Homebrew Avityr (Revised) Species Details

Along the forest floor, an avityr darts through the trees, quickly losing the pursuit of a dangerous predator. Searching for shelter, they sense a storm coming as the cool breeze blows steadily past. Though the deadly foe had gone, a new problem had arisen- however, the avityr knew quite well that they could outrun it. For once, they weren't filled with fear.

These creatures can be agile scouts, navigators, and nature experts, with sharp memory and survival knowledge.

Wingless Avian

Avityrs would seem human if they didn't have avian features from the waist down. Their bird-like legs and tail feathers correlate to the colors and patterns of their woodland relatives. The similarities don't stop there- their skin often bares markings that resemble the same feathered creature, and at least one such feather sticks out from their hair.

All avityrs have skin tones that match the human variation. Their eyes can be orange, blue, green, silver, or gold in color, with slit pupils. Sometimes, however, they can have completely black eyes. Avityr hair generally matches the color of their avian features. Other physical traits of theirs include having four fingers instead of five, as well as long, pointed ears.

Feathered Behavior

Avityrs still have the instinct to take flight, despite having no wings. This makes them anxious due to their lack of an easy escape route, and gives them constant paranoia. If they sense any potential threat, they'll run or jump away as fast as they can. Given their adaption to their flightless situation, they are very speedy and are always on the lookout for danger.

When in more neutral environments, they typically will hop instead of walk, sometimes slightly bobbing their heads. Other bird-like traits they exhibit include twitching their arms as if attempting to fly when nervous, or picking through their feathers.

Feral Ingenuity

Living in the wild has allowed avityrs to be accustomed to the ways of survival. They know how to identify animal tracks, run through clustered terrain, and avoid getting lost. Beyond that, they are instinctually in tune with their surroundings so as to make sure they aren't in danger at all times. When they get into the zone for adapting to the wild, their anxious nature almost sheds completely due to their intense focus.

If an avityr has learned to survive excellently in the wild, with rare predatory dangers, their skittishness may slightly fade as they become comfortable with the setting.

Isolation

Their antsy behavior makes avityrs constantly improve their home safety, whether it's a cave, burrow, or in a tree (if they can get over their fear of falling). This concentration on always being prepared and secure gets in the way of their interactions with other intelligent life forms. Years of inexperience in conversations can make it difficult for them to communicate or pick up on social cues. It is also due to their paranoia that it can be a challenge for them to trust others, though they tend to be more trusting of other avityrs.

Despite their seemingly crippling fears, they are very independent and rarely live in permanent groups. Thusly, they do not often ask for favors from others, should they come into contact with anyone. They also have more time alone, allowing them to feel more comfortable with their thoughts. On rare occasions, they can instinctually tell if a natural disaster will occur minutes before it does, though it is often too late to escape.

CIVILIAN AVITYRS

Some avityrs decide to flee to towns and villages, thinking that they would be safer. However, they clearly struggle with the amount of people in one area, as well as the constant noise. Typically, craftwork such as weaving and wood carving are beneficial due to being quiet and focused exercises. Literary hobbies hold similar results as well, with a comparable environment.

 Weapon, armor, and healing shops are often their go-to places so that they can stock up on things they might need to defend themselves.

If avityrs don't have enough money to by these safeguards, they are tempted to steal the items. Avityr nervousness often overrides their sense of morality/

 

Unlikely Pursuit

Due to their fearful nature, avityrs are unlikely to seek out adventure. On such an occasion, it will probably be due to their desire for safety amongst tough or clever individuals who could protect them. Being safe is their biggest priority, so use that as a base idea to come up with a good reason. Why is staying alone unsafe? Why is an adventuring party the safest solution?

Avityr Names

Avityrs have relatively simple names, often choosing words that involve their environment. Nature or natural events are usually used as titles, and no gender-specific names have been created.

An avityr of either gender may have one of these names: Moon, Leaf, Sap, Creek, Cave, Earthquake, Cricket, Shadow, Wolf

AVITYR BACKGROUNDS

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

It is because of their drive for a new home that avityrs often travel large distances and see many things in their lifetime.

Avityr (Revised) Traits

Avityrs have the souls of free birds within them. This shines through due to various traits they show.

Ability Score Increase

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

Age

Avityrs reach maturity at the same rate as humans, though usually live to 100-150 years old.

Size

Avityrs are about 4 feet tall. They have small, lightweight bodies that weigh between 80 and 100 pounds. Your size is Small.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 45 feet.

Shift in Weather

You can sense the presence of a rainstorm/snowstorm up to 30 minutes before it occurs.

Feral Ingenuity

Due to your instincts, you are proficient in survival checks.

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Common.