Homebrew Bilikin Shoebill stork Species Details

Bilikins are tall, majestic-looking Aarakocra. After years of slow evolution and physical changes, their most distinctive feature is their large, shoe-shaped bills, which can be up to a foot long. Their feathers are typically shades of gray, white, and black, with bright yellow or blue eyes.

THE BEGINNING

The clan of the Bilikin once resembled regular Aarakocra and were once part of the colony of Aarakocra stationed in the Cloven Mountains. They lived there with other Aarakocra in peace until a medium-sized group of them grew tired of sharing. This group began stealing from other Aarakocra in the colony. Once the colony's leader found out, he banished this group to the marshlands called the Vast Swamp. Within a month of living there, they started to grow angry with other Aarakocra and became bitter towards the colony they once called family and home.

THEIR EVOLUTION

The Bilikin clan adopted this new moniker instead of keeping Aarakocra for two reasons. Firstly, to distance themselves from their old lives, which they can't return to, and secondly, because they are undergoing physical changes. Specifically, their beaks. The beaks of the Bilikin clan no longer look the same. They now appear bigger, bulkier, and stronger. They use their beaks for protection and sometimes to hide valuables inside for a time. However, some Bilikin have learned the hard way that if you hide valuables in your bill for too long, you may find yourself unable to breathe. Thankfully, no lives have been lost this way yet. But their bills weren't the only things evolving. Due to the high swamp waters, the Bilikins started evolving to have stork-like legs that are slick and sleek. They can now move through the swamp water without making much noise. Of course, with a multitude of evolutions, they had to devolve in some aspects. This devolution came from their wings, as they barely used them anymore. Now their wings aren't as strong as they once were.

THE NAMING PROCESS

Just like with everything else of the rest of the Aarakocra race, the Bilikin also abandoned the naming conventions of their old colony. Instead of including clicks, trills, and whistles, names are now taken from the elements. A well-known girl's name is Terra. For boys, the most well-known name is Caspian.

NAMING CEREMONY

Along with the new types of names, there is also a new ceremonial tradition. On the second birthday of a baby Bilikin, the parents take the baby to the middle of their village where the other clan members are waiting. The clan elder then blesses the child, and the parents fly as high as their wings allow (which isn't that high) and shout at the top of their lungs the baby's name. After the ceremony, it is usually followed by a feast where the entire clan gathers to drink, eat, and dance with one another.

A SMALL MISUNDERSTANDING

With significant changes, positive or negative, another change of the opposite reaction is soon to follow. With the banishment of the clan being a neutral outcome (as it was their own choices that caused it), the evolution they experienced was a positive outcome. However, a negative outcome followed when they faced punishment for stealing. One Bilikin left the clan village one night and encountered a group of lizardfolk. He decided to steal some valuables and came across a clutch of eggs, mistaking them for chicken eggs, and headed home to the Bilikin village.

THE WAR

This small misunderstanding of taking the lizardfolk eggs led to a generations-long war between the two clans. Initially, the lizardfolk were winning since they had lived in the vast swamps for years before the Bilikin arrived and knew the landscape well. Victory seemed almost assured. However, after their evolutions finally took shape, the war started to become more balanced. No one has won the war yet, but perhaps given some time, it can be won by either side. Who knows? Maybe all that needs to happen is for the groups to come together and find a peaceful solution.

Bilikin Shoebill stork Traits

As a Bilikin, youll be able to do many powerful things using your beak. Use it wisely

Serrated beak

Instead of a peck, you slash at the air using your beak with such force, speed, and ferocity that you use the wind to cut through the air as a attack. If it lands deal 2d6+4 slashing damage to target. Target must then succeed on a DC 12 constitution saving throw or take 7 (2d6) slashing damage at the beginning of its next turn.

Clatter

As a bonus action, shoebill claps the mandible of its bill together as a display, producing a loud, hollow sound. Creatures of your choice within 10 feet of you that can hear  you must succeed on a wisdom saving throw or become frightened of you until the end of your next turn. The DC of the save equals 8 + your proficiency bonus + your constitution  modifier. Once you use this trait, you can't use it again until you finish a short or long rest.

Bilikin beak

You are proficient with your break. It can be used to make unarmed strikes. If you hit with it, you deal piercing damage equal to 2d8 + your strength modifier. 

Keen eyesight

You have advantage on Wisdom (perception) checks that rely on sight

Ability Score Increase

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

Age

Bilikin reach maturity by age 4. Compared to humans, bilikin don’t usually live longer than 38 years.

Alignment

Bilikin tend to be neutral, valuing their own independence and survival above all else. But most of the bilikin clan tend to stray to chaotic neutral and steal valuables and goods but never harming or killing others unless necessary or they're innocent. Even thieves need a code.

Size

Bilikin are taller than normal Aarokocra. Standing at 7 feet tall with long legs and a sturdy build.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 44 feet.

Flight

You have a flying speed of 25 feet. To use this speed, you can’t be wearing medium or heavy armor.

Languages

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