Homebrew Aerital Species Details

Surrounded by clouds and only occasionally straying close to treetops and mountains, the Aeritalis, sometimes referred to as valkyries, cause many to wonder. Aeritalis are native to the clouds in the Material Plane.

They hunt on mountaintops, and build large cities up in the clouds, only to be seen (usually) by other creatures that can fly. 

 

Wing and Talon

On first glance, one might not exactly realize what an Aerital is. Upon closer inspection, which nearly never can occur considering their tendency to stick to the skies, they can be seen for how they actually appear. Aeritalis can grow up to 7 feet tall, and they have very human-like legs save for their feet, which appear as bird-like with sharp talons.

Their bodies appear generally like those of humans, except for their wings and feathers. Aeritalis typically have large wings, and feathers in areas on theirs heads, such as near the ears. Males usually have gray, black, white, or brown feathers with colored accents. Females usually have colored feathers with white accents. The finishing touch on avian features is their bird-like eyes, appearing to be a solid color with a large black pupil/iris.

Aerial Gladiators

In Aeritalis culture, gladiatorial combat is very important. Usually it's only used to choose leaders or to serve as public entertainment, but on occasion, it's also used to settle disputes or for sport. Aeritalis care so much about gladiatorial combat that "Gladiator" is one of the most popular professions among the race. Some Aeritalis enjoy fighting publicly in arenas to show off their beautiful Aeritalis-designed armor. Some of them simply enjoy the rush of battle. Usually, it's the latter.
Gladiatorial combat on sky islands usually has all combatants on their feet, but sometimes it takes place in the open air, where combatants fly towards each other, almost like they're jousting in the sky.

Homelands

Most Aeritalis live on cloud islands in the sky. Some of them decide to settle on mountaintops and even fewer decide to live on the ground, at a normal elevation with other races.

Once groups of Aeritalis settle in an area below the clouds, they share a hunting territory that extends across an area up to 100 miles on a side, with each group hunting in the lands nearest to their settlement, ranging farther should game become scarce.

A typical settlement consists of one large, open-roofed building made of bricks and metal plates. A leader can be chosen based on several things. Sometimes the leader is chosen because they are the strongest physically, or because they are the smartest mentally, or a number of other things.

Great Purpose

Aeritalis usually enjoy living away from other races, not really needing to learn other cultures. The Aeritalis that live in the clouds almost never leave the clouds, and an Aerital that has lived in the sky for more than 10 years usually intends to stay there forever. There are some exceptions to this, like if an Aerital has a great motivation to leave to go to the ground, like if they were so greatly wronged. Aeritalis who have been traveling to the ground for their whole lives are more likely to visit or even decide to stay on the ground. Some Aeritalis go to the ground and start families, and their bloodlines stay on the ground. 

Aeritalis Names

Aeritalis names sometimes consist of a title and an actual name. The Aeritalis who do have titles insist that their title has become part of their name.

An Aerital of either gender may have a name somewhere along the lines of: Aer, Vaay, Udara, Ajiri, Umoya

An Aerital of either gender may have a title in their name somewhere along the lines of: Windwalker, Cloudstrider, Skyglider

AERITALIS BACKGROUNDS

Backgrounds that are most appropriate for Aeritalis include the gladiator, the noble, and the hermit.

The cities of Aeritalis are large, and often have arenas for things like gladitorial combat for the purpose of not only public entertainment, but also occasionally to choose a new leader. Aeritalis can be very different from each other, in that some of them can base their whole lives around being as strong as possible, while others care mainly about social reputation. Some Aeritalis just leave, and live on their own to learn and study other things in the world, and these people usually tend to be the ones who leave the clouds to live on the ground.

Aerital Traits

As an Aerital, you have certain traits in common with your people. Being able to fly at high speed starting at 1st level is exceptionally effective in certain circumstances and exceedingly dangerous in others.

Ability Score Increase

Your Constitution score increases by 2, and your Intelligence score increases by 1.

Age

Aeritalis age and reach maturity at the same rate as Humans, and as such, they tend to live for similar amounts of time.

Alignment

Most Aeritalis are good and rarely choose sides when it comes to law and chaos.

Size

Aeritalis are anywhere around 5-7 feet tall. They have lightweight bodies that weigh between 80 and 100 pounds. Your size is Medium.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 25 feet.

Flight

You have a flying speed of 20 feet. You can fly at this speed even when wearing Medium or Heavy armor.

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Common.

Iron Grip

Aeritalis have a nigh-unbreakable grip. An Aerital has advantage on all STR checks in contests when Grappling. In addition, Aeritalis can Grapple as many times as the amount of Attacks they can do per Attack Action.

Wing Beat

Aeritalis have powerful wings to support their bodies and can also be used to knock back aggressors. Aeritalis have advantage on all STR checks in contests when using the Shove Action. The Shove Action’s range increases from 5ft. to 15ft.