Homebrew Takara Species Details

 

Takara mature at the same rate of Aarakocra but live at times more than 90 years. Time spent in the mountains has made them live longer either by their lifestyle, the elevation, or some other mystic force.   

-Warren Gilwood, Starfall College Candidate

 

Distant Cousins

The Takara are descended from the Aarakocra, although they no longer share many similarities other than their language and ability to fly. Long ago these “Owl Aarakocra” (so named for their visual appearance) splintered off from the majority of their kin, seeking a life of thought and solitude high in the mountains to study the histories of the world. The years passed, and the Takara became entirely different creatures. Their beaks slimmed down, their claws dulled, and their wings broadened. They are taller than their Aarakocra cousins and live far longer. 

A Terrible Thing to Waste

The Takara value knowledge above all things. To a Takara, the mind is more powerful than any weapon in existence. Spending their days researching the wonders of the world, they often become obsessed with one race or another. They will watch silently from above on their whisper quiet wings, spending years watching a civilization evolve. Their obsession is not for nothing however, they watch intently studying the race’s language, history, and common professions. Once a Takara is finished studying everything there is to know about their obsession they will simply find a new one, creating an endless cycle of discovery and obsession.

Takara have adapted well to a life of solitude, finding ways to never be seen and to observe the world in great detail. Excellent vision has become a hallmark of the Takara race giving them the ability to study creatures with out going near them. They use this ability not only to spy on the race they obsess over but also to hunt for food which may either be small animals or fish as they break the surface for air. Though they do posses sharp claws they rarely use them for attack other than to hunt.

Fight or Flight

Most Takara try to avoid conflict, preferring to be a neutral force in the world. Observation is key and staying unnoticed involves not confronting whatever you’re observing. If there is evil in the world a Takara will eventually face it if it goes unchecked, however by then he/she will have learned everything about their enemy from weaknesses to fears. Takara are almost never evil as it is simply not in their nature to go out of their way to do harm. If a Takara is evil it is likely from behind the scenes, watching and directing the interactions of his/her pawns in an unholy chess game.

Social Caterpillar

The Takara have spent their entire lives studying one thing or ten others. Naturally their social skills diminished, an interaction with a Takara is certain to be… interesting. The Takara are not bad at speaking, in fact they have lost some of the less helpful social ticks of other Aarakocra, however they gained new ticks which become clear shortly after meeting a Takara. They may barely speak to you at all preferring to avoid a conversation as it is hard to interact with others too intimately. They may also try to overcompensate by speaking as fast as they can, not noticing that they are still speaking with all the biggest words in a thesaurus.

Takara are surprisingly adept at learning languages, growing up on Aarakocra and common. The Takara are certain to learn their first new language after discovering their obsession, in short order they will have learned the creature’s language and become fluent not long after. This awkward level of knowledge can be off-putting to the “obsessee” race for obvious reasons not only because of the creepiness of such investigation but also because a Takara may become better at speaking the creature’s mother tongue than them.

 

-Art commissioned by Adorella-

Takara Traits

Knowledge is everything and your Takara has many tools it uses to discover it all.

Ability Score Increase

Your Wisdom score increases by 2 and Intelligence increases by 1.

Age

Takara reach maturity by age 3. Much like humans, Takara live to 90 years and sometimes more.

Alignment

Most Takara are Neutral and rarely choose sides when it comes to law and chaos. They lean toward good and almost never turn evil. They are not aggressive by any stretch of the word, but will rise up to meet evil over time, although they are unlikely be the first ones to do so.

Size

Takara are about 6 feet tall. They have thin, lightweight bodies that weigh between 90 and 120 pounds. Your size is Medium.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 25 feet.

Silent Flight

You have a flying speed of 30 feet. To use this speed, you can’t be wearing medium or heavy armor. You fly with nearly no noise to mark your presence and your demeanor makes you naturally cautious, you gain proficiency and expertise in the stealth skill.

Senses

You have excellent vision in dark and dim conditions. 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 are unable to discern color in darkness.

Obsession

Your Takara has become obsessed with knowing everything there is to know about a certain race. You may choose this race because you adore them, despise them, intrigued by them, or by necessity. Your Takara will spend much of their time studying, examining, and memorizing everything there is to know about this race. Choose a humanoid race that your Takara is obsessed with, once chosen you may add your proficiency bonus on Insight checks regarding this race (does not stack with expertise) and you may add your Wisdom modifier to damage rolls (once per action) against this race.

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Common, Aarakocra, and a language of your choice. You should choose the language that the race your Takara is obsessed with speaks.