Homebrew Air Nation Species Details

Quick, Responsive, Sporadic

                Air Nomads live free-spirited, uninhibited lives. They travel light and take time to enjoy the breeze. Many spend time in thought or meditation, focused on their study and the rest of their time in practice, putting their ideas into motion. Air Nomads are simultaneously teachers, philosophers, students, and humble servants.  

                Air Nomads traditionally shave their heads, allowing them to better feel the movement of the air around them. Their eyes range from blue gray to hazel, and they tend to have lighter toned skin. They typically wear plain, loose-fitting clothes of yellow, orange, and brown, with ornaments made from wood. Many monks bear tattoos, traditional markings given in Air Temples as a symbol of mastery.

Leaves on the Wind

                Air Nomads are constantly on the move, whether it’s physically or mentally. They stay in perpetual motion, allowing the world to move them, looking ahead, always on the lookout for the next step in their path. Because of this, the Air Temples always keep their doors open, allowing people to come and go as they please. Many Nomads search down a path for years then find that it takes a turn, and that in order to keep learning and growing, they need to make a change and move on. A Nomad may stay in one place for an hour or a lifetime, avoiding any feeling of attachment or identification with a single place, constantly seeking freedom from the heavy, burdensome material world. The wind may blow an Air Nomad from place to place for years, and they will accept each movement as another step on their path. 

Lofty Ideals

                Air Nomads take inspiration from past gurus and strive to follow in their footsteps. In the modern Air Temples, a number of paths described by these gurus are taught to help guide those who seek the pinnacle of human experience, to be free from earthly attachment, to allow the pure cosmic energy to flow in and through oneself, to reach the state of cosmic enlightenment. These paths were uncovered and described by Air Nomads throughout history, each one with a different emphasis and method for reaching the state of enlightenment. Every temple has their own foci and practices, but all temples teach some version of one of these paths.

                Every Nomad is free to follow the path of their choice and is never beholden to one path or one temple, but those who have committed themselves to a path believe strongly in the rightness of its way.  Some monks believe that they have been on their path for many lifetimes, and that enlightenment requires focus and dedication. Others believe that enlightenment can be accomplished in a single lifetime through practice and good living. Some Air Nomads find their paths early on, and some are left untethered and unknowing for many years; but even on the most twisting and winding path, an Air Nomad will take comfort in knowing that each step they take is one step closer to their destination.

As the Wind Blows

An Air Nomad’s path can change course at any time, for many different reasons. If something catches their interest or needs their attention, they trust that their path will lead them in that direction. They are quick to entertain their curiosities, and driven to see them through, but as soon as they lose interest, they have no problem walking away, moving on to the next curiosity. When an Air Nomad gets overwhelmed by the infinite possibilities of their path, the most common defense mechanism is to flee.

                Most nomads strive to stay completely open to the possibilities of the next step in their paths. Those who are dedicated to their paths will weigh their options, giving favor to experiences that they feel will unlock their energy and bring them closer to their state of enlightenment. It is rare for a head monk of a temple to leave their practices and studies, but they should not feel attachment to the temple itself.  If their path takes them away, they are to take their study with them, always practicing, always moving to the next step on their journey to enlightenment. 

Air Nation Traits

Scattered across highest peaks of the world, the loftiest of Air Temples hides amongst the clouds. Nomads travel from temple to temple, exploring the many facets of the world around them, and the world within. The temples were built over many years, many in or near spiritual locations, designed to be places of study and practice for people in search of enlightenment, detachment, and freedom.

Ability Score Increase

Choose two from your Dexterity, Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma scores to increase by 1.

Age

The average lifespan of Air Nomads is unrecorded and there is no definitive age at which they are considered adults. become adults when they prove themselves mature.

Alignment

Air Nomads stay in constant motion, moving from place to place as often as the wind blows. While some are loyal to their path, this untethered way of life tends to foster a chaotic nature.

Size

Air Nomads tend to be shorter than people from other nations. A tall Air Nomad is around 5’ 9”.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet.

Language Arts

The Air Nation is the most widely and diversely educated society. You learn one human language of your choice.

Nimble

You can move through the space of any creature that is size medium or larger.

Light Feet

Your footsteps do not make a sound. Wisdom (Perception) checks made to hear your movement or location are made with disadvantage, and your footsteps cannot be heard by a creature’s passive perception.

Path

Three paths have been described to reach enlightenment. Every individual is free to choose the path that suits them best, though history, birthplace, and tradition often factor into their choice.