Homebrew Fallen Aarakocra Species Details

Sequestered down below the ground, far away from their flying brethren, fallen aarakocra typically live their whole lives underground without seeing light or flight.

Their elders tell tale of days lost past when all of their kind could fly, but this is largely believed to be a myth by most. In fact, most fallen aarakocra believe the flight itself is a myth, impossible without magic.

Flightless Feathers

Fallen aarakocra look much like large, wingless birds in humanoid form.

Feathers still cover their bodies, but they are heavier and thicker than that of other birds. Their plumage is randomly colored and typically covered in dirt and mud, as most of their kind can typically not see color in the darkness of their home environment. Their heads very similar to that of flying aarakocra, but their eye and beaks are far more pale after generations without access to sunlight.

Children of the Tunnels

Nowhere are the fallen aarakocra more comfortable than in a cavern of their own creation. A creatures able to climb, burrow, and swim, they tend to create large homes of interconnected tunnels, often going in any direction, even vertical. These homes typically reside close to a large body of water, out of necessity.

Avian Mannerisms

The resemblance of fallen aarakocra to birds isn’t limited to physical features. Fallen 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. They tend to bathe frequently in large pools of water.

Many fallen aarakocra punctuate their speech with chirps, sounds they use to convey emphasis and to shade meaning, much as a human might through facial expressions and gestures. A fallen aarakocra might become frustrated with people who fail to pick up on the nuances; a fallen aarakocra’s threat might be taken as a jest and vice versa.

Open space terrifies the fallen aarakocra. To be grounded, trapped underground, is what they are born into and bred for. Even being in a large open cavern is a strange and uncomfortable experience for them.

Fallen Aarakocra Names

As with much of their speech, fallen aarakocra names include clicks, trills, and whistles to the point that other peoples have a difficult time pronouncing them. Typically, a name has two to four syllables with the sounds acting as connectors. When interacting with other races, fallen aarakocra may use nicknames gained from people they meet or shortened forms of their full names.

A fallen aarakocra of either gender may have one of these short names: Aera, Aial, Aur, Deekek, Errk, Heehk, Ikki, Kleeck, Oorr, Ouss, Quaf, Quierk, Salleek, Urreek, or Zeed.

Fallen Aarakocra Traits

As a fallen aarakocra, you have certain traits in common with your people. Being able to climb, swim, and burrow at 1st level can be subversive. As a result, playing a fallen aarakocra requires approval by your DM.

Skills

You are proficient with stealth and perception.

Darkvision

Thanks to generations of your kind adapting to the dark, 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.

Sunlight Sensitivity

You have disadvantage on attack rolls and on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on sight when you, the target of your attack, or whatever you are trying to perceive is in direct sunlight.

Ability Score Increase

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

Age

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

Alignment

Most fallen aarakocra are good and prone to neutrality or chaos. Tribal leaders might be lawful, but you would be hard pressed to find a lawful fallen aarakocra elsewhere.

Size

Fallen aarakocra are about 5 feet tall. They have thin, lightweight bodies that weigh between 80 and 100 pounds. Your size is Medium.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 25 feet.

Climbing

You have a climbing speed of 25 ft.

Burrowing

You have a burrowing speed of 25 ft.

Languages

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

Swimming

You have a swimming speed of 25 ft.