Homebrew Half-Aarakocra Species Details

As the Aarakocra explored the Material Plane, many of their rank cultivated bonds with Humanfolk. These bonds eventually resulted in the appearance of a new race: half-Aarakocra, half-Human. Carrying the traits of both birdfolk and humanfolk, they too invoke fear and wonder, but in a way that is more approachable thanks to their human traits. They share the explorative, scouting nature of their Aarakocran background, but it is combined with the diverse nature and varied potential of humankind.

Many of half-aarakocran folk act as ambassaors between the Elemental Plane of Air and the Material Plane.

Talon and Feather

While retaining some of the birdlike features of full-blooded aarakocra, the half-human variety appear much less avian. They retain a humanoid body, save for the large pare of wings extending from their shoulderblades, as well as the long, narrow legs that taper to sharp talons. Many have feathers sprouting from their arms and around their facial structure, as well as talon-like claws extending from their fingers.

Plumage is less related to their tribes and more related to their heritage. Males are brightly colored, with feathers of red, orange, or yellow. Females have more subdued colors, usually brown or gray. Wings and plumage represent a variety of avian species, including parrots, hawks, eagles, sparrows, and many others.

Land and Sky

Half-aarakocra are comfortable both in the air and on the ground. They can spend hours in the air, as well as trek for hours without complaint. 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. If grounded, however, they are just as adept with combat as any human of comparable skill (though their large wings may cause some issues with maneuverability in certain situations).

Avian Mannerisms

Along with their partial birdlike features, half-aarakocra display many of the same mannerisms as ordinary birds. They frequently clean and adjust their plumage, tending to their feathers by cleaning and scratching away any tiny passengers they might have picked up. When on land, they are drawn toward bodies of water where they can catch fish and bathe themselves.

The half-aarakocra's speech may be punctuated with chirps, sounds they use to convey emphasis and to shade meaning, much as a human might through facial expressions and gestures. Fortunately, their human half allows them a better opportunity to translate these chirps and additional sounds to ensure other parties understand their avian communication.

While full aarakocra are baffled by the concept of ownership, half-aarakocra are influenced by their human half in this matter. They eagerly accept the concept of ownership, almost with a greedy nature. As a result, they are quick to take things that they deem "fair game," then viciously protect those "found objects" as their own property. In particularly, shiny, glittering items catch their eyes. Many half-aarakocra retain a collection of found objects, which is often used to beautify their place of inhabitance.

Like full aarakocra and many, many humans, confinement terrifies the half-aarakocra. To be grounded, trapped underground, or imprisoned by the cold, unyielding earth is a torment few half-aarakocra can withstand. The potential of being confined is quick to send them into panic.

Homelands

While the aarakocra live on the Elemental Plane of Air, most half-aarakocra reside within the Material Plane where they were born. If born from an aarakocran mother, they may remain in the mountain or forest nests they call home. If born of a human mother, they will likely remain in that particular human society.

Some half-aarakocra, however, may be born into one side of their heritage, then seek out residence in a society or colony associated with the other half

Great Purpose

Half-aarakocra enjoy peace and solitude, but their human half draws them towards adventure. Treasure and glory may sometimes be enough to lure them from their home, but a dire threat to their people, a mission of vengeance, or a catastrophe typically lies at the heart of the half-aarakocra adventurer’s chosen path. 

If they favor their arrakocran heritage over their human half, two other circumstances might call a half-aarakocra to adventure. First, aarakocra have historical ties to the Wind Dukes of Aaqa. Exceptional individuals honor that connection and might seek out the missing pieces of the Rod of Seven Parts, the remains of an artifact fashioned by the Wind Dukes long ago to defeat the Queen of Chaos’s monstrous champion, Miska the Wolf-Spider.

When plunged into Miska’s body, the chaos in his blood sundered the rod and scattered its pieces across the multiverse. Recovering the pieces means gaining honor and esteem in the eyes of the vaati who forged it and could possibly restore a powerful weapon for defense against the agents of elemental evil.

Second, aarakocra are sworn foes of elemental earth, in particular the gargoyles that serve Ogrémoch, the Prince of Earth. The Aarakocra word for gargoyle is loosely translated as “flying rock,” and battles between aarakocra and gargoyles have raged across the Elemental Planes of Earth and Air, occasionally spilling into a world on the Material Plane. Aarakocra on that plane might leave their colonies to lend aid to other humanoids committed to fighting earth cults and thwarting their efforts.

Half-Aarakocra Names

A half-aarakocra's name will depend on whether they were raised more by their aarakocran parent, their human parent, or a mutually-supportive situation.

As with much of aarakocran speech, 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, aarakocra may use nicknames gained from people they meet or shortened forms of their full names.

An 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.

Otherwise, their name may follow human schematics. Humans as a whole have no typical names and it is most often dependent upon their ethnicity.

 

HALF-AARAKOCRA BACKGROUNDS

Backgrounds that are most appropriate for half-aarakocra include the outlander, the far traveler, and the sage. However, their human half allows quite a bit of leniency here; no background is truly inappropriate for a half-aarakocra, depending on the history of their human parent.

In terms of combat style, most half-aarakocra trend towards rangers or fighters, although some choose to dabble in magic through the paths of sorcery or clerical intent.

Half-Aarakocra Traits

As a half-aarakocra, you have certain traits in common with both Aarakocra and Human populations. 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 a half-aarakocra (even with its human characteristics) requires special consideration by your DM.

Ability Score Increase

Your Dexterity score increases by 2, and your Wisdom score increases by 2. All other abilities increase by 1.

Age

Half-aarakocra reach maturity by age 7-8. Compared to humans, half-aarakocra typically live between 50-60 years.

Alignment

Most half-aarakocra have no particular alignment, but most tend towards good. Lone half-aarakocra 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 between 5-6 feet tall. They have thin, lightweight bodies that weigh between 90 and 110 pounds. Your size is Medium.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 25 feet.

Flight

You have a flying speed of 45 feet. To use this speed, you can’t be wearing medium or heavy armor. You cannot fly when encumbered of where the ceiling is less than 30 ft in height.

Talons

You are proficient with your unarmed strikes, which deal 1d4 slashing damage on a hit.

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Common, Aarakocra, Auran, and one language of your choice.