Homebrew Garuda Species Details

Garuda civilians live in simple tribes, or "nests" of little more than a dozen individuals, usually of an extended family. These Garuda are not warriors, though some are skilled in combat to defend their nest. They leave simple lives, the highlight of which is when a young Garuda grows to adulthood and decides to found a new nest or become a warrior.

Talons and Feather

From below, Garudas look much like large vibrant birds. Only when they descend to roost on a branch or walk across the ground does their humanoid appearance reveal itself. Standing upright, Garudas stand around 6 feet tall, and they have long, narrow but muscular legs that taper to sharp talons, their arms taper into clawed hands.

Feathers cover portions of their bodies, typically covering the wings, the head and parts of the legs leaving the torso and arms without feathers, the skin underneath resembles the main color of their feathers. Their plumage typically denotes age. Young Garuda have more subdued colors, usually brown or gray, whilst the Adults have bright colors ranging from reds, greens, yellows and blues. Elder Garuda typically have thicker plumage compared to adults. Their heads complete the avian appearance, being eagle with variations, the main type being the spotted eagle.

Aerial Warriors

Nowhere are the Garuda more comfortable than in the sky. They can spend hours in the air, and some go as long as days, locking their wings in place and letting the thermals hold them aloft. In battle, they prove dynamic and acrobatic fliers, moving with remarkable speed and brutality, diving to overwhelm opponents with weapons, claws or talons before flying back into the sky.

Avian Mannerisms

The resemblance of Garuda to birds isn’t limited to physical features. Garuda display many of the same mannerisms as ordinary birds. They are fastidious about their plumage, frequently tending their feathers, cleaning and scratching away any tiny passengers they might have picked up. When they deign to descend from the sky, they often do so near pools where they can catch fish and bathe themselves.

Garudas speak in long chirps and screeches, however when talking with one another the tone of their voice are deep and controlled, gradually growing in pitch the more excited they are, they enter fights with loud screams of triumph and vigor to terrify their enemies.

They have an instinctual need to protect settlements an communities even if they are not Garuda. An Garuda will live among other races to be a defender of them if there are no other garuda tribes nearby.

not much terrify the Garuda, their stoic nature shines through within all their interactions, their love for fighting can be a problem with allies as their brutal fighting styles can get in the way of others.

Homelands

Garudas originated in the Positive Plane as a winged race called the jyoti, infused with the light and energy of raw primal radiance. At some point in the distant past, they discovered a portal to the Material Plane and a rift developed between the more impetuous and curious jyoti who wished to explore this strange new world and those who sought only to seal the rifts that they felt infected their paradisical existence and keep their plane pure. Those that emigrated to the Material Plane renamed themselves garudas and adapted their magical powers to the skies of their new earthly home.

Outside of the nest, Garuda often take up arms against Serpentborn, or even to simply defend the common man. They train for many years in the lofty temples and warrior nests of their skilled brethren, groups of Garuda who shun social lives in favor of martial pursuits.

Garuda nest in elevated locations differing from region, within forests they nest at the tallest trees. Within mountains they nest at mountainous cliffs, their tribes have their own nests usually close enough that each nest can be seen by every member.

Great Purpose

Garuda enjoy battles and protecting. Most of them have lots of interest in dealing with other people and especially an interest in protecting weaker races. For this reason, many garudas can be seen in a majority of cities and towns especially those with tall buildings and towers for them to perch upon.

Two other circumstances might call an Garuda to adventure. First, Garuda may leave to adventure to become more powerful as the more power a Garuda has the more respected they are amongst their race.

Second, Garuda are sworn foes of Serpentborn, in particular the Yuan-Ti. The Garuda despise naturally evil reptilians such as dragons, Hydras and Spirit Nagas, so a Garuda may adventure to eliminate these evil creatures from the material plane.

Garuda Names

As with much of their speech, Garuda names include clicks, trills, and whistles to the point that other peoples have a difficult time pronouncing them. Typically, a name has two to four syllables with the sounds acting as connectors. When interacting with other races, Garuda may use nicknames gained from people they meet or shortened forms of their full names.

An Garuda of either gender may have one of these short names: Ajun, Ari, Aurn, Daksh, Dev, Krish, Lakh, Krish, Neer, Ovi, Ohm, Tej, Vihan, Yash, or Zian.

Garuda Traits

As an Garuda, 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. As a result, playing an Garuda requires special consideration by your DM.

Ability Score Increase

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

Age

Garuda reach maturity by age 10 and dont live past a Century

Alignment

Most Garuda are good and rarely choose sides when it comes to law and chaos. Tribal leaders and warriors might be lawful, while explorers and adventurers might tend toward chaotic.

Size

Garuda are about 6 feet tall. They have muscular bodies that weigh between 100 and 150 pounds. Your size is Medium.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet.

Flight

You have a flying speed of 30 feet. To use this speed, you can’t be wearing heavy armor.

Claws Talons

Your talons and claws are natural weapons, which you can use to make unarmed strikes. If you hit with them, you deal slashing damage equal to 1d8 + your Strength/Dexterity modifier, instead of the bludgeoning damage normal for an unarmed strike.

Innate Spellcasting

You know the Light cantrip. Once you reach 3rd level, you can cast the Detect Magic spell once as a 2nd-level spell. Once you reach 5th level, you can also cast the Haste spell once. You must finish a long rest to cast these spells again with this trait. your spellcasting ability for these spells is the same as your class.

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Common, Garuda, and Auran.