Homebrew Striggin Species Details

Appearance
Striggin are a race of avian humanoids that resemble several species of their distant cousin, the owl.  A full grown Striggin will be considered "small", rarely exceeding 3 and 1/2 feet in height. Their bodies come in an array of horizontal sizes, though, they generally are very lean, and sport light skeletons to support them in flight. Their remiges, or flight feathers, run the length of their arms, at the end meeting small but sturdy hands. Their bodies are covered in feathers with the exception of their lower legs due to their large talons.
Studies show that they are closely related to Aarakocra and hail from the Elemental Plane of Air; But unlike their cousins who prefer soaring the skies, Striggin have ventured out and into the forests and woods of the Material Plane, where the canopy and understory of the various forests and woods provide ample space for them to build tree-homes and community as they prefer to be closer to the ground. 
They also have an extended lifespan, as far as avian creatures are concerned, living as old as 60 and reaching maturity at around 12 years old. There are certainly different subspecies of Striggin, but they all share the same general traits. Feathers cover the entirety of their body, and they remain ultra-light weight. They display large, deep amber yellow eyes that allow them Enhanced Darkvision, and have beaks and talons that act as natural weapons.

Ethology
Striggin are a naturally inquisitive and curious people. Once an Striggin finds something that truly interests it, it will spend the entirety of it's lifespan studying that subject to the fullest extent. Many become historians, artificers, artisans, archeologists, and sages. It should be noted that, while they are magically inclined, there is also a warrior caste amongst the various social groups. Hunter/warriors, who have always acted as protectors and providers for the tribes of old before they became civilized, have continued to teach their descendants from generation to generation how to fight with beak and talon. These days, the warrior caste are known to be very skilled in swordplay and hand to hand combat.

While many Striggin have integrated into society, they still maintain the hunter/gatherer mindset of their animal counterparts and will often catch and eat small rodents such as rats, squirrels, and the like. Because of this, there are several Striggin dishes that feature certain rodents as delicacies.

Social Structure and Culture
While Owls are known to be solitary creatures in nature, Striggin have thrown out this notion of isolationism and began living in small communities amongst themselves called a Parliament. Parliaments will usually have a territory, and seldom interfere with another Parliament's area. Though, Striggin generally respect each other with high regard and will be very open and welcoming to a foreign Striggin entering their area. War is very rare between different Parliaments, only happening a small handful of times throughout their known history. Most notably, the Unification Wars.

Within a Parliament, there will be three leaders known as the Court. At the head of the Court is the Talon, usually one of the oldest, most experienced Striggin who has seen a long life. One who is wise and will always have the last word in regards to where a Parliament settles, what jobs it will or will not take, and which members to send wherever needed. Then comes the Wing and the Beak. The Wing will accompany Striggin hatchlings during their studies and training and guide them in the way of the Striggin, passing onto them the traditions and skills of their Parliament. Finally the Beak will be the one to go out into settlements, cities, towns, etc. and form relationships with merchants, politicians, nobles and the like to procure work for the Parliament. 

Something to note; ancient Striggin, prior to leaving the Elemental Plane of Air, had a period of warring tribes, called the Unification Wars. These wars lasted several years until they were united in peace by Splitbeak, the first and greatest Talon in history. Legend tells that the Striggin who can find and wield Splitbeak's legendary artifact, Skybreaker, will lead all Striggin, without defiance. 

An interesting observation that scholars have found unique about different Parliaments is that they do not sport individual names. They identify themselves by way of parliamentary colors. Striggin of each Parliament will ceremonially dye feathers on their heads, usually the longest or some of their most prominent feathers, the colors of their Parliament. One Striggin may dye a single long feather on his head a deep green to represent his Parliament, while another may dye several feathers surrounding her eyes orange and yellow to represent hers. 
Something interesting is that while Striggin may not name their Parliaments, they do name their blades. This is often thought of as something they picked up by inhabitants of the Material Plane, primarily from Humans. Most blade names will be something in line with what an Striggin is. Predatory, wind and thunder and sky oriented, perhaps descriptive of ones self. Some names of famous blades can be found in the Technology and Magic Items section.

The creed of the Striggin is a common cliche, "Birds of a Feather, Flock together", when one Striggin is threatened, all Striggin are threatened and they will always come to each other's aid.

Very rarely, an Striggin will break the most sacred law within the Parliament, killing ones kin or countrymen. This could include the killing of or plotting to kill or the attempting of a coup to take over the seat of a member of the Court or a fellow kinsman. These Striggin, while few and far between, are branded as Gizzardless, or without guts. An Striggin who has lost the respect and protection of it's Parliament. When expelled, these Striggin are stripped of any rank or honors they may have achieved in it's lifetime. The Talon will ceremonially, and magically,  change the colors of it's parliamentary feathers on the Gizzardless and replace it with a black feather that will never disappear. Even if plucked, it will grow back black. This cannot be undone except by the same Talon who placed it or their descendent. As such, you will not see any Parliaments that use only black as their colors. There have only ever been a small handful of Striggin that this has happened to. They will often find work as mercenaries and shack up with lower Kenku who work in the criminal underworld.

