Homebrew Geef Species Details

Sequestered high on the coastal islands of Bright Bay, the geef, sometimes called goosefolk, live peaceful lives of relative isolation. Unlike their aarakocra cousins, geef are native to the Material Plane. They are a wandering people who tend to settle an area for no more than a dozen generations before uprooting and taking to the sky in search of a new homeland. That said, some always choose to remain behind, and so there are a smattering of geef settlements throughout the known world, most originating from the same lineage.

They are immigrants, refugees, scouts, and explorers, and also farmers, builders, and defenders of their community.

Beak and Feather

From below, geef look much like large birds. Only when they descend to roost on a branch or walk across the ground does their humanoid appearance reveal itself. Standing upright, aarakocra might reach 6 feet tall at the shoulder, their long necks adding considerably to that height. Their large, webbed feet give them a particular gait that other races can sometimes find odd or comical.

Feathers cover their bodies. Plumage is mostly identical between males and females, in a combination of black, white, and creamy greys and browns. Their heads complete the avian appearance, being in appearance of a typical goose, only larger.

Several distinct plumages have emerged as the dominant phenotypes that define the various Geef settlements.  Redleef Geef, perhaps the most recognizable, most often have a black bill, head and neck, with a grey body, dark legs, and a white patch on their neck and cheek.  Redleef Geef tend to congregate in coastal and grassland settlements, and tend to live rural lifestyles.  Hönnel Geef, who are a pale brown with orange bill and feet, are usually encountered in urban settlements. The Cardenia Geef, who sport a white neck, dark tails, and vibrant auburn wings, bill and feet, are fairly reclusive, so not much is known about these Geef, other than that they tend to reside in climates that are too warm for other Geef.

Sky Wardens

Nowhere are the geef 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 grace, diving to attack opponents.

Goose Mannerisms

The resemblance of geef to birds isn’t limited to physical features. Geef display many of the same mannerisms as ordinary geese. 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.

Many geef punctuate their speech with honks, sounds they use to convey emphasis and to shade meaning, much as a human might through facial expressions and gestures. A geef might become frustrated with people who fail to pick up on these nuances; a geef's threat might be taken as a jest and vice versa.  

They find it hard not to pluck the treasure and bring it back to their settlement to beautify it. A geef who spends years among other races can learn to inhibit these impulses.

Confinement terrifies the geef. To be grounded, trapped underground, or imprisoned by the cold, unyielding earth is a torment few geef can withstand.  Even when perched on a high branch or at rest in their mountaintop homes, they appear alert, with eyes moving and bodies ready to take flight.  Hönnel Geef have learned ways to tolerate the cramped and crowded streets of cities by concentrating in Geeftowns within these cities - these neighborhoods of stilted buildings with open-air architecture are coveted attractions for sight-seers, though inaccessible to any that cannot fly. 

Homelands

While there are small communities of geef scattered in settlements and Geeftowns throughout the world, the largest settlement resides on the Yauthmair Isles in Bright Bay, northern Grior Kline. The islands are a series of rocky plateaus jutting hundreds of feet out of the bay, nearly impossibly to climb ("Yauthmair" is a dwarfish word meaning "handholds" or "no clear way", depending on context) and thus easy to defend. The plateaus of these islands are covered in tantal grass and coniferous trees that stay green throughout the seasons.

Stone fruit orchards grow readily on the islands, as do gourds, pumpkins, and fennel. Other crops can be cultivated if properly shielded from the strong winds. one such crop is Oxtail Rye, which the geef cultivate for their local whisky.

 

Geef Names

The Geef language is difficult for non-Geef to master, consisting of many nasal, breathy, and guttural sounds that are hard to replicate.  Geef names tend to be monosyllabic.

Female Geef Names: Thah, Fffe, Hihss, Bytt, Sthe, Vith
Male Geef Names: Pekk, Gork, Koog, Flepp, Hegg, Bekk

Geef Backgrounds

Backgrounds that are most appropriate for geef include the outlander, the hermit, and the sage.

The small colonies of geef are insular and remote, and few geef live away from their roosts. In Bright Bay of northern Grior Kline, no more than a few dozen geef live away from the homes of their families. Those that do are usually rangers or fighters, constantly patrolling for outside threats.

 

Geef Traits

As a geef, 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 a geef requires special consideration by your DM.

Ability Score Increase

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

Age

Geef reach maturity by age 4. Compared to humans, geef don't usually live longer than 50 years.

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.

Size

Geef are typically five to six feet tall at the shoulder, with their necks extending another foot and a half. Their bodies are surprisingly lightweight for their size, usually between 90 and 120 pounds. Your size is Medium.

Stubborn

The obstinance of the geef people is well-known. In social interactions it is not always helpful. In combat, it sometimes wins the day.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 25 feet.

Flight

You have a flying speed of 50 feet. To use this speed, you can’t be wearing medium or heavy armor.

Languages

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