Aarakocra (æ-ra-KO-kra)

Aarakocra, also called bird-men by man and Avariel by mer, were a race of avian humanoids who originated from the regions of the Feywild that boardered the Elemental Plane of Air. Making aerial patrols, these birdlike humanoids guard the windy borders of their home against invaders from the Elemental Plane of Earth, such as gargoyles, their sworn enemies.

Description

Aarakocra resembled humanoid birds. The average specimen stood about 5 feet (1.5 meters) tall and had a wingspan of 20 feet (6.1 meters). Halfway along the edge of each wing was a hand with three human-sized fingers and an opposable thumb. An elongated fourth finger extended the length of the wing and locked in place during flight. The hands could not grasp while flying, but they were nearly as useful as human hands when an aarakocra was perched and its wings were folded back.
Their powerful legs ended in four sharp talons that could unlock and fold back to reveal another pair of functional hands. These humanoids had hollow, fragile bones. Their faces combined the features of both parrots and eagles. They had gray-black beaks and black eyes. Plumage color varied, but males generally had red, orange, and yellow coloration, while females tended towards brown and gray.

Personality

Aarakocra were generally peaceful creatures who cherished their solitude. They were known to be extremely claustrophobic, often refusing to enter caves or other enclosed spaces.
Male aarakocra tended to have very short tempers and had been known to fly into fits of rage when a perceived wrong occurred. They also were notorious romantic flirts, regardless of whether or not they were married.

Combat

Since aarakocra avoided melee combat when possible, their combat tactics revolved around attacking opponents from above. Javelins were the weapon of choice for many aarakocra, so much so that they developed their own unique type of javelin called a flight lance. A single aarakocra could comfortably carry up to six javelins at a time, stored in a special sheathe that was strapped to its body. Other weapons used by aarakocra included darts and daggers. Their sharp talons and beaks were effective weapons as well. Occasionally they wore studded leather, but they never used shields.

Powers

Summoning Air Elementals

Five aarakocra within 30 feet of each other can magically summon an air elemental. Each of the five must use its action and movement on three consecutive turns to perform an aerial dance and must maintain concentration while doing so (as if concentrating on a spell). When all five have finished their third turn of the dance, the elemental appears in an unoccupied space within 60 feet of them. It is friendly toward them and obeys their spoken commands. It remains for 1 hour, until it or all its summoners die, or until any of its summoners dismisses it as a bonus action. A summoner can’t perform the dance again until it finishes a short rest. When the elemental returns to the Elemental Plane of Air, any aarakocra within 5 feet of it can return with it.

Society

Religion

Aarakocra of Asyur almost all worshiped Syranita. She appeared to them as a giant white bird.

Search for the Seven Shards

The Wind Dukes once bestowed a legendary aarakocran warrior with a powerful spear to combat the chaos of the Elemental Evils. In battle the warrior fell, but not before plunging it deep into Lolth's abdomen, breaking it off at the point as it pierced the deity. The spear shattered into seven shards that spread across the multiverse. Aarakocra seek signs of the pieces’ locations in order to rebuild what is now know as the Rod of Seven Parts.

Relations

Many aarakocra tribes avoided contact with other species, and many individuals rarely, if ever, left their home territory.
Aarakocra understood and spoke common, but when they spoke it, they punctuated their speech with caws, whistles, and other bird-like sounds.

Enemies of Elemental Evil

In service to the Wind Dukes, aarakocra scout the planes in search of temples of Elemental Evil. They spy on malign elemental creatures and then either take the fight to those creatures or report back to the Wind Dukes.
On the Material Plane, aarakocra create Temples of Heaven atop the highest mountains, especially peaks near portals to the Elemental Plane of Air. From such heights, aarakocra watch for signs of elemental incursions, as well as for nascent threats to their home plane. Aarakocra prefer to live their lives like the wind — unburdened and ever moving — yet they watch over a region for years if that’s what it takes to guard against the incursions of Elemental Evil.
Aarakocra have no concept of political borders or property ownership, and the value of gems, gold, and other precious materials means little to aarakocra. In their eyes, a creature should use what is necessary and then cast what is left on the wind for others to use.

Known Settlements

History

Notable Aarakocra

Contents

Statistics

Conservation Status
Data Deficient
Size(s)
Medium
Origin(s)
Fey, supernatural
Type(s)
Monsterous humanoid
Sub Type(s)
Aarakocra

Alignment

LG	NG	CG
LN	N	CN
LE	NE	CE

Challenge Rating(s)

Aarakocra

1⁄4

General Information

Patron Deity
Syranita
Krocaa
Movement
Flying
Activity Cycle(s)
Diurnal
Diet(s)
Carnivorous
Average Lifespan
65 years
Homeland(s)
Atletan Islands
Elemental Plane of Air
Feywild
Language(s)
Aarakocra, auran, common
Favored Climate(s)
Warm, temperate
Favored Terrain(s)
Mountains

Appearance

Average Height
5 ft (1.5 m)
Average Wingspan
20 ft (6.1 m)
Average Weight
90 lb (41 kg)
Eye Color(s)
Black

History

Genetic Ancestor(s)
Aerial Servant
Notable Civilizations
Mistcliffs in the Atletan Islands
Storm Horns in the Cormanthyr Forest
Notable Organizations
the Warriors of Wind
Notable Aarakocra

Genetic Ancestor(s)

• Aerial Servant

Origin/Ancestry

Feywild

Geographic Distribution

• Atletan Islands
• Elemental Plane of Air
• Feywild

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Harvesting

Because this creature is an Humanoid, the player should roll a Medicine Check using the DCs in the table below. On a success, the player is able to harvest the item. On a failure, the item cannot be harvested (either because the character is not skilled enough, or because the item is ruined). The DM should note that many of the items have an expiration, and can not be sold or used after the expiration has passed.
Type: Humanoid
Skill: Medicine

DC	Item	Description	Value	Weight	Exp.	Crafting/Use
5	Aarakocra Feathers (small pouch)	Large ostentatious feathers of the Aarakocra, used in various items of clothing and accessories. Fletchers also use the feathers for making arrows, and are used by some alchemists to make healing potions.	8 sp	2lb	Never
10	Aarakocra Beak	The hardened beak of an Aarakocra can be used to make various tools.	2 gp	5lb	Never

Trinkets

This character usually carries: 1d4 Javelin, 1 Studded Leather.

Meat

There is a stigma to eating meat belonging to sentient creatures that have a humanoid form and features. Harvesting the meat may be frowned upon and even considered cannibalism. Some communities may refuse to buy the meat (and some evil communities may pay a premium). The meat may even be difficult to eat, or unedible. Of course, these are all up to the Dungeon Master to decide.

This creature produces 2d6 pieces of meat, weighing a total of 4 lbs a piece.