Aarakocra

Aarakocra, also called bird-men, are a race of avian humanoids.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Aarakocras resemble humanoid birds. The average specimen stands at about 5 feet tall and has a wingspan of 20 feet. Halfway along the edge of each wing is a hand with three human-sized fingers and an opposable thumb. An elongated fourth finger extends the length of the wing and locks in place during flight. The hands cannot grasp while flying, but they are nearly as useful as human hands when an aarakocra is perched and its wings are folded back. Their powerful legs end in four sharp talons that can unlock and fold back to reveal another pair of functional hands. These humanoids have hollow, fragile bones. Their faces combine the features of both parrots and eagles. They have grey-black beaks and black eyes. Plumage colour varies, but males generally have red, orange, and yellow colouration, while females tend towards brown and grey.
Aarakocras understand and speak common, but when they speak it, they punctuate their speech with caws, whistles, and other bird-like sounds.

Civilization and Culture

Culture and Cultural Heritage

Aarakocras are generally peaceful creatures who cherish their solitude. They are known to be extremely claustrophobic. Male aarakocras tend to have very short tempers and have been known to fly into fits of rage when a perceived wrong occurs. They also are notorious romantic flirts, regardless of whether or not they are married.
Since aarakocras avoid melee combat when possible, their combat tactics revolve around attacking opponents from above. Javelins are the weapon of choice for many aarakocras, so much so that they developed their own unique type of javelin called a flight lance. A single aarakocra can comfortably carry up to six javelins at a time, stored in a special sheathe that is strapped to its body. 
aarakocras mostly live atop the highest mountain peaks in small tribes that control hunting territories and share a communal nest. The eldest male serves as leader, assisted by the tribe's shaman. In some aarakocra tribes however, it is the females who are always chosen as leaders, as society deems them far more controlled emotionally. These aarakocra females are chosen by democratic elections. Males are not forbidden from running for office, but society is strongly against their election. Many aarakocra tribes avoid contact with other species, and many individuals rarely, if ever, leave their home territory.

Lifespan

65 years

Average Height

5'

Average Weight

90lbs