Raptor

Appearance

When the birdfolk think of hunters or rangers, they picture a raptor. Resembling small hawks, eagles, and other birds of prey, they have sharp talons and agile builds that help them effortlessly glide through the canopy. These birdfolk are swift and strong with an uncanny knack for tracking. They are rarely prey, and are quick to turn the tables when finding themselves hunted.

Perceptive Awareness

Given their heightened senses, often raptors appear to be distracted or deep in thought. In reality, they are processing the wealth of sensory information they receive from their particularly keen eyes and sensitive ears. While many folk are only ever aware of what goes on directly around them, raptors have an extremely wide field of awareness.

Raptors are adept at living off the land. They are skilled hunters, usually leading the harvesting of meat and skins for their perches. Raptors are especially well versed in stalking prey from great heights, lining up impossible shots that their prey could not predict.

Natural Predator

While many of the birdfolk races are culturally communal, raptors don’t have a great sense of connectedness, nor do they tend to create their own perches. They are more likely to adopt a transient lifestyle, moving from perch to perch, or to simply live in the vast forests of the Wood itself.

Though typically quiet, raptors are not averse to forming relationships with other birdfolk. Despite their reserved nature, raptors value personal bonds more highly than societal or even familial ties.

Average Characteristics

• Age: Raptors reach maturity around 20 years. They can live longer than any other birdfolk race, over 100 years.
• Size: Raptors are lean, muscular hunters, but they stand less than 4 feet tall. Their light builds usually lend themselves to bodies that weigh far less than one would expect for their height, averaging around only 35 pounds.
• Language: Sylvan (Birdfolk)

Locations

Found throughout the Humblewood.

Subrace

• Maran raptors are as at home in the water as you are in the trees. They also have a wealth of patience, acting only when it best suits their goals.
• Mistral raptors are most at home far from the ground. They can range for miles in the Wood without ever setting talon to soil, moving more confidently through the branches than some move on flat ground.