Kenku

Kenku are a race of flightless avian humanoids. They tend to be selfish and secretive in nature and are often engaged in plots to acquire wealth and power. They operate in small gangs and often live in large human cities, especially in Tanner's Folly, Ironcrest and Ratbrooke where they work as spies, assassins, or thieves.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Although they evolved from avians, kenku have no wings or capacity for flight. This is because as a species they once served the Demon Lord Cyric while he was alive. When he learnt of their greedy nature he cursed them to lose their wings and have no voice of their own. Instead, they have arms in place of wings and bird-like talons for hands and feet. They retain bird-like features, however, with black and beady eyes and a long dark-hued beak. Head and torso are covered with soft feathers, a dark russet-brown colour, while their scrawny limbs are bare and scaled like a bird's. They most resembled ravens. A kenku can accurately mimic all kinds of noises, voices, and accents. A gifted kenku mimic can fool a foe into believing they have heard a voice they are well familiar with. Kenku tend to be slightly smaller than the average human, standing at around 5 feet. Because they have partially hollow bones, they are lighter than most creatures their height, averaging only 75 pounds. They are therefore not as strong, but they are more agile and dexterous. They typically wear nondescript brown robes, under which they conceal tools and weaponry.

Civilization and Culture

Culture and Cultural Heritage

Kenku are by habit secretive, self-seeking, and cunning creatures. They tend to adopt neutral or unaligned views and behaviours; the majority are evil, but true neutral and good kenku can be found among them. They are opportunistic and unscrupulous, not stopping at illegal or immoral acts. Although they are selfish, kenku actually operate surprisingly well together and with allies. A kenku is most effective when aided or aiding an ally.
A kenku fights well alongside allies, and not just with others of its kind. They are most dangerous when aided or when flanking a foe with an ally. Kenku sneaks and assassins backstab their victims this way. Kenku can be vicious in a fight but are cowardly by nature. They will usually flee the moment a battle turns in their opponent's favour, and even surrender if it means staying alive.
Kenku live in close-knit gangs, family groups, or clans, commonly called "flocks". These flocks are distrusting of outsiders, even of other kenku. They establish nests, usually hidden and often near large cities or at least in civilized lands. Kenku have their own language, but typically speak Common. After hatching from their eggs, kenku remain in their home-nests with their families. Once they reach adulthood at age nine, they usually leave their nests forever. Unwilling to travel alone, most soon band together with other young adult kenku of similar habits for mutual protection and profit, forming new flocks. A few make their way on their own or form partnerships with other creatures who need their services.
These kenku gangs make their homes in the cities, where they loiter in dark alleys or roam the streets together. Thanks to their skills and habits and lack of scruples, they flourish in the criminal underbelly, hatching schemes to get rich and strong. They can operate all kinds of illicit enterprises, but prefer confidence tricks and scheming. Violence is rarely their first choice. They hoard their stolen, shiny gold. Kenku, in gangs or alone, are usually hired as thieves or thugs, even as assassins and spies.

Lifespan

60 years

Average Height

5'

Average Weight

75 - 100lbs