practices are deemed universal among different groups. Exactly how they are implemented effectively is unknown, though it is known that practices and interpretations vary significantly, so the system is not perfect.
Habitat[]
Today's Old Birds are more secluded to respective levels than thousands of decades ago, with them moving around the level's environment rather than the previously common practice of leaving the level entirely. Modern Old Bird habitats are much more Noctua-centric, with their communities traditionally being close to those ruled by a Noctua. In and of themselves, they are also sometimes located near the bases of humans.
Aside from that, the levels dominated by Old Birds are usually on the lower-temperature side and are flat or easy to settle in and have plenty of supplies such as food. Whether the terrain is arable has also been placed heavy emphasis on in recent times as a shift to agriculture is expected to arise, in spite of reluctance to use it in previous years due to their meat-based diet.
Humans[]
Documentation and general human knowledge regarding Old Birds dates back all the way to Homo Callidus times, with certain paintings depicting their head. Old Birds have also been hypothesized to inspire cultures, civilizations, and ancient practices, with written records detailing the usage of the dead bodies as weapons and, additionally, records of attempted domestication of the entity during which their curiosity towards humanity was discovered. However, the generally peaceful interactions between Old Birds and humans would radically change in 1020 AD, during which the Wake Holy Extermination was launched by a variety of religious organizations.
The Holy Extermination was a campaign set to destroy the beastly demons that roamed the Backrooms. Old Birds, due to their appearance, were relentlessly targeted. The inception of the Noctua-centric system began during these periods to better respond to human aggression. The end of the Holy Extermination marked a period of complete isolationism and avoidance in regards to humans, which ended upon the accidental discovery of the Garden of Ncipetheraz in 1459. Rather than being exiled, the Old Birds were welcomed in and shown around due to Ncipetherazi's strict module of respect and records of curiosity of them towards humans being kept in the Eshrashiyo National Library; after their departure, they brought the news to the Novis Noctua in attempts to convince them to contact these peoples.
In 1502, after long years of convincing, the Noctua mandated a party of forty-five to go to the level and visit the Ncipetherazi, after which diplomatic expeditions would be considered. Preceded by a courier, who delivered the Ncipetherazi leader ahead of the group's arrival. They arrived approximately on September 24, 1502; they were welcomed in by escorts and shown around, and the two parties shared gifts of cultural significance. The meeting led to the Nyage Cultural Revolution.
““And thus the parties of both humanity and long-ago-considered-beasts danced gleefully under the starry night's skies in woven waves. They shared gifts among themselves, both studying each other, both interested by the prospect of foreign beings aside from the dangerous, stupid, and abominable horrors, that could form civilizations and respect one another.”
— Exerpt from The Featherful and the Featherless: A Study of Human-Old Birds Interaction Throughout the Milleniums.
From the 17th century to the 19th century, Old Birds were mainly followed active diplomacy with two groups: Ncipetheraz and Tezo's Art Supplies. The Menagerie was included to some extent, though they didn't interact as much as the others. The flourishing of groups in the 20th century allowed for greater interaction and assimilation of cultures, technologies, and ways of thought of other humans. Old Birds unwittingly entered a still-ongoing period of rapid technological advancements, acquisition of knowledge, and use of human-originated technologies.
The 2020 Cascadan Conflict led to the signing of the Solsium Defense Accord (SDA) to deter a similar campaign against Old Birds.
Lifespan[]
Old Birds exhibits k-selection, producing generally low numbers of offspring, with high probabilities of making it to adulthood. The longevity of the species is very high, with the average lifespan of an old bird being around 88 to 140 years.
Prominent Permanent Settlements[]
The establishment of the largest permanent settlement took place in the early 2000s. It is around 124 kilometers from the nearest Ncipetherazi settlement and is nestled between various hills. The de facto "capital" of the Old Bird species, it is where the First Sol resides. Influence from the Ncipetherazi is noticeable, though curtailed by certain agreements.
Found near the Cju𐊌tle Lake; established due to the rise of agriculture in 2011. Not particularly close to any human settlement, as they sought to avoid the general destruction brought by the Korthie Casiagen War to Level 10. Led by Fifth and Eight Sol.
Roughly 88 kilometers from the level's entrances, it is the most popular in terms of tourism. Led by the Tenth Sol.
Novis Noctua[]
Lifeforms beyond.
Novis Noctua
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Description
The Novis Noctua, or simply Noctua, are rarely-sighted fifteen-feet-tall creatures similar to a dragon. Covered in feathers of dark red and brown, with a pale-colored mask similar to their still-alive relatives, the Old Birds, on their face; two small horns sit atop the entity's head, circulated by a halo. They have two massive wings and split tails, though their ability to fly is disputed, as they have never been seen doing such. They have the ability to vocally communicate, thus allowing the transliteration and translation of the Noekali script.
Currently there only exist ten confirmed living Novis Noctuans remaining. What exactly occurred to other members of the species is unknown, though it is speculated that they most likely starved to death. The ten remaining members of the species have survived due to evolving to survive extended periods without food or through collaborations with the Old Birds. All remaining population of the species are forming members of the designated "Ten Sols Council;" they act as the guiding lights of almost every group of Old Birds and thus have been seen as "gods" by them. Additionally, it has been noted that the largest communities of Old Birds are led by members of the council.
Each member of the Ten Sols Council, known as Sols or Dawnbreakers, has a sector of specialization designated under the "Tenets of Society and Survival." The council also details, allows, and spreads practices, technologies, and anything of significant help or importance to Old Bird society; furthermore, they mandate actions regarding justice and law, diplomacy, and everything else. Interactions between Old Birds and Noctuas are common, as individual Old Birds are allowed to meet the council with the intent to suggest actions mainly on both internal and foreign matters and the implementation of things (specified in the official Database documentation). Interactions with humans remain purely for diplomatic purpose, their most recent wide appearance was during the ratification of the Solsium Defense Accord.
Noctuas are believed to live up to 20,000 years old or are potentially immortal.
SNC-2007X12
SNC-2007X12, or the Sol Naming Convention, is the convention under which each Sol was named in human tongue without transliteration from the Noekali script. Each name has been allowed by their respective Sol and the wider council. Under the SNC-2007X12, each Sol has two titles: the name, self-explanatory, and the title, which is "The" followed by (a) word(s).
- First Sol — Cogito // The Horizon
- Second Sol — Yi // The Esse
- Third Sol — Nori // The Egalitarian
- Fourth Sol — Primasima // The Diplomat
- Fifth Sol — Patreo // The Custodian
- Sixth Sol — Annimea // The Accountant
- Seventh Sol — Adjemo // The Judge
- Eight Sol — Sayiti // The Scutum Populi
- Ninth Sol — Descado // The Innovator
- Tenth Sol — Sikan // The Educated
Footnotes
- ↑ Translations and transliteration of the Noekali script is incredibly difficult due to the Old Birds' inability to vocalize the sound, though it is possible through the Novis Noctua, as they do "talk."