Homebrew FF Birdfolk (Underland) Species Details

𝓕𝓾𝓻𝓻𝓸𝔀𝓯𝓸𝓵𝓴 — 𝓑𝓲𝓻𝓭𝓯𝓸𝓵𝓴

"𝓑𝓮𝓪𝓴 𝓪𝓷𝓭 𝓕𝓮𝓪𝓽𝓱𝓮𝓻"

𝓘𝓷𝓽𝓻𝓸𝓭𝓾𝓬𝓽𝓸𝓻𝔂 𝓟𝓪𝓻𝓪𝓰𝓻𝓪𝓹𝓱

Birdfolk are among the most recognizable Furrowfolk in Underland.

From a distance, they might be mistaken for enormous birds perched upon a branch, rooftop, clocktower, or chimney. Up close, however, their humanoid posture becomes apparent. Most stand upright on two powerful legs, with wings extending from their backs and taloned feet adapted for both perching and combat.

Birdfolk come in an enormous variety of shapes and colors.

Some possess the hooked beak and broad wings of an eagle. Others resemble ravens, owls, hawks, parrots, cranes, swans, crows, hummingbirds, vultures, falcons, or creatures that have no proper name.

There are even stories of Birdfolk with feathers made of moonlight, feathers that change color with their emotions, and one particularly argumentative family whose feathers reportedly spell insults when they are annoyed.

Nobody has successfully proven that story false.

Birdfolk are natural travelers and observers. From the sky, they see Underland differently than those who walk beneath them. A road becomes a line. A forest becomes a sea of green. A kingdom becomes a collection of rooftops and towers.

And sometimes, something hidden on the ground becomes very obvious from above.

𝓟𝓱𝔂𝓼𝓲𝓬𝓪𝓵 𝓓𝓮𝓼𝓬𝓻𝓲𝓹𝓽𝓲𝓸𝓷

Birdfolk vary dramatically depending on their avian lineage.

Most possess:

A humanoid torso and arms
A birdlike head with a beak
Two powerful legs ending in talons
Large wings extending from their back
Feathers covering most or all of their body
Sharp eyesight
Lightweight, hollow bones
A tail that may assist with balance and flight

Their feathers can be nearly any color.

Some Birdfolk have natural plumage in browns, grays, blacks, whites, and earthy tones. Others display brilliant reds, blues, greens, yellows, oranges, pinks, or purples.

Underland has no shortage of unusual plumage.

A Birdfolk's coloration may indicate family, lineage, region, or personal identity, though there is no universal system.

𝓑𝓲𝓻𝓭 𝓛𝓲𝓷𝓮𝓪𝓰𝓮𝓼

Birdfolk may choose or roll for an avian lineage.

d12	Lineage
1	Eagle
2	Hawk
3	Falcon
4	Owl
5	Raven
6	Crow
7	Parrot
8	Swan
9	Crane
10	Vulture
11	Hummingbird
12	Strange Underland Bird

The final category includes Birdfolk descended from creatures such as moonbirds, clockwork birds, rainbow-feathered birds, dreambirds, or other creatures that simply shouldn't exist.

Naturally, Underland has several.

𝓐𝓿𝓲𝓪𝓷 𝓜𝓪𝓷𝓷𝓮𝓻𝓲𝓼𝓶𝓼

Birdfolk retain many behaviors inherited from their avian ancestry.

They may:

Preen their feathers when nervous
Tilt their heads when confused
Peck objects they find interesting
Collect shiny objects
Perch on furniture rather than sit normally
Sleep in unusual positions
Become fascinated by moving objects
Chirp, trill, whistle, click, or croak during conversation
Become intensely alert when they hear unfamiliar sounds
Spread their wings when startled or angry
Groom friends and family members
Become territorial about particularly comfortable perches

Some Birdfolk unconsciously fluff their feathers when embarrassed.

Others puff up when angry.

A few have discovered that doing either during an argument makes them significantly more intimidating.

𝓐𝓽𝓽𝓲𝓽𝓾𝓭𝓮𝓼 𝓪𝓷𝓭 𝓟𝓱𝓲𝓵𝓸𝓼𝓸𝓹𝓱𝓲𝓮𝓼

Birdfolk value freedom, movement, curiosity, and perspective.

They dislike being trapped, confined, or forced into rigid routines.

Many Birdfolk believe that problems look different from above.

