Homebrew Strigi ( Owl Aarakocra alternative) Species Details

Strigi

Aloof and above the concerns of the ground, the supernal strigi observe and collate the goings on of the world around them.  Sometimes referred to as Hoots, the strigi are driven to question and seek out the secrets of the worlds.  They are assisted in this endeavor with acute senses, with large eyes and an excellent sense of hearing.  

Beak and Feather

From below, the strigi look much like large owls.  When they descend, however, their differences become more apparent.  Depending on the clan, a strigi may range between 4 and 6 feet tall.  They have long narrow legs, ending in sharp talons.  There is some variation between clan's, some are large and some small, with different appearances to their outlines. 

Thick plumage covers their bodies, soundless even when moved in the wind.  Males and females share coloring and treatment is indistinguishable.  

Seekers of Secrets

Strigi's keen senses, coupled with matching intelligence, drive Strigi to pursue seek out secrets of the world.  From their lofty silent vantage point in the night sky, they can observe and gather information before acting on it, divining secrets; of magic, of the land, and of the creatures who furtively traverse it under cover of darkness.  Their curiousity knows no bounds. 

The strigi collate their secrets, often writing in their haunting secret language vast cache's of knowledge. 

Strigi often deliver information in the form of riddles or couched in obfuscating language, or direct without any preamble or softness, but rarely anywhere in between.  

Often times, the lure or allure of secrets or hidden treasures can pull a strigi into the adventuring life.  Othertimes, they may follow signs and portents to do the bidding of their Owl-god Ibis.

Strigiform Mannerisms

The strigi resemblance to owls isn't limited to their physical features.  Strigi display many of the same mannerisms of their owl cousins.  They are fastidious about their plumage, carefully maintaining their clean appearance. 

The strigi are often silent, their large eyes unblinking as they move their heads constantly-- sometimes in impossible angles-- observing the world around them.  They are very sound oriented, delighting in music, or strange new accents, and take note of the little quiet sounds of the small creatures around them.

Strigi are independent.  Strigi who form into communities value their privacy, and can manage to find it in all but the most populated of environments.  Many strigi will strike out to live individually or as a mated pair.  

Homelands

Many strigi live on the Elemental Plane of Air, though they are often not confined to it.  In search of secrets, bold strigi will strike out into other planes.   When strigi colonize an area, they often form a large chamber in which to meet, before striking out and creating their own discreet domicile.  Rarely will a strigi allow an unrelated strigi or outsider into their private home.  Important or public strigi will often have two 'homes:' their real home, and their show home.  

Strigi Names

Strigi keep their true names secret to all but a few, spoken only in their haunting secret language.  They will often take a second name, alluding to a secret they have found, or an inner dream of their own.  Secret names always have a long o or u sound, with 1 or more complex vowel pairs.  At your discretion, you may simplify and use simply the secret names for all strigi instead of having two sets of names. 

Secret Names:  Secret names always have a long o or u sound, with 1 or more complex vowel pairs.  ex: Hao'woot, Iawu'l

Public Names:  (secrets) RuinedTower, Mossy Bridge, Hidden Message.  (dreams/hopes) Undiscovered, Intrepid, Arbiter.

Suggested Backgrounds

Sage, hermit, anthropologist, archaeologist, charlatan, outlander, spy,  urchin

Strigi ( Owl Aarakocra alternative) Traits

Nocturnal, Silent, Flight

Talons

You are proficient with your Unarmed strikes, which deal 1d4 piercing damage on a hit.  

 

Ability Score Increase

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

Age

Strigi reach maturity by age 10, and generally don't live longer than 100 years.  

 

Size

Strigi range between 4' and 6' tall, depending on Clan (see - Subraces).  They have thin, lightweight bodies ( though plumage can make them look larger) and weigh between 50 and 120 pounds.  Your size is medium.

Nocturnal

Accustomed to the Silence and tranquility of the nightsky, you have superior vision in dark and dim conditions. You can see in dim light to 120 feet 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 grey. 

In daylight, you have Disadvantage on all perception checks using sight

Sound of Silence

Your feathers make no noise when they move.  In light or medium non-metallic armor, you have advantage with stealth checks.

 

Superb Hearing

Your ear canals are slightly offset vertically.  As such you have excellent hearing, and can even tell the exact direction and elevation noise is coming from.  You have advantage on Perception checks using sound.

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Common, Aarakocra, Auran, Strigi, and one exotic language of your choice.  Strigi is haunting in its hollow sound.  Curiously, when spoken by a Strigi, the language has no echoes. 

 

Alignment

Most strigi are usually good.