Homebrew Dark Flame Phoenix Species Details

Sequestered in high mountains far above tall trees, the dark flame phoenix, evoke fear and wonder. Most dark flame phoenixes aren’t even native to the Material Plane. They hail from a world beyond — from the boundless vistas of the Elemental Plane of Fire.

They are immigrants, refugees, scouts, and explorers, their outposts functioning as footholds in a world both strange and alien.

Beak and Feather

From below, dark flame phoenixes look much like large birds. Only when they descend to walk across the ground does their humanoid appearance reveal itself. Standing upright, dark flame phoenixes might reach 6 feet tall, and they have long, narrow legs that taper to sharp talons.

Feathers wreathed in black and purple flames cover their bodies. Their heads complete the avian appearance, being something like a parrot or eagle without distinct tribal variations.

Sky Wardens

Nowhere are the dark flame phoenixes 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, a dark flame phoenix leaves the sky with reluctance. On their native plane, they can fly for days or months, landing only to lay their eggs and feed their young before launching themselves back into the air. Those that make it to a world in the Material Plane find it a strange place. 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 dark flame phoenixes to birds isn’t limited to physical features. Dark flame phoenixes 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.

Many dark flame phoenixes 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 dark flame phoenix might become frustrated with people who fail to pick up on the nuances; a dark flame phoenix’s threat might be taken as a jest and vice versa.

The idea of ownership baffles most dark flame phoenixes. After all, who owns the sky? Even when explained to them, they initially find the notion of ownership mystifying. As a result, dark flame phoenixes 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.

Homelands

Most dark flame phoenixes live on the Elemental Plane of Fire. Dark flame phoenixes can be drawn into the Material Plane, sometimes to pursue enemies or thwart their foes’ designs there. Accident might also send a nest of dark flame phoenixes tumbling into a world on that plane. A few find their way to such a world through portals on their own plane and establish nests in high mountains or near volcanoes.

Once tribes of dark flame phoenixes 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 stones. The eldest acts as leader with the support of a shaman. 

Great Purpose

Dark flame phoenixes enjoy peace and solitude. Most of them have some interest in dealing with other peoples, but less interest in spending time on the ground. For this reason, it takes little for a dark flame phoenix to leave their tribe and undertake the adventurer’s life. The often live to come back to the nest, ready to tell the tales of their accomplishments, trials, and tribulations.

Dark Flame Phoenix Names

As with much of their speech, dark flame phoenix names can 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, dark flame phoenixes may use nicknames gained from people they meet or shortened forms of their full names.

A dark flame phoenix may have one of these short names: Aera, Aial, Aur, Deekek, Errk, Heehk, Ikki, Kleeck, Oorr, Ouss, Quaf, Quierk, Salleek, Urreek, or Zeed.

Dark Flame Phoenix Traits

As a dark flame phoenix, 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 aarakocra requires special consideration by your DM.

Ability Score Increase

Choose one ability score to increase by 2 and one ability score to increase by 1.

Age

Dark flame phoenixes reach maturity by age 70. Compared to humans, dark flame phoenixes usually live longer than 1000 years.

Alignment

Most dark flame phoenixes 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

Dark flame phoenixes are about 6 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.

Flight

You have a flying speed of 30 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 fire damage equal to 1d4 + your Strength modifier, instead of the bludgeoning damage normal for an unarmed strike.

Dark Flame Damage

The dark flame phoenix can coat its weapon in a flame a number of times equal to your proficiency bonus per long rest as a bonus action. When landing an attack with a weapon, roll an extra d4 for fire damage. This will light the target on fire. Normal fire damage applies.

Dark Flame Sacrifice and Rebirth

When an allied creature is knocked unconscious, you may use your action to pass all of your remaining hitpoints on to the creature. You are knocked unconscious in the process. As long as your body is intact, you cannot die. When knocked unconscious or reaching 0 Hit Points, roll 3 wisdom saves in place of death saves. On a success, you may retain all memory from your last life. On a fail, you lose all memory.

Fire Resistance

You have resistance to fire damage.

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Common, Aarakocra/Phoenix, and Ignan.