Homebrew Pterafolk Species Details

Description

Appearance: At first glance, pterafolk in their natural forms looked like tail-less lizardfolk, but they were much taller and leaner and had elongated cranial crests like pteranodon. They had smooth, fine scales, much like those of a snake, that ranged in color from forest-green to light shades of tan. Their arms and legs were thin and long, and their hands and feet bore sharp claws.

Abilities: Similar to how a yuan-ti could change its form at will into a snake, the pterafolk could "unfurl" a pair of eight-foot-long, leathery, webbed wings for flying or even take the form of a small pteranodon. They tended to only use such forms when they wanted to fly.

Magic: Pterafolk distrusted magic, so spellcasters were very rare among them, and they would usually destroy any magical items they found as spoils. If the tribe was overseen by a spirit naga, it might train up acolytes who could cast divine magic.

Attire: Pterafolk did not wear clothing, except for belts and bandoliers for carrying small items. If they wore armor or used weapons(often barbed spears), they were custom-made to not interfere with flight. They also liked to collect things valued by the communities near where they lived.

Combat: Pterafolk rarely strategized, but they had certain tactics they used regularly in combat. They used dive-bombing tactics, dropping from altitudes of 100 feet (30 meters) or more to swoop down on their foes and strike with their rear claws, toothed beak, or barbed spears. They preferred circling their opponents and diving upon them in turn such that there would be a constant stream of diving attacks from all directions.

Some clans cared little for training and relied only on instinct in battle. Others had a form of organized training that produced fighters, barbarians and rangers.

Culture: Their culture was one where the strong trampled on the weak, and the needs of an individual outweighed the needs of the group. Betrayal and infighting were common occurrences. Pterafolk lived either in large tribes or in small bands of between ten and thirty individuals. The smaller groups were disorganized and generally controlled by which ever pterafolk individual was strongest or loudest. They lived in grass huts built high above the jungle canopy. Each hut housed one to four persons.

Larger tribes had established communities with cultures similar to those of other races living around them. Tribes were subdivided into clans of related individuals. Strangely, these larger tribes were often ruled by a spirit naga, who functioned as chieftain with absolute power and responded to the tribe's requests and acted as a judge over their disputes. Pterafolk were enemies of the tribes of humans and the Batiri goblin tribe.

Life Cycle: Pterafolk ate both meat and vegetables. Their favorite meats were from dinosaurs, rhinoceros, and axebeaks. They also consumed jungle fruits, roots, bark, and flowers.

Pterafolk mated for life, with females laying eggs high on mountain peaks, having both parents guarding them. When the young reached adulthood, they would leave the tribe and form smaller bands until they could establish territory or a tribe of their own. It was exceptionally rare for a pterafolk individual to die of old age; death in battle was expected.

Religion: After the breakup of the World Serpent, most pterafolk took to worshiping Shekinester, the goddess of spirit nagas. They held that the primary forces of nature were chaos and destruction. They followed their deity by bringing about more destruction into the world.

Pterafolk Traits

As a pterafolk, 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 a pterafolk requires special consideration by your DM.

Ability Score Increase

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

Age

Pterafolk reach maturity by age 12. Compared to humans, pterafolk don’t usually live longer than 50 years.

Alignment

While not all lizardfolk were evil, it was generally agreed that pterafolk were cruel and vicious as a rule. They were highly untrusting of anyone outside their own race.

Size

Pterafolk are about 10 feet tall. They have lean, lightweight bodies that weigh between 180 and 250 pounds. Your size is Large.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet.

Flight

You have a flying speed of 40 feet. To use this speed, you can’t be wearing heavy armor.

Talons

You are proficient with your unarmed strikes, which deal 1d8 slashing damage on a hit.

Leathery Skin

You have tough, leathery skin. When you aren’t wearing armor, your AC is 13 + your Dexterity modifier. You can use your natural armor to determine your AC if the armor you wear would leave you with a lower AC. A shield’s benefits apply as normal while you use your natural armor.

Spear Master

As a pterafolk, the spear is your favored weapon. You gain expertise.

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Common and Draconic.

Sky Predator

You have advantage on strength checks that involve lifting someone into the air.