Homebrew Alari Species Details

Dwelling high in the floating islands above the Wyvernwind Plains, the alari, sometimes called the sky children, evoke amazement and wonder. Alari seldom venture away from their floating cities, making interactions with them few and far between, leading to most of what the groundlocked races of the dragon lands know about them to be mostly hearsay and rumors.

They are often warriors, scouts, artists, craftsmen, and on rare occasions, explorers and adventurers

Wing and Feather

When viewed from below, an alari can sometimes be mistaken for a large bird. Only when they descend to the ground does their humanoid appearance reveal itself. Standing upright, alari can be anywhere between 5 and 6 feet tall, and they have skin tones and physical builds as varied as those of humans.

Feathers cover the entirety of their large wings. Their plumage comes in many colors and patterns. Pure white is the most common, though many alari have plumage similar to raptors such as hawks and eagles. Some even possess plumage similar to that of tropical birds, though this is a rare trait and is seen as a blessing or omen. Some alari also have feathers adorning other parts of their bodies. These extra feathers will grow on their limbs, such as around their ankles and wrists. Alari can also be born with feathers on or around their faces, giving these fair people an even more regal and striking appearance.

 

Children of the Sky

The alari are most at home when they can soar through the sky. They can spend hours in the air, and some of the race's most masterful fliers can even use the power in their wings to create their own updrafts to allow them even longer flights. In battle, they prove dynamic and acrobatic fliers, moving with remarkable speed and grace, diving to lash opponents with weapons or batter and blow them away with their wings before turning and flying away.

Alari are very reluctant to leave their homes in the sky. Most of the alari have never ventured to the world below the clouds, and many, if not most, are content with never setting foot on the earth below. Those who do make it to the world below find it a strange place. Most taverns, inns, and shops don't have the room necessary to allow them to stretch their wings when they start to get stiff and sore from being folded in for long periods, and they find it strange that the architecture of the ground dwellers are similar in that they often have many windows yet don't build them large enough for those with wings to be able to use them as entrances and exists so that they may come and go as they please without having to use their often too small door ways.

Confinement terrifies the alari. To be grounded, trapped, or imprisoned by the cold, unyielding earth is torment few alari can withstand. Even when perched on a high branch or at rest in their floating island homes, they appear alert, with eyes moving and bodies ready to take flight.

 

Noble and Proud

For the alari, appearance is not simply a matter of vanity. Their culture has a deep-seated belief that appearance denotes one's physical fitness and health. With most of their race believing that being uncempt or dirty is a mark of illness or a weak lineage. Because of this alari are very meticulous about making sure they always look their best and will always find time in their day to see to their appearances, whether it's bathing, cleaning their feathers, or maintaining their equipment.

Alari culture, though cut off from the world below, is still rich and vast. Most alari believe that their most ancient ancestors came from the celestial plain and that over many centuries of dwelling in the material plain, they eventually lost their divine sparks. This, however, has not deterred them from building their own marvels high in their floating cities. Firstly, the architecture of the sky children is a marvel to behold. Most of their buildings are built from the most finely carved marble and colored textiles that would make their earth-bound counterparts jealous with envy. The alari also possess many skilled craftsmen and artists among their number. Besides this, all alari also have a deep love and passion for music, which is integral to their storytelling as well as courtship. Many Alari are also great warriors, though violence without reason is deeply frowned upon in their culture, so for one to take the path of a warrior is a journey both of mastering their physical strength and also mastering their own restraint and emotions.

 

In times of need

Alari enjoy peace and solitude. Most of them have little interest in dealing with other people and less interest in spending time on the ground. For this reason, it takes an exceptional circumstance for an alari to leave his or her home and undertake the adventurer’s life. Neither treasure nor glory is enough to lure them from their homes and families; a dire threat to their people, a mission of vengeance, or a catastrophe typically lies at the heart of the alari adventurer’s chosen path.

 

Alari Names

Alari names are similar to those of old Greco-Roman names. Parantage is also part of the makeup of an alari's name, often introducing themselves in a manner such as  ex: "I am Apollo, son of Nicoli, or I am Athena, daughter of Hephaestus." Alari will either introduce themselves as the son or daughter of whoever is the head of their household. For some Alari, this is their father, and for others, it is their mother, as either can be the head of an Alari household.

Examples of Alari names: Artemis, Nicoli, Ambros, Theophilus, Euclid, Nicodemus, Zeno, Alcyone, Asterope, Calaeno, Echo, Erato, Athena

 

 

Alari Traits

As an alari, 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. As a result, playing an alari requires special consideration by your DM.

Ability Score Increase

You may increase one of your stats by 2 and another by 1.

Age

An alari reaches maturity at 18. Compared to humans, Alari live slightly longer, with it being common for elders of their race to reach as old as 120 years.

Alignment

Most alari are good and fall into either lawful, neutral, or chaotic good. Elders, warriors, or leaders typically fall into lawful while citizens fall into neutral. Explorers and adventurers can be any of the three.

Size

Alari are between 5 and 6 feet tall. They have varied builds and body types but typically don't weigh more than 100 to 190 pounds. Your size is Medium.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet.

Flight

You have a flying speed of 40 feet. To use this speed, you can’t be wearing heavy armor.

Wing Gust

A number of times equal to your proficiency bonus, you can use your wings to create a gust of wind that can push enemies medium or smaller back 10 feet. You regain the use of this feature after a long rest.

Languages

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