Angel Culture

Angelic culture focuses on the flock, the community, as a whole unit. As such, authority and responsibility is shared by a larger number of angels within a flock. Throughout history there are examples of multiple forms of leadership that differed from flock to flock. Some flocks looked up to a leader who could only be appointed after succeeding in a dangerous trial, others appointed councils of guild leaders, and many more did not have an official head of authority at all.

The most common form of leadership exists in the master of a guild house. The master has the most experience and knowledge in their field, and may have the most correspondence with other guilds, inside and outside of the flock. The guild masters of a flock often act as the delegate of community needs; sourcing building materials, clothing, food, or protection.

Many angel flocks were nomadic in antiquity, following their food sources between winter and summer territories. Their housing consisted of fabrics stretched over light wooden frames. When it was time to move, the tents were easily disassembled and packed slender enough to be carried in flight.

Nomadic flocks contributed heavily to trade between lands; becoming the vehicle through which goods from distant places could travel. Nomads could barter for food and a place to sleep with these rare and cherished goods. The economies of permanent settlements relied on the seasonal booms of other flocks passing through.

The relations between nomadic and stationary flocks varied. some penned agreements to share land, while others prepared annually to fight for a spot upon their return. Often, flocks would return to a wintering ground only to find that another flock, or a demon clan, had settled in. Many nomadic flocks attempted to prevent this by leaving behind a winter guard, a small dedicated group of angels who would guard the territory until the rest of the flock returned. Over time, more flocks had to settle permanently, until the nomadic lifestyle was eroded altogether.

Quadrupedal and bipedal forms are seen as interchangeable. Cuddling one's children at bed time can be easily done in one form or the other. Architecture is built to suit this duality. Floor plans are often open, and entryways large, so that whether an angel arrives on foot, on the wing, or in full breadth of their quadrupedal form, they may pass with ease.

This interchangeability between forms also extends to diplomacy. The ambassadors of one flock will not feel threatened by the ambassadors of another arriving in quadrupedal form, and vice versa. Threat is felt moreso when met by a large group of angels, or being addressed with blunt speech.

There are a few areas where the bipedal form is most expected, such as in skilled handywork. Guild houses may be less airy as a result, needing not to accommodate for quadrupedal forms walking between looms or woodworks. Guild houses may still have wide and welcoming entrance bays for those arriving, or those transporting goods.