Homebrew Aarakocran Penguin Species Details

 

Physical Description

Aarakocran Penguins are flightless birds who are usually native to arctic climates but can also be found living in temperate parts of the world in relative comfort. Possessing flippers instead of wings, they are capable of swimming through the water with extreme speed and grace. Overall, penguins have a stocky, short-legged built that many people consider to be quite cute. They have a wide range of coloration on their feathers, feat, and beaks, but their bellies are a colorless white. Penguins can use their flippers for surprisingly fine manipulation and can do just about anything humans can do with their hands: Wield weapons, pick locks, perform somatic components for spells, and so on.

History

Aarakocran Penguins have been around for a very long time. Legend has it that thousands of years ago penguins were much larger than they are now, dwarfing even humans, but penguins of such size have not been seen in the modern day. Before contact with humanoid civilization, penguins lived simple lives, but even then they possessed a cleverness not seen in most animals, and had surprisingly advanced tribal societies.

Society

Aarakocran Penguins sometimes live in the wild among themselves, gathering into small tribes where they make a living catching fish and living off the sea. It is not uncommon for them to mingle with humanoid society, however, where they are commonly owned as pets. Their good nature and natural charm means that they get along well with other races.

Aarakocran Penguin Traits

As an Aarakocran Penguin, you have certain traits in common with your people. Being able to swim at high speed starting at 1st level is exceptionally effective in certain circumstances and exceedingly dangerous in others. As a result, playing an Aarakocran Penguin requires special consideration by your DM.

Ability Score Increase

Your abilities to swim and slide increase your Dexterity Score by 1. Your natural acclimatization to colder, harsher environments increases your Constitution Score by 1.

Age

Aarakocran Penguins reach maturity by age 3. Compared to humans, penguins don’t usually live longer than 30 years.

Alignment

Most Aarakocran Penguins 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

Aarakocran Penguins are slightly shorter than their Aarakocran race at about 4 feet tall. They have thin, lightweight bodies that weigh between 60 and 80 pounds. Your size is Medium.

Speed

Waddle. Your short, thick and dense feet make it hard to walk. Your base walking speed is 20 feet. You have a base swim speed of 50 ft.

Tobogganing

Penguins slide on their bellies because they have short, thick and dense feet, which makes it hard to walk. They use their sleek bellies while pushing their feet. This method is called "Tobogganing" to slide on their stomachs when they want to move quickly while conserving energy.

While not wearing armor, you can slide over non-rough surfaces such as snow, ice, or a polished floor, but not uphill. Once per turn, if you move at least 10 ft. in a straight line, you can spend an additional 10 ft. of movement to slide in a straight line a number of feet equal to your move speed. If you use an action or bonus action while sliding, your movement speed reduces to 0 for the rest of the turn and your slide is interrupted.

This movement does not provoke any type of attack of opportunity and can freely move through any spaces occupied by a creature one size larger than you. You can continue the slide on subsequent turns as a free action a distance equal to double your movement if you are sliding downhill.

Languages

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

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