Kokorin Aarakocra

A secretive subspecies of aarakocra that has thrived on the material plane for a millenia.

Basic Information

Anatomy

A feathered body and the head of a narrow-beaked songbird are the first notable characteristics of this subspecies. The Kokorin have six limbs- two legs, two arms and a pair of feathered wings. A feathered tail hangs behind them that allows to quick aerial maneuvers and though they have a large pectoral musculature their arms and legs are light and thin.

Biological Traits

Kokorin are larger than aarakocra and can stand at a height anywhere between 5' and 6' and weigh up to 150 pounds with a twelve-foot wingspan. They do not live longer than twenty-five years. Male and female Kokiri are physically distinguishable only by the color of their feathers. Though both sexes have similar green plume with a pale underbelly, this color is warmer and more muted in females, and contrasted and vivid in males. Both sexes have eye colors ranging from a bright gold to a deep crimson with grey-black beaks, scales (legs/arms, and black talons.

Genetics and Reproduction

Similar to an aarakocra. Females gestate with a clutch of two to four eggs for three months. Instead of laying in her own nest, however, much like a cuckoo bird, the Kokorin female lays its eggs in the nests of other aarakocra. She will disguise herself as a member of a rival aerie and replace another mother's egg with one of her own. The color of this egg will be nearly indistinguishable from the others.

Growth Rate & Stages

The Kokorin egg will hatch before other eggs in a nest and the hatchling will grow faster than its adopted parents may be ready for. By age one it will have left the nest of its adopted parents and return to an aerie of its own kind. At age two it reaches maturity.

Ecology and Habitats

They are able to sustain themselves in almost any climate although they disprefer colder areas..

Dietary Needs and Habits

Omnivorous.

Biological Cycle

As a Kokiri ages its plume will drastically change. A male's colors will become more vivid and will begin to grow yellow, turquoise and brown plumage. A female will lose color as she ages, and in her last few years of life her feathers will become totally white. Because of these changes, every few years the Kokiri individual will look like a completely different person to the untrained eye.

Additional Information

Social Structure

Kokorin culture is maintained by a triumvirate largely regarded to as The Owl, The Cape, and The King. The Cape is headmaster of the Primus, a group of instructors who take in Kokorin juveniles and teach them everything they need to know to about the culture. The Owl serves as a recordkeeper and shaman who shares the tales of Kokorin of the past. The identity of The King is unknown to most, save for the Owl and The Cape, for The King wishes to be perceived as a mystery to the rest of its brethren. Kokorin juveniles are called pilgrims and are tasked to uncover clues that will help them discover the legacy of the King, and who, in fact, they may even be. Each pilgrims' experience effects them in different ways and though they are eager to share their feelings about the journey, they do not divulge much detail.

Facial characteristics

Dark grey-black beaks, typically red eyes, green head with a white throat.

Geographic Origin and Distribution

Often found living adjacent to other aarakocra aeries.

Average Intelligence

Kokorin are incredibly bright. They are able to pick up new languages and talents swiftly and are always eager to learn new things.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Large eyes allow for exceptional depth perception and spatial awareness that is pivotal for flight. They are able to navigate the sun, stars, and magnetic fields, much like migratory birds and can unwittingly return to any place they have been so long as they are flying to get there. Their hearing and scent are on par with that of a human.

Symbiotic and Parasitic organisms

Parasitic to other aarakocra.

Civilization and Culture

Naming Traditions

Kokorin have short, abrupt-sounding names that are more similar to the sounds a bird might make. Names are gender-neutral and include sounds such as Aera, Aial, Aur, Deekek, Errk, Heehk, Ikki, Kleeck, Kurii, Oorr, Ouss, Quaf, Quierk, Rrrk, Salleek, Urreek, Yaawk, or Zeed.

Gender Ideals

This subspecies doesn't have any notable gender roles to speak of. It is incredibly common for male kokiri to disguise themselves as female kokiri and vice-versa. Whether one chooses a male or female appearance to suit their goals is an aesthetic choice determined by the individual.

Courtship Ideals

Kokorin cherish mental acuity above all else; of humor, wit, and intelligence. Being able to 'uncover' whether another kokiri is actually male or female is the first step, and then there is the unsung 'game' of keeping their discovery to themself until just the right moment.

Relationship Ideals

Once a bond is formed a Kokorin pair will generally mate for life, if things go well. It takes the coordination of both individuals to see that the female is able to sneak her egg into the nest of another aarakocra. The success or failure of this determines whether the pair will meet up again in the following years. Not all Kokorin pairings are inseparable and they will often go their separate ways after nesting their eggs.

Common Etiquette Rules

When a Kokorin meets another aarakocra they will make substle gestures- a mixture of beak grinding and feather ruffling- that in essence asks the other individual if they are also Kokorin. When two Kokorin meeting for the first time will launch themselves into the air for an acrobatic display of endurance which can last several minutes to an hour. This determines the nature of their relationship. Friends will closely stand side-by-side in a display of warmth and comfort.

Common Dress Code

Kokorin dress to blend in with their surroundings, or with the people whose culture they are trying to imitate. They are less claustrophobic than other aarakocra and will be comfortable wearing heavy robes or even armor so long as it makes their unusual presence more bearable for their human and demihuman company.

Culture and Cultural Heritage

The Kokorin are a people of art and intellect, and each is trained to become a master of assimilation. Those with the aptitute for it are able to transform themselves into other beings entirely by way of Illusion magics. Vocal mimicry is a greatly desired skill that is taught at Kokorin aeries. They will do whatever it takes to thrive in a new experience and live among other races just to learn how to mimic them properly. Stories are brought back to to the aerie and shared with the Owl, and those who wish to listen and learn, and perhaps, try to perfect their own deceptions.

Common Customs, Traditions and Rituals

The Cape and The Owl will lead migrations to and from various aeries throughout the year. Talismans of illusion keep them hidden from eyes below, making them appear as geese to the average onlooker. Kokorin enjoy hoarding precious artifacts of power and will decorate their aviaries with items plundered from all corners of the world.

Common Taboos

The King forbids Godly worship.

History

The Kokorin are the proprieters of an avian organization known as the Kokorin Cloak, a network of self-serving tricksters and scoundrels. Members of the Kokorin Cloak include only those who have completely their pilgrimage. The Cloak are deep-rooted in the history of the land, though its the scope of its influence is only truly known to the Kokorin themselves. Whereas their aarakocran cousins prefer to isolate themselves on mountaintops, the Kokorin integrate themselves into societies and share all learned knowledge in information exchanges called aviaries. Major cities accross the world have at least one aviary accessible via teleportation magics by following the trail of the King.

Common Myths and Legends

The King is rumored by some to be a great many things. Some say The King is a ghost, a demigod, or even a legendary artifact of power.

Interspecies Relations and Assumptions

The get along very well with many races, and will take great efforts to ensure that they do. They do not, however, seem willing to suffer the company of Kenku.

by Samfret

Genetic Ancestor(s)

Aarakocra

Lifespan

20 years

Average Height

5' 6''

Average Weight

120 lbs

Average Physique

Lean and light with large pectoral muscles needed for quick and acrobtic flight.

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

Green feathers with white underbelly. Females: mottled, cream-colored throats. Both sexes: black/white stripes down flanks and flight feathers. Tailfeathers black with white spots.