Otus

Distant kin of wild owls, otus come in many shapes and sizes, from petite and fluffy to wide-winged and majestic. Otus walk on two legs like other species, and their winged arms allow for flight and end in clawed hands.
Because of the high amounts of magic in their ancestry, otus can innately sense the magic of their surroundings. Otus are graced with feathers that make no sound when they move or fly, making it easy for them to sneak up on just about everyone.

Silent Fliers

The ancestors of the otus were adept predators - soaring through the night skies to find and snatch prey with their talons. They have a set of peculiar adaptations that their avian cousins do not. Their vision and hearing is fine tuned for life in the dark, and their heads can nearly turn all the way around. Most surprisingly, they have the capability to fly without making noise. Though an otus can't swoop at speeds that an Aarakocra can, their wide wings relative to the size of their bodies allow for a slow, deliberate flight that makes hardly any noise at all, keeping others from hearing them and allowing their ears to locate points of interest more easily.

Innate Magic

Otus have more magic flowing through their bloodstream than any other sapient species. Why this occurred during their evolution is unknown, but it has remained true to this day. This means many otus are innately gifted with the magical arts, becoming capable spellcasters, alchemists, seers, or priests. Those who choose not to pursue magic, or are unable to for whatever reason, still find themselves able to "feel" the magic in the world around them through a peculiar sense. How this sense operates is unique to each individual otus, however. It may manifest itself as a glowing aura around highly magical objects, or a soft hum eminating from within, or smells reminiscent of different spices that reflect the type of magic contained.
The magic in their blood has a double-edged effect, unfortunately. Otus have a higher risk of becoming afflicted with Magical Overabundance, and the effects can be far more drastic. Though many otus use their natural abilities to become magical researchers, they must keep a greater distance between themselves and their work than many of their non-otus peers.

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Otus Names

Like most other avian species, otus names aren't gendered. Unlike some of their cousins, however, their names tend to translate quite clearly into Common, allowing an otus to use his or her given name with other species easily. Otus surnames are often descriptive, relating to a visual characteristic that's been passed down through a family line, rather than a profession or location.
Otus Names: Anilva, Boriel, Fernama, Indraham, Marindry, Myrrenva, Roisenn, Sawett, Viari, Wynndren.
Surnames: Ashdown, Duskhook, Grimwing, Nimbleroost, Silvertail.

Otus Traits

Your otus character has the following species traits:
Ability Score Increase Your Wisdom score increases by 2, and your Intelligence score increases by 1.
Age Otus have longer than average lifespans.
Alignment Otus lean towards lawful alignments.
Size Your size is medium or small, chosen when selecting this species.
Speed Your base walking speed is 25 feet.
Night Hunters You can see in dim light within 90 feet of you as if it were bright light and in darkness as if it were dim light. You discern colors in that darkness only as shades of gray. In addition, you have advantage on a Perception skill check when using vision or hearing.
Magic Sight Your keen senses can focus to see the presence of magic. You gain the ability to cast the detect magic spell at any time as a ritual. Your spellcasting ability for this spell is your choice of Intelligence, Wisdom, or Charisma. You can also cast this spell normally with any spell slots you have.
Flight Thanks to your wings, you have a flying speed equal to your walking speed. To use this speed, you can't be wearing medium or heavy armor. When you fall, you can use your reaction to make a Dexterity saving throw (DC 10) to stop falling and fly in place until the start of your next turn.
Silent Feathers You have proficiency in the Stealth skill.
Language You speak Common and Aavak.

Origin/Ancestry

Ranesh

Lifespan

110

Average Height

4'0"

Average Weight

40 lbs.

Related Organizations

• Ranesh

Harbinger of Death

There's a persistent belief among many of the sapient species on the World that Death arrives in the form of a white otus. The details of the afterlife may differ, but how a soul gets there is the same: Death appears to collect your soul as a white otus with dark robes. It swoops towards you, enveloping you in its wings that grow around you, and carries your soul off to the afterlife. It's said that if the pale-faced otus visits you in your dreams, Death isn't far away. In some remote parts of the World where species and cultures don't meet many outsiders, an Otus's shriek is rumored to cause instant death.

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Night at the Museum

I'd been lucky enough to spend an afternoon with one of the zoological curators at the Luneburg Institute's museum. I sat across his desk, as this kindly older otus discussed his work and what he hoped to leave for future generations. I boldly and somewhat jokingly asked if there was a way I could be given a private tour of the museum grounds, and to my shock, he accepted! I was to meet him and a colleague of his at the side door by the gardens the following evening.
I waited outside the door for a few minutes, flipping through notes and questions in my notebook, things I'd hoped to ask him about the museum's pieces. I jumped at the sound of a "hoot" from behind me, spinning around to see an otus I didn't recognize staring at me from only a foot or two away. How sneaky they could be! "Aha, you startled me! You must be Professor Nimu's colleague. I am Rodanté, pleasure to make your acquaintance," I said, extending a paw to shake. There was no response from this curious fellow.
I smiled politely as I retracted my hand, speaking more to try and diffuse an awkward situation. "I was planning on saving my questions for after seeing the exhibits, but if you don't mind, perhaps I'll ask a few now?" A chuffing hoot in reply. I wasn't sure if that was a nod to continue or pause. "Yes, well, perhaps it's best to wait for Professor Nimu either way."
"Ah, there you are dear fellow!" The professor's voice echoed across the courtyard as he approached, a tabaxi alongside him. The otus in front of me spun his head entirely around to track their movements. "This is the bard I was telling you about! Rodanté, please meet my associate, Professor Morning Dew." I shook their hands, a little perplexed, as my gaze tracked back towards the other otus who'd sprung up on me.
"Yes, I see you've met the night watchman as well! Anyway, shall we head inside?"
-Rodanté