Homebrew Birdfolk Species Details

TYPICAL PERSONALITIES

Birdfolk are raised to be staunch idealists. They stick up for those animalfolk that are weaker than them and never look away from injustice, no matter the perpetrator. They see themselves as natural leaders among the animalfolk in Valley, ready to risk their feathers for the sake of equity and peace.

Birdfolk are highly concerned with their physical appearance and social status. They preen their feathers and decorate their outfits to express their personal glories and to reflect their heritage. Birdfolk in larger villages will even congregate at specific times, in bath houses called preeneries, to take a break from their work and keep up their appearances. Though birdfolk care about conforming to these traditions, this doesn't mean that there is no room for individual expression. Birdfolk are encouraged to reflect their unique sense of style so long as they maintain a commitment to service and chivalry.

THE PLUMECREED

Among the many birdfolk traditions, the most famous and revered is the Plumecreed, a dangerous flight across Valley to reach The Tip of the World, a perilous mountain where no other animals dare to venture. A birdfolk must plant one of their wing feathers at the peak, a sign of their commitment and perseverance, and weave an ancient spell before leaving. The birdfolk who successfully make the journey are blessed with supernatural speed and agility. They are called Windcrested, a testament to their mastery of flight, and often wear a single dyed feather as plumage atop their head to show off their achievement.

MIDAIR COMBAT

Being gifted with flight changes the way birdfolk fight against Calamity Beasts and other foes. Birdfolk tend to dive from above, either straight down or at sharp angles, carrying a long lance or other polearm. Their attacks are more telegraphed this way but powerful, and multiple birdfolk in combat are difficult to defend against, as they're able to leverage their aerial advantage to cover every angle. Birdfolk weavers can use their flight to quickly save other animalfolk even in difficult terrain. However, birdfolk lack the grounded combat prowess of other animalfolk, so when confined to narrow undergrowth, or when their injuries prevent them from flying, their attacks are clumsy and unpracticed.

THEIR ROLE IN VALLEY

Birdfolk are incredibly collaborative and adventurous. They often form adventuring parties alongside other species, where they declare themselves as leaders and assert themselves through grandiose speeches at the beginning of each day. They prefer to take the role of inspiring healers, knightly frontliners, or aerial scouts. Birdfolk make up most of the messengers in Valley, as their flight capabilities allow them to easily avoid ground obstacles and cover long distances. Messenger birds take pride in their work, knowing that communication between Valley's communities depends on their efforts.

Their confidence leads them to find roles as project leaders and diplomats. While they love collaboration, birdfolk enjoy having the final say on issues, often adding to the conversation with long-winded diatribes. While birdfolk remain committed to the larger community that they join, their flair for glory sometimes puts them at odds with other species. A birdfolk might become fixated on accomplishing a task a certain way, to the detriment of their team, convinced that the way things are done is just as important as the result.

RELATIONSHIPS

Birdfolk get along famously with mousefolk, as both are highly adventurous and glory-seeking. Though mousefolk are sometimes brash and reckless, birdfolk can see the burning ideals that motivate their actions and are happy to have a companion who will always be at their side. Frogfolk are culturally more cautious than birdfolk, and their penchant for pessimism, along with their logical, detached attitudes, runs counter to the idealism that drives most birdfolk deeds.

WEAVING

Birdfolk magic is primarily for aiding and supporting their allies on adventures. Birdfolk learn magic early on in their lives, typically taught by an elder that they purposefully seek out to learn from. Alongside their academic teachings comes an ethical framework, The Wingbeat Way, which instills a lifelong commitment to use their magic for the common good.

STRUCTURES AND SETTLEMENTS

Birdfolk houses are known as Perches. Typically, they are found either high up in trees or on stilts that rise high above the grass, providing good sightlines onto the world below. A home is often passed around between many different birdfolk and their doors are left open to provide immediate shelter for any animalfolk in danger.

Birdfolk Traits

The skies of Valley are home to flocks of birdfolk who are as diverse in coloration as they are in personality. Birdfolk help connect the animalfolk to one another, carrying mail, delivering aid, and even transporting other animals across Valley. At their best, birdfolk are chivalrous, stalwart, and selfless. At their worst, birdfolk are self-important, stubborn, and patronizing.

Ability Score Increase

You can increase one stat by 2 and one other stat by 1 or three stats by 1

Alignment

Most Birdfolk are good and almost always 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

 Your size is Small or Medium.

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.

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 1d6 + your Strength modifier, instead of the bludgeoning damage normal for an unarmed strike.

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Common and birdfolk and one more language of your choice