Homebrew Colubreen Species Details

"We didn't come to these realms to seek glory and plunder, we simply came to coexist and harmonize with your world. You, like us, are tuned into the symphony of nature all around. How we perceive this music is different, but given our nature and yours, this is always a given. You and us both give praise and thanks to Chauntea, but that doesn't mean we will share our land and join your circles." His eyes narrowed on the Archdruid before him, he was thoroughly agitated by the pressing and prying of the Druids surrounding Petzca. A tense feeling rested in his chest, it was noticeable in his posture. His apparent displeasure put everyone in an equally tense feeling.

The Archdruid sat up took a deep breath "You sought our assistance though, I think it is natural we all work together to further our place and understanding with the Earthmother."

Achqua Huecah stood up and took a single seed from a pot behind him. "Our understanding of the Earthmother differs greatly. I would ask you look deep within, and ask why." Placing the seed in the palm of the Archdruid and closing his hand, the Archdruid gave a confused and poised look of desire, but Huecah would not answer any more questions.

The Archdruid left with the seed in hand, as he and his brothers and sisters moved farther and farther away from Petzca, the seed grew and wrapped up and around his arm, a small white flower blossomed in his palm. As he starred deep into its petals he saw an entire lifetime of struggle and warfare across the fields and clouds, Colubreen dashing back and forth in a dance of life and death. As his vision returned him, he understood the Colubreen, and respected them.

                                                                                                                  - Achqua Huecah and his meeting with the Archdruid Adsalor

Often seen as a blur, darting through fields and jungles, these are the Colubreen, lightning fast, ferocious, and brave. Much like their cousins the Aarakocran, they are said to hail from the islands adrift in the Elemental Plane of Air.

Swift through the Trees

Living in large woven homes made from the grasses, leaves, or warped wood if they’re wealthy, these avian folk live suspended in trees in large communities.

The most distinguishing feature of the Colubreen is their bill, long and pointed, designed to drink from the large flowers of their homeland. They are small but agile, only standing at 3 to 4 feet each, tall near rigid wings sprouting from their backs. Although possessing narrow legs they almost always prefer to hover, the buzzing of their wings, beating back and forth in a rapid lemniscate form seem to make little noise, as to why, no one seems to know.

Their feathers, short and small, clinging to their body come in a variety of colors. Most striking amongst their feathers are their natural gorgets, bright and iridescent, beautiful to the regular eye, but to the Colubreen you can deduce everything from the color of their

Wild Florists

When one is far from home, the Colubreen may be spotted amongst the many fields of flowers.

Despite their territorial behavior, they spend much of their time maintaining and propagating beds, fields, and bouquets for their enjoyment and nourishment. Slow to trust outsiders, coming to know a Colubreen shares a duplex experience. One of vigor, kinship, and bravery, and another of careful consideration and understanding for floral life and prosperity.

Avian Mannerisms

The Colubreen dedicate themselves to competition, before they came to the Material Plane they constantly warred with one another. Villages would lay claim to vast swaths of land and die guarding it from their neighbors. It should be noted that they were only ever so hostile with other Colubreen, everyone else they paid little mind to, or even invited them to live on the lands they claimed. Since their arrival from the Plane of Air this behavior has evolved into an innate sense of competition, their minute population amongst The Forgotten Realms brought about a sense of unity within years of their arrival.

The trills, squeaks, chirps and clicks of the Colubreen are near insect like, with  few short calls they voice entire concepts, feelings, and descriptions. This has often made many Colubreen impatient with other races as they don’t possess the same aptitude for quick communication.

In time they have developed a strong sense of community, that all members work together to preserve a village or town, rarely do the Colubreen live in large groups or cities. But in their communities everyone has a part to play, a link in the machine and failing to uphold your end is seen as dishonorable and sometimes unforgivable.

Time ago they fed from large flowers, whilst few communities have cultivated these flowers in the Material Plane, the vast majority have been unable to due to the complexity and fragility of their native flora in such a foreign environment. To find their fix for sugar they have developed a taste for the sweetest confections across the world, but they won’t shy away from rabbit stew should it come available.

Homelands

The Colubreen came in small droves from the Elemental Plane of Air. Amongst the many islands, suspended in the sky and clouds they lived amongst those decorated with flowers, be it forest, jungle, or field. The Colubreen fought viciously against other colonies to protect these flowers, having control of the food was to have control over the colony, sounds familiar don’t you think? They would nere venture far from their homes, their mastery over cultivation and horticulture allowed them to preserve the flowers of their colonies, their sense of pride and ownership over the land often dissuaded them from venturing far. Only when their needs for food and land were strained did they venture out, seeking war with those closeby.

