Aarakocra

Sequestered in high mountains atop tall trees, the Aarakocra, sometimes called birdfolk, evoke a sense wonder in most. Driven from their homes by Goblins and Orcs centuries ago, they are now immigrants, refugees, scouts, and explorers, their outposts functioning as footholds in a world both strange and alien.

Description

From below, Aarakocra look much like large birds. Only when they descend to roost on a branch or walk across the ground does their humanoid appearance reveal itself. Standing upright, they have thin, lightweight bodies atop long, narrow legs that taper to sharp talons.

Feathers cover their bodies. Their plumage typically denotes membership in a tribe. Their plumage colours vary from red, orange, and yellow to more subdued colours, like brown or grey. Their heads complete their avian appearance, typically appearing something like a parrot or eagle, with distinct tribal variations.

Culture & Society

The vast majority of Aarakocra enjoy peace and solitude, developed from a lifetime of solo flight. As a result, most care little for dealing with others and have even less interest in staying on the ground. For this reason, it takes exceptions circumstances for Aarokocra to leave their tribal mountain homes within The Northern Reach.
The Aarakocra hunting territory extends across the entire mountain range and even down so far as The Shining Plains, with several colonies sharing the region. Each colony typically consists of one large, open-roofed nest made from woven vines and branches.
In Aarakocra society, age equates to wisdom and thus, the eldest within a colony acts as the leader, with the support of a shaman undertaking rituals and practicing healing magic, and watching for omens, good and ill, brought to them by the wind. A deeply superstitious people, Aarakocra pay great heed to these warnings, as if delivered by Xoius himself.

Aarakocra Naming Conventions

As with much of their speech, Aarakocra names include clicks, trills, and whistles to the point that other peoples have a difficult time pronouncing them. Typically, a name has two to four syllables with the sounds acting as connectors. When interacting with other races, Aarakocra may use nicknames gained from people they meet, or shortened forms of their full names. Aarakocra very rarely adopt any family or tribal names as, with numbers so few in the world, there is little reason to.
Aarakocra of either gender may have one of these short names: Aera, Aial, Aur, Deekek, Errk, Heehk, Ikki, Kleeck, Oorr, Ouss, Quaf, Quierk, Salleek, Urreek, or Zeed.

Notable Aarakocra

Gruark

Racial Abilities

Aarakocra

Ability Score Increase +2 Dex, +1 Wis

Size Medium

Speed 25ft

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Speed: Your base walking speed is 25 feet.
Flight: You have a flying speed of 50 feet. To use this speed, you can’t be wearing medium or heavy armor.
Talons: Your talons are natural weapons, which you can use to make unarmed strikes. If you hit with them, you deal slashing damage equal to 1d4 + your Strength modifier, instead of the bludgeoning damage normal for an unarmed strike.

Languages. You can speak, read, and write Common, Aarakocra, and Auran.

Subraces
None

Lifespan

20 - 30 years

Average Height

4'11" - 5'2"

Average Weight

80lb - 100lb