Homebrew Anato (Duck Kin for Humblebrook 2024) Species Details

Anato feel equally at home in water as they do on land. Though they rarely live in the treetop settlements with other Birdfolk, they also rarely intermingle with the Humblefolk on the ground, preferring instead to keep themselves to mixed settlements that are partly on land and partly on the water. As a result of their relative seclusion, Anato are often confused by outsiders and their customs. While they are not typically afraid of outsiders--unless they shows a propensity for violence--they tend to keep outsiders at arms-lengths, both figuratively and literally, until they have interacted enough times and can understand the outsider's personality, motivations, and foibles. Similarly due to their isolation, Anato have strong bonds with those they consider family, friends, and community, and once an outsider has been accepted by an Anato, other Anato will no longer consider them an outsider and will consider them part of their larger community.

Curiosity Created the Anato

Though they share a common lineage with other Birdfolk, they mostly abandoned the treetop villages millenia ago for the lakes, rivers, and wetlands interspersed throughout the Wood. As a result, while the Anato do still speak Birdfolk, they also have developed their own language--Dakiye--that they predominantly use while only amongst themselves. Dakiye is written in Birdfolk script and is about 60% mutually intelligible with Birdfolk, so someone who speaks Birdfolk but not Dakiye would have a general sense of what is being said in Dakiye, but would not understand the specifics.

Anato lore states that the cause of their separation from Birdfolk was due to their ancestors growing fascination with water and rivers, rather than due to a political dispute. Their curiosity and inquisitive nature--even of outsiders--is unparalleled in the Wood and of great renowned, even among those who've never met an Anato. However, many Birdfolk, especially those who have lived their whole lives in canopy settlements, view the Anato with suspicion, and some--especially the Corvum--consider their departure a great betrayal of their Birdfolk common ancestry.

At Home on the Water

Of all the species in the Wood, the Anato are the best swimmers.They are frequently found swimming or sailing, both recreationally and professionally. They generally have a playful and cheery disposition when among their community, but when around outsiders, they tend the clam up. As a result, they have a reputation for awkwardness among outsiders. However, with those they view as part of their community, Anato will do just about anything to support each other. A common Dakiye phrase often heard among the Anato is "dahum zhechinu," which literally means "to find a creative solution," which reflects their willingness to go above an beyond to help others who are in need of a helping hand.

Slight variations exist within the Anato based on their predominant aquatic habitat. These differences mostly came about as adaptations to each groups unique geography, so Anato of all sizes, shapes, and coloration patterns can be found among each subspecies.

Aigos Anato

Aigos Anato live in marshes and swamps and are known to be extremely resilient to mucky conditions. As a result of their exposure to brackish water from an early age, they develop strong resistance to disease and poison.

Mergarma Anato

Mergarma Anato live in rivers and, as such, are the muscular of all the Anato. A typical Mergarma rite of passage is to swim up river and of a small waterfall, a feat for which young Mergarma Anato excitedly practice. More so than the Aigos or Pango, the Mergarma Anato are known to be competitive, though mostly with themselves rather than with each other.

Pango Anato

Pango Anato live in deep lakes and are the best divers of all the Anato. Often capable of holding their breath for over ten minutes, it's not unheard of for a Pango Anato to be able to hold their breath for upwards of fifteen minutes.

Anato Traits

Creature Type: Humanoid
Size: Small or Medium (about 3 - 5 feet tall)
Speed: 30 feet

Anato (Duck Kin for Humblebrook 2024) Traits

As an Anato, you have these special traits.

Glide

Using your feathered arms, you can slow your fall, and glide short distances. When falling you can use your Reaction to spread your arms, stiffen your wing feathers, and slow your descent. While doing so, you continue to fall gently at a speed of 60 feet per round, taking no fall damage when you land. If you would fall at least 10 feet in this way, you may
fly up to your Speed in one direction you choose, although you cannot choose to move upwards, landing in the space you finish your movement. You can’t Glide while carrying heavy weapons or wielding a shield (though you may drop any held items as part of your Reaction). You can’t Glide while wearing Heavy armor, or if you are encumbered.

Keen Senses

You have proficiency in the Perception or Survival skill.

Inquisitive Nature

You have proficiency in the Insight.

Language of the Air

You understand Auran, though you cannot speak it naturally.

Aquatic Adaptions

Your Anato ancestors settled near either swamps, rivers, or lakes. Over generations, your community developed adaptations to help them succeed in the new surroundings. Choose a lineage from the Aquatic Adaptations table. You gain the two features of that lineage.

Aquatic Lineage

Lineage	Feature 1	Feature 2
Aigos	You have Resistance to Poison damage.	You have Advantage on Constitution saving throws.
Mergarma	You are proficient in the Athletics skill.	You can take the Dash action as a Bonus Action. When you do so, you gain a number of Temporary Hit Points equal to your Proficiency Bonus. You can use this treat a number of times equal to your Proficiency Bonus, and you regain all expended uses when you finish a Short or  Long Rest. You may use this feature while using your Walking or Swimming speed.
Pango	You have resistance to Cold damage.	You have Darkvision out to 60 feet