Aarakocra
A winged people who originated on the Elemental Plane of Air, aarakocra soar through the sky wherever they wander. The first aarakocra served the Wind Dukes of Aaqa — mighty beings of air — and were imbued with a measure of their masters’ power over winds. Their descendants still command echoes of that power.
From below, aarakocra look like large birds and thus are sometimes called birdfolk. Only when they roost on a branch or walk across the ground is their Humanoid nature clear. Standing upright, aarakocra are typically about 5 feet tall, and they have long, narrow legs that taper to sharp talons. Feathers cover their bodies — usually red, orange, yellow, brown, or gray. Their heads are also avian, often resembling those of parrots or eagles. When beyond the Plane of Air, they are immigrants, refugees, scouts, and explorers, their outposts functioning as footholds in a world both strange and alien.
- Ability Score Increase. When determining your character’s ability scores, increase one score by 2 and increase a different score by 1, or increase three different scores by 1. You can't raise any of your scores above 20.
- Creature Type. You are a Humanoid.
- Size. Your size is Medium.
- Speed. Your walking speed is 30 feet.
- Flight. Because of your wings, you have a flying speed equal to your walking speed. You can’t use this flying speed if you’re wearing medium or heavy armor.
- Talons. You have talons that you can use to make unarmed strikes. When you hit with them, the strike deals 1d6 + your Strength modifier slashing damage, instead of the bludgeoning damage normal for an unarmed strike.
- Wind Caller. Starting at 3rd level, you can cast the Gust of Wind spell with this trait, without requiring a material component. Once you cast the spell with this trait, you can’t do so again until you finish a long rest. You can also cast the spell using any spell slots you have of 2nd level or higher.
- Intelligence, Wisdom, or Charisma is your spellcasting ability for it when you cast Gust of Wind with this trait (choose when you select this race).
- Languages. Your character can speak, read, and write Common and one other language that you and your DM agree is appropriate for the character. The Player’s Handbook offers a list of languages to choose from. The DM is free to modify that list for a campaign.
Basic Information
Anatomy
Aarakocra resemble humanoid birds of all types. The have taloned hands and feet and wings upon their back.
Genetics and Reproduction
Aarakocra are genetically compatible only with other aarakocra, kenku, and owlins. The offspring produced by an aarakocra and an owlin will always more closely resemble the mother. The pairing of an aarakocra with a compatible partner will result in a single egg being laid. Only one egg can be laid per year. Twins are highly rare, and when they occur, they come from the same egg.
Growth Rate & Stages
Eggs remain in gestation for six months before hatching. Aarakocra reach maturity by age 3. Compared to humans, aarakocra don’t usually live longer than 30 years.
Ecology and Habitats
Aarakocra who live in the material plane will most often live in dense forests, jungles, or high mountaintops, but they can adapt to live almost anywhere.
Additional Information
Social Structure
Aarakocra can adapt to any social structure, but when left to their own or taking up as a ruling class, they typically gravitate toward monarchies.
Facial characteristics
Aarakocra's faces can resemble almost any kind of bird.
Civilization and Culture
Major Organizations
The leading class of the Tops of Reddenvale are Aarakocra. While a few live on the ground level, most are the town's highest-ranking nobles.
Beauty Ideals
Each individual is able to find beauty in many different aspects of others. There isn't a single defining trait that aarakocra consider as a whole more desirable.
Gender Ideals
Male aarakocra tend to have more vibrant feathers than females, while aarakocra women tend to be taller and stronger.
Major Language Groups and Dialects
Common, Auran, and Anikin.
Common Taboos
If an aarakocra looses their ability to fly, they are often ostracized from their communities, as flight is what they see as their most noble feature. Aarakocra who lose their ability to fly from old age, however, are seen as elders and held in high regard.
Interspecies Relations and Assumptions
Aarakocra are a proud people. They often see themselves as superior to other anikin races for their ability to fly. They also see owlins as a "fey knockoff" of their noble race.
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