Welcome Whiteneck Walkerbird
The whiteneck walkerbird is the symbol of the Farwater district in Salldir. The area contains a large park with tall trees that often attract the large birds to build their nests there. As part of local celebrations, Farwater has a tradition of parading a giant whiteneck walkerbird replica, known as Welcome Whiteneck Walkerbird, around the park.
Physical Description
General Physical Condition
Welcome is exaggeratedly large, twice as tall as an average adult and more than three times the height of the real walkerbirds themselves. After each public appearance she has to be repaired, replacing lost feathers and checking the harness and stilts for signs of strain.
Body Features
Welcome's walker stands on stilts to represent the birds' long legs. Her main body is a framework of pipe tree covered in netting with feathers sewn to the mesh, carefully balanced so that the walker isn't pulled in one direction or another when wearing it. Her head is an elaborate puppet with controls that extend her neck, open and close her beak, and blink her eyes. The walker wears a pipe whistle that can be blown without hands, tuned to imitate the walkerbirds' cry.
It takes at least three people to bring Welcome to life. One wears the stilts and the body, and two on either side carry the rods that control the wings. Whenever possible, a fourth person will walk ahead to keep the path clear of debris and small children; otherwise the stiltwalker has to watch the ground and can't operate the head and neck.
Mental characteristics
Employment
Welcome's main engagement is, as her name suggests, to welcome the first whiteneck walkerbird that builds a nest in the district's park. Designated watchers observe and report on the nest construction. When it is complete, Welcome leads residents in a singing, drumming, cheering procession around the park. Somehow, this does not appear to disturb the nesting birds.
Children
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