Homebrew Avian Species Details

The Avian species is the consequences of the mixing of Human and Aarakocra populations in larger towns and cities. These Birdfolk share traits passed down from both of its origins.

Beak and Feather

From below, Avians look much like large birds. Only when they descend to roost on a branch or walk across the ground does their humanoid appearance reveal itself. Standing upright, an Avian might reach 5 feet tall, and they have long, narrow legs that taper to sharp talons. Their feather colors and patterns are often either much brighter or much duller than their fully feathered counterparts.

While their forearms and lower legs are covered in the scale like skin on normal birds legs, and end in talons. The upper arms and legs are covered in feathers, which transition into normal skin around the hips or shoulders, and the rest of their torso and most of their head is human. Avians also have a feathered tail, and two pairs of wings, one pair sprouting out of their lower backs, and the other pair is where their ears would be, how they hear is unknown, but they manage.

Sky Wardens

While Avians are comfortable on the ground, they always feel restricted, only in the air do they feel truly free. They can spend hours in the air, and some go as long as days, locking their wings in place and letting the thermals hold them aloft. In battle, they prove dynamic and acrobatic fliers, moving with remarkable speed and grace, diving to lash opponents with weapons or talons before turning and flying away.

Once airborne, an aarakocra leaves the sky with reluctance. On their native plane, they can fly for days or months, landing only to lay their eggs and feed their young before launching themselves back into the air. Those that make it to a world in the Material Plane find it a strange place. They sometimes forget or ignore vertical distances, and they have nothing but pity for those earthbound people forced to live and toil on the ground.

Avian Mannerisms

The resemblance of Avians to birds isn’t limited to physical features, they display many of the same mannerisms as ordinary birds. They are fastidious about their plumage, frequently tending their feathers, cleaning and scratching away any tiny passengers they might have picked up. When they deign to descend from the sky, they often do so near pools where they can catch fish and bathe themselves.

Many Avians punctuate their speech with chirps, sounds they use to convey emphasis and to shade meaning, much as a human might through facial expressions and gestures. An Avian might become frustrated with people who fail to pick up on the nuances; an Avian's threat might be taken as a jest and vice versa. They often learn this from their Aarakocra relatives, and those who are raised without that connection often do not copy this action.

 

Avians are naturally impulsive, and often press buttons or follow the glint of shiny objects at random, seemingly unable to withhold the impulse.

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

Homelands

 

Most Avian's live in cities or towns that have a mixed population of species, often large collections of their origin species, Human's and Aarakocra's.

Great Purpose

 

Avian's have a natural call to adventure and chaos, and often enjoy the adrenaline rush that comes with it. They love collecting shiny objects, or anything that seems expensive, which is one of the main reasons for their partaking in adventuring parties.

Avian Names

Avian names often are passed down from their origins, or a mix of the two. They often contain the clicking or chirping from the Aarakocra side, while also having the general cadence of the human languages.

Avian Traits

As an Avian, 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 Avian requires special consideration by your DM.

Ability Score Increase

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

Age

Avian reach maturity by age 17. Compared to Humans and Aarakocra, Avians don’t usually live longer than 70 years.

Alignment

Avain's have a wide range of traits that would change this, but most wish best for their community, even if to get that they will engage in a little bit of chaos.

Size

Avian's are about 4 to 5 feet tall. They have thin, lightweight bodies that weigh between 80 and 100 pounds. Your size is Small to 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 1d4 + your Strength modifier, instead of the bludgeoning damage normal for an unarmed strike.

Languages

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