Homebrew Avariel Species Details

Sequestered in high mountains atop tall trees, the Avariel, winged elves, evoke fear and wonder. Long ago they were hunted nearly to extinction by Dragons, who at that time ruled the skies and were unwilling to share them. Since that time, the dragons have mostly fallen into deep sleep or been hunted down by those searching for their hoards of treasure and the Avariel have slowly built up their numbers. 

They are warriors, priests magi, scouts, and explorers, their outposts functioning as footholds. Like their wingless cousins, they also have a proud bladesinging tradition.

Beak and Feather

Avariel look much like elves, but possess large feathery wings and are occasionally mistaken for angels. Their skin tones include all those of their wingless cousins and the colors of their wings include all that can be found amongst the birds in the skies of Faerun.

Sky Wardens

Nowhere are the Avariel more comfortable than in the sky. They can spend hours in the air, and some go as long as days, locking their wings in place and letting the thermals hold them aloft. In battle, they prove dynamic and acrobatic fliers, moving with remarkable speed and grace, diving to lash opponents with weapons before turning and flying away.

Avariel live in aeries often found atop the largest mountains. They have good relations with other flying races like the Aarokocra and love flying with flying fey creatures like griffin, hippogriff and other rare flying creatures.. They have nothing but pity for those earthbound people forced to live and toil on the ground.

Avariel Temperament

Avariel are a cautious people. They have only recently begun reaching out to nearby nations to make allies. They are every bit as skilled as craftsmen as their surface cousins. Many Avariel prefer forging their armor from glass, often multicolored, only to transform it into Glass steel. Such armor is even lighter than mithril, just as durable as steel,, and hardly hampers their wings.

Confinement terrifies the aarakocra. To be grounded, trapped underground, or imprisoned by the cold, unyielding earth is a torment few aarakocra can withstand. Even when perched on a high branch or at rest in their mountaintop homes, they appear alert, with eyes moving and bodies ready to take flight.

Homelands

 Avariel have established nests in high mountains and in the canopies of ancient forests.

 

AVARIEL IN THE FORGOTTEN REALMS

Avariel have an established aerie

Great Purpose

Avariel enjoy peace and solitude. Most of them have little interest in dealing with other peoples and less interest in spending time on the ground. For this reason, it takes an exceptional circumstance for an Avariel to leave his or her people and undertake the adventurer’s life. Neither treasure nor glory is enough to lure them from their tribes; a dire threat to their people, a mission of vengeance, or a catastrophe typically lies at the heart of the Avariel adventurer’s chosen path.

Aarakocra Names

As with their surface cousins, Avariel names are often beautiful, exotic and graceful. Typically, a name has two to four syllables with the sounds acting as connectors. When interacting with other races, Avariel may use nicknames gained from people they meet or shortened forms of their full names.

AARAKOCRA BACKGROUNDS

Backgrounds that are most appropriate for Avariel include the outlander, the acolyte, the soldier and the sage.

The small colonies of Avariel are insular and remote, and few Avariel live away from their roosts. In the Star Mounts of the High Forest in the Forgotten Realms, no more than a few dozen Avariel live away from the nests of their families. Those that do are usually rangers or fighters, constantly patrolling for outside threats, or are going out to create good relationships with the goodly races of the lands.

Avariel Traits

As an Avariel, 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 Avariel requires special consideration by your DM.

Ability Score Increase

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

Age

Avariel reach maturity by age 80. Avariel usually live up to 900 years.

Alignment

Most Avariel are lawful good. Explorers and adventurers might tend toward chaotic good.

Size

Avariel stand between 5 and 6.5 feet tall. They have thin, lightweight bodies that weigh between 80 and 200 pounds. Your size is Medium.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet.

Flight

You have a flying speed of 60 feet. To use this speed, you can’t be wearing heavy armor.

Languages

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

Featherfall

Because of the dangers your people have faced over the millennia, all Avariel, being skilled in magic, have learned to cast the featherfall spell, in case they get wounded in flight.