Homebrew Redeemed Kenku Species Details

Art by Sophia LaBel

The kenku once served a mysterious, powerful entity on another plane of existence. Some believe they were minions of Grazz’t, while others say that they were scouts and explorers for the Wind Dukes of Aaqa. Whatever the truth, according to legend, the kenku betrayed their master. Unable to resist the lure of a beautiful sparkling treasure, the kenku plotted to steal the item and escape to the Material Plane.

Unfortunately for the kenku, their master discovered their plan before they could enact it. Enraged, the entity imposed three dreadful curses upon them. First, the kenku’s beloved wings withered and fell away from their bodies, leaving them bound to the earth. Second, because their ingenuity and skill had turned toward scheming against their patron, the spark of creativity was torn from their souls. Finally, to ensure that the kenku could never divulge any secrets, their master took away their voices. Once the entity was satisfied that they had been sufficiently punished, the kenku were set loose on the Material Plane.

Since then, the kenku wandered the world. They settle in places that accept them, usually bleak cities that have fallen on hard times and are overrun with crime. That is, until the devastation of the Incendiary Plague.

The Incendiary Plague was a horrible human-specific disease that caused spontaneous combustion. It had somehow, possibly magically, evolved from the dangerous STD known as Fire Beetles. Humans all across Faerûn were dying a horrible flaming death. Eventually, the nonhuman members of the Harpers and the Dawnbringers managed to contain the only infected humans left within the city of Neverwinter before the entire human population was afflicted.

You would think that one of the other prevalent races, such as half-elves or dwarves would have stepped up to handle the situation. But surprisingly, the torch of government was taken up by a small band of kenku, worth a little less than half the kenku population of Neverwinter. They were a political group going by the name The Charitable Flock, that had cast away their tradition of thievery in exchange for becoming valued members of society. They quickly and thoroughly organized the complete quarantine of the Incendiary Plague, and it was gone in a matter of months. For this deed, the members of The Charitable Flock were redeemed by their god, who bestowed upon them the three things that were once taken, returning the kenkus' wings, their creativity, and their voices. In addition, their feathers across their bellies were bleached white as a reminder so that they would never make the same mistake again. Now, the redeemed kenku run most of the government of Neverwinter, as well as a portion of the law enforcement.

Redeemed Kenku Traits

Your redeemed kenku character has the following racial traits.

Ability Score Increase

Your Dexterity, Intelligence, and Wisdom scores increase by 1.

Age

Kenku have shorter lifespans than humans. They reach maturity at about 12 years old and can live to 60.

Alignment

Redeemed kenku are lawful creatures, holding the law of the city they live in as sacred to them, and rarely breaking oaths they make. They are generally lawful neutral in outlook.

Size

Kenku are around 5 feet tall and weigh between 90 and 120 pounds. Your size is Medium.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet.

Flight

You have a flying speed of 45 feet. To use this speed, you can’t be wearing medium or heavy armor.

Mimicry

You can mimic sounds you have heard, including voices. A creature that hears the sounds you make can tell they are imitations with a successful Wisdom (Insight) check opposed by your Charisma (Deception) check.

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Common, Auran, and a third language of your choice.