Homebrew Aarakocra (Penguin) Species Details

From the far flung icy tundras of the north, the aarakocra have undergone a strange transformation. Gone are the lithe raptor forms of their fellows, replaced instead by bulk, flippers, and a water-resistant bodies. These are the penguin aarakocra, ready to take to the seas and flap their flippers in good form. 

Penguin aarakocra have the unfortunate habit of diving way too deep and getting themselves frozen. This causes them to wind up washed ashore on beaches spanning the world.

Beak and Feather

If one saw a penguin aarakocra waddling from a great distance away, they'd probably believe a great beast was upon them. Standing over 8 feet tall and weighing on average 500 lbs, they tower over their narrow cousins. They have lost their ability to fly due to their immense girth.

Watertight feathers cover their bodies. Their plumage is a unique pattern of whites and blacks, usually in some type of tuxedo fashion. Their cheeks are a flushed orange, red, and pink gradient that extends from the beak. The beak is large, long, and prominent. There is little difference in markings between males and females. They are known to cover smaller creatures with their incubating flap if they think they're cold.

 

Aarakocra (Penguin) Traits

Slide, slip, and splash into a wet and wild variant of the typical aarakocra.

Ability Score Increase

Your Constitution score increases by 2, and your Wisdom score increases by 1.

Age

Aarakocra reach maturity by age 3. Compared to humans, aarakocra don’t usually live longer than 30 years.

Alignment

Most aarakocra 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

Penguin aarakocra are about 8 feet tall. They have large, sturdy bodies and weigh around 450-750 pounds. Your size is Large.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 25 feet. You also have a swimming speed of 30 ft.

Slide

You have a sliding speed of 50 feet. To use this speed, you must be sliding on a slippery surface. This surface can be slippery for whatever reason, be it ice, grease, oil, etc.

Flippers

Your flippers are natural weapons, which you can use to make unarmed strikes. If you hit with them, you deal bludgeoning damage equal to 1d4 + your Strength modifier.

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Common, Aarakocra, and Auran.

Arctic Endurance

You are resistant to cold damage and have advantage on saving throws against ice-based attacks.

Hold Breath

You can hold your breath a number of minutes equal to 3 × your Constitution modifier.