Vartans are a race of bipedal "hippogryph" creatures (part eagle, part lion, part horse), they were once found mostly in Himar scattered in small tribes, but with the onset of civilization and technology they can be found all over Sinai.

Vartans are known mostly for their love of shiny things, their distaste for magic and magic users, and their strength. They are probably the most powerful flying race on Sinai and are coveted as crewmembers for airships and as guards. Typically, Vartans do not hold any type of high standing jobs such as craftsmen or nobles, although there are always a few exceptions to the rule. One will usually find Vartans employed as heavy labourers and other "muscle" jobs. They are usually quite dilligent and honest in their labors... and can be bribed to work for less money than most with the offer of a few cheap shiny bits of junk.

Vartans come in a myriad of colors, ranging from white to tawny gold to red and blue. They can be solid in their coloration, or splotchy... or even striped or spotted. Black feathers are fairly rare.

While most species on Sinai are genetically incompatible with each other, Vartans appear to be an exception to many of these rules, already being hybrids themselves of a sort. Thus, if one finds versions of various more familiar Sinai species with wings, these may be examples of yet another Vartan hybrid. So far, there have been instances of hybrids of Vartans with Khatta/Katthas, Hekoye, Rhians, Cervanis, and Aquilans. (There may be rumors of Kujaku-Vartan hybrids, but no one would be likely to admit it.) So far, there is no evidence of Vartan compatibility with non-humanoid avian types (Korvs, Wimmers), Aeonians, Eeee, rodent-types (Skeeks, Skreeks, Kadies, Lapis), canines/vulpines/lupines (with the exception of the Hekoye) or humans. Hybrid progeny are very often incapable of producing further offspring, though there are demonstrated exceptions (such as the Paradysian Sphynxes).

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