Homebrew Aaronin Species Details

Prides of these nomadic, griffon-like humanoids rarely interact with other peoples, they are a proud people and feel rather territorial of any place they can call home. They particularly enjoy high cliffs that overlook wide open plains.

Still, some Aaronin wonder what lies beyond their mountains and seek to test themselves in a wider world.

Noble and Fierce

Aaronin tend to be tall compared to humans and move with a boldness that suggests their physical might. Tawny fur covers Aaronin bodies, and some grow thick manes ranging in shades from gold to black. While their hands prove as nimble as those of other humanoids, Aaronin have retractable feline claws, which they can extend instantly. This, along with their ability to produce bone-shaking roars, gives most Aaronin an air that readily shifts between regal and fearsome. Aaronin often act with confidence, which can come off as imperiousness. While this can reassure their allies, it can also suggest defiance in the face of what they perceive as imposed authority or unworthy experts.

Quick to Quarrel

Other peoples often perceive Aaronin as quick to take offense, intolerant of criticism, or belligerent. The truth is that many Aaronin simply enjoy fighting, whether verbal or physical. They take pleasure in argument, wrestling, sparring, and even battle, enjoying the opportunity to exercise their minds and bodies. It follows, too, that Aaronin aren’t inclined to carry grudges. A warrior might react with sudden violence to an insult, but when the fight is over (and the Aaronin superiority proven), the insult is forgotten—along with the vanquished foe. Though, they aren't afraid to take their fights to the sky either.

Beak and Feather

From below, Aaronin look much like large birds. Only when they descend to roost on a branch or walk across the ground does their humanoid appearance reveal itself. Standing upright, Aaronin might reach 5 feet tall, and they have long, narrow legs that taper to sharp talons.

Feathers cover their bodies. Their plumage typically denotes membership in a tribe. Males are brightly colored, with feathers of red, orange, or yellow. Females have more subdued colors, usually brown or gray. Their heads complete the avian appearance, being something like a parrot or eagle with distinct tribal variations.

Avian Mannerisms

The resemblance of Aaronin to birds isn’t limited to physical features. Aaronin display many of the same mannerisms as ordinary birds. They are fastidious about their plumage, frequently tending their feathers, cleaning and scratching away any tiny passengers they might have picked up. When they deign to descend from the sky, they often do so near pools where they can catch fish and bathe themselves.

Many Aaronin punctuate their speech with chirps, sounds they use to convey emphasis and to shade meaning, much as a human might through facial expressions and gestures. An Aaronin might become frustrated with people who fail to pick up on the nuances; an Aaronin threat might be taken as a jest and vice versa.

 

Aaronin Names

Aaronin tend to use names from either their Aarokocra heritage or their Leonin heritage.

Along with their personal names, leonin identify themselves by their pride. A member of the Flintclaw pride with the personal name of Ziore, for example, would likely style herself as Ziore of the Flintclaw.

Female Names: Aletha, Atagone, Demne, Doxia, Ecate, Eriz, Gragonde, Iadma, Koila, Oramne, Seza, Ziore

Male Names: Apto, Athoz, Baragon, Bryguz, Eremoz, Gorioz, Grexes, Oriz, Pyxathor, Teoz, Xemnon, Xior

Pride Names: Embereye, Flintclaw, Goldenfield, Ironmane, Starfeller, Sunguides

As with much of their speech, aarakocra names include clicks, trills, and whistles to the point that other peoples have a difficult time pronouncing them. Typically, a name has two to four syllables with the sounds acting as connectors. When interacting with other races, aarakocra may use nicknames gained from people they meet or shortened forms of their full names.

An aarakocra of either gender may have one of these short names: Aera, Aial, Aur, Deekek, Errk, Heehk, Ikki, Kleeck, Oorr, Ouss, Quaf, Quierk, Salleek, Urreek, or Zeed. 

Aaronin Traits

Your Aaronin character has the following racial traits.

Ability Score Increase

You gain a + 2 in either your Dexterity score or your Constitution score and a + 1 in either your Strength score or your Wisdom score.

Age

Leonin mature and age at about the same rate as humans.

Alignment

Aaronin tend toward good alignments. Aaronin who are focused on the pride/tribe lean toward lawful good.

Size

Leonin are typically over 6 feet tall, with some standing over 7 feet. Your size is Medium.

Here’s how to determine your height and weight randomly, starting with rolling a size modifier:

Size modifier = 2d10

Height = 5 feet + 6 inches + your size modifier in inches

Weight in pounds = 180 + (2d6 × your size modifier)

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet and you have a flying speed of 40 feet (when not wearing medium or heavy armor)

Darkvision

You can see in dim light within 60 feet of you as if it were bright light and in darkness as if it were dim light. You can’t discern color in darkness, only shades of gray.

Claws and Talons

Your claws and talons are natural weapons, which you can use to make unarmed strikes. If you hit with them, you can deal slashing damage equal to 1d4 + your Strength modifier, instead of the bludgeoning damage normal for an unarmed strike. Your hands have claws and your feet have talons. 

Languages

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