This philosophy has led to an unfortunate number of Birdfolk solving complicated diplomatic disputes by flying onto a roof and shouting their opinions down at everyone.

They tend to be observant and quick to notice small details.

Birdfolk may also struggle with concepts that seem obvious to ground-dwelling peoples.

Why walk somewhere when you can fly?

Why own a field?

Why build a house without a roof?

Why are you keeping your treasure in a box?

Why can't they take the shiny thing?

Who decided the ground belongs to anyone?

These questions are not always philosophical.

Sometimes the Birdfolk has already taken the shiny thing.

𝓒𝓾𝓵𝓽𝓾𝓻𝓮

Birdfolk communities are commonly built upward rather than outward.

Aerie settlements may be constructed in:

Mountain cliffs
Giant trees
Towering ruins
Clocktowers
Abandoned castles
High bridges
Floating islands
Giant mushrooms
Ancient ruins
The upper levels of cities

Homes often have open windows, balconies, rooftop gardens, nesting chambers, and multiple entrances.

Doors are optional.

Roofs are frequently considered suggestions.

𝓐𝓮𝓻𝓲𝓮𝓼

Birdfolk often organize themselves into extended families or aeries.

An aerie may contain several families living together, sharing food, stories, responsibilities, and nesting grounds.

The eldest or most experienced member may serve as an Aerie Keeper, though leadership is generally informal.

Birdfolk respect individuals who demonstrate wisdom, courage, knowledge of the skies, or exceptional skill.

𝓕𝓮𝓪𝓽𝓱𝓮𝓻 𝓑𝓸𝓷𝓭𝓼

Giving someone a feather is an intimate gesture.

A feather may represent:

Friendship
Gratitude
Family
A promise
Mourning
Protection
Romance
Respect

Some Birdfolk keep collections of feathers gifted to them throughout their lives.

Others weave important feathers into jewelry, clothing, weapons, or ceremonial decorations.

𝓣𝓱𝓮 𝓢𝓱𝓲𝓷𝔂 𝓣𝓱𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝓟𝓻𝓸𝓫𝓵𝓮𝓶

Birdfolk have a cultural fascination with beautiful, reflective, or unusual objects.

Coins.

Jewelry.

Glass.

Gems.

Buttons.

Mirrors.

Keys.

Polished gears.

Teacup handles.

Someone's incredibly expensive crown.

This fascination isn't necessarily greed.

Birdfolk often collect beautiful objects simply because they are beautiful.

A Birdfolk might steal a jeweled necklace and then leave it sitting on a rock for three years because it looks pretty in the sunlight.

Many Birdfolk eventually learn that other races consider this behavior rude.

They do not always agree.

𝓛𝓪𝓷𝓰𝓾𝓪𝓰𝓮𝓼

Birdfolk commonly speak Common and may learn Undercommon depending on where they live.

Their speech is frequently accompanied by whistles, chirps, clicks, trills, and other avian sounds.

Some Birdfolk use these sounds as a second layer of communication.

A single sentence can have an entirely different meaning depending on the accompanying chirp.

Other races rarely understand this.

Birdfolk find this deeply amusing.

𝓗𝓸𝓶𝓮𝓼 𝓪𝓷𝓭 𝓗𝓪𝓫𝓲𝓽𝓪𝓽𝓼

Birdfolk are most comfortable in places where they can fly freely.

𝓦𝓲𝓽𝔃𝓮𝓷𝓭

Witzend is home to many wandering Birdfolk, particularly those who prefer wild forests, cliffs, and open skies.

𝓢𝓽𝔂𝓵𝓪𝓻𝓪

Stylara's military culture attracts many Birdfolk who serve as scouts, aerial messengers, archers, and reconnaissance specialists.

𝓣𝓱𝓮 𝓖𝓪𝓻𝓭𝓮𝓷𝓼

Birdfolk living in the Gardens often build their homes among enormous trees and flowering plants.

They are particularly common among messenger communities and traveling performers.

𝓣𝓱𝓮 𝓜𝓸𝓾𝓷𝓽𝓪𝓲𝓷𝓼

Mountain Birdfolk tend to build enormous cliffside aeries.

Some are old enough that nobody remembers who originally constructed them.

