Origins

The Au'Kael originated in the semi-historical period when Jay cultures had already spread throughout most of the western and central continent. As their name suggests, they are a branch of the greater Kael ethnicity, and linguistic analysis shows that they hailed originallt from the regions of western Kael nation today. They began as a group of religious schismatics, often lumped in among other Heterodox groups, and faced persecutions by the assorted emerging kingdoms and nations. According to the Au'Kael oral histories, they were at first expelled form their ancestral homelands, and wandered for a time in the Kael principalities, before settling for a time in one where the ruling family became enamored of their musical skills. But when the ruling bird had died, they were again expelled to the east. Following trade routes, they eventually wound up in the Veldt, the broad and mostly unpeopled grasslands. By this time, they had adoted an almost completely migratory lifestyle, and so were able to make the Veldt their home, moving in great rounds with the seasons, guided by experienced band leaders and the Bards, who passed down the songs and stories of their culture. Eventually, these migratory birds would build Sarais, resting places for their caravans, which would grow up into actual towns.