Homebrew Akitu Species Details

Dancing across the silvery surface of the pond, the akitu move with such elegance that time seems to stand still for any onlooker witnessing the spectacle. Flimsy and chaotic, but beautiful to behold, such is the life of the akitu. They dance and sing their short lives away, frolicking under the guidance of their fey patrons. The akitu seek adventure wherever they may find it, without wasting a single thought on their future.

Mystical Elegance

The akitu are tall insectoids that resemble dragonflies. Their thin, almost frail bodies stand tall at 6 to 7 feet in height. In sunlight, their chitin shimmers in iridescent colors of yellow, red, blue, or green. Paired with four long and translucent wings on their backs, they appear mystical and otherworldly.
Akitu may have a thin frame, but their wings are strong. Together with their little weight, they can soar to the skies at incredible speed. Their elegance and speed in the air are unrivaled compared to other insectoids. As such, akitu that work in their empires make excellent messengers.

Life in the Present

Akitu have very short lifespans and, as such, live only in the here and now. Therefore, most akitu rarely plan further ahead than the next season and would instead enjoy each day to the fullest. They seek out adventure and fun in even the most mundane tasks without any care of possible consequences. For that reason, most akitu indulge in more shallow pleasures and value exterior traits like beauty over intelligence. 

Guidance from the Flittermarsh

Many believe the origin of the akitu to be somewhere in the Flittermarsh, a mystical extradimensional plane where the fey reside. This belief seems to be confirmed through the strong ties akitu holds to certain beings from that place.

Societies of akitu tend to gather in small tribes, often close to ponds and marshes with a spiritual connection to the Flittermarsh. These tribes are usually led by the elder of the tribe, who takes up the mantle of a sage.

This elder sage confers with spirits of the Flittermarsh or even the guardian archfey of the tribe for guidance.
But, since akitu would rather dance all day than worry about their tribe's survival, they lay all of their trust in their patron fey. Though the fragile nature of the fey makes akituan tribes unpredictable and chaotic, much to the dismay of other denizens of the area they occupy.

Akitu Traits

While all Akitu strive to be as vibrant and unique as possible, you share some traits with others of your kin.

Ability Score Increase

Your Dexterity score increases by 2 and your Charisma score increases by 1.

Age

Akitu mature very slowly. Their nymphs take up to 20 years to fully mature. Additionally, their lifespan is quite short in the long run, and only a few of them ever reach ages beyond 45.

Alignment

Akitu are flimsy and unpredictable. They live each day of their short lives to the fullest and like to enjoy themselves, sometimes to the dismay of others. The majority of them are chaotic and either neutral or good.

Size

Akitu are lightweight and lean, reaching heights of around 6 to 7 feet. Your size is Medium.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet. 

Fey Charm

You are proficient in the Charisma (Persuasion) skill. Additionally you know the friends cantrip.

Flight

You have a flying speed of 20 feet, but you must land at the end of every minute or begin to fall. When you reach 5th level, your flying speed increases to 40 feet and the time restriction is lifted. To use this speed, you can’t be wearing medium or heavy armor.

Flitterborn

Your creature type is fey, rather than humanoid.

Languages

You can speak, read and write Common, Insect-Common, Sylvan and Akituan. Their language is quite elaborate and can easily be woven into epic poems, stories and plays.