Mirtai (pronounced MEER-tie) is the largest community of strix in the world, home to around 12,000 individuals. It is also by far the largest settlement on the island of Corax.
History
It is unknown how long the strix have lived on Corax. Ancient strix legends tell of a war that forced the strix to retreat from the Greenwall of Hellea to their present abode, though most of the details have since been lost to time.
Demographics
The population of Mirtai is almost entirely strix, though some individuals of other ancestries join the island's inhabitants from time to time.
Culture
Religion
Most Mertaians are irreligious, only passingly paying homage to various deities. A form of agnosticism that views gods as inherently unknowable and incomprehensible is widespread. The minority of Mertaians that are religiously devout tend to follow Usumu/Ananke or Shai/Psais - the strix have been influenced by both Chaskan and Hellean faith.
Traditions
The strix of Mirtai organize themselves largely along familial lines - it is uncommon for residents of the city, and indeed most inhabitants of Corax, to live far from where they were raised. When introducing themselves, it is typical to include the names of close family as well - with the small population of Corax, it is not improbable that their new acquaintance will be familiar with at least one family member already.
Society
It is highly unusual for the strix of Corax to leave the island, as the closely-knit nature of their communities means that few are willing to leave their families behind. Those that do depart are often outcasts or have a mission to help their communities.
Languages
Effectively all inhabitants of Mirtai speak the racial language Strix, and many understand Common as well. Other languages are less common, but it is not particularly unusual to find a Mertaians who knows Hellean, Jotun, or other languages spoken around the Sea of Khoros.
Relations
Despite the pirates that frequent the island of Meklaw to the southwest, Mirtai sees few of these brigands. As relatively little trade visits Corax the pirates have few opportunities for plunder, and the island's strict enforcement of laws towards outsiders provides further discouragement.