Homebrew Avi-Ra Species Details

The avia-ra are a sun-worshipping race of wingless
birdmen, which appear to primitive cultures to spread
their ancient religion.
Ancient God-Kings
Depictions of the avia-ra can be found in the ruins of
ancient cultures throughout the galaxy. Often, but not
always, they are portrayed as divinity manifest: god-like
travelers from the heavens. They arrive as evangelists to
share the philosophy of their solar religion—that the Sun
Above is the only true god—and remain long enough to
build an enduring civilization on the primitive world.
Some races consider the avia-ra an ancient
and wise people, dedicated to their
religion and its tenets. Others cast
them as charlatans and false
prophets, who routinely prey
upon primitive and defenseless
peoples. The truth depends largely
on perspective, but the avia-ra view
themselves only as a grand tool to
carry the momentum of the sun's
glory to new peoples.
Watchers of
the Citadel
The heart of the avia-ra's
religion is at the Solar Citadel, which

revolves close around the Sepulcher Star. Most avia-
ra make pilgrimage to this site at least once in their

lives to bask in the rays of their holy sun, which (in
their philosophy) gives light and meaning to all other
stars. Their worship of the sun is always directed at the
Sepulcher Star itself, even if they are nearer to another
star or to no star at all. All other stars merely act as a
metaphor, a symbol, for their holy sun.

In contrast to their binary doctrines, their actual
relationship to the star and the Sepulcher within it is more
complicated. The Solar Citadel definitively ensures that
the star is under avia-ra control, but Old Un has never
spoken to the avia-ra directly from within the star. Despite
the silence, the avia-ra continue to pray in reverence and
make pilgrimage to the Sepulcher Star.

Deep Symbolism
Avia-Ra are inclined to view the events around them
as omens of much larger struggles, such as those
between light and dark, good and evil, and law and
chaos. All things have symbolic importance to them;
even fundamentally objective things like science and
mathematics have a place in the underlying allegory for
avia-ra.
Most avia-ra hold dreams in especially high regard,
for interpreted dreams can tell the future, lend insight into
the past, or provide guidance for the present. Those with
the gift to interpret dreams are honored highly as priests
in the avia-ra and given elaborate titles, such as Grand
Remembrancer, or Dream-Teller Most High.
Avia-Ra Names
Avia-Ra names come in two-part cartouches, with one or
both parts of the name being composed of the names of
ancient avia-ra heroes and great ideals.
Front Cartouche. Anubis, Apophis, Cani, Canopis, Helio,
Horus, Ira, Isis, Nefer, Oculus, Terra, Verum
Rear Cartouche. Amet, Bast, Haten, Hotep, Intef, Lux,
Ma’at, Mose, Omet, Osiris, Ptah, Set, Thoth

Avi-Ra Traits

Lifespan 500 years Average Height 5 to 6 feet Average Weight 120 to 170 pounds

Ability Score Increase

Your Wisdom score increases
by 2, and your Dexterity score increases by 1.

Darkvision

Thanks to the rituals of your ancestors,
the light of the sun dances in your eyes and grants you
superior vision in dark and dim conditions. You can see
in dim light within 60 feet of you as if it were bright light,
and in darkness as if it were dim light. You can’t discern
color in darkness, only shades of gray.

Avia-Ra Weapon Training

You have proficiency with the avia-ra sunstaff, scimitar, shortbow, spear, and whip.

Doctrine

You have proficiency in the Religion skill.

Blessings of the Sun

You can cast the spell bless,
targeting only yourself, without using a spell slot. Wisdom
is your spellcasting ability for this spell. For the spell’s
duration, if you roll a 4 on the d4 that you add to an attack
roll or saving throw, you gain advantage on that attack roll
or saving throw.
Once you use this trait, you can’t use it again until you
finish a long rest.

Sun's Chosen

You know the sacred flame and
thaumaturgy cantrips. Wisdom is your spellcasting ability
for these spells.