Kenku

Descended from denizens of the Plane of Air, Kenku have been warped by cruel experiments by Drakel scientists, rendering them unable to fly and only able to speak by echoing the words of others.
Kenku are chaotic creatures, rarely making enduring commitments, and they care mostly for preserving their own hides.

Basic Information

Growth Rate & Stages

They reach maturity at about 12 years old.

Civilization and Culture

Naming Traditions

Given that kenku can duplicate any sound, their names are drawn from a staggering variety of noises and phrases. Kenku names tend to break down into three categories that make no distinction between male and female names.
Kenku thugs, warriors, and toughs adopt noises made by weapons, such as the clang of a mace against armor or the sound made by a breaking bone. Non-kenku refer to the kenku by describing this noise. Examples of this type of name include Smasher, Clanger, Slicer, and Basher.
Kenku thieves, con artists, and burglars adopt animal noises, typically those common in urban settings. In this manner, kenku can call out to each other while those who overhear them mistake them for common animals. Non-kenku use names that refer to the sound made or the animal a kenku mimics, such as Rat Scratch, Whistler, Mouser, and Growler.
Some kenku turn their back on crime to pursue legitimate trades. These kenku adopt noises made as part of their craft. A sailor duplicates the sound of a fluttering sail, while a smith mimics the clanging of a hammer on metal. Non-kenku describe these folk by their trade sounds, such as Sail Snap, Hammerer, and Cutter.

Genetic Ancestor(s)

• Aarakocra

Lifespan

60 years

Average Height

4 feet 6 inches to 5 feet, 8 inches

Average Weight

52 to 146 pounds

Kenku

Ability Score Increase Dex +2, Wis +1

Size Medium

Speed 30 ft

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Expert Forgery. You can duplicate other creatures' handwriting and craftwork. You have advantage on all checks made to produce forgeries or duplicates of existing objects.
Kenku Training. You are proficient in your choice of two of the following skills: Acrobatics, Deception, Stealth, and Sleight of Hand.
Mimicry. You can mimic sounds you have heard, including voices. A creature that hears the sounds you make can tell they are imitations with a successful Wisdom (Insight) check opposed by your Charisma (Deception) check.

Languages. You can read and write Draconic and Auran, but you can speak only by using your Mimicry trait.