Homebrew Shadowborne Kenku Species Details

We made the mistake of going too close to the strange cave. As we approached it, two black figures leapt from the darkness. I felt a sting in my shoulder, and I blacked out. I woke to a scream as Alyssa  was dragged out of the dank, dark cell I appear to be in. I haven’t seen her since. All of my weapons and money are gone. I’m deeply worried about what my fate will be.

— Diary page of a shadowborne kenku captive

A much more sinister version of their surface-dwelling counterparts, the shadowborne kenku are a race born out of the caves and malice of the Underdark, and make livings through organized crime, slave trading, and hired killings.

A Change in Direction

When the kenku were struck down to the material plane, most began to wander the Material plane, finding flocks of their own to wander the surface.

But while most stayed on the surface, some kenku fled to the caves of the Middle Dark, where they made a legacy underground and formed organised crime factions controlling various Underdark cities.

Abandoning the Dream

While most kenku have an inherited long-burning desire for their wings again, shadowborne kenku strayed a new path. 

Recognizing the fact that they can live and function without them, most shadowborne kenku have abandoned the search, and have focused more on getting vengeance on the unknown god who robbed them of so much, so long ago.

Shadowborne kenku are often seen interrogating newly captured slaves about their legend, to attempt to find the identity of the god who took their creativity, their wings, and their surface dwelling counterparts voices.

Crime Workers

Shadowborne Kenku are often joined together in rival gangs, populating the dense caves of the Underdark with violent faction warfare. Leaders of these gangs are often the most violent, and mostly gain power through assassinating the previous ruler. Shadowborne Kenku law states that assasinating the ruler is perfectly legal, as long as it is successful. If a shadowborne kenku is caught mid assassination, they are at the ruler's mercy.

Most shadowborne kenku are much more evil than their surface-dwelling counterparts, making a living through hired assassination, slave trading, and organised crime.

Since kenku can precisely reproduce any sound, the messages they carry rarely suffer degradation or shifts in meaning. Human messengers might switch words or phrases and garble a message inadvertently, but the kenku produce perfect copies of whatever they hear.

Kenku Gangs

Shadowborne Kenku are born into their gangs, and are treated like a member of the family. Gangs will often work with one other gang of different profession as an ally, so the gangs can prosper off eachother. Other than the small two-gang partnerships, however, the Underdark is populated with violent and brutal gang warfare between these factions.

To differ from the profession of your home gang is to be exiled, and renouncing your gang makes you wanted forever by your original gang and all of its allies.

Shadowborne Kenku Names

Shadowborne Kenku have complete literacy, so they adopt names of the other races of the Underdark, like names of Drow Elves and Duergar.

Born In Shadows

The Shadowborn Kenku have been born and raised in the Underdark, living among the Duergar, Drow Elves, and other monstrosities of the realm. Rather than petty crimes of pick pocketing and thievery, shadowborne kenku make a living through hired killings and slave trading with the other creatures of the Underdark. In this evolution, they have evolved to adjust to the dark, but they have lost the ability of perfect forgery. 

Shadowborne Kenku are well-known among the other races in the Underdark, and have advantage on all rolls involving communication with them.

Shadowborne Kenku Traits

Your shadowborne kenku character has the following racial traits.

Underdark Connections

A creature of the dark, Kenku have connections with all creatures originating from the Underdark. You have an advantage on all Charisma (Persuasion) and Charisma (Deception) checks when it involves a creature from the Underdark (Duergar, Drow Elves, Beholders).

Darkvision

Accustomed to life underground, you have superior vision in dark and dim conditions. You can see in dim light within 60 feet of you as if it were bright light, and in darkness as if it were dim light. You can't discern color in darkness, only shades of gray.

Ability Score Increase

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

Age

Shadowborne Kenku have longer lifespans than humans. They reach maturity at about 15 years old and can live to 100.

Alignment

Kenku are chaotic creatures, rarely making enduring commitments, and they care mostly for preserving their own hides. They are generally chaotic neutral in outlook.

Size

Kenku are around 5 feet tall and weigh between 90 and 120 pounds. Your size is Medium.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 25 feet.

Kenku Training

You are proficient in your choice of two of the following skills: Acrobatics, Deception, Stealth, and Sleight of Hand.

Mimicry

You can mimic sounds you have heard, including voices. A creature that hears the sounds you make can tell they are imitations with a successful Wisdom (Insight) check opposed by your Charisma (Deception) check.

Languages

You can read and write Common and Auran.