Homebrew Galvantian Species Details

Slumbering during the day hidden in the colourful wings of the males, the female Galavantians are fierce and deadly hunters a night. Residing primariy in the glow woods , these creatures are thought to have their lineage traced back to the goddess of night and her arrakocra lover.

Beak and Feather

From below, Galavantian 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, Galavantian might reach 6 feet tall, and they have long, narrow legs that taper to sharp talons.

Feathers cover their bodies. Their plumage typically denotes membership in a tribe. Males are brightly colored, with feathers of red, orange, or yellow. Females have more subdued colors, usually brown or gray.

Sky Wardens

Nowhere are the Galavantian 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 or talons before turning and flying away.

Once airborne, an Galavantian leaves the sky with reluctance. 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 Galavantian 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 can catch fish and bathe themselves.

The idea of ownership baffles most Galavantian. After all, who owns the sky? Even when explained to them, they initially find the notion of ownership mystifying. As a result, Galavantian who have little interaction with other people might be a nuisance as they drop from the sky to snatch livestock or plunder harvests for fruits and grains. Shiny, glittering objects catch their eyes.

They find it hard not to pluck the treasure and bring it back to their settlement to beautify it. An Galavantian who spends years among other races can learn to inhibit these impulses.

Confinement terrifies the Galavantian. To be grounded, trapped underground, or imprisoned by the cold, unyielding earth is a torment few Galavantian 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

Most Galavantian live in the glow forest. Few migrate else where. 

Once tribes of Galavantian settle in an area, they share a hunting territory that extends across an area up to 100 miles on a side, with each tribe hunting in the lands nearest to their colony, ranging farther should game become scarce.

A typical colony consists of one large, open-roofed nest made of woven vines. The eldest acts as leader with the support of a shaman. 

Great Purpose

Galavantian 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 Galavantian to leave his or her tribe 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 Galavantian adventurer’s chosen path.

Two other circumstances might call an Galavantian to adventure. First, Galavantian have historical ties to the godess of night and may be clled to serve he or her allies.

 

 

 

Galvantian Traits

playing Galavantian grants one an inate fly speed, and as such requires consideration from your dm.

Ability Score Increase

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

Age

Galavantian reach maturity by age 15. Compared to humans, Galavantian don’t usually live longer than 80 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 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 30 feet.

One with the night

gain advantage on stealth when in darkness or dim light.

Flight

You have a flying speed of 50 feet. To use this speed, you can’t be wearing medium or heavy armor.

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.

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Common, Galavantian, and sylvan.

Averse to the day

disadvantage on stealth in sunlight and bright light.