Tengu

The flightless avians of Aldebaran, Tengu as a race are notorious kleptomaniacs and consmen. Often in the slums and backalleys of society, Tengu speak a clever game to those that come across them. Golden lies spun, these tricksy will pat you on the shoulder while filching your purse, or lead you into a darker corner and take your stuff with more muscle. Why they're like this, it's hard to say. Some say they harbor a jealously towards their more regal kin, the Saetori. Others mention a curse from long ago, and the race's curious ability to learn languages that still remains. That Ebenkrai freed them from the curse, but a grudge still exists. Most think that it's just how Tengu are, that's how they grow up, and it's a bad cycle.
That cycle doesn't always have to come true though. There are tengu that break it. Upbeat bardic travelers, hard working fishermen, honest merchants, plenty show that they are above the stereotypes thrown upon them. Wanting to escape from the life they grew up in, they tend to be solitary people.
Speaking of growing up into it, Tengu tend to have sort of group family. There are those that are directly related, but due to the circumstances they find themselves in, Tengu tend to raise their young as a whole. They learn swordplay, which they are surprisingly competent at, how to sweet talk, pursue markets for targets and more from their "gang". Their societal structure respects the eldest, who receives tributes from the youngest members. A sort of grandfather mob boss like figure, the oldest member tends to be a figure of import in the city they reside in.
Religion is sort of whatever to Tengu. If any, they tend to worship Ebenkrai and Gambler. Some dark cults of Tengu do exist, and they often find themselves revealed to the dark truth of The Mad Eye. Death seems to follow in their wake, and Erux Pho also should warrant some mention to the gods these dark birds venerate. For those few good Tengu, Sham'oh Thalia and Shadow Weaver are also popular.
Tengu are very mistrustful. Despite the Saetori being very orderly and law oriented, you'd be surprised to find out the two races actually tolerate each other quite well. The runts of the more regal bird kind often make friends with the children of Tengu, and they have a respect towards each other as fellow avians. While they may dislike how each conducts themselves, they don't go out of their way to harm each other. Otherwise, Tengu dislike most other races. They can make do with the Ragaron, who share similar structures, but they can just as easily see them as rivals.
Tengu make for good rogues and decent warriors. They also are fantastic linguists and capable casters of The Weave. Tengu tend to stick to their territory, but adventure isn't a far off call. For those a Tengu travels with, they should keep an eye on their belongings. For those that get friendly with one though, they can build a fierce bond. They also can go from really quiet to very chatty.

Anatomy

Tengu are similar to saetori, having birdlike features and also being humanoids. However, they differ quite substantial in their overall physiology. Tengu have a sort of hunch to them, unlike the saetori's upright stance, and are wingless. Tengu have two 3 digit bird-like hands and two bird-like feat. They typically do not have rectrices (tail feathers). Standing upright, they're among the shorter races averaging around 5"4. On average they weigh around 120lbs. Resembling ravens or crows, they have often black feathered. There are varieties of tengu that exist that represent other species of birds however, just as there are crow and raven saetori.

Tengu

Type Humanoid/(Avian)

Ability Score Modifier +2 Dexterity, +2 Wisdom or Intelligence, –2 Constitution

Size medium

Speed 30ft.

Language Tengu start with four regional languages. Tengu are capable of learning any language they want, excluding secret languages.

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Racial Traits

• [2 RP] Gifted Linguist (Ex): Tengus gain a +4 racial bonus on Linguistics checks, and learn 2 languages each time they gain a rank in Linguistics rather than 1 language.
• [2 RP] Skill Focus (Perception) (Ex): Tengu have sharp senses and receive a +2 racial bonus on Perception checks.
• [2 RP] Skill Focus (Stealth) (Ex): Tengu are covetous and sneaky creatures, and receive a +2 racial bonus on Stealth checks.
• [1 RP] Low-Light Vision (Ex): Tengu can see twice as far as humans in conditions of dim light.
• [0 RP] Bird Empathy (Ex): Tengu gain a +4 bonus on Handle Animal checks made to influence birds.
• [1 RP] Bite (Ex): Tengu have sharp beaks, and they gain a bite attack. (1d3)
• [3 RP] Sword Trained (Ex): Tengus are trained from birth in swordplay, and as a result are automatically proficient with sword-like weapons (including bastard swords, daggers, elven curve blades, falchions, greatswords, kukris, longswords, punching daggers, rapiers, scimitars, short swords, and two-bladed swords).

Scientific Name
Corvus Hominem
Origin/Ancestry
Avian
Lifespan
50-70
Typical Habitat
Typically warm regions in Aldebaran, such as Wrekuinao, Astrulia, Eoyecuan, and Teobik. There is a version of Tengu that exist in cold regions called Pengu.
Average Physique
Hunched and feathered, with a very large beak. Typically black, and without wings on their back unlike their avian cousins.