These colonies were never too large, typically a dozen, maybe a few lived in a single colony at a time, their homes woven together with large grasses and leaves, some fashioned homes made from warped wood, a luxury that few could afford. The Colubreen have carried their sense of structure to the Material Plane: Each colony is headed by one leader, the Achqua. The Achqua has three advisors, two Tequi and a Tetla.

The Tequi are seasoned warriors who have brought back the bills of many foes for their people, their experience and seniority helps guide their people in their defense and offense.

The Tetla is the spiritual leader, his or her main duties are to maintain the physical and spiritual connections with the natural landscape, most often leading a team of Nelta, “druids” to cultivate and maintain the land around them.

COLUBREEN IN THE FORGOTTEN REALMS

In their migration to the Forgotten Realms, they have adapted through mystic means to nourish themselves through other means as to adjust to their new home amongst Faerun, but this has had little effect on their fondness for the sweet honey of flowers, and sweet things in general. 

Amongst the many fields and mountains, the Colubreen are few and far between. The rest have come since the Spellplague but nonetheless they are a rare people to encounter. Their largest settlement, Petzca, in the valleys between the Green Fields and the Cloud Peaks is brimming with high trees, some of these trees sitting in the valleys originate from the Plane of Air itself. The inhabitants of Petzca grow swaths of flowers, different species and types, all with different properties and environments, all grown from the peaks of the mountains to the flat fields.

The other colonies of Colubreen struggle to create such imposing fields across the other corners of world as the many dangers of this world thwart their efforts to create new homes for themselves. Often unconfirmed, it is said few Colubreen have been seen crossing the Fields of Dead, Lake of Dragons, and even some amongst the Moonshae Isles.

Arcane Anthologists

Before they came to the Faerun the source of food and magic for the Colubreen was all found in the nectar of a flower. A syrup of pure earthly essence, drunken and absorbed it connects the mind and body to the elements, binding your soul to the Weave. The Colubreen discovered this long ago and treasured this knowledge, expanding upon their powers to care and cultivate these plants to gain new found powers and wealth. 

In their migrations to the Material Plane, these mystic flowers became scarce, only held onto by the most prominent and protected of colonies, nevertheless they have found the capabilities of The Forgotten Realms flora full of opportunity, mystic and physical. Healing salves, mystic nourishments, and arcane focuses are just a handful of examples.

Petzca for example, is linked from ground to tree roof with a network of magically rooted flowers, each with the capability of transporting people and things instantaneously. They've been even known to draw circles and rituals using the flowers to send people far distances to collect more specimens from lands unknown.

These mystics often form tight groups, sharing only so much within the community, even less with outsiders. Headed by the Tetla, these orders head spiritual proceedings as well, those training within them are specialists with plant life and through their doctrine it becomes ones goal to preserve and protect it, sometimes at all costs.

Colubreen Names

The Colubreen's natural speech is unorthodox to many races amongst The Forgotten Realms, but it does come easy to some, especially those with equally unorthodox anatomy.

A Colubreen, regardless of gender may have one of the following names: Aket, Citla, Calat, Huitzi, Mitzil, Paqui, and Topi

COLUBREEN BACKGROUNDS

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

 

Colubreen Traits

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

Ability Score Increase

Your Wisdom, Dexterity, and Constitution score all increase by 1.

Age

Colubreen reach maturity by age 2. Compared to humans, Colubreen don't usually live past 45 years, but there have been a few mystic exceptions.

Alignment

The Colubreen are more often than not, Neutral. Of course those who head colonies have more lawful tendencies, but rare is the Colubreen who is malicious or chaotic

Size

Colubreen stand on average between 3-4 feet in height. Their bodies are small, light, and thin. Your size is Small.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 25 feet.

Flight

You have a flying speed of 35 feet. To use this speed, you can’t be wearing medium or heavy armor.

Colubreen Agility

You can move through the space of any creature that is of a size larger than yours.

Natural Ultravision

Your vision is unique, even as a former shadow of itself from the Outer Realms. You can see Ultraviolet light

Cavernous Appetite

You require two days worth of rations each day.

Languages

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