Ulna’s Personality
Written by vicorish
✦ Half-bat and half-sphynx, Ulna tends to stand out among her feathered peers. Despite this, she has mastered the art of subtly meshing herself into any ideological group, her intuitive charisma and shrewdness giving her a social advantage with anyone. She is always curious to hear every perspective, and manages to understand and find common ground with even the strangest characters - though it's unsure how honest she is being about it. She is patient, tactical and diplomatic, rarely outright aggressive or showing her anger. She gives you the feeling that no matter how personally wronged she is, she has others to more strategically enact her revenge. ✦
✦ Despite her current position, she was actually born into Garden Flock. She grew a tough skin, cool exterior, and quick wits & charm to deflect the derision she received for her unusual appearance. Although she indeed grew powerful because of this (becoming an Alpha, and courting another high-level one herself), it quickly became clear that not all trusted her or were comfortable with her being a public 'face' of Garden Flock - despite how much most praised her competence. Although she was never outright ridiculed, this implied rejection was beneath her, and she never looked back when she crossed the border to Bone Flock. The feathervals there were intrigued by such an eloquent and collected new featherval, who seemed more interested in collaboration than claiming. They were quick to stop seeing her as soft from her birthplace as she handily tackled their territory's issues and organized a unified, independant Flock to be proud of. She also tends to accept most loners in her territory, as they tend to bring news from other flocks, and she likes having eyes everywhere. ✦
✦ Her name while in Garden Flock was Silk ✦
written by me
Something lies under the surface with Ulna, a slight by someone higher up in one of the Sun Alliance Flocks (though she is very tight-lipped about who or what it is. Quick to deflect or snap when someone gets too close, there is more than meets the eye with Ulna. She’s quick on her feet and an excellent joke and storyteller. Parties and celebrations are not uncommon in the Bone Flock (one tradition that’s carried over from her life in Garden Flock).
She’s an excellent herbalist and was in training to be a healer over in Garden Flock, so she allocates a lot of her spare time hunting for new sources of herbs and rare varieties. There’s still much for them to explore, as this flock lies on the outskirts of the land that the Flocks reside in. She keeps tight-lipped about this land to the other flocks, lest they become interested in expanding their borders as well. Much of their best territory lies underground, and this is the only territory currently known to have such features (though perhaps others have undiscovered beauty like this)! Most think that their Flock’s land is nothing but scarred wasteland and vast swathes of fire-prone dead grass, so Ulna works hard to keep their misconceptions that way.
Background on the Bone Flock History and Culture
The Bone Flock happens to be the youngest of the Flocks. While nearly all the others have been around for generations, this flock is only two generations old, founded by Scruff and currently ruled by Ulna. Their members come from all over, and many were former rogues or left their flocks for a wide variety of reasons. This has left the Bone Flock with a growing population, albeit a community that is independent and not very tight-knit.
The Bone Flock is known for its rebellious spirit and ingenious charm. Many of the Feathervals that live here have opposable dewclaws, which allows them to grasp and hold objects easier. Because of this, they are known as one of the only flocks that dabbles in technology and tinkering. There is great ability for motion within the Bone Flock social hierarchy and most of a member’s esteem is founded on merit. The Bone Flock considers every member’s viewpoints on an issue (and was the first flock to pioneer a blind voting system).
Territory is diverse and large, stretching from vast scrubby chaparrals and canyons to crags, cliffs, chasms, and plateaus. The colors at sunset give the land a new life, painting it in dazzling hues. Though a harsh environment, there is beauty everywhere if one knows where to look. Their main nesting site is located in a ghost town, with Ulna nesting in the belfry of an old chapel. They also have a few other outposts carved into cliffs, hollow trees, and caves. Flock members are not required to live in the main nesting site, so many serve as lookouts patrolling different areas under the jurisdiction of the Alphas.
Some of the inspiration for the landscape of the Bone Flock: Zion and Bryce Canyons, the Narrows, Waitomo Cave, Son Doong Cave, Bermuda’s Crystal Cave, and Cueva de Los Verdes, and of course, the classic Wild Western Ghost Town!
