Kenku
Kenku are a race of bird-like humanoids, currently dwelling in the eastern continent of Kethend. Kenku are commonly storytellers and wanderers, and all of them tell a tale of an ancient, unknown crime that robbed them of their wings and their original home. Many Kenku believe they hail from the Feywild, but each of them tells their own recounting of the crime that led them to arrive in Asylum. They are highly intelligent and fast learners, with an uncanny ability to mimic the sounds of other creatures.
Appearance
Kenku resemble humanoids covered in feathers with the head of a raven, with clawed hands and feet and a sharp beak. They have no wings and small black eyes. The feathers that cover their bodies range from a dark russet-brown, to navy blue, to a deep black. They are often slightly shorter than the average human, with scrawny, scaly limbs like that of a bird. Interestingly, they have hollow bones, making them incredibly lightweight.Haunted by Ancestral Crimes
One of the most important things to most Kenku is the tale of their arrival in Asylum. According to the Kenku, their ancestors committed some kind of ancient crime in their original world, which caused them to have their wings stripped from them, and to be cast out into Asylum, never again to return. However, none seem to remember the truth behind their origins; some argue they hail from the Shadowfell, others insist they came from another material plane. Most, however, agree that they came from the Feywild. The Kenku also fail to remember the exact nature of the crime that caused them to be cast out. Many Kenku tell exaggerated tales of their ancestral crime, with each family of Kenku having a different story to tell. Some speak of the Kenku betraying their patron deity in the midst of a great battle; others, tell tall tales of stealing from The Scribe or another God of knowledge. The Kenku Stories table has examples you can choose or use as inspiration to create your own.Kenku Stories
| d6 | Story |
|---|---|
| 1 | We betrayed our patron deity in a great and terrible war... and then proceeded to lose. |
| 2 | We stole a child from the Queen of the Feywild. |
| 3 | We shattered the barrier between the elemental planes, and unleashed chaos. |
| 4 | We instigated a coup in the Unseelie Court of the Feywild. |
| 5 | We stole forbidden, ancient knowledge from The Titan, and were punished accordingly. |
| 6 | We locked the Raven Queen in the depths of her citadel, and fled the Shadowfell ourselves. |
Dwellers of the East
In modern times, most Kenku have chosen to settle in Kethend. Mythology of the region draws links between the Kenku and the mythical Tengu, mysterious creatures from the Feywild. Because of this, many of them find some satisfaction in this tale, believing it to be their true origins. Besides this, many Kenku find their skills are appreciated in the war-torn lands of South Kethend. They are commonly recruited as spies and informants, with their exceptional capacity for learning and memory being put to good use. Some Kenku take up the fight against the Warplands and battle the Warped creatures that invade the southern coast of Kethend. These Kenku take pride in their vast arsenal of weapons they have mastered, and become very capable warriors.
Statistics
| Size | Medium/Small |
| Type | Humanoid |
| Alignment | Typically chaotic |
| Traits |
General Information
| Location(s) | Kethend |
| Language(s) | Common, Sylvan |
| Alias(es) | Bird-folk Tengu |
| Common Classes | Rogue Bard Warlock |
Physical Information
| Vision | Low-light vision |
| Lifespan | ~60 years |
| Height | 4'9' - 5'3' |
| Weight | 65 - 90 pounds |
| Abilities | Mimicry Forgery |
