Homebrew Avian (Starbound) Species Details

The Avian are one of the seven playable races in Starbound, and one of the six races entrusted with an Ancient artifact.

A birdlike race of humanoids hailing from the planet Avos, their stone structures, simple clothing, deeply-religious nature and rather simplistic battle tactics (primarily consisting of "overwhelm the enemy with thousands of disposable soldiers") make them seem primitive at first glance. But the Avian are very intelligent, and anyone brave or foolish enough to venture into an Avian temple or tomb will find examples of advanced -and deadly- technology, powered by Avolite crystals. These enigmatic power sources are mined solely by the Stargazer priests on their homeworld, and power everything from simple lights to spaceships capable of interstellar travel.

Avian culture is centered around the worship of Kluex, the "Winged God of the Aether". According to their religion, the Avian once existed outside the mortal plane alongside their god, but grew jealous of the mortals' pleasures. The Avians crossed into the material world, an act punished by stripping them of their ethereal wings, dooming them to be forever flightless. An Avian can only be reunited with Kluex by shedding their mortal body while keeping the truest of faith in their hearts. Ceremonies to achieve this state of pure being include ritualistic sacrifices of captured enemies, and an elaborate procession that culminates in the most devout, chosen by the priests, climbing a tall tower and taking a leap of faith, their spirit breaking free of their mortal prison and flying into the Aether, as their now-discarded body plummets to the ground below.

This bloody theology does not sit well with all Avians however, and a growing number have rejected the words of the Stargazers and the divinity of Kluex. Calling themselves "Grounded", they have taken to the stars and formed their own colonies. Some have crafted terrestrial flying ships and make their lives in piracy, and many others have joined multi-racial organizations like the Terrene Protectorate.

 

Avian (Starbound) Traits

Your society revolves around a religion or a group of competing spiritual beliefs. Few members of your society do not hold some position within the church’s vast hier- archy. You are instructed in paths to peace and prosperity from an early age, granting you a level of spiritual maturi- ty as an adult that few outside your culture can appreciate.

Ability Score Increase

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

Age

Your species ages slightly faster than humans do, reaching maturity around 15 solar years and living to be just 60-70 at the oldest.

Glide

You suffer no damage from falling so long as you are conscious, due to the small wings and light frame of your species. When falling from a height of 30 feet or more, you may move horizontally as normal using your speed.

Inner Peace

You have one additional 1d12 Hit Die for use when recovering Hit Points.

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Avian as well as Common.

Pilot’s Mind

You think in a more 3-dimensional way than many species, granting you advantage on all rolls for tool use with flying vehicles.

Religious Training

You are proficient in the Religion skill.

Size

You are the shape of a typical humanoid, making you Medium size.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet.

Superior Vision

You can see twice as far as a human can, and have advantage on Perception skill rolls related to seeing details.