Luma

Gentle, graceful, and born beneath radiant skies, the Lumas are an offshoot of Birdfolk who bear the likeness of doves and pigeons. With soft feathers in pale hues of white, pearl, rose-gray, and iridescent blues, the Lumas are a symbol of serenity, healing, and communal strength. Their eyes shimmer like polished opal, and their presence carries a natural stillness, like the hush before the dawn.

The Lumas emerged in the aftermath of ancient conflict, shaped by Vaeril, the God of Birds, as stewards of peace and renewal. Where other Birdfolk embody swiftness or shadow, the Lumas were designed to heal, unify, and endure. Though they do not soar the highest or strike the hardest, their spirits are resilient and unwavering. In times of strife, they are the messengers, the mediators, and the silent comfort in war-torn silence.

Lumas live in tightly-knit flocks, favoring cliffside villages, riverside sanctuaries, or open meadows where the wind sings freely. Their settlements are circular and communal, often built from light stone and polished wood, adorned with mosaics and wind-spun silks. They believe deeply in collective harmony, and Lumas communities often function as mutual cooperatives, with no individual left behind.

Known for their empathy and insight, Lumas are natural diplomats, caretakers, and spiritual guides. Many train as wind-scribes, using sacred feather-quills to send written prayers on the breeze, or as sky-healers, who weave aerial herbs and tonal vibrations into rituals of healing. It is said that the cooing hum of a Lumas choir can still the most restless heart, and that wounded spirits will often dream of their voices long before the body recovers.

Despite their pacifist inclinations, Lumas are not helpless. When threatened, they rely on unity, agility, and sacred defensive rites passed down from their earliest flocks. Their style of combat emphasizes nonlethal force, diversion, and protection. Many wield wind-charms, small woven sigils that erupt into disorienting flashes or calming breezes, giving their allies the chance to retreat or regroup.

Culturally, the Lumas are deeply spiritual and associate feathers with memory and emotion. Important life events are marked by the Plume Offering, where a single molted feather is painted with dyes and left at a wind altar to be carried by the breeze. Each feather is said to carry the echo of its owner’s intent to the heavens, where Vaeril records it in the Song of Winds.

Lumas rarely act alone and are most comfortable when working in tandem. Bonds of kinship, both chosen and ancestral, are sacred to them. They believe the soul is shaped by the flock it keeps, and they view loneliness as a spiritual wound to be soothed, not shamed.

To outsiders, Lumas may appear overly sensitive or slow to act, but their steadiness is a quiet strength. They are the first to offer comfort, the last to abandon hope, and the ones who rebuild what others destroy. They are the Lumas—messengers of peace, guardians of harmony, and the ever-beating heart of the Birdfolk.

Genetic Ancestor(s)

• Birdfolk

Discovered by

Vaeril, The Thousand-Winged Watcher

HCS

Luma

HUMANOID

Luma Traits

Size: Small (2-3ft)

Speed: 25ft

As a Luma, you have these special traits.

Glide

Using your feathered arms, you can slow your fall, and glide short distances. When falling you can use your reaction to spread your arms, stiffen your wing feathers, and slow your descent. While doing so, you continue to fall gently at a speed of 60 feet per round, taking no fall damage when you land. If you would fall at least 10 feet in this way, you may fly up to your movement speed in one direction you choose, although you cannot choose to move upwards, landing in the space you finish your movement. You cannot glide while carrying heavy weapons or wielding a shield (though you may drop any held items as part of your reaction to spread your arms). You cannot glide while wearing heavy armor, or if you are encumbered.

Wing Flap

As a bonus action, you can use your powerful feathered arms to propel yourself upward a distance equal to half your movement speed. You can use it in conjunction with a regular jump, but not while gliding.

Touched

You know one cantrip from the sorcerer spell list. Charisma is your spellcasting ability for this cantrip.

Fated

Whether by luck or a guiding presence, you always seem to find your way. You can choose to reroll any attack, skill check, or saving throw. You can decide to do this after your roll, but only before the outcome of the roll has been determined. You can’t use this feature again until you have completed a long rest.

Sable Luma

Hard to Read

Your innate eccentricities make it hard for other folk to figure you out. When someone performs a Wisdom (Insight) check against you, they have disadvantage on their roll. Additionally, you gain advantage on Charisma (Deception) checks made against creatures that are not lumas.

Resilience

You have advantage on saving throws against poison and resistance against poison damage.

Sera Luma

Center of Attention

You have proficiency in the Performance skill.

Songbird

When you perform, you can demonstrate the innate and mystical power of your Charisma. You may cast the charm person spell once per long rest. This spell does not require any somatic components to cast. Charisma is your spellcasting ability for this spell.