Striggin often keep Owls as pets, as they are able to communicate with them in a simple manner due to their shared ancestry. Often general owls are used to deliver messages, or can act as companions/familiars.

Technology & Magic Items
Striggin do not have much by way of technology or magic items, though what few they have are deeply rooted in culture and history.
To start, their blades, called a Tectrice, are long, curved blades that many often associate with the shapes of feathers. Made with hilts often made of gold. They do not sport a guard between handle and blade and can be very dangerous to handle if not properly trained. Most blades are given private names by their owners, something that many scholars speculate Striggin picked up from their early interactions with humans. There are a few famous blades that are often recognized by several Parliaments; Blades such as Rodent's Bane, Vantul, Moon Piercer, Silence, and others.

Another weapon is called a Lama, a small short dagger that resembles a Tectrice that Striggin will usually keep in their belt or travelbag. These can be used for an array of things from defense, whittling, or slicing meat and fruit.

A Moon Cloak, an ornate black cloak, woven with the softest hatchling feathers collected when the hatchling reaches adolesence, adorned with traditional Owlfolk symbols and jewels worn for ceremonies or engagements of a high caliber. While not a magical item, many Striggin believe that it gives them an edge with outsiders. These are said to fetch a high price, and many nobles and wealthy who can afford it will pay local Parliaments to weave one custom for them or their families. 

The Blood Feather, one of the most sacred magic items to the Striggin. A Blood Feather can only be created by the death of an Striggin. It is believed that their God, The Twilight Lord, has placed a small amount of his love and power in each and every Striggin. When an Striggin dies, it's feathers will release from it's body and will fly away with the wind, save a singular feather, with will have turned blood red. Non-Magic using Striggin will keep the Blood Feathers of departed loved ones and they are often known to provide a little luck, while magically attuned Striggin will collect 2-3 of these and use them to enhance their own magical power.

A Dardeca is a blessed pendant given to most Striggin as they come of age. Blessed by the Talon of their Parliament, a Derdeca is the skull of the first rodent an Striggin kills as a child. The skull is said to provide regenerative powers to an Striggin. 

Skybreaker, the legendary spear of wind and lightning. Forged in the hands of Splitbeak, the first and greatest of all Talons of the Striggin. Imbued with the power of the wrathful sky by The Twilight Lord. Wrapped at the neck of the spear, a Blood Feather. One of a kind, it is said that the Striggin who can control its awesome power will lead all Striggin without contest.

Pantheon
Coming in next update, come back soon!

Names
A selection of male, female, and unisex names below. Usually Owlfolk names are a combination of two words that may describe something identifying about that particular Owlfolk at birth, they may also take their fathers name, or the name of a famous historical Owlfolk hero. 

Male: Splitbeak, Wingsnap, Ruffle, Glider, Tailspin, Diver, Wide-Eyes, Longbeak, Screech.

Female: Little-Feather, Slendertail, Nest, Fairwind, Luna, Bright-Eyes, Dot, Gray, Lovebeak, Sing.

Unisex: Hoot, Lightwing, Echo, Glare, Poof, Brightbeak, Perch, Mouse, Scurry, Plume.

Striggin Traits

Striggin have several traits similar to other avian races such as flying at high altitudes and speeds, as well as natural weapons such as their talons. However, with their small and nimble bodies, along with their distant relation to the birds of prey that they share ancestral blood with, they have several other skills that are unique to just this race.

Enhanced Darkvision

With your oversized eyes, you can see in dim light within 120 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.

Keen Senses

You are proficient in the perception skill.

Hunters Flight

With your ultra-light body, and ability to fly silently, you can easily sneak up on unsuspecting prey or enemies, or other related situations. You have advantage on Dexterity (Stealth) checks made to fly quietly. You cannot be wearing heavy armor.

Ability Score Improvement

Your Intelligence score increases by 1, and your Dexterity score increases by 1.

Age

Owlfolk generally reach maturity at 12 years, and unlike their Aarakocra cousins, live until about 60.

Alignment

Owlfolk are naturally happy, curious people. They often see the bright side of things and approach things logically, leaving little room for anger to grow. Because of this they tend to be Lawful or Neutral Good.

Size

Owlfolk, depending on what subspecies a player chooses, will reach full height between 3 and 4 feet tall.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 25 feet

Flight

You have a Flying speed of 40 feet. If you are wearing heavy armor, this is reduced to 30 feet.

Languages

You can speak Common, Owlett, and Auran. 

Talons

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

Birds of a Feather

Your Owl ancestry allows you to speak with owls you may find in your travels. Whether it's in the woods at night, or a pet in a shop in a town, you may ask simple questions, or ask them to relay messages.