Homebrew Gargoyles Species Details

Sequestered in high mountains atop tall trees, the Gargoyles, sometimes called the true children of dragons they evoke fear and wonder. Gargoyles come from mountian tops and ruins, they are the from a long ago day and are from one of the oldest races. They are an interesting bunch and are often times traveling merchants, protectors, mercenaries, assassins, hired hands, body guards, and other forms of warriors

Horns to Tails 

From below, Gargoyles look like small dragons, they have huge expansive wings that are often times 3 to 10 their height. they are most often seen when perching on mountains, old buildings and near the shrines of their god(s)

Gargoyles have leathery thick skin. Gargoyles are darker in color and often times have gray undertones but can range almost any where in the rainbow. A typical Gargoyle appearance consists of 1- 4 horns; have wings with one 1-3 digits attached to their wings, like thumbs on bat wings; pointed long, almost cat-like ears and adult gargoyles range from 6-20 ft tall. With three fingers and thumb on their hands and three claws on their feet (not including dew claws). Their tails are around the length of their torsos and arms combined they also have large flaps on their tails to provide aerodynamics while gliding which gives them a large range of motion in the air. 

Sky and Stones

Gargoyles are most comfortable in the sky and on top of largest buildings they can land on. They can spend hours in the air locking their wings in place and letting the thermals hold them aloft. In battle, they prove dynamic and acrobatic gliders moving with remarkable speed and grace, diving to lash opponents with weapons or talons and their tails allow them to slap and hit with their tails with a large amount of force.

Gargoyles climb up their perches and leap up letting the wind take them. often times they will glide for hours at a time. when gargoyles sleep a stone skin comes over them, in this position they are extremely vulnerable, but this stone sleep is what gives them their needed energy. 

Gargoyle Culture and Mannerisms

Many Gargoyles communicate through soft growls and chuffs within their wording to convey meaning to their pack members. Many gargoyles also prefer to run on four legs or be holding on to some sort of tall post.

Gargoyle culture is a strange and wonderful thing, back in their homes of high up mountain tops gargoyles will belong to a clan of 30 to 100+ Gargoyles. Within these massive gargoyle clans there are packs(6-50 packs on average). A normal pack is 3-20 Gargoyles. Other gargoyles will hunt and search for food and clothes in their packs. A pack is a close group of Gargoyles, they stick together. A pack is like a team almost like a battalion in an army. Over all packs work together to provide for the bigger whole, this is also a good way to teach the young as younger packs oftentimes have a mentor, or a pack of mentors. The clan's tertiary is patrolled by ten to twenty Packs of Gargoyles.

Gargoyle clans in towns and city are much smaller only ranging from 20-40 Gargoyles on average and 4-20 gargoyle packs. a Pack in the city ranges from 2-5 gargoyles due they lack of battle necessity. however the city gargoyles function in a similar yet different manner, they often watch over temples and other religious spaces. these gargoyles tend to be helping hands and guides. 

Gargoyles need for pack comes from the fact that no two gargoyles are expected to care for the young, it is the entire clans job to look out for the young and place them into packs once they've reached 30 years(the equivalent of 10 years for gargoyles). gargoyles can live for over 1,000 years however the average is 800 years.

The Gargoyles don't really have names; Instead they call each other "Brother", "Sister", "Sibling", or if they teach the younger Gargoyles they are called "Mentor" or "teacher". Nicknames like "Blue", "Tawny", "Tiny", "Big" ect. will also be given by pack-mates at times. Names in a more basic sense are given by lovers. Names are a very important ritual meant to signify life together. Sometimes packs will become polygamous lovers and name each other. The leader of a Gargoyle Clan is often just called Leader. However among the general crowd Gargoyles are expected to have names so often times they will allow for nicknames from their pack to be used. 

Expressing love is often done by bringing small trinkets, hair brushing, and quality time. these trait however can also be seen packs. 

Gargoyles are pack and clan creatures and enjoy the company of others. they are often social and enjoy company so when not in a clan or pack they often have a close group of friends and will fall into depression without at least one companion at their side, so often times Gargoyles will take in a pet.

Homelands

Gargoyles come from massive sprawling mountain ranges that often times can support multiple Gargoyle Clans. a Clans territory can range from 70 miles to over 100+ miles.  Packs will often sleep around patrol routes and a main Gargoyle camp will move every so often to keep enemies out. its not often but sometimes gargoyle clans will fight over territory  among the mountains. It is in these battles that the true strength of gargoyles can be seen. they are fast and vicious fighters, claws and fangs will be used along with a weapon every so often and their tails. 

Gargoyles in cities live on top of buildings and work as anyone else would however they do so in groups. there is a lack of fighting and training for city clans however and they often long for more. it is part of what makes the City Gargoyles so similar yet different from their mountainous brotheren.

GARGOYLE BACKGROUNDS

Backgrounds that fit Mountain Gargoyles include the Solider, criminal, or a folk hero.

while the city gargoyles are more often than not Acolyte, a sage or a folk hero.

The large clans of Mountain Gargoyles are insular and remote, and few gargoyles live without a clan or pack. Those that do are usually rangers or fighters, always on the look out with an intense sense of unease.

Gargoyles Traits

As a Gargoyle, you have certain traits in common with your people. Being able to glide at high speed starting at 1st level is exceptionally effective in certain circumstances and exceedingly dangerous in others. As a result, playing an Gargoyle requires special consideration by your DM.

Ability Score Increase

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

Age

Gargoyles reach teen-hood by 30 and usually live for 800 hundred years, some mange 1,000+

Alignment

Most aarakocra 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.

Gliding

Much like flying squirrel this ability allow for your character to jump of of something high and glide, 

Size

Gargoyles are large rangeing from 6-20 feet your size is large and surprisingly gargoyles are on the lighter side for their glideing.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 25 feet on two legs and on four legs it is 35 feet

Talons

Your talons are natural weapons, which you can use to make unarmed strikes. If you hit with them, you deal slashing damage equal to 1d4 + your Strength modifier, instead of the bludgeoning damage normal for an unarmed strike.

Languages

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