Homebrew Yespari Kenku Species Details
"And you will be my Chosen..."
Once haunted by an ancient crime that robbed them of their wings, the kenku have been freed from their terrible curse under great sacrifice- the loss of their newfound godling; Yespar.
Freedom of Flight
All Kenku have dreams of flight, and only a select few before the death of Yespar had achieved the brief gift of such- until now. With all limitations lifted, the Kenku can now soar among the clouds speaking their sweet bird song. Their speech freed as well due to his sacrifice, most Kenku have begun to call the incident the Ascendance. Many have now begun to wonder what had happened to their god, and may seek after great magics to find and return him home.
Kenku Adventurers
Kenku adventurers are usually the survivors of a flock that has sustained heavy losses, or a rare kenku who has grown weary of a life of crime. These kenku are more ambitious and daring than their fellows. Others strike out on their own in search of the secrets of flight, to master magic, or to uncover the secret of their curse and find a method to break it.
Kenku adventurers, despite their relative independence, still have a tendency to seek out a companion to emulate and follow. A kenku loves to mimic the voice and words of its chosen companion.
ROLEPLAYING A KENKU
If you’re playing a kenku, constant attempts to mimic noises can come across as confusing or irritating rather than entertaining. You can just as easily describe the sounds your character makes and what they mean. Be clear about your character’s intentions unless you’re deliberately aiming for inscrutable or mysterious.
You might say, “Snapper makes the noise of a hammer slowly and rhythmically tapping a stone to show how bored he is. He plays with his dagger and studies the Lords’ Alliance agent sitting at the bar.” Creating a vocabulary of noises for the other players to decode might sound like fun, but it can prove distracting and could slow down the game.
Kenku Names
Given that kenku can duplicate any sound, their names are drawn from a staggering variety of noises and phrases. Kenku names tend to break down into three categories that make no distinction between male and female names.
Kenku thugs, warriors, and toughs adopt noises made by weapons, such as the clang of a mace against armor or the sound made by a breaking bone. Non-kenku refer to the kenku by describing this noise. Examples of this type of name include Smasher, Clanger, Slicer, and Basher.
Kenku thieves, con artists, and burglars adopt animal noises, typically those common in urban settings. In this manner, kenku can call out to each other while those who overhear them mistake them for common animals. Non-kenku use names that refer to the sound made or the animal a kenku mimics, such as Rat Scratch, Whistler, Mouser, and Growler.
Some kenku turn their back on crime to pursue legitimate trades. These kenku adopt noises made as part of their craft. A sailor duplicates the sound of a fluttering sail, while a smith mimics the clanging of a hammer on metal. Non-kenku describe these folk by their trade sounds, such as Sail Snap, Hammerer, and Cutter.
Yespari Kenku Traits
Your kenku character has the following racial traits.Ability Score Increase
Your Dexterity or Charisma score increases by 2, and your Wisdom or Constitution score increases by 1.
Age
Kenku have shorter lifespans than humans. They reach maturity at about 12 years old and can live to 60.
Alignment
Kenku are chaotic creatures, rarely making enduring commitments, and they care mostly for preserving their own hides. They are generally chaotic 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.
Expert Forgery
You can duplicate other creatures’ handwriting and craftwork. You have advantage on all checks made to produce forgeries or duplicates of existing objects.
Flight
You have a flying speed of 35 feet. To use this speed, you can’t be wearing medium or heavy armor or any armor you are not considered to be proficient with. Since your wings are connected to your arms and not your back, you must have at least one hand free to be able to fly. While flying if you are hit by an attack requiring an attack roll, you must succeed on a DC 10 Concentration check or fall prone- taking any fall damage if applicable.
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 read and write Common and Auran, but you can speak only by using your Mimicry trait.
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