Kenku

The Kenku are marked by a tumultuous history shaped by divine intervention. Once graced with wings and an intricate culture, they were cast down by the god Lugus, their wings removed as punishment. Today, the Kenku are a scattered people trying to rebuild their lives. Some have found refuge in the town of Karakiri, but they are deeply divided between those who wish to leave their history of assassination behind and those who cling to the old ways.
The Divine Punishment:
Long ago, the Kenku were a race of winged beings known for their grace, agility, and unique culture. However, their actions led to the ire of the god Lugus, who, in his wrath, removed their wings, casting them down to the earth. This divine punishment left a deep scar on their collective memory and severed their connection to the skies.
Scattered and Few:
Today, the Kenku are a scattered and diminished people, often found in the wilds or on the fringes of civilization. Their numbers are few, and their communities are small and tight-knit. The memories of their fallen wings are carried like a burden, passed down from generation to generation.
Rebuilding in Karakiri:
Some Kenku have found a glimmer of hope in the town of Karakiri, where they seek to rebuild their lives and culture. Karakiri provides them with a sanctuary and a sense of belonging they have long yearned for. The town's diverse population and open-mindedness have allowed the Kenku to find acceptance, and they are gradually integrating into its society.
Divided Paths:
However, the Kenku in Karakiri are deeply divided over their future. Half of the population wishes to distance themselves from their history of assassination, seeking a path of peace and integration with other races. They believe in forging new traditions, healing old wounds, and proving their worth beyond the shadows.
Conversely, the other half of the Kenku in Karakiri still cling to their old ways of assassination and secrecy. They believe that their unique skills and past should be embraced rather than abandoned. These Kenku often struggle to reconcile their thirst for revenge against the divine with their desire to find a place in the world.
Identity and Redemption:
The Kenku in Karakiri grapple with questions of identity and redemption. They seek to reclaim their lost heritage while making amends for their past deeds. Many Kenku engage in artistic endeavors, using their natural talent for mimicry to create unique forms of expression, from storytelling to music.

Basic Information

Anatomy

About 5'0 to 5'6, and about 90-110 pounds, these crow-like people have avian heads with a large beak and glossy black feathers, which cover the body except for their clawed hands and the skin starting about halfway up its legs. The skin on these areas can range from dark grey to bright yellow.

Civilization and Culture

Culture and Cultural Heritage

Kenku were first driven to their current state of existence by greed and thievery, and such traits remain in their culture to this day. The Kenku are spread far and wide, operating in small flocks, each one independent from the rest, often acting as thieves, bandits, forgers and other such unlawful practitioners. Nevertheless, each flock has its own laws and codes of conduct. Betrayal of these laws often involve the bearing of large wooden wings, a symbol of shame of the Kenku's lost grace, and a crime so heinous that calls for execution will end with the offender tossed from a tall cliff.

Common Customs, Traditions and Rituals

As kenku have no actual language of their own, their names are composed of a staggering variety of words and sounds they pick up with their mimicry. Names are gender-nonspecific and can encompass anything from the sounds of shouting in the market, to dogs barking, to the sound of a blacksmith's hammer hitting iron, to specific words or phrases. Often kenku take up a name based off of their lifestyle, i.e., a kenku fighter might refer to themselves as the sound of swords clashing or the sound of grunting on impact, thieves and pickpockets in urban areas might be called after the sound of a cat hissing, a baby's cry the clink of coins. Non-kenku refer to them as a summary of the sound, such as Whistler, Sail Snap, Rat Scratch, Hammerer, Basher or Fender.

History

The Kenku were originally Aarakocra who sought to extend their life, and pleaded to Mackah for a way via her magic. Mackah, intrigued by the secrets of Tuatha, agreed to help them in exchange for the Kenku mimicking her voice to Lugus while she was away rendezvousing with the god of shadows. The Kenku agreed, flying up to Mackah's chamber and deceived the god of the sky for her. When Argoth was born however, Mackah's affair could be hidden no longer. Mackah told Lugus everything, and in a divine rage, Lugus ripped the wings away from the Kenku, condemning them to the ground to atone for their treachery. Mackah, true to her word, doubled the lifespan of the Kenku, but some may say an extra 30 years of persecution and atonement may be yet another punishment for the hubris of the Kenku.

Lifespan

60

Average Height

5'0" - 5'6"

Average Weight

90kg