Homebrew Aegenia Species Details

Sequestered in high mountains and atop tall trees, the aegenia, sometimes called birdfolk, evoke awe and wonder. Many aegenia aren’t even native to the Material Plane. They hail from a world beyond — from the wild landscapes of The Beastlands.

They are watchers, sages, scouts, and explorers, their outposts functioning as footholds and bastions in a world both strange and alien.

Beak and Feather

From below, aegenia look much like large birds of prey. Only when they descend to roost on a branch or walk across the ground does their humanoid appearance reveal itself. Standing upright, aegenia are about eye level with humans, reaching at least 5 feet tall, and they have long, narrow legs that taper to sharp talons.

Feathers cover their bodies. Their plumage typically denotes membership in a tribe. Males are brightly colored, with feathers of red, orange, blue, or yellow. Females have more subdued colors, usually brown or gray. Their heads complete the avian appearance, being something like an osprey or eagle with distinct tribal variations. All aegenia resemble birds of prey, ranging from bald eagles to ravens

Sky Wardens

Nowhere are the aegenia more comfortable than in the sky. They can spend hours in the air, and some can go as long as days, locking their wings in place and letting the thermals hold them aloft. In battle, they prove adept and acrobatic fliers, moving with remarkable speed and grace, diving to lash opponents with weapons or talons before turning and flying away.

Once airborne, an aegenia leaves the sky with reluctance. On their native plane, they can fly for weeks, enjoying the endless nature of the Beastlands. Those that make it to a world in the Material Plane find it a strange place, but one worth protecting. Although, they sometimes forget or ignore vertical distances, leaving those under their care and reveling in the winds and aeronautical currents.

Avian Mannerisms

The resemblance of aegenia to birds essentially stops at physical features. Aegenia may display the occasional pruning and cleaning of their feathers, scratching away any tiny passengers they might have picked up. The similarities stop there, however, as aegenia possess an abundance of wisdom, creativeness, and problem-solving skills.

As ethereal as aegenia are, they aren't immune to some bird-like linguistics. They can punctuate their speech with chirps and other sounds used to convey emphasis and shade meaning, much as a human might through facial expressions and gestures.

The idea of ownership baffles most aegenia. After all, who owns the skies and trees of the Beastlands? Even when explained to them, they initially find the notion of ownership mystifying. As a result, young aegenia who have had little interaction with other people might be a nuisance as they drop from the sky to snatch livestock or plunder harvests for fruits and grains. These traits fade as they age, though, as they gain respect for their place in society and respect the property of others.

Confinement terrifies the aegenia. To be grounded, trapped underground, or imprisoned by the cold, unyielding earth is a torment few aegenia can withstand. 

Homelands

Most aegenia still live in the Beastlands. Aegenia can be drawn into the Material Plane, following the ancient call of Silvanus. Accident might also send a nest of aegenia tumbling into a world on this plane. Either way, the guardians of the world they land in will sense their arrival and might guide them into welcoming arms.

Once tribes of aegenia settle in an area, they share a hunting territory that extends across an area up to 50 miles on a side, with each tribe hunting in the lands nearest to their colony, ranging farther should game become scarce. Some might prefer to go into nearby settlements and shop for food there, attempting to familiarize themselves with the people they are charged with guarding or to remind themselves of what they fight for.

A typical non-protective colony consists of one large, open-roofed nest made of woven vines. The eldest acts as a leader with the support of a shaman. Many aegenia start in colonies like this, then find their way into the ranks of the Watchers of Jaalorel.

Great Purpose

Aegenia enjoy peace and family. Most of them have much interest in dealing with other peoples, likely credited to various wild stories of ancient heroes and mighty feats told by colony elders. For this reason, it doesn't take much for an aegenia to leave his or her tribe and undertake the adventurer’s life. A desire to become legend, the allure of helping those in need, or a great disaster to come (or has happened) are some common reasons an aegenia would fly from the nest and into the adventuring life.

 

Aegenia Names

As with much of their speech, aegenia 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, aegenia may use nicknames gained from people they meet or shortened forms of their full names.

An aegenia of either gender may have one of these short names: Aera, Aial, Aur, Deekek, Errk, Heehk, Ikki, Kleeck, Oorr, Ouss, Quaf, Quierk, Salleek, Urreek, or Zeed. 

AEGENIA BACKGROUNDS

Backgrounds that are most appropriate for aegenia include the outlander, the soldier, and the sage.

The small colonies of aegenia are rarely insular, but they tend to stay on the outer reaches of large cities. Aegenia welcome most into their ranks and mission of protecting the mortal realm from harm. Those that do take up arms are usually rangers, fighters, or paladins, constantly patrolling for outside threats or standing guard in a bastion, arcanely scanning the world.

Aegenia Traits

As an aegenia, 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.

Ability Score Increase

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

Age

Aegenia reach maturity by age 18, and live up to 85 years old.

Alignment

Most aegenia are good and tend to abide by morals and set laws. Tribal leaders and warriors might be lawful, while explorers and adventurers might tend toward chaotic or neutral at best.

Size

Aegenia sprout above 5 feet tall. They have moderately built, durable bodies that weigh between 110 and 145 pounds. Your size is Medium.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet.

Flight

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

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, Aegenic, and Celestial.