Homebrew Widzean Aarakocra Species Details

Aarakocra are primarily found in the high peaks surrounding the Ugrycz, soaring above the trees of the Verdsuniral, and swimming beneath the ice of the Deep Blue. They are a peculiar people, little known to the world as a whole, but they are slowly finding their place among the increasingly connected societies of Widze.

Beak and Feather

Aarakocra resemble the birds indigenous to the region they're from, and often consider those birds sacred. All aarakocra have beaks and feathers, and the Ugryczean aarakocra also sport sharp talons excellent for rending flesh. A crouching aarakocra at a distance is difficult to distinguish from the bird it most resembles, something that they take advantage of when stalking their prey.

Their striking appearances draw attention anywhere they go - which some have used to their advantage. There are many tales of traveling aarakocra bards who share stories from thousands of miles away.

Hatched with Purpose

Aarakocra are curious people - and that curiosity typically overcomes the completely understandable caution many of them face the outer world with. Their creation myth involves the Era of Dark Sky, a time several thousand years ago when the planet was cold, the sky was dark, and the clouds rained ash: they believe that Kishkedee, the winged goddess, flapped her wings and dispelled the darkness long enough for their incubating ancestors to develop the intelligence necessary to survive in the darkened world, and that not investigating everything new to them is an insult to that gift.

Avian Mannerisms

Aarakocra are typically fastidious about their plumage, and many have made bathing an important cultural ritual. Bathing ponds in the Verdsuniral are sought-after tourist destinations, much to the amusement of the native aarakocra. Left to their own devices, they speak Auran, a language of clicks and trills that can not be replicated by non-aarakocra peoples.

Homelands

Most aarakocra live in three regions of the planet - the Ugrycz, throughout the peaks surrounding the massive lake, the Verdsuniral, among the boughs of the gargantuan trees, and in the Deep Blue - the frozen icecap to the far south. Each of these groups have evolved to suit their environment, and thus have different subraces.

Aarakocra who leave these areas may have difficulty adapting to their surroundings - the rare Verdunsiral aarakocra who makes their way to the neighboring savannah not realizing the dangers of the dry air, a Deep Blue aarakocra moving north to see more of the world and being unused to the heat. The specific way that these peoples fit into their environments makes them unlikely to leave it - but those who do have found great fame and fortune.

AARAKOCRA IN WIDZE

The peaks surrounding the Ugrycz are home to several societies of eagle-like aarakocra, who have sharp talons and vicious beaks. These aarakocra were historically hunted by the goliath warlords of the region, who believed that by stealing an aarakocra's wings, they would be granted the gift of flight. As a result, these aarakocra have built their towns in difficult to access crannies and high-elevation plateaus, and go out of their way to make them as hard to get to as possible. They have only recently been more open to relations with the neighboring societies, still wary of being turned on.

In the West of the southern continent of Krajebliz lies a massive, old-growth rainforest known as the Verdsuniral. Flying from tree to tree in the emergent layer are beautiful tropical birds - and the aarakocra that resemble them. Known for their bright plumage and elaborate dances, they are more tricksters and pranksters than hunters like their Ugryczean cousins to the East. They are friendly with the gnomes and elves who also occupy the region, and will team up with them to defend it against industrialists or anyone else with ill-intentions.

In the deep South, amongst the frozen glacial wasteland of the Deep Blue, there are several dozen flocks of squat, flightless aarakocra. These aarakocra are prolific swimmers and can withstand even the coldest temperatures, and have worked out ice sculpting to build shelters - of all the Widzean aarakocra, their architecture most resembles that of other humanoid races. They can hold their breaths for incredibly long periods, and are wary of but friendly to the rare traveler who makes their way far enough south to meet them. The more coastal flocks are friendly with the nearby tritons of the Nuktitati Domain.

Birds' Eye View

Aarakocra who are curious enough to leave the nest often find themselves eager to drink in everything the world around them has to offer. Their curiosity drives them to keep moving, to see everything there is to see, and when they return home they'll regale their clutchmates and family with the tales of their discoveries. That initial curiosity, though, must be fostered - it's difficult for an aarakocra to leave their home and the people they are familiar with, and their territories are vast enough that most aarakocra are perfectly happy to stay near the nest their whole lives.

Aarakocra who are forced into a life of adventuring are frequently bitter about this, but eventually come to see a great purpose in their exploration.

Aarakocra Names

Aarakocra typically take two names - one that can only be spoken by their family, comprised of clicks, trills, and even feather flourishes, and another for use with outsiders. That name typically resembles the culture of the area, though they may not realize that a word in Common isn't meant as a name - leading many aarakocra to have names like Book, Stew, House, or Soup.

AARAKOCRA BACKGROUNDS

Backgrounds that are most appropriate for aarakocra include the outlander, the hermit, and the far traveler.

Aarakocra will be recognized as outsiders almost everywhere they go, and are careful stewards of their territories. They are sought after as guides by those brave enough to ask.

 

Widzean Aarakocra Traits

As an aarakocra, you have certain traits in common with your people.

Ability Score Increase

Your Dexterity 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.

Languages

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