𝓡𝓮𝓵𝓪𝓽𝓲𝓸𝓷𝓼𝓱𝓲𝓹𝓼 𝔀𝓲𝓽𝓱 𝓞𝓽𝓱𝓮𝓻 𝓡𝓪𝓬𝓮𝓼

𝓕𝓾𝓻𝓻𝓸𝔀𝓯𝓸𝓵𝓴

Birdfolk generally consider the other Furrowfolk their extended family.

They may tease Groundbound Furrowfolk for their inability to fly.

Groundbound Furrowfolk may tease them for their inability to resist stealing shiny spoons.

Neither side usually takes the argument seriously.

𝓒𝓪𝓻𝓭𝓼𝓶𝓮𝓷

Birdfolk find Cardsmen fascinating.

The suits, colors, strange magic, and elaborate clothing provide endless entertainment.

Jokers are particularly popular among Birdfolk.

This is rarely a good sign.

𝓒𝓱𝓮𝓼𝓱𝓲𝓻𝓮

Birdfolk and Cheshire often understand each other unusually well.

Both appreciate disappearing, appearing somewhere unexpected, and watching other people become confused.

Birdfolk have also discovered that Cheshire make excellent companions for aerial games of hide-and-seek.

𝓦𝓪𝓻𝓯𝓸𝓻𝓰𝓮𝓭

Birdfolk are fascinated by Clockwork construction.

Some have been known to spend hours perched on a Warforged's shoulder asking increasingly strange questions about gears.

𝓕𝓪𝓮

Birdfolk respect the Fae's connection to promises and names, but remain suspicious of bargains.

A Birdfolk's general rule:

"Never make a promise while standing near a mushroom."

Nobody remembers who started saying it.

𝓘𝓶𝓹𝓼

Birdfolk and Imps often get along surprisingly well.

Both tend toward curiosity, cleverness, and a willingness to investigate things that sensible people leave alone.

𝓜𝓪𝓰𝓲𝓬 𝓪𝓷𝓭 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓤𝓷𝓾𝓼𝓾𝓪𝓵

Some Birdfolk possess an unusual affinity for wind, weather, dreams, and sound.

Their magic may manifest through:

Whistling
Feather charms
Wind chimes
Singing
Stormcalling
Dream messages
Echoes
Illusions carried on the wind

Underland Birdfolk sometimes claim that the wind remembers everything it touches.

Whether this is true is uncertain.

Some people insist the wind has whispered secrets to them.

Others insist the wind is simply a very convincing liar.

𝓣𝓱𝓮 𝓑𝓻𝓮𝓪𝓴𝓲𝓷𝓰

When the Breaking occurred, Birdfolk were among the first Furrowfolk to realize something was wrong.

From above, they watched the Ink spread.

Black rivers appeared across the landscape.

Forests became stained.

Villages disappeared.

Ink creatures moved through the countryside like living stains.

And the sky itself began behaving strangely.

Birdfolk reported seeing clouds that moved against the wind.

Storms that remained perfectly still.

Birds that flew upward and never came back down.

Some aeries were abandoned entirely.

Others became watchposts.

Birdfolk became valuable messengers during the early days of the Breaking, using their ability to travel above roads and Ink-infested ground.

Unfortunately, the Ink eventually learned to look upward.

𝓣𝓱𝓮 𝓘𝓷𝓴

Ink affects Birdfolk in particularly unsettling ways.

Because feathers are so closely tied to their identity, Ink corruption often begins in the plumage.

Common signs include:

Feathers dripping black ink
Wings leaving ink trails through the air
Feathers moving independently
Eyes becoming completely black
A second set of eyes appearing beneath the first
Feathers whispering when nobody is speaking
Talons leaving black footprints
Shadows taking the shape of birds
Feathers changing color when nobody is watching
Reflections showing the Birdfolk with different plumage

Some Ink-Touched Birdfolk develop a strange condition called The Falling Sky.

They experience dreams in which the sky is beneath them.

They awaken believing they are falling upward.

Some never recover from it.

Others claim that the dreams are actually showing them something important.

𝓣𝓱𝓮 𝓦𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝓢𝓱𝓪𝓭𝓸𝔀

A particularly rare form of Ink corruption is known as the Wing Shadow.

A Birdfolk's shadow begins moving independently.

At first, it simply spreads its wings when the Birdfolk does not.

Then it begins looking around.

Eventually, it may fly away.

Birdfolk who lose their Wing Shadow sometimes claim they feel lighter.

Others insist they feel as though something important has been taken from them.

Nobody knows where the shadows go.

