Aarakocra

Sequestered in high mountains atop tall trees, the aarakocra, sometimes called birdfolk, evoke fear and wonder. They are immigrants, refugees, scouts, and explorers, their outposts functioning as footholds in a world both strange and alien.

Physical Traits

Anatomy

From below, aarakocra look much like large birds. Only when they descend to roost on a branch or walk across the ground does their humanoid appearance reveal itself. Standing upright, aarakocra might reach 5 feet tall, and they have long, narrow legs that taper to sharp talons. Feathers cover their bodies. Their plumage typically denotes membership in a tribe. Males are brightly colored, with feathers of red, orange, or yellow. Females have more subdued colors, usually brown or gray. Their heads complete the avian appearance, being something like a parrot or eagle with distinct cultural variations.

Biology and Aging

Aarakocra lay eggs in clusters of 2-3. Both parents brood these eggs by carrying them in their plumage. Aarakocra have a mating season in early spring, and brood their eggs over the summer. Aarakocra chicks reach early adulthood at 3 years old, during which they are unable to fly and entirely reliant on their parents and community. Their quick maturation rate is tied to their ability to fly needing to develop quickly to be self sufficient. An aarakocra reaches the end of their life around 30 years old.

Habitat

As an avian species, aarakocra do not do well when confined and often seek out homes high up in mountains or trees. In an urban environment, aarakocra often have homes built on the rooftops of buildings with open access to the sky.

Diet

Aarakocra are omnivores, but like to eat easily high energy foods. These include fruits, nuts, fish, and meat. Since they do not have teeth, aarakocra cut up their food and swalow it whole.

Sapient Traits

History

The Aarakocra did not ogiginate on the World, but came from the Elemental plane of Air. For ages they have lived on the World and claimed its skies as their territories. The avians never realy got used to living in cities, and like most elemental beings have gravitated more toward the Wylderness. Many aarakocra Wyldefolk tribes have existed since the Golden Age.

Manerisms

The resemblance of aarakocra to birds isn’t limited to physical features. Aarakocra display many of the same mannerisms as ordinary birds. They are fastidious about their plumage, frequently tending their feathers, cleaning and scratching away any tiny passengers they might have picked up. When they deign to descend from the sky, they often do so near pools where they can catch fish and bathe themselves.

Speech

Many aarakocra punctuate their speech with chirps, sounds they use to convey emphasis and to shade meaning, much as a human might through facial expressions and gestures. An aarakocra might become frustrated with people who fail to pick up on the nuances; an aarakocra’s threat might be taken as a jest and vice versa.

Valuesand Traits

Aarakocra are shortlived gusts of wind that blow hard and fasts. They have the following traits:

• Pruned plumage
• Perceptive
• Quick to think and act

Naming Conventions

Aarakocra use short, one syllable names that are quick and easy to pronounce.

Beauty/Gender Ideals

The most important aspect of an aarakocra's beauty is their plumage, and is often used as an important signifier in courtships. Males have bright and colourful feathers, while females have more muted colourations. All feathers are well groomed and oiled so that they shimmer and reflect the light of the sun.

Relationship Ideals

Aarakocra value monogamous relationships, where the partners stay together until death parts them. Communities are an important aspecs of aarakocra culture, as adults must often leave their homes to travel large distances, and they rely on the community to keep their nests safe while they are away.

Ancestry

Size

Medium

Speed

30 ft. walking

Darkvision

No

Ancestral Language

Auran

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

Your unarmed strikes deal 1d6 slashing damage on a hit, and have the Finese and Light properties.

Hawk's Eyes

You gain proficiency in the Perception skill. You can see up to 1 mile away with no difficulty, able to discern even fine details as though looking at something no more than 100 ft. away from you. Additionally, dim light doesn't impose disadvantage on your Perception checks.

Flyby

If you enter a creature's attack range while flying, you do not provoke attacks of opportunity from that creature..

Wind Caller

Starting at 3rd level, you can cast the Gust of Wind spell with this trait. 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 when you cast gust of wind with this trait (choose when you select this race).

Related Ethnicities

• Coastborn