Homebrew Aarakocra-Shifter 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.

Shifters are sometimes called the weretouched, as many believe they are the descendants of humans and lycanthropes. Whatever their origins, shifters have evolved into a unique race.

This hybrid is a rare child of both, owned by neither, left alone to their devices.

Feather and Hooves

Born of a Swiftstride Shifter and an Aarakocra, this variant bears both their aspects, fluffed with feathers and covered in fur, cloven of hoof or quick paw, and sharpened talons, they get the best of both worlds and yet lack some vital things. Trapped in their shifted form, they can not fly nor will they ever look human again.

Barren

Being as they are, they are not accepted by either race. They wander the land, often alone as they are unable to have children - at least not with any mortal race - leaving them often seen as strange, undesirable creatures, more often than just their looks chasing people away. In turn though, these lonely creatures tend to have a better time in the wilds. With their hooves or paws well built, and their fur and feathers thick they often find no trouble traveling to distant lands alone, through difficult forests or barren, cold planes, even through deserts.

Animal Mannerisms

While they can wear clothes, they often find it distasteful and uncomfortable. Most often these hybrids refuse to settle in cities and travel the forests- becoming a druid is not an uncommon experience for these folk.

The concept of land ownership often baffles them; how does a mere man, elf, goblin, own a piece of the forest? The land is its own. They often commune with others in the forest, such as the fae, who they can relate to ever so strongly.

Relations

As mentioned, these folk often take well to those of the fae kind but there are others they get along with. Lone Dragonborn, Tieflings, Tabaxi, and half-orcs especially are frequent travel companions, even Aasimar sometimes find solace in the oft-quiet companions that wander the lands. Some other races take pity, such as Elves and Satyrs. It is often the less inherently magical races that see them as frightening creatures in their bestial appearance.

 

Aarakocra-Shifter Traits

Since you have some of the best of both worlds, it may be up to the DM's discretion and your decision which traits you pull from both races.

Darkvision

You have superior 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 can’t discern color in darkness, only shades of gray.

Ability Score Increase

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

Age

These halfbreeds reach maturity at age 5. Compared to humans, they don't often live longer than 80 years.

Alignment

Most of these hybrids are good and rarely choose sides when it comes to law and chaos. They are more focused on survival above all, though the drive towards freedom may bring them to more chaotic natures.

Size

These hybrids can be anywhere between 4'6" and 6ft. They have thin, lightweight bodies that weigh between 80 and 130 pounds. Your size is Medium.

Languages

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

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 ft.

Temperature Resistance

Being thick of feather and fur, the cold of the north and the heat of the deserts bothers you much less. No matter where they go, these hybrids feel at home no matter the weather. A poor exchange for flight, though.

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 Strength modifier, instead of the bludgeoning damage normal for an unarmed strike.

Quickened Movement

As a bonus action you can increase your walking speed increases by 10 feet. Additionally, you can move up to 10 feet as a reaction when a creature ends its turn within 5 feet of you. This reactive movement doesn’t provoke opportunity attacks.

This ability lasts for 1 minute, until you die, or until you stop it as a bonus action. Once you engage this ability, you can’t do so again until you finish a short or long rest.