Aarakocra
Sequestered in high mountains atop tall trees, the aarakocra evoke fear and wonder. Many of these birdfolk hail from the boundless vistas of the Elemental Plane of Air. They are immigrants, refugees, scouts, and explorers, their outposts functioning as footholds in a world both strange and alien.
What is an Aarakocra?
Aarakocras in the isles of Cirillon are very similar to those in the typical D&D setting. They originate from the Elemental Plane of Air, and were given physical form upon entering. They typically live quite far from civilization, at the tops of the small mountains that appear infrequently and always at the tops of trees. It is very rare, but not impossible, to find an Aarakocra living in a normal city. They usually choose to do so when their old lives become boring. Some seek to strike it out on their own, never knowing more than the confines of their tribes.
Physical Appearance
From below, Aarakocra look like large birds, only when they descend from the skies to roost does their humanoid appearance reveal itself. They reach an average standing height of about five feet tall, and have long, narrow legs that taper to sharp talons. They are covered in feathers, excluding only their legs. Their plumage typically denotes membership in a specific tribe. Males are brightly colored, with feathers of red, orange, yellow, and green. Females have more subdued colors, usually of brown or gray hues. Their heads complete their appearance, sometimes looking like a parrot, or an eagle, with distinct tribal variations.
Wardens of the Sky
Aarakocra are more comfortable in the sky than anywhere else. They can fly for hours at a time, some going for as long as days. They are able to lock their wings in place and let the thermals hold them aloft. In battle, they are very nimble and acrobatic fighters, moving with speed and grace across the battlefield, diving to lash at opponents with their weapons or talons, before turning and flying away.
Once an Aarakocra is in the sky, you are hard pressed to get it down. On their native plane of existence, they typically fly for days or months, landing only to lay eggs and feed their young before again launching themselves skyward. Those that make it to a world on the Material Plane find it a very confusing place to live. They sometimes forget or ignore vertical distances, and have nothing but pity for those flightless peoples forced to live their lives on the ground.
Creating an Aarakocra
Creating an Aarakocra requires special consideration to the backstory of your character. Aarakocra are one of the least common races in the towns and cities of Cirillon, so consideration must be put in for why they are away from their roosts.
Motivation
The first thing to think about when creating an Aarakocra is their motivation for leaving their tribe. Most of these bird-folk are perfectly content to live out the extent of their mortal lives among what they find to be comfortable, so yours must be quite different to want to strike out on their own.
Naming
The typical naming convention for our bird friends is very similar to Nez Perce naming. The names given to each individual are usually related to what they do for a living, or even given to commemorate something specific they did. Of course, depending on your backstory, you may have an Aarakocra who is not from one of the main tribes and is named completely differently, but if your bird comes from a tribal setting, that is the kind of name they will typically have!
Physical Features
Aarakocra can vary widely in appearance, usually based on what tribe they are from. Each tribe will look similar to each other, but usually completely different from other tribes of the area. Some may look like birds of paradise such as toucans and parrots, others may look like eagles, still others may have features similar to vultures. If a bird exists, there are Aarakocra that look like them!
Backgrounds
Typical backgrounds that an Aarakocra might have include the outlander, the hermit, and the sage. The small colonies of Aarakocra are insular and remote, and few Aarakocra live away from their roosts. There are no more than two dozen Aarakocra living away from their roosts in the entirety of Cirillon, but those who do usually act as rangers or fighters. Some declare themselves mercenaries, loaning their services to the lords of the area as protection, or for other, more nefarious purposes.
Ability Score Increase
Your Dexterity score increases by 2, and your Wisdom score increases by 1.
Age
Aarakocra reach maturity by age 3. Compared to humans, aarakocra don't usually live longer than 30 years.
Alignment
Most aarakocra are good and rarely choose sides when it comes to law and chaos. Tribal leaders and warriors might be lawful, while explorers and adventurers might tend toward chaotic.
Size
Aarakocra are about 5 feet tall. They have thin, lightweight bodies that weigh between 80 and 100 pounds. Your size is Medium
Speed
Your base walking speed is 25 feeet.
Flight
You have a flying speed of 50 feet. To use this speed you can't be wearing medium or heavy armor.
Talons
Your talons are natural weapons, which you can use to make unarmed strikes. If you hit with them, you deal slashing damage equal to 1d4 + your Strength modifier, instead of the bludgeoning damage normal for an unarmed strike.
Languages
You can speak, read, and write Common, Aarakocra, and Auran.
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