The most prominent sentient species on Vala, and the one with the biggest population, is the Valari. Individuals are known as Valar, Valari being both a plural and the name of the species as a whole.
Valari are rather short by human standards, averaging in at four to five feet. Although humaniod, they are descended from avians, and their bone structure does not entirely jibe with humanity's. Neither do all of their internal organs; instead of hearts, they have five "bloodnodes", rather like half a heart, scattered about their body. The main one is behind the sternum at the top of the chest, while another is lower down just above the stomach, one is in the same place as a human heart with another in the same position on the right side of the body, and one is at the back of the neck. A Valar only needs three bloodnodes functioning (two if one is the main 'node) to live. Still, despite internal differences, their outward appearance is much the same. Due to a combination of their ancestry and the low gravity of the planet, they are rather delicate, with elongated limbs, fingers, and toes. Their hollow bones are easily broken, and despite the low gravity even a short fall can render their bodies broken beyond repair, though if enough bloodnodes remain intact they may actually live despite the damage. Natural selection, therefore, has dictated that they are very good at hanging onto things, aided by their long triple-jointed toes, and they almost resemble cats in their ability to twist in midair so as to land safely. Natural acrobats, they are capable of amazing leaps that allow them to transverse the forest canopies with ease. Those leaps are aided by the vestiges of their old wings, feathers that extend from their arms. The feathers range from a half a foot to two feet long on an adult Valar, and can be folded back to run parallel to the Valar's arms. These feathers, combined with the aforementioned ability to twist in midair, allow them to glide short distances downward.
A Valar's skin can range from greenish olive to gold to dark mudbrown in hue, sometimes with reddish tints or highlights. Their hair can be any color or combination of colors, and their arm-feathers are always the dominant color or colors of their hair. Their large, round eyes are always some shade of brown, from a sandy almost-yellow to a shade barely distinguishable from black.
Because they have evolved from avians, the Valari language closely resembles birdcalls. Once there were two dialects, one from the north and one from the south; however, the two Valari "types" merged long ago, and so did the languages. Therefore, the language is an odd mix of trilling, liquid phrases and short, sharp words that can create a highly discordant noise if you're unfamiliar with it. The "brighter" sounding vowels, "a", "e", and "i", are the most commonly used, and their "long" pronounciations ("aay", "eee", and "ii") are preferred. Barely an "o" or a "u" can be found in the language, and Valari names reflect this. [Hint hint!]
Usually very friendly and easily excited, Valari are quite the social creatures. The anti-social often retreat to the untamed territories beyond the city, or take up professions such as Corathi guiding, gem-searching, or dye-collecting. When Valari mate, they do so for life, never leaving their lifemates for any reason. If a Valar's lifemate dies, they are deeply grieved; if they have responsibilities, a bonded Raaka, or children, they will likely find a new lease on life after a time, but if they are alone, they will probably suicide.
Valari are intensely vibrant creatures, and love life in all its forms. This doesn't mean they're vegetarians; they will eat meat, although they cannot process it nearly as well as they can vegtable products, making it more of a taste treat than actual nourishment. Fruits, berries, and nuts make up their main diet, and the denizens of the city grow all kinds in the Orchard.
Since the many plants of the rainforest are so brightly colored, vivid coloration is excellent camouflage (hence the bright feathers and hair). In the senient Valari, this has translated into an incredible love of brightly colored clothing, decoration, and jewelry that borders on the tasteless. The more flashy, brightly-hued, or downright eye-burning something is, the more likely a Valar will adore it. The myriad flowers of the Upper Canopy can be turned into beautiful dyes, and Taeri leaves and the fibers of certain plants can be used to create cloth or rope. Stones, including gemstones, must be brought up from the Ground Below by brave adventurers or Corathi, so rope-and-gem jewelry is highly prized.
Due to their avian ancestry, Valari are highly claustrophobic. Houses, for that reason, are generally simply a roof of Taeri leaves supported by a Taeri trunk or branches and long poles. Privacy is minimal, and only "special time" (i.e., the making of little Valari) between lifemates is considered to be truly private. The claustrophobia also ensures that only the bravest or most determined of Valari venture far into the lower layers of the Lower Canopy, much less the Ground Below.
Valari love songing and dancing, and every Valar knows the basic dances and folk songs of their people. Songwriters and those who can create new dances are highly prized.
There are no birthdays or holidays in the Valari civilization, but there is one festival. Taq'vei lasts for a whole month, and celebrates the one time of year when the two moons are together in the sky. During this festival, the Valari have song-and-dance gatherings every night, the biggest on the Sai'ren Platform in Vala City. All month long, Valari wear the blossoms of the taqiel flower in their hair, and give gifts to their friends and families.