𝓕𝓪𝓶𝓸𝓾𝓼 𝓑𝓲𝓻𝓭𝓯𝓸𝓵𝓴

The Feathered Watch

An ancient group of Birdfolk scouts who supposedly patrol the highest places in Underland.

Some claim they can see the entire world from their aerie.

Old Mother Kree

A legendary Birdfolk oracle whose feathers are said to change color whenever someone lies.

She is reportedly very old.

She is also reportedly a terrible gossip.

The Blackwing

A Birdfolk adventurer who disappeared during the Breaking and returned several years later with entirely black feathers.

They refuse to explain where they went.

𝓐𝓭𝓿𝓮𝓷𝓽𝓾𝓻𝓮𝓻𝓼 𝓪𝓷𝓭 𝓞𝓾𝓽𝓼𝓲𝓭𝓮𝓻𝓼

Birdfolk rarely leave their aerie without a reason.

Those who become adventurers usually have something they cannot ignore.

Perhaps their home has fallen to the Ink.

Perhaps something has stolen their family feathers.

Perhaps an ancient storm has begun speaking their name.

Perhaps someone they love disappeared.

Perhaps they found a mysterious feather belonging to a creature that shouldn't exist.

Or perhaps they simply saw something from the sky that nobody else was supposed to see.

A Birdfolk adventurer often becomes the party's scout, messenger, lookout, aerial combatant, or source of unsolicited commentary from whatever rooftop happens to be nearby.

𝓝𝓪𝓶𝓮𝓼

Birdfolk names often contain whistles, clicks, trills, and sounds that are difficult for other peoples to reproduce.

Many use shortened names when interacting with other races.

𝓑𝓲𝓻𝓭𝓯𝓸𝓵𝓴 𝓝𝓪𝓶𝓮𝓼

Aeri, Kree, Tavi, Rook, Kest, Sora, Vey, Cori, Aven, Iri, Kael, Zeph, Orri, Kira, Tekk, Vira, Oori, Ekk, Seli, Rii, Kava, Nyri, Teka, Ossa, Vael, Kori, Ziri.

𝓒𝓸𝓶𝓶𝓸𝓷 𝓝𝓲𝓬𝓴𝓷𝓪𝓶𝓮𝓼

Feather, Talon, Sky, Crow, Sunny, Chirp, Flicker, Wings, Bright Eyes, Whistle, Perch, Rooftop, Storm, Blue, Red, Gold, Shiny, Beak, Highflight, Little Wing.

𝓣𝓲𝓽𝓵𝓮𝓼

Birdfolk sometimes earn titles based on accomplishments:

Stormwing, Highwatch, Feather-Seeker, Skywalker, Cloud-Chaser, Wind-Caller, Blackwing, Sunfeather, Moonwing, The Watchful, Rooftop King, The One Who Fell Upward, The Shiny Collector, The Last Aerie, The Bird Who Saw Too Much.

𝓡𝓪𝓬𝓮 𝓢𝓾𝓶𝓶𝓪𝓻𝔂

Birdfolk are feathered Furrowfolk who embody the freedom and strange beauty of Underland's skies. They are agile, perceptive, curious, and difficult to confine. Their communities rise into cliffs, trees, towers, and clouds, while their culture revolves around family, flight, beautiful things, and the freedom to choose their own direction.

To a Birdfolk, the world looks very different from above.

And sometimes, that's exactly the problem.

**The ground hides things.

The sky reveals them.**

FF Birdfolk (Underland) Traits

Birdfolk possess the instincts, senses, and physical talents of avian creatures while retaining the intelligence and adaptability of humanoids. Their bodies are built for flight, with hollow bones, powerful wings, keen eyesight, and taloned feet. Their feathers often reflect their ancestry, family, region, or even personality. Some Birdfolk resemble familiar birds of the Upperworld, while others possess fantastical plumage found only in Underland. Many Birdfolk also possess an unusual connection to wind and air magic. A strong gust may cause their feathers to rise before anyone else notices the storm. Some claim they can hear approaching weather whispering through their wings. And in Underland, that isn't always superstition.

Ability Score Increase

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

Age

Aarakocra reach maturity by age 3. Compared to humans, aarakocra don’t usually live longer than 30 years.

Alignment

Most aarakocra are good and rarely 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

Aarakocra are about 5 feet tall. They have thin, lightweight bodies that weigh between 80 and 100 pounds. Your size is 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 Auran.

Lineage