Homebrew Cardinal Aarakocra Species Details

Sequestered in high mountains atop tall trees, the aarakocra, sometimes called birdfolk, evoke fear and wonder. Many aarakocra aren’t even native to the Material Plane. They hail from a world beyond — from the boundless vistas of the Elemental Plane of Air. However, certain Aarakocra are also touched by other planes. Some lose their flying in favour of affinity to water. Others, like Cardinal Aarakocra, draw on the power of the Elemental Plane of Fire to fuel their small bodies and energetic personalities.

Beak and Feather

From below, aarakocra 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, a cardinal aarakocra might reach 3-4 feet tall. They have long, narrow legs that taper to sharp talons. Compared to other Aarakocra, their legs are much shorter and their talors are smaller and thinner.

Feathers cover their bodies. Their plumage typically denotes membership in a tribe. Cardinal aarakocra's plummage ranges from red to amber brown and yellow. Within their tribes, judgement based on the tone, cleanliness, and quality of feathers are common. They have tail-looking bundles of feathers when on the ground that are the result of the long feathers at the end of their wings. Their beak tends to be red or orange, thick and large, taking up more than half of their face. Their heads complete the avian appearance and they have a mohawk-like tuft of hair sprouting from the top or back of their head, the size of which is inversely proportional to their body size (e.g. small cardinal aarakocra will have large tufts).

Sky Wardens

Nowhere are the aarakocra more comfortable than in the sky. Unlike most aarakocra, cardinals cannot fly for more than an hour at a time. A short pause of a couple of minutes are enough to regain their flying strength. Their flying is characterised by near-constant burst of short flight and gliding. They sometimes forget or ignore vertical distances, and they have nothing but pity for those earthbound people forced to live and toil on the ground.

Avian Mannerisms

The resemblance of aarakocra to birds isn’t limited to physical features. Aarakocra 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 bathe themselves or in recently unturned patches of soil digging for worms.

 Cardinals lend themselves to showmanship and showing-off. They are known to puff out their chests or slightly opening their wings when talking to someone they are trying to impress. Similarly, the tuft on their head often indicates their emotional state. When alert or anxious, this bundle of feathers rises and falls along with their breathing. If they become scared or angry, the tuft sharply raises in an attempt to intimidate others.

Cardinal Aarakocra Traits

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

Ability Score Increase

Your Dexterity score increases by 1, and your Charisma score increases by 2.

Age

Aarakocra reach maturity by age 3. Compared to humans, aarakocra don’t usually live longer than 30 years.

Alignment

Most aarakocra 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

Aarakocra are about 4 feet tall. They have thin, lightweight bodies that weigh between 80 and 100 pounds. Your size is Small.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet.

Flight

You have a flying speed of 30 feet. To use this speed, you can’t be wearing medium or heavy armor.

Languages

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

Territorial Bird

Cardinal Aarakocra are domiant and territorial creatures. As such, they benefit from fighting alone. If there are no creature within 10 feet of you that you are aware of, when you make an ranged attack roll against a creature, you can choose for the attack to deal an extra d6 damage on a hit. This feature can be used a number of times equal to your proficiency bonus per